[Husker] Jamel White Suspension

[nustlnorris at aol.com]

A friend called last night to tell me that Jamel White had been suspended for the remainder of the season by Doc Sadler.  My first thought was, "wow, kinda' extreme."  But I wasn't shocked nor I doubt anyone was who had seen a lot of the games in person this year.  To me, Doc and Jamel never seemed like they were on 'the same page.'  Who knows what went down, but my first thought was maybe academics, since he'd missed the Oregon game earlier this year for an academic-related reason.  But the one thing that Doc DID rule out in the paper this morning was academics.  All we know is that it was a "violation of team policy." 
 
The segue from Collier-to-Sadler hasn't been easy for Jamel.  Some print sources have stated that he was 99 percent on the way to transfering to Rutgers this past summer (he was a Spinelli recruit who lost 'his guy' when Wichita State came calling for the former NU assistant); that he was upset (understandably so) with his uncle being hired by Collier as a coach, then Collier leaves and his uncle was out a job; then having Doc come to Brooklyn and reign him back into the fold in August only to suffer a broken collarbone in early-season practice; then I believe he recently had a close relative pass away ...
 
This same friend who gave me the news last night said "well, I suppose we know the answer to the 'will Jamel consider leaving during the off-season?' question."  I thought the same thing ... that this could facilitate his transfer, but then in the paper today I was surprised to see Jamel say, "yeah, I'll be back."  Sadler on the other hand, wasn't so sure Jamel would be allowed or invited back.
 
I doubt if "Doc's Way" is for everybody.  His tough, grueling, extra-long, demanding practices have been well chronicled.  He's had the rep of breaking a player all the way down, but having an uncanny knack for not losing him and having the kid prosper because of it (I'm not at practice, it's just things that I've heard and read from people whose opinions I trust and value).  Supposedly, most kids respond and end up having that "run through the wall for 'ya" mentality.  I don't know if there was a confrontation or what, but obviously Jamel didn't respond the way his coach would have liked (to whatever the issue may have been).
 
It wouldn't be a good idea to speculate.  But I will say this ... Sadler's in the process of laying down his program's foundation.  That's more important this year than wins-and-losses.  NU's b-ball players did not know what to expect when they hooked up with their new coach.  He's making it very clear during the course of this year just where the expectation-bar is set.  He's establishing a new attitude, a new work ethic and increased accountability.  It's a whole new way of doing things that I think Nebraska basketball has needed for a long time.
 
I hope things work out for Jamel White -- either here or somewhere else.  The Huskers are looking at nine scholarship players suiting up for tomorrow night's KSU game.  Numbers were already a problem. 
 
Dave Norris
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