Husker Fan

As for your last two questions, next year is not NCAA or bust. And has Miles had enough time to make a big step forward? Depends on what your definition of big step forward is. In my eyes, he has already made a huge step forward in terms of where the program was when he got here and where it is now. Made the NCAA tournament already. Now whether you believe that was luck or the team getting hot or whatever, the team still made it to the tournament. And in terms of recruiting, we are light years ahead of what Doc was able to do, even without being able to nail down a legit big man. Now, what we do next year will speak volumes to how well recruited talent is developed but I think we are headed in the right direction in that regard. I don't see us light years ahead in recruiting compared to Doc?? If that was true, this conversation would not be happening. I think it is also fair to compare the depth and quality of the BIG now compared to Doc's last 3 years. Miles gets credit for a great transfer that woked out great (TP), considering taking any transfer is always a risk. TP will get paid to play somewhere. The key is to find some more of those dudes and get them here. So, do we have any Pros on the roster now or any on the way??

+1 to all of this Ditto! The BIG is down and we still can't finish in the top 5? For those that feel recruiting has improved since Doc was fired, I just don't see it. Miles should be given credit getting some good transfers, mainly Petteway 2-3 years ago. IMO he was the main reason we made the NCAA tournament, but he was also responsible for us not playing as a team at times. All that is in the past and I don't see us getting much better.

Boy is he talented. And you are correct, we lose a lot of games without him. But we may be a better TEAM without him, as far as better team chemistry. If we don't think the other players see what Miles allows TP to get away with?????? Can't be condusive to great team chemistry.

Completely agree

You may think Doc lost his last team here but i promise you if Petteway yelled at him, like he did Miles..........he would be on the bench

Well said and I agree. It always boils down to players and the assistants that can get them. No doubt that he is an unbelievable defensive coach. I hope after spending time with The Mayor that Doc will change his offensive philosophy.

Lincoln because he never bought one in Lawrence.

Looked that way to me as well. While Doc took some 40 point butt kickings against Kansas, Ohio St. and maybe a few more; he continued to compete and expected the same from the players. My concern is that players will do what you let them do. On offense that is bad shot selection and on defense that is simply not guarding. If Miles continues to allow players to practice this way, and play that way in 40 pt. blow outs, it creates a culture of selfish play.

I agree. At least we got an attempt against Michigan.

However, the players making this team volatile were brought in by THIS STAFF. Surely they knew what they were getting in to??

Biggs trying to break a press by himself and then trying to tie or win the game by attempting to split 2 defenders at the top of the circle, sure seems selfish to me.

I am with you Cheap Seat. Miles needs to focus on getting better every game and I don't see that happening at this time. It may come?? But unlike Doc whose defense allowed us to have a chance in most games, if we don't shoot well, we are in trouble because we cannot of hang our hat on being a solid defensive team. Was it really Doc's defense that was so good?.....Or was it his slow it down boring basketball that allowed us to lose more games than not by 10 or less points? Id be interested to hear what Miles thoughts are regarding a "good punt" in basketball. This is a young inexperienced team...it's going to take time no doubt. I'm just hoping we see them grow and get better as the year goes on. It was both but there is a reason that we were one of the highest ranked teams in the Big 12 and B1G, in defensive FG %. IMO we were in many games at the end due to boring basketball and very good defense.

I am with you Cheap Seat. Miles needs to focus on getting better every game and I don't see that happening at this time. It may come?? But unlike Doc whose defense allowed us to have a chance in most games, if we don't shoot well, we are in trouble because we cannot hang our hat on being a solid defensive team.

I agree that this coaching style is almost opposite of Doc's. I think we all agree the we are not going to find many coaches that coached defense, disipline, and unselfish play, better than Doc. IMO, at times, Doc did all that to a fault by being too strict on offense. My concern is that in Miles' first 2 years, I am not seeing a huge jump in talent. Transfers are great, but there is a reason they transferred. And as I have stated before, selfish play in games is a result of Coach Miles allowing it in practice. I agree that Shields is being left out at times during games. Is that a result of someone being selfish?

I agree with you. Shellfish play begins in practice and it is the coaches job to either stop it or allow it. If Doc had not run Dinger off, the same thing was going to happen.