Nebraska Basketball: Preview for Cornhuskers 2020-21 season

Starters

Guard – JR Teddy Allen

Allen is a player that can really change the fortunes of the program, especially if he scores with the same fervor, he did a season ago while at Western Nebraska JUCO. At this point Allen’s story should be well known he started his career at West Virginia and had a promising freshman year for Bob Huggins, he then transferred due to some disciplinary things.

The guard ended up at Wichita State where he never officially played a game for the Shockers. The path took him to Western Nebraska where he led JUCO in scoring at over 30 points per game and proved he was one of the best scorers at any level in the country.

Allen is back playing in his home state and appears to have the disciplinary issues behind him. He has been scoring in bunches in the team scrimmages and is going to be one of those players who is going to have an extremely high usage rate. Allen is likely going to be the leading scorer for Nebraska.

Forward – JR Lat Mayen

Mayen who originally is from Sudan but makes his way to the United States from Australia is another player who is on his second stint as a major division 1 player. The forward started his career playing for Jamie Dixon at TCU. The junior showed a lot of promise at TCU before a knee injury ended his freshman year, after that he decided to transfer to Chipola Junior College.

Mayen is a player who can do a little of everything and he may be the most important player to the Huskers this season, especially if Nebraska plans to be successful. The forward is extremely athletic and is going to help the team on the glass and Is a versatile defender that can shut guys down and clogs up the paint.

The one thing he brings that Nebraska desperately needed last year was a guy who can knock down threes. He can step out and hit a three when the team needs one and may be the best overall shooter on the team.

Guard – JR Trey McGowens

McGowens is yet another transfer and this time from Pittsburgh. McGowens played at Pitt a season ago and was granted a waiver to be immediately eligible for Nebraska this season. Even if the guard never pans out as the player the Huskers expect him to be on the court he will always be remembered as the player who assisted Nebraska in getting the first five star in program history.

His brother, Bryce was the player who committed recently, and he wants to play with his brother and that was the defining factor in his decision. McGowens fits the bill of a Hoiberg player to a T, he doesn’t have a position he can play both guard spots and play the wing, he can shoot a little bit, drive the lane and pass, and is a great defender.

McGowens may not score 15 points per game but he is an elite athlete, who has played a ton of basketball in two seasons. McGowens being eligible this year makes Nebraska a lot better.

Guard – SO Dalano Banton

It’s not every day that you see a 6’9” point guard, but that is exactly what the coaching staff is hoping happens with Banton. Dalano is yet another transfer and he transferred to Nebraska from Western Kentucky. Banton was part of the first recruiting class for Hoiberg and his presence is going to be felt on the court.

The guard is not going to light up a scoreboard with his point per game averages, but he brings so much more. He is a great passer and rebounder and commits minimal turnovers. He is a good point guard for this offense because of his ability to create shots for the other players.

Banton is a great defender and is going to be relied upon to take the other guard out of the game to make it easier on that end for the Huskers, being 6’9” and playing the point he poses a matchup problem for just about everyone he plays against. Banton may not score a lot but he can rack up tons of numbers including triple-doubles.

Center – SO Yvan Ouedraogo

If you have paid attention this year to the things I have written and said about the French big man, it is he is primed for a breakout and may be one of the best players in the league when this year is over. Yvan is going to have a huge year. The center is the best rebounder in the Big Ten and as was evidenced last year he can get rebounds in bunches.

Also, with a full offseason workout with a trainer both in France during the lockdowns and now back in Lincoln he has shed some weight, become more muscular and athletic and his footwork and decision making have improved greatly. If all of those things are true it is going to be a huge jump for the Frenchman.