2025 Transfer Portal

[nustudent]

4 minutes ago, Norm Peterson said:

 

I'm thinking here that teams that used to fill up rosters and take the whole allowed number of 13 (even though, typically, they only play 8 or 9 guys) might not bring in as many players moving forward.

 

Bringing a guy in to develop him doesn't make as much sense anymore. Just have him go to Wyoming and, if he pans out and develops, try to recruit him when he portals.

 

So, instead of spending your ~$3 million +/- on 13 players, you might divide that same amount among, say, 11 players.

 

Gives you more to spend on each guy. The hundred thousand you would have spent on each of the last two guys would be two hundred thousand more to sweeten the pot for the top two guys.

I think that most will still take 12-13.  But in general...I agree....teams will take 2-3 'projects' each year that don't warrant anything more than a scholarship and those teams will hope for a lottery ticket.   They'll condense their spending for the upper part of their roster.

[Nebrasketball1979]

From someone who knows someone in the know, Bangot Dak has already been offered $1M (not from CU). CU is working to retain him with their NIL allocation. 

 

For someone with high upside and multiple years left, I personally would not expect the price he commands to stop at $1M.  

[nustudent]

7 minutes ago, Nebrasketball1979 said:

From someone who knows someone in the know, Bangot Dak has already been offered $1M (not from CU). CU is working to retain him with their NIL allocation. 

 

For someone with high upside and multiple years left, I personally would not expect the price he commands to stop at $1M.  

I don't know our exact NIL situation....but if we give Berke and Meah a combined $1M+ last year....you sure as heck do it for Dak this year.

[thrasher31]

17 minutes ago, Nebrasketball1979 said:

From someone who knows someone in the know, Bangot Dak has already been offered $1M (not from CU). CU is working to retain him with their NIL allocation. 

 

For someone with high upside and multiple years left, I personally would not expect the price he commands to stop at $1M.  

Yeah I wouldn't be shocked if big schools sniff around him, or have already put out offers. Bigs are always going to be more expensive than guards/wings, but caveat that with an upside guy with multiple years? We're looking past 1 mil more than likely. Like I said before, hopefully loesners relationship with him can pull some weight. 

[HuscurAdam]

27 minutes ago, Norm Peterson said:

 

I'm thinking here that teams that used to fill up rosters and take the whole allowed number of 13 (even though, typically, they only play 8 or 9 guys) might not bring in as many players moving forward.

 

Bringing a guy in to develop him doesn't make as much sense anymore. Just have him go to Wyoming and, if he pans out and develops, try to recruit him when he portals.

 

So, instead of spending your ~$3 million +/- on 13 players, you might divide that same amount among, say, 11 players.

 

Gives you more to spend on each guy. The hundred thousand you would have spent on each of the last two guys would be two hundred thousand more to sweeten the pot for the top two guys.

 

Teams will still have 13 - 15 guys on their roster. You really need that many just to run practice. You have to be able to run 5 on 5, plus another 3 or 4 guys for potential injuries/attrition. I do agree that just about all of the money will go to the top 3, then next five on almost every roster. The bottom 5 -7 guys would be scholarship only/walk-on types. 

[NUdiehard]

5 hours ago, nustudent said:

You need more than 2 front court players on your roster.   Especially when both are behind the curve athletically in the Big 10.   Mast is skilled enough offensively to make up for it.  Berke is not.

 

Not to mention you have Essegian, Frager, Rhymes, Janowski, Hoiberg, Griffiths (currently) and Sandfort (possibly) who can play the guards and wings.   Now...I'm not enamored by that group.   But that's 7 guys to play 2 spots.   That's plenty.  We currently have 2 guys to play 2 spots in the front court.

 

I do agree that PG is the #1 need.  But an athletic big is easily #2 at this stage.

 

I can see an argument for an athletic 3/4 player, like a Juwan Gary replacement.   But what I don't understand is a true back-to-the-basket center.  For instance, there is indication we are interested in Oscar Cluff, listed at 6'11" and 260 lbs and appears to be similar to Morgan and maybe Mast (except for the 3 point shooting).  Unless he comes here for dirt cheap, I can't see any reason to spend any significant amount of NIL on a player like him.  Mast can do everything he can do, but better.  They can't play on the floor at the same time, and Mast should play 30+ minutes per game and Berke can be backup 5.  I just don't get that offer (if there is one) at all.

 

For those saying we need a "rim protector".  Do we really?  I interpret a "rim protector" to be a guy who is primarily a 5 and is athletic and can defend the rim. Okay.  Are you going to play this "rim protector" instead of Mast?  You most likely can't play them together because Mast cannot guard the opposing 4 and a rim protector doesn't do any rim protecting if he is guarding on the perimeter.  So what is the point? 

 

Again, if NU had unlimited NIL and could just stack a roster full of high quality players, then sure, go for it.  Get another big.  But NU clearly does not have these type of funds available, so they have to be extremely judicious in how they use those funds.  Spending significant funds on another center doesn't make any sense to me at all. 

[nustudent]

29 minutes ago, NUdiehard said:

 

I can see an argument for an athletic 3/4 player, like a Juwan Gary replacement.   But what I don't understand is a true back-to-the-basket center.  For instance, there is indication we are interested in Oscar Cluff, listed at 6'11" and 260 lbs and appears to be similar to Morgan and maybe Mast (except for the 3 point shooting).  Unless he comes here for dirt cheap, I can't see any reason to spend any significant amount of NIL on a player like him.  Mast can do everything he can do, but better.  They can't play on the floor at the same time, and Mast should play 30+ minutes per game and Berke can be backup 5.  I just don't get that offer (if there is one) at all.

 

For those saying we need a "rim protector".  Do we really?  I interpret a "rim protector" to be a guy who is primarily a 5 and is athletic and can defend the rim. Okay.  Are you going to play this "rim protector" instead of Mast?  You most likely can't play them together because Mast cannot guard the opposing 4 and a rim protector doesn't do any rim protecting if he is guarding on the perimeter.  So what is the point? 

 

Again, if NU had unlimited NIL and could just stack a roster full of high quality players, then sure, go for it.  Get another big.  But NU clearly does not have these type of funds available, so they have to be extremely judicious in how they use those funds.  Spending significant funds on another center doesn't make any sense to me at all. 

We don't need a back to the basket 5-man.  We need an athletic post who can defend, alter shots and rebound.   That doesn't mean they are the 5 or another center.

 

If you have a legit defender in the post (we do not) than that gives you a lot more options in how you defend teams.  You don't have to double down as much.  It allows you to be much more honest defensively.   

 

Guy likes Kyle and Dak (using them since they are uber athletic, which we need and are local products) can play alongside Mast and/or Berke.  They don't have to replace one or the other.  And guys like those two...make the other two better as well.   

 

We've been one of the worst rebounding and least athletic front court teams in the conference for years and you don't think we should be focusing on that?   Finding guards and wings hasn't been an issue for us and we already have a ton of them coming back/coming in.   You can't say either about the front court.

 

 

Edited March 26 by nustudent

[Norm Peterson]

I remember people saying at the beginning of the season that Meah and Berke wouldn't be on the floor at the same time. And that ended up being the case only because Meah wasn't on the floor. But, when Meah was playing, Berke was at the 4-spot next to him. Why wouldn't Berke play alongside Mast?

 

Or, if Berke is truly just a back-up to Mast, why wouldn't we have a bouncy 4-man next to him?

[nustudent]

1 minute ago, Norm Peterson said:

I remember people saying at the beginning of the season that Meah and Berke wouldn't be on the floor at the same time. And that ended up being the case only because Meah wasn't on the floor. But, when Meah was playing, Berke was at the 4-spot next to him. Why wouldn't Berke play alongside Mast?

 

Or, if Berke is truly just a back-up to Mast, why wouldn't we have a bouncy 4-man next to him?

To be fair…..Berke and Meah shouldn’t have played together.  
 

but yes….Berke and Mast can plsy together.   But you have absolutely zero bench up behind them.   And while you’d have the size, you’re going to be extremely limited defensively and athletically.    
 

Finding a springy four to start next to Mast is ideal.    Yes it means that Berke won’t start. But that doesn’t mean he won’t play and can’t be useful. He’d still play 20 to 25 minutes per game just like he did this year on a team with a much worse front court.

[Huskerpapa]

Man, isn't speculation fun.  Honestly, some names being tossed about likely can, and perhaps will be the perfect fit.

 

I am in total agreement with the majority that our number one target must be a point guard.  In my mind, we actually need a PG that defends, has handles, can shoot and distribute the ball.  They are a dime a dozen, right.  

 

Next we need a combo guard.  The perfect description is Mr. Williams, please.

 

Third, we need a big.  Contrary to others, I'm not sure we need a bouncy big; rather, we need a versatile big.  Examples being Berke and Mast.  I'm not convinced we know what to do with a rim protector, so to speak; but he needs to be able to play help defense and defend the pick and roll.

 

Behind those three must-haves is depth.  A shooter, a plus defender and a thug would be kinda cool.

 

 

[thrasher31]

3 minutes ago, Huskerpapa said:

Third, we need a big.  Contrary to others, I'm not sure we need a bouncy big; rather, we need a versatile big.  Examples being Berke and Mast.  I'm not convinced we know what to do with a rim protector, so to speak; but he needs to be able to play help defense and defend the pick and rol

To be honest, I think maikcol Perez can fill this. At least provide good versatility at the 4/5. He has to commit here, but if he does, that's 100% a role I see him filling. 

[AuroranHusker]

8 hours ago, hskr4life said:

 

Watched him in one of the MW games this year... at least the few minutes he got to play. Dude only averaged like 9 mins and 2 pts/2 boards a game. I mean if he'd like to come here on his own and be a part of our practice rotation, it wouldn't hurt to have a big dude. But the chances of him seeing the floor are very slim to basically zero I would think.

 

And I'd have no problem with that. Nebraska still needs development-type dudes on the roster.

 

[hhcmatt]

3 hours ago, nustudent said:

A.  McKewon is a dipshit 

B.  Refer to A, expect the opposite.  

 

 

 

[NUdiehard]

24 minutes ago, nustudent said:

To be fair…..Berke and Meah shouldn’t have played together.  
 

but yes….Berke and Mast can plsy together.   But you have absolutely zero bench up behind them.   And while you’d have the size, you’re going to be extremely limited defensively and athletically.    
 

Finding a springy four to start next to Mast is ideal.    Yes it means that Berke won’t start. But that doesn’t mean he won’t play and can’t be useful. He’d still play 20 to 25 minutes per game just like he did this year on a team with a much worse front court.

 

Maybe we are just debating semantics at this point.  I just don't consider a "bouncy four" to be a "post" or a "rim protector".  With that said, sure, why not add a "bouncy four", as long as we have the money to get a PG and dynamic wing to go with him. 

 

One other thing to consider that may seem out of left field.  But could Frager be some version of an athletic 3/4 combo player.  He was listed at 6'7" and 220 lbs as a 17 year old freshman last year.  He should easily be able to add 10 lbs of muscle by next season.  In comparison, Gary was listed at 6"6" and 226 lbs.  I have never seen Frager play, but I have always envisioned him more as an "athlete" than a "skilled" player.  Is this wrong?

[Huskerpapa]

7 minutes ago, hhcmatt said:

 

 

 

Well, if he is interested in academia, a transfer to UNL should be pretty seamless. 

[Navin R. Johnson]

3 minutes ago, Huskerpapa said:

Well, if he is interested in academia, a transfer to UNL should be pretty seamless. 

 

In this age of NIL and agents, can kids even bring that up anymore?

[thrasher31]

6 minutes ago, NUdiehard said:

 

Maybe we are just debating semantics at this point.  I just don't consider a "bouncy four" to be a "post" or a "rim protector".  With that said, sure, why not add a "bouncy four", as long as we have the money to get a PG and dynamic wing to go with him. 

 

One other thing to consider that may seem out of left field.  But could Frager be some version of an athletic 3/4 combo player.  He was listed at 6'7" and 220 lbs as a 17 year old freshman last year.  He should easily be able to add 10 lbs of muscle by next season.  In comparison, Gary was listed at 6"6" and 226 lbs.  I have never seen Frager play, but I have always envisioned him more as an "athlete" than a "skilled" player.  Is this wrong?

Frager is 100% a juwan Gary type guy and he should've been attached at the hip to him all year. Definitely a plus athlete and his shot is better than what he showed his senior year, or I guess Junior year at LSW. He will be a 3/4 guy moving forward that will provide plus athleticism. 

[royalfan]

1 hour ago, nustudent said:

We don't need a back to the basket 5-man.  We need an athletic post who can defend, alter shots and rebound.   That doesn't mean they are the 5 or another center.

 

If you have a legit defender in the post (we do not) than that gives you a lot more options in how you defend teams.  You don't have to double down as much.  It allows you to be much more honest defensively.   

 

Guy likes Kyle and Dak (using them since they are uber athletic, which we need and are local products) can play alongside Mast and/or Berke.  They don't have to replace one or the other.  And guys like those two...make the other two better as well.   

 

We've been one of the worst rebounding and least athletic front court teams in the conference for years and you don't think we should be focusing on that?   Finding guards and wings hasn't been an issue for us and we already have a ton of them coming back/coming in.   You can't say either about the front court.

 

 

There is no indication that we won’t double team every time though.  Hell we even double guys 15 feet from the hoop and not even on baseline.  Just killed us against Iowa.  It is also why our defense gets worse as the season goes on.  It stays the same but other teams passing out if doubles gets much better.  

[nustudent]

3 minutes ago, royalfan said:

There is no indication that we won’t double team every time though.  Hell we even double guys 15 feet from the hoop and not even on baseline.  Just killed us against Iowa.  It is also why our defense gets worse as the season goes on.  It stays the same but other teams passing out if doubles gets much better.  

 While true, when you actually  guys who can actually defend 1 on 1, you’re probably more willing to at least explore other wise.   

[AuroranHusker]

 

Iowa transfer Owen Freeman has committed to Creighton, ending the Bluejays' search for Ryan Kalkbrenner's successor with one of the the top-rated players in the transfer portal.

[AuroranHusker]

[thrasher31]

34 minutes ago, AuroranHusker said:

He's from Oklahoma, so wouldn't shock me if he goes there or OSU. Don't think he comes here

[basketballjones]

I’d be curious to see what kinda looks a guy like this gets. Athletic limitations, but can absolutely stroke it. I wonder how much more or less he’d compare athletically to a Tominaga?

[The Polish Rifle]

6 minutes ago, basketballjones said:

I’d be curious to see what kinda looks a guy like this gets. Athletic limitations, but can absolutely stroke it. I wonder how much more or less he’d compare athletically to a Tominaga?

as someone who played NAIA football, I’d love to tell you his game can translate - but in reality NAIA is almost a different sport then D1 P5. Maybe worth a walk on spot and hope that lotto ticket cashes. 

[thrasher31]

39 minutes ago, basketballjones said:

I’d be curious to see what kinda looks a guy like this gets. Athletic limitations, but can absolutely stroke it. I wonder how much more or less he’d compare athletically to a Tominaga?

This should give you an idea on the looks he'll get