LINCOLN, Neb.—Nebraska is short on height this season, and that means Doc Sadler must get creative with his coaching.
But not too creative. He misspoke while giving an overview of his team Tuesday, saying he might play six guards at a time.
Oh, if only the rules allowed it.
“I can see this team at times having five perimeter guys on the court at one time,” he said, correcting himself. “Maybe it’ll look like it’s six. I hope so.”
The Huskers, picked to finish ninth in the Big 12, can use all the help they can get. They officially start practice Friday, though they’ve already gone through an intense two-week conditioning period that Sadler called “Overtime.”
Their tallest player, 6-foot-11 Christopher Niemann, has been ruled ineligible this season because he was a member of a German club team that included some professionals. The 6-9 Alex Chapman is out for two more weeks after having knee surgery.
Sadler said he may have no one bigger than 6-5 on the court when the regular season opens Nov. 16 against San Jose State.
Last season, Nebraska’s offense ran through the 6-11 Aleks Maric, who has graduated and is now playing professionally in Spain. Sadler is looking for more balance. Steve Harley is the top returning scorer (9.1 ppg) along with Ade Dagunduro (8.9) and Ryan Anderson (8.4).
“We’ve got guys who can score,” Sadler said.
The lack of size doesn’t mean the Huskers will be more likely to shoot 3-pointers. Last season only two Big 12 teams averaged fewer 3-point attempts than Nebraska. The 3-point line moves from 19 feet, 9 inches to 20-9 this season.
“Good offenses get to the free-throw line,” Sadler said, “so I think it gives us an opportunity to drive the basketball. We’re going to be a driving team more than anything.”
Where the Huskers probably will encounter problems, he said, is on the defensive end. If the Huskers commit to double- or triple-teaming the opponent’s post player, they’ll be vulnerable to outside shooters.
“And the rebounding part, that’s a concern,” he said.
Nebraska’s top newcomer is true freshman wing player Eshaunte Jones, who averaged 28 points as a high school senior in Fort Wayne, Ind., two years ago. He missed much of last season at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy with injuries, and now he’s battling an ankle problem. Sadler said Jones can’t damage the ankle further by playing on it.
“It’s a matter of how much pain he can play with,” Sadler said. “Our goal right now is to really try to push him to the wall every day and not take it easy on him. We’ll try to push him just to see if he can get through it.”
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