You know what? It's okay

[Norm Peterson]

That's an excellent point, HB. 

 

One has to wonder why all the injuries over the last couple of years.  We're told by former players such as Zeros that practices this year weren't that difficult.  Yet we've got all those injuries. 

 

I remember during the season it was repeatedly brought up about what the hell is going on with this team that we've seen so many injuries over the last couple of seasons, and it makes one wonder was the athletic training staff just asleep at the switch? 

[redsteve]

That's an excellent point, HB. 

 

One has to wonder why all the injuries over the last couple of years.  We're told by former players such as Zeros that practices this year weren't that difficult.  Yet we've got all those injuries. 

 

I remember during the season it was repeatedly brought up about what the hell is going on with this team that we've seen so many injuries over the last couple of seasons, and it makes one wonder was the athletic training staff just asleep at the switch? 

 

The leg/foot injury thing is pretty well known obviously, ...it's always been a puzzler for me too. Just seems like there must be some cause, for it to be so frequent. (sorry for the rehash)

 

Wonder where training, and team workouts overlap...how that all works...who does what. I'd be taking a close look if it were my team.

 

So would expect that Coach Amy will keep an eye on it and what's being done training wise. This isn't isn't her first rodeo either. Has been coaching as part of several programs. If she see's something, pretty sure she wouldn't just let it go....she has to much at stake early on. (And it wasn't a continual problem at SDSU during her time there as far as I know.)

 

Besides all that .....real curious how the team will approach things game wise....but we'll have to wait a few months.

[HB]

It's also important to distinguish Rachel's injury from the rash of stress reactions.  Her injury in 2015  was an acute traumatic injury sustained in practice, which required surgery.  I don't know how anyone could legitimately say our final record in 2015 "speaks for itself".  We were playing great prior to losing our point guard and returning Big 10 tournament MVP, we had 4 veteran seniors with tournament experience.  Even with that setback we lose at the buzzer to keep from going to the round of 32.  To suggest that the program was in a downhill spiral due to finishing in the "middle of the pack" under those circumstances is not credible.  

[HUD]

Heh HB I never said the program was in a downward spiral.  I just stated the obvious fact that we were in the middle of the pack.  That may be OK for some but not others.  As for Theriot and Clark as our point guard and backup I think we we put too much faith in the fact that they would be totally healed from very serious injuries.  When both were lost for the season we had no back ups.

[HB]

Heh HB I never said the program was in a downward spiral.  I just stated the obvious fact that we were in the middle of the pack.  That may be OK for some but not others.  As for Theriot and Clark as our point guard and backup I think we we put too much faith in the fact that they would be totally healed from very serious injuries.  When both were lost for the season we had no back ups.

 

If you want to keep up the narrative that the program wasn't in good shape basketball-wise go for it.  The first year you cite we lost an All Big 10 point guard at a time when we were in the hunt for another championship.  And lots of teams, not just Nebraska, would not have an answer for that.  And the next year, after losing 4 players with over 100 starts, was always going to involve some rebuilding.  And still we were upper division and heading for the tournament when we lost multiple players.  And, we had a great class coming in.  If you think "middle of the pack" is where our program was at, with who we had returning and who was coming in, fine.   But it takes "living in the present" to the next level.  We're only 2 years out from a tournament title, and you think we have to do it every year.   Please  don't ever apply for an athletic director position with that short-sighted of a view point.  

[Fastbreaker]

 > As for Theriot and Clark as our point guard and backup I think we we put too much faith in the fact >that they would be totally healed from very serious injuries.  When both were lost for the season we >had no back ups.

 

I agree with HB on the previous posts.  I also have a problem with the above statement.  No back-up.

Nat Romero was a point guard her entire career before coming to the Huskers.  Maddie Simon played point in HS as did Emily Wood.  Woodie did a good job running the point a couple of times last year.  Jaz is also capable of running the point if needed.   So stating we had no back up is completely false. 

[HUD]

First of all let me say that I was always a big Connie Yori fan and supporter.  I just feel the same as echoed by Sam Mckewon in an OWH article he wrote about Yori's leaving.  If I remember correctly he said that in his opinion her progress had leveled off the past 2 years and was starting to trend downward.  Maybe by adding Brit B. as a coach/ recruiting coordinator as well as the 5 new recruits she may have changed the trend.  At this point we'll never know.  What I do know is Coach Yori was paid 3/4 of a million dollars and was in total charge of the program.  If there were issues with highly rated players leaving (2 last year and 2 this year) as well as the team chemistry then that falls on her.  If we didn't have enough depth and had to play key players almost 40 minutes a game same thing.  The head coach is in charge of the program and she made over 1/4 million more per year then our 3 time national championship volleyball coach.  

 

I supported Coach Yori and her players when she and they were here and I am supporting Coach Williams and her players going forward.

[HB]

First of all let me say that I was always a big Connie Yori fan and supporter.  I just feel the same as echoed by Sam Mckewon in an OWH article he wrote about Yori's leaving.  If I remember correctly he said that in his opinion her progress had leveled off the past 2 years and was starting to trend downward.  Maybe by adding Brit B. as a coach/ recruiting coordinator as well as the 5 new recruits she may have changed the trend.  At this point we'll never know.  What I do know is Coach Yori was paid 3/4 of a million dollars and was in total charge of the program.  If there were issues with highly rated players leaving (2 last year and 2 this year) as well as the team chemistry then that falls on her.  If we didn't have enough depth and had to play key players almost 40 minutes a game same thing.  The head coach is in charge of the program and she made over 1/4 million more per year then our 3 time national championship volleyball coach.  

 

I supported Coach Yori and her players when she and they were here and I am supporting Coach Williams and her players going forward.

 

And I disagree with both Sam and you on that point. There was no such "trend", and to suggest there was reflects an absurdly critical view of what was going on here.   We had a proven coach and someone who had hit the recruiting stride.  Hopefully the next coach will do that also, but it's a helluva risk.  We'll know more in November when a staff which has never recruited top talent has to do so. And if your view of the program and being that critical of Yori constitutes "support", I'd hate to see version of non-support.  You're just throwing out cliches and phony platitudes about support, when the substance of your criticism for the past several weeks tells the real story,

[B1GN]

HB,whether you think so or not,the team definitely WAS trending downward.for whatever reason,(injuries).You are what your record says you are.As you pointed out,we're only 2 years removed from the B1G tourney championship,but that was "pre Maryland".Does anyone realistically expect NU to contend for a conference title the way some other teams are recruiting-specifically OSU and Maryland?With our last 2 recruiting classes I was encouraged.Now that the program has been blown-up,it will be even more of an uphill battle.

[Norm Peterson]

HB,whether you think so or not,the team definitely WAS trending downward.for whatever reason,(injuries).You are what your record says you are.As you pointed out,we're only 2 years removed from the B1G tourney championship,but that was "pre Maryland".Does anyone realistically expect NU to contend for a conference title the way some other teams are recruiting-specifically OSU and Maryland?With our last 2 recruiting classes I was encouraged.Now that the program has been blown-up,it will be even more of an uphill battle.

 

Just so I'm clear, if a team wins a Big Ten championship one year and comes back the next year and, say, comes in 2nd, that means they're "trending downward" right?

[HB]

HB,whether you think so or not,the team definitely WAS trending downward.for whatever reason,(injuries).You are what your record says you are.As you pointed out,we're only 2 years removed from the B1G tourney championship,but that was "pre Maryland".Does anyone realistically expect NU to contend for a conference title the way some other teams are recruiting-specifically OSU and Maryland?With our last 2 recruiting classes I was encouraged.Now that the program has been blown-up,it will be even more of an uphill battle.

 

To blow up a successful program over the blip on the radar of a "downward trend" (one year of which we MADE the NCAA tournament) is ridiculous.  And, I don't think our esteemed AD did it over that, in any event.  That was more of the witch hunt stuff, NEOC Complaint, etc.  Well, it's happened, and I hope we end up being anywhere near as good as we were over the past 6 years.  One can hope.  So we have no choice but to move on, but I'm not going to sit by with a false portrait painted about where the program was, and false renditions of what was behind the so-called chemistry problems. 

[B1GN]

 

HB,whether you think so or not,the team definitely WAS trending downward.for whatever reason,(injuries).You are what your record says you are.As you pointed out,we're only 2 years removed from the B1G tourney championship,but that was "pre Maryland".Does anyone realistically expect NU to contend for a conference title the way some other teams are recruiting-specifically OSU and Maryland?With our last 2 recruiting classes I was encouraged.Now that the program has been blown-up,it will be even more of an uphill battle.

 

Just so I'm clear, if a team wins a Big Ten championship one year and comes back the next year and, say, comes in 2nd, that means they're "trending downward" right?

 

Well,by "downward" I mean we were the conference champions 2 years ago and were 8-0 vs. a slightly above middle of the pack team like Iowa.Since then we have been very average,our program has been put under scrutiny resulting in our esteemed coach resigning,We are,I believe,0-6 against Iowa and they just stole our top recruit. We now have a coach that is unproven at this level,both on-the-court and in the arena of recruiting.

Also,the team still has to resolve "chemistry issues" that resulted in a fan-favorite player transferring and the above mentioned top recruit dropping us and selecting our rival instead.

This is what I mean when I suggest we're "trending downward". 

[swmckewon]

Once Cayton makes her final decision, I'll probably get into it more, but I think here's the point: The program didn't feel right over the last year or so. Now, obviously, there were some things going on, etc, but I think the recruiting got off kilter. I think there's a certain kind of player who fits well under Yori, and there were a lot of players in the program who were just...uneasy fits. Some of them left, some didn't. 

 

And there wasn't the same kind of trust built up over there that there needed to be. And some of that is on having new coaches, and some of that is on Yori, too, right? Remember: A lot of the vets on this team were not recruited by some of these assistants. Somewhere along the way, the "why" factor kind of got lost. I think it was a coaching staff full of grinders, of "focus on the next 45 minutes in front of you" types. Personally? I'm probably more prone to be like that, to grind, but I purposely try to have a foot in the other world. (I don't always succed!). 

 

One of Amy Williams' strengths, I can already tell, is she's pretty good at, uh, epistemology. There will be clarity about why things are being done, there will be a startingly consistent message, there will be belief in that method, and it will not seem haphazard. Over time, she needs to get talent who can track with her worldview.  

[mwm89]

Once Cayton makes her final decision, I'll probably get into it more, but I think here's the point: The program didn't feel right over the last year or so. Now, obviously, there were some things going on, etc, but I think the recruiting got off kilter. I think there's a certain kind of player who fits well under Yori, and there were a lot of players in the program who were just...uneasy fits. Some of them left, some didn't. 

 

And there wasn't the same kind of trust built up over there that there needed to be. And some of that is on having new coaches, and some of that is on Yori, too, right? Remember: A lot of the vets on this team were not recruited by some of these assistants. Somewhere along the way, the "why" factor kind of got lost. I think it was a coaching staff full of grinders, of "focus on the next 45 minutes in front of you" types. Personally? I'm probably more prone to be like that, to grind, but I purposely try to have a foot in the other world. (I don't always succed!). 

 

One of Amy Williams' strengths, I can already tell, is she's pretty good at, uh, epistemology. There will be clarity about why things are being done, there will be a startingly consistent message, there will be belief in that method, and it will not seem haphazard. Over time, she needs to get talent who can track with her worldview.  

As someone (somewhat unfortunately) with a BA in Philosophy, i'm intrigued that you used the term "epistemology." 

Hopefully she finds high enough talent that does track with her worldview.

[Norm Peterson]

 

 

HB,whether you think so or not,the team definitely WAS trending downward.for whatever reason,(injuries).You are what your record says you are.As you pointed out,we're only 2 years removed from the B1G tourney championship,but that was "pre Maryland".Does anyone realistically expect NU to contend for a conference title the way some other teams are recruiting-specifically OSU and Maryland?With our last 2 recruiting classes I was encouraged.Now that the program has been blown-up,it will be even more of an uphill battle.

 

Just so I'm clear, if a team wins a Big Ten championship one year and comes back the next year and, say, comes in 2nd, that means they're "trending downward" right?

 

Well,by "downward" I mean we were the conference champions 2 years ago and were 8-0 vs. a slightly above middle of the pack team like Iowa.Since then we have been very average,our program has been put under scrutiny resulting in our esteemed coach resigning,We are,I believe,0-6 against Iowa and they just stole our top recruit. We now have a coach that is unproven at this level,both on-the-court and in the arena of recruiting.

Also,the team still has to resolve "chemistry issues" that resulted in a fan-favorite player transferring and the above mentioned top recruit dropping us and selecting our rival instead.

This is what I mean when I suggest we're "trending downward". 

 

 

OK, so no you're switching gears and your opinion has become somewhat of a moving target.

 

Before, you said the team WAS trending downward.

 

Now, you say the team IS trending downward and you cite examples of things that happened after (and probably because) the prior coach was fired, er, resigned. 

 

If by trending downward you now mean after Yori left, then I can certainly agree.  We are now "trending downward" for a lot of the reasons you cited above.

[Cazzie22]

I have no idea what the upcoming season will provide for Nebraska Women's BB.  I was a major supporter off Coach Yori and admired her for being demanding and uncompromising.  She had earned her salary and comparison's to John Cook's salary are apples to oranges.  

 

The program needs to move forward.  Recruiting the 2017 class is going to be interesting and a key to how competitive we can remain in the top half of the B1G.  Some of the pieces are in place for a good squad, point guard does not appear to be one of our stronger positions.  It goes without saying that our 3-point shooting is going to suffer.  

 

Coach  Williams and her staff have a big job ahead.  If the team struggles, many fans may not be very patient or understanding.  I'd say it is somewhat similar to what Mike  Riley faces as he tries to build his program. 

[caveman]

Downward trend, coach Sunny left and our defense has gotten progressively worse. Coach Stephens is no coach Smallwood yet. I do believe she'd of found her stride in another year or two though. In other words I think we were about to trend up again.

[caveman]

Q: who going to be our starting point guard? All teams competitive in the B1G have had great point guard play. Logic, Hauser, Moore, Theriot, Prahalis, Bently.... Since I can't answer that, we probably won't be great at the point. If coach Williams gets us above .500 in the league, she will have done a better job than I expected. Anyway I vote Woody.

[redsteve]

Not sure, but maybe Cincore at the point.  We will have Emily & Esther too with more experience now. But Coach may not operate using the point guard to run the show like we're used to seeing. So, conceptually anyway, I'm not yet prepared to panic about the point.

 

Having said that, we have some new guards coming in that could make a difference, if they can adapt quickly.  But that's nothing to count on, especially at the point.

 

Maddie isn't really a point guard, in the sense that she may be more effective for us off the point at the 2 or 3.

 

And probably the most obvious strength is the post. We'll be much more experienced, and should be better inside than last year...maybe stronger inside than for several years with Burns, Jess, Allie, Darrien, and maybe Ostrander. That group gives us a step up on many teams we'll play.

[Row6Seat10]

Don't sleep on Hannah Whitish the incoming freshman from Wisconsin. I think she comes in, grabs the starting point guard position and doesn't let go of it for the next 4 years!

[B1GN]

Don't sleep on Hannah Whitish the incoming freshman from Wisconsin. I think she comes in, grabs the starting point guard position and doesn't let go of it for the next 4 years!

I keep thinking the same thing Row6. 

[Bugeaters1]

Not sure, but maybe Cincore at the point.  We will have Emily & Esther too with more experience now. But Coach may not operate using the point guard to run the show like we're used to seeing. So, conceptually anyway, I'm not yet prepared to panic about the point.

 

Having said that, we have some new guards coming in that could make a difference, if they can adapt quickly.  But that's nothing to count on, especially at the point.

 

Maddie isn't really a point guard, in the sense that she may be more effective for us off the point at the 2 or 3.

 

And probably the most obvious strength is the post. We'll be much more experienced, and should be better inside than last year...maybe stronger inside than for several years with Burns, Jess, Allie, Darrien, and maybe Ostrander. That group gives us a step up on many teams we'll play.

 

Not sure, but maybe Cincore at the point.  We will have Emily & Esther too with more experience now. But Coach may not operate using the point guard to run the show like we're used to seeing. So, conceptually anyway, I'm not yet prepared to panic about the point.

 

Having said that, we have some new guards coming in that could make a difference, if they can adapt quickly.  But that's nothing to count on, especially at the point.

 

Maddie isn't really a point guard, in the sense that she may be more effective for us off the point at the 2 or 3.

 

And probably the most obvious strength is the post. We'll be much more experienced, and should be better inside than last year...maybe stronger inside than for several years with Burns, Jess, Allie, Darrien, and maybe Ostrander. That group gives us a step up on many teams we'll play.

Do you see Darrien getting off of the bench? I have wondered why see didn't get more PT, but then I not at the practice's. It seemed to me that when she got into the game that she was quick for her size and has good feet.

[redsteve]

 

Not sure, but maybe Cincore at the point.  We will have Emily & Esther too with more experience now. But Coach may not operate using the point guard to run the show like we're used to seeing. So, conceptually anyway, I'm not yet prepared to panic about the point.

 

Having said that, we have some new guards coming in that could make a difference, if they can adapt quickly.  But that's nothing to count on, especially at the point.

 

Maddie isn't really a point guard, in the sense that she may be more effective for us off the point at the 2 or 3.

 

And probably the most obvious strength is the post. We'll be much more experienced, and should be better inside than last year...maybe stronger inside than for several years with Burns, Jess, Allie, Darrien, and maybe Ostrander. That group gives us a step up on many teams .

 

Do you see Darrien getting off of the bench? I have wondered why see didn't get more PT, but then I not at the practice's. It seemed to me that when she got into the game that she was quick for her size and has good feet.

 

 

 

It's a whole new ball game as far as positions, playing time, etc etc....so anything can happen player wise.  So some players may welcome the new start. Might be refreshing and challenging for everyone to show (to new staff) what each player can do.

[HB]

 

Not sure, but maybe Cincore at the point.  We will have Emily & Esther too with more experience now. But Coach may not operate using the point guard to run the show like we're used to seeing. So, conceptually anyway, I'm not yet prepared to panic about the point.

 

Having said that, we have some new guards coming in that could make a difference, if they can adapt quickly.  But that's nothing to count on, especially at the point.

 

Maddie isn't really a point guard, in the sense that she may be more effective for us off the point at the 2 or 3.

 

And probably the most obvious strength is the post. We'll be much more experienced, and should be better inside than last year...maybe stronger inside than for several years with Burns, Jess, Allie, Darrien, and maybe Ostrander. That group gives us a step up on many teams we'll play.

 

Not sure, but maybe Cincore at the point.  We will have Emily & Esther too with more experience now. But Coach may not operate using the point guard to run the show like we're used to seeing. So, conceptually anyway, I'm not yet prepared to panic about the point.

 

Having said that, we have some new guards coming in that could make a difference, if they can adapt quickly.  But that's nothing to count on, especially at the point.

 

Maddie isn't really a point guard, in the sense that she may be more effective for us off the point at the 2 or 3.

 

And probably the most obvious strength is the post. We'll be much more experienced, and should be better inside than last year...maybe stronger inside than for several years with Burns, Jess, Allie, Darrien, and maybe Ostrander. That group gives us a step up on many teams we'll play.

Do you see Darrien getting off of the bench? I have wondered why see didn't get more PT, but then I not at the practice's. It seemed to me that when she got into the game that she was quick for her size and has good feet.

 

 

Good question, Bugs, and yes, I see Darrien getting on the floor this year.

 

Red Steve, I appreciate the sentiment, but Ostrander isn't happening.  

[redsteve]

 

Not sure, but maybe Cincore at the point.  We will have Emily & Esther too with more experience now. But Coach may not operate using the point guard to run the show like we're used to seeing. So, conceptually anyway, I'm not yet prepared to panic about the point.

 

Having said that, we have some new guards coming in that could make a difference, if they can adapt quickly.  But that's nothing to count on, especially at the point.

 

Maddie isn't really a point guard, in the sense that she may be more effective for us off the point at the 2 or 3.

 

And probably the most obvious strength is the post. We'll be much more experienced, and should be better inside than last year...maybe stronger inside than for several years with Burns, Jess, Allie, Darrien, and maybe Ostrander. That group gives us a step up on many teams we'll play.

Do you see Darrien getting off of the bench? I have wondered why see didn't get more PT, but then I not at the practice's. It seemed to me that when she got into the game that she was quick for her size and has good feet.

 

Good question, Bugs, and yes, I see Darrien getting on the floor this year.

 

********

Red Steve, I appreciate the sentiment, but Ostrander isn't happening.  

*******

 Hey, I said ...maybe..... Will take Ostrander if it works out.... for sure. There's quite a few maybes to get worked out before NIT.