LINCOLN — Nebraska’s efforts to bolster its 3-point shooting and reinforce around the perimeter continued Sunday, when the Huskers landed former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian.
While inconsistent over two years in Madison, the 6-foot-4, 175-pound Essegian made 89 of 258 from 3. He can help replace the scoring of a few key departures and provide spacing in an offensive system that demands it. Essegian visited at least one other school, Indiana.
Starting 19 of 35 games as a true freshman, Essegian averaged 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc. He scored in double digits 24 times in his first year and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.
As a sophomore, his wheels spun. Five minutes into Wisconsin’s 2023-2024 season-opening win over Arkansas State, Essegian injured his back. While he appeared in 33 games, he had neither the same opportunity nor production in Year 2. He averaged more minutes per game as a freshman (27) than he played in his game high (24) as a sophomore.
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When he saw the floor, his play dropped off. He was less efficient from the field. He turned the ball over more often. He rarely got to the free throw line, another strength early in his career.
After Wisconsin’s 75-60 win over Jacksonville State on Dec. 15, 2023, Badger coach Greg Gard addressed Essegian’s struggles.
“He’s in a funk right now,” Gard said in his press conference. “I think he’s better than where he was 2-3 weeks ago. He understands it. He’s been very coachable. But he’s gotta continue to be more physical defensively. We’re working some things that can help with his feet, his balance, those types of things.”
Two days after Wisconsin was eliminated from the NCAA tournament, Essegian announced his plans to transfer.
For as forgettable as Essegian’s last months at UW were, Nebraska had a close-up view of what he could provide when playing well. Against the Huskers in early January, Essegian came off the bench and splashed four of seven attempts from deep in 12 minutes as the Badgers buried NU under an onslaught from the perimeter.
He joins North Dakota State center Andrew Morgan, Utah point guard Rollie Worster and Rutgers wing Gavin Griffiths as transfers into the Husker program. NU lost six players to the portal after its NCAA tournament loss to Texas A&M.
Photos: Nebraska men’s basketball hosts Wisconsin
Nebraska’s Josiah Allick (53) celebrates after Nebraska defeated Wisconsin in overtime, 80-72, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska fans celebrate after the Huskers defeated Wisconsin in overtime, 80-72, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Juwan Gary (4) reacts after missing a layup against Wisconsin during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts and Dylan Raiola pose for photos at a college men’s basketball game between Nebraska and Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Josiah Allick (53) takes a momement before being introduced in the starting lineups for the first half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Steven Crowl (22) and Nebraska’s Josiah Allick (53) go up for the tipoff of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Josiah Allick (53) and Keisei Tominaga (30) guard Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Josiah Allick (53) dribbles against Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) looks to go up for a basket against Nebraska’s Rienk Mast (51) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Ahron Ulis (5) goes up for a layup against Nebraska during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard kneels during the first half of a college men’s basketball game against Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Steven Crowl (22) grabs the rebound above Nebraska’s Brice Williams (3) and Keisei Tominaga (30) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Brice Williams (3) passes the ball during the first half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s AJ Storr (2) goes up for a layup against Nebraska’s Sam Hoiberg (1) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Sam Hoiberg (1) passes the ball past Wisconsin’s Connor Essegian (3) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Juwan Gary (4) goes up for a layup against Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) goes up for a shot against Nebraska’s Josiah Allick (53) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Brice Williams (3) goes up for a 3-pointer during the first half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Brice Williams (3) reacts after a 3-pointer against Wisconsin during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn (23) goes up for a 3-pointer against Nebraska during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s C.J. Wilcher (0) dribbles against Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn (23) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg reacts during the first half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Rienk Mast (51) and C.J. Wilcher (0) guard Wisconsin’s Steven Crowl (22) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Kamari McGee (4) goes up for a 3-pointer during the first half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg during a timeout in the first half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Rienk Mast (51) celebrates after Nebraska defeated Wisconsin in overtime, 80-72, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Josiah Allick (53) celebrates after Nebraska defeated Wisconsin in overtime, 80-72, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg walks off the court after the spectators stormed the court after Nebraska defeated Wisconsin in overtime, 80-72, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg walks off the court after defeating Wisconsin in overtime, 80-72, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Max Klesmit (11) passes the ball in front of Nebraska’s Keisei Tominaga (30) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Brice Williams (3) goes up for a layup against Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Keisei Tominaga (30) goes up for a 3-pointer above Wisconsin’s Max Klesmit (11) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Keisei Tominaga (30) dribbles the ball down the court during the second half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) pulls down the rebound above Nebraska’s Keisei Tominaga (30) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Keisei Tominaga (30) celebrates a basket against Wisconsin during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Jamarques Lawrence (10) passes the ball during the second half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Rienk Mast (51) goes up for a shot against Wisconsin’s Nolan Winter (31) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Juwan Gary (4) goes up for a layup against Wisconsin’s Nolan Winter (31) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard during the second half of a college men’s basketball game against Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Brice Williams (3) motions after a basket against Wisconsin during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s C.J. Wilcher (0) celebrates after a basket against Wisconsin during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s C.J. Wilcher (0) celebrates after a basket against Wisconsin during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska fans react during the second half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Juwan Gary (4) goes up for a layup against Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Sam Hoiberg (1) and Wisconsin’s John Blackwell (25) battle for the ball during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Sam Hoiberg (1) goes up for a layup past Wisconsin’s Steven Crowl (22) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg motions during the second half of a college men’s basketball game against Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Juwan Gary (4) goes up for a 3-pointer against Wisconsin’s Carter Gilmore (14) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn (23) goes up for a 3-pointer during the second half of a college men’s basketball game against Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Brice Williams (3) and Juwan Gary (4) go up for the rebound against Wisconsin during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s C.J. Wilcher (0) runs down the court after a basket against Wisconsin during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Sam Hoiberg (1) goes up for a layup against Wisconsin’s Carter Gilmore (14) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s C.J. Wilcher (0) goes up for a 3-pointer as Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn (23) watches on during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn (23) looks to pass the ball during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Juwan Gary (4) reaches out for the rebound above Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn (23) and Nebraska’s Sam Hoiberg (1) during the second half of a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Rienk Mast (51) celebrates after blocking a dunk by Wisconsin’s Steven Crowl (22) during overtime in a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Nebraska’s Rienk Mast (51) celebrates after blocking a dunk by Wisconsin’s Steven Crowl (22) during overtime in a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl (5) goes up for a layup past Nebraska’s Rienk Mast (51) during overtime in a college men’s basketball game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
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