Nebraska (5-2) came up just short Wednesday night against Western Kentucky University in overtime and dropped a game they should have won 69-62 (O.T.). Turnovers and poor free-throw shooting are what hurt Nebraska in this one. The Huskers committed 24 turnovers and WKU converted them into 31 points, while Nebraska put up 20 points off 21 turnovers. Doc Sadler has to be shaking his head after watching his team shoot 68% (19-28) from the free throw line and seeing WK go nearly perfect while hitting 18-21 (86%). Nebraska made some poor decisions when handling the ball but none were as important as the last possession of regulation. With the score tied at 55, the Huskers got the ball back after an impressive defensive stand where they forced a shot clock violation. Cookie Miller took it down the court and at after not encountering some pressure, bounced the ball off his foot. He leaped on the ball and threw it to Jay-R Strowbridge, but he couldn’t get a shot off in time. In overtime, the Huskers took an early lead but were quickly stifled on offense and gave up 7 points in 33 seconds to Tyrone Brazelton to stymie a comeback.
Aleks Maric and Ade Dagunduro led all scorers with 17. Maric had his second double double of the season with adding 13 boards. Dagunduro made a move when the game was on the line that I couldn’t help to think of Michael Jordan. Down 51-53, Dagunduro was on the right of the key. He dribbled left, put his right shoulder down ( Jordan pushed off! ) and hit an 18ft fade away to tie the game at 53. I thought it was his biggest basket of the game and then he had to hit 2 free throws to tie it up at 55 and force OT. He hit them. With only 7 games under his belt, I can’t wait to see Ade at mid-season form!
Nebraska has to have better play from their point guard. You cannot have 7 turnovers and only 3 assists, but if you do, you have to shoot better than 20% from the field. I have to believe Doc Sadler will have them shooting free-throws when they get off the plane tonight and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
December 5th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
I have already gotten into a discussion on this but I put on the blame on Maric. he is Nebraska’s best player he needs to be great for NU to be successful and again tonight he wasn’t even very good. Missed FT’s blow lay ups and turnovers and this is suppose to be one of the best centers in the Country? Not even close.
December 6th, 2007 at 9:18 am
I agree. What is he doing laying it up? Dunk that motha! If I was 7 ft. tall, I’d be dunking every play. Nothing says demoralizing like getting tomahawked on every possession.
December 6th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
shoulda won?
after reciting the stats how can you say that????
December 6th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
@FR
Go and read the stats. Nebraska had 3 of the top 4 scorers, outrebounded them, had a better shooting percentage and if you watched the game you would’ve come to that conclusion. They played WKU at their house and the game was closer than 69-62. Nebraska had 6.2 seconds left to win it in regulation and fumbled.
That’s how I can say that.
December 7th, 2007 at 3:04 am
if you watched the game you would’ve come to that conclusion.
Yep. The reason why they should have won is because WKU didn’t exactly play like the Harlem Globe Trotters. You get a team at home that played as poorly as WKU who are begging you to beat them you have to get it done.
December 7th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
more turnovers and poor D