Grambling State at Nebraska: The Coming of ConnieBall

[ChipperF1]

"I'm just running out of ways of saying "Nebraska sucks".
"I always knew Nebraska had no heart, a bad coach and limited talent. Last night, I learned how dumb Nebraska is, too.
"These kids embarass themselves and just don't care."
"Nebraska did what they do best, quit."
"Wait a minute. I cheer for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. I should know better by now. They don't win games on the road against ranked teams.
"This was the most sissified, lilly-livered, gutless effort I've EVER seen from a Nebraska team in any sport."
"This ballclub is embarassing the uniform, and embarassing themselves."

I will say it right now. Even though we open a season with limited talent and limited expectations, I do expect to not post sentiments like these, because this team won't earn them.

Tonight, Nebraska Womens Basketball opens a new season. The Huskers are picked to finish dead last in the Big 12. At the end of the season, this team will be watching the postseason on TV, not playing in it.

But, what Husker fans will see is a team that can achieve something that is equal to a Big 12 championships to me. They will wash away the bad taste of last year teams. The most gutless, heartless, inept, uncaring, sissified group I've ever seen wear a Nebraska uniform in any collegiate sport.

The biggest reason why, even with my criticisms of her, is new head coach Connie Yori.
So far, there isn't a move I've disagreed with. First, she built a solid staff. They are not the pedigreed staff, but all are effective. Getting Amy Stephens on board as the first officer was great move.
Second, she instilled her principles and her standard, and based on the exhibition results, its paying off. I often heard her say as coach at Creighton in her practice, "Enjoy this, Love this, and WANT THIS. You picked up a basketball to start with because you love the game and want to compete."
Third, she was Tony Soprano when she needed to be, and that made this fan applaud. Kids who spent last season quitting on themselves and their teammates got whacked Jersey City-style.
Fourth, she's positively remotivating people who may have been disaffected (yes, Katie Morse. I'm talking to you.) or disinterested (yes, Margaret Richards. I'm talking to you.)

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to ConnieBall. The team may not be the best team, but they'll fight 40 minutes.

This team may be a losing team this season. But I guarantee you, that the people on it will not be losers, and there is a difference.

Tonight: Nebraska 75, Grambling State 52
Next: Rice at home Sunday, and our first ChipperPreview of the season.

[NorthForty]

Chipper - I've been wondering where you were. I was a little disappointed with the lack of comments on the UNK vs. UNL exhibition game. I was present at the game and would have liked to hear your version. I agree that the Huskers play much more inspired and will play to the final horn all season long.

Katie Morse and Margret Richards have transformed into leaders by their actions on the floor. If Keisha Cannon was healthly the team would probably upset some people.

Good Luck to the Huskers.

[HuskerFan86]

I will be very interested to see how the team plays tonight against Grambling. The key factor for the Huskers will be how well they take care of the ball. Grambling led the nation in steals last year, and if Nebraska can keep the TOs below 20, I think the Huskers will roll. Grambling is not a good shooting team, and if Nebraska can limit the steals, they will neutralize GSU's offense. If Jina can keep the Huskers in system, and run the offense, Katie Morse should have a great game because of Grambling's small lineup. In the end, I think Nebraska will dictate the tempo, and stifle GSU's half court offense.

My Pick:
NU 68 Grambling 49


Also, it has already been released that Keasha and Jamie Wendelin will redshirt this season and come back next year, but they could be joined by Margaret Richards. Since Richards didn't play her freshman year, she could actually have two senior seasons. Yori said that if Margaret wants to return, they will appeal to the NCAA and get her another year of eligibility. With Cannon and new-and-improved Margaret there for senior leadership, next year's team could be very dangerous...

[This message has been edited by HuskerFan86 (edited 11-22-2002).]

[elfdenmom]

Good luck to Nebraska tonight. I hope they start the long road back with a convincing win. Go Big XII!

[HuskerFan86]

http://www.huskersnside.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_MENU_ID=325&SPSID=29&SPID=25&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=4937

Huskers win 63-40 to open the Connie Yori era. As I thought, Nebraska smothered Grambling by controlling the pace of the game, and hammering GSU in the paint. Alexa Johnson had a career night, as she scored 24 points on 8-14 shooting and also contributed 13 rebounds. Margaret Richards also posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. Katie Morse had 12 points and Amanda Cleveland chipped in with career highs of 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 28 minutes - way to go AC! NU only suited 7 players, but the walk-ons played a combined total 0f 43 minutes, and only had 2 TOs between them.

This is a good way to start the season, with each victory this year, the program takes another step towards rehabilitation.

P.S. Chipper: My pick was closer... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

[ChipperF1]

Remember Chipper's rule from last season.

"You don't get any points for beating Calista Flockhart in an eating contest."

Tonight was a corollary: If you are just like Calista, its a fair win.

Nebraska put something nice together in a 63-40.

WHAT WORKED FOR NEBRASKA

1. Defense: Katie Morse did her job, and Alexa Johnson really did her job. I have a feeling Alexa's taking up the Charlie Rogers mantle. Looks to thin for the job, but does the job. I can't complain with 24 points and 13 rebounds!
Also, Jina "Lupin" Johanson. 7 steals??? WOW! She stole so much from Grambling State that the Tigers thought she was Kenneth Lay.

2. Margaret Richards: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 6 steals?? She didn't shoot as well as she did in exhibition play, but she's making plays, period. I hope she keeps this up? Does the Big 12 have a "most improved player" award. I'd like to place Margaret's name in nomination now.
Ah, the magic of ConnieBall http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

3. Lacey Hanson and Kala Sledge: This team has that 1997 feeling. They even have their own J.J. Jurgens and Amy Gusso! Two walk-on come in and they do something. I'm not expecting this every game, but their earning their keep.
I'll take them over some of the departed anyday!

WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR NEBRASKA

1. Turnovers: It was opening night, 23 turnovers is not a good sign, even though Grambling State is known for creating turnovers. Fourteen of them came from the backcourt. Six by Johanson and six by Richards. That is not acceptable against the teams to come.

2. Three Point Shooting: Given that we'll need a quality long-range deterrent to mask our depleted numbers, I'm not enthuised by a night were an entire team shoots like K.C. Cowgill. 0-for-9?

Overall Outlook: We beat a team from the SWAC, that I'm not surprised about. We beat them by 23, that I'm surprised about.

This makes me happy. A bash-free post game report!!! ConnieBall had opening night jitters but it was a great start for a new era.

The candypants era of Nebraska Womens Basketball ended this evening.

Next: Rice

http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/nu.gif Womens Basketball
2002-2003: The Season Of NO SURRENDER