Optimism for Nebraska basketball continues to build after 'Opening Night'
Fans got their first look at Nebraska’s 2023-24 roster on Friday night during the annual “Opening Night” event at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Around 7,000 tickets were claimed to preview head coach Fred Hoiberg’s fifth season in Lincoln. YouTube star turned rapper DDG also performed after the basketball portion wrapped up.
Like last year, the Huskers ran roughly 20 minutes of individual, small-group, and full-team drills. After the practice, Nebraska held a 3-point contest featuring players from the men’s and women’s teams.
C.J. Wilcher won the competition with 17 made 3-pointers, while Keisei Tominaga followed up with 14 and Josiah Allick made nine.
Annika Stewart led the women’s shooters with 14 makes. Jaz Shelley had 13, and Callin Hake finished with nine.
Hoiberg: This is ‘one of the most competitive teams that I’ve ever been around at any level’
With roughly 60 percent of the available lower bowl filled, fans got a good look at Nebraska’s veteran-heavy squad.
Boasting the Big Ten’s oldest roster on average this season, the Huskers treated the public practice like a regular session.
It might not have been as entertaining as a scrimmage, which NU last did in 2021. But head coach Fred Hoiberg wanted Opening Night to represent what his newest group was about: all business.
“I think, honestly, it’s a lot like last year’s group,” Hoiberg told the crowd. “It’s a team that shows up every morning and comes ready to work. It’s one of the most competitive teams that I’ve ever been around at any level.
“I can promise you this: our fans are going to appreciate the effort that this team leaves on the floor.”
It was a big recruiting night for Nebraska
Just as important as the action on the court was the significant group of recruits in the PBA stands.
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Nebraska had six of its eight official and unofficial visitors this weekend on hand for the event. 2024 Pewaukee, Wisconsin, guard and NU verbal commit Nick Janowski was the lone official visitor.
The rest were 2025 recruits, including in-state standouts Braden Frager of Lincoln Southwest and Bryson Bahl of Papillion-La Vista South. The other unofficials were Argyle, Texas, wing Kash Polk; Benilde-St Margaret’s (Minnesota) forward Jalen Wilson; and Branson (Missouri) Link Academy guard TJ Stuttley.
The Huskers will host two other unofficial visitors on Saturday in 2024 McCook C.C. forward Noah Boyed and 2025 Omaha Bryan forward A’mare Bynum. They will join the rest of the visitor group for NU’s football home game vs. Michigan.
Huskers are staying cautious with Ramel Lloyd Jr.
Nebraska is already dealing with some injury news, as redshirt freshman guard Ramel Lloyd Jr. tweaked his knee during Monday’s opening preseason practice.
Lloyd suited up for Friday night’s event but wore a supportive sleeve on his right knee and did not participate in the practice.
I chatted with Lloyd briefly beforehand, and he told me he was still awaiting official word on how long he might be out. He said it wasn’t anything season-ending, but the Huskers were staying cautious with his workload to avoid any setbacks or further damage.
Junior forward Blaise Keita, who is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, also suited up but did not practice during the event.
