NU Hoops Blog -- January 2011

Posted by Shamus McKnight
Friday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m.

Saturday Doubleheader at Devaney
As a reminder,Saturday is a men's and women's doubleheader at the Devaney Center and all fans who purchase a ticket to the men's 7 p.m. game against Iowa State can use that same ticket for GA admission to the Nebraska-Oklahoma women's game that afternoon at 2:05 p.m. Tickets that can be used for both games can be purchased for as little as $10 (click here to order).

The halftime act for Saturday's game is the Air Elite Dunk Team and here is a preview of their high-flying act. They will perform at both of Saturday's games.

With the start of conference play beginning this weekend, Doc Sadler taped a message following Wednesday's game encouraging Husker fans to come out and support the team heading into the final year of Big 12 action. 

Posted by Shamus McKnight
Wednesday, Jan. 5, 10 a.m.

Defense and Food
As many of you know, Runza is an official sponsor of Nebraska and on the back of the tickets talks about the special they run during the basketball season. If the Huskers hold an opponent to 60 points or less, fans get either an order of fries or onion rings (56-60 points), a chili or soup (51-55 points) or a Runza or burger with a purchase of a drink (50 points or less). Entering Wednesday's game, nine of the 10 home games have been winning tickets, including four Runza's/burgers, four sets of fries/rings and one soup/chili. As a reminder, to redeem the ticket, you must go to a Runza restaurant within three days of the previous game.

Posted by Shamus McKnight
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 9 p.m.

Talk to Doc Recap
Tuesday was the final Talk with Doc luncheon at the Lincoln Station, and Randy York provided a quick synopsis of the event for the hoops blog on Coach Sadler's talk.

• A comment that the Big 12  may be more balanced from top to bottom than it's ever been in his five years as Nebraska's head basketball coach.
• The difficulty of scheduling non-conference games nationally by all teams competing for that balance between competition and the opportunity to develop. Sadler also talked about the challenges of getting teams in the final week before Big 12 play because many of the leagues are already underway. Next year, the Huskers would have begun Big Ten play, as the schedule will likely feature at least 18 conference games.
• The notion that the Huskers are getting to know what lineups are most likely to play certain stretches, even though there will be more tinkering Wednesday against Savannah State. Sadler started a different lineup on Monday against North Dakota to provide an opportunity to pair different players with each other. 
• The acknowledgement that Nebraska has become a better shooting team after struggling in the early season when they lost two of three games in Puerto Rico.
• The confidence that Nebraska gained from rallying from a 20-point halftime deficit to beat a Southern Cal team that beat Texas and almost beat Kansas.
• The toughness that the Huskers developed in realizing they can bounce back and win close games - something that was difficult to accomplish last season.
• The idea that "we couldn't have written a better script" in learning the lessons the Huskers have learned in its 11-2 start that includes nine consecutive wins.
• The fact that TCU may be as good a perimeter team as Nebraska faced in the non-conference schedule, even if the Horned Frogs didn't have the inside power of a USC.
• The likelihood that Jorge Brian Diaz learned some valuable defensive lessons by having to go out and defend perimeter players that TCU and some of the other teams featured.
• The pride of coaching a team that Doc believes now knows and understands the intensity required to compete in a blockbuster league like the Big 12.
• The three-point offensive shooting punch that Iowa State brings to Lincoln Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams.
• The defensive strength of the Cyclones, who have good athletes that will pressure Nebraska and change defenses to keep the Huskers off balance.
• The back-to-back road games that follow that home opener against Missouri in Columbia and Kansas in Lawrence.
• The mindset that every game is important, but Nebraska can't afford to put more significance in those difficult assignments than is already there.
• The comfort in knowing that all available players are academically cleared to play the rest of the season, thanks to support provided by a staff "second to none".
• The appreciation for a Nebraska administration that "has given me everything I've asked for here and more. It's up to us to do a better job and be successful."