{"id":19140,"date":"2023-10-10T16:31:51","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T21:31:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/?p=19140"},"modified":"2023-10-10T16:31:51","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T21:31:51","slug":"as-nebraskas-roster-comes-into-shape-role-acceptance-will-be-paramount","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/as-nebraskas-roster-comes-into-shape-role-acceptance-will-be-paramount\/","title":{"rendered":"As Nebraska\u2019s roster comes into shape, role acceptance will be paramount"},"content":{"rendered":"

MINNEAPOLIS<\/strong> \u2013 Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg<\/a><\/strong> reeled off one veteran player after another while discussing his 2023-24 team during Big Ten Media Day on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The good news for the Huskers is that they boast arguably their deepest roster since Hoiberg\u2019s arrival in 2019. The challenge with that, though, is figuring out how to manage that many potential lineup combinations.<\/p>\n

With nine players having four or more years of college basketball experience, NU holds the conference\u2019s oldest roster on average. That includes returning 50% of its scoring from 2022-23 and adding five upperclassmen transfers over the offseason.<\/p>\n

Figuring out the ideal balance with Nebraska\u2019s starting lineup and bench rotation will be no easy task. But it\u2019s one that Hoiberg is happy to undertake.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is going to be a challenge, but it\u2019s a good challenge for us and a good problem to have when you have great depth,\u201d Hoiberg said. \u201cOur big thing right now is figuring out the rotation. We had our first intrasquad scrimmage of fall camp, and we\u2019re going to have another one on Thursday. That\u2019s where you figure out who is going to be in your rotation. <\/p>\n

\u201cEarly on, the rotation may not be the same as it is as you go throughout the year. How certain players respond to pressure, situations on the court. But I\u2019m really mixing the teams pretty much on a daily basis to see who fits with each other. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe one thing that I think you\u2019ll see with this team with the depth is we\u2019re going to have a lot of different combinations we can put on the floor. We can play smaller, more skilled line-ups, but we can also play big, and I think have a chance of being a team that can punish some people, especially on the glass, which we have not had that in my time at Nebraska.\u201d<\/p>\n

With so many veterans who have played extensive minutes in their careers, role acceptance will be critical to making this roster reach its potential. Hoiberg has complete faith that the players will buy in regardless of their position in the lineup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the challenge right now, is figuring out not only who starts \u2013 which I really could care less about \u2013 but more importantly, who is going to finish the game for us,\u201d Hoiberg said. \u201cAgain, I keep throwing the word \u201cmature\u201d out, but it is a mature group, and we talk a lot about role acceptance. Whatever role you have, you have to shine and star in that role. I\u2019m confident our guys will do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Nebraska is exploring all options at point guard<\/h2>\n

After losing Sam Griesel<\/a><\/strong> and Emmanuel Bandoumel<\/a><\/strong> to graduation, Nebraska had a glaring void at point guard this offseason.<\/p>\n

The Huskers returned several potential options for that role. But none who served as primary ball handlers much at all a year ago. They added Iowa transfer point guard Ahron Ulis<\/a><\/strong> from the transfer portal. However, his availability remains in question due to his involvement in a sports gambling investigation.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

During its foreign trip to Spain, NU added Ball State graduate transfer point guard Jarron \u201cBoogie\u201d Coleman<\/a><\/strong> on August 6.<\/p>\n

As Nebraska enters official preseason practices, Hoiberg knows he\u2019ll need more depth at his lead guard spot. That\u2019s why he\u2019s looking at a few other options to help with those duties.<\/p>\n

Sophomore Jamarques Lawrence<\/a><\/strong>, who played primarily off the ball as a freshman, is now working almost exclusively at point guard. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a shift in mentality,\u201d Hoiberg said. \u201cI have to continue to remind him to be aggressive. What\u2019s made him a special player over the course of his career is his ability to put the ball in the basket. But now the balance of running an offense and running the show and getting players involved is something that he is still learning. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt probably will continue to learn as we play the first couple of games of the season. I\u2019ve been really pleased with Jamarques going out there and running the show for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Junior Brice Williams<\/a><\/strong>, a 6-foot-8 transfer wing from Charlotte, is also practicing some PG.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s going to be able to bring the ball,\u201d Hoiberg said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been using him a little bit at the point spot. That\u2019s one of the questions, I think, on our team. He has handled that very well to this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoiberg has also said sharpshooter Keisei Tominaga<\/a><\/strong> could bring the ball up. As could bigs like Rienk Mast<\/a><\/strong> and Josiah Allick<\/a><\/strong>. That\u2019s in addition to guards Sam Hoiberg<\/a><\/strong> and Ramel Lloyd<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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The post As Nebraska\u2019s roster comes into shape, role acceptance will be paramount<\/a> appeared first on On3<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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