The pun is an easy one for reporters and headline writers to make: this is a BIG weekend for Nebraska Basketball. The Huskers have long been in pursuit of Jordy Tshimanga, a true center from Montreal, and this weekend he finally makes his visit to NU.
While Tshimanga may not be a top 150 recruit like so many players NU has landed the past couple years, he represents a solution to their biggest need. Some outside the program may scoff, but many inside it believe NU is a player away from being back in the NCAA Tournament conversation. Anyone who has followed the team the past few years know what kind of player that is: a big man, a position that has largely eluded the Huskers since Tim Miles has been at the helm; someone who can defend and score around the rim and play against the elite post players the Huskers face routinely in the Big Ten. That’s what Husker coaches and fans hope Tshimanga is: a 6’ 11", 260 pound, skilled, left-handed post player appears to present a solution to the gaping hole in the Husker roster. With a knack for rebounding and a reputation for being a tenacious worker off the court, he possess an advanced ability to score in the paint and the frame to defend it.
Coming off their second straight sub .500 season, NU finished their season on a strong note, winning two games in the Big Ten tournament, including a win over perennial contender Wisconsin. The Huskers saw four freshmen see extensive action this season and will be viewed as the core to whatever happens to the program over the next few years. Down the stretch, they seemed to start figuring out what effort level was required to win at the college level.
NU is still waiting to hear whether or not leading scorer Andrew White III will return for his senior season. He is taking advantage of a new rule permitting him to go through the NBA Combine to determine whether or not he will submit his name into the NBA Draft. He has until May 25 to make his decision. If he returns, along with Tai Webster and the addition of Louisville transfer Anton Gill, NU looks to be poised to make a return to the NCAA Tournament. Adding someone like Tshimanga and potentially another senior transfer to the mix will help NU in those pursuits greatly.
If this is truly the final piece to the Nebrasketball jigsaw puzzle, then it is a big, big weekend indeed.
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Husker Hoops Hosting Huge Recruit
A true center has been as elusive as the wind for Tim Miles, but they've got one on campus this weekend. Bring on the "big" puns!
By
David McGee