Sadly, the season ended today. So it's time for that annual reflection. First, let's just get this out of the way: Darin Erstad is not getting fired any time soon. And he shouldn't. He took a program that couldn't finish eighth in a ten-team conference three years running and has turned it into an NCAA tournament regular.
Nebraska has made a regional three out of the last four years (and was one win away from another in 2013 or it would be four out of five). That truly is a significant improvement from where the program was as it entered the Big Ten. But I think everyone who follows the team, including those with offices at Haymarket Park, knows the next step has eluded the Huskers. Namely, hosting regionals and/or challenging to win them.
The last time Nebraska did well in the postseason was at the Big Ten tournament in Omaha in 2014. That was a semi-glorious week but since then the record in conference/NCAA tournaments is 1-10. Hot garbage.
So, overall the program is in pretty good shape but the part the majority of us care about most, performing well in the playoffs, has been quite disappointing. I don't know what needs to change but like most everything in this state, I can equate it to football. Is Erstad a Pelini or an Osborne? All three were young, first-time head coaches when they got their gigs. Bo plateaued after 2-3 years, never really changed much and got the axe because he never won anything of substance and had reached his ceiling. Tom twice made radical changes because he couldn't get over the hump and in both cases took the program to new heights. Here's hoping Mr. E. is more like the guy who hired him.
Nebraska has made a regional three out of the last four years (and was one win away from another in 2013 or it would be four out of five). That truly is a significant improvement from where the program was as it entered the Big Ten. But I think everyone who follows the team, including those with offices at Haymarket Park, knows the next step has eluded the Huskers. Namely, hosting regionals and/or challenging to win them.
The last time Nebraska did well in the postseason was at the Big Ten tournament in Omaha in 2014. That was a semi-glorious week but since then the record in conference/NCAA tournaments is 1-10. Hot garbage.
So, overall the program is in pretty good shape but the part the majority of us care about most, performing well in the playoffs, has been quite disappointing. I don't know what needs to change but like most everything in this state, I can equate it to football. Is Erstad a Pelini or an Osborne? All three were young, first-time head coaches when they got their gigs. Bo plateaued after 2-3 years, never really changed much and got the axe because he never won anything of substance and had reached his ceiling. Tom twice made radical changes because he couldn't get over the hump and in both cases took the program to new heights. Here's hoping Mr. E. is more like the guy who hired him.