Huskers Are Turning Heads

[hskrfan4life]

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LINCOLN — Nebraska's ascent to an elite level in women's basketball this season has gained more attention lately, especially among Big 12 coaches.

 

Unranked and barely known to begin the season, the Huskers (16-0) are 3-0 in the Big 12 and tied for first place with Oklahoma State.

 

And they've been shedding skepticism along the way.

 

“It's time you give Connie Yori all the props you can, because Connie has done her job at Nebraska,” Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said Tuesday during the coaches teleconference. “That basketball team is comprised of a lot of good players that play together very, very well. ... I was so impressed with everybody on that team.”

 

Mulkey had a first-hand look at Nebraska Sunday, when her ninth-ranked Bears fell to the Huskers 65-56 in Waco, Texas.

 

Nebraska, which rose to No. 6 in the coaches poll Tuesday, next plays Kansas State at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Devaney Center. So naturally, KSU coach Deb Patterson watched the television with interest as the Huskers beat Baylor.

 

“They just look phenomenal,” the Wildcats' 14-year coach said. “They are so well put together now — just a great, solid understanding of one another and their system. ... It was just so impressive to watch them compete and play with the balance, the confidence and the toughness that they bring to the floor.”

 

The conference coaches picked Nebraska to finish sixth, though the uncertainty of Kelsey Griffin's status may have factored in that prediction.

 

Six months ago, Griffin's return signaled a chance at improvement for Nebraska, which finished 15-16 last season while its star forward recovered from a foot injury.

 

It didn't take long for Griffin and the Huskers to make a statement. They beat then-No. 5 LSU 77-63 on Dec. 20, and turned heads doing it, Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said.

 

“When they beat LSU, the way they beat LSU,” Fennelly said, “I think that really got everybody's attention.”

 

None of the league's coaches are doubting NU now.

 

Griffin is a talented player, but her blend of teammates makes the Huskers tough to beat, Fennelly said.

 

“You have an All-American player surrounded by very good, experienced players,” he said. “They're playing great basketball. It's fun to watch them have such success and get that attention. They deserve it.”

[Vince from ShamWOW]

Maybe Doc should hang with Connie a lot more than what it appears he's doing.