Norm Peterson

How come Twitter only trends "Creighton" as a topic for me when they win but never when they lose?

I've done this following an injury and the PT kept reducing my effective weight until I could jog without pain. Which was really cool. And then the bitch said, "Now, think how much better you'd feel if that's how much you really weighed."

Whoever talked about Meah not running P&Rs without Wooster may be onto something. I think the game just has not slowed down for him. He's seems very tentative whenever he has the ball out top of the key. Heck, even without the ball. But his passes were slow, lazy and telegraphed. It's like you could see the gears turning slowly in his head as he's processing where to go with the ball and he's scoping out his target long enough that even a fat guy like me could jump the passing lanes. It seemed to be defenses really started playing the passing lanes aggressively as soon as he got the ball out top. Something to watch.

OK, so I waited to see if anyone else would bring this up. I didn't see it (maybe I missed it; if so, sorry) so here goes: The first time they subbed out in the 2nd half against IU, Braxton and Berke had an animated exchange at the end of the bench, so much so that Coach Z got involved. Second time they subbed out, they bumped shoulders going passed each other walking back and forth to the end of the bench. And neither turned to say "excuse me" or whatever. Interesting dynamic. Anyone else notice?

When was the last time we were top 35 in the NET 7 games into a season?

That's crazy. CU has leapfrogged us after beating KU tonight. KU dropped 2 spots to #9. CU is up to #42. But we moved up to #45. Just keep winning. That's all we can ask or hope for.

OK, well ... Maybe CU will be a quad 1 win for us.

Everybody does it. Especially if you don't have someone to toot your horn for you.

Forgot I'd said this:

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.

Don't look now, but Andrew Morgan is hitting at 40% (small sample size, but still.) Nevertheless, point taken. We need a semi-volume shooter hitting high 30s in addition to Essegian and Williams.

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 know it's early. I know it's really early. Sure, we probably won't know for sure until March or maybe April. OK, but I'm not asking for perfect prescience. I'm asking for maybe just better than gut feeling. Just from what you've seen so far, what do you think? Vote, and then explain your vote, pls. Thx

Is there anything else they can do besides that? Volunteer hours at the soup kitchen, perhaps?

I should have added: "Before you answer, be aware that Jamarques is currently averaging over 40% from 3 while Rollie is under 30%; also, Jamarques is currently dishing more assists per game and scoring more points per game while playing roughly the same number of minutes as Rollie. And Jamarques would have another year of eligibility." I'm not saying I would answer differently than everyone else so far. I'm just thinking it might be a closer question.

If you were given the choice between starting Jamarques Lawrence at point for us this year or Rollie Worster, who would you choose?

PSU has announced Eli Rice is out for the rest of the season with an injury but nobody's saying what the injury is, exactly, which seems kinda sus to me.

Y'know, it's like we played really mid in stretches. And turn around and we're up 25. I was not expecting a 100-point offensive output and 31-point win over a team that won AT South Carolina and AT Ga Tech. And to do it without Berke. The takeaway for me is if Essegian gets hot, we're a tough out. But we'll see what things look like if Essegian isn't hitting.

Seemed like So Dak was way more physical. First half, the refs swallowed their whistles, which allowed So Dak to get away with a lot of bumping and hand checks and generally physical play, which I think directly lead to our injuries. Last 10 minutes it's like the refs remembered they had whistles and started making up for lost time.

Over on Bluejay Underground (I looked so you don't have to), they're talking like Ashford should be back relatively soon. He's not on crutches, not in a boot, and someone reported he didn't not appear to be limping (while in street clothes) during their most recent practice. Which is small consolation to them because their next 4 games include 3 ranked teams and UNLV, which has a Kenpom ranking in the top 100.

Yeah, they should try playing Traudt some. He's perfect for the system they run.

Man, I missed some good sh!t while I was on sabbatical. Glad I said nice things about Steve Harley even though I didn't know he'd eventually be watching. And I apologize in advance if Sek Henry ever reads this board.

I'll also add I like Morgan. I'd like to see a little more of him. I think him and Berke in the front court make a good combo.

Yeah. Dude cares. I see a lot of hustle out of him.