Fortunes can change quickly in the Big 12 Conference. No one knows that better than Nebraska coach Connie Yori.
Following a home victory over Texas A&M on Jan. 23, the Cornhuskers were 4-1 in the league and climbing toward the top of the standings. One difficult week later, after losses to top 25-ranked Baylor and Kansas State, Nebraska (15-6, 4-3) has dropped to fifth place heading into Sunday's 3 p.m. (FSN) game at Missouri (8-12, 1-6).
"Every game's tough there are no easy ones in this league," Yori said. "When you win, you celebrate and get excited for about five minutes and then you get ready for the next one."
Nebraska figured to have a difficult task on Jan. 26 when it lost 76-56 at No. 6-ranked Baylor. However, the Huskers felt like they might have let a big one slip away when they lost 77-75 to No. 18 Kansas State at home last Wednesday night.
"It was tough to take considering we just came off a tough loss to Baylor," Nebraska senior forward Danielle Page said. "I think it's real emotional because we felt we could've won that (Kansas State) game and we were in a position to win it, plus it was at home and we like to get them at home."
NU rallied from a halftime deficit to lead the Wildcats by seven points with 14:50, but couldn't hold on. Two defensive lapses contributed to two big baskets for Kansas State in the final 56 seconds.
Plus, the Huskers failed to convert a driving layup attempt by Yvonne Turner and a follow-up try by Kelsey Griffin at point-blank range just prior to the final buzzer that would've sent the game to overtime. The loss snapped a 12-game home winning streak for Nebraska, including a four-game home winning streak against ranked opponents.
"It's difficult, but the great thing about the Big 12 is you know that you have another game coming up against another great opponent," Griffin said. "So you can't dwell on things and you have to learn from them."
The good news for Nebraska is that it made it through a difficult opening stretch in the Big 12 with a 4-3 record while playing five opponents ranked in the top 25. According to the current standings, it appears the schedule will get softer for the Huskers the rest of the way.
"We played Kansas State and Baylor, who are two incredible teams," Page said. "That's what you're going to find in the Big 12. Every game is going to be a battle and it just changes from week to week."
Now, Yori's job is to make sure the disappointment doesn't carry over to Sunday's road game at Missouri.
"Unfortunately, we lost a close game and had our chances," Yori said. "It hurts a little more when you lose a close one, but we've got to get back at it and get ready for Missouri."
Game notes
Nebraska is seeking its fifth consecutive victory over the Tigers at Columbia, Mo. ... NU leads the all-time series 34-29 over Missouri, including a 19-game winning streak from 1991-1999. ... The Huskers entered the week ranked No. 14 in the CollegeRPI.com power rankings. Their schedule was ranked as the 13th most difficult in the country.
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