Building A Basketball Program At Nebraska - Connie Yori Shows The Way

by Jon Johnston on Jan 18, 2010 8:40 AM CST in Nebraska Husker Basketball

Kelsey Griffin is a big reason for the women's success. Connie Yori's teams have continually improved. Nebraska is taking the same approach with Doc Sadler - the men just need more time. Photo By Dennis Hubbard.

The Husker women's basketball team continued their undefeated season, knocking off ninth-ranked Baylor this Sunday. They're 16-0 and one of only three undefeated teams left in the nation. The win puts the Huskers at 3-0 and tied in first place in the Big 12 with Oklahoma State. It will mean a top ten ranking for Connie Yori's squad and by now everyone should be asking - how far can this team go?

On the other end of the spectrum, the Husker men lost to Iowa State at home, moving them to the Big 12 basement at 0-3. It was a sad loss for a team wanting to make some noise in the Big 12, but if they can't defend their home court against teams like the Cyclones it doesn't bode well for the rest of the season.

It's Doc Sadler's fourth season at Nebraska, and he's still trying to find a consistent group of players to put on the floor. By now some fans might be wondering if he's the right guy for the job - whether or not the athletic department should go out and get a big name coach and build the basketball program into a Big 12 power. It's easy to advocate that approach, but it's doubtful it'd work any better than what they're currently doing. Besides, there's no doubt Sadler can coach - any guy who can take the shortest team in the country and finish 8-8 in the Big 12 knows what he's doing.

The big downside to hiring a big name guy is the money and the uncertainty whether or not Husker fans would support the program. We're the greatest football fans around, but being a fan of a team that has won the vast majority of it's games over the past forty years is as easy as being a fan of ice cream. Whether or not the state would support a big-time basketball program is a gamble - one not worth taking.

Head coach Connie Yori is showing what it takes to build a basketball program in Nebraska - a lot of patience. It's Connie Yori's eighth season at Nebraska. Four of those seasons resulted in women's NIT appearance, while two have seen the Huskers in the NCAA tournament. Other than 2008 when the team suffered heavy injuries, Yori has made constant progression towards success and this season that patience is paying off.

If Husker fans take notice of what Yori's team is doing, it'll be proof that the athletic department's approach is working.

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Keep Sadler...

…it’ll pay off in the end.

This year we traded in experience for height and that has definitely showed itself on the court so far this season.

This isn’t a bad team, we’re just in a funk right now at the start of conference play (having to play KU at the beginning of the Big 12 slate also never helps).

True, that loss to ISU didn’t help matters but they’ve been in every game and even lead them all late in the second half. The wins will come. They’ve worked too hard for them not to.

by Doc1028 on Jan 18, 2010 1:25 PM CST reply actions

Get To The Devaney Center If You Can

I get to as many men’s and women’s games as my work schedule allows.

It’s obvious that the women’s team is becoming a special one. I went to the LSU game and they shot lights-out. And they play HARD!!

As for the Husker men, they’re playing their butts off, too, but they just can’t get the ball to go in the hoop. If they could get to where they can shoot at or near 50% from the floor, they can do some business.

Connie Yori has the luxury of having six seniors to work with. Doc Sadler is playing mostly freshman. The question is, will those kids stay patient, or will the bail out and transfer?

Both Sadler and Yori have the same hardhat, lunch pail coaching philosophy. If it worked for Connie, it should eventually work for Doc.

A few more “fannies in the seats” would help things.

"No 00:01 Chances!!"

by Section 37 on Jan 18, 2010 7:54 PM CST reply actions

what is this "Basketball"?

I am intrigued… So the round orange ball goes in the orange circle draped in a net? and you have to bounce said ball onto the ground every two steps? Hmm, you’ve piqued my interest, basketball, we’ll talk soon…

by Aztecrex on Jan 19, 2010 11:39 AM CST reply actions

Talent is missing...

For anyone watching the Men’steam, all you have to do is spend some time watching other big games around the country…..and you’ll see why we are near the bottom of the Big 12 each year.

The talent that exists at the better programs like KU, Villanova, Kentucky, etc. is far beyond what we have, or could expect to have. The guys are bigger, but also a bit faster and benefit from growing up on the playgrounds. This translates to being able to improvise and make plays when the defense is clamping down.

We dont’ have guys like that. They get into a bind, and freeze or force bad shots. Cheering for NEbraska basketball is fun, and they have limited success at times…but hiring a new coach is the wrong move unless they can recruit guys away from KU and Texas. Not likely.

"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"

GO BIG RED!

by Brian Speers on Jan 19, 2010 11:47 AM CST reply actions