Rank the Nebraska sports journalists

[lilred]

I think McKewon is best by a large margin. Sipple might be the worst for me, but I don't think he's terrible or anything.

The best follows on twitter are McKewon and Sean Callahan. Callahan isn't a gifted writer but I like his insight. I'm not too big on Chatelain. Too much God stuff for my tastes. Another guy who's good on twitter is Michael Bruntz for 247Sports.

 

[ColoradoHusk]

What I like about sports journalism, currently, is the ever-expanding use of statistical analysis to review a sport or how a coach is making decisions. Yes, there are those who say that there are lies, and there are statistics, and that you can tailor a statistic to whatever your are trying to prove.

However, statistical analysis can play a big factor in evaluating sports. There are so many times when a coach should go for it on 4th down, rather than punting or kicking a FG. A coach may be known as a "gambler" because he goes for the 4th down conversions a lot, but in fact, he is being a "smart" coach. In basketball, shooting a "long 2-pointer" is one of the worst shots in the game, while the "corner 3" is one of the most productive shots in basketball. Kyle Korver's shooting over 52% from 3-point range is produces the same scoring as shooting 70% from 2-point range.

I am not trying to say athletes are dumb, but being able to use this type of analysis is not usually available to guys who "used to play the game".

I find stats very interesting too. They just simply weren't available as easily back 20 years ago as they are now.

It's significantly easier to plow through data and find trends in statistics. I find it mind-numbing when coaches don't use the stats to their advantage. For example, Green Bay probably beats Seattle in the NFC title game, if they turn one of those first quarter FG's into TD's by going for it on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line.

Actually, I have seen a lot of criticism in particular baseball and basketball where coaches use statists too much. Instead of watching the game and seeing what is happening and what could happen, they turn to some stat and game plan around it.

I think the stat above about the 3 point shot from the corner compared to a long 2 pointer is a good example. I see so many teams trying to live off of the three point shot when, in reality, they don't have a Korver on their roster to make it work. So, they would be better off driving to the basket or letting the guy who can make the 10-25 foot jump shot score. Problem is, a kid nowadays, drives in the lane and then instead of attacking the basket and either making the shot or drawing a foul, he dishes it back out to some schmuck standing at the line who the coach thinks he can make a 3. But...hey...analyze the stats and that three pointer is worth more than a two point shot. Problem is, you're not making them.

I think this is a major part of why basketball scoring is way down.

Yes, you have to tailor the stats and information to your own team/roster. Stats aren't the end all-be all, but they can be very useful to assist the coach in how they run their team or strategize.

 

[NUinID]

What I like about sports journalism, currently, is the ever-expanding use of statistical analysis to review a sport or how a coach is making decisions. Yes, there are those who say that there are lies, and there are statistics, and that you can tailor a statistic to whatever your are trying to prove.

However, statistical analysis can play a big factor in evaluating sports. There are so many times when a coach should go for it on 4th down, rather than punting or kicking a FG. A coach may be known as a "gambler" because he goes for the 4th down conversions a lot, but in fact, he is being a "smart" coach. In basketball, shooting a "long 2-pointer" is one of the worst shots in the game, while the "corner 3" is one of the most productive shots in basketball. Kyle Korver's shooting over 52% from 3-point range is produces the same scoring as shooting 70% from 2-point range.

I am not trying to say athletes are dumb, but being able to use this type of analysis is not usually available to guys who "used to play the game".

I find stats very interesting too. They just simply weren't available as easily back 20 years ago as they are now.

It's significantly easier to plow through data and find trends in statistics. I find it mind-numbing when coaches don't use the stats to their advantage. For example, Green Bay probably beats Seattle in the NFC title game, if they turn one of those first quarter FG's into TD's by going for it on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line.

Actually, I have seen a lot of criticism in particular baseball and basketball where coaches use statists too much. Instead of watching the game and seeing what is happening and what could happen, they turn to some stat and game plan around it.

I think the stat above about the 3 point shot from the corner compared to a long 2 pointer is a good example. I see so many teams trying to live off of the three point shot when, in reality, they don't have a Korver on their roster to make it work. So, they would be better off driving to the basket or letting the guy who can make the 10-25 foot jump shot score. Problem is, a kid nowadays, drives in the lane and then instead of attacking the basket and either making the shot or drawing a foul, he dishes it back out to some schmuck standing at the line who the coach thinks he can make a 3. But...hey...analyze the stats and that three pointer is worth more than a two point shot. Problem is, you're not making them.

I think this is a major part of why basketball scoring is way down.

Completely agree with Bball I don't even like to watch the average small town HS basketball anymore. The 3 point shot and Jordan/Kobe Bryant ruined the game for me. All they do is try to run up and down the court and shoot 3's, which they miss a lot of, or they think they are going to shake and bake dribble drive to the hoop with their tongue hanging out.

You rarely see any post play with a back to the basket. No one shoots the turnaround jumper, or pulls up to shoot a 10 foot midrange anymore. Very little defense either. Just my opinion.

As far as stats are concerned that is the thing I hate about baseball the most, is that it is such a stat driven game. I get over 162 games that stats can be important, but in a short playoff series managers use them too much.

 

[BigRedBuster]

I had to look back at my HS year books to verify it. But, my HS currently scores almost half of what the same HS did when I was in school. This was well before the 3 point line. And, our current team is a pretty good team with a pretty decent record. It's not like we suck. This is just something in general in basketball right now.