Nebraska says its season isn't over, but another critical offseason awaits
Shortly after being eliminated from Big Ten and NCAA Tournament play, Nebraska head coach
Fred Hoiberg was adamant that his team’s season was not done.
While the Huskers look to continue in the NIT or College Basketball Crown, they must do so while also turning the page to a critical offseason ahead.
The NCAA Transfer Portal window officially opens on March 24. But Hoiberg said the search had already begun in some filling massive voids on his 2025-26 roster.
Brice Williams,
Juwan Gary,
Andrew Morgan,
Rollie Worster,
Braxton Meah, and
Ahron Ulis will all move on.
NU will likely also need to account for other potential roster attrition that’s become standard in the new portal era.
So, while Nebraska hopes to end its disappointing season on a high note, it knows time is already of the essence in retooling the program.
“It’s hard when your season’s continuing on to have to balance that,” Hoiberg said. “We’ve got a lot of guys we’ve got to replace. So, certainly, we’re going to be aggressive in the portal. There’s no doubt about that.
“Again, it’s something where your eyes and ears are open all year long. This isn’t, ‘OK, the 24th it opens and now who’s going to be in?’ You go out there and prepare and do your work, and once those names start hitting the portal, you try to get them on campus and do the best job you can.
“We’ve gotten some good guys, but certainly we’re going to have a lot to replace.”
NU’s portal position priorities are clear, and it starts with stars
What will Nebraska’s first move be once the transfer portal window opens in two weeks?
That conversation starts with replacing Williams and Gary, who were the program’s heart and soul on and off the court. The Huskers need at least one – probably two – Day 1 starters through the portal that can replicate Williams and Gary’s production on both ends of the floor.
Nebraska should have a decent revenue share and NIL budget available, so I expect it to be aggressive with some of the top portal wings.
Bigs
Looking at the known departures, bolstering the frontcourt will be another obvious priority. Nebraska expects to have
Rienk Mast and
Berke Buytuktuncel back next season, which provides a solid foundation.
However, with Mast coming off season-ending knee surgery and Buyuktuncel’s erratic play this year, the Huskers need more depth. Elite big men are essentially the left tackles or edge rushers of football portal recruiting, so NU’s options at the top of the board might be slim.
One of Nebraska’s first portal visits a year ago was to see Morgan, a valuable depth piece and part-time starter this season. A similar under-the-radar post target in this cycle would make sense.
NU is also high on walk-on
Justin Bolis, who redshirted this season. The athletic 6-foot-8, 225-pound sophomore could provide more depth down low going forward.
Point guard
Then there is point guard, a problematic role for the Huskers the past two years. Without Worster, Ulis, and Williams,
Sam Hoiberg is NU’s only returning player with lead guard experience.
Look for Nebraska to prioritize better scoring threats at that position, especially with Mast back to help facilitate the half-court offense.
Shooters
Last but certainly not least, the Huskers need shooting.
Connor Essegian, who led the team and ranked sixth in the Big Ten with 70 made 3-pointers this year, should be back.
After him, though, Buyuktuncel is the next best returning perimeter threat with 22 made threes (at a 28.6% clip). Sam Hoiberg (17) is the only other returner who made more than seven.
Freshman
Nick Janowski, an elite scorer in high school, could provide some more firepower in that regard. NU will also add fellow freshman
Braden Frager – who the staff is extremely high on – and 2025 signee
Quinten Rhymes to the mix.
“We’ve got to get a group in here that’s got toughness, and we’ve got to improve our shooting,” Hoiberg said. “That’s one thing, when you look at it, we made 100 less threes this year (than last season). We’ll go to work when the time presents itself, and it’s going to be an important offseason for us.”
Mast is the No. 1 recruit on the Huskers’ board
Nebraska will scour the country looking for portal replacements and upgrades. But its No. 1 recruiting priority will be ensuring Mast returns in 2025-26.
Losing the third-team All-Big Ten selection was a significant blow to the Huskers this year. Though it tried via a committee approach, NU’s staff could not replicate all that Mast brought to the table.
From everything I’ve heard throughout this season, nothing suggests that the senior big man plans to leave Nebraska. However, in today’s new landscape of college sports – especially with his potential professional options internationally – there are no longer any guarantees regarding roster management.
That said, the Huskers fully expect the do-it-all Mast to be their centerpiece next season. As long as he’s back to his old self after his knee surgery, NU should build its portal plan around Mast.
Nebraska’s 2025-26 roster distribution chart
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