LINCOLN — This is new territory for Nebraska’s Doc Sadler.

In 28 years as an assistant or head basketball coach from junior colleges to BCS schools, he can’t recall being involved in a stretch of eight losses in nine games like the Huskers currently are on.

NU, 13-11 overall, could soon be 1-10 in the Big 12 if the oddsmakers are right about today’s game at No. 14 Texas and next Wednesday at No. 9 Kansas State.

“I don’t know that anything prepares you for something like this,’’ Sadler said from his office Friday between phone calls, e-mails and a drop-in visit from NU football coach Bo Pelini. “You don’t have many seasons like this in our business.’’

Sadler said a Big 12 mark of 1-8 never entered his thinking before the season.

“I thought we might be about 3-6 right now with the schedule, so I was prepared for some losses,’’ he said. “The frustrating thing for me is how hard our guys are practicing and they’re not being rewarded for it.

“That’s the tough part. But their hard work also is the part that has made it easier for me to deal with.’’

During any skid, the temptation to change arises.

Sadler understands that, but he’s ignoring the siren song. In several major categories — scoring defense, rebounding, turnovers, transition baskets — the statistics are where he wants them.

“Of all the things you judge yourself on as a coach and how your team is playing,’’ he said, “I think we’re playing good.’’

That includes enough times on offense, though the stat sheet shows Nebraska last in the league in scoring.

In Wednesday’s 55-53 loss to No. 24 Baylor, the Huskers shot 21 3-pointers, making only four. Of those 21 tries, Sadler thought just two were questionable.

“I’d be lying to you if you didn’t stop at some point and think, ‘Wow!’” the coach said. “But I know what we’re doing is sound, so there’s no need for me to change anything.

“You darn sure can’t lose confidence in yourself, and I haven’t.’’

Pelini, besides stopping to chat after some noontime pickup basketball, called Sadler from the road last week with a “hang in there.’’

“It’s nice when guys pick up the phone and call,’’ Sadler said. “Coaches know what other coaches are going through.’’

In discussing tough times, Pelini told the story of his first two games as the defensive coordinator at LSU.

“They were ready to burn a cross in my yard,’’ he said. “Everybody was asking, ‘Does his system work?’ It isn’t the system. We ended up leading the country I think in total defense.

“When you go through stretches like this, like Doc just said, you can’t panic. If you make wholesale changes, you’re done. You just have to suck it up and persevere.’’

That doesn’t mean there aren’t tweaks and adjustments to make.

Sadler regularly talks to three “phone pals’’ during the season: Former Kentucky and Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie; current Arkansas-Little Rock coach Steve Shields; and former Cal-State Fullerton head coach and UNLV assistant George McQuarn.

“I talked to George last night for an hour and a half,’’ Sadler said. “He has seen our last two games. There is nobody’s opinion I value more than his. It’s always good to get different ideas.’’

One phone call no longer available is to Don Haskins, the former UTEP coaching legend who died 18 months ago.

“All of us have guys we look up to and could call,’’ Sadler said. “I really miss the talks with Coach Haskins.’’

After all the phone calls and film study during the recent slide, one big answer eludes Sadler.

“The thing I haven’t figured out is how to get our guys to the free-throw line,’’ he said. “That has kept this team from winning three or four games in this league.’’

Playing three skinny freshmen inside, Sadler said, puts Nebraska at enough of a physical disadvantage that it’s difficult to draw fouls.

“And that ain’t changing this year,’’ he said. “It’s frustrating.

“But I know this. What we’re doing isn’t winning games, but I ain’t changing anything. Because the things we want to do are right there. If we make one more shot the other night, we win that game.’’

• NOTES: Sophomore Myles Holley could get his first start for Nebraska today, in place of freshman Brandon Ubel. Holley had a career-high 11 points Wednesday against Baylor. ... Texas almost is struggling as much as NU. The Longhorns, ranked No. 1 when 17-0, have gone 2-5 since. Look for UT to start true freshman J’Covan Brown at point guard. ... NU is 0-10 all-time in Austin.

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com

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