Half-Court Press: Creighton, Nebraska Add Key Pieces — But Why Husker Hoops Desperately Needs a GM
The offseason is heating up in the Cornhusker State, and both Creighton and Nebraska are making moves to reshape their basketball rosters. With the transfer portal spinning like a roulette wheel, college hoops is no longer just about X’s and O’s — it’s about NIL deals, recruiting finesse, and behind-the-scenes strategy. And that’s exactly where Nebraska might be falling behind.
Let’s start with Creighton. Head coach Greg McDermott is quietly building another sneaky-good squad. The Jays landed a couple of impact transfers with size, shooting, and experience. They’re reloading, not rebuilding — and that’s why they’re always in the mix come March. Creighton operates like a modern program: they scout the portal early, lock in NIL promises, and make it feel like the NBA-lite.
Meanwhile in Lincoln, Fred Hoiberg has brought in some promising names — but the overall process feels… scattered. Nebraska fans are left wondering: What’s the plan? Who’s steering the long-term vision? Enter the idea of a basketball GM.
Programs like Kansas, Alabama, and even mid-majors are starting to adapt an NBA-style structure. Having a general manager — someone who oversees recruiting, NIL coordination, roster management, and long-term planning — is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. Nebraska football has embraced this model. Why hasn’t basketball?
Hoiberg is a strong basketball mind, no doubt. But managing a college team today means juggling 13 mini-businesses — each player has their own brand, agent, and agenda. Without a GM-type figure running point off the court, Husker hoops risks staying stuck in neutral while the rest of the Big Ten hits turbo.
Bottom line? Creighton is playing chess. Nebraska is still trying to figure out which game they’re in.
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