2008 Woodie Awards
NU ready to face Cyclones with or without Johnson
Michael McHale
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: Sports
The victory was still sweet.
At least that's what the Cornhuskers were saying a day after knocking off Missouri. The fact that five Tigers were suspended during Nebraska's 66-62 win on Wednesday didn't seem to matter.
So news that Iowa State's leading scorer may be sidelined this weekend didn't resonate with the Huskers (12-6, 1-4 Big 12 Conference).
"If he plays, we're going to be ready," said NU sophomore guard Jay-R Strowbridge. "If he doesn't, we're still going to be ready."
The Huskers may be getting sick of their recent fortune. Before tipping-off in Columbia, Mo., the Tigers made national headlines by suspending five players who brawled outside a nightclub last weekend. Two of Mizzou's top three scorers were involved in the fight.
Suddenly the struggling Huskers were a favorite - or at least a worthy contender.
But it wasn't that easy. NU senior center Aleks Maric fouled out in the second half, and freshman guard Cookie Miller injured his thigh in the closing minutes.
"Anytime you go on the road, it doesn't matter," NU Coach Doc Sadler said. "It's going to be a tough basketball game, whether or not they had all their starters."
Not to mention Mizzou reserves took advantage of their opportunity. The Tigers' J.T. Tiller entered the game averaging six points a contest. Against the Huskers, the sophomore guard spouted off for 14 points.
He wasn't the only surprise. Mizzou's rabid press schemes and sticky man-to-man pressure were a no-show. The Tigers settled into a zone for most of the evening.
Instead of running off screens the whole night, the Huskers were forced to dribble into the lane and kick the ball out to an open player.
And making shots hadn't been NU's forte lately.
"You really (didn't) know what to expect from them," Sadler said. "But give our guys credit for making enough plays to come out on top."
After snapping a four-game losing streak, the Huskers finally get to move on. Yet it may be to another depleted squad.
Iowa State's 6-foot-7 Johnson injured his ankle in a game against Colorado earlier this week, and he's listed as doubtful for Saturday's matchup with Nebraska, according to the Des Moines Register. Johnson had been averaging a team-high 13.9 points per game.
But the Huskers aren't exactly giddy about the news.
"We just got to be ready, because anybody could step up on their team," Strowbridge said. "Just like Missouri, it was a tough game on the road. We knew some of the guys were going to be a lot more aggressive because some of their star players weren't playing."
During Thursday's practice, Nebraska wasn't scheming for a weaker Iowa State team. Maric wasn't resting because a star post player might sit out.
Rather, Miller was icing his sore thigh, and players were soaking after several hours of basketball.
They don't seem to care about the drama on the other side.
"Anybody who plays at this level can play basketball, even if it's the 13th player on the team," Sadler said. "He probably was a 25-point a game scorer in high school, so everybody can play."
MICHAELMCHALE@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
At least that's what the Cornhuskers were saying a day after knocking off Missouri. The fact that five Tigers were suspended during Nebraska's 66-62 win on Wednesday didn't seem to matter.
So news that Iowa State's leading scorer may be sidelined this weekend didn't resonate with the Huskers (12-6, 1-4 Big 12 Conference).
"If he plays, we're going to be ready," said NU sophomore guard Jay-R Strowbridge. "If he doesn't, we're still going to be ready."
The Huskers may be getting sick of their recent fortune. Before tipping-off in Columbia, Mo., the Tigers made national headlines by suspending five players who brawled outside a nightclub last weekend. Two of Mizzou's top three scorers were involved in the fight.
Suddenly the struggling Huskers were a favorite - or at least a worthy contender.
But it wasn't that easy. NU senior center Aleks Maric fouled out in the second half, and freshman guard Cookie Miller injured his thigh in the closing minutes.
"Anytime you go on the road, it doesn't matter," NU Coach Doc Sadler said. "It's going to be a tough basketball game, whether or not they had all their starters."
Not to mention Mizzou reserves took advantage of their opportunity. The Tigers' J.T. Tiller entered the game averaging six points a contest. Against the Huskers, the sophomore guard spouted off for 14 points.
He wasn't the only surprise. Mizzou's rabid press schemes and sticky man-to-man pressure were a no-show. The Tigers settled into a zone for most of the evening.
Instead of running off screens the whole night, the Huskers were forced to dribble into the lane and kick the ball out to an open player.
And making shots hadn't been NU's forte lately.
"You really (didn't) know what to expect from them," Sadler said. "But give our guys credit for making enough plays to come out on top."
After snapping a four-game losing streak, the Huskers finally get to move on. Yet it may be to another depleted squad.
Iowa State's 6-foot-7 Johnson injured his ankle in a game against Colorado earlier this week, and he's listed as doubtful for Saturday's matchup with Nebraska, according to the Des Moines Register. Johnson had been averaging a team-high 13.9 points per game.
But the Huskers aren't exactly giddy about the news.
"We just got to be ready, because anybody could step up on their team," Strowbridge said. "Just like Missouri, it was a tough game on the road. We knew some of the guys were going to be a lot more aggressive because some of their star players weren't playing."
During Thursday's practice, Nebraska wasn't scheming for a weaker Iowa State team. Maric wasn't resting because a star post player might sit out.
Rather, Miller was icing his sore thigh, and players were soaking after several hours of basketball.
They don't seem to care about the drama on the other side.
"Anybody who plays at this level can play basketball, even if it's the 13th player on the team," Sadler said. "He probably was a 25-point a game scorer in high school, so everybody can play."
MICHAELMCHALE@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
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