Scott McClurg/Journal-World PhotoLINCOLN, NEB. ? Nebraska’s men’s basketball team nearly pulled off the biggest stunner of the Big 12 Conference season 21/2 weeks ago at Allen Fieldhouse.
“They had a shot to win the game — a wide-open shot at that,” Kansas University senior guard Michael Lee said.
He and the rest of Jayhawk nation breathed a deep sigh of relief when Corey Simms’ last-second three-pointer clanged, assuring KU’s 59-57 escape. That game, coupled with KU’s 74-55 loss to NU on Feb. 15, 2004, in Lincoln, figures to have the Jayhawks (17-1, 7-0) all fired up and ready to go for today’s 11 a.m. rematch against the Huskers (10-8, 3-4).
“The biggest thing we’ve learned is they can beat us,” KU coach Bill Self said. “We better play very, very well.”
It’s all about being mentally ready, junior Christian Moody said.
“We have to come out more focused,” he said, “because the last time, our focus wasn’t there thinking that it might not be a tough game. We just have to come out with the mind-set that they’re going to bring it again.”
The Huskers certainly “brought it” last year in Devaney. The Jayhawks were outscored 47-27 during the final half.
“I know that game is running through everyone’s head — how well they played up there and how this will be another big game,” Moody said.
For the Huskers and their fans, last year’s win over KU was the high point of an 18-13 season. For KU … well, it was the rock-bottom point of a 24-9 campaign.
“Losing in Stillwater (by 20 to Oklahoma State) and at Nebraska back to back was the low point for us as a group,” Self said.
The Jayhawks had to watch helplessly as a thousand or so Husker fans celebrated after the final buzzer.
“That’s in the back of everybody’s mind,” Lee said. “I know everybody is thinking about it. We went up there and overlooked them. They played good and we played bad. Yes, it’s an incentive.”
“Last year they rushed the court, and hopefully they don’t have to do that this year,” KU sophomore J.R. Giddens said.
Wayne Simien and Keith Langford were the only two Jayhawks to score in double figures in last year’s loss, scoring 17 and 14.
Langford seems more fired up about atoning for the close call in Lawrence a couple weeks ago.
KU survived despite missing 15 of 28 free throws and hitting just 42 percent of its field goals. The senior from Fort Worth, Texas, scored nine points off 2-of-9 shooting and made five of 10 free throws.
“They are tough group, really talented across the board,” Langford said. “We didn’t play like we should have played here and we want to show our abilities.”
Of last year’s game, he said: “There were a lot of low points last year. It was a low point for about a month. That’s old news. If they are still harping on that, obviously their goals are not that high. This team is totally different attitude, circumstance. We are focused.”
| When: 11 a.m. today.Where: Devaney Center, Lincoln, Neb.TV: ESPN (Sunflower Broadband Channel 33).Line: KU by 8. |
The Jayhawks have been mighty focused since the loss in Lincoln, winning 26 of 30 games since that gray day.
“After that, we lost just one Big 12 game the rest of the year, at Texas,” Self said.
¢
McCray durable: NU coach Barry Collier was asked how he avoided wearing out Joe McCray, the freshman guard who takes a 14.7 scoring, 5.1 rebound average into today’s game.
McCray apparently has not hit the freshman wall.
“The larger issue is adjusting as the season goes along to the teams we’re playing,” Collier said. “In Joe’s case, he’s a good offensive player. We have to make adjustments to the way they defend him and us.
“You have to remember these guys would like to play every other night as opposed to practicing. Every team they’ve played on they’ve practiced or played every day of the week. It’s a much higher level now but it’s higher for everyone.”
Collier says not only McCray gets tired in February.
“I notice all players wearing down as the season progresses,” he said. “I think the experience level helps them. We’ve seen these guys improve, each player, especially freshmen going through it the first time. It doesn’t change the fact we still have to execute on the court.”
¢
Tough conference: In his fifth year at NU, Collier has found it tough to crack the upper echelon of the Big 12.
“I think it’s easy to see why the league is so good because of the great player and coaches and emphasis across the league for basketball that makes every game a tough one,” Collier said. “I think there’s room to move in the league. You just have to keep developing your team as much as possible.
| ¢ Kansas University leads the all-time series, 155-71, and has won 10 of the last 11 meetings. KU dropped its last game in Lincoln, Neb., 74-55, on Feb. 15, 2004.¢ NU is 15-13 against KU in Devaney Center. The Jayhawks are 57-43 all-time versus the Huskers in Lincoln.¢ Nebraska won six of the first seven all-time matchups before the Jayhawks began to dominate the series standings.¢ Bill Self is 4-1 versus Nebraska, and Barry Collier is 1-8 against KU.¢ Nebraska is 7-4 against non-Big 12 Conference opponents, including Wednesday’s 91-57 victory over Utah Valley State.¢ NU is 8-3 at home this year, losing to Creighton, Minnesota and Texas.¢ Nebraska signed a Kansas City prep in November in Marcus Walker, a 6-foot-2 guard from O’Hara High in Kansas City, Mo. He once scored 54 points in a game.¢ Jeff Hawkins has averaged 13.3 minutes and seven points in his last three games. Sasha Kaun has averaged 14.8 minutes in his last five games.¢ Wayne Simien ranks 12th on KU’s all-time rebound list with 743.¢ KU has averaged 22.3 assists in its last three games. KU had 24 assists at Baylor.¢ KU is 26-4 since last February’s loss at Nebraska. |
6Sports video: KU ready for Nebraska (02-04-05)
KU knows Nebraska tough to beat (02-05-05)
Sign up for cell phone updates
Sign up for e-mail updates