The story remains the same this week in Huskerland.  Two games played, one at home and one away, but both games, Nebraska either held the lead or had the momentum to drive them to victory, but in the end, came up short.  The problem is no one told that to Iowa St. or Missouri and NU’s lack of a true shooting threat, sealed the fate of Nebraska.

Alecs Maric was playing in front of his parents again Wednesday against Missouri and arguably had his best game for NU this year.   Maric finished with 32 points on 10-18 shooting, collected 16 boards , and drilled 12-14 from the FT line.  NU clawed all game long and Steve Harley, with 9 seconds left, made an aggressive move to the basket, drawing a foul and setting up possibly the game tying free-throws.  NU was down 71-69 when Harley cooly sank his first free-throw.  Mizzou, trying to ice him, called a timeout.  Steve calmly sank the second free-throw to tie the game at 71.  In overtime, Nebraska forgot that Alecs Maric was on the floor and had dominated the Tigers on the inside.  Maric only touched the ball once in overtime and NU just couldn’t shoot itself to a win.  Ryan Anderson hit two late 3’s to make it respectable at 86-78.  NU had the momentum, but still couldn’t capitalize, much in the same way against Iowa St on Saturday.

Iowa St. honored all it’s basketball alumni in a ceremony to commemorate 100 years of Cyclone basketball.  During the first half, NU decided to dishonor them by holding them to an all time Iowa St. low of 11 points.  The 11 points is also a Big 12 conference low, and Nebraska looked like they could be on their way to a series sweep of Iowa St.  The only problem?  NU scored only 24 first half points and seem to think their defense would be able to shoulder the load all game.  Iowa St. quickly jumped on the Huskers to start the half and went on a run of 19-3 to start the half and turned a 13 point deficit into a 3 point lead at 30-27.  The Cyclones never looked back and played some inspired ball after being humiliated during the first half.  NU’s once stifling defense turned to mush and gave up 49 points to the Cyclones over the course of the second half.  The result was an embarrassing loss for Nebraska, 60-52.

Not really much can be said about these two games.  Up and down is the best way to describe this team.  One minute they can shoot, the next they can’t.   They make free-throws, they don’t.  Next year will be much more promising, and it can’t get  here soon enough.  Thankfully, spring football practice starts next month, so that should cushion the blow of this disappointing season.  Up next for NU is a nationally televised game on ESPN2 Wednesday against Kansas State.  Tip-off is scheduled for 8 P.M.

[see the Iowa St. box score courtesy of Huskers.com] 

[see the Missouri box score courtesy of Huskers.com]