Nebraska Basketball 2025-2026

[Greg S]

As we transition to next season, I'd like to start by saying I love this. Might be my favorite design for NU's floor ever. I did also really like the Huskers script in the state outline during the Nee years.

[nebugeater]

Looks like it is official

Jamarques Lawrence, who transferred out of Nebraska and played last season at Rhode Island is transferring back for the 25/26 season

https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/bas ... rs-big-ten

[OmahaRedWing]

Looks like it is official

Jamarques Lawrence, who transferred out of Nebraska and played last season at Rhode Island is transferring back for the 25/26 season

https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/bas ... rs-big-ten

A very, very welcome return!

[OmahaRedWing]

I had seen on Twitter over a week ago that Lawrence might be coming back but then it got real silent. I had kind of given up hope. Maybe it stayed silent because of all the attention on the Crown.

Either way, fantastic news.

[Greg S]

Between Lawrence coming back and Reink Mast returning after his redshirt/medical year off I keep thinking of the movie Back to the Future.

[nebugeater]

I had seen on Twitter over a week ago that Lawrence might be coming back but then it got real silent. I had kind of given up hope. Maybe it stayed silent because of all the attention on the Crown.

Either way, fantastic news.

I too thought it must be nat happing after seeing some reports and then nothing. This is a good get and not starting from zero because everyone short of new players at Nebraska are familiar with each other. When he left I took it as a loss and not "see ya"

[Greg S]

I had seen on Twitter over a week ago that Lawrence might be coming back but then it got real silent. I had kind of given up hope. Maybe it stayed silent because of all the attention on the Crown.

Either way, fantastic news.

I too thought it must be nat happing after seeing some reports and then nothing. This is a good get and not starting from zero because everyone short of new players at Nebraska are familiar with each other. When he left I took it as a loss and not "see ya"

Absolutely. It will definitely help not having so many true "new" players next year between Lawrence and Mast back on the floor for NU along with the other players that played this year. Familiarity the Hoiberg and his system.

[ThreeGGG]

It is hard to believe that Rienk Mast has another year of eligibility, but with that being said..... he should be a real beast.

[OmahaRedWing]

It is hard to believe that Rienk Mast has another year of eligibility, but with that being said..... he should be a real beast.

Yeah for him, last year was a medical redshirt. I know he's not technically a portal pickup for this coming season but I think keeping Rienk was the biggest win Nebraska will or could have got this offseason.

At the end of last season there was a lot of speculation that he might go back to Europe and play pro ball. Even when he stayed to have his surgery it wasn't a lock but looked more probably for him to play one more year for NU.

I could not be more pumped that he's returning and will be at 100 percent for the upcoming season. A true game changer for NU.

[Greg S]

This was a big addition as well. I know Fred recruited him hard when he was in high school:

[nebugeater]

It is hard to believe that Rienk Mast has another year of eligibility, but with that being said..... he should be a real beast.

Yeah for him, last year was a medical redshirt. I know he's not technically a portal pickup for this coming season but I think keeping Rienk was the biggest win Nebraska will or could have got this offseason.

At the end of last season there was a lot of speculation that he might go back to Europe and play pro ball. Even when he stayed to have his surgery it wasn't a lock but looked more probably for him to play one more year for NU.

I could not be more pumped that he's returning and will be at 100 percent for the upcoming season. A true game changer for NU.

If he had been able to play this season, I don't think we would have been watching the B1G tourney from the outside looking in or playing for a crown.

[Greg S]

It is hard to believe that Rienk Mast has another year of eligibility, but with that being said..... he should be a real beast.

Yeah for him, last year was a medical redshirt. I know he's not technically a portal pickup for this coming season but I think keeping Rienk was the biggest win Nebraska will or could have got this offseason.

At the end of last season there was a lot of speculation that he might go back to Europe and play pro ball. Even when he stayed to have his surgery it wasn't a lock but looked more probably for him to play one more year for NU.

I could not be more pumped that he's returning and will be at 100 percent for the upcoming season. A true game changer for NU.

If he had been able to play this season, I don't think we would have been watching the B1G tourney from the outside looking in or playing for a crown.

Honestly I am trying not to think about that. You add him to this past year's team and it puts them on a whole different level.

[nebugeater]

It is hard to believe that Rienk Mast has another year of eligibility, but with that being said..... he should be a real beast.

Yeah for him, last year was a medical redshirt. I know he's not technically a portal pickup for this coming season but I think keeping Rienk was the biggest win Nebraska will or could have got this offseason.

At the end of last season there was a lot of speculation that he might go back to Europe and play pro ball. Even when he stayed to have his surgery it wasn't a lock but looked more probably for him to play one more year for NU.

I could not be more pumped that he's returning and will be at 100 percent for the upcoming season. A true game changer for NU.

If he had been able to play this season, I don't think we would have been watching the B1G tourney from the outside looking in or playing for a crown.

Honestly I am trying not to think about that. You add him to this past year's team and it puts them on a whole different level.

4-6 game swing IMO

[nebugeater]

Huskers pick up another transfer portal guy.

Will Cooper

One year at the Air Force, Millard South Grad.

Nice to see a Nebraska native come home. This has seemed to work out OK for some others.


https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/bas ... rg-big-ten

[Greg S]

It is hard to believe that Rienk Mast has another year of eligibility, but with that being said..... he should be a real beast.

Yeah for him, last year was a medical redshirt. I know he's not technically a portal pickup for this coming season but I think keeping Rienk was the biggest win Nebraska will or could have got this offseason.

At the end of last season there was a lot of speculation that he might go back to Europe and play pro ball. Even when he stayed to have his surgery it wasn't a lock but looked more probably for him to play one more year for NU.

I could not be more pumped that he's returning and will be at 100 percent for the upcoming season. A true game changer for NU.

If he had been able to play this season, I don't think we would have been watching the B1G tourney from the outside looking in or playing for a crown.

Honestly I am trying not to think about that. You add him to this past year's team and it puts them on a whole different level.

4-6 game swing IMO

I tend to agree. I honestly think closer to 6 but 4-6 seems reasonable.

[OmahaRedWing]

Huskers pick up another transfer portal guy.

Will Cooper

One year at the Air Force, Millard South Grad.

Nice to see a Nebraska native come home. This has seemed to work out OK for some others.


https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/bas ... rg-big-ten

I had not seen anything on this. Nice addition for depth, especially with the Omaha ties. Very cool.

[nebugeater]

Huskers pick up another transfer portal guy.

Will Cooper

One year at the Air Force, Millard South Grad.

Nice to see a Nebraska native come home. This has seemed to work out OK for some others.


https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/bas ... rg-big-ten

I had not seen anything on this. Nice addition for depth, especially with the Omaha ties. Very cool.

Had not seen any speculation on this either. The announcement came out about an hour before I posted this, and that is the first I had heard anything. I need to go back and see how hard he was recruited out of High School, if at all, but that will have to be later.

[OmahaRedWing]

This was a big addition as well. I know Fred recruited him hard when he was in high school:

I just saw a blurb online with him in the last 24 hours or so. Said he was excited to play in front of the crowds at PBA. Without saying Iowa or Carver Hawkeye Arena, you could tell he meant livelier and much larger....

[Greg S]

Nebraska has had 2 enter the portal so far. Gavin Griffiths, which didn't come as a surprise as he never really got on track here and probably is smart to look elsewhere. Hopefully he finds a good landing spot.

The other was Nick Janowski who redshirted this year. This did seem to come as a surprise as I saw a couple different sites had him as probably returning. Not sure why he's leaving but I am a little bummed. Was looking forward to seeing what he could do. Again, hope he finds a good landing spot as well.

[nebugeater]

Another portal transfer to Nebraska was announced in the last couple of hours.

Guard Kendall Blue from St Thomas - Summit League
One year of eligibility.
Haven't looked for or seen a lot about him yet.


https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/bas ... ornhuskers

[Greg S]

Another portal transfer to Nebraska was announced in the last couple of hours.

Guard Kendall Blue from St Thomas - Summit League
One year of eligibility.
Haven't looked for or seen a lot about him yet.


https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/bas ... ornhuskers

Wow another very good addition. Again, did not see this coming. Gary Sharp talked him up a bit this morning.

[OmahaRedWing]

Got to see Kendall Blue when they played against UNO. He was the best player on the floor for St Thomas. If memory serves, he was a rebound away from a double double.

[Greg S]

Here's another addition I don't think we talked about due to it happening during Nebraska's run to the Crown title. Love the depth we are going to have in the middle:

[Greg S]

Possible portal addition:

[OmahaRedWing]

I've got to say, the last month has gone so much better than expected (and I am not referring at all to winning the crown). When the season ended on such a down note (need 1 or 2 wins to make the NCAA's to not even making the Big 10 tournament), followed by the loss of Assistant Coach Adam Howard to NC State. I was really worried about how the transfer portal would go.

Initially too I thought the Crown and the preparation for it down a coach would make for a slow start to the portal for Nebraska. Outside of the team that made the final four (and the last few in the Crown), everyone else's full attention could be on the portal.

Obviously, it went exactly the opposite of what I feared. We seemed to land many of our primary targets within a matter of days. That's the opposite of last year. We were coming off an NCAA tournament appearance and full coaching staff. Last year it seems we were close on top targets but seemed to be the bridesmaid on most.

Got to give credit to Coach Hoiberg. Took a difficult situation and thrived. I wonder too if 1890 stepped up more this year after last year's misses in the portal.

I am really, really looking forward to next season.

[Greg S]

I've got to say, the last month has gone so much better than expected (and I am not referring at all to winning the crown). When the season ended on such a down note (need 1 or 2 wins to make the NCAA's to not even making the Big 10 tournament), followed by the loss of Assistant Coach Adam Howard to NC State. I was really worried about how the transfer portal would go.

Initially too I thought the Crown and the preparation for it down a coach would make for a slow start to the portal for Nebraska. Outside of the team that made the final four (and the last few in the Crown), everyone else's full attention could be on the portal.

Obviously, it went exactly the opposite of what I feared. We seemed to land many of our primary targets within a matter of days. That's the opposite of last year. We were coming off an NCAA tournament appearance and full coaching staff. Last year it seems we were close on top targets but seemed to be the bridesmaid on most.

Got to give credit to Coach Hoiberg. Took a difficult situation and thrived. I wonder too if 1890 stepped up more this year after last year's misses in the portal.

I am really, really looking forward to next season.

And even though they were putting so much into the portal, they still won the Crown!

[OmahaRedWing]

Speaking of the assistant coach vacancy, has anyone heard anything about potential candidates?

[OmahaRedWing]

Gary Sharp reported today that the Nebraska/Creighton game will be Sunday, December 7 at PBA. He credited Jon Rothstein for the info.

[nebugeater]

Speaking of the assistant coach vacancy, has anyone heard anything about potential candidates?

I was thinking about that earlier this week. Did some searching and didn't find any mention if it with any info other than the opening. That was a couple of days ago but still have not seen anything yet besides that search.

[nebugeater]

Speaking of the assistant coach vacancy, has anyone heard anything about potential candidates?

I was thinking about that earlier this week. Did some searching and didn't find any mention if it with any info other than the opening. That was a couple of days ago but still have not seen anything yet besides that search.

And just like that, 15 minutes after I posted this, I hear KFAB reported that Pat Monaghan had been added to the open assistant position. Had been an assistant at Wyoming

[Greg S]

Speaking of the assistant coach vacancy, has anyone heard anything about potential candidates?

I was thinking about that earlier this week. Did some searching and didn't find any mention if it with any info other than the opening. That was a couple of days ago but still have not seen anything yet besides that search.

And just like that, 15 minutes after I posted this, I hear KFAB reported that Pat Monaghan had been added to the open assistant position. Had been an assistant at Wyoming

Crazy how that happened. I will be honest, I don't think I have ever heard of him prior. I like that he seems well traveled around here and the Big 10 footprint.

Still impressed with what Hoiberg has done in the last month down a coach.

[nebugeater]

Speaking of the assistant coach vacancy, has anyone heard anything about potential candidates?

I was thinking about that earlier this week. Did some searching and didn't find any mention if it with any info other than the opening. That was a couple of days ago but still have not seen anything yet besides that search.

And just like that, 15 minutes after I posted this, I hear KFAB reported that Pat Monaghan had been added to the open assistant position. Had been an assistant at Wyoming

Crazy how that happened. I will be honest, I don't think I have ever heard of him prior. I like that he seems well traveled around here and the Big 10 footprint.

Still impressed with what Hoiberg has done in the last month down a coach.

I have not heard of him either, and have not yet looked at his bio info or any stories on him. Something to do tonight.

[OmahaRedWing]

Here's some background information from Huskers.com on Pat Monaghan:

Nebraska men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg announced Thursday morning that veteran college assistant Pat Monaghan will join the Husker coaching staff.

“I am extremely humbled and appreciative for the opportunity to join Coach Hoiberg and his outstanding staff,” Monaghan said. “The momentum Coach and his staff have built over the last couple years is exciting, along with the loyal and passionate fan base that is one of the best in the country. I am looking forward to developing relationships on campus and in the community. I can’t wait to get to Lincoln and get to work.”

https://huskers.com/news/2025/04/17/pat ... tant-coach

[Nebraska>Iowa]

Speaking of the assistant coach vacancy, has anyone heard anything about potential candidates?

I was thinking about that earlier this week. Did some searching and didn't find any mention if it with any info other than the opening. That was a couple of days ago but still have not seen anything yet besides that search.

And just like that, 15 minutes after I posted this, I hear KFAB reported that Pat Monaghan had been added to the open assistant position. Had been an assistant at Wyoming

Crazy how that happened. I will be honest, I don't think I have ever heard of him prior. I like that he seems well traveled around here and the Big 10 footprint.

Still impressed with what Hoiberg has done in the last month down a coach.

Pat is an excellent coach. Great hire by Coach Hoiberg!

[OmahaRedWing]

Speaking of the assistant coach vacancy, has anyone heard anything about potential candidates?

I was thinking about that earlier this week. Did some searching and didn't find any mention if it with any info other than the opening. That was a couple of days ago but still have not seen anything yet besides that search.

And just like that, 15 minutes after I posted this, I hear KFAB reported that Pat Monaghan had been added to the open assistant position. Had been an assistant at Wyoming

Crazy how that happened. I will be honest, I don't think I have ever heard of him prior. I like that he seems well traveled around here and the Big 10 footprint.

Still impressed with what Hoiberg has done in the last month down a coach.

Pat is an excellent coach. Great hire by Coach Hoiberg!

Good to hear! I was completely unaware of him prior to his hiring at Nebraska.

[Greg S]

Nick Janowski lands at St Thomas. Will have to go when they play UNO this year:

https://omaha.com/sports/huskers/mens-b ... -top-story

[Greg S]

Gavin Griffiths ends up at Temple. Hopefully it works out better for him there.

[OmahaRedWing]

Nebraska will play in the Hall of Fame Classic in KC (other teams are K State, Mississippi State and New Mexico):

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Nebraska will return to Kansas City this fall, as the Huskers will participate in the 2025 Hall of Fame Classic. The 2025 edition takes place on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 20-21 at the T-Mobile Center in downtown Kansas City.

The 2025 Hall of Fame Classic will mark the event’s 25th year of operation in Kansas City, and will return to its traditional two-day, four-team bracketed format. Semifinal round matchups, game times, broadcast details and ticket information will be announced at a later date.

The Huskers will be making their first appearance in the event since 2018, when they lost to eventual NCAA runner-up Texas Tech in the title game. Kansas State is making its first appearance in the event since 2021, while Mississippi State and New Mexico will each be competing in the event for the first time in their respective program histories.

Mississippi State and New Mexico both earned NCAA Tournament bids last season – with the Lobos advancing to the second round – while Nebraska won the championship of the inaugural College Basketball Crown postseason event. Kansas State finished the season ranked 36th in the nation in adjusted efficiency.

Nebraska returns five letterwinners from a team that went 21-14 in 2024-25. The group includes returning starters Berke Büyüktuncel and Sam Hoiberg, along with Connor Essegian, who averaged 10.7 ppg off the bench last season. Nebraska also returns senior Rienk Mast, who earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023-24 before missing last season with an injury. The Huskers will welcome a transfer class which is currently ranked in the top-20 in the On3 Transfer Portal Index.

The Hall of Fame Classic is operated by the Kansas City-based National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). More information on the event can be found at nabc.com/classic.

Thursday’s announcement is the first regular-season games announced for the 2025-26 season. NU announced that the Huskers will host BYU in an exhibition game at Pinnacle Bank Arena the weekend of Oct. 17-18.

https://huskers.com/news/2025/04/24/hus ... me-classic

[OmahaRedWing]

Husker's Big 10 opponents for next year (with who we play twice shown). Dates will come later:

Lincoln – The Big Ten Conference unveiled the home and road matchups for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season Tuesday morning.

With 18 teams, the Big Ten schedule features three double-play opponents and one game apiece against the remaining 14 conference schools to make up the 20 Big Ten contests. Nebraska’s double-play opponents for the upcoming season are Iowa, Illinois and Northwestern.

The 10 Big Ten home games are highlighted by a visit from Big Ten regular-season champion Michigan State as well as NCAA Tournament qualifiers Illinois, Maryland, Oregon Purdue and Wisconsin. Oregon and Washington will make their first visits to Lincoln as members of the Big Ten. The Huskers’ 10-game conference road slate features games against Big Ten Tournament champion Michigan, as well as trips to Illinois and UCLA. NU’s west coast trip for the 2025-26 season will include games at UCLA and USC.

Fans can join the 2025-26 season-ticket request list by visiting Huskers.com/Requestlist. Student tickets are already on sale for the upcoming season by visiting Huskers.com/Students.

2025-26 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Opponents
Home
# Illinois
# Iowa
# Northwestern
Maryland
Michigan State
Oregon
Penn State
Purdue
Wisconsin
Washington

Away
# at Illinois
# at Iowa
# at Northwestern
at Indiana
at Michigan
at Minnesota
at Ohio State
at Rutgers
at UCLA
at USC

#-Double-Play Opponents

https://huskers.com/news/2025/04/29/big ... e-matchups

[Greg S]

With Iowa being one of double play opponents, it will be interesting to see how Pryce Sandfort will be treated upon his return to Iowa City.