Nebraska Basketball: 10-man rotation next season (maybe even 11-man rotation?)

[Hooper]

I have no real clue who the starters will be...that my friends is a good thing given the talent upgrade that has taken place.

 

That's the truth, and part of what makes this season so exciting. We have 7 new players in the mix who haven't played a single minute as a Husker, plus a wildcard in Vooch, who could miraculously turn into a contributor. 

 

It's a great time to be a Husker hoops fan. The season can't get here soon enough for me.

[royalfan]

Hopefully we have the flexibility to allow Miles to do some things this year.  Like matchup with the other team, and ride the hot hands a bit, etc. etc. 

[ajb5856]

Hopefully we have the flexibility to allow Miles to do some things this year. Like matchup with the other team, and ride the hot hands a bit, etc. etc.

Exactly. I don't think this is as easy as naming the starter at each position and then the backup at that position coming off the bench. Miles is going to have flexibility and options at each spot. We are going to see different combinations, many different lineups. We have length at every spot. We have many guys that could fill 2, 3, even 4 different positions on the floor. We are going to rebound really well out of each position. Size and style of play of the opposing bigs on the floor is going to dictate whether Miles plays Smith at the 5 or if Pitchford gets play at the 5. But then again, does it really matter what position each player on the floor is slotted to play? I think we'll see multiple scenarios where Miles goes "small". On defense, I think we will have several lineups where we can switch every screen.

[hhcmatt]

I've said it before, and I'm sure it won't be well received here, but if Nate Hawkins redshirts this year because he's not a better option than guys like Benny Parker and Mike Peltz, then he was a wasted scholarship. That may sound harsh, but there's really no justification in recruiting guards who can't immediately displace those two guys. Just my opinion.

 

He could redshirt and still be a better option.  Obviously we're talking a different era but Pike could have come in and started as a freshman.  I think that you're right though...Hawkins is ready to contribute.  I think we're always looking for one guy to redshirt and Fuller/Webster seem more ready to go.

 

Maybe one day Miles will feel comfortable enough to redshirt guys so he has fifth year seniors....had he been established enough that's the short of big man he would have found instead of Vooch.  At this point I'd feel like I need to minimally be in some sort of post season this year and win this first tourney game in 2014-15 with my 8 upperclassmen.

[basketballjones]

Gallegos is our best scoring option from basically everywhere. He'll start and I'd be willing to put money on it.

Petteway is probably our best athlete/slasher/finisher with the skills to play a lot of different roles. He's really good guys. Very long, great body, and has serious bounce.

Pritchford is an athlete for sure. Serious bounce and length. I've never spent an extensive time around NBA players - but Pritchford and Petteway have NBA type bodies in my opinion. No idea if they're that skilled but the physical presence is there.

My guess is those three start for sure. Shields is very versatile, thick, long, and incredibly crafty/smart. He'd be my next guess.

After that; you're just figuring out what you need and if any of the PGs are capable of playing. I'd throw Nick Fuller in there if it was my choice because he can flat out stroke it from anywhere.

Serge won't play any meaningful minutes, either will Hawkins, if I had to guess. Biggs will help, but don't think he'll start. David Rivers will play a lot (I REALLY liked what we saw out of him at the end of the year). And I would be willing to put good money down that Tai Webster isn't as ready as you all think he is. Just my gut feeling.

We're going to be long, athletic, versatile, and quick. We won't be able to bang, we'll struggle getting rebounds at times, and we're very inexperienced. But I think we're going to be fun to watch, and show some flashes of good stuff. Don't know how that translates to wins... BIG 10 is just too tough.

[Silverbacked1]

And we will have "the bro" Peltz to kick the crap out of somebody if needed.

 

Or dive on the floor or try to take a charge, something to get the crowd into it.

[tcp]

i'm taking all this casually. I'm pretty happy just to field a full team this season. I'm equally happy to leave who plays when up to the coaching staff.

 

I still think most likely we're another year off from making any noise in the B1G. Far too many new parts and too much inexperience.

 

I am definitely looking forward to the money season in 2014, though. That third year tends to be the maker/breaker for all the "5 year plans" approaches out there.

[Nebrasketballer]

As I said on another thread our line up might change from game to game depending on what the other team has to bring to the table.

 

Maybe we run some with Dunk City or we ground and pound with Wisky.

 

This will be one of these threads that we need to relook at the half way and end of the year to see how accurate we were.

This is an awesome point.  Nebraska will actually have the players to change the lineup from game to game.  I agree, we definitely should look back on this thread.  Might be fun to see how right/wrong all of us were

[Nebrasketballer]

 

I agree with a lot of what's been said above, but simply do not see anyone redshirting. Good basketball simply don't redshirt players anymore. They will all play IMO opinion. I don't think Coach Miles will ever recruit anyone he doesn't plan on playing immediately.

 

http://www.gozags.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26400&SPID=90846&SPSID=627536&KEY=

 

Half of the Gonzaga team has redshirted though I'm unsure how many of these guys are scholarship/non-transfer.

You very well might be right about Miles not redshirting anyone...the only redshirts on Colorado St's roster were those that sat out a year because of transfer or injury.

 

True.

 

And Vucetic didn't redshirt, even though he obviously needed alot of development.  I would be shocked if Hawkins wasn't twice as ready to play as Vucetic was when he came in.  So if the way the Vucetic situation was handled is any indication as to how Hawkins will be handled, then he probably won't redshirt.

[Nebrasketballer]

 

I have no real clue who the starters will be...that my friends is a good thing given the talent upgrade that has taken place.

 

That's the truth, and part of what makes this season so exciting. We have 7 new players in the mix who haven't played a single minute as a Husker, plus a wildcard in Vooch, who could miraculously turn into a contributor. 

 

It's a great time to be a Husker hoops fan. The season can't get here soon enough for me.

 

One thing that makes me feel more optimistic about Vucetic than I did before is that Kenya Hunter is now on the staff and will be a key player in Vucetic's development.  Hunter is a very valuable asset to Nebraska because of his recruiting ties, but he is equally as valuable in terms of coaching and player development (especially the 3, 4, and 5 spots).  His track record including guys like Roy Hibbert, Greg Monroe, and Otto Porter speaks for itself. 

 

Not saying that Vucetic has the athletic ability to get to the same level as those guys (or even close), but if anyone can develop Vucetic into a legit post player, it's Hunter.

[Silverbacked1]

They were saying during the game playoffs that Roy Hibbert couldn't do one push up or run for more than 5 min. when he showed up at Georgetown.

[uneblinstu]

 

 

I have no real clue who the starters will be...that my friends is a good thing given the talent upgrade that has taken place.

 

That's the truth, and part of what makes this season so exciting. We have 7 new players in the mix who haven't played a single minute as a Husker, plus a wildcard in Vooch, who could miraculously turn into a contributor. 

 

It's a great time to be a Husker hoops fan. The season can't get here soon enough for me.

 

One thing that makes me feel more optimistic about Vucetic than I did before is that Kenya Hunter is now on the staff and will be a key player in Vucetic's development.  Hunter is a very valuable asset to Nebraska because of his recruiting ties, but he is equally as valuable in terms of coaching and player development (especially the 3, 4, and 5 spots).  His track record including guys like Roy Hibbert, Greg Monroe, and Otto Porter speaks for itself. 

 

Not saying that Vucetic has the athletic ability to get to the same level as those guys (or even close), but if anyone can develop Vucetic into a legit post player, it's Hunter.

 

...and Smith.  

[49r]

They were saying during the game playoffs that Roy Hibbert couldn't do one push up or run for more than 5 min. when he showed up at Georgetown.

 

SEE? AND ALREADY VOOCH IS WAY AHEAD OF THAT!!!

[Silverbacked1]

 

They were saying during the game playoffs that Roy Hibbert couldn't do one push up or run for more than 5 min. when he showed up at Georgetown.

 

SEE? AND ALREADY VOOCH IS WAY AHEAD OF THAT!!!

 

I bet he can do 5 maybe 6 by now.

[colhusker]

 

 

I agree with a lot of what's been said above, but simply do not see anyone redshirting. Good basketball simply don't redshirt players anymore. They will all play IMO opinion. I don't think Coach Miles will ever recruit anyone he doesn't plan on playing immediately.

 

http://www.gozags.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26400&SPID=90846&SPSID=627536&KEY=

 

Half of the Gonzaga team has redshirted though I'm unsure how many of these guys are scholarship/non-transfer.

You very well might be right about Miles not redshirting anyone...the only redshirts on Colorado St's roster were those that sat out a year because of transfer or injury.

 

True.

 

And Vucetic didn't redshirt, even though he obviously needed alot of development.  I would be shocked if Hawkins wasn't twice as ready to play as Vucetic was when he came in.  So if the way the Vucetic situation was handled is any indication as to how Hawkins will be handled, then he probably won't redshirt.

 

Big difference here is we needed bigs so badly last year Miles had to try Vooch.  IF the guards we have can shoot a lick this year Hawkins may redshirt even if he is ahead of where Vooch was.

[kldm64]

Gallegos is our best scoring option from basically everywhere. He'll start and I'd be willing to put money on it.

Petteway is probably our best athlete/slasher/finisher with the skills to play a lot of different roles. He's really good guys. Very long, great body, and has serious bounce.

Pritchford is an athlete for sure. Serious bounce and length. I've never spent an extensive time around NBA players - but Pritchford and Petteway have NBA type bodies in my opinion. No idea if they're that skilled but the physical presence is there.

My guess is those three start for sure. Shields is very versatile, thick, long, and incredibly crafty/smart. He'd be my next guess.

After that; you're just figuring out what you need and if any of the PGs are capable of playing. I'd throw Nick Fuller in there if it was my choice because he can flat out stroke it from anywhere.

Serge won't play any meaningful minutes, either will Hawkins, if I had to guess. Biggs will help, but don't think he'll start. David Rivers will play a lot (I REALLY liked what we saw out of him at the end of the year). And I would be willing to put good money down that Tai Webster isn't as ready as you all think he is. Just my gut feeling.

We're going to be long, athletic, versatile, and quick. We won't be able to bang, we'll struggle getting rebounds at times, and we're very inexperienced. But I think we're going to be fun to watch, and show some flashes of good stuff. Don't know how that translates to wins... BIG 10 is just too tough.

 

Chances are probably good that Ray does start but I certainly wouldn't put money on it.  He was one of our only scoring options last year but there are alot more talented players available this year that could beat him out for a starting spot. 

[hhcmatt]

 

 

 

I agree with a lot of what's been said above, but simply do not see anyone redshirting. Good basketball simply don't redshirt players anymore. They will all play IMO opinion. I don't think Coach Miles will ever recruit anyone he doesn't plan on playing immediately.

 

http://www.gozags.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26400&SPID=90846&SPSID=627536&KEY=

 

Half of the Gonzaga team has redshirted though I'm unsure how many of these guys are scholarship/non-transfer.

You very well might be right about Miles not redshirting anyone...the only redshirts on Colorado St's roster were those that sat out a year because of transfer or injury.

 

True.

 

And Vucetic didn't redshirt, even though he obviously needed alot of development.  I would be shocked if Hawkins wasn't twice as ready to play as Vucetic was when he came in.  So if the way the Vucetic situation was handled is any indication as to how Hawkins will be handled, then he probably won't redshirt.

 

Big difference here is we needed bigs so badly last year Miles had to try Vooch.  IF the guards we have can shoot a lick this year Hawkins may redshirt even if he is ahead of where Vooch was.

 

 

The big question is whether or not it's worth it to have Vooch take up a roster spot for 5 years.

Right now the answer is no way.  If he has a stellar senior season we can then add him to the Mikki Moore Memorial Shrine of What-IF.

[colhusker]

 

 

 

 

I agree with a lot of what's been said above, but simply do not see anyone redshirting. Good basketball simply don't redshirt players anymore. They will all play IMO opinion. I don't think Coach Miles will ever recruit anyone he doesn't plan on playing immediately.

 

http://www.gozags.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26400&SPID=90846&SPSID=627536&KEY=

 

Half of the Gonzaga team has redshirted though I'm unsure how many of these guys are scholarship/non-transfer.

You very well might be right about Miles not redshirting anyone...the only redshirts on Colorado St's roster were those that sat out a year because of transfer or injury.

 

True.

 

And Vucetic didn't redshirt, even though he obviously needed alot of development.  I would be shocked if Hawkins wasn't twice as ready to play as Vucetic was when he came in.  So if the way the Vucetic situation was handled is any indication as to how Hawkins will be handled, then he probably won't redshirt.

 

Big difference here is we needed bigs so badly last year Miles had to try Vooch.  IF the guards we have can shoot a lick this year Hawkins may redshirt even if he is ahead of where Vooch was.

 

 

The big question is whether or not it's worth it to have Vooch take up a roster spot for 5 years.

Right now the answer is no way.  If he has a stellar senior season we can then add him to the Mikki Moore Memorial Shrine of What-IF.

 

Well I won't argue this, if this year looks like last year it may be time to cut ties and go separate ways. 

[Dicemanhusker]

I think the redshirt decision would give us a very good insight into how the coaches view the stage of the rebuilding effort. If they expect to make a run at any kind of postseason then it's all hands on deck. We will be the type of program that recruits guys to play right away. Soon our bigger concern will be how long players will stay. It's hard to wrap our minds around it, but the Zags comparison just isn't going to be apples to apples for us. They are very good, however they "enter the party" in a whole different way than we will have to going forward. Doc's plan of 5th year seniors was shooting for the gut. Miles is shooting for the eyes & beyond. Big time programs (that aren't in some stage of rebuilding) simply don't waste a year of eligibility on a guy that can help even in specific match up situations IMO.

[Donkey]

1.  I would be very surprised if Gallegos was not in the starting lineup.  He strikes me as a rhythm shooter who needs minutes to get into the groove.  It is not easy for a shooter to come off the bench cold and light it up (think Jason Terry).  

 

2.  I do expect Smith to come off the bench.  I see him being part of many different combinations on the floor depending on match ups and playing minutes.  I have not seen any film on him, but I am curious how well he runs the floor.  

 

3.  Vooch.  I am very surprised people give up on him already.  If he is riding the bench as a junior, then I understand the criticism.  Until then, give him time to develop.  Whenever I hear people talking about college big men, you always hear about the success stories.  You never hear about the failures.  Many of these big kids grow so fast, they loose coordination.  If they do not have good training, their skills take a hit.  I have one nephew who grew 6 inches in one year.  Before that, he was a good athlete.  It took him a couple of years to regain his coordination.

 

4.  Redshirting.  I doubt Miles will redshirt a player unless the kid requests it.  It has been well documented that many of these kids do not want to redshirt.  With the prevalence of post grad schools, we are seeing more kids coming in at age 19 and graduating at age 23.  Factor in a redshirt, and these kids would be considered "old" by NBA standards.  

 

5.  I do not think it matters which position Petteway plays, he will be on the floor. 

[Dicemanhusker]

Can't say as I disagree with anything you just said.

[a0t0w0]

Donkey, all of your points are good ones.

 

I also see Smith coming off the bench.  I know there's a lot of excitement with the new guys, but I still see rivers starting for most of the season at the 4.

[Silverbacked1]

1.  I would be very surprised if Gallegos was not in the starting lineup.  He strikes me as a rhythm shooter who needs minutes to get into the groove.  It is not easy for a shooter to come off the bench cold and light it up (think Jason Terry).  

 

2.  I do expect Smith to come off the bench.  I see him being part of many different combinations on the floor depending on match ups and playing minutes.  I have not seen any film on him, but I am curious how well he runs the floor.  

 

3.  Vooch.  I am very surprised people give up on him already.  If he is riding the bench as a junior, then I understand the criticism.  Until then, give him time to develop.  Whenever I hear people talking about college big men, you always hear about the success stories.  You never hear about the failures.  Many of these big kids grow so fast, they loose coordination.  If they do not have good training, their skills take a hit.  I have one nephew who grew 6 inches in one year.  Before that, he was a good athlete.  It took him a couple of years to regain his coordination.

 

4.  Redshirting.  I doubt Miles will redshirt a player unless the kid requests it.  It has been well documented that many of these kids do not want to redshirt.  With the prevalence of post grad schools, we are seeing more kids coming in at age 19 and graduating at age 23.  Factor in a redshirt, and these kids would be considered "old" by NBA standards.  

 

5.  I do not think it matters which position Petteway plays, he will be on the floor. 

Well thought out, and very well put.

[PimpMario]

I have no confidence in vouch or smith.

To start the year shields and ray will be big contributors. After that I think fuller, Biggs, and pettaway will play some serious minutes. Other than that I think any other predictions are guesses.

[royalfan]

Miles will get our best people on the floor as much as possible and make it work despite the weaknesses of the group.  Who thought Talley could end up handling the ball so much and so well?