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Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:
Nebraska
Last year’s finish: 21-14, 7-13 Big Ten (12th)
Notable losses: Brice Williams; Juwan Gary; Andrew Morgan; Rollie Worster
Returning players: Connor Essegian, Sr., G; Sam Hoiberg, Sr., G; Berke Buyuktuncel, Jr., F; Rienk Mat, Sr., F
Key additions: Kendall Blue, Sr., G; Jamarques Lawrence, Sr., G; Ugnius Jarusevicius, Sr., F; Pryce Sandfort, Jr., F; Leo Curtis, Fr., F
One extended thought: There’s plenty to like about the Nebraska frontcourt with Mast returning after missing all of the 2024-25 season following knee surgery. The Dutch standout put up 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and three assists per game his last season on the court. The Cornhuskers also got reinforcements up front in Jarusevicius (averaged 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds last season at Central Michigan) and Curtis (coming off an impressive run at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket with Iceland).
The question, though, is how Nebraska replaces Williams. The do-everything guard was one of the best players in the Big Ten last year, and there’s no obvious stand in for this coming season. The ‘Huskers are going to have to hope Sandfort turns into his older brother or the jump from Summit League to the Big Ten isn’t too big for Blue, who was St. Thomas’ second-leading scorer last season.