NU basketball newbie Lindsey Moore starts on point

Just eight months ago, freshman point guard Lindsey Moore was leading her high school team to a state championship and a No. 2 national ranking.

Now, she finds herself handling the ball for an experienced Husker squad with high expectations that breezed through its preseason schedule with two easy wins. For Moore, it's a new role, but she said the senior leaders on the team have helped her in making the transition.

"It's definitely different from what I'm used to," Moore said. "All of our seniors do a great job of helping me out. With them not even playing my position, they can still help me with little things. They know what I need to do out there, and they help me do it."

Moore started both preseason games for the Huskers, finishing with five assists and only one turnover in Sunday's 89-47 win against the University of Nebraska-Kearney. The highlight so far for Moore came in the second half against Kearney when she hit teammate Catheryn Redmon with a no-look pass on a fast break that led to an easy layup. 

The ability to make plays is something Moore also attributed to strong team play.

"It's a lot of fun knowing that all of your hard work with your team pays off," Moore said. "It's fun for me knowing that I can make a good pass and get everyone excited."

Another way Moore is benefitting from the strength of the team is that she has experienced teammates that provide depth at point guard. NU head coach Connie Yori said Moore will be one of many backcourt options for Nebraska this season.

"We're going to play a lot of guards," Yori said. "Even though she's started the two exhibition games, that doesn't mean she's going to play all 40 minutes. That's not our style."

The talent Moore displayed en route to being named first team all-state by every major publication in the state of Washington is what Yori said will help her be successful.

"Lindsey's a very good passer, and she's beginning to understand what we are trying to get more," Yori said. "She understands how to utilize her teammates, and I think that she has a very good floor sense; she just sees things."

In the two exhibition games, Moore has had success running the offense at times, while also showing her youth other times in adjusting to a new level of play. Yori said handling new situations and circumstances, like managing a shot clock, is something Moore will be able to adjust to with experience.

"She's going to be fine; she just hasn't been in those situations enough yet," Yori said. "Those are good things for her to try to work on. She's never had to play with a shot clock and never had to think through those situations, but those are things we can show her on film and take care of."

Being able to run the offense in tight situations is something Moore said she needs to do to be successful this season. While the situations she is facing might be new for her, Moore said the confidence she has in herself and her teammates in those tense situations is nothing new.

"Everyone knows what we are doing out there, and I know they will have my back," Moore said. "It's about the team and making sure that we get a good shot."

patradigan@dailynebraskan.com