Wisconsin transfer Connor Essegian focusing on defensive intensity in first year with Nebraska

LINCOLN Whenever Connor Essegian returned to the bench, Sam Hoiberg was in his ear.

Nebraska was in Salt Lake City for its scrimmage against Utah, Hoiberg sitting out with a foot injury.

Essegian is just over a week away from his Nebraska debut after two years at Wisconsin and has had to get used to a new defensive system.

Hoiberg has the knowledge Essegian is still absorbing, so hes taken it upon himself to help get his new teammate up to speed on the side of the floor where Essegian struggled in the past.

Essegian is a shooter.

Hes made 3-pointers at a 34.5% clip throughout his career, knocking down a Wisconsin freshman record 69 in 2022-23.

Fred Hoiberg and Nebraska recruited him out of the transfer portal to replace the perimeter scoring of Keisei Tominaga and C.J.

Wilcher.

But with his ability to make shots a given, much of Essegians outlook this season depends on his defense.

It limited his playing time at Wisconsin and will go a long way in determining his ceiling and floor at Nebraska, which takes on Grand Valley State in an exhibition game Sunday.

He doesnt play defense with the same ease and fluidity with which he shoots, but hes shown a willingness to compete since arriving in Lincoln.

Connor, Ill say this about him, he gives a great effort defensively, Fred Hoiberg said.

He blocks out every possession.

Hes trying to go out there and use his body.

Hes a really good verticality, and those guys at Wisconsin are as good as anybody in the country at that.

Essegian appeared in 35 games as a freshman before his playing time dwindled from 27 to seven minutes per game as a sophomore.

With the additions of A.J.

Storr and John Blackwell, the Badgers backcourt was stronger and tougher defensively.

Essegian, shooting prowess notwithstanding, found himself outside of the rotation.

Now hes starting over at Nebraska, whose offense suits someone unafraid to let it fly from deep.

Defense poses a new set of adjustments in an unfamiliar system.

The Huskers guards force opposing ball handlers toward the baseline.

When the ball goes into the post, NU brings a second defender.

It requires everyone on the floor to be interconnected.

Everyones kind of together as a string, Essegian said.

It kind of makes us play together, which is a good thing because you kinda learn the ins and outs of the team and each guy, and the defense we got here is really good.

Essegian will step into a favorable situation; Nebraska was fourth in the Big Ten a season ago in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, allowing more than 70 points once in its last seven regular season games.

Around him, depending on lineups and rotations, will be a rim protector in Braxton Meah, a strong on-ball wing defender in Brice Williams and an athletic, versatile forward in Juwan Gary.

Tominaga, hardly an impact defender, was able to get by in a similar setup.

For Essegian, its a fresh start.

Hes experienced the highs of becoming a go-to scorer as a freshman and the lows of being relegated to the bench for the majority of a season.

Now a junior, he enters the next part of his college career more experienced, more aware of what he has to do than the younger version of himself that began his journey at Wisconsin.

Just kinda knowing how college basketball works, Essegian said.

The ins and outs, the grind, the every day, the waking up, the going to bed.

It sounds crazy, but just the little things of it, and the little things in college basketball are so huge, and to be able to know the details now inside and out of how the lifestyle works and how the games work and the practices work, it kind of gives you a little bit of an advantage.

When/Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena, 1 p.m.

TV: Big Ten Plus | Radio: 590/1400 G- Rollie Worster 6-5 Sr.

9.9 G - Brice Williams 6-7 Jr.

13.4 F - Juwan Gary 6-6 Jr.

11.6 F - Berke Buyuktuncel 6-10 So.

4.5 C - Braxton Meah 7-1 Sr.

5.3 G - Mason Docks 6-0 Jr.

10.0 G - Trevor Smith Jr.

6-2 Jr.

6.5 F- Jalen Charity 6-7 Jr.

5.1 F - Ethan Alderink 6-7 Jr.

11.5 F- William Dunn 6-9 Sr.

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