 "Photo: Andrew Dickinson")
 "Photo: Andrew Lamberson")
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Doc Sadler warned reporters on Thursday, before Nebraska’s showdown with the No. 1 Jayhawks, about Kansas guard Sherron Collins’ sense of the moment.
Sadler saw it happen last month in Nebraska’s 84-72 home loss to the Jayhawks. He recalled how Collins came down the court, Jayhawks down 12-1, and calmly buried a 3-pointer. Energized, Kansas battled back and eventually overtook the Cornhuskers.
On Saturday, trailing 43-39 in the second half, Collins knocked down another big 3-pointer, spurring his team to overwhelm the Huskers and give Kansas a 75-64 win.
Sadler even called a timeout before the play to warn his team what to expect. It didn’t matter.
“I told the guys Collins would come back and try to get them going on the next two or three plays,” Sadler said. “We lost him on the ball side and he stepped up and hit a three. Great players do.”
Collins made his presence known to the visiting Huskers before the game even started. He and NU guard Sek Henry engaged in a little pregame dialogue, leading to both players being restrained during warmups. Collins’ jawing continued throughout the game, taunting Henry after several baskets.
The pregame intimidation didn’t work as Nebraska was able to hang with Kansas throughout the first half. KU coach Bill Self took notice of NU’s inspired play.
“Nebraska played really, really well,” Self said. “Doc had them ready.”
The Huskers took advantage of nine Jayhawk turnovers to the tune of 10 points and found themselves down by only four at halftime.
Sadler said the difference in the game was the Huskers’ inability to take advantage of those situations again in the second half.
“The key plays that had to be made in the game, Kansas made them,” Sadler said. “That’s why they’re where they’re at, and that’s why we’re where we’re at.
“I challenged the team. Until we start making the plays that are 50-50 plays, then we’re going to struggle. But the effort ... in my opinion, was as good as we can do.”
It was Nebraska’s strongest showing to date. A trio of freshmen helped keep the Huskers in the game.
Jorge Brian Diaz finished with a game high 20 points and a team high nine rebounds. Kansas-native Brandon Ubel stepped up and hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the first half to pull Nebraska within four points. Forward Christian Standhardinger came off the bench to finish with eight points.
Sadler said he was impressed with the way his younger guys handled the pressure inside the historic Allen Fieldhouse.
“I thought our guys played really hard,” Sadler said. “We had some guys that came in here and competed.”
Senior Ryan Anderson finished with 12 points, all coming by way of the 3-pointer. During the game Anderson surpassed 1,000 points for his career.
“I guess that’s a great accomplishment in some people’s eyes,” Anderson said. “But I’d trade it in for 1,000 wins.”
For his career, Anderson is 0-9 against the Jayhawks.
Anderson said against a team like Kansas, the Huskers have to play error-free to have a chance at winning. They couldn’t do that.
“We just made two or three mistakes,” Anderson said, “and they capitalized.”
During one stretch with a 43-42 lead, Nebraska turned the ball over four times in nine possessions, missed six shots and gave up 11 points. The only point came when Quincy Hankins-Cole made one of his two free throws. Kansas pushed the lead out to 10 and the Huskers never recovered from the deficit.
“I’m just disappointed we lost another close ball game,” Sadler said. “I thought we had a chance there in the second half and they made the plays.”
michaelschaefer@dailynebraskan.com
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