Huskers will lean hard on healthy big man Rienk Mast as they try to climb in Big Ten

Nebraska (21-14, 7-13 Big Ten)

The Cornhuskers finished last season on a high note, winning four games in a row to capture the College Basketball Crown title in Las Vegas. They still aren't expected to crack the upper half of the Big Ten, but there is reason for optimism with the return of Rienk Mast. The versatile big man sat out last season after having surgery on his left knee. He's a capable scorer in the post and on the perimeter.

Players to watch

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Mast raised eyebrows in his first appearance of the season, scoring 31 points and making 7 of 8 3-pointers in a 90-89 exhibition win over No. 8 BYU. He averaged 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 2023-24. Big man Berke Büyüktuncel can score but his calling card is as a grinder. He led the Husker