Husker Hoops Penitent

The likelihood of Arop returning next year is negligible. Scholarships are too, too valuable to consign one to a player on an historically bad team (wins/losses) who is seeing a minute or two at the end of blowouts. (nearly every game!) Hoiberg isn't messing around like the previous coaches NU has had to endure. His gesture to Easley was fine, but that was for one semester. Now they have one open spot, and soon to be two or three. In the tradition of the greatest coach of all (J. Wooden) he likes to play seven, and possibly eight players per game. Having a full complement of scholarships keeps competition rabid, and naturally improves the team. I fully expect to see three new names next season, not including King, and expect two to be big men. We shall see.

Similar type of player as Allen. I believe in Hoiberg, though I still think he brings in a thundering presence down low some how some way!

I will be bothered if they land Sallis. It seems Williams could be a disruptive presence....

Thanks for the response. I see the sense in your positions. Sanogo might not be the type we associate w/ Hoiberg's style, however, after being humiliated all season long (or since Nee's tenure) our production in the paint has been staggering in its ineptitude. It is hard not to salivate when a player this dominant down low- and against top-flight talent, expresses strong interest in NU. We (fans) have also been so accustomed to pathetic inside play that it gains an allure almost irresistible. Moreover, the staff is really taken with him. If Sanogo doesn't move up a year he will likely be a top five center in his class- needless to say that it isn't commonplace in NU history. As for Whitt, you are right about it being contingent upon what Mack does/how Banton performs. That said, I don't think NU could not ask one of the likely bench players to leave if it means not landing what many coaches including defending National Champion Coach Bennett of UVA calls the best passing guard in the high school ranks. He could learn under a probable, future NBA starter (Mack) for one year and then run an excellent team for three years. Speaking of defections/transfers, I am thinking a minimum of two will leave, and possibly three, thus allowing Hoiberg to have a roster built to his specifications. It may be that if the newest addition (King) plays next year, that there may not be any sit-out transfers. As for Sallis, this is an historical opportunity for Hoiberg/Abdelmassih to catch lightning in a bottle. I know it is hard to out-recruit KU but should he land Sallis and then develop him into a player as productive as one would hope a five-star player to be, then the whole program gains a momentum that can create the trajectory needed to be a national contender for years. I want to say I really appreciate the generous feedback from so many of you on this board. It is more than just idle fun to bat around these silly musings of one man about something I partially understand, yet imbue with so much (guarded) optimism and even hope! Somewhere along the line I foolishly invested far too much importance into something in which I have no effect, and now I find myself looking for a payoff which can justify the decades of futility. But as the Bible so perfectly states: without a vision the people perish.

Someone needs to find out from a legitimate source how we are doing w/ Sanogo and Whitt. We need a "deep throat" who can hip us to the doings behind the scenes. NU needs a thundering presence down low (Sanogo) and a successor to Mack- who will run a team in the NBA one day. I trust the staff but I do think we need some high level freshmen to develop over time. I am predicting we will see two players defect after this season.

A great addition, but it makes me wonder about Sanogo and Whitt. Any guesses, fellow Huskers?

So, what are NU's chances w/ Mading? (in addition, where do we stand w/ Tchikou and Clemence?) I hope we land Sanogo, however. With him, Whitt and Sallis NU will really be a contender.

I hope it is Whitt, followed quickly by Sanogo. As for Cross- I really like his game. He will improve steadily. Such a nice skill set.

Step by step, Ouedraogo is steadily become a legitimate Big Ten post player. His attitude and work ethic seem very good, and considering his age, his future looks very promising. Here's hoping Mack is ready to go vs. OSU!

UI: 80 NU: 61

Yes, it has been a disaster for two decades. colhusker, you nailed it. If I were more paranoid I'd wonder about Dollar Bill's motivations (hiring Anderson, then leaving for A & M and hiring a good coach). And why Nee got lazy is beyond me. Making hundreds of thousands (then) per year and only having to satisfy minimal expectations really caused me to abandon support for Nee. And lastly, Osborne's slavishness to a lifelong subordinate was myopic at best- in one of my darker imaginings I wondered if he chose his successor in order to look loyal, why ensuring maximum contrast to his (Osborne's greatness).... That was the near consensus at the U of I when legendary football coach F. Evashevskie strong-armed the athletic dept. to hire his successor- it is possible. Whatever the reason, NU stinks in the big three men's sports and has for ages. I do think Hoiberg's brilliance makes it likely NU will become relevant nationally- football seems lost forever and baseball will prove too hard to get recruits consistently to come to a place with shit- weather unless the coach is world-class (as Van Horn was). What is good is that if nothing happens and NU remains a perennial loser in all the sports it doesn't matter.

FredsSlacks, interesting position. I am curious about your thoughts on Cross. What makes you think he is likely to leave?

B-Town, I agree about the impact of Stevenson. I knew the season was lost when the shit-heads at the NCAA squashed his appeal. (That's why they call them the NCAA!) Anyway, next year should see radically diff. results. I think as it stands, Mack, Allen, Banton, Stevenson and Cross start. However, if NU lands Sanogo, then he likely starts. If anyone doubts his ability watch him on youtube against top flight east coast talent. He recently dominated against his school's top rival. He had twenty-three rebounds in a game and was the deciding factor in their win. Incidentally, he plays with the top ranked recruit in the country, young Kuminga, who was likely the reason NU is currently involved with Sanogo, currently ranked in the top fifty. NU won't land Kuminga but having watched their team play I am not sure the player rankings are reliable. Kuminga seemed good, Sanogo, dominant. Some of that is because a dominant big man usually has less competition than a dominant wing but, goodness- I was floored. Scuttlebutt has Sanogo leaning toward NU. I just wonder who else NU will get once the certain/likely attrition occurs off season.

Great post. I agree. Coach Hoiberg is the only great coach NU has ever had, and Abdelmassih the only great recruiter (Nee was quite good for a time). This "lost season" is/was a preparation for the future (establishing a style that can demonstrate their commitment to running Hoiberg's modern system). They need PG Whitt, C Sanogo, and someone else to round out the roster. I think two guys will defect. By the way, what happened to Marial Mading (team mate of Mayen's)? Also, what about Zach Clemence, the top 30 big man? He still is listed as leaning toward NU.

khoock, I'd love to hear your speculation. What is the harm in it? You make good points and part of the "fun" of participating in this forum are speculations, hopes etc. I think Arop leaves and think it is very possible Piatkowski and Easley do as well. I hope NU hangs on to Easley. I also hope the staff finds a way to keep Cross. I know there are people who think Thorbjarnarson leaves to play overseas, and I would like to hear people's thoughts on that one. That would be a loss, surely. Thoughts, anyone?

So anxious for this nightmare to end. I've never seen an NU team nearly this bad. I sure hope the three players sitting out, plus Allen make the difference. I'm guessing there will be at least three other new faces beside the three sitting out. We need help everywhere.

I am curious to know who B-town hoopsfan (and anyone else on this board) thinks will not return.

Help!

By far the worst NU team (and there have been lots of bad ones) I've ever seen. I started watching/listening in earnest inn 1976. Even though I am accustomed to it, like jail-rape, it never becomes comfortable. That said, Coach Hoiberg will get this team to the promised land.

...and I would add to colhusker's statement: where 2 pt. & free throws go to die as well. 27.3% & 57.1% respectively. F*****n' "A". I'm nearly dead (having suffered through the slop that has passed for a basketball program since the mid-70s and I cannot remember a team nearly as rotten as this one. Staggering! Nevertheless, I think Hoiberg will get it done, though the near-obsession w/ guards does frighten me. NU needs to be a place where giants can come and develop and thrive too. We need recruits like Sanogo from Jersey, and I would love to see them land the giant from the Philippines, Sotto. This kind of ball is way too risky. Anytime there is an off night shooting, which in our case is every night, we are screwed.

My hope is Mack recognized his position on a lousy, but soon to be good team (next season) will help him immensely. If he stays he will have a decent chance at Big X player of the year, provided he listen to his brilliant coach. I have faith in coach Hoiberg and think if anyone can reach Mack, it will be him. That said, I am conditioned to the point of near nihilism- and certainly P.T.S.D. regarding NU basketball that I could see Mack being kicked off the team this year! In fact, I could see anything happen, provided it is horrible. I will choose to hold out hope that Coach H. will lead us to glory!

Rivals. com has the top 10 center and "beast of the boards" Adama Sanogo as 100% for NU! They also have top point guard Carter Whitt as 100% NU. Coach Bennett of defending champions UVA calls Whitt the best passing guard in high school! Now if NU lands these two and then local hero, Sallis, then the misery of the last twelve decades will be over, indeed!

We all need to pray Coach A. can land this great prospect. NU has needs to break the strange pattern of not being able to sign big men, let alone good/great ones. This young fellow pulled down 23 rebounds and scored 17 pts. in defeating the third ranked team in N. Jersey. His teammate is the top ranked h.s. junior in the country (whom NU has offered!). Sanogo is now ranked in the top 50 nationally. Go get him guys!

I love Kevin Cross!