Connor Beranek and Ethan Brozek

[basketballjones]

A few years back I drew some serious heat when I said we desperately need to start taking more chances on in-state kids instead of taking chances on kids from out of state (that weren't that heavily recruited in the first place).

I was beaten down, flogged, and my family received death threats (I might be exaggerating). The main argument against this was, "if there's such good players here then why aren't they doing anything else when they go other places?" It's a solid argument, and I my counter was along the lines of bringing them in as specialists vs where the D2/NAIA teams are bringing them in as stars, thus different roles and different evaluations on how their careers go.

Let me make one thing clear - I am not bashing our current players and I wouldn't trade them for the world. However, I will use them for comparison purposes. But if you've seen Connor Beranek and Ethan Brozek play for UNK (in the MIAA, one of the best D2 conferences out there), there's NO WAY, you could tell me we shouldn't have these two on our squad. Both 1st team all MIAA, and Connor was the POY in the conference.

Again, I am not bashing our dudes - but if Nick Fuller and David Rivers are 3stars, Connor Beranek and Ethan Brozek are also. I have 0.0 doubt in my mind of that.

As a redshirt JR, Brozek would have been in the Josiah Moore, Corey Hilliard, David Rivers, and Dylan Talley class. Hilliard and Moore making my point about taking chances on average players from out of state (both unrated 3 stars). And while I LOVE what DRivers brings and would trade him for the world - as a comparison, Brozek is just as big and moves just as well (he might be bigger, I'm not sure), and might handle the ball even better.

With Connor, it's a no-brainer for me. Dude is a flat out stud. They list him at 6'6", but that cannot be true, he's closer to 6'8" than he is 6'6". They list Brozek at 6'7" and Connor looks taller than him. He's long, he's very athletic (Dunks with ease, and some of them are thunderous). He shoots the 3 well, has an incredible midrange game, and finishes at the rim with both hands easily. Deceptively quick, very fast in transition, and just has a perfectly developed feel for the game. Not to mention he is a fierce, very fierce competitor that wants the ball. He's unguardable at the level he's at now, you can't tell me he couldn't at least be effective on this squad being 6'7"ish and a lights out shooter. I don't care who was in his class, it was a no-brainer for me at the time and it still is.

So, in general, my point is that we should grab the low hanging fruit from in-state vs going out of state to get low hanging fruit. Do I have a spacific example for this year or last? No, but I'm not as close to the recruiting scene as I used to be. But this should be a part of our philosophy and thought process IN MY OPINION.

Man I waited a long time to make that post.... Phew, that's a weight off my shoulders, flog away my friends, flog away.

[basketballjones]

Ah hold on stop typing, I forgot one of the other arguments - "Why didn't anyone else recruit them then!?!?!?"

Simple answer - I've recruited in Nebraska. If Creighton (which a lot of kids don't like) or Nebraska doesn't sniff at a kid - you might as well put a fence up because no one will step foot in the state. TRUST ME. And kids just aren't feeling UNO yet... Not sure why.

[Miles ahead of the rest]

Ethan is a flat out monster.  I've played a lot of rec league and tournaments with him before he chose to head back to UNK.  No doubt in my mind he would be able to contribute at the D1 level.

[hhctony]

Here is your one for this year. He's going to play for Craig Smith. Tyler Hagedorn.

[basketballjones]

Here is your one for this year. He's going to play for Craig Smith. Tyler Hagedorn.

I haven't seen Tyler play in a couple years - how has he progressed since his sophomore year? Has his foot speed and guard skills improved?

[hhctony]

I have not seen him this year, but coaches I have talked to say he has gotten quicker and greatly improved. Most think South Dakota getting a steal. Hoping to see him in Lincoln next week. Had 20 last night on 7/12 shooting.

[FredsSlacks]

can't change the past. We have 3 4 star recruits joining the team next year. No reason to gamble on a local kid unless he wants to walk-on.

[hhctony]

can't change the past. We have 3 4 star recruits joining the team next year. No reason to gamble on a local kid unless he wants to walk-on.

 

No disagreement. I love that we got Trueblood to walk-on, to be honest. He'll have a redshirt and I think by years four and five could contribute. Need guys like that on your team.

[Huskerpapa]

I would love the program to get to a level that we can take the top kid from Nebraska each and every year.  We would then be four deep with Nebraska kids and the remainder of the scholorships can go to four and five star kids from all over.  The Nebraska kids could then be the "glue" players that every team needs.

[hskr4life]

It'd be big to get kids to grow up WANTING to play basketball for Nebraska.  We are starting to change that culture around here, and I think this season is just a monster sized pot hole on a long flat and smooth road.  The NDOR is coming to patch it up!  We just have to wait for it to be patched!

[uneblinstu]

The sophomore at Norfolk. I don't remember his name. He was a load last year, a little lumbering but skilled, but a beast-in-the-making. How's he doing this year? I believe he was getting some D1 attention. That's a kid that should be in Lincoln. I'm still a little disappointed Jalen Bradley didn't get a chance here. He was such a good shooter. Thought he was every bit as good as Gessell in HS. Maybe not as quick...

[HB]

The sophomore at Norfolk. I don't remember his name. He was a load last year, a little lumbering but skilled, but a beast-in-the-making. How's he doing this year? I believe he was getting some D1 attention. That's a kid that should be in Lincoln. I'm still a little disappointed Jalen Bradley didn't get a chance here. He was such a good shooter. Thought he was every bit as good as Gessell in HS. Maybe not as quick...

 

Logan Strom.

 

I do recall those discussions of Bradley, but he didn't even make it at UNO.  Not even close to matching Gesell's quickness or athleticism.  Smaller also.  But he was indeed a good shooter.  

[AuroranHusker]

 

The sophomore at Norfolk. I don't remember his name. He was a load last year, a little lumbering but skilled, but a beast-in-the-making. How's he doing this year? I believe he was getting some D1 attention. That's a kid that should be in Lincoln. I'm still a little disappointed Jalen Bradley didn't get a chance here. He was such a good shooter. Thought he was every bit as good as Gessell in HS. Maybe not as quick...

 

Logan Strom.

 

I do recall those discussions of Bradley, but he didn't even make it at UNO.  Not even close to matching Gesell's quickness or athleticism.  Smaller also.  But he was indeed a good shooter.  

 

Strom averaged 10.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg & 2.4 apg as a SOPH after averaging 12.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg & 2.0 apg as a FROSH

 

Bradley (at NE CC) averages 17.3 ppg, 3 rpg & 3 apg

[swmckewon]

Here is your one for this year. He's going to play for Craig Smith. Tyler Hagedorn.

Yeah, he might be that guy. He got a lot better as a senior. 

 

Basketball recruiting, aside from that top 50 kids, seems very hard to my amateur eyes, and the fact that the top 15 programs vacuum up the top 50 every year to fill after one or two-and-dones leave makes it even harder. 

[CrazyforNUHOOPS]

Connor Beranek was offered a walk on spot the summer Miles got here. Connor chose Doane.

[Navin R. Johnson]

Miles did recruit Tyler Hagedorn (Norfolk) for a while but did not offer.  I think he went with Jacobsen instead.  Smith knew Tyler from that.  I would like to see a Nebraska kid in each class as I think the state is under recruited and there are some solid players but it is not that simple with only 13 ships and different needs each year.  You still have to go outside the state to find the big time players but there are Nebraska kids that could surround the big timers and help the team.  It also creates interest in the program.  I think Miles does keep tabs on the local kids and in the future we might see more in the program.

[hal9000]

Ah hold on stop typing, I forgot one of the other arguments - "Why didn't anyone else recruit them then!?!?!?"

Simple answer - I've recruited in Nebraska. If Creighton (which a lot of kids don't like) or Nebraska doesn't sniff at a kid - you might as well put a fence up because no one will step foot in the state. TRUST ME. And kids just aren't feeling UNO yet... Not sure why.

So, can I start flogging again?

[Silverbacked1]

Well I heard that LeRon Black at Illinios was born in Omaha. So...

[Norm Peterson]

Well I heard that LeRon Black at Illinios was born in Omaha. So...

You heard that?  Me too.  Hmmm, trying to think where.  But, wherever it was, it was like they were trying to burn it into my brain. 

 

Hey, did you know LeRon Black was born in Omaha?  Yet, there he is playing for Illinois. 

 

That never happens, a player leaving his home state like that.  Especially for players who haven't set foot in their "home state" since they were like 2 years old.

 

But, hey, did you know LeRon Black was born in Omaha?