For legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen, “Nebraska” was a highly-regarded album about facing unsurmountable challenges.
For legendary actor Bruce Dern, “Nebraska” was a critically-acclaimed motion picture about a delusional old man.
For legendary women’s basketball coach Gary Blair, Nebraska has been the site of great frustration since he arrived at Texas A&M 11 years ago. Blair’s A&M teams have won just one of four games in Nebraska.
Yet, Nebraska is the third-seeded Aggies’ next destination in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament after an 85-69 second-round victory over James Madison on Tuesday night at Reed Arena.
Matt Sachs, TexAgs
Awaiting Gary Blair's Aggies, should they first get past an upstart DePaul team, is women's basketball's unsurmounted juggernaut.
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Some might say only a delusional old man would think A&M could overcome the seemingly unsurmountable challenges that wait in Lincoln.
Should the Aggies get by a Sweet Sixteen matchup against DePaul, which upset Duke 74-65 on Monday, they would likely face Connecticut in the next round.
That’s No. 1-ranked defending national champion Connecticut, which has posted 42 consecutive victories and blasted St. Joseph’s 91-52 Tuesday night. The Huskies won their last 18 games by 20 points or more.
Only a delusional old man would think A&M could win twice in Nebraska.
Of course, Blair just might qualify.
“Maybe we’ve got one of those magical teams this year,” Blair said in a postgame press conference. “Who knows?”
Karla Gilbert, the only senior in the starting lineup, seems to believe in magic.
“We’re not done,” she said. “We’re not going to settle. I’m ready to finish this senior season off with a great ending.”
Why not dream big and aim high?
The Aggies have been in this position before. They seemed to face an insurmountable challenge in 2011 when they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with No. 1 Baylor looming in the regional final. But A&M defeated the Bears 58-46 en route to winning the national championship. Talk about a magical team.
Yet, A&M may be a year away from recapturing that magic.
With three sophomore starters, conventional wisdom might suggest that A&M’s best chance for a run at another national title comes next season. However, the Aggies proved they have their share of firepower in the blowout victory over James Madison, which had won 19 of its last 20 games.
Gilbert demonstrated dominance inside in posting a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Courtney Williams flashed her athletic ability with repeated slashes to the basket en route to a 23-point performance. It could have – should have been – even more had she finished a few layups.
Jordan Jones showed adept passing skill by dishing out 16 assists.
Matt Sachs, TexAgs
With a
balanced and talented team of players that mesh and complement each
other, guided by Blair's even hand, A&M will face the next round
head on.
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a balanced and talented team of players that mesh and complement each
other, guided by Blair\u0027s even hand, A\u0026M will face the next
round head on.","MediaItemID":42369}
Courtney Walker was almost overlooked despite scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
“I think we’re pretty resilient,” Blair said. “We don’t get caught up on ourselves. Our leading scorer is the quietest player on the team — Courtney Walker. Courtney Williams may have the most potential. Karla Gilbert may be our most valuable player.
“Then, look at Jordan Jones. Find a point guard in the country who has done as much for her team as she has. And I have a lot of supporting actresses —
Tori Scott and Achiri Ade. I just like my team. They get along.”
But A&M has gotten some harrowing experiences in Lincoln.
The Aggies fell 65-48 in 2004, Blair’s first season at the A&M helm. They lost by 13 points in ’08 and fell by 11 in 2010. One year they even had to stay an extra night because of mechanical issues with their chartered flight.
But it’s a different venue now. The old Devaney Center is now used solely for volleyball, while basketball games have been moved downtown to the brand new Pinnacle Bank Arena, which opened last August.
"It's a new arena, a neutral site and there's no Nebraska," Blair said.
Still, there must be some apprehension because of the Aggies’ history in Nebraska, because they’re facing an opponent that just pulled off a major upset and because their next game would be against the best team in the country.
Yeah, that challenge seems insurmountable.
Of course, that challenge in 2011 also seemed insurmountable.
Well, except to an old man, who wasn't delusional at all.
