Tag: connor essegian

Recapping former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian’s return to Madison

WATCH: Former Badger guard Connor Essegian reunites with Wisconsin teammates

On Sunday afternoon, former Wisconsin transfer guard Connor Essegian was received with open arms in his return to the Kohl Center.

In his first game in Madison since he transferred to the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ program this spring, Essegian dropped eight points and two rebounds in 23 minutes of action for Fred Hoiberg’s squad. In the effort, he shot 3-of-10 from the floor and 2-of-7 from beyond the arc.

His point total was Nebraska’s second-most on the afternoon — a strong description of how Wisconsin’s 83-55 victory played out. Only one Cornhusker reached double-figures, with the starting lineup combining for just 34 points.

After the contest, Essegian greeted several of his former Badger teammates in the postgame handshake line.

First, the Fort Wayne, Indiana native shared a few words and embraced his former head coach Greg Gard. He then greeted each of UW’s assistant coaches before approaching the roster of active Badgers.

Essegian appeared especially enthusiastic when greeting veteran guards Kamari McGee and Max Klesmit before embracing sophomore star John Blackwell towards the end of the handshake line. Essegian did not depart the program with any ill-will, and his interactions with his former teammates and mentors reaffirmed that sentiment.

Through 20 games with the Cornhuskers this season, Essegian is accountable for 11.3 points per game off 42.4% from the field and 40.8% from outside. He’s carved out a role as one of the Big Ten’s premier bench assets this season and has scored 20 or more points in three games this season.

A former Wisconsin Badger will return to the Kohl Center on Sunday

A former Wisconsin Badger will return to the Kohl Center on Sunday

The Wisconsin Badgers (15-4, 5-3 Big Ten) are back home after a California road trip. They return to the Kohl Center court on Sunday afternoon against a struggling Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-7, 2-6 Big Ten) team.

A top storyline entering the game is Wisconsin’s quest for a bounce-back performance after its seven-game winning streak came to an end at UCLA. Another is a homecoming: Sunday will be Nebraska shooting guard Connor Essegian’s first game against his former program.

Related: Updated game-by-game predictions for Wisconsin basketball after UCLA loss

Essegian transferred to the Cornhuskers last offseason after two years with the Badgers. He originally joined the program as a three-star recruit in the class of 2022.

The Albion, Indiana native excelled as a freshman at Wisconsin, playing an average of 27.4 minutes per game and tallying 11.7 points and 3.7 rebounds on 40.4% shooting and 35.9% from three. His role diminished as a sophomore in 2023-24, however, as Greg Gard reworked his rotation around transfer guard A.J. Storr and emerging freshman John Blackwell. Those per-game totals dropped to just 7.3 minutes, 3.2 points and 0.8 rebounds on 38.5% shooting and 30% from three.

Essegian entered the transfer portal after the 2023-24 season concluded. He then committed to a Nebraska program with a clear path to playing time and further development, variables that have each proven true. The sharpshooter is currently averaging 22.8 minutes, 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 43.1% shooting and 41.5% from three through 19 games. That point total is good for third-most on the team.

Wisconsin’s guard rotation excelled since Essegian’s departure. Max Klesmit, Blackwell, John Tonje and Kamari McGee have all been significant driving forces behind the team’s strong start to the season.

Essegian and Chucky Hepburn (Louisville), meanwhile, have each found undeniable success at their new destinations. A.J. Storr, now at Kansas, is still working to establish a consistent role.

Keeping Essegian in check will be key to Wisconsin’s chances at a victory on Sunday. Nebraska started the season 7-0 when he eclipsed 10 points. That streak recently ended, as the Cornhuskers have now lost five straight games despite the sharpshooter scoring in double figures in three of them.

Gard touched on Essegian’s game when meeting with the media on Friday, including what Wisconsin must do to keep him in check.

“He’s got a quick trigger, ball comes off the hand just like it did when he was here,” Gard said. “He’s a recipient of Brice Williams and Juwan Gary, of those guys playing with the ball in their hands and finding him. You have to pay attention to him, can’t lose him. He moves well without the ball. [I’ve seen] a lot of the same things that we saw here.”

Wisconsin and Nebraska will tip off at 1 p.m. ET, noon CT. There’s a good chance that Essegian’s three-point shooting, or lack thereof, defines the game’s final result.

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What Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said about Nebraska matchup, Connor Essegian’s return

What Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said about Nebraska matchup, Connor Essegian’s return

Wisconsin basketball (15-4, 5-3 Big Ten) returns to the Kohl Center court on Sunday afternoon for a matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-7, 2-6 Big Ten).

The Badgers enter the contest after splitting a two-game West Coast road trip with a win over the USC Trojans and a narrow loss to UCLA. The team is still 7-1 in its last eight games and in a strong position to contend for a Big Ten crown.

Related: Updated game-by-game predictions for Wisconsin basketball after UCLA loss

Nebraska, meanwhile, enters on a five-game losing streak. The team’s 12-2 start has quickly turned in the wrong direction, with consecutive losses to Iowa, Purdue, Rutgers, Maryland and USC. The Badgers will enter as a clear favorite, expected to extend that streak to six games.

One key for Wisconsin to achieve that result is slowing down Cornhuskers guard and former Badger Connor Essegian.

The sharpshooter is averaging 11.5 points per game for Nebraska this season after transferring in from Wisconsin after the 2023-24 campaign. He took little time before becoming one of the team’s top offensive options, albeit off the bench.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard discussed the matchup against Essegian when meeting with the media on Friday, specifically what he’s seen from the former Badger at his new destination:

“Yea, I think running around and shooting threes. They run some stuff for him. Some of the same things we ran for him, that I’ve seen so far,” Gard began. “So yea, he’ll let them fly in transition. I think he started early in the year and now they bring him off the bench. He’s got a quick trigger, ball comes off the hand just like it did when he was here.”

Essegian has scored in double-figures in three of his last four games. His latest performance was an efficient 15 points on five-of-eight shooting and three-of-six from three in the Cornhuskers’ narrow loss to USC.

Gard was clear that Essegian can’t be a player that Wisconsin loses in the mix defensively.

“He’s a recipient of Brice Williams and Juwan Gary, of those guys playing with the ball in their hands and finding him,” Gard continued. “You have to pay attention to him, can’t lose him. Moves well without the ball, so a lot of the same things that we saw here.”

Essegian’s year-long numbers (22.8 minutes, 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 43.1% shooting and 41.5% from three) resemble those from his freshman season with the Badgers in 2022-23 (27.4 minutes, 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 40.4% shooting and 35.9% from three). While his team has struggled in conference play, he’s established himself one of the its top offensive options (one of three averaging double-digit points).

Wisconsin allows its opponents to shoot 31% from three, 75th-best in the country. Its work against Essegian will be key to whether the team can return to the win column and extend Nebraska’s losing streak.

Tip between the Badgers and Cornhuskers is set for 1 p.m. ET, noon CT. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.

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Update on Wisconsin transfer Connor Essegian in first season at Nebraska

Update on Wisconsin transfer Connor Essegian in first season at Nebraska

Former Wisconsin transfer guard Connor Essegian has settled into a consistent role in his first season with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The former Badger averages 23.2 minutes per game for his new program, nearing his 27.4 minutes-per-game clip as a freshman with the Badgers in 2022-23. He’s averaging 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in that time on 42.3% shooting and 39.6% from 3.

Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s narrow win over Ohio State

Nebraska is 12-4 (2-3 Big Ten) and is 10th in our latest Big Ten basketball power rankings. The team started 12-2, 2-1 before losses to Iowa (97-87) and Purdue (104-68).

Essegian is one of the team’s leaders off the bench, consistently landing sixth on the team in minutes. His shooting has cooled after a hot start to the season, however. The sharpshooter began the campaign with a record-breaking stretch against South Dakota and North Florida, averaging 25.5 points, three rebounds and 3.5 assists on 56% shooting and 52% from 3.

He has topped 20 points in just one game since: a Dec. 30 win over Southern. His last three games have included a total of 25 points (8.33 per game), 12 rebounds (four per game) and eight assists (2.66 per game) on 30% shooting and 22% from three. Nebraska is 1-2 in those games, defeating UCLA before the two losses.

Essegian’s season numbers still compare favorably to his impressive freshman campaign. He’s averaging 0.1 fewer points, 0.8 fewer rebounds and 0.4 more assists, while shooting nearly two percentage points better from the field and four percent better from 3.

It’s easy to say his transfer has worked out in that regard. That is especially the case given he has found a consistent role after playing only seven minutes per game for the Badgers in 2023-24.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, continues to excel after the offseason departures of Essegian, Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr. The Badgers are 14-3 on the season (4-2 Big Ten) after a recent win over Ohio State. The team is averaging 82.4 points per game, up nearly eight points from its 2023-24 rate. The team’s impressive backcourt depth is partially to thank for that impressive play. John Blackwell, Kamari McGee and transfer John Tonje are all amid career seasons, with veteran starter Max Klesmit and ascending role player Jack Janicki also playing big parts in the winning.

Essegian would have likely struggled to reclaim minutes on a new-look Wisconsin team that is loaded at his position.

Wisconsin will face Essegian and the Cornhuskers on Sunday, Jan. 26, in Madison. The Badgers will be looking to avenge the backbreaking overtime loss they suffered against the Cornhuskers last February — a loss that began a longer stretch during which the team lost seven of nine.

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Former Wisconsin transfer guard makes history for Nebraska in 31-point win

Former Wisconsin transfer guard makes history for Nebraska in 31-point win

Former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian made history in Nebraska‘s 103-72 win over North Florida on Sunday.

In the blowout win, the former Badger transfer went off for 22 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals on 8-of-10 shooting and 6-of-8 from three. Essegian joined Cary Cochran as the second player in school history to nail six or more three-point field goals in back-to-back games.

This was also the second straight game Essegian scored 20 or more points. The former Badger went for a career 29 points of 10-of-22 shooting and 6-of-15 from three in Nebraska’s recent win over South Dakota.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana native’s stellar string of performances now pushes his per-game averages to 21.5 minutes, 14.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 50% shooting and 44.4% from three.

The Cornhuskers certainly hoped to acquire this version of Essegian when he elected to transfer from Wisconsin to Nebraska this April. As a freshman for the Badgers, Essegian averaged 11.7 points per game off nearly 36% from deep in 35 appearances.

His production dropped dramatically as a sophomore with UW, prompting the sharpshooter to transfer to a different program this spring. He’s beginning to hit his groove under head coach Fred Hoiberg, a fellow marksman during his tenure in the NBA from 1995-2005.

The Cornhuskers sit at 7-1 on the season and earned 22 votes on Monday’s AP Poll. Essegian’s team opens Big Ten play on Saturday, Dec. 7 against Michigan State.

Former Wisconsin transfer guard goes off for career high in Nebraska blowout win

Former Wisconsin transfer guard goes off for career high in Nebraska blowout win

Former Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian had a career outing in Nebraska‘s 96-79 win over South Dakota on Wednesday.

The former Badger transfer went off for 29 points, five assists and two rebounds on 10-of-22 shooting and 6-of-15 from 3. The 29 points best his previous career high of 24 points during Wisconsin’s overtime loss to Michigan on Feb. 26, 2023.

Related: Updated Big Ten basketball power rankings (Nov. 25): Wisconsin continues to rise

The game marked a further increase in minutes and usage for the junior guard. His 33 minutes off the bench were the most of any game this season, and the most for any Nebraska player in the win — even starters.

Essegian’s big outing pushes his season averages to 21.5 minutes per game, 13.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 44.4% shooting and 37.8% from three.

Essegian is one of many former Badgers having strong seasons elsewhere. A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn are having big impacts at Kansas and Louisville, respectively.

Of all of Wisconsin’s offseason departures, Essegian’s made the most sense. His playing time plummeted from his freshman to sophomore season at Wisconsin, dropping from 27.4 minutes and 11.7 points per game to 7.3 and 3.2, respectively. He has found a sizable role for a strong Nebraska group. His playing time and usage is back to the level from that breakout freshman campaign.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, is off to a program-best 8-0 start. Greg Gard boasts a deep backcourt rotation of Max Klesmit, John Tonje, John Blackwell, Kamari McGee and Jack Janicki. It has not even incorporated top freshman Daniel Freitag and transfer Camren Hunter.

Essegian would likely still have been lost in a crowded rotation with the Badgers. His playing time and production with the Cornhuskers ensures all parties are finding success in this case — an uncommon reality in today’s age of player movement.

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Nebraska guard Connor Essegian reveals why he joined program

Connor Essegian revealed the reasons why he transferred to Nebraska.

Nebraska basketball guard Connor Essegian had high praise for coach Fred Hoiberg following the program’s upset victory over the Creighton Blue Jays on Friday night.

Essegian was a major part of the win. He scored 15 points on 66.7% shooting from the field. He was efficient in how he scored, as he played 22 minutes. The sophomore added a boost off the bench, as the Huskers were able to shut down the Blue Jays for the most part on Friday night.

Scoring the basketball is one of the reasons why Essegian came to Lincoln. He credited Hoiberg following the win, and gave him high praise in the process, as reported by NCN’s Jake Bartecki.

“He’s one of the best, if not the best, offensive coaches in the country.. That’s part of why I came here”

Hoiberg’s system is undoubtedly built on offense and playmaking. Nebraska basketball got a ton of it on Friday night. The win over Creighton could set the tone for the rest of the season. Essegian’s emergence over these last couple weeks is a positive sign for a program looking to build momentum.

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Wisconsin transfer guard has breakout performance in Nebraska win over Creighton

Big night for a former Badger transfer

Wisconsin transfer guard Connor Essegian powered Nebraska to a 74-63 road win over No. 14 Creighton on Friday.

The former Badger contributed 15 points and two rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench, shooting 4-of-6 from the floor and 1-of-2 from three.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s big win over UCF

Those bench points provided a critical boost for Fred Hoiberg’s team in its big rivalry victory. Essegian led several key scoring runs, highlighted by a solo 6-1 run midway through the second half to extend the team’s lead to 14 points.

Only two Nebraska players finished with more points than Essegian: starters Juwan Gray (16 points on 6-of-13 shooting) and Brice Williams (16 points on 4-of-12 shooting). No one on the floor matched his combination of production and efficiency.

The sharpshooter has played a steady role for the Cornhuskers during their 4-1 start to the 2024-25 season. His per-game averages include 19.2 minutes, 10.4 points and 2.6 rebounds on 44% shooting and 36.4% from 3.

Essegian transferred to Nebraska after two seasons with the Badgers. He played a big role as a freshman in 2022-23, averaging 27.4 minutes and 11.7 points per game. His role diminished as a sophomore in 2023-24 as Greg Gard reworked the roster, those numbers falling to 7.3 minutes and 3.2 points per game, respectively.

The Wisconsin transfer appears to have found a strong destination at Nebraska. The Hoosiers are amid a program-great run under Hoiberg. That began with a 23-11 record and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023-24 and has continued into 2024-25.

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How Wisconsin transfer guard has fared through Nebraska’s first three games

How former Wisconsin guard has fared through Nebraska’s first three games

Former Wisconsin Badgers guard Connor Essegian started his first career game with the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Wednesday night.

In more than 16 minutes of action, Essegian logged eight points in an 86-60 victory over the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights. The former Badger nailed two of his seven 3-point field goal attempts and notched two rebounds.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s big win over Arizona

Through three games of the 2024-25 season, Essegian is averaging 9.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game off nearly 36% shooting from beyond the arc. In his debut for the Cornhuskers, Essegian logged 13 points and four rebounds with three made looks from outside.

At 3-0, Nebraska is tied with Penn State, Iowa, Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin, Oregon, USC and Maryland atop the Big Ten.

Essegian transferred to Nebraska in April after two years in Madison. In 2023-24, he averaged 7.3 minutes and 3.2 points per game after falling in Greg Gard’s rotation.

His ceiling, however, is much higher. Essegian averaged 27.4 minutes and 11.7 points per game on 40% shooting and 36% from 3 during his freshman year in 2022-23.

Nebraska’s next game is Sunday against St. Mary’s (California).

Nebraska guard to play for Armenia this weekend

Connor Essegian will play for Armenia in the Los Angeles International Basketball Cup. 

A Nebraska guard will play international basketball this weekend. Connor Essegian will play for Armenia in the Los Angeles International Basketball Cup.

Armenia will play Guatemala on Friday and Ireland on Sunday afternoon. This is the second straight summer that Essegian will play for Armenia.

In 2023, he averaged 11.5 points in two games against France. Essegian joins the Huskers after spending the last two seasons at Wisconsin. The Indiana native was selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman team two seasons ago.

The guard struggled as a sophomore in 2023-24, averaging only 7.3 minutes and 3.2 points per game. As a freshman, he averaged 27.4 minutes and 11.7 points per game on 40% shooting and 36% from the three-point line.

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