Sai or Smith or both?

[GATA]

OK, so we struck out on Atewe, and it's questionable whether we're really missing out on anything. So let's move on to what's next. We know we have 2013 offers out to Sai and Smith. Do you want Smith or Sai or do you want both?

 

I'm taking both.

 

I like Sai as an athletic sophomore-to-be who can grow with this group of Huskers. Let's take a look at the group of freshmen and sophomores we'll could roll out next season:

 

C: Pitchford and Vucetic (if he stays): Pitchford provides good size and can stretch the court, but he needs refinement down in the paint. As for SV, I'm still hoding out hope that he can develop into a solid big man. It might not happen next season, but I think he can be a good player by his junior year.

 

PF: Fuller (3/4 tweener) and Sai: Ideally, Fuller isn't a PF, but he should be able to play some minutes there. He's another guy who can stretch the floor, but can also handle the ball and pass a little bit. As for Sai, he's a great athlete who can shoot a little bit. That's about all I know about him.

 

SF: Shields and Petteway: Shields will be a rock-solid B1G player for four years. I think we all see that. Petteway is a bit of a wildcard. Some one board hear great things from practice, while others haven't. At the very least, he seems like an athletic slasher who can handle the ball and GATA on defense. He'll bring an edge with him on the court.

 

SG: Hawkins: The guy is a shooter. Unlike Gallegos, it appears he isn't a one-dimensional player. He has some point guard skills, though I think he's more of a shooting guard. He might be the most underrated of our 2013 newcomers.

 

PG: Webster and Parker: Obviously we're all excited about Webster's upside. I think he'll need some time to adapt to the U.S. and to a higher level of competition night in and night out and he might need a season with Gallegos to straighten out his long-distance shooting. As for Parker, I don't have a ton of optimism there. However, he has experience in the system and can be a pesky defensive players. Maybe all he needs is an offseason to get healthy and to work on his jumper.

 

Regardless, that's an awfully nice group to build around for the next THREE years. Obviously the front court needs work, and really needs someone to absorb some minutes while Sai and Fuller fill out and Pitchford learns post moves and while Vucetic (if he stays) gets stronger.

 

That brings us to Leslee Smith. If nothing else, he brings some brawn to our team, and that's something we sorely need, especially in the rough-and-tough Big Ten. While he won't be a difference maker for us, he will be someone who should be able to provide decent minutes while only taking a scholarship for two seasons as we look for higher-upside players.

 

So, yeah, we missed out on Atewe, but I couldn't be more optimistic about our future. I'm excited to see this team grow up over the next three seasons.

[FredsSlacks]

I think we should just take Sai and embrace the small ball next year. If the small ball doesn't work, then we can get some monster bigs in the 2014 class. I'm not sure Smith is going to give us much. He's only 6'7/6'8. If he was 6'10, It'd be another story.

 

C pitchford

pf shields

sf petteway

sg gallegos

pg webster

 

C Vucetic

pf Tummala/rivers

sf Fuller

sg hawkins

pg parker/ biggs

[Norm Peterson]

One of the media types yesterday described Smith as being 6'9" and 250#.  That's decent size.  He'd contribute more right away than Atewe would have and he only takes up a scholarship spot for 2 seasons before it's available again for the 2015 class.  I'd say if he's willing to come, take him.

 

And calling Sai an athlete who can shoot a little is like calling Fred Astaire an actor who could dance a little.

 

Sai can shoot.  The combination of his video and his season stats prove that.

[49r]

so, Norm, that would put you in the "both" category then?  

[MandRHusker]

I am in the "both" category too. We need an unmovable object inside to help secure the middle. Smith can fill this role. And we need an athletic 4 who can do it all, like Sai. This would be the perfect combination! I'm not saying that Smith is a world beater but if he just givess us 10-15 quality minutes I would be happy. And Sai seems to be ideal to fill the role of the athletic 4.

[Badgett Fan]

 

Regardless, that's an awfully nice group to build around for the next THREE seasons.

Absolutely some nice pieces. But, I would be surprised if the staff plans on having nine scholarships tied up for the next three years with that complete group of guys. When you consider that only Gallegos definitely leaves after next season (correct, right?), that would really limit recruiting options for next year and even beyond. Just seems like too many scholarship eggs in one basket, so to speak. Maybe, with a redshirt or two in there, the staff can balance out the classes a bit more. More likely though, some of the listed guys will not be Huskers for the next three seasons. Otherwise, there is little that can be done until the 2015 class to inject more talent for a team that will soon be competing in a 14 team league that is likely to only get better with the addition of Maryland.

[hskr4life]

Both... Two different pieces you have here.  One could have a big role... the other more of a smaller role.

[Norm Peterson]

 

Regardless, that's an awfully nice group to build around for the next THREE seasons.

Absolutely some nice pieces. But, I would be surprised if the staff plans on having nine scholarships tied up for the next three years with that complete group of guys. When you consider that only Gallegos definitely leaves after next season (correct, right?), that would really limit recruiting options for next year and even beyond. Just seems like too many scholarship eggs in one basket, so to speak. Maybe, with a redshirt or two in there, the staff can balance out the classes a bit more. More likely though, some of the listed guys will not be Huskers for the next three seasons. Otherwise, there is little that can be done until the 2015 class to inject more talent for a team that will soon be competing in a 14 team league that is likely to only get better with the addition of Maryland.

You mean other than Pitchford and Petteway jumping to the NBA next year?

[hskr4life]

 

Regardless, that's an awfully nice group to build around for the next THREE seasons.

Absolutely some nice pieces. But, I would be surprised if the staff plans on having nine scholarships tied up for the next three years with that complete group of guys. When you consider that only Gallegos definitely leaves after next season (correct, right?), that would really limit recruiting options for next year and even beyond. Just seems like too many scholarship eggs in one basket, so to speak. Maybe, with a redshirt or two in there, the staff can balance out the classes a bit more. More likely though, some of the listed guys will not be Huskers for the next three seasons. Otherwise, there is little that can be done until the 2015 class to inject more talent for a team that will soon be competing in a 14 team league that is likely to only get better with the addition of Maryland.

 

Leslee would be a JR, so his scholarship would free up after 2 years.  I think we are slowly balancing out the classes. 

 

SR: Gallegos

JR: Biggs, Rivers, (Leslee Smith)

SO: Petteway, Pitchford, Parker, Shields, Serj, (Sai Tumalla)

FR: Fuller, Hawkins, Webster

 

Like many have said, if Serj or Parker transfers, that scholarship would probably go to a 1 year SR or saved for next year.  So we would probably have a 2, 3, 5, 3 ratio.  Not a terrible balance.

[Norm Peterson]

 

 

Regardless, that's an awfully nice group to build around for the next THREE seasons.

Absolutely some nice pieces. But, I would be surprised if the staff plans on having nine scholarships tied up for the next three years with that complete group of guys. When you consider that only Gallegos definitely leaves after next season (correct, right?), that would really limit recruiting options for next year and even beyond. Just seems like too many scholarship eggs in one basket, so to speak. Maybe, with a redshirt or two in there, the staff can balance out the classes a bit more. More likely though, some of the listed guys will not be Huskers for the next three seasons. Otherwise, there is little that can be done until the 2015 class to inject more talent for a team that will soon be competing in a 14 team league that is likely to only get better with the addition of Maryland.

 

Leslee would be a JR, so his scholarship would free up after 2 years.  I think we are slowly balancing out the classes. 

 

SR: Gallegos

JR: Biggs, Rivers, (Leslee Smith)

SO: Petteway, Pitchford, Parker, Shields, Serj, (Sai Tumalla)

FR: Fuller, Hawkins, Webster

 

Like many have said, if Serj or Parker transfers, that scholarship would probably go to a 1 year SR or saved for next year.  So we would probably have a 2, 3, 5, 3 ratio.  Not a terrible balance.

It would make sense under hskr4life's scenario that Sergej redshirt next year and effectively drop into the next freshman class.  That way, the sophomore class would have 5 and the freshman class would have 4.  Three juniors and 1 senior round out 13.

[TheKamdyMan]

Regardless, that's an awfully nice group to build around for the next THREE seasons.

Absolutely some nice pieces. But, I would be surprised if the staff plans on having nine scholarships tied up for the next three years with that complete group of guys. When you consider that only Gallegos definitely leaves after next season (correct, right?), that would really limit recruiting options for next year and even beyond. Just seems like too many scholarship eggs in one basket, so to speak. Maybe, with a redshirt or two in there, the staff can balance out the classes a bit more. More likely though, some of the listed guys will not be Huskers for the next three seasons. Otherwise, there is little that can be done until the 2015 class to inject more talent for a team that will soon be competing in a 14 team league that is likely to only get better with the addition of Maryland.

Leslee would be a JR, so his scholarship would free up after 2 years. I think we are slowly balancing out the classes.

SR: Gallegos

JR: Biggs, Rivers, (Leslee Smith)

SO: Petteway, Pitchford, Parker, Shields, Serj, (Sai Tumalla)

FR: Fuller, Hawkins, Webster

Like many have said, if Serj or Parker transfers, that scholarship would probably go to a 1 year SR or saved for next year. So we would probably have a 2, 3, 5, 3 ratio. Not a terrible balance.

It would make sense under hskr4life's scenario that Sergej redshirt next year and effectively drop into the next freshman class. That way, the sophomore class would have 5 and the freshman class would have 4. Three juniors and 1 senior round out 13.

Only if you plan on keeping him for 5 years is it worth redshirting serj for the benefits of both parties. You don't redshirt a guy his sophomore year if you don't think he will be playing for you the following 3 years.

[FredsSlacks]

One of the media types yesterday described Smith as being 6'9" and 250#.  That's decent size.  He'd contribute more right away than Atewe would have and he only takes up a scholarship spot for 2 seasons before it's available again for the 2015 class.  I'd say if he's willing to come, take him.

 

And calling Sai an athlete who can shoot a little is like calling Fred Astaire an actor who could dance a little.

 

Sai can shoot.  The combination of his video and his season stats prove that.

ehhh he's probably 6'8 with shoes on, bad acl, and probably our 8th choice for a power forward.

 

I'd feel more comfortable with a grad transfer or two at this point, but maybe that scenario is not possible.

 

It would also help if we knew if Parker and Vucetic were going to be around for the long haul.

[Huskerpapa]

Both...unless, of course, we have another "ace" in the hole.

[Norm Peterson]

 

 

 

Regardless, that's an awfully nice group to build around for the next THREE seasons.

Absolutely some nice pieces. But, I would be surprised if the staff plans on having nine scholarships tied up for the next three years with that complete group of guys. When you consider that only Gallegos definitely leaves after next season (correct, right?), that would really limit recruiting options for next year and even beyond. Just seems like too many scholarship eggs in one basket, so to speak. Maybe, with a redshirt or two in there, the staff can balance out the classes a bit more. More likely though, some of the listed guys will not be Huskers for the next three seasons. Otherwise, there is little that can be done until the 2015 class to inject more talent for a team that will soon be competing in a 14 team league that is likely to only get better with the addition of Maryland.

Leslee would be a JR, so his scholarship would free up after 2 years. I think we are slowly balancing out the classes.

SR: Gallegos

JR: Biggs, Rivers, (Leslee Smith)

SO: Petteway, Pitchford, Parker, Shields, Serj, (Sai Tumalla)

FR: Fuller, Hawkins, Webster

Like many have said, if Serj or Parker transfers, that scholarship would probably go to a 1 year SR or saved for next year. So we would probably have a 2, 3, 5, 3 ratio. Not a terrible balance.

It would make sense under hskr4life's scenario that Sergej redshirt next year and effectively drop into the next freshman class. That way, the sophomore class would have 5 and the freshman class would have 4. Three juniors and 1 senior round out 13.

Only if you plan on keeping him for 5 years is it worth redshirting serj for the benefits of both parties. You don't redshirt a guy his sophomore year if you don't think he will be playing for you the following 3 years.

Agreed.  But I said under that scenario, which seemed to suggest Serge would remain on the team.

[Concrete]

If we get both I'll forget about Atewe pretty quickly.  Really don't think there would be a huge difference between Smith and Atewe as far as total production over the next two years goes considering how raw Atewe is offensively.

[HuskerCager]

I just hope Miles and his staff take a really hard look at both and not take anyone unless they really believe they are going to improve our roster.  I have my doubts, especially with Smith.  Seems like a poor-man's Q.H.C.

I would hope the staff is recruiting their butts off for 2014, but it does no good if you have only 1 scholarship to give next year.

[nebrasketball10]

I just hope Miles and his staff take a really hard look at both and not take anyone unless they really believe they are going to improve our roster. I have my doubts, especially with Smith. Seems like a poor-man's Q.H.C.

I would hope the staff is recruiting their butts off for 2014, but it does no good if you have only 1 scholarship to give next year.

Haha a poor man's QHC. Perfect

[Norm Peterson]

I just hope Miles and his staff take a really hard look at both and not take anyone unless they really believe they are going to improve our roster. I have my doubts, especially with Smith. Seems like a poor-man's Q.H.C.

I would hope the staff is recruiting their butts off for 2014, but it does no good if you have only 1 scholarship to give next year.

Haha a poor man's QHC. Perfect

Considering that QHC was already a poor man's someone else, does that mean Leslee Smith is the basketball version of the guy sleeping in a cardboard box under the bridge?

[twinswingohuskers]

The biggest problem with JC guys is that it seems like they don't really show up until their last year.   I would still prefer a JC big and either a HS big or save that other scholarship for next year.

[nustudent]

I want Smith...lukewarm on Sai.

[GATA]

I want Smith...lukewarm on Sai.

 

The way some have talked about him as a shooter and an athlete, I wonder why more schools aren't after him. Plus, he's a great student to boot. There must be something missing...

[nustudent]

I want Smith...lukewarm on Sai.

 

The way some have talked about him as a shooter and an athlete, I wonder why more schools aren't after him. Plus, he's a great student to boot. There must be something missing...

For me it's about filling a void moreso than the perceived talent.   We have some guys on the roster that are somewhat similar to Sai (Shields, Rivers) but we don't have anyone like Smith.

[49r]

 

I just hope Miles and his staff take a really hard look at both and not take anyone unless they really believe they are going to improve our roster. I have my doubts, especially with Smith. Seems like a poor-man's Q.H.C.

I would hope the staff is recruiting their butts off for 2014, but it does no good if you have only 1 scholarship to give next year.

Haha a poor man's QHC. Perfect

Considering that QHC was already a poor man's someone else, does that mean Leslee Smith is the basketball version of the guy sleeping in a cardboard box under the bridge?

Cardboard box? Luxury!!!

 

[Norm Peterson]

I see what you're saying, nustudent, about one of them filling a void.  And that's true.  Still, having a 6'7" kid who can knock down 40%+ from three would be nice regardless of who we already have because I don't think there's anyone on the current roster who quite does that.  Maybe next year with Fuller.

[GATA]

I see what you're saying, nustudent, about one of them filling a void.  And that's true.  Still, having a 6'7" kid who can knock down 40%+ from three would be nice regardless of who we already have because I don't think there's anyone on the current roster who quite does that.  Maybe next year with Fuller.

 

Hawkins is supposed to be a pretty good shooter, too.

 

But I would caution against relying on Juco numbers too heavily. There are a lot of atrocious defensive teams out there. He probably won't get nearly as many clean looks in the B1G.