Nebraska played its slew of newcomers while pounding UMKC 70-48 last night in Lincoln. Thoughts are below, as the Huskers didn't look great but had enough bright spots to leave fans happy:
Brandon Ubel: 6'10" freshman has nice skills, smooth around the hoops. Needs to get his body ready for B12 play. At this point, too skinny.
Sek Henry: Will be the leader of the team and can't afford to take games off like in the past. Another nice effort with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.
Lance Jeter: The future at PG had a bigger impact and looked strong taking it to the rack for points. Will need this, CONSISTENTLY, against B12 competition. 12 points and four assists.
Ryan Anderson: His usual dirty-work game. Nine points and five boards and good team defender.
Ray Gallegos: Looked like the quickest offensive player NU has had in many years. Dropped UMKC defenders twice with his crossover dribble and had a nice pull-up jumper after a crossover that could develop as a weapon against any team in the future. Hopefully this happens.
Brian Diaz: His ability to carry performances like this into conference play will determine whether NU is middle of the pack in the B12 or at the bottom. He is skilled around the hoop and can block shots and rebound, but sometimes may struggle getting his offensive position due to lack of strength...which will improve. Played half the game and had 10 points and three rebounds. The most athletic big man NU has had in years.
Quincy Hankins-Cole & Adrien Coleman: Looks like these guys could go either way. Very athletic, the difference will be whether they figure out how to contribute it to impact a D-I team.
Myles Holley: Didn't see enough to judge.
Toney McCray: It was announced he was out for the season. Unfortunately, he used his redshirt two seasons ago and can't get this year back. Not sure why no medical hardship is allowed...I gave up trying to figure out the NCAA long ago. Maybe because it's not a football player?
Anyway, PYB says this is not as big of a loss as everyone else. McCray is surely talented, but looks like a fish out of water in the B12. Doesn't have the offensive skills to take his game outside to 18 feet and doesn't quite have the power and athleticism to take it to the low post and score consistently on big-time competition. Looks like a guy who could average 22 and 8 for a D-II school. Hopefully, we're wrong on this evaluation and he was just learning last season. But this is the new college hoops, where freshmen and sophomores make an impact if they have the game.
More later, as NU faces a huge test of maturity on the road at USC on Sunday.
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