We usually don’t have Brunch Bites on Wednesday, but a few items can’t wait. So here’s a small plate.

The World-Herald reported last night that Gregg Marshall turned down Nebraska’s $2 million offer. Wow. Wow. Wow.

First of all, it’s mind-blowing that Nebraska offered $2 million to a man who has never coached a minute in a major conference (as a head coach or an assistant), or been to a Sweet 16. Secondly, how does Marshall turn that down?

The fact that Nebraska made someone an offer means that Dana Altman is likely already out of the picture — either by his choice or by Nebraska’s. It also means Nebraska may be in trouble. If $2 million won’t get you Gregg Marshall, it sure as heck isn’t getting you John Groce.

I’ve always said the coaching business would be split on the Nebraska job. Some would think it’s a black hole. Some would see the upside. Apparently, Marshall saw the black hole.

But there’s no need for Tom Osborne and Marc Boehm to settle. Not yet. Keep making phone calls. Don’t panic.

It may be time to start looking at high-level assistants. Go talk to the top assistant from Michigan State or Kansas or Texas or Duke. Generally speaking, I’d rather have a young assistant at the elite level than a mid-major head coach without experience recruiting in a BCS league.

It’s not a good day for Husker hoops. But it’s also not time for Scott Sutton or Rob Jeter.

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>> Tom Osborne released a statement saying NU has not offered the job to anybody. Technically, he may be right. But administrators (and headhunters) often ask coaches the question in a way that gives them a denial. For instance, “If we offered $2.1 million, would you take it?” Coach says no. AD says the offer was never made.

>> Gregg Doyel addresses North Carolina fans and their treatment of Ethan Wragge, Grant Gibbs and Gregory Echenique. He thinks it’s another example of fans being idiots. I think it’s also an example of the downside of social networking.

>> Athlon is ranking coaches in each conference. It puts Bo Pelini seventh in the Big Ten. Behind Pat Fitzgerald and Kirk Ferentz. The 2012 season is a big one, I believe, for Pelini’s national reputation.

>> Check out how Oklahoma State wasted $33 million on life insurance policies for its aging boosters. In effect, the athletic department was rooting for fans to die.