Following the Nebraska basketball team's first "live action" of the summer, head coach Fred Hoiberg offered a review that's more than a little expected this time of year. Hoiberg said it felt like the team turned it over “a million times." Considering it's not even July yet, the Husker coach knows that's not really a problem, as long as his players work on it as the summer, fall, and winter go on. Hoiberg also offered up his review and a preview of what Cornhusker fans can expect this season.
The coach first announced two injured Huskers were well on their way to being "full go" ahead of fall practices. In fact, guard Connor Essegian is "full go" right now after suffering a knee injury early in the 2025-26 season. Pryce Sandfort, who had sports hernia surgery right after the basketball season ended, isn't full go yet, but Hoiberg thinks it won't be more than a couple of weeks.
Considering that back in March there were real questions about whether Sandfort would return to Nebraska basketball rather than head to the NBA, it's fantastic news that he'll be 100% once the season rolls around, barring a catastrophe.
Sandfort's return, along with Essegian and Braden Frager, gives the Huskers a solid nucleus. Hoiberg has already seen the effects of that. The Husker head coach told the assembled media on Monday that he feels like this year's team has the same mindset as last year.
Fred Hoiberg praises Boden Kapke after Nebraska basketball summer action
He added that while he likes how everyone is approaching things right now, he also knows that there are plenty of new bodies and everyone has to get to know each other.
“We’re still, I think, feeling each other out as far as who’s going to be the leader, who’s going to be the guy that brings the group together in adversity, in adverse times."
He then mentioned that one guy who has already positioned himself as a leader is Boden Kapke.
“One thing I know: Boden Kapke is a very vocal, loud, lead-by-example guy,” Hoiberg added.
So far, the 7-foot, 255-pound Boston College transfer and projected starting five has been reminding Hoiberg of a certain high-energy former Husker.
“I just love that kid,” Hoiberg said of Kapke. “His motor, think Josiah Allick from a motor standpoint. He just gets after it. He’s on the floor, a tenacious rebounder. So really like what I see.”
If that motor stays revving that hard, Nebraska basketball fans will be overjoyed at what this new version of a program, suddenly far more respected than it was this time last year, has to offer in the 2026-27 campaign.
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