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LINCOLN, Neb — Nebraska women’s basketball coach Amy Williams said the Huskers have quickly developed chemistry while integrating newcomers, transfers and returning players as the program begins official preseason practice for the 2026-27 season.
Nebraska has been working with its roster since June, but the Huskers can now expand their on-court work, film study and individual development under the NCAA’s 20-hour weekly practice allotment.
Williams said the group has brought an eager approach into the preseason.
“I feel like we’ve been kind of at it since June with this group, but to officially move into 20 hours this week and a little bit more time to really be working with this group that’s just really hungry and have been getting after it already, I’m very excited to get things kicked off,” Williams said Sunday.
The Huskers are building off a 2025-26 season in which they went 21-12 overall and 10-8 in Big Ten play before earning an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. Nebraska lost to Louisville in the first round.
This year’s team includes a mix of experienced returners, transfers and a freshman class featuring three top-100 recruits. Williams said that combination has come together faster than normal because of the work done by the upperclassmen and the familiarity several newcomers built during the recruiting process.
Freshmen Ashlyn Koupal, Maddi Stewart and Ava Miles made multiple visits to Lincoln before arriving on campus, allowing them to build relationships with current Huskers. Williams said the program’s transfers have also been quick to embrace their new surroundings.
“The chemistry they’re feeling with the upperclassmen has been unique because it’s happened a little faster than it normally does,” Williams said. “I think it’s a testament to our upperclassmen and the way they’ve really kind of embraced this group.”
Defense has been a major early emphasis, and Williams joked that the volume of details can be an adjustment for freshmen. She said the staff is teaching everything from stance and positioning to help responsibilities, closeouts and contests.
That has at times affected Nebraska’s offensive execution and turnover numbers in practice, but Williams said she is comfortable with those growing pains early in camp.
“I think there’s been pretty good emphasis placed on the defense here early,” Williams said. “Sometimes I’m pulling my hair out with where we’re at on turnovers or execution, but we’ll be OK with that for a little while and hopefully the offense will catch up pretty soon.”
Nebraska’s nonconference schedule should offer an early measuring stick. The Huskers are less than a month away from a closed scrimmage against Kansas State, which Williams called an NCAA Tournament-caliber opponent.
The regular-season nonconference slate includes a neutral-site matchup with Kansas, games against Creighton and Texas A&M, and a road or neutral-site matchup with California.
Williams said the schedule was designed to challenge Nebraska while also helping its NCAA Tournament résumé.
“We’re constantly trying to do the best thing we can do to position our team for NET rankings and seeding and selection for the NCAA Tournament,” Williams said. “We’re always trying to challenge ourselves at a high level.”
One of Nebraska’s most intriguing newcomers is Koupal, a 6-foot-3 freshman forward from Wagner, South Dakota. Williams said Koupal’s versatility has allowed the Huskers to test her in multiple roles and lineup combinations.
The staff has used Koupal at the three, four and five positions, while also asking her to work on and off the ball, set screens and handle a variety of defensive responsibilities.
Williams said Koupal has embraced each assignment with humility and a desire to learn.
“She’s just so versatile,” Williams said. “Whatever we throw at her, she just has really embraced it.”
Nebraska also welcomes back Natalie Potts, whose energy and motor have stood out in practice. Williams said Potts has used her time away from live action to sharpen skills, including ball handling and perimeter shooting.
The coach described a recent sequence in which Potts recorded a steal, went behind her back near midcourt, used a Euro step at the rim and finished the play.
Williams said those are areas of growth that were not as common in Potts’ game before her time away.
“Our whole team plays harder whenever she’s out there,” Williams said.
Junior guard Britt Prince has also made strides, according to Williams. The coach said Prince has added strength, which has helped her defensively by allowing her to stay in front of opponents and make plays on that end of the floor.
Williams also wants Prince to be more aggressive offensively.
“Our team is just so much better when she does that,” Williams said.
Prince has become an important bridge for Nebraska’s newcomers, particularly Koupal. Williams said the two share similar personalities and have developed a strong connection away from basketball through their mutual interests in Legos, Fortnite and gaming.
More importantly, Williams said Prince understands the expectations that come with arriving as a highly touted recruit. She has helped guide Nebraska’s freshman class through that transition.
Leadership has been spread across the roster rather than centered on a single player. Williams said veterans Natalie Potts, Logan Nissley and Allison Weidner have helped establish the standard inside the program, while Prince and Amiah Hargrove have shown leadership in practice when the group needs to regroup.
The Huskers have not named captains, but Williams said she likes seeing leadership emerge from multiple areas.
“We’ve been leaning heavy into kind of leadership development and asking everybody on our team to kind of have a role in that leadership,” Williams said.
Williams also praised the addition of assistant coach Brad Fischer, who joined the staff after serving as a head coach. She said Fischer has brought a calm but direct demeanor and has helped the staff create more situational work in practice.
“He’s just another person that thinks like a head coach,” Williams said. “What a great addition he’s been to our staff.”
Nebraska’s veteran presence includes Weidner, a sixth-year guard who has returned to practice and competition after working through injuries. Williams said Weidner’s return has been inspiring for the entire roster.
The coach said Weidner’s teammates recognize the work it took to get back on the floor, and her maturity, vocal leadership and understanding of what makes a strong team will be important.
“To have her back in practice and competing it’s just inspiring,” Williams said. “I think [she] will be a huge part of the story of this group.”
Nissley is still working her way back into full-contact work after dealing with offseason issues, but Williams said the program expects the senior guard to be healthy for the season opener.
Nebraska also believes it has more frontcourt depth and length than it has had in recent years. Transfer Edessa Noyan gives the Huskers physicality in the post after recording a double-double against Nebraska in last season’s conference tournament. Arek Angui brings 6-foot-9 size and length to the roster.
Combined with Potts, Hargrove, Koupal and the 6-foot Miles, Williams said the Huskers have more options to create mismatches and cover ground defensively.
“We added Edessa Noyan, who is really strong and physical in the post, not afraid to be physical,” Williams said. “Arek transferring in brings just something different for us, a little bit of length and size that we haven’t always had.”
Williams said Nebraska also has benefited from the addition of Brian Kmitta to the strength and conditioning program. Kmitta previously worked with Nebraska volleyball, and Williams said the team has responded well to his work.
The preseason will now provide the Huskers more time to identify rotations, refine their defense and turn encouraging chemistry into production once games begin.
For Williams, the early signs have been positive. But Nebraska’s ability to handle a difficult schedule and compete in the Big Ten will ultimately determine what the group can become.
“We’re just really hungry,” Williams said. “I’m very excited to get things kicked off.”
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