Swan88

How about this: Jordy frequently goes to the top of the key to set a pick for a guard. His defender comes out with him and often leaves Jordy to help prevent a drive by the guard. If the guard flips the ball back to Jordy at that moment for a three-point shot, Jordy's defender is out of position for a block and out of position for a rebound. If Jordy's defender sticks with Jordy, the guard has a lane to the basket.

Pre-season contract extension issues are old news by now and are given much too importance in the chatter class. Those issues reflect a performance-based evaluation that incorporates such disappointments as, (i) the departure of Petteway, (ii) the disappointment of Pitchford, (ii) a couple years of underperformance by teams dominated by upperclassmen, (iv) the departure of Andrew White, and (v) a no post-season play decision last season. The no-extension under such circumstances is a reasonable and measured approach by an Athletic Director responsible for managing and maximizing effort and results from a staff. Since then: --The freshmen recruits are showing that Miles's recruiting decisions are well-made --The Lewis hire (and the termination of his predecessor) are proving to be stellar decisions --Coach Hunter is continuing to recruit at a high level --The Andrew White defection is in the past --Team chemistry is good --The decision to pursue Nana Akenten for this year's class is proving to be well-made --The Isaac Copeland commitment is a recruiting coup --The team is, generally, performing well this season and is hanging together, despite a tough schedule, a youthful team, and crucial injuries --Bad luck on injuries is, usually, not a coaching fault --Crowds at the Vault remain strong and enthusiastic and supportive --Students show up at the games in full force and give strong support --Recruiting interest remains strong from high quality players --Etc. What all the foregoing shows is that Tim Miles and Co. are performing well--and have addressed concerns of the past. And the Athletic Director is now going out of his way to give public support to the current staff and program.

I looked at the Purdue basketball board after the Husker game. They're talking about firing their coach too. This is life on anonymous message boards -- where accountability for inaccurate or unsupported information is nonexistent. And where unrestrained ventings of frustration and disappointment are the norm. And where trolls can freely exercise their dysfunction and, apparently, take pleasure or find self-worth in irritating others.

I am not buying Miles on the hot seat with the Athletic Director. Eichorst had highly positive things to say, publicly, about the state of the basketball program, and his confidence in that program, right before the Indiana win--which is a departure from normal behavior. I don't see anything that would have changed his assessment between then and now.

This reminds me of mid-season last year when a towel-toss from a Cav player toward Coach Lue became interpreted as a sign of disrespect and that "poor" Tyronn Lue had lost control of his players and team. And then the Cavs go off and win it all.

Tom Shatel has a nice op-ed today on the crowd at yesterday's game. Here's how it starts: "Here's to you, Nebrasketball fans. With apologies to Jack McVeigh and Jeriah Horne, the crowd at Pinnacle Bank on Sunday was the star of Nebraska's win over 20th-ranked Purdue." I disagree with Shatel, however, on one minor point. He suggests that Nebrasketball fans show up at the Vault "to see and be seen." I think he's confusing us with many of the fans that show up for basketball games in Downtown Omaha--the "see and be seen" factor seems to be highly developed there. I don't think the "see and be seen" factor is all that significant in Lincoln. Husker fans show up at the Vault and cheer like crazy because we believe in this team and its coaches and because we have high expectations and confidence in the future of Nebrasketball.

Did he have surgery?

What's with the sleeve on Roby's right arm? An injury, presumably?

Miles says two recruits were in the Vault tonight--and they are impressed with the Vault atmosphere. Anyone know who they might be?

Seriously? We're ragging on the coaching here? With Morrow healthy, we win both the last two games. Without a healthy Morrow, we don't. It's the Nebraska thing this year: both football and basketball. About the time you get something going, the injury bug with key players makes sure it doesn't happen.

He is N

Announcing tomorrow.

North Carolina State lost big today to North Carolina: 56-107. Since it's down to Nebrasketball and North Carolina State, Copeland says, that should help.

I thought Roby looked to be in pain last night. I saw him get up off the bench/chair during action on the court, walk to the end line (I thought he was heading to the locker room or to the trash can to vomit or something), but then he turned around, walked back and sat down. It seemed to me that he was in trying to deal with pain--but that's hard to tell from the stands.

He will visit NC State tomorrow.

He's said that he'll take all five of his visits.