Fwd: [Husker] NU vs OU

[NUStLNorris at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/7/2006 8:38:00 PM Central Standard Time, 
gzimmerman at everestkc.net writes:

> Just when you think the Huskers are on a downward spiral, they pull off a 
> win like they did today.
> 
> A great win on which I hope they can build.
> 

It didn't look good when NU was down 33-25 at the half.  Huskers came out in 
the second half -- and for the most part stayed with -- a three-quarter court 
trapping, pressing defense that continued to trap once OU got past the 
timeline.  It definetly caused the Sooners some problems.  They are a tough team with 
Taj Gray and Kevin Bookout on the front-line, but they are NOT a great 
ball-handling team.  Nebraska HAD to give them a different look, down eight at the 
half.  Gray and Bookout both got in foul trouble -- a huge factor in today's 
outcome -- with Bookout eventually fouling out with the Sooners leading late.

Jason D. had 17 to lead NU.  Charles Richardson played perhaps his best game 
as a Husker.  Fifteen points and sorely-needed leadership from the point guard 
position.  Interesting in that Collier started the veteran Richardson and 
used freshmen Marcus Walker and Jamel White sparingly.  Joe McCray got a good 
look with six seconds to play and really "stayed with the shot."  Marcus Perry 
came off the bench to give a boost offensively, as well. 

I think the Huskers got a little lucky today, but we'll take it.  Credit to 
the coaches for the change-up on the defensive end to start the second half.  
Controling the home court is paramount to ANY conference success the Huskers 
plan on achieving this year.  I doubt that they play a conference team in 
Lincoln the remainder of the season who's better than OU.  Texas doesn't come here.  
Texas Tech does.  Kansas too (who took apart Kentucky today in Lawrence).  

Kansas State in Manhattan on Wednesday night.  Available on the Huskers' Fox 
Sports cable package.  We've never played real well there.  Their crowds are 
far from raucous but I don't know if we've ever won in Bramlage Coliseum.  

Huge start to the conference for Collier and the Huskers.  Even though I 
think NU received some good fortune today, they didn't have to play "lights out" 
to defeat the Sooners.  I hope their best basketball is still ahead of them. 

Dave Norris