Nebrasketball!

Are the Huskers a basketball school now? Well, no more than the Kansas State Wildcats are a basketball school or no more than Kansas is a football school. The Big XII teams like to be players in all sports, not just football. Expect some exciting basketball this season, along with some upsets. Do not expect Nebraska to be chasing the number one spot this year - but don’t be surprised if they aren’t fighting for the number four spot behind Kansas, Texas A&M, and Texas.

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Growing up, I remember watching Husker Basketball as they made the NCAA four years in a row in the early 90’s. They went on to win the NIT in the 1995-96 season. They always seemed to be scrappy enough to be in the fight almost every game. We had a couple of future NBA players on those teams in Eric Piatkowski, Tyronn Lue, Eric Strickland, and Mikki Moore.

We may see which players are good enough for NBA careers when Nebraska takes on the Jayhawks in Lincoln on January 12. Nobody in the Big 12 would want to start the season against #3 Kansas, but it’s a great way to separate men from boys. If the Huskers avoid any setbacks or give KU a run for their money, we get a confident start to this season. Making the NIT last year was important, but we need to hit a 20 win season while breaking even in Big 12 play to show some marked improvements. Last year’s 17-14 at 6-10 in Conference play won’t cut it. Let’s face it, I would like to make Dr. Tom Osborne’s job as easy as possible.

I see hope in the fact that we have defeated a #16 Oregon and held a bottom feeder to 28 points. Defensively, we should give the rest of the Big 12 fits. Unfortunately on the offensive side, Nebraska will have to fend off improving programs in Missouri, Kansas State, and Oklahoma in order to see that 20 win season. I see a number 6 spot in Big 12 rankings as well as another NIT invitation this year, but with the continued upward climb, the Huskers could be a bubble team during the 2008-2009 March Madness.