LINCOLN — So much for Nebraska having its playing rotation pared to eight in time for Big 12 basketball play.
Coach Doc Sadler said Monday that injuries and inconsistent play among his newcomers will force him to continue spinning the wheel of playing time.
Eight players already have at least one start. Only two — guards Sek Henry and Lance Jeter — have started every game.
“I don't know if we'll ever have a set lineup,” Sadler said, “because we're playing so many young guys.”
Allow Sadler to rewind time, and he would prefer to have 6-foot-11, 265-pound sophomore Christopher Niemann (knee) and 6-6, 210-pound sophomore Toney McCray (elbow) starting instead of recovering from season-ending surgeries.
Among those filling in for them are freshmen Jorge Brian Diaz, Brandon Ubel, Ray Gallegos, Eshaunte Jones and after one more game, Christian Standhardinger.
“The freshmen are going to be so up and down, and we're really going to have to watch that,” Sadler said. “We'll basically try to play who's hot.
“So I could see us playing nine or 10 guys, unfortunately. I don't think that's good.”
For Nebraska (11-3), the final tuneup for Big 12 play comes tonight at home against Southeastern Louisiana (8-4).
It's a chance for the Huskers to break a recent bad habit of wallowing through the first half against underdog opponents.
“I try to be honest with our guys,” Sadler said. “I tell them before the game it's more about us than the opponents. Sometimes, maybe you shouldn't do that.
“The last couple of games, you feel going in that you should win, but we haven't come out and played as well as we've been practicing. Now, Southeastern Louisiana has got a nice team. We can't come out and get off to the start we've gotten off to lately.”
• NOTES: Southeastern Louisiana, a Southland Conference member, has one common opponent with Nebraska. The Lions won at Jackson State by 22 points. NU beat Jackson State at home by 16. ... Eshaunte Jones, who missed practice Sunday with the flu, returned Monday. ... Strange stat: In seven home games, Southeastern Louisiana's average attendance is 655.
Contact the writer:
444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com
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