Wilhelm Breidenbach is N

With schollies now full for 2021-22, it's a good time to look at that season's roster composition.  

We lose:

Kobe

Thorir

We add:

Lakes

Tominaga

Breidenbach

For perhaps the first time ever since I've followed Nebrasketball, we are set to have an abundance of riches in the post.  Walker, Yvan, Andre, Lat, and Breidenbach all give you different options at the 4/5.  Plus throw in Shamiel who can give you some small-ball minutes there too.  The 2/3 cupboard appears pretty well stocked, too.  I have to assume that HCFH and Co. are looking almost exclusively at ball handlers at this point, to fill whatever early attrition roster spots open up.

Really like it that about everybody that has seen him says he plays hard.  A trait that will give him a chance to play and excel right away.

18 minutes ago, Navin R. Johnson said:

Really like it that about everybody that has seen him says he plays hard.  A trait that will give him a chance to play and excel right away.

That really is an underappreciated skill, and is particularly valuable in post players.  Hard working guys can thrive on defense and the boards even with less than ideal size (Charles Barkley, Draymond Green, Dennis Rodman, etc).  So a legit 6'10" guy with some polished offensive skill and that plays hard has me very excited.

50 minutes ago, aphilso1 said:

 

That really is an underappreciated skill, and is particularly valuable in post players.  Hard working guys can thrive on defense and the boards even with less than ideal size (Charles Barkley, Draymond Green, Dennis Rodman, etc).  So a legit 6'10" guy with some polished offensive skill and that plays hard has me very excited.

You would like to think that everyone plays hard but there is that next level that you need to reach to really stand out. Sounds like this kid has it.

My unreasonably optimistic take on his recruiting video footage...

If you squint, this kid looks like a young KD out there...both in his game and shooting form.  So similar with that high release point and slight follow-through with the thumb of the guide hand.  Sadly, also in lack of upper body strength.

52 minutes ago, MitchMcGaryMunchies said:

My unreasonably optimistic take on his recruiting video footage...

 

If you squint, this kid looks like a young KD out there...both in his game and shooting form.  So similar with that high release point and slight follow-through with the thumb of the guide hand.  Sadly, also in lack of upper body strength.

I'd say his game reminds me a lot more of KG than KD...

I've watched four of his games now on YouTube. Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett are... lofty comparisons.

He already does a lot of things for Mater Dei that Hoiberg likes to have his big men do – ball screens, hand-offs, initiating offense from the high post as a passer, playing on the perimeter, grab and go on rebounds if the opportunity is there. According to MaxPreps, he made 16 3s in 30 games last year (they don't chart misses). He was 2-10 in the four games I've watched. The shot is smooth but it seems like he still has a ways to go before he's a consistent shooter. Good footwork in the post, heavily favors the left hand around the basket despite shooting jumpers right-handed, good passer, good help defender, plays hard (tries to take charges and hits the floor for loose balls often, runs the floor hard). He's definitely going to have to hit the weights hard once he gets to Lincoln and needs to play more physically on the defensive glass (gave up position too easily at times), but he's active on the offensive glass when he's not floating out at the 3-point line.

Don't know about KD or KG but another KR would be "Vunderbar" with me. (That's Kurt Rambis for all you whippersnappers)

12 hours ago, Jacob Padilla said:

I've watched four of his games now on YouTube. Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett are... lofty comparisons.

 

He already does a lot of things for Mater Dei that Hoiberg likes to have his big men do – ball screens, hand-offs, initiating offense from the high post as a passer, playing on the perimeter, grab and go on rebounds if the opportunity is there. According to MaxPreps, he made 16 3s in 30 games last year (they don't chart misses). He was 2-10 in the four games I've watched. The shot is smooth but it seems like he still has a ways to go before he's a consistent shooter. Good footwork in the post, heavily favors the left hand around the basket despite shooting jumpers right-handed, good passer, good help defender, plays hard (tries to take charges and hits the floor for loose balls often, runs the floor hard). He's definitely going to have to hit the weights hard once he gets to Lincoln and needs to play more physically on the defensive glass (gave up position too easily at times), but he's active on the offensive glass when he's not floating out at the 3-point line.

Not to put you on the spot because a lot can happen in the next 12 months, but with Mayen, Ouedraogo, Andre and Walker all expected back for 21-22, would much be expected of Breidenbach next year? Or is he a rotation player no sooner than 22-23? 

27 minutes ago, jayschool said:

Not to put you on the spot because a lot can happen in the next 12 months, but with Mayen, Ouedraogo, Andre and Walker all expected back for 21-22, would much be expected of Breidenbach next year? Or is he a rotation player no sooner than 22-23? 

You didn't ask me, but I think that answer comes down to if Lat is as good as advertised.  If he is, then we already have a stretch big on the roster and Wilhelm can basically just be his understudy. 

Yvan, Andre, and DW are all more of traditional posts.  It's hard to imagine more than one of them being on the floor at any given time, and I think we will intentionally go small at times while having all three of them on the bench.  So there's three guys all vying for maybe 30-35 minutes of playing time per game.  That's not enough to keep three guys happy.  I think at least one of them will transfer out.  A 21-22 roster with 4 bigs -- two stretch and two traditional -- seems about right.

3 hours ago, aphilso1 said:

 

You didn't ask me, but I think that answer comes down to if Lat is as good as advertised.  If he is, then we already have a stretch big on the roster and Wilhelm can basically just be his understudy. 

 

Yvan, Andre, and DW are all more of traditional posts.  It's hard to imagine more than one of them being on the floor at any given time, and I think we will intentionally go small at times while having all three of them on the bench.  So there's three guys all vying for maybe 30-35 minutes of playing time per game.  That's not enough to keep three guys happy.  I think at least one of them will transfer out.  A 21-22 roster with 4 bigs -- two stretch and two traditional -- seems about right.

Too many bigs? Are we talking about Nebraska basketball?

5 hours ago, jayschool said:

Not to put you on the spot because a lot can happen in the next 12 months, but with Mayen, Ouedraogo, Andre and Walker all expected back for 21-22, would much be expected of Breidenbach next year? Or is he a rotation player no sooner than 22-23? 

Going to have to wait until we see what next year's roster looks like before I feel good about making any sort of projections. Will be interesting to see what kind of senior year he has too, especially without Devin Askew on the team. Breidenbach's sophomore year was actually better than his junior year, so it's hard to project forward from now until I see more of him and more of what this year's Nebraska team will look like. He might be better served playing a smaller role early on even if he doesn't redshirt while he adjusts to the physicality and speed of the college game.

I would like to see Breidenbach and Traudt paired together in two or three years.  I think they would really compliment one another.

16 hours ago, 75unlgrad said:

I would like to see Breidenbach and Traudt paired together in two or three years.  I think they would really compliment one another.

W.B.: "You're the best, Isaac!"

I.T.: "No, you're the best, Wilhelm!"

Oh wait...you probably meant complement.  My bad.  

...is there a more German- sounding name?

Love what I've been able to dig up on him on tape so far. The kid is promising.

On 10/13/2020 at 5:15 PM, 75unlgrad said:

I would like to see Breidenbach and Traudt paired together in two or three years.  I think they would really compliment one another.

Would be amazing to have that tandem with the Big Red. We'll have to see how it goes this next season... GBR

KD, KG...? He has more game & the dark swarthy looks of our very own Christian Standhardinger. 

On 10/12/2020 at 8:12 PM, Jacob Padilla said:

I've watched four of his games now on YouTube. Kevin Durant and Kevin Garnett are... lofty comparisons.

 

He already does a lot of things for Mater Dei that Hoiberg likes to have his big men do – ball screens, hand-offs, initiating offense from the high post as a passer, playing on the perimeter, grab and go on rebounds if the opportunity is there. According to MaxPreps, he made 16 3s in 30 games last year (they don't chart misses). He was 2-10 in the four games I've watched. The shot is smooth but it seems like he still has a ways to go before he's a consistent shooter. Good footwork in the post, heavily favors the left hand around the basket despite shooting jumpers right-handed, good passer, good help defender, plays hard (tries to take charges and hits the floor for loose balls often, runs the floor hard). He's definitely going to have to hit the weights hard once he gets to Lincoln and needs to play more physically on the defensive glass (gave up position too easily at times), but he's active on the offensive glass when he's not floating out at the 3-point line.

So Wilt Chamberlain then...?

21 minutes ago, basketballjones said:

So Wilt Chamberlain than...?

Maybe Will Chamberlain. Or Larry Alcindor.

42 minutes ago, jayschool said:

Maybe Will Chamberlain. Or Larry Alcindor.

Cue the Beatles

Mater Dai, Breiden Bach, life goes on, bro

Wilhelm, how the life goes on.

7 hours ago, hhcmatt said:

 

Cue the Beatles

 

Mater Dai, Breiden Bach, life goes on, bro

Wilhelm, how the life goes on.

Ich bin ein Breidenbacher.

Could also pass for a more “filled out” Kelly Lively...