HB

NU 69 Minny 66

The last 2 posts use the word "steady" with regard to 3 bench players. We haven't gotten steady or consistent play from the 5th starter let alone the bench. I realize there is always a chance that steady and consistent play will suddenly happen when it's been missing all year. But I don't like the chances. T and Brandy are 3rd year players in the program, and it sure looks like its a lottery each night as to what we get out of them. Murren plays hard and can shoot it, but is limited in size and speed for extended minutes. Havers has been an absolute turnover machine and they just can't keep her on the floor as a result. Well, here's hoping for sudden, unexpected improvement.

That happens I'm buying the beer.

Tai's a combo guard, and Miles would like to play him more at the 2. Unfortunately, that's hard to do this year, since Biggs also isn't a pure point. I like Tai a lot, but he will need to improve a lot on his outside shot in order to be an upper level 2 guard.

O'Neill?

Iowa Michigan State Michigan Penn State Northwestern Purdue

PSU 73 NU 68

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and keep us in the loop. And for adding Runzas to the PBA menu.

Not surprising. After the games the floor monitors don't even allow you to make one step on the very corner of the wood floor when rounding the corner. They treat it like the Sistene Chapel. Wish they gave one ounce of the same consideration to the food served in the joint. Give me a break; PBA can bite me.

Despite playing them at home, I'm a little concerned with how we match up with Wisconsin. Walt may need to have the game of his life for us to compete in that one.

I'd be interested to know what little things (no pun intended) that you think Parker does that doesn't show up on the stat sheet? He's not a great shooter, he can't be used to double team, he constantly gets beat off the dribble by the guy he is guarding, etc.... I'm not saying he doesn't put forth any effort as I know he's paying as hard as can but just curious what things you think he does that don't show up on the stat sheet? I don't agree that he "constantly gets beat off the dribble". Benny is a pretty decent onball defender.

This doesn't really explain Iowa's instate talent. I wasn't explaining things. Just agreeing that there is a disparity and I don't know why there's a disparity but it's not even arguable that there is one. Small-town Nebraska is producing D1 athletes all over the place in volleyball and girls' basketball. Jordan Larson from Hooper is one of the best women's volleyball players in the world. Jordan Hooper from Alliance is one of the best women's basketball players in the country. If I sat down and tried, I could come up with quite a list of girls from Nebraska in the last several years who have gone on to or been offered by D1 programs in women's hoops, but a brief list of current D1 players or recruits from in-state: Jordan Hooper, Alliance (UNL) Emily Cady, Seward (UNL) Hannah Tvrdy, Seward (UNL) KK Houser, Lincoln (Purdue) Alexa Kastanek, Lincoln (Iowa) Marissa Kastanek, Lincoln (NC State) Brianna Craig, Lincoln (KState) McKenzie Fujan, Wahoo (Creighton) Lauren Works, Lincoln (Creighton) Alexis Akin-Otiko Bellevue (Creighton) Alyssa Kamphaus, Seward (Creighton) Jess Shepard, Fremont (UNL commit) Chatrice White, Shelby (Illinois commit) Maddie Simon, Lincoln (UNL commit) Kiana Ibis, Omaha (UNL and Creighton offers among others) Brooke, Jamie and Taylor Kissinger, Minden (Illinois, San Diego and uncommitted but Illinois offer) Depending on how you define "few years", Vonnie Turner and Dominque Kelley were very good players on our sweet 16 teams just 4 years ago. The Creghton player from West Point. Player from York went ot Wyoming. Probably some more out there but would have to jog my memory.

The most insane comment of all was the one about the refs. Give me a freakin' break. Whoever posted that should be sentenced to watching continuous replays of the block/charge calls at the end of the NU-Michigan and NU-Purdue games for an entire day.

I found the picture of Tai after the game a bit interesting.....oh wait, I wasn't looking at Tai.....

Just have to respectfully disagree. And I suspect every coach in the league would rather game plan Parker than Gallegos. Ray is the only fairly consistent threat from 3, especially among the guards. Petteway is the next best. Then Shavon, but it is getting very inconsistent by now. And you don't want Biggs and Webster shooting many right now. Having to guard Ray out there helps the offense.

Because he wanted to beat the traffic? Because he was with his young son who has school the next morning? Oh yeah, it was a 6 p.m. game vs. an 8 p.m. game. Perhaps it was homework. But T.O. and Nancy stayed to the bitter end.

I thought Shavon looked fresh and explosive in the first half. He didn't run or elevate as well in the second half; looked to me liked he tweaked the knee at some point. I suspect it's something he'll have to fight through and manage all season. I couldn't tell what they were working on with Leslie when we had the injury substition. We need that guy as healthy as possible. OSU wasn't big and we could get by with Leslie playing only 16 minutes, but I wouldn't want to try that against MSU and Wiscy. Even the geezers in my section stood much of the game. Very fun.

Welcome, Cyinne. Nothing at all about that post to ruffle any feathers. It is obvious we have run Jordan into the ground, so you speak the truth. It looks like she has hit the wall a little early this year. Wish we could have rested her more during the preconference season.Bless the 4 players who are playing 35-40 minutes a game and givng great effort. They are doing all they can. Unfortunately, there may be no solution to the problem this year. We got 1 minute out of the post sub yesterday. Even if we play the one post sub 10-15 minutes and suffer the consequences accordingly, Jordan and Emily will be logging huge minutes. We're facing a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. Some years we can improve a lot during the season. The light goes on for some talented players. The coaches figure out what each team can do (Note Sam McKewen's suggestions on how this team may have to play this year), even if it isn't how Connie typically wants to play. Maybe we can due some things as a team. But it's hard to envision much in-season individual player improvement this year. I agree better times are ahead, based on the last recruiting class and the 2015 commitments. It's just hard to take how we got into such an abysmal situation with regard to our depth, when we have 2-3 elite players.

Ohio State 71 Nebraska 62

Penn State Michigan State Purdue Michigan Minnesota

Maybe I'm missing the point, but fans expectations or mantra won't mean a thing. Getting better, more experienced players will.

You're an honest guy, Noah. Congrats on the Northwestern win.

Back from the event. Not great attendance, which is too bad since it was at a great venue. The coaches are very good about getting around and talking to people. They will spend time with you, and it's not all superficial. I was able to spend quite a bit of time with Miles, one on one. He was very candid and forthcoming. He was there early, and then left to recruit. He really tried to work it out so he could be there. Said it was very important to show up at things like this, especially when the team is losing. Own it and talk to the fans. He didn't give a speech this time, just went around and talked to people. I won't repeat anything of substance said in a private conversation, but will say a few things about the official presentation by Harriman. Teddy Owens was there. Good guy, spent some time talking about his dad, who is now 85 (Teddy's a youngster, so nice job by dad in having a kid when he did). Harriman hung out a long time, and addressed the crowd. Good effort since his wife and he welcomed a new daughter into the world 6 days ago. I think she was born Saturday, and he made it to the game at Purdue Sunday. He is going recruiting also this weekend. His son is doing great, and is "leukemia free" at this point. Off all meds, strong, doing just great. In his public comments, he mainly took questions. Shavon has indeed been hurt, but the time off this week seems to have helped. Positive stuff on Fuller. The early problems were the speed of the game, and being able to get his shot off. Players close out on shots so much faster at this level. But he is now improving. Hawkins also has struggled with the speed of the game, and replicating what he does in practice in an actual game. But they like him and have high hopes for the future. Rivers will get another chance. He will need to rebound. We need another player at that spot, but he wasn't rebounding, so he lost his minutes. Is a great kid with a great attitude. Could use a "mean streak". We need his length and hope he produces. Leadership with the young guys is a problem Usually they have juniors and seniors telling them what to do. But Ray is extremely quiet, and most of the time freshmen and sophomores are getting told what to do by other young guys. Doesn't work as well. Told some good stories about Tai adjusting to America, cold weather, etc. Gave an example of things they say and don't realize he would have no way of knowing that--they mentioned "like the Princeton offense" in discussing how a team ran its offense. The guys knew the basics of what that meant. Except Tai, who said "What's a Princeton"?

just think opposite of "plethora"...

I'll give up my club seats on the aisle at midcourt when they pry them out of my cold, dead, broke hands (or if I lose them in a divorce).