Through ups and downs, Sam Griesel has lived out dream in lone season at Nebraska
When Sam Griesel was about 10 years old growing up in Lincoln, he noticed something about the dynamic around fans of Nebraska athletics.
The support around Husker football had always been unparalleled. When it came to NU basketball, though, Griesel wondered why there was such a drop-off.
“Why do Nebraska fans only care about football?” Griesel remembers asking his father, Achim.
His dad answered: “Well, that’s just how it is.”
With zero hesitation and in complete seriousness, Griesel replied: “That’s going to change when I get there.”
It took several years before the former Lincoln East standout got his chance to make good on that promise. But from the moment he committed to Nebraska as a graduate transfer from North Dakota State last offseason, that goal immediately became his mission.
In a season full of ups and downs, Griesel has helped lead the Huskers to a 14-14 record, winning four of their past five games. That has put Nebraska back in the conversation for a postseason berth, with the NIT now a very real scenario.
Griesel wasn’t ready yet to reflect on what his lone season at NU has meant, insisting that there was still plenty left for his team to accomplish. But he can’t deny that this year – struggles and all – has been everything he had hoped.
“I don’t really have any words to describe it,” Griesel said. “It was something that I dreamed of… It’s just cool to hear the buzz around Nebraska basketball again.”
For Griesel, turning NU into a winner was the only goal
Head coach Fred Hoiberg still vividly remembers hosting Griesel on a recruiting visit last summer, which proved to be the final step before landing his commitment.
Other recruits often ask about their roles and how NU would feature them in the offense. Griesel only cared about all of the ways he could help turn the Huskers into a winner.
“We’re very fortunate that he grew up a mile from campus,” Hoiberg said. “To be able to get a guy like that to come in – he’s all about winning. When Griesel came on his visit, he didn’t say one thing about ‘How many points am I going to score? How many touches am I going to get?’
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“All he said was, ‘I want to win. I want to help get the script flipped on Nebraska basketball.’ That’s exactly what he’s done.”
Griesel’s impact has been felt well beyond individual stats
Griesel has started 26 of Nebraska’s 28 games at point guard this season. The only two he missed were due to illness and injury.
The 6-foot-7, 215-pounder has done a little bit of everything for the Huskers. He leads the team in minutes per game (35.1), made free throws (54) and attempts (78), steals (20), and is in a tie for first in blocks (10).
Griesel is also second on the team in rebounds (6.1) and assists (2.1) per game and is third in scoring (11.6 ppg).
Just as valuable as his individual production, though, has been Griesel’s ability to maintain control of the offense and get the best out of his teammates.
Senior forward Derrick Walker is having the best season of his career, and he said Griesel was a significant reason why.
“It’s a blessing having Griesel as my point guard,” Walker said. “Sam is just like me: he’s selfless and willing to do whatever it takes to win. He’s willing to give up his body, he’s willing to make plays for others. He’s really selfless.”
