In fairness, we aren't getting anyone from this state with it being the chopping block year for Miles. And Chang was never coming here with what happened to Arop (even though Nebraska was right to tell him go to prep school, they just shouldn't have offered in the first place). I mean... we have two open scholarships and we told Arop "no thanks".
Agree with this.
It's all speculative, but I think there's around a 33% chance that they have a big year. It would take some talent development, a hot start, and a little bit of luck, but it's possible. I'm with you, the odds are that we don't and we all know how that will end. Of course with Eichorst, you never know for sure.I think Miles will be gone after this year, unless this group becomes a team out of nowhere. I don't know that Nebraska can attract a better fit for energy and personality. Getting a quiet guy or a curmudgeon isn't going to work, Nebraska still needs a snake oil salesman.
Having said that, I would like it if Miles and Arop can work it out (assuming hard work on both sides) and Aguek ends up as a Husker. Would have liked to seen Chang as a Husker, too.
Washington note: First UNL game I ever saw at Devaney was against UW. Neubert nearly got kicked out for punching one of their 7 foot guys in the sternum from behind.
Not trying to put the cart before the horse, but I wonder what those two extra scholarships can really do for the next coach if Miles is gone. The recruiting year is basically over except for transfers.
That's a problem I worry about as well. Not only do we have to deal with players transferring out, but a limited roster to begin with. Eichorst will need to be out in front of things if he decides to fire Miles. Have it all figured out before the season ends and communicating with the players will be important.
You're absolutely right although I thought Miles really should have bit his lip and stuck with the offer to Arop even if it would have been a somewhat wasted scholie. Really couldn't afford to be burning bridges with Omaha coaches and players. Like you said, we have two open scholarships so in the end it really wouldn't have hurt too bad.
The 'Sunshine-Pumper' in me thinks that you may be a little too pessimistic. I rather think I'd be more inclined to reverse your percentages. It's probably more likely there's a 33% chance we won't have a big year if we don't have a little bit of luck. With a little bit of luck, I believe it's more likely there's a 67% chance we Will have a big year.
You should only offer someone that early that you are okay with, even if they don't develop or get hurt. If you do commit to them, you need to stay committed or you end up in the soup that UNL is in currently. I know it's a business, and you have to manage risk; but you have to have the trust of the fans and the community at large if you are going to be great.
I don't agree. You offer a kid based on certain criteria. They need to keep their studies up, they need to stay out of trouble with the law and they need to continue working on their game.
You have to remember that it's not as simple as you painted it here. Miles had no relationships so barely even knew Patton existed, Creighton gets a commit from him and around Omaha the sentiment was "at least one in-state coach knows about the talent here." Miles proceeds to just start crushing the panic button, and offers Arop, to which the metro coaches said "huh"? The one I spoke with even stated "if he would have just asked, i'm pretty sure everyone but South's coach would have told him to hold off and see how he develops, he isn't a B1G player unless he grows or develops his game." So it again went back to Miles offering without getting any input from local coaches because he didn't have relationships. There were multiple other kids those metro coaches would have pointed Miles to if he just asked before Arop. But an offer went out to a local kid without even asking what other coaches thought, the metro coaches said "that's a big reach", and 3 years later the scholarship was pulled, compounding the local coaches ability to say "I told you so" and second-guess the coach down in Lincoln. I mean, Miles is so desperate now, he had Agau's brother that transferred to California down for an unofficial and that kid wasn't even eligible as a senior in high school. He is grasping at any straw possible at this point to get any sort of relationship back.
Man that's painful to read. Truly amazing it has gotten to this point.
+1 Even if Miles somehow has a decent season next year, he's got a heck of hole to climb out of as far as still getting Nebraska kids and coaches to consider NU.
I'm admittedly bias because my information is coming from the mentioned metro coaches on their thoughts. You are all right, he has a hole to get out of with them. That previous paragraph doesn't even mention how he wouldn't recruit Omaha and lost an assistant because of it.
You nailed the comment about Arop not having the skills in the eyes of the coaches in the Metro, but I don't think many if any saw Patton doing what he did. A former college ball player, very smart evaluator of talent and slobbering Bluejay fan thought Patton might be able to give them some help in 3 or 4 years, based on what he saw watching him in high school. He wasn't opposed to Creighton taking a shot at him as it's always good to be proactive with the local talent, but he was floored by how his game, body and mindset picked up in a year. Most people I know that the offer for Patton was sowing seeds for players down the road, and a hope to get a year or two of role play.