Just Win, Doc

Doc Sadler's crew did its best to blow a 12-point second-half lead Saturday night in Lincoln, but held on to win by one on Lance Jeter's free throw with 0.4 seconds remaining. There were a lot of positives (mainly the fact that NU ruined the Mayor's inaugural Big 12 game as ISU head coach) and a few old bugaboos showed up, but the the bottom line as always is: Just win, baby.

PYB offers its player-by-player analysis of last night's 63-62 Cornusker win:

-Lance Jeter...The Husker PG once again showed leadership, despite the fact that he's an inconsistent outside shooter and is battling a left-wrist injury. Jeter had 10 points, 7 assists, 5 steals, 6 rebounds and just one turnover. Very impressive start to his second and final Big 12 season, as he refused to let NU fold despite a seven-minute field goal drought to end the game.

-Caleb Walker...Continues to prove PYB's initial scouting report wrong, as he looks like NU's first legitimate Division I athlete in many years. He's proving why he was a first-team NJCAA all-american last season and racked up 13 points, eight boards and two blocks. Walker is a naturally strong finisher at the rim and provides Jeter a much-needed go-to man on the dish. We hope he continues to develop as an integral player on both ends of the floor.

-Brian Diaz...VERY disappointing outing for Diaz, as he was out of sorts on the offensive ends all night, and showed frustration after he was muscled off the low block by ISU defenders. He was 2/10 from the floor and had just four rebounds. He did, however, play nice help defense and had three blocks. PYB hopes this was a blip game and not an omen of future ineffectiveness.

-Toney McCray...Still flounders around out of position and has little scoring punch. However, he did score 12 points and provided a spark with his hustle and positive outlook. Dunk finish on an assist from Jeter was a nice surprise. (Editor's note: NU had at least three dunks last nite which has to be the most in five years in a Big 12 game)

-Eshaunte Jones...Played just 11 minutes and went 0/3 from behind the arc on shots that weren't close. Doesn't look good enough athletically to play Big 12 defense and his outside shot is mostly nonexistent. We look for his playing time to fall unless he flips the switch from outside.

-Brandon Richardson...Missed the game due to a knee injury suffered against Savannah State. It is apparent, though, that NU will need any scoring that he provide more than it will need him as a second point guard.

-Brandon Ubel...The positive: Ubel looks much bigger and strong than he did last season, when he resembled an albino scarecrow. He also looks to be the only Cornhusker who can shoot over 67% from the charity stripe. The negative: Ubel seems to have assumed the role as the second unit's ballhog, even though he's not a good scorer and has little coordination. So far, he's inexplicably been the go-to option in two late game situations and is now stealing good scoring chances from open players. Ubel will have to realize his role or will cost NU dearly in the future.

-Ray Gallegos...Had three points in eight minutes and went 1/3 from three-point land. Gallegos shows promise at times but his build is still too slight for the rigors of the Big 12. ISU star Diante Garrett got by him at will on the drive, and burned Gallegos on a back-door cut on the Cyclones' final possession before Jeter saved the day with a backside steal.

-Kamyron Brown...Logged just four minutes, but looks solid with the ball and capable of playing 10+ minutes in conference games. Hopefully, he gains some confidence and can chip in this season.

-Drake Beranek...Shockingly, he has become a solid contributor and looks like he can compete at the D-I level. Had nine points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes, and went 0/3 from three point range. NU will need his shooting in a bad way the rest of the season.

-Andre Almeida...Four points, three rebounds, 12 minutes, 30 pounds overweight. The fitness of Almeida does not seem to be improving, and until it does, he won't contribute.

-Offense...NU still seems one natural scorer from being truly dangerous in conference play. A 4/17 performance on threes is more of the same from outside and will absolutely kill the Huskers if it doesn't improve. Shooting 15/24 from the free throw line won't work and continued poor FTs will lose one or two close games down the stretch.

-Defense...Doc's bunch continues to surrender countless wide-open threes and has done so since last season. It has cost them in this season's two losses and almost cost them yesterday. The Cyclones missed several open looks in the second half and shot seven for 19. Once the Huskers hit better conference competition, they will pay dearly if this is not remedied.

-Bottom line....Nebraska is 13-2 and 1-0 in conference. A meltdown loss to ISU would have been disastrous for the young bunch and would have had them staring at an 0-3 start, as road games at Missouri and Kansas loom in the next seven days. It won't ever be pretty until Sadler gets a bit more talent, but until it does, PYB will take the win and hope for as many wins as possible. Just win.

Side note: In searching for a suitable shot of the mayor, PYB thinks it found a picture of yours truly in the background. You feel free to guess which stud in the crowd it is.