HuskerCager

Still no news on Molinari. Am I the only one who thinks it is unusual that they are letting this drag out this long? Especially from Western Illinois' point of view. It's hard on a program when the players and the recruits have no idea if you have a coach or not. The longer this drags out, the more likely I think he isn't coming. We'll see.

It's sure been quiet today. I wonder if the rumored agreement with JM is falling through?

I'm pretty sure it's been a dead week for recruiting according to NCAA rules up until the Final Four is finished. Activity ought to pick up this week and drag into May. We've got our work cut out for adding meaningful depth to next year's roster, though, don't we?

According to Rivals, Molinari has been recruiting Nick Rogers.

He's referred to Molinari as a "long time friend" on several occasions. He mentioned him by name in this USA Today article in February Hmmmm..... Maybe Larry Shyatt and Mike Dunlap will be assistants here some day.

Or when we didn't get Hank Foldberg and had to settle for a guy name Bob Devaney http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Foldberg

Here's a link to a Western Illinois pre-season press conference from last year. http://www.goleathernecks.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&db_oem_id=12000&id=3090716&ATCLPID=&ATCLID=1437627&SPSID=49946&SPID=4947&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=12000

Molinari is certainly a well known name. He's been around a long time. And he's crossed paths with the Huskers a number of times including: - As an assistant at DePaul when NU and DePaul met in the NIT semifinals in 1983 - A couple times as head coach at Northern Illinois. One of the most unlikely match-ups was in '91 when they met in a rare non-conference lineup in February. Both teams happened to be top 25 rated at the time. What were the odds of that? - As an assistant at Minnesota in 2004. - As a head coach at W Illinois last November. Interesting hire. Tons of experience. I'm anxious to hear what TM felt he needed on staff and why Molinari was their guy (if he is). One thing that can't be overlooked - this guy probably knows every HS and AAU coach by name in the state of Illinois.

I think it's good to refute the "highest rated recruit" label. It's silly and inaccurate. I agree with Aurora's assessment that the writer based that on the recent Rivals 150 database, which only goes back 15 years I suppose. The last thing this kid needs is overblown expectations put on him as a freshman. The "what's wrong with Webster" talk got a little old this spring.

There are 2 schools that worry me more than others - Notre Dame (see his childhood dream quote below) and Wisconsin. Given his Catholic background, I can see why he might like ND. But I can't imagine their facilities are even close to ours. Wisconsin worries me a lot more. When does Bo Ryan retire? TM considers Bo Ryan a model coach. And I could see Barry Alvarez making a strong push for a guy like TM. There's a lot more to choose from recruiting-wise in Wisconsin than there is in Nebraska. Maybe I should root for Wisky to lose in the Final Four. If they win out this weekend, what better time would there be for Bo to retire? Having said all this, there are a lot of reasons to stay. Don't pull your families roots just 2 years after the last time. Folks live in town. Unfinished business. Great facilities and fan support. "If you follow his path, it's really incredible," Grove said. "I remember sitting at a hotel with him his first year at Mayville State, and we stated talking about goals for the future. Here's a guy who was a JV player at the University of Mary and had just taken over a two-win program, and he says, 'Someday I want to make Notre Dame a basketball school.' I don't know if he has that goal today. I know he loves Nebraska. But the point is, even way back then, he had the mentality he was going to get it done." http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/tim-miles-mastery-rebuilding-projects-began-long-turning-155350424--ncaab.html

So where will Felix and Oscar fit into the rotation? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af1h4ibpKJA

Congrats to the Badgers. Loved Bo Ryan's reaction after the game when his dad (recently passed away) was brought up. Most people can identify with that.

I've thought about our NCAA draw from another angle. Maybe it would have been better if we had the 11th seed play-in game. It seems to me that waiting until Friday gave us too much time to think about all that was at stake. Might have been better to play sooner on a Wednesday.

Same excuse Pitchford used when leaving Florida. Probably worth the look, though. Yep. Just like Florida native Chad Johnson leaving Nebraska 15 years ago for Pitt. Geography is not a post-secondary requirement, I guess.

You referring to Moe, Norm? He does fit that definition. Actually, Moe did coach at TCU, but he didn't take them to the NCAA. I'm drawing a blank here, Norm, who do you have in mind? Moe was an assistant at Nebraska. He got a "head gig" (at Nebraska), and took the team to the NCAA tournament. Too bad Norm doesn't make salsa, or I would get me some. Nice work, my man. Kind of a trick question but you weren't thrown off the trail. I'm sure Cip would be delighted to reward you with some of his famous salsa. Dang, Norm, you are one sly fox. Nicely done.

You referring to Moe, Norm? He does fit that definition. Actually, Moe did coach at TCU, but he didn't take them to the NCAA. I'm drawing a blank here, Norm, who do you have in mind?

Lee Barfknect article. http://www.omaha.com/article/20140323/HUSKERS/140329316/1002#nu-assistant-leaves-for-south-dakota Just a guess, but I would think he might take a minor pay cut at this job? I can understand why he would take it though.

That's a joke, right? Not much of one, really. I think it's a pretty short list over the last 30 years.

Tony Benford North Texas via Marquette is the first I can think of Very good. I see that David Anwar is an assistant there, along with former Ole Miss head coach Rob Evans. http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/ntex-m-baskbl-coaches.html

Wow. Congrats to Coach Smith! Agree - it's a loss for our program though, and especially for Tim Miles. TM has made it no secret that this is what he wanted for CS. When's the last time NU has had a former assistant go on to be a head coach at a D-1 school?

It took me a while to figure out that VT was Virginia Tech. I was thinking to myself, how does a player with interest from Xavier and Tennessee end up at Vermont? Makes sense now.

I must have missed the bashing you are talking about. I heard Huskerbaseball say he wouldn't be sorry if Tai left. That's not bashing, and it's not personal IMO. I don't agree with it. I think he's dead wrong about Tai's future. But he has a right to express his opinion on a public message board.

I'd also be surprised if we didn't exceed anyone's expectations again I'm a little scared about next year. I don't expect a nose-dive, but I could see us falling back into the NIT. The surprise element won't be there anymore. Nathan and Tai have to develop that 3.

Actually, I hope not. This program took a step forward, but it's not there yet. We still have work to do.

Well, that does it then. The clock will be reset at 12:46, the score will be reset at 32-46, and we'll resume play tomorrow at 10AM.