Norm Peterson

So, this was kind of fun. I posed to Twitter's AI bot the following task: "Come up with a plan for how a Power 5 conference men's basketball head coach would sift through the hundreds of transfer portal prospects to find the hidden gems who have game but might be overlooked by other P5 coaches." It took about 5 seconds to get a response. 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.r-vkv6oe{min-width:40px;} .r-vlxjld{color:rgba(247,249,249,1.00);} .r-vqxq0j{border:0 solid black;} .r-vrz42v{line-height:28px;} .r-vvn4in{background-position:center;} .r-wy61xf{height:72px;} .r-x3cy2q{background-size:100% 100%;} .r-x572qd{background-color:rgba(247,249,249,1.00);} .r-xigjrr{-webkit-filter:blur(4px);filter:blur(4px);} .r-yc9v9c{width:22px;} .r-yfoy6g{background-color:rgba(21,32,43,1.00);} .r-yy2aun{font-size:26px;} .r-yyyyoo{fill:currentcolor;} .r-z7pwl0{max-width:700px;} .r-z80fyv{height:20px;} .r-zchlnj{right:0px;} @-webkit-keyframes r-11cv4x{0%{transform:rotate(0deg);}100%{transform:rotate(360deg);}} @keyframes r-11cv4x{0%{transform:rotate(0deg);}100%{transform:rotate(360deg);}} .r-jwl2k0{position:absolute;visibility:hidden;top:0;width:50px;pointer-events:none} .r-jwl2k0.loaded{visibility:visible;top:50vh;width:50px} Here’s a strategic plan for a Power 5 conference men’s basketball head coach to navigate the transfer portal and identify overlooked "hidden gems" who have significant potential but might slip under the radar of other P5 programs. The goal is to find players with "game"—demonstrated ability and upside—who can contribute meaningfully to a high-major roster without competing head-to-head with every other P5 coach for the most hyped prospects. Step 1: Define Program Needs and Player Profile Assess Roster Gaps: Start by analyzing the current roster post-season. Identify specific positional needs (e.g., point guard depth, wing scoring, rim protection) and skill deficiencies (e.g., 3-point shooting, defensive versatility) based on performance data and departing players. Set a Hidden Gem Profile: Focus on players who might be overlooked due to: Playing at mid-major or low-major programs with less national exposure. Limited minutes due to depth at their previous school, not lack of talent. Raw stats that don’t pop but show efficiency (e.g., high PER, TS%, or BPM in limited roles). Late bloomers or players who improved significantly in their last season. Cultural Fit: Prioritize intangibles like work ethic, coachability, and resilience—traits that might not show in box scores but align with the program’s identity. Step 2: Leverage Data and Analytics Filter the Portal Early: Use tools like the NCAA Transfer Portal database and third-party platforms (e.g., 247Sports, Verbal Commits) to sort players by stats, position, and previous school. Narrow the initial list from hundreds to a manageable 50-75 candidates within 48 hours of portal entries. Key Metrics to Target: Efficiency: Look for high effective field goal percentage (eFG%) or true shooting percentage (TS%) in limited minutes (e.g., 15-20 MPG). Usage vs. Production: Find players with moderate usage rates (15-20%) but strong per-possession stats (e.g., points per 100 possessions, assist-to-turnover ratio). Advanced Stats: Use KenPom, Synergy, or BartTorvik data to identify players with high Player Efficiency Ratings (PER) or Box Plus-Minus (BPM) relative to their team’s strength of schedule. Defensive Impact: Seek players with above-average steal or block rates, even if their offense is underdeveloped. Red Flags to Avoid: Steer clear of players with inflated stats from weak competition unless advanced metrics suggest translatable skills, or those with a history of poor shot selection (e.g., low FG% on high volume). Step 3: Scout Smarter, Not Louder Tap Assistant Coaches and Staff: Divide the filtered list among the coaching staff. Assign each assistant 10-15 players to deep-dive into within a week, focusing on: Game Film: Watch 2-3 full games (not just highlights) to assess decision-making, motor, and fit within the team’s system (e.g., pace-and-space offense, press defense). Context: Evaluate why they’re transferring—lack of fit, coaching change, or seeking a bigger stage? Cross-reference with their team’s depth chart. Mine Mid-Major Standouts: Target players from conferences like the Missouri Valley, Atlantic 10, or WCC who posted solid numbers (e.g., 10-15 PPG, 5+ RPG) but weren’t all-conference selections. These players often fly under the radar of P5 coaches chasing 20 PPG scorers. Look for Late-Season Surges: Identify players whose stats spiked in the final 10-15 games of the season, indicating growth or a breakout that might not be reflected in season averages. Step 4: Network and Gather Intel Use Coaching Connections: Reach out to the player’s former head coach, assistants, or even opposing mid-major coaches who’ve faced them. Ask pointed questions: What’s their ceiling with better teammates? How do they handle adversity or coaching? Any off-court concerns (e.g., attitude, academics)? Graduate Assistants and GAs: Task younger staff with scouring X (Twitter) for posts from players, AAU coaches, or local beat writers hinting at work ethic, character, or unreported skills (e.g., a 6’8” forward who’s added a 3-point shot in the offseason). Talk to Teammates: If possible, discreetly contact a current or former teammate (via back channels) to gauge leadership and locker-room presence. Step 5: Prioritize Under-the-Radar Traits Versatility: Seek players who can fill multiple roles (e.g., a 6’6” wing who can guard 2-4 and shoot 35% from three) rather than one-dimensional stars who demand the ball. Physical Tools: Look for length, athleticism, or size that’s underdeveloped but projects well at the P5 level (e.g., a 6’10” sophomore with a 7’2” wingspan averaging 8 PPG at a mid-major). Situational Upside: Target players stuck behind all-conference talent at their old school (e.g., a backup point guard to an All-American) who could thrive with more minutes. Step 6: Move Fast and Build Relationships Initial Contact: Once a shortlist of 10-15 gems emerges, have assistants make first contact within days of portal entry—before the player’s stock rises. Use email or text (per NCAA rules) to express specific interest tied to their film (e.g., “We love how you attack closeouts”). Sell the Vision: During Zoom calls or visits, pitch a clear role: “You’d be our sixth man with 20 MPG and a chance to start by conference play.” Highlight development resources (e.g., strength staff, facilities) that mid-majors can’t match. Beat the Buzz: Lock in commitments before other P5 coaches catch wind. Offer NIL opportunities early if the program has them, but emphasize playing time and fit over cash alone. Step 7: Validate and Finalize Workout Auditions: If feasible, invite top candidates for on-campus workouts to test their skills against current players. Assess coachability and how they mesh with the system. Cross-Check Stats: Revisit advanced metrics post-scouting to ensure no overfitting—confirm their efficiency holds up against similar competition to your conference. Commit Decisively: Once 2-4 true gems are identified, secure them with scholarships or walk-on offers (if depth allows), leaving room for a splashier portal name if one emerges later. Example Targets Player A: 6’5” SG from a Horizon League school, 12.3 PPG, 38% 3PT, 1.5 SPG in 22 MPG off the bench. Stuck behind a senior all-league guard but flashed starter potential late in the year. Player B: 6’9” PF from the Big Sky, 9.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 62% FG, minimal 3-point attempts. Raw but long, with a high motor—could develop into a P5 rotation big. Player C: 6’3” PG from the CAA, 8.1 PPG, 4.2 APG, 1.8 A/TO ratio in 18 MPG. Overshadowed by a ball-dominant star but ran the offense efficiently when given chances. Timeline Day 1-2 Post-Portal Opening: Filter and assign initial list. Day 3-7: Staff scouts film and gathers intel. Day 8-14: Narrow to 10-15, make contact, and pitch. Day 15-21: Host visits, workouts, and lock in 2-4 commitments. Why It Works This plan avoids the feeding frenzy for top-100 portal names (e.g., 20 PPG scorers) that every P5 coach chases, instead exploiting inefficiencies in the market. By focusing on efficiency, context, and hustle, the coach unearths players with translatable skills who just need a bigger stage. Speed, relationships, and a clear role seal the deal before the competition wakes up. In a Power 5 league, these gems can become rotation players or starters, giving the program a talent edge at a lower recruiting cost.

Don't know if this guy knows anything or not, BUT ... Cluff is listed at 6'11 and 260, so he has very good size. He's also a juco product, and I'm wondering if that means he's really only a sophomore eligibility-wise rather than a senior.

We were 4-7 against teams in the field of 32. Of those 7 losses, 4 of them went down to the final minute and could have gone either way. And then a couple were blowouts. That's basically the story of our season right there.

I should say we had six one-possession losses after January 1. We had an additional 1-possession loss at the beginning of the season to a team now in the field of 32.

Don't know about the rest of you, but this is probably the most painful NCAA tourney to watch that we didn't play in. By the end of the day, it appears very likely that 4 teams we beat during the regular season will advance to the round of 32. And three more teams that were one-score losses also look to advance. Damn, this one hurts.

One of the recent lessons is good coaches who're given second chances often take full advantage of the opportunity. Chris Beard was supposedly radioactive after his domestic issue that got him fired from Texas. Ol' Miss is a 6-seed. Rick Pitino was embroiled in recruiting and other scandals when he was fired from Louisville. St John's is a 2-seed and beat UNO by 30. Kelvin Sampson received a 5-year show-cause penalty when he was dismissed from Indiana. Houston is a 1-seed. Know who else owns a 1-seed? Bruce Pearl and his Auburn Tigers. Pearl was given a 3-year show-cause when he left Tennessee. You can look down on those coaches and think you wouldn't want to get your hands dirty by having the program you cheer for hire one of those guys. But, y'know, they're winning, so ...

Texas has a job opening and, like they have in the past, they should look to hire the coach at Texas Tech.

I don't think "conference defenses had us figured out" explains our plummeting perimeter shooting accuracy after January 1. We looked good against UCLA on January 4. But blowing a 15-point lead at Iowa I guarantee hurt our psyche and probably sent us on the six-game skid. (You know how coaches always say "don't lose the same game twice;" I think we might have lost Iowa more than twice.) Anyway, we had six one-possession losses (including the Iowa OT loss, which we should have won in regulation.) A single additional made trey in any two of those games and we might well be dancing instead of watching. We were that close.

Our five highest-volume perimeter shooters first half of the season vs. second half: Through the end of December, Conner Essegian was 35/79 for 44.3% from downtown; after January 1, he was 35/109 for 32.1% from downtown. Through the end of December, Brice Williams was 20/47 for 42.6%; after January 1, he was 35/108 for 32.4%. Through the end of December, Juwan Gary was 14/43 for 32.6%; after January 1, he was 20/67 for 29.9%. Through the end of December, Berke was 8/28 for 28.6%; after January 1, he was 14/49 for 28.6% but at a higher volume for a low-percentage shooter. Through the end of December, Rollie was 5/21 for 23.4%; after January 1, he was 6/29 for 20.7%.

Just reiterating what some have probably already said: The lesson from last year is line up your dudes early. Maybe out-bid guys at the front end of the portal because the price goes up with increased scarcity at the end. It's like how it used to be before NIL when guys who were still available in the spring who had no business going to blue blood programs were being snatched up by those teams to fill their last available roster spots. Big money early gets better players than big money late. That's the lesson.

The Jacob Webber kid from Kearney is also a '26 recruit with ample 3-point range. Having a couple of guys with that kind of range -- especially one who is 6'9 -- would be good to have. It would also be nice to get a guy who could bang inside and rebound. We've been exposed by athletic bigs from other teams who can score it when they get it inside. And then we could use a slasher who can really find the rim or pull up and who is at least credible from deep. Those are my dream additions.

College 3-point range. Good looking stroke. Bouncy. Good sense of timing as a shot blocker. Bit on the skinny side. Shows a little bit of being able to put it on the floor. Looks like we're the only high major to offer so far. Full season higlights 24-25 - Heimir Helgason highlights - Hudl

A long time ago, I stopped talking about Brice Williams being a great freethrow shooter whenever he'd step to the line. Invariably, it seemed to jinx it. I blame myself.

Oh well. Years and years of following Husker basketball has prepared me for moments like this.

Just based on rumor mill, word-of-mouth kind of thing, I understand it might be more likely that Frager starts than Janowski. We'll probably be looking for a portal point if we have NIL money to go after one.

We hit the frickin' powerball jackpot of billionaire alumni. AND he wants to donate his massive fortune to charity instead of leaving it to his kids. Sadly, his idea of "charity" is like feeding starving kids in Africa and bringing fresh drinking water to the third world or some crap like that, instead of endowing his alma mater with a war chest to bring elite talent into our athletic programs. Sigh. That rat bastard.

The other alternative is we beat Michigan at home and just don't get run out of the gym on the road at tOSU. If we win out at home and keep it close at tOSU, we're in, right?

OK, all you guys who break this stuff down, if we could flip one close L to a W or eliminate one blowout loss and change it to at or near the spread, which one game hurts our resume the most and if you flipped it to either a W (in the event it was a close L) or a roughly expected margin of defeat would improve our standing? And by how much? Just curious. Would it help more to eliminate a blowout in one of the road games where we got boat-raced or flip a close L to a W?

Did his dad play for Ohio State?

Yeah. PSU is at the bottom of the league rn. That's winnable. Michigan is due for a road loss. That's winnable. We should beat Minnesota going away. And the Iowa game is a revenge match. We need 3 more to get to 20 overall. Three more also gets us to 10 conference wins. I think we have 4 winnable contests in our last 5 games. Be fun to run the tables, though.

And @HuskerBB be pulling his remaining hair out rn.

So much this.

If there's some way of getting Maryland again in the Big Ten tourney when we're hopefully health once again I do so want a piece of their @$$.

If my counting is correct, our current record against Kenpom top 40 teams: 5-5. Two are road wins; none are home losses.

That's how I was actually going to describe it.