Nebrasketball1979

I am curious if anyone knows why CJ left? Was it NIL related, did he want a change of scenery and perhaps a bigger role (that obviously didn't happen), did Alberts sweet talk him into coming? Or perhaps he just wanted to play for a better team? I wasn't sure if the real reason was known?

Yeah, that's fair. Knowing how close we were in so many games and moments definitely slants my opinion. They all went against us. Is that bad luck or emblematic of an issue with coaching, leadership, etc. We didn't have these issues in 2023-2024. Or, I don't remember many gut punches that year although I am sure there were some. We took kicks to the balls repeatedly this season. So which season is the outlier or is the reality probably somewhere in the middle? If it was even sort of close to the middle this year, we are talking about seeding today. And, right or wrong, I largely ignore Fred's first three seasons here. He had to do a hard reset and adjust his coaching and recruiting philosophy to today's college basketball. Maybe I am part of the standards problem with Nebrasketball but I am willing to give someone I believe to be a really good head coach the benefit of extra time and patience. Regardless, as I said, next year is pivotal for Fred.

Having a conversation on standards is fair. Arguably our standards for this program have been too low forever and that has impeded progress. It's probably a result of the success of football back in the 70's through 90's that mediocrity was largely ignored for most other sports, basketball included. That's perhaps a gross oversimplification but I do think that's part of it. I just can't get onboard with calling the season, in totality, an abject failure. There are a lot of adjectives in between a "resounding success" or even a good or special season to "abject failure". I would classify the season as good but the ending as wholly disappointing. But again, this comes back to the standards discussion. We were a play here or a play there or a call here or there from having the opportunity to have a special season. Because literally all of the critical moments went against this team and we still ended up with 17 wins and were an eyelash away from so much more, it's hard for me to call the season a failure.

Several points on this. Missing the BTT should definitely be cause for concern and dialogue not just amongst the fanbase but hopefully within the AD's office. Results have to matter. However, the results this year are definitely being viewed in a vacuum. The Big 10 has an unbalanced schedule. Fred, or someone on the radio (Kent or Jake) mentioned the other day that our league schedule was 2nd hardest in the Big 10. I will trust this at face value and perhaps someone has a resource to support or debunk this. Anyways, practically speaking, we did not finish 16th in the league. We finished tied for 12th with 5 other teams. Because we lost too much to teams at the bottom of the standings, we lost on the round robin tiebreaker. If our league schedule was amongst the hardest, some grace has to be given while also recognizing that we did a crappy job of not beating the teams we should have or at least not winning nearly enough against those teams at the bottom of the standings. Hoiberg should be reflecting and addressing on why we couldn't beat the teams we should have at a higher rate or close out/win more of the one possession games. Calling the season an abject failure is very extreme. Is it disappointing to miss the BTT? Yes. Were we a missed shot against Michigan, or a made shot from Minnesota, or a double OT ref-screw job against OSU, a non-Berke rolled ankle, or a 15 point lead not pissed away against Iowa from having a good season? Yes, very likely. The margins between a very frustrating/disappointing end to the season and having a good and perhaps a special season, were exceptionally thin. The breaks did not go our way this year, some self-inflicted (Essegian missing a wide open three against Michigan, Brice missing the FT against OSU) and others were just a calamity of bad luck or shitty circumstances. We've made progress as a program the past two years. Next year is a big year for Fred. I have faith and I'll be ready to be hurt all over again in November.

We lost six games in a row before that, won 4 in a row around that time and then collapsed to end the year. I don't think Josiah is the common thread. However, I do think a leadership void amongst the players was an issue.

Keisei had players that could hit him on back cuts. Connor, not so much.

Yes, I had the exact same thought. A complete and total lack of awareness. Very disappointing.

Keisei Tominaga Junior Year - 13.1 ppg/1.6 reb/0.7 assists (66 total makes from 3 @ 40% clip) Connor Essegian Junior Year - 10.7 ppg/2.8 reb/1.1 assists (70 total makes from 3 @ 39% clip) I think we have collectively been too hard on Connor this year. Yes, it's frustrating when he's not making shots as that is his role but he did pretty much what Keisei did his junior year, minus some of the charisma. He's already better than an 8th/9th man and hopefully with a good offseason he makes another jump.

We have to replace at least seven guys off our roster. What's the point of playing more? We probably need to focus entirely on roster construction starting now.

Yes and I hope there are a dozen bid stealers. Misery loves company.

Gutting to watch Juwan walk off the floor like that.

Juwan is battling his ass off. Sad if this is how his career ends.

In the bonus the rest of the game. Have to love the rim.

The crowd seems to be waking up. We need to seize this small piece of momentum and get going and get this crowd into it. Next four minutes are critical.

Trying to be respectful but Ahron Ulis is not a net positive. Not great minutes.

Pour it on!!!

It would be very sweet to end Fran's coaching career at PBA with a thorough drubbing. Let's do this ..GBR

Don't stop believing...right on the cut line. Just win today as a good first step.

Agree completely, a win for Rutgers today and a win in their first round BTT game will get them there for sure. Thankfully USC only dropped 4 spots to 71 after their bludgeoning by UCLA. They just need to not lose by 30 in their first round game and that should be safe as a Q2 loss

I personally want nothing to do with Rutgers and their two lottery picks. Will be rooting hard for them to beat Minnesota after we dismantle Iowa

9-11 in Q1 & Q2 with only one of them being a Q1 win is likely not enough. For comparison, if we were to win our next two and lose the third, we would be 11-12 in Q1+Q2 but with 5 Q1 wins and likely slightly worse resume metrics. However, we do have the two bad losses so again, it really depends on what the committee values, which we won't know until selection Sunday.

Yes, same with Xavier. They will play Marquette in the Big East tournament and that's likely a win and in for them. Of they lose and finish something like 1-11 in Q 1 games, that will likely leave them out. Need Duke to close out UNC.

I personally wanted blood but sure, I guess the high road is ok.

SMU and Ohio State losing was helpful. Drake rallying to beat Belmont was great. Duke beating UNC coming up shortly is critical.

The Big 10 should make that call and have that conversation with the selection committee. And, I won't hold my breath that any of those refs are actually held accountable by the spineless Big 10 office.