Assuming they play ...

[Norm Peterson]

What makes you think we'll be any better than we were a year ago?

 

 

 

And, if better, how much better?

 

 

 

How would you fill a Hoiberg roster?

 

 

 

What pieces, if any, do you think we're missing?

 

 

 

Feel free to quote this post and fill in the blanks as you see fit.

[49r]

49 minutes ago, Norm Peterson said:

What makes you think we'll be any better than we were a year ago?

Can they really be any worse?

 

And, if better, how much better?

Probably not anywhere near as much as any of us would like.

 

How would you fill a Hoiberg roster?

With as much NBA talent as possible.

 

What pieces, if any, do you think we're missing?

That's hard to say.  I've only seen two or three of our guys play in a Big Ten game.

 

 

 

[Norm Peterson]

Just now, Norm Peterson said:

What makes you think we'll be any better than we were a year ago?

Yeah, we're longer, sure. I'm going to go a different tack. I think there were some major cohesion problems a year ago that I'm guessing will have been fixed in the off-season.  I think our two jucos last year weren't maybe as committed to the team approach as you'd like to see.  I'm going to feel a LOT more comfortable, I'm guessing, with the ball in Kobe Webster's capable hands, or Dalano Banton's if he ends up being the point.

 

And, if better, how much better?

It's hard to say that we'd be a lot better. We're starting all over again with virtually a new roster.  Again.  It's hard to assess the extent to which there might be talent upgrades if we haven't really seen the talent. I'm usually cautiously optimistic, but I'm more cautious than optimistic until I see the product on the floor.

 

How would you fill a Hoiberg roster?

I defer on this one to those more knowledgeable than I. But I am very curious to see the answers.

 

 

What pieces, if any, do you think we're missing?

I feel like we're missing the dead-eye 3-point shooters you'd expect to see. I would think you'd want at least 4 guys in the rotation who could hit at 38% or better from beyond the arc. And a couple of those dudes need to be more than just one-trick ponies. In other words, a couple of those guys who can light it up from outside also need to be able to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim.  Maybe that's a big ask, but it doesn't seem like we've prioritized 3-point shooters in recruiting so either Hoiberg doesn't feel they're as necessary a component of his offense as I've thought, or they just don't grow on trees and he's hoping to be able to coach them up as shooters. Our bigs are also comparatively raw so far as I can tell. Ideally, I think you'd like to have a fairly skilled and athletic big man on the roster at all times. Not necessarily Obi Toppin, but closer to Obi than Duby. 

 

Just now, Norm Peterson said:

Just my thoughts.

 

Feel free to quote this post and fill in the blanks as you see fit.

 

I'll start.

[Norm Peterson]

1 minute ago, 49r said:

 

I won't start. 49r will beat me to it.

 

Anyway, I agree with what you say about NBA talent. That probably encapsulates it as well as any more lengthy description could.

 

NBA players have talent, skill and athleticism in spades. Put a few of those guys on your roster, no matter what spot, and you're going to be loads better than you were before.

[Fullbacksympathy]

1 hour ago, Norm Peterson said:

What makes you think we'll be any better than we were a year ago?

We are better at every position on the floor and bench.  We lost, essentially, nothing and gained a ton of talent at the starting positions and bench.

 

 

And, if better, how much better?

10-12 wins better.

 

 

How would you fill a Hoiberg roster?

I think Hoiberg can fill a Hoiberg roster just fine.  He's a dude among college coaches.  I think in the short time we've had him it's easy to forget who we have at the helm.  This is one of the best coaches and smartest recruiters in the country.  

 

 

What pieces, if any, do you think we're missing?

The three point specialists are both on their way for '21-22.  I really think Hoiberg has it figured out.  We'll likely get another skilled big.  But, again, I don't think this is a "seat of his pants" flyer.  Hoiberg is a precise, smart, hard working guy.  I think he's way ahead of anything I could come up with..  

 

 

Feel free to quote this post and fill in the blanks as you see fit.

 

[aphilso1]

2 hours ago, Norm Peterson said:

What makes you think we'll be any better than we were a year ago?

 

Last year's roster was assembled in haste.  While we acquired some talented players, it shouldn't have surprised us that we never really looked like a team.  Plus a lot of that newly acquired talent were sitting out via the transfer rule.

 

And, if better, how much better?

 

At least doubling our total wins, assuming we are able to play our full schedule.  If we go conference only, then I'd say winning 1/3 of our games seems reasonable.

 

How would you fill a Hoiberg roster?

 

Physically somewhat similar to the famous Tim Miles quote --  long and lean.  Just with more of an emphasis on shooting.

 

What pieces, if any, do you think we're missing?

 

A true point guard, plus another couple shooters.

 

 

[49r]

1 hour ago, Norm Peterson said:

I agree with what you say about NBA talent. That probably encapsulates it as well as any more lengthy description could.

 

It felt kind of glib when I posted it, but honestly that's how I feel we're going to be able to have success.  It's the way he did it at Iowa State and hopefully that's the way it gets done here too.  It also addresses what I would imagine our weak points are.  Which is to say pretty much shooting, rebounding and rim protection.

 

I don't think you can say anymore that we need "a big guy" or "an athletic wing" as much as you need to say we need to upgrade the skill level of the guys we have, because in today's game it's all about guys being able to do everything (or at least multiple things) at an elite level.

[Cazzie22]

This team will need to gain some confidence early in the season.  Not knowing what type of schedule that will be played it may be difficult to attain if we only play co free version games.  We should have more depth.  What will team chemistry be?  I see improvement but cannot predict how much or standing in the B1G.  Probably still in the lower 1/3.  

[hskr4life]

What makes you think we'll be any better than we were a year ago?

 

--- Well... It can't get worse than last year and I believe all of the players that played last year will be better in year 2.  I also have faith in the coach to improve the players.  Also, KU didn't even make the dance last year so I don't feel bad for where we ended up.

 

And, if better, how much better?

 

-- I would say that a .500 record would be a good goal.

 

How would you fill a Hoiberg roster?

 

-- Whatever he thinks he needs to win.

 

What pieces, if any, do you think we're missing?

 

-- We're missing the "known."  Once again, we have so many unknowns and no "knowns."  We're missing that one player that we can be like "yep-- he'll take us there."

 

Feel free to quote this post and fill in the blanks as you see fit.

[Handy Johnson]

1. Bigger = better, there won’t be any UC Riverside or North Dakota losses.

2. At least .500

3. Yes, NBA difference makers, more Royce Whites than Andrew Whites.

4. I wish we had a power forward like Andre Smith that can score with his back to the basket.

P.S. I scored an autographed Cam Mack hat @ Goodwill last week...

[jayschool]

13 hours ago, Handy Johnson said:

 

P.S. I scored an autographed Cam Mack hat @ Goodwill last week...

I hope you celebrated by shooting an imaginary arrow.

[AuroranHusker]

On 7/15/2020 at 12:06 PM, jayschool said:

I hope you celebrated by shooting an imaginary arrow.

 

Admittedly, I'm late in seeing this. But I approve this message.

[Dead Dog Alley]

On 7/15/2020 at 12:06 PM, jayschool said:

I hope you celebrated by shooting an imaginary arrow.

 

Just wondering, did William Tell celebrate by shooting an imaginary jump shot?

 

[basketballjones]

On 7/14/2020 at 10:37 AM, Norm Peterson said:

What makes you think we'll be any better than we were a year ago?

Banton, Stevenson, and Walker would have made us competitive last year. Adding them, and replacing players with (in my opinion) better players - seems like a no brainer. Also, as long as he's committed and reliable, Teddy Allen is a straight bucket-getter. He can score if allowed.

Also, as Coach Matt said, we were competitive last year in a lot of games, with a really bad roster. 

 

And, if better, how much better?

Who knows. We were 7-25 last year. We could double our wins and still be considered bad. We could triple our wins and still potentially miss out on the NCAA Tournament depending on how it shakes out. I am hoping for a floor of a very competitive 16-18 win team. 

 

How would you fill a Hoiberg roster?

I am not sure I understand the direction of the question. But I personally am starting to come around on the idea that at a place like Nebraska, in the current landscape, you might as well stay as far away from High School kids as you can. Unless you KNOW they will stick it out ~4 years, or they are a generational talent (which we don't seem to ever find out of HS). Might as well continue paying Coach Matt as much as you can, and keeping him as happy as you can, and finding these transfers and grad transfers. 

 

What pieces, if any, do you think we're missing?

I mean... none? But that's really a style-of-play type of question. I wouldn't say we have a true, back-to-the-basket post player, but 1. not many do anymore, 2. Teddy Allen actually has a really good b-t-t-b game, and the size to exploit mismatches, so does Shamiel Stevenson, 3. not sure Hoiberg necessarily wants the paint clogged. 

I would say we don't have a guard like Cam Mack anymore - but I haven't seen Kobe play much. I don't think he'll come close to replacing that. But we also won 7 games last year so that's not a priority to me. 

 

[Norm Peterson]

Thanks for the reply, @basketballjones. The direction of the question about how you'd fill out a roster was intended to be sort of a "what do you think his recipe is?" kind of question.  In the old days, a basketball roster might be constructed in such a way that you ideally had a couple of back-to-the-basket centers, including a talented youngster you were developing, and then you might have 2-3 PFs, one or more of whom could swing to the 5 in a pinch.  Then, you'd have a couple of small forwards, 2-3 shooting guards, and a few guys who would be your classical point.

 

In this era of "positionless" basketball, however, rosters are described more in terms of what a player does: rim-runners, stretch 4s, wings, etc.

 

And, in the Hoiberg "recipe," you probably have to factor in at least 2 sit-out transfers per year.

 

It used to be easy to look at our roster and say, well, we need another big man with our last scholarship, or we need a backup point.

 

With this new staff, I find myself questioning exactly what it seems he wants in order to field the type of team he envisions. So, what does that ideal Hoiberg roster look like, and is there anything this current iteration is missing in order to check all of Fred's boxes?

 

Does that make those two questions more clear?

Edited August 3, 2020 by Norm Peterson

[nustudent]

On 7/14/2020 at 10:37 AM, Norm Peterson said:

What makes you think we'll be any better than we were a year ago?

 

 

 

And, if better, how much better?

 

 

 

How would you fill a Hoiberg roster?

 

 

 

What pieces, if any, do you think we're missing?

 

 

 

Feel free to quote this post and fill in the blanks as you see fit.

1.   Even though the roster was turned over again the guys that were added this year were more handpicked as opposed to a last-minute fire sale type situation last spring. You have multiple guys that redshirted together so there will be more cohesion. You also have multiple guys coming in with plenty of division one power five level experience. Those things weren’t evident last year.   
 

On top of that you have a much more complete and well rounded roster.  you’re longer, you’re taller, you’re more skilled, you’re more experienced.   
 

2.  How much better is up in the air. I think a lot of that depends on what type of season you have. Obviously with the virus that puts the non-con schedule in jeopardy. We need that to build cohesiveness amongst the new players. Jumping right in to conference play is not a good thing for a brand new team even if it is significantly more talented.

 

With that being said assuming a full schedule is played, I fully expect an NIT type team.   I’m not gonna come out and say we’re gonna win 25 games and go to the NCAA tournament. But I do think we will be significantly better. That means 2 to 3 more wins in the nonconference as well as the fact we will have more confidence heading into the difficult parts off conference play,to the extent that we won’t give up and quit when things start trending the wrong direction.  That is assuming of course that Mcgowans is eligible.

 

3.  As far as filling a Hoiberg roster I think we’re seeing it. You’re seeing a mix of high school, transfers and jucos.  I think inevitably high school players will become more prevailant, but in the meantime while he’s building his roster transfers will have a heavier impact early on to achieve success and build a culture.

 

4.  The biggest question I have Right now is our ability to shoot from the outside consistently. I think we will be significantly better in the paint through experience and added bodies.  I think we have natural scores in Benton and Allen. But I don’t see a pure shooter from the outside yet. I think we have good shooters and guys who can make shots but not sure we have a pure shooter on the roster currently.  Or at least one that is eligible.

[TourneyBound]

The BIG 10 is going to be STACKED again next year with all these players coming back.....  I think 14-16 wins would be a good year!!  Roster Depth and length will be a big plus for us compared to last year but still worried a bit about scoring and perimeter shooting.

[basketballjones]

I’d echo what Nustudent said about a missing piece. Guess we don’t have a go to shooter that we know of yet. 

[jimmykc]

But maybe one in 2021....newer article                      https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/06/25/basketball/confidence-ambition-power-keisei-tominaga-toward-promising-u-s-future/    

[Fullbacksympathy]

On 8/4/2020 at 11:09 AM, jimmykc said:

But maybe one in 2021....newer article                      https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/06/25/basketball/confidence-ambition-power-keisei-tominaga-toward-promising-u-s-future/    

 

Tominaga is a freak show shooter.  One of the best I've ever seen anywhere.  He's a ball player too--plays very fast.  He'll be able to get his shots up just fine in D1.