The Nebraska basketball team is trying hard to erase the pain of the Nebraska football season, which went south once again. On Saturday night, the Huskers took on Providence at the Mohegan Sun in a hostile road environment. Despite all that, NU posted an impressive 67-58 win.
While there was plenty to be happy about in the Huskers’ performances, a few players will need to step up next time out. So who were the big winners, and who needs to become a winner next time?
3 winners and 3 losers from Nebraska’s impressive victory over Providence
Winner: Pryce Sandfort
Two games, two 20-point performances for Pryce Sandfort so far this season. The man who could challenge for college basketball player of the year is already looking like the MVP of the Nebraska basketball team.
Sandfort scored 25 points against Providence, improving on his 20-point season opener against LeMoyne. Sandfort hit 9-of-14 shots, even though he went 3-for-8 from beyond the arc. That means he was 6-for-6 on two-point attempts, something Husker fans would love to see continue as the season goes on. Sandfort also dished out 4 assists, and he had 3 of Nebraska’s 12 steals on Saturday night.
Loser: Trevan Leonhardt
Nebraska looks like it has a point-guard-by-committee situation so far this season. Leonhardt was fantastic in the season opener for the Huskers, but he played just 15 minutes against Providence, scoring no points and, more importantly, getting zero assists. He’ll need a better outing next game to keep competing for the starting point guard spot this year.
Winner: Taj DeGourville
On the other side of the point guard coin for Nebraska is Taj DeGourville. Where Leonhardt struggled against the Friars, DeGourville excelled in 23 minutes on the court. The San Diego State transfer didn’t score a point, but he didn’t need to. Instead, he dished out 7 assists and recorded 1 steal. He’s also well known as a lockdown defender, and he helped the Huskers hold Providence to 30% shooting from the field.
Loser: Sam Orme
For the second straight game, Orme isn't landing in the loser category because of anything he did poorly, but because his preseason injury continues to keep him from contributing in any meaningful way. He did get into the game, playing 10 minutes, but he missed his only shot. He grabbed 3 rebounds, but he’ll need a bigger game next time to get on the other side of the ledger.
Winner: Boden Kapke
Another new addition to Nebraska out of the transfer portal, Boden Kapke is slowly but surely showing he can be a force down low for the Huskers this season. He’s also showing he can be a threat outside, as he notched his first 3-point field goal of the year.
Against Providence, he scored 13 points in 22 minutes while hauling down 5 rebounds and dishing out an assist. He went 5-for-6 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. If he keeps playing like that, he’ll get more minutes quickly.
Loser: Braden Frager
Expected to be part of a Frager-Sandfort 1-2 punch, Braden Frager is struggling a bit to start the season. While he scored 12 points, he hit just 3-of-13 shots and went 1-for-7 from beyond the arc. He did manage to draw some fouls and hit 5-of-7 free throws to contribute.
His struggles mirrored the first game, and he’s now shooting just 26% from the field and 15% from three-point range. That’s after being a top sixth man for Nebraska last year while shooting 48% from the field and 35% from deep. Here’s hoping he makes the adjustment to being a starter soon. Nebraska will need him in Big Ten play, especially.
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