HuskerOnline chats main takeaways from spring ball, Rhule at the Combine, newcomer spotlight & more

0:00With its two juicy beef patties and three slices of melted cheese topped with tangy big arch sauce The big arch is what happens when you start making a McDonald's burger and never stop the big arch the most McDonald's McDonald's burger yet for limited time Well happy Monday and welcome here to another edition of Husker Online headlines Sean Callahan Steve Siple were presented by Sotter Hayman-Jewers will tell you more about them in the show, but Did you have a good weekend? Did you get much done? I think so Yes, just to come just a lot of Not a lot of fun. Just like work and home stuff You know, that's what it is kind of Kind of what it is. Yeah, we I mean we didn't have any sporting events So it's get a party for your we had a team party that was kind of the highlight of the weekend Your third grade. Yeah, you kind of jump me. I go this the late night thing and you go sip It's a party for third grader

1:00That was to be fair to your question Yeah, it ended up being later than we thought we were there till probably like 11 or 10 30. Yeah, that gets a little late That's but it was a good time and we got to watch Husker basketball Saturday. That was always fun. Yeah Yeah, it was a good weekend But you know, we we worked on Saturday. That's the thing. Oh, yeah, you almost forget about we had interview access. Yeah rule It was rule and Owen Chambles and jacquery Barney is actually really productive Yeah, it's and that leads us into our first headline of the show Main takeaways with five spring ball practices now in the books and I wrote this today I think my biggest takeaway is still overall overall is spring football is really operated in the background Mm-hmm a lot of it was the early start date nobody is conditioned around here to begin spring ball That's early. It's never happened before The way the year ended, but then it's the best basketball season we've ever seen at Nebraska

2:02So naturally like the coverage resources and things that are going on it's focused on basketball right now It should be oh, and you made a great point in your your Monday column We haven't we haven't viewed practice. We haven't had a viewing. So You know one of the things that would have been and I'm not this is not complaining But one of the things that would have generated some steam I think is for us to go see what these got what Mubanga looks basically a bunch of Social media video clips of everyone on their cell phones and cameras of the new guy of the new guy Yeah, and and I'm thinking we will get that maybe this week. Maybe. Oh, I don't know though. It's a maybe That's what it is. I heard I heard them say they're official say it's a maybe Keith man, my friend It's a maybe So that that alone the fact that we have not I just hope our listeners understand we have not laid eyes on these guys Bob a lot a Brendan Black Dexter Foster. Yeah Quasigilmer we have laid eyes on Owen Chambers, which is a takeaway by the way

3:05Owen Chambers at the podium on Saturday six three two 38 We don't want we're not doing this podium game here where we judge people on their podium game But he is very striking physically pretty mature guy Yeah, he's the kind of guy you you know if he can He's got a play. I mean he's but but he's a very verbal guy And you know what's going on. He's gonna help Orange He's gonna help Orange basically implement that defense But also keep things in line on the field He said I can I can direct traffic up front and behind me He's he's that burst in the defense. Well, Anthony Colandry. We haven't seen him yet See that would generate a lot of that could generate buzz, you know You see Calandry in a practice setting We haven't the only guy I know that's seen him was that guy we talked to in Las Vegas at the Vegas for Nebraska And then said told us back then Nebraska will be recruiting this guy. Where were we at the what was that place? Oh god, I'm putting it on the sponsor. Sorry. It was a Vegas for Nebraska's event at a bar off the strip and

4:07That guy that was just a he was a season ticket older you and LV But a huge Husker fan. He's like Nebraska Because why aren't they gonna recruit this guy in the portal? I go to every you and LV game and he's really good About that. It's only guy. Oh, she's a construction work the guy you might He's holy guy though that I Other than Michael Sabir who watches like 55 games a weekend You know, he's watched a lot of you and LV but this guy has been to you and LV games in person In in Klandria at that moment was not on the radar at all. Oh, he was nowhere near the radar So you had Katie Minchi at that moment was basically locked in yep, and then bailed on the wedding day. Yeah And they had to find a new bride and where they go Vegas Happens Anyway, they yeah, that's a take like that's a big takeaway though that it has been quiet We haven't seen anything By design rule, you know mat rules. It's you know what's going on. It's on purpose which which I think we all think is fine

5:10um Another takeaway Hmm, I mean the I would say this the early reviews on Klandria are very good. I mean there you heard I mean a lot of our takeaways come from your Your recruiting event night at St. Michael's What Jamar Mosy said and he was glowing in his comments I thought particularly glowing about that guy right there Anthony Klandria and the offensive line was it was would you say those were the most glowing comments you heard from Mosy those yeah the quasi-gilmer I yeah, yeah, and That's something that not just Mo everybody Dan Holgerson has talked positively about the impact he should give them like he should be an immediate helper. Yeah, the people we talked to off, you know off The record at sea practice Gilmer's popped Um, that's that's a big subject Maybe they're number one receiver

6:11And I say 100 will have something to say about that. Yeah, and you know, Jenaer Bonner I thought he's not going through springboard But Dana Holgerson is quick to point out that he will factor in and kind of Answer some questions about who's that extra tight end. Yep, because you have Carter Nelson out right now And then Luke Linemire But then Luke Sorenson is going to probably factor in as a true freshman That's something that's a takeaway by the way the Sorenson talk is real Yeah, and that was another one at St. Michael's where Mosy was very very high on on him Yeah, Sorenson you identify someone that could play right away and it sounds like that's That's where this is headed Yeah, you look at their recruiting class and they're just a handful of guys where you can tell They invested resource to land and Danny Odom at corner be one caught in Puma at tackle But I would say Sorenson at tight end has to be One of the key pieces that they went after hard as an investment recruit There's that then another takeaway. I thought was Dana's up Dana Holgerson's appearance where he looked where he was

7:14he kind of Bit back at the media a little bit where the question by Sam it was a great question by Sam the reporter Sam McEwan About have you heard sort of the Criticism of you guys not going into the portal from fans and Dana says is it fans or is it you guys You know fans are you guys and Sam appropriately said basically bull thing is right But but then Dana answered the question He said if Quentin knives didn't have the December that he had We might have went after somebody that was the most That was the strongest comment in that discussion that I've heard that if if I was wouldn't have a strong December We might have went and got somebody when you think about 2024 going into the year Dante Dalbell had a limited body of work at Oregon. You didn't really know what he was bringing really limited Image Johnson had a very limited body of work. They really wanted gave urban junior to work It didn't work. It didn't work and then Ramirez Johnson Obviously provided a spark at times, but he battled injuries throughout his career

8:18So you could argue in 2024 You know what they had at that group before there they had potential But nobody was like a sure thing yet right and and that's kind of where they're at again right here They've got a lot of potential. You don't really know how it's going to shake out You expect McEwan else and Isaiah Mosie And we're going to talk about Jamal rule later in the show maybe quint nives But I think they feel like they have the pieces they do They feel that they have a better. Okay, and if Emmett Johnson ran as well as he did this year with The blocking things they battled up front at times How if they have a better oh line? How will he run? How will these guys run? I would say there's a lot of potential there Now the thing I don't want to do and I've said this in a big picture sense But you can I can do it in a microcosm too with in the in that the running backs I don't want to condemn That room before it even gets a chance to do anything. Let's see. I mean it's it's really

9:19Patently unfair to make judgments about a room before it's given a chance And those guys really haven't had a chance. So now let's see what it looks like It could look really good. I mean we did see A flash in the bowl game from a kind Nelson. We saw it. I mean, it was that was pretty Significant flash early in that game the way he ran Mosie got some chances it mostly got some chances last year and looked fine But he's a freshman. What's that look like now when he's two 15 and he's got a season under his belt It might look pretty good and Nelson would you say what's it? What's his weight? Not very big. I mean, I think he's two or five. I just saw him by the way right after Practice on Saturday. Just ran into him walking. Yeah, he's not a big back. He's He's uh, you know, he's not you know me. I like bigger backs, but I'd like the way he runs. He runs so With such a bandit reminds me of that former Rutgers running back a little bit Can you place for your team the checko? Yeah, reminds me a little bit of that the way runs with abandoned

10:19So he could do that more So I'm I'm open-minded about that room Yeah, and again, I think a lot of people are confident that You were if you recruit right you should be able to plug the next guy in Row under and that's what a lot of programs do You know, you don't go out and overspend for free agent running backs It's it's just you have to use that money in other ways. Yeah And as Dana point out you only you have a limited roster size. I mean, don't have unlimited numbers So that's what that was his big point So as far as the takeaways that's that's That's most of them dexter foster the what oh one takeaway for me. That's probably not for you Is I've wondered openly about Owned stutomire stotomire. Why how do I watch that every time? You've done this every time I said mental hurdle have to get your dean ball And you're and dexter foster they didn't play large portions of last season

11:20So I wondered how are they? Well, they're fine. Rule answered that on Saturday. That's big You need both those guys this spring and they're not necessarily expect Dexter foster to be practicing full If he missed my wonder. Yeah, and because of the early spring. Yeah, and he's out there and there is six three two thirty six Some per that's a Promising development across the board as the Huskers will practice this week Tuesday Thursday Saturday that will be practices six seven and eight Tuesday and we got availability Wednesday. I think Wednesday and Saturday is what is tentative So we have availability on a non-practice. Yeah, that's how they because they're practicing in the evenings. Yes, babe Okay, I didn't yeah, I didn't put that together in my head till right now. Yeah, I don't think The days of us being over there at six seven o'clock at night or I think those are over that was that it was eight years ago Yeah All right, so Wednesday availability Saturday availability probably a scrimmage on sad

12:21I would think Saturday will be their first big scrimmage um at the kind of the midterm scrimmage. Maybe maybe we can watch that Maybe not I highly doubt that Not every sale happens at the register before AT&T business wireless checking out customers on our mobile POS systems took too long Basically a steering contest where everyone loses It's crazy what people say during an awkward silence now transactions are done before the silence takes hold That means I can focus on the task at hand and make an extra sale at two Sometimes I do miss the bonding time Sometimes AT&T business wireless connecting changes everything All right, well, let's um move it to headline two before we do that Huskerlla headlines brought to you by the presenting sponsor Sotter Heyman makes Sotter Heyman your first stop for all things jewelry the best service selection and quality from our patent and heartland diamonds with extra facets So bright you can see to cross the room to find watches from around the world award winning

13:24Inhouse Goldsmith Sotter Heyman has been voted the best of Nebraska four decades Don't mess around with the rest Start and finish with the best for online orders use the code Husker online at checkout for non-sale Items to get 10% off that's code Husker online 121 years old four generations when only the best will do Sotter Heyman jewelers Lincoln and Grand Island worldwide at Sotter Heyman Dot com. Thanks to Sotter Heyman for sponsoring us here on Husker online headlines All right, let's go into headline two Why was Matt rule and his staff at the combine um, you know, they had practice Thursday and Matt rule General manager Pat Stewart assistant general manager Logan Holgerson and also Keith Williams who is a key part of the recruiting and personal operation Went out there director Senior director of player personnel and recruiting as Keith Keith so the four of those guys went to Indy

14:26Um, and also Jared Wishon Is always with coach rule kind of as this right hand man that that group went out to EJ Barthell was out there to support him And you go out there number one to support your guys at the combine you had to Sean singleton and John's in there You're earlier this year the coaching staff went out to the senior bull as well to watch Some of the guys in the in the draft all star games, but the other interesting thing about Why you're out there is is the agents You know the top agents For the game are all in Indy and these agents now represent Transavortal prospects high school prospects. I mean Drew Rosenhaus represents high school players now and also These agents represent current players on Nebraska's roster So it's a kind of a business trip for these guys and I believe Matt rule said they had about over 30 agent meetings when they were out there Yeah, I I don't know that he he didn't characterize them as meetings, but he talked to 30 agents I'd be hard just gathered and talked and yeah, I wonder how it I don't know how that looked is that

15:28Like it meet and greets is that you know knows, but I mean there's so much You know how India is a lot a lot of hotels a lot of lobbies The reason we bring this up is because Thursday after practice all these guys in the middle of spring practice head to Indianapolis some people kind of it raised their eyebrows But after Matt rule explained it It made a ton of sense Not only did they talk to these eight It's a really kind of recruiting trip because you're talking to the agents of prospects But also I thought the other interesting thing that he said was You can pick up information about what other programs are doing from the agents So you're trying to kind of figure out what everybody's doing You're always kind of operating in this this shifting world and you got to try to anticipate shifts Um But also you want to know what other programs are doing that's how I mean Agents are pretty good conduit to that right so

16:31Rules said they stayed so they're there Thursday Friday. He said we could have stayed three days and got in benefited from it Well the impact of agents now too within the recruiting process You know the old saying was you got a win in the living room well now the new living room are the agents It's pretty much that is I mean you gotta because you don't really go in the living room like you did back in the day To meet with the family at the level you did it's all done well before that can even happen I mean you might have one meeting with them somewhere But what the what Jamar Mosie mentioned at St. Michael's a lot of times You have to go through the agent on some of these things You know and if you don't you know you can almost offend a prospect of their family If you went around the agent to try you know you could cause problems if you try to go around the agent I love this discussion because people need to hear this because this is a this is a big shift from what we came to know As we've covered this program over the years. This is This is almost remarkable what we're talking about. I didn't

17:31Actually now you could say you need to be more in tune simple, but I guess I wasn't fully aware that the high school players Had I mean I knew they a lot of them had agents, especially the especially the high-end ones, but I wasn't I wasn't I was kind of struck by the extent to which agents are one agent might just be a lawyer Yeah, just somebody's still an agent just somebody that can look over a document. Yeah in this make sure but also talk to coaches I mean if they're the first line the like the families are offended if you don't talk to the representation That's amazing and I don't know if like Rosen I mean I think a lot of the guys that they talked to on this in this combiner They might not be the top agents. They're the agent sees You know agents that work under the big like Jimmy Sexton's not there representing a high school kid, right Right not Jimmy Sexton's not doing that, but someone at work Sexton's a coach agent Yeah, I mean I think he's represented players hasn't he?

18:32I thought he's mainly coaches. He might need mainly coaches, but that's my kind of way. No, Joe Rosenhouse is drew a Jackson Cantwell's agent Yeah, I mean like no the top eight so Jeremiah Searls is an agent And he represents some current players on the brasska's roster And you know some of the incoming guys, you know, he that's kind of my point. They're trying to represent those guys Yes, kind of my point Searls is not Joe Rosenhouse, you know, I mean But if you're big enough like high high as a recruit, you know, those top guys want you because you're going to maybe be the next guy Yep, and you're in at that point. Yep So there you go. I mean And then also It's these agents come to campus now. I mean they they they arrive a lot of times with the parents So they see your campus and they see what you have to offer And so when you then so when you go talk to these agents you are selling like when rule goes on a trip like this He is selling the agents in Nebraska. This is what we have to offer than those agents talk to their people

19:39What it makes sense to I mean when you're talking about deals that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars if sometimes over a million Yep, you know, it's not really Comfortable for a mom or dad or a player right to say we want 750,000 dollars right like you need somebody to do it That's professional at doing it do it for you. Yeah contract. Yeah, you have to somebody handle that for you. It's really A part of you know, it's just not comfortable for anyone to ask for money No, unless that adds an attorney and then even then it's not not No, you're right So the world is so much different and that's why they went to Indianapolis now in it and Dashaun tested I found this interesting Michael actually texted me this morning only two Prospects in the entire combine did every workout test in in drill Emmett Johnson was one of the two Really so a lot of these guys a lot about Emmett. Yeah, a lot of guys didn't test like a lot of guys chose not to run the 40 Dashaun singleton did not run the 40

20:41But it was about as low of a number of 40 runners as I can recall It just it seemed like a lot of people are like you know what we don't need to run here And Emmett Johnson did run around a 456 respectable time. Yeah, that I mean Some people think he heard himself, but I look we watched nothing I never really thought him it would be a four-four guy I didn't either I don't know I can't I'm not smart enough to know if he heard himself or helped himself I can't believe he'd heard himself much The fact what you just said really important and NFL guys will take note of that He was one of two guys that went through every test now Dashaun singleton did the broad jump 1010 which was third at his position. Is that right? I believe 30 and in one of the top 10 or so in the whole combine 1010's excellent I mean there are some a couple guys in the combine went over 11 feet 1010's excellent, though, and then he went 39 and a half on the verdict, which is excellent Those are excellent marks. So he tested really well now Well, they come back to the pro day now Nebraska's pro day in Lincoln is not until March

21:4425th After spring breaks over here, and then that final week before the spring game So you wonder how many of those guys will actually do the March 25th pro day in terms of the testing or if they if they're not going to run Yeah, I don't know I mean there's there's going to be some pretty good players there That test because that Nebraska only had two of their guys. We have like Sierra right is gonna have to see our right to good example That's a great example. Rocco's spinler. Rocco's a good example. Those are good examples Of guys that are pretty good That I mean a guy like Sierra right couldn't have been far from an invitation invitation by the way um 33 I was wrong on the vertical so quick correction Singleton went 35.5 not 39.5. No, I thought he went 39 Ima Johnson was 35. Oh my god. I you're right. I'm watching. What do you do with yeah? I'm watching it my article this morning, buddy. I'm reading it right now I botched it singleton 39.5 inches was good for third at safety. That's excellent

22:49His 10 foot 10 broad jump singleton's tied for the lead at safety. He had a good day in in deep by the way That's a good day Sean I mean He can come back here already on there, but uh, it doesn't bother me can come back here around 40 right If you want if he needs it, but look he has good explosion like how often Do I mean save like or he plays is he gonna have to run 40 yards springing You hope not Let's just chase him down or receive a run in deep thing. It burns by but his explosion is really impressive, right Um, I've seen some I've seen some receivers run by some Nebraska safety. So yeah, but he's more of like an in the in the bottom In the foam booth, you know, he's in It's in the foam booth, but no, I mean all right. We cleared that up my badge Sean We're doing so 35 and a half. He I know he did 39 and a half. We're doing so good. He almost went 40 I mean that that's crazy. It's really good So Amit 35 and a half, which is good. All right. Well, yeah, let's get a pro day march 25th and Lincoln. So we we've got a

23:52Almost a month Until these guys will get one more opportunity Before the NFL draft Before we take it to headline number three Huskraw headlines Steven M. Syples brought to you by who? Larson Motors car sales. This is the car sales part. If you're looking for a new vehicle I don't know why you wouldn't go to Larson Motors in Nebraska City It's one of the Midwest only dealerships with all of the major brands So finding your new Chevrolet GMC Ford Hummer Dodge Chrysler Jeep or Ram It's never been easier. So start your new experience today at Larson motorgroup.com and I would that website is excellent And that is how a lot of people do it I mean these these places have to have good website Sean or they're behind the eight ball They have a good one or just go to the lot in Nebraska City Larson Motors real people real deals all right

24:54headline number three I thought we'd do someone here over the spring newcomer spotlight We're in a spotlight today running back Jamal rule Who is coming in around 210 pounds right now at six foot tall Obviously came to Nebraska early at a high school. He's from Charlotte Christian high school Rush for more than 2500 yards in his final two seasons Average about 160 yards per game at a high school Had 173 carries for 1362 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior so very very good senior season for Jamal rule But he is now in a position where you know he you know could could get on the field and play early Yeah rule said he's gunning rules set on Saturday Matt rule said Jamal rule is gunning to play Now he's interesting Sean if you watch his film It's really interesting film highlights because what do you often see with running backs

25:54You turn on the highlights and what do you see it bounce outside they just outrun everybody You know what the first I think the first two Highlights on the film I saw of of Jamal rule Were inside runs and one was like an eight yard run You know wasn't like him going to distance against a crappy opponent it was It was him just making a tough inside run then I believe the second play Was him making an inside run and running through about three or four guys And so that's rule that I mean rules a bigger back Makes sense in this league that kind of back where you say he's almost 210 already And he's got a chance and you know what else he did at Charlotte Christian called a lot of passes cut 37 passes Is junior and senior year. That's right. You have to do that now in this offense Well, and I just think there's never been a better opportunity for a incoming guy to at least make a mark in a while You think about true freshman backs mosey played a little this year, but

26:58We haven't had one really pop Ozygbo got going a little bit when he was here how much not much though We didn't really get going really get going till senior year he flashed it flashed a little bit And then you know, they never really went back to him. It's not easy to do, but rule again that size Get your attention And he's here that that's that's good And he catches now what can he block you heard for instance what did you hear Isaiah mosey say at the event at the recurring event what's the biggest Toughest thing what's the thing he needs to work on the most blocking Emmett Emmett that's something that That you look at Emmett and say I get better. Yeah, I get better Pass protection So what's that look like with rule we have no idea the Minnesota game was a game where you really saw the Pass protection I mean they were running those big linebackers right at the backs and the rest could stop it if I'm rule right now

27:59I'm looking at it and saying I can get to three I can get to number three. I mean he's probably not looking at that way actually He's probably you know, what what's he thinking? I'm gonna win the job Realistically I think rule could get to three and if you get to third the third spot on the depth chart you're playing You're gonna get in the game. Yeah, what we saw with Emmett Johnson I just don't know if we could ever see a back play. I don't know if we'll ever see it again Like it's it's unheard of I mean he he led the conference in about every category You don't often see coaches even try it. They not only tried it, but it worked. He made it to the end That's what again, why keep talking about your night your recruiting night That was the thing that the moses both Father Jamar and and and son Isaiah They emphasized about Emmett it was remarkable How it that how he would come out of games big carry games be it practice the next day with a lot of bounce

29:00And what do you see it against Iowa in the 12th and final game of the season the longest run of the year on I was defense Holy crap. What's he running? I mean if I'm an NFL if I'm an NFL person I'm looking at that late season Surge by Emmett like that's really impressive to do in the big 10 to make it through that physical gauntlet and then against I was defense put up those kinds of numbers We had just as Haynes is a great example of a guy that looked like he was going to be way better than Emmett But couldn't make it through the year he got hurt. Right. Emmett stayed healthy I want to say even Marshall the other good Michigan Mac Jordan Marshall He also hurt too, so it just speaks to I mean those were guys that were Maybe on a trajectory path better than Johnson then they got hurt right See oh, yeah, we're not talking about rule at this point But those two things you said that we mentioned Emmett One of two guys to go through every drill at the combine And Emmett the way he hung in there all year

30:01What's that tell you? Tell you take care of himself it tells you about his will Um Tells you about you know what I guarantee he's not messing around off the field because you can't show up every weekend If you're if you're not doing what you're supposed to do I mean that's you don't have to worry about him He's got to make a lot of money is what I'm saying. Yeah, I just don't know where like Emmett will fall like if it could Be third or fourth round or you can be more like a fifth round type guy What a good question. I don't see him any higher than third round I don't either um, and that would be really high. I mean yeah, I'd be great rounds four through six is probably where it happens Yeah, you hope it's like four or five, you know You hope it's a situation where He's walking into like he's gonna get an opportunity to be on the field That's a lot of this conversation frankly. It's just you got to get in the right situation That's that's kind of pro sports for guys like this Now if you're Derek Henry the situation doesn't matter as much whatever your situations you go to you're gonna dictate a lot of what happens to you

31:08But for a lot of the players It's just where do you go and what's the situation? You know, you know, you got to get you got to try to find a great fit All right. Well, it's up in the watch and Jamal roar new comer spotlight here on Husker online headlines Let's like that. Let's take it out a headline number four Husker basketball with a chance to be the only big 10 team to sweep the L.A. trip Huskers will play at 10 p.m. Central time On Tuesday night Robin's going out there by the way That's breaking news. Yeah, he um last night him and I talked and That's breaking news. He's he's like you know what I want to get out there. Why are let's get it done So he's going for a monster game A monster game against UCLA, but boy you really saw the value of Sam Hoiberg And what he meant to everything Just just when he was out for what 11 minutes 11 minutes 40 seconds

32:10I believe was the time and they were so they're down by five at half and If you're listening to the broadcast, there was come some concern by Canton Jeff Smith um Down five But then what happens Immediately in the second half Nebraska takes command Sam's back He's got two fouls, but he's back he's back on the floor And boom they pounce Nebraska pounces Immediately Yes, Sam only played about 27 minutes and he probably normally plays what 37 38 minutes But yeah, I mean his You know, then then you have this ongoing conversation. Who's the MVP of this team There's no it's it's probably now one of those two guys Hoiberg or Sanford I would like to I was kind of putting Braden Fregor in that conversation, but probably not at this point It's good 17 points and eight rebounds Fregor's huge. He gives a team an edge. He's got the most balance. He's so athletic. He's getting big

33:12But it's I I think somebody on our board put it best Just leave it at this Price Sanford is Nebraska's best player Sam Hoiberg is the most valuable I could live with probably going to be a first team all big 10. Yeah, like it's you know, I use the word probably Just because you just never know there's a lot of good players. Yeah, yeah It's man He leads the big 10 and three point shooting And I he's up there in percentage to might be second percentage. So I Be hard to I think it'd be hard to keep him off not that I don't get carried away in that discussion too much He's good. That's all I need to know. I don't I don't know. I doesn't it's not Dang, this will be in a popular take one of my many, but I don't care if he's all big 10 or not I know what kind of player he's at. It's interesting like volleyball. It's such a loaded conference They do like several players now in the first team not just like six right and you could argue like you know

34:14Basketball could almost do seven or eight players on the first team Like when you have 18 teams You're right. It's really hard. Can't to narrow it down to five first team guys And then you essentially at that point eliminate all the guys that are on bad teams because they might be good players But they don't get their respect because their teams aren't very good. It sound like first second He's not first. He's not saying is he a 13 guy you think I think Birke Birke not Birke a rink and Sam Are probably like in that neighborhood of 13 I just think my play just way out of that. Yeah, well, you're probably right He started out really well though. I mean, he had 11 points still on Saturday, but I like him I don't get me wrong, but I think he's I think his his knees up. Gregor is gonna be Six man of the year of the league and probably all freshman team. Yeah Um, what I was talking about with Sam was when he came back I know we're jumping around a little bit when Sam came back into that game to start the second half It was a 12-2 run out of the gate and then it ballooned to a 33 to 10 margin

35:20Uh, the first 11 minutes of the second half. I think it was basically game over at that point Sam now that's not all Sam, but That I mean, that's told you a lot about his value. They were not the same team without him on the core They made 18 Field goals in the second half. USC only made 10 USC. USC only got 26 shots off in the second half Nebraska 34. They had their But they're bleeding score were sitting in the stand. Yeah, so that's up with a Chad Baker, Missouri. Yeah, who's a 26 year old Yeah, he's been three or four schools Um, it may be more than that even and he's 26. I think it's four But he um Left the game. He fell down kind of hurt himself early in the second half and Winning and got treatment comes back and he's sitting in seats like Off the bench like it wasn't kind of like the VIP court side seats and he's a sit next to a lady talking to her in the game Wasn't his mom and I asked our USC guys about that from on three and

36:23They tried to act like he oh, yeah, he's done that before. I'm like, okay, that's still not normal It's not normal at all like it's not normal You said this uniform not on the bench. It almost reminded me of the crown last year when they had those seats that were like Basically part of the opposing King's bench. Yeah, and there was just like a Nebraska fan sitting with oh, it was wild That was wild. Who was it Georgetown or whoever they played Yeah, I think it was Georgetown. Ed Cooley. Yeah, there's like a Nebraska fan just sitting next to Ed Cooley Yeah, that's some banter with Ed Cooley So anyway, no, and then then we find out on Monday That Chad Baker Mazar is no longer on the team That's it. I listen to Eric Muslims post game and he was asked about that and His answer was you know, there may not have been a room for like a chair form, but like How do you not have enough seats because if somebody replaces him to go in the game that opens up a seat

37:26That's yeah, that's like come on. No, there was a problem because the kids no longer on the team. There's still season to play Do you realize USC at one point was 18 and six? Yeah, they're out of it and now they're 18 and 11 Yeah, they're well, they've lost five straight eight. I mean when they're 18 and six so you're like oh, yeah, they're easily in yeah, they're out now They're out their best player. They paid that guy over a million bucks. Oh, God. Oh, he's big money Baker Mazar is over a million. Yes And he quits and he quits midstream not mid, but There's two games left in the regular season and then there's the tournament and and they could I mean, they could play their way back in right Went to then went to in the tournament now without that guy. No, it's not gonna happen now But that's my well, that's that you just made my point look what he did he abandoned his team They could still get an tournament like you say probably not without him, but they're like what are you doing? I mean, they're a lack of rim protection. Oh, yeah, there have been games in the big 10 in a long time this year when Nebraska got to the rim like that

38:31I had ranked dunk one Rick Duncan was like so rare reminding you like the few times you'd see like Larry bird done right like There's always like the one highlight or bird does the two-hand dunk you always see that one and like well There's the rink Larry bird dunk highlight that we'll watch forever now. He's I don't recall I know he's done before but that was like his best dunk he's ever had it was quite a scene there at one point muscle muscleman Zipped his grease board. He was angry at the officials through it like a frisbee and hit one of his assistants in the shin it hurt the guy You know, it was kind of a wild scene there by the way 70% Nebraska fans Yeah, the attendance was only 66 45 yeah and according to Nick Sainter who's there Nick Sainter went out there The ticket he said 70% Nebraska fans. So I did they did he report that story about the clipboard. I not heard that yeah He did he saw it. He threw it like a frisbee and hit the guy to hit his assistant in the shin

39:33Well, when he was the coach of the rapid city thrillers Hit the what the CBA and the Florida beach dogs I mean he what he was intense back then as you can imagine in 20s. What's back then like how far go are we talking about mid 90s You know this because you were a ballboy. Well, he was everybody hated him in the Omaha crowd like One time a guy had like a cut out of him and like was like mocking him with this like little cut out and I'll never forget like I mean he was hated by the crowd because he was so like stomped the floor or yell the reps CBA, but he was a good coach back then. I mean there was one game Bob Bruce former 16 20th zone Announce her He was the Yakima sun kings Play by play guy and Muscleman was playing rapid city versus Yakima and Muscleman's team was always used the best team and they guys were totally low from the entire game And he knew it and he just calls time out sits all five guys down on the floor in this goes F you

40:37F you F you F you F you and F you And this walks away and they came back and won the game Really yeah, because he knew they were just now that's an amazing story And you know it was a quieter arena So can you imagine if you just saw a head coach just say F you to all five starters of the finger. Oh my god That's wild Pre-pre-self-owned camera days. Yeah, he'd still do it though Probably I think he's I mean, I think he's toned it down from what he used to be like But he may not be at USC for this year. Yeah, but our listeners was that at Exarmin? No, that was yeah So he's I don't know if it was Yakima was hosting rapid city. Okay, but he coached my new bowl back then All right, I got it for the Florida beach dogs Rapid city lost their franchise to Florida like so their team moved to Florida And he I know way too much about the CV. Yeah, I love it. I love it. I'm Muscleman's now a 50 something, you know

41:38He's young back then then USC I mean, come on think about think about that USC Plain still to get the tournament and that's all they could draw if Nebraska fans aren't there There's probably 4,000 people there are 3,000 people there. That's all they can do There's some schools in the pin in the big 10 that's it's sort of embarrassing like runners pin state Rutgers has to give out anime trading cards right if you go to a pin state game like 11 a.m. Saturday game I bet there's 2,000 people there Yeah, those 11 a.m. Saturday games are a real barometer of your fan base Like Nebraska fills them obviously, but you see some of the like Maryland Yeah, Fred. I think there's a pretty good job of using that as a recruiting advantage You can't sell that enough the brass cuz home court. You can't you really can't sell it enough Well, think if they could have had at least one CBS home game this year or that could have done for long Good point, you know, just getting in like a national TV Sunday. Yeah CBS game hard to get those well, yeah, because the history is not there right to warrant them, but right maybe next year

42:44They will get one That'd be great. All right. Well fun talk on hoops. We'll see what happens to Eric Muscleman Huskers 10 o'clock central at UCLA Tuesday night. They're going to stay overnight Tuesday and come back Wednesday, which I think makes sense Yeah, like why would you put your team through a late night flight to get home like six in the morning? Too much. Let them get some rascals on the plane. Yeah, you have to Sunday Yeah, and then more than likely you're not going to play again till Friday. Yeah in the big 10 tournament. I mean, it's I would say they're like a 90% chance of a triple buy. Yeah, what do you? Yeah? I think yeah, because if they're eat if there's a three-way tie with Michigan State, Illinois, Nebraska, Nebraska wins that Triple buys huge Triple buy two seed. Yeah, that's that's huge So we'll see if that plays out Huskers up the number nine in the latest AP poll. That's brand new That's just breaking just came out just came out and I will tell you or the other big 10 teams fell in the poll

43:48Michigan three Which they have Arizona now ahead of Michigan, which who's won then Well, Duke Duke won Arizona to Michigan three Yukon four and look it you those are the your four top seeds like I don't know how it's not going to be Yukon the hold on Florida's Florida's Well, here's here's where you need to do your research. I've done my research. Thank you Florida head to head Yukon. Yeah, but I'm yeah, that was way early in the season. Yeah, but it has to matter like when you're when you're evaluating it I heard a broadcast yesterday and Florida is making a strong push right now I just listen and they said Yukon will be the one, but like Florida will be the two in that region. They're going to be probably in the same region is what's going to happen But that will be a really contest Florida has beaten 14 straight SEC ranked teams. That's incredible Look at Yukon's wins though. Oh, I know what you come to all about. I mean, I'm not it wouldn't bother me if Yukon's a one-seed trust Iowa states at six still

44:50The only drop two Houston drops two to seven Michigan state up five wow to eight They looked a little vulnerable for a period then it's oh god. I'm going Nebraska up three Texas tech goes up six spots to 10 Illinois at 11 so Illinois only drops one Kind of interesting I get Gonzaga. I mean Michigan's good though. You can't drop him too much for that law I wouldn't want Illinois to be much lower than 11 that they're they're excellent Zaga drops to 12 Virginia's Two uh 13 drops two spots Virginia or Purdue drops seven spots to 15 Hmm So we will see no other big 10 teams ranked in the poll after Purdue Uh, Wisconsin is like 30th That's pretty good 30th all right odds and in pretty good team to be 30. Let's go to headline five. Let's call it odds and ends The spring volleyball schedules coming together and

45:51None of it's been announced by Nebraska. I think that's the most interesting thing about this You know, Nebraska is the draw. Who's announcing it then? So Creighton Creighton put out their spring schedule that they're going to host Nebraska DJ Socle Arena Davani Sports Center's unavailable spring because of construction is the renovation the new seats And all the things are going on there Well, then yesterday I was state released its spring schedule And they announced that yeah, we're going to play Nebraska in Sioux Falls and I spoke to one Nebraska official And he said that's how I found out about it and They high level official. They don't they don't know because I was We're getting a lot of questions like where's the match going to be would it be at the Pentagon would it be at the Sanford Event Center? Would it be at a high school like where are they playing this match in Sioux Falls and nobody has that answer at least right now So they could play it at that 12,000 sea arena they could Or they could play it to Pentagon, which is only 3,250 seats

46:55I lean towards the Pentagon is probably I think they would actually fill the big arena, but then why do you lean towards the other one? I don't know what if they can fill the big one play it there Right is it available though? I don't know. I don't know. Yeah, but yeah, the spring they filled 12,000 that's the question This spring the spring volleyball thing, you know, you can play four of these I want to go back to this How many fans do you think I was state would bring? Yeah, I don't know what they bring they don't draw great like Like I wonder I'm really captivated by this discussion. Could Nebraska fill 12,000 seats in Sioux Falls? I think you'd be surprised Well, I don't know what I'm saying. I mean, I don't think I'd be surprised. They filled up Polly pavilion or Polly arena Right. I don't think I'd be surprised. I think they should do it if that venues open It's kind of risky though. It's not real risky Like what if you get 7,000 or 5,000 empty seats are you disappointed? So the Sanford Center is almost identical looking to PBA. It just doesn't have the 300 level to it

48:00Okay, it's the 100s and the 200s and it's 12,000 12,000 Where do you play in the Pentagon and the risk of playing in a 3,200 seat arena? 3,250 seat arena is What if a lot of people want to go and can't get in? You know Because you'd be surprised how many Husker volleyball fans are around that area They wouldn't be surprised We went down to Tijuana. They'd be volleyball fans. You could put a thousand. We met our one of our listeners from Puerto Rico and Maryland He flew in from the Puerto Rico to go to the game of Maryland It was an easy take. I'll be watching right now. He watches all our shows. God bless you. But anyway What a interesting discussion and it's really interesting that Nebraska didn't know That I was state announced it. Oh, okay now Nebraska will have one more Spring match that's going to be coming and you know, hopefully They'll get to announce that one

49:01No, I don't know if that you think I'm curious if that's going to be at PBA or the high school I don't know but if I'm Dan and I'm looking at like I've got my own traveling rock band that can play Force free shows for like why wouldn't you maximize three or four opportunities and makes money The head coach would have a saying that and the only I don't know. I don't want to make this harder than it is You always hear coaches say the best experiences game experience so Maximize that play for I mean those are like real matches. Those are like fall matches I mean Nebraska filled up like the Grand Island arena Right But I'm talking about from like I'm just trying to think what tvk would say about it Like what she's saying that kind of interrupts our training or something like that It's probably the logistics and probably getting four people to agree to play you, you know Like if you're another program that's nowhere near the level of Nebraska You just want to get drilled on a brass Take a beating because Nebraska fans are so fervent, you know, I don't

50:04I don't know. I mean they benefit you they bet those opponents. I'm sorry to interrupt you The opponents benefit from that though, right? Yeah, Kansas last year they swept them four oh and Kansas ended up being a pretty good team I doesn't hurt you I wouldn't think but you'll be interested what Dan and or Nebraska does with the third match Strange intrigue there. Well just because they've made the spring like something that actually draws well And that is a rock star program. There used to be a spring event that drew pretty well here too though the football game And you know, it still draws pretty well. It does, but it's I think those have changed everywhere I mean like the days of 80,000 people at spring games. I don't think we'll see that anywhere. No No, I don't think so either But what else is on the odds and ends list, you know big 10 uh wrestling Um Nothing that it's actually this upcoming weekend. So uh the seeds are out on that

51:05Of note Brock Hardee's a two-seed Entral Taylor's a one-seed Christopher Minto a one-seed Kaden McDaniel is a two and AJ Ferraris a two so Nebraska based on seeding alone all reds of three, but they have one two three four Five guys that would be projected to be in the finals for big tents Chase and Penn State, right? Yeah, it's pretty I mean they were the team that dueled Penn State as well as anybody at all year That's big. It's a big big big big big me. I mean Penn State's the heavy favorite, but It'll be interesting to see because it's it's been kind of an up and down Year and that they've they've started a wrestle pretty well down the stretch See how that goes baseball um lost two of three and at Auburn really Sean on Sunday gave up 15 free passes that kills you. I mean 12 walks three guys hit by pitch I know we transitioned quickly there, but

52:07You're kind of open that Nebraska would put its best footboard in game three after You know, they want they want a game But you want the opener in the series against a top 10 Auburn team at Auburn In the last two games a really all week in the starting pitching really vaulted Sean. I mean That's what what the bullpen too. Yeah, not just the starting, but like in the opening game The bullpen, you know, Nebraska had a four run lead in a tenth Yeah, and Auburn scored three And they had runners on second and third So it was It was a swing away from them losing on Friday close the door on that one though And they were able to get out of that 10th inning get the win But yeah 15 to four on Saturday 12 to three loss on Sunday Auburn kind of flex Yeah, and you go into an SEC ballpark that was packed. Yeah And the atmosphere was legit and oh yeah, like just the swagger of their teams like I mean their dudes

53:08Yeah, and Nebraska got it got Auburn's attention on Friday then Auburn responded but again responded On Sunday kind of I mean Nebraska out hit him eight to seven but all those free passes that'll drive a coach insane well you weren't on Friday I think Nebraska struck out it was at 16 times Yeah, I might have been 18. It was a ton of they scored nine runs with that many strikeouts Nebraska now five and five They have their home opener tomorrow against home if it happens. Oh, is it we got a weather issue ring? Really? Okay, babe, I'm five and five five and five Um, you think that game might not happen. Well, I mean then they opened big 10s going off of what KFAB and they said this morning Like when they were going to the sportscast that and I've looked at my phone on Tuesday. I'll look at my phone If it makes you feel better, everybody. It'll make me feel better There was a chance of rain on Tuesday. Okay, and now it's not showing it Right now, but this morning it wasn't so you just don't know what the conditions are going to be on Tuesday

54:12And then they opened the Play Michigan State on the weekend. Yeah, it's kind of come quick here. I know I mean There are already three weekends in the books. Soppa Went three and one split with Oklahoma State split with Oklahoma State because the final game got Got some weather. Yeah for potential weather Joe Gerardi was in the stadium, you know, Joe Gerardi remember remember that he's a Yankee skipper that won a world series His daughter apparently plays for the I was watching Nate Roer's tiktok He by the way Nate Roer sums up those events those those softball tournaments. He gives it hell He does a really good job and he noted Joe Gerardi was at the game as Joe Gerardi's Daughter apparently plays for the Oklahoma State basketball team. Interesting. I know Gerardi big-time dude But yeah, other than that will have practice access probably Wednesday saturday this week Huskers back for practice six Tuesday For Steve Sippel. I'm Sean Callahan signing off here for Husker online headlines