The Nebraska basketball coaching staff wants to work for everything they get.
It’s no secret that this is been a wild couple of weeks for the Nebraska basketball program. From the departure of a top scorer in Teddy Allen, to winning two games in a row and three games in the last three weeks, this has been an interesting month overall.
Matt Abdelmassih is known as the Nebraska basketball recruiting guru. He was the one who recruited Teddy Allen, and who took a chance on him. For the most part, I would venture to say that it was not a bad gamble. There is no doubt that Allen was an electric player, and could score with ease.
More from Husker Corner
- Former Nebraska football star returns to the program in new role
- Travis Hunter injury uproar has some Nebraska football fans reminding Colorado about Adrian Martinez
- Nebraska Football: Freshman RB in line for big playing time
- Nebraska Cornhuskers News: Heinrich Haarberg has believer in Rhule, more
- Nebraska Football: Matt Rhule faces tough decision between Heinrich Haarberg and Jeff Sims
Following Nebraska’s 72-51 win over Rutgers on Monday, Abdelmassih was asked by the media about his thoughts on Allen’s departure. His answer gave me some insight into how he and the rest of the Nebraska basketball coaching staff tick. It was certainly intriguing to say the least.
Especially when you consider the talent coming in with Bryce McGowens and Wilhelm Breidenbach, it’s clear that this coaching wants to get top-level talent. They want to bring the best athletes that they can to the Nebraska basketball program, and that is a lofty goal.
The Big Ten Conference, much like in football, is very crowded. With teams like Michigan running the tables in the conference, Nebraska basketball certainly has their work cut out for them in terms of getting top recruits.
Nevertheless, Abdelmassih’s philosophy is certainly one to admire and is something that the Nebraska basketball program can hang their hat on.
"“If there’s the next Teddy Allen that comes across my phone, I’m still going to be interested, still going to take that challenge on, that’s who I am, and I’ll never go away from that, because that’s what college athletics is about, is to afford these kids an opportunity to get a great education and to put them in a position athletically to reach their goals, their dreams. And that’s what me and Fred have always done. When we started at Iowa State, we took our fair share, we were criticized tremendously — locally, nationally — and it worked out for a reason. And we’re going to stick by that until we’re done at Nebraska — the day ’til we’re done together on this journey.”"
That is a philosophy that I certainly admire, and one I think can serve the coaching staff well. The coaching staff has made it clear that they want to take on challenges. Just them taking on this job alone is proof of that. Now, it’s all about building and expanding upon it for success.
I would rather have a coaching staff that challenges itself and fails then one that doesn’t challenge themselves at all. So far, it appears that their hard work is paying off. Although Allen may have left, they are very clearly not resting on their laurels, and want to be pushed. That is certainly something I can get behind.