2004-05 Men's Basketball Preseason Prospectus

2004-05 Preseason Notes -- Team
** Nebraska returns 10 lettermen to the court in 2004-05, including three starters in F John Turek, G Jake Muhleisen and G Marcus Neal Jr. The Huskers also return four additional players who made a start last year in G Corey Simms (13 starts), G Charles Richardson Jr. (10), G Jason Dourisseau (3) and F Bronsen Schliep (1). Other lettermen back for the Huskers include F Wes Wilkinson (29 games), C Tony Wilbrand (24) and F Shuan Stegall (10).

** The Huskers return nearly 55 percent of their scoring from last season and almost 60 percent of their rebounds from an 18-13 squad. NU also welcomes back nearly 70 percent of its assists and blocks and 65 percent of its steals.

** The Huskers have three scholarship newcomers joining the squad for the 2004-05 campaign. Adding depth in the paint this winter will be C Aleks Maric, a 6-11, 265-pounder from Sydney, Australia, who is ranked among the top 15 centers in the country by a number of recruiting services and Web sites. In the backcourt, the Huskers added a pair of scoring threats in G Marcus Perry (Anniston, Ala.) and G Joe McCray (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.). The 6-2, 180-pound Perry was a junior college honorable-mention All-American as a sophomore when he ranked fifth in the country in scoring. McCray, a 6-5, 195-pound swingman, was rated one of the top scoring guards nationally by several services before attending prep school in 2003-04.

** The Huskers return all of their staff to the bench in 2004-05. After two straight seasons when the Huskers lost an assistant, all three assistants (Reggie Rankin, Doug Novsek and Scott Spinelli) from last year return with a hope of getting Nebraska back to the postseason this winter. Director of Basketball Operations Tim Waller and Video Coordinator Steve Hinerman also return.

** Nebraska will be looking for back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since posting 20-win campaigns in 1997-98 (20-12) and 1998-99 (20-13). The 1999 season marked the last of nine straight winning seasons for the Huskers before they posted an 18-13 record in 2004. Since 1980, the Huskers have recorded winning records in 19 of 25 seasons and reached the NIT or NCAA Tournament in 17 of those winning campaigns.

** After earning a solid 18-13 record, including a 2-1 mark in the postseason NIT, the Huskers hope to earn their second straight postseason bid (20th overall) this year and first NCAA Tournament berth since 1997-98. If Nebraska makes the NCAA Tournament, it will also be looking for its first-ever victory there, as it is 0-6 all-time in NCAA play. Nebraska owns an impressive 22-12 all-time record in NIT action.

** Nebraska looks to post its first winning league record since going 10-6 in the Big 12 in 1998-99. NU's 6-10 mark in conference action was a three-game improvement over the previous season.

** Behind a roster of players that have combined for 507 career games played and 215 career starts, Nebraska returns one of its most experienced lineups in several years. The Huskers hope to use that experience to their benefit in tight games. Nebraska had eight games decided by five points or less last year and came away with just a 2-6 record. Three of the losses were to nationally ranked teams in conference play, including two on the road.

** Barry Collier-led teams have long been known for their defensive discipline and the 2004-05 Huskers have a solid base to continue that trend. Six of the returning players saw at least 350 minutes of action last year for a Nebraska squad that was among the best defensive units in the country. NU tied its lowest mark in the past 40 years for opponent field-goal percentage allowed (.400, lowest since 1961) and ranked 20th in the country in that category last year. Nebraska also held opponents to 32.7 percent from three-point range, the fourth-best three-point field goal percentage defense in school history. The Huskers' scoring defense (62.9 ppg) was their best since 1984 and ranked in the top 40 in the country and third in the Big 12.

** Winning at home is a priority for every team and the Huskers will not be an exception this year. Nebraska has been outstanding in contests at the Devaney Center since Coach Collier took over the program as it owns a 44-19 home record in the past four seasons, including a solid 15-3 mark last year. NU's returning players have combined for 42 wins in the past three years, including 36 victories at home.

** The Huskers have defeated a ranked team each of the past four seasons and will look to keep their streak alive in 2004-05. Nebraska had two wins over ranked teams last season as it smashed No. 12 Kansas, 74-55, and No. 25 Texas Tech, 72-44. The 28-point margin of victory over the Red Raiders was NU's largest ever against a ranked while the win over Kansas also ranked in the top four.

** Nebraska has defeated a ranked team at home five times since Coach Collier took over the program. Nebraska looks to extend its current streak as it has won its last two home games against ranked opponents. The Huskers will also look to extend a 13-game non-conference home winning streak that dates back two seasons. NU was 11-0 at home last year in non-conference games, including a 78-70 win over Niagara in the NIT first round.

** Nebraska lost three of its top four free throw shooters from last season but returns a core that combined to hit 65.9 percent in 2003-04. The Huskers' top returning free throw shooter is Jake Muhleisen (78.6 percent, 44-of-56, in 2003-04). The Huskers hit 71.8 percent at the stripe in 2003-04 after knocking down just 64.9 percent the previous season. The Huskers' hot shooting at the line last year marked just the fifth time in the past 20 years NU had hit better than 70.0 percent for a season, and the first time since 1994 when Nebraska ranked ninth nationally by hitting at a 74.5 percent clip.

** After changing to a "read-and-react" style offense last season, the Huskers saw dramatic improvements in their field-goal percentage as they moved the ball better and created more easy scoring opportunities on offense. NU will look for even better production this season, though that will be tough as the Huskers hit 46.6 percent from the floor last year to rank second in the Big 12. It was a seven percentage point increase over the previous year (39.8). Nebraska returns three of its top five shooters from last season in G Jason Dourisseau (48.1 percent), G Jake Muhleisen (46.7) and F John Turek (46.0).

** Nebraska looks to improve its scoring offense after averaging 70.5 points per game last season to rank ninth in the Big 12. Despite being one of the lower scoring teams in the conference, NU's average was up 7.2 points per game over the 2002-03 season (63.3 ppg), the largest increase in scoring production in one season at NU since 1964-65 to 1965-66 (+9.0, 68.2 ppg to 77.2 ppg). It was just the second time in six seasons NU averaged at least 70.0 points per game, both coming under Coach Collier (also 2000-01).

** To increase its scoring average, the Huskers will need to have someone step up, as NU lost its top two scorers from last season (Nate Johnson, 13.0 ppg; Andrew Drevo, 10.8 ppg) and its top three-point threat (Brian Conklin, 66-118 from 3pt. range). Several players will have the chance to step up at scoring guard, including returnee Jason Dourisseau and newcomers Marcus Perry and Joe McCray, while point guards Marcus Neal Jr. and Charles Richardson Jr. will also be asked to expand their offensive game. In the paint, F John Turek has turned into one of the most reliable post players in the league and hopes to take the next step to becoming a dominating big man.

** To help prepare for the 2004-05 season, the Huskers will spend nearly two weeks overseas this summer playing an exhibition schedule in Australia. Nebraska will head Down Under on Aug. 7 and return Aug. 20 after playing six games. The Huskers will use six of the NCAA-allowed 10 practice days before the trip during the months of May and June, and will use the final four days of practice in the first week of August. Nebraska's last foreign trip came before the start of the 1992-93 season when NU went to Europe. The Huskers have played regular and postseason contests in Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico since Coach Collier took over.

2004-05 Preseason Notes -- Individuals
** Nebraska returns two players who earned postseason awards last year. G Corey Simms returns for his senior campaign after averaging 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game and shooting 45.4 percent from the floor. Along with the stats, his energy off the bench and gritty play helped Simms to be selected as a member of the Big 12 All-Reserve team. G Marcus Neal Jr. also earned honors from the league's sportswriters as he was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer team after averaging 5.3 points, 2.0 assists and 1.8 rebounds as a junior transfer. Neal played in every game and started 19 contests, including 13 of the last 14, at the point.

** F John Turek returns as one of the Huskers' top offensive threats in 2004-05 and will contend for all-conference honors on the court and academic All-America honors in the classroom. The Council Bluffs, Iowa, native enters his senior season as the teams' leading returning scorer (9.8 ppg), rebounder (5.9 rpg) and shot blocker (1.2 bpg). He made more field goals (108) and free throws (88) last year than any other Husker returnee and is third among returning players in field-goal percentage (46.0) and free throw percentage (69.8). He was a first-team academic All-Big 12 selection in 2003 and 2004.

** Nebraska returns an experienced and deep backcourt that will figure prominently into the Huskers' success in 2004-05. Among the returnees are last year's starting point guards Marcus Neal Jr. and Charles Richardson Jr. Neal and Richardson will again fight for the majority of the minutes at the point after rotating starting duties over the first half of the season. Neal's offense came alive midway through the league slate to give him the nod at the opening tip in 13 of the final 14 contests last year. After combining for 7.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in 2003-04, the pair will be crucial to NU's offensive success this year. G Jake Muhleisen, who started at the point two years before moving to the wing last season, will likely see a few minutes back at the point in 2004-05.

** Adding to the talented backcourt cast are Corey Simms and Jason Dourisseau, a pair of wing players who bring size and a physical presence to the backcourt. Simms has played on the wing in 88 career games (39 starts) and has been the Huskers' best man-to-man defender each of the past two seasons. Dourisseau has seen action at shooting guard and on the wing in 60 games over the past two seasons (six starts), and is a scoring threat who will look to shoot more often this season.

** G Jake Muhleisen is already in elite company but with another solid season, he could end his career among the top all-around players in Nebraska history. Muhleisen enters the 2004-05 season as one of just 13 players ever at Nebraska with at least 700 career points, 200 rebounds, 200 assists and 50 steals. By recording his same totals as last year ? which was slightly down from his first two seasons ? Muhleisen is on pace to become only the fourth Husker all-time to record at least 1,000 points, 350 rebounds, 250 assists and 100 steals in his career.

** After seeing F John Turek's production improve dramatically each of the past two years, the Huskers are hoping he can continue the trend in 2004-05. Turek, who has great athleticism for his size, improved his whole game as a junior, averaging career highs in scoring (9.8 ppg), field-goal percentage (46.0), free throw percentage (69.8) and assists (29). He also led NU in rebounding (5.9 rpg) and blocked shots (37). The Huskers' leading returning scorer, Turek has improved his scoring average by nearly two points per game each of the past two seasons, and with his defensive ability, he has a chance to emerge as one of the top post players in the conference in his final season.

** G Jake Muhleisen and F John Turek enter the 2004-05 campaign as NU's top returning scorers, and are already ranked among the top 60 scorers in Nebraska history. Muhleisen enters the season with 731 career points (73 games) to rank 49th in scoring in NU history while Turek is 57th with 678 points (87 games).

** G Jake Muhleisen and F John Turek each have a shot at reaching the 1,000-point plateau in their final season, a mark only 23 players have reached at Nebraska. The last 1,000-point scorer at NU was Cary Cochran, the Huskers' all-time leader with 268 career three-pointers. Cochran finished his career with 1,056 points in 2002 (Muhleisen and Turek's freshman campaign).

** F John Turek will also make a run at the career top 10 list for rebounds (needs 120 to tie for 10th) and should move into the top five in blocked shots. Muhleisen has an outside chance at making the NU career top 10 list for steals (needs 55 to tie for 10th).

** F John Turek and G Jake Muhleisen have been among the Huskers' top players during the past three seasons, and they also are among NU's best students in the classroom. Turek is a two-time academic all-conference first-team selection while Muhleisen earned the honor in 2004. Muhleisen would have been a first-team selection in 2003 but did not meeting the statistical criteria because he missed 16 games with a fractured hip socket. The pair will be academic All-America and all-conference nominees in 2005.