Fwd: [Husker] KANSAS is coming!

[NUStLNorris at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/3/05 2:14:07 PM Central Standard Time, 
jonlists at cbsol.com writes:


> Saturday morning, Kansas comes to town, ranked #3 and undefeated in Big 12 
> play. Nebraska has typically played well against the Jayhawks in Lincoln
> 
> It will be great if we can pull off a win against KU, not just because 
> they're undefeated and ranked highly, but because of where everyone is in 
> the conference standings. If we got the win, we'd be at .500, and we could 
> rise above the bottom half of the conference with a nice streak of home 
> games coming up. There are three of us (NU, A&M, and KSU) with three wins. 
> A&M plays Mizzou this Saturday, while KSU plays Colorado. KSU is the only 
> one in this group above us, so a win would give us a chance to gain ground 
> on a couple teams ahead of us, and place space between those below us. 
> Texas is at 4-3, and vulnerable since they now only have eight scholarship 
> players (too bad we didn't play them at home BEFORE this happened). 
> 
> Lately, our free throw shooting has been better, but our young leader, 
> McCray hasn't been scoring as much - let's hope he steps up in a big game. 
> Muhleisen finally had a big game against A&M. Obviously, everyone is going 
> to have to step it up a notch to beat KU. 
> 
> Unlike others, I don't find this season a disappointment. We're about 
> where I thought we'd be - we gave up some early victories to get our 
> younger guys experience, and now it's starting to pay off in conference 
> play. Whether or not the rest of the season is a disappointment - well, I 
> don't want to go so far as to say  this game against KU could make or 
> break us,  but if we can win it, we have a darned good shot at finishing 
> in the upper half of the conference. 
> 
> ESPN, 11:00 am Saturday. Watch it and comment on the game, otherwise keep 
> your 'fire the coach' posts to yourself. <G> 

"Make or break" MIGHT be the appropriate words here, Jon.  It's huge for NU 
... for just the reason you mentioned.  Beginning with KU, four of the next six 
in conference are at home.  The chance would still exist for an 8 and 8 
conference season and the upper-half finish -- IF we beat KU (and continue to play 
well ... OSU and OU to follow later, among others).  Sold out, like you said 
-- with an ample supply of KU fans on hand.  Let's hope the Husker crowd is up 
for it and the Devaney Center DOESN'T live up to it's nickname -- "The 
Library." (sshhhhhhh!!!!).

I walked right by Joe McCray last night as I was walking into WalMart last 
night, Jon.  He's every bit of 6-foot, 5.  And not a thin guy.  Big and physical 
for a shooting guard.  Against Utah Valley State Tuesday night, I saw him put 
the ball on the floor and penetrate more than I had all year.  5 assists and 
no turnovers, I believe.  Showed an instinct for dishing off -- one that he'll 
need in the coming years when defenses overload.  But you're right, his 
overall production is down the past couple, few games.

I think a key against KU is the big freshman, Maric, being healthy.  Missed 
the non-conference game Tuesday night with the flu.  Gotta' have those big 
bodies to pound against KU.  

Dave Norris