Huskers Enter AP Top 25

Lincoln ? The Nebraska women’s basketball team entered the Associated Press Poll at No. 25 on Monday, earning 51 votes from writers across the nation.

The Huskers, who open a three-game homestand against Big Ten Conference opponents on Tuesday when they take on a 7-2 Minnesota squad at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, have reeled off six consecutive victories since dropping their season-opener at No. 13 Arizona State on Nov. 10. Nebraska (6-1) defeated No. 18 New Mexico in Tempe, Ariz., on Nov. 13 and preseason top-25 USC in Los Angeles on Nov. 26 during that stretch.

Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said the ranking is an indicator of the rise of the Husker program.

“We’re obviously happy to get into the top 25, and I think it reinforces that our program is headed in the right direction,” Yori said. “It’s nice to be recognized for what we have been able to accomplish so far this season, but we are much more focused on tomorrow night’s game with Minnesota.”

Nebraska’s appearance in the AP Top 25 is its second during Yori’s five-year tenure in Lincoln. The Huskers earned a No. 25 national ranking after running to an 81-63 win over No. 9 Kansas State in Lincoln on Jan. 24, 2004. NU spent just one week in the poll, falling to No. 3 Texas and at No. 16 Baylor in consecutive games.

The Huskers have run to a 6-1 record despite playing five of their first seven games on the road, including four games against 2006 NCAA Tournament teams. NU is 3-1 against 2006 postseason clubs, with road wins over Florida Atlantic, New Mexico and USC.

Nebraska will play its first home game against a 2006 NCAA qualifier when the Huskers play host to Minnesota on Tuesday at the DevaneyCenter. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. NU will be back in action at the DevaneyCenter on Saturday, Dec. 9, against Michigan at 7:05 p.m. The Huskers conclude their three-game stretch against the Big Ten by battling Northwestern in Lincoln on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 4:05 p.m.