LINCOLN — As if Nebraska basketball coach Doc Sadler didn't have enough to worry about with an inexperienced team, now two of the few veterans he has are ailing.

Third-year sophomore guard Brandon Richardson, who made his first career start in Saturday's win over TCU, is questionable for tonight's home game against Missouri-Kansas City.

Richardson, who scored a career-high 15 points vs. TCU, missed practice Monday with back trouble.

Even more worrisome to Sadler was third-year sophomore wing Toney McCray's trip to the doctor Monday night to have his injured left elbow re-examined.

“Toney told me he's got no confidence in anything he does,'' Sadler said after Monday's practice. “That's real encouraging, huh?''

McCray suffered a detached ligament during a summer pickup game. He rehabbed for a month, and has been playing with his elbow heavily bandaged. The arm sometimes goes numb when it gets bumped.

“Losing him would be bad, mostly because of the experience factor,'' Sadler said. “At least he's been through the Big 12, even if a lot of times he does his own thing.''

Unfortunately for Richardson, injuries are nothing new. A badly sprained shoulder slowed him through the first part of Big 12 play last season.

Getting healed from that led to a good summer and strong play in preseason practices.

“I love Brandon Richardson,'' Sadler said. “He's aggressive and he plays hard all the time.''

Evidence of that comes from a new statistic Nebraska is tracking this season. Besides charges taken, the Huskers get credit for “floor burns'' by diving for loose balls.

Richardson leads the team with eight in three games. The next closest contender has four.

Two things, Richardson said, have helped him improve. The first is experience.

“Any time you gain experience, it gives you confidence,'' he said. “I know I'm more assertive and more aggressive this year.''

Athletes often talk about the game “slowing down'' for them the more they play. Has that happened for Richardson?

“Not yet,'' he said, “but I'm catching glimpses of it.''

Being healthier, until the recent back trouble, also led to better play, Richardson said.

“My back is stiff, but I don't want to sit out,'' he said. “I want to be out there for the team.''

Richardson's ball-handling could be important tonight against UMKC. The Kangaroos have forced 70 turnovers in three games, while committing just 24.

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com

NU NOTES

After going 7-24 last season, UMKC is off to a 3-0 start.

The Kangaroos are getting good play from Evansville transfer Jay Couisnard, averaging 16.3 points.

Freshman Kirk Korver — the fourth of the Korver boys from Pella, Iowa, to play Division I basketball — has been valuable off the bench. He had eight points in a win at North Dakota.

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