Fwd: [Husker] Jerry Fort

[NUStLNorris at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/21/05 7:10:26 PM Central Standard Time, 
toddlowell at yahoo.com writes:


> I get a chuckle whenever someone on this list mentions
> the NIT as a modicum of success for NU basketball. 
> The NCAA lets 64+1 participate in the tournement under
> the present format.  We are still yet to win a single
> NCAA tournament game in the history of Nebraksa
> basketball.

Jerry Fort seemed to have about three hinges on his shooting arm when he'd 
rear back and sling those jumpers toward the goal; and Leroy Chalk -- all-time 
leading rebounder in NU history prior to Venson Hamilton's arrival (and I don't 
think Leroy could play as a frosh the way Venson did); 

Keep goin' Todd ... Brendy Lee, the pidgeon-toed post man; Cal Christline and 
Steve Erwin ... undersized, over-achieving Nebraskans who played for State 
U.; Tom Novak, Larry Cox (played with Fort and Steve Willis ... Cox shot about 
66 percent for his career with a range of five feet).

But with all due respect, those guys didn't win much either.  Relatively 
speaking, the NIT IS a modicum of success for NU basketball, especially when 
compared to Collier's first few years (and I'll acknowledge that back in the day of 
Fort, etc., the NCAA didn't allow as many participants in the Big Dance).  
And unfortunately, NU is heading in the wrong direction this year after last 
year's modicum of success.

But I don't see where the amusement is seen (you mentioned a "chuckle").  I 
haven't heard one poster on this board say they'd ever again be satisfied with 
an NIT appearance.  The days of that satisfaction left a long time ago.  We've 
heard from some frustrated, disappointed NU fans; myself included, regarding 
this year's performance, or lack thereof.

When Moe Iba led NU to the final four in the Big Apple around '82, it was 
unexplored territory for the program and everybody got into it ... rightfully so. 
 Nee's "boycott" bunch turned their season around and won the NIT, but all 
that showed is how much they underachieved during the year.

What's the "success standard" for NU basketball?  Sheesh, I hope I haven't 
seen it yet.  Nee's teams that achieved the most had to be the '91 (?) squad 
that entered the Dance as a #3 seed (King, Farmer, Reid, Scales, Hayes, Pike a 
frosh), and the Piatkowski/Chubick-led team that won the Big 8 tourney a few 
years later ... but neither, as you mentioned, won an NCAA game.

The rumor/innuendo/gossip about Collier's job status is escalating by the 
day.  Shatel had a column in today's OWH that basically said Barry's a nice guy, 
but he isn't the guy to get it done at NU.  I saw an OWH article a few weeks 
ago about the lack of schools that are top shelf in both hoops and football.  I 
think this is a tired, worn-out angle.  If Wisconsin can be a factor in both 
sports, there's no reason NU can't be.  

On a related note, I'm late for the tip off of OSU and NU.  OSU is a 9 point 
favorite and I can understand why.

Dave Norris