Fullbacksympathy

I think he's going to be a rich man's Gallegos. He's going to have one job here, and that is to run around and shoot threes. He's a good enough athlete to get up to speed defensively after Doc barks at him for a couple weeks. I think he'll have games where he scores 20 and games without points. I think it will be that dynamic. But if you think about Gallegos--he can have that same effect--someone who has to be chased around the perimeter and opens the lane in the process. He's also very good in transition O. Zones will be a huge risk against him because he doesn't need much room/time to get his shots up. I think he's going to fit in extremely well here, but he won't be looked to for creating his own shot or having the ball in his hands when the shot clock is winding down. This is actually a sign that his game should transfer well because it isn't dependent in breaking guys down off the dribble. Lakes is the same way.

Webster seems like a kid smart enough to nab a master’s degree and get immediately into coaching, hence the willingness to play another year.

He is a terrible defender and below average shooter. He's also skinny for a big boy conference, and a headcase. There is plenty not to like about his game with regard to the B1G. We're essentially trading him for Webster--a scorer, scholar, and upperclassman who is a better all around player. I really don't know where Mack would've gotten his minutes on this team unless he was coming off the bench for a small ball lineup. He does have elite speed and passing abilities, so he definitely would've seen minutes. But a starter running the show among new alpha guards like McGowans? No chance.

1. Correct. 2. Crack the rotation, yes--Mack would crack the rotation in certain games if we didn't have enough help at guard. Beyond him, I don't see Burke or Cheatham cracking the lineup because they can't shoot. With the exception of Yvan, every other guy in the rotation is at least a reasonable threat from deep. Banton might not be a great outside threat, but he will do all kinds of things to have a positive effect on the game if his outside shot isn't falling. The shooting ability of McGowans, Allen, Mayen, Webster, Stevenson and Thor are really what changes the look of the team. 3. I'd also be beyond shocked if Thor isn't in the rotation this season.

I agree the Big 12 was easier for establishing continued dominance, but our football program has had terrible coaching since Solich (until Frost, IMO—I think he’ll get it done), and our basketball program just hired its first great coach ever. The B1G isn’t the reason football fell off the map. That was done internally. I think they’ve gotten the blame for our own inadequate leadership (just like Texas did). When we first joined the conference, we could fart our way to the title game, and we were mediocre then. If we become a good program again (Wisconsin caliber), we’ll be in the championship every other year. If we become great again, we’ll do exactly what you described above each season, only with Ohio State instead of Oklahoma. Wisconsin has been to the football championship 4 of the last 6 years. There’s no reason we can’t be as good as Wisconsin, and I don’t think we’re far off. If we can ascend to the top of the West, everyone will love the B1G again and it’ll be worth the rebuild both in morale and finances. As for basketball, we have arguably the best coach and facilities in the conference, we’re on the brink of signing our first 5*, and this conference plays incredible basketball every year. The metrics know this most of the time, so just being competitive in basketball probably gives us a better chance at consistent postseason play than having to compete for the championship of the Big 12 every year, and the viewing experience is so much richer.

I think it’s a great conference. They don’t respect us in football or basketball, but I think they will soon enough when we start winning. It takes years to establish competitive programs the right way. I really believe Hoiberg (first) and Frost (maybe a year or two later) will regularly start competing for B1G championships. It just takes longer in football but that young cupboard isn’t bare. They’re gonna be scary two years from now. Once we’re competitive, it’ll be fun beating Iowa every year, for example. Bottom line, if you’re near the top of this conference, you have a great program. If you’re near the top of the Big 12, you have a good program. The B1G forces us to be great to get what we want, and I dig that.

Agreed, though the WAC wasn't that great of a conference back in the day. Andre Miller was the best player on that team when they played the blue bloods.

Poor man's Keith is WB's ceiling, IMO:

Bros. Let's focus on the inevitable truth that Hoiberg is currently designing his statue.

My timing couldn’t have been worse on this post. Not sure we’d have beat Wisky regardless but I’m guessing they’ll magically return to health for their Purdue game next weekend.

I was having a chat about this with a friend and thought I'd bring it here for expert analysis. You've seen one football game. You've seen our basketball roster. Which program finishes with a higher winning percentage this season?

Yep. I think Wood is a good player and will help us a lot, but I believe this is a massive, genius vision of Fred's to get a 5* kid in a Husker jersey under his watch. If that does, in fact, happen, get ready for a renaissance.

Elijah is one of Bryce's best friends to boot. It's a win win because Trey and Elijah are both good players but they are certainly playing the long game with Bryce as well.

Agree. We also have the ability to draw fouls on bigs with Banton, Lat, and Shamiel being able to break down bigs off the dribble while being serviceable in guarding them on the other end.

We easily have the best coach out of that bunch who also played the same position in the league. We're a home away from home for this kid. With the way we'll be able to space the floor next year, Bryce could come in and be an All-American. He looks like a true lottery pick to me with that frame and scoring ability. I already think this season will go well. We could be in serious contention for the B1G and beyond next season if our roster shakes out correctly.

That's good news! How many minutes do you think Yvan will average? Probably depends on matchups, but I'm still very curious about the possibilities of Banton, McGowans, Allen, Thor, Mayen... I just think they'd be deadly with Mayen at the 5 and positionless basketball.

Banton McGowans Allen Mayen Yvan Bench: Kobe, Thor, Stevenson Deep Bench: Walker, Andre, Arop, Bench clearing: Wood and the WOs. My .02.

Fred's Transfer U system will put us in the top half of the conference annually after this year.

I would imagine this increases our chances of landing Bryce McGowans since big bro will be, functionally, a sophomore. That could be a multi-year, legendary sibling backcourt.

Lebron is putting thousands of kids who come from nothing—like he did—through college. He is simultaneously helping register thousands of people across the country to participate in our democratic process while managing to be arguably the greatest player ever and winning championships. All things considered, I think his demonstrated empathy for those less fortunate lends itself to a place at the political table. It’s been quite interesting to see Black athletes uncensored and taking over the voice of the organization they continue to revolutionize. More kids are being educated. More voters are being registered. I’ve rather enjoyed it.

I’m betting on us here.

This. There will be a ton of shots going up early in the shot clock this season simply because the defense won’t be fully set. First, we’ll more rebounds and steals, and second, there won’t be many guys who need to hand the ball off.

I think this is a really good comparison. Trey and Tai are pretty similar athletes. And remember how good Tai’s defense became. He was elite by the time he was a senior. Trey can guard. His defense alone is going to justify his playing time, imo. Nothing about Fred’s ISU teams indicates he necessarily needs a traditional point guard. It has often been PG by committee.

https://youtu.be/uMcptSLLUo0

I’ve been wondering if this was a possibility. We’d contend for the B1G title with this kid. I think this has serious potential, and we would not hesitate to carve out a spot.