[Husker] No Basketball Comment

Fri Mar 13 10:15:57 CDT 2009

I am disappointed in NU's early exit in light of the fact that we played over our skill level for the entire year -- not one healthy starter over 6'5" tall.  I thought we would beat Baylor back to back before getting trounced by Kansas again in the Big 12 tourney. Disappointed, but not shocked.  On top of losing last year's top NU player, we lost our best recruit to administrative errors before the season even started and almost lost another for similar reasons.  I am cautiously optmistic for next year, but one to two more conferences wins is all we can reasonably expect.  We just do not have the talent to compete with KU, OU and Tx overall.  Add one or two more teams that are having good seasons (MU this year, KSU last year) and finishing higher than fifth is as good as we are likely to get.  

I think Doc is the right coach for our team.  I wish the administration could provide the same backing for Doc that the football team gets, and the new practice facility is a step in the right direction.  I think we as a state deserve some of the overall blame as we do not provide the support for bball that the football program gets.  Probably even more important, however is the lack of developed talent within our state.  The state generates fewer than one strong D-1 player per year.  Sure we as a state have more than one player who finds a roster spot each year, but the more successful are the Ryan Andersons and such who contribute but cannot lead a team and even contributors are limited. 

In comparison, I played summer league ball in northern Indiana in the mid 80's (when I could still "ball" a bit) and Shawn Kemp, Scott Skiles and Rick Fox were all HS players in the league who played within a 60 mile radius within a three year period.  That same summer league had starters from Northwestern, Ohio U, Indiana and the like.  We just don't get that kind of talent out of the entire state.  Unfortunately it takes that kind of talent density to challenge the better players to make them even better.  

One case in point: I went through high school thinking I was a great defensive player because I could block a lot of shots.  Furthermore, my coach constantly told me that a "big man" should not dribble the ball, let the guards do that.  It took college ball to show me that at that level, you play defense by keeping your opponent away from the ball, harrass him constantly as he prepares to shoot, or at least keep him away from his favorite scoring positions, rather than relying on a blocked shot.  But by then, I also learned that when you are 6'4" tall, you damned well better be a good ball handler because you are playing a small forward spot and that those years playing with your back to the basket in HS were totally wasted.

Are Nebraska athletes talented?  Of course we are.  We have had several NU natives who have done well as pros including Bob Gibson in baseball, several all-pros in football, several olympic wrestlers and track athletes, a huge number of volleyball standouts, but zero -- none -- in pro basketball.  Only a handful of Nebraska natives who played in the NBA and no All-Stars that I can think of.  Have we ever had a first team AA at the college level?  Rich King and Mike McGee come to mind, but I don't think they were first team (I am probably overlooking someone however).  Still . . . .

In summary, as a state we lack (1) good coaching technique at most levels, (2) we lack of frequent quality competition to hone our skills.  Our players are behind the development curve -- even the talented players.  Furthermore, we don't have the reputation to attract quality players on a consistent basis.  Kansas has historical success to recruit an entire group who can become a top seed team despite losing four starters from the previous national championship team.  We have that in football -- but not basketball.

I don't have an answer other than cheer for the basketball team but don't be critical of less than national championships.  I hope Doc can get us to The Dance next year, then win a game with another appearance or two and maybe eventually to a Great Eight level.  I have no expectations or even raised hopes of a national title because the deck is stacked against him and the NU program in general.

Just one man's opinion (sorry about the length),
Duane Feldman

________________________________
From: Mike Jaixen <mikejaixen at yahoo.com>
To: Merlin Green <mgreen at nebraska.edu>; husker at tssi.com
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 7:51:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Husker] No Basketball Comment

When Husker hoops fans looked at this season, everyone realized they would struggle this season.  So finishing 8-8 is a great accomplishment when most pundits slotted them for 5.

The thing is, we got tempted by ohh-so-close finishes against teams like Oklahoma.  So a glass half-full person sees 8-8 as a sign of success.  A glass half-empty person wonders what might have been; a 10-6 record and maybe a first round bye in the Big XII tournament.  (Not that meant much this season, since three of the top four seeds lost their opening game yesterday...)

Doc has shown he can coach 'em up.  Now the question is whether he can put together a balanced roster.  He's been behind the eight ball so far in his time at Nebraska; I'm optimistic about where Doc can take this program.

--- On Fri, 3/13/09, Merlin Green <mgreen at nebraska.edu> wrote:

From: Merlin Green <mgreen at nebraska.edu>
Subject: [Husker] No Basketball Comment
To: husker at tssi.com
Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 6:32 AM

I guess it is what it is.  Nebraska basketball, never changing, year after
year after year.  I have followed Nebraska basketball for 55 years and it
never changes.
Other teams get new coaches and charge right to the upper echelons of the
Big 12.  Nebraska gets new coaches and its more of the same forever and
ever.
Beside Nebraska fans have no idea other sports exist besides football.

>Gee, I would have expected SOMEONE to comment about the Husker early
>exit from the Big 12 Tourney.

Merlin Green
327 Nebraska Hall
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68588-0521
Phone (402) 472-7645
FAX (402) 472-4666
mgreen at nebraska.edu

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