Nebraska Basketball's Cale Jacobsen: 'It's a Super Competitive Gym' as Huskers Eye Another NCAA Run
By John Damon | Just The News Iowa
The Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team is already hard at work in Lincoln, building toward another NCAA Tournament appearance. With eight new players joining the roster, the summer workouts are intense, and veteran guard Cale Jacobsen is stepping into a larger leadership role.
Jacobsen, a rising senior entering his fifth season with the Big Red, helped Nebraska achieve the best season in program history in 2025-26. Now, he is focused on bringing that same urgency into the 2026-27 campaign. He spoke with reporters Thursday about the team's progress, the competition for playing time, and what fans can expect this fall.
Embracing Roles in a Competitive Environment
Jacobsen has played a variety of roles during his college career, from walk-on to key contributor. He knows that for this year's team to succeed, every player must buy into their role.
“Right now, it's just a super competitive gym,” Jacobsen said. “Everybody's fighting for those spots. But as we start to narrow things down, we'll have to start to buy into the roles from 1-15. That's super important. It's what allowed us to be successful last year.”
The Huskers won 20 or more games in three straight seasons for the first time in program history, a streak Jacobsen helped build. Now, he is one of the most experienced voices in the locker room.
From Walk-On to Veteran Leader
Jacobsen has appeared in 79 games, including three starts, over four seasons. He is entering his final year of eligibility and is expected to take on a more vocal role.
“We lost a lot of leadership and a lot of older guys, but there's a next group of us that are going into year four and five who have to fill in and step into that role,” Jacobsen said. “It's been cool; it's been fun. And I'm looking forward to seeing how it continues to grow.”
His journey from walk-on to veteran leader is a story of hard work and dedication, values that resonate with Iowa sports fans who appreciate grit and perseverance.
Blending Newcomers with a Returning Core
Nebraska lost five players to graduation and four more to the transfer portal after last season. But the program retained several key contributors from the Sweet 16 team. The new additions are already making an impression.
“We're a super fun group with a lot of good dudes,” Jacobsen said. “As we continue to play more live, you start to see why the coaching staff really liked a lot of these guys. They're super talented, and all do a lot of good things, but ultimately, everybody's pretty unselfish again, and it's been fun.”
The Huskers added length, shooting, and rebounding through the transfer portal. Coach Fred Hoiberg and his staff targeted players who fit the team's system, and Jacobsen believes the newcomers will contribute immediately.
An Emphasis on Shooting
Last season, Iowa transfer Pryce Sandfort became an All-Big Ten First-Team selection, largely due to his shooting. To replace four starters, Hoiberg's staff focused on bringing in more shooters to surround Sandfort.
“Our offense can be hard to stop when the ball goes in,” Jacobsen said. “That's kind of the big thing. If we can get shots up, we think we have a pretty good chance. So, turnovers and then giving up offensive rebounds, that hurts our offense, so we want as many bullets as we can to take shots at the rim.”
The Huskers will open the season with an exhibition game against BYU at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Friday, October 16. Last year, Nebraska beat the Cougars 90-89 in an exhibition at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
What's Next for the Big Red
With 14 weeks remaining before the season opener, Nebraska is focused on staying competitive, identifying roles, and preparing for another deep NCAA Tournament run. For Iowa fans who follow the Huskers closely, this is a team worth watching.
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