Sadler, Huskers try and avoid headaches against TCU

One word comes to Doc Sadler's mind when he's asked what Toney McCray gives him off of the bench.

"Headaches," he said.

Sadler's joking, but the Nebraska basketball coach knows his sophomore has some growing up to do to reach his potential.

"At some point, I want him to grow up to where it's really important to him," Sadler said.

Thus far, the wiry 6-foot-6 guard has provided a presence off NU's bench with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the team's first two regular season games.

He's found success despite an injury to his left elbow he suffered at the start of the semester. After playing in NU's exhibition games, McCray opted to play through the pain.

"It's all right," he said. "I get bumped a couple times in the course of a game, but you don't really pay attention to it unless it hurts really bad. I haven't had many problems with it."

The injury, which came from a fall during a pickup game, has taken away strength from his left hand, making simple tasks such as catching more difficult, but McCray has been rehabbing the ailment and is making adjustments.

"I've had to learn how to play with it," he said. "I have it taped up and in a sleeve. It's locked up pretty good, there's usually no movement."

McCray played 30 minutes against St. Louis Wednesday night, posting nine points and eight rebounds, and Sadler said the elbow injury should have little effect on his playing time this season.

"He gives me athleticism that you've got to have in this league," Sadler said. "He's going to play as long as he's doing what he can do."

A long wingspan can allow McCray to be "as good as anybody" in the Big 12 defensively, the NU coach said, but the consistency hasn't been there at times.

"He can make things happen, and he can get deflections that a lot of guys can't," Sadler said.

McCray doesn't disagree with Sadler's criticisms. He knows he can get better and vows he won't use his injury as an excuse.

"He's on me about playing hard, executing and taking care of the ball," McCray said. "I'll keep rebounding and doing whatever coach says. All the other stuff will come naturally if you just execute, take care of the ball and play hard."

NU will need solid execution in order to stand a chance against TCU at home Saturday afternoon.

The 2-1 Horned Frogs nearly topped Arizona State Tuesday, but TCU let an eight-point lead with four minutes left in the game slip away and fell 52-49.

"It's probably the best basketball team we've played so far," Sadler said. "Coming in here is not going to be difficult for them, they've been there. It's going to be a tough game.

"Our basketball team right now has got so far to go," he said. "We've got to get there."

maxolson@dailynebraskan.com