Huskers Look to Webster, Sophomores for Success in 2016-17

The 2016-17 edition of the Huskers have a chip placed squarely on their collective shoulder.

“Quite frankly, I think they have been grossly underrated,” Nebraska Coach Tim Miles said of pundits’ preseason prognostications. “Any media report is basically throwing dirt in our face and burying us alive.”

While the Huskers return two starters and five of its top eight players, many of the questions revolve around filling the void left by the graduation of Shavon Shields, Benny Parker and Andrew White III, as the trio accounted for almost 40 points per game.
“I know there are a lot of people who doubt, and for good reason,” Miles said. “We lost a lot of scoring, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot of quality people coming back. I am excited about the season and the people we have in our program.”

Miles’ belief in the Huskers comes from the continued development of senior guard Tai Webster, who built off a strong junior season with an excellent summer with the New Zealand National team and the experienced gained last season by a talented four-member sophomore class. Michael Jacobson, Glynn Watson Jr., Ed Morrow Jr. and Jack McVeigh combined for nearly 40 percent of the Huskers’ minutes in conference play last season. Miles praised the group’s work on the off-season, as the group has taken on a significant leadership role.

The Huskers’ rotation will likely feature five newcomers, as Louisville transfer Anton Gill is eligible after sitting out last year along with newcomers Isaiah Roby, Jeriah Horne, Evan Taylor and Jordy Tshimanga.

Last year, the Huskers, who were ranked in the top-25 defensively nationally by KenPom in 2013-14 and 2014-15, struggled defensively at times with size. Miles believes the year of experience for the post players and the addition of the newcomers will help NU regain that defensive edge.

“If you play the way that we do, you need versatility and length, especially defensively on the perimeter,” Miles said. “You could see last year when we were playing two small guards that our 3-point shooting defense really suffered. We were also weak at the center spot so when we doubled down, we had no effect on the kick out and the extra reversals and that hurt us a great deal.”

“I think we made strides because we are longer defensively and we are stronger inside,” Miles said. “I think we made some schematic changes which will pay off for us, and I expect us to be good defensively.”

Keyed by the backcourt of Watson and Webster, the fifth-year Husker coach is confident the Huskers’ offense can eventually hit its stride as roles change and expand during the year.

“Offensively, I think we will be a good passing team and I think we will create better offensive movement and be better in transition,” Miles said. “I am excited to see what we bring to the table. I think it will be a product that will be fun to watch.”

Backcourt
The Huskers’ deepest area could be in the backcourt, as that position features the Huskers’ top two returning scorers in Webster and Watson Jr. In addition, newcomers Gill and Taylor both possess Division I experience and will factor into the Huskers’ rotation this season.

The lone senior on the 2016-17 roster, Webster looks to continue his upward trajectory that began last season. The 6-foot-4 guard raised his scoring average more than six points per game from his sophomore campaign (3.9 to 10.1) while also averaging 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.9 assists per game in 2015-16. Webster reached double figures 16 times, highlighted by a 22-point effort at No. 19 Iowa and a 21-point, eight-carom performance against No. 24 Cincinnati. He closed his junior year with a flourish, averaging 14.7 points per game on 63 percent shooting, along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game in three Big Ten Tournament games.

Webster comes off a great summer representing New Zealand at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, averaging 16.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game despite being the youngest player on the New Zealand roster.

“I think Tai likes the fact that he is the only senior on the team because it clarifies his role,” Miles said. “He is our leader and go-to guy, and I think that is something he enjoys because it is similar to his role on New Zealand’s team. He is one of the better athletes in the league at the guard positon, and he is a power guard who can both score and defend.”

Watson proved as a freshman that he could be equally effective as both a scorer and distributor as he shared the point guard spot with four-year performer Benny Parker. Watson played in all 34 games as a true freshman, including 16 starts, and averaged 8.6 points, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Watson finished in the top five all-time among Husker freshman in both assists and steals, while his scoring average was the most by a Husker freshman guard since 2005. He reached double figures 15 times and averaged 10.7 points and 2.7 assists per game in the Big Ten Tournament, including a 16-point effort in the win over Wisconsin. With a year of experience and 10 more pounds on his frame, the Husker coaches hope that he can develop into one of the top point guards in the Big Ten.

“Glynn has really worked hard in the offseason with (strength) Coach Tim Wilson to improve his strength,” Miles said. “He showed the ability to be a playmaker, not only with his passing, but also the ability to take over a game from the guard spot.”

Although he is listed as a newcomer, Gill has the benefit of being in the Husker program for the last year after transferring from Louisville. A former top-50 recruit, Gill played in 55 games for the Cardinals, helping the school to an Elite Eight appearance in 2015. As a sophomore, Gill came off the bench for Louisville and averaged 2.5 points, including three double-digit efforts. He also had seven points, including the go-ahead basket and a pair of steals, in the Cardinals’ Sweet 16 win over NC State. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound guard has the potential to be an explosive scorer, and looks to follow in the footsteps of All-Big Ten performers Terran Petteway and White as transfers who could make an immediate impact in the Husker lineup.

“Anton has high expectations for the team and himself and I’m excited to see him on the court,” Miles said. “He is a powerful, explosive athlete, especially in transition, and is a shot maker. Anton is also someone who has bought in and can be one of the leaders for us.”
“He had some knee issues earlier in the summer that we are being cautious with and won’t rush him back, but we hope to have him return to action this month, giving him plenty of time before the season starts.”

While Gill has the ability to be a prolific scorer, Taylor could provide an impact on the defensive end. The 6-foot-5, 206-pounder played at Odessa College last season, helping the school to it first NJCAA Tournament appearance since 2001. He averaged 7.1 points, 2.5 points and 2.5 assists per game while earning a reputation as a solid physical defender.

“Evan is a total team guy and all he wants to do is win,” Miles said. “Whatever role that required him to do, he will do it. I think he can be a timely shooter, an excellent defender and brings a lot to the table and can play at either the point or wing.”

Walk-ons Malcolm Laws and Jason Shultis round out the guard rotation. Laws appeared in six games for the Huskers after transferring from Florida Atlantic, totaling one point and two rebounds in 19 minutes. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is a hard worker in practice and will provide depth during his junior season.

Shultis is a late addition to the roster, as he joined the squad at the start of the semester after not playing since high school. The lone Nebraska native on the roster, the 6-foot-1, 198-pound guard helped Grand Island Northwest reach the state tournament as a senior in 2014.