7 new faces

[kansashusker]

Is this the largest recruiting class NU has had?  6 incoming freshman and 1 jc kid makes for a huge class.  There will be a lot of teaching in July and the fall.  Hopefully the fans can be patient and understand that over 50% of the roster will be new, and even though the potential will be great, it will take time for Page, Natalie, etc to transition to college bball at the highest level. They will have moments where they shine, but may have a few growing pains along the way. That is part of the fun watching the journey as they develop. -- The transition should be eased by the fact that we have 4 returning starters.  I am sure they will really help mentor the new kids.

[Norm Peterson]

Anyone want to project a starting 5 based on who we have coming back, who we have coming in, and the total guesswork that accompanies such predictions?  Big questions:  1)  who fills JHoop's shoes?; and 2) Will any returning starters get beat out by any newcomers for a spot in the starting lineup?

 

Thoughts?

[redsteve]

With at least 4 starters returning, Yori's in pretty good spot.

 

I see the 4 that started last year, as starting. Then who will be the one to step up and be able to start?

 

And equally well, Yori's got excellent talent coming in. The early experiments (rotations in and out)  will be interesting.

 

It  really depends obviously, on which forward will be ready first. (assuming the need is to fill Hoopers slot as a forward.)

 

I'm guessing the new Jr College player Kalenta, will be in the mix since she's had All American college (and international) experience. And is 6'-3" for defense in the paint, rebounding, shot blocking, etc. She can score too. (20 ptg in JC) Don't really view her as a "new" player.

 

Totally a guess, but initially Yori will go with experience, then blend in the new girls as they develope.

Some more quickly than others.......probably Romero and Page earlier....but who knows, as time will tell.

 

Later on, more newbies may get to play. A scorer may get the call should one develope at any position. ....but they'll have to be able to play Yori's defense.

 

I see a second guard set that can substitute, and forwards to help rotation too.

 

But wouldn't be too surprised if one or two newbies develope real quick. The first part of the season will be really interesting.

 

Over all, Yori may get to a faster game, with more subs (that she didn't have last year) that can run a faster paced game.

 

My quesses anyway.....having not seen any of the new players even step on the court.

[redsteve]

Delete this post ?

[HB]

Interested to see if T continues the improvement shown over the last half of the season. That was a sight to behold; hopefully there is more to come from T.

I would be very surprised if the 4 returning starters don't start again next season. I would think Kalenta or Page would be the 5th starter, unless Washington is more ready to play immediately as a big than expected.

[Norm Peterson]

HB, you've been on record as being somewhat cool on at least a couple of the returning starters. 

 

I would have to think that Cady, Theriot and Laudermill are virtual locks in the starting lineup.  Especially if Laudermill continues to play next year the way she finished this year. 

 

But what about Hailie Sample?  I would think she'd have to up her game or she might be in danger of finding a spot on the bench for the opening tip. 

 

You lose JHoop, a scoring machine, and you need to backfill a scoring spot in the lineup.  Hailie, bless her heart because she does give you some rebounds, has pretty much the lowest shooting percentage of any returning starter except T, but T plays outside and Hailie plays inside, and so she should have a higher shooting percent because she's taking higher percentage shots.  Still she only knocks down about 45% of her FGs, which is good for a guard, but not so good for a big.

 

I think if you can find someone to replace her rebounding, it won't be difficult to exceed what scoring she contributes.  Don't mean to bag on Hailie and I readily admit I'm not the best guy to ask about the women's team, which is why I'm asking the people who are.  Is Hailie a lock to start or does she have some work to do?

[Fastbreaker]

Norm, I don't know how often I have to make my views on Haille Sample known.  I 100% guarantee that Haille will be in the starting line next year.  The coaches absolutely love her play.  She is probably one of the top two or three top defensive players in the Big 10.   She is a good offensive rebounder.  She is one of the smartest players on the team, she understands what the coaches want better than anyone.  She personally won two-three games for Nebraska last year. She works really hard at her game.   You keep harping on her offensive shortcomings but never address the defensive shortcomings of all these high school kids.  Coaches at Nebraska value defense before everything else.  If any of the returning starters get benched, it would be T first.  If no injuries I would predict that the four starters will start all games next year.      

[caveman]

I expect that Miss Page and Miss Kalenta would have the nod JHoops spot.  Though a bit less publicized don't be surprised if Miss Smith is in the starting.  I followed her through the little tri- community paper and really she puts up big points, but what I found really intriguing is Coach Yori was talking about how great of a passer she is. 

I wouldn't get too eager to throw Miss Sample under the bus.  To play for Coach Yori you must defend and watch the tape, no one in the league moves her feet and plays position defense better.

[HB]

HB, you've been on record as being somewhat cool on at least a couple of the returning starters. 

 

I would have to think that Cady, Theriot and Laudermill are virtual locks in the starting lineup.  Especially if Laudermill continues to play next year the way she finished this year. 

 

But what about Hailie Sample?  I would think she'd have to up her game or she might be in danger of finding a spot on the bench for the opening tip. 

 

You lose JHoop, a scoring machine, and you need to backfill a scoring spot in the lineup.  Hailie, bless her heart because she does give you some rebounds, has pretty much the lowest shooting percentage of any returning starter except T, but T plays outside and Hailie plays inside, and so she should have a higher shooting percent because she's taking higher percentage shots.  Still she only knocks down about 45% of her FGs, which is good for a guard, but not so good for a big.

 

I think if you can find someone to replace her rebounding, it won't be difficult to exceed what scoring she contributes.  Don't mean to bag on Hailie and I readily admit I'm not the best guy to ask about the women's team, which is why I'm asking the people who are.  Is Hailie a lock to start or does she have some work to do?

Norm, I agree with the subsequent posters on Sample. If she is healthy, she will start. Yori absolutely loves her. And I am impressed with her play as well. Obviously, her shot is poor, but if she had a great shot she would have been offered by the likes of UConn, Duke and Stanford. In addition to the rebounding which you note, she plays great defense, has excellent stamina to play that defense over extended minutes, and passes well. I believe Yori thinks her assets make up for the fact that defenses don't have to guard her on the perimeter.

[redsteve]

Hailie Sample has picked up her scoring every year.......her knowing that she needs to score...I expect her to improve next year.  Pressure from new players to get playing time (not right away, but later) will add to Sample trying to get more scoring.

 

Her defense keeps her in the game...it's not a mistake she's All B1G defensive team.

 

But another inside that can defend will allow some subbing.

[Bugeaters1]

How many straight starts does Sample have ? That experenice will be hard to displace no matter what her offense provides.

[Silverbacked1]

Hailie averaged around 16 pts a game in high school so she can score, at least I would think she can. Best part about the Lady Huskers is that with all the running and ball pressure we play these girls will get a chance if they who they can play some defense. This could also help us later in the year because more playing time for more players means fresher legs in the later part of the year.

I think we have been leg tired the last few years when it came to tournament time.

[Cazzie22]

It's great to think about the potential coming in with this class.  Team chemistry will be the most important item, probably more important than who starts in the 5th spot.  What will happen to Brandy Jeffery's minutes?  Who might redshirt?  On paper, they all look pretty good and the girl from Memphis might be like D. Kelly.  

 

I'm a big fan of Sample, she is a "glue" player, unselfish, does the necessary things to help win.  She might turn out to be a decent scoring threat in the coming season.  The coaches will have them prepared.  Will we be good enough to hang with Maryland?  Time will tell.

[Row6Seat10]

I would guess we start with the four returning starters and then Kaylee Page (she will be the best ball handling forward we will have seen in quite some time, plus she has a good shot). Yori will have the luxury to yank a starter earlier should the need arise. I would love to see Brandi Jeffery put in some quality work this summer and earn herself maybe 20 minutes a game.

 

I also think Natalie Romeo won't take too long to get up to speed and will most likely find herself in the starting nod sooner than some think. She should be able to spell Rachel Theriot or Tee early, Jasmine Cincore too for that matter. I hope everyone of these freshmen come in here with the work attitude it takes to get on the court. I had the luxury to watch a few practices when Zeroes was young and if the newbies come in here and compete and work the way she did, nobodies job will be safe.

 

I'm not too sold on JC transfers. I really can't remember one that came in here and lit up from the get go. We had the three from Colby KS a few years back who all had fairly decent numbers in JC but when they got here their numbers dwindled considerably and most of their minutes were spent on the bench. It's a whole different ballgame for these transfers and it usually takes at least a year for them to get up to speed.

 

And here's my view on recruiting going forward, if you can't shoot the basketball you don't recruit her.

[Bugeaters1]

I would guess we start with the four returning starters and then Kaylee Page (she will be the best ball handling forward we will have seen in quite some time, plus she has a good shot). Yori will have the luxury to yank a starter earlier should the need arise. I would love to see Brandi Jeffery put in some quality work this summer and earn herself maybe 20 minutes a game.

 

I also think Natalie Romeo won't take too long to get up to speed and will most likely find herself in the starting nod sooner than some think. She should be able to spell Rachel Theriot or Tee early, Jasmine Cincore too for that matter. I hope everyone of these freshmen come in here with the work attitude it takes to get on the court. I had the luxury to watch a few practices when Zeroes was young and if the newbies come in here and compete and work the way she did, nobodies job will be safe.

 

I'm not too sold on JC transfers. I really can't remember one that came in here and lit up from the get go. We had the three from Colby KS a few years back who all had fairly decent numbers in JC but when they got here their numbers dwindled considerably and most of their minutes were spent on the bench. It's a whole different ballgame for these transfers and it usually takes at least a year for them to get up to speed.

 

And here's my view on recruiting going forward, if you can't shoot the basketball you don't recruit her.

So you would rather have players that can score but don't play defense ? Sample does just fine with her 6.2 pt average. Look at the men's side of things Benny Parker isn't a scorer either he is there to play defense if he get 6 to 8 pts that's a bonus. The same goes with Sample if she gets 6 to 10 pts. a night it's a bonus, and Norm should know this as well.

[Row6Seat10]

So you would rather have players that can score but don't play defense ? Sample does just fine with her 6.2 pt average. Look at the men's side of things Benny Parker isn't a scorer either he is there to play defense if he get 6 to 8 pts that's a bonus. The same goes with Sample if she gets 6 to 10 pts. a night it's a bonus, and Norm should know this as well.

 

Reread what I wrote  I didn't say anything about not playing defense. A good defender is a major plus but if she can't shoot the ball you might as well plan on playing 4 against 5 on offense. 

[Bugeaters1]

 

So you would rather have players that can score but don't play defense ? Sample does just fine with her 6.2 pt average. Look at the men's side of things Benny Parker isn't a scorer either he is there to play defense if he get 6 to 8 pts that's a bonus. The same goes with Sample if she gets 6 to 10 pts. a night it's a bonus, and Norm should know this as well.

 

Reread what I wrote  I didn't say anything about not playing defense. A good defender is a major plus but if she can't shoot the ball you might as well plan on playing 4 against 5 on offense. 

 

I understood what you wrote. The formula has work for Yori and she gets paid a lot more than we do to decide on who plays and who don't. And it might come back and bite her in the butt, But in Yori I trust.

[huskerchode]

Does anyone think Havers may be the 5th starter?

[Norm Peterson]

Norm, I don't know how often I have to make my views on Haille Sample known.  I 100% guarantee that Haille will be in the starting line next year.  The coaches absolutely love her play.  She is probably one of the top two or three top defensive players in the Big 10.   She is a good offensive rebounder.  She is one of the smartest players on the team, she understands what the coaches want better than anyone.  She personally won two-three games for Nebraska last year. She works really hard at her game.   You keep harping on her offensive shortcomings but never address the defensive shortcomings of all these high school kids.  Coaches at Nebraska value defense before everything else.  If any of the returning starters get benched, it would be T first.  If no injuries I would predict that the four starters will start all games next year.      

What?   *I* keep harping?

 

It was just one post.  And it was a question.  And I specifically said I wasn't an expert and I wanted people's thoughts.

 

So, chill dude.

[redsteve]

Does anyone think Havers may be the 5th starter?

Actually, I thought more about Havers this morning as the probable 5th starter. She's got a year under her belt, and I'll bet she'll be much improved. She's very athletic.....Yoir's kind of player....and Havers now knows the "system"

 

Didn't mention her in my previous post about new players as I assumed she would probably be starting, and which of the new players will be getting more court time as the season goes on.

 

She didn't get extended minutes too much last year, with Hooper playing, but will next season. Havers can rebound and score, so she has to be in the lead at the forward spot. She was usually the first off the bench last year.

 

Actaully the forward (4) spot will have several options this year....good options. Havers, Kalenta (40% at the 3 shot in Jr Col), and Page.... all can move well.  Cady may get some rest as the season rolls along.

 

And who may redshirt? Maybe the P from Calif. and ?

[Bugeaters1]

 

Does anyone think Havers may be the 5th starter?

Actually, I thought more about Havers this morning as the probable 5th starter. She's got a year under her belt, and I'll bet she'll be much improved. She's very athletic.....Yoir's kind of player....and Havers now knows the "system"

 

Didn't mention her in my previous post about new players as I assumed she would probably be starting, and which of the new players will be getting more court time as the season goes on.

 

She didn't get extended minutes too much last year, with Hooper playing, but will next season. Havers can rebound and score, so she has to be in the lead at the forward spot. She was usually the first off the bench last year.

 

Actaully the forward (4) spot will have several options this year....good options. Havers, Kalenta (40% at the 3 shot in Jr Col), and Paige.... all can move well.  Cady may get some rest as the season rolls along.

 

And who may redshirt? Maybe the P from Calif. and ?

 

Do you think that the 6'3 center Darrien Washington girl who is a post would get some PT and not redshirt ? Or do you think that she would need the year to get up to speed ?

[redsteve]

 

 

Does anyone think Havers may be the 5th starter?

Actually, I thought more about Havers this morning as the probable 5th starter. She's got a year under her belt, and I'll bet she'll be much improved. She's very athletic.....Yoir's kind of player....and Havers now knows the "system"

 

Didn't mention her in my previous post about new players as I assumed she would probably be starting, and which of the new players will be getting more court time as the season goes on.

 

She didn't get extended minutes too much last year, with Hooper playing, but will next season. Havers can rebound and score, so she has to be in the lead at the forward spot. She was usually the first off the bench last year.

 

Actaully the forward (4) spot will have several options this year....good options. Havers, Kalenta (40% at the 3 shot in Jr Col), and Paige.... all can move well.  Cady may get some rest as the season rolls along.

 

And who may redshirt? Maybe the P from Calif. and ?

 

Do you think that the 6'3 center Darrien Washington girl who is a post would get some PT and not redshirt ? Or do you think that she would need the year to get up to speed ?

 

If my memory serves me right...my understanding is that Washington is fairly new to basketball (compared to a Romeo for example that has played years of club ball.)  I haven't seen any video on Washington.......anyone else?

She could come in and dazzel the coaches...we'll see.

 

So redshirting (with any new player obviously)...is probably dependent on...does she want to redshirt, and whether or not she's appears to be ready to play now (when she practices with the team)...so could it be to her benefit to redshirt?

 

This is a big class coming in, so there's a greater probability one or some might redshirt. And in 2015, Shepard and the rest of what may be another nice class coming.......Yori's got to see a problem...a real nice problem coming of getting playing time sorted out.

 

Kalenta's only got two years to play.....I'm assuming she can't redshirt (she's from outside the country)... or could she? If she can't redshirt...then she'll play of course.

 

In 2015, NU will be loaded....maybe more so than ever before.  But we'll be awfully young. Next 2 or 3 years will a lot of fun to watch.

[Bugeaters1]

 

 

 

Does anyone think Havers may be the 5th starter?

Actually, I thought more about Havers this morning as the probable 5th starter. She's got a year under her belt, and I'll bet she'll be much improved. She's very athletic.....Yoir's kind of player....and Havers now knows the "system"

 

Didn't mention her in my previous post about new players as I assumed she would probably be starting, and which of the new players will be getting more court time as the season goes on.

 

She didn't get extended minutes too much last year, with Hooper playing, but will next season. Havers can rebound and score, so she has to be in the lead at the forward spot. She was usually the first off the bench last year.

 

Actaully the forward (4) spot will have several options this year....good options. Havers, Kalenta (40% at the 3 shot in Jr Col), and Paige.... all can move well.  Cady may get some rest as the season rolls along.

 

And who may redshirt? Maybe the P from Calif. and ?

 

Do you think that the 6'3 center Darrien Washington girl who is a post would get some PT and not redshirt ? Or do you think that she would need the year to get up to speed ?

 

If my memory serves me right...my understanding is that Washington is fairly new to basketball (compared to a Romero for example that has played years of club ball.)  I haven't seen any video on Washington.......anyone else?

She could come in and dazzel the coaches...we'll see.

 

So redshirting (with any new player obviously)...is probably dependent on...does she want to redshirt, and whether or not she's appears to be ready to play now (when she practices with the team)...so could it be to her benefit to redshirt?

 

This is a big class coming in, so there's a greater probability one or some might redshirt. And in 2015, Shepard and the rest of what may be another nice class coming.......Yori's got to see a problem...a real nice problem coming of getting playing time sorted out.

 

Kalenta's only got two years to play.....I'm assuming she can't redshirt (she's from outside the country)... or could she? If she can't redshirt...then she'll play of course.

 

In 2015, NU will be loaded....maybe more so than ever before.  But we'll be awfully young. Next 2 or 3 years will a lot of fun to watch.

 

This is the only video that I found of Washington, And I'm not sure as to which one she is.

[HB]

Connie is not big on red shirting. Very few of those over the years. And hardly any not due to injury. Man, if she would have red shirted Danielle Page I shudder to think of how good we would have been in 2010.

[Row6Seat10]

Connie is not big on red shirting. Very few of those over the years. And hardly any not due to injury. Man, if she would have red shirted Danielle Page I shudder to think of how good we would have been in 2010.

 

Totally agree. If anyone ever was in need of a redshirt, last season was a classic example when Esther who played sparingly throughout the year could have used that extra year. I also believe every recruit coming in, comes with the thought of seeing court time making some sort of contribution to the team no matter what it is right away and not have to sit out.