• Video: Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook speaks at his weekly press conference on Monday:

LINCOLN — John Cook's stomach always feels just a little unsettled at this point every year, and it has nothing to do with the Nebraska volleyball coach's eating habits.

If it's time for people to carve into their Thanksgiving meals, it's time for Cook to worry about NU's postseason destination.

And while many fans assume that Nebraska will be a lock every year to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament, there's no guarantee.

All the No. 8 Huskers know is that, as a 2009 regional host, they will get to play at Qwest Center Omaha on Dec. 11 should they open the postseason with wins on Dec. 4 and 5. But this year, especially, Nebraska could be in danger of getting sent on the road for the opening weekend of the NCAAs for the first time in six seasons.

Does Cook think the 21-6 Huskers have done enough to deserve to stay home for rounds one and two?

“It doesn't matter what I think, it matters what the (NCAA selection) committee thinks,” Cook said, laughing.

All but one 2008 regional host (Colorado State) opened the tournament at home last year. In 2007, all four regional hosts got to play on their own courts during the opening weekend. In addition to NU, Florida, Minnesota and Stanford are the predetermined 2009 regional hosts.

Under the current format of the NCAA tournament, Cook knows that geographic considerations are often the deciding factor on a school's ability to host the opening rounds. That can weigh into the equation to a far greater degree than NU's ability to draw crowds of 4,000-plus at the Coliseum.

Essentially, that means the more qualifying teams that are within busing distance of Lincoln, the better chance NU has at hosting.

Starting Thursday, Creighton will host the three-day Missouri Valley tournament — which could have a huge impact on Nebraska's tournament destination.

The Huskers haven't been sent on the road since 2003, when NU opened the NCAA tournament with two wins in East Lansing, Mich. During four of the past five years that Nebraska has hosted, a Missouri Valley team — either Northern Iowa, Wichita State or Missouri State — has been sent to Lincoln to open the tournament.

The top four Valley seeds this year — Northern Iowa, Missouri State, Wichita State and Creighton, in that order — all are within driving distance of Lincoln.

But this season, seventh-ranked Iowa State figures to have a great shot at opening the NCAA tournament at home. Assuming No. 20 Northern Iowa makes the NCAAs, UNI likely would be one of the teams sent to Ames.

Therefore, Nebraska's chances at hosting could come down to whether Wichita State, Missouri State or Creighton get in. The Shockers and Panthers are in the running for an at-large NCAA invitation, while the Bears might have a shot, too, if they make the Valley final in Omaha. The Bluejays would have to win the Valley tournament outright to make the postseason.

“Geographically, we're in a unique situation, as far as what teams they can bus here,” Cook said. “You always have to look at the (NCAA's) emphasis on eliminating plane trips, basically. But I'm hoping they'll continue to support the teams that are hosting regionals by creating that interest, and (giving regional hosts) the first and second rounds to have a buildup.”

In the meantime, No. 8 Nebraska will close out the regular season with a road match tonight at Kansas State and a home match on Saturday against Colorado.

Contact the writer:

444-1207, chad.purcell@owh.com

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