Fullbacksympathy

Not sure why on earth this would be disappointing news. He has narrowed his list, and the team who can guarantee him a starting spot as a freshman along with the best practice facility and game arena in the country is one of the finalists.

^^ i.e. Pitchford and Petteway.

I think we'll have more steals, more blocked shots, and more transition buckets off turnovers with whoever the starters end up being. If our shortest guard is 6'4" we won't be nearly as susceptible to mismatches. The ability to switch on screens without any dropoff should greatly improve. I guess I don't see any reason they wouldn't be as disciplined at this point. Everyone was new in Miles' system last year and they seemed to pick it up. He has a common sense defense, not a psychotic man-zone-help scheme like Doc had (to his credit, it worked with some of his teams). Also, arguably our two most talented players have been here for a year in this system already.

I'm just thinking across the board. At any given time, 1-4 should be able to: Handle the ball serviceably. Shoot the ball serviceably. Guard the hell out of the perimeter (I'm probably more excited about this than ever.. should be a lanky, quick, smart defensive team). Run. Passing is a mystery. Each of the above (minus passing) should be improved this year. I think that results in more wins. As for the 5, well... Ubel was one of my favorite players ever, but that's because he came in terrible and left a little above average (and that's a major compliment). I have no idea if Walter is better than Ubel, but I am thrilled to have someone who will dunk the hell out of the ball at any given opportunity. And if you play above the rim as much as he supposedly does, I think that will result in a strong shotblocking presence inside. Additionally, I think the combo of Pitchford/Smith will be better than Ubel, so that's gotta be an improvement as well. Lastly, just based on interviews and bench enthusiasm from the transfers last year, these guys seem super likable (moreso than I can ever remember). In other words, it really sounds as if they're coachable kids. I don't think we're going to have many players out there beating themselves. I think we'll see a fun, disciplined, confident unit. I just don't recall a year that we improved 1-5 (supposedly). It's the first time in a long time I wish I didn't have a gig. Excited to hear reports on the scrimmage.

I'm surprised there aren't more in the Rey camp.. dude easily has the highest vertical on the team. Unreal hops.

Serj will surprise I think. He gained weight and showed a motor. I thought he should've got more pt last year.

^^^ that dunk is on Tai.. ha.

Well... there's your program changer. Dude could either shed 30 or chizzle up a bit, and he's an early exit draft pick. If we land him, I think the NCAA win talk is out the window. We could start talking about contending for conference championships.

A 7'1" 300+ dude who shoots that well from the line is absolutely deadly. This would be a crazy good get.

It's sobering to look at our bball schedule every year in the BIG. Ridiculously good conference. And the ooc schedule is equally impressive. What makes me more excited is that we are going to be competitive soon.. Maybe even this year. When you put that many good teams on the ooc, it gives us a chance to get used to playing at a conference caliber level year round. It also helps prevent bad losses from happening. I fully support the CU series now, BTW, since they now have something that resembles a bb conference and are capable of earning a legitimate RPI.

Series history: 25-21 NU. We had a rough decade--a rough patch in what will once again be a one sided series in our favor... starting next year, I think.

Nee had elite 8 recruiting ability.. dude just couldn't coach. Crazy talent.

I'm an educator, though a young one. I agree entirely with this post. Testing, in general, is a plague. UNL is a public university. What business do they have exuding private standards on entrances? Considering the graduation rate at UNL is a terrifying 32%, perhaps they need to look at something like work ethic and start taking people with unique skills rather than relying on test scores (i.e. incomes of parents).

I think the biggest misconception is that players were tougher back in the day. No way. The game is so much more rigorous now because less fouls are called and everyone is so much stronger. Personally, I think that makes it more interesting to watch. I like the challenge the refs have to deal with. Drama everywhere.

I thought about this while watching the Heat-Pacers series. No way that goes to game 7 with Phil. Should be interesting to see how Pop approaches the Heat. I'd actually take Pop over Phil. He's done way more with way less.

We are going to have to disagree. Wade doesn't drop 40 on Scott. He would be guarded by Scott, Worthy, & Cooper mostly & they wear him down. Definitely more depth with so many fewer teams back then... if the league was the same size, depth couldn't be an argument. I get your point though. Worthy runs with Wade all day & they have no one who can guard him in the post. I think Chris Anderson could guard Worthy, and run with him. I don't think Worthy or any Lakers had the quickness to guard Wade. Kobe couldn't even guard Wade in his prime, and until Lebron came along as the greatest athletic specimen in history, Kobe was the closest we had to Jordan's athleticism. I can't care how big you are, if you get in the air & someone hits you, you go down. It goes both ways. It's not like Lebron is afraid of confrontation. He would punk those skinny boys. Wade at 6'4" weighs as much as Worthy did at 6'9". Lebron weighs more than Kareem did. & your confused about those guys playing with Jordan, they didn't. I may not be old, but I can do research. Oakley played for Chicago from 85-88. Woolridge played for Chicago from 81-86. Gervin played for Chicago from 85-86. So, actually, MJ had them all ON THE SAME TEAM at one point and still couldn't get anywhere in the playoffs. & I don't think Jordan was the greatest ever. I don't see what criteria you can use to justify that. Who is the greatest? I think it's Lebron. But that's another discussion. But Jordan has Labron in tears before game 3 in my opinion that is. Jordan couldn't guard Lebron. He'd get destroyed in the post. Pippen--who was a better defender--would've given Lebron more trouble, but still couldn't handle his weight. Jordan would shut down Wade though.

First of all, Dean, you have awesome posts... but I gotta refute some of this stuff.

Wait... hand checking was allowed back then. Lebron would've shut the entire league down if he could handcheck guards at 270. Also, keep in mind the strict man-to-man D rules. Lebron would've been absolutely unstoppable with sort of isolation. I grew up watching Mike. Lebron is further along at the same age as a player and winner. I love Magic, but he was 220 soaking wet. Lebron would've destroyed him. The matchups with Wade are sort of a wash. I put him at Pippen level. Bosh is pretty hot and cold, but his body type looks like the players of old (skinny and weak), so he actually could've probably dominated more back then. The rest of the players are three point/defensive specialists (Miller, Battier, Cole/Chalmers), and a cleanup guy (Birdman). If you look at the Big 3 supporting cast, they are very similar to the Bulls philosophy with MJ. Interesting debate.

I like our chances here. He might be able to judge on facilities and staff above any sort of geography issues. This guy is my favorite prospect out of all of them, signed ir unsigned. The KD build/style of play really intrigues me. As I said before, absolute matchup nightmare with fantastic ball skills for a 6'11 frosh.

I think Vooch ends up a very solid player for UNL.

That hella skill for a 6'10" frosh. Great fundamentals. Quick first step. Excellent pump fake. He's a matchup nightmare. I'd LOVE to see him pick and pop in Miles' system. Awesome. Not worried about the weight. He'll gain a little, but that's not his game. Durant only weight about 210 in college. Similar body type here.

Pike or CWebb was the best player on the court (slight edge to CWebb probably.. guy was so skilled for a big). Puts it into perspective just how good Pike really was. I think he's #1 all time, personally.

Tony Farmer 2.0 would be the final piece.

Punch our dance ticket if we get him. Super skilled big. Great athlete.

Terrible decision by CU to go. They've carved a niche in Imaginationland, and the formula works. This will end with CU losing its fan base once the losses pile up. Big East will still be a good conference. Unlike the Purple Aces of the world, this league will be physically imposing. There's no talent on that squad beyond DM. I can't wait for the spiral.