Point guard remains a question, but Nebraska likes its options with Lawrence, Coleman

Sam Griesel only played one season at Nebraska, but his impact on the program still lingers months after his departure.

The Lincoln native helped rebuild the Huskers’ culture on and off the court. He also gave NU stability at point guard it hadn’t had in years.

Head coach Fred Hoiberg couldn’t be happier with the state of his locker room entering his fifth year at Nebraska. But filling Griesel’s void at point guard remains one of the most pressing tasks with the season opener just weeks away.

Hoiberg said during Big Ten Media Day that two players had emerged at the forefront of that discussion – sophomore Jamarques Lawrence and senior Jarron “Boogie” Coleman.

Lawrence played primarily off the ball last season and most of his high school career.

Coleman, a graduate transfer from Ball State, has experience at both guard spots. But the Cardinals leaned on him more as a scorer, as he led BSU in points (14.3 ppg), field-goal attempts (380), and 3-point tries (193).

“That’s one of the questions, I think, on our team,” Hoiberg said.

While there may be uncertainty at one of NU’s most critical positions, Hoiberg appears to be gaining confidence by the day in his available options.

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Lawrence has embraced a ‘shift in mentality’ at point guard

Known for his perimeter shooting, Lawrence broke onto the scene as a true freshman.

After Emmanuel Bandoumel’s season ended to injury in mid-January, Lawrence averaged 9.0 points and shot 39 percent from 3-point range over the remainder of the year.

When the Huskers turned the page to the offseason, Lawrence did the same with his role.

The Plainfield, N.J., native has been working exclusively at point guard, including running the offense in Nebraska’s three games in Spain this summer.

Hoiberg said Lawrence was still adjusting to the move, especially the balance of initiating the offense while still looking for his shots. However, the coach had seen noticeable strides in Lawrence’s development.

“It’s a balance of when to be aggressive and look for your shot and when to run the offense and who you need to get the ball to based on the hot hand,” Hoiberg said. “What’s made him special and unique in his career is his ability to score. He was a 37% 3-point shooter last year, so we still need him to be aggressive and looking for his shot.

“I think, at times (this offseason), he’s almost playing too unselfishly trying to get others involved.”

Junior guard C.J. Wilcher, who grew up with Lawrence in New Jersey, has seen his “little brother” make significant strides as a point guard.

“He’s done a good job transitioning to that,” Wilcher said. “He’s done a great job of initiating the pace and getting guys in space and hitting guys early, which is something Coach has been preaching for the past two years.

“It’s been great to see him mature and step into that position of a lead guard.”

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Coleman is already making waves in NU’s offense

Before committing to Nebraska on Aug. 6, Coleman met with Hoiberg and his staff via Zoom while the Huskers were in Spain.

The 6-foot-5, 213-pounder had a clear vision for NU’s coaches about his role in their offense.

“The thing he talked most about was coming here and being a playmaker,” Hoiberg said. “He thinks that was his best quality as a player, was his feel for the game. I think that’s absolutely true. When he finds guys – he’s got just a natural ability to find guys on the weak side of the floor.

“He skips in transition, which we talk a lot about how hard that is to defend when you shift the defense early in the possession. I’ve been really impressed with Boogie with how he has bought into that.”

Like Lawrence, Hoiberg said Coleman could be too unselfish at times. A proven scorer at Ball State and his one season at Missouri, Coleman is a career 35% career 3-point shooter.

Improving his overall offensive efficiency has been a priority since arriving in Lincoln. But Coleman has already flashed his potential running Nebraska’s system.

“Jarron Coleman has an unbelievable feel for the game,” Hoiberg said. “The ability to come to a jump stop and make the right play. He’s got great length – he’s got, I think, a 6-9 wingspan – and can make plays over the top.”

“Dude can pass,” Wilcher added. “I haven’t played with a guy in college that could see the court and get guys involved the way he can. It’s been fun to play with him in practice because he finds me, and I get to knock down some shots.”

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Regardless of PG, Nebraska will still rely on multiple ballhandlers

Lawrence and Coleman are the clear frontrunners for Nebraska’s point guard job going into the season. But, as always, Hoiberg will continue to use all hands on deck in bringing the ball up.

The Huskers’ offense took a significant step forward last season when center Derrick Walker became heavily involved as a ballhandler. In particular, his help in NU’s press break.

Walker has moved on, but Hoiberg feels good about his current frontcourt handling similar responsibilities this season. Transfer additions Rienk Mast and Josiah Allick will join Juwan Gary as bigs who can bring the ball up the court and initiate the offense.

Hoiberg added that 6-foot-8 Charlotte transfer Brice Williams had been working some at point guard in practice. The Huskers will also rely on Sam Hoiberg, Keisei Tominaga, and Cale Jacobsen in those roles.

All of that is without mentioning Ahron Ulis, a transfer from Iowa who was in line to be Nebraska’s starting point guard this season. His status remains in doubt due to his involvement in a sports gambling investigation.

While Ulis awaits a ruling from the NCAA, he’s practicing daily and has been invaluable in helping Lawrence’s point guard development.

“As much as Jamarques has grown, I do think we have others that are capable, and we’re going to need that,” Fred Hoiberg said. “When we face pressure, we’re going to have to have multiple handlers.

“I think you saw how much we struggled without Derrick last year when we played against pressure. I think we’re much better equipped at this time than we were a year ago when we do face pressure.”

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