Swan88

Based on nearly every standard Matthew has articulated publicly, the Huskers should be a lock. Heck, in his interview, he said he is in regular contact with Tai Webster, Nathan Hawkins and Nick Fuller--all three of them. . . . but he's still taking visits. The wild card in all this is Matthew's "mentor." We've never heard a public comment from him. And it seems we've never had a full explanation on what's going on behind the scenes. . . . and Tim Miles is apparently still looking at backups. The irritating thing about all this is that Norm had a point all along--Matthew may fill a defensive need but is not exactly a five-star (heck, he's a two-star on ESPN). However, Matthew may have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. . . . and now cue up Kamdy's defense . . .

Thanks, Tex, for posting. Some observations on the Atewe interview: 1. The name pronunciation for Matthew is, apparently, something like "Uh-twee'," with an emphasis on the "twee." That was unexpected. 2. Matthew has a great relationship with Coach Harriman. 3. Matthew loves the current and new facilities. 4. Matthew spent a lot of interview time talking about having a point guard who can get the ball to him in transition and around the rim. 5. Matthew is impressed with Husker fans. 6. Gotta like Nebraska's chances here . . . except that the "mentor" is a wild-card--we've never heard him talk about the situation and can't know what he's advising Matthew. Regarding a focus of this station on an Omaha team, rather than on Nebrasketball, it's a matter of winning. If Tim Miles and Co. continue to improve, the focus in Omaha will adjust. For example, my experience is that the around-the-watercooler-discussions on basketball during the latter part of this week in Omaha have been focused on Nebrasketball and the successes against Iowa and Minnesota--not on a mid-major tournament. If the trajectory of the program continues into next year and following years, the Nebrasketball bandwagon will get very crowded, including people all the way from Scottsbluff to Henry Doorley Zoo.

No hair on his legs. Feet seem large compared to the rest of him. Ya never know.

I mentioned this in another thread, but it seems to fit here too: in last night's post-game presser, Tim Miles showed that he likes fans rushing the court--he said that Colorado State "led the country" in that category and mentioned that his son inquired hopefully whether the fans would rush the court if we were to win last night. Then, Tim Miles had a brilliant suggestion: that the students should rush the court in slow motion, like the slow motion wave we do in Memorial Stadium. Love it.

Under the over-pass, where the railroad tracks cross the creek--the tracks abut the parking lot on its North side, and the creek is immediately to its West. Simply step down the steep incline and follow the creek path to The Bob.

Here's the goal: we need to beat Iowa on Satursay, then win enough games in the B1G tourney to get a home NIT game so that, when we win, the students can do the slow-motion rush-the-court that Tim Miles suggested in last night's post-game presser. Wouldn't that be cool!!!

So much for that birthday commit thing. He said he was pushing it out last month to get in all 5 visits before he commits. I'd rather a kid wait an extra couple weeks to know he made the correct decision other than make one and wonder if it was the right call. Matthew Atewe visited Nebraska on January 6, 2013. It's taken him two full months to come up with visits to Charlotte and Nevada, despite the birthday non-deadline and despite supposedly flirting with some of the big-name schools. Go figure.

Can't see premium Red Sea Scrolls stuff? Seriously?

Nice to see that he led both teams in points (25) and assists (4). Not too shabby.

Agreed, CWG. However, watch the highlights video appearing on the linked Egbunu four-star page and ask this question: "What does Egbunu do on this video that Matthew Atewe can't do (except for the one play Egbunu actually takes a dribble on his way to the basket and perhaps demonstrating more-refined basketball instincts)?" We can all stipulate that Matthew is no four-star, but if we were to put "PREP" on Egbunu's white jersey and change his number to 12, he could be mistaken for Atewe Matthew.

"Handler" / "mentor" . . . Say what!!?? No one has ever mentioned a "handler" or "mentor" for Atewe before, that I've seen. He came to Lincoln without anyone accompanying him. A handler / mentor is often bad news--often looking out for his/her own interests as much as for the recruits. Is this the same guy who got him to transfer to the current prep school, that apparently isn't working out so well? A handler/mentor changes the entire equation and can certainly account for unpredictable and incomprehensible behavior.

Still not buying that we are getting the full story of what's actually going on behind the scenes. It seems more probable every day that Matthew is a back-up plan for Nebrasketball and that Charlotte is the back-up plan for Matthew.

Don't disagree on Rivers at the 4, especially against players that outweigh him substantially. Nevertheless, David seems to be doing quite well in his current role. An observation: at the beginning of the Iowa game, Shavon guarded White, picked up an immediate foul and had to sit for awhile. Along the way, David Rivers started defending White and held White in check quite well. It seems that Rivers may be a bit quicker than Shavon defensively. Did anyone see this differently?

Tim Miles isn't a novice on transfers. The following players on the current Colorado St. roster were brought in as transfers by Tim Miles: Bejarano from Arizona, Eikmeier from Iowa St., Iverson from Minnesota, and Morgan from Hawaii Hilo. We all know, of course, about Pitchford from Florida and Petteway from Texas Tech. Granted, Tim Miles does not, historically, sign the graduate student with one year left. But neither is he deterred by a transfer's redshirt year. It would certainly be nice to get a big who could contribute next season, but we already have Pitchford to replace Ubel. So, the real question is, "Who will replace Andre?"

The importance of Matthew depends on what the coaches are thinking (and they aren't telling). If Matthew is their top priority and is holding out, then he is extremely important. If, on the other hand, the coaches have him as a back-up plan to someone else, then here's hoping for the someone else. Every day that passes without a verbal commitment from Matthew increases speculation that he is a back-up plan. Here are some reasons why: 1. None of the big-name schools (e.g., Duke, Georgetown & UConn) have produced an offer. 2. The lower tier schools (e.g., California) did not come through with either an offer or a visit. 3. Charlotte is on the final list. 4. The Thomas visit cancellation did not pair with a public commitment from anyone. 5. There is nothing from recent games about huge progress from Matthew that would warrant new interst from major schools. Granted, these reasons are consistent with an I-want-to-commit-on-my-birthday position. However, remaining adamant on such a position seems odd. Heres giving better than 50/50 odds that a potential transfer or two explains all this.

Norm said: "I have to say that Shatel's comment about turning up the music when Iowa fans got loud is accurate. That is what happened. And I FULLY support it." Agree 100%. Loved it!!

Speaking of Iowa coaches, did anyone notice that, during a first half time out, the Iowa players were seated around the elbow area but the Iowa coaches were huddling around the top of the key--the Iowa coaches were talking amongst themselves instead of with their players. Hadn't seen that before.

"Enough Iowa fans here to make it hard to tell who the home team is," Shatel said. Which game did Shatel attend? This statement is a looonnnggg way from reality. Good Husker crowd in attendance today, especially for a rescheduled game. A smattering of Hawkey fans throughout, with a bunch up high in one of the corners.

Dimes said: "- Mike Gesell: Winless for his college career at THE BOB" Also, he lost his last High School game at THE BOB to Scottsbluff in the Class B State Championships--so, 0-fer the last 2. Mike looked pretty good in the first half. In the second, he (i) tried to guard Dylan but simply wasn't up to the challenge, and (ii) didn't do much on the other end of the court either.

Wow. That's good stuff -- Tim Miles on a roll.

Here is a link to a Lee Barfknecht article in today's Omaha World Herald on Shavon Shields. Here is a blurb from the article: "The ultimate compliment is that Big Ten foes have begun to game-plan for Shields. . . . Michigan State used three defenders at various times on Shields, holding him scoreless in the first half but allowing 19 points in the second. 'When you see them strategize for him,’' Miles said, 'that’s a good sign for him and a good sign for our future.'"

Very funny, Norm.

I can confirm that Nyquil does the trick. Thanks.

Okay.

With all due respect . . . don't like the don't-listen recommendation. Head-in-the-sand is rarely a good posture. We all listen to disagreeable folks (heck, many of us read this message board regularly), and many of us respond to many things we find disagreeable. So . . . sorry to disappoint, but--like most everyone else on this board--I'll keep reading this message board and listening to sports reports on Channel 6 and reading opinion pages in contrary newspapers and talking to friends who have differing opinions and . . . of course . . . expressing my contrary views in return. And the blood pressure is just fine--thanks for asking.