Nebraska Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Cornhuskers

Rotation

G CJ Wilcher – Freshman

The transfer for Xavier who played sparingly last season for the Musketeers decided to come, and play the final four years of his career at Nebraska. Wilcher is a shooter and he is going to be expected to shoot when he comes into the game. He would fit the bill as a legitimate threat from deep that the Huskers have so desperately needed. Wilcher isn’t going to be a liability on the defensive end and he has a little more to his offensive game than just shooting. He is a nice asset to have for Hoiberg.

G Keisei Tominaga – Sophomore

The Japanese Steph Curry. That is not said as a joke, as Tominaga is the best shooter I have seen at any level since Steph Curry. He is also an Olympian as he played in the 3X3 tournament in the Tokyo Olympics. He is in range once he enters the building and he has a very repeatable shot. The guard doesn’t need much space to get his shot up, and he isn’t shy.

Coach Hoiberg seems to have already given him the ultimate green light and he would also fit the legitimate threat from deep. The Big Ten is going to learn about the Japanese guard quickly and he may go through a slight adjustment period. Once he gets adjusted though he is going to put up video game numbers. He shot over 50% from deep at Ranger Junior College a season ago and he shot the ball from deep a lot.

He is already one of the best shooters in the country. Oh, and another thing, he can also drive the lane and get easy points in the paint. He needs some work on the defensive end, but his offensive ability is what is going to earn him minutes.

F Wilhelm Breidenbach – Freshman

Ignore the way the freshman forward looks, with his long shaggy hair, long beard, and goggles. He can play the game of basketball at a very high level. He is a very skilled player on the offensive end as he is great in the post, is a good rebounder, good passer for his size and can step out and shoot at a high percentage.

He much like all the other players on this roster doesn’t need much space to shoot and he has a very quick release. Breidenbach like most freshman is a work in a progress on the defensive end, but he is good enough to warrant the playing time. He could be on the all-freshman team in the Big Ten.

G Keon Edwards – Freshman

Yet another transfer for coach Hoiberg. Edwards began his college career at DePaul and when former Blue Demons head coach Dave Leitao was fired, Edwards decided to transfer. Edwards was a four-star recruit coming out of High School, and he was originally a 2021 recruit before reclassing into last year’s class.

He’s another player who is a very versatile offensive player as he can score from all three levels but is a good three-point shooter who is going to provide needed offensive firepower for Nebraska. Edwards isn’t a great defender yet but does have some high upside on that end as he is long and athletic.

Those are the players who are going to constitute the main rotation and will likely get the bulk of the minutes. If anyone gets in foul trouble or not playing well Nebraska does have some experienced players to come in and play. Super senior Kobe Webster is the third point guard and Hoiberg will have no problem giving the senior some run if guys get into foul trouble and he will be able to score and run the offense.

Eduardo Andre is a wildcard here as he is an explosive player who is going to help Nebraska immensely on the defensive end. He is a great rebounder and shot blocker but isn’t as talented as the other big men on the floor. He will be a nice piece when some guys get into foul trouble. Trevor Lakes is one of the best shooters in University of Indy history, he doesn’t play much defense and struggles at other aspects of the game except for shooting. If he does play it will be to score some quick buckets by shooting.

Quaran McPherson is a talented kid from New York. He plays a New York style, so he is physical and a great on-ball defender. He isn’t as far along on the offensive end as the others and likely won’t get a ton of playing time but if he sticks around his time will come. He did impress in short spurts in the exhibition games.