Portal targets for Hoiberg. H.S BB recruits

4.6.3

Senior
Jun 4, 2022
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I legit can’t believe how much different he looks. I guess growing 3-5 more inches and adding over 100lbs will do that
 

Poster FKA schuele

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
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Yes, I think you take him if you have an open spot and he wants to come here and is willing to be a role player. But you can't really have him and Berke on the floor at the same time, as neither is an outside shooting threat. They would basically have to split minutes.
Yeah I would gladly take Dak for his final year, mainly for his athleticism and for the 3-4 nights where he will have a big game. But it's not like he's must-have or a program building block.
 

mgbreeze

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2004
10,071
3,485
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I feel pretty good that Fred and staff are going to stay true to who they are and be mindful about who they bring in. I haven't watched Dak but from what you guys are saying he just doesn't sound like a fit. I'm all for an athletic big but they really need to have a post game.
 
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mgbreeze

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2004
10,071
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There's gonna be a bidding WAR for Owen Freeman.
Funny you say that, I was ruminating about whether he could be a successful reclamation project with the right program. As well as Fred knows Mac and how much he didn't work out for Mac, I doubt Fred wants to touch him.
 

Poster FKA schuele

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
1,161
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I feel pretty good that Fred and staff are going to stay true to who they are and be mindful about who they bring in. I haven't watched Dak but from what you guys are saying he just doesn't sound like a fit. I'm all for an athletic big but they really need to have a post game.
Oh sure, I'm not going to criticize Fred if he takes a pass on Dak. But if Dak wants to come to NU on the cheap, he's good enough to get playing time and there will be a handful of games where he makes a big impact. That's who he is.
 

ridge222

Sophomore
Jan 19, 2015
362
142
43
Will be interesting to see what the rotation looks like next year. Assuming Sandfort comes back I would suspect you would have a starting 5 to start the season of

F- Uggi 6'11 245
F- Sandfort 6'7 210
F- Berke 6'10 245
G- Frager 6'7 215
G- Jacobsen 6'4 195

Top subs:
Essegian 6'4 205
Curtis 7'2 245
Rhymes 6'6 195 (Sounds like this kid has done pretty well in his redshirt season)

Gives you at least an eight man rotation to start.

Incomers:
Rice 6'8 180 was the Iowa Gatorade player of the year in Iowa
Lanier 6'5 195 a top 100 recruit

A hole I would like to see filled would be a true point player. Maybe Rhymes or Lanier or transfer.
Personally I like seeing Jacobsen coming off the bench. He maybe the Hoiberg of next years team. He handles the ball better than I thought he ever would, but if Nebraska can find a slasher to get to the lane for some more kick out threes that would add another level to their offense.

More big man depth. Don't know exactly what you have in Uggi yet, but Fred is high on him. Coming back from injury you just don't know. Curtis does have a Big 10 body already, should get better. Dak could help with that, and I think you could get him at a reasonable price. Would like another kind of wide body rebounder.

Shooters are always nice to have. The Rice kid could fill that, and he is long, don't really know how athletic he is, but seems to fit the mold of a Fred type kid who can shoot. If Essegian keeps his shot going from two years ago that will help, but needs to give a little more on the defensive end.

Will be fun to see what happens.
 

Harry Caray

All-American
Feb 28, 2002
70,940
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I feel pretty good that Fred and staff are going to stay true to who they are and be mindful about who they bring in. I haven't watched Dak but from what you guys are saying he just doesn't sound like a fit. I'm all for an athletic big but they really need to have a post game.

He could play a role here, but I don't see him playing more minutes here than he did at Colorado...and I assume he is transferring so he can play more minutes somewhere than he did at Colorado. He would probably play 15 minutes/game here (Berke averages 25 min/game). If he's okay with that and not asking for too much money, great. But I think he will get better offers from other teams that might have more of a need for him.
 
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Big bo fan

All-American
Jan 8, 2019
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Will be interesting to see what the rotation looks like next year. Assuming Sandfort comes back I would suspect you would have a starting 5 to start the season of

F- Uggi 6'11 245
F- Sandfort 6'7 210
F- Berke 6'10 245
G- Frager 6'7 215
G- Jacobsen 6'4 195

Top subs:
Essegian 6'4 205
Curtis 7'2 245
Rhymes 6'6 195 (Sounds like this kid has done pretty well in his redshirt season)

Gives you at least an eight man rotation to start.

Incomers:
Rice 6'8 180 was the Iowa Gatorade player of the year in Iowa
Lanier 6'5 195 a top 100 recruit

A hole I would like to see filled would be a true point player. Maybe Rhymes or Lanier or transfer.
Personally I like seeing Jacobsen coming off the bench. He maybe the Hoiberg of next years team. He handles the ball better than I thought he ever would, but if Nebraska can find a slasher to get to the lane for some more kick out threes that would add another level to their offense.

More big man depth. Don't know exactly what you have in Uggi yet, but Fred is high on him. Coming back from injury you just don't know. Curtis does have a Big 10 body already, should get better. Dak could help with that, and I think you could get him at a reasonable price. Would like another kind of wide body rebounder.

Shooters are always nice to have. The Rice kid could fill that, and he is long, don't really know how athletic he is, but seems to fit the mold of a Fred type kid who can shoot. If Essegian keeps his shot going from two years ago that will help, but needs to give a little more on the defensive end.

Will be fun to see what happens.
In no world can Caleb Jacobson be in the starting lineup. We 100 percent need a point guard in the portal.
 

Poster FKA schuele

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
1,161
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He could play a role here, but I don't see him playing more minutes here than he did at Colorado...and I assume he is transferring so he can play more minutes somewhere than he did at Colorado. He would probably play 15 minutes/game here (Berke averages 25 min/game). If he's okay with that and not asking for too much money, great. But I think he will get better offers from other teams that might have more of a need for him.
I don’t think Dak is transferring due to playing time - he played a ton of minutes for CU. I think he’s probably just had enough of Tad Boyle, who’s stuck in the 1980s and treats his players accordingly. Dak is probably looking for a change of scenery to close out his college career.
 

Harry Caray

All-American
Feb 28, 2002
70,940
7,128
113
Will be interesting to see what the rotation looks like next year. Assuming Sandfort comes back I would suspect you would have a starting 5 to start the season of

F- Uggi 6'11 245
F- Sandfort 6'7 210
F- Berke 6'10 245
G- Frager 6'7 215
G- Jacobsen 6'4 195

Top subs:
Essegian 6'4 205
Curtis 7'2 245
Rhymes 6'6 195 (Sounds like this kid has done pretty well in his redshirt season)

Gives you at least an eight man rotation to start.

Incomers:
Rice 6'8 180 was the Iowa Gatorade player of the year in Iowa
Lanier 6'5 195 a top 100 recruit

A hole I would like to see filled would be a true point player. Maybe Rhymes or Lanier or transfer.
Personally I like seeing Jacobsen coming off the bench. He maybe the Hoiberg of next years team. He handles the ball better than I thought he ever would, but if Nebraska can find a slasher to get to the lane for some more kick out threes that would add another level to their offense.

More big man depth. Don't know exactly what you have in Uggi yet, but Fred is high on him. Coming back from injury you just don't know. Curtis does have a Big 10 body already, should get better. Dak could help with that, and I think you could get him at a reasonable price. Would like another kind of wide body rebounder.

Shooters are always nice to have. The Rice kid could fill that, and he is long, don't really know how athletic he is, but seems to fit the mold of a Fred type kid who can shoot. If Essegian keeps his shot going from two years ago that will help, but needs to give a little more on the defensive end.

Will be fun to see what happens.

I think we need two experienced transfer guards, to replace Lawrence and Hoiberg. Cale is not a guy you want as your primary ball-handler and playing 30+ minutes. We need to add one of those. We also need a Brice Williams type of guard who can get a bucket when you need one.

It would be great if Lanier could be the next Keaton Wagler, but he is a very rare case. I wouldn't count on a freshman guard coming in and starting for a Sweet 16 caliber team, unless they are a 5-star prospect.
 

ridge222

Sophomore
Jan 19, 2015
362
142
43
In no world can Caleb Jacobson be in the starting lineup. We 100 percent need a point guard in the portal.
I am with you on that one. I really like Shelstad from Oregon, but I really think in this transfer world now you have to find the right fit, not just a name.
 

SuperBigFan69

All-Conference
Apr 17, 2021
4,364
3,962
113
I am with you on that one. I really like Shelstad from Oregon, but I really think in this transfer world now you have to find the right fit, not just a name.
I think the top two players from Oregon are leaving, so there is a chance.
 

Big bo fan

All-American
Jan 8, 2019
19,065
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He could play a role here, but I don't see him playing more minutes here than he did at Colorado...and I assume he is transferring so he can play more minutes somewhere than he did at Colorado. He would probably play 15 minutes/game here (Berke averages 25 min/game). If he's okay with that and not asking for too much money, great. But I think he will get better offers from other teams that might have more of a need for him.
I looked up 4 random games through the year. Dak play 22-29 minutes every game I looked up . It’s not a lack of minutes for his entry into the portal.
 

Poster FKA schuele

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
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Yes please. He's 6'11 with guard skills. Would be a great fit in Fred's offense.
Yeah Rancik is an enormous talent, has two years left, and is still very much in development.

Would have had bigger numbers this season, if he hadn't wasted his freshman year sitting on the bench behind some no-talent grad transfers Tad insisted on playing big minutes.
 

4.6.3

Senior
Jun 4, 2022
894
981
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I am with you on that one. I really like Shelstad from Oregon, but I really think in this transfer world now you have to find the right fit, not just a name.
He likes to control the ball. Plus not sure we are in the market he’s gonna get
 

Nuts McClanahan

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2022
1,049
1,074
113
Will be interesting to see what the rotation looks like next year. Assuming Sandfort comes back I would suspect you would have a starting 5 to start the season of

F- Uggi 6'11 245
F- Sandfort 6'7 210
F- Berke 6'10 245
G- Frager 6'7 215
G- Jacobsen 6'4 195

Top subs:
Essegian 6'4 205
Curtis 7'2 245
Rhymes 6'6 195 (Sounds like this kid has done pretty well in his redshirt season)

Gives you at least an eight man rotation to start.

Incomers:
Rice 6'8 180 was the Iowa Gatorade player of the year in Iowa
Lanier 6'5 195 a top 100 recruit

A hole I would like to see filled would be a true point player. Maybe Rhymes or Lanier or transfer.
Personally I like seeing Jacobsen coming off the bench. He maybe the Hoiberg of next years team. He handles the ball better than I thought he ever would, but if Nebraska can find a slasher to get to the lane for some more kick out threes that would add another level to their offense.

More big man depth. Don't know exactly what you have in Uggi yet, but Fred is high on him. Coming back from injury you just don't know. Curtis does have a Big 10 body already, should get better. Dak could help with that, and I think you could get him at a reasonable price. Would like another kind of wide body rebounder.

Shooters are always nice to have. The Rice kid could fill that, and he is long, don't really know how athletic he is, but seems to fit the mold of a Fred type kid who can shoot. If Essegian keeps his shot going from two years ago that will help, but needs to give a little more on the defensive end.

Will be fun to see what happens.
If we get everyone coming back, we're going to be fun to watch. Don't know if we will match that magical chemistry and W-L record, but the team will be good. Gotta have Sandford and Frager coming back. The "newcomers" are something to get excited about. Essegian can just go off when he's on. I don't see him as a guy who should be shooting from anywhere at anytime like two years ago and that should help his efficiency. We do need a point guard who can get into the paint at will but still be strong enough to defend at any spot in our defense. The two bigs coming back will be just fine. I like having a 7'2" project on the team and Leo Curtis has upside. He'll develop but he needs a role and actual playing time. The two freshmen are highly touted- both probably good enough to start. That Lanier is a real sleeper. And Rice was a guy Iowa, Colorado and Illinois all wanted badly-- so you know where he will fit in Fred's offense!
 

Nuts McClanahan

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2022
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In no world can Caleb Jacobson be in the starting lineup. We 100 percent need a point guard in the portal.
I'm sure they have him slotted for a similar role, but your "in no world can Caleb start" comment is off the mark. Dude already played about 20 minutes a game in Big 10 play including crunch time. I don't think the bottom is going to fall out on the season if Cale is on the court at the start of the game.
 

Nuts McClanahan

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2022
1,049
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I think we need two experienced transfer guards, to replace Lawrence and Hoiberg. Cale is not a guy you want as your primary ball-handler and playing 30+ minutes. We need to add one of those. We also need a Brice Williams type of guard who can get a bucket when you need one.

It would be great if Lanier could be the next Keaton Wagler, but he is a very rare case. I wouldn't count on a freshman guard coming in and starting for a Sweet 16 caliber team, unless they are a 5-star prospect.
Lanier is really, really good. In Fred's system, he's a guy who will terrorize people off the dribble and hit the 3. I think he takes over Frager's sixth man role next year.

So really just one stud point guard to add to the mix. I don't see a need for two guards. If we want to add a 2nd, let it be a big forward. Someone who can guard 3 thru 5.
 
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Big bo fan

All-American
Jan 8, 2019
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I'm sure they have him slotted for a similar role, but your "in no world can Caleb start" comment is off the mark. Dude already played about 20 minutes a game in Big 10 play including crunch time. I don't think the bottom is going to fall out on the season if Cale is on the court at the start of the game.
He didn’t play 20 minutes/ game it was 12/15 . I like Cale but in no world is he a big Ten Starting PG .
 

Nuts McClanahan

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2022
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He didn’t play 20 minutes/ game it was 12/15 . I like Cale but in no world is he a big Ten Starting PG .
I'm just saying that it's not far fetched for a guy playing as much as Cale did to start at point guard. I think you and I agree on the best role for Cale to play. It's not even his natural position.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,376
12,798
78
I'm just saying that it's not far fetched for a guy playing as much as Cale did to start at point guard. I think you and I agree on the best role for Cale to play. It's not even his natural position.
Cale’s natural position may be a 2 guard but his shooting has been inconsistent. He’s not a point. He played there sparingly against weaker defenders mostly. Needs to be a 7th man depth piece.
 
Aug 17, 2010
3,987
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If we lose our best in-state player in 30 years to KU, I swear to God that may be it for me and college basketball. We can't be a ******* farm team for KU or anybody else.
Not sure anything is solid right now. Kansas is interested and he has friends down there. The friction with Sam was real as Frager was seen as immature as a locker room presence - doesn't mean anything really, but hopefully he's not looking to get out.
 

Huskers12345

Senior
Aug 23, 2025
637
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Cale is a nice bench player who provides versatility. Who you would feel comfortable spot starting. We need a legit pg. We are the darlings of cbb at the moment. Capitalize on it.
 
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Jun 21, 2001
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I may not have the best memory or seen things differently in the past few years. Hoiberg’s system seems to be to have guards who help move the ball from side to side to create open looks from 3-point range. Having a high post player who can capably shoot from outside but also a solid passer for back door cuts is the other main system ingredient. Guards need to be versatile on the offensive end but are probably more critical on the defensive side of the ball due to all the rotations and baseline traps. If the guards play good defense, they can make up for some lack of pure offense if they are good facilitators. They don’t need to be true point guards. They are somewhat interchangeable, and the combination of Lawrence, Hoiberg, and Jacobsen worked well in 2025-26. That allowed Hoiberg to go with the rotation that gave them the best play for what was needed in each game. Essentially, combo guards.

Assuming no one transfers, NU needs to replace two guards. Either from incoming freshman recruits (B1G ready to play) or the transfer portal. If Huskers can find a transfer point guard that can do all the above and also create more one-on-one drives in the lane late in the shot clock, that adds another dimension to the offense. Probably more of a “want” instead of a “need” for a true point guard.

I think the most critical need is someone to replace Mast. Not sure if Uggy can do that, and while Curtis showed some flashes this year he seems to be at least a year away from being that replacement. Need to find a Mast clone first and foremost. A solid combo guard is the next need. If a transfer guard who is a true PG comes in, all the better.
 
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