Nebraska Cornhuskers: Kerr Kriisa pursuit ends with an ‘L’ again

Mar 10, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) looks to make a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) looks to make a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball program made a second try to land former Arizona point guard Kerr Kriisa but once against fell short.

It’s been a rather interesting offseason for Fred Hoiberg and the Nebraska basketball program. There have been lots of wins and lots of losses in the transfer recruiting class this year. On Sunday, Hoiberg suffered a loss that has to be quite familiar at this point.

Kerr Kriisa, a point guard that played at Arizona last year has been a big target for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. However, he was far more interested in going to West Virginia. So interested as a matter of fact, he’s essentially committed to the Mountaineers twice now.

There was an opening when former WVA coach Bob Huggins was arrested for DUI and then fired by the school. By all accounts, when Kriisa entered the transfer portal again, the Huskers did have a real chance of luring him to Lincoln this time.

However, on Sunday the Mountaineer made it official once again. After reportedly having some discussions with the interim head coach Josh Eilert he’s withdrawing from the transfer portal.

Nebraska Cornhuskers take the ‘L’

The good news here is that Kriisa isn’t the kind of player that will likely make or break the Huskers’ season in 2023-24. Ahron Ulis could fill the same role that the former Wildcats’ star could have filled if he came to Lincoln.

On the other hand, it’s clear that Hoiberg is trying to amass as much talent as possible in his backcourt. He’s now taken two “L’s” in the pursuit of this particular point guard.

That’s certainly frustrating. You also have to wonder just why the Nebraska Cornhuskers kept thinking they had a real shot with the player when he clearly felt more at home in Morgantown.

At the very least, it would do Fred Hoiberg and his staff good to reevaluate the cause of that.