Ok, so it was after an 0-4 start, but we are back on track to at least have a respectable showing in the Big 12.  Nebraska, after that o-4 start, has wins against a suspension depleted Missouri and an injured Iowa State.  If they could have only hit some free-throws, NU very well could be 4-2 and sitting in a tie for third behind KU and KSU.  The Huskers showed the right amount of will and drive on Saturday to get them over the shooting slump they have been in for more than a month, but the meat of the conference schedule is just about to start, and there is no time for pats on the back just yet.

Nebraska didn’t look good at the start of Saturday’s game, falling behind 5-0, before finally playing together and pulling ahead 13-12 on a Ryan Anderson jump shot.  The score jumped back and forth the rest of the first half.  Nebraska had only one basket in the final 6 minutes of the half and if it weren’t for Iowa St. fouls, NU wouldn’t have been able to pull it even at 29 apiece going into halftime. 

According to Doc Sadler, there was no mention of X’s and O’s at halftime, but instead he challenged  his team to play better, smarter, and more aggressive.

I really liked our effort the second half. I thought they (Iowa St.)  were the aggressor in the first half. That’s what we talked about at halftime. We didn’t talk about X’s and O’s. Not that we were that much more aggressive (in the second half) than they were, but at least we were aggressive, especially on the basketball.”

Whatever was said worked and the Huskers built leads of 35-29, 48-43, and 55-46 in the second half.  Nebraska held Iowa St. scoreless for a seven minute stretch of the half which contributed to the final score, 64-56. 

Sek Henry was aggressive for the second consecutive game as he put up 11 points, 5 boards, and a block.  This rubbed off , and Dagunduro too, slashed to the basket and tried to get  his shot in a rhythm for the first time since conference play started.  It worked as Ade went 5-10 from the field for 10 points, but however he did not get one rebound.  Ade was a major player in the Huskers non-conference scoring, so it is nice to have him contribute again after only scoring 18 points in his first 5 conference games.  On the outs seems to be Shang Ping, as he saw no action in this game and has played limited action his last 2 games.  In his place, Chris Ballham brings an uncontrolled energy to the floor (that is sometimes late on defense), but he can work the 2 man game to get a quick dunk and for the most part, knows what his job is.  I continue to become a Cookie Miller fan for  his heart and toughness.  Sometimes on the floor it looks like he is going to have an asthma attack, but he just keeps going and going.  He has shown better control of the ball lately and is shooting the ball a little better now that he is trying to pick his shots and not force them.  Alecs Maric had his second double double in a row with 14 points and 13 rebounds but I am growing tired of seeing the Maric hook over and over again.  With Ade and Sek starting to find some lanes to drive in, maybe this will open up Maric for some dunks.  I  really thought Doc would try to develop a short jumper will Maric, 8-10 footer, but they never have.  If Maric could post up, this would add another dimension to defend.  Either way, a win is a win and after that start, I’m sure we will all take them.

[see the Box Score courtesy of Huskers.com]

ROBURT SALLIE

On a side note, the Omaha World Herald did a story on Roburt Sallie today and like I have said before, next years team will have some serious scoring options on it that this team doesn’t have.   It’s a good read and should get you pumped up for next year with McCray, Edwards, and Sallie all looking to contribute.  Enjoy the SUPER BOWL!  I really don’t like Eli Manning, but I almost hope they win.  Rooting for the underdog is always fun to do.  However, I like NE too much to do that.  I say Pats 37  Giants 17.