HuskerFan86

Focusing on the bright side: Having White to handle the PG duties seems like it's helping to free up Jaz. Her 3 point shots still aren't falling, but it seems like Jaz is orchestrating the offense pretty well the last few games (probably helps that her ankle is healed as well)...she was pretty close to another triple double today. Inside: Markowski, Potts, Petrie and Coley have turned into a pretty solid rotation. I'm excited to see if Mendelson can also contribute when she's available.

The drama at the end was totally unnecessary. Hopefully they will learn from it. White does some good things, but her missed free throws cost us huge against Creighton and she choked again at the end of this game. The third perimeter spot is still a gaping hole in this team because it's a weakness in defense and ballhandling.

Unbelievably poor execution at the end.

Markowski has been a monster in the second half. The weak ball handling by every guard except Shelley is so frustrating though...

I have to think that platooning so many subs into and out of the game contributes to the wild swings in quality of play...Nebraska was rolling and then started turning the ball over and playing soft defense. Coley and Petrie combining for 17 points to offset 0 by Markowski was not expected.

Wow, Petrie is looking very polished offensively..

It seemed like we had way more turnovers than 5 in that quarter. The guards need to be much more strong and smart with their passes. The scoring from Petrie, Krull, Moriarty and Coley kept Nebraska in it so far. Edit: Coley with another 3 to start the 2nd quarter!

That’s what I was thinking too…I think it’s a great comparison. Now we just need to find a Jordan Hooper to go with her.

Is there a running list of the Class of 2025 prospects that Nebraska is pursuing? With Potts in 2023 and Prince in 2024, landing another all conference-level player in 2025 would likely be the foundation for this program making it to the next level.

Nebraska has some nice pieces, but almost no depth when any of the top 4 players (Markowski, Potts, White and Shelley) go to the bench. Really too bad that Maly didn’t end up being a Husker…she would be a massive help to this team. Nebraska also lacks foot speed and length on the defensive side, with the exception of Potts. Seems like they could be a #8-12 seed in the NCAA tournament if they get some breaks with injuries and close games like this one.

Wow things are looking so good for the future! I was a little worried when we missed out on Chatrice White and Kianna Ibis, but I think it is safe to say that Kaylee Page + Lanie Page + Rachel Blackburn (kansas package) >> Chatrice + Kianna. And we still get plenty of local flavor with Shephard and Simon! These most recent classes, Connie is almost outrecruiting John Cook! I think the same level of national sucess is also on the way for her program...

Great article! Very insightful analysis into the program! Next year should be really fun...lots of experience mixed with a lot of inexperience with potential. Next year's senior class (Cady, Sample, Jeffery, Laudermill) reminds me so much of the Vonnie Turner/Cory Montgomery class, and I think next year's freshman class will carry the torch after the seniors leave...big class with the potential to have 4-5 players who make an impact all 4 years here. This is slightly OT, but has anyone else noticed how much better the OWH's basketball coverage is compared to the LJS? OWH rolled out so many good articles about NU and Creighton basketball this March...better quality and quantity than Lincoln Journal Star. Just an observation.

I agree Lindsey is still the best pg to ever play here, but Theriot is closing in fast. We're starting to get spoiled with good players during the Griffin/Moore/Hooper era, and I don't really see an end in sight. I think it's a safe bet that we will someday talk about the Griffin/Moore/Hooper/Theriot/Shepard era, possibly with Page(s) included and without even mentioning Emily Cady, who would've been the best player on a lot of Husker teams in the 90's and 2000's. Good problem to have. Almost becoming reminiscent of the volleyball program.

I think the starting 5 will be the same as this year, subbing Hooper for Havers. On the surface it might seem like that's a big drop-off from this year (replacing 20 ppg, 10 rpg with Havers who may average 10 and 6 next year if she improves a lot), but I think Hooper's production will be absorbed and then some, by the depth we will have next year. Off the bench, I expect Jeffery, Romeo, Page, and Washington will all play at least 10 minutes per game, and the averages of those four plus Havers will at the very least match Jordan's numbers (and probably exceed them by 10-15 ppg). This year we basically got nothing from the bench, maybe 5 points and 5 rebounds on an average night. Next year, Connie will hopefully be playing two waves of players to give court time to Page and Romeo (who I think will be impact players from day 1) and hopefully Jeffery (still time for her to make a jump like T), Washington, and any other freshmen or sophomores who are ready to play. I think the combination of fresher legs and playing a more up-tempo style will offset the loss of Hoop. I feel more optimistic after losing Hoop than after losing Moore last year, even though Jordan is undoubtably one of the top 5 players to ever play here. I agree that 2015 is looking really good. The prospect of Theriot as a senior feeding Jess Shepard and all the young talent surrounding her is very exciting. If they all develop like Coach Yori's players tend to, imagine this line-up (best case scenario in my opinion): PG Theriot (senior) PG Romeo (soph)…twin point guards like we had with Theriot/Moore last year SF Kaylee Page (soph)/Lanie Page (fr) PF Allie Havers (junior) C Jess Shepard (fr) That team would have an unprecedented amount of length, skill, and scoring ability for this program. I could imagine an Elite Eight or Final Four if those players continue to develop (and commit to NU in the case of Lanie) over the next 2 years.

I think Maryland and Rutgers will have a lot to say about that too. They might help the rest of the league get better prepared to do better in the tournament too. Hopefully Allie Havers can develop into a Morgan Johnson/Bethany Doolittle-type player to give us some length inside. I think she will improve dramatically over the summer.

It's coming next year.

Listened on the radio and it sounded like the defense just wasn't good enough. Sad to not capitalise on the chance to play at PBA for Sweet Sixteen, but overall, hard to feel bad about what this team did this season though. With such a short bench and undersized team, it's really incredible what they accomplished. There are bigger and brighter things ahead for this program. The last few minutes give you an idea of the kind of playing style Connie will prefer with a deeper bench and more athletes. Bring back this remarkable junior class, Theriot, Havers with another year of experience, and add 3-4 freshman that contribute right away, and we're looking really good for next year. Then Jess Shepard comes the following year. Thanks for everything Jordan Hooper! I've followed your career since you were a freshman leading Alliance to a state championship. Simply one of the best players, and best people, to ever wear a Husker jersey, regardless of sport.

Who would've expected Rachel to be the tournament MVP and carry the offensive load for the team on the way to a championship at this time last year? She's made incredible progress. So happy that Jordan Hooper finally got a championship. Much deserved!

YEAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think I've ever seen a Nebraska high school player block shots as easily and cleanly as Ibis. Even Hooper, Cady, and some of the best future NU volleyball players didn't block shots like that in high school. She dominates the game from the defensive end.

I don't think she actually has an offer yet from Stanford, just strong interest.

I was thinking the same thing about Ibis! Her offensive game isn't developed at all, but she has a really nice looking jumper and plays fantastic defense. It's rare to see a high school girl elevate like that on her shot. I think she has all the tools to be a really good B1G player. I could see her developing into a smoother, more offensively dynamic version of Haillie Sample...defense stopper with length at the small forward spot. Do we have room to sign Shepard, Simon, Ibis, and Lanie Page? If so, that's the best class Nebraska has ever signed and will have us winning B1G championships for years to come. Imagining a team with Theriot as a senior, Allie Havers, next year's freshman class, and the class of 2015 should make Husker fans VERY excited. I also really like Chloe Akin-Otiko. I don't think Nebraska has ever signed a player from the Bellevue West program, men or women, even though they've produced 7 or 8 D1 players this decade. So I don't plan to get my hopes up too much that we will see her playing in a Husker uniform.

http://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/womens-basketball/nu-women-s-recruits-having-strong-senior-seasons/article_5a6e8de0-3289-58a2-b933-6a94adda1b8c.html Cool summary of Nebraska's recruiting success in these upcoming classes. Would it be wrong to say that the class of 2014 is the best (on paper) coming out of high school that we've ever had? Lots of individual talent and lots of depth. I think next year's team might actually end up better than this year's team even with the loss one of the best players to ever play here. A first-team all-conference player that will almost always produce a double-double (Cady), another year of development for Theriot, Laudermill, and Havers, battle-tested veterans Jeffery and Sample, plus a major infusion of young talent... As for 2015, Shepard is going to be an absolute beast from day one and it seems like Simon has a ton of potential. Really hoping they land Laney Page…if so, the 2014 class will only be the best in history for one year. And what about Kianna Ibis from Omaha Benson? She's putting up enormous numbers against good teams in Class A (21 ppg, 15 rpg) and it sounds like she dominates on defense too. I think I remember hearing that Nebraska has offered her a scholarship and she sounds like a great player, but I've never seen her play.

So we will have Theriot (class of 2012), Havers (2013), Page and Romeo (2014), and Sheppard (2015) all at the same time for Rachel's senior year, correct? If so, that has the makings of a Big Ten championship team if these players develop to where they project (and we know Connie has a history of developing outstanding players if they start out with solid potential). Exciting times!

This definitely softens the blow of losing Chatrice! I hope the people comparing her to Nicole Ohlde know what they're talking about! And hopefully Kaylee has continued to model herself after Maya Moore since her freshman year!