The difference is that in the past when Nebraska has signed guys like Hawkins, Smith, and Atewe they didn't sign guys like Tummala, Fuller, and Webster to build around them. It's not like Nebraska has never has good players/role players. The issue is that they didn't have big time playmakers/scorers/go-to guys playing around them. There have been plenty of guys that have played for Nebraska in recent years that would have done just fine on other teams like Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio St, Minnesota, Michigan St, etc. There is no doubt in my mind that guys like Brandon Ubel, Toney McCray, Brandon Richardson, Sek Henry, Lance Jeter, Eshaunte Jones, Ryan Anderson, Ade Dagunduro, etc. could have seen playing time on some really good teams, because I think they have all been pretty good players. It's just that Nebraska didn't have big-time scorers on the floor with them, so alot of times they were forced to do more than their skills allowed, and many times they were forced to play out of position.
I don't think the issue is that Nebraska can never sign any players that are the same caliber as some of the players they have had over the last few years. I think the issue is that when they sign this caliber of player, they need to sign a few playmakers/scorers/go-to guys (Sai Tummala, Nick Fuller, Tai Webster) to place around them. That way the role players can play their roles, instead of being forced to do more than what their skills allow, and instead of being forced to play out of position.
Excellent