Nebraska Basketball Preview 2021

PreviewsNCAAMBig Ten BasketballNebraska Cornhuskers

Nov 8

Our Nebraska basketball preview 2021 - 22 observes that over the past few years, the Cornhuskers have seen a lot of turnover in players with eligibility. It is the way things are under head coach Fred Hoiberg (14-45 Nebraska/2 years, 129-101 Overall/7 years). It’s true that these days many programs live and die via the transfer portal. However, with Hoiberg at the helm, the Cornhuskers have habitually suffered negative consequences. Since Hoiberg became coach, this team has won just seven games each season. Once again, this year, half of the roster has had to be replenished primarily through the transfer portal. That makes it close to impossible for Hoiberg to create any sense of continuity for the team. Plus, the yearly coming and going of talent just about assures that the Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-20 Overall, 3-16 Big Ten), who finished last at the end of the 2020-21 season, will end up near the bottom of the Big Ten once again.

Cornhuskers Frontcourt

Junior forward Derrick Walker (5.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 40.0 FG%), who averaged 20.8 MPG last year, will be asked to do more. Last season, he started and appeared in 17 games. He’ll be an anchor upfront this year. Our Nebraska basketball preview 2021 - 22 envisions that junior Lat Mayen, who started all 27 games, will be an essential player inside and outside. Last season, the 39.6/34.8/77.8 shooter averaged 8.6 PPG and 4.6 RPG while putting in 25.6 MPG. Two new big men, 6’9,” 210-pound freshman Wilhelm Breidenbach, a four-star recruit, and seven-foot, 220-pound forward Oleg Kojenets, from Kaunas, Lithuania, will likely see playing time. Both are mobile, big-bodied players who can take the ball through the paint and to the rim.

Nebraska Basketball Preview – Backcourt

With guard Dalano Banton, the team’s leading rebounder and assist man, declaring for the draft after one year with the Huskers, transfer Alonzo Verge Jr. (Arizona State) comes to Lincoln to start. At ASU, Verge, who has a high basketball IQ and fine skill set, was good for 14 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. He’ll take charge of the floor. Three-point threats include highly touted freshman Bryce McGowens and junior college transfer Keisei Tominaga. McGowens, who can guard four positions and score from virtually anywhere, could become a major contributor. Off the bench expect two freshmen transfers, C.J. Wilcher (Xavier) and Keon Edwards (DePaul), to see minutes. This group is deep, as two experienced returnees, senior Kobe Webster and junior Trey McGowens, offer points from downtown and leadership.