Another gloomy Saturday in Lawrence is not what the Doc ordered for his basketball team’s mid-season slump, but it is exactly the dose of reality served up to the Huskers by Kansas and it’s multi-faceted squad.  Nebraska was only in this game right before it started and the score was 0-0, but NU never gave up and continued to hound Kansas all game, even though the outcome was never in doubt, and ended up loosing 84-49.

Nebraska fell behind 6-0 but soon cut the lead to three at 8-5.  That’s as close as they would get the rest of the game.  KU was hitting shots from everywhere and had a big game from Brandon Rush, who finished with 17 points.  Rush was 5-6 from the field in the first half, all 3 pointers, and just seemed he could hit whatever shot he took.  Darrell Arthur, who had a 5 inch height advantage over Ryan Anderson, shot early and often and finished with a game high 18 points.  KU’s starters shot the ball  well and finished shooting 56 percent for the game compared to 30 percent by NU’s starters.  Kansas at one time was 7-10 on 3 pointers and finished the game shooting 56% (9-16).

There were a few bright spots for the Huskers today believe it or not.  One of those was Steve Harley getting offensive again.  Harley had an NU high of 16 points, but played aggressive on both sides of the ball for one of the first times this year.  Chris Balham, who averages around 6-8 minutes a game, played 20 minutes and had career high in points (6) and rebounds (8).  His defense could have used some help, but at this time last year the guy could barely walk and he hasn’t been playing alot this year.  He brought some energy in there and wasn’t afraid to bang around the big guys.  Cookie Miller got about 6 inches above the rim and blocked a fast break dunk attempt by KU, causing the announcers to drool all over themselves and quickly ask for a replay.  Someday he is going to be very very good, but I think it might take a couple of years to find out.  He reminds me a little of Tyronne Lue, but has got to be able to hit open shots and be able to score when called upon. 

KU coach Bill Self had this to say about guarding Maric:

 “We really didn’t do anything (special)…we trapped them some when they had two bigs in the game, but for the most part just guarded him. He got off some good looks that he normally makes, but for the most part limited his touches. Our perimeter pressure was good enough that they didn’t get the ball to him too easily in the first half.”

Nowhere to be found were Alecs Maric, Ryan Anderson, and Jay-R Strowbridge.  Combined they were 1-19 from the floor on offense and defensively it wasn’t much prettier.  During the game Anderson took a “fast” break from a steal and had about 10 feet on the nearest defender at the top of the key.  It ended up being 1 on 3 by the time he hoisted up a terrible lay-up.  I don’t know if that is more of KU’s quickness or the fact that RA is too slow to play the forward spot, but is probably a little of both.

NU is now 11-6 (0-4) for the year and has a mid-week game against Missouri next Wednesday night at 7.  It is televised on FSN Midwest and could push the Huskers to 0-5 in conference.  I certainly didn’t see this happening and will not be holding my breath for a Husker conference win.  About halfway through the first quarter I was thinking dizzturbedNUfan was right when he said to pull the redshirts and play your guys now, but after I reminded myself that Doc is building for the future of this team, I figured one more year isn’t too much to ask.  Doc’s team continues to play at times with fire on defense and seems to never give up,  which is a trait of a focused team.  Losing is never fun, but how you  lose is what you can build on and show the younger guys for the future.  I just wish that future was now and not in 10 months.

[see the Box Score courtesy of Huskers.com]