
Nebraska Cornhuskers Men’s Basketball – 2025-26 Roster and Transfers
Nebraska Cornhuskers Men’s Basketball
The Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball team represents the University of Nebraska in NCAA Division I competition, competing in the Big Ten Conference. The 2025-26 roster features 16 players assembled through a transfer portal-heavy approach under head coach Fred Hoiberg, with nine players joining from other programs.
Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln serves as the home venue for Cornhuskers basketball. The program has a historical foundation dating to 1897, though comprehensive records for recent seasons remain limited in available sources. Fans seeking current information about schedules, scores, and recruiting developments can access official university channels for the most up-to-date details.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Men’s Basketball Roster
The 2025-26 roster comprises 16 players spanning multiple class years, featuring a blend of seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. Several key contributors arrived via the transfer portal from Power 5 programs, reflecting the roster construction strategy implemented by the coaching staff.
2025-26 Roster Overview
| # | Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | Year | Hometown / Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Connor Essegian | G | 6-4 | 190-205 | Senior | Fort Wayne, IN / Wisconsin |
| 1 | Sam Hoiberg | G | 6-0 | 180-185 | Senior | Lincoln, NE / Pius X |
| 2 | Kendall Blue | G | 6-6 | 195-200 | Senior | Woodbury, MN / St. Thomas |
| 5 | Braden Frager | F | 6-7 | 215-220 | RS-Fr/Jr | Lincoln, NE / Lincoln Southwest |
| 6 | Will Cooper | F | 6-6 | 210-215 | Sophomore | Omaha, NE / Air Force |
| 7 | Justin Bolis | F | 6-8 | 225 | Sophomore | Lincoln, NE / SECC |
| 9 | Berke Büyüktuncel | F | 6-10 | 244 | Junior | Bursa, Turkey / UCLA |
| 10 | Jamarques Lawrence | G | 6-3 | 183-185 | Senior | Plainfield, NJ / Rhode Island |
| 11 | Quentin Rhymes | G | 6-6 | 192-195 | Freshman | Las Vegas, NV / Hillcrest Prep |
| 13 | Ugnius Jaruševičius | F | 6-11 | 220-245 | Senior | Alytus, Lithuania / Central Mich. |
| 15 | Jared Garcia | F | 6-8 | 235-245 | Senior | Houston, TX / Tulsa |
| 21 | Pryce Sandfort | F | 6-7 | 210-215 | Junior | Waukee, IA / Iowa |
| 31 | Cale Jacobsen | G | 6-4 | 195 | Junior | Ashland, NE / Ashland-Greenwood |
| 33 | Leo Curtis | F | 7-1/7-2 | 220-245 | Freshman | Reykjavik, Iceland / CATS Academy |
| 35 | Henry Burt | F | 6-7 | 222-235 | Junior | Omaha, NE / Elkhorn South |
| 51 | Rienk Mast | F | 6-10 | 250 | Senior | Groningen, Netherlands / Bradley |
Projected Depth Chart
The projected rotation places Rienk Mast at center, with Berke Büyüktuncel and Pryce Sandfort anchoring the forward positions. The backcourt features Sam Hoiberg and Jamarques Lawrence in prominent roles. Height and weight listings show minor variations across different tracking sources.
Key Players and Transfer Additions
- Connor Essegian (6-4 guard, Wisconsin transfer) brings Big Ten experience from his time with the Badgers.
- Berke Büyüktuncel (6-10 forward, UCLA transfer) adds size and Pac-12 competition exposure.
- Pryce Sandfort (6-7 forward, Iowa transfer) provides frontcourt depth from another Big Ten program.
- Jamarques Lawrence (6-3 guard, Rhode Island transfer) contributes Atlantic 10 experience to the backcourt.
- Jared Garcia (6-8 forward, Tulsa transfer) adds American Athletic Conference experience.
Of the 16 players on the 2025-26 roster, nine joined via the NCAA transfer portal from other programs. Two freshmen—Quentin Rhymes from Las Vegas and Leo Curtis from Iceland—represent the incoming high school class. The remaining roster consists of local Nebraska products and players who transferred from junior college or other four-year programs.
2025-26 Husker Basketball Schedule and TV Info
Specific game dates, broadcast schedules, and television information for the 2025-26 season were not detailed in available roster sources. The official university athletics website maintains the most current schedule information, including Big Ten Conference matchups and non-conference games.
Big Ten games typically air on major networks including ESPN, Fox Sports, and the Big Ten Network. Conference play begins in late December and runs through March, with the Big Ten Tournament concluding the regular season. All home games are played at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
For real-time schedule updates, television broadcast times, and streaming information, the NCAA men’s basketball official site and Big Ten Conference website provide comprehensive listings. Game times are subject to change based on television contracts and conference decisions.
Conference Competition
Nebraska competes in the Big Ten Conference , one of college basketball’s premier leagues. The conference features programs including Indiana, Michigan, Purdue, and UCLA, representing a significant portion of NCAA Tournament participants in recent years. Big Ten teams play a balanced conference schedule with home-and-home series against divisional opponents.
Latest Husker Basketball Scores and Game Today
Current game results and live score information were not available in roster-focused sources. The 2025-26 season schedule details and game outcomes depend on the progression of the season relative to data collection timelines. For live scoring and recent results, ESPN’s official team page provides updated statistics and box scores.
Historical context suggests Nebraska basketball has historically faced challenges in Big Ten play, though roster improvements through the transfer portal aim to enhance competitive positioning. The NCAA official statistics maintain Division I rankings and team performance metrics throughout the season.
Understanding Available Data
Available sources emphasize roster composition and recruiting developments rather than game-by-game results. This reflects the timing of data collection, which focused on roster construction tracking. Season performance data, including conference record, scoring margins, and statistical leaders, becomes available as games are played throughout the season.
Specific 2025-26 game scores, win-loss records, and NCAA tournament positioning were not included in available research materials. Readers seeking current season performance should consult real-time sports databases or the official Huskers athletics website for up-to-date results.
Nebraska Basketball Recruiting Updates
The 2025-26 recruiting cycle centered on the NCAA transfer portal rather than traditional high school recruiting. Nine players joined the program from other collegiate programs, including transfers from Power 5 Conference schools such as Wisconsin, UCLA, Iowa, Bradley, and Rhode Island.
This portal-heavy approach reflects a broader trend in college basketball, where programs rapidly rebuild rosters by accessing players seeking new opportunities. The coaching staff identified specific positional needs and targeted transfers with prior college experience and conference familiarity.
Transfer Portal Impact
- Three starters or key contributors from Power 5 programs transferred in during the offseason.
- Additional transfers from mid-major programs provided depth and experience.
- The portal additions filled immediate roster gaps while developing internal candidates.
- All transfer additions underwent standard NCAA transfer eligibility review.
High School Additions
Two incoming freshmen round out the recruiting class: Quentin Rhymes from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Leo Curtis from Reykjavik, Iceland. Both players developed their skills at prep programs before joining the Cornhuskers. Curtis stands notably tall among the roster at 7-1 or 7-2, providing potential for frontcourt development.
The emphasis on transfer recruiting stems from competitive dynamics in the Big Ten, where experienced players provide immediate contribution potential. High school recruiting continues alongside portal acquisition, with the coaching staff maintaining relationships with prep programs nationwide and internationally. The coaching staff maintains relationships with prep programs nationwide and internationally, and you can check out the Serie A top performers at Serie A top performers.
Coaching Leadership and Program Direction
Fred Hoiberg continues as head coach, overseeing the roster transition built around transfer portal acquisitions. Hoiberg brings NBA experience from his playing career and previous coaching tenure at Nebraska, providing stability during the roster transformation period.
The coaching staff monitors portal activity throughout the season, potentially adding players to address injuries or performance gaps. Roster management in modern college basketball requires continuous evaluation and adjustment throughout the academic year.
What Remains Uncertain About the 2025-26 Season
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Full 16-player roster with names, positions, and class years | 2025-26 season schedule with specific game dates and times |
| Head coach Fred Hoiberg returning for additional season | Television broadcast details for individual games |
| Nine players added via transfer portal | Actual game-by-game scores and win-loss record |
| Conference affiliation: Big Ten | Big Ten Tournament seeding and postseason prospects |
| Home venue: Pinnacle Bank Arena | Injury reports and player availability status |
| International roster composition with players from Turkey, Lithuania, Netherlands, Iceland | Statistical leaders and individual player performance metrics |
The roster composition represents confirmed information from multiple tracking sources. However, game schedule specifics, scoring data, and tournament positioning depend on season progression that had not occurred or been recorded at the time of data collection.
Program Background and Conference Context
Nebraska basketball traces its competitive history to 1897, establishing one of the sport’s older collegiate traditions in the Midwest. The program has experienced varying degrees of success over its history, with Big Ten membership providing consistent exposure to high-level competition.
The Big Ten Conference features some of college basketball’s most storied programs, including Indiana’s five national championships, Michigan State’s deep tournament runs, and Purdue’s recent top-seed performances. Competition within the conference demands consistent excellence, particularly given the tournament selection committee’s emphasis on strength of schedule and conference record.
Recent roster building through the transfer portal reflects a strategic response to conference competitive pressures. Players entering from Power 5 programs bring experience against tournament-caliber competition, potentially accelerating Nebraska’s ability to compete for postseason recognition.
Summary
The 2025-26 Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball roster features 16 players, with nine joining from other programs via the NCAA transfer portal. Head coach Fred Hoiberg continues building the program at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, with competition scheduled within the Big Ten Conference. For detailed schedule information, current scores, and recruiting updates, official sources including comprehensive team guides provide additional context for Nebraska athletics coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conference does Nebraska men’s basketball compete in?
Nebraska competes in the Big Ten Conference, facing programs from across the Midwest and beyond throughout the regular season and conference tournament.
Where do the Huskers play home games?
Home games are played at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, a venue that hosts approximately 15,000 fans for basketball competitions.
Who is the current head coach of Nebraska men’s basketball?
Fred Hoiberg serves as head coach, continuing in his role overseeing roster construction through the transfer portal and traditional recruiting channels.
How many players transferred to Nebraska for the 2025-26 season?
Nine players joined via the NCAA transfer portal, including notable additions from Wisconsin, UCLA, Iowa, Bradley, and Rhode Island.
Where can I find current Nebraska basketball scores and schedules?
The official Huskers athletics website, ESPN, and Big Ten Conference platforms provide current schedule and score information.
Does the roster include international players?
Yes, the 2025-26 roster features players from Turkey, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Iceland, reflecting the program’s international recruiting efforts.
What is the Nebraska basketball program’s founding year?
The program traces its competitive history to 1897, establishing one of the older collegiate basketball traditions in the region.