Huskers Plan Pepsi Pack the House for No. 24 ASU

Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-3)
vs. #24 Arizona State
Sun Devils (8-3)

Bob Devaney Sports Center (13,595) 
Lincoln, Neb.
Sunday, Dec. 28 ? 12:05 p.m.
Television: Fox Sports Net
(National - Ch. 37 in Lincoln)
(Play-by-Play - Kevin Eschenfelder
Color - Brenda VanLengen)
Radio: Husker Sports Network
(98.1-FM KFGE Lincoln, 93.3 KTWI Omaha)
Live Internet Audio: Huskers.com (Free)

Huskers Plan Pepsi Pack the House for Sun Devils
The Nebraska women’s basketball team (8-3) returns from a happy holiday season with family and friends to welcome Husker fans and No. 24 Arizona State (8-3) to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for Pepsi Pack the House on Sunday, Dec. 28.

Tip-off between the Huskers and Sun Devils is set for 12:05 p.m., with a live national telecast by Fox Sports Net (Time Warner Channel 37 in Lincoln, Cox Cable Channel 47 in Omaha). Kevin Eschenfelder and Brenda VanLengen will call all the action of the first of four nationally televised games for the Huskers this season on FSN.

The game can also be heard live on radio on the Husker Sports Network, including 98.1-FM KFGE in Lincoln and 93.3 KTWI in Omaha. A free audio broadcast will be available on Huskers.com.

The game will also feature the first of Nebraska’s Pepsi Pack the House promotions this season. Fans will receive $1 adminission and $1 Pepsi products as part of the NCAA’s Pack the House Challenge.

Nebraska returns from the holidays with an 8-3 record after a 63-53 loss at 2008 Conference USA champion UTEP in El Paso, Texas on Dec. 20. The Huskers will try to keep hope alive for a third straight season of at least 10 non-conference wins when they face the Sun Devils. NU closes non-conference play at LSU on Jan. 1.

A win over Pac-10 power Arizona State won’t come easy. The No. 24 Sun Devils carry an 8-3 record to Lincoln after knocking off Xavier on Dec. 21. The Musketeers have been ranked in the top 25 this season, after advancing to the 2008 NCAA Tournament, falling to Nebraska in the first round in College Park, Md.

The Sun Devils also spent their 2008 postseason in Maryland, advancing to the second round before falling to ACC power Duke. ASU has advanced to at least the second round of the NCAA Tournament four straight times, including 2006-07 when the Sun Devils opened the year with an 87-60 win over NU in Tempe on Nov. 10, 2006.

The Huskers and Sun Devils are knotted in their all-time series, 3-3, The last time the two teams met in Lincoln, NU prevailed, 86-79, on Dec. 1, 1992.

Huskers, Sun Devils Share High School Connections
Nebraska and Arizona State possess some strong ties on the court. NU junior guard Nicole Neals was a high school teammate of ASU guard Dymond Simon and forward Kayli Murphy.

Simon, a 5-5 junior guard, joined Neals in one of the nation’s dominant backcourts at St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Ariz., from 2004 to 2006. The Knights finished with a No. 19 national ranking in 2006, after winning three consecutive 5A state championships.

Neals, who wears No. 11 for the Huskers, finished as St. Mary’s career scoring leader with 2,298 points, while ranking second in assists with 389 and third in career steals with 378.

Simon put her name right behind Neals in all three categories, finishing with 2,189 points (second), 346 assists (third) and 350 steals (fourth).

Simon, who wears No. 1 for Arizona State, has earned a spot in the ASU starting lineup, and ranks second on the team in scoring with 12.9 points per contest. She is also one of ASU’s top three-point shooters, connecting on 39.1 percent (18-46) of her attempts.

Murphy, who wears No. 21 for ASU, has been slowed by injury as a junior, but returned to the starting lineup before the holiday break. The 6-2 forward finished her St. Mary’s career ranked fourth on the school’s scoring list with 1,377 points, while ranking second in rebounds (903) and blocked shots (267).

Sunday Showdown with Sun Devils Offers Plenty of Firsts
Nebraska’s clash with Pac-10 power Arizona State will not only be the Huskers’ first nationally televised contest this season, it will also feature several firsts individually for the Huskers.

Nicole Neals, a 5-6 junior guard from Chandler, Ariz., will be playing in front of her parents for the first time at the Devaney Center. Neals, who played her high school ball with ASU’s Dymond Simon and Kayli Murphy at St. Mary’s in Phoenix, will be facing her former teammates for the second time in her collegiate career. NU lost to ASU in the first game of the trio’s college career on Nov. 10, 2006, in Tempe.

Edward and Corine Neals will not be alone in watching their daughter play for the first time at the Devaney Center. NU sophomore center Jessica Periago will also welcome her parents to Lincoln for the first time to see her play. David and Helene Periago made their first trip to the United States and arrived in Lincoln on Dec. 21. The natives of Toulon, France, follow every Husker game on Huskers.com, usually staying up until 3 or 4 a.m. or occasionally rising at 4 a.m. to listen to the game.

Montgomery Producing in Big Way in First Season as Starter
In her first season as a starter, Cory Montgomery has been a dominant force inside for the Huskers through 11 games in 2008-09. The 6-2 junior forward from Cannon Falls, Minn., leads Nebraska in scoring and rebounding with 14.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. She ranks ninth in the Big 12 in scoring and fifth in rebounding, and earned the first Big 12 Player-of-the-Week honor of her career on Dec. 1.

Montgomery, who scored 20 or more points in three straight games against Southern Utah, Denver and Butler, added her fourth 20-point effort of the season with 20 points and a career-high matching 11 rebounds in a win over Oral Roberts on Dec. 2. It was her second double-double of the season. She is coming off her third double-double of the year and fourth of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds at UTEP on Dec. 20.

She added 17 points and nine rebounds in a head-to-head battle with 2008 Big Ten Player of the Year Jantel Lavender in a 69-65 loss to No. 18 Ohio State on Dec. 6. Montgomery pumped in a career-high 22 points in NU’s win over Butler on Nov. 28. She also tied her career best with 11 rebounds to produce her first double-double of the year. She earned a spot on the all-tournament team in Albuquerque with 17 points and eight rebounds in a loss to New Mexico in the championship game. She finished the tournament averaging 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She also added a block and a steal in both tournament games.

In Nebraska’s win over Southern Utah (Nov. 22), Montgomery tied her then-career high with 21 points while adding seven rebounds. Two days later, Montgomery helped carry Nebraska to a 21-point road win at Denver by scoring 20 points while adding a game-high nine boards. She opened the season with 13 points and five rebounds in just 16 minutes of action in NU’s win over Weber State (Nov. 14), before pitching in 11 points and nine rebounds in the Huskers’ victory at Creighton (Nov. 17).

Although 2008-09 marks her first year as a full-time starter, Montgomery is no stranger to producing solid numbers for the Huskers. Last season, she averaged 9.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as one of the most productive reserves in the Big 12, while also starting four games in place of an injured Kelsey Griffin at the end of the non-conference season.

In 2007-08, Montgomery scored in double figures 15 times. She set a season high with 21 points in a win over USC (Dec. 8, 2007), before matching that effort with 21 points and eight boards in 23 minutes off the bench in a victory at Iowa State (Jan. 19, 2008).

Montgomery also produced the first double-double of her career with 16 points and a career-best 11 rebounds in Nebraska’s win over Robert Morris (Dec. 2, 2007). She averaged 12 points per game as a starter last season, and averaged 10 points and 3.5 rebounds per game during Nebraska’s NCAA Tournament run against Xavier and Maryland in 2008. She also earned a spot on the five-player all-tournament team at the Oahu Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, by averaging 10.3 points off the bench in three tournament games.

Turner Providing More Production Across the Board
A member of the Big 12 All-Defensive Team a year ago, Yvonne Turner continues to play spectacular defense while increasing her offensive production as a junior for the Huskers.

The 5-8 guard from Omaha earned a spot on the all-tournament team at the Holiday Inn & Suites Express Midtown Thanksgiving Tournament after producing 11 points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist in the championship game against the Lobos. Turner opened the tournament with a career-high nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in the win over Butler.

She has averaged 12 points per game over the last six games, including a season-high 19 points in NU’s win over Long Beach State on Dec. 12. She has produced double figures in seven of NU’s first 11 games this season. She ranks third on the team in scoring with 10.6 points per game, while leading the Huskers’ pressure defense with 2.5 steals per game, which ranks third in the Big 12. With Turner leading NU’s defense, the Huskers are forcing 19.0 turnovers per game. She also leads the Huskers with 17 made three-pointers this season, and needs just nine more to crack NU’s career top 10 in that category.

Turner produced her best all-around game this year with season highs of 15 points, five assists and four steals in NU’s 76-55 win at Denver (Nov. 24). She hit 4-of-9 shots from the field, including 3-of-6 three-pointers, while connecting on all four of her free throw attempts. She added 13 points, four rebounds and two steals against No. 18 Ohio State, after scoring 12 points in a win over 2008 NCAA qualifier Oral Roberts on Dec. 2.

Turner has made impressive gains on the court every semester. As a true freshman, Turner played in just nine of NU’s 13 non-conference games and averaged fewer than two points per game, while committing nearly two turnovers per contest. During her first Big 12 season, Turner increased her role by averaging nearly three points per contest while committing just 14 turnovers in 16 games.

During non-conference play as a sophomore, Turner averaged 6.4 points per game and became a force defensively by averaging better than 2.5 steals per game. She made another big jump during Big 12 play, increasing her scoring average to 9.8 points per game, while leading the Big 12 with 2.6 steals per contest. She also established herself as a dangerous three-point shooter by hitting 24-of-61 long-range attempts (39.3 percent) against Big 12 foes.

Her shooting performance came after going just 7-of-38 from three-point range in non-conference action. Turner’s scoring average rose throughout the season, as she finished at 8.4 points per game, while posting the second-best steals total by a sophomore in school history with 81.

Her defensive prowess earned her a spot on the Big 12’s All-Defensive Team. She had career highs of eight steals against Florida (Nov. 17) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Jan. 2). Those totals rank among the top-10 single-game marks in NU history. She is one of only three Huskers to notch eight or more steals twice in a career.

Turner capped a breakout sophomore season with a career-high 23 points and six assists against No. 5 Maryland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Going head-to-head with Terrapin All-America guard Kristi Toliver, Turner hit a career-best five three-pointers. Turner also forced Toliver into six turnovers and limited the National Player-of-the-Year Finalist to 6-of-20 shooting from the field.

Turner owns 19 career double-figure scoring efforts, including seven this season. She has produced double figures in 17 of NU’s last 31 games, after having just two in her first 41 contests.

Hometown Husker Kelley Stepping Up as Sophomore
Dominique Kelley has stepped up her game in every area early in her second season with the Huskers. The 5-7 sophomore guard out of Lincoln Northeast High School ranks second on the team in scoring with 10.9 points per game, while adding 3.5 rebounds per contest. Kelley also leads the Huskers with 3.1 assists per game and has added 1.0 steals per contest. She is also shooting a team-best 85.4 percent at the free throw line, which ranks third in the Big 12.

Kelley produced the best all-around game of her young career with a career-high 21 points to help NU to a 67-54 win over Butler (Nov. 28). She hit 5-of-8 shots from the field and set career bests by going 11-for-12 at the line. She added five rebounds, three assists, two steals and her first career blocked shot against the Bulldogs.

Kelley’s effort in Albuquerque came a week after producing the best week of her career with two solid performances against Creighton and Southern Utah. She tied her then-career high with 16 points, while adding four assists and three rebounds to shoot the Huskers to victory at CU. Kelley hit 7-of-11 shots from the field, including both of her three-point attempts against the Bluejays. Her second three of the night put the Huskers ahead for good with 3:10 left in the game. She also played a career-high 31 minutes against CU.

After celebrating her 20th birthday on Nov. 20, Kelley finished with 14 points and a career-high six assists, while adding four rebounds and two steals in a win over Southern Utah (Nov. 22). She added 12 points against Oral Roberts, before contributing 16 points and 9-of-10 free throw shooting against Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 9.

Kelley owns seven double-figure scoring efforts in 11 games this season, after managing double-digit point totals just seven times in 33 starts a year ago.

Last season, Kelley set a school record by starting all 33 games as a true freshman. She finished the year averaging 6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

Redmon Nearly Averaging a Double-Double as a Starter
Sophomore Catheryn Redmon has provided a drastic change of direction for the Huskers inside over the last three weeks. In four games as a starter, Redmon is averaging 9.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She has scored 39 points and pulled down 38 boards in NU’s last four contests, after getting just 18 points and 11 rebounds in NU’s first seven games this season.

In fact, Redmon’s point and rebound totals from the last four games, are nearly identical to her entire freshman season, when she produced 39 points and 36 boards in 16 games.

Just two days after two-time first-team All-Big 12 forward Kelsey Griffin underwent season-ending ankle surgery (Dec. 4), Redmon made her first career start against 2008 Big Ten Player of the Year Jantel Lavender and No. 18 Ohio State. In the first half against the Buckeyes, Redmon outscored Lavender, 8-6, to help the Huskers to a 10-point halftime lead. The Buckeyes rallied for a late victory against NU, but Redmon posted the first double-figure scoring effort of her career. Three days later, Redmon earned her second career start and provided a memorable effort in a win over Cal State Bakersfield.

Redmon erupted for her first career double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds against the Roadrunners, while also adding career-bests with three blocked shots, two steals and 28 minutes played. Redmon produced a double-double in the second half alone, going off for 11 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals after halftime, including seven points, seven boards and both blocks in the final seven minutes.

Redmon added her second straight double-digit rebounding effort with 10 boards to go along with six points, two blocks and a steal in NU’s run past Long Beach State. She added her second career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds at UTEP on Dec. 20, her third straight double-figure rebounding effort.

Redmon Rips Down 15 Rebounds in Second Start
Sophomore Catheryn Redmon added her name to the Husker record book with a big rebounding performance in Nebraska’s win over Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 9. The 6-3 center from Grand Prairie, Texas, became the first Husker to record 15 or more rebounds in a game since Keasha Cannon-Johnson pulled down 17 boards against Louisiana-Lafayette on Dec. 14, 2003.

Redmon’s rebounding effort came six years to the day after another former Husker center from Texas - Amanda Cleveland - grabbed 15 rebounds in a win over Texas Southern on Dec. 9, 2002.

Redmon’s performance marked just the 69th time in 1,032 games that a Husker player has recorded 15 rebounds. Her mark is tied for the 41st-highest rebounding total in school history. It also marked just the ninth time this decade that a Husker has grabbed 15 or more boards in a game.

Redmon’s previous single-game high came with six boards, most recently against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Jan. 2, 2008. Her 15 rebounds also surpassed her season rebounding total of 13 for NU’s first eight games of 2008-09.

Balanced Big Red Helps Huskers to Winning Ways
Nebraska has displayed impressive balance through 11 games with nine players averaging 4.0 or more points per game, while 10 Huskers have played in every game and averaged at least 9.0 minutes per contest. Overall, the Huskers had at least eight players score in each of their first 10 games this season, before putting just six players in the scoring column in the loss at UTEP on Dec. 20.

Junior forward Cory Montgomery leads the Huskers in scoring and rebounding with 14.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, while sophomore Dominique Kelley has added 10.9 points per game and a team-best 3.1 assists. Junior Yvonne Turner has contributed 10.6 points and a team-leading 2.5 steals per contest, while also ranking fourth on the team with 1.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Senior Tay Hester has contributed 7.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, while Kala Kuhlmann and Monique Whittaker have provided the Huskers with big lifts off the bench. Kuhlmann has averaged 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game while playing 19.7 minutes per game, while Whittaker has added 4.7 points and 1.9 boards per game in just under 10 minutes per contest.

Sophomore center Catheryn Redmon has emerged to average 5.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game, while making the first four starts of her NU career. As a starter, she is averaging 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

Junior guard Nicole Neals has also played a major role off the bench, averaging 4.5 points per game, while hitting 42.9 percent (12-28) of her shots from three-point range.

Sophomore guard Kaitlyn Burke has hit 10-of-32 three-pointers, while starting NU’s first eight games despite playing with a broken pinky finger on her shooting hand. Burke is averaging 4.0 points per game, while contributing 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest.

Nikki Bober (1.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg) and Harleen Sidhu (1.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg) have also figured prominently into NU’s playing rotation early in the season.

Scouting No. 24 Arizona State
Coach Charli Turner Thorne brings perennial Pac-10 power Arizona State to the Devaney Center for a post-holiday showdown with Nebraska. The Sun Devils have worked their way to an 8-3 record this season despite playing an extremely tough non-conference schedule that has included a pair of losses at top-five nationally ranked Big 12 Conference schools.

ASU dropped a 70-57 decision at current No. 5 Oklahoma in the Preseason Women’s NIT on Nov. 21. The Sun Devils also suffered an 81-71 loss to current No. 4 Texas at Austin on Dec. 18. ASU’s other setback in non-conference action came to current No. 18 Florida (65-60) on Nov. 29.

Arizona State is coming off its best win of the season with a 75-57 pounding of Xavier on Dec. 21, before heading home for the holidays. Xavier earned top-25 mention early in the season and continues to receive votes.

The Sun Devils are led on the court by 5-8 senior guard Briann January, who is averaging a team-best 14.0 points per game. January also leads ASU with 5.5 assists and 3.3 steals per contest, while connecting on a team-high 28 three-pointers and shooting 46.7 percent from long range.

January is joined by junior guard Dymond Simon in the ASU backcourt. A high school teammate of Husker guard Nicole Neals, Simon is averaging 12.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Fellow junior Danielle Orsillo (7.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg) rounds out ASU’s probable starters in the backcourt.

While the Sun Devil backcourt sets the tempo, ASU brings a deep and talented frontcourt to the table as well. Sybil Dosty, a 6-3 senior center is averaging 9.7 points and 7.6 rebounds, while adding a team-best 1.4 blocks per game. Kayli Murphy, another high school teammate of Neals and Simon, has returned to the starting lineup after sitting out much of the early season with an injury. The 6-2 forward/center is averaging 5.0 points and 4.6 boards per contest.

Behind Dosty and Murphy, 6-3 senior forward/center Lauren Lacey has averaged 7.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Lacey has made eight starts. ASU gets more size from 6-6 senior center Kirsten Thompson, who is averaging 4.7 points and 2.9 boards per game, while 6-5 sophomore forward Becca Tobin has pitched in 5.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest.

ASU’s impressive depth continues with 5-10 senior guard Kate Engelbrecht (3.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and 5-8 senior guard Nia Fanaika (3.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg). Junior guard Jazlyn Davis (4.7 ppg, 0.3 rpg) has also recently joined the ASU lineup after sitting out with an injury early in the season.

The Sun Devils are explosive at both ends of the court, averaging 73.8 points per game, while holding the opposition to just 57.4 points per contest. ASU is shooting a solid 45.9 percent from the field, including a blistering 42.5 percent from three-point range. The Sun Devils are also a strong 72.5 percent at the free throw line. ASU’s size has helped the Sun Devils post a plus-8.5 team rebounding margin, while their experienced backcourt and pressure defense have helped create a plus-5.0 team turnover margin.

Nebraska vs. Arizona State Series History
The all-time series between Nebraska and Arizona State is tied, 3-3, with the Sun Devils winning the most recent meeting, 87-60, in the 2006-07 season-opener on Nov. 10, 2006, in Tempe, Ariz.

Sunday’s game will mark the third meeting at the Devaney Center, with the teams splitting a pair of games. The last time Arizona State came to Lincoln was Dec. 1, 1992, and the Huskers prevailed with an 86-79 victory. The Sun Devils won an 88-83 overtime thriller at the Devaney Center on March 6, 1981.

Huskers Struggle in 63-53 Loss at UTEP
Catheryn Redmon and Cory Montgomery produced double-doubles, but Nebraska struggled offensively in a 63-53 loss at 2008 Conference USA champion UTEP on Dec. 20 at the Don Haskins Center. NU slipped to 8-3 on the season, while UTEP improved to 6-5 on the year.

Redmon, a 6-3 sophomore from Grand Prairie, Texas, led four Huskers in double figures with her second career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Montgomery, a 6-2 junior from Cannon Falls, Minn., added her third double-double of the year and fourth of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Dominique Kelley added 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while senior Tay Hester pitched in 11 points and four boards in a losing effort against her former UTEP teammates.

Yvonne Turner added eight points and Kaitlyn Burke pitched in two to complete NU’s scoring, as the Huskers failed to get at least eight players in the scoring column for the first time this season. In fact, UTEP’s bench outscored the Huskers, 22-2, on the day.

The Huskers hit 41.5 percent of their shots from the field, but were 0-for-9 from three-point range, matching a season-low 0-for-9 performance in a win over Butler on Nov. 28. NU was also a season-low 9-for-19 from the free throw line. NU also committed a season-high 22 turnovers, while forcing a season-low 12 miscues by the Miners.

UTEP hit just 41.3 percent of its shots on the afternoon, but connected on 7-of-18 three-pointers, including 5-of-6 shooting from reserve Sviatlana Trukshanina, who finished with a game-high 17 points.

Nebraska outrebounded UTEP 43-31, including 16-11 on the offensive glass, but the Miners outscored NU 13-9 on second-chance points in a frustrating offensive day for the Huskers.

The Huskers struggled with foul trouble in the backcourt in the first half and it helped hold NU to a season-low 22 first-half points. Kelley was whistled for her second offensive foul just three minutes into the game and did not return in the opening half.

Jareica Hughes, the 2008 Conference USA Player of the Year, took advantage of Kelley’s early exit to score 10 points in the first five minutes to shoot the Miners to a 14-9 lead. Hughes finished with 14 points and eight assists, scoring 12 points in the first half.

Five minutes later, Turner was called for her second foul, taking two of NU’s top three scorers off the floor for the remainder of the first half.

Despite being handcuffed by foul trouble, the Huskers hung tough with UTEP and had a wide open three-point attempt by Montgomery from the right wing with one minute left in the half for a chance at the lead. Montgomery’s shot was long and the Miners got a layup from Brittnay Jones at the other end. Jones was fouled on the shot, but missed the free throw, which was rebounded by Marta Micula. Trukshanina then drained a long three-pointer from the left wing to complete a five-point play and give UTEP a 28-21 edge.

Redmon, who finished the first half with five points and six rebounds, hit a free throw with 19 seconds left to send NU to the locker room with a halftime deficit for the first time this season at 28-22.

Nebraska played at full strength and did not get in further foul trouble in the second half, but hit just 12-of-30 field goal attempts, including an 0-for-7 effort from beyond the arc. NU was also just 7-of-13 at the line after halftime.

UTEP built its lead to as large as 14 points, but NU trimmed the edge to seven on a pair of Kelley free throws with 2:56 left. NU could get no closer, as Trukshanina followed with a three-pointer after NU missed a pair of point-blank attempts from inside five feet that could have cut the margin to five.

Griffin to Redshirt in 2008-09 After Dec. 4 Ankle Surgery
Two-time first-team All-Big 12 forward Kelsey Griffin underwent surgery on her injured left ankle on Dec. 4 and will miss the entire 2008-09 season. The 6-2 senior from Eagle River, Alaska, injured the ankle on Aug. 28, and did not practice or play for NU this season. She was one of five preseason first-team All-Big 12 players chosen by the league coaches this season, and will enter her final season with 1,348 points and 665 rebounds. She has not previously redshirted at Nebraska, opening her career with 74 consecutive starts from 2005-06 to 2007-08.

A three-year starter in Nebraska’s lineup, Griffin led the Huskers to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2007 and 2008, including a first-round NCAA Tournament victory over Xavier last year in College Park, Md. Griffin is also a two-time first-team academic All-Big 12 selection and earned a spot on the 2007 Big 12 Good Works Team. She ranks 11th on NU’s career scoring list, seventh in rebounding and eighth in blocked shots.

"Kelsey is one of the toughest players I have ever coached, but this injury has not allowed her to recover. It is time for surgery," Yori said. "I think Kelsey is one of the top 15 or 20 players in the nation, so obviously losing her is going to affect us this season, especially against a Big 12 Conference schedule that has six top-25 teams, including four in the top 10 right now."

Griffin said the ankle injury has been frustrating personally for her, but she is proud of the way her teammates have performed without her.

Griffin is expected to return for the Huskers next season to lead a team that will feature a six-player senior class, including 2008 All-Big 12 Defensive Team member Yvonne Turner, and current Husker scoring and rebounding leader Cory Montgomery. The 2009-10 Huskers are also expected to return current sophomore starters Dominique Kelley and Kaitlyn Burke.

Neals Showing That Big Things Can Come in Tiny Package
Nicole Neals has been making a big impact by doing the little things for the Huskers this season. The 5-6 junior guard nicknamed "Tiny" by her teammates, is averaging 4.5 points and 1.7 assists per game off the bench. She also carries Nebraska’s second-best assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.1-to-1. Neals owns 19 assists to rank third on the team in that category, while committing just nine turnovers.

Neals went five games without a turnover before committing two against Long Beach State on Dec. 12. She had been turnover-free for more than 90 minutes of court time for the Huskers. Along with taking excellent care of the basketball, Neals has been NU’s most consistent three-point threat, connecting on 12-of-28 threes (42.9 percent), while knocking down at least one three in eight of the Huskers’ 11 games. She tied her career high with nine points on a career-best 3-for-4 shooting from long range to help Nebraska to a road win at Denver on Nov. 24.

She opened the season with a pair of threes against Weber State, and added two more threes in NU’s four-point setback to No. 18 Ohio State.

In the Huskers’ victory over Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 9, Neals scored all seven of her points in the final four minutes to shoot NU to victory. She hit her only three of the game with four minutes left to push NU’s lead to five points, after CSUB missed a shot to tie the game on the previous possession. She then knocked down her first two free throws of the year to give NU a nine-point edge. She added a runner in the lane with less than five ticks on the shot clock to provide the Huskers with their first double-digit edge.

Huskers Set Three-Point Record in Season-Opening Win
Nebraska connected on a school-record 12 three-pointers to open the season in a 96-47 win over Weber State at the Devaney Center on Nov. 14. NU’s 12 triples surpassed the previous school mark of 11 threes set Jan. 19, 2008, in a win over Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

The game with Weber State marked the ninth time in school history that a Nebraska team hit 10 or more three-pointers in a game, but just the second time the Huskers had ever hit double-figure threes in a non-conference game (Ohio State, Dec. 12, 2003).

Turner Sparks Husker Turnover Turnaround
With Big 12 All-Defensive Team selection leading the way with 81 steals, Nebraska’s defense ranked fifth in the Big 12 with a plus-1.22 turnover margin in 2007-08. The Huskers forced 627 total turnovers for an average of 19.0 turnovers forced per contest, which ranked third in the league.

Those 627 turnovers forced come in striking contrast to Coach Connie Yori’s first two seasons at Nebraska. In Yori’s first season in 2002-03, NU forced opponents into just 451 turnovers on the year, before forcing just 444 turnovers in 2003-04, an average of just 14.8 turnovers per game.

The last time a Nebraska team forced more than 600 turnovers in a season came in 1999-00, when the Huskers forced opponents into 688 turnovers.

Through the first 11 games of 2008-09, Nebraska is forcing an average of 19.0 turnovers per game and has forced three opponents (Oral Roberts, Denver and Southern Utah) into 25 turnovers each. Turner is again leading the way for NU with 27 steals, giving her 108 steals over her last 44 games (2.5 spg). She has at least one steal in every game for NU this season with five games of three or more steals.

Turner has 126 career steals and needs 62 more to crack Nebraska’s all-time top 10 in that category.

Burke Steps in Starting Lineup After Starring in Supporting Role
No stranger to the spotlight, Kaitlyn Burke moved into a starting role in the Nebraska backcourt in 2008-09. The 5-7 guard from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada enters the Arizona State game averaging 4.0 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. She is also third on the team with 10 made three-pointers.

She produced a career-high eight assists without a turnover coming off the bench in Nebraska’s win over Long Beach State on Dec. 12. She owns NU’s top assist-to-turnover ratio on the season at 3.3-to-1 (23-to-7).

Burke opened the season on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point range in a win over Weber State on Nov. 14, and added six points on 2-of-4 shooting from three-point range in a win at Creighton. She suffered a broken finger on her shooting hand in the opening minutes of NU’s win over Southern Utah on Nov. 22. Last week, she moved out of the starting to give her finger additional time to heal, playing just 33 minutes in wins over Cal State Bakersfield and Long Beach State.

Last season, Burke starred in a supporting role for the Huskers as a true freshman. The former childhood actress played starring roles in Nebraska’s wins in California in December, erupting for career highs of 15 points, five three-pointers and seven assists in a career-best 34 minutes off the bench in NU’s win at Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 13. She provided an impressive encore by leading the Huskers in scoring, rebounding and assists with 14 points, a career-high seven boards and five assists in a 75-52 run past Long Beach State on Dec. 15. She added 12 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting, to go along with six assists in NU’s win at Iowa State on Jan. 19.

Burke averaged 5.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 2007-08, and led NU with 78 assists, including five in a win over Xavier in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Her 78 assists ranked second among all Big 12 freshmen, trailing only Oklahoma’s Danielle Robinson (130). Burke also ranked second on the team with 33 three-pointers, which ranked fifth among Big 12 freshmen. Her 5.4 points tied for 11th among league freshmen.

Burke brought her talents to the Devaney Center stage in her career-opening performance against UTEP on Nov. 9. She poured in 13 points, including a trio of three-pointers, to help the Huskers to an 81-74 win over the Miners. She added a solid encore in Nebraska’s win over Ole Miss on Nov. 11, when she scored nine points, grabbed two steals and dished out an assist in 21 minutes to conclude a strong opening weekend.

Burke turned her focus from feature films such as Questar’s Ms. Bear (1997) and Bear with Me (2000), to athletics seven years ago, after appearing with such Hollywood stars as Lindsay Lohan, Tyra Banks and Henry Winkler. Last year, Burke played on the international stage as a member of the Canadian Junior National Team and was one of the first members of the Canadian National Development Academy in 2006-07.

Kuhlmann Providing the Huskers with Pop Off the Bench
Kala Kuhlmann has been one of Nebraska’s top guards off the bench through the first 11 games this season. The 5-8 junior guard from Charter Oak, Iowa, is averaging 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

Kuhlmann has scored in double figures in three of NU’s first 11 games, including a career-high 13 points in the season-opening win over Weber State. She added 12 points, including 10 in the first half, in the Huskers’ run past Long Beach State on Dec. 12. She pitched in 11 points in a win at Denver on Nov. 24. Entering the season, Kuhlmann had produced double figures just once in her first 57 career games.

Kuhlmann has hit 5-of-13 three-point attempts this season, after connecting on just 6-of-23 long-range tries through her first two seasons in Lincoln.

Although she did not play the part of a scorer through her first two seasons in Lincoln, Kuhlmann has a history of success in the scoring column. The No. 4 scorer in Iowa High School history, Kuhlmann poured in 2,337 points in four seasons at Charter Oak-Ute High School.

At Whitt’s End: Whittaker Helps Huskers in Big Way Early
Sophomore guard Monique Whittaker erupted onto to the scene early in the season for the Huskers. The 5-10 native of Onalaska, Texas, is averaging 4.7 points while adding 1.9 rebounds per contest. She has also knocked down 5-of-13 three-pointers.

Whittaker, who scored a total of just seven points in a total of 25 minutes during her freshman season in 2007-08, has already produced 33 points in 67 minutes through 11 games this season.

In NU’s season-opening win over Weber State, Whittaker came off the bench for a team-high 13 points against the Wildcats. She continued her hot hand in the first half of Nebraska’s road win at Creighton on Nov. 17.

With senior Tay Hester sitting out much of the first half with foul trouble, Whittaker stepped in to carry the Huskers down the stretch in the opening period. NU trailed 23-19 before Whittaker exploded for 10 straight points to give the Huskers a 31-30 lead with two minutes left in the half. Whittaker helped the Huskers build a five-point halftime edge, before holding on for a five-point win.

In Nebraska’s win over Southern Utah on Nov. 22, Whittaker finished with six points on a pair of three-pointers in just six minutes of action. In six games, Whittaker has hit 5-of-13 three-point attempts (38.5 percent) while ranking third on the team by hitting 12-of-14 free throws (85.7 percent). She did not see action against Butler, and she missed NU’s games with No. 18 Ohio State and Cal State Bakersfield after having a wisdom tooth pulled.

Husker Schedule Filled with Top 25 Foes
The most recent Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN Coaches Top 25 polls bear a striking resemblance to Nebraska’s 2008-09 schedule. In fact, the Huskers could play as many as nine regular-season games against teams that were ranked in this week’s top 25. Big 12 foe Texas A&M is the highest ranked Husker foe, coming in at No. 3 in the Dec. 22 AP Poll. No. 4 Texas, No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 7 Baylor are right behind the Aggies, giving the Big 12 four of the top seven teams in the nation.

A fifth Big 12 South squad, Oklahoma State, climbed to No. 21 in the AP Poll, while Big 12 North representative Kansas State moved up to No. 22 this week. Iowa State has previously been ranked in the top 25, but has slipped outside the top 25 the past three weeks.

The Huskers will face current No. 24 Arizona State on Dec. 28 at the Devaney Center to round out the poll representatives on the NU schedule.

With an 8-3 record on the season, Nebraska suffered its second loss of the season to No. 18 Ohio State on Dec. 6, after falling on the road at New Mexico on Nov. 29. The Lobos are 11-1 on the year and are among the top teams receiving votes outside of the top 25.

In addition to the eight Husker opponents currently ranked in the top 25, five other NU foes have been ranked or have received votes in the polls this season. LSU was ranked in the preseason top 25 in both polls (22nd/24th), while Iowa State climbed as high as No. 22. New Mexico, Texas Tech and UTEP have all received votes.

NU Earned Votes in USA Today/ESPN Poll For Five Straight Weeks
Nebraska earned four votes in the fifth regular-season USA Today/ESPN Coaches Top 25 Poll released on Dec. 16. The Huskers were one of eight Big 12 Conference schools to receive votes in the coaches poll, and it marked the fifth straight week NU received votes.

NU went without top-25 votes for the first time in the coaches poll on Dec. 23.

Huskers Enter 2008-09 After Six Seasons of Growth
The Huskers entered the 2008-09 season with high hopes after returning 12 letterwinners and four starters from a team that advanced to the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Nebraska finished with a 21-12 overall record and a 9-7 Big 12 mark in 2007-08, despite a lineup that featured four first-time starters and a roster filled with 10 freshmen and sophomores.

The Huskers, who were the only Big 12 team that had 10 players compete in every league game last season, were hoping a year of experience and a strong offseason would help them take another step forward in 2008-09.

However, Nebraska’s expectations were tempered with a season-ending ankle injury to two-time first-team All-Big 12 forward Kelsey Griffin on Aug. 28. Griffin had surgery on Dec. 4 and will redshirt in 2008-09.

Griffin was expected to lead the Huskers in 2008-09, after amassing 1,348 points and 665 rebounds in her career. She will contend for All-America honors in 2009-10.

Junior Yvonne Turner has stepped up her game in Griffin’s absence. Turner earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team in 2007-08 after leading the conference in steals during league action. She also ranked fourth in the league in three-point field goal percentage.

Husker backcourt starters Tay Hester and Dominique Kelley also return after joining each other in the starting lineup for all 33 games a year ago. Cory Montgomery fills the void left by honorable-mention All-Big 12 pick Danielle Page inside for the Huskers. One of the Big 12’s best off the bench a year ago, the 6-2 Montgomery has scored in double figures in every game for the Huskers so far this season, including three 20-plus performances.

2008 Huskers Claim Third NCAA Tournament Victory
The Huskers notched their third NCAA Tournament win in school history with a 61-58 victory over ninth-seeded Xavier at College Park, Md., on March 23. Nebraska made its eighth NCAA Tournament appearance, joining trips in 1988, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2007.

Nebraska, which earned the No. 8 seed in the Spokane Regional, led the Atlantic-10 Conference Tournament champion Musketeers from start to finish. The Huskers’ last win had come against New Mexico (76-59) on March 13, 1998 in Norfolk, Va. Nebraska earned its first NCAA Tournament victory against San Diego (81-58) on March 17, 1993, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.

Huskers Post 11th 20-Win Campaign, Second Straight Under Yori
Nebraska secured its 11th 20-win season in school history with its 55-45 win over Iowa State in the regular-season finale at the Devaney Center on March 5. The Huskers added win No. 21 with their third-ever NCAA Tournament win by beating Xavier in the first round on March 23.

NU’s 21 wins tied for the seventh-best total in school history, while the Huskers posted their first back-to-back 20-win campaigns since 1998 and 1999. This season, the Huskers will take aim at becoming the first team in NU history to post three straight 20-win seasons.

Over the last five seasons under Coach Connie Yori, the Huskers have averaged 19.6 wins per season. In the previous five years, the Huskers averaged just 14.6 wins per season.

Huskers Picked Preseason No. 8 in Loaded Big 12
Coming off a pair of NCAA Tournament trips and back-to-back 20-win seasons, the Nebraska women’s basketball team was picked to finish eighth in a vote by league coaches in the Big 12 preseason poll on Oct. 8.

The Huskers, who return four starters and 12 letterwinners from a team that finished 21-12 and advanced to the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, earned 56 points, as 11 points were awarded for each first-place vote, and one point was awarded for each 11th-place vote. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.

In 2007-08, the Big 12 was ranked as the best conference in the nation in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), and sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament. The Big 12 also became the first conference in NCAA history to post a perfect 8-0 record in the NCAA first round, while 11 of the 12 league teams earned postseason bids. All 11 teams produced postseason victories.

Oklahoma was a majority choice to win the conference title, as the Sooners earned seven first-place votes to finish with 124 points. The Sooners were a clear favorite, but the four other league teams received at least one first-place vote, including preseason No. 2 Texas, which finished with 95 points and earned one No. 1 vote.

Iowa State was the only Big 12 North Division team to earn a spot among the top six teams in the preseason conference poll, as the Cyclones were picked third with 93 points. ISU, which returns seven starters from last year’s team that went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, claimed a pair of first-place votes.

Baylor was picked fourth with 89 points and earned one first-place vote, while defending conference tournament champion and NCAA Elite Eight qualifier Texas A&M was picked fifth with 85 points. Oklahoma State, which advanced to the 2008 NCAA Sweet 16, earned the final first-place vote but was picked to finish sixth in the league.

Defending Big 12 regular-season champion Kansas State, which returns four starters from a team that moved on to the NCAA second round in 2008, was the preseason choice to finish seventh with 71 points.

Kansas (41), Texas Tech (36) and Colorado (18) filled in the No. 9 through No. 11 spots, after all three teams earned wins in the 2008 Postseason WNIT a year ago. Missouri, which returns five starters from last year’s team that did not earn a postseason bid, was picked 12th with 15 points.

Griffin Earns Preseason First-Team All-Big 12 Honors
Nebraska senior Kelsey Griffin claimed one of five spots on the Preseason All-Big 12 team named by the league’s women’s basketball coaches and announced on Oct. 15. Griffin, a 6-2 forward from Eagle River, Alaska, joined Preseason Big 12 Player-of-the-Year Courtney Paris from Oklahoma, Kansas State’s Shalee Lehning, Oklahoma State’s Andrea Riley and Texas A&M’s Takia Starks on the Preseason All-Big 12 team.

A two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection (top 10 players in the league), Griffin averaged 15.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season, while leading the Huskers to a 21-12 overall record, a 9-7 league mark, and the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. She ranked among the top 10 players in the Big 12 in both scoring and rebounding and was at her best in Big 12 play, when she averaged 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds despite playing the entire season with a cracked rib.

Griffin carried the Huskers to their third NCAA Tournament victory in a decade by scoring 26 points in Nebraska’s win over Xavier in the first round at College Park, Md.

In her three-year career as a starter at Nebraska, Griffin has amassed 1,348 points and 665 rebounds. She also ranks in the top 10 on the NU career chart with 68 blocked shots.

Griffin, who was also a preseason first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2007-08, has extended Nebraska’s streak to four straight seasons with at least one first-team All-Big 12 selection. Kiera Hardy was also a two-time preseason first-team all-league choice in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

The Huskers join Oklahoma as the only other school to have at least one preseason first-team all-conference pick each of the past four years. Eight of the league schools have had one or fewer selections during that span.

Big 12 Conference Sends 11 to Postseason, All 11 Get Wins
The Big 12 Conference ranked as the nation’s strongest league throughout the 2007-08 season and the postseason tournament fields verified that ranking.

Eleven of the Big 12 schools advanced to postseason play, including eight teams in the NCAA Tournament. League schools went a perfect 8-0 in the first round, including wins by Nebraska, Texas A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Kansas State, Iowa State and Texas, marking the first time in history a league went 8-0.

All eight of the Big 12 teams earned No. 8 seeds or higher in the 64-team NCAA Tournament field, including Big 12 Tournament champion Texas A&M, which advanced to the Elite Eight. Oklahoma State also moved on to the Sweet 16, as the league finished the NCAA Tournament with an 11-8 record.

In addition to those eight Big 12 schools, which all posted 20 or more wins on the season, three more Big 12 teams (Colorado, Kansas, Texas Tech) earned bids to the 2008 Women’s National Invitation Tournament. All three of those schools earned opening-round byes in the 48-team tournament.

Texas Tech advanced to the round of 16 in the WNIT with a 33-point over Texas State. Kansas also went 1-1 in the WNIT, while Colorado advanced to the WNIT semifinals before ending its season. Overall, the Big 12 went 16-11 in the 2008 postseason.

Huskers Join Baylor, Oklahoma Among Big 12’s Best
Along with back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths and 20-win seasons, the Huskers notched their second consecutive winning record in Big 12 Conference regular-season action by finishing with a 9-7 league mark.

In Coach Connie Yori’s sixth season at Nebraska, a 13-player Husker roster filled with 10 freshmen and sophomores helped NU to its fourth consecutive .500 or better Big 12 season. Nebraska joins Baylor and Oklahoma as the only Big 12 programs to accomplish that feat in the last four years.

NU’s 2007-08 success came against a league that was rated the best in the nation and sent eight teams to the NCAA Tournament. Along with sending No. 2 Texas A&M, No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 3 Baylor, No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 5 Kansas State, No. 7 Iowa State, No. 8 Nebraska and No. 8 Texas to the NCAA Tournament, the Big 12 also had three conference teams (Colorado, Kansas, Texas Tech) earn opening-round byes in the 48-team Postseason WNIT field.

Nebraska has earned five consecutive postseason tournament appearances - the longest stretch in school history. NU earned a trip to the 2007 NCAA Tournament and finished with a 22-10 overall record along with a 10-6 conference mark in 2006-07.

Huskers Face Nation’s Best in 2008-09
Nebraska will face one of the toughest regular-season schedules in school history in 2008-09 with nine games against teams that finished 2007-08 among the top-25 RPI teams in the nation.

A total of 21 games will come against teams that competed in postseason tournaments in 2008, including 15 games against 2008 NCAA Tournament teams.

Nebraska’s home schedule features big names and big games nearly every night in 2008-09. NU’s home schedule features a date with 2008 Big Ten co-champion Ohio State, which has advanced to six straight NCAA tournaments. After battling the Buckeyes on Dec. 6, the Huskers will square off with Pac-10 power Arizona State on Dec. 28. The Sun Devils have advanced to at least the second round of four straight NCAA tournaments.

The Big 12 promises to feature a postseason atmosphere every night at the Devaney Center. Oklahoma, Baylor, Iowa State and Kansas State all joined NU in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, while Colorado, Texas Tech and Kansas all advanced to at least the third round of the Postseason WNIT.

While the Huskers’ 15-game home schedule features nine contests against 2008 postseason clubs, the road will offer even more challenges. Nebraska will play 12 road games against 2008 postseason qualifiers, including a New Year’s date with LSU in Baton Rouge, La. The Tigers have advanced to five consecutive NCAA Final Fours. NU will also travel to UTEP, which advanced to the 2008 NCAA second round, and 2008 NCAA qualifier New Mexico.

In Big 12 action, NU’s road schedule includes trips to NCAA Elite Eight qualifier Texas A&M, NCAA Sweet 16 participant Oklahoma State, and journeys to Texas, Iowa State and Kansas State, which all advanced to the 2008 NCAA second round.

Huskers to Be a Fixture on FSN in 2008-09
Nebraska will be featured four times on Fox Sports Net national television games in 2008-09. The Huskers will battle Arizona State, Iowa State, Colorado and Texas Tech in national television matchups this season.

Nebraska’s marquee non-conference matchup with perennial Pac-10 power Arizona State at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Sunday, Dec. 28, at noon (central), is one of only two out-of-conference games in the Big 12’s 26-game national package for women’s basketball this season. The other will be defending national champion Tennessee’s showdown at Texas on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Nebraska’s second appearance on FSN will come on Saturday, Jan. 24, when the Huskers take on Iowa State at the Devaney Center. The special Saturday tip time with the Cyclones will be at 8 p.m. The NU-ISU women’s game will be the second of two televised basketball games at the Devaney Center on Jan. 24, as the Husker men will battle Oklahoma State at 3 p.m.

One week later, FSN will follow the Nebraska women’s basketball team to Boulder when the Huskers clash with Colorado at the Coors Events Center on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m. central time.

Nebraska will wrap up its regular-season FSN national television appearances on Saturday, Feb. 14 at noon, when the Huskers play host to Texas Tech at the Devaney Center.

In addition to Nebraska’s national telecasts on Fox Sports Net, the Huskers will also appear frequently on Fox Sports Midwest in the state of Nebraska. The Huskers will debut on Fox Sports Midwest on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they travel to Columbia to take on the Missouri Tigers. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.

The Huskers will appear on Fox Sports Midwest again on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m., when they travel to Manhattan, Kan., to challenge Kansas State. On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Huskers’ clash with Iowa State in Ames will be televised on Fox Sports Midwest at 7 p.m. NU will wrap up its scheduled Fox Sports Midwest appearances on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m., when the Huskers collide with Kansas in Lawrence.

Nebraska has also been added to the Fox Sports Southwest schedule with its road game at Texas on Jan. 14.

Big 12 Hits 1 Million in Home Attendance Again in 2007-08
For the second straight season and third time overall Big 12 Conference women’s basketball teams attracted more than one million fans to their home arenas in 2007-08.

The Big 12 has led the nation in attendance in each of the past nine years and is the only league to hit the one million fan milestone in NCAA history. In addition to 2006-07 and 2007-08, the conference also recorded one million fans in 2001-02. The 2006-07 cumulative attendance of 1,023,576 is the NCAA record. In 2007-08, the Big 12 recorded 1,014,309 patrons.

2008-09 Fastbreakers Backboard Banquet Schedule
The Fastbreakers have announced their Backboard Banquet Schedule for the 2008-09 season. Each Backboard Banquet will be held 90 minutes before tip-off each game. Each meal will be served by Premier Catering and reservations can be made by calling Rose Sousek in the Nebraska women’s basketball office at (402) 472-6462.

Backboard Banquet Schedule - Dinner
Sunday, Dec. 28 (Arizona State) - 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 21 (Kansas) - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 4 (Baylor) - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3 (Colorado - Senior Night) - 5:30 p.m.

For more information on the Fastbreakers Backboard Banquets, visit Fastbreakersonline.com or call Connie Renken at 450-1785.

Join Fastbreaker Bus Trips to Colorado, Kansas
The Fastbreakers are planning two more bus trips to Nebraska women’s basketball games during the 2008-09 season. Make plans now to join the Fastbreakers’ trips to Colorado (Jan. 31) and Kansas (Feb. 28). The cost of the trip to Colorado is $90 per person, plus the cost of a hotel room, and requires a $50 non-refundable deposit. The cost of the bus trip to Kansas is $50 per person (pre-paid).

The Fastbreakers also organized a highly successful trip to Nebraska’s exhibition game at the Hearland Events Center in Grand Island on Nov. 5. Sign up for the Fastbreaker Bus Trips at the Fastbreaker tables on the upper concourse during home basketball games or contact Connie Renken (450-1785), Kathy Branchaud (432-8990), Larry Meyer (525-1176) or Louis Kirkbride (432-5943).

Nebraska’s History of Success at Home
Since the Bob Devaney Sports Center opened in 1976-77, the Huskers are 329-115 (.741) in games played in the arena, including 120-74 (.619) in conference games. NU finished 2007-08 with a 14-2 home record, tying for the second-highest home victory total in school history. It marked the fifth straight year under Coach Connie Yori that Nebraska has notched 10 or more home wins in a season, the longest stretch in school history.

Nebraska’s success at home in 2007-08 was even more remarkable considering the strength of the Huskers’ home schedule. Eleven of NU’s 16 home games came against teams that advanced to the postseason in 2008, with the Huskers rolling to an impressive 9-2 record. Not only did Husker foes advance to postseason play, 10 of the 11 opponents won at least one game in a postseason tournament, including 2008 NCAA Elite Eight qualifier Texas A&M. Included among the five Husker home foes that did not advance to postseason play in 2008, were traditional powers USC and Ole Miss, which was coming off a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2007.

Since 2003-04, NU is 65-19 (.774) at the Devaney Center, with no more than four losses in any season. Nebraska is 5-1 at the Devaney Center to open 2008-09 with its only loss to No. 18 Ohio State.