Four weeks after helping Nebraska edge Vanderbilt in the NCAA Tournament’s second round, power forward Berke Buyuktuncel has decided to switch from the Cornhuskers to the Commodores for his senior year.
According to reports, Buyuktuncel, the 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward who averaged 6.3 points and 5.5 rebounds while starting 61 games the last two years at Nebraska, has become Vanderbilt’s first pickup in the transfer portal since it opened on April 7.
Buyuktuncel clearly made a strong impression when Nebraska defeated Vanderbilt, 74-72, on March 21 to earn its first Sweet 16 appearance. He scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and was regarded as the game’s most effective offensive player per KenPom.com with his 177 Offensive Rating.
While Nebraska loses its fourth starter from its 28-7 squad that earned a No. 4 seed — Buyuktuncel joins graduating seniors Rienk Mast, Sam Hoiberg and Jamarques Lawrence going out the door — Vanderbilt adds a big man with some ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim and pass the ball.
The lefthander averaged 6.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 block in 24.3 minutes per game last season. He shot just 24.1% from 3-point range as his long-range accuracy continues to drop from his 29.7% showing as a UCLA freshman and his 27.7% as a Nebraska sophomore.
According to reports, Nebraska has beefed up its roster with two players from the transfer portal. Redshirt junior forward Kadyn Betts, who spent three years at Minnesota before averaging 3.1 points in 6.6 minutes per game for Montana last season, gives the Huskers a 6-foot-8 perimeter threat who has hit 12 of 31 3-point attempts (38.7%) in limited minutes.
Nebraska also reportedly has added Utah Valley junior Trevan Leonhardt, a versatile 6-foot-4 guard who earned first-team all-WAC honors after averaging 11.9 points, 6.0 assists and 5.4 rebounds.
