[Husker] U.A.B. vs. Nebraska - 3 p.m., Devaney Center

[NUStLNorris at aol.com]

The Cornhuskers have a great opportunity in front of them today.  I  think 
this is one of the great opportunities of the Collier era.  For a  team with 
lofty goals, it helps make today a MUST win.
 
If 5-and-0 Nebraska can win today in front of the home crowd against a very  
good UAB Blazer team (and Vegas has NU as a 4-point favorite), they will  
(barring a MAJOR upset vs. South Dakota St.) go into next Sunday’s game against  
Creighton with a 7 and 0 record.  Unless something unforeseen happens after  
the Creighton game, which is always possible, that means that Nebraska would --  
at the LEAST -- finish their pre-conference schedule with no worse than an 11 
 and 2 record.  Wins and losses, no matter what the non-conference  
competition has been like this year, mean EVERYTHING to Barry Collier … from a  
personal tenure AND team-success standpoint.
 
Lots of premature speculation here, but that kind of a start would give  your 
team a better-than-average chance of getting into the post-season and --  
with a .500 record in conference play -- plants you squarely on top of the  
infamous NCAA “bubble.”
 
Staying undefeated as long as possible has advantages that go beyond the  
won-loss record.  If a team can avoid complacency, continue to compete and  
improve in practice,  and continue to truly live for the opportunity to  perform; 
there is a certain invincible-type-of-confidence that can result.   Good for 
team play, team unity, team chemistry, etc. (along with the obvious  assist to 
the ol’ won-loss mark).  Staying unbeaten on your home floor is  something that 
most college coaches talk about among “keys to the season.”   Win today … 
momentum continues.  Lose today … all bets are off. 
 
Should see lots of up-tempo, full-court pressure basketball today.   NU’s 
young guards and Charles Richardson will have to handle the ball well  against an 
athletic, pressing team.
 
PLENTY OF GOOD SEATS AVAILABLE.
 
I don’t work for the University, but I think the preceding statement is  
fairly safe.  Anybody who lives within an hour-and-a-half of Lincoln who’s  ever 
even THOUGHT about going to a Husker game …, I don’t think you’ll be  
disappointed if you venture to Bob’s House at 3 p.m. today.  UAB is good  basketball 
and the Huskers are ready for another challenge and a great  opportunity.  I 
think it’s one of the biggest games in Collier’s five years  here.  Despite UAB’
s talent, this one’s a major bummer if the Huskers can’t  bring it home.
 
Dave Norris