From Mad Chatter today

[GoBigRed]

I'm not so sure Miles would have brought in Biggs if he had known that Biggs wanted to redshirt this year and that NU would not be getting Agau. There's a reason Miles picked up Peltz about 3 weeks before the season and that is because Biggs surprised Miles when he told him that he still wanted to redshirt even though Agau was not coming to NU, and Miles had to scramble for an extra pg. Miles had to assume that Biggs would see that he would basically be guaranteed a starting spot if he played this year and never thought Biggs would want to redshirt. Miles was a nice guy and honored Biggs wish to redshirt. Biggs would be playing 30 minutes a game this year and would of set himself up to have a huge year next year. Now he is going to have 2 full years off from basketball and no D1 experience.

Not to mention a freshman coming in next year who might just be better than him.

[GATA]

I'm not so sure Miles would have brought in Biggs if he had known that Biggs wanted to redshirt this year and that NU would not be getting Agau. There's a reason Miles picked up Peltz about 3 weeks before the season and that is because Biggs surprised Miles when he told him that he still wanted to redshirt even though Agau was not coming to NU, and Miles had to scramble for an extra pg. Miles had to assume that Biggs would see that he would basically be guaranteed a starting spot if he played this year and never thought Biggs would want to redshirt. Miles was a nice guy and honored Biggs wish to redshirt. Biggs would be playing 30 minutes a game this year and would of set himself up to have a huge year next year. Now he is going to have 2 full years off from basketball and no D1 experience.

Is this some kind of inside information? If so, I'm not sure what Miles was thinking. I get that bringing in Biggs could have helped with getting Agau, but I can't imagine why he would give Biggs the choice of redshirting.

[FredsSlacks]

Is this some kind of inside information? If so, I'm not sure what Miles was thinking. I get that bringing in Biggs could have helped with getting Agau, but I can't imagine why he would give Biggs the choice of redshirting.

I thought it was well known that Miles made it public that he wanted Biggs to play this year but would honor whatever decision Biggs made.

[GATA]

I thought it was well known that Miles made it public that he wanted Biggs to play this year but would honor whatever decision Biggs made.

That could very well be, and perhaps I missed it. I still have a hard time believing Miles would allow him to redshirt if he didn't have big plans for him in the future.

[FredsSlacks]

That could very well be, and perhaps I missed it. I still have a hard time believing Miles would allow him to redshirt if he didn't have big plans for him in the future.

it is painful watching Peltz eat up minutes knowing Biggs could be out there. The only way Biggs will start next year is if NU goes with 3 small guards in the lineup. That may very well happen if Nebraska does not get Atewe or any other big men. I think Webster, pitchford, and Gallegos are the only 3 guaranteed to start next year.

[GATA]

it is painful watching Peltz eat up minutes knowing Biggs could be out there. The only way Biggs will start next year is if NU goes with 3 small guards in the lineup. That may very well happen if Nebraska does not get Atewe or any other big men. I think Webster, pitchford, and Gallegos are the only 3 guaranteed to start next year.

I definitely wouldn't say Webster is guaranteed to start. I think it's probably likely, but there's a reasonable chance Miles eases him in with Gallegos back, Parker back (although I'm not his biggest fan) and Biggs coming off a redshirt. I agree about Gallegos and Pitchford, though.

[hhcmatt]

I disagree on Biggs. From what I saw of him last year in the KJCCC, and from what I know, he will have the most experience, and I think will be above Parker as the backup point. Heck he may even start at Point, and Webster may go to a wing

I think people have to get out of the mindset of PG-SG with MIles. He wants guys who can both handle the rock and score. There have been plenty of times that Benny Parker hasn't brought the ball up the court and he's "the PG"

I would think of it in terms of scoring skillset...in terms of slashing vs. shooting. The slashing player who can take his man to the hoop and creates the pick your poison scenario where you take your chances playing him straight up or cause defenders to sag and open up your shooters.

If Parker, Webster, and Biggs were are best 3 players I'd expect to see them all on the court at the same time assuming at least one guys can create a shot and one guy can spot up for a 2/3

[bball23]

Biggs will start next season and I would be absolutely shocked if he doesn't....Biggs can play. Biggs will be able to create for NU next year and we desperately need that. I know it was just Midland, but I thought Biggs was one of the best players on the floor that night.

From everything I have heard, Biggs can play and is doing very well at practice.

[hhcmatt]

Barfneck today on Biggs, Pitchford and Pettaway:

Lee Barfknecht:

I've seen them. Biggs would start. I know there seems to be massive interest in the other two guys, but everybody needs to remember that PItchford played only 12 MINUTES the whole season at Florida and that Pettaway averaged 3.3 points a game on a team that lost 25 times.

He has a valid point with Pitch and Pettaway and hopefully they're guys who simply need the right system (how was Ray's first two years?)

Pettaway's stats were generated during an absolute trainwreck of a Billy G year. He doesn't seem like he's ever going to be a huge scoring threat as much as he potentially has more #GATA than anyone else on the team. Hopefully his basement is 10-15 minute energy guy and we'll see if he can develop into more.

Pitchford is sort of enigma...seems like one of those potential guys who is athletic as heck and it's a matter of how much work he puts into his game? So...how much work is he putting into his game? I hope we can sign some more height simply to guarantee we don't have to start Pitchford by default....make him earn it. If nothing else Pitch has a ton of personality...if he can play he's going to be wildly popular.

[Norm Peterson]

I have a hard time writing anyone into next year's starting lineup in permanent ink at this point. I know who WON'T be there: Ubel, Almeida and Talley. Beyond that, it's tough to say. I think we can say this much: There will be competition for every spot and no one's starting job will be secure and that includes Ray Gallegos, although I think Ray is about as much of a lock as anyone right now. But that's a good thing. It's healthy to have competition because it suggests whoever wins the starting nod will have to bring their A game in order to do so.

[tbowman]

I have a hard time writing anyone into next year's starting lineup in permanent ink at this point. I know who WON'T be there: Ubel, Almeida and Talley. Beyond that, it's tough to say. I think we can say this much: There will be competition for every spot and no one's starting job will be secure and that includes Ray Gallegos, although I think Ray is about as much of a lock as anyone right now. But that's a good thing. It's healthy to have competition because it suggests whoever wins the starting nod will have to bring their A game in order to do so.

I'm curious Norm why you believe there will be competition at every spot? I am thrilled about the new players coming in next season, but from what I can tell they are all guards and small forwards. Right now there is not one player that I have any level of confidence can replace Ubel or Almeida.

NU's lack of big men is a huge concern. Next year could be another rough year even if most/all of the new guys pan out as solid players.

[Red Rum]

I have a hard time reading posts where someone says this should be the line up next year or this is how I see it. I'm not the coach, I'm not at pratice or in the weight room or meetings. And I don't have any sources feeding me information. I have no dagum idea what's going to happen. I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the ride.

[nebrasketball10]

I have a hard time writing anyone into next year's starting lineup in permanent ink at this point. I know who WON'T be there: Ubel, Almeida and Talley. Beyond that, it's tough to say. I think we can say this much: There will be competition for every spot and no one's starting job will be secure and that includes Ray Gallegos, although I think Ray is about as much of a lock as anyone right now. But that's a good thing. It's healthy to have competition because it suggests whoever wins the starting nod will have to bring their A game in order to do so.

Agree. If we're going to be a GOOD team, Ray had better be a role-type player (or improve his ability to create). All he can do is catch and shoot. He's not a creator, he's not a lockdown defender. His vast improvement is a result of a year off and having the green light in Miles' system. Part of the reason he didn't have the same green light with Doc is that we had some other options. Doc gave Ray the green light to start with, and he kind of shot himself out of it - which then destroyed his confidence. I think Ray will continue to be a streaky shooter and will struggle to be effective against good teams, due to his inability to create.

[Norm Peterson]

I'm curious Norm why you believe there will be competition at every spot? I am thrilled about the new players coming in next season, but from what I can tell they are all guards and small forwards. Right now there is not one player that I have any level of confidence can replace Ubel or Almeida.

NU's lack of big men is a huge concern. Next year could be another rough year even if most/all of the new guys pan out as solid players.

NU's lack of big men is a huge concern. And I agree that next year could be another rough year even if, as you say, most of the new guys pan out. I keep on seeing conflicting reports about the potential candidates to replace Ubel and Almeida, though. One post you see says Pitchford is great and Petteway is terrible and then the next post has it the other way around. And I've heard things that aren't necessarily in agreement with what other people have said they've heard.

With the players we have coming in and those that are redshirting, Miles will have a lot of different options for how to structure a lineup and the best guy is going to see the floor. Which means if Pitchford wants to be that guy, it's not going to be enough that he's 6'8" or more. He'll have to be a better option than other guys Miles could play. If we're a better team by having Petteway and Rivers start down low than if Pitchford is in there, then we'll see Petteway and Rivers.

No one is going to come in as the annointed one and be assured a starting spot without having to earn it. That's what I mean by compeition for every spot.

[Silverbacked1]

Wait... are we losing Kye and Sergei next year?

[Swan88]

As long as we are in a predicting mode for next year's team, here are my two cents worth (or maybe it's only one-cent worth): (i) the two freshmen, one sophomore and one walkon who see significant minutes throughout this year will also see significant minutes during the first half of next season because of experience triumphing over ability, but (ii) once the second half of next season arrives, experience will start to even out, and ability will prevail. As to who will have the greater ability next year among available players . . . no clue.

[hskr4life]

I think people have to get out of the mindset of PG-SG with MIles. He wants guys who can both handle the rock and score. There have been plenty of times that Benny Parker hasn't brought the ball up the court and he's "the PG"

I would think of it in terms of scoring skillset...in terms of slashing vs. shooting. The slashing player who can take his man to the hoop and creates the pick your poison scenario where you take your chances playing him straight up or cause defenders to sag and open up your shooters.

If Parker, Webster, and Biggs were are best 3 players I'd expect to see them all on the court at the same time assuming at least one guys can create a shot and one guy can spot up for a 2/3

Well if that is the case, I could see Biggs and Webster starting next year. Parker does not seem like he wants the ball, and I know his is just a Freshman, but if you are a starter, and you have the stats you put up in high school that he does, do something with it.

[hhcmatt]

Well if that is the case, I could see Biggs and Webster starting next year. Parker does not seem like he wants the ball, and I know his is just a Freshman, but if you are a starter, and you have the stats you put up in high school that he does, do something with it.

I think he is sort of banged up between his knee and that concussion. I hope that is the situation.

This was a guy who put up 24 ppg in high school. Not sure why he isn't more aggressive about scoring.

[Huskerpapa]

Man, I have a tough time thinking of next year given we are not even to the half-way point this year!!! I keep "hearing" this, that and the other. But, until I see the players and know who will be here and who is leaving, I struggle knowing what our line-up will look at. I know for sure that Andre, Brandon and Dylan will be gone. I think that we will have better depth at guard and wing. I hope that we will find a way to get better depth with our bigs.

We need a big that can step in immediately and play. So that means (to me) that we need a four or five star incoming freshman, or a juco big that has Big Ten talent. Perhaps, perhaps we will see some action prior to the beginning of the second semester.

[FredsSlacks]

I think he is sort of banged up between his knee and that concussion. I hope that is the situation.

This was a guy who put up 24 ppg in high school. Not sure why he isn't more aggressive about scoring.

Miles said in the preseason that Parker was out of control at times. Maybe he wants Parker to continue to gain game experience before he truly unleashes him. I've actually been impressed with Parker's ball control and passing. I think Miles is limiting Parker's shots right now and telling him to focus more on taking care of the ball and creating shots for others. Parker's outside shot has not looked great at times though.