Nebraska at a glance

Oct 27, 2015 - 7:19 PM Last season: 13-18, did not qualify for postseason.

Nickname: Cornhuskers. Coach: Tim Miles.

Conference: Big Ten.

Key returners: Shavon Shields, who's started 82 of 91 games and averages 12.4 points over his career, had nine games of 20 or more points last season and was the Big Ten's ninth-leading scorer with 15.5 points a game. ... . Benny Parker has been one of the Big Ten's best defensive players for two years and has been working to improve offensively. ... Tai Webster has failed to live up to oversized expectations, but he's proved to be a solid backup.

Who left: Terran Petteway declared for the NBA draft after his junior season. He did it all, scoring 18.2 points a game and leading the team in assists and blocked shots. ... Two-year starter Walter Pitchford was a tough matchup as a 6-foot-10 perimeter shooter. ... Tarin Smith was making progress at point guard but decided to transfer. ... Big men Moses Abraham and Leslee Smith battled injuries but provided solid post defense when they played.

The Skinny: Shields is the anchor of this team, and he needs to keep doing what he's been doing as an all-around player. This is an undersized and young team, and there'll be pressure on Kansas transfer Andrew White to score from the perimeter. The Huskers also need newcomers like Illinois prep stars Glynn Watson and Ed Morrow and Australian Jack McVeigh to produce.