[Husker] Iowa State 71, Nebraska 62

[Steve Reichenbach]

> Aleks Maric led Nebraska with 20 points and 13 rebounds, but he just
> doesn't get any help on the frontline. Nebraska starts Maric and four
> guards.  When Aleks went out for a breather at one time tonight, they
> played with five guards.  Freshman Ryan Anderson is the one guard NU
> has  who can do some things on the inside (post, pass, finish and
> rebound), but he  hasn't been himself since sustaining an injury a
> few games ago.  Maric  looked tired at about the > 10-minute mark of
> the second half, but it's hard to be  real critical of him.  He's
> trying to do the work of at least two  men.  Help is on the way
> (6-foot-9 inch JUCO recruit Shang Ping, among  others), but it won't
> be here until next year.  And like Coach Doc just  said on his radio
> show, this year is this year and we've got to play with what we got.
>  
During the second half, I occassionally thought: "If only Maric went
harder for that rebound, etc., then Nebraska could win this one."
There were periods when Maric wasn't all he can be, but unfortunately
he can't be all he can be for 40 minutes and that's what NU needs
right now.  When Maric went down (which didn't look like much of a
hit), you could see NU's season going down the tubes.  Without Ledsome
(who was not a great player but seemed to be improving) and with Anderson
injured, I'm not sure NU could win any Big 12 games without Maric.  He
played well, but unfortunately he isn't Superman.