Husker basketball seniors push toward end of rocky careers

Ryan Anderson doesn't know what will become of his life after he walks off the court of the Bob Devaney Sports Center for the last time tonight.

He insists he still hopes to play in the NBA or continue his career overseas.

Despite Nebraska's difficult season, he has no intention of abandoning those dreams just yet.

The uncertainty of his future has occupied Anderson's thoughts lately, as have his memories of the last four years he's spent as a Cornhusker.

"I've thought about it a lot, about how fast it's been and how much fun I've had," Anderson said.

He'll add a few more memories to his career Tuesday night when Nebraska takes on Colorado on Senior Night.

The game tips off at 7:07 p.m., and NU's seniors will be honored at 6:40 p.m..

"This whole ride's been crazy. It's been a tough, different four years for me," he said.

"It's been up and down, but all along it was a great opportunity."

The craziness began from the beginning for Anderson, who signed with Nebraska in November 2005 to play for Barry Collier.

Nine months later, Collier was gone and Doc Sadler was Nebraska's new coach.

Later that month, Sek Henry became the first Husker to sign with Sadler.

Henry, a senior guard, is the only Husker who's played in every game since Sadler took over, and the fourth-year coach is grateful the Los Angeles native took a chance on him back in 2006.

"For him to have the confidence in me to come to Nebraska, you're always going to be appreciative of that," Sadler said.

Things have been far from easy for Anderson and Henry during their time in Lincoln.

The duo has watched plenty of players come and go.

They played for the nation's smallest team last year, and they've played alongside six newcomers this season.

Their leadership by example, Sadler said, will benefit NU's first-year players long after the duo graduates.

"I think the thing you've got there is two guys who practice hard, and (first-year players) watch them practice," he said.

"More so than talking or listening, they've actually got a chance to see it on the court as far as how hard you've got to work."

Statistically, Anderson's career puts him in relatively elite company among Huskers.

He's the third Nebraska player to produce more than 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 150 3-pointers, a plateau matched only by former stars Eric Piatkowski and Erick Strickland.

Anderson knows he'll have plenty of memories to someday share with his children, like the times he had to guard future NBA players Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley.

But he's not ready to sit back and reminisce about those games after this season – after all, he still dreams of playing at the next level.

"Hopefully I can guard them again," Anderson said with a grin. "That'd be nice."

In addition to Anderson and Henry, Nebraska will honor two other Husker seniors before Tuesday night's game.

Walk-on forward Ben Nelson has played in 35 games in four years, and Sadler said the 6-foot-9 forward from Atwater, Minn., will get to start against Colorado.  

"It's something I like to do even though it's a big game," Sadler said.

"I know whether he plays a minute or 10 minutes, there's not going to be anybody who plays any harder than Ben does."

The team will also honor former NU forward Chris Balham before the game.

Balham started 23 games last year, but chronic knee problems forced him to retire before the season.

He now serves as the team's student assistant and continues to practice and travel with the team.

"(Nelson) and Chris Balham are two types of people you want the program to be built on – character, work ethic and just a good person who cares about teammates," Sadler said.

Before Monday's practice, Anderson was asked what one thing he would change about how his Husker career has gone.

He didn't hesitate in answering that question.

"It'd be nice to be winning right now. I'd definitely change that," he said.

"That would make it real sweet – icing on the cake."

He'll get a chance against Colorado, a team that easily topped Nebraska 72-60 nearly five weeks ago in Boulder, but has lost six of its last eight games since.

The Huskers will look to retain the momentum they gained from topping Texas Tech in double overtime Saturday.

Anderson has tried to remain patient this season throughout NU's struggles, and that 83-79 victory produced a bit of a revelation for the starting guard.

"For the first time last game, I really knew what Coach was talking about when he said calm down," Anderson said.

"I wanted to win so bad last game, I was forcing stuff I usually wouldn't do. You just want to win so bad."

Henry said he envisions a bright future for Nebraska's young players and believes the lessons learned from this year's 2-12 Big 12 campaign will serve them well.

"There's a lot of young players here, and they're learning a lot," he said.

"I really see them winning a lot of games next year and in years later. I see a bright, bright future for Nebraska. It's going to turn around."

maxolson@dailynebraskan.com