Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg Released from Hospital After Leaving Game With Illness

Hoiberg left Nebraska's Big Ten tournament game against Indiana, tested negative for coronavirus but was diagnosed with the flu.

Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg was released from the hospital late Wednesday night after leaving his team's Big Ten tournament game against Indiana in the first half. 

Hoiberg tested negative for a preliminary coronavirus screening, per KLKN-TV's Matt Reynoldson. The team released a statement saying Hoiberg was diagnosed with influenza A and returned to the team hotel.

Fred Hoiberg diagnosed with influenza A (common cold). He’s back at the team hotel, per release. pic.twitter.com/VQu9U7y3mE

— Christopher Heady (@heady_chris) March 12, 2020

Hoiberg left the bench for the locker room late in the first half and was taken to the hospital shortly after, according to Jeff Goodman of Stadium.

Hoiberg, 47, appeared unwell during the game prior to his departure. Indiana went on to win, 89-64.

Hoiberg's mid-game exit comes on the same night the NBA announced it was suspending its season until further notice after one of its players—Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert—tested positive for coronavirus.

Following the game, both teams opted to forgo the traditional handshake line, instead opting for a wave of acknowledgement, per the Big Ten Network's Andy Katz. Nebraska did not participate in the post-game press conference, according to Gregg Doyle of the Indianapolis Star.

Shortly after 11 p.m. ET, it was reported that Nebraska was not allowed to leave the Bankers Life Fieldhouse and that the team was being quarantined in the locker room. The Cornhuskers were finally told they could leave the locker room about 15 minutes before midnight ET.

Nebraska men’s basketball team is not leaving Bankers Life Arena. They were brought their food outside the locker room. They are not letting people back to the area now. I just walked back to the area here and they told me no one from Nebraska will be made available.

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) March 12, 2020

The Nebraska basketball team just got the OK to leave the locker room and load onto the bus.

— Christopher Heady (@heady_chris) March 12, 2020

Earlier in the day, the Big Ten announced it would continue playing its conference tournament without fans in attendance, a move many conferences have adopted.

Indiana coach Archie Miller removed his players from postgame media availability following Hoiberg's departure. "We're preparing to play tomorrow, and hopefully that continues on. But probably like you guys, this is uncharted territory," Miller said.

Miller told Big Ten Network's Andy Katz that Hoiberg said to the Hoosiers coach before the game that he hadn't been feeling well and might not be able to complete the game. 

The Hoosiers announced on Twitter that they were back at the team hotel in Indianapolis. Indiana is scheduled to play Penn State Thursday night in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.

The post-game cleanup workers were also forced to evacuate the Bankers Life Fieldhouse shortly after Nebraska left its locker room.