Nebraska basketball fans, it’s time to celebrate a historic season! The Huskers made waves in the 2025-26 campaign, not only by snagging their first-ever NCAA Tournament win but also by advancing to the Sweet 16.
This team set a new program record for victories and secured a second-place finish in the fiercely competitive 18-team Big Ten. With two Big Ten teams making it to the Final Four and four reaching the Elite 8, the conference proved itself a powerhouse.
Now, while Nebraska didn’t quite make the Elite 8, the future looks bright if they can keep key players like Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager on board. Coach Fred Hoiberg has an opportunity to bolster the roster through the transfer portal, which could set the stage for another thrilling March Madness run.
One pressing need is at point guard, with Sam Hoiberg and Jamarques Lawrence graduating. Rienk Mast, a pivotal player in Hoiberg’s system, is also out of eligibility. Mast’s role as a low-post scorer, stretch four, and playmaker will be tough to replace.
Enter Thomas Dowd, a familiar face for Nebraska fans. The Troy forward just announced his entry into the transfer portal.
Nebraska fans might recall Dowd from the Huskers’ dominant 76-47 victory over Troy in the NCAA Tournament’s first round. Though Dowd struggled in that game, he’s a versatile 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 14.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this season, leading the Sun Belt in both categories.
His 33 percent shooting from beyond the arc and ability to stretch the floor make him an enticing option.
Dowd’s skill set seems tailor-made for Nebraska’s needs. While he may not have the prototypical Big Ten size, Nebraska is expected to have a trio of players standing at least 6-foot-10. What they need is a four-man who can shoot and spread the floor, and Dowd fits that bill perfectly.
Pairing Dowd with talents like Berke, Sandfort, and Frager-assuming they all return-could create a formidable lineup. Add a new point guard, along with Cale Jacobsen and Connor Essegian, and Nebraska might just have the pieces for another deep tournament run.
While there are other quality candidates in the transfer portal, Dowd appears to be an ideal fit for what Coach Hoiberg envisions for the Huskers’ future. Keep an eye on this team; they’re poised to make more history.