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Wings
Despite losing one of the most prolific scorers in school history in Terran Petteway, Nebraska could have ample scoring ability from the wing position in 2015-16. Shields has scored over 1,100 career points at NU, while Kansas transfer Andrew White III and sophomore Nick Fuller provide experience at the position. Jack McVeigh comes into the Husker program with impressive credentials and will look to earn significant time as a freshman in 2015-16.
A three-year starter, Shields is one of the top returning players in the Big Ten. The 6-foot-7 senior was ninth in the Big Ten, averaging 15.4 points per game last season, while leading the Huskers with 6.0 rebounds per game. Shields had nine games of at least 20 points as a junior, including a career-high 35-point effort against Omaha. Shields was first or second on the Huskers in scoring, rebounding and assists as a junior. A three-year captain, his leadership and strong play are vital for the Huskers to succeed this season.
“Shavon commands respect from his teammates because he has an aura around him,” Miles said. “He has tremendous skill and the ability to take over a game.”
Fuller showed glimpses of what he could do in limited action as a redshirt freshman. He played in 16 games, including 11 in Big Ten play, and averaged 2.1 points and 1.3 rebounds in just over eight minutes per outing. The 6-foot-7 forward earned more playing time down the stretch last season, highlighted by a 12-point, five-rebound effort at No. 16 Maryland. In addition to time at the wing, Fuller could also see time in the frontcourt.
“Nick had a chance to gain some experience when we put him in the rotation late last season,” Miles said. “He is a crafty player around the basket, and we need to hit some jumpers, and that is something we think he can do. As he continues to improve defensively and on his outside shot, Nick will play a bigger role.”
With a year of work in the Huskers’ system, Andrew White III could be one of the Big Ten’s top newcomers in 2015-16. The 6-foot-7, 216-pounder impressed teammates with his work ethic last year and has quickly become one of the leaders in the program. A former top-50 recruit, White averaged 2.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game off the bench at KU in 2013-14, including a pair of double-figure scoring efforts. During the Huskers’ trip to Spain, White averaged 12.0 points per game and reached double figures in all four contests.
“Andrew can really shoot the basketball and knows how to score,” Miles said. “I think his rebounding ability is underrated, and that is something which will be very important for this particular team. He brings a lot to the table for us.”
“He was a role player at Kansas, had a year off and now is stepping into a role where he is going to play major minutes,” Miles said. “There will be an adjustment period, but I am confident Andrew will adjust in a hurry.“
McVeigh comes to the Huskers after attending the Australian Institute of Sport. He has been a fixture on the national teams in Australia, making his Senior National Debut in 2014. The 6-foot-8, 210-pounder represented Australia in the Under-19 World Championship in Greece in June, averaging 11.1 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game.
“Jack is an intriguing guy,” Miles said. “When you first watch him, he doesn’t look like a gifted athlete, but he comes up with the ball. He is someone we could put on the floor in a number of roles and he can get you 10 or 12 points and five rebounds in a short amount of time and that is something we need. Once Jack gets adjusted to the athleticism of this level, he can be a very efficient player for us.”