[Husker] Basketball comments

[Steve Reichenbach]

With last night's win, Sagarin has NU #46 and the Wilson ratings have
NU tied at #45 with Xavier and Kansas St.  NU doesn't have the top
players, but they have balance inside, outside, and at the point on
offense and they are playing great defense.  They played very well
last night, but the game left me wishing that Diaz had more desire,
especially on the boards, and worrying what the team would be like
if Jeter were injured.  Diaz had two rebounds last night and one of
those was flat-footed with the ball coming at his head.  McCray had
a great game and his consistency and headiness is improving.

If the Huskers get a road win against Texas Tech, which is winless
in the conference at 0-4, the game against #10 Texas A&M in Lincoln
is a huge game.  NU has the midweek off, which could be an opportunity
to really be ready (although it doesn't always work that way).  Sagarin
has NU favored at Texas Tech by nearly 8 points and favored against
Texas A&M at home by about 1.5.  There are some things about this
year's schedule that set up nicely for the Huskers, e.g., playing a
weak Texas Tech on the road for an opportunity to get the experience
of a conference road win, and the mid-week off before getting a
pivotal game against Texas A&M at home.

Of the team members who play many minutes, NU loses only Jeter and
Beranek.  If they can get a good point guard (which, with Jeter's
departure, they could), next year's team could be even better ---
especially if Diaz, who is only a sophomore, steps up and Almeida
gets a little more polished.

> After the first few minutes of their first road game, the men didn't
> look too bad @Missouri.  Here is how Sagarin rates the difficulties
> of men's games after the 1-1 start (minus point NU favored, plus
> points NU underdog).
> 
> OSU   -6.39
> @OU   -5.99
> @TTU  -5.66
> CU    -5.24
> KSU   -3.25
> MU    -1.41
> TAMU  -0.20
> UT    +2.77
> @CU   +2.90
> @KSU  +4.89
> @BU   +5.27
> @ISU  +5.66
> KU    +7.33
> @KU   +15.47
> 
> Actually NU's schedule sets up pretty well.  The two lowest rated
> teams in the conference are in the South Division and NU plays
> each of them on the road.  NU plays the two highest-rated teams in
> the South Division at home.  That is what you'd like --- easier
> teams on the road and tougher teams at home.  Of the other two
> games against South Division teams, a win vs Texas at home would
> be a huge (NU is less an underdog by less than 3pts).  NU is
> predicted to split with every team in the North Division except
> Kansas.  Key home games for a successful season are TAMU, MU, and
> KSU.  The best shot at a sweep appears to be CU, but they already
> have two huge conference wins.
> 
> On the other hand, the women's team looks not very good right now.
> Without Kelley, there is alot of standing around on offense.