aphilso1

You could care less? That's kind of bizarre, considering your second sentence implies that you couldn't care less. Sorry, pet peeve of mine.

Do we still care about AAU? I thought that was more of a Jim Delaney thing, and really just cherry-picking an individual metric that would put Nebraska on the same academic threshold as the other B1G schools. There's more than one metric by which to measure academic success, although you're likely correct that the Kentucky schools fall short regardless. Louisville and Nebraska have nearly identical acceptance rates and average high school GPA among applicants, FWIW

A significant chunk of Deliverance was filmed in South Carolina. I rest my case.

It's a short list but I do think it has some realistic options. Louisville in particular has no conference loyalty. Give them the right deal and they jump, every time. I'd personally go for Kentucky first, but Louisville would be a good backup plan and is only 2 hours away from Indianapolis. I also wonder about UVA and VaTech as a package deal. And then there's KU and ISU, who would almost assuredly be listening with both ears open at this point. I have to think they are sick of the instability in the Big12 at this point. I just don't see the B1G needing to consider adding non-P5 schools.

Not sure conference titles is all that important of a metric for UK, considering they have often been heads and shoulders above their conference peers. And conference titles matter a lot less in basketball than football, since performance in the NCAA Tourney is the key litmus test. I don't have any insider info on Kentucky. Just seems like a school worth kicking the tires on. Plus, if they are improving in football, then why not join a conference where they have a chance at a division title every once in a while?

So, just the normal University of South Carolina?

There is a 0% chance that Notre Dame joins the B1G. For one thing, they have a contract with the ACC through 2036 that mandates Notre Dame can ONLY join the ACC if they elect to join a conference. I have heard Notre Dame's AD Swarbrick talk about it many times, and each time he has indicated it is a binding contract. It does not seem to have a buy-out clause the way he has spoken about it. Additionally, Notre Dame considers itself a national brand and, as such, would only join a conference that has a coastal footprint. They have talked hypothetically before about ACC as a full-time member or Pac-12. Absolutely no interest in the B1G. But of course, ND values its independence and has no intention of joining any conference. Especially since the new 12-team playoff format is something that Swarbrick is really happy about.

If the B1G wants to expand, I don't think Warren will even need to consider non-P5 schools. Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Louisville, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Kansas, and Iowa State all seem like schools that should have some mutual interest with the B1G. It would be worth the phone call if you're Kevin Warren. Kentucky in particular intrigues me; they are an anomaly in the SEC, a basketball school that goes through the motions during football season. And Lexington is only 3 hours away from Indianapolis so they actually fit the B1G footprint well. Will the SEC adding two more football-oriented schools be enough to make UK feel like their best fit is elsewhere? Vanderbilt, Virginia, and VaTech are all pretty highly respected schools from the academic side. May be a better cultural fit in the B1G than in their current homes. Louisville has shown it is always willing to switch conferences if offered the right deal. Kansas and ISU would be willing to listen for obvious reasons.

Last night's SKC vs San Jose match was perhaps the worst officiated athletic event I have seen this year. So many high impact blatant miscalls. That officiating crew should be suspended.

Most Husker football games are over by noon even when they kick off at 11AM.

Not sure I follow. Are you implying Frost and Davison are alcoholics?

OK, so let’s predict the actual 23 man roster. -I see eight locks to start (Steffen in goal; Robinson, Brooks, and Dest on the backline; Adams, McKennie, and Reyna in the midfield; and Pulisic at winger) -Then three other players that are probably starters (Miazga paired with Brooks, Arriola opposite Pulisic, and Sargent up top) -Then two backup keepers (Horvath and Turner) That leaves ten spots for backup positional players. -I think the three bench forwards are set in Zardes, Dike, and Weah. -Lletget and Musah are pretty good bets in the midfield. -Cannon is a lock to make the roster at RB. Does Gregg call in Yedlin too? I’m assuming yes, and he finds creative ways of getting Cannon and Yedlin on the pitch. GB has quite the conundrum, with 3 of our top 18-ish players all playing RB. -That leaves three spots, which is where I start feeling really murky about who makes the cut. It’s safe to say one of those spots goes to a true center back, but who? I’ll guess Mark McKenzie but I’m not super confident in that. Could easily be CCV or Richards or Zimmerman or Miles Robinson instead. -It’s probable that a sixth midfielder will be on the roster, but not a guarantee depending if he thinks he can slide a forward back or defender up. Adams should be expected to play nearly every minute at the #6, so I doubt Gregg feels the need to carry a true backup #6 (see comment above regarding Cannon and Yedlin). This slot could go in a variety of directions. I’ll guess Brenden Aaronson as an extra creative mid. -One more slot, and my hunch is that this will be the one that drives fans crazy: Tim Ream. He is an emergency sub at LB and both CB slots. I doubt he starts any matches unless there is an injury, but provides depth at a variety of positions on the backline and is a veteran presence in the locker room. So in summary: GK (3): Steffen, Horvath, Turner Defenders (8): A. Robinson, Brooks, Mizaga, Dest, Cannon, Yedlin, McKenzie, Ream Mids (6): Adams, McKennie, Reyna, Lletget, Musah, Aaronson Forwards (6): Pulisic, Sargent, Arriola, Zardes, Dike, Weah I think Hoppe and Sands need an injury to someone ahead of them in order to make the roster. I just don't see Moore making the cut regardless, because even if one of Dest/Yedlin/Cannon gets hurt then GB will probably fill that roster spot with a non-RB.

Your list of guys you'd bring to WCQ is pretty much the same as my list of guys that I've been impressed with at this Gold Cup. Just not sure that there is room for all those players on the roster though, especially some of them that play at a stacked position. Dike - plays at an extremely thin position and has been impressive. We need quality strikers. I think he is 100% on the WCQ roster as long as he stays healthy. Zimmerman - 50% chance to be on roster. Brooks is a lock, and then there are about 6-7 CBs that are all pretty equally likely to make the roster. Zimmerman is definitely helping his chances with his play in the Gold Cup, but McKenzie/Miazga/CCV/EPB/M Robinson/Richards are all challenging too. Kind of a weird position group, as it doesn't feel like we have a ton of depth at center back and then you look at the options and go "wow. that seems like plenty of quality choices." Busio - Probably not on roster. If he does make it, it's because of his versatility to play the #6, #8, and #10 all effectively. I don't think he is a first or second choice at any of the midfield positions but his flexibility makes him valuable. Hoppe - I sure hope he makes the roster. See comment above on Busio's flexibility, but place that among the attacking positions (which are thin) rather than the midfield (which are pretty solid). Given how young our likely starters are up top though, I could see Gregg going with experience to round out the roster. I think Hoppe is on the outside looking in. Sands - another young, versatile player that probably isn't going to be first or second choice at any specific position. Not making the roster. Moore - I really like Moore's game. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he's pretty much a right back only though, right? And you have seen the RB depth chart, right? Unfortunately for him he plays at what is probably our deepest position. Not making the roster. Oh, and regarding Lleget/Zardes/Acosta. I think this was Acosta's last chance to prove he fits in the national team's plans and has played his way out of future consideration. Zardes will make the roster because of his combination of experience, skill (albeit inconsistent), and positional need. Lleget is somewhere in the middle.

Like many of you, I am hoping that Bryce will be our best player this season. 5 stars don't grow on trees, ya know? To temper and/or validate expectations, I just looked up the past five players who held the same Rivals ranking as Bryce (#26) in their respective recruiting classes to see what their freshman production level was. I looked at minutes, points, shooting percentage, and either rebounds or assists depending on what position they were recruited as. The results are, well, kind of all across the board. 2020 Kristian Lander (PG, Indiana) - 10.2 mpg, 2.1 ppg, 1.2 apg, .257 FG% (yikes!!) 2019 Oscar Tshiebwe (C, West Virginia) - 23.2 mpg, 11.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg, .552 FG% 2018 Coby White (SG, North Carolina) - 28.5 mpg, 16.1 ppg, 4.1 apg, .423 FG% 2017 Emmanuel Akot (SF, Arizona) - 10.4 mpg, 1.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg, .389 FG% 2016 VJ King (SF, Louisville) - 13.5 mpg, 5.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, .436 FG% A couple of those stat lines really jump out in a good way. Tshiebwe had a phenomenal frosh season, nearly averaging a double double while garnering 2nd Team All-Big 12 honors. White put up gaudy numbers in his one season in Chapel Hill, was named a 2nd Team All-ACC player, and was a one-and-done #7 overall pick in the NBA draft. Then there is the "cautionary tale" side of the list. Lander struggled to make any kind of impact for the Hoosiers last season. Ditto for Akot at Zona in 2017. King had an OK-ish freshman year. And perhaps looking just a tad too far down the road, it is interesting to see where these players are now. Lander - entered name in transfer portal after one season, but decided to stay at IU for 2021-22. Tshiebwe - two seasons at WVU before transferring to Kentucky. White - aforementioned #7 pick in NBA draft. Starter for Chicago Bulls last year. Akot - two years at Zona before transferring to Boise State. 9.1 ppg/3.6 rpg last year for the Broncos. King - Three down-and-up-and-down-again years at Louisville before declaring for the draft. UFA. Landed in G-league.

Haha, funny to see Fred as the only one attempting the tip toe trick. Did Eduardo grow this off-season? He is listed at 6'10" and is standing next to two guys listed at 6'9". Eduardo sure looks more than an inch taller than Lat and Wilhelm. And no, not just because of the hair.

Wow, really? He is such a dominant traditional big man. I know that skillset isn't valued a whole lot today, but I would think if he wanted to turn pro that there's at least one NBA team that would draft him.

Currency is only as strong as the reserve system backing it. Hence why when America prints dollars no one bats an eye, but Venezuela does it and all of a sudden people are bartering their internal organs in the streets. Bitcoin feels more like Venezuela then America to me. I'll keep my investments far away.

Where are you seeing this? nothing on rivals or 24/7 or his twitter.

That Euro Final did not disappoint! What a match. Now looking forward to the USMNT Gold Cup opener tonight. Hopefully Busio makes it onto the pitch!

Agreed on the four locks. Lat maybe a tad less so than the other three, but I would be surprised if any of those four are not opening night starters. My guess is CJ is the fifth starter. The McGowens Brothers can handle the ball well enough to break some token pressure and initiate the offense. Gotta think Fred will prioritize getting one extra shooter on the floor over one extra ball handler.

Nothing wrong with a beach. I do enjoy tossing one back, reading a good book, and listening to the waves crash against the beach. I'm just not much of a boating/swimming/paddling guy, so for me a beach is a one trick pony while the mountains have infinite exploration and recreation opportunities. There's nothing quite like biking your way up to a mountain peak and then getting that adrenaline boost on the downhill. Amazing workout and tons of fun all in one package. And the views...oh, the views.

Nice, I think we enjoy the same places. Pro tip: Sandpoint ID is a worthy replacement for Sun Valley and only costs you an arm, rather than both an arm and a leg. Just a stone's throw from Coeur d'Alene and about 2 hours from Missoula, which are also awesome places (although quite crowded in the summer months).

Any region in particular? I've been to the North Shore above Duluth and loved it. Ditto for Western Montana and the stovepipe section of Idaho. I think those are all considered part of the Northwoods. EDIT: And Yellowstone/Tetons! Can't believe I forgot NW Wyoming. One of my favorite places (if you can ignore all the people).

Favorite beer: Maui Brewing Imperial Coconut Porter. Favorite Spirit: Bourbons in general. Four Roses Single Barrel would be my choice for something that is always available on the store shelves. I could list a dozen that are better off the top of my head, but good luck finding them. Favorite cuisine: Pub fare. Favorite NBA team: Jazz, I guess. I think they would ship me back to Nebraska if I answered differently given my current locale. Favorite athlete of all time: Don’t think I have one. As a kid my favorites were Ozzie Smith and Gary Payton. "Vacations" or "trips"?: Trips. Beach, mountains, big city or theme park?: Mountains by a wide margin. I hike, bike, or ski in them 3-4x per week. Missed your calling?: Statistician. Bitcoin or nah?: Nah. Fred or Frost?: Fred

Tagging onto my previous post, this quote from Robin's article on Rivals gives me great hope: "I want to win. That's my main goal," Verge said. "I'm a big winner. That's really what I came to Nebraska for, is to win and help those guys win. My main goal for myself is to be that leader that the guys need. Honestly, I have no individual goals. Obviously, I want to play well, but I just want to win and take these guys to the NCAA Tournament." Now granted, I've never read an article where a kid says "I don't care about the other guys in the locker room, I came here to pad my stats!" But you do read articles where a guys says "the coach really knows how to get me to the NBA" or "I feel like this is the best place for me to raise my game to the next level" or other similar statements. So the fact that he says he wants to be a leader and win regardless of individual accolades seems like a positive coming from a guy being added this late in the off-season.