Mike's cousin has been praying steadfastly for rain and those prayers have been answered! And we are thankful!
Of course, the accompanying winds are a bit of a concern, but when I turn on the news and see more tornado activity, I just “shelter in place” and count my lucky stars.
I wasn't planning to talk basketball just because it's time for the annual March Madness, but I just can't help myself. Reading on Monday morning that Creighton women defeated Iowa on Sunday made my day! If you haven't seen Iowa play this year, you have missed an amazing player named Caitlyn Clark. She averages way over 20 points a game, makes threes and free throws, and gets rebounds. The trouble is, she knows she's amazing!
When Iowa played here in Lincoln, she taunted the fans. Thus it was, we were all happy to see her team get beat. And to her credit, she did compliment the Lady Blue Jays for an awesome game; the winning shot was put up by a former Iowa player who transferred this year.
The Nebraska women would have busted my bracket with the first round; I was sure they were going to the Sweet Sixteen. Alas, it was not to be. Maybe next year. They have two native Nebraska freshmen who played a lot and will be back.
Not so for the Nebraska men; their freshman whiz kid has already declared for the draft. And, speaking of transfers, we get Sam Geisel back; he has been playing for North Dakota State.
I don't get the transfer stuff. What happened to the days you recruited first in your home state, and then, developed players. It's not happening, and won't be again. The reason Iowa State men are still in the NCAA tournament? A new coach, and almost all new players!! None of last year's starting five are back; and granted, their record last year was dismal; no wins in the Big Twelve.
And, Jon's Wesleyan friend, Darrin Hanson, who has coached through good times and bad at UNO, was politely shown the door right after a five win season (last year's was the same.) But he had some winning ones, too; they don't seem to count when you are down. In no time, they have a new guy who played for Coach Hanson..He also played football for Sandy Buda. That does take a lot of athleticism and hard work, I'm sure. But he's promising great things for next year..
We all like to hear those promises; it seems to me we heard them from Coach Hoiberg three years ago. He depends on transfers big time, and we haven't seen the results yet.
Do I sound a bit sour? I am. But spring baseball and softball have begun!
