There was no official update from head coach Tim Miles on Sunday about center Jordy Tshimanga’s reported unhappiness with the Huskers’ program, but Miles expects to meet with him soon.
“Expect to meet Jordy Tshimanga at some point today or tomorrow and just get more clarification as to where he’s at and really that’s all I can tell you for now,” Miles said Sunday afternoon. “When this all irons itself out we’ll be able to kind of complete the picture for you.”
On Thursday, news emerged that the sophomore center had grown increasingly frustrated with the way his season has gone to this point and could look to transfer. Tshimanga started the first 18 games of the season at center, averaging 3.5 points and 5.1 rebounds a game, but his shooting percentage has plummeted to 38.1 percent.
Tshimanga did not travel with the team to State College for a Friday game against Penn State, a 76-74 overtime loss. Miles said he will not practice Sunday in preparation for Monday night’s game against Illinois (10-8, 0-5 Big Ten)
Miles has yet to meet face-to-face with Tshimanga since their initial conversation before Friday’s game but said he was “stunned” to learn of Tshimanga’s unhappiness.
“We’ll see, I have not had a face to face with him since then so I look forward to sitting down with him again to see what’s going on,” Miles said. “I know he’s incredibly frustrated with just everything and he’s felt like he’s not playing well and we’ve just got to see where he’s at.”
Asked if such a lingering situation had any impact on the Huskers’ sluggish start at Penn State, Miles said he wasn’t sure. The Huskers trailed 33-24 at halftime and shot just 28 percent from the field.
“Why we came out slow against Penn State, I’m not positive if that had an effect or not, could have but I wouldn’t say largely that had a huge impact,” Miles said. “Probably more for the coaches than anybody.”
Miles said he doesn’t have “a good direction” as to what Tshimanga wants to do, but sounded as if he expects some sort of resolution, one way or the other, to come from their meeting. If Tshimanga chooses to leave, Miles said he’ll support him.
“I’m a guy that, if he needs to go, I’m going to support him because I don’t have any ill will towards a kid like Jordy,” Miles said. “He’s a sweetheart. He lights people’s eyes up. He and Roby, I get so many emails about those two guys and how they are in the airport or meeting a young kid at a tailgating thing or whatever it might be.”
The Huskers host the Illini Monday night at 8 p.m. CT. on BTN.
