The University of Nebraska is what’s known as a football school. Their basketball program, historically, has been regarded as little more than a diversion to get through the winter months and back to spring football practice, which for Huskers fans is more interesting.

But two years ago Nebraska hired the highly regarded young coach Fred Hoiberg and decided to try for a splash in basketball, and things may be headed in that direction. A five-star high school prospect out of South Carolina, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard Bryce McGowens, has committed to play basketball in Lincoln. Rated the No. 25 prospect nationally by the 247 Sports Composite, McGowens is the highest-rated recruit ever to commit to the program.

McGowen’s older brother, Trey, transferred last spring to play for coach Hoiberg, a situation that clearly influenced McGowen’s decision.

“Having an opportunity to play with my older brother is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said McGowen.

The Cornhuskers have not released their 2020-2021 basketball schedule, but the younger  McGowens will not be on campus until next fall, anyway. For now, it’s back to football, where the Penn State Nittany Lions are in town to take on Nebraska at Memorial Stadium this Saturday.