Nebrasketball 2025 Portal Szn + Roster Ins/Outs

[Dr.DrakeRamoray]

We’ve seen the Summit League to Big Ten play transition and it’s not overly good.

Frankie, Kyle, Morgan….

Not saying he’s not better than those guys. I’m just saying I’m not sure I’m trading Berke for him and calling it even.

Counter (while not Big 10) is grant nelson, Baylor schiermen, Zeke Mayo

 

[Huskers4420]

Counter (while not Big 10) is grant nelson, Baylor schiermen, Zeke Mayo

No offense to Sutton but he isn’t anywhere near the talent of those 3.

I’d consider him like a taller but worse shooting Juwan. Who would look very good in the Summit League.

 

[...TrueColors...]

Counter (while not Big 10) is grant nelson, Baylor schiermen, Zeke Mayo

Asking a guy from the Summit league who’s an undersized guy for the Big Ten at his position to come on and guard the guys he’ll be asked to and score at a healthy clip is a tall task.

I’m not saying I wouldn’t be excited about an addition like this one. I’m saying I wouldn’t trade Berke for him and call it an even swap. At least not on paper.

 

[COYS]

Payton made a big jump from his soph to junior season, hopefully Pryce follows the same progression.

 

[Dr.DrakeRamoray]

Asking a guy from the Summit league who’s an undersized guy for the Big Ten at his position to come on and guard the guys he’ll be asked to and score at a healthy clip is a tall task.

I’m not saying I wouldn’t be excited about an addition like this one. I’m saying I wouldn’t trade Berke for him and call it an even swap. At least not on paper.

He’d be asked to play the 4 and he’s 6’9 230, he’s not undersized

 

[...TrueColors...]

He’d be asked to play the 4 and he’s 6’9 230, he’s not undersized

I must have looked at an old listing as I saw 6ft8 217.

6ft9 230 puts him at William Kyle’s size.

Again, I’d be happy with the add. But I don’t think trading him for Berke is an even swap at all.

 

[Huskers633]

Payton made a big jump from his soph to junior season, hopefully Pryce follows the same progression.

That would be nice as it would mean he'd average around 16 ppg.

 

[Huskers4420]

Mast
Sandfort
Essegian
Lawrence
Buyuktuncel

I agree that this lineup is more well rounded offensively and wouldn't need a Brice-type on the floor, but this lineup will also give up 80+ a game.

 

[ZJSARENOTFREE]

I agree that this lineup is more well rounded offensively and wouldn't need a Brice-type on the floor, but this lineup will also give up 80+ a game.

Maybe? Essegian hasn't been good, Mast is streaky, Berke is a wildcard. This line-up is also not physical at all and we are going to beat up. Fred is going to have to hit the portal hard again. I know they all have a chance to get better, but this line-up screams bottom dweller of the Big 10 to me.

 

[Flabio]

Maybe? Essegian hasn't been good, Mast is streaky, Berke is a wildcard. This line-up is also not physical at all and we are going to beat up. Fred is going to have to hit the portal hard again. I know they all have a chance to get better, but this line-up screams bottom dweller of the Big 10 to me.

We currently don’t have the length, athleticism, to have a good defensive team and there are no players who can score without wide open looks or easier looks. So I’m not sure what you lean on and I can’t stand the trapping defense that gives up lots of wide open threes. Made games easy for the likes of Cockeye.

 

[PonyBoy]

I agree that this lineup is more well rounded offensively and wouldn't need a Brice-type on the floor, but this lineup will also give up 80+ a game.

I mentioned Essegian coming off the bench, not sure if you missed that or not but it doesn't add up to giving up 80+.

We currently don’t have the length, athleticism, to have a good defensive team and there are no players who can score without wide open looks or easier looks. So I’m not sure what you lean on and I can’t stand the trapping defense that gives up lots of wide open threes. Made games easy for the likes of Cockeye.

At this time a year ago, we didn't have Morgan, Berke or Meah (all length).

6 seniors gone
- 1 HS recruit
- 2 (assumed) portals in Lawrence & Sandfort
- 3 remaining spots available

And the above doesn't account for Griffiths, who may or may not open another spot.

IMO, we're in a better spot today than we were a year ago or even 2 years ago.

 

[ZJSARENOTFREE]

We currently don’t have the length, athleticism, to have a good defensive team and there are no players who can score without wide open looks or easier looks. So I’m not sure what you lean on and I can’t stand the trapping defense that gives up lots of wide open threes. Made games easy for the likes of Cockeye.

I agree with everything you said. Our lineup though blows as of now.

Essegian - Has the ability to score, but was pretty awful this year. I hope he gets better, but decent defenders eat him up.
Berke - After the injury was not the same. He needs to work on his game as right now he is not a threat offensively.
Mast - Like I said. Super streaky.

I'm good with going full on offense, but that roster is not a good offense roster to me. We are going to need better players otherwise we are going to get curb stomped next year. It's my opinion and we can disagree, but if that is our starting 5, I'm not sure we win 3 games in conference play. Outside of Lawrence, zero athleticism.

 

[ZJSARENOTFREE]

I mentioned Essegian coming off the bench, not sure if you missed that or not but it doesn't add up to giving up 80+.



At this time a year ago, we didn't have Morgan, Berke or Meah (all length).

6 seniors gone
- 1 HS recruit
- 2 (assumed) portals in Lawrence & Sandfort
- 3 remaining spots available

And the above doesn't account for Griffiths, who may or may not open another spot.

IMO, we're in a better spot today than we were a year ago or even 2 years ago.

There is definitely going to be an ability to bring in dudes, but I won't say we are better off. Not having dudes like Brice and Juwan are going to hurt. We may be able to get them, but Meah, Morgan and even Berke were busts in the grand scheme. I hope Fred can pull something out of the hat, but as of today it's not looking good. Hoping for the best though.

 

[Huskers4420]

I mentioned Essegian coming off the bench, not sure if you missed that or not but it doesn't add up to giving up 80+.

Missed that. You think Connor anticipates coming off the bench next year, though? Maybe he does, but as a senior you'd think his goal is starting.

 

[PonyBoy]

There is definitely going to be an ability to bring in dudes, but I won't say we are better off. Not having dudes like Brice and Juwan are going to hurt. We may be able to get them, but Meah, Morgan and even Berke were busts in the grand scheme. I hope Fred can pull something out of the hat, but as of today it's not looking good. Hoping for the best though.

Of course they're going to hurt, they were our leaders. But let's not act like a year ago anyone expected Brice to average 20+ and earn 1st team all B1G. IMO, Gary's toughness is what we'll miss more from a replacement standpoint.

Berke has 2 years left, I wouldn't call him a bust just yet. (I did expect a little more from him though)...

I just don't get the "as of today" comment. (Assuming) Sandfort & Lawrence are N, they are upgrades over portals from a year ago (Griffiths & Worster) with 3 remaining spots. Mast > Meah, so we really have 3 spots to fill and another Allick/Morgan will do wonders. Today looks a heck of a lot better to me than a year ago...

Missed that. You think Connor anticipates coming off the bench next year, though? Maybe he does, but as a senior you'd think his goal is starting.

Valid point starter v off the bench.

But he was tied for 5th in minutes played (22/game) this past season. It dropped to 20.5/game in B1G games only so I don't think 24-26 mpg is an unrealistic expectation. And I'll guess Essegian feels the same as he knows his defense is what's holding him back for more minutes. IMO, no different than Tominaga really struggling defensively as a junior. And when their offense is clicking, what we lose defensively is more than worth it. KT averaged 25 mpg his junior season and scored 13 ppg. Connor averaged 22 mpg and scored 10.6 ppg. Not that much difference, especially considering KT as a junior had a PG (Greisel) and C (Walker) that could see the floor a lot better than Worster and Meah/Morgan.

FWIW - Greisel and Walker combined for 218 assists in 2022-2023 (KT's junior season). Mast & Lawrence combined for 181 KT's senior year. Worster, Morgan & Meah combined for 130 this year.

 

[Dell Husker]

Fucker

 

[PonyBoy]

 

[Dell Husker]

I watched some more of his film this morning. I think he’s who I thought Conner was going to be this year

 

[...TrueColors...]

Of course they're going to hurt, they were our leaders. But let's not act like a year ago anyone expected Brice to average 20+ and earn 1st team all B1G. IMO, Gary's toughness is what we'll miss more from a replacement standpoint.

Berke has 2 years left, I wouldn't call him a bust just yet. (I did expect a little more from him though)...

I just don't get the "as of today" comment. (Assuming) Sandfort & Lawrence are N, they are upgrades over portals from a year ago (Griffiths & Worster) with 3 remaining spots. Mast > Meah, so we really have 3 spots to fill and another Allick/Morgan will do wonders. Today looks a heck of a lot better to me than a year ago...



Valid point starter v off the bench.

But he was tied for 5th in minutes played (22/game) this past season. It dropped to 20.5/game in B1G games only so I don't think 24-26 mpg is an unrealistic expectation. And I'll guess Essegian feels the same as he knows his defense is what's holding him back for more minutes. IMO, no different than Tominaga really struggling defensively as a junior. And when their offense is clicking, what we lose defensively is more than worth it. KT averaged 25 mpg his junior season and scored 13 ppg. Connor averaged 22 mpg and scored 10.6 ppg. Not that much difference, especially considering KT as a junior had a PG (Greisel) and C (Walker) that could see the floor a lot better than Worster and Meah/Morgan.

FWIW - Greisel and Walker combined for 218 assists in 2022-2023 (KT's junior season). Mast & Lawrence combined for 181 KT's senior year. Worster, Morgan & Meah combined for 130 this year.

What I’ll say is that Hoiberg has put together 3 teams the last 3 years that all had good chances to make the tournament and he did it pretty much entirely from the portal.

That 2022-23 team was one terrible call away from potentially finishing off Purdue at their place. That 23-24 team made the tournament and this 24-25 team had no excuse to not do it.

I’m not worried at all about Fred finding players that can play in the big ten.

What has my eye is January. That’s where this years team and the 22-23 team completely shit the bed. That 0-6 stretch this year is the reason this team didn’t make it this year. Had you gone 4-2 in that stretch like I fully believe you SHOULD have this team is dancing.

Player acquisition is not a problem for Fred’s operation or 1890 for that matter and his last 3 teams have absolutely been talented enough to meet and/or exceed Nebraska basketball expectations. Never, zero, ziltch. Not listening to anyone who makes the talent argument.

What’s been Fred’s issue is handling this team on and off the floor in January. Fix that and you’ve got a team that will win games in the tournament.

 

[Dell Husker]

Familiar name @park_neb?