Sai or Smith or both?

[nustudent]

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.

It'd be one thing if he was a sure fire recruit...he's not.   A decent prospect but not can't miss.   I'd really like to see us hold a spot back for next year (or a senior transfer coming in-eligible immediately).

 

If Vooch or BP leaves...then I'd be for it.

 

I think it's important to remember we are still building...Miles exceeded all expectations this year but that doesn't mean we are ready for the primetime next year.  That's why I wouldn't mind seeing us hold a spot back unless we have a stud in the mix

[Nebrasketballer]

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.

I agree with most of what you said in your post.  I am definitely voting for BOTH.

 

This is what I think the lineup would be if Nebraska was able to sign both Tummala and Smith:

 

Starters:

1 - Biggs

2 - Petteway

3 - Shields

4 - Tummala

5 - Pitchford

 

1st off of the Bench

1 - Webster

2 - Gallegos

3 - Fuller

4 - Rivers

5 - Smith

 

I think that Biggs would start the season at the PG spot, while Webster adjusts to the college game in the US and if the transition is smooth, then I could see Webster challenging for the starting spot by the time B1G play rolls around.  If he somehow comes in ready to play from the beginning, then I would think that Webster would get the starting spot right away, but that would be asking alot considering some of the competition he has faced.

 

If Nebraska is able to sign a grad transfer at the 5 spot (which I think is the best case scenario), then I think that Smith would slide over to the 4 spot off of the bench and then maybe Rivers and Fuller would split time coming off of the bench at the 3 spot.  If Fuller comes in and can play at the level that most of us are hoping he can right away, then I think that Rivers could end up being the odd man out for consistent playing time in this scenario.

 

I feel like Norm and I must have watched different video of Tummala than alot of others must have, because I , like Norm, am very impressed with Tummala's video and I think he is a steal if Nebraska can sign him.  Especially considering that he will have 3 years of eligibility.   

 

I don't really see either Vucetic or Parker being any sort of factor in the rotation, regardless of if they remain on the roster or not.

[Hooper]

I'm very high on Sai Tummala. We've all seen the videos. He has a lot of very nice aspects to his game, and it's obvious that he's a smart guy who's serious about improving and has worked on his game a lot. He seems similar to Shields in some ways to me, and their body types are similar.

 

I hope we can get him in for a visit in the next couple of weeks and get him on board. However, I've seen some refer to him as a power forward. What he is, to me, is another skilled, athletic wing who could definitely help us and bolster our depth, but I certainly don't consider him to be a legitimate solution to our need to bring bigs into the program, because at 6-6, 215, he's not a big man any more than Shavon is. I still want him though.

[Nebrasketballer]

I'm very high on Sai Tummala. We've all seen the videos. He has a lot of very nice aspects to his game, and it's obvious that he's a smart guy who's serious about improving and has worked on his game a lot. He seems similar to Shields in some ways to me, and their body types are similar.

 

I hope we can get him in for a visit in the next couple of weeks and get him on board. However, I've seen some refer to him as a power forward. What he is, to me, is another skilled, athletic wing who could definitely help us and bolster our depth, but I certainly don't consider him to be a legitimate solution to our need to bring bigs into the program, because at 6-6, 215, he's not a big man any more than Shavon is. I still want him though.

I haven't seen Tummala listed at 6'6" anywhere.  Everywhere that I have seen has him listed at 6'7", 215 lbs.

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/nebraska/basketball/recruiting/player-Sai-Tummala-150220

 

As far as the PF position, I just refer to him playing the PF (4) position, because that is what position is left over when you slot guys into the 1, 2, 3, and 5 spots.  I don't think anyone would consider him to be the physical bruiser down low, but that doesn't mean that he can't play the 4 spot.  Like I have referenced before, Doug McDermott is 6'8", 220 lbs.  He plays that 4 spot, and he is not a bruiser down low.  His ball handling, quickness, post moves, and shooting touch help to make up for him being an inch or two shorter and 10-15 lbs lighter than some people would like to see.  I think people get too hung up on the "Power" part of Power Forward.  I think maybe people should just think about it as Nebraska having 2 forwards.

 

I think when people are concerned about his size, they are failing to also consider how much it can stress a bigger defender to have to come out and guard a guy like Tummala in space when he is at the 3-point line.  That gives him the opportunity to either blow by the bigger defender and use his quickness to take it to the rack.  It helps to take that defender out of the lane, which opens up the middle for the rest of Nebraska's players to get into the lane.  It also takes that defender out of rebounding position down in the paint.  And if the defender decides to not to come all the way out to cover him, then Tummala will hit the 3pointer 40% of the time.

[Hooper]

I'm not failing to consider how a player like this can stress a bigger defender, but I'm also not failing to consider how having a guy like this at the 4, without a legitimate center on the court, will get you annihilated on the boards, with little ability to secure rebounds on either side of the court, consequently giving your opponent 1, 2 or 3 opportunities to score each time down the court, and often getting only one yourself. That's a recipe for losing game after game in the B1G.

 

Again, I love Sai. All I'm saying is that some people are acting as if he's a power forward, and he's not even close to being one.

[TheKamdyMan]

I'm not failing to consider how a player like this can stress a bigger defender, but I'm also not failing to consider how having a guy like this at the 4, without a legitimate center on the court, will get you annihilated on the boards, with little ability to secure rebounds on either side of the court, consequently giving your opponent 1, 2 or 3 opportunities to score each time down the court, and often getting only one yourself. That's a recipe for losing game after game in the B1G.

 

Again, I love Sai. All I'm saying is that some people are acting as if he's a power forward, and he's not even close to being one.

 

Nebraska played about 15 teams with pf's his size this past season.

[bobcat402]

the power forward position has evolved so much over the past 20 years, it’s time for a new definition, depending on your team needs is what you’re looking for in a Forward, for example space and pace teams that are the NBA like Miami, or in college ball, like UNC use that hybrid 4, where there 6'7-6'9 but can move like a guard, they may get out physically played but often times there advantages outweigh their weakness, than some teams or bruise and plod ala Michigan State, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Celtics use that classic bruiser power forward quasi center, the Hurricanes  had several of those this year on their team

. Than you have that stretch four that teams are always looking for, so i dont think by any means there is a classic power foward anymore

[NUdiehard]

I'm very high on Sai Tummala. We've all seen the videos. He has a lot of very nice aspects to his game, and it's obvious that he's a smart guy who's serious about improving and has worked on his game a lot. He seems similar to Shields in some ways to me, and their body types are similar.

 

I hope we can get him in for a visit in the next couple of weeks and get him on board. However, I've seen some refer to him as a power forward. What he is, to me, is another skilled, athletic wing who could definitely help us and bolster our depth, but I certainly don't consider him to be a legitimate solution to our need to bring bigs into the program, because at 6-6, 215, he's not a big man any more than Shavon is. I still want him though.

I haven't seen Tummala listed at 6'6" anywhere.  Everywhere that I have seen has him listed at 6'7", 215 lbs.

 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/nebraska/basketball/recruiting/player-Sai-Tummala-150220

He was listed as 6'6" on the Michigan roster last year:

 

http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/tummala_sai00.html

 

He may have grown an inch since then, but that is unlikely.  Most likely his juco embellished his height as they often do.

 

I agree 100% with Hooper on this one.  I don't see him as a true PF at all.  I would bet that Shields is taller than Sai.  Not saying he wouildn't play some PF here at NU if he signs, but he is not a true PF.  And yes, he may be able to create some mismatches when on the offensive end, but again, people seem to forget about the defensive end and rebounding, which is crucial. 

[Hooper]

Guys, we're getting caught up in nomenclature here. Replace "power forward" or "center" with "guys who can play in the paint, match up physically with players like Adriean Payne, Cody Zeller and Trevor Mbakwe and secure rebounds." 

 

Sai is not that player any more so than Shavon Shields is.

[TomEadesSucks]

Maybe the greatest rebounding power foward of all time was 6'7" and 220. Just sayin'. 

[Hooper]

Maybe the greatest rebounding power foward of all time was 6'7" and 220. Just sayin'. 

 

Citing outliers as a way to support a premise is not convincing to me. Just because Charles Barkley, for example, could dominate on the boards at 6'4" doesn't mean that the other 99.9% of the basketball playing population can.

 

A 6-6, 215-lb. guy who's more of a finesse player than a power player is not going to be able to battle the bigs in the Conference for rebounds or guard them effectively in the paint.

 

People want to talk about Michigan as a team that plays small, and I understand that they play small, but you can do that when you have a guy like Mitch McGary at the 5. We don't have that.

 

My point is that we'd better have at least one big on the court who can defend and rebound, or it's going to be a very frustrating season watching at team that can't rebound the basketball or defend the low post.

[Nebrasketballer]

Guys, we're getting caught up in nomenclature here. Replace "power forward" or "center" with "guys who can play in the paint, match up physically with players like Adriean Payne, Cody Zeller and Trevor Mbakwe and secure rebounds." 

 

Sai is not that player any more so than Shavon Shields is.

Sai has displayed much better post up moves than Shields has.  Sai has also shown the ability to shoot the turnaround hook shot, which allows him to us his body to create space between the ball and the defender.

 

Again, Doug McDermott is 6'8", 220 lbs, played the 4 Spot and has just become a repeat selection on the AP All-American team.  McDermott played next to a Center (Echenique) that is 6'9", 260 lbs.  The two post players that Tummala would likely be playing next to would be Smith (currently 6'8", 250 lbs) and Pitchford (currently 6'10", 230 lbs).  It would not be out of the realm of possibility for both Smith and Pitchford to put on 10-15 lbs before next season.

[Hooper]

Doug McDermott is an unusual player in a number of ways, and hardly the template for either the 3 or 4 spot. He's also a good two inches taller than Sai Tummala. He's also a big pussy, to be honest. Finally, as you indicated, he had Echenique playing next to him, which made all the difference in the world.

 

I'm not saying we absolutely must have two power players on the court at all times. What I'm saying is that we'd better have at least one out there most of the time.

 

I'm glad to have Leslee Smith on board given the alternatives available, but Smith has a reputation for being "soft" according to one JUCO coach in his conference, and he needs to turn up the aggression big-time from what I've heard.

 

Walter Pitchford is a big wing who jokingly refers to himself as a "6-9 shooting guard." He has virtually no big man training whatsoever according to one Husker AC, and has very little in terms of a post-up offensive game. The jury is out big-time on Pitchford's ability to play as a big at this level. It's uncharted territory.

[Nebrasketballer]

Guys, we're getting caught up in nomenclature here. Replace "power forward" or "center" with "guys who can play in the paint, match up physically with players like Adriean Payne, Cody Zeller and Trevor Mbakwe and secure rebounds."

 

Sai is not that player any more so than Shavon Shields is.

Matching up with Zeller:

Syracuse just knocked off Indiana in the NCAA tourney.  They have 1 player on their roster that is taller than 6'9".  That is their Center and he is 6'10", 215 lbs.  Not your prototypical bruiser in the paint.  Pitchford is 6'10", 230 lbs.

 

Matching up with Mbakwe:

Florida just knocked off Minnesota in the NCAA tourney.  Florida has 7 players on their roster listed as either Forward or Center.  They are listed as 6'8", 205 lbs / 6'10", 228 lbs / 6'10", 238 lbs / 6'6", 208 lbs / 6'6", 191 lbs / 6'9", 249 lbs.  These sizes would resemble Nebraska's if they are able to sign Tummala and Smith in addition to Pitchford already being on the roster.

 

Ole Miss knocked Wisconsin out of the NCAA tourney.  Their tallest player is 6'9" and their Center is only 6'8".

 

I'm not saying that Nebraska shouldn't go after the guys that are 6'10"-7'0" 250-270 lbs, because I think that they should.  But I also believe that there is more than 1 type of player that can help Nebraska win games.  It will take Nebraksa winning some games in order to be able to attract recruits that have that type of size and also have the skill level to make them useful on the court.

[Hooper]

People are getting too caught up with height in this discussion IMO. I'm not saying we need a bunch of giants. What I'm saying is that we need power players on the court who can defend the opponent's big men and keep us in the rebounding battle. If you can't do those two things, you're not going to win very many games in the B1G. Whatever shape or size those players come in, we need more of them, and Sai Tummala simply isn't in that mold.

 

Again, I like Sai and would consider him to be a valuable addition to the team, but he's not a power player. He's not a guy who can be asked to battle bigs for rebounds consistently or defend them in the low post. That's all I'm saying. 

[Norm Peterson]

Maybe the greatest rebounding power foward of all time was 6'7" and 220. Just sayin'. 

 

Citing outliers as a way to support a premise is not convincing to me. Just because Charles Barkley, for example, could dominate on the boards at 6'4" doesn't mean that the other 99.9% of the basketball playing population can.

 

A 6-6, 215-lb. guy who's more of a finesse player than a power player is not going to be able to battle the bigs in the Conference for rebounds or guard them effectively in the paint.

 

People want to talk about Michigan as a team that plays small, and I understand that they play small, but you can do that when you have a guy like Mitch McGary at the 5. We don't have that.

 

My point is that we'd better have at least one big on the court who can defend and rebound, or it's going to be a very frustrating season watching at team that can't rebound the basketball or defend the low post.

He wasn't talking about Charles Barkley.  Charles last saw 215# sometime in 5th grade.

 

I'm thinking he was talking about the USA's new ambassador to North Korea.

[Nebrasketballer]

Doug McDermott is an unusual player in a number of ways, and hardly the template for either the 3 or 4 spot. He's also a good two inches taller than Sai Tummala. He's also a big pussy, to be honest. Finally, as you indicated, he had Echenique playing next to him, which made all the difference in the world.

 

I'm not saying we absolutely must have two power players on the court at all times. What I'm saying is that we'd better have at least out there most of the time.

 

I'm glad to have Leslee Smith on board given the alternatives available, but Smith has a reputation for being "soft" according to one JUCO coach in his conference, and he needs to turn up the aggression big-time from what I've heard.

 

Walter Pitchford is a big wing who jokingly refers to himself as a "6-9 shooting guard." He has virtually no big man training whatsoever according to one Husker AC, and has very little in terms of a post-up offensive game. The jury is out big-time on Pitchford's ability to play as a big at this level. It's uncharted territory.

Well he is listed at 6'8", 220 lbs and Tummala is listed at 6'7", 215 lbs...

 

Also, if McDermott is a "big pussy", then he is a "big pussy" that just has just become a repeat selection as an AP All-American.  I would take a guy that you condider to be a "big pussy", if he can put up numbers for Nebraska that will lead to him to becoming a 2-time AP All-American selection.

 

And yes McDermott had Echinique playing next to him which made "all the difference in the world".  Echinique is listed at 6'9", 260 lbs as a senior.  If Tummala has a guy like Smith (who is listed as 6'8", 250 lbs as a sophomore) playing next to him, then that should make "all the difference in the world".  Especially because he has the ability to put on 10 lbs each season, which would have him playing at around 270 lbs his senior season.

[Norm Peterson]

I think we need one more big guy who can hold down the middle.  Needs to be an athlete.  Maybe Smith is the guy.  As for our last spot, I like Sai.  I don't care if you put him at the 4 or the 3 or the 2.  He's shown the ability to do some valuable things on the basketball floor.  As Miles likes to say, "Players make plays."  Sai Tummala is a player.  He would have been our best shooter if he'd been on our team this year.  He also can post up.  You say Pitchford has no low post moves?  Well, Sai does.  I'd like a big dude.  But I also like what Sai can do.

[Nebrasketballer]

I think we need one more big guy who can hold down the middle.  Needs to be an athlete.  Maybe Smith is the guy.  As for our last spot, I like Sai.  I don't care if you put him at the 4 or the 3 or the 2.  He's shown the ability to do some valuable things on the basketball floor.  As Miles likes to say, "Players make plays."  Sai Tummala is a player.  He would have been our best shooter if he'd been on our team this year.  He also can post up.  You say Pitchford has no low post moves?  Well, Sai does.  I'd like a big dude.  But I also like what Sai can do.

I agree 100%.  Smith is 'N', so now it's all about Tummala.  Also, I wouldn't count out the possibility of a grad transfer who is a bruiser for the Center spot.  Like when Oriakhi transfered to Missouri for this season.

[Hooper]

Doug McDermott is an unusual player in a number of ways, and hardly the template for either the 3 or 4 spot. He's also a good two inches taller than Sai Tummala. He's also a big pussy, to be honest. Finally, as you indicated, he had Echenique playing next to him, which made all the difference in the world.

 

I'm not saying we absolutely must have two power players on the court at all times. What I'm saying is that we'd better have at least out there most of the time.

 

I'm glad to have Leslee Smith on board given the alternatives available, but Smith has a reputation for being "soft" according to one JUCO coach in his conference, and he needs to turn up the aggression big-time from what I've heard.

 

Walter Pitchford is a big wing who jokingly refers to himself as a "6-9 shooting guard." He has virtually no big man training whatsoever according to one Husker AC, and has very little in terms of a post-up offensive game. The jury is out big-time on Pitchford's ability to play as a big at this level. It's uncharted territory.

Well he is listed at 6'8", 220 lbs and Tummala is listed at 6'7", 215 lbs...

 

Also, if McDermott is a "big pussy", then he is a "big pussy" that just has just become a repeat selection as an AP All-American.  I would take a guy that you condider to be a "big pussy", if he can put up numbers for Nebraska that will lead to him to becoming a 2-time AP All-American selection.

 

And yes McDermott had Echinique playing next to him which made "all the difference in the world".  Echinique is listed at 6'9", 260 lbs as a senior.  If Tummala has a guy like Smith (who is listed as 6'8", 250 lbs as a sophomore) playing next to him, then that should make "all the difference in the world".  Especially because he has the ability to put on 10 lbs each season, which would have him playing at around 270 lbs his senior season.

 

I'd take Dougie Buckets too, but that doesn't change my opinion that I consider him to be a bit of a pussy.

 

Echenique is a very adept and aggressive rebounder -- much more so than Smith. The knock on Smith is that, despite having the body type to play the position, he's a bit soft and lacks an aggressive mindset. He'll need to turn up the intensity quite a bit to play for Tim Miles in my opinion. If not, he'll be sitting on the bench.

 

I feel as though I'm having an extremely difficult time getting my point across in this thread. To summarize:

 

1) We need at least one true power player on the court most of the time who can defend the low post and aggressively battle for rebounds to the extent that Nebraska won't find itself at a substantial rebounding deficit relative to opponents on a game by game basis. You've got to be able to rebound the basketball to win games, period. 

 

2) Sai Tummala is more of a finesse player than a power player, and, while I like him a lot and want him on our roster very badly, I don't consider him to be a power player, but instead much more of a finesse player. We need talent and depth, period, so I'm fine with that, but my original post in this thread was in response to what I believe to be an opinion held by some here that Sai Tummala is a power player who helps solve our deficiency in that area, when I don't believe he does.

[ajb5856]

I agree with the idea of McDermott being a giant pussy. Still a great player, no denying that, but was aided immensely by having an Echinique and several shooters to relieve defensive pressure. If he does anything that doesn't involve sitting on a bench in the NBA, I will be shocked. Absolutely shocked.

[Nebrasketballer]

I agree with the idea of McDermott being a giant pussy. Still a great player, no denying that, but was aided immensely by having an Echinique and several shooters to relieve defensive pressure. If he does anything that doesn't involve sitting on a bench in the NBA, I will be shocked. Absolutely shocked.

I agree 1000% and I think that this is the same formula that would allow Tummala to be productive at the 4 spot.  Not saying that Tummala is the same as McDermott, but just using him as an example of how a player that is 6'8", 220 lbs (or 6'7", 215 lbs) can be successful at the 4 spot.  Just using McDermott as an example of a player that is not a powerful bruiser, but uses his ball handling skills, quickness, post moves, 3-point shooting ability to stretch a defense and be successful at the 4 spot.

[hhcmatt]

I agree with the idea of McDermott being a giant pussy. Still a great player, no denying that, but was aided immensely by having an Echinique and several shooters to relieve defensive pressure. If he does anything that doesn't involve sitting on a bench in the NBA, I will be shocked. Absolutely shocked.

I agree 1000% and I think that this is the same formula that would allow Tummala to be productive at the 4 spot.  Not saying that Tummala is the same as McDermott, but just using him as an example of how a player that is 6'8", 220 lbs (or 6'7", 215 lbs) can be successful at the 4 spot.  Just using McDermott as an example of a player that is not a powerful bruiser, but uses his ball handling skills, quickness, post moves, 3-point shooting ability to stretch a defense and be successful at the 4 spot.

 

Wouldn't they be better off if they could slot McDermott at the 3?

[Nebrasketballer]

 

I agree with the idea of McDermott being a giant pussy. Still a great player, no denying that, but was aided immensely by having an Echinique and several shooters to relieve defensive pressure. If he does anything that doesn't involve sitting on a bench in the NBA, I will be shocked. Absolutely shocked.

I agree 1000% and I think that this is the same formula that would allow Tummala to be productive at the 4 spot.  Not saying that Tummala is the same as McDermott, but just using him as an example of how a player that is 6'8", 220 lbs (or 6'7", 215 lbs) can be successful at the 4 spot.  Just using McDermott as an example of a player that is not a powerful bruiser, but uses his ball handling skills, quickness, post moves, 3-point shooting ability to stretch a defense and be successful at the 4 spot.

 

Wouldn't they be better off if they could slot McDermott at the 3?

Maybe.  Probably.  And I think the same could be the case with Nebraska and Tummala.  And I hope that in a couple of seasons, Nebraska will be able to do that.  But I think that in order to attract those types of players at the PF and C spots (that are not just big bodies, but also athletic enough to be a threat on the floor, not just a big body eating up minutes), Nebraska will have to produce some more wins on the court.  I think that in order to get those players, Nebraska will have to make due and be creative with players that are not necessarily the protypical "power" post players, in order to win games now.  I see it as a means to an end, or a transitional roster.  I think that right now Nebraska is going to have to just put a product on the floor that fans/recruits can get excited about, which will help Miles sign the more prototypical PF/C types in the 2015 class.  Again, I think it is something of a transitional roster.  And I think that with the players that seem to be available, I haven't heard of any of the 6'10", 260 lbs guys left.

 

I also would love to see Nebraska sign a grad transfer that is in the 6'10"-6'11", 260 lbs range.  I don't dislike that type of player.  I just think that Nebraska needs to make due with what's available to them, until they are in the position to start signing some of these types.

[hhcmatt]

1) We need at least one true power player on the court most of the time who can defend the low post and aggressively battle for rebounds to the extent that Nebraska won't find itself at a rebounding deficit relative to opponents on a game by game basis. You've got to be able to rebound the basketball to win games, period. 

 

2) Sai Tummala is more of a finesse player than a power player, and, while I like him a lot and want him on our roster very badly, I don't consider him to be a power player, but instead much more of a finesse player. We need talent and depth, period, so I'm fine with that, but my original post in this thread was in response to what I believe to be an opinion held by some here that Sai Tummala is a power player who helps solve our deficiency in that area, when I don't believe he does.

 

Some good points.

 

Leslee Smith and PItchford are the only 4s we have on the roster.  

It's the reason we wanted Atewe...because we have a team of 2s and 3s.

If guys have to mis-clasify anyone as a 4 it should probably be Shields.  We're going to rely on his nose for the ball to minimize the rebound deficit we'll constantly face.

 

Miles has has success before with absolutely no height/size though that was in the MWC.  

Hopefully he can do the same with what will probably be the smallest team in the B1G