Earlier this week, we took a look at coach Amy Williams and her 2024-25 Nebraska women’s basketball squad. Today, we’re turning our attention to the men’s side of the game. Coach Fred Hoiberg and his Huskers welcome Bethune-Cookman to Pinnacle Bank Arena later today. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:01 p.m. CT.
The Huskers tipped off their 2024-25 season on Monday with an 87-67 win over UT Rio Grande Valley. While the 20-point margin suggests a comfortable win at first glance, the game revealed a number of areas that need improvement as Nebraska begins its journey toward another strong season and a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.
“There were a lot of things that I liked from that game,” Hoiberg said on Thursday. “Certainly we had a lot of things that we needed to work on and those were addressed in a very lengthy film session on whatever day we came back on Wednesday, I guess it was. The other thing we did is we got a first look at Bethune, who we play this Saturday as well. We were there for a very long session.
“Now the big thing the last couple days was working on the things that we need to address. I did think we competed. I thought that we competed very well. You see (UT Rio Grande Valley) obviously is very talented with a tight game at Creighton last night and a team that poses a lot of problems with five guys out there that can knock down a shot. Going into that one, I talked about this after the game, that that was a very tough team to prepare for because they're very disciplined. They shoot a ton of threes and they can get going like they did in the second half. Even when we got up 15, they made the run on us and made it a game. And then I'm proud of the guys the way they finished. I thought we really executed down the stretch and a lot of that had to do with stringing together stops.
“Now the big thing moving forward here, the challenge on Saturday, it's a very athletic team. It's a team that was 15th in the country in transition a year ago. We have to do a great job getting back and trying to limit easy baskets early in that game so they don't get confident on us, but it's good to learn from a win. And believe me, everybody that's in our position right now has plenty to learn, especially from these early season games.”1
As Hoiberg referenced, UT Rio Grande Valley did face Creighton in Omaha on Wednesday. The Bluejays won, 99-86, but the Vaqueros certainly went toe-to-toe throughout the matchup. Nebraska now hopes to take what it learned in Game 1 and use it to fuel a stronger outcome against Bethune-Cookman.
Before that happens, let’s take a look at this squad and what we know now.
Strength in Experience and Talent
Leading the Huskers this season is senior guard Brice Williams, who delivered an impressive performance against UTRGV with 27 points, shooting 8-of-18 from the field and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line.
Williams' scoring ability and leadership are going to be vital as Nebraska navigates a competitive Big Ten schedule. His experience provides stability, and his offensive skills offer a reliable scoring option in crucial moments. He’s also positioned well to take over the leadership roles left behind by Keisei Tominaga and Josiah Allick.
“That's going to be a big part of Brice’s role this year with Keisei gone, with Rienk out of the lineup, with Josiah out,” Hoiberg said. “Those guys were great leaders for us as well, not only what they did on the court for us, but they were vocal. They set the tone every day in practice.
“But yeah, Brice, 100%, his role is going to be to put the ball in the basket.”
Complementing Williams is junior guard Rollie Worster, the transfer from Utah, who contributed 18 points and three assists in the opener. Worster's playmaking skills and court vision will be essential for helping the Huskers run their offense. His ability to facilitate and create opportunities for his teammates adds depth to Nebraska's backcourt.
Key Newcomers: Ahron Ulis and Andrew Morgan
The Huskers have bolstered their roster with key additions, including guard Ahron Ulis and forward Andrew Morgan. Ulis, a transfer from Iowa, brings defensive tenacity and experience to the backcourt. His perimeter defense and ability to disrupt opposing offenses are assets Nebraska hopes to rely on throughout the season.
Andrew Morgan, a transfer from North Dakota State, adds size and versatility to the frontcourt. Despite dealing with a concussion during the preseason that put him in protocol for a period of time, Morgan contributed 10 points and five rebounds in the season opener. His physical presence in the paint and rebounding ability are crucial for Nebraska's interior defense and second-chance opportunities.
“We have a lot of guys, a lot of new guys, and we’re still learning every day,” Williams said following the UTRGV game. “I feel like as the season goes along we are going to peak at the right moment. If I’m being honest, in some plays that we still mess up on or simple concepts that we mess up on, but that’s OK right now because we’re all new and we’re learning every day.”
Depth and Versatility
Nebraska’s season opener against UTRGV showcased a promising level of depth, which is a crucial piece for Big Ten play. For example, junior guard Connor Essegian—who transferred to Nebraska from Wisconsin this past spring—added 13 points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench in the matchup.
The bench depth also allows Nebraska to keep the tempo high, putting consistent defensive pressure on opponents and adapting to various in-game situations. For example, Morgan’s size and physicality offer a defensive anchor in the paint, especially effective against Big Ten teams with dominant frontcourts. Similarly, Ulis’ defensive intensity and experience add value in matchups where Nebraska faces explosive backcourts, giving Hoiberg the flexibility to plug him in where needed.
Beyond individual roles, this roster gives room to test out different lineups, from a high-paced guard-heavy formation to a more traditional inside-out game with Morgan and Williams in the post. As the season progresses, finding the most effective combinations on the floor will be key, but the early indications show that the Huskers have the right pieces to mix and match lineups.2
It also allows the flexibility to use players for various minutes game-to-game.
“If you play 10 one night, be ready to play 25 the next. That's just the way this team is built,” Hoiberg said. “And the way I've always done it is by feel and by instinct.”3
What the Opener Means for the Season
The victory over UTRGV offers a foundation for Nebraska to build from. It wasn’t perfect, and there is plenty to improve on, but the performances of Williams and Worster highlight the potential of the team's backcourt. And then there are the newcomers that have already added needed depth and versatility.
As the Huskers continue to develop chemistry and refine strategies, the blend of experienced leaders and the promising new faces positions them well for what’s ahead.4 Maintaining focus on growth and addressing weaknesses will be crucial though as Nebraska aims to compete at a high level in the Big Ten.
And, of course, pursue a return to the NCAA Tournament.
I could have cut that quote down, but I thought it was all good and couldn’t decide what to cut. So you get the full quote!
As long as everyone stays healthy, of course.
Something that stands out to me about this is the conditioning of the team. Many have noted that conditioning, especially in the front court, isn’t the strongest. Nebraska is working on it, but it’s definitely not where it needs to be yet.
“You can do as much running as you want behind those closed doors, but it’s different when the lights are on,” Hoiberg said. “Still have a ways to go with that, but believe me, we’re getting in extra work every day.”
Something to keep an eye on, but the depth of the roster helps for now.
Again, as long as everyone stays healthy.
NCAA or bust.