Trueblood Ready To Finish Strong

Believe it or not, The Legend of Johnny Trueblood dates longer than the past 10 days.

This is before Trueblood, a (previously) seldom-used senior walk-on from Elkhorn, came off the bench to spark an improbable comeback victory against Iowa on Senior Day. Before his four steals against Rutgers and three-pointer against Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament. Before national sportscaster Andy Katz interviewed Trueblood in the halls of the United Center in Chicago.

We’re talking about a time before Trueblood even joined the Nebraska men’s basketball team, back when he was on his official recruiting visit as a preferred walk-on.

On that day, Coach Tim Miles walked toward his office in the Hendricks Training Complex. To his surprise, he found Trueblood, a high school senior, using Miles’ personal shower.

“He just helped himself,” Miles said, recalling the story Tuesday. “I walked down the hall, and he was in my shower.

“We have showers for players, showers for assistants, and he’s in my damn shower.”

Uhm, so what did Miles say?

“What do you say?” Miles retorted. “He’s got guts man. I like him.”

Trueblood grinned and turned a light shade of red as he confirmed the story. In his defense, Trueblood said a member of Miles’ staff had told him to use the private shower, as the players’ showers were fully occupied after they'd all played a pick-up game, and Trueblood was pushed for time.

“It wasn’t like I walked up there and said, ‘I’m going to use his shower,’ ” Trueblood said. “But yeah, Coach was surprised somebody actually got in his shower. It was kind of funny.”

To this day, Trueblood holds the dubious distinction of being the only person to use Miles’ shower on his recruiting visit.

Stories like these emerge when players like Trueblood rise to the forefront, especially at the conclusion of their careers.

Trueblood and the rest of Nebraska’s seniors have already been officially honored during Senior Day ceremonies, but they’ll have at least one more home game at Pinnacle Bank Arena, when Nebraska (18-16) hosts Butler (16-16) on Wednesday night in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament.

And to think, the last time Trueblood prepared to play what he thought was his last home game, his biggest claim to Nebraska fame was a career 100 percent 3-point shooting mark – with one successful attempt, as a freshman, against Rutgers.

“The Legend of Johnny Trueblood continues,” Miles said. “It’s awesome.”

Since Trueblood received his framed Nebraska jersey before the Iowa game, he’s played in 104 minutes over Nebraska’s last four games, with a plus/minus rating of +48. Prior to that, he had played just 32 minutes all season, and 61 for his career.

 “It’s kind of wild to think about,” Trueblood said. “I’m just so thankful for this experience and this opportunity. But we want to keep it rolling.”

Trueblood was thrust into action because of a rash of injuries that left an already shorthanded roster with only eight players. That number now is likely seven, including five on scholarship, as freshman center Brady Heiman is doubtful to play against Butler because of a back issue.

But Trueblood didn’t simply just fill a spot. He made the most of his opportunity and made plays, like his steal late in the game against Rutgers that led to a run-out and two free throws for Isaiah Roby.

Trueblood had a career-high four steals and four rebounds in that game, and he scored a career-high five points to help the Huskers upset No. 5 seed Maryland in the next round.

“What a cool way to go out as a senior,” Miles said. “It’s well-earned and deserved. Johnny’s one of those young guys that’s a total team guy.

“He’s really had a servant’s heart, in my book. To see him go out and execute plays, and make defensive plays. He’s made really good defensive plays, smart offensive plays that were critical to the game.”

Not until this week has Trueblood played on the No. 1 team in practice. You might be surprised at his reaction to that promotion.

“Scout team, we’re a tight-knit group,” Trueblood said. “I was kind of upset I got bumped off it. I was bummed. I’m serious. I said, ‘I want to be on scout.’ I love the scout team. It’s been fun.”

As for the notion Trueblood didn’t know Nebraska’s plays when he entered the game because he’d been strictly scout team?

“Well, I know our plays, but I just know them from the point guard spot,” he said. “I just wouldn’t know the two-guard spot if I was on the floor with Glynn (Watson). That was the difficult part.

“But it’s easy to pick up. They’re similar plays. Get the ball to Glynn, James (Palmer) or Roby and clear out of the way.”

Trueblood, who left the team after his freshman season and returned to play as a junior and senior, has a year of eligibility remaining.

“The whole plan was to come back another year, but I kind of said I came in with this senior class, and I kind of wanted to leave with them,” Trueblood said. “I’ve obviously had second thoughts after this whole week because it’s kind of surreal, but as of right now, I’ll probably settle with coaching because I’m excited to get into that.”

His interest in coaching in college is actually why Trueblood returned to the program. He wanted to glean as much as he could from Miles and his assistants, and he’s happy he did.

Trueblood said he’ll wait until after the season to begin contacting programs about graduate assistant opportunities. He graduates in May with a degree in business that includes a minor in accounting.

“Coach Miles has been super helpful through this whole process,” he said. “All of our coaches have been helpful to me.”

What’s he learned most about coaching thus far?

“It’s not all about basketball,” Trueblood said. “You’ve got to care for your players, and we do a good job of that here. From a coach’s perspective, if you can help your players reach their dreams, then they’re going to help you accomplish a lot more things. It’s a ‘them-first’ mentality.”

The affable Trueblood said he’s received many positive, complimentary Tweets from fans, along with countless text messages from friends and family over the past week or so.

“It’s been super humbling, and I want to finish this thing off the right way,” he said. “That’s what these guys, this coaching staff and players, deserve.”

Reach Brian at brosenthal@huskers.com or follow him on Twitter @GBRosenthal.