Nebraska basketball targets a defensive wrecking ball from the portal
The Nebraska basketball program appears to be hot on the trail of several players that are expected to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Monday morning.
While most Husker fans would love to see the team go after some offensive sluggers, one apparent top target of Fred Hoiberg’s was far better on the defensive side of the court. Granted, it’s clear that the Nebraska Cornhuskers could have used a better defense at times this season as well.
When the portal does open on Monday, it appears that the Nebraska basketball team will be pursuing Merrimack’s Bryan Etumnu. Etumnu is a 6-foot-7, 215 pound forward who, not long after he made it clear he wanted to transfer, had more than a few power programs coming after him.
MAAC DPOY Brian Etumnu has received interest from the following programs, @noah_reisenfeld and @Adie_vongontard of @YMAPAAsports tell TPR:
Ohio State
Nebraska
Providence
Georgetown
+more pic.twitter.com/xfydDl7mB5— The Portal Report (@ThePortalReport) March 23, 2025
Nebraska basketball looking at Defensive Player of the Year in the portal
Despite being someone who didn’t make scoring a priority, he’s Etumnu is a valuable piece for any team looking to rebuild its roster. He was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and almost helped his squad to the NCAA Tournament.
Merrimack lost by two points in the conference tournament finals.
According to The Portal Report, the forward has heard from Ohio State, Providence and Georgetown. In addition to the Huskers. In total, he averaged 8.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
It’s the blocks which could be a real boon should the Huskers manage to land the transfer player. That hasn’t exactly been a strength of the Nebraska basketball team the last few years. Berke Buyuktuncel led the team this past season with 0.7 blocks per game. The Cornhuskers haven’t had a player average even a block a game since Isaiah Roby in the 2018-2019 campaign.
