[Husker] Nebraska 82, Miami 67

[NUStLNorris at aol.com]

The Huskers responded with another great second half effort today in  
dismantling the Miami Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl Classic in south  Florida.  The 
Huskers had to play without freshman Ryan Anderson, arguably  their most 
versatile offensive player thus far this year.  Anderson  sustained an injury in 
practice recently.  One of those day-to-day  things.
 
It was NU by two at the half, and it remained tight in the second half as  NU 
led 52-51 at the under-12-minute timeout.  Marcus Perry and Paul  Velander 
each hit a big trey to help keep up NU’s end of it.
 
Perry had a career day today - hitting seven three-pointers and finishing  
with a career-high and team-leading 25 points.  
 
The lead grew to 59-54 as Perry continued to sizzle behind the arc.   He had 
20 at about the midway point of the second half.  NU’s defensive  effort 
improved in the second half and Miami started missing some shots.   6-foot-8 inch 
Jim Ledsome, though limited offensively, did some good things on  D.  He gave 
Maric a big assist with the inside defensive play, something  the big Aussie isn
’t used to the way the Huskers go with he and four guards a  lot of the time.
 
Perry hit his seventh trey as the shot clock was winding down and with a  
defender in his drawers to give the Big Red a 64-54 lead (an 8-oh run at this  
point that grew to 13-0 before the ‘Canes answered).  Velander then hit  a "3" 
to make it a 13-point lead (NU had hit 15 out of 31 at this point  from 
three-point land).  More good defense by NU led to a great feed from  Richardson to 
Maric to make the lead 15 at 69-54 (Alex had 18 today in spite of  the Miami 
stacked defensive effort - his patience and versatility was impressive  - very 
good hands for a big guy).
 
Sadler, with a lead in the low-teens, threw some full-court pressure on  
Miami with about four minutes left.  Doc just doesn’t let up.  Gotta’  love it.  
Man, we look “well coached.”
 
The Huskers led 38-36 at the half on a last possession three-pointer by  
Perry, who had 11 in the first half off the bench.  He CAN be instant  offense and 
he sure was today.  Point guard Charles Richardson and  reserve guard Paul 
Velander also hit a couple of three-pointers in the first  half to deliver from 
the outside, which was critical. NU got off to a good  start, then had a 
sporadic rest of the half as Miami threw a tight zone against  the Huskers with 
emphasis on trying to limit center Aleks Maric on the  inside.  NU responded  
from behind the arc, but Miami WAS successful  in limiting Maric noticeably in 
the first half.  To his credit, Maric  didn’t force anything and didn’t pick up 
any frustration fouls.  I doubt if  Doc Sadler was real happy with the 
defensive performance in the first  half.
 
Turnovers, especially those of the un-forced variety, are sure to be one of  
Sadler’s continuing points of interest for this team.  Especially those  that 
are the result of some unwise or forced passes.  Jamel White’s  continuing 
struggles are a growing concern.  But the positives are far  out-weighing the 
negatives at this point.  Between Wyoming, Houston and now  Miami here recently, 
we’ve seen some great second half efforts from the  Huskers.
 
Anderson being out was a noticeable deletion from the NU corp today, but  the 
Huskers adjusted as well as you could have hoped.  Maric got a ton of  
attention defensively from the ‘Canes and he was very impressive the way he  didn’t 
force things.  He rebounded well, stayed out of foul trouble, hit  his free 
throws and finished with 18 points … definitely “let the game come to  him.”
 
The Huskers have games Wednesday night against Savannah State and Saturday  
eve against Western Kentucky.  Whoda’ thought that NU would have a  realistic 
shot at goin’ 11 and 3 in pre-conference?  I'm trying to  temper the enthusiasm 
and the Big XII is going to be a whole different animal,  but ya’ gotta’ be 
diggin’ Doc’s act about now,  don’t ya?  It’s always  good to beat Miami in 
anything anywhere, but especially at their place.   End of a grueling December 
road run for the Huskers.  Doc rocks.
 

Dave Norris