Another perfect transfer portal target for Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg now available

Nebraska basketball made history in the 2025-26 season, winning an NCAA Tournament game for the first time and reaching the Sweet 16.

The Huskers set a program record for wins and finished second in the 18-team Big Ten, which proved to be one of the best conferences in recent memory, with two teams in the Final Four.

Four of the eight teams in the Elite 8 were from the Big Ten.

It would have been nice if Nebraska had been among that group. Yet, if the Huskers can get Pryce Sandfort to return, along with Braden Frager, they should get set up for another March Madness run, especially if Fred Hoiberg can make a shrewd addition or two from the transfer portal.

Point guard is a huge need. Nebraska basketball graduates Sam Hoiberg and Jamarques Lawrence. Rienk Mast is also out of eligibility. The four-man plays a critical part in Fred Hoiberg’s offense. Mast did especially, serving as a low-post scorer, a stretch four, and also a playmaker.

As it happens, someone who can do all those things, who Nebraska is familiar with, just announced he will be entering the transfer portal. That player is Troy forward Thomas Dowd.

Former NCAA Tournament foe would be a perfect transfer portal addition for Nebraska basketball

Nebraska bounced Troy from the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 76-47 win. Dowd, a 6-foot-8 forward, had a rough game, making 1 of 11 shot attempts. He scored four points and grabbed nine rebounds.

For the season, though, Dowd averaged 14.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, which led the Sun Belt. 3.1 of those rebounds were on the offensive end. The forward shot 33 percent from 3-point range, with an average of 1.9 3-point field goals per game. He also shot 54 percent on twos, 80 percent at the free-throw line, plus averaged 2.1 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals.

Dowd feels like a plug-and-play option at the four. He might not have the ideal size for the Big Ten, but Nebraska is projected to have three players who are at least 6-foot-10 on the roster. What Nebraska needs is a four-man who can shoot the ball and stretch the floor.

Dowd can do that. He would fit perfectly alongside Berke, Sandfort, and Frager, assuming the Huskers secure the return of each of those players. Add a point guard, plus Cale Jacobsen and Connor Essegian, and that lineup feels formidable.

We have outlined a couple of other quality transfer portal candidates, but of everyone available now, Dowd might be the best fit for what Fred Hoiberg and Nebraska want to do.

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