Muhleisen Takes Off On Big 12 All-Star Tour

Lincoln - Jake Muhleisen, a sophomore guard on the Husker men's basketball team, boarded a plane Monday, and while he has become accustomed to air travel around the country as a starter for the Huskers, this trip was a bit different. Representing the Huskers as part of the Big 12 All-Star team, Muhleisen and his new teammates will tour Sweden, Norway and Denmark over the next 11 days, playing six games during that span.

The travel, and a chance to play basketball with some of the best young  players in the league, was intriguing for Muhleisen.

"I really want to have fun and play some basketball," Muhleisen said, "but it will be good to get to know some of the guys from other teams. We will get to spend some time together and see different parts of the world. We should also have a pretty good team that should compete well."

The trip marks the third time the Big 12 Conference has sent a men's summer team overseas. The last one, in 2000, went 5-1 while touring Austria and Germany, while the first, in 1998, went 4-2 in London, Paris, Belgium and Germany. The conference has also sent women's teams on tour, alternating each year with the men.

Muhleisen takes the trip seriously, saying that he is not only representing himself, but the Huskers as a whole.

"Everyone on the team has been really excited for me," Muhleisen said. "When you go out on one of these teams, you are not just going for yourself, you are representing the team.

"All of the guys on (the Nebraska roster) get along well and support each other. Everyone realizes that one person doesn't make up a team and that we have to push each other, but we also support each other when someone has a chance to do something good for Nebraska."

A native of Lincoln, Muhleisen is excited to be a part of the trip, especially considering he has never traveled overseas before.

"The farthest I've gone east is to Florida, when I was six. Since then, the farthest east I've been is Kentucky. So it will be a whole new experience to see a different culture and different people and what they do in their society. It should be interesting."

With plenty of sightseeing time in between games, Muhleisen will likely get a chance to experience that culture first-hand. But there will also be time for basketball, as the squad prepares to take on a different type of team and different rules.

Baylor head coach Dave Bliss, who is guiding the squad against the international competition, is hopeful the Big 12 All-Star team will be able to come together despite such a short time to prepare. The team practiced in Dallas for three days over the weekend before departing for Chicago and then Stockholm, Sweden, on Monday.

"This is a good situation from the standpoint of having 12 guys who are really starting to get together," Bliss said following the team's final practice Sunday. "Obviously the opposition always has the advantage because they've played together much longer than we have, but we're excited about going over. We first of all look forward to a real entertaining and educational trip, but we also look forward to some good competitive basketball."

Muhleisen is also optimistic about the team's chances.

"Practices are going well," Muhleisen said following the final practice in the U.S. "We're trying to learn how each other play and just having a good time so far. Everybody is doing really well. I'm impressed with how everyone is playing. It should be an exciting team to play with.

"I'm also looking forward to see what the competition is like and see what the teams are like over there. I want to see how they play and the different style of basketball they play."

Each team in the league has one player traveling with the squad. Among the team members joining Muhleisen are: Nick Anderson (Texas A&M), Travon Bryant (Missouri), Will Chavis (Texas Tech), Jason Klotz (Texas), Ivan McFarlin (Oklahoma State), Bryant Nash (Kansas), Pervis Pasco (Kansas State), Lawrence Roberts (Baylor), Jake Sullivan (Iowa State), Quannas White (Oklahoma) and Blair Wilson (Colorado).

While Muhleisen has been impressed with his teammates, Bliss has made equally satisfying comments about the Husker sophomore.

"Jake has been terrific to coach," Bliss said. "He's able to play any of the three guard spots, he's a tough defender and a very good open jump shooter. We're thrilled to have him on the team."