Nebraska, UMBC Face Off in Pre-Christmas Tilt

Husker Game day

Nebraska Game Notes: Click here

UMBC Game Notes: Click here

Game Date: Tuesday, Dec. 23

Tipoff Time: 7:07 p.m.CT

Venue: Bob Devaney Sports Center

TV: FS Midwest in state of Nebraska only, Play-by-play: Greg Sharpe. Color: Eric Piatkowski.

Satellite TV: ESPN FullCourt, DirecTV

Radio: Husker Sports Radio Network stations, Play-by-play: Kent Pavelka. Color: Matt Davison.

Internet Radio/Stats: Free on Huskers.com
Internet TV: ESPN360.com

Parking at the Devaney Center: Map (PDF)
Getting Around: Devaney Center Fan Guide (PDF)
Weather around Lincoln: Lincoln Weather
Ticket Office: BUY TICKETS NOW! Can't use your tickets on Sunday? Find out how to transfer them on-line now.

 

 

Nebraska Set to Host 2008 NCAA Tournament Qualifier UMBC

Following a solid victory on Saturday in their first home game in nearly three weeks, the Nebraska basketball team makes a quick turnaround before Christmas as it will face UMBC on Tuesday, Dec. 23. The Cornhuskers and  Retrievers will tip off at 7:05 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

 

Tuesday’s game will mark Nebraska’s fifth appearance on its third-tier television package, as the game will be carried in the state of Nebraska  on Fox Sports Midwest (Channel 37 in Lincoln; Channel 47 in Omaha) with Greg Sharpe (play by play) and Eric Piatkowski (color) handling the call. Subscribers of DirecTV (Channel 672) in the state of Nebraska will also receive the game, which can also be seen around the country on ESPN FullCourt. The game will not be seen on Dish Network as it

 

All of Nebraska’s games can also be heard on the IMG Husker Sports Radio Network, consisting of 31 stations around the state, and for free around the world on the Internet at Huskers.com, the official Web site of Nebraska Athletics. Veteran play-by-play man Kent Pavelka will call the action alongside color analyst and former Husker Matt Davison.

 

UMBC enters the Devaney Center with a 5-5 record but returns four starters from last season’s 24-9 squad that won the America East title.

 

 UMBC is the first of five opponents coming to the Devaney Center this season after reaching the NCAA Tournament last year (also Kansas State, Kansas, Texas and Texas A&M).

 

 Nebraska is looking to win for the eighth time in 10 games to open the season. The Huskers have opened a year with an 8-2 mark four times in the Big 12 era, including posting an 11-2 non-conference mark last season.

 

 Nebraska is looking rewrite the school record book on Tuesday. With the win Saturday over IPFW, the Cornhuskers posted their 31st consecutive home non-conference win, tying the school-record streak set between 1963 and 1971. The last time the Cornhuskers lost to a non-Big 12 squad at home was a one-point setback to UAB on Dec. 3, 2005.

 

 Although it struggled during its last two road games, Nebraska has been solid offensively in its past two home contests. The Huskers have posted 80 and 75 points, respectively, over Alabama State and IPFW while combining to hit 55.8 percent (58-of-104) from the field.

 

 For only the second time in the 3-point era, NU has held each of its first nine opponents to fewer than 65 points per game (also 2003-04).

Scouting The Retrievers

UMBC comes into Tuesday’s matchup with a 5-5 record that includes five road games already this season. The Retrievers, who returned four starters from last season, have won at Quinnipiac and Columbia, but in their lone trip so far to a major conference foe, fell to nationally ranked Pittsburgh, 91-56. 

In their last outing, the Retrievers dropped a home contest to American, falling by a 74-61 mark. Forward Darryl Proctor scored 22 points and added 11 rebounds for UMBC, but American’s Garrison Carr was nearly unstoppable as he went off for 34 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including hitting 8-of-15 from 3-point range.

As a team, the Retrievers are averaging 66.7 points per game but have allowed 67.3 per contest. UMBC is hitting 45.1 percent from the field and has gotten to the free throw line an average of 19.1 times per game (70.2 percent).

Proctor is the team’s scoring leader, averaging a solid 17.8 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting. He also paces the squad with 8.7 rebounds per game and 14 steals. Last year, he was a first-team all-conference selection after ranking second in the league in rebounding (8.4 prg), and he paced the team with 60 steals. 

UMBC’s effective front line is led by the 6-4 Proctor, but he is not the only player to provide solid minutes. Along with Proctor, 6-9 Justin Fry and 6-7 Rich Flemming are strong on both ends of the floor and the trio accounts for more than 52 percent of the team’s scoring and 53 percent of the team’s rebounds.

UMBC’s other returning first-team all-conference player, Jay Greene, is a talented guard who has improved his scoring this season.

Last year, Greene was fourth in the country in assists (7.2 apg) and helped UMBC lead the nation in assist-to-turnover margin (3.47). He is right back at it this year, averaging 6.7 assists per game in 2008-09 and is now averaging 13.2 points per contest to rank second on the squad.

Greene, Proctor and Fry join Matt Spadafora as returning starters for the Retrievers, who went 24-9 last season and won the America East championship. UMBC earned the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament where it lost to Georgetown in the first round.

UMBC’s starting five have been iron men, as all five average at least 27 minutes per game this season. Those five, along with sixth-man Chauncey Gilliam, have combined to play 1,924 of the team’s 2,000 minutes this season.

UMBC is led by coach Randy Monroe (Cheney, 1987), who is in his fifth year guiding the Retrievers. Monroe owns a 62-71 career record, all with UMBC over the past five seasons.

 

Possible UMBC Starting Lineup

Name                   Pos. Ht.   Wt.   Pt.   Rb.

Rich Flemming       F     6-7  205   9.0   4.8

Justin Fry              F     6-9  225   8.4   3.3

Darryl Proctor        F     6-4  230   17.8 8.7

Jay Greene            G    5-8  160   13.2 *6.7

Matt Spadafora       G    6-5  200   8.9   2.9

*assists per game

The Series

The Huskers and Retrievers meeting for just the second time in series history.

 

 Nebraska owns a 1-0 advantage over UMBC, defeating the Retrievers 86-65 on Jan. 17, 1989.

 

 UMBC is one of five teams on the 2008-09 schedule that the Huskers have either played once in series history or have never faced before.

 Nebraska is 1-0 all-time against current teams from the America East Conference. The lone meeting was also against UMBC.

 

Nebraska-UMBC Team Comparison

NU                      Stat                 UMBC

64.3______ Points Per Game______ 66.7

53.9___ Points Allowed Per Game___ 67.3

44.9____ Field Goal Percentage____ 45.1

37.6_ Field Goal Percentage Defense_ 44.7

39.5___ 3pt Field Goal Percentage___ 36.3

28.2 3pt Field Goal Percentage Defense 36.0

70.4____ Free Throw Percentage____ 70.2

28.7_____ Rebounds Per Game_____ 31.5

-5.1_______ Rebound Margin______ -3.9

13.6______ Assists Per Game______ 13.2

12.8_____ Turnovers Per Game_____ 10.6

9.8_______ Steals Per Game_______ 5.1

2.4_______ Blocks Per Game_______ 2.7

19.0_______ Fouls Per Game______ 15.5

Quick hits

Here is a quick look at the Huskers through games of Dec. 20:

 Nebraska has the Big 12 Conference’s top scoring defense, allowing just 53.9 points per game through nine games. No other league squad is holding opponents below 60.0 points per contest.

 Nebraska ranked sixth nationally last week in scoring defense, trailing only Washington State (48.7 ppg), Northwestern (49.4), Ohio State (50.3), San Jose State  (53.3) and UC Riverside (54.3). Official NCAA stats are released each Monday afternoon.

 Despite struggling at the line Saturday against IPFW, the Huskers are hitting 70.4 percent from the free throw stripe this season. Nebraska has shot 70.0 percent from the line for a whole season just twice in the Big 12 era, including 2006-07 (71.3 percent), coach Doc Sadler’s first season on the sideline.

 Senior Steve Harley ranked 39th nationally last week in free throw percentage. He is currently third in the Big 12 by hitting 85.2 percent (23-of-27) from the free throw line.

 Nebraska ranked 11th nationally in turnover margin last week. The Huskers have caused 172  turnovers (19.1 turnovers per game) while posting 115 (12.8 tpg) miscues itself over nine games, a margin of +6.33, which ranks second in the Big 12 Conference.

 Nebraska has struggled at times scoring this season as NU has averaged 64.3 points per game. The Huskers have topped 70 points just three times in nine games, although they have posted their top two point totals in the last two home games.

 NU has forced 172 turnovers (19.1 per game) through nine contests while allowing just 80 assists on 155 made baskets. Nebraska has 122 assists on 203 baskets but has committed 115 turnovers (12.8 per game).

 The Huskers had just six turnovers in the game against Saint Louis. It tied the lowest total by Nebraska under coach Doc Sadler.

 Nebraska posted 11 turnovers at Oregon State, marking the eighth time under coach Doc Sadler that NU had 11 or fewer turnovers in a road game.

 Nebraska outrebounded Alabama State 35-28, the third time this season NU gained an advantage on the glass.

 The +7 rebounding margin against Alabama State was a season high. The -15 (40-25) rebound margin at Oregon State was a Husker season low.

 

 With the victory over Alabama State on Dec. 3, Nebraska improved to 6-0 to open a season for only the second time in the Big 12 era (also 2001-02).

 Seven Huskers are averaging at least 1.0 steal per game. Cookie Miller leads the way with 15 steals, while three others have at least 12 steals apiece.

 Sek Henry has been proficient with the basketball, hitting a team-best 57.4 percent from the field, including a solid 47.4 percent from 3-point range.

 Redshirt freshman Toney McCray has been a key performer this season for Nebraska as he ranks third in scoring and leads the team in rebounding and blocked shots.

 McCray has nine blocked shots this season and needs only four more to move into the Nebraska freshman top 10. John Turek and Venson Hamilton share the NU freshman record with 39 blocks in their rookie campaigns.

 Paul Velander ranks among the top 20 nationally by hitting 51.1 percent from 3-point range (24-of-47), an average that leads the Big 12 Conference.

 Velander has played the third-most minutes of any Husker so far as he has seen 224 minutes of action in nine games. He had 777 minutes in 60 career games entering the season.

 Cookie Miller leads the team with 37 assists against 16 turnovers this season. He is looking to become the first Husker to lead NU in assists as a freshman and sophomore since Tyronn Lue did it in 1995-96 and 1996-97.

 Miller helped the team post a season-best 23 assists on 30 baskets against Alabama State. Miller had six assists with two turnovers while Ryan Anderson led the team with a career-best seven assists without a turnover. Four Huskers had at least three assists apiece against the Hornets.

Huskers Roll up Wins At home

When coach Doc Sadler took over the program before the 2006-07 season, Nebraska made winning at home a priority. Since then, the Huskers have yet to lose to a non-conference opponent at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

 

When adding in the Huskers’ home game against Oregon at the Qwest Center in Omaha (considered a home contest due to RPI standards by NCAA), the Huskers have won 31 straight games against non-conference teams.

 

Nebraska tied the school record for consecutive wins against non-conference teams with its 31st straight in a 75-48 victory over IPFW.

 Nebraska is 26-0 under Coach Doc Sadler at home against non-conference opponents.

 The Huskers have defeated teams from 10 different conferences, along with teams that were independent at the time.

 Nebraska’s last home loss to a non-conference team came on Dec. 3, 2005 against UAB in a 73-72 setback.

 During the streak, Nebraska has had just one game decided by five or fewer points (two-point win over Creighton this year) and one other decided in overtime (win over Oregon at Qwest Center).

NU’s Longest Non-Conference Home Win Streaks

Games      Dates                                 

31            Dec. 8, 2005 to present

31            Jan. 18, 1963 to Dec. 1, 1971

30            Dec. 30, 1989 to Nov. 27, 1994

16            Dec. 3, 1993 to March 16, 1995

15            Dec. 31, 2002 to Dec. 6, 2004

15            Dec. 23, 1985 to Dec. 4, 1987

14            Dec. 11, 1971 to Dec. 14, 1974

14            Dec. 11, 1948 to Dec. 1, 1951

 The Huskers’ current 31-game non-conference home win streak ranks eighth nationally, although it is only third in the Big 12 Conference, according to information provided by the Mountain West Conference.

Longest Active Non-Conference Home Win Streaks

Rank       Team                            Streak

1.           Duke                        65 games

2.           Texas A&M                40 games

             Arkansas                  40 games

4.           Michigan State           38 games

5.           Pittsburgh                 37 games

6.           Missouri                   34 games

7.           Utah State                 33 games

8.           Nebraska                   31 games

9.           BYU                         29 games

             Notre Dame               29 games

             Tennessee                29 games

12.          George Washington    28 games

Bombs Away

Nebraska had hit at a solid percentage from
3-point range in its first five games, but NU took it to a whole new level against Alabama State.

 Nebraska hit an impressive 14-of-25 (56.0 percent) from beyond the arc against the Hornets. NU “only” connected on 51.7 percent (30-of-58) from the floor overall.

 The 14 3-pointers were the most by the Huskers since hitting 15 against Miami on the road in the 2006-07 season. The school record is 18 3-pointers against No. 1 Kansas in 2002.

 Six Huskers hit from outside the arc, including four players with three 3-pointers apiece. Sek Henry led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 night beyond the arc while Ryan Anderson (3-of-4), Steve Harley (3-of-5) and Paul Velander (3-of-6) each had three treys apiece.

 Amazingly on a night when all the 3s were falling, Velander made his first two attempts from inside the arc, missing both. Velander’s first 26 attempts from the field this season were 3-point attempts until a missed jumper in the first half against Alabama State. Entering the midweek matchup, he is now 0-of-3 from inside the arc and 24-of-47 outside it.

 Since that outburst, Nebraska hit 13-of-40 (32.5 percent) from beyond the arc in its next two games before draining 8-of-15 (53.3 percent) against IPFW.

Defense Among NCaa’s Best

Nebraska is among the Big 12 and national leaders in several defensive categories in 2008-09.

 Nebraska leads the Big 12 in scoring defense at 53.9 points per game. Through Sunday, Dec. 21, Texas was second in the league, allowing opponents 60.6 points per game.

 Nebraska entered last weekend ranked 38th nationally and first in the conference in field-goal percentage defense. The highest field-goal percentage allowed by NU this season was 46.5 percent by Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Six of NU’s first nine opponents have been held under 40.0 percent from the field.

 The Huskers have allowed teams to hit just 28.2 percent from 3-point range, an average that ranked 20th nationally last week. NU has held three teams under 20.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc this season.

Few and Far Between

Under Coach Doc Sadler, the Huskers have gained a reputation as one of the toughest defensive teams in the rugged Big 12 Conference, which in turns makes NU one of the best defensive teams in the nation.

This season, Sadler’s Huskers are opening the year at a level rarely seen. Through nine games, the Huskers are allowing just 53.9 points per game and have not allowed an opponent to reach 65 points.

 The Huskers opened the year by posting the longest streak without allowing a team to reach 65 points since the 2003-04 Nebraska squad did not allow an opponent to reach 65 points through the first 11 games of the season.

 Only once in the 3-point era (2003-04) has Nebraska held every non-conference team below 65 points.

 Nebraska held each of its first six opponents to fewer than 58 points. The last time NU held opponents to less than 60 points over the first six games of the year was the start of the 1943-44 season.

 The last time the Huskers held consecutive opponents to fewer than 60 points in any stretch of at least six games was the seven contests between games 12 through 18 of the 1981-82 season. That was a streak of 820 games before it was matched starting this season.

Harley Starting to Rev up

Guard Steve Harley came on strong at the end of last season when he was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team by the league's sportswriters for his play in league action.

 

Over the final 12 league games and the postseason, Harley assumed a lead role in the Husker offense in 2007-08, ranking second on the team with 11.0 points per game as he hit 45 percent from the floor including nearly 43 percent from 3-point range. He shot better than 78 percent from the charity stripe in that stretch.

 

This year he is picking up where he left off as he tries to guide the Huskers to their second straight postseason berth.

 Harley is currently leading the team with 13.6 points per game, an average that entered the week ranked 19th in the Big 12 Conference.

 Harley set a career high with 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting against IPFW. It was his second career 20-point performance and the Huskers' first this year.

 He has hit 47.9 percent from the floor, and has been one of the most aggressive Huskers getting to the basket, as he is second on the team with 27 trips to the free throw line (24 made free throws, 3rd in league in free throw percentage at 85.2). Harley is also averaging 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

 Over his last six games, Harley has averaged 15.2 points per contest. During that stretch he has hit 50.7 percent from the field and 88.2 percent from the charity stripe.

 After opening the season hitting just 4-of-13 shots over the first two games, Harley has since knocked down 41-of-81 (50.6 percent) in the past seven games. Harley set a career high against Creighton with 16 field-goal attempts, making eight (one off career high).

 Harley has tied his career high for rebounds twice this season, posting six against San Jose State in the season opener and again in the come-from-behind win over Creighton.

 Harley had just one assist against Creighton, but it was the biggest one of the game. With the contest tied at 52-52, Nebraska had the ball with the shot clock off. Coach Doc Sadler drew up a play for Harley as the first scoring option. As he drove the lane to the basket, CU hedged to the middle and Harley made a nice wrap-around pass to Ade Dagunduro, who had an uncontested layup for the game-winning basket with 2.7 seconds remaining.

 He is the only Husker averaging more than 26 minutes per game, as he has played 29.8 minutes per contest.

Hot Henry

After a strong offseason, Sek Henry entered his junior season on a tear while helping the Huskers to six straight wins to open a season for just the second time in the Big 12 era.

Through nine games, Henry is one of five players averaging at least 8.0 points per game.

 Henry posted 19 points against Saint Louis, one off his career high and the most points he has scored at home in the Devaney Center.

 His 11 points against IPFW marked the fourth time this season he scored in double figures. Henry scored in double figures just five times last year and four times as a freshman.

 Henry scored 46 points (11.5 ppg) to open the first four games of the season, the second-best, four-game scoring stretch of his career. As a freshman, he posted 56 points (14 ppg) over four games to end the non-conference schedule.

 Henry has hit 27-of-47 shots (57.4 percent) from the field, including 9-of-19 (47.4 percent) from 3-point range. His career averages entering this season were 36.7 percent shooting and 26.4 percent from beyond the arc.

 Henry has twice this season tied his career high with four steals in a game. He is currently second on the team with 14 steals.

 Being aggressive is in Henry’s nature on the court and it is showing this year. Although he has hit just 45.0 percent from the free throw line, he has done a nice job getting to the stripe as he one of only three players with at least 20 attempts from the line.

Dagunduro Getting on Track

After a sluggish start to the season, senior guard Ade Dagunduro has begun to turn up the intensity on both ends of the court.

One of the most athletic players in the Big 12 Conference, Dagunduro has brought his scoring average up to a modest 8.3 points per game after scoring just six points in the first two contests of the year.

The biggest points of the season for Dagunduro came in the final seconds of a comeback victory over Creighton. The Inglewood, Calif., native got free on the right block when his defender hedged to the middle of the lane as Steve Harley drove with the ball. Harley made a nice wrap-around pass right to Dagunduro, whose uncontested layup with 2.7 seconds remaining was the game-winning bucket.

 Dagunduro posted 14 points against Saint Louis and 11 points vs. Creighton in consecutive games. He hit 9-of-16 shots (56.2 percent) from the field in those contests after starting the season shooting 4-for-15 (26.7 percent) from the floor in the first three games. Last year, he recorded double figures in three straight games on only two occasions.

 After scoring just 11 points against Alabama State and Arizona State combined, Dagunduro posted a team-high 16 points at Oregon State and came back with 10 points against IPFW.

 Dagunduro has averaged 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game over the past three contests.

 Dagunduro’s slow start this season is the exact opposite of last year, which could be a good thing for the Huskers in the long run. Dagunduro started 2007-08 on fire, averaging 11.8 points per game in non-conference play while hitting 54.8 percent from the field. In league action, he had 5.8 points per game while knocking down just 40.4 percent from the field.

Comeback Kids

Nebraska not only picked up its second straight win in Lincoln over in-state foe Creighton on Nov. 29, but it also made for one of the more memorable comebacks by the Huskers since the formation of the Big 12 Conference.

Nebraska’s come-from-behind victory was keyed by a strong second-half performance from Steve Harley and Cookie Miller. Harley finished with a game-high 18 points with three steals and had the key assist on Ade Dagunduro’s game-winning basket with 2.7 seconds remaining. Miller posted six assists and two steals and got the Huskers’ offense into high gear after trailing by 13 points at halftime.

 The 13-point deficit the Huskers overcame matched the largest comeback under Coach Doc Sadler. It also tied for the second-largest comeback by Nebraska during the Big 12 era, matching the 13-point deficit NU overcame at Texas Tech during Sadler’s first season on the sideline.

 The largest deficit Nebraska has rebounded from to win since the formation of the Big 12 Conference was 20 points against Kansas State in the first year of the league (1996-97). KSU also had the biggest halftime lead that NU has overcome in the Big 12 era as the Wildcats led by 18 points at the break.

 

Largest Nebraska Deficits Overcome to Win

(Big 12 era only, since 1996-97)

                                                Deficit

Year        Opponent                  Overcome

1996-97   Kansas State              20 points

2008-09    Creighton                    13 points

2006-07   at Texas Tech             13 points

2002-03   vs. UC Santa Barbara    12 points

1998-99   Texas A&M                12 points

2005-06   Baylor                      11 points

2004-05   Oklahoma State          11 points

2001-02   Colorado                  11 points

2000-01   Missouri                    11 points

1999-2000                        Eastern Illinois    10 points

1997-98   Baylor                      10 points

2003-04   Creighton (NIT game)    9 points

Getting Defensive

Nebraska coach Doc Sadler has never had a problem getting his teams ready to play defense and the 2008-09 version of the Huskers seems to be no different.

Through nine games, Nebraska is allowing just 53.9 points per contest as opponents have hit 37.6 percent from the field, including 28.2 percent from 3-point range. Nebraska has also forced 172 turnovers and collected 88 steals in nine contests.

 The Huskers have allowed 485 points in the first nine games of the year, the second straight year under Doc Sadler that NU has allowed fewer than 490 points in its first nine games. Nebraska has held its first nine opponents to fewer than 490 combined points to open a season just sixtimes since 1947-48.

 

NU’s Fewest Points Allowed in First Nine Games

(Since 1947-48, beginning of Big Seven Conference)

       Year                             Points (Ppg)

1947-48................................ 449 (49.9)

1949-50................................ 465 (51.7)

 2003-04................................ 475 (52.8)

2008-09................................. 485 (53.9)

2007-08................................ 485 (53.9)

1981-82................................ 489 (54.3)

1950-51................................ 498 (55.3)

1982-83................................ 509 (56.6)

2004-05................................ 510 (56.7)

1948-49................................ 515 (57.2)

 The Huskers have held three straight teams under 40.0 percent shooting in the Devaney Center, and six teams overall.

 Nebraska has forced at least 20 turnovers  in a game five times this season, including each of the past two games (24 against OSU and IPFW).

 Nebraska held TCU to just 10 field goals in NU’s first road game of the season. The 10 field goals allowed were the second-lowest by a Husker squad under Sadler, trailing only the nine baskets allowed at home by North Carolina Central last season.

 The 10 field goals by the Horned Frogs were the fewest by an opponent away from the Devaney Center since Centenary had 10 baskets to open the 2002-03 season at the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska.

 The 50 points scored by TCU marked the fewest Nebraska has allowed on the road since NU held Kansas State to 42 points in the first league road game of the 2005-06 campaign. In non-conference play, it was the fewest points a Husker squad has given up away from the Devaney Center since holding Centenary to 45 points in the first game of 2002-03.

 TCU's 50 points were also the fewest Nebraska has allowed in a true road opener since giving up just 49 points at Minnesota in the 1977-78 season.

Energy Guys

Following the season-opening contest against San Jose State, Coach Doc Sadler praised several players for their energy and hustle, especially the ones off the bench.

Leading the way that day was redshirt freshman Brandon Richardson, who posted six points, three rebounds, an assist and four steals in 16 minutes in his career debut. Richardson’s numbers did not tell the whole story as he made several dives to the floor and other hustle plays to ignite NU in the second half after SJSU cut the lead from 18 points to five. His steal off an inbounds and three-point play turned the game around, helping NU score 10 points in less than a minute to pull away for good.

Following Nebraska’s game against IPFW, Sadler said:

“Brandon Richardson makes plays that don’t show up on the box score. When we went to the 1-3-1 for the first time (that night), he made two huge hustle plays. He does things that might give you three or four more possessions that you wouldn’t otherwise get in a game.”

 Richardson has continued to improve and gain confidence each time he hits the court. Against UAPB, he scored a season-high nine points and had two assists without a turnover in 23 minutes of action.

 Although he has had just four points in the past four games combined, he has posted seven steals and two assists in that span.

 Richardson has posted at least three steals in a game three times this year, and is third on the team with 13 steals. He needs 11 steals to move onto the Nebraska freshman top-10 list.

Along with Richardson, senior Paul Velander has also been praised by Sadler for his energy coming off the bench, including following the Saint Louis game. In his postgame press conference that night, Sadler said:

“We’ve got to get the rest of the team to make effort plays like Paul Velander. There’s not a player in the country who makes more effort plays than that guy.”

 Velander has hit 24 3-pointers in nine games, including seven games with three treys apiece. He is second on the team in scoring at 8.8 points per game.

 Velander leads the Big 12 Conference in 3-point percentage entering the week, as he has hit 51.1 percent from behind the arc.

 He also leads the team with 10 charges taken, including three against each San Jose State and Saint Louis.

 Velander’s effort finally rubbed off on his teams against IPFW. NU had six charges taken, each by a different individual, including one by Velander.

Turning it over

Nebraska will try to turn up the defensive pressure at times this season, especially while playing with a heavily guard-oriented lineup, including at times five guards on the floor at once. 

That strong defensive push was evident in NU’s opener as they forced 25 San Jose State turnovers. Spartans’ point guard Justin Graham was frustrated into 10 turnovers while going 0-of-5 from the floor in 33 minutes of action.

 The 25 turnovers Nebraska forced in the season opener against San Jose State were the second-highest total under Coach Doc Sadler. The most turnovers a Husker squad has forced in Sadler’s tenure is 26 last season against North Carolina Central.

 NU has now forced 172 turnovers through nine games, while allowing teams to record just 80 assists on 155 baskets.

 The Huskers have forced at least 20 turnovers in five games this year (25 vs. San Jose State;  23 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff; 24 vs. Creighton; 24 at Oregon State; 24 vs. IPFW). Last year, the Huskers forced 20 turnovers in a game six times all season.

The 24 turnovers forced at Oregon State are the most by a Husker opponent away from Lincoln since Texas Tech had 26 turnovers against Nebraska in the first round of the 1999 Big 12 Championship.

 Nebraska posted 16 steals in the defensive effort against San Jose State, the most by the Huskers under Sadler. The previous best under Sadler was 15 steals vs. North Texas in 2006.

 The Huskers have had double-figure steals in four times this season and at least eight steals in eight games this season.

 Eight Huskers have recorded a steal this year, including seven averaging at least 1.0 steal per game.

 The most steals in a game by a single Husker this season is four. Junior guard Sek Henry and redshirt freshman Brandon Richardson each had four steals apiece against San Jose State in the opener and Henry added four more against UAPB while Cookie Miller had four against IPFW.

The defensive pressure has helped Nebraska to a 181-108 advantage in points off turnovers this season.

 On the opposite end, Nebraska has been solid with the ball, averaging just 12.8 turnovers per game (opponents: 19.1 tpg).

 Nebraska posted just six turnovers against Saint Louis, tying the mark for fewest miscues in Sadler’s first three years. NU also had just six turnovers against Colorado in 2007.

 The last time Nebraska had fewer than six turnovers was when NU set the school record with three turnovers at Iowa State in 2003.

 Nebraska had just three turnovers in the first half against Alabama State. NU’s season low for a half was two turnovers in the second half against Saint Louis.

Anderson, Velander AMong Huskers’ most Accurate Duos

Ryan Anderson is not the only 3-point ace for the Huskers as senior guard Paul Velander has also proven to be one of the most accurate long-range shooters in Nebraska history.

The only fifth-year player for the Huskers this season, Velander is ranked fifth in NU history for 3-point field-goal percentage at 40.7 percent (92-of-226) while coming off the bench in 68-of-69 contests. With another year similar to the last two (36 and 32
3-pointers, respectively), Velander will also have a shot to reach the Nebraska career top 10 in
3-pointers made. He leads the team with 24
3-pointers this season, including three 3s in each of seven games this season.

 

3-Point FG Pct. (min. 90 att.)    

                                     3FG  3PA  Pct.

1.  Brian Conklin (2001-04)   176   407  .432

2.  Cary Cochran (1999-2002) 268  630  .425

3.  Jay-R Strowbridge (2007-08) 50 122  .410

4.  Clifford Scales (1988-91)   45   110  .409

5.  Paul Velander (2006-pres.)  92   226  .407

6.  Henry T. Buchanan (1987-88)    67  165    .406

7.  Chris Cresswell (1990-92) 103   261  .395

8.  Marcus Perry (2006-07)     98   249  .394

9.  Ryan Anderson (2007-pres.) 105  271 .387 1

0. Ray Richardson (1989-90)  105        278        .378

Anderson Reaches top 10

At 6-4, guard Ryan Anderson may be a little undersized to play in the front court, but he is one of the biggest players on the court when he steps outside the 3-point line.

Anderson has made a living with the long ball in Lincoln, hitting 105 treys in his career to tie for ninth in Nebraska history. He is currently fourth on the squad this season with seven
3-pointers.

 Anderson’s three 3-pointers against Alabama State marked the 14th time in his career he has had at least three treys in a single game.

 Anderson is the only Husker ever to post at least 48 treys in each of his first two years at Nebraska.

 Anderson ranks second on the NU freshman list with 48 3-pointers in 2006-07 and last year posted 50 treys to rank third on the Huskers' sophomore chart.

 Only Nebraska's all-time 3-point leader, Cary Cochran, made more shots from outside the arc by the end of his sophomore season, as Cochran had 101 through two years.

Nebraska Career 3-Point Field Goals Made

1.     Cary Cochran (1999-2002).......... 268

2.     Eric Piatkowski (1991-94)........... 202

3.     Jaron Boone (1993-96).............. 181

4.     Erick Strickland (1993-96)........... 179

5.     Brian Conklin (2001-04) ............ 176

6.     Cookie Belcher (1997-2001)........ 146

7.     Tyronn Lue (1996-98)................ 145

8.     Joe McCray (2005-06)................ 117

9.     Ryan Anderson (2007-pres.)......... 105

       Ray Richardson (1989-90).......... 105

Miller ready to roll

Cookie Miller was the only true freshman to play for the Huskers last year when he posted near-record numbers for assists (109) and steals (58). This year, he is trying to take it a step higher as one of the top returning point guards in the Big 12 Conference.

Miller ranked sixth in the league for assists per game (3.6) last year and was the only freshman to rank in the top 10 for assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7). He was fourth in the Big 12 for steals per game (1.93), and owned the top spot with 2.0 steals per game in Big 12-only contests.

This season, Miller leads NU with 37 assists with just 16 turnovers and leads the team with 15 steals.

 Miller has averaged 8.0 points, 6.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals over the past two home games.

 He had one of his best games of the season against Alabama State, scoring a season-high nine points while tying his season highs with six assists and four rebounds in 25 minutes. It was the first game he started this season and the 25th start of his career.

 Miller came off the bench to efficiently guide the Husker offense in the second half of a comeback victory over Creighton. Miller had five assists and a steal in 15 minutes in the second half as Nebraska came back from 13 points down to earn the win. He finished with season highs in assists (6) and rebounds (4) while adding two steals in the win.

 Miller recorded four rebounds against Saint Louis, Creighton and Alabama State in consecutive games, tying his season high. Miller led the team in rebounding against Saint Louis, only the second time in his career he led the squad in boards. Last year, he tied three others for the team lead with four rebounds against Kansas at home.

 Former Husker great Cookie Belcher owns the Nebraska freshman record for steals with 87 and holds the NU and Big 12 Conference record with 253 steals in his career. Miller is trying to join Belcher and Erick Strickland as the only Huskers with at least 100 steals at the end of their sophomore seasons. Belcher had 162 in his first two years while Strickland had 107.

Nebraska Career Steals (since 1978)

1.     Cookie Belcher (1997-2001)........ 353

2.     Erick Strickland (1993-96)........... 257

3.     Venson Hamilton (1996-99)......... 186

4.     Clifford Scales (1988-91)............ 177

5.     Brian Carr (1984-87).................. 159

6.     Tyronn Lue (1996-98)................ 154

7.     Larry Florence (1997-2000)......... 137

8.     Jaron Boone (1993-96).............. 131

9.     Eric Johnson (1988-89)............. 128

       Jack Moore (1979-82)................ 128

--     Ryan Anderson (2007-pres.)........... 81

--     Cookie Miller (2008-pres.).............. 73

--     Sek Henry (2007-pres.)................. 66

McCray Making Name For himself

Redshirt freshman Toney McCray has already started to make a name for himself among Husker fans.

In his first career game, the lanky 6-6, 205-pound scored game highs with 17 points and nine rebounds against San Jose State. McCray hit 6-of-15 shots from the floor in his career debut against the Spartans. He just missed becoming the first Husker freshman to record a double-double in his first career game since Aleks Maric accomplished the feat in 2004-05.

 McCray has scored in double figures in three of the last four games, boosting his scoring average to 8.7 points per game to rank third on the team.

 The rookie leads the team with 4.1 rebounds per game and nine blocked shots.

 McCray hit three 3-pointers against IPFW (3-of-5) after connecting on just 3-of-10 3-point attempts in his first eight games of the season.

 McCray had nine points and five boards in the first road game of his career at TCU. He has shown he likes playing on the road as he added 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals at Oregon State.

 In his first game in front of a big crowd, McCray settled in nicely, posting six points, five rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals in 23 minutes off the bench against Creighton.

McCray Named Rookie of the Week

Nebraska redshirt freshman guard Toney McCray was named the Big 12 Rookie of the Week in a vote by league sportswriters on Monday, Nov. 17. McCray was honored alongside Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, who won the league’s player-of-the-week award.

The 6-6, 205-pounder from Missouri City, Texas, was the Huskers’ leading scorer and rebounder in both its exhibition win and the season-opening win over San Jose State. McCray, one of four Huskers who redshirted last year, quickly made his presence felt on the court as he posted a game-high 17 points against the Spartans. He also added a team-high nine rebounds, just missing out on becoming the first Husker since Aleks Maric to produce a double-double in his first career game. McCray added a steal and an assist in 23 minutes off the bench, helping the Huskers to a 43-16 advantage in bench scoring.

McCray is the second player in Coach Doc Sadler’s three years to earn the league’s rookie-of-the-week award. Last year, guard Ade Dagunduro won the award on Dec. 17 for his effort in helping the Huskers defeat nationally ranked Oregon. Overall, McCray is the eighth Husker to win the league award. Only two players, Joe McCray and Kimani Ffriend, have won the rookie-of-the-week award more than once for the Huskers as each earned it two times in their first season in Lincoln.

Huskers Earn AP Vote

The Huskers earned some early season recognition as they picked up a vote in the Associated Press poll on Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. The nod came following Nebraska’s solid week that included a 71-57 victory over Saint Louis and a 54-52 win over in-state foe Creighton. NU lost its lone vote a week later after falling for the first time this season at No. 19 Arizona State.

Last year, voters in the Associated Press poll also took notice following Nebraska’s upset of No. 16 Oregon. The Huskers received two votes in the Dec. 17, 2007, poll, one of five Big 12 Conference teams either ranked or earning votes that week.

NU has received votes once each year under Coach Doc Sadler with the first time coming in week two (Nov. 20) of the 2006-07 season after Nebraska defeated then-No. 20 Creighton. Just like this season, NU lost its votes the following week each time.

Prior to Sadler’s first season with Nebraska in 2006-07, the last time NU received votes in the AP poll was Jan. 16, 2006, when Nebraska was 32nd with 18 points after defeating then-No. 12 Oklahoma a week before.

New Lines Drawn

While the 3-point line moved back one foot ? from 19-9 to 20-9 ?  for the first time in men’s college basketball this season, Nebraska has not been effected as much as some teams around the country from beyond the arc.

 Nebraska is hitting 39.5 percent from beyond the arc to rank third in the Big 12 Conference. Last year, the Huskers hit 34.7 percent from 3-point range in their first nine games of the season.

 Senior Paul Velander has been more effective than ever despite stepping back further to shoot. He is hitting 51.1 percent (24-of-47) from beyond the arc to lead the Big 12 Conference.

 Nebraska’s 3-point defense this year has been solid as opponents have hit just 28.2 percent (48-of-170) from beyond the arc. Last season, opponents hit 38.8 percent in NU’s first nine games.

 Nebraska’s 3-point percentage defense leads the Big 12 Conference. Baylor (29.5 percent) is the only other league team holding opponents below 30 percent from beyond the arc.

 Four of Nebraska’s nine opponents have been held to five or fewer 3-pointers in a game, including three with three or fewer.

on the glass

The Huskers will put a small lineup on the floor just about every night this season, giving Coach Doc Sadler reason to be interested in Nebraska’s rebounding, especially on the defensive end. All of NU’s guards will need to be capable rebounders this season to keep the opposing team from getting easy baskets on second chances.

 

NU has been solid at times this season on the glass, starting in the season opener. Despite facing a front line that featured players standing 6-7 and 6-9, the Huskers held a 42-38 rebounding lead against San Jose State. Five Huskers collected at least four rebounds with 6-6 guard Toney McCray leading the way with nine.

 Through nine games, Nebraska trails on the glass by more than five rebounds per game
(-5.1 rpg, 33.8 to 28.7).

 The Huskers outrebounded each of their first two opponents but then fell on the boards in three straight games by a combined 26 rebounds.

 Nebraska has trailed on the glass each of the past three games since outrebounding a much taller Alabama State squad by +7 boards, the Huskers’ largest rebounding margin of the season

 Redshirt freshman Toney McCray leads the team in rebounding, averaging 4.1 boards per game. McCray has collected at least five rebounds in four games, including a season-high nine boards in the season opener.

Jones To have Surgery

Coach Doc Sadler announced during his postgame press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 3, that Eshaunte ?Bear’ Jones is done playing this year because of a foot injury.

“He’s finished as far as playing for this year,” Sadler said. “We wanted to try to get through the year because he’s such a good offensive player and he has some size, but he’s not going to be able to play anymore.”

On the year, Jones played in four contests, averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. He played 16 minutes in the season opener and then 12 minutes, 13 and 5 over the next three games before sitting out against Creighton and Alabama State. An MRI on Tuesday, Dec. 2, solidified his plans for surgery.

Chapman to Transfer

Sophomore Alex Chapman announced on Tuesday, Dec. 16, that he will transfer from NU following the end of the fall semester. The forward from Canby, Ore., had not played in a game in his three semesters at Nebraska after suffering a knee injury that required surgery during the preseason each of the past two years.

 

Despite sitting out because of injury, Chapman was the Huskers’ tallest eligible player this season. Freshman center Christopher Niemann, who stands 6-11, is ineligible to play this season because of an NCAA ruling.