Fans and media alike didn't get to see much of Nebraska's four-game tour of Italy, but that doesn't mean we can't overreact to what we did get to see and hear.

A year has nearly passed since Ronald Thompkins saw his high school career cut short by a torn ACL, and on Wednesday, the freshman running back from Georgia made his return to the field for the Huskers and took his first rep since the injury.

Nebraska lost a lot of experience in the back seven from last year’s team, but the Huskers do return All-Big Ten linebacker Mohamed Barry in the middle and his presence should take some of the pressure off all the new starters around him in a defense striving for consistency.

The AVCA released its 2019 preseason poll on Tuesday and Nebraska came in at No. 2 behind reigning national champion Stanford who received 62 of the 64 first-place votes.

Nebraska closed out its exhibition schedule in Italy with an 84-62 win over Italian Select on Monday with freshman walk-on guard Charlie Easley leading the way.

Expectations are high for Nebraska's upperclassmen at outside linebacker, but depth will be important as well and that's where guys like Caleb Tannor and Garrett Nelson can make an impact.

Nebraska needs to replace both captains from last season, and with no seniors on the roster heading into 2019, that responsibility has fallen to junior middle blocker Lauren Stivrins and sophomore setter Nicklin Hames.

Inspired by a reader's question, Jacob Padilla put together a hypothetical roster of former Huskers (plus one non-Husker) to compete in next year's The Basketball Tournament.

Nebraska survived a second-half rally from Lithuanian club Silute BC on Thursday to improve to 3-0 overall and sweep its back-to-back against Silute during its tour of Italy. Nebraska dominated in the second quarter but got outscored 42-20 in the second half, resulting in a 73-70 win.

In just a year's time, the count of "trustable bodies" in offensive line coach Greg Austin's room has doubled, which is a testament to the leadership of the veterans and the maturity of the newcomers.

Nebraska improved to 2-0 on its foreign tour as the Huskers ran away from Lithuanian club Silute BC 83-58 on Wednesday afternoon in Florence.

Luke Gifford has left some big shoes to fill at outside linebacker, but fifth-year seniors Alex Davis and Tyrin Ferguson are looking forward to going out with a bang in 2019.

Nebraska live-streamed its first exhibition game over in Italy, an 87-56 beatdown of Stella Azzurra Academy, and basketball beat writer Jacob Padilla has plenty of notes and observations.

The United States volleyball team qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games on Sunday, and two former Huskers played a big part.

The Huskers are hoping Darrion Daniels' arrival proves to be the final piece of the puzzle that puts everyone else in the right spots on that defensive line heading into the 2019 season.

With Cam Mack sidelined by illness, Dachon Burke Jr. should get the chance during Nebraska's Italy trip to prove to his new coaches that he can be a major piece for the Huskers this season.