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Every day, World-Herald columnist Tom Shatel will answer your questions about all things sports, available only on Omaha.com. Click here to submit a question.
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From: Marty, Omaha
Published Monday, Feb. 22
Parking, parking, parking. Well if they build a new arena in Lincoln, will it include parking? Where in the world would we park?
I have been a Husker fan for 40 years and I have only been to a few Husker hoops games at the Devaney Center. The number one reason I have not been a more regular attender is parking. I think they can just fix up the Devaney and add some quality parking. They don't need a new arena for Husker basketball.
If they build a new arena and don't improve the parking, then they won't improve attendance (much). It is probably too early to talk about parking, but have you heard anything? Will they build a walking bridge over the tracks to the West to some decent parking?
Who wants to drive an hour from Omaha into a strange, dark neighborhood, at night, several blocks from civilization, in the dead of winter, to watch a game and then have to find their way back to their cold car, scrape the weather off of it, and drive it, cold, for another hour to get back home? At least they could show some effort and make the parking experience a little more convenient.
I've been told they would build three parking garages along with it. You're right. Life is all about getting good parking.
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From: Bobby D., Grand Island
Published Wednesday, Feb. 17
Tom, I saw your response to the question about St. Edward's success ... sorry, it's no Parkersburg, Iowa (population of 1,900). Currently, four NFL players hail from Parkersburg (Casey Wiegmann, Brad Meester, Jared DeVries, Aaron Kampman).
Apparently I stand corrected!
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From: Andrew, Omaha
Published Tuesday, Feb. 16
Tom, I noticed in your Sunday column about potential conference realignments that you consider the Big 12 the best basketball conference in the country this year. Do you watch much basketball? Was that a plug for NU coach Doc Sadler? I am fine with considering Kansas the best team in the country, but let's not go overboard on the rest of the conference. The Big East has four teams in the Top 10 (Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia and Georgetown) and another strong team in Pittsburgh rounding out the Top 25. The Big 12 is probably the second-best conference, but it isn't even a comparison. The Big 12 has never had the kind of depth the Big East has this year and this isn't even a banner season for the Big East. Get with it.
I don't necessarily disagree, because of Texas' fall. But the Big 12 is the No. 1 league in the RPI, and a lot of that has to do with nonconference wins. Since you I received your note, Syracuse lost to Louisville at home (bad loss) and Georgetown lost to Rutgers (bad loss). So I'm not sure there is a great league out there, or one that stands out. I'd take a Kansas-Syracuse NCAA final right now, though. Or, even better, Kansas-Kentucky, with a Self-Calipari rematch from 2008.
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From: Beav, Gothenburg
Published Feb. 15, 2010
Christian Standhardinger and Jorge Brian Diaz are freshmen. They're playing in a conference that is lights out this year. Every coach in the conference admits that playing against Doc's crew is a real job. So I ask you, why can't the Nebraska fan base just appreciate Doc Sadler for what he is ... the best basketball coach this state has ever had? He's done more with less than anyone in the conference this year and in years past. So why don't we just give Doc a pat on the back and say what 85 percent of Nebraska fan's are thinking: “Good job, Doc!â€
Doc can X and O with just about anyone. I'm a big Doc fan, but I am guilty of getting a little bit too much drool on my shirt. Having said that, I'm also a bottom-line guy, and Doc can't touch Danny Nee's record (five NCAA's, one Big Eight tourney title, a No. 3 seed in the NCAA's in 1991) or Dana Altman's record at Creighton.
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Name: JM, Columbus
Published Sunday, Feb. 14
Here's a question to start a discussion within your staff: Is St. Edward the greatest small-town producer of athletes in Nebraska history? You have the following brothers: Fischers, Miceks and now Shanles. I can't think of another small town to rival that list.
I think you're right on. And I would put that group against any small town in the Midwest. And I would be curious to know what other small towns that size around the country have produced as many NFL players.
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From: Steve A., Omaha
Published Saturday, Feb. 13
I keep seeing speculation from Colorado and Missouri fans about expansion of the Big Ten and Pac-10 Conferences. Do you think there is a real possibility that either of these conferences add teams in the next five years?
The Pac-10 came out this week and said it was going to look at expansion. To me, you don't even announce that unless you have reason to think two schools would make the move. I think it's coming. I think this time, the Big Ten and Pac-10 both expand. And MU and CU are both viable candidates, though the rumors in Big Ten land lean toward Pitt right now. I would think CU and Utah would be a package deal, travel partners, etc., for the Pac-10. Stay tuned. I don't want a Big 12 with both Houston and TCU replacing MU and CU. That's tilted too far south and neither of those schools helps toward a future TV deal.
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From: Bruce F., Sioux City
Published Friday, Feb. 12
Tom, do you think this year would have turned out better for NU coach Doc Sadler if:
1) Christopher Niemann hadn't hurt his knee again,
2) Christian Standhardinger would have started the year at the beginning of the season, allowing Brandon Ubel (who doesn't look at all like he's ready) to redshirt, and
3) the team played some tougher nonconference games, win or lose?
A lot of ifs, but you always wonder. Next year I don't want to hear the youth excuse.
I think it would be different, but how much better? I don't know. With this schedule, I still think NU is one game (Iowa State at home) off where I thought the Huskers would be at this point. Yes, I counted a loss at Colorado; the Buffs are better and they're hard to beat out there. And, yes, you are correct sir, next year is a no-excuses kind of year.
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From: Chuck, Burwell, Neb.
Published Feb. 11, 2010
Tom, sorry this isn't related much to sports, but I had to chuckle when you confessed you only earned a D in Econ 51. Do you suppose it would have helped if you would have went to class? Just checking.
That's the really embarrassing part. I did go to class!
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Name: Monk, Mons, Belgium
Published Wednesday, Feb. 10
You are showing how young you are when you talk “Greatest QB Ever†with Joe Montana, John Elway and Troy Aikman. I have to go with Roger Staubach (after a five-year layoff, no less, and, oh yeah â€" I am a Cowboys hater, too) and Terry Bradshaw is better than each of the aforementioned except for Montana. Just my opinion.
My age (51) is intact. It's my memory that needs some work!
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Name: M. Perry, Des Moines
Published Tuesday, Feb. 9
Tom, do you think anybody has considered the location of Sapp Fieldhouse as a cause for low attendance at UNO basketball games? The Fieldhouse is harder to get to than the Devaney Center. UNO still has quite a few night classes that take up parking. Additionally, UNO is doing a major renovation to the recreation center which has taken away the entire parking lot in front of Sapp Fieldhouse. Why would a family want to go to a Division II basketball game in the middle of winter (especially like the one we're having now) knowing that a 15-minute walk is pretty much inevitable? Additionally, a move up to Division I-AA in football means they would be Division I in basketball. This would give UNO a chance to make it to the big dance and play teams such as Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Minnesota every year in a nonconference schedule. I see the move being beneficial. Your thoughts?
That's certainly a possibility. But I think being Division II has more to do with it. If you are a casual basketball fan in Omaha, you are going to the Creighton game, not UNO. I think a move to Division I would help. They would schedule some fun teams (almost all on the road, of course), including Creighton. But to get folks to show up, you would have to win. That could be tough in D-I.
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From: Fred, Juniata, Neb.
Published Monday, Feb. 8
Tom, perhaps you should find out more facts surrounding the possibility of building a new basketball arena to be shared by the city of Lincoln and the University of Big Red before giving your blessing to the project. Some questions come to my mind, such as what will happen to the Devaney Center, and will the old Coliseum be abandoned by the volleyball team to play its contests in a renovated Devaney? What about total cost of this move to a new arena and money spent to transform the old facility(s) so the university can continue to use them? I'll bet you that the faculty will have reservations about more money being spent on athletics and not on academics.
My understanding is the Devaney Center would remain open for Olympic sports like track, wrestling and gymnastics. There wouldn't be a lot of money spent to do that, if any. Volleyball is staying put in the Coliseum. I'll tell you this: there will be a whole bunch of money â€" UNL money â€" spent on renovating the Devaney if they don't go to the new arena. We're talking millions there. Going downtown sounds like a better financial deal than staying at the Devaney. Then again, I got a D in Econ 51.
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From: Jayfan, Omaha
Published Sunday, Feb. 7
At some point, doesn't some of the blame for the Creighton men's basketball woes go to the assistant coaches? I see a direct correlation between the horrific free-throw and shooting woes the Jays are experiencing, and the departure of Kevin McKenna. It has gotten progressively worse since he left. And the quality of athlete we are getting has also taken a tumble. Will Altman shake up his staff next year? We need to get better players and somebody needs to teach the basics â€" someone in the McKenna mold. This staff is not getting the job done.
You are the first Jays fan I've heard say the quality of athlete is down. But not the first to say there should be changes on the staff. Let's see how this season goes first. I wouldn't rule anything out now.
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From: Bruce F., Sioux City
Published Feb. 6, 2010
It's been a long, long winter, so I want to warm it up with this question. Do you think Nebraska baseball will rebound from last year's below-average season? If not, will NU coach Mike Anderson's job be on the line? I'm ready for baseball.
Thanks, I needed some warming-up. I've never been more ready for baseball; heck, even 45-degree baseball! I think Coach A put himself in the focus, or crosshairs, if you will, last year. I have no idea what Tom Osborne expects from baseball. But the fans expect a trip to Oklahoma City (Big 12 tourney) every year and an NCAA regional most years. I think a return to OKC is a must this year. And I do think they will rebound, but that's putting faith in returning players who struggled last season. I think the fire is lit.
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From: Dave, Kansas City
Published Friday, Feb. 5, 2010
Many times I see the men's basketball question asked, “Will Nebraska ever be able to recruit the top-flight player?†To date I don't see it happening. How about this plan: Get rid of the “pass the ball around for 35 seconds and put up a hurried shot†offense. Always saying we are looking for the best shot. The best shot may have come in the first 10 seconds. Besides, do the great high school players want to hear “Come to our school and I will teach you how to play defense and you will be able to average 9 points per game?†Or, do they want to hear “Come to our school and we will be putting up shots every 10 seconds?†Recruiting at North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville is one thing but at the non-elite teams you had better take a far different approach if you want to recruit the top players. What do you think?
I think the best players want to go somewhere where they can be on TV, get playing time, win championships and get playing time. I've seen plenty of good recruits go to play defense. What do you think they do at North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky? They work a lot on defense. You can't play there without knowing how to play defense. To get things jumpstarted at a place like Nebraska, you have to find a niche, a recruiting tie-in, a city or area of the country where you can get players consistently. Doc is trying the international angle. I say it's a risk but at Nebraska that's what you do, you take risks. That's where they are. It's interesting that people are starting to come down on Doc. That's a good sign. That means somebody still cares.
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From: MR, La Vista
Published Feb. 4, 2010
What is with the poor sports marketing from Nebraska? In order to get a kids size No. 93 jersey, I had to buy a non-licensed jersey. Nebraska women's basketball is having a year like no other. Why are they not promoting it to encourage all girls in the state to purchase Nebraska licensed basketball items? They should be selling a ton of youth No. 23 Kelsey Griffin jerseys. The volleyball team has been elite for years and the sale of volleyball jerseys, t-shirts, etc. is not what it could be. Nebraska could not only make quite a bit of money now, but by selling these type of items, it gets the kids interested in these sports. Maybe a potential buyer of a No. 23 women's basketball jersey is the next Kelsey Griffin. Do you have any idea why the marketing is almost nonexistent?
Good stuff and I totally agree. I will pass this on to the proper marketing gurus in Lincoln.
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From: Bobby D., Omaha
Published Feb. 3, 2010
I have a question about UNO going up a step to Division I. The same week you ran your column about the move, The World-Herald ran a story about the lack of attendance at UNO men's basketball games. So, even if UNO builds a nice little arena, will anyone show up to see them play Denver/Mo.-Kansas City/South Dakota, etc. on cold Tuesday night? What about football. The Huskers are playing whoever and with UNO playing a North Dakota or Western Illinois, I don't see more then a few thousand over at Canagila, which would have to expand greatly. The thing is, UNO's best gates are when they play UNK!
I hear what you're saying, but if UNO makes the move one day, it won't be because of basketball. The move will be made because UNO's enrollment and growth demand a move up to where its peers, a la North Dakota and South Dakota, are. I think football will do fine. UNO would be in a league with the Missouri Valley schools or back with North Dakota and North Dakota State, etc. I think UNO would draw well as a I-AA school. And don't forget, UNO would likely get a game every year or every other year against Iowa, Kansas State, Iowa State, etc. That's a heck of a marketing tool right there.
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From: OJ, Omaha
Published Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010
I can tell you this Tom, should UNO decide to build their own arena on campus, they will not be able to sell alcohol. If you think people are going to show up for a UNO or Lancers games with no alcohol, I have some bad news for you. They need to stay at Qwest Center Omaha and just win baby!
That's a good point. Trev and I discussed that. The regents would have to approve that, but I think since UNO has had a clean reputation at the Qwest Center for hockey games and beer, they would have a shot at getting that.
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