Matthew Atewe -> Auburn -> Washington

[HuskerFever]

probably watched him and like 150 other guys with the way this man seems to recruit. I would love to see our coaches go and recruit that league, and the prestigious Hoop Hall Classic up in the northeast. The HHC, interesting it matches this websites abbrev., brings in about 16 teams where each team averages at least 5 D-1 players on it. Would be nice to start getting some players out of those schools as they tend to play a lot of talent in HS and primes them for college.

You almost make it sound like a candy store . "I want that one, and..... that one. And I'll have three of these." Even if we get one quality player out of there, I certainly can't object to anything our recruiting staff is doing.

[Huskerpapa]

probably watched him and like 150 other guys with the way this man seems to recruit. I would love to see our coaches go and recruit that league, and the prestigious Hoop Hall Classic up in the northeast. The HHC, interesting it matches this websites abbrev., brings in about 16 teams where each team averages at least 5 D-1 players on it. Would be nice to start getting some players out of those schools as they tend to play a lot of talent in HS and primes them for college.

I agree - it would be great to make in-roads there...the talent and level of competition is significant.

[Nebrasketballer]

maybe you should do some research before saying anything. The reason most people for recruiting services dont know much about the guy is the fact that he backed up the nations #5 recruit last year at ND prep. This alone can prohibit a lot of people knowing who he even is because his minutes get limited due to playing behind a huge star. His team also featured offensive weapons in Xavier recruit Myles Davis, and Clemson recruit Adonis Filer so he didnt have any focus going his way. All 3 have graduated and Atewe will be one of the main focuses on the team this year.

Wow dude, I didn't mean to offend you by simply having a different opinion than you about a potential recruiting target, as well as a different opinion of the importance of getting players that are highly rated by recruiting services. I'm not saying that there is no way that this kid could turn out to be good. I simply think that Nebraska has little margin for error when it comes to recruiting. I also think that Nebraska is at a point where alot of stars have aligned concerning facilities, coaching changes, and entering the Big Ten. These things can help take recruits' attention away from the fact that Nebraska has little tradition to sell them on. I think that there is a window, where if Miles takes advantage of these things, he can change the future of the program. I think it is imperative for Nebraska to strike while the iron is hot and get high level recruits into the program.

My opinin is that Nebraska would be better off keeping the spot open and offering the scholarship to a higher-level recruit in the 2014 class. There are multiple 4Star-5Star players in the 2014 class that Nebraska is recruiting, that they could have an entire year to build relationships with. Plus, the new arena (as well as the other development projects that are part of the west haymarket development) will continue to become more impressive as they move closer to completion. It will be easier for a recruit to see himself playing in a brand new arena when he is standing inside of it on his recruiting visit, rather than seeing a rendering on a computer screen.

Just my opinion...

[Nebrasketballer]

I also believe that by not rushing to take another player in the 2013 class, it will give Agau until the last minute to flip from Louisville to Nebraska. Even though the chances of Agau flipping may be slim, I believe the reward would justify the wait, as I don't think anyone would argue that Atewe would be a better get for Miles than Agau, and the connection to Omaha Central would be important as well.

[trickey]

I also believe that by not rushing to take another player in the 2013 class, it will give Agau until the last minute to flip from Louisville to Nebraska. Even though the chances of Agau flipping may be slim, I believe the reward would justify the wait, as I don't think anyone would argue that Atewe would be a better get for Miles than Agau, and the connection to Omaha Central would be important as well.

I would rather have them both. It appeared Agau was concerned about the lack of another big man when he was reaching out to Vitto Brown and Okafor before he verbaled to slick rick...but if I can't have both, I will take either one.

[jimmykc]

Balham with knees?

[Cookie Belcher]

Who cares about the stars? If he has 0 stars, that just means they haven't evaluated him yet.

What I look at more closely is the schools that have offered. In this case Memphis, Marquette, K State, etc. Pretty good list in my opinion.

Really, man? Even the same avatar?

[Cookie Belcher]

Nebrasketballer: knows more about a recruit simply by seeing how many stars he has from the recruiting services than Miles does by actually having first hand knowledge of the guy.

[Nebrasketballer]

Nebrasketballer: knows more about a recruit simply by seeing how many stars he has from the recruiting services than Miles does by actually having first hand knowledge of the guy.

I never said that I know more than Miles. Again, I was simply stating my opinion about a potential recruit. I was under the impression that was allowed here. Also, I think your logic could be applied the many people that think they know more about a recruit simply by watching a few highlight videos and game tapes than the recruiting services know by actually having first hand knowledge of the player. If people really believed that recruiting services were so far off when it comes to evaluating talent, then people wouldn't make a point to list how many stars are next to a player's name on ESPN and Rivals. Recruiting services are obviously not right 100% of the time, but they are accurate enough of the time that people reference these rankings in newspapers, magazines, TV media, radio media, and message boards when comparing players.

As I stated in a previous post on this thread, I'm not saying that Atewe can't end up being a good player. All I am saying is that I think he is not on the same level as Agau, so going after him would be a step down. I don't think anyone on this site would argue that Atewe is on the same level as Agau. I think it's safe to say that goes for Miles as well. (No, I'm not saying that I can speak for Miles or that I know what he thinks, but logic would lead us to believe that if Agau was committed to Nebraska instead of Louisville, then this would not even be a topic.) It is my opinion that Miles is recruiting a few players in the 2014 class that are on the same level as Agau, so if Miles were to land a commit from one of them, it would not be a step down getting them instead of Agau.

[Nebrasketballer]

Balham with knees?

Haha

[Cookie Belcher]

I never said that I know more than Miles. Again, I was simply stating my opinion about a potential recruit. I was under the impression that was allowed here. Also, I think your logic could be applied the many people that think they know more about a recruit simply by watching a few highlight videos and game tapes than the recruiting services know by actually having first hand knowledge of the player. If people really believed that recruiting services were so far off when it comes to evaluating talent, then people wouldn't make a point to list how many stars are next to a player's name on ESPN and Rivals. Recruiting services are obviously not right 100% of the time, but they are accurate enough of the time that people reference these rankings in newspapers, magazines, TV media, radio media, and message boards when comparing players.

As I stated in a previous post on this thread, I'm not saying that Atewe can't end up being a good player. All I am saying is that I think he is not on the same level as Agau, so going after him would be a step down. I don't think anyone on this site would argue that Atewe is on the same level as Agau. I think it's safe to say that goes for Miles as well. (No, I'm not saying that I can speak for Miles or that I know what he thinks, but logic would lead us to believe that if Agau was committed to Nebraska instead of Louisville, then this would not even be a topic.) It is my opinion that Miles is recruiting a few players in the 2014 class that are on the same level as Agau, so if Miles were to land a commit from one of them, it would not be a step down getting them instead of Agau.

Well, the recruiting services didn't evaluate Atewe and determine he was a 0 star talent. He is listed with no stars because he hasn't been looked at. The same as Tai Webster. Did you think it was a mistake to recruit him? I would assume that Atewe will eventually be evaluated and given stars by the recruiting services, is it okay to recruit him at that time?

I just think the crux of your opinion is kind of silly. The recruiting services do have value and that is why people use their rankings and star ratings, but they don't actually think Atewe is worse than every player who has been assigned a star rating.

[Nebrasketballer]

Well, the recruiting services didn't evaluate Atewe and determine he was a 0 star talent. He is listed with no stars because he hasn't been looked at. The same as Tai Webster. Did you think it was a mistake to recruit him? I would assume that Atewe will eventually be evaluated and given stars by the recruiting services, is it okay to recruit him at that time?

I just think the crux of your opinion is kind of silly. The recruiting services do have value and that is why people use their rankings and star ratings, but they don't actually think Atewe is worse than every player who has been assigned a star rating.

First of all, it is ridiculous to compare Atewe to Webster. Webster made the New Zealand national team at age 17.

He started scoring 20 points against teams like Greece and Angola in FIBA Olympic qualifying play. He is the youngest player to ever make the New Zealand national team. He averaged 13.5 points in Olympic qualifying play while shooting 52.5 percent from the field, including 62.5 percent from three-point range. His club team advanced to the Under-19 New Zealand National League championship. Webster scored 42 points in that game. Webster also had guys like ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla (said he watched tapes of all of Webster’s Olympic qualifying games, and has kept tabs on Webster through friends in New Zealand) saying things like:

- “This is a definite coup for the Huskers.”

- "If Webster was playing in the Unites States he’d be a Top 25 recruit."

- “I’d be shocked if there were 25 better 17-year-old players in the States than this kid.”

- “I mean, you’re talking about some really great teams. Some high-level, NBA types, European professional players, the young man acquitted himself well. Really well.”

As far as getting hung up on star rankings (like its a new concept, or something), let's instead use the criteria that many are suggesting on this thread to be a more accurate method of evaluating and comparing Atewe and Agau. People keep bringing up Atewe's offer list as a better measure of his talent than star rankings from recruiting services, so:

Matthew Atewe offer list:

Kansas State, Marquette, Memphis, Auburn, Dayton, Clemson, Duquesne, Nevada and UNC-Charlotte.

Akoy Agau offer list:

Louisville, Baylor, Cincinnati, Clemson, Colorado St, UConn, Creighton, DePaul, Drake, Florida, Georgetown, Georgia, Indiana St, Iowa, Jacksonville, Kansas St, Marquette, Memphis, Minnesota, Mississippi St, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Oregon, Penn St, Providence, Rice, San Francisco, Tennessee, Tulsa, USC, West Virginia, Western Kentucky, Wichita St, and Xavier.

I just think the crux of your opinion is kind of silly. The recruiting services do have value and that is why people use their rankings and star ratings, but they don't actually think Atewe is worse than every player who has been assigned a star rating.

I've never once said that Atewe is worse than every player that has been assigned a star ranking. I never even compared Atewe to every player that has been assigned a star rating. As I stated in a previous post on this thread, I'm not saying that Atewe can't end up being a good player. All I am saying is that I think Atewe is not on the same level as Agau, so going after him (Atewe) would be a step down (from Agau). It is my opinion that Miles is recruiting a few players in the 2014 class that are on the same level as Agau, so if Miles were to land a commit from one of them, it would not be a step down getting them instead of Agau.

[49r]

This would be a mistake in my opinion. Just because Agau decided to go to Louisville doesn't mean that Nebraska needs to take a player that is ranked 4 stars less than him by both ESPN and rivals. I think it is a mistake to waste a scholarship on another low profile recruit, when the roster is already full of low profile guys. I think they should save the scholarship for the 2014 class and go after a player of the same caliber of Agau. They should take their chances on being able to get a higher level player, now that Miles will have a full recruiting year to build relationships with players instead of the few months that he has had to recruit to Nebraska for the 2013 class.

Nebraksetballer, the bolded section above is why you got people jumping down your neck. Not the assertion that Atewe is a step down from Agau or other potential targets.

The implication you are making here is he has already been evaluated by ESPN and Rivals, who subsequently did not assign any stars to this particular player, when that is clearly not the case. You exacerbate the situation by going on to say it would be a "waste of a scholarship" and instead need to go after someone the "same caliber of Agau".

I don't think anyone would disagree with you on what you said, per se. It was more in the delivery than anything.

[Nebrasketballer]

The implication you are making here is he has already been evaluated by ESPN and Rivals, who subsequently did not assign any stars to this particular player, when that is clearly not the case. You exacerbate the situation by going on to say it would be a "waste of a scholarship" and instead need to go after someone the "same caliber of Agau".

I don't think anyone would disagree with you on what you said, per se. It was more in the delivery than anything.

I guess I was exaggerating the point that I was trying to make. I was trying to point out that since Agau, Brown, and Foster have committed to schools other than Nebraska, if Miles was to go after Atewe, it would be a step down to the #4 PF target on his list for the 2013 class. In my opinion, it is less advantageous for Nebraska to take a PF that is much less decorated than Agau (both with star rankings and offers from other schools), simply for the sake of taking a PF in the 2013 class. It is my opinion that Miles is recruiting a few players in the 2014 class that are on the same level as Agau, so if Miles were to land a commit from one of them, it would not be a step down getting them instead of Agau.

[Red Rum]

So you're saying that Atewe isn't as good as Agau? Why don't you come in a little, you're out on that limb a little too far

Someone's gotta back up one of those 4 star PF's we'll get next year....unless we get them all....

[Cookie Belcher]

First of all, it is ridiculous to compare Atewe to Webster. Webster made the New Zealand national team at age 17.

He started scoring 20 points against teams like Greece and Angola in FIBA Olympic qualifying play. He is the youngest player to ever make the New Zealand national team. He averaged 13.5 points in Olympic qualifying play while shooting 52.5 percent from the field, including 62.5 percent from three-point range. His club team advanced to the Under-19 New Zealand National League championship. Webster scored 42 points in that game. Webster also had guys like ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla (said he watched tapes of all of Webster’s Olympic qualifying games, and has kept tabs on Webster through friends in New Zealand) saying things like:

- “This is a definite coup for the Huskers.”

- "If Webster was playing in the Unites States he’d be a Top 25 recruit."

- “I’d be shocked if there were 25 better 17-year-old players in the States than this kid.”

- “I mean, you’re talking about some really great teams. Some high-level, NBA types, European professional players, the young man acquitted himself well. Really well.”

As far as getting hung up on star rankings (like its a new concept, or something), let's instead use the criteria that many are suggesting on this thread to be a more accurate method of evaluating and comparing Atewe and Agau. People keep bringing up Atewe's offer list as a better measure of his talent than star rankings from recruiting services, so:

Matthew Atewe offer list:

Kansas State, Marquette, Memphis, Auburn, Dayton, Clemson, Duquesne, Nevada and UNC-Charlotte.

Akoy Agau offer list:

Louisville, Baylor, Cincinnati, Clemson, Colorado St, UConn, Creighton, DePaul, Drake, Florida, Georgetown, Georgia, Indiana St, Iowa, Jacksonville, Kansas St, Marquette, Memphis, Minnesota, Mississippi St, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Oregon, Penn St, Providence, Rice, San Francisco, Tennessee, Tulsa, USC, West Virginia, Western Kentucky, Wichita St, and Xavier.

I've never once said that Atewe is worse than every player that has been assigned a star ranking. I never even compared Atewe to every player that has been assigned a star rating. As I stated in a previous post on this thread, I'm not saying that Atewe can't end up being a good player. All I am saying is that I think Atewe is not on the same level as Agau, so going after him (Atewe) would be a step down (from Agau). It is my opinion that Miles is recruiting a few players in the 2014 class that are on the same level as Agau, so if Miles were to land a commit from one of them, it would not be a step down getting them instead of Agau.

I don't know why you are arguing who is the better player between Webster vs Atewe as that wasn't something I said. Strawman argument there.

I just mentioned that Webster also had 0 stars so a 0 star player really shouldn't be valued as a "0 star player" because it just means they haven't been evaluated. You said Agau is "4 stars" better than Atewe and that is where I took issue.

[HuskerFever]

I guess I was exaggerating the point that I was trying to make. I was trying to point out that since Agau, Brown, and Foster have committed to schools other than Nebraska, if Miles was to go after Atewe, it would be a step down to the #4 PF target on his list for the 2013 class. In my opinion, it is less advantageous for Nebraska to take a PF that is much less decorated than Agau (both with star rankings and offers from other schools), simply for the sake of taking a PF in the 2013 class. It is my opinion that Miles is recruiting a few players in the 2014 class that are on the same level as Agau, so if Miles were to land a commit from one of them, it would not be a step down getting them instead of Agau.

I could be wrong... but maybe these top caliber players don't want to come to Nebraska at this point in time. You can shoot for the stars (pun totally intended), but if you don't come back with anything, then you're missing out on people that have good talent and actually want to play for our program.

[GATA]

I could be wrong... but maybe these top caliber players don't want to come to Nebraska at this point in time. You can shoot for the stars (pun totally intended), but if you don't come back with anything, then you're missing out on people that have good talent and actually want to play for our program.

Well said. It's not like Miles doesn't want the best possible players. Sometimes, unfortunately, you have to settle for Plan Es, Fs and Gs.

[Searching 4 Chester Surles]

His team also featured offensive weapons in Xavier recruit Myles Davis, and Clemson recruit Adonis Filer so he didnt have any focus going his way. All 3 have graduated...

... as well as Sam Cassell Jr... who signed with Maryland, but was ruled ineligible, and has ended up at Chipola JC. The reason for that ruling, was the NCAA's accusation that Notre Dame Prep is another "diploma mill". Kinda like the one Roburt Sallie went to.

Anyway, that ND Prep team was heavily guard/perimeter-focused.

[Norm Peterson]

I could be wrong... but maybe these top caliber players don't want to come to Nebraska at this point in time. You can shoot for the stars (pun totally intended), but if you don't come back with anything, then you're missing out on people that have good talent and actually want to play for our program.

But I think you have to be willing to shoot for the stars. You'll never get visits, let alone commits, from top tier players unless you try. We've discussed the philosophy some men employ when going to the bars of "go ugly early" so as to not get shut out. As a recruiting philosophy, I think that stinks. And I wonder if the prior staff may have conceded the higher ground a little too quickly. As a result, we ended up a lot of times with good quality jucos and generally no better than decent high school kids. I think Miles has the right idea and it's important that he show some success early so that he can maintain a the claim that this is a credible program for the upper tier kids to consider. Success begets success. And I think the problem for Doc was he reached a point where he was battling inertia. Get some momentum established early and you can keep the thing rolling; struggle too long out of the gates and the weight of the program becomes a heavier thing to move.

[colhusker]

But I think you have to be willing to shoot for the stars. You'll never get visits, let alone commits, from top tier players unless you try. We've discussed the philosophy some men employ when going to the bars of "go ugly early" so as to not get shut out. As a recruiting philosophy, I think that stinks. And I wonder if the prior staff may have conceded the higher ground a little too quickly. As a result, we ended up a lot of times with good quality jucos and generally no better than decent high school kids. I think Miles has the right idea and it's important that he show some success early so that he can maintain a the claim that this is a credible program for the upper tier kids to consider. Success begets success. And I think the problem for Doc was he reached a point where he was battling inertia. Get some momentum established early and you can keep the thing rolling; struggle too long out of the gates and the weight of the program becomes a heavier thing to move.

Damn I wish someone would have told me about going ugly early at the bars when I was in college.

[Huskerpapa]

Remember...women say the same thing...

[Nebrasketballer]

Damn I wish someone would have told me about going ugly early at the bars when I was in college.

They're only ugly if you haven't drank enough yet...

[colhusker]

Remember...women say the same thing...

That explains a few of my dates then!

[Tony]

They're only ugly if you haven't drank enough yet...

There were a ton of girls at the bar! I picked them both up.