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Yeah, that’s right, the practice squad.  You know when championship boxers take a match before a title fight just to stay fresh.   Well, that’s exactly what Nebraska needed in taking on Savannah State at the Devaney Center on Tuesday night.  The result was a resounding 82-37 woodshed thumping.  

Fourteen players contributed minutes and twelve put up points led by Shang “the thang” Ping.  The lofty lefty put up a game high 11 points on 4-6 shooting followed by Alecs Maric with 10.  Three players had career highs in Ben Nelson (6), Chris Balham (6), Cole Solomon (5), and Paul Velander had a  season high in points (8) and minutes (22).  

Nebraska stifled S.S. with defensive pressure and jumped on them offensively eary to build a commanding lead at half 42-12, tying a Devaney Center record low for points in a half (Arkansas, Bethune-Cookman, and Morgan St. ).   Much of the same ensued in the second half with Nebraska resting it’s starters and letting the young guys take a turn.

Nebraska had better play from the guard position, shooting 45% with 8 assists and only 4 turnovers.  The Huskers, as a team shot 50% and had 18 total assists and only 12 turnovers for the game.  Not quite where you want it but after the way this team has thrown the ball away, I’ll take it!  Savannah State was held to only 26% shooting with a meager 3 assists compared to 21 turnvovers.  I don’t care who you are playing that is not going to get it done.

Oregon (16)  (8-1) comes to the Qwest Center for a FSN televised 1 P.M. game on Saturday.  The Ducks are averaging 89 points points a game with all five starters averaging double figures.  On defense, however,  they seem a little lapsed at times giving up 74 a game.  Should be a very interesting game with 15,000+ in attendance.  I went out on a limb for the ASU game on my first post and I’m doing it again here.  Nebraska played Rutgers and Oregon in the non-confererence schedule last year, losing to both.  They already have avenged the loss at Rutgers and will do the same with Oregon.

NEBRASKA 78    Oregon 63

View the Huskers.com  Box Score