Huskers Host Bellevue Monday Night

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
Game: Exhibition Game 2
2010-11 Record: 0-0, 0-0 Big 12
Head coach: Doc Sadler
 Record at Nebraska: 70-58 (5th year)
 Record at Division I: 118-76 (7th year)
 Career Record: 238-115 (13th year)

BELLEVUE UNIV. BRUINS
Game: Exhibition Game 1
2010-11 Record: 2-1, 0-0 Midlands
Collegiate Athletics Conference (MCAC)
Head coach: Shane Paben
 Record at Bellevue: 54-18 (3rd year)
 Career Record: Same

HUSKERS ON TV/RADIO/INTERNET
Television: None
Radio: Select IMG Husker Sports Radio Network stations
 Play-by-play: Kent Pavelka
 Color: Matt Davison
Internet Radio/Stats: Free on Huskers.com

HUSKERS TAKE ON BELLEVUE MONDAY NIGHT
The Nebraska basketball team wraps up the exhibition season on Monday, Nov. 8, as the Huskers take on Bellevue University.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center and the matchup will be broadcast by the IMG Husker Sports Radio Network with Kent Pavelka calling the action and Matt Davison adding color commentary. The game can be heard for free on Huskers.com and will be aired on KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln. Fans should check with other network affiliates for more broadcast information.

Tickets for Monday's game are available by calling 800-8-BIGRED or visiting Huskers.com. Fans can also purchase tickets at the Devaney Center beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The Huskers opened exhibition action with a 75-43 win over Peru State last Wednesday night. Sophomore forward Christian Standhardinger led the Huskers with 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead three Nebraska players in double figures.

If it was a regular-season game, it would have marked Standhardinger's first career double-double, as his best rebounding effort of the 2009-10 season was eight in a loss at Iowa State on Feb. 25. As a team, NU had four double-doubles in 33 games during the 2009-10 season (Ryan Anderson-2; Sek Henry-1; Lance Jeter-1).

Sophomore Jorge Brian Diaz chipped in 13 points, hitting 6-of-8 shots from the floor, and added four rebounds and a pair of blocks, while junior college transfer Andre Almeida added 11 points, on 5-of-6 shooting, six rebounds and six assists in his Husker debut.

All three of NU's scholarship newcomers made an impact, as Caleb Walker had eight points and four rebounds while Kamyron Brown totaled three assists, two steals and a pair of rebounds along with two points.

Nebraska was stout on defense in the victory, holding the Bobcats without a field goal for the first 11:25 of the half while jumping out to an early 16-2 lead and were never threatened. Peru State shot just 28 percent (14-for-50) from the floor on the night and committed 25 turnovers which led to 23 Husker points in the loss.

Bellevue will pose a tougher challenge for the Huskers on Monday night, as the Bruins retured a pair of starters from a team that went 28-8 and advanced the the semifinals of the 2010 NAIA Division II National Tournament.
The Bruins were picked third in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll and are 2-1 on the season after losing to Morningside College, 92-80 on Saturday.

In three games, Bellevue is averaging 90.7 points per game while averaging five players in double figures.  Donald Jones' 16.5 points per game leads a balanced offense which has hit over 50 percent of its shots and averages just 11.3 turnovers per game.

SCOUTING BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY
Bellevue comes to Lincoln with a 2-1 record after earning runner-up honors in a tournament at the University of Sioux Falls over the weekend. The Bruins, who returned a pair of starters from a team that went 28-8 last season, defeated Sioux Falls, 86-69, before losing to Morningside, 90-82 on Saturday.

Shane Paben is in his third year at the school and has helped the school to a 54-18 record. The Pickrell, Neb., native led Bellevue to consecutive NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament appearances, including a semifinal showing in 2009-10.

The Bruins are led by senior guard Avery Tyler, who earned second-team NAIA All-America honors in 2009-10 averaging 16.6 points per game. The 6-foot-1 guard from Omaha comes into Monday's game averaging 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 2010-11.

Junior college transfer Donald Jones leads a balanced attack at 16.5 points per game. Jones has hit 13-of-17 shots in three games and also averages 4.5 rebounds per game. Another newcomer, senior forward Eugene Bain, averages 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game after transferring in from Nebraska-Omaha.

PARKING CHANGES FOR 2010-11 SEASON
With the creation of UNL Innovation Campus on the property previously used for the Nebraska State Fair, fans will be charged $3 per car to park in the public lots this season. 

Two cashier stations will be set up on the Saltcreek Roadway Extension to assist fans entering and exiting the parking area on gamedays.

Fans can purchase parking passes in advance by calling UNL Parking & Transit Services at (402) 472-1800, as season and 10-game packets are available.

Here is a quick primer on the parking areas and how to access them.

• Public Parking Lots: From 27th Street: Enter from the east on North Fair Park Drive, which winds around to the public cashier entrance into the north entrance of the lot. Please exit the same way you entered. From Military Road or Antelope Valley Parkway: Take the Saltcreek Expressway to the public cashier entrance and head north into public parking area. Please exit the same way you entered.
• Lot 51: - Enter from Antelope Valley Parkway (formerly 14th Street) onto West Entrance Road. Exit to Antelope Valley Parkway.
• VIP Lot and Lot 52: Enter from the west at the intersection of Military Road and Antelope Valley Parkway. Take a right to curve around the west side of the Devaney Center to Court Street. Please exit the same way you entered.
• Lot 56: Enter from Antelope Valley Parkway heading north. Exit to Antelope Valley Parkway heading north.
• Lot 57-58: Enter from Antelope Valley Parkway to West Entrance Road. Exit to West Entrance Road to Antelope Valley Parkway.
• Lot 59: Enter from 10th Street or Antelope Valley Parkway to Military Road. Exit to Antelope Valley Parkway heading north.

LAST TIME OUT
Christian Standhardinger recorded a double-double and the Husker defense forced 25 turnovers, as the Nebraska men's basketball team kicked off the 2010-11 season with a 75-43 exhibition win over Peru State on Wednesday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Standhardinger posted game-high totals of 16 points and 10 rebounds, leading a trio of Huskers in double figures. Jorge Brian Diaz hit 6-of-8 from the field to add 13 points, while junior college transfer Andre Almeida was impressive in his NU debut, making five of his six shots to add 11 points, while also finishing with six rebounds and a game-high six assists.

The Huskers shot better than 46 percent for the game, while Peru State hit only 28.0 percent of its shots. Nebraska recorded 12 steals while forcing Peru State into committing more turnovers (25) than total shots made (22; 14 field goals, eight free throws). Devin Eighmey led the Bobcats with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the 3-point arc. The Huskers also held a decisive 45-29 rebounding edge over the smaller Peru State lineup.

Nebraska's defense was suffocating from the start, as the Huskers held the Bobcats scoreless for the first 7:57. During that stretch, NU recorded five steals and forced nine turnovers, as Peru State attempted only three shots, as the Huskers built a 16-2 lead in the first 11 minutes of the contest.

HUSKERS IN EXHIBITIONS
Nebraska is now 48-6 all-time in exhibition games, including a 7-1 record under Doc Sadler. The Huskers have won their last six exhibition contests, including the 75-43 victory over Peru State last Wednesday. NU is 9-0 in exhibition contests against in-state teams, as Nebraska has annually played at least one exhibition against one of the state's small colleges since 2005.

A PASSING FANCY
One of the things that pleased Doc Sadler after Nebraska's exhibition opener was the Huskers' ball movement. Nebraska had 17 assists on 24 field goals, including five assists from Lance Jeter in just 24 minutes of action. A surprising name led the Huskers in assists against Peru State, as 6-foot-11 center Andre Almeida dished out six assists in just 18 minutes of action, including five in 11 minutes of action in the first half. As a team, NU had 11 assists on its 13 first-half baskets.

HUSKERS BATTLING THE INJURY BUG
The Huskers have been battling the injury bug over the last week. Sophomore center Christopher Niemann will be sidelined for a few weeks, as he underwent surgery on his knee to fix a meniscus on Nov. 3. Later that day,  junior guard Brandon Richardson suffered an ankle injury when he stepped on a referee's foot during the opening minutes of NU's exhibition opener. He is doubtful for Monday's game. Junior Toney McCray has been battling plantar fasciitis and could play against Bellevue on Monday night. McCray missed all but three games last season as he underwent elbow surgery last November.

HUSKERS GO PERFECT IN BAHAMAS
The Nebraska basketball team spent part of August in the Bahamas, taking on teams from the Bahamas Basketball Federation in an exhibition tour. The Huskers went 4-0 on the trip, their first overseas travel since going to Australia in 2004. Sophomore forward Christian Standhardinger led the Huskers in both points (15.3 ppg) and rebounds (7.5 rpg) on the tour and joined sophomore forward Brandon Ubel (12.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and junior college transfer Caleb Walker (11.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg) in averaging double figures. The Huskers averaged 96.0 points per game, as the team played FIBA rules, including a 24-second shot clock.

NEW FACES ON THE BENCH
One of the biggest changes for the Huskers is on the sideline, as assistant coaches Wes Flanigan and Tracy Webster are in their first year at Nebraska, while Chris Croft moved from an administrative role to the bench this season.

Flanigan came to Nebraska from UAB, where he spent two seasons helping the Blazers to 47 wins and a pair of postseason appearances. He also served as an assistant at Arkansas-Little Rock and Northwest Mississippi CC following his playing career at Auburn, where he was an All-SEC performer.

Tracy Webster comes to Nebraska after previously serving coaching stints in the Big East, Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences. Last season, he was an assistant at DePaul before being promoted to interim head coach on Jan. 12, 2010, where he finished the season. He has also been an assistant at Kentucky, Illinois, Purdue and Ball State following a decorated playing career at Wisconsin, where he was an All-Big Ten guard for the Badgers.

Croft served as NU's director of operations for the last four seasons, but had previously been an assistant coach at the Division I level for eight years. He had been an assistant at Washington State, Southern Miss and Maryland-Eastern Shore and was the head coach at Martin Methodist College for three seasons.

HUSKERS LOOK TO RECLAIM BIG 12 DEFENSIVE TITLE
Throughout Doc Sadler's four seasons at Nebraska, the Huskers have been one of the Big 12's top defensive teams. In 2009-10, NU was fourth in the Big 12 in scoring defense, allowing 65.7 points per game. That snapped a two-year streak where the Huskers led the conference in scoring defense. In 2008-09, Nebraska allowed just 60.4 points per game to rank 22nd nationally and lead the Big 12. A year earlier, it gave up just 60.7 ppg and held on to a final No. 18 national ranking in that category.

HOLDING COURT
Nebraska has been strong on its home court over the years, and will try to continue an impressive run at home under Coach Doc Sadler. In the history of the Bob Devaney Sports Center, Nebraska has posted a 410-131 record for a .757 winning percentage. In the past four seasons under Sadler, Nebraska has dominated to the tune of a 54-17 record (.761 winning percentage) against all teams.

Facing non-conference opponents, the Huskers have been nearly unbeatable at home under Sadler. During his tenure, the team has earned a 37-1 record at the Devaney Center, with the lone loss coming in the 2008-09 season. The Huskers enter the 2010-11 campaign with a 13-game home winning streak against non-conference foes.

FRESHMEN MADE THEIR MARK ON HUSKER RECORD LISTS
With five freshmen in the Huskers' playing rotation during the 2009-10 season, it was natural that some of the Husker rookies would find their way on to NU's single-season freshman charts. A school-record five freshmen made at least one start (Jorge Brian Diaz -26; Brandon Ubel-16; Christian Standhardinger-4; Ray Gallegos-3; Eshaunte Jones-2) last season.

Diaz set NU's freshman record with 41 blocked shots, topping the old mark of 39 set by Venson Hamilton (1996) and John Turek (2002).  Diaz also finished in the top 10 among Husker freshmen in field goals made (133, fourth), points (291, eighth), rebounds (133, seventh) and  points per game (8.82, 10th).
Eshaunte Jones proved to be one of the Huskers' best long-range shooters, finishing his redshirt freshman year ranked second in 3-point shooting percentage (38.8 percent) and fifth in 3-pointers made (40).

PLAYING WITH A DEGREE
Under Doc Sadler, the Huskers have enjoyed success in the classroom. In all, 10 of 12 seniors who have completed eligibility under Sadler have received their degrees from Nebraska.  This season, senior Matt Karn is the 11th senior to earn a degree under Sadler, participating in commencement ceremonies earlier this year.  Fellow seniors Drake Beranek (May of 2011) and Lance Jeter (August of 2011) are on schedule to complete their course work  in the next year. The Nebraska basketball program ranks second among Big 12 programs with an 82 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) in the most recent rankings released on October of 2010.

WALK-ON TRADITION CONTINUES
While the Nebraska football program is nationally known for its walk-on program, the Husker basketball team has gotten major contributions from walk-ons in Doc Sadler's four seasons. The most notable was Paul Velander, who received the Jack Moore Award, symbolizing the team's MVP, after helping the 2008-09 squad to the NIT.

At the start of the semester senior guard Drake Beranek was recognized for his hard work, as he was placed on scholarship for the 2010-11 year.  Beranek walked on to the program after spending three years at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He scored 1,453 career points at UNK and ranked 11th nationally in Division II with 21.9 points per game in 2008-09.

For the 2010-11 season, the Huskers added five walk-ons, including in-state products Trevor Menke (Beatrice), Kye Kurkowski (Grant) and Jordan Tyrance (Lincoln), as well as Marshall Parker (Fort Smith, Ark.) and Bo Spencer (Baton Rouge, La.).

REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE NOTES

• Nebraska faces a rugged schedule with a minimum of 16 regular-season games against teams that reached the 2010 postseason. Among the Huskers' opponents that reached last year's NCAA Tournament were: Elite Eight participants Kansas State (twice) and Baylor, NCAA second-round qualifiers Kansas (twice), Missouri (twice), Texas A&M along with NCAA qualifiers Arkansas Pine-Bluff, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State and Texas. NU will also face 2010 postseason NIT qualifiers Jackson State and Texas Tech, along with CIT qualifiers South Dakota and Creighton. In addition, the Huskers could face two more postseason qualifiers in Puerto Rico, including Final Four participant West Virginia, NCAA qualifier Minnesota, NIT runner-up North Carolina and CBI qualifier Hofstra.
• -The Huskers are set to play 19 regular-season games at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, the most regular-season home games since the 2005-06 season. Last year, the Huskers went 12-6 in the building and NU is 54-17 at home under Coach Doc Sadler. The Huskers also played 18 regular-season home games in 2007-08, but one game (vs. Oregon) took place at the Qwest Center in Omaha.
• -Nebraska heads to San Juan for the Puerto Rico Tip-off. This will be the fifth time the Huskers have traveled to Puerto Rico for a tournament and first since winning the San Juan Shootout title in 2000. That season, Nebraska won its three games by a total of four points, earning one-point wins over Iona and Kent State before winning the title with a 72-70 win over SMU. Nebraska is 8-4 in its four previous tournaments in Puerto Rico, reaching the finals of the 1990 San Juan Shootout and placing third in the 1994 San Juan Shootout.
• -The Huskers will have at least 20 games televised regionally or nationally, including five games set to be seen around the country on the ESPN family of networks and another nationally televised on Fox Sports Net. The Huskers have averaged more than 20 televised contests (national, regional and local) each of the past four years.
• The Huskers' schedule features a school-record 10-game homestand beginning with the USC contest on Nov. 27. Prior to this season, the longest stretch of home games in school history was seven, which had been done four other times, most recently during the 2007-08 season.

TALK WITH DOC LUNCHEON SERIES
The University of Nebraska is proud to present the fifth-annual Talk with Doc luncheon series, sponsored by the Rebounders Club.  These popular luncheons with Head Men's Basketball Coach Doc Sadler have become a big hit with fans, providing an opportunity to enjoy a great lunch, interact with other Husker basketball fans, hear directly from Coach Sadler about the team's progress and ask questions about the games or the Huskers.
This year, the series will feature two preseason luncheons (one in Omaha and one in Lincoln) in November, with a midseason luncheon held prior to the start of Big 12 Conference action. 

The first Talk with Doc event takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon at the Old Mattress Factory, located at 13th and Cass Streets, in downtown Omaha.  The first Lincoln luncheon will be on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 11:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Station, located at 7th and P Streets in the Haymarket in downtown Lincoln. The final luncheon will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 11:30 a.m., also at the Lincoln Station. Each luncheon will last about one hour.

Tickets for each of the luncheons cost $15 each, or fans can purchase a reserved table of eight for $120. Reservations for all three of these events must be made no later than three days in advance. New this year, fans can reserve seats online at http://huskers.donornetpac.com (click on Special Events after logging in).  Fans can also download the reservation form on Huskers.com, or call the Athletic Development Office at 800-8-BIG RED or (402) 472-2367 to make reservations.

UP NEXT
The Huskers open regular season this Friday night, Nov. 12, against South Dakota. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and single-game tickets are available on Huskers.com and by calling the NU Ticket Office at 800-8-BIGRED.