Predicted finish: 5th
Last year’s record: 21-10, 11-5 B1G
Key returners:
G-Hannah Whitish 5’9 10.9 PPG, 40% FG, 25.1 MPG
C-Kate Cain 6’5 9.9 PPG, 56% FG 26 MPG
Newcomers:
G- Kristian Hudson 5’5 (Birmingham, Alabama) Gr. Trans.
F- Ashtyn Veerbeek 6’2 (Sioux Center, Iowa) Fr. (No. 69 on ESPN Hoopgurlz)
F- Leigha Brown 6’1 (Auburn, Indiana) Fr.
G- Sam Haiby 5’9 (Moorhead, Minnesota) Fr.
F- Kayla Mershon 6’3 (Chanhassen, Minnesota) Fr.
Key non-conference games:
11/23: @ Miami
11/29: @ Louisville
Head coach: Amy Williams- 3rd season
Entering into her third season, head coach Amy Williams has proven that she can turn teams around. Last season, the Huskers went 21-10, achieving a nation-leading 14 game turnaround just after one season. They also won eight more games in the B1G last year, Because of this, Nebraska went on to finish third in the conference and make it to the NCAA tournament’s second round. Williams has done a great job of shooting the Huskers from the bottom to the top, and in her third season, she’ll try to prove that the third time is the charm as she tries to lead the Huskers to a B1G championship season.
Outlook:
Hannah Whitish is a player that should have everyone nervous to play against. She is fast and can pull up from anywhere. She is that good. Kate Cain provides an interior counterpoint, and a fierce rim protector. It’s a lot for a team to do a complete 180 and turn their whole season around in one go and for that, that should also show that this team is not to be messed with heading into the season.
Best case scenario: The Huskers pick up where they left off and they fight to claim to be B1G regular season champions. The Hannah Whitish and Kate Cain duo continues to dominate and continues to give their opponents fits.
Worst case scenario: Nebraska fails to capitalize on their talents and strengths and they fail to place in the top four or five of the conference.