We continue the recruit and return series with Nebraska, which did not make the NCAA tournament. A look at what the 2018-19 season could hold for Tim Miles and the Huskers:
Possible 2018-19 starting five
F: Isaiah Roby
Who is lost: Guards Evan Taylor and Anton Gill depart, and the Huskers will especially miss Taylor's passing, defense and occasional 3-point shooting. Gill was a solid rotational player, averaging 8.1 points per game. Center Duby Okeke played sparingly but helped Nebraska's ferocious shot-blocking effort.
Who is added: The Huskers signed two players in the fall -- point guard Xavier Johnson from Arlington, Virginia, and in-state forward Brady Heiman. ESPN rates Johnson as a four-star prospect and the No. 32 point guard in the class. He received interest from Georgetown and Georgia Tech, among others, and should enter Nebraska's rotation right away. Heiman, from Platteview, Nebraska, is the first in-state prep player to sign with Nebraska in 16 years. He's likely a developmental prospect, but Nebraska brings back a lot elsewhere. Rising sophomores Thomas Allen and Nana Akenten will compete for the minutes left by Taylor and Gill. Nebraska also will be looking to add in the spring, especially to its front line.
What it means for next season: After taking a major step forward this season, Nebraska is in position to truly break through in 2018-19. The Huskers return their top four scorers and top four rebounders, highlighted by one of the Big Ten's top guards (Palmer Jr.). The Miami transfer provided Nebraska with a big jolt this season, allowing Watson Jr. to become more of a distributor while still averaging in double figures for points. Copeland and Roby anchor a frontcourt that helped Nebraska rank second in the Big Ten in blocks. Nebraska will have to improve its rebounding, especially on the defensive end, but the 6-foot-11 Tshimanga seems capable of helping there with an increased role. Allen, who averaged about 10 minutes as a freshman, will be key in providing backcourt depth, as Nebraska really hit its stride this past season with a smaller lineup.
Trending: Up. Nebraska improved eight spots in the Big Ten standings last season and brings back most of the reasons for its spike, including the top four scorers. Miles has more than enough talent to be an upper-half Big Ten team again in 2018-19, although stringing together strong seasons has been difficult for the Huskers.