If Miles is indeed brought back -- a shaky proposition in the wake of four straight unsightly losses -- Nebraska would be expected to reach the NCAA Tournament. In fact, for Miles, a likely scenario would be Big Dance or bust. In other words, the heat would be significant from the get-go. It would be an almost daily discussion in the state.
RPI number-crunchers would have a heyday. Each setback would feel enormous.
Is Miles' program showing the level of mental toughness to tackle that sort of pressure? I have my doubts, especially after Sunday night's 93-57 home loss to unranked Michigan -- the worst home defeat in program history.
Once again, I ask you to think ahead to 2017-18. Even if Miles' roster remains intact -- it is a promising group of players -- Nebraska would nevertheless need to win several close games in the deep and talented Big Ten in order to land an NCAA Tournament bid. In close contests, in-game coaching -- personnel decisions, strategy, working the zebras -- becomes especially important. Miles, a good recruiter and excellent representative of the program, has shown to be only a so-so bench coach.
If you're a Nebraska fan, how much do you trust Miles and his staff to consistently out-prepare and out-smart Big Ten coaches?
I think I know the answer.