Box Score  via huskers.com

Nebraska continued it’s dominating way on defense Saturday, pummeling North Carolina Central University 71-28, before 7100 fans at the Devaney Center.  Records that were broken or tied include:

• 8 points by NCCU in the first half is a Devaney Center record and a Big 12 record. 
• NCCU had only 2 field goals in the first half and 9 for the game, both tying Big 12 records.
• 19.6 percent shooting for the game is a Devaney Center opponent’s record low.

Nebraska players sharing in the success of the game were: Sek Henry 15 points (season high) 6 rebounds (career high),  Alecs Maric 4 steals (ties career high) and walk-ons  Ben Nelson, Nick Krenk, Cole Solomon and Andrew Wicklund getting some playing time. 

The Huskers finished the game shooting 58% and a whopping 53 percent from beyond the arc.  One impressive stat is hitting on 85 percent of their free-throws and  considering they have averaged around 70 percent this year, saying it’s an improvement, is an understatement.

Other than Sek Henry,  Alecs Maric cracked double digits with 10 points in only 14 minutes, but the Huskers received quality minutes from back-ups and walk-ons who all found a way to score and make this a record breaking night.  Here is what Doc Sadler has to say about it:

I told our team going into the game, the schedule (the Eagles) have had and the teams that they have played, I have been so impressed in the films. Even tonight when the score got the way it was, (I was impressed) how hard they continue to play. That is a credit to their coaches and players. They have been dealt a difficult hand, but it looks to me like they are not complaining about it. They are going out and giving their best effort. Saying that, I was happy with our team. The only thing that was disappointing was turnovers. We got lazy with the basketball and tried to make things happen a little bit too quick. I really like our teams focus right now. I have played a lot of lineups. I played a different one tonight. I will probably play a different one the next two games. It won’t be the same to kind of get everybody used to playing with different people. I have got a pretty good idea when we start in league play what it is going to be, but these next two games you will see some changes still. I have been pleased with what we have seen. I really wanted to work on some zone tonight, but did not. Offensively, I thought it put us in a situation that we could not do that. I did not want to run the score up any worse than it was. I was pretty pleased.”

Doc Sadler is such a classy guy and I hope Nebraska can find a way to keep him here a long, long time.  Nothing will compliment this school’s  football tradition better than a successful basketball program and I feel we have the right guy in Doc to get that done.        GREAT GAME HUSKERS!!!!!

NEBRASKA WINS 88-79!!!!!

On Saturday, Nebraska did what many thought was unthinkable.  Play defense and Run and Gun.  I never thought this game would be won by Nebraska the way Oregon kept hitting 3’s at will, but with Tenacious D (My Pick was Destiny!) and an all out effort from the entire squad, they prevailed.   HOLY COW!!  I simply cannot remember a more exciting basketball game in my life!  The ups and downs of this one were a cardiologist’s nightmare with 10 lead changes and 5 ties.  This is not to mention the huskers hot start to lead 9-0 only to have it vanish away in 3 minutes and trail 14-13.  Everytime Nebraska would go on a run, Oregon would answer with hot 3 point shooting.  Guard Malik  Hairston was a perfect 5-5 from downtown and Tajuan Porter was 7-15.  It seemed whenever they needed a three, they got it.  None was more bigger than the one Porter sank with 9 seconds left on the clock.  Down 74-71, Porter lofted one up from right of the key.  He pulled a Reggie Miller and stuck  his foot out to catch Strowbridge jumping past him.    A foul was called and instantly in my mind I said ” well he has to make all 3″ and then the rainbow 3 went down.  I can’t say what I said then.  Porter, a 70% FT shooter went to the line and missed the shot.  Nebraska put the ball in play and raced down the court much to my dismay.  I thought a time out and a regroup would’ve been perfect in this situation.  Let’s get a play in and hopefully an open look at the basket.  But, just like in the Western Kentucky game, we made a bad decision and Harley took an off balanced shot at the key and put up brick off the backboard.

OVERTIME

I’m not gonna lie, Nebraska played with great heart all day long, but when everything was going Oregon’s way and overtime was forced I thought our chances of victory in a 5 minute shoot out were slim especially since Ade Dagunduro fouled out with 2 minutes left in regulation.  However, unlike the WKU overtime, our boys jumped on them offensively and pressured Oregon into some difficult shots.  Ryan Anderson played lights out in overtime.  Hitting clutch free-throws and coming up big with a couple of steals.  Nebraska held Oregon scoreless for 4 minutes of overtime and the Huskers iced it with free-throws down the stretch.  Just thinking about it now I am still getting excited!

The Huskers led Oregon in almost every category with the only exception being rebounds.  They finished the game with ONLY 7 turnovers compared with 20 assists for a 2.5-1 ratio (REDTILDEAD).  To see the final box score, click here at huskers.com

I thought Ryan Anderson was the HUSKERZONE Player of the Game.  His defense all game long was great with 4 steals.  He finished with a season high 21 points, shot 60% from 3pt land and was a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe.  It just seemed whenever Nebraska needed a big 3, he hit it.  Aleks Maric had the HUSKERZONE Play of the Game when with 30 seconds left HE HIT…. 2 clutch free throws to bring Nebraska’s lead to 74-71 forcing the Ducks to hit a 3 to tie in regulation.   The rest is history and MAN what a GAME!!!

“First of all, I can’t say enough about this team as far as competing. They had a couple of chances when things didn’t go the way we’d like. This team hasn’t had very many opportunities, but at the same time, it hasn’t had a lot of great things happen for it. I thought for them just to continue to compete when maybe we missed some easy shots, maybe we missed some free throws when the game was tight, I think that shows a lot for the character of these guys not having a lot to draw from……..  With 20 seconds to go, I thought we did an excellent job of switching out on (sophomore guard Tajuan) Porter, but about the fifth time he went off the ball screen, we didn’t make the switch, and being the great player he is, he hit a 3. We were fortunate that he didn’t make the free throw and we got it into overtime. Saying that, I never thought, going into the game, that if it got this high-scoring, then I didn’t know if we could win it, because that’s what they like to do. But that shows you what I know.”

Doc Sadler

Oh, and one last thing.  Since I am 2 for 2 on predictions, I would like to make a few more.  National Championship for football within 3 years.  I will hit the Powerball soon, and just for Ed and Count, peace in the Middle East.

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

Sunday afternoon, Nebraska rebounded quickly after the disappointing loss to WKU and showed what Doc Sadler teams are made of.  Relentless defensive pressure ensued and the Huskers walked away with an impressive 63-51 win over Rutgers from the Big East Conference.  

Maric led the Huskers with 19 points and 8 boards but committed 4 turnovers.  Ryan Anderson chipped in 14 while Ade Dagunduro added 13.  Nebraska still struggled at the guard spot while Sek Henry, Cookie Miller, Jay-R Strowbridge, and Steve Harley were a combined 3 of 15 for a measly 20%.  Fortunately for Nebraska only 11 total turnovers were committed while forcing 16 from Rutgers and those 4 only accounted for 4 of them.  The Husker’s defense lapsed a little bit after halftime allowing the Scarlet Knights to shoot 46% from the field after holding them to 24% in the first half.  There was no answer for Freshman guard Corey Chandler as he scored a game high 25 points.

Nebraska dominated the score after the 4 minute mark in the first half but Rutgers, after weathering a 9-2 run by Nebraska to open the second half, put up a 11-2 run of their own sparked by Chandler’s 2 steals and 8 points to pull it closer at 44-39.   But, the D tightened and Nebraska bounced back with a run of their own to lead 56-39 and led by double didgets the rest of the way.

Nebraska has outscored it’s opponents this year 537-448 for an average of 67-56.   The Huskers are going to have to find some offensive fire power soon.  Our guard play has been horrible this year with inconsistent scoring and poor ball handling.   One of those four guards is going to have to step up and right now I just don’t know who it will be.  We are  seriously missing Marcus Perry and Charles Richardson  and I don’t see this team pushing Big 12 teams around offensively or defensively.  All I can hope for is something to ”click” with these guys and we can have a more balanced offense with more go to weapons.  I won’t hold my breath. 

See the Huskers.com Box Score here.

Nebraska (5-2)  came up just short Wednesday night against Western Kentucky University in overtime and dropped a game they should have won  69-62  (O.T.).  Turnovers and poor free-throw shooting are what hurt Nebraska in this one.  The Huskers committed  24 turnovers and WKU converted them into 31 points, while Nebraska put up 20 points off 21 turnovers.  Doc Sadler has to be shaking his head after watching his team shoot 68%  (19-28) from the free throw line and seeing WK go nearly perfect while hitting 18-21 (86%).   Nebraska made some poor decisions when handling the ball but none were as important as the last possession of regulation.  With the score tied at 55, the Huskers got the ball back after an impressive defensive stand where they forced a shot clock violation.  Cookie Miller  took it down the court and at after not   encountering some pressure, bounced the ball off his foot.  He leaped on the ball and threw it to Jay-R Strowbridge, but he couldn’t get a shot off in time.  In overtime, the Huskers took an early lead but were quickly stifled on offense and gave up 7 points in 33 seconds  to Tyrone Brazelton to stymie a comeback.

Aleks Maric and Ade Dagunduro led all scorers with 17.  Maric had his second double double of the season with adding  13 boards.    Dagunduro made a move when the game was on the line that I couldn’t help to think of Michael Jordan.  Down 51-53, Dagunduro was on the right of the key.  He dribbled left, put his right shoulder down ( Jordan pushed off! ) and hit an 18ft fade away to tie the game at 53.  I thought it was his biggest basket of the game and then he had to hit 2 free throws to tie it up at 55 and force OT.  He hit them.    With only 7 games under his belt, I can’t wait to see Ade at mid-season form!

Nebraska has to have better play from their point guard.  You cannot have 7 turnovers and only 3 assists, but if you do, you have to shoot better than 20% from the field.   I have to believe Doc Sadler will have them shooting free-throws when they get off the plane tonight and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I sit here watching  the Nebraska v. Western Kentucky basketball game with a heavy heart.  After watching hours of news coverage of the tragic events that took place earlier today at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, I decided I needed a break.  There is now 12:50 to play in the game and the Huskers, who have struggled all night, have finally pulled ahead by four.  Normally I would be in a great mood.  Tonight I am numb.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone that was affected by this horrendous act by an obviously disturbed man.  I know Nebraskans will rally and we will all get through this together.  In the end we will be stronger for it.  God Bless.  

Nebraska dominated the Sun Devils today 62-47 with a mix of strong defense, clock management, and ball control.  Things looked bleak early on when ASU forced 4 quick turnovers and turned it into a 17-10 lead.  A  timeout by Doc Sadler quickly regrouped the Huskers and they used the clock to their advantage in moving the ball around and picking their shots.   Nebraska had just 9 total turnovers and forced 19 in a slow paced game that was designed to keep ASU cold and not allow them to run, which is what they wanted to do.  

Ade Dagunduro led the way with 15 points 5 boards and 4 assists followed by 14 apiece for Maric and Ryan Anderson.  Nebraska shot 45% compared to 42% for ASU.   The Huskers held ASU’s top two scorers to 8 points each.  James Hardin never really seemed comfortable  and was held way below his season average of 20.6 points a game.    The defense pressured Jeff Pendergraph into 5 turnovers and when he did get the ball he seemed rattled and did not make very good decisions.

We were promised 94 feet and today that’s exactly what we got!  Great game HUSKERS!

Alecs Maric was nowhere to be found until Monday night when Doc Sadler pushed all the right buttons.  The result?  30 points on 13-18 shooting, 9 boards, and 4-7 from the charity stripe in 26 minutes.  Nebraska beat Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne 79-62 at the Devaney Center in one of the Husker’s best defensive efforts this year.   The Huskers shot 56% for the game while holding IPFW to 48%.  The defense gradually loosened up for the Husker’s as they held them to 37% shooting in the first half while building a 42-28 lead.  Nebraska forced 13 turnovers while turning the ball over 11 times themselves.  

The defense has no time to pat themselves on the back as Arizona State comes in on Sunday riding  a 4 game winning streak with hot shooting from McDonald’s All American Freshman James Harden.  Harden is averaging 20.6 points a game while connecting on 52% of his shots.  ASU also has an athletic forward, Jeff Pendergraph that can be just as explosive.  Asu is 4-1 with an impressive OT win over LSU.  There only setback was the first regular season game of the year to Illinois, 77-54.  ASU is coming off back to back 30 point victories for the first time since 1990 and is playing some high intensity ball on both sides right now. 

Nebraska has a chance at home, but must stop Harden and play some intense D.   A loud crowd ( weather permitting ) and this being ASU’s first road test has me feeling pretty good about this one.  I see it as a defensive battle with Nebraska winning a close one.   Nebraska 66   ASU  62

Despite all the hoopla in Lincoln today, the Nebraska Basketball faced off against Creighton in the Qwest Center in Omaha with Tom Osborne in attendance.

Nebraska stubbed their toe in the first half with 17 turnovers and went into the half down 27. The Huskers rebounded in the second half, outscoring Creighton by 15, but in the end it wasn’t enough as the Huskers fell 74-62 giving Doc Sadler his first loss against their in-state rivals.

Breaking Announcement:
In other news, the HuskerZone.com staff is expanding as we welcome Husker Brad to the table as our official basketball correspondent. He’s been quite active in our comments and has a passion for the roundball. Look for his commentary beginning in the next few days (as soon as I can get him up to speed on the publishing system) and be sure to give him his props.

Welcome Husker Brad.

Nebraska confirmed the signing of guard Robert Sallie and German center Christopher Niemann. Niemann will join the Huskers as a freshman in the Fall of ‘08. Sallie will have 3 seasons of eligibility as a junior college transfer.

I’ll let Husker Brad tell you why this is great news in the comments