A transfer portal primer for Nebraska basketball teams

The focus of college basketball is on the national championship game tonight, but on Tuesday, the transfer portal opens, which is what Nebraska fans should be worried about.

Fresh off a Sweet 16 trip, the Huskers have some solid pieces, if they can retain them. The buzz has been positive with guys like Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager, but until they announce they are coming back, all bets are off.

Berke Buyuktuncel is another name to know. The 6-foot-10 forward plays a bigger role for Nebraska than people realize, especially on the defensive end. He hasn’t announced what he’s doing one way or another.

I would expect Cale Jacobsen to come back. Connor Essegian said that he will be coming back, while the indications are that Leo Curtis and Ugnius Jaruševičius, although Jaruševičius needs a waiver to return.

The core pieces are the most important. As it stands Fred Hoiberg and the Huskers could be adding two or three players via the transfer portal. The needs are obvious: point guard and a big man to replace Rienk Mast.

If things stay that way, it would be great for the Huskers. The more holdovers they can get back, the better. A playmaking point guard with a shot would be nice. Someone like Mast, or just another player in that position who can shoot and defend, will be needed.

There has been a lot of talk about how Hoiberg will have more money at his disposal. We’ll see what that looks like, and if most is spent on retaining the current roster, which is where it should go.

Hoiberg is great at evaluations and finding players in the portal. With more money, there’s no reason he can’t build another Sweet-16 caliber team.

All yes on Britt Prince

There have been some departures from the women’s team, too. One player who is sticking around, at least so far, is Britt Prince. She’s the cornerstone of the program. Natalie Potts will be healthy next season, and some others, such as Logan Nissley and Kennadi Williams, have pledged to return.

If Potts gets back to her previous form, the Huskers have some solid pieces. They could use an elite big. It will be hard unless Amy Williams has an NIL warchest, which will be needed just to keep Prince.

Williams is smart, though. She’s a strong recruiter, but she does need to deliver a solid portal class to give the Huskers a chance to reach the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.