Busting Brackets
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Nebraska Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Cornhuskers

By Bryan Mauro

BLOOMINGTON, IN - DECEMBER 28: Ed Morrow #30 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers attempts a free throw in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on December 28, 2016 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - DECEMBER 28: Ed Morrow #30 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers attempts a free throw in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on December 28, 2016 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Isaac Copeland #14 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers takes a shot in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 2, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Isaac Copeland #14 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers takes a shot in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 2, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Key Reserves

Coach Miles has 4-star players with Watson, Copeland, Palmer and Roby. A season ago the depth for the Huskers contributed mightily to their success. This year the depth could be the downfall of a talented team. The Huskers do not have any players on their bench who have played any significant minutes of major college basketball. Those players are going to get a trial by fire this season as Miles has no choice but to play them.

The bench does have some interesting players on it though. If these players come into their own they will only make Nebraska a more formidable opponent. JUCO transfer Dedoch Chan, who is the latest commit for Nebraska. He put up great numbers at his JUCO last season. Big Ten basketball is much different than JUCO, and the Huskers are hoping that Chan is a quick learner.

The other frontcourt piece who should see minutes for the Huskers is in-state product Brady Heiman. Heiman came to Nebraska and Miles and the coaching staff had a redshirt in mind. After the departure of Jordy Tshimanga and the transformation of Heiman and his body type. To go along with the tenacity of Heiman in practice he may force Miles hand. He is not necessarily ready for the Big Ten big men. He could use a year of seasoning.

The Backcourt has numerous question marks on the bench. Incoming freshman Amir Harris looks to be the player who may enter the game first for Nebraska. Harris is ready to play defense in the Big Ten now. His offensive game could use a little work. Harris is explosive and can get to the rim, but he is not a great shooter. However, he seems to never get flustered and plays the game with a calming presence. Harris is a great passer as well as a defender,with Nebraska planning to utilize his skillset.

Karrington Davis and Nana Akenten are the other members of the backcourt who should see some minutes in the early portion of the schedule. Akenten is an athletic freak who is a human dunk contest. He is a capable shooter from deep as well. If Akenten can eliminate the mental lapses and pick up the system better this year than he did last year he has a chance to be a game-changing player in the league. If not he may never see the floor at Nebraska.

Davis makes his way to Nebraska from Montverde Academy where he played behind Duke star RJ Barrett. Davis may end up being a player who develops slow. He did not play much last year as he battled injuries and played behind the number one high school player in the nation.

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