Nebraska basketball fans got a taste of what the mad doctor ordered Wednesday night.
No, I'm not talking about the mind-numbingly slow and ineffective offense for the majority of the 46-41 NU victory.
Cornhusker fans got a glimpse of the future of Nebraska basketball by watching redshirt freshman Brandon Richardson's play. They were given a reason to believe that this Doc Sadler guy might know what he's doing.
Richardson's stat-line (four points, two steals and two rebounds) doesn't tell the story.
With a redshirt season and now some actual game experience under his belt, Richardson beamed with confidence against the Buffaloes.
"Brandon was huge," Nebraska's senior leader Ade Dagunduro said. "It seems like every day we have at least one rook step up for us and make big plays. Definitely today, Brandon was that guy. He was making big plays not only scoring but just passing and being strong out there and confident. That's what we need."
Richardson missed Nebraska's first four conference games with an injured right shoulder but still dove on the brace he now wears twice while going for loose balls in the first half.
"Those are plays that you can't even talk about how important they are," Sadler said. "That's the kind of energy that Brandon Richardson brings."
His hustle plays are earning him the respect of his elder teammates. Junior NU guard Ryan Anderson said Richardson was his "bad boy" and that they call each other that.
He ended up with only two steals, but his hands routinely found their way on the basketball on defense. Richardson set the tone early and helped Nebraska force seven first-half turnovers.
As good as he was in the first half, it was more impressive to see Richardson on the floor during the final minutes of a close make-or-break game for Nebraska's season.
It said a lot that Sadler has that level of trust in a redshirt freshman to play him in such a tight spot. Richardson played more minutes (24) on Wednesday than he has in any game this season.
It should be no surprise, though, because Sadler set it up this way. One of his prized recruits from the 2007 class is blossoming exactly when he should be.
By redshirting him last season, Sadler now has a player in Richardson with experience on a sophomore-like level this late in the season, which is causing havoc in opponent's front-court offense.
Oh yeah, and this pseudo-sophomore still has three more years of eligibility remaining.
Richardson learned during his redshirt season the type of all-out play Sadler demands, and he played like he knew exactly what was expected of him.
Sadler also redshirted NU guard Toney McCray last season, and you could see the third-year coach's madness working with this youngster on Wednesday night as well – the key word here being mad.
Sadler sat McCray on the bench and kneeled down in front of him at least three times during the game, like he has done all season. Let's just say there were a lot of hand gestures exchanged during these conversations.
There's a cliché saying in sports that a coach only yells at the players he really cares about or knows can do better. It's cliché, but I believe it's true in McCray and Sadler's odd-couple relationship.
Richardson and McCray are Sadler's guys – he brought them in during his first full recruiting season and has great plans for their futures. That's why he's put such care into molding them.
Nebraska kept its NCAA Tournament hopes alive for a least a little while longer by winning an ugly game on Wednesday, but the performances from the young Cornhuskers against the Buffaloes told me more about Sadler's foresight than anything else.
Doc's unusual tactics are beginning to pay off, but it remains to be determined if his madness will lead to the kind Nebraska fans really want to see come March.
kris knowlton is a senior news-editorial major. reach him at krisknowlton@dailynebraskan.com
is a member of the 
1 comments