Big Ten Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

Nebraska – Derrick Walker and Trey McGowens

Decrease in production: Derrick Walker

With ten freshmen listed on their 2021-22 roster, the rebuild is in full effect for head coach Fred Hoiberg in Lincoln. With youth, however, comes the need for experience, but that experience will not come at the center position where the youth movement is at its strongest. Last season Derrick Walker started the 16 games he played once becoming eligible in January, although undersized at 6’8, Walker contributed almost six points and nearly five rebounds per game.

This season, the junior’s starting role may not be in immediate jeopardy, but his almost 21 minutes per game is. As the season wears on and Coach Hoiberg puts more focus on next season, 6’10 Edourdo Andre (2.7 ppg, 8.8 mpg) and No.98 recruit, 6’9 Wilhelm Breidenbach will become more the priority. Andre and Breidenbach will not be breakout players, but they will take minutes away from Walker as the season progresses.

Increase in production: Trey McGowens

With Teddy Allen hopefully being able to integrate into the New Mexico State offense this season, an offensive hole was created for the Cornhuskers and it will be the experience in the backcourt that fills that hole. With senior Kobe Webster having primary ball-handling responsibilities, shooting guard Trey McGowens will emerge as the leading scorer, as he no longer has to watch Teddy ‘Buckets’ lead the team in usage percentage, field goal attempts, and points.

McGowens most productive season was his freshman year at Pittsburgh, but 2021-22 will become his most productive by season’s end, despite freshmen CJ Wilcher and No.25 recruit Bryce McGowens vying for minutes in the backcourt.