I’ve often been told I should’ve considered medical school.  I certainly have the penmanship for it and of course there’s the old saying that the money wasn’t there.  The reason, however, is that I’ve always been a fan of just what makes people tick and while human beings are sometimes very illogical creatures (cue Spock references), sometimes they are extremely predictable.

As Mike or "Jax" as I like to call him whether he likes it or not pointed out, Bo Pelini visited Columbus, Ohio recently.  Some old stomping grounds not only as the home of Pelini but as a member of THE Ohio State University.  Pelini spoke about a few things such as Frank Solich down the road and no I’m not making the easy jokes today, he took a few veiled swipes at the Callahan administration which is all in good fun I’m sure but the reason I’m speaking with you today isn’t about any of that.  It’s about doors.  No, we’re not waxing poetic about Jim Morrison, though feel free to in the comment section.

So what do doors have to do with Nebraska football?  As you may remember Steve Pederson had some installed on the end of the new tunnel that leads the Cornhuskers to the field featuring some of Nebraska’s earliest all-stars.  These would be opened by Nebraska military servicepersons and send a red horde onto the field causing much joy and revelry.  Honestly I thought they were kinda cool, could take ‘em or leave ‘em really, but I liked the nod to the military boys and thought it was a nice gesture for them to be a part of that tradition.

Problem is according to Bo, Tom doesn’t like ‘em.  Well, fact of the matter is what Tom says goes much like the flowing Missouri River and before the Western Michigan game no doubt they will be gone.  Is this not comical to anyone else?  Does anyone not see the irony in this act?  Tom Osborne has ordered the removal of doors featuring guys like Ed Weir because Steve Pederson, a man who helped organize and recruit through one of the most dominating eras in college football history I might add, put them up.  Wrap your mind around that for a second.

Of course now that this is happening, folks start talking about removing everything Pederson introduced be it the "Power of Red" slogan or the block "N".  Here’s the thing: The old Husker logo, you know, the one with the script across it?  It looks idiotic and juvenile.  It looks mid-90s because it was and still is mid-90s.  The current "N" is crisp, clean, minimalist in natural and honestly something that I figured Nebraska fans can at least give Pederson credit for introducing.  I also enjoy the "Power of Red" slogan because quite honestly that is a nod to the fans not to mention the signs above each and every entryway on Memorial Stadium’s gates.  When you’re talking about taking away homage to yourself just because you don’t like the guy who put it there...wow there’s some money to be made in therapy these days.

In the end though, sure, take the doors.  Take down the "N", take the slogan, move the students back so people can see, do it your way Tom.  Just make sure you don’t announce anything like this because after all, we wouldn’t be hearing from you much again as you stated.  Unfortunately actions speak much louder than words and for a gentleman who forgot more about football AND psychology than I know, I find it almost silly that the reasoning behind all this is so obvious.  I feel the worst for Bo though.  He’s the mouthpiece and even I have to wonder if he’s not shaking his head after an appearance once in a while.

It’s been my amateur opinion that in the game of college football recruiting that barring a massively successful season commitments following a spring game are unlikely until summer camps begin.  Shawn Bodtmann and Thaddeus Randle decided to prove me and several others wrong.  Let’s see what we have with the two newest additions to the 2008-2009 Cornhusker Class.

Name: Shawn Bodtmann Projected position: Linebacker
Height: 6’0" Weight: 205 pounds

As a junior for West Scranton High School, Bodtmann played both sides of the football.  As a running back he displayed a quick burst out of the backfield followed by an immediate trust in his line.  This allowed him to crank things into full gear and speed towards the end zone ready to batter and bruise anyone who got in his way.  Speed and power: two things you look for in a linebacker.  

He has vision and uses it well to watch a quarterback’s eyes.  I’ve seen several highly ranked prospects struggle significantly with that so +1 for Shawn.  He clearly has no regard for his physical well-being or at least that’s what film would indicate.  That’s a negative as he needs to both allow himself to grow and put on added muscle mass before bringing that mentality to the Big XII.  Is Bodtmann quick, slippery and hard-hitting?  Absolutely and I’m anxious to see what he’ll do during his senior season, however no doubt the Nebraska coaching staff is equally as excited to see what teammate and highly rated offensive tackle Eric Shrive does.

Name: Thaddeus Randle Projected position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’1" Weight: 255 pounds

We’ll address this up front: Don’t think for a second that Randle hasn’t been measured for the potential of growth.  I’d wager an inch or two is still left in his frame and Glenn Dorsey didn’t seem to have much trouble at 6’2".  I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’.  Randle definitely has the "run stuffer" portion of his resume down.  My chief complaint is that he locks up with his man far too much and dances with him in the event he can nab a tackle.  Another year of camps and work will ideally change that up.

What most intrigues me about "Thad" is his frame.  He’s got the tools to play defensive tackle.  I’m not going to argue that.  He has the frame, however, not to be Dorsey but be Dorsey-esque and I think that’s what Pelini saw in this young man.  I do have concerns about Texas A&M with Tim Cassidy on their staff.  Tim knows a thing or two about how to play this chess match and it’s going to be interesting to see if Pelini & Co. can keep Mr. Randle around.  For any worrywarts, look at it this way: At one point David Whitmore was considered by some (myself included) as the least likely to sign with Nebraska.  I was wrong.  Don’t let me down, Thad.

[ED - Bumped from the diaries yet again....]

The city of Lincoln has been looking towards building a new convention center area and arena in the west Haymarket area (near Haymarket Park) for some time now, and now the Journal-Star reports that the mayor has selected the Lincoln Traction Partners' proposal.

The proposal, which will go before Lincoln voters next year, contains the new Haymarket Arena (to replace the aging Pershing center), a 150-room hotel attached to the arena with 70 club-suite like rooms that face into the arena, a second 250-seat hotel near the arena, and three parking garages with built-in retail space.

The arena would likely (as seen in LTP's video) be the new home for Husker Basketball.  The arena looks to be NBA-caliber (like the Qwest Center), and would immediately be one of the top facilities in the Big XII.

Once again I sit at a chair next to the Big 12 Roundtable.  Matt from The Crimson and Cream Machine challenged us to speak of spring and what hope may or may not spring eternal.  Blankman sayeth:

1. Who are some of the new faces that emerged in the spring who could be serious playmakers for your team this fall?

A good question.  I think that Nebraska’s offensive linemen as a whole stepped up large in the spring and made some great strides.  I also think that Lance Thorell stepped up, but he could be this year’s Garth Glissman (also known as the guy we don’t hear about after the Spring Game).  I loved what I saw out of WR Curenski Gilleylen.

2. What is your biggest concern following the spring?

The defensive front seven.  Injuries and departures not to mention flat out inexperience plagues this bunch.  Not to say they will be an entire liability, but they do need to step up.  If Ndamukong Suh can come back and regain his former glory, that will help immensely along with the addition of incoming linebacker Will Compton who looks to vie for immediate playing time at MIKE.

3.  Any major changes (philosophy, coaching or personnel) that you are concerned or worried about?

Yeah, Barney Cotton.  This guy’s got about as much between the ears as Mr. Potato Head except I think I’d trust Mr. Potato Head more with my offensive line.

4.  Looking over the 2008 which home and away game will be the most difficult?

Home: Missouri
Away: Oklahoma with Texas Tech a close second

5.  Time for your way too early predictions (Yes, you can change them in August). Rank how you see your division finishing up next season.

1. Missouri

2. Nebraska

3. Colorado

4. Kansas

5. Kansas State

6. Iowa State

[editor's note, by corn blight] - Bumped from the diaries... we need a basketball update...

It's a week and a half into the late signing period now, and although it has certainly been an eventful week and a half for Doc Sadler and the Huskers, it has not necessarily been good news.

First off, the Huskers have had only a single official visit, when 6-10 huge man Melvin Oliver visited Lincoln during last weekend's Spring football game.  However, the visit was apparently unproductive, as Oliver promptly verbally committed to Seton Hall, pending an official visit there next weekend.

The week continued to get interesting when assistant coach and key recruiter Tony Benford left for Marquette.  Then on Thursday , Doc told the Journal-Star that he would leave the scholarship open if he did not sign a transfer.

[ED - Bumped from the diaries....]

Doc Sadler has been busy lately on the recruiting trail.  Nebraska has two scholarships currently available (Aleks Maric is graduating, and Shang Ping is transferring) and rumors suggest that another player may announce the intent to transfer soon.  Nebraska signed two players in the early signing period -- 6'5" Wing and California JuCo player of the year Roburt Sallie (who will be coming in with three years left, and was originally signed to come to NU), as well as German 6-11 big man Christian Niemann.  However, Niemann's eligibility is in doubt, mostly due to his playing for a German club team that paid some of its players.

So with potentially 2 scholarships left to give, who is Doc out recruiting?

Men's Basketball season ends tonight and I have to wonder who you're rooting for, or who you expect to win - Kansas or Memphis?

I've typically ended up rooting for Kansas throughout the year due to Nebraska's lack of basketball prowess. It's become harder since Roy Williams left - I've never had a liking for Bill Self, maybe because he turned us down  few years ago, and maybe because he's just.... well I think he's kind of a slickster. I've never had a strong liking for John Calipari for the same reason, so it kind of cancels that out.

Both teams look really good and Kansas has not yet choked. Memphis looks unstoppable. I'll be rooting for Kansas because, well, because that's what I've always done, but I don't think they can beat Memphis unless Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers catch on fire from the outside.

I'm glad I don't bet on games. It would take the fun out of them if I had something to lose.

Your thoughts?

Aleks Maric' Husker career came to an end with last night's 85-75 overtime loss to Ole Miss. Fitting that he finished with another double-double. I was fairly critical of Maric early in the season, but the guy came on strong as the season continued as the basketball team as a whole got a lot better.

I'd like to thank Maric for returning to the Husker basketball team when he just as easily could have left as Doc Sadler arrived on the scene. We wouldn't have been near the team without him. There's not a better compliment  you can get than to have people worried about how to replace you after you've left, and successfully replacing Aleks Maric will be a big key to success next season. It won't be an easy task for Doc Sadler.

Maric has the stats that'll stand at Nebraska for a long time. I don't have any insight as to whether he can make it in the NBA or another pro league because I pay absolutely no attention to professional basketball. I wish him all the best wherever his career takes him.

Opponent: Mississippi Rebels

Date: Monday, March 24, 2008,8:05 p.m. CDT      

Listen:Huskers Sports Network
TV: ESPNU
Arena:Tad Smith Coliseum (8,910)

Please use this thread to discuss the NIT Tounament Nebraska - Mississippi basketball game

• Ole Miss and Nebraska are the #2 and #3 seeded teams in their NIT bracket, respectively.  
• Ole Miss plays tough defense like Nebraska, but plays more uptempo on offense. They have bigger guys than we do, and what we need to watch is whether Aleks Maric can play inside without getting into foul trouble, and whether we can hit well on our perimeter shooting.
• They would stick this darned thing on ESPNU, which is just about the only sports channel that I don't get.
• Been stuck at work tonight, just got home, and I'm hoping for a Husker victory.

Nebraska took game two against the Sooners today, 4-3. They tried to lose it in the ninth inning, allowing three runs, but held on and won. That's saying a lot about this team - that they continue to find ways to win games.

We're 5-0 in the Big 12 now, although not the only undefeated Big 12 team as Mizzou has gone 2-0 against Baylor without allowing a run in two games. Texas has already won their series with Texas Tech,

Keep in mind that that we've beaten KSU and OU, two teams that we're supposed to beat. We should be happy with it, but not all gaga about it, as the Big 12 is a damned tough conference this year. The pitching looks good, the offense is opportunistic, although we could use a little more power, but the key (as shown today) - we continue to find ways to keep winning.

We can sweep OU tomorrow and I hope we do, we can use all the wins we can get before we play Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M, Missouri, and Oklahoma State, all the teams we need to beat to guarantee post-season play.

Kansas State and Tech Tech are out of any running for anything already this season. Kansas is... struggling.

Nice win over Charlotte last night in the NIT tourney, 66-48. Not many will notice as the Big Dance starts today, but it was a great game to watch. Doc Sadler has turned the Cornhuskers into something reminiscent of Tom Osborne's football teams. Play hard, play tough defense, wear the other team down and win the game at the end.

Sadlers' philosophy should keep us in any game we play provided his teams continue to execute. With Sadler's temperament that doesn't appear it will be a problem.

Husker fans are happy to see the post-season, this season at least. Keep the team practicing, and keep Aleks Maric around for as long as possible. Last night he became only the second player in Nebraska basketball history to reach 1,000 rebounds. He's only the fifth player in the Big 12 to accomplish that feat. He could set another record in the second-round NIT game as he's only 10 rebounds behind single-season record holder Venson Hamilton at 325.

As I said before, most of this will go unnoticed.

Unfortunately, the basketball team's relative success and the football team's demise isn't lost on everyone. This morning as I was working at my customer site in Wisconsin, a colleague noted Nebraska's NIT win, turned to me and stated:

"So, do you think now Nebraska will consider itself a basketball school?"

He had a nice big grin on his face. I could only grin back, but as I did I was saying a silent prayer that Bo Pelini is the answer, that Doc Sadler finds a big guy to replace Aleks Maric and that I'll be back at this site again this time next year.

Well, Nebraska's basketball season continues as they were named a #3 seed in the NIT.  First up is a matchup with #6 seed Charlotte, coached by Bobby Lutz at the Bob Devaney Center.  The game is scheduled for Wednesday night at 8 pm central time, and will be televised on ESPN Classic.  Tickets will go on sale at huskers.com later tonight.

Other teams in this bracket are:  #1 Virginia Tech, #2 Ole Miss, #4 Virginia Commonwealth, #5 Alabama-Birmingham, #7 Cal-Santa Barbara, and #8 Morgan State.

The winner of the NU/Charlotte game will play the winner of Ole Miss/Cal Santa Barbara.  The winner of that game will play the survivor of VT/VCU/UAB/MS.  Home games are supposed to be awarded to the higher seed, pending availability of the arena.  There are four brackets, and the winner of each bracket advances to the NIT Semis at Madison Square Garden.

The selection of Charlotte has a certain humor factor going for it.  In 2005, with a Barry Coller coached squad getting beaten badly in Omaha, a Creighton fan had Bobby Lutz paged to the Nebraska bench over the Qwest Center public address system.