There has been plenty of grumbling from Nebraska’s fan base regarding the way head coach Tim Miles has handled his starting lineup through the first 17 games of the season.
The primary concern is that center Jordy Tshimanga has remained a part of the starting five despite fighting through an undeniable sophomore slump.
While Tshimanga has started all 17 contests, he’s averaged just 15.0 minutes and 3.2 points per game while shooting 36.2 percent from the field and 50 percent from the free throw line.
The former Rivals150 prospect got off to another rough start last time out at Purdue, playing just six minutes in the first half and then being benched for the entire second half.
Though that may have appeared to be the breaking point for Tshimanga’s place in the starting five going forward, Miles said he would continue to stick with the Montreal, Quebec, native, in his top group for the foreseeable future.
“I started him and then didn’t start him in the second half, but I’m going to roll Jordy out there,” Miles said. “He’s a guy that we’re invested in. We did it with Tai Webster his freshman year and saw it through to the end and made the NCAA Tournament. I’ve just kind of got that same bullish attitude about Jordy.”
While Miles remains patient with Tshimanga, many others have questioned why Nebraska wouldn’t go with its best five players to start games?
In particular, why senior guard Anton Gill and sophomore forward Isaiah Roby haven’t been promoted from their current roles as NU’s co-Sixth Men?
Gill currently ranks fourth on the team with 9.9 points per game and fifth with 23.3 minutes per game, and he’s been by far the Huskers’ best 3-point shooter, making 34 threes on the year at a 48.6-percent clip.
Roby has emerged as one of Nebraska’s most versatile all-around players, averaging 6.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and posting a team-high 28 blocks despite playing just 19.4 minutes per game.
But as far as Gill and Roby are concerned, it doesn’t matter when they step onto the court as long as they continue to play big roles to help their team win.
“Yeah, I don’t care,” Roby said. “My averages, my minutes are up. If I’m playing, it doesn’t matter if I start or come in at the end. It doesn’t matter to me. I believe in the coaches. Whatever they think is the best, that’s what I’m going to do. If they start whoever, that’s fine by me.”
Added Gill: “It’s still basketball. You’re still playing. I’m still out there in crucial minutes, so it’s not really much different if I’m starting or not. I’m just trying to make sure that I’m effective in what I’m supposed to be doing and the way I’m supposed to be helping this team.”
