NWUhusker

I loved watching the halftime adjustments last night. Some of them are so simple too. At one point Hoiberg simply gave Cross the ball at the top of the key 2 straight possessions and WSU was forced to take their 7 footer out.

Hoiberg discussed adjustments on his post-game radio program. It sounded kinda complicated. Maybe one of the coach types on the board could explain.

I loved watching the halftime adjustments last night. Some of them are so simple too. At one point Hoiberg simply gave Cross the ball at the top of the key 2 straight possessions and WSU was forced to take their 7 footer out.

I loved watching the halftime adjustments last night. Some of them are so simple too. At one point Hoiberg simply gave Cross the ball at the top of the key 2 straight possessions and WSU was forced to take their 7 footer out.

This year has not gotten off to a great start. Given how big-time of a coach we secured, I don't think anyone assumed we'd start off 0-2 against some pretty poor teams. 

However, it took me about 2 minutes into the scrimmage to know that this was going to be a team who would struggle. We're skinny, inexperienced as a team, young in most places, have zero height or post players. JUCOs typically struggle to translate in their first year. We start a 17 year old. I guessed 16 total wins this year, and I'm even starting to doubt that. 

But guess what... it doesn't matter. Fred Hoiberg is a special coach. I have seen some things thus far that have me incredibly excited for the future of this program. Thought I would lay a few out for you all. 

1. We run.
          Make or miss we run. It has been something I have been screaming about for years now. Wings... Must... Run. Bigs who don't get rebounds... Must... Run. Running doesn't mean you have to play fast or take bad, early shots. But it exhausts the defense and always pays off eventually. If you guys have noticed, our wings run straight to the corner and get wide early, right off the break - make or miss. Our bigs are attempting to rim run every time. I love it. It's literally the most important thing to an effective offense getting off to a good start on a possession. It sucks the defense in, then forces them to boomerang back out to close-out, which creates dribble drives and eventual shots. The biggest misconception of our offense and of an offense like Creighton's is that you can't be efficient or get shots late while running. It's just not true. You can run, and drag possessions out. They are not mutually exclusive. 

2. The Xs and Os are there. 
          You just can't see it yet. Timing isn't there, fluidity hasn't been achieved, and they're still thinking. I love the free-flowing, ball-screen, dribble drive motion that Hoiberg runs. Also, his sets so far are fantastic (we just can't execute them yet). They're simple, but get you moving. They emphasize spacing and match-ups. He really puts you in a "choose your own death" position on each set. Once the guys pick these up, you'll see. Watch for when Hoiberg holds up a 5 and does a "slice" motion. I believe they literally call this 5-Slice. When I am able to see it again, I will attempt to draw it up. It starts with some purposeful cutting that forces defenders to stick to their man, then hits you with a well timed ball screen that help just can't get to. We've ran it a couple times, but with poor execution and timing. He's also ran some really simple, effective sets against zone that we haven't executed. 

3. He Demands respect.
           One of the toughest things about coaching these days is that you don't know how much you can lean on players and keep them around. Unlike Miles (and I don't fault him for this), Hoiberg just seems to demand respect from his players. His resume and career speak for themselves, so when he says something, you have to listen. It's probably one of the more unfortunate and toughest things about coaching - sometimes you can't get what you want until you've had some success and the players just don't second guess you. For what it is worth, I'm not trying to criticize Miles, as I believe I had this issue as a coach too. It's just something natural about a person that commands respect, and it's hard to cultivate out of nothing. You have to earn it, and often times it's earned by things that really weren't and aren't in your control. God made some men 6'5", square-jawed, and athletic. Some men (myself), he did not. Unfortunately sometimes those things command respect and you can't control it. When things get tough, and players are looking for excuses, having a coach who might be inexperienced/unsuccessful/didn't play pro/etc... can be an easy outlet. But when your coach is Fred Hoiberg, who's had success everywhere, played in the NBA, all the ladies want him and guys want to be him 😎 - you don't fall for those easy excuse traps. 

4. I just love seeing Doc on the sideline.
            That's it, just that. 

That’s what I’m thinking. I don’t think Hoiberg has any problem telling guys they can’t play at this level. He’s got a couple on this team and those conversations will happen at the end of the year.

I’m looking at the pieces for next year (I know it’s very early). Who does everyone think is a big contributor on next year’s team? I see Mack, Green, Ivan, Cross, hopefully Curtis, and...?
 
I hope Arop develops. He has the athleticism’s to play in the big ten if there’s some skill development. Banton and Walker come in and provide size, skill, and experience.
 
I just think this year is all about seeing certain guys improve. I apologize if I left out anyone who will be a part of the future. Just thinking off the top of my head.

I don’t think anyone who wants to keep things in perspective is saying this wasn’t a very frustrating game or a “clunker” if you will.  There’s a lot of issues with this team but ultimately if they could’ve made some lay ups and free throws throughout the game I don’t know if they lose that initial lead or at least stay close enough to be in the game at the end.
This looked exactly like what Hoiberg explained was his worry in the preseason. When adversity hit the team sort of unraveled. That’s what happens when there’s s bunch of new guys trying to play together and there’s no clear leadership on the the court.
This game sucked for sure and the point differential was shocking, but I think the issues as to why it happened are not surprising and can be worked on through this season.

I still think this team *COULD* make the post season.  No I haven’t been drinking and yes I watched the game... I just think we’ll improve that much and Fred will get the O turned around.

One bright spot was Yvan and his energy. 
 
Cross in my opinion shot way too much. Killed flow of the offense I thought. 
 
Defense looked active at times I guess?
 
There was a lid on the basket. I'll be at the game on Saturday. Hopefully it's better

Damn autocorrect....but yes I agree he should remember that...

Exactly. My only real expectation is that the team we see in February/March is clearly an improved team over what we seen in November. I get some extra comfort knowing we have two guys waiting in the wings (Walker and Banton) that should atleast help alleviate the glaring hole this roster has. Then fill in the gap with Donovan Williams and another good recruit.

I think, without knowing anything at all, that it’s probably their best 5. There’s a part of me though that wants to put Kavas in for Burke so you have that shooting in the lineup and you bring a ball handler/scorer off the bench when Green or Mack come out.  But like I said I don’t know anything. Just fun, pointless preseason talk.

Same. I think we'll be getting a glimpse of what will look like a bright future.  All season long, we'll be saying "this team would be really, really good if we just had a ______." And, in the off-season, I expect us to fill in for next year whatever that blank might be.

I've contemplated the same thing, @NWUhusker.

The good news about our front court is there’s 2 sides to every mismatch. We’ll be iunderdized but guys like Stevenson, Cross, sometimes Kavas and even Cheatham at the 4 is that other teams have to guard them too. It just depends whether those guys are willing to attack those types of match ups and can hit shots when bigger guys sag off them.

I think one problem we’re having here is people want to fit guys into the old 1,2,3,4,5 slots for a lineup. Basketball today really has 3 positions: the Point, Wings, and Bigs.
This offense will certainly have 3 wings playing at the same time quite a bit. My complete guess for a lineup goes:
point: Mack
Wings: Green, Burke, Cheatham
Big: Cross
 
Some guys obviously fit into multiple positions, but it all depends on match ups.

I think one problem we’re having here is people want to fit guys into the old 1,2,3,4,5 slots for a lineup. Basketball today really has 3 positions: the Point, Wings, and Bigs.
This offense will certainly have 3 wings playing at the same time quite a bit. My complete guess for a lineup goes:
point: Mack
Wings: Green, Burke, Cheatham
Big: Cross
 
Some guys obviously fit into multiple positions, but it all depends on match ups.

Couple things reading through this:
 
I'd almost guarantee Cam, Burke and Green start. Anything beyond that is up in the air.
 
I'd also be interested in seeing a comp between Samari Curtis and Xavier Johnson.

Lol exactly!! Graduated from Wesleyan a few years ago but always a Husker! Thanks for the welcome!

@NWUhusker So are you a Wolfsker? (Just teasing) And welcome to HHC!!

Sadler knows defense and if you watched his teams when he was here you could see that. This would be a great situation for him. He’s surrounded by and offensive guy and two really good recruiters. He can come here and basically be the defensive coordinator.

A waiver would mean immediately eligible. Who knows there. Otherwise:
 
• Top-five JC prospect Jervay Green - Immediate
• Former Oklahoma State forward Maurice Calloo - mid semester 2019-20
• UNLV transfer Joel Ntambwe - 2020-21
• UNLV transfer Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua - 2020-21

Sadler knows defense and if you watched his teams when he was here you could see that. This would be a great situation for him. He’s surrounded by and offensive guy and two really good recruiters. He can come here and basically be the defensive coordinator.

Exactly, and he can do it however he wants because he will have control of the program.  This seemed to be a big selling point in Frost coming here.