Berke Enters Portal

Big bo fan

All-American
Jan 8, 2019
19,099
6,370
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Dude's about to find out how fast the greatest fans can turn on a fella. I hope they get it worked out. I have no problem understanding human nature and the fact that we'd all want more if we were in his shoes.
The issue is will he get significantly more? Some of these guys get sold the bill of goods that the grass is greener or money in this case elsewhere. I would hope he would stay but it’s the world of College athletics these days
 

JDD1959

Sophomore
Nov 28, 2016
254
140
43
Who knows what his NIL value is but hopefully they can work out something that he'll be happy with. I would say this, he may not find too many teams out there that are willing to pay a hugh amount of money for someone that does shoot the ball well outside of the paint. He would do well to spend a lot of time working on that part of his game regardless of where he ends up.
 

mgbreeze

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2004
10,086
3,501
113
The issue is will he get significantly more? Some of these guys get sold the bill of goods that the grass is greener or money in this case elsewhere. I would hope he would stay but it’s the world of College athletics these days
It's a good question. I stumbled across a St. Thomas basketball forum (yes, apparently one exists) where a guy was certain that Blue got $400k to sit on our bench this year. Not sure I believe it but makes me wonder what a guy like Berke was getting? You know these guys all know what everyone is getting because no chance anyone can keep a secret. I guess what I'm saying is that for Berke it might not be what he can get elsewhere, he might just feel underpaid compared to some of his teammates.
 
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HUSKERFAN66

All-Conference
Dec 8, 2004
21,175
3,524
113
Well honestly I was hoping we were going after 2 bigs that would have made him first man off the bench with Jacobson. Maybe he's not liking that? Maybe he's testing the market? Who knows.
 
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Redscarlet

Heisman
Jun 17, 2001
32,822
10,750
113
Well honestly I was hoping we were going after 2 bigs that would have made him first man off the bench with Jacobson. Maybe he's not liking that? Maybe he's testing the market? Who knows.
This is what I‘m thinking as well. But with no question he’d be a starter in the first place.
 

mgbreeze

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2004
10,086
3,501
113
I mean, you have to enter, just to see what is out there. Again...you get 5 years to do this.

You need to always be looking out for the most you can get.
I'd like to believe that's true, but isn't it true that these guys are having contact all the time with reps that are interfering? I'm worried that Berke could be susceptible to a smooth talking agent.
 

Mister_Scarlet

Sophomore
Dec 18, 2025
94
152
33
Agree Berke is just testing the market to see if he can hit a huge payday.

He is one if he goes, he goes. Jumper is below average, blackhole in the post, and seems immature. Would miss his rebounding and pizzazz, so it's not a huge loss or gain in my opinion. Replaceable with someone who can shoot it.
 

Zeke Husker

All-Conference
Aug 23, 2025
1,347
1,373
113
Dude's about to find out how fast the greatest fans can turn on a fella. I hope they get it worked out. I have no problem understanding human nature and the fact that we'd all want more if we were in his shoes.
Already see on FB people trashing him… saying he isn’t very good anyways, weakest link, etc.
 
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Big bo fan

All-American
Jan 8, 2019
19,099
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It's a good question. I stumbled across a St. Thomas basketball forum (yes, apparently one exists) where a guy was certain that Blue got $400k to sit on our bench this year. Not sure I believe it but makes me wonder what a guy like Berke was getting? You know these guys all know what everyone is getting because no chance anyone can keep a secret. I guess what I'm saying is that for Berke it might not be what he can get elsewhere, he might just feel underpaid compared to some of his teammates.
Yep who knows especially with the Foreign players not getting a cut and dried NIL . I agree on Blue and I have no idea what Fred’s NIL was to work with but if you believed some of the figures that were reported, there is now way we were paying a player 400 k for sitting the bench.
 

SuperBigFan69

All-Conference
Apr 17, 2021
4,412
4,004
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I'd like to believe that's true, but isn't it true that these guys are having contact all the time with reps that are interfering? I'm worried that Berke could be susceptible to a smooth talking agent.
I hope so, I hope it is true!

Just like all of us look at other jobs even though we have jobs...you have to look. You never know what is out there.

I have no clue what that kid makes playing for NU. Say he makes 150K (which seems high because he stats are lame but still...) what if another school wants to give him 300K. I mean, you have to take that.
 

Huskers12345

Senior
Aug 23, 2025
654
735
93
If he can't collect NIL, then I would have to think maybe he thinks his role is being diminished? The only other way he can cash in on bball would be professionally overseas, and coming off the bench in a reduced role would hurt those chances?

Either way, hope he comes back.
 

HuskerInCarolina

All-American
Dec 2, 2024
3,583
5,225
112
Husker Online is reporting he's asking for almost double what Nebraska is willing to pay and Fred is holding firm in the amount he's willing to offer.
They have been expecting him to enter the portal for a few days now. So I'd say he's as good as gone.
 

Harry Caray

All-American
Feb 28, 2002
70,948
7,139
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I'm sure we had to give Frager and Sandfort a big raise to keep them, and we're going to have to pay up to bring in new guys from the portal. If Berke is demanding more than Fred believes he is worth, then you have to let him walk.

I can't imagine too many teams will be willing to pay top dollar for a guy who averaged 6 points/5 rebounds and shot 24% from three and 60% FT. We all loved Berke for his personality, but it's not like we're losing a guy who put up big numbers for us.
 

SuperBigFan69

All-Conference
Apr 17, 2021
4,412
4,004
113
If he can't collect NIL, then I would have to think maybe he thinks his role is being diminished? The only other way he can cash in on bball would be professionally overseas, and coming off the bench in a reduced role would hurt those chances?

Either way, hope he comes back.
I forget what the loophole was/is but the foreign guys still get paid. Something with the type of visa they have, maybe?
 

king_kong__

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2021
3,528
4,759
113
I'm sure we had to give Frager and Sandfort a big raise to keep them, and we're going to have to pay up to bring in new guys from the portal. If Berke is demanding more than Fred believes he is worth, then you have to let him walk.

I can't imagine too many teams will be willing to pay top dollar for a guy who averaged 6 points/5 rebounds and shot 24% from three and 60% FT. We all loved Berke for his personality, but it's not like we're losing a guy who put up big numbers for us.
adidas is helping with Frager's offer
 

TheHiker

Sophomore
Jul 7, 2025
100
135
33
Who knows what his NIL value is but hopefully they can work out something that he'll be happy with. I would say this, he may not find too many teams out there that are willing to pay a hugh amount of money for someone that does shoot the ball well outside of the paint. He would do well to spend a lot of time working on that part of his game regardless of where he ends up.
He started showing a pretty good spin move in the post, but he would drive me crazy when he would take the fadeaway jumpers. I'm not sure he made one all season, but you can tell he loves them. I think he grew up dreaming of doing this.... to be fair I did too.


michael jordan goat GIF
 

HuskerO58

All-Conference
Sep 11, 2006
14,054
2,264
113
I hope so, I hope it is true!

Just like all of us look at other jobs even though we have jobs...you have to look. You never know what is out there.

I have no clue what that kid makes playing for NU. Say he makes 150K (which seems high because he stats are lame but still...) what if another school wants to give him 300K. I mean, you have to take that.
Especially when you only have a finite number of years to play. It's not like he can "work up the ladder" or "put in his time" and in 10+ years he'll make bank.
 
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