2023-24 Season Preview

For Nebraska Head Coach Fred Hoiberg, the Huskers’ strong finish has built momentum heading into the 2023-24 campaign. Despite losing a pair of starters to season-ending injuries in a two-week span, Nebraska closed Big Ten play winning six of its last eight conference games to post its best conference mark since 2018. Many of those pieces are back this season to help Nebraska make a push for postseason play.

The contingent is led by All-Big Ten guard Keisei Tominaga, who was one of the Big Ten’s top scorers during the second half of the season. Tominaga averaged 17.4 points per game after moving into the starting lineup for good in mid-January. Tominaga decided to return to Nebraska after going through the draft process, and then put together an outstanding summer in helping Japan qualify for the 2024 Olympics. 

While Tominaga is the centerpiece of NU’s offense, the Huskers return three other players who made at least 12 starts last season in C.J. Wilcher, Juwan Gary and Jamarques Lawrence and a total of seven letterwinners.  It marks the first time in Hoiberg’s five seasons that Nebraska has returned at least 50 percent of the team’s scoring. 

Wilcher is in his third season at Nebraska and has been among the team’s top 3-point shooters the last two seasons. Gary, who missed NU’s final 15 games following shoulder surgery, is a tenacious defender and rebounder who gives the Huskers flexibility on the defensive end. Lawrence moved into the starting lineup for the final 12 games and gave the Huskers another offensive threat. Lawrence averaged nearly nine points per game in that stretch while the Huskers shot nearly 50 percent from the field as a team. Nebraska also returns a pair of rotation players in Sam Hoiberg and Blaise Keita, as both players played significant roles late in the season. Ramel Lloyd Jr. and Cale Jacobsen both redshirted last season and could factor into the Huskers rotation. 

Nebraska also welcomes a seven-member recruiting class, which includes five transfers. The group of Josiah Allick, Jarron Coleman, Rienk Mast, Brice Williams and Ahron Ulis has combined for more than 4,300 points, 2,100 rebounds and 800 assists at the college level. That group features a trio of all-conference performers in Mast, Williams and Coleman, while Allick ranked second in the Mountain West in rebounding a year ago. 

“I think we had a lot of momentum going into the summer and that helped us get some of the high-level transfers we added,” Hoiberg said.

NU also adds a pair of freshmen in Eli Rice and Matar Diop. Rice was one of NU’s leading scorers on the Spain trip, while Diop gives the Huskers size and athleticism in the frontcourt. 

After being limited by injuries last season, the Huskers have the potential to be the deepest they have been during Hoiberg’s tenure. That will allow the Huskers the flexibility to match up with different opponents throughout the season. 

“We are going to have the opportunity to have versatility and play a lot of different lineups,” Hoiberg said. “We can play small, and we can certainly play big. Rienk played the three for his national team over the summer. So the versatility, the size and the depth is something. It makes for very competitive practices.”

One point of emphasis throughout the offseason has been to continue to build a culture so the team can withstand the highs and lows during the season. Hoiberg has seen that effort throughout the summer and on the trip to Spain and now as the season gets closer.

The backcourt should be a strength for the Huskers, as Nebraska welcomes back three of its top five guards, headlined by senior Keisei Tominaga, who emerged as one of the top scorers in the Big Ten in 2022-23. Sophomores Jamarques Lawrence and Sam Hoiberg gained valuable experience while seeing significant action down the stretch, while  Ramel Lloyd Jr. looks to earn playing time after redshirting last season. NU also added Jarron Coleman and Ahron Ulis to help replace 2022-23 starter Sam Griesel at point guard. The Huskers also have a pair of walk-ons in Cale Jacobsen and Jeffrey Grace III who will look to make contributions.

Tominaga became the face of the Huskers’ late season surge, putting up numbers which ranked among the Big Ten’s best over the final six weeks of the season. Over Nebraska’s final nine games, he averaged 20.3 ppg trailing only Zach Edey and Trayce Jackson-Davis among all Big Ten players. For the year, Tominaga averaged 13.1 points per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range on his way to honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors. He led NU with nine 20-point games, including five straight in conference play. The 6-foot-2 guard posted a career-high 30 points in a win over Penn State and can score points in bunches. Tominaga, who tested the NBA waters before returning for the 2023-24 season, played for the Japanese National Team over the summer, as Japan went 3-2 in the FIBA World Cup and qualified for the 2024 Olympics. Tominaga averaged 11.4 ppg in the World Cup, including a 22-point effort in the win over Cape Verde to clinch the Olympic bid.  

“One of the biggest things for us was getting Keisei back for his final year,” Hoiberg said. “He had great experience playing for his national team and was one of only a few college players playing in the World Cup and he had the biggest role of any of them. He got back to campus after a grueling summer, and we are going to make sure he is fresh for the season. He plays with so much joy and passion, and we are excited to have him back.”

Lawrence was the beneficiary of NU’s injury issues and emerged as a foundational piece for the Huskers in 2023-24. He played in 28 contests in 2022-23, including 12 starts, and averaged 5.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. He shot nearly 39 percent from 3-point range for the season while playing solid defense. The 6-foot-3 guard moved into the starting lineup in mid-January and performed admirably averaging 9.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists over NU’s final 12 contests. He had all seven of his double-figure efforts against Big Ten foes, including four straight games to close the year. Lawrence was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week as he averaged 15.0 ppg on 63 percent shooting in games against Michigan State and Iowa. Lawrence showed his playmaking abilities on the Huskers’ trip to Spain over the summer, averaging 11.3 points and a team-high 4.3 assists per game. 

“Jamarques really benefitted from the adversity we faced last year with injuries and took advantage of his opportunity,” Hoiberg said. “Offensively, he can really shoot it and can get downhill to the rim. I thought he was one of our better defenders last year, which says a lot for a freshman. He worked a lot on having the ball in his hand over the summer and has made growth in that area. I think he learned a lot of leadership from Sam (Griesel) and Emmanuel (Bandoumel), and I think he will be someone we turn to for leadership.”

Sam Hoiberg showed that roles can significantly change during a season. He played just 12 minutes in the first 20 contests before injuries thrust him into the rotation down the stretch.  The 6-foot guard averaged 6.6 points per game on 58 percent shooting over Nebraska’s final 12 contests, including 47 percent from 3-point range. He had a career-high 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting at Maryland, one of four games where he had at least nine points off the bench. Hoiberg has a high basketball IQ and a knack for being in the right spot on the floor. A third-year sophomore, he will be counted on to provide a spark.

“Sam was ready for his moment last year because of the way he prepares every day,” the elder Hoiberg said. “He has a lot of poise, and its very difficult to step into the rotation in the middle of conference play after not playing much. Sam has a very high basketball IQ and loves to compete, and it shows in the way he plays.”

Lloyd, a former top-100 recruit, had a chance to adjust to the college level as he redshirted in 2022-23 and ran the scout team in practice. He is a skilled passer who can play in the backcourt or on the wing. Lloyd showed the ability to stuff the stat sheet in Spain with 5.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game, ranking second in rebounding and third in assists and steals. As a senior, he played at national power Sierra Canyon, averaging 11.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for a team which finished No. 17 in the USA Today Super 25 poll in 2022. 

“Ramel brings size, versatility and playmaking ability,” Hoiberg said. “We lost three of our top playmakers from last season, and Ramel is going to have an opportunity either with the ball in his hands or to play off the ball. I think the experience in Spain was good for him because he got a chance to play extended minutes and allowed us to see him in different game situations.”

Coleman joined the Huskers as a grad transfer and arrived on campus at the start of the fall semester. He earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors at Ball State last spring, leading the school in both scoring (14.6 ppg) and assists (3.8 apg). Coleman had 24 double-figure games in 2022-23, including five 20-point contests. He brings extensive experience, as he has played in 105 career games, including 86 starts, while scoring over 1,100 career points. Coleman also brings power conference experience, as he started 21 games at Missouri in 2021-22. At 6-foot-5, 213-pounds, Coleman is a big guard with elite court vision who can use his size to either score or find the open man. 

“The thing I like most about Jarron is he wants to get guys shots and wants to find guys,” Hoiberg said. “He’s got an incredible feel, a very high IQ and has a way to put the ball on a string and find our shooters in stride. He’s played at the highest levels, and played at Missouri in the SEC and has good experience. He was an important pickup for us, especially when we added him.”

Ulis brings extensive Big Ten experience to the Husker backcourt, as he helped the Hawkeyes to three straight NCAA appearances before transferring to Nebraska. Last year, Ulis made 27 starts at point guard and averaged 6.1 points and 2.1 assists per game. The 6-foot-3 guard from Chicago had five double-figure games in 2022-23, including a career-high 17-point effort at Michigan State. A solid defender, Ulis had four-or-more assists five times last year and has a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 2-to-1. 

Like Hoiberg last season, Jacobsen has the potential to find a role after redshirting last season. The 6-foot-4 walk-on guard has added 15 pounds since arriving on campus and filled several roles on the scout team during his redshirt campaign. His versatility was on display during NU’s trip to Spain, as he played nearly every position on the floor and averaged 12.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. A former first-team all-state pick, Jacobsen gives the Husker backcourt a bigger guard who could defend several positions. 

Grace is in his second season at Nebraska, as he played in 11 games in 2022-23. A walk-on who originally began his career at Arizona State, Grace understands his role and pushes his teammates in practice on the scout team. He played in all three games in Spain and will provide backcourt depth this season.

Nebraska has a nice combination of youth and experience on the wing. The Huskers return C.J. Wilcher, who has played in every game over the last two years and made 24 starts in 2022-23, and Juwan Gary, who started 17 games before being sidelined after shoulder surgery.  Brice Williams joined the program after earning All-Conference USA honors at Charlotte last season, while freshman Eli Rice could force his way into the rotation. 

Wilcher has become one of the leaders for the Huskers, as he begins his third season in the program.  The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 8.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while making 24 starts last year. Wilcher, who has ranked second on the team in 3-pointers in each of the past two seasons, had 10 double-figure games in 2022-23, highlighted by a a 22-point effort at No. 14 Indiana. Wilcher enters the season in the best shape of his career and averaged 17.0 ppg and 8.0 rpg in the Huskers three games in Spain. 

“C.J. had a great summer and has really worked on his body,” Hoiberg said. “He added some strength, and you can see it not only in his shooting but being able to get to the basket as well as rebounding. He has a lot of experience in our program, and really made some big plays in our wins at Rutgers and at Iowa. He is one of the leaders in our locker room because of his Big Ten experience and the other players have seen the work C.J. has done to improve.”

While Gary averaged 9.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in 17 starts before shoulder surgery, his contributions exceeded his numbers. The 6-foot-6 wing typically guarded the opponent’s top frontcourt scorer, and he provided toughness to the Husker defense. Gary, who ranked among the top 15 in the Big Ten in rebounding and steals at the time of his injury, underwent surgery in January and returned to action in time of the Huskers’ trip to Spain in August. He is a tenacious offensive rebounder, and Gary’s return will be a boost to the Husker frontcourt. He can see time on the wing or in the frontcourt when the Huskers go small.

“We were very careful with Juwan and had him on a minutes restriction on the trip to Spain,” Hoiberg said. “In our last game, we went on an 18-0 run to open the second half and a lot of that was Juwan getting in passing lanes and getting on the break with high-level finishes at the rim. It was good to see him do that.  That’s important when you come back from a major injury like Juwan had to be able to go out there, shake off the rust, perform well and get some confidence.”

Williams comes to Nebraska after spending the past four seasons at Charlotte. The 6-foot-7 guard earned second-team All-CUSA accolades last season, as he averaged 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from 3-point range. Williams was the MVP of the CBI last season averaging 16.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in helping the 49ers to five straight wins. He had a pair of double-doubles in the event, including 14 points and 11 rebounds in the semifinals. A three-level scorer, Williams arrived in July and averaged 16.3 ppg during NU’s trip to Spain, including a 28-point effort in the opener. 

“Brice is a guy with great size at 6-7 and shot 40 percent from 3-point range last season,” Hoiberg said. “He is a three-level scorer who could help us create mismatches in the post. He played for a great coach at Charlotte in Ron Sanchez, so Brice has a very good understanding of defensive fundamentals and what he is doing on that end of the floor.”

Rice comes to Lincoln after spending a postgrad year at IMG Academy. The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game in helping IMG to a 24-3 record. Rice, who was rated by the 247Sports composite as one of the top 200 players in the country, has worked hard to make the transition to Division I, adding nearly 20 pounds since arriving in June. He took advantage of playing time on the Huskers’ trip to Spain, averaging 16.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while leading NU in 3-pointers. Rice’s combination of size and shot making could put him in position to earn playing time this season.

“Eli has a lot of things you just can’t teach with his combination of size and length,” Hoiberg said. “He has a very natural shot and really shoots it well. Eli has worked hard to add strength and there is a natural learning process as he moves to this level, but he has a very bright future.”

While the Husker frontcourt will have a different look with three-year starter Derrick Walker playing professionally, it should be the deepest and most talented frontcourt in Hoiberg’s five seasons at Nebraska. The Huskers fortified their frontcourt with transfers Rienk Mast and Josiah Allick and added freshman Matar Diop. NU returns junior Blaise Keita, who saw extensive action before battling injuries last season, and walk-on Henry Burt.

Mast joins the Huskers program after starting the last three years at Bradley. The 6-foot-10 center tallied over 1,000 points and 650 rebounds in his college career and was a two-time All-Missouri Valley performer. Last season, he was a first-team All-MVC performer and finalist for conference player of the year after leading Bradley in scoring (13.8 ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rpg). Mast totaled nine double-doubles last year, including 14 points and 12 rebounds in an NIT loss to Wisconsin. Mast also brings a different dimension to NU’s offense, as he is a career 33 percent shooter from 3-point range. He spent part of the summer with the Huskers prior to their trip to Spain before training with the Netherlands National Team for its pre-Olympic qualifier. Mast averaged 6.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in three games, and that experience should help him heading into the season. 

“We were fortunate to have Rienk for six practices before he left to train with his national team because it gave him a head start in learning our offense,” Hoiberg said. “He’s got some of the same qualities as Derrick, but is a little bigger at 6-10, 240 pounds. Rienk can really shoot the ball and and does some other things that can pull their big guy away from the basket in our offense. He was one of the best rebounders in the portal.”

Allick returns to his hometown for his final collegiate season after playing at New Mexico last season. The 6-foot-8 forward started all 34 games for the Lobos last season, averaging 8.4 points per game on 58 percent shooting. He was second in the Mountain West with 7.3 rebounds per game and 12th in the MWC in blocked shots, as New Mexico posted its first 20-win season since 2013-14. Allick averaged double figures in each of his final two seasons at Kansas City and enters his final season with over 1,000 career points and 600 rebounds. Allick has a high motor and has impressed the staff with his work ethic recovering from offseason surgery. He did not play during the Huskers’ trip to Spain but should be close to 100 percent for the start of practice. 

“I think people are going to fall in love with Josiah’s effort and how hard he plays,” Hoiberg said. “He is a high-level athlete who can play both frontcourt positions for us. Even though we didn’t have him much of the summer, he has picked up things quickly and is a very smart kid.”

Diop was a late addition to the Husker roster, as he signed in late July and joined the team at the start of the fall semester. The 6-foot-10 forward from Senegal moved to the United States last year for prep school and averaged 13 points and 13 rebounds per game at Keystone (Pa.) Athletic Academy. A product of NBA Academy Africa, Diop possesses elite-level athleticism and length and a high motor. His skillset can help the Husker frontcourt as he continues to develop in the college game.

“I have not had an athlete like Matar since I got here,” Hoiberg said. “He’s raw in a lot of ways, but he is an absolute crazy athlete that really runs the floor well. Anytime we run a sprint, he comes across first.  He has a huge upside with almost a 7-foot-3 wingspan at 6-foot-10. He is a kid who I think people are going to like, and he’s got a very bright future as a Husker.”

Keita was a valuable part of the Huskers’ rotation until a pair of ankle injuries limited him during the second half of the year. The 6-foot-11 forward averaged 2.0 points per game on 51 percent shooting and 3.5 rebounds in 21 games, including five starts. Keita led the team in charges taken and had five games with at least eight rebounds, including 11 in 23 minutes off the bench against Wisconsin. Keita had offseason ankle surgery and the coaching staff believes that he will be ready to go for the start of the season. 

“Blaise has put a lot of work into his rehab, and we’ve had to slow him down,” Hoiberg said. “You saw how much we missed him against size in our last game of the season. He had some big games for us, especially against Wisconsin and Maryland where he and Derrick (Walker) played together. I think we can use him in some bigger lineups and play him and Josiah at times together.”

Burt is in his second season in the program after redshirting last year. The 6-foot-7, 216-pound forward has become a valuable member of the Husker scout team and provides frontcourt depth. Burt played in two of the Huskers’ wins in Spain and had three steals in 17 minutes in the finale.