3 thoughts on commitment of Pryce Sandfort to Nebraska basketball

It took a minute, but Nebraska basketball has its first transfer portal commitment.

Pryce Sandfort, the former Iowa Hawkeye, has switched sides in the rivalry. He entered the transfer portal after Fran McCaffery was fired, and the rising junior committed to Nebraska basketball on Friday.

The 6-foot-6 forward took a visit to Illinois. He also canceled a trip to Ohio State. Last season, he averaged 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Sandfort shot 40 percent from 3-point range last season (56 total) and shot 65 percent from 2-point range.

It’s a great start to the offseason for Nebraska basketball, which plays in the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown on on Saturday, and here are three thoughts on Sandfort’s commitment.

A likely starter

Sandfort didn’t start for Iowa last season, but played a key role off the bench. However, that won’t be the case next season, at least I’d be surprised if he wasn’t among the starting five.

You have Rienk Mast and Berke in the frontcourt. The Huskers could use a point guard and another wing, but Sandfort should slide right into the three spot for Nebraska basketball.

The Huskers need a dynamic point guard, and potentially Connor Essegian can start at the two or come off the bench, but Sandfort should play heavy minutes next season.

Sandfort fills a big need

Not only does Sandfort give Nebraska basketball someone who can slide into Juwan Gary’s old role, essentially, but it also addresses the need for 3-point shooting.

Fred Hoiberg talked about the need for more shooting after the regular season. Sandfort is a move made with that in mind.

You’d like to see him up his rebound numbers and get more shots inside, because he was an effective finisher last season and had a 128.8 offensive rating. The defensive rating could have been better, but Iowa was a terrible defensive team last season.

In terms of blox score plus/minus, Sandfort was 17th in the entire Big Ten last season.

Nebraska basketball roster is off to a solid start

There is a lot of work to do on the roster, especially in the backcourt. Nebraska basketball was interested in Nik Graves, a dynamic scoring guard who ended up committing to Creighton, and would have been an ideal fit.

Jamarques Lawrence is one possibility. A return could be in the works, and a combo guard like Lawrence might be an ideal fit for a high-volume scoring guard, preferably one who excels in ball-screen situations to pair with Rienk Mast.

What happens with Cale Jacobsen will be interesting. He’s played well enough in the Crown to think he might be worthy of a spot in the rotation. Gavin Griffiths is another player who had a limited role last season and hasn’t played at all this week.

It wouldn’t be stunning if he left. Braden Frager and Nick Janowski should have roles next season or are at least in line to compete.

Yet, the key guys right now are Mast, Berke Büyüktuncel, Sandfort, Essegian, and Sam Hoiberg. Those are at least the five guys who are probably guaranteed to play heavy minutes.

Nebraska does have work to do, but Sandfort adding Sandfort is a great start.

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