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Specialization, defined roles, responsibilities, job descriptions. All things any great organization needs - from a Fortune 500 to your local YMCA league team. Some people just naturally do things better than others - they have different skills, weaknesses, and things they prioritize personally. It is vital to your success to get those people in their best fit more times than not. The NBA is nearing an age of play where these things are almost scientificly determined. They are using numbers and thousands of hours of play/data to determine the best role and thing to do for every individual on the court. Their advantage? There are thousands of available data points and players available to enter in. They play 82 games at a minimum a year, summer league games, and some players have been on the same team, with the same coaches, or within similar organizations/conferences for 6+ years. They can determine these best roles, movements, strengths, and shot selections almost definitively. Then, they can pick, choose, and pay for exactly what they want. And last, 5-10 games off toss-up, win or lose, doesn't really matter over that many games and with play-offs (hell, teams with losing records make the playoffs every year). Sounds great, doesn't it? Sure, if you are dealing with a massive sample size, unlimited player options, the lack of emphasis on an individual game, and licensed-professional-assassin caliber players. But how about when every game matters and you are dealing with 18-21 year old young men? Ya know, those same kids who a lot of you have been parents of on this board - who will go at any length to not be labeled, prove you wrong, and go against the grain? Yeah, that kid. They are undefinable at this age, subconsciously so, matter of fact. My theory? Our roles got too defined and we forgot all 5 dudes on the court need to be playing basketball where all of the necessary skill-sets are available and on display. It is not about the system, it is probably not about playing, "motion basketball," (as I've beaten into our collective heads) -- it is about dudes (and coaches probably too) doing and emphasizing certain things that all 5 players must do from a basketball skill-set that the basketball gods have proven over and over again players need to be able to do. Example #1: Walter goes HAM last year shooting 3's and popping off of ball-screens. One could argue he was our MVP last year based on the fact that we went as Walter went. We were unstoppable if Walt was hitting 3's while popping (instead of rolling) on ball screen action. So naturally what would any logical person think needs to happen to Walt's game this summer? Needs to get GREAT at shooting those shape/pop shots off ball-screens so we are always good, right? Right? Bueller.... Bueller? Wrong. He still needed to develop his overall game. He still needs to be a 5-tool-offensive basketball player. Shooting, passing, driving, screening, and cutting. Does he need to be great at all those? Absolutely not! There are going to be plenty of things your average role player does not excell at - however - the Basketball Gods have proven time and time again there are just certain movements and actions every player must do based off of how the defense guards you. Do I know for fact this happened? Absolutely not. But I did see Walt misread ball screens this year and do the same thing nearly every time. Always looking for the same shot. Instead of rolling hard, unselfishly, to create spacing and lanes for his teammates. Because now what happens when the thing he worked the hardest on and focused on fails him? Confidence = gone. Do you have your fundamentals to fall back on? Example #2: TP and Shavon's driving angles. Two best players on the team right? Need to get the most shots and most attempts right? Ball needs to be in their hands right? Yes - if it happens naturally. Doesn't work if you force it. First off - you do not score as many points in the Big 10 as these two have without having incredible instincts, skills, and ability. But here is the problem, as our roles got too defined, these guys thought they had to carry the weight by themselves because they are the guys who should score the most. Therefore, if they got the ball kicked ahead to them, but their instincts looked ahead and saw they did not have a direct line to the hoop, we got NOTHING out of transition opportunities and kick-outs. Those transition kicks should have been our go to offense. With 6'7", multi-talented, bruisers of wings, you pray to get them in the open court. However, with their roles being too defined, they were not making the proper reads in transition, and on kick out opportunities to create for their teammates, the unselfish drives, if you will. Are they selfish people/players? No. They are great teammates. Unfortunately, too defined of roles can make you look that way, and not allow you to do the necessary, unselfish actions required on the basketball court. My solution - open it up, and get rid of the highly-specific individualized workouts basketball society has gravitated towards. Emphasize to your players to get their bodies in their best shape through your S&C program, and let them have some autonomy in figuring out the parts of their game they want to work on and develop. Emphasize workouts that all players should get good at regardless of position. Players will always naturally find a way to evolve what they are already good at. The key thing to remember- if you are good at something, it will probably naturally work its way into your game. Your subconscious is a good thing to always have in shape. But you have to remember that the game of basketball is played by 5 guys moving in unselfish, beneficial ways for their teammates based off of how the defense chooses to guard you. As a coach and as a player, those options must be available for both to adjust. We did not get that this year. Just my theory, could be way off. But after taking some time off from bball and putting some thought into the season, this is what I came up with.

It is what it is, but I kind of abhor the who is staying and who may leave discussions. Just seems to be shots in the dark for the most part. That said, there is a part of me that thinks that the indivdiual who may choose to leave isn't mentioned that often. But...we will likely find out the answer(s) within the next two to six weeks.

Bittersweet to say I couldn't watch the last few games due to a move, but Kent made me appreciate it just as much. He's the kind of guy I'd love to buy a steak dinner. When the tab comes I'd fully expect him to say GOT IT.

Had a chance to attend a practice not too long ago and thought a few observations may be helpful. 1. AW III looked great. Only he and Ali were making shots in the scrimmage portion of the practice. Much more athletic than I expected with some nice finishes at the rim. A solid 215 and has gained quite a bit of strength since his Kansas days. Also an effective defender and rebounder according to the staff I talked to. 2. Hammond needs to learn to eat. Down in the 220s now. 3. Watson does not have a great 3 point shot but can score and is a great facilitator. 4. When you think of McVeigh think of a Utoff ++. Similar approach to the game and skillset. 5. Jacobsen will be relied on as a 5 so he needs to grow and add bulk. Too slow at this point to play PF but this could change with time in the Husker strength program. The general view among a couple of the staff I talked to regarding the difficulties this year was that the loss of Gallegos caused more problems than expected. Reyes commanded defensive attention by everyone we played and that defensive attention created driving lanes for Petteway & Shields.

When we beat South Carolina we'll most likely get Ohio State in the sweet 16! Cinderella in the House! Six B1G teams in after 3 brackets are revealed! Maryland left.

We are special.

...unless it's from Rosenthal.

TP has given zero indication that he is low character or dishonest. Give him the benefit of the doubt. It's the least he deserves.

And now Lue is the associate HC for LeBron James, who is also his friend. Not too shabby, indeed. Seems like a good enough excuse to put up a LeBron jersey in the training facility. It can't be that much of a stretch from when Ohio State made a Buckeyes LeBron jersey.

When you get to this level of college ball, you cannot have any major weaknesses. You can have some skills that are less refined to others, but if you have any type of hole in your game, it is going to be exposed over and over again. We have players with some major holes, and they were certainly exposed this season. The hope is that each and every player not only works on those weaknesses, but also continues to improve upon their strengths...

Hey, we are Nebraska...it is win or else, correct? Hell, there are those who believe Coach Miles is on such a seat. Best fans in all of college, right?

jones, I gave you an up for your philosophical effort. If individuals only work on aspects of their life which they do well and enjoy, they are deprived of skills which they do not think they possess and the pleasure which comes from discovering talents which were unrealized. Specialization may sometimes result in boredom.

Mich, I watched the game film you posted of your game against John Glenn from last year. It looks like he was playing behind a kid who was a tough sonofabitch. Very stout and athletic looking kid. Tried to figure out who it was but I couldn't track down a roster from last year to determine who it was and I couldn't find anything showing a 2014 recruit in the Rivals database from John Glenn HS. Anyway, when I saw that he was not starting, it dawned on me why he's sort of an unknown who is blowing up now and it kind of explains why he might have gone under the radar. I'm talking about #3, an athletic looking big man who scored John Glenn's first two baskets on rebound put-backs. Appears Mike Edwards was playing behind him at the 5 position, so I could understand why he might have only started this season. The guy who started ahead of him was James Pruitt, a 6'7" center who now plays for Schoolcraft community college (JUCO) which is supposedly ranked #1 in the country

Just saw him mentioned by Robin Washut on twitter. No idea what the article says but it hints at good things. Rivals has him as the #61 2017 player as of now.

Thanks Kamdy. I see he has until May 20th or so to make a decision so its good to see we are getting a visit

He is visiting March 28-29 before the quiet period starts.

I'm sure there is a Mikki but I can't recall... maybe Golden St.

According to 247sports, one of their lead analysts predicts we will sign him

Sorry, I have not heard. My guess is they are taking things slow which is smart. We will need him down the stretch.

Heard from a Winnebago fan that we are looking at their young sophomore as a walk on as well. BTW Winnebago is most fun team to watch and a great story to go along with it!

Anybody watching Winnebago?

You'll never hear Kent utter the phrase "long horny frog" in a game broadcast. Kent Pavelka >> Brent Musberger

Before the age of every game on tv and the internet and FM radio, I had to listen to either KFAB or KRGI AM stations. while they would be fading in and out at key moment of the game. Kent had you on the edge of your seat just waiting on the Huskers to make a great play. His side kick back then was Gary Saddlemeier( hope I spelled that right) and Gary would always keep Kent in check. Then the time that the Huskers beat Mizzo in Columbia when they where #1Kent said he was ducking from the stuff being at him and the team. Jim Bains was one of the refs I can't remember the other/s. He has given us all great memories through the years.

Take it from a born and raised Omaha kid....who went to Creighton Prep! There are tons of us Omaha kids that prefer the Huskers. GBR

Could you summarize the season, since you followed it so closely? Sure, I'll add more to this tomorrow when I have time but to start, Dixon finished the regular season 28-1. They lost to Rockford Lutheran in triple overtime back in January after leading most of the game. If I remember correctly, Dixon only had 7 or 8 players suited up for that game. On Saturday night they beat 3rd-ranked Rockford Lutheran 58-37 in their final regular season game. Roby credited their defense in that win. “Honestly, all we practice is defense, defense, defense on every drill,” said 6-foot-8 junior small forward Isaiah Roby, a Nebraska recruit who had 17 points, three dunks, three blocks and four steals. (He also had 10 rebounds and 3 assists). http://www.rrstar.com/article/20150227/Sports/150229285 In a game last weekend that Dixon won 63-48 Roby was fairly limited offensively. I imagine he draws double-teams automatically. I think he had two dunks and scored six points but his stat line was still interesting - (6 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 blocks) - showing he can do just about everything. The main reason I'm interested in the AAU season is because Dixon is not much bigger than Beatrice and is located about halfway between the Quad Cites and Chicago. It's a fairly rural area for northern Illinois and AAU will definitely provide a step (or two) up in competition.

Andre Almeida's Performance Enhancing Donuts

Take the money Petteway. D- league or not. We know you work hard. Whether you bust ass in D-league or stay and put in time at college the only difference is money. Do it. You're in a no-win situation at NU. You've had the weight put on your shoulders. Your limitations are out of your hands. You can't build the roster around you. You can take money and help your family in whatever way possible. I want you to stay, but... if you haven't came out and said it already you clearly know what the best option is.