Former Wisconsin transfer guard Connor Essegian has settled into a consistent role in his first season with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
The former Badger plays 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 three.
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Nebraska is 12-4 (2-3 Big Ten) on the season and sits at No. 10 in our latest Big Ten basketball power rankings. The team started 12-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play before recent 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 off after a hot start to the year, 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 three.
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 those two mentioned losses.
Essegian’s season-long numbers still compare well 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 three.
It’s easy to say his transfer has worked out in that regard. That is especially the case as he’s 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 off against 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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