Next year's top three players, a poll.

[jimmykc]

I voted two frosh and a senior. Sort of sad that we are already moving on to thinking about next year after one league game. Pretty much sums up this season though.

[Concrete]

Petteway, Webster, Shields

 

Keep hearing that Petteway is by far the best of the transfers (which is saying something, because they're all solid)

[atskooc]

Pitchford, Webster, Biggs.

[MandRHusker]

I chose Petteway, Biggs and Gallegos. I've seen one practice this year and Petteway looked like the real deal. Biggs looked exciting as well. And it is hard for me to imagine that there will be a another player better than Gallego next year. It may take a full year for these new players to adapt.

 

I like Pitchford a lot, but he didn't look as effective and physical as I would have liked in the practice I attended. He is extremely athletic! I am sure he is making real progress and will be good to go for next season. Regarding Tai, I think he will be a great one, just may need a year to adapt.

[Cookie Belcher]

I voted for Gallegos, Fuller, Biggs.  I wanted to vote Webster but without seeing much of him yet, I couldn't do it and went with Ray over him.

[HB]

I voted for Gallegos, Fuller, Biggs.  I wanted to vote Webster but without seeing much of him yet, I couldn't do it and went with Ray over him.

 

Have you seen much of Fuller yet?

[Cookie Belcher]

I voted for Gallegos, Fuller, Biggs.  I wanted to vote Webster but without seeing much of him yet, I couldn't do it and went with Ray over him.

 

Have you seen much of Fuller yet?

I have seen a lot more of game highlights and video from him.  I love Fuller from what I have seen.  He is my favorite recruit in the class, I think he will be a very good player for us.  Maybe it won't be right away next season, though.

[Norm Peterson]

I voted for Gallegos, Fuller, Biggs.  I wanted to vote Webster but without seeing much of him yet, I couldn't do it and went with Ray over him.

 

Have you seen much of Fuller yet?

Or Biggs for that matter.

[atskooc]

I voted for Gallegos, Fuller, Biggs.  I wanted to vote Webster but without seeing much of him yet, I couldn't do it and went with Ray over him.

 

Have you seen much of Fuller yet?

Or Biggs for that matter.

If nothing else, I've seen the words "All American" next to his name.

[tcp]

If Gallegos is going to be one of our top players next year, he needs to develop some consistency with that shot and/or develop some sort of to the basket move.

 

Shooting in streaks will mean some games he plays 30 and some games he plays 15 minutes.

 

We need to get a forward/big man signed for next year.  Pitchford being the man by default isn't good for business.

I totally agree here. But I'm guessing Ray's summer is going to be mostly "shot selection". That and having a better sense of the defense on the court. Of course, I thought Talley would do better than with that as a senior, and he hasn't at all. So it's a gamble.

 

But experience is a big deal in my opinion. Gallegos will have a bunch of it, and Tai comes in similar to Maric and Diaz in that he's played  lot of games with grown men. That's a significant experience bump for a mature freshman in a place that plays pretty good basketball.

[BigTexHusker]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but y'all are sleeping on these Texas boys.  This state is the Mecca for HS/grassroots basketball right now.  The kids in this state are home-grown and compete against each other at the highest levels, most cases from the time they're 8 or 9 years old.  By the time the elite ones get to be 17 and 18, they are monsters.  I'm telling you right now.  Petteway and Hawkins are the REAL deal.  I have seen the majority of these players in person, and I know we're going to be a very happy fan-base in the near future.

[Norm Peterson]

BigTex, you got any big centers or PFs still on the market for '13 down there?

[BigTexHusker]

BigTex, you got any big centers or PFs still on the market for '13 down there?

There are a few, but none that we're in on.  And none really that are of B1G caliber.  I know we're in on a number of 2014's though, and one or two of those are high major types.  I see coach Smith down here a lot.  He's been recruiting Texas hard for at least 4 years that I know of.

[TourneyBound]

Pitchford, Gallegos and Shields

same

[Huskerbb73]

I went with Pitchford, Petteway and Gallegos.  I also considered Webster because I think he will be the most ready to make the adjustment to the college game since he has been playing on the national team and has had success against experienced players. 

[Norm Peterson]

I went with Pitchford, Petteway and Gallegos.  I also considered Webster because I think he will be the most ready to make the adjustment to the college game since he has been playing on the national team and has had success against experienced players. 

The sense I get is that Webster's a savvy player who is athletic and strong, can shoot well and has decent handles and the ability to get to the rim.  Whether he's a classic point or not, I don't know.  Is he good at initiating the offense?  No clue.  But I agree with you that his experience playing for the national team speaks to his poise and his ability to elevate his game to the next level (over what he was playing in HS.)  Therefore, I agree that Webster has a very good chance to contribute next season.  Top three?  Maybe, maybe not.  There's a lot of guys who could compete to be in that group.

 

Having said all that, I'm actually somewhat surprised that Rivers, considering his recent performances, hasn't been shown a little more love.  The kid is skinny and isn't an ideal 4, but he has really stepped up.  He deserves a ton of credit for that.  Can you imagine the player we would have had if Toney McCray had had David River's heart? 

 

My understanding is that Rivers kind of had a tough summer after Josiah Moore transferred and Corey Hilliard was dismissed.  You have a new coach and all of his fellow freshmen are no longer with the team.  Would have been easy for him to quit.  He didn't.  Instead, he poured in 18 points on the road against Michigan State.  Not bad, David.  Not bad at all.  If he keeps stepping up his game like that, he will be in that top 3.

[Norm Peterson]

BigTex, you got any big centers or PFs still on the market for '13 down there?

There are a few, but none that we're in on.  And none really that are of B1G caliber.  I know we're in on a number of 2014's though, and one or two of those are high major types.  I see coach Smith down here a lot.  He's been recruiting Texas hard for at least 4 years that I know of.

If you don't mind, would you post on the recruiting side any guys you think have potential for us?  Thanks.

[NUdiehard]

This one is tricky, but one thing I know.  If Webster is not immediately in the top 3 next year, I will be disappointed.  This may be unfair to him.  It is possible he could struggle to adapt his first year and then blossom.  But I fully expect him to be able to come in and be a very effective player immediatley.  I remember watching Tyronne Lue as a freshman and it was immediately obvious that he was the best player on the floor.  That is what we need.  We need someone who is a program changer.  If Webster is not that, then we still have a long ways to go b/c it is unlikely that any of the other guys are program changers, at least not for a while anyway. 

 

Honestly, I don't see how one couldn't have him in the prospective top 3.  Lets look at what he has done.  He played against grown men at a very high level, almost elite level, and fared very well.  He must be strong enough and athletic enough to play in the B1G by next year, b/c he was obviously strong enough and athletic enough to play at the international level last year.

 

Lets compare him to the other options.  I certainly hope he is better than Gallegos.  I like Ray, and have been very impressed with his improvement, but he stll has a looong ways to go.  He simply is not a complete player at all.  He cannot play PG b/c he simply is not strong enough with the ball.  He cannot handle on-ball pressure at all.  Watch him.  His defender will simply push him back to the half court line.  Ray also will not penetrate.  No matter how much Miles tells him to, he doesn't have it in his mentality.  And he is a decent, but not great, outside shooter.  As of now, he is shooting 22% from 3-land in conference play.  I realize he has to jack up a lot of shots, but still.   If he would drive, he could get more open for 3s, but he won't drive, so he isn't.  I believe Webster will immediately be better at penetrating to either score or distribute. 

 

In comparison to Biggs, I certainly hope Webster is better than him.  Biggs is not a great outside shooter and not a great defender.  Biggs could be decent, but he has his limitations.  I expect Webster to be the starting PG next year and maybe Biggs will back him up and maybe get some time at the SG.  Most likely he will be backing up Webster and Ray, so his minutes may be somewhat limited. 

 

In comparison to Pettaway.  I sure hope that Pettaway is everthing that some say he is.  But we do have some basis to know what he was.  Last year, as a freshman, he averaged 3 pts and 2 RBs per game for a bad Texas Tech team.  Shavon Shields is on a bad NU team this year and has already put up significantly better numbers.  I realize Pettaway didn't get to play as many minutes, but that says something as well.  Look, if we really want to get to the next level, we need to get next level players.  And in general, next level players can and do come in and produce right away as freshman.  Just look around the league and see them on other teams.  We need to get at least 1 or 2 of these types of players, and I expect Webster to be one of those.  With that said, by all accounts, Pettaway gets GATA, so I expect him to play a lot and he may crack the top 3. 

 

The same thing goes for Pitchford as Pettaway.  I hope he can really produce, but the fact that he could not crack the lineup at all last year concerns me a bit.  Again, next level players are generally next level from the moment they walk on the floor and everyone knows it. Hoever, I give Pitchford a little more grace in this regard since he is a big man (or at least tall).  Tall players tend to take a little longer to develop in many instances, so I am not ruling him out in any respect.  Miles said on the radio that he thinks Pitchford has a NBA body.  I have to wonder if he has an NBA mentality and work eithic though.  With that said, as we all know, Miles doesn't really have any other options next year, so Pitchford is going to play a lot.  Thus, he could be a top 3 player.  Hard to say right now.

 

I like Fuller a lot.  He is exactly the type of guy Miles likes.  he is a smart basketball player who simply knows how to play the game.  I think he will be able to come in and play right away.  In some respects, he might be a little like Shields, but he may be a bit more refined, but I am not sure if he will be quite as strong or athletically ready as Shields.

 

I don't know enough about Hawkins to predict his success next year.  I do think he is in the Miles mold b/c he is a bigger guard.  I don't think he will play PG as Miles initially suggested, but he may be able to get some minutes at that 2 if he is savvy enough and ready to go.

 

As for Rivers, I just don't see it.  I really don't mean this as a slight to him, but if he is in our top 3, then we are in trouble.  He had a great game on the offensive end the other night, but a large part of that was b/c he was playing out of position.  What hurt us on the defensive end helped us on the offensive end.  He was being guarded by a big man and therefore was able to get looks he normally won't get.  I just don't think he can create on his own enough to be a major factor.  He may be a good role player, but not top 3.  And I am sure Miles would agree.  Just look at all this year.  Miles has been playing Shields ahead of Rivers all year until Ubel got hurt.  That is not just coincidence.  Miles prefers Shields over Rivers even though Shields is a true freshman and coming off an injury that still bothers him.  That says everything I need to know.  To be honest, I think Rivers is playing right now for a spot on next years roster.  That is just my opinion.

 

I like Shields a lot.  He is not uber-athletic, but he is such a smart player that has refined skills.  If he can get stronger, and healthier, and improve his shot a bit, then he could be a factor.  He is one of those players that just "gets it."  I just wish he was a little more athletic or a little taller. 

 

So with all that said, my top 3.  Hmmm.  Defintely Webster.  After that, I just can't decide between Fuller, Pitchford, Pettaway, Shields and Gallegos. 

[GATA]

This one is tricky, but one thing I know.  If Webster is not immediately in the top 3 next year, I will be disappointed.  This may be unfair to him.  It is possible he could struggle to adapt his first year and then blossom.  But I fully expect him to be able to come in and be a very effective player immediatley.  I remember watching Tyronne Lue as a freshman and it was immediately obvious that he was the best player on the floor.  That is what we need.  We need someone who is a program changer.  If Webster is not that, then we still have a long ways to go b/c it is unlikely that any of the other guys are program changers, at least not for a while anyway. 

 

Honestly, I don't see how one couldn't have him in the prospective top 3.  Lets look at what he has done.  He played against grown men at a very high level, almost elite level, and fared very well.  He must be strong enough and athletic enough to play in the B1G by next year, b/c he was obviously strong enough and athletic enough to play at the international level last year.

 

Lets compare him to the other options.  I certainly hope he is better than Gallegos.  I like Ray, and have been very impressed with his improvement, but he stll has a looong ways to go.  He simply is not a complete player at all.  He cannot play PG b/c he simply is not strong enough with the ball.  He cannot handle on-ball pressure at all.  Watch him.  His defender will simply push him back to the half court line.  Ray also will not penetrate.  No matter how much Miles tells him to, he doesn't have it in his mentality.  And he is a decent, but not great, outside shooter.  As of now, he is shooting 22% from 3-land in conference play.  I realize he has to jack up a lot of shots, but still.   If he would drive, he could get more open for 3s, but he won't drive, so he isn't.  I believe Webster will immediately be better at penetrating to either score or distribute. 

 

In comparison to Biggs, I certainly hope Webster is better than him.  Biggs is not a great outside shooter and not a great defender.  Biggs could be decent, but he has his limitations.  I expect Webster to be the starting PG next year and maybe Biggs will back him up and maybe get some time at the SG.  Most likely he will be backing up Webster and Ray, so his minutes may be somewhat limited. 

 

In comparison to Pettaway.  I sure hope that Pettaway is everthing that some say he is.  But we do have some basis to know what he was.  Last year, as a freshman, he averaged 3 pts and 2 RBs per game for a bad Texas Tech team.  Shavon Shields is on a bad NU team this year and has already put up significantly better numbers.  I realize Pettaway didn't get to play as many minutes, but that says something as well.  Look, if we really want to get to the next level, we need to get next level players.  And in general, next level players can and do come in and produce right away as freshman.  Just look around the league and see them on other teams.  We need to get at least 1 or 2 of these types of players, and I expect Webster to be one of those.  With that said, by all accounts, Pettaway gets GATA, so I expect him to play a lot and he may crack the top 3. 

 

The same thing goes for Pitchford as Pettaway.  I hope he can really produce, but the fact that he could not crack the lineup at all last year concerns me a bit.  Again, next level players are generally next level from the moment they walk on the floor and everyone knows it. Hoever, I give Pitchford a little more grace in this regard since he is a big man (or at least tall).  Tall players tend to take a little longer to develop in many instances, so I am not ruling him out in any respect.  Miles said on the radio that he thinks Pitchford has a NBA body.  I have to wonder if he has an NBA mentality and work eithic though.  With that said, as we all know, Miles doesn't really have any other options next year, so Pitchford is going to play a lot.  Thus, he could be a top 3 player.  Hard to say right now.

 

I like Fuller a lot.  He is exactly the type of guy Miles likes.  he is a smart basketball player who simply knows how to play the game.  I think he will be able to come in and play right away.  In some respects, he might be a little like Shields, but he may be a bit more refined, but I am not sure if he will be quite as strong or athletically ready as Shields.

 

I don't know enough about Hawkins to predict his success next year.  I do think he is in the Miles mold b/c he is a bigger guard.  I don't think he will play PG as Miles initially suggested, but he may be able to get some minutes at that 2 if he is savvy enough and ready to go.

 

As for Rivers, I just don't see it.  I really don't mean this as a slight to him, but if he is in our top 3, then we are in trouble.  He had a great game on the offensive end the other night, but a large part of that was b/c he was playing out of position.  What hurt us on the defensive end helped us on the offensive end.  He was being guarded by a big man and therefore was able to get looks he normally won't get.  I just don't think he can create on his own enough to be a major factor.  He may be a good role player, but not top 3.  And I am sure Miles would agree.  Just look at all this year.  Miles has been playing Shields ahead of Rivers all year until Ubel got hurt.  That is not just coincidence.  Miles prefers Shields over Rivers even though Shields is a true freshman and coming off an injury that still bothers him.  That says everything I need to know.  To be honest, I think Rivers is playing right now for a spot on next years roster.  That is just my opinion.

 

I like Shields a lot.  He is not uber-athletic, but he is such a smart player that has refined skills.  If he can get stronger, and healthier, and improve his shot a bit, then he could be a factor.  He is one of those players that just "gets it."  I just wish he was a little more athletic or a little taller. 

 

So with all that said, my top 3.  Hmmm.  Defintely Webster.  After that, I just can't decide between Fuller, Pitchford, Pettaway, Shields and Gallegos. 

 

Thanks for taking the time to post such an in-depth look at the roster, but I have to disagree about Rivers. He is gonna be a valuable member of next year's team. They have nothing in the front court returning with any real experience.

 

And I don't think Nebraska has to have "next level" talent. Wisconsin has been pretty darn good over the years and haven't exactly churned out a lot of NBA players.

[49r]

I'm also going to have to take exception with your thoughts on Rivers, diehard.  I think he's developed confidence and maturity every time out there this year.  No, he's not a game changer yet but he has a lot of raw skill, I think that he'll evolve into a real nice player.

 

Still, I'm sticking with Gallegos, Shields and Webster.

[TheKamdyMan]

I diagree on Pitchford.  Florida is a basketball school and lost in the Elite 8 last year when he was on the team.  Just because a guy doesnt crack the lineup his freshman year it doesnt mean he isnt a good enough player.  Florida played similarly to what Miles wants with 3 guards and athletic bigs which limited the amount of minutes for its post players and they had several upper classmen already in the fold.  Thats what happens at the major schools.  Unless they are super studs they usually take a year or two to crack the lineup as a regular player.

 

I mean would you have considered Jared Berggren a bust because after his freshman season he averaged 4 minutes a game and 1.1 pts?  Or how about the 2.4 his sophomore year?  It happens when you build depth at a major school.  Guys earn their time behind the upper classmen then turn it on when they get the minutes.  Im sure Wisconsin fans are happy with him this year and last.

[FredsSlacks]

I think I am most excited about the depth this team is going to have next year.  What are other people's thoughts on what the starting lineup will be? The only concerns I see going into next year are defense in the paint and lack of experience.

PG Webster

SG Gallegos

SF Shields

PF Fuller

C Pitchford

 

pg Biggs, parker

sg hawkins

sf Pettway, Rivers

pf hopefully Atewe and a Juco/transfer

C Vucetic

[Norm Peterson]

Tim, it's hard to know what might happen with some of these players and whether they'll all be back or not.  I just don't know.  Had Vooch redshirted, we'd probably expect him to come in and start or play major minutes next year.  We'd be thinking we have this 7 foot freshman coming in off a redshirt year with no returning players at his position, and he had other good offers, therefore he must be a player.

 

Yet, when he burns his redshirt this year but never gets in games, you wonder whether he's long for this program or not.

 

And then he goes in against Ohio State and hits a couple of pretty tough shots and you're back to thinking maybe there's a place on this roster for a kid like him.

 

He has two of the four things you want to see in a college big man:  length and skill.  What he lacks are size/build and athleticism, which are things that can be developed.  I have to think he either redshirts next year or finds a new place to be.  I think, long term, he could develop into a valuable player but the question is whether we can keep his scholarship tied up in the meantime.

 

Parker, on the other hand, is in a numbers crunch.  He has the defensive skills to be a valuable role player.  His size is a disadvantage on both ends of the floor and he's maybe not quite as quick as what you'd ideally like to see.  Plus, his shooting ability is not where it really needs to be to contribute on a program that wants to be better than a cellar dweller.

 

It wouldn't shock me if both Parker and Vooch find other pastures.  Nor would it shock me if they return next year.  Benny's minutes would likely be limited for the remainder of his career, though, as Miles brings in other talent with better size and shooting ability.  Vooch is a long term project and may be able to get it done here eventually.  If he grows into that frame and continues to develop, he could see the floor.  But that's probably a ways off and he really needs a redshirt year.

 

With a couple of things like that in mind, I would adjust your rotations slightly.

[Norm Peterson]

And in general, next level players can and do come in and produce right away as freshman. 

 

Exactamente.

 

This is why, on the minutes thread, I had Webster and Fuller playing pretty decent minutes and Hawkins not real far behind.

[hhcmatt]

BTW, someone remember to bump this thread in the middle of next year.