Chuck Taylor

Exactly. That's the tradeoff we've had to make: Is our defense and rebounding good enough to run? If we're getting beat on the boards consistently, then Jim isn't going to be getting out front on the break. And if we can't stop people one on one consistently, then we'll be keeping people in tight to cut off drives. It's not a matter of not wanting to run, it's a matter of not being able to run because other deficiencies. I know the exhibitions are fun to watch to see who can score, but the bigger question is who can we stop?

I probably would have predicted 13-15 ppg this year from Copeland before seeing Palmer. Ball's gonna be in his and Glynn's hands a lot, and I'm fine with that. We're going to be able to score. A lot.

I seem to be getting hung up on names these days. This one reminded me of Faron Young, who was a thing back when I actually listened to country music.

The analytics previews are based on tested formulas, so I don't discount them. But they can't measure chemistry, coaching etc. in the year ahead. So 91 isn't a death sentence, it's a starting point.

The optimism arrow continues to move upward to the right. The worries arrow is trending down.

I don't know how you can't be enthused by these two games. With all the new parts we're putting together, you've expected more of a struggle in both of these games.

I agree, we need a good flowing name to give our tongues a break after Thorir Thorbjarnarson. I've tried to get that one to flow and just can't do it.

Most encouraged by Palmer and Jordy, think our offense will be a lot better. Least encouraged by our on-ball defense, they got to the lane a lot. (Maybe less quickness, but our length helps against 3s.) You really couldn't ask for much more: a road win against a P5 team. Good building block.

I can't believe how excited I am about an exhibition game. Thank you God for basketball in October!

It would be interesting to poll fans of the other teams at the bottom and see what they think. I'd guess Rutgers fans would mostly think, "Yeah, last. That's about right." Illinois and Ohio State are probably more hopeful since they've been good in the past and have new coaches. Penn State fans would probably be happy to be ranked 10th, based on their history.

SI projects Copeland as the No. 29 scorer among transfers at 11.1 ppg, Palmer No. 54 at 8.0. Neither of the freshmen make the top 50, which takes at least 7.5 ppg. I found this pretty interesting in regards to player projections for the year ahead: https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2016/10/12/team-rankings-projections-predictions-system

We still have to hire an AD, and he'll have the call on the coach, so maybe it's just talk. But it seems like Bounds' standards are very high for athletics, and he's stating them as more than just lofty goals. Struck me as more than just the usual, "We'd like to compete at the highest levels .... "

I'd interpret this as "Miles better make the NCAA this year." Anybody looking for "progress" or the NIT this year is setting the bar too low. http://www.omaha.com/huskers/football/shatel-football-president-hank-bounds-understands-importance-of-a-d/article_342d937e-aecc-11e7-8845-63d69a1aad7e.html On performance, Bounds said his goal is for every Husker sport, not just football, to chase national titles. “At the press conference (where Eichorst’s dismissal was announced), everybody focused on football. But basketball, every year we should be talking about the Big Ten championship and making deep runs in the (NCAA) tournament. Baseball, we should be seeing a red N across the street.” By that, he meant TD Ameritrade Park, just down the street from The World-Herald and home to the College World Series.

Not much of an impact this summer, judging by his offers: Toledo, Bowling Green, Penn are his best ones.

Roby's defensive potential: who was he guarding? Thanks for the update, we're starving for news.

Some people need to get a frickin life beyond a message board.

You don't have anything, so not sure why you're going there. Our Adidas connection also might make you go hmmmmmmm.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-season-starts-in-50-days-so-heres-50-fun-facts-to-get-you-ready/

Dribble, dribble.

Creighton's big post recruit just bailed on them, I wonder if they'll make a run at Brady.

"Other Husker Sports"

Might have been a case of Danny outthinking himself. That loss was considered a big upset because of the seedings, but Xavier had a couple of good guards. We had the advantage in size, but turned the ball over some and didn't hit our free throws. Although maybe I'm thinking of the Penn game.

Careful, we're not looking for logic here.

I agree, Miles' status is an issue, and to be honest, Eichorst's status is in play now as well. But keep in mind we still pulled in Thomas Allen, despite the uncertainty surrounding the program.

Here's how I'd handicap the race: NU: Playing time Georgetown: Close to home Georgia Tech and Josh Pastner: $$$$ (I'm sort of kidding)