Question

[ajb5856]

How many games were we into last season before things started to 'click'? Seems like we were going down the same path last year where people were wondering if the team was ever going to get it, if things were going to get better, people were admitting it was going to be a long, long season, etc. Then the team started to get it and we had some fun watching down the stretch. I know it's totally different scenarios. Last year we had a couple seniors, but limited talent, and Miles had to segment out his offense and run "sets", and Talley got moved to point. Now this year we are way younger, way more talent, but everyone is pretty much brand new, and we lack a Ubel inside. Are we going to get to a point where things start to click here pretty soon? I know the schedule is brutal but will we get to see a few things coming together soon or do you guys think this path we are going on is going to be pretty standard for the entire season?

[uneblinstu]

I'd say it was those back to back games in Michigan where things started to come together.  The lineup changes started at the beginning of conference play.  We may or may not get to that point this year, we'll see.  But this is the time of year where the mettle of the team is determined.  

[ajb5856]

I'd say it was those back to back games in Michigan where things started to come together. The lineup changes started at the beginning of conference play. We may or may not get to that point this year, we'll see. But this is the time of year where the mettle of the team is determined.

So we might just need that confidence booster game then? That game that tells the guys, 'hey, we can play with anybody if we just do A, B, C, D that coach has laid out'. You're right, I think those games were Michigan State and Michigan last year. I don't see the Iowa or Ohio State road games going very well so maybe that "buy-in game" is the conference home opener against Michigan then. Or at least we can hope.

[HuskerFever]

I'd say it was those back to back games in Michigan where things started to come together.  The lineup changes started at the beginning of conference play.  We may or may not get to that point this year, we'll see.  But this is the time of year where the mettle of the team is determined.  

 

Absolutely agree. When I read the OP, my immediate first thought was the Michigan game.

[uneblinstu]

 

I'd say it was those back to back games in Michigan where things started to come together. The lineup changes started at the beginning of conference play. We may or may not get to that point this year, we'll see. But this is the time of year where the mettle of the team is determined.

So we might just need that confidence booster game then? That game that tells the guys, 'hey, we can play with anybody if we just do A, B, C, D that coach has laid out'. You're right, I think those games were Michigan State and Michigan last year. I don't see the Iowa or Ohio State road games going very well so maybe that "buy-in game" is the conference home opener against Michigan then. Or at least we can hope.

 

Not many saw the MSU or Michigan games as buy in games, either.  There's not magic bullet here. The time table last year isn't necessarily the timetable this year.  I don't think it's so much that the team needs a break out game as much as guys like Shields and Webster do and when that happens, it'll benefit everybody.

[hskr4life]

I think we may compeate tomorrow and hopefully that gets the guys going!

[hhcmatt]

How are we going to look the last 10 games?  That's still the question I'm asking and it will help determine my answer to "Will we make the NCAA tournament in 2014-15?"

[Bugeaters1]

 

 

I'd say it was those back to back games in Michigan where things started to come together. The lineup changes started at the beginning of conference play. We may or may not get to that point this year, we'll see. But this is the time of year where the mettle of the team is determined.

So we might just need that confidence booster game then? That game that tells the guys, 'hey, we can play with anybody if we just do A, B, C, D that coach has laid out'. You're right, I think those games were Michigan State and Michigan last year. I don't see the Iowa or Ohio State road games going very well so maybe that "buy-in game" is the conference home opener against Michigan then. Or at least we can hope.

 

Not many saw the MSU or Michigan games as buy in games, either.  There's not magic bullet here. The time table last year isn't necessarily the timetable this year.  I don't think it's so much that the team needs a break out game as much as guys like Shields and Webster do and when that happens, it'll benefit everybody.

 

Don't you think that Webster might be coming out of his funk. He looked better against Cinny than he has in a while.

[HuskerFever]

How are we going to look the last 10 games?  That's still the question I'm asking and it will help determine my answer to "Will we make the NCAA tournament in 2014-15?"

 

This sounds awfully similar to the "Will we make the NCAA tournament in 2013-2014" discussion last year.

 

[hhcmatt]

 

How are we going to look the last 10 games?  That's still the question I'm asking and it will help determine my answer to "Will we make the NCAA tournament in 2014-15?"

 

This sounds awfully similar to the "Will we make the NCAA tournament in 2013-2014" discussion last year.

 

 

If my answer to that discussion was much more than "Let's shoot for 2014-15" I'd be shocked.  I like to think I'm as grounded as Andre Almeida.

[cipsucks]

One of my favorite Moody Blue songs.  

 

 

[uneblinstu]

 

 

 

I'd say it was those back to back games in Michigan where things started to come together. The lineup changes started at the beginning of conference play. We may or may not get to that point this year, we'll see. But this is the time of year where the mettle of the team is determined.

So we might just need that confidence booster game then? That game that tells the guys, 'hey, we can play with anybody if we just do A, B, C, D that coach has laid out'. You're right, I think those games were Michigan State and Michigan last year. I don't see the Iowa or Ohio State road games going very well so maybe that "buy-in game" is the conference home opener against Michigan then. Or at least we can hope.

 

Not many saw the MSU or Michigan games as buy in games, either.  There's not magic bullet here. The time table last year isn't necessarily the timetable this year.  I don't think it's so much that the team needs a break out game as much as guys like Shields and Webster do and when that happens, it'll benefit everybody.

 

Don't you think that Webster might be coming out of his funk. He looked better against Cinny than he has in a while.

 

Hope so.  

[HuskerCager]

How are we going to look the last 10 games?  That's still the question I'm asking and it will help determine my answer to "Will we make the NCAA tournament in 2014-15?"

Definitely agree with this.

[Chuck Taylor]

I'd like us to find "the formula" in the next couple games. The homecourt advantage will shrink for us (casual fans will bail) if we struggle for too long. My hope for this year was generating enough early enthusiasm that the place would stay packed and loud and help win some tight games. If the crowds are small and the fans are munching nachos, then I'm not sure we'll be able to beat any of the good teams in Lincoln this year.

[Tallbaby21]

The key last year was Talley stabilizing the situation at the point. He was miraculously secure with the ball and added some scoring punch from what had been a punchless position. We need that leadership out of somebody on this team. 

[uneblinstu]

I'd like us to find "the formula" in the next couple games. The homecourt advantage will shrink for us (casual fans will bail) if we struggle for too long. My hope for this year was generating enough early enthusiasm that the place would stay packed and loud and help win some tight games. If the crowds are small and the fans are munching nachos, then I'm not sure we'll be able to beat any of the good teams in Lincoln this year.

We won't have small crowds this year.

[Chuck Taylor]

 

I'd like us to find "the formula" in the next couple games. The homecourt advantage will shrink for us (casual fans will bail) if we struggle for too long. My hope for this year was generating enough early enthusiasm that the place would stay packed and loud and help win some tight games. If the crowds are small and the fans are munching nachos, then I'm not sure we'll be able to beat any of the good teams in Lincoln this year.

We won't have small crowds this year.

 

Small wasn't the right word. I know we're sold out, but if the season goes south, there will be more empty seats and increased interest in sampling concessions..