How good are we?

[Norm Peterson]

I know it's early. I know it's really early. Sure, we probably won't know for sure until March or maybe April. OK, but I'm not asking for perfect prescience. I'm asking for maybe just better than gut feeling.

 

Just from what you've seen so far, what do you think? Vote, and then explain your vote, pls.

 

Thx

[B-town hoopsfan]

I think finishing in the top 6 in the big ten is within reach, we rebound better than last year as a team, feels like we are more versatile when it comes to scoring, and overall we field a taller/longer rotation than last year.  Saying all this we can’t afford any injury’s of more than a week or 2 especially in the front court.

 

i believe the big ten is deeper and quite a bit better than last year

to both from adding teams and Michigan/Maryland looking much better 

[big red22]

I say roughly about the same.  I think this team has potential to be better, but it all rides on consistent production of Berke and Essegian.  I think that Morgan, Ulis, Hoiberg and Meah all have their roles and what they do will need to remain consistent.  Then the X factor is Griffiths.  I think the way I would describe him is awkward/athletic.  He plays super aggressive, but is missing something.  I think if he picks it up at all we have a chance to be great, but until then I am thinking we are a High NIT seed to an 8/9 seed level in the tournament.  Berke/Griffiths/Essegian < Their play dictates a lot IMO

Edited December 3 by big red22

[Huskerpapa]

At this point I'm saying that we may be a little better than last year.  If Connor stays consistent,  if Berke finds his perimeter game, if player communication remains strong, if another player or two step forward with their game, if the league allows us to play physical, if we stay away from serious injury, if we continue to shoot free throws well...then we may be much better this year.  We need to continue to improve, and if we do, we will be a pretty scary team as we move into March.

[Norm Peterson]

They've certainly seemed to gel more quickly than in year's past. I expected Keisei would be difficult to replace, but it seems Connor has stepped up. And, with a healthy Berke, he might not even start. 

 

Berke seems to be at least as capable as Josiah Allick but different strengths. Braxton is a step down from Rienk, though. As is Andrew, quite frankly. But we have a bunch more length than a year ago, and that doesn't hurt at all.

 

Brice, Juwan and Sam are all a year older and more experienced. And we have not just one PG but two.

 

On paper, I feel like they should be slightly better than a year ago. And the results on the floor with beating CU and absolutely crushing Northern Florida make me feel at this point like I'd be majorly disappointed if we don't get a return trip to the NCAA tourney.

[Norm Peterson]

I should add a note about computer models: When we're good, we're almost ALWAYS underrated to begin the year. It takes the computers a while to catch up to how good we are. And I think that's the case again this season. I think we're probably better than what the computer thinks we are.

[Navin R. Johnson]

28 minutes ago, big red22 said:

I say roughly about the same.  I think this team has potential to be better, but it all rides on consistent production of Berke and Essegian.  I think that Morgan, Ulis, Hoiberg and Meah all have their roles and what they do will need to remain consistent.  Then the X factor is Griffiths.  I think the way I would describe him is awkward/athletic.  He plays super aggressive, but is missing something.  I think if he picks it up at all we have a chance to be great, but until then I am thinking we are a High NIT seed to an 8/9 seed level in the tournament.  Berke/Griffiths/Essegian < Their play dictates a lot IMO

 

I said the same thing about GG being an X factor earlier.  I like our team, but would really like it if we had another shooter off the bench.  Connor and Brice have proved they can hit 3's.  I don't expect Connor to be this hot every game, especially when defenders get more athletic in the Big Ten, thus the need for another shooter.  Gary will knock one down once in a while, Sam might be starting to come around again like his Frosh year but his size limits him so we are back to GG.  If GG does not find his stroke do you burn Janowski's redshirt?  How long to you give GG to get it going from the arc before you go to Jano?  I'm guessing coach will not burn the redshirt and ride the team he has.  The problem with the redshirt in today's world is it often gives that player another year.........with another team.

[GhostOfJoeMcCray]

Looking at Bart Torvik numbers this year compared to last year as of Dec. 3, we're very similar except much better defensively and worse offensively. However, we're trending up offensively the last few weeks...#28 offensively since the Bethune-Cookman game. One year ago today we lost by 29 vs. Creighton and then blew a 15-point halftime lead at Minnesota on Dec. 6. It was pretty doom and gloom on here and I'm sure no one was even dreaming of an NCAA bid. So I feel much better right now about this team than I did last year at this time. 

 

		BT Rank	ADJO	O Rk	ADJ D	D Rk
2023	7-1 record	42	116.8	28	100.8	132
2024	6-1 record	40	111.6	64	95.8	24
		NET	KPI	SOR	BPI	KP
2023	23-11 record	33	27	24	37	29
2024	6-1 record	43	28	40	37	47

 

When you compare our current resume numbers to our final resume numbers above, it's looking pretty good considering our schedule is only going to get harder. Last year our metrics were way, way worse this time of year and we spent all season climbing from the abyss. We just need to get through the 3 Hawaii games and Southern without a bad L. The one thing last year's team had going for it was no bad non-conference losses. Selection Sunday would be a lot less stressful if we go 3-0 in Hawaii, and given the field, we should be the favorite to win the tournament and I hope we play like it. 

Edited December 3 by GhostOfJoeMcCray

[cornfed24-7]

I went with "about the same" . But I think that's our floor. It looks like we're trending "a little better" with the possibility of going even higher. I'm too snake bitten to vote them higher at this point. Need to see us play some higher competition in BigTen play before I tear down the wall that protects my heart from Husker Basketball.

[49r]

1 hour ago, Huskerpapa said:

At this point I'm saying that we may be a little better than last year.  If Connor stays consistent,  if Berke finds his perimeter game, if player communication remains strong, if another player or two step forward with their game, if the league allows us to play physical, if we stay away from serious injury, if we continue to shoot free throws well...then we may be much better this year.  We need to continue to improve, and if we do, we will be a pretty scary team as we move into March.

 

Man, that's a LOT of "if's".

[49r]

48 minutes ago, GhostOfJoeMcCray said:

Looking at Bart Torvik numbers this year compared to last year as of Dec. 3, we're very similar except much better defensively and worse offensively. However, we're trending up offensively the last few weeks...#28 offensively since the Bethune-Cookman game. One year ago today we lost by 29 at Creighton and then blew a 15-point halftime lead at Minnesota on Dec. 6. It was pretty doom and gloom on here and I'm sure no one was even dreaming of an NCAA bid. So I feel much better right now about this team than I did last year at this time. 

 

		BT Rank	ADJO	O Rk	ADJ D	D Rk
2023	7-1 record	42	116.8	28	100.8	132
2024	6-1 record	40	111.6	64	95.8	24
		NET	KPI	SOR	BPI	KP
2023	23-11 record	33	27	24	37	29
2024	6-1 record	43	28	40	37	47

 

When you compare our current resume numbers to our final resume numbers above, it's looking pretty good considering our schedule is only going to get harder. Last year our metrics were way, way worse this time of year and we spent all season climbing from the abyss. We just need to get through the 3 Hawaii games and Southern without a bad L. The one thing last year's team had going for it was no bad non-conference losses. Selection Sunday would be a lot less stressful if we go 3-0 in Hawaii, and given the field, we should be the favorite to win the tournament and I hope we play like it. 

 

Point of clarification.  The Creighton loss was at home last year.

 

Also, if (when) we lose at MSU on Saturday, I'm sure there'll be plenty of doom and gloom around here.

[bigred4]

We really need a 3rd person step up and be a semi consistent 3 point shooter outside of Connor and Brice.  Griffiths is who I am hoping, but has struggled so far.

Edited December 3 by bigred4

[hugh42]

On paper and on the floor, better than a year ago. More depth than last year at every position and better size and athleticism. CE is about as good of a replacement for KT as we could have hoped for and BB has been better than expected (hopefully his injured groin won't keep him out long). We're still not hitting on all cylinders but we are getting better with each outing. If GG gets it going we will be even better.

[Norm Peterson]

49 minutes ago, bigred4 said:

We really need a 3rd person step up and be a semi consistent 3 point shooter outside of Connor and Brice.  Griffiths is who I am hoping, but has struggled so far.

 

Don't look now, but Andrew Morgan is hitting at 40% (small sample size, but still.)

 

Nevertheless, point taken. We need a semi-volume shooter hitting high 30s in addition to Essegian and Williams.

[millerhusker]

I have a controversial opinion that I hesitate to post here, but here goes... Connor Essegian is a better player than Keisei.

 

However, Keisei could light a fire under a team, and a whole arena, unlike any player we've had here since probably T Lue. Momentum and belief is worth a lot in college basketball. 

[Handy Johnson]

You can’t Teach Height. 

[GhostOfJoeMcCray]

22 minutes ago, 49r said:

 

Point of clarification.  The Creighton loss was at home last year.

 

Also, if (when) we lose at MSU on Saturday, I'm sure there'll be plenty of doom and gloom around here.

thanks. Fixed it. 

[hskr4life]

1 hour ago, 49r said:

 

Also, if (when) we lose at MSU on Saturday, I'm sure there'll be plenty of doom and gloom around here.

 

It'll be more about HOW we lose IF we lose. If it's close and we lose by a bucket or two, not as much as if we lose by 10-15 points.

[Huskerpapa]

13 minutes ago, millerhusker said:

I have a controversial opinion that I hesitate to post here, but here goes... Connor Essegian is a better player than Keisei.

 

However, Keisei could light a fire under a team, and a whole arena, unlike any player we've had here since probably T Lue. Momentum and belief is worth a lot in college basketball. 

Not controversial at all.  Yet, the shot needs to be there all season 

[hskr4life]

14 minutes ago, millerhusker said:

I have a controversial opinion that I hesitate to post here, but here goes... Connor Essegian is a better player than Keisei.

 

However, Keisei could light a fire under a team, and a whole arena, unlike any player we've had here since probably T Lue. Momentum and belief is worth a lot in college basketball. 

 

If Conner keeps shooting the way he has been, he's going to start drawing a lot of D (like Keisei did).

 

If he gets to that point and performs, it definitely will be a conversation. Now, the question is whether Conner will start drawing the best defender and will teams start keying him?

[hhcmatt]

8 minutes ago, millerhusker said:

I have a controversial opinion that I hesitate to post here, but here goes... Connor Essegian is a better player than Keisei.

 

However, Keisei could light a fire under a team, and a whole arena, unlike any player we've had here since probably T Lue. Momentum and belief is worth a lot in college basketball. 

 

I don't think this is as controversial as you think. Connor might not have the same crazy range but he's got the savvy Keisei didn't really have in drawing contact and shot selection. 

[Vinny]

I said a little better but more importantly, I think that they’re ahead of where last year’s team was at this point. Not shooting the three well the first few games made us have to figure out other ways to score. We can get to the line and are good once we’re there. On defense we’re long and can rotate a lot of guys in without much of a dip in performance. I’m almost talking myself into saying “better than last year”. 

 

Right now, maybe a little better than a year ago. But our ceiling appears like it could be much higher than last year. Just gotta keep climbing to it, and when we get there we’ll be better than last year.

[kldm64]

3 hours ago, Navin R. Johnson said:

 

I said the same thing about GG being an X factor earlier.  I like our team, but would really like it if we had another shooter off the bench.  Connor and Brice have proved they can hit 3's.  I don't expect Connor to be this hot every game, especially when defenders get more athletic in the Big Ten, thus the need for another shooter.  Gary will knock one down once in a while, Sam might be starting to come around again like his Frosh year but his size limits him so we are back to GG.  If GG does not find his stroke do you burn Janowski's redshirt?  How long to you give GG to get it going from the arc before you go to Jano?  I'm guessing coach will not burn the redshirt and ride the team he has.  The problem with the redshirt in today's world is it often gives that player another year.........with another team.

 

No way do you switch out Janowski for GG.  That make no sense at all.  It's way more of a risk to go with an unproven freshman over a kid with a year of Big 10 experience.  Gavin was solid at Rutgers so give him some more time.  He just needs to have a "break out" game like Conner did.   

[Norm Peterson]

1 hour ago, millerhusker said:

I have a controversial opinion that I hesitate to post here, but here goes... Connor Essegian is a better player than Keisei.

 

However, Keisei could light a fire under a team, and a whole arena, unlike any player we've had here since probably T Lue. Momentum and belief is worth a lot in college basketball. 

 

I've been kind of afraid to say the same thing. Keisei did a lot. But, so far, Connor has shot it as well, probably plays better defense, is certainly longer, and I would say he's more athletic. Both moved really well without the ball. In fact, relentless movers without the ball. Connor's hoops IQ is way up there. Does he do more for you than Meah? If so, Meah to the bench, Berke to the paint and shift everyone up a spot to make room. But Connor's getting starters minutes anyway. Braxton is there for the opening tip.

[cornfed24-7]

1 hour ago, millerhusker said:

I have a controversial opinion that I hesitate to post here, but here goes... Connor Essegian is a better player than Keisei.

 

However, Keisei could light a fire under a team, and a whole arena, unlike any player we've had here since probably T Lue. Momentum and belief is worth a lot in college basketball. 

I think it's a fair opinion. It's more a matter of sample size. Can Essegian keep doing it? Can he average 20pts in BigTen play? We shall see.