OK, so what do we need now?

[Norm Peterson]

If Petteway returns, we'll have two guys at least who can get to the rim fairly reliably and finish much of the time.

 

White is apparently a dead-eye shooter.  Let's just assume he is because I doubt the coaches are assuming he ain't.

 

I fully expect Shavon to be a 36-40% 3-pt shooter next year.  I will be shocked -- SHOCKED -- if he doesn't come back a much better perimeter shooter next season.  At least as good as his first two years and probably a bit better, particularly if we have a guy like White who is the shooter we've been told to expect.

 

Walt is a bit of an unknown here.  Which season was more representative of the kind of shooter he can be?  Last year or this year?  And, did you notice in the last game, he actually posted up?  TWICE?  Is that an element he's going to be working on to add to his game?  Would help a lot if he did.

 

Benny will still be a glue guy who plays solid D but will probably never be a guy we count on to score and will probably continue to pass up open threes.

 

Tai could continue to get better.  Basketballjones said so and basketballjones knows these things.  I don't think it's entirely out of the question that he finds his shooting stroke, but he'll probably never be north of, say, 36%.  But, shoot, 36% would have been nice to have this year.

 

We lose rebounders in Rivers, Leslee and Moses.  We gain Ed Morrow, Michael Jacobson and the Aussie kid, FWIW.

 

Jacob Hammond is an unknown sum.  I really don't think any of us know or can predict what he'll be in 8 months' time.  Maybe a solid rebounder with limited offensive skills; maybe a mediocre rebounder with decent offensive skills; maybe a guy who's still so under-developed and raw that he'll not see much of the floor; or maybe a bulked up specimen who's ready to be a solid contributor.  I don't know which it will be.  We can handicap it, I suppose.

 

So, anyway, freshmen don't tend to become starters and those who do don't typically become your best player off the bet, unless you're Tyron Lue or something.  So, I really don't expect a freshman to make a huge impact next year.  Solid impact?  Sure.  Huge?  Mmmmm, no.  Prolly not. 

 

 

 

Sooooooo, with that setup, let's assume 2 scenarios:  one where Petteway returns but another (not major contributor) player leaves; and two where both Petteway and another player leave.

 

If we have one more spot and Petteway comes back, what is your priority to do with it?

 

If we have two more spots and no Petteway, what do you try to do with them?

[uneblinstu]

I said it in the chatter, but I think this team, if no attrition, and maybe even if there is, could play an uptempo, constant pressure, Dana Altman style of play. I think the roster should be set up for that sort of thing. 

 

If there is attrition, regardless of where it comes from, it should be filled with a post presence that can provide even a mediocre offensive threat.

[hhcmatt]

I said it in the chatter, but I think this team, if no attrition, and maybe even if there is, could play an uptempo, constant pressure, Dana Altman style of play. I think the roster should be set up for that sort of thing. 

 

Agreed. If we have a bunch of long/lanky dudes and 0 traditional post players we should run run run run run

[HuskerFever]

I said it in the chatter, but I think this team, if no attrition, and maybe even if there is, could play an uptempo, constant pressure, Dana Altman style of play. I think the roster should be set up for that sort of thing. 

 

If there is attrition, regardless of where it comes from, it should be filled with a post presence that can provide even a mediocre offensive threat.

 

I would think this is the most ideal thing for most fans. But one thing that I see at Nebraska time and time again is the coaches changing their styles over time to adjust toward the defense. I've always been curious why that is. Do they find this is the only/main advantage they have over opponents? Did we not have the right match-ups to compete on an offensive play scheme?

[Norm Peterson]

I'd like to know how confident Miles is in his shooters for next year.  He was confident this year and that confidence was misplaced.  But that probably was more mental over the season than anything else.

 

If Petteway returns and we have one player attrit, I would go after that HS center from Michigan.  He's probably at best a back-up to Walt for next year.  But he seems to have pretty good upside.

 

If Petteway does NOT return and we have an additional spot, I still go for that HS center from Michigan and the other spot I hit the transfer market very hard to see if we can land another Andrew White-type player. 

 

In either scenario, I don't look at senior transfers unless a really good C just happens to fall into our lap.

[brfrad]

If someone leaves, I would look for a healthy Leslie Smith type player.

[hhcmatt]

[unl]

If Petteway comes back, I would think NU will finish closer to 4th than 12th. I'll go - 5th because I didn't like it when I wrote 6th.  Petteway average 18, Shields average 19, and White averages 13. Petteway may lead the team in shot attempts but that number will go down with having a little more offense brought in next year.

 

Walt pretty much has to come back (won't be shown the door) unless another big is secured as a transfer or late signee, because we need something of a post player type to go with Morrow and Hammond (who is my leading transfer candidate because he burned his redshirt and didn't play much. See Hawkins, Nate). 

 

Benny almost undoubtedly will come off the bench.  I see Watson and Smith (finally we can just call him Smith and not be confusing) being our primary points. Benny will be defensive energy off the bench that we lacked this year.

 

I'll say we hit 20 wins, so however many losses that would be...20-13? or something like that.  

 

Scoring from most to least I have as the following:

 

Shields

Petteway

White

Smith

Pitch

Tai

Fuller

Morrow

Watson

Jacobsen

Benny

 

Did I miss anyone?  As stated above, Hammond is my transfer vote (not even really wishing it on the kid - I would be fairly pleased if there was no attrition). I am hoping we can get some major contributors the following year to replace Petteway, Shields, Walt, and Benny and give some growing space for Watson, Morrow, Jacobsen, Roby, Fuller, Tarin, and Tai.  

 

Am I too optimistic?  I'm shooting a hair high, but I think this is pretty doable or even likely.  

[hhcmatt]

 

I said it in the chatter, but I think this team, if no attrition, and maybe even if there is, could play an uptempo, constant pressure, Dana Altman style of play. I think the roster should be set up for that sort of thing. 

 

If there is attrition, regardless of where it comes from, it should be filled with a post presence that can provide even a mediocre offensive threat.

 

I would think this is the most ideal thing for most fans. But one thing that I see at Nebraska time and time again is the coaches changing their styles over time to adjust toward the defense. I've always been curious why that is. Do they find this is the only/main advantage they have over opponents? Did we not have the right match-ups to compete on an offensive play scheme?

 

 

Danny Nee wasn't a slow down coach.

Not sure what Barry did at Butler, but he seemed just like a slow ball coach here.

Doc has obviously always been and always will be a slow down guy.

Miles isn't one of those guys who has played with the same tempo/style every year. When he says he plays whatever style he can to win games, the numbers back up that he's just not blowing smoke. He's never been BREAKNECK FAST but he's had some uptempo teams in the past

 

[brfrad]

I'd like to know how confident Miles is in his shooters for next year. He was confident this year and that confidence was misplaced. But that probably was more mental over the season than anything else.

If Petteway returns and we have one player attrit, I would go after that HS center from Michigan. He's probably at best a back-up to Walt for next year. But he seems to have pretty good upside.

If Petteway does NOT return and we have an additional spot, I still go for that HS center from Michigan and the other spot I hit the transfer market very hard to see if we can land another Andrew White-type player.

In either scenario, I don't look at senior transfers unless a really good C just happens to fall into our lap.

If Terran and another player leave, I would look for a JC guy and a HS guy. If Terran stays and we have one spot, I would go JC. If Terran is the only one to leave, I would go JC.

I think it might be too late in the process to get a solid HS guy that you can count on for 4 or 5 years. Unless the coaches are telling them that if someone leaves, they have a spot open, and the kid is willing to wait, I would pass on HS.

As for Hammond, I think a lot is classroom. The baseball team has a player that struggled with academics his first year. He barely pitched. The coaches insinuated that he was focusing on the classroom, and now is a solid starter. Hopefully, Jake turns that around and bulks up in the off season.

[jayschool]

 

 

Scoring from most to least I have as the following:

 

Shields

Petteway

White

Smith

Pitch

Tai

Fuller

Morrow

Watson

Jacobsen

Benny

 

Did I miss anyone?  As stated above, Hammond is my transfer vote (not even really wishing it on the kid - I would be fairly pleased if there was no attrition). I am hoping we can get some major contributors the following year to replace Petteway, Shields, Walt, and Benny and give some growing space for Watson, Morrow, Jacobsen, Roby, Fuller, Tarin, and Tai.  

 

 

McVeigh

[HuskerFever]

 

But... but... aren't there more options? More than 400,000 NCAA athletes go pro in something other than sports.

[colhusker]

What do we do, we hope there is a Big that understands we need him.

[Cazzie22]

I tend to agree with Dan Dakich's assessment of NU this season.  Too many mistakes, too many forced shots from key players.  There is talent on the roster.  I would like to see the ball pushed more up court because the Huskers tended to be inept often in half court offense.  The downside to that is more possessions per game usually favors the more talented team.  Watson might be the key to next year.  He could be the ball handler and playmaker the team desperately needs.  

[HuskerCager]

Whenever I start analyzing individual players, I always run the risk of making ignorant observations.  But it just seems to me that the key to next year's success is:

1) Pitchford needs to become a 6-10 David Rivers.  He's physically capable.  The coaching staff and Pitch need to dedicate him becoming a consistent inside presence.  No hanging around the 3 point line.  We need him inside because we WON'T have anyone else that is ready to assume that role next year.  Or at least the young ones - Morrow and Jacobson, are going to need a lot of help.

 

2) Petteway returning.  It's been said a lot recently that we missed having a 3rd scoring option this year.  Yes, we pick up White.  But that gain washes back out if we lose Petteway.

[Silverbacked1]

I think you spoke volumes with number 2.

[huskerbaseball13]

We need a legit big man. It's amazing how just a solid big man changes the whole complexion of a game and team. And they are out there. I've watched alot of mid major ball the last couple weeks and I've seen plenty of big bodies I wished we had. We just have to find a few.

[ajb5856]

Are we sure Pitchford comes back? I'm serious. I'm not giving anyone an automatic pass that they're coming back. I think there will be some surprise attrition.

[Silverbacked1]

Why would he leave? Is he going to graduate? He has already transferred once and used his red shirt.

So he either goes over seas or transfer to a lower level school or just goes home.

Am I missing any other way to look at it?

[uneblinstu]

Are we sure Pitchford comes back? I'm serious. I'm not giving anyone an automatic pass that they're coming back. I think there will be some surprise attrition.

I'd be stunned if Pitchford left.

[brfrad]

This is my list for players that will leave us this year, in the order of probability

 

Petteway, most likely to go pro

Hammond, did not get much playing time.  Some problems with academics.

Fuller, not much playing time.  A heady player, though

Tai, might want to give up on college ball, and head to NZ pro league.

Benny/Shields/Walt/White/Smith, don't think any will leave.  Would be floored if any leave.

[Norm Peterson]

Walt could potentially use the graduate transfer option, but he'd have to graduate first and I'm not sure he's on track to do that.

 

If he's back, I don't mind him shooting 3s if he's hitting them at a 40+% clip.  But if he's shooting 3s at less than, say, 33%, he needs to be able to score inside, and he's going to need to spend time working on some go-to post moves in order to get to the point where he's a capable scorer inside. 

 

Actually, whether he can shoot 40+% from three or not, I'd like him to be able to score in the post.  Never hurts to have some versatility and he certainly has the size and athleticism to be effective inside.  What he might not have is the mindset and I don't know that you can obtain that mindset through practices or workouts.  Has to come from within. 

 

Walt appears to have some growing up to do and he's running out of time to do it.

[Norm Peterson]

Tai.  I'd be surprised to see him leave.  He was out there playing hard yesterday and didn't quit even down to the very end.  I think Tai seems to have a very good attitude.  Guys with good attitudes tend to have good work ethics and the indications certainly were that Tai was working hard with Terran last summer.  Tai's BIGGEST problem right now is that he has no confidence in his outside shot.  I think he can drive the ball relatively well, but defenses are designed to stop our dribble penetration because they know that's the only way we can reliably get points. 

 

In order for us to be successful next year, WE MUST BECOME A BETTER PERIMETER SHOOTING TEAM.  We don't have to take a ton of perimeter shots, but we need to be able to hit the ones we take.  As a team, we need to be shooting about 36% from beyond the arc.  This would put us in the upper middle of the league.  This year, we were a dismal 26.5% in conference games to come in dead last among Big Ten teams.  That has to change.  Other teams were GIVING us open looks and we were either passing them up or missing the shot.

 

Tai is one player who could almost single-handedly raise our team 3 point average.  He was a miserable 12/52 (23%) on threes this year.  We need him to double his attempts and triple his makes next season.  We need him to be 36/100.  That's not too much to ask in terms of accuracy and I think he can do it.  Get together with dead-eye Ali and start honing that shot, Tai.

 

edit:  I might have allocated too many attempts to Tai even if he ups his percentage.  So let's say double his makes and up his attempts to 25-70 (35.7%) and I'd be happy.  And so would he.

[hhcmatt]

Walt could potentially use the graduate transfer option

 

That would be a disappointing end to his career here. To quote Social Distortion: You can run all your life but not go anywhere

 

I'd assume that Walt wants to play professionally in some form when he's done with college. I'm not sure how working extra hard on graduating this summer and going somewhere else yet again will help him accomplish that goal. It's always been an effort thing with him and I thought I saw increased effort in the last handful of games. Hopefully for him and for us he puts his effort into getting better this summer.

[Norm Peterson]

Andrew White.  The word is he's a fantastic 3 point shooter.  Legit.  Real deal.  That's what I've heard.

 

Two seasons ago, Walt Pitchford 48-117 (41%) from three.  This year, he actually took MORE deep shots and hit fewer of them to go 37-128 (29%).

 

What we need out of Andrew is probably Walter-esque numbers from his sophomore year.  I'd say 50-125 (40%) should do it.

 

Walt's outside attempts need to diminish and his percentage needs to go back up at least halfway to where he was his sophomore year.  If we can get 20-55 (36.4%) from Walt, I think we should be more than happy.  The rest of the time, he should be screening, rolling and posting up.  And we need to figure out how to feed the ball inside to Walt.  Get him involved in the offense that way.