By Wendell Barnhouse
Big 12 Sports.com Correspondent
MEN
Coach: Doc Sadler, 205-84 in nine seasons, 37-27 in two seasons at Nebraska.
2007-08: 20-13 overall, 7-9 in Big 12, tie seventh.
Postseason: Lost NIT second round.
Starters lost: 1
Key returnees: Steve Harley, 5-11 Sr. G; Sek Henry, 6-3 Jr. G; Ade Dagunduro, 6-5 Sr. G; Paul Velander, 6-2 Sr. G; Cookie Miller, 5-7 So. G.
Key newcomers: Toney McCray, 6-6 Fr. G; Eshaunte Jones, 6-4 Fr. G.
So far
The Cornhuskers are 6-1 with their only loss coming at Arizona State.
Plusses
Nebraska has a roster full of solid perimeter players. Velander is a solid 3-point threat while Harley and Miller are great on-ball defenders who can lock down the other team's guards. McCray is a slasher who should be able to score from the wing. The Huskers will probably lead the Big 12 in floor burns.
Minuses
Check the "key returnees" and "key newcomers" catgories. All the players listed are guards. Last season Nebraska had senior Aleks Maric, a true center, to provide inside scoring and rebounding. Maric is gone and the Huskers lack height. Chris Balham, a 6-8 junior, is the only regular who resembles a post player.
Overview
Sadler preaches intensity and the Huskers will have to bring it every night in order to compete with bigger teams. Nebraska will have to find a way to use its lack of size as an advantage on offense, creating mismatches against taller teams.
What the coach says
“I think now we’ve got kids that are tougher, who can handle the toughness that we demand. There are some programs that are based more on execution, and they’ve been very successful, too. But that’s not my style. My style is to teach and coach toughness, and I think now we’ve got kids who can fit that type of system. They are starting to understand what we expect of them and are seeing how it will benefit them.”
WOMEN
Coach: Connie Yori, 301-221 in 18 seasons, 106-81 in six seasons at Nebraska.
2007-08: 21-12 overall, 9-7 in Big 12, sixth.
Postseason: Lost in NCAA Tournament second round
Starters lost: 1
Key returnees: Yvonne Turner, 5-8 Jr. G; Cory Montgomery, 6-2 Jr. F; Dominique Kelley, 5-7 So. G; Yvonne Turner, 5-8 Jr. G.
Key newcomers: Sidhu Harleen, 6-1 Fr. F.
So far
The Cornhuskers are 7-2 (need to update with Long Beach State game Friday) with the only losses at New Mexico and home against Ohio State.
Plusses
Nebraska has productive guards and along with Montgomery they provide potent inside-outside production. Montgomery has the chance to develop into one of the Big 12's best post players.
Minuses
Senior Kelsey Griffin, a two-time All-Big 12 selection, will miss the season after undergoing ankle surgery. Her scoring and rebounding will be difficult to replace and leaves Nebraska thin in the height department. The Huskers might struggle to score and lack a consistent 3-point shooter.
Overview
Yori has patiently built a program that has produced a school-record five consecutive post-season berths. The nucleus is strong enough to keep Nebraska competitive in the rugged Big 12 and could produce sixth-consecutive post-season bid. However, the loss of Griffin makes this season considerably more challenging.
What the coach says
"We believe that each one of our players brings specific strengths to the court that can make us better," Yori said. "We try to put our players in positions to succeed in our rotations so that we can get them into the flow of the game. Then, at the end of the game, when we need to dig deeper and execute at a higher level, we will be the stronger team."