aphilso1

Cockbrenner’s facial is the sole highlight of this game.

So freakin pissed at that half. Everything went wrong. -we keep doubling and leaving wide open shooters -those dickwads have made every open shot -we’ve missed every open shot -the refs felt guilt after calling a fair game for 10 minutes, and made up for it for the latter 10.

You called it. Somehow McDonuts can work the ref for 10 minutes straight, avoid a tech, and change the officiating for the remainder of the half.

For a team that “doesn’t foul a lot,” Cry-a-ton sure does commit a lot of uncalled fouls.

Huskers 72 _______ 80

SKC just posted a Zusi tribute on social media. So it would appear that there is no intention to bring him back via a smaller contract. Same for Roger.

It appears my speculation was pretty far off, at least as the initial roster moves stand. Option exercised: Afrifa, Agada (duh), Castellanos, Davis (double duh), Flores, Rindov, Russell (surprising), and Walter (triple duh). Out of contract: Duke, McIntosh, and Kinda, but Sporting is in the process of negotiating with Kinda. Option not exercised: Espinoza (what?!?), Zusi, Ford, and Gutierrez. Obviously a lot can still happen. Players under contract can be traded, and players out of contract can be re-signed. But this initial announcement sure had some surprises. For a small market team that prides itself in signing players for the right price and not overpaying, I am most surprised to see Johnny's option picked up and Espinoza let go. I love Russell, but is he really worth $1M+ next year? His production has gone down and his injuries have gone up. And as stated above, Roger was playing for peanuts this season. His locker room leadership alone is worth the $85k salary. And while players like Zusi and Gutierrez may still find their way onto the roster via a renegotiated contract, that scenario doesn't apply to a player already on the veteran's minimum.

I resemble this.

I didn't realize how quickly MLS clubs have to decide what 2024 options they want to pick up. The deadline is tomorrow! Here's a good analysis of where SKC stands. A lot of overlap with what I posted above, but the author keeps things simple by ignoring trade possibilities. Interesting that he also sees Roger coming back on a veteran minimum contract, a potential renegotiation with Zusi rather than picking up his option, and the chance that we have seen the last of Johnny Russell in a Sporting kit. Maybe he lurks around HHC and plagiarized my analysis https://kcsoccerjournal.com/who-stays-and-who-goes-for-sporting-kc/11/30/2023/

Funny thing is that Vermes has shown time and time again that he isn't loyal to any individual player. He moves them before their value crashes, and is cognizant of not overpaying. And yet somehow Shelton is hogging $600k of salary cap space. I do think he ends up on SKC's opening day roster, but not because Peter wants to keep him around. There just isn't much of a market for a 4th winger who specializes as a late game defensive sub.

It's a short offseason but still tough to say goodbye for now. Particularly since it feels time for the team to get younger, so this may have been the last rodeo for some old favorites. Johnny - Fan favorite and captain, but one of only five players on the team making 7 figures. Injuries are starting to catch up to him. Club option for 2024. I expect SKC to renogotiate for a lower salary, or else let him walk. Would really hurt (he's the only player in any sport that I have a jersey for!) but Sporting consistently lets players go before their contracts can become an albatross. Zusi - Similar situation as with Russell, just at a lower price. Club option for 2024. I doubt the option gets picked up, but Zusi may have no other suitors at his age and coming off of a major injury. I'm guessing either SKC negotiates Zeus down to near a veteran minimum contract, or he retires. Melia - 8th highest earner on the team. Injuries are becoming more common for him, but otherwise he does not appear to have lost a step to age. He's under contract through 2024, so if he moves on it would be via a trade. Gotta think he would draw interest from a contender in need of a veteran keeper presence. Is SKC comfortable with Mac and Pulskamp moving forward? If so, then I would expect Timmy to be shopped around this offseason. Fontas - 13th/14th highest salary on team, depending on what metric you use. Under contract through 2024. See analysis of Melia above. Could see him being shopped around, particularly since SKC has some depth at CB. Roger - Funny enough Roger is the one greybeard that I would fully expect to still be on the roster next year; he's made it clear that he's willing to play for peanuts, and is content in whatever role Vermes has for him. He made the veteran minimum ($85k) in 2023, so his services are basically free. Younger guys to keep an eye on: -Thommy and/or Kinda. Both are in the Top 6 earners on SKC's roster, and Vermes clearly prefers to not play them together. The rest of the starting midfield is also well-compensated. -Shelton. Top 10 salary, bottom 10 production. Signed through 2025, so would be trade bait if anyone wants him. By small market MLS standards this is an albatross contract. -Agada. Club options in '24 and '25. Priced right as a backup striker, but with two years of affordable club control he is one of SKC's most subtly valuable trade chips.

Huskers 80 Titans 61

I'm still seeing a bunch of $4 and $5 tickets on stubhub.

It's a trap in the sense that: -The Dukes have a couple of legit dudes that can take over games -Student section will be empty for Thanksgiving -Best team we've played thus far, but with a name that doesn't get you excited Talented opponent plus apathetic crowd is a recipe for a trap. Obviously Hoiberg and the team aren't overlooking Duquesne, but the casual fans are and that is going to cause some awkward nervous energy in the arena if we fall behind. And that's the sort of negative energy that can effect the team.

I've thought a lot about this game, and really have no clue how it's going to turn out. Keep it simple, I guess. The rounded numbers method. Huskers 80 Dukes 70

I paid closer attention to the rotation this game, and found something very interesting. For the first 18ish minutes, there was a true starter/backup rotation at the 1, 2, and 3. JL and Boogie shared the 1. When one came out, the other went in and took his role/assignment. Keisei and Sam shared the 2. Ditto. BW and Wilcher shared the 3. Double ditto. The Gary Mastlick Trio collectively manned the 4&5. Also interesting that Fred managed the first half like a hockey coach running line changes. Went with a wholesale second string for extended periods, rather than staggering the backups so as to always have 3+ starters on the floor. Maybe he was doing this in earlier games too, but this was the first time I noticed. I don't have any conclusions to draw from this. Just found the first half rotation really interesting.

Agreed with everything except for Dest being a top 6 or 7 player for USMNT. He's certainly one of the top 5 most explosive players we have, but he's not an elite 1v1 defender and he gets caught too far forward a lot. Jedi gets forward a ton too, but does so smartly and without putting as much pressure on the centerbacks. The extended absence of Tyler Adams has really shown Dest's warts, IMO. Dest needs an eraser at the 6 to give him the freedom to park further up the pitch where he is comfortable.

The media is very focused on the Utes and BYU, to the point that USU barely ever gets a passing mention. They get a little more notice than Weber State, but not by much. Similarly, UofU and BYU are the statewide fanbases. USU is more of a microregional fanbase (basically just Cache and Box Elder Counties), plus alums. The only people I know who care about USU are Aggie grads. Now granted, Aggie games are fairly well attended. They draw a good crowd. But if you take a straw poll of fans in the crowd, I guarantee that 99% live in the area. No one from SLC, Park City, etc is driving up to Logan for a football game. So there's a lot of words to say that I have no clue if the Aggies are sweating about conference realignment. I listen to local sports radio pretty frequently, but it has never been a topic mentioned. That would require taking a breath from talking about Cam Rising returning for 2024, or why no one outside of BYU respects BYU, or both schools' move to the Big 12. EDIT: to clarify, they talk conference realignment stuff all the time on local sports radio. Just not relative to USU.

We haven't lost to Creighton since the beginning of the post-pandemic world. No sense changing that, which makes it a "must win" in my book.

Gotcha. I know sometimes it can be a subjective line where one metro ends and another begins. But even by the most liberal definition of SLC metro, I have never seen Logan included. It's at the far northern end of Cache County, which is four counties away from SLC. I live two counties away, and Logan is still a full hour (and two county) drive past me. That being said, Logan UT has more in common with Pullman WA than SLC does, so maybe they would be fitting conference mates.

Very interesting data, and I'm glad you compiled it for us. One correction though -- Utah State plays in Logan which is about 90 miles away from SLC. Small college town surrounded by farms. It feels like Kearney with mountains.

72-62, good guys win. 4.

Huskers 80 Stony Brook 62

DONU 82 Rider 67

DONU 85 FAMU 60