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I will add in to the chorus saying I don't think this is a controversial take at all. There are two things that Keisei had here that Connor doesn't seem to at least so far: 1). As others have mentioned Keisei had that flair and showmanship that made him just a joy to watch work. Connor is just efficient and will get you that sneaky 22 points, and that's obviously not a bad thing. Keisei would light up the scoreboard and let you know about it. Also not a bad thing. 2). Keisei had a really great passing big man (both Derrick and Rienk) to play that two man game with. Jury's out on whether Berke or Andrew can play that role as well. I am kind of rubbing my hands together thinking about Rienk and Connor on the floor together. Hope we get to see that next year.

I hope it’s Berke once he’s healthy.

Connor shot 23 threes in the last 2 games... he has to be so elated with his decision to transfer.

I have a controversial opinion that I hesitate to post here, but here goes... Connor Essegian is a better player than Keisei. However, Keisei could light a fire under a team, and a whole arena, unlike any player we've had here since probably T Lue. Momentum and belief is worth a lot in college basketball.

I say roughly about the same. I think this team has potential to be better, but it all rides on consistent production of Berke and Essegian. I think that Morgan, Ulis, Hoiberg and Meah all have their roles and what they do will need to remain consistent. Then the X factor is Griffiths. I think the way I would describe him is awkward/athletic. He plays super aggressive, but is missing something. I think if he picks it up at all we have a chance to be great, but until then I am thinking we are a High NIT seed to an 8/9 seed level in the tournament. Berke/Griffiths/Essegian < Their play dictates a lot IMO

Fat fingers, and I didn't prove read before I hit the submit button. Prove it.

Forgot I'd said this:

Connor has hit 6 threes two games in a row. Keisei's career high was 5.

In my opinion, Keisei is unmatched in his ability to ignite a crowd and create energy in the arena with his timely shot making. He is also probably better than Connor at creating his own 3 point shot out of nothing. Connor is better at everything else. Connor is 20-45 right now after 7 games. Keisei didn't hit his 20th three until game 10 last year and he was 20-60 at that point.

Looking at Bart Torvik numbers this year compared to last year as of Dec. 3, we're very similar except much better defensively and worse offensively. However, we're trending up offensively the last few weeks...#28 offensively since the Bethune-Cookman game. One year ago today we lost by 29 vs. Creighton and then blew a 15-point halftime lead at Minnesota on Dec. 6. It was pretty doom and gloom on here and I'm sure no one was even dreaming of an NCAA bid. So I feel much better right now about this team than I did last year at this time. BT Rank ADJO O Rk ADJ D D Rk 2023 7-1 record 42 116.8 28 100.8 132 2024 6-1 record 40 111.6 64 95.8 24 NET KPI SOR BPI KP 2023 23-11 record 33 27 24 37 29 2024 6-1 record 43 28 40 37 47 When you compare our current resume numbers to our final resume numbers above, it's looking pretty good considering our schedule is only going to get harder. Last year our metrics were way, way worse this time of year and we spent all season climbing from the abyss. We just need to get through the 3 Hawaii games and Southern without a bad L. The one thing last year's team had going for it was no bad non-conference losses. Selection Sunday would be a lot less stressful if we go 3-0 in Hawaii, and given the field, we should be the favorite to win the tournament and I hope we play like it.

I should add a note about computer models: When we're good, we're almost ALWAYS underrated to begin the year. It takes the computers a while to catch up to how good we are. And I think that's the case again this season. I think we're probably better than what the computer thinks we are.

They've certainly seemed to gel more quickly than in year's past. I expected Keisei would be difficult to replace, but it seems Connor has stepped up. And, with a healthy Berke, he might not even start. Berke seems to be at least as capable as Josiah Allick but different strengths. Braxton is a step down from Rienk, though. As is Andrew, quite frankly. But we have a bunch more length than a year ago, and that doesn't hurt at all. Brice, Juwan and Sam are all a year older and more experienced. And we have not just one PG but two. On paper, I feel like they should be slightly better than a year ago. And the results on the floor with beating CU and absolutely crushing Northern Florida make me feel at this point like I'd be majorly disappointed if we don't get a return trip to the NCAA tourney.

I swear we could go undefeated in the Big 10 and we would be a 4 or 5 seed

Is it weird this is the first thing I come to after games…?? I think with our deep team and Hoiberg still playing so many players it’s just fascinating to come look at this and see who fared the best!

thru Dec 2nd (NET include games against DI opponents only) UCLA #3 8-0 MSU #5 8-0 OSU #12 7-0 USC #15 6-1 Maryland #16 8-0 Michigan #18 7-1 Iowa #28 8-0 Minnesota #30 9-0 Nebraska #33 6-1 Illinois #34 7-1 Indiana #48 5-3 Oregon #51 6-2 Penn St #59 8-1 Washington #81 7-2 Wisconsin #86 7-2 Rutgers #147 5-3 Northwestern #167 3-3 Purdue #175 4-3

25/25 Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-1) vs. Lindenwood Lions (4-2) Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 7 p.m. (CT) Pinnacle Bank Arena - Lincoln, Nebraska Tickets: Huskers.com / 1-800-8-BIG-RED Special Event: Toys for Tots Live Video: B1G+ (subscription) Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (6:30 p.m.) Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst) Lincoln (107.3 FM, 99.3 FM, 1400 AM), Omaha (590 AM), Huskers.com, Huskers App Live Stats: Huskers.com (StatBroadcast - Public) 25/25 Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-1, 0-0 Big Ten) 12 - Jessica Petrie - 6-2 - So. - F - 4.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg 40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Sr. - C/F - 15.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg 14 - Callin Hake - 5-8 - Jr. - G - 7.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg 15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Sr. - G - 4.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg 23 - Britt Prince - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 14.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg Off the Bench 5 - Alberte Rimdal - 5-9 - Sr. - G - 9.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg 2 - Logan Nissley - 6-0 - So. - G - 6.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg 44 - Petra Bozan - 6-3 - Fr. - F/C - 5.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg 3 - Allison Weidner - 5-10 - RJr. - G - 4.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg 33 - Amiah Hargrove - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 4.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg 32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Gr. - F/G - 2.9 ppg, 0.4 rpg 22 - Natalie Potts [Out] - 6-2 - So. - F - 14.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg 4 - Kennadi Williams - 5-4 - Fr. - G - Redshirt Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998) Ninth Season at Nebraska (143-112); 18th Season Overall (336-221) Lindenwood Lions (4-2, 0-0 Ohio Valley) 35 - Justis Odom - 6-2 - Sr. - C - 8.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg 3 - Grace Wernli - 5-9 - So. - G - 11.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg 4 - Ellie Brueggemann - 5-11 - So. - G - 13.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg 12 - Brooke Coffey - 6-1 - So. - G - 9.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg 24 - Mykayla Cunningham - 5-10 - So. - G - 6.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg Off the Bench 22 - Mya Skoff - 5-10 - So. - G - 5.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg 15 - Alyssa Nielsen - 6-0 - So. - F - 5.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg 26 - Mariah Stewart - 6-3 - Gr. - C - 2.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg 0 - Kiara Smith - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 1.3 ppg, 0.5 rpg 5 - Aalayah Wilson - 5-8 - So. - G - 6.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg 33 - Gracie Kelsey - 6-2 - So. - F - 6.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg 21 - Mary McGrath - 6-1 - Sr. - G - 1.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg 23 - Tiana Winn - 6-1 - Jr. - F - 1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg Head Coach: Amy Eagan (Truman State, 2001) Second Season at Lindenwood (11-23); 16th Season Overall (283-174)

Not to toot my own horn but I've been on a Connor Essegian like streak since the Creighton game

I think this team will be better overall, but will finish with a worse record. The Big Ten is significantly better this year. I would be shocked if we win more than 12 games like we did last year. We have more depth, size, and Big Ten experience. The biggest thing to monitor will be our 3pt shooting. We were 3pt reliant last year, but this year we can win in multiple ways.

Robin Washut on 1240 today mentioned this post and said he got a chuckle out of it.

I don't disagree with you. I think it's entirely possible. I'm just in more of a wait and see mode. But he looks likes it's a real possibility.

In the post-Creighton highlight video, Fred and the team were all calling him "Motion Connor" in the locker room. It's pretty clear Fred has been coaching him hard to understand he has to move without the ball if he wants to be successful. And it's working.

My opinion was partially based on Connor's true freshman season at Wisconsin, which statistically wasn't too far off from Keisei's senior (5th) year. Even if Connor's 3P% drops 7% - equal to Keisei's percentage last year - I still think it's a conversation, as Connor is slightly better in many other aspects of the game. What set Keisei apart (aside from his shot making ability) was an inherent feel for the game that is pretty rare at this level, which allowed him to play much faster/quicker than he would be in a combine setting. But as someone else said, Essegian's b-ball IQ is pretty high up there, as well.

I know you weren't trying to imply this, but Keisei averaged 15.5 ppg against Big Ten teams last year and 14.5 as a junior. Connor averaged 12.7 ppg against Big Ten teams as a true freshman playing in Greg Gard's system...

I think it's a fair opinion. It's more a matter of sample size. Can Essegian keep doing it? Can he average 20pts in BigTen play? We shall see.

I've been kind of afraid to say the same thing. Keisei did a lot. But, so far, Connor has shot it as well, probably plays better defense, is certainly longer, and I would say he's more athletic. Both moved really well without the ball. In fact, relentless movers without the ball. Connor's hoops IQ is way up there. Does he do more for you than Meah? If so, Meah to the bench, Berke to the paint and shift everyone up a spot to make room. But Connor's getting starters minutes anyway. Braxton is there for the opening tip.

We really need a 3rd person step up and be a semi consistent 3 point shooter outside of Connor and Brice. Griffiths is who I am hoping, but has struggled so far.

Pfft in the NIT maybe.

I went with "about the same" . But I think that's our floor. It looks like we're trending "a little better" with the possibility of going even higher. I'm too snake bitten to vote them higher at this point. Need to see us play some higher competition in BigTen play before I tear down the wall that protects my heart from Husker Basketball.

At this point I'm saying that we may be a little better than last year. If Connor stays consistent, if Berke finds his perimeter game, if player communication remains strong, if another player or two step forward with their game, if the league allows us to play physical, if we stay away from serious injury, if we continue to shoot free throws well...then we may be much better this year. We need to continue to improve, and if we do, we will be a pretty scary team as we move into March.

Technically-- If I guess the same as KenPom from here on out... I'll beat KenPom. Right? Money!

Maybe this is too simplistic, but I see it as: Private institutions are legally allowed to unionize (as of 2024 law). If Congress deems it such (staying away from the politics talk here, but note there are many constituents in power with ties to college football), so could public institutions. Form a players union. Assign a standard freshman contract (terms and pay) as their rookie contract. Then following that year they can sign a short or long term contract with whoever they want. And within those contracts I guarantee there would be termination clauses. And while we're at it, make the students pay for their own education with the salaries they'll be receiving. They're professionals now.

This is a $&^# show. The NCAA has totally lost control of this thing. Personally feel that... 1. If athletes want to be paid like adults, they should have to have a contract like an adult. 2. The terms of that contract should include a specified year that the athlete can transfer (after 1st, 2nd, 3rd year). 3. Athletes can only transfer after the specified year of their contract AND can only transfer one time without losing a year of eligibility. 4. Athletes who break the contract and transfer early will lose a year of eligibility & have to sit a year. This isn't even free agency. Even in the pros you can't free agent every year. This is ridiculous.

Fat fingers, and I didn't prove read before I hit the submit button.

I was trying to figure out what "Cheats" meant....

I hate it when that happens.

40 to 50 will be leaving + coaches. Going to be crazy

T-shirt sales?

Have to beat someone better than UTRGV

Neb-80 MSU-69 13 Wins!

Corn 75 Spartans 69 13 conference wins

Teams we currently have losses against: ___ Let's go! Time to make February/March a conversation of "Which seed?" and not "Are we in or not?"

+/- vs. North Florida Meah +22 Williams +21 Jacobsen +17 Essegian +17 Ulis +17 Gary +16 Griffiths +14 Hoiberg +14 Worster +12 Burt +2 Grace +2 Morgan +1 A ho-hum blowout. You love to see it. Season +/- (Team +99) Worster +72 Williams +70 Essegian +67 Berke +64 Gary +53 Hoiberg +50 Meah +40 Griffiths +39 Morgan +25 Ulis +25 Jacobsen +20 Season +/- Per Game Berke +10.7 Worster +10.3 Williams +10.0 Essegian +9.6 Gary +8.8 (I don't count his two minutes played vs. USD) Hoiberg +7.1 Meah +6.7 Griffiths +5.6 Jacobsen +5.0 Morgan +3.6 Ulis +3.6

According to ESPN BPI, our remaining strength of schedule rank is #9. Good. Almost done with non-con and the Big Ten looks good on paper, which is all that matters. Even though the eye test suggests there aren't any elite teams in the league. Really the best possible scenario for the Huskers. Just need to take care of our own business now.

This is such a great thread @GhostOfJoeMcCray, many thanks for doing it.

I would love to see more minutes with the top five on the floor together. Hoping their health allows that to happen.

^^^ McDermott...apparently...