Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Badgers to turn NCAA Tournament momentum into Big Ten title

By Bryce Bennett

Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Tim Miles coaches on the sidelines against the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Tim Miles coaches on the sidelines against the Maryland Terrapins during the Big Ten Conference tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Nebraska Cornhuskers

2015-16 record: 16-18 overall, 6-12 in Big Ten

Head coach: Tim Miles

Notable departures: Andrew White III (transfer to Syracuse), Shavon Shields, Benny Parker 

Notable returnees: Glynn Watson Jr., Tai Webster, Jack McVeigh

Notable newcomers: Three-star C Jordy Tshimanga, non-ranked F Jeriah Horne, three-star F Isaiah Roby, Louisville transfer G Anton Gill

It’s tough times in Lincoln. Nebraska was the toast of college basketball just a few years ago, but the program has struggled to sustain any momentum. Multiple years of .500 basketball has put coach Tim Miles even closer to the hot seat.

Those calls will get louder this season as Nebraska projects to be worse. The biggest blow to the 2016-17 Cornhuskers happened in the off-season. Their leading returning scorer, Andrew White III, decided to transfer to Syracuse. Talented players such as Tai Webster and Glynn Watson Jr. remain, but the bottom appears to be falling out for Nebraska. Expect them to scare a couple opponents at home, but this season will be a long one.

The best case is for Nebraska to see All-Big Ten-type leaps from Webster and Watson, and then contributions from a decent freshman class. If the freshman can shore up the front court and the returnees elevate the backcourt, Nebraska could be a fringe bubble team. In all likelihood, the freshmen will take their lumps and improvements from returnees will not be that transformational. 

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