New transfer target would fill major need for Nebraska basketball

Nebraska basketball fans have been awaiting word on Drew Fielder, the 6-foot-11 center, who visited the Huskers out of the transfer portal over the weekend.

He’s ranked No. 62 overall by 247 Sports and No. 8 among centers. He would be a great player to add next to the new four-man Sam Orme, whom Fred Hoiberg landed from Belmot (ranked No. 92).

Fielder’s visit seemed to go well. Nebraska basketball felt like the favorite. But the Boise State big man also scheduled a visit to Washington, a program that showed last offseason it’s got the ability to spend on players.

A new target that would fill a need for Nebraska basketball

There hasn’t been a peep about Fielder’s potential commitment, but Nebraska does have a new center target on the board, according to Robin Washut of Husker Online, as Boston College center Boden Kapke is expected to visit Nebraska this week.

Kapke is 6-foot-11, with 33 career starts between two seasons at Butler and one at Boston College. Last season, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Eagles in 26.8 minutes. He shot 55 percent on twos and 33 percent on 3-pointers. He’s made 51 threes in his career at 31.8 percent.

Outside of being a low-post scorer and a solid rebounder, Kapke doesn’t do much that stands out. He only averaged 0.7 assists last season, to go along with 0.4 blocks and 0.4 steals.

Berke, for instance, had 63 combined blocks/steals for Nebraska basketball last season. Kapke has 39 for his career. Sam Orme had 47 last season. Still, those two players combined for 69, just six more than Berke on his own.

Leo Curtis could supplement that. Ugnus Jarusevicius could, too. The Huskers also have five spots, so Kapke could come off the bench, something he did part of last season for Boston College.

That could be a better role for him. He does bring something Nebraska doesn’t have, though: a low-post presence. It could be connected to Fielder. It could not be. We’ll get an answer soon.

Either way, Nebraska needs low-post scoring. Kapke can do that. He’s a pick-and-pop guy, too, which makes him perfect for Hoiberg’s system, especially on the offensive end, and he moves well enough that he wouldn’t be a huge liability on defense.

There’s also a strong chance that Fred will bring out the best in him if he ends up committing.

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