NUdiehard

I would be shocked if the coaching staff tried to "push" or "nudge" JL out.  After JL's departure, NU now has 6 open scholarships.  Fred may be able to find a couple nice additions that are an upgrade to the team, but there is almost no chance that he lands 6 players of higher caliber than JL.  And logic dictates that if he can't get all 6 better than JL, then there is no reason to push or nudge someone like JL to leave.  For instance, let's say the staff is able to land 3 players better than JL, but the other 3 are worse than JL.  Why would the staff want to the net result to be worse?  Why not just sign the 3 upgrades and keep JL who is (probably) far better than the 6th player signed out of the portal?

I would be shocked if the coaching staff tried to "push" or "nudge" JL out.  After JL's departure, NU now has 6 open scholarships.  Fred may be able to find a couple nice additions that are an upgrade to the team, but there is almost no chance that he lands 6 players of higher caliber than JL.  And logic dictates that if he can't get all 6 better than JL, then there is no reason to push or nudge someone like JL to leave.  For instance, let's say the staff is able to land 3 players better than JL, but the other 3 are worse than JL.  Why would the staff want to the net result to be worse?  Why not just sign the 3 upgrades and keep JL who is (probably) far better than the 6th player signed out of the portal?

Illinois shot 8 more 3-point shots than Nebraska. 
 
Nebraksa shot 42 2-point shots to IU’s 34. 
 
But please carry on with your enlightened takes about the foul disparity. 

I think I get what you are thinking, but not sure I agree with the logic.  The first step for ANY recruit coming to UNL is getting the nod of approval from the the coaching staff, including HCFH.  Although Fred made mistakes in his first 3 years (mostly trusting he who shall not be named), most would agree he has learned his lesson and now knows exactly what type of players he wants (which I am assuming does NOT include primadonnas).  Thus, if HCFH is recruiting the player, I feel confident that recruit meets HCFH's criteria for what he wants on the team (which includes being a team player).  If this is the case, the next crucial step is securing the commitment from the athlete.  If NIL is a factor, then we should generally be able to make sure NU is in line with whatever other schools may be in the picture to make sure it is not the deciding factor.  And please don't say "well, if money is all that matters we don't want him anyway."  Who on this board, if they were interviewing for a job, would not at least give some weight to the salary/compensation offered by the different prospective employers.  
 
Plus, there are ways to pay significant NIL without it leading to the "recruits running the program."  For instance, it is my understanding that Creighton pays all of its starters the same amount (which his a pretty significant sum) and pays the non-starters the same amount.  This makes sense, because this would prevent any one player from being resentful of what another player is making.  There are other options along these lines that could be implemented.    
 
Last, I want someone who really knows to answer this question.  Is NU Hoops "total" NIL package this year as larger or larger than Creighton's total NIL package?  Anyone?  If the answer is no, then that is unacceptable.  

Illinois shot 8 more 3-point shots than Nebraska. 
 
Nebraksa shot 42 2-point shots to IU’s 34. 
 
But please carry on with your enlightened takes about the foul disparity. 

Illinois shot 8 more 3-point shots than Nebraska. 
 
Nebraksa shot 42 2-point shots to IU’s 34. 
 
But please carry on with your enlightened takes about the foul disparity. 

Illinois shot 8 more 3-point shots than Nebraska. 
 
Nebraksa shot 42 2-point shots to IU’s 34. 
 
But please carry on with your enlightened takes about the foul disparity. 

As the schedule become more challenging, Fred is gong to have to shorten his bench.  In the second half, the starters came out and quickly extended the lead to something like 16 points.  But then the subs came in and lost it just as quickly.  I have been a big supporter of Sam H., but I simply don't see the need or value in playing both Sam and Boogie, let along both of them together.  One of them should be the backup PG, and whoever loses that battle should not play against good teams. 
 
Gary was a beast, and he showed why he should be starting and finishing over Allick at PF. 
 
Mast is showing he can be an very good passer/facilitator, much like Walker.  It will be fun watching him continue to develop that chemistry and timing with Keisei and others as the season progresses. 
 
There is a dropoff when Reink goes out and Allick goes to center.  Allick is not a rim protector and does not have Reink's size to body up down low.  Allick also is not as skilled an offensive player or passer.  I hope Reink is in excellent shape because his minutes are going to be critical this season.
 
The missed layups/bunnies are going to be a continuing frustration this season.  The reality is that guys like JL and Brice are the players who are best at getting to the rim, but simply are not good/great finishers at the rim, especially through traffic/contact.  On the positive side, Brice is very good at getting the foul called on contact.  There are so many times it feels like he is getting bailed out because if he didn't get fouled, I doubt he would convert the shot. It will be interesting to see if B1G teams scout this and try not to foul him as much in the paint. 
 
JL has been serviceable at PG, but not great, and he still has not found his shot.  It would be real nice to see him drain 3 or 4 threes in a game just to get his confidence up.
 
Still seems like there is a bit of selfish play going on.  Late in the 2nd half there was a stretch of about 5 minutes where it seemed Keisei did not receive a single touch, almost as if his teammates were intentionally not passing to him because they thought he would shoot it. I am just speculating of course, and maybe I am reading something into nothing, but I just feel that when Keisei is on the court, he should be involved in the offense in at least some manner almost every time down the court.  He is still the best offensive weapon, and the other players need to accept that. 

I expect 3 and hopefully all 4 to return.  It would be devastating in only 1 come back.  BUT, this is where NIL comes in.  Before NIL, I could definitely understand why the 6th (and even 5th) year seniors would want to move on and go overseas and make some money.  BUT, in the NIL era, a school like NU should be able to pay them just as much, if not more, than what they would get overseas.  NIL is how we got Walker to return last year.  Of course, with 4 guys, it means more NIL money, not to mention the other players and young recruits. 
 
But if the NIL money isn't there to keep the guys we already have here, then we can pretty much just end the dream of ever being a success in hoops at DONU.  Whether these players return will be 95% based on NIL.  Not the coach (because the coaching is very sound). Not the culture (because the culture is very sound).  Not the school (B1G school with great fan support).  Its about the benjamins.  Of course, Coach Hoiberg will be the one who will have his fate (and job status) decided by whether they return, but the reality is no coach will be able to consistently win at NU if there is not sufficient NIL support.  It's that simple. 

I expect 3 and hopefully all 4 to return.  It would be devastating in only 1 come back.  BUT, this is where NIL comes in.  Before NIL, I could definitely understand why the 6th (and even 5th) year seniors would want to move on and go overseas and make some money.  BUT, in the NIL era, a school like NU should be able to pay them just as much, if not more, than what they would get overseas.  NIL is how we got Walker to return last year.  Of course, with 4 guys, it means more NIL money, not to mention the other players and young recruits. 
 
But if the NIL money isn't there to keep the guys we already have here, then we can pretty much just end the dream of ever being a success in hoops at DONU.  Whether these players return will be 95% based on NIL.  Not the coach (because the coaching is very sound). Not the culture (because the culture is very sound).  Not the school (B1G school with great fan support).  Its about the benjamins.  Of course, Coach Hoiberg will be the one who will have his fate (and job status) decided by whether they return, but the reality is no coach will be able to consistently win at NU if there is not sufficient NIL support.  It's that simple. 

I expect 3 and hopefully all 4 to return.  It would be devastating in only 1 come back.  BUT, this is where NIL comes in.  Before NIL, I could definitely understand why the 6th (and even 5th) year seniors would want to move on and go overseas and make some money.  BUT, in the NIL era, a school like NU should be able to pay them just as much, if not more, than what they would get overseas.  NIL is how we got Walker to return last year.  Of course, with 4 guys, it means more NIL money, not to mention the other players and young recruits. 
 
But if the NIL money isn't there to keep the guys we already have here, then we can pretty much just end the dream of ever being a success in hoops at DONU.  Whether these players return will be 95% based on NIL.  Not the coach (because the coaching is very sound). Not the culture (because the culture is very sound).  Not the school (B1G school with great fan support).  Its about the benjamins.  Of course, Coach Hoiberg will be the one who will have his fate (and job status) decided by whether they return, but the reality is no coach will be able to consistently win at NU if there is not sufficient NIL support.  It's that simple. 

I expect 3 and hopefully all 4 to return.  It would be devastating in only 1 come back.  BUT, this is where NIL comes in.  Before NIL, I could definitely understand why the 6th (and even 5th) year seniors would want to move on and go overseas and make some money.  BUT, in the NIL era, a school like NU should be able to pay them just as much, if not more, than what they would get overseas.  NIL is how we got Walker to return last year.  Of course, with 4 guys, it means more NIL money, not to mention the other players and young recruits. 
 
But if the NIL money isn't there to keep the guys we already have here, then we can pretty much just end the dream of ever being a success in hoops at DONU.  Whether these players return will be 95% based on NIL.  Not the coach (because the coaching is very sound). Not the culture (because the culture is very sound).  Not the school (B1G school with great fan support).  Its about the benjamins.  Of course, Coach Hoiberg will be the one who will have his fate (and job status) decided by whether they return, but the reality is no coach will be able to consistently win at NU if there is not sufficient NIL support.  It's that simple. 

it was the worst of times. It was the best of times.

it was the worst of times. It was the best of times.

it was the worst of times. It was the best of times.

it was the worst of times. It was the best of times.

it was the worst of times. It was the best of times.

It's not just a matter of being a step slow (although that often is part of the problem).  The problem is that once you get in to league, the coaching is better and the scouting is better (same with Creighton), and coaches have figured out how to attack this defense.
 
In our defense, the off-ball defender ALWAYS helps in to the paint.  This makes us susceptible to the swing pass or the skip pass.  But in addition, the better coached teams in league play are positioning an offensive player behind Nebraska's off-ball defender to SCREEN him from closing out on the 3 point shooter.  This is done over and over and over again.  So even if the Husker defender was playing fast and with great effort, it is impossible for him to run through that screen and get to the shooter. 
 
Overall, I feel the coaching staff has done a good job and they clearly are trying to make the best out of the less athletic defenders on the team. But man, giving up wide-open 3 point shots from the corner over and over and over again does become a bit maddening. 

It's not just a matter of being a step slow (although that often is part of the problem).  The problem is that once you get in to league, the coaching is better and the scouting is better (same with Creighton), and coaches have figured out how to attack this defense.
 
In our defense, the off-ball defender ALWAYS helps in to the paint.  This makes us susceptible to the swing pass or the skip pass.  But in addition, the better coached teams in league play are positioning an offensive player behind Nebraska's off-ball defender to SCREEN him from closing out on the 3 point shooter.  This is done over and over and over again.  So even if the Husker defender was playing fast and with great effort, it is impossible for him to run through that screen and get to the shooter. 
 
Overall, I feel the coaching staff has done a good job and they clearly are trying to make the best out of the less athletic defenders on the team. But man, giving up wide-open 3 point shots from the corner over and over and over again does become a bit maddening. 

It's not just a matter of being a step slow (although that often is part of the problem).  The problem is that once you get in to league, the coaching is better and the scouting is better (same with Creighton), and coaches have figured out how to attack this defense.
 
In our defense, the off-ball defender ALWAYS helps in to the paint.  This makes us susceptible to the swing pass or the skip pass.  But in addition, the better coached teams in league play are positioning an offensive player behind Nebraska's off-ball defender to SCREEN him from closing out on the 3 point shooter.  This is done over and over and over again.  So even if the Husker defender was playing fast and with great effort, it is impossible for him to run through that screen and get to the shooter. 
 
Overall, I feel the coaching staff has done a good job and they clearly are trying to make the best out of the less athletic defenders on the team. But man, giving up wide-open 3 point shots from the corner over and over and over again does become a bit maddening. 

It's not just a matter of being a step slow (although that often is part of the problem).  The problem is that once you get in to league, the coaching is better and the scouting is better (same with Creighton), and coaches have figured out how to attack this defense.
 
In our defense, the off-ball defender ALWAYS helps in to the paint.  This makes us susceptible to the swing pass or the skip pass.  But in addition, the better coached teams in league play are positioning an offensive player behind Nebraska's off-ball defender to SCREEN him from closing out on the 3 point shooter.  This is done over and over and over again.  So even if the Husker defender was playing fast and with great effort, it is impossible for him to run through that screen and get to the shooter. 
 
Overall, I feel the coaching staff has done a good job and they clearly are trying to make the best out of the less athletic defenders on the team. But man, giving up wide-open 3 point shots from the corner over and over and over again does become a bit maddening. 

Last night's game was a bit of confluence of bad fortune for NU.  Nebraska lost its most important player for the game while ND gained its best player that it hasn't had all year.  Had ND had #4 all year, it would have had a better record and better ranking, and NU wouldn't have been "expected" to win by such a large margin.  Such are the vagaries of early season computer rankings. 

Last night's game was a bit of confluence of bad fortune for NU.  Nebraska lost its most important player for the game while ND gained its best player that it hasn't had all year.  Had ND had #4 all year, it would have had a better record and better ranking, and NU wouldn't have been "expected" to win by such a large margin.  Such are the vagaries of early season computer rankings. 

Last night's game was a bit of confluence of bad fortune for NU.  Nebraska lost its most important player for the game while ND gained its best player that it hasn't had all year.  Had ND had #4 all year, it would have had a better record and better ranking, and NU wouldn't have been "expected" to win by such a large margin.  Such are the vagaries of early season computer rankings. 

Keisei only played 21 minutes, which is 3 minutes LESS than Sam H.  Is this still of product of Keisei's ankly injury?  Is Keisei still  not in shape enough to play more extended minutes?  Or is this by design? 
 
Admittedly, Keisei did not have a great game last night, and he did force some shots.  But is he forcing some shots because of his limited playing time?  
 
Does Fred feel that his limitations on defense outweigh his potential on offense?  Sure seems so for many games this year, which is odd.  Honestly, I have rarely watched and felt like Keisei is getting seriously exposed on the defensive end.  And we are going to need Keisei to get hot during league play, he is such a potential dynamic offensive weapon.  Curious to see how this all plays out.  
 
Will Keita play a single minute this year?  If Mast is out for more than a couple weeks, NU could really, really use him.  But it just does not seem to be in the cards.  
 
Nice to escape with a win last night.  And we should be able to comfortably win against South Carolina State.  But the following game is Indiana at home, a virtual must win, and it is hard to imagine a win without Mast unless something drastic changes between now and then.  Or, as said above, a massive offensive explosion from someone like Keisei.