Leslee Smith's Recovery

[trickey]

Coach Miles to CBS Sports this morning:

 

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24795326/huskers-miles-hopes-to-have-pf-smith-acl-back-in-mid-january

 

The best part:

"We're hoping to have him ready in mid-January, about a week or two into Big Ten play," Miles said of the 6-8, 255 pound Smith, who averaged 5.4 points and 4.8 rebounds last season. "We're hoping to get him live in practice soon and just take it from there."

[MandRHusker]

I will be ecstatic if Leslie is able to return to last year's form. He provides our best chance to develop an inside offense.

[atskooc]

Heck, ten minutes a game from him in conference could go a long way.

[AuroranHusker]

The "mid-January" comment is very interesting as the Huskers take on Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan State, Michigan & Minnesota again in a stretch between Jan. 15-31. Might be an added bonus to have Leslee available ASAP in Jan.!

[ShortDust]

[ShortDust]

Also states he can't receive a 6th year. So it sounds like he'll be coming back this year regardless.

[hhcmatt]

Also states he can't receive a 6th year. So it sounds like he'll be coming back this year regardless.

 

As much as I like Leslee, we're better off in the long run if we have his scholarship for next year.

[ajb5856]

Also states he can't receive a 6th year. So it sounds like he'll be coming back this year regardless.

As much as I like Leslee, we're better off in the long run if we have his scholarship for next year.

Agree a million percent. You obviously give a player like this the chance at a medical hardship or at least offer the chance to him if it exists. But, down the road you'd rather have an open scholarship to offer.

[ShortDust]

Oh I totally agree. Was just stating that it said that he wouldn't be getting one. I wouldn't want to tie up a scholarship for another year, especially with Miles's recent success on the recruiting trail.

[AuroranHusker]

Oh I totally agree. Was just stating that it said that he wouldn't be getting one. I wouldn't want to tie up a scholarship for another year, especially with Miles's recent success on the recruiting trail.

 

And, the real need is a 'big' this conference season, so it's all good that Leslee can make it back ASAP!

[MandRHusker]

And Leslie is unique among our bigs! He has a nice inside game. I was hoping he would take the normal 1st to 2nd year improvement one typically sees with Jucos but I'll just take a Leslie Smith that is as good as last year!!!

[NUdiehard]

 

Also states he can't receive a 6th year. So it sounds like he'll be coming back this year regardless.

 

As much as I like Leslee, we're better off in the long run if we have his scholarship for next year.

 

Wow.  With all due respect, I completely disagree with you, ajb, shortdust and whoever else shares this sentiment.  The only way I could maybe understand this thinking is if you are convinced that Leslee is just injury plagued and will never be able to play more than spot minutes and be less than 100% while doing it.  But if he could come back healthy by next season and play a full season, I would take him in a heartbeat and count our blessings. 

 

If Leslee came back, he would only be here for next year.  He is not eating a scholarship for 4 years or anything like that.  Just next year, which he would be playing and contributing.  Unless something completely unexpected happens in the spring signing period, NU is going to be in the same, or possibly worse, situation in regards to lack of big men next year.  Miles did not sign a big man in this class (and no, I do not consider Morrow a big man; especially not in the B1G as a freshman).  NU will lose Moses and Leslee and it not bringing in anyone to replace them. I have already seen enough of Hammond to know that he probably is not going to be  force down low for a while, if ever.  Leslee has proven he can be an decent, if not solid, big man.  Why would any fan of NU not want him for a full season next year, when we could make a serious run at the sweet 16?

 

Lets put it another way.  If Leslee were healthy this year, he would easily be in the top 6 or 7 IMO (I think he is better than Rivers, he just can't start b/c Miles needs to switch between Pitchford and Leslee).  Why would we not want one of our top 7 players back?  If anyone thinks all these freshman are going to walk in and just start dominating, you need to reconsider.  Think about Tai and how he struggled last year.  Look at Tarin Smith this year.  Fuller?  I know that the new guys are more highly ranked (although not more highly than Tai according to some), but that doesn't mean they are physically ready for the B1G, or that they can master Miles' defensive scheme quickly, etc.  Besides, NONE of them are centers. Unless Miles magically and remarkably pulls a rabbit out of his had and lands a top-notch juco big man in the spring, I would much rather have Leslee return and be our backup center all year next year, hands down.  If Miles has a 5 star wing that also wants to sign in the spring, then he can sign him and room will make itself available like it always does due to attrition. 

[Norm Peterson]

The most likely spots for attrition that I can see besides the seniors who are playing are Leslee if he plays and doesn't try for a 6th year, and Terran if he goes pro.

 

Other than that ... I guess let's see how this season unfolds.  We have some young talent.  We have a guy sitting out as a transfer.  We have some returning players.  And then we have scholarships committed for all the known and certain vacancies. 

 

So, I don't know that I'd expect any additional attrition. 

 

Miles doesn't seem like he has the philosophy of forcing people out the door, but even if he did, who would he force?

[ajb5856]

Also states he can't receive a 6th year. So it sounds like he'll be coming back this year regardless.

As much as I like Leslee, we're better off in the long run if we have his scholarship for next year.

Wow. With all due respect, I completely disagree with you, ajb, shortdust and whoever else shares this sentiment. The only way I could maybe understand this thinking is if you are convinced that Leslee is just injury plagued and will never be able to play more than spot minutes and be less than 100% while doing it. But if he could come back healthy by next season and play a full season, I would take him in a heartbeat and count our blessings.

If Leslee came back, he would only be here for next year. He is not eating a scholarship for 4 years or anything like that. Just next year, which he would be playing and contributing. Unless something completely unexpected happens in the spring signing period, NU is going to be in the same, or possibly worse, situation in regards to lack of big men next year. Miles did not sign a big man in this class (and no, I do not consider Morrow a big man; especially not in the B1G as a freshman). NU will lose Moses and Leslee and it not bringing in anyone to replace them. I have already seen enough of Hammond to know that he probably is not going to be force down low for a while, if ever. Leslee has proven he can be an decent, if not solid, big man. Why would any fan of NU not want him for a full season next year, when we could make a serious run at the sweet 16?

Lets put it another way. If Leslee were healthy this year, he would easily be in the top 6 or 7 IMO (I think he is better than Rivers, he just can't start b/c Miles needs to switch between Pitchford and Leslee). Why would we not want one of our top 7 players back? If anyone thinks all these freshman are going to walk in and just start dominating, you need to reconsider. Think about Tai and how he struggled last year. Look at Tarin Smith this year. Fuller? I know that the new guys are more highly ranked (although not more highly than Tai according to some), but that doesn't mean they are physically ready for the B1G, or that they can master Miles' defensive scheme quickly, etc. Besides, NONE of them are centers. Unless Miles magically and remarkably pulls a rabbit out of his had and lands a top-notch juco big man in the spring, I would much rather have Leslee return and be our backup center all year next year, hands down. If Miles has a 5 star wing that also wants to sign in the spring, then he can sign him and room will make itself available like it always does due to attrition.

My sentiment that we are better off in the long haul with an open scholarship for next year is no knock on Leslee whatsoever and comes AFTER it was determined that a 6th year for Leslee is not a possibility. He plays this year and not next year. That's what's happening. Of course the program is better off without the unplanned injury absence of a player they thought would be able to play this entire year and then also without an unplanned scholarship extending into next year without the expected open scholarship. I'm not hating on Leslee and saying we don't want him, I'm saying it's better for the program if he's available when they expected him to be available to play.

[HB]

 

 

Also states he can't receive a 6th year. So it sounds like he'll be coming back this year regardless.

 

As much as I like Leslee, we're better off in the long run if we have his scholarship for next year.

 

Wow.  With all due respect, I completely disagree with you, ajb, shortdust and whoever else shares this sentiment.  The only way I could maybe understand this thinking is if you are convinced that Leslee is just injury plagued and will never be able to play more than spot minutes and be less than 100% while doing it.  But if he could come back healthy by next season and play a full season, I would take him in a heartbeat and count our blessings. 

 

If Leslee came back, he would only be here for next year.  He is not eating a scholarship for 4 years or anything like that.  Just next year, which he would be playing and contributing.  Unless something completely unexpected happens in the spring signing period, NU is going to be in the same, or possibly worse, situation in regards to lack of big men next year.  Miles did not sign a big man in this class (and no, I do not consider Morrow a big man; especially not in the B1G as a freshman).  NU will lose Moses and Leslee and it not bringing in anyone to replace them. I have already seen enough of Hammond to know that he probably is not going to be  force down low for a while, if ever.  Leslee has proven he can be an decent, if not solid, big man.  Why would any fan of NU not want him for a full season next year, when we could make a serious run at the sweet 16?

 

Lets put it another way.  If Leslee were healthy this year, he would easily be in the top 6 or 7 IMO (I think he is better than Rivers, he just can't start b/c Miles needs to switch between Pitchford and Leslee).  Why would we not want one of our top 7 players back?  If anyone thinks all these freshman are going to walk in and just start dominating, you need to reconsider.  Think about Tai and how he struggled last year.  Look at Tarin Smith this year.  Fuller?  I know that the new guys are more highly ranked (although not more highly than Tai according to some), but that doesn't mean they are physically ready for the B1G, or that they can master Miles' defensive scheme quickly, etc.  Besides, NONE of them are centers. Unless Miles magically and remarkably pulls a rabbit out of his had and lands a top-notch juco big man in the spring, I would much rather have Leslee return and be our backup center all year next year, hands down.  If Miles has a 5 star wing that also wants to sign in the spring, then he can sign him and room will make itself available like it always does due to attrition. 

 

 

I think you make a lot of good points.  However, I don't think Leslie was ever going to "come back healthy", even before this knee injury.  Those knees are chronic, would limit his minutes and productivity, and the "if he were healthy" assumptions were always going to be relative.

[NUdiehard]

The most likely spots for attrition that I can see besides the seniors who are playing are Leslee if he plays and doesn't try for a 6th year, and Terran if he goes pro.

 

Other than that ... I guess let's see how this season unfolds.  We have some young talent.  We have a guy sitting out as a transfer.  We have some returning players.  And then we have scholarships committed for all the known and certain vacancies. 

 

So, I don't know that I'd expect any additional attrition. 

 

Miles doesn't seem like he has the philosophy of forcing people out there door, but even if he did, who would he force?

We do have a lot coming back next year.  About the only thing we don't have coming back is a legitimate center.  That is why I would take a healthy Leslee back in a heartbeat.  He may not be all-conference, but he is big enough, strong enough, mature enough, experienced enough and talented enough to play and play effectively in the B1G.  If he doesn't come back (which by all accounts he will not), I can almost guarantee that next year we are going to be saying "I wish we had Leslee for just one more year"  just like we are all saying right now "I wish Leslee had not gotten hurt and that he could play all year".  How is it any different next year than this year in that regard. 

 

There is a very good chance that Terran will not return next year.  That would leave an open scholarship.  In fact, I bet Miles is almost counting on it.  This will be evidenced by the fact that he will continue to recruit for the spring signing period and I would bet that he will obtain at least one verbal commit before the end of the season (thus, before TP makes his final decision about returning).  If he does, are you going to be saying that Miles shouldn't have obtained a verbal commitment b/c we don't know if TP is leaving and we don't have anyone that could/should be subject to attrition?

 

All I am saying is that I doubt that even Miles is going to be able to go out and find a legit big man that can come in NEXT year and be as good or better than Leslee.  And if he cannot, then I would rather have Leslee next year and let the future years sort themselves out.  He has already signed 3 quality freshman for 2015.  That is plenty to keep the youth movement in place.  What we need next year is an experienced and legit big man and Leslee fits that bill.

 

In the end, all this discussion doesn't matter b/c by all reports Miles doesn't think Leslee would qualify for a 6th year even if he applied (although that surprises me considering his history of injury).  I am just speaking in hypothetical and IMO I would take Leslee next year over an open scholarship without hesitation whatsoever.

[NUdiehard]

 

 

 

Also states he can't receive a 6th year. So it sounds like he'll be coming back this year regardless.

 

As much as I like Leslee, we're better off in the long run if we have his scholarship for next year.

 

Wow.  With all due respect, I completely disagree with you, ajb, shortdust and whoever else shares this sentiment.  The only way I could maybe understand this thinking is if you are convinced that Leslee is just injury plagued and will never be able to play more than spot minutes and be less than 100% while doing it.  But if he could come back healthy by next season and play a full season, I would take him in a heartbeat and count our blessings. 

 

If Leslee came back, he would only be here for next year.  He is not eating a scholarship for 4 years or anything like that.  Just next year, which he would be playing and contributing.  Unless something completely unexpected happens in the spring signing period, NU is going to be in the same, or possibly worse, situation in regards to lack of big men next year.  Miles did not sign a big man in this class (and no, I do not consider Morrow a big man; especially not in the B1G as a freshman).  NU will lose Moses and Leslee and it not bringing in anyone to replace them. I have already seen enough of Hammond to know that he probably is not going to be  force down low for a while, if ever.  Leslee has proven he can be an decent, if not solid, big man.  Why would any fan of NU not want him for a full season next year, when we could make a serious run at the sweet 16?

 

Lets put it another way.  If Leslee were healthy this year, he would easily be in the top 6 or 7 IMO (I think he is better than Rivers, he just can't start b/c Miles needs to switch between Pitchford and Leslee).  Why would we not want one of our top 7 players back?  If anyone thinks all these freshman are going to walk in and just start dominating, you need to reconsider.  Think about Tai and how he struggled last year.  Look at Tarin Smith this year.  Fuller?  I know that the new guys are more highly ranked (although not more highly than Tai according to some), but that doesn't mean they are physically ready for the B1G, or that they can master Miles' defensive scheme quickly, etc.  Besides, NONE of them are centers. Unless Miles magically and remarkably pulls a rabbit out of his had and lands a top-notch juco big man in the spring, I would much rather have Leslee return and be our backup center all year next year, hands down.  If Miles has a 5 star wing that also wants to sign in the spring, then he can sign him and room will make itself available like it always does due to attrition. 

 

 

I think you make a lot of good points.  However, I don't think Leslie was ever going to "come back healthy", even before this knee injury.  Those knees are chronic, would limit his minutes and productivity, and the "if he were healthy" assumptions were always going to be relative.

 

If this is your assumption going into next year (or any year with Leslee), then I can understand this sentiment.  However, even with that said, if we could just get 15-20 minutes per game, every game, with Leslee next year, I would still take him over an open scholarship.  We are going to have a huge hole in the middle next year (again, unless Miles can pull a rabbit out of the hat) and we are all going to be talking about how good this team could be if we just had "one more big man".