It’s hard to believe, but basketball season is dead and gone.
Students have their eyes set on the white light at the end of the tunnel that is summer. But, while most University of Nebraska at Omaha students will be working, sleeping and partying for the next three months, members of the men’s basketball team will be training to improve from last season.
Though an appearance in the Summit League Championship game was a great accomplishment for the school, the Mavs’ goal going forward is to win the whole kit and caboodle and to appear in their first ever NCAA Tournament. With the next basketball season a little more than six months away, here are three returning Mavs who will help the team next season.
Mitchell Hahn (F)
Get used to hearing his name. With most of UNO’s offense graduating, Hahn is the guy that
can and will step up for the Mavericks. The Fremont native averaged 11 points off the bench, and connected on 42 percent of his shots from downtown.
The forward’s biggest threat is hitting 3’s, and that is a deadly threat. The 6 foot 8 inch, 210-pounder can score inside the paint, but can also step outside the arc and nail a clutch 3 when the team needs it the most.
Hahn had a few highlights on the year, hitting the game-winner on the road against Denver and sinking a three in the final seconds of the Summit League Championship to give UNO a chance to win. His best game? Posting a double-double in the semifinals of the Summit League Tournament to advance the Mavericks to the championship.
The sophomore transfer is not afraid to step-up, and with six players leaving, he will be the guy UNO looks toward to lead Omaha.
Zach Jackson (G)
The sophomore showed just glimpses of what he is capable of during this season.
Jackson averaged over 27 minutes in 31 games, and was a big offensive threat, scoring 10 points per game. In their first matchup against Indiana Univeristy-Purdue University Indianapolis, Jackson tallied a team-high 20 points to help the Mavs pick up the win.
As a starter last year, Jackson will undoubtedly be one of the five that sees the first minute of play on the floor. With Hollins and Tyus both graduating, the Wichita-native will be UNO’s go-to guard.
