Experience wasn't a concern for the Nebraska men's basketball team entering the 2008-2009 season. They returned all but three roster players from 2007-2008.
But so far, it's been talented freshmen leading the way for the Cornhuskers.
While Nebraska's starting lineup looks similar to last year's - all five were on last year's squad - most of its offensive and defensive damage has come from the bench.
In its season opener against San Jose State, 41 of Nebraska's 63 points came from bench players.
"I don't know if there's that much of a difference (between starters and reserves)," said NU Coach Doc Sadler. "I think some of our best offensive players come off the bench."
Two redshirt freshmen in particular have made the greatest impact so far. Toney McCray led the Huskers in scoring against San Jose State with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Brandon Richardson made his impact on defense.
McCray also led the team in scoring in its only exhibition game against Chadron State and may eventually emerge as a go-to guy for the Huskers. When it came down to crunch time against San Jose State, the offense seemed to run through McCray.
"It feels good," McCray said of finally being able to play a game. "My teammates were giving me the ball and putting me in good situations. It gives me freedom to do a lot of things and, as a whole, we did a lot of good things offensively."
On the other end of the court, Richardson's active hands and diving body created four steals in just 16 minutes of playing time and were a big reason the Huskers held off a strong second half charge from the Spartans.
Richardson's energetic play earned him playing time when the game was on the line, and he came through with a big steal and layup to extend a lead that had dwindled to five.
"I think (Richardson) got on the floor three times for loose balls," Sadler said.
He may not have gotten all three of those loose balls, but Sadler said those types of plays, especially at home, get the crowd into it and provide a spark.
Richardson said because Nebraska's offensive success feeds off its defense, energy plays are needed, which is where his role lies.
"Whatever I have to do to spark the team, I'll do," Richardson said. "Defense, hustle plays. My job isn't always to shoot or score, it's to get my teammates going."
The youthful Husker team will face its first road test of the season Wednesday when it travels to play Texas Christian University.
Sadler said there's no doubt all four redshirt freshmen would have helped the team last year, but the coaching staff made a decision early and stuck with it because they knew redshirting them would benefit them in the long run.
Both McCray and Richardson agree that redshirting gave them an opportunity to mature and learn what Division I basketball is all about.
"It was hard, but it was a learning experience," McCray said. "I learned how fast the game was, I learned the offense and got used to Coach (Sadler)."
Richardson said he wasn't excited about the idea of redshirting at first, but his family and friends convinced him it was a good idea, and now he's seeing the benefit too.
"I didn't want to (redshirt) because I was all about me, me, me," Richardson said. "But by the end of the year, I was glad I did it."
LUKENICHOLS@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
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