Wisconsin Basketball Transfer Guard Commits to Big Ten Rival

In a post on Instagram, Essegian said, “These last two years in Madison have been nothing short of amazing. The university and this city has helped shape me to be the person I am today. These last three weeks have been really difficult trying to figure out what my next home will be. I want to thank my friends, family, and coaches for supporting me through this whole process. I also want to thank all the coaches who have shown interest and seen the value in me through this. Even through this tough process, I do know where my next home will be. With that being said, I will be committing to the University of Nebraska – go big red.”

Despite struggles this past season, the 2022 Indiana Mr. Basketball finalist shined at times in Madison. He earned a starting role his freshman season and broke the Wisconsin basketball record for most three-point makes by a freshman. 

The arrival of AJ Storr pushed Essegian out of a starting role, but that was only the start of his sophomore struggles. In the season-opener against Arkansas State, the shooting guard suffered a back injury. That injury led to fits of stops-and-starts for Essegian’s time in the lineup. It compounded with public criticism over his defensive play, with Gard bluntly stating, “You have to be able to guard.” After shooting 35.9% from three in his first campaign, the 2023 Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection followed it up by making only 30.3% of his 66 attempts from deep his sophomore year.

Connor Essegian Fits Much-Needed Shooting Threat for Nebraska

Feb 22, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian (3) scores a three-point shot during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska’s addition of Essegian’s shooting threat feels poetic. Wisconsin basketball started its spiral of regular-season losses with a collapse in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers stormed back from an 18-point deficit to stay unbeaten at home and defeat the Badgers 80-72 in overtime. Nebraska shot 6-15 on three-pointers in the second half. The February 1st loss for UW kicked off a brutal 2-6 month and 3-8 close to the regular season.

If Essegian bounces back from a down shooting season, he will perfectly fit a need for head coach Fred Hoiberg. Hoiberg lost two big shooting threats on the wing this offseason. Keisei Tominaga, who shot 37.6% on 202 three-point attempts last season, exhausted his eligibility. CJ Wilcher, who started his collegiate basketball journey at Xavier, is back in the transfer portal after shooting 39.4% from deep for the Huskers off the bench.

With frontcourt shooting threats Brice Williams and Rienk Mast returning to Lincoln, the former Wisconsin basketball starter will fit perfectly in a three-point hoisting Hoiberg scheme.