NCAA Basketball: Duke Blue Devils and USC Trojans lead Sunday Mailbag
By Bryan Mauro
What is a reasonable expectation for Nebraska to return to the NCAA Tournament? – Joey Loose (@jloose128)
Residing in Nebraska and being a season ticket holder for Nebraska this is a question that I get asked a lot. To bring everyone up to speed, even though most are familiar with the mediocrity of the Husker basketball program. Nebraska is the only team, yes, the only team to play in a power conference to never win an NCAA tournament game. The Huskers have only qualified for seven tournaments in their history but have never won a game.
Current coach Fred Hoiberg was brought in to change the narrative for Nebraska and turn them into a basketball school. Hoiberg and his staff have been doing a great job of building this program quickly and getting Nebraska better. This season the Huskers are currently night and day different than the team who finished dead last in the Big Ten and have currently lost 17 conference games in a row. The team will be better this year but is still a long way from the tournament.
Reasonably the 2021 season looks to be a good season for Nebraska to get back to the NCAA tournament. This year as we all know, the NCAA has given everyone a free year of eligibility and most guys are not likely to leave which would mean the Huskers would have all of their core of Teddy Allen, Lat Mayen, Dalano Banton, and Trey McGowens still intact if they all decide to stay in Lincoln. That is going to be a massive help next year when Nebraska brings in a top 25 recruiting class.
It may be old news by now but in that 2021 recruiting class Nebraska has signed their first five-star recruit ever in Bryce McGowens. McGowens pairs with center from Mater Dei Wilhelm Breidenbach. Breidenbach has a game that many could compare to Luka Garza from Iowa.
The last member of the recruiting class is known as the Japanese Steph Curry, and many have said he is the best shooter they have ever seen in Ranger Junior College player Keisei Tominanga. Tominanga is going to pair with sit-out transfer Trevor Lakes and form one of the best shooting duos in the country next year. I have been on record saying that Lakes is the best shooter I have ever seen.
Those pieces mixed with the experience and athleticism that Nebraska currently has on their roster is what is going to create the heightened expectations for next season. Hoiberg is a good coach who now has an extremely athletic roster and a ton of length.
Nebraska has dialed it in on defense through the first three games this season. They are still desperately in need of a consistent knockdown shooter. Next year Nebraska will have all the pieces to return to the NCAA tournament.