Kansas State coach Ray Martin said it best. 

“If you go play for Doc Sadler, you’ll understand that losing’s not acceptable. They had lost two games in a row and they came out playing like a team that wanted to win. They fought us, they punched us in the mouth and we ran away.”

Nebraska did everything right Wednesday night in front of a packed house (almost) and a nationally televised audience.  The result was a very well played game plan that NU executed to perfection in defeating 25th ranked Kansas State 71-64. 

Micheal Beasley, who tied Carmelo Anthony for the Freshman record of double doubles, was never a factor in this game as he was harassed all game long.  His frustration was evident many a times and he finished 9 points under his average with 17.

NU ran a faily uptempo first half, choosing to run with K-State.  There were many screen and rolls and back door cuts, which provided many good looks for Steve Harley.  He turned in a career high 20 points on many uncontested lay-ups.  K-State looked lost on many of his baseline plays and Harley arguably played his best game as a Husker, connecting on 9 of 12 from the field.

Nebraska held leads at 7-6, 14-12, 20-19, and led by as many as eight before scoring four points to close the half and take a 34-31 lead going into the locker room.  KSU came out swinging and tied the game at 34 off a 3 pointer by Clent Stewert.  The Wildcats took their first lead of the second half, off a 3 by Blake Young, and led 45-44.  The Huskers went on a 7-0 run sparked by a well placed elbow from Ade Dagunduro, and never trailed again.  Leading only by one at 65-64, Cookie Miller went to the free-throw line.  He made one of two and Ryan Anderson grabbed the rebound away from Beasley, who was visibly upset.  The Huskers couldn’t capitalize on the extra possession and after Maric pulled down one of his season high 17 rebounds on the other end, he was fouled.  Shooting 2 free-throws, Maric made them  both, to push the lead to four at 68-64.  Beasley put up an airball down at the other end and NU added three more points from a free-throw from Ryan Anderson and two from Harley.  Up next is Texas A&M at College Station on Saturday.  The game will be televised locally on KXVO and nationally on ESPN Plus.

My thoughts on this game are very simple.  Where has this team been?  NU showed some athleticism tonight I didn’t even know they had.  Chris Balham had a wicked dunk off a back pick and played the best I have ever seen him play.  Maric, who is not the fleetest of foot, took Beasley off the dribble for a lay up and knocked down a 20 footer right before that.  Harley was going baseline all game long, and Ade even took some drives to the hole.  NU has lost 7 games, but of those 7, 4 could easily have been wins.  NU realistically could be sitting at 8-3 in conference due to the fact they have the league’s leading defense.  This brings a slight smile to my face, as next year, they will be 10x’s more athletic.  I wish Doc Sadler would toy with having Balham move to the power forward spot while having Maric in the game.  They played tonight together for a few minutes, but I think with Balham coming into his own as of late,  getting him on the move and away from the center will help him.  He is very good with the ball when he gets it within 10 feet and is starting to move without the ball even better lately.  If the Huskers had 2 big bangers on the inside, this will help out Maric, as he has to fight quite a bit on the inside by himself.  Also, I think NU was at it’s best tonight when Ade was sitting.  Ade did make a couple nice drives but no one can match the energy Sek Henry brings.  He can also create off his dribble, penetrate and control the ball slightly better.  His defense has been getting better and better and I think it’s time to play him more.   It was a refreshing win tonight which, at the same time, makes me irritated that this team is 4-7 in conference.  A few more games like this and NU could easily  be in the top 3 of the conference.  Baby steps, I know. 

[see the box score courtesy of Huskers.com]