Fans of Nebraska basketball have grown used to overhauled rosters under thirdyear coach Fred Hoiberg. With 12 players whom Hoiberg signed having already departed with eligibility remaining, such instability has been a crucial factor in the Huskers winning only seven games in each of the last two seasons. To wit: Teddy Allen, who averaged 16.5 points last season to lead the Huskers in scoring, has transferred.

So with eight new scholarship players and two new walk-ons, why should anyone expect 2021-22 to be any different?

Perhaps because the quality of incoming talent is unlike anything ever seen in Lincoln. Led by Nebraska’s first-ever freshman five-star recruit, combo guard Bryce Mcgowens, this recruiting class is the highest-ranked and by far most heralded in program history.

The Huskers also have a solid corps of six returning scholarship players, most of whom are vocal leaders, including academic All-american Trey Mcgowens, the older brother of Bryce.

FRONTCOURT Junior Derrick Walker, who became eligible in January, averaged 5.9 points and ranked second on the team with 4.7 rebounds in 16 games, all of them starts. With Yvan Ouedraogo departing after two seasons, Walker’s role will increase. Junior Lat Mayen was one of two Huskers to start all 27 games in 2020-21; the 6'9" forward was fourth on the team in scoring, second in total rebounds and led Nebraska in made 3-pointers, with 48. Eduardo Andre became Nebraska’s top frontcourt reserve toward the end of last season as a freshman.

Four-star recruit Wilhelm Breidenbach, a 6'9", 210-pound freshman, provides versatility and should be a key facilitator for Hoiberg, who runs his offense through mobile big men. Oleg Kojenets, a 7-foot forward from Kaunas, Lithuania, is another solid recruit.

BACKCOURT Nebraska suffered a significant loss when point guard Dalano Banton, who averaged 9.6 points while leading the Huskers in both rebounding (5.9) and assists (3.9) in his lone season in Lincoln, declared for the NBA Draft. To offset that departure, Hoiberg nabbed Arizona State transfer Alonzo Verge Jr., who averaged 14 points, 3.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds last season. His high basketball IQ and skill set should be a perfect fit in Hoiberg’s system.

Highly touted freshman Bryce Mcgowens figures to make a significant impact with his ability to guard four positions and score at three levels. He and junior college transfer Keisei Tominaga should supply Nebraska with much-needed threats beyond the arc. The

Huskers have averaged a mere 31.8 percent and 33.3 percent, respectively, on 3-pointers in Hoiberg’s first two seasons.

C.J. Wilcher, a freshman transfer from Xavier, could also provide a scoring boost off the bench, while Depaul freshman transfer Keon Edwards has impressed with his athleticism and shooting ability.

Senior Kobe Webster, whose 38 percent shooting on 3-pointers led the Huskers last season, and junior Trey Mcgowens, who ranked second on the team in scoring and assists, will provide experience and leadership.

FINAL ANALYSIS Hoiberg and his staff, led by ace recruiter Matt Abdelmassih, have undoubtedly increased the talent level in Lincoln, even if it’s meant significant roster turnover. The question now seems to be not if but when the product on the court will reflect those recruiting efforts. Keeping its head above water over a grinding league schedule is always tough for Nebraska. The Huskers have been to the NCAA Tournament only once since 1998 and have never won a game there.

“Be able to start a new wave, bringing a different type of swagger to a university that’s not really known for basketball,” Bryce Mcgowens told reporters during a summer media event. “Being able to bring a great group of guys in, with this coaching staff, and have the fan base around it to really build us up.”

Don’t expect any miracles in Lincoln this season, but signs of progress should be evident.