questionable quote?

[Row6Seat10]

On March 28th, Steve Sipple of the Journal Star came out with an article on getting fans to attend the Lincoln Regional by hoping to have UConn draw big crowds since Nebraska wasn't in it. He quoted Yori in the first few paragraphs of the article and the quote hit a nerve with some so it seems, as I'm still running into people who are bringing that up in our conversations about the team. In his opening couple of paragraphs he quoted Yori with the following.

 

Nebraska women's basketball coach Connie Yori tends toward brutal honesty.

 

She went that route in assessing what her team's chances would've been against undefeated Connecticut in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

 

Bear in mind, the top-ranked Huskies have won by an average of 30- plus points this season.

 

"We would've probably lost;" Yori told me this week.

 

You can't say that publicly, I told her half-jokingly.

 

She didn't back off.

 

"If we would have been able to keep it within 20 (points), it would've been a moral victory," she said. "I'm totally serious. "I'm not taking anything away from our players, not at all, I'm just saying that's how good UConn is"

 

 

http://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/sipple/steven-m-sipple-for-good-of-nu-yori-hopes-uconn/article_a36c6786-3183-53cf-89d6-9e97eb6b947e.html

 

I had a couple of co-workers ask me about that last week stating that they thought she shouldn't have said that. And this morning before church I was talking to three others about Husker wbb and that quote came up in the conversation. One said she thought it sounded like Yori was throwing her kids "under the bus".

 

I expect most here most likely thought the same thing about the possibility when facing UConn. But I tend to think as a coach you don't say something like that publicly. Of the folks I've talked to, a majority don't like the quote and thought she should have kept those remarks to herself also. One positive thing it's done though, it got a lot of people that I didn't know even cared about Husker wbb talking about the team. 

 

What's your opinion?

[Silverbacked1]

If I was a casual fan and might not have played sports, I might think it was throwing the players under the bus.

Bug after going to see UCONN myself and having watched this team this year we most likely would have been run out of the gym.

We really lacked any inside game and we tended to try to run even when it wasn't the best time to do so.

So I really have no problem with it, but could see where it would bother some.

[AuroranHusker]

Well, when UCONN wins the national championship once again, it will be a moot point.

 

If the men & women sweep for the Huskies, that's a very impressive feat for a program that seemed to get lost in the conference re-alignment sweepstakes.

[Huskerpapa]

Sometimes honesty confuses people.  Simply compare the players, position by position.  Could we have won...stranger things have happened.  But UConn has major "it" factor.

[Cazzie22]

My concern is that we didn't adjust to BYU hitting all the 3's against us during that game.  I didn't expect to beat UConn but I did expect to beat BYU.  I support Connie Yori 100%.

[HB]

People don't have enough to worry about if they are wasting time and energy worrying about those quotes

[Norm Peterson]

I didn't see the quote, but she's absolutely right and I wouldn't have given it a second thought if I had seen it.

 

Anyone who thinks it's throwing your players under the bus to acknowledge that you would likely have lost to the best team in the nation needs to get a little bit thicker skin.

[royalfan]

Yeah probably not that big of a deal.  It isn't like we wouldn't have tried our asses off if we played them.

[colhusker]

We need to recruit more athletic young ladies.  It seems that we have 1 or 2 guards every year that are quick that could push the ball but our 3,4 and 5s are plodders.  Not a knack on their skills as they have won a lot of games and do very well.  We just really struggle with athletic teams (see the Kentucky game in KC a couple years ago). 

[Cazzie22]

We need to recruit more athletic young ladies.  It seems that we have 1 or 2 guards every year that are quick that could push the ball but our 3,4 and 5s are plodders.  Not a knack on their skills as they have won a lot of games and do very well.  We just really struggle with athletic teams (see the Kentucky game in KC a couple years ago). 

I agree in part, we need more physical play but Hooper and Cady could run with any post players.  They often scored easy buckets by beating their defender down the floor.  What they could not do, was muscle up against bigger, stronger post players.  Overall the B1G is behind the other conferences.  That is why Maryland may have their way next season with their overall athletic ability.

[HB]

We need to recruit more athletic young ladies.  It seems that we have 1 or 2 guards every year that are quick that could push the ball but our 3,4 and 5s are plodders.  Not a knack on their skills as they have won a lot of games and do very well.  We just really struggle with athletic teams (see the Kentucky game in KC a couple years ago). 

 

I agree we could improve our over-all athleticism, but our post players are far from "plodders".  Emily Cady in particular runs the floor like a gazelle. Our problem this year wasn't a lack at athleticism with the first 6; but there was a big drop-off after that.  Lack of size in the post hurt us this year more than lack of athleticism.  Our loss in the round of 32 was not to a particularly athletic team; it was due to unreal shooting by BYU and the size issue again with regard to Hamson and Bailey.  Anyway, we could always recruit more athleticism, and you really notice it at the Elite 8, Sweet 16 stages.  I just wouldn't review to our 3-5s who play as "plodders"; they can run the floor.  Perhaps the strength and quickness part of "athleticism" could be improved (Sample is quicker and moves laterally deceptively better than it looks).  Also be careful with comparisons from 3 years ago; e.g. Cady is way more athletic than Montgomery.  Just a few thoughts....

[huskerchode]

I think Sample is perfectly capable of muscling her way around the lane, but she needs to work on finishing the shot.  If she could develop that further for next year, it would help immensely.  Maybe it's a confidence issue?

[HB]

I think Sample is perfectly capable of muscling her way around the lane, but she needs to work on finishing the shot.  If she could develop that further for next year, it would help immensely.  Maybe it's a confidence issue?

 

Mechanics, confidence, a little bit of everything.  Some kids just can't shoot.  She is in that category.  I like her as a player, but I'd be surprised if she improves a whole lot with her shot at this point. 

[Bugeaters1]

I think Sample is perfectly capable of muscling her way around the lane, but she needs to work on finishing the shot.  If she could develop that further for next year, it would help immensely.  Maybe it's a confidence issue?

 

Mechanics, confidence, a little bit of everything.  Some kids just can't shoot.  She is in that category.  I like her as a player, but I'd be surprised if she improves a whole lot with her shot at this point.

she is the benny parker of the women's team

[Bugeaters1]

If you want to watch plodding posts watch Minnesota and OSU, Now there is some major plodding. And most posts in the big ten can't run with Hooper Cady or Sample.

[redsteve]

Yori's comment ...while blunt and maybe make one cringe...is right on.

 

We don't have an answer for someone like UConns center....6'-5" and I'll bet nearly 200lbs......but no one else does either. (she was no speed demon down the floor though, but very tough in the paint.)

 

BYU's 6-7 center was a force in the paint...but not much else....the 3 shooting was their killer as stated above.

 

Sample is obviously one of the best defenders in the B1G...but to win in the NCAA's....she must be a scorer too...maybe 10 points/gm would work. BYU didn't cover her at all....just let her open to shoot. That's opens up their defense to double teamimg, and two down low at the same time....that hurt us.

 

Everyone knows we need depth and the ability to run, hopefully with the added depth next year.

We couldn't do it much this year because we're playing 5 ...or 6...maybe 7. We can negate the big posts somewhat if we can run more.

 

On paper at least...we look to be deeper next year....if the "newbies" can get a feel for Yori's scheme. Got to think the coaching staff is drooling at the thought of the new talent.

 

Next year seems to have real chance for an upgrade to the team overall.  Recruits in 2015 like the 2014 bunch could elevate the team to another level.....wishfull thinking maybe?

[HB]

Welcome, Red Steve. 

 

I don't think it is wishful thinking.  in 2015, the touted class of 2014 will have some experience, and then Shepard should be a force immediately.  And if we can get Lanie Page....

[hoop_head]

Yori's honesty can be brutal. If the Huskers had made it to that game, she wouldn't have said it that way (IMHO). 

 

I'm proud of Nebraska's coaching staff. I think if you're a fan who's even close to being on the fence about it, note the obvious respect Coach Yori receives from her peers. Not just regionally but nationally.

 

edit: Although to be fair, questioning Coaches quote and coaching ability are not the same things. I'm O.K. with the quote because it's honest. But I believe the Huskers will get to that next level, and I think the incoming recruiting class can only aid in getting there sooner than later.