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Live game stats
Live radio broadcast (free)
Check out the team and coaches on NU Hoops Blog
Live video stream on ESPN360.com
Game Date: Feb. 6, 2010
Tipoff Time: 5:02 p.m. CT
Venue: Allen Fieldhouse
Capacity: 16,300
Huskers on TV/Radio/Internet
Television: ESPNU, Play-by-play: Clay Matvick, Color: Reid Gettys
Radio: IMG Husker Sports Radio Network, Play-by-play: Kent Pavelka, Color: Matt Davison
Internet Radio/Stats: Free on Huskers.com
Internet Video: ESPN360.com
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Game 23 Notes
2009-10 Record: 13-9, 1-6 Big 12
Head coach: Doc Sadler
Record at Nebraska: 68-49 (4th year)
Record at Division I: 116-67 (6th year)
Career Record: 236-106 (11th year)
Kansas Jayhawks
Game 23 Notes
2009-10 Record: 21-1, 7-0 Big 12
Head coach: Bill Self
Record at KU: 190-41 (7th year)
Career Record: 397-146 (17th year)
NU's Possible Starting Lineup 2009-10 stats
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Pts. Rbs.
5 Sek Henry Sr. 6-4 200 7.5 3.5
13 Brandon Ubel Fr. 6-10 220 4.9 1.8
21 Jorge Brian Diaz RFr. 6-11 235 8.5 4.1
34 Lance Jeter Jr. 6-3 225 6.8 4.0*
44 Ryan Anderson Sr. 6-4 195 10.7 4.9
*assists per game
KU's Possible Starting Lineup 2009-10 stats
No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Pts. Rbs.
1 Xavier Henry Fr. 6-6 220 13.2 4.1
4 Sherron Collins Sr. 5-11 205 15.5 4.2*
12 Brady Morningstar Jr. 6-3 185 5.9 3.5*
22 Marcus Morris So. 6-8 225 12.7 6.0
45 Cole Aldrich Jr. 6-11 245 11.8 10.5
*assists per game
Nebraska hits Road to Face Top-Ranked Kansas
The Nebraska Cornhuskers hit the road for their toughest test to date as they face No. 1/1 Kansas on its home court in Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 6. The contest will be the second of what looks to be five consecutive games against nationally ranked opponents, a streak that would be the longest in school history.
The Huskers and Jayhawks will tip off at 5:02 p.m. on Saturday in a game seen around the country on ESPNU with Clay Matvick (play by play) and Reid Gettys (color) calling the action. The game will also be seen on ESPN360.com and can be heard live around the state of Nebraska on the on the IMG Husker Sports Radio Network (Kent Pavelka, play by play; Matt Davison, color), as well as on the Internet at Huskers.com and on Sirius Satellite channel 125.
After falling to No. 10 Kansas State on Tuesday, the Huskers will be looking to get back to the basics that have helped them post the league's top scoring defense for the third straight season. Nebraska comes into the weekend matchup leading the Big 12-only standings by allowing 66.9 points per game, the only scoring defense better than Kansas' 68.7 points per game. NU and KU also finished 1-2 in the league standings last year.
While trying to slow down the deep and talented Jayhawk offense - which comes into the game ranked fourth nationally in scoring offense at 84.1 points per game - Nebraska will also be looking for someone to step up on the offensive end and sophomore Brandon Richardson would be the one with the blueprint for success vs. Kansas. The Los Angeles native posted a career-high 18 points in the first meeting with the Jayhawks this season and has been the team's leading scorer over the past 13 games.
Along with Richardson, guard Ryan Anderson has been the team's most consistent performer this season. Anderson leads NU with 10.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and paces the Big 12 Conference with 2.0 steals per game. The Seattle native will become the 25th 1,000-point scorer in Nebraska history with two more points as he enters his 113th career contest with 998 points to his credit.
Redshirt freshman Jorge Brian Diaz added 15 points against Kansas in the first meeting, his highest total in league play. After posting double figures each of the past two games, Diaz will be aiming for a repeat performance after hitting 7-of-10 shots against the Jayhawks in January.
Rankings Game
Nebraska will have plenty of chances over the next couple weeks to extend a streak of knocking off ranked teams as its next four opponents entered this week ranked among the national top 25.
}} The Huskers have beaten at least one ranked team in each of the past nine seasons since the 2000-01 campaign. Since then, Nebraska is 13-40 against ranked teams, including 3-27 against top-15 squads.
}} Assuming each opponent in the next four games is still in the rankings at game time with the Cornhuskers, it will be Nebraska's longest stretch of consecutive games (5) against ranked teams in school history.
}} The Huskers have previously faced four consecutive ranked squads on four separate occasions, but have never faced five straight. Nebraska's best mark in a four-game stretch vs. ranked teams was 2-2 in 1991-92. NU also went 1-3 in 1994-95 and 1996-97, and was 0-4 in 1999-2000.
}} Overall, Nebraska is 5-13 against ranked squads under coach Doc Sadler with one victory last season, a 58-55 home win over No. 16 Texas.
}} The Huskers own a 55-206 all-time record against ranked teams, including a 19-109 mark against teams ranked in the top 10 and an 11-62 mark against top-five squads. The Huskers are 19-61 against ranked teams in the Big 12 era, including 2-29 against top-10 teams and 1-18 against top-five squads.
}} Nebraska has won at least two games against ranked teams in two of the past five seasons, and the three wins in 2007-08 against ranked teams were the most for the Huskers since going 4-1 against ranked squads in 1998-99.
}} The Cornhuskers' last win over a top-five team came in 2005, when the Huskers defeated No. 4 Oklahoma State, 74-67, at the Devaney Center. That was NU's first win against a top-five team since the 1994 Big Eight Tournament, when the Huskers knocked off No. 3 Missouri, and the first home win over a top-five team since 1993, when the Huskers beat No. 3 Kansas.
}} Nebraska has played a top-three ranked team 10 times (0-10 record) in the Big 12 era, with all of the matchups coming against Kansas. In the Big 12 era, Nebraska is 0-4 against KU when the Jayhawks are ranked No. 1, 0-3 when ranked No. 2 and 0-3 when ranked No. 3. Two of those 10 games were decided by one field goal (once at home, 2002; once in Lawrence, 2005).
}} The Huskers own 15 wins against ranked Kansas squads in 79 all-time meetings with the Jayhawks when they are in the national polls. The last win came in 2004 when the Huskers knocked off No. 12 Kansas, 74-55. NU's last win over a ranked Jayhawks team in Lawrence came in 1999 when the Huskers defeated No. 24 KU, 64-59, in Allen Fieldhouse.
}} The Huskers own three all-time wins over the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, and a 3-11 overall record against top-ranked squads. The wins came on the road at No. 1 Missouri in 1982, and at home against No. 1 Michigan (1964) and No. 1 Kansas State (1958).
Series history vs. Kansas
Nebraska and Kansas are meeting for the second time this season and the 239th time in series history. The Huskers will be aiming for one of their biggest upsets in school history while KU looks to extend its series win streak over Nebraska to 14 straight games.
}} More than any time other period in the all-time series, Kansas has dominated the Big 12 era series with the Huskers, holding a 27-3 advantage. Overall, Kansas leads the series by a 167-71 margin.
}} Kansas has won the last 13 matchups in the series, the longest winning streak by either team in the series that dates back to the 1899-1900 campaign. KU's win in Lincoln earlier this season gave it the longest win streak in series history, as it surpassed the previous mark of 12 consecutive wins over the Cornhuskers on three occasions.
}} Nebraska's last win against Kansas came in 2004 when the Huskers knocked off 12th-ranked KU by a 74-55 margin. The Huskers' last win in Allen Fieldhouse came in 1999 when NU swept the regular-season series including a 64-59 road win over No. 24 ranked KU.
}} Kansas has earned an 86-23 all-time record at home against Nebraska, including a 47-7 mark in Allen Fieldhouse.
}} Kansas suffered its worst loss ever to the Huskers in the first-ever matchup in 1899-1900 when NU picked up a 48-8 win. KU has returned the favor, handing the Huskers their two worst losses ever. In fact, KU owns four of the 10 biggest victory margins over Nebraska, with all four coming in Lawrence.
}} Nebraska has faced a No. 1-ranked Kansas team seven times, and holds a 0-7 record in those games.
Scouting the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks
Top-ranked Kansas enters the rematch with the Cornhuskers having won seven straight games, all in league play, since suffering its lone defeat of the season at Tennessee in the non-conference finale.
Against Big 12 squads, the Jayhawks have averaged 82.1 points per game while posting the second-best scoring defense in league action by allowing just 68.7 points per game. The only team holding Big 12 squads to fewer points is Nebraska, which leads the conference in overall scoring defense (61.0 ppg) and in Big 12-only games (66.9 ppg).
Kansas has gotten great production out of sophomore big man Marcus Morris in league play as he has seen his scoring average jump from 10.5 ppg in non-conference play to 17.4 ppg in Big 12 action. Morris leads three Jayhawks in double figures in conference action, as he joins preseason first-team All-Americans Sherron Collins (15.4 ppg) and Cole Aldrich (13.6 ppg). Collins has added 4.1 assists per game while Aldrich has added a double-double with 10.3 rebounds per contest in conference play.
As a team, the Jayhawks have hit 47.4 percent from the field in league play including a sizzling 39.5 percent from 3-point range. They have also hit 70.3 percent from the free throw line despite Wednesday's performance when the Jayhawks hit only 47.4 percent (18-of-38) from the charity stripe at Colorado. The letdown helped the Buffs stay in the game and force overtime, where KU prevailed with a 72-66 win, its second straight overtime road victory after defeating rival and top-15 ranked Kansas State, 81-79, last weekend in Manhattan, Kan.
Aldrich led the way against the Buffaloes as he had 16 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots. Aldrich is leading the league in blocks during conference action, averaging 3.4 blocks per game. He is also third in rebounding while Marcus Morris leads the league in field goal percentage during conference play, knocking down 58.8 percent (47-of-80) over the past seven games.
The Jayhawks are coached by Bill Self (Oklahoma State, 1985). He owns a 190-41 record at Kansas and is 397-146 in his 17th year as a head coach.
Recent Meetings - Nebraska and Kansas
Kansas has dominated the recent series, taking each of the last 13 matchups, the longest winning streak in series history for either team. The Jayhawks already own a win over the Huskers this season, starting their league schedule in Lincoln with an 84-72 win just days after their lone loss of the season.
}} Earlier this season in Lincoln, Nebraska saw its 11-game home win streak snapped as third-ranked Kansas used a pair of 8-0 second-half runs to pull away for a 84-72 victory at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Nebraska led 44-43 at the half thanks to a strong first-half shooting performance, as the Huskers hit eight 3-pointers and shot 55.6 percent from the field. But NU shot only 30.8 percent in the second half while getting outscored 41-28.
The Jayhawks shot 57.8 percent in the game, including 13-of-21 from behind the arc. Three Jayhawks were in double figures, led by 22 points from Sherron Collins and 19 from Marcus Morris. Tyshawn Taylor and Tyrel Reed each added 11 points.
Nebraska was led by Brandon Richardson, who scored a career-high 18 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field, including 2-of-3 from the 3-point line. Jorge Brian Diaz added 15 points, while Eshuante Jones nailed four 3-pointers to chip in 12 points.
The game started well for Nebraska, as the Huskers opened the contest on a 12-1 run. Sek Henry grabbed the opening tip and drove in for a layup to ignite the fast start. Ryan Anderson and Jones hit 3-pointers and Diaz scored on back-to-back possessions during the run as Nebraska made five of its first six shots.
Kansas didn't hit its first basket until Collins drilled a 3-pointer to spark a 7-0 run that cut the lead to 12-8 five minutes into the game. The Jayhawks then knocked down a trio of 3-pointers during a 10-0 run that put them in front, 21-17.
With the score tied, Collins knocked down a pair of free throws with 14.5 seconds left in the first half to give the Jayhawks a two-point lead. But Richardson closed the half with a 3-pointer to send the Huskers into halftime with a one-point advantage.
}} Last year in Lawrence, Nebraska struggled to knock down shots in the first half and was outmuscled on the glass by the much taller Jayhawks as No. 15/18 Kansas raced to a 70-53 victory over the Huskers at Allen Fieldhouse.
KU's Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich combined for 40 points and 14 rebounds for the Jayhawks, who won their nation-leading 39th straight home game by hitting 47.4 percent from the floor. Nebraska, which hit just 38.2 percent, was outrebounded by a 46-24 mark, with Kansas posting a 15-4 advantage on the offensive end as it continually sent four and five players to the boards on shots.
Ade Dagunduro led the Huskers with 13 points while Steve Harley started to come out of his recent offensive funk, hitting 5-of-11 shots for 11 points. Ryan Anderson also came off the bench to post 10 points while Sek Henry added seven points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Nebraska struggled from the floor in the first half, hitting just 35.7 percent while falling behind by 11 points at the intermission, 34-23. The Huskers hit just two of their first 11 attempts from the floor and finished the period knocking down 10-of-28 shots, including only 2-of 10 from long range.
Anderson Aims for 1,000-Point Club at Kansas
Senior guard Ryan Anderson will be playing in his 113th career game on Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse when he aims for a spot in one of the Huskers' elite fraternities. The Seattle native needs just one basket - two points - to join the 1,000-point club at Nebraska.
}} Anderson is aiming to become only the 25th Husker ever to cross the 1,000-point barrier, and the first since Aleks Maric did it his junior year in 2006-07, as he comes into the game with 998 career points.
}} When Anderson reaches the mark, he will be only the sixth Husker to reach the mark while playing in the Big 12 era including only the fourth to play his whole career after the formation of the conference. The other Huskers to cross the plateau while playing against current Big 12 Conference teams include:
Aleks Maric (No. 5 all-time, 1,630 points, 2005-08)
Tyronn Lue (No. 8, 1,577 points, 1996-98)
Cookie Belcher (No. 9, 1,552 points, 1997-2001)
Venson Hamilton (No. 11, 1,416, 1996-99)
Cary Cochran (No. 23, 1,082, 1999-2002)
}} During his career, Anderson has posted 283 points (10.1 ppg) as a freshman, 278 points (8.4 ppg) as a sophomore, 213 points (7.1 ppg) as a junior and has 224 points (10.7 ppg) so far as a senior.
Versatile Anderson in Elite Company
While Ryan Anderson aims to join the 1,000-point club this weekend, he is already among an elite list with some of his on-court accomplishments over the past three-plus seasons.
}} If Anderson reaches 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 150 3-pointers, he would become one of only a handful of players in the Big 12 era to surpass each of those marks in a career. He will be the first Cornhusker in the era to do it and will be just the third Husker ever, joining Eric Piatkowski and Erick Strickland. The other eight players to play solely in the Big 12 era and reach those three marks are (as of Jan. 29):
• Obi Muonelo (Oklahoma State, 2007-present): 1,218 points, 541 rebounds, 211 3-pointers
• Terrel Harris (Oklahoma State, 2005-09): 1,319 points, 512 rebounds, 153 3-pointers
• Josh Carter (Texas A&M, 2005-09): 1,566 points, 509 rebounds, 299 3-pointers
• Brandon Rush (Kansas, 2006-08): 1,477 points, 602 rebounds, 205 3-pointers
• Richard Roby (Colorado, 2004-08): 2,001 points, 659 rebounds, 214 3-pointers
• Cartier Martin (Kansas State, 2003-07): 1,546 points, 540 rebounds, 178 3-pointers
• Rickey Paulding (Missouri, 2000-04): 1,673 points, 526 rebounds, 191 3-pointers
• Kirk Hinrich (Kansas, 2000-03): 1,753 points, 532 rebounds, 236 3-pointers
Entering the weekend, Oklahoma's Tony Crocker needs eight boards to join the group as he has 1,246 points, 492 rebounds and 189 3-pointers in his career.
}} Last year Anderson became just the seventh Husker to record at least 100 3-pointers, 100 assists and 100 steals in a career. Among that short list are Eric Piatkowski, Tyronn Lue, Erick Strickland, Cookie Belcher, Cary Cochran and Jaron Boone, along with Anderson. For his career, Anderson now has 159 3-pointers, 155 steals and 206 assists. With his five steals against Iowa State on Jan. 16, Anderson joined Strickland as the only two Huskers ever with at least 150 in each of those three categories.
}} Anderson reached the 500-rebound mark when he posted a team-high eight boards against Iowa State on Jan. 16. The 6-4 Anderson will not reach the NU career top 10 (10th place is 679 boards by Rex Ekwall in 1955-57), but to his credit, Anderson has battled and persevered at the 4 spot each year despite giving up 6-8 inches and 50-80 pounds to most Big 12 opponents and still has moved his way into all-time top 25 rebounders at Nebraska. His 522 rebounds are currently No. 20 on the list, and he needs just five more to move up one more spot.
}} Anderson crossed the 200-assist plateau with three assists at Colorado this season. He now has 206 assists in his career to rank No. 23 on the Husker all-time list and needs just nine more to move into the top 20.
}} With at least 40 steals in each of his final three seasons, including 42 and counting this year, Anderson has climbed among the top 10 in Husker history for career steals. His 155 career steals rank sixth currently and he needs just six more to set a personal season high and reach No. 5 on the list.
Richardson Making a Charge
Last year, guard Brandon Richardson missed the first four games of league play because of a shoulder injury suffered in the non-conference finale. After he came back, it took him a little while to settle in and start to gain some confidence back on both ends of the court.
This season, Richardson has still had health problems with a bad back that forced him to miss a game as well as having the flu and suffering a thigh bruise all during the first week of league play. Despite the roadblocks, he's quietly slid into a comfort zone over the last 13 games that has provided the Huskers a spark at the start of Big 12 Conference action.
}} The talented Richardson has been Nebraska's scoring leader over the last 13 games, including posting a career-best four-game stretch scoring in double figures heading into league play. Overall he has scored double figures seven times in the last 13 games.
}} A 2,000-point scorer in high school, Richardson has averaged 10.6 points per game in the last 13 contests while hitting an impressive 52.7 percent (39-of-74) from the floor.
}} During that 13-game stretch, Richardson has knocked down 16-of-34 3-point attempts (47.1 percent) and 33-of-38 tries (86.8 percent) at the charity stripe. He also has 18 assists while adding 10 steals, all while playing just 23.4 minutes of action per game.
}} Richardson set a career high with 18 points to lead Nebraska in a 12-point loss against No. 3 Kansas. Despite missing the previous two days with the flu which caused him to lose about eight pounds, Richardson hit 5-of-6 shots from the floor, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, in 21 minutes off the bench. He also drained all five free throw attempts.
}} Richardson added another strong contest as he helped the Huskers to their first Big 12 Conference win of the season when he had 16 points off the bench in a 63-46 victory over Oklahoma. He hit 6-of-11 shots from the field including 2-of-5 from 3-point range and added three rebounds and two steals in 28 minutes of action.
Board Support
Despite struggling on the glass in league play, Nebraska has won the rebounding advantage 11 times this season, including nine times at home. The Huskers are 10-1 in those contests. Senior Ryan Anderson and redshirt freshman Jorge Brian Diaz have led the way for the Huskers this season, averaging 4.9 and 4.1 rebounds per game, respectively.
}} Anderson has been a mainstay on the backboards for the Huskers the past four years. While he will not break into the career top 10, the 6-4 Seattle native moved past the 500-rebound plateau on Jan. 16 against Iowa State when he had a team-high eight boards. Anderson became the 24th Husker in history to record at least 500 rebounds, and he has moved into the top 20 all-time as he now has 522 rebounds.
}} Anderson posted a career-best and team season-high 14 rebounds to go with 16 points in a win over Oregon State in December. It was his sixth career double-figure rebounding game and his third career double-double.
}} In the regular-season opener, Diaz had 11 rebounds to go with nine points in his first career game. He added a second double-figure rebounding game with 12 boards against Chicago State. At the time, Diaz's season high was the most by a Husker since 2007-08.
}} Along with Diaz and Anderson, sophomore Myles Holley is the only other Husker with a double-figure rebounding game this year. He had 11 boards and seven points against Southern Utah.
}} As a team, Nebraska posted a season-high 41 rebounds against each Chicago State and Jackson State. Overall, the Huskers have recorded at least 35 rebounds in seven games, one more than last year's season total.
}} Nebraska has posted a rebounding advantage in two straight games against Colorado and Oklahoma after opening Big 12 play with four straight contests trailing on the glass. NU held a 36-27 advantage on the glass against Oklahoma, when guard Lance Jeter and center Jorge Brian Diaz each led the Huskers with seven rebounds apiece.
Diaz Stacking Up Nicely
Center Jorge Brian Diaz has been fairly consistent this season in the scoring department for a freshman. The 6-11, 235-pounder has averaged 8.5 points per game on the season and has been one of the top shot blockers in the league this season.
}} On the year, Diaz has posted nine double-figure scoring games, including each of the past two league contests, and has had four other games with between seven and nine points. He is the leading Husker freshman with 188 points this season, and is currently on pace to challenge for a spot on the Nebraska freshman scoring list. Tenth place is Jamel White with 8.7 points per game in 2006.
}} In conference play, Diaz has hit 48.3 percent (28-of-58) from the field. He knocked down 12 of his first 17 shots from the field (70.4 percent) over two games before going 6-of-20 from the floor over the next three contests. Diaz hit 5-of-9 attempts against Oklahoma including a pair of dunks as the Huskers won their first league game of the year, and then added 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting against No. 10/11 Kansas State.
}} Diaz posted 15 points against No. 3 Kansas with a variety of post moves as well as a number of mid-range jumpers for his best outing against a Big 12 foe this season. It was his highest scoring output since posting a career-best 22 points against TCU at the end of November.
}} Diaz has recorded six blocked shots and had 22 rebounds over the past five games. He matched his season high with three blocks vs. Iowa State and now has eight blocks in seven league games to rank 11th (1.1 bpg) in league-only games while ranking eighth (1.4 bpg) in the overall season stats. He is the highest-ranking freshman on each listing.
}} In his best rebounding effort during league play, Diaz had seven rebounds including two offensive boards while helping the Huskers to their first league win with a 63-46 victory over Oklahoma. One of his offensive boards led to a crowd-pleasing putback two-handed dunk.
Standhardinger Showing Flashes
After sitting out the non-conference slate, freshman forward Christian Standhardinger jumped right into the action as conference play got started on Jan. 9 at Texas A&M. The 6-8, 210-pounder quickly made his presence felt as he had a team-high 13 points and seven rebounds vs. the Aggies.
}} Coming off the bench to provide a lift in energy and effort, Standhardinger has averaged 8.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in league play. Of his 24 rebounds, 13 are on the offensive end, easily a team high.
}} Averaging 15.2 minutes per game, Standhardinger has hit just 35.0 percent (14-of-40) from the floor, although he is fourth on the team in scoring as he has gotten to the free throw line in Big 12 play more than any other Husker, hitting 20-of-23 charity shots (87.0 percent).
}} Standhardinger made his career debut just over seven minutes into the A&M game and had five points and three rebounds in the opening period. His 3-pointer in the second half gave Nebraska a 42-40 lead and his free throw less than a minute later gave NU its final lead of the game, 43-42.
}} In his second career game, Standhardinger posted eight points on 2-of-7 shooting with two rebounds (both offensive) in 19 minutes off the bench against No. 3 Kansas. He had a more difficult time against Iowa State, scoring only two points on 1-of-7 shooting while adding two rebounds, a steal and an assist.
}} Standhardinger posted his most efficient game yet at Colorado, when he had 14 points in 12 minutes off the bench. Showcasing his slashing European style of play, Standhardinger made nine trips to the free throw line in his limited minutes, converting eight attempts, and hit 3-of-5 shots from the floor. He also added four rebounds, including three offensive boards.
}} With one offensive board against KSU, Standhardinger now has 13 offensive boards in six games played. He has four more offensive boards than any Husker in league action.
}} An NCAA amateurism ruling mandated that the freshman forward had to sit out the first 15 games of the season because the club team he played on in his native Germany included a professional. It was the same team that produced fellow Husker Christopher Niemann, who had to sit out all of last season because of the NCAA's ruling at the time. Standhardinger was not allowed to travel with the team, but practiced with the Huskers during the non-conference season.
Jeter Does A little of Everything
Coming into the season, there was some question about who would become Nebraska's floor general as, after last season, two-year starting point guard Cookie Miller decided to transfer and go to school back in his home state of West Virginia. As the non-conference slate has now turned to league play, there is no question who that commander is as point guard Lance Jeter has made his presence felt throughout the program.
}} Jeter leads the team with 87 assists and his 4.0 assists per game are 10th in the Big 12 Conference. He has had at least four assists in nine of the past 13 games.
}} In conference play, the 6-3, 225-pound native of Beaver Falls, Pa., is seventh entering the weekend with 3.9 assists per game. He posted a career high in each of his first two career Big 12 games with seven assists at Texas A&M and then eight against No. 3 Kansas.
}} He also has shown good decision-making as he is second in the league this season with a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio (87 to 37). Entering the week, Jeter rank 45th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio and his assist average placed him 139th in the nation.
}} Jeter has had at least five assists in eight games this season, including six straight between Dec. 23 and Jan. 13. The six straight games with at least five assists is the longest streak by a Husker in the Big 12 era, surpassing the five straight games Charles Richardson Jr. had at least five assists in 2006-07.
}} While Jeter is not looked at as a primary scoring option, he has shown the ability to get to the basket and provide an offensive spark on occasion. He has posted five double-figure scoring games, including 12 points on 6-of-13 shooting against Iowa State on Jan. 13. Prior to that game, Jeter had scored just 13 points in the previous six games combined while going 4-of-27 from the field.
}} Jeter can also be a force on the glass as he has shown the past five games. While he has had just 12 assists in the last five contests (2.4 apg), he has posted 27 rebounds (5.2 rpg), setting a career best three times. He posted a then-best six boards against Iowa State and had a team- and career-high seven boards twice, at Missouri and at home against Oklahoma.
Huskers Hitting at Record Pace
Although Nebraska has struggled early in the league slate by hitting just 24-of-72 (33.3 percent) beyond the arc, the Cornhuskers are still hitting at a record pace from 3-point range.
}} Nebraska has drained 140-of-353 attempts from 3-point range this season, good for 39.7 percent. That average would be a school record if the season ended today as the current mark stands at 38.9 percent by the 2003-04 squad. That team hit 210-of-540 attempts beyond the arc.
}} NU has hit at least 50 percent from 3-point range in six games this season, including twice in Big 12 play when the Huskers drained 11-of-21 (52.4 percent) against No. 3 Kansas and 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) against Kansas State. Both games were at home.
}} Redshirt freshman Eshaunte Jones leads the Big 12 Conference on the season by hitting 45.2 percent (33-of-73) from 3-point range this season. His 33 treys are a team high and rank seventh in the NU freshman record book.
}} Along with Jones, Ryan Anderson (28), Brandon Richardson (20), Sek Henry (18), Lance Jeter (14) and Ray Gallegos (12) have each recorded double figures for 3-pointers this season. The Huskers have 140 treys this year and are currently on pace to finish with at least 197 3-pointers, a total which would rank in the top 10 in school single-season history.
Taking Care of the Ball
Coach Doc Sadler's teams at Nebraska have always been noted for their blue-collar work ethic and their attitude toward having a stalwart defense, but over the past couple years another area has become a trademark of a Sadler-led program: ball security.
Last season, the Cornhuskers ranked 18th nationally and first in the Big 12 Conference in turnovers per game, giving up the ball just 11.5 times per contest. NU was one of only two teams (also Texas) to give up less than 12 turnovers per game in 2009 Big 12 Conference play as the Huskers led the league with just 185 turnovers in league action (11.6 tpg).
}} This season, Nebraska is holding on to the ball nearly as well. NU entered the week ranked 32nd nationally in turnovers per game, and is currently averaging just 11.9 turnovers per contest despite giving up 16 miscues in two of its last three contests.
}} Nebraska has been solid in conference games as the Huskers are averaging 12.0 miscues to rank third in turnovers per game in Big 12 play.
}} The Huskers have turned the ball over seven or fewer times in four games, and less than 10 times on seven occasions including three of the past six games. Nebraska set this year's season low with four turnovers against Southern Utah, one off the Nebraska all-time single-game record of three (set twice, including once by a Sadler-led club in 2009). NU also had just six turnovers in the non-conference finale.
Defense Taking Shape
Coach Doc Sadler's squads have led the Big 12 Conference in scoring defense each of the past two seasons and ranked among the top 25 defenses in the country at the end of those years. This year has been much of the same despite the fact that the Huskers have just three returning scholarship players available from last year's NIT squad.
}} Entering the weekend, the Husker defense leads the league in overall scoring defense by allowing 61.0 points per game. Nebraska entered the week ranked 22nd nationally in scoring defense.
}} In conference-only games, the Huskers are allowing 66.9 points per contest to lead the Big 12. Kansas (68.7 ppg) is second in scoring defense in Big 12 games, while Texas A&M (69.8 ppg) is the only other team allowing less than 70 points per game in Big 12 play.
}} Earlier in the season, the Huskers had the nation's top-ranked defense as Nebraska entered the Las Vegas Classic on Dec. 22 allowing just 54.1 ppg. The Huskers held the distinction for just one week as they gave up 70 and 88 points, respectively, while splitting games with Tulsa and BYU on a neutral court.
}} The magic mark under Sadler seems to be the 60-point plateau. Nebraska now has a sterling 46-5 record under Sadler when holding teams to 60 or fewer points, including an impressive 40-2 mark at home.
}} The Huskers have allowed more than 70 points to a conference team just 11 times in 42 games (including the conference championship) since the start of the 2008 Big 12 slate. Six of those contests have been at home and five have been on the road.
}} The Huskers held Oklahoma to 46 points in NU's first league win of the season. The total marked the fifth time in coach Doc Sadler's tenure that NU has held a Big 12 opponent to 50 or fewer points, including twice against Oklahoma.
}} Nebraska allowed a season-low 39 points to Chicago State, the 10th fewest points given up by a Nebraska squad since 1947. It was the third time a Sadler-led Nebraska team held an opponent to less than 40 points.
Huskers Finding the Mark
Nebraska coach Doc Sadler has said from Day One that he thought this team "could shoot the ball well," and through 22 games this season, they've proven their mentor right despite struggling recently in league play. Despite struggling in league action, the Huskers are still hitting at a solid 45.1 percent rate from the field, including hitting at least 50.0 percent from the field six times.
}} Nebraska hit a season-high 55.6 percent against Chicago State and had its best half of the year against Southern Utah when it hit 67.9 percent (19-of-28) after the intermission. At Creighton on Dec. 6, the Huskers hit 50.0 percent (24-of-48) from the floor for its best effort on the road since last season at Texas Tech.
}} Part of the Huskers' offensive effectiveness has come behind solid shooting from beyond the arc, where Nebraska has nailed 140-of-353 from 3-point range (39.7 percent), including draining a season-high 12 treys (on 19 attempts) against Southeastern Louisiana in the non-conference finale.
}} Nebraska ranked 26th nationally in 3-point percentage entering the week and have hit at least 40 percent from beyond the arc in seven of the past 12 games.
}} Nebraska's strong shooting from outside was on display as it tied a Devaney Center record and set a team building record by hitting 75.0 percent (9-of-12) from 3-point range against Texas-Pan American on Dec. 2. The Huskers hit seven straight at one point and bettered Nebraska's previous building record of 66.7 percent set three times.
Block Party
Redshirt freshman Jorge Brian Diaz quickly made a name for himself as he posted one of just three Husker 20-point games this season when he had 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting against TCU in his third career game. But it is on the defensive end that he is quickly - and quietly - looking like one of the top freshmen in school history.
Diaz currently leads NU with 31 blocked shots, and his 1.4 blocks per game are eighth in the Big 12 Conference on the season, where he is the top-ranked freshman. Diaz's 31 blocks in 22 games are 13 more than NU's individual high last year (18 by Toney McCray) in 31 games.
}} Diaz already ranks third in the Nebraska freshman record book with his 31 blocks. The only two rookies to ever record more are Venson Hamilton (1996) and John Turek (2002), who hold the Nebraska freshman record with 39 blocks each in their initial season.
}} Diaz has had a career high with three blocked shots in five contests this season including the Huskers' contest against Iowa State at home.
}} As a team, the Huskers own 67 blocked shots this season in 22 games, averaging 3.0 blocks per game. Last year, Nebraska had just 52 blocks in 31 games (1.7 bpg).
Bench Production
The Cornhuskers have spread the scoring around this season with only one player averaging double figures while six other active Huskers are averaging at least 5.0 points per game. Much of that production has come from the bench, as Nebraska has a deeper roster than many recent seasons.
}} The Husker bench outscored opponents in each of the first eight games and 17 times overall this season.
}} Nebraska posted its top bench production when it got 35 points from the non-starters at Colorado. That was 58.3 percent of its 60 points scored against the Buffs.
}} The Huskers' production of 28 points against Oklahoma was one of 14 games when the Huskers had at least 25 points off the bench.
}} On the season, Nebraska has gotten 602 points (of 1,461 on the season) from its bench. That's 41.2 percent of the production that has come from outside the starting lineup.
}} The most points by a Husker off the bench this year is 22 by Jorge Brian Diaz, who went 9-of-10 against TCU, while Eshaunte Jones added 21 points, including five 3-pointers, in a loss to BYU. Brandon Richardson also had 18 points off the bench against No. 3 Kansas and 16 points against Oklahoma, while Christian Standhardinger had 14 points in 12 minutes off the bench at Colorado.
Freshman Highlights
Nebraska has had season-ending injuries to two players - Toney McCray and Christopher Niemann - who could have each earned starting roles this year. Add on to that the fact that seven of Nebraska's 11 active scholarship players are freshmen and sophomores, and it's easy to see why one of the least experienced teams in the Big 12 has had to rely on a number of youngsters in the early portion of the season.
Two of those players - redshirt freshmen Jorge Brian Diaz and Eshaunte Jones - have shown promise as they had performances that stack up among the best in NU freshman history.
}} Diaz made his presence felt early and often as the Huskers raced past TCU on Nov. 21 in a 90-77 victory, just one game after he took an elbow to the face and had a pair of front teeth knocked loose and suffered a cut inside his mouth in the opening minute at Saint Louis. The Caguas, Puerto Rico, native set a team season high with 22 points vs. TCU as Nebraska reached the 90-point plateau for the first time since 2006.
}} Against TCU, Diaz connected on 9-of-10 shots from the floor, with only a first-half miss keeping him from the NU record book. The Husker single-game record for most field-goals attempted without a miss is nine set on five occasions, including last year by Ade Dagunduro. Diaz's .900 shooting percentage is the third highest single-game mark by a Big 12 player this season.
}} Diaz became the first freshman since Sek Henry in 2006 to post a 20-point contest for the Huskers. Henry's outburst that season came one day after Ryan Anderson put his name on the list with 29 points, the second-highest total by a Husker freshman ever.
}} Jones followed as he produced 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting in a loss to BYU in the HoopTV Las Vegas Classic. He hit 5-of-7 3-point attempts while adding three rebounds and two assists without a turnover.
}} Overall, Diaz and Jones are the 21st and 22nd freshmen to record a 20-point game for the Huskers since freshmen were reinstated by the NCAA for the 1972-73 season. Joe McCray set the record with the most 20-point games by a Husker freshman when he had 10 contests with at least 20 points in 2004-05. Only six Husker freshmen in history have had multiple 20-point contests.
}} Diaz has also been solid in league action, where he is third on the team with 8.6 points per game, including reaching double figures each of the past two contests. He has hit 48.3 percent from the field in Big 12 play while averaging 26.4 minutes per game.
Taking the Shot
With so many new faces on the squad, it was only a matter of time before one of the youngsters was asked to step up and make a game-changing play. At USC on Nov. 29, it was more than just a game-changing play... it was a game-deciding shot.
}} Redshirt freshman Eshaunte Jones, playing in his ninth career game, had made just two field goals in the first half and had only been off the bench for a total of five minutes in the second period before being called upon with less than a minute to play in a tie game. Jones didn't hesitate as the buried the game-winning shot from the corner, a 3-pointer with 11.7 seconds remaining. The shot was reviewed at length by the officials who determined it was indeed a 3-pointer. From there, the Huskers defended the perimeter well and USC only managed to get off an off-balance desperation shot at the buzzer.
}} Jones finished the USC game with seven points, and his 3-pointer gave the Huskers their first road win of the season, and just the second true road win over a non-conference opponent under fourth-year coach Doc Sadler. It was NU's first road victory over a non-conference BCS team since defeating Tennessee, 62-61, in Knoxville in 2004.
}} Jones also led the Huskers in scoring in both games at the HoopTV Las Vegas Classic just before Christmas. He posted 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting, all from 3-point range, to lead the Huskers to a victory over Tulsa, and came back a night later to record a career-best 21 points. He hit 6-of-11 shots from the field with five made baskets from 3-point range (seven attempts).
}} Jones leads the Big 12 Conference in 3-point percentage on the season as he has connected on 45.2 percent (33-of-73) from beyond the arc this year. His 33 3-pointers are seventh on the NU freshman top 10 list.
50 is the New 60
Nebraska has made it a habit of holding teams to 50 points or less since coach Doc Sadler took over in 2006-07. Since his arrival, the Huskers have held opponents to 50 or fewer points 23 times. In the first 10 years of the Big 12 era before Sadler arrived, Nebraska managed the feat on 26 occasions.
The most times NU has held teams to 50 or fewer points in a season under Sadler is nine times in 2007-08. This season, the Huskers have held seven teams below 50 points. That defensive effort has helped the Huskers allow just 61.0 points per game, an average leads the Big 12 Conference this year and is among the national leaders.
}} Dating to the 2007-08 season, Nebraska has held nine of its last 14 Big 12 Conference opponents in the Devaney Center to 57 or fewer points, including four times under 50 points. Two of those four games holding a Big 12 opponent to less than 50 points came against Oklahoma.
}} Overall, NU held six teams to 57 or fewer points in Big 12 play last year, including Missouri (51), Kansas State (51), at Colorado (53), Texas (55), Colorado (41) and Texas A&M (57). The Huskers have added two to the list this year as Iowa State posted only 56 points and Oklahoma had just 46 points.
}} During Nebraska's three home games between Dec. 10 and Dec. 19, the Huskers held all three teams to 44 or fewer points, including 39 points by Chicago State, 44 by Oregon State and 41 by Jackson State. The 39 points by Chicago State tied for the 10th lowest point total allowed by the Huskers since 1947.
}} The last time a Nebraska squad matched a streak of three straight games holding teams to below 45 points was the 1943 season. In fact, the last time the Cornhuskers even held three straight teams to below 50 points was 1958 as NU won three straight games over Colorado (41 points), No. 4 Kansas (41 points) and No. 1 Kansas State (48) as part of a four-game win streak.
Niemann, McCray Out for Season
After making what looked to be a successful return from a torn ACL suffered in the final week of the regular season last year, 6-10, 265-pound sophomore center Christopher Niemann had a major setback as he tore the same ACL for a second time in the first week of September. After surgery to repair the damage that occurred during a non-basketball conditioning workout, Niemann will be out for all of the 2009-10 campaign.
Niemann is currently making good progress through rehab again, and is on pace to join the team for offseason workouts in late spring. He will have three years remaining on his original eligibility clock to play three seasons with the Huskers.
}} Nebraska coach Doc Sadler announced following Nebraska's game against UMKC on Nov. 24 that sophomore guard Toney McCray would have surgery on his elbow and be out for the remainder of the season. McCray injured the elbow in a pickup game in early September, sustaining a torn ligament. McCray tried to play through the pain as doctors assured him that it would get no worse if he waited until after the season to have surgery. But Sadler said that McCray indicated he had little confidence in his elbow and wasn't able to help the team the way he wanted to, and thought it would be better to have surgery now and be ready for the offseason in the spring of 2010.
McCray had successful surgery on Dec. 7 to repair the UCL in his elbow. He started rehab that week and is doing well, as he is on pace to try to join the team in the spring during offseason workouts.
}} Both Niemann and McCray were looked at as possible starters heading into the start of the season. McCray averaged 6.3 points and 4.0 rebounds over three games this year, hitting 53.3 percent (8-of-15) from the field. He played 18.3 minutes per game. Niemann has yet to play a game in a Husker uniform.
New Faces Line Husker Roster
While the Huskers will rely on three returning scholarship players for leadership - seniors Ryan Anderson and Sek Henry, and sophomore Brandon Richardson - most of the eyes will be focused on the faces of several newcomers who dot the inexperienced Nebraska roster.
}} Among the scholarship newcomers who have seen action for the first time in their Husker careers this season are juniors Lance Jeter and Quincy Hankins-Cole, sophomore Myles Holley, redshirt freshman Jorge Brian Diaz and freshmen Ray Gallegos and Brandon Ubel. Freshman Adrien Coleman also played in the first semester before transfering at the holiday break.
}} Freshman Christian Standhardinger, who was forced to sit out the first 15 games of the season because of an NCAA amateurism ruling, became eligible for the league opener at Texas A&M. He is the eighth scholarship Husker to play his first game for Nebraska this season.
}} Including walk-ons Matt Karn and Mike Fox, more than 60 percent (9 of 14 active players; 64.2 percent) of the Huskers who have recorded time during the regular season are playing for the first time in a Nebraska uniform this year. Another Husker - Eshaunte Jones - played only four games last year before an injury forced him to redshirt.
2009-10 Scholarship Breakdown
Seniors: 2 (returnees Sek Henry and Ryan Anderson)
Juniors: 2 (transfers Lance Jeter and Quincy Hankins-Cole)
Sophomores: 4 (returnees Toney McCray, Brandon Richardson and Christopher Niemann*; newcomer Myles Holley)
Redshirt Freshmen: 2 (Eshaunte Jones and Jorge Brian Diaz)
True Freshmen: 3 (Brandon Ubel, Ray Gallegos, Christian Standhardinger)
*sat out last season per NCAA ruling on amateur status; has not played at Nebraska
Youth Movement
While Nebraska entered the season knowing it will have a number of young players in the lineup on any given night, it did not realize it would have two of the youngest players in their respective classes.
}} Freshman Brandon Ubel is the third-youngest player overall in the Big 12 Conference this season. Born on Aug. 29, 1991, only Jaye Crockett of Texas Tech (Oct. 16, 1991) and Tyler Stone of Missouri (Sept. 8, 1991) are younger than Ubel.
}} While Ubel is one of the youngest in the league, another Husker is the youngest for his class. Junior college transfer Quincy Hankins-Cole, who graduated high school when he was 16 and played the past two years at Polk (Fla.) CC, will not turn 20 years old until Feb. 18, 2010. The next youngest junior in the Big 12 is Kansas State's Jacob Pullen, who turned 20 on Nov. 10. In fact, Hankins-Cole is three months younger than redshirt-freshman Jorge Brian Diaz, who turned 20 on Nov. 13.