Fed up Nebraska coach bans players from locker room after fifth straight loss

Tim Miles is coaching one of the most disappointing teams in the nation at Nebraska based on preseason expectations of the Cornhuskers. After seeing his team completely fold at home on Sunday in a 74-46 rout to Iowa, Miles had had enough.

Miles, widely known as affable and accessible and a fun follow on Twitter, told reporters after the game he is barring his players from their lavish locker room until further notice. Apparently, Miles believes his team isn't playing at a level worthy of big screen televisions, a pool table and smoothie bar all of which are a part of their accomodations at Hendricks Training Complex.

“There will be chains on the doors locking it from the outside,’’ Miles was quoted by the Omaha World-Herald, “until further notice.’’

Nebraska fell behind 42-16 in the first half Sunday and never really made up ground. The Huskers committed 13 turnovers, produced only eight assists, were outrebounded by eight and made only two of 18 3-point attempts. They also allowed Iowa to shoot 50 percent from the floor and from behind the arc.

Terran Petteway scored 16 points for the Huskers but he needed 15 shots to get them. Nebraska has now lost five straight and seven of its past eight. The Huskers rank 320th in the nation in assists per game (10.6). Nebraska is now one-game under .500 at 13-14 overall and 5-10 in the Big Ten.

“You never want to throw your players under the bus,’’ Miles was quoted by the Omaha World-Herald. “But that was beyond disappointing. That’s not what we represent. . . . We quit easily today, and that’s a great disappointment.’’

Miles not only banned his players from their locker room, he made them off limits for interviews after the game and there is not indication he will allow them to be interviewed any time soon. Assistant coach Chris Harriman tweeted an apology for the team's performance.