The difference . . .

[HuskerPower #nato73]

I have been mostly lurking but have a few thoughts . . .

 

Last night totally sucked and felt like a punch in the gut just as happens in most Nebraska basketball seasons.  However, this is still the most basketball gifted youthful team we have had in 15 years.  In the past a game like this might have been an experienced team that was overachieving but could not get over the hump.  This is a talented, young team that can get out of its own way.  I would rather have the latter.

 

In 2012  we finished last in the conference with a Kenpom rating of 150

In 2013 we finished 10th in the conference with a Kenpom rating of 130

 

Unfortunately from the 2013 team we lost what Kenpom considered a major contributor in Talley and a significant contributor in Ubel.  Only what Kenpom considered roll players in Gallegos and Shields returned.

 

In my opinion this is year 1 of the building process unfortunately.  And while our Kenpom might be slightly inflated because of our strength of schedule, let's let it play out and see if we don't take a little step up from last year.  In order to move up in this league you need guys that are key players to return for a year or two like Petteway, Webster and Shields etc. will be doing next year.

 

It is painful to watch and a little gross seeing how the sausage is made, but Coach Miles knows how to build programs and with the athletic department's commitment to basketball we are not going to be down forever.

 

P.S.  Thank you everyone who sucked me into the NCAA thoughts after the Ohio State game.  Jerks! 

[uneblinstu]

I get what you're saying, but this is year two. We had everybody by Webster and Smith in the program last year. It was a foundation laying season. Now they're learning how to translate that onto the court. Now we're seeing the framing go up.

[hhcmatt]

It is painful to watch and a little gross seeing how the sausage is made, but Coach Miles knows how to build programs and with the athletic department's commitment to basketball we are not going to be down forever.

I'd agree. I think it's a lot more humane than the way SMU is making their sausage, FWIW.

 

P.S.  Thank you everyone who sucked me into the NCAA thoughts after the Ohio State game.  Jerks! 

 

[HuskerPower #nato73]

Game Plan

Date Rk Opponent Result     Location Record Conf Fri Nov 8 76 205 TCU W, 69-61 66   Neutral 1-0   Mon Nov 11 76 133 Rhode Island W, 89-58 76   Home 2-0   Mon Nov 18 60 42 Arkansas L, 89-78 76   Away 2-1   Wed Nov 20 68 258 Texas St. W, 70-49 65   Home 3-1   Sun Nov 24 68 339 Arkansas Pine Bluff W, 87-61 70   Home 4-1   Tue Nov 26 61 181 Sam Houston St. W, 72-53 67   Home 5-1   Fri Nov 29 56 13 Virginia L, 76-73 63   Neutral 5-2   Sat Nov 30 50 114 Texas A&M W, 55-52 59   Neutral 6-2   Mon Dec 2 51 316 McNeese St. W, 88-59 69   Home 7-2   Wed Dec 4 50 286 Illinois Chicago W, 73-65 62   Away 8-2   Wed Dec 18 52 290 Texas Pan American W, 82-56 68   Home 9-2   Fri Dec 20 52 87 Wyoming W, 62-54 60   Away 10-2   Wed Jan 1 47 22 Cincinnati L, 65-57 62   Away 10-3 0-1 Sat Jan 4 46 34 Connecticut W, 74-65 63   Home 11-3 1-1 Sun Jan 12 31 5 Louisville L, 71-63 72   Away 11-4 1-2 Wed Jan 15 32 187 South Florida W, 71-54 66   Home 12-4 2-2 Sat Jan 18 29 170 UCF W, 58-46 64   Away 13-4 3-2 Sun Jan 19 27 254 Hofstra W, 73-49 65   Home 14-4   Tue Jan 21 25 207 Rutgers W, 70-56 67   Home 15-4 4-2

 

I think SMU's meat grinder has been a little kinder.  In the top 100 they beat Wyoming and UCONN.  NO UAB or Penn State type losses though.

[hhcmatt]

I think SMU's meat grinder has been a little kinder.  In the top 100 they beat Wyoming and UCONN.  NO UAB or Penn State type losses though.

 

My point is they built their roster by telling guys to get lost.  One of them is on our team.