Nebrasketball - by Scott Winter (Hardcover)

About the Book

"When fall rolls into winter, most sports fans in Nebraska long for spring football. But Coach Tim Miles has given hibernating fans a reason to cheer through winter for the first time in twenty years. Since taking over the men's basketball program in 2012, Miles has gone from being relatively unknown outside college coaching circles to a big name on the national stage as an up-and-coming, funny, and fan-friendly college coach. Miles scores big with Nebraska's fans with his social media acumen--he tweets during halftime--and his fan interaction--he applied (and failed) to become the leader of the student section at Pinnacle Bank Arena. But on the court and in practice, Miles is all about winning. His combination of toughness, togetherness, and humor has rejuvenated Nebraska basketball.Nebrasketball provides a full-access account of Tim Miles's path to Nebraska and his team's inaugural season in the $186 million Pinnacle Bank Arena. With full access to Miles and the team, Scott Winter provides basketball fans with an intimate look at a rising star in college basketball, detailing what it's like to coach an NCAA men's program today with all of its triumphs and struggles, along with Miles's larger story as a transformational coach who has made Nebraska basketball, and other college programs, relevant. The book also shows the small-town legacy and tenacity that created Miles, including his mother's prodding, his benching as a college player, and his significant history of losing, which he claims was his most important mentor"--

Book Synopsis

When fall rolls into winter, most sports fans in Nebraska long for spring football. But Coach Tim Miles has given hibernating fans a reason to cheer through winter for the first time in twenty years. Since taking over the men's basketball program in 2012, Miles has gone from being relatively unknown outside college coaching circles to a big name on the national stage as an up-and-coming, funny, and fan-friendly college coach.

Miles scores big with Nebraska's fans with his social media acumen--he tweets during halftime--and his fan interaction--he applied (and failed) to become the leader of the student section at Pinnacle Bank Arena. But on the court and in practice, Miles is all about winning. His combination of toughness, togetherness, and humor has rejuvenated Nebraska basketball.

Nebrasketball provides a full-access account of Tim Miles's path to Nebraska and his team's inaugural season in the $186 million Pinnacle Bank Arena. With full access to Miles and the team, Scott Winter provides basketball fans with an intimate look at a rising star in college basketball, detailing what it's like to coach an NCAA men's program today with all of its triumphs and struggles, along with Miles's larger story as a transformational coach who has made Nebraska basketball, and other college programs, relevant. The book also shows the small-town legacy and tenacity that created Miles, including his mother's prodding, his benching as a college player, and his significant history of losing, which he claims was his most important mentor.

Review Quotes

"[It's] a Season on the Brink type of book. . . . Absolutely fascinating and a must-read."--Dan Dakich, ESPN color analyst and radio host and former NCAA coach-- (3/13/2015 12:00:00 AM)

"Anyone valuing the lessons derived from hard work, diligence, and persistence during adversity will enjoy this book."--J. Kemper Campbell, Lincoln Journal Star-- (10/4/2015 12:00:00 AM)

"I really appreciate Tim Miles's candor. I interview coaches all of the time and I look forward to speaking with Tim because he's not going to sugarcoat his words. He is genuine, refreshing, and thoughtful in this book! Pick it up!"--Stephen Bardo, Big Ten Network analyst and former Big Ten defensive player of the year for the Flyin' Illini-- (5/8/2015 12:00:00 AM)

"Nebraska coach Tim Miles is a rising superstar running a once-beleaguered program that is rising right along with him. . . . [Scott Winter] has crafted a riveting, behind-the-scenes look at how Miles is doing it and all that has made [him] who he is. It is an insider's view full of color and detail and the raw workings of a program that has captured the hearts of not just Nebraska fans but all of college basketball."--Shelley Smith, ESPN and SportsCenter correspondent-- (3/5/2015 12:00:00 AM)

"Scott Winter gives us an inside look at one of the Huskers' most exciting seasons [2013-14] in recent history--a season worth reliving again."--Kevin Kugler, play-by-play television broadcaster for Big Ten Network college basketball and radio voice of Sunday Night Football for Westwood One Sports-- (3/5/2015 12:00:00 AM)

"What separates this book from many of the others that have been written about college basketball is that there are countless behind-the-scenes stories that illustrate how Miles molded himself into a big-time coach."--Grand Forks (ND) Herald-- (5/12/2015 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Scott Winter is an assistant professor of journalism at Bethel University. His work has been published in American Journalism Review, Indian Country Today, and In the Fray. Tom Izzo is the legendary head coach for the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team.