Nebraska releases 2008-2009 schedule plus other developments
September 3, 2008 by Bret Nellor, under 2008 Recruiting Class, News, Recruiting.
Doc Sadler announced the Huskers upcoming season schedule today. Along with that, we have some updates on some incoming players that figured to be important to the team’s depth in the paint and a hint at what we might see from the team from Coach Sadler.
First we look at the freshly released non-conference schedule.
Chadron State (exh.), Friday Nov. 7
San Jose State, Sunday Nov. 16
at TCU, Wednesday Nov. 19
Saint Louis, Tuesday Nov. 25
Creighton, Saturday Nov. 29
Alabama State, Wednesday Dec. 3
at Arizona State, Sunday Dec. 7
at Oregon State, Saturday Dec. 13
IPFW, Saturday Dec. 20
UMBC, Tuesday Dec. 23
South Carolina State, Tuesday Dec. 30
Maryland Eastern Shore, Saturday Jan. 3
Florida A&M, Monday Jan. 5
We have 10 home games 3 road games on the slate before we head into Big 12 play. Not many highlights at home other than the Creighton, St. Louis and UMBC (who was an NCAA tourney team last season). On the road however we’re looking at some decent matchups that should provide some early season tests with TCU, Arizona St. and Oregon St.
I think this schedule will make us a lock for a return to the NIT provided we take care of business and win games that we should win. To make the NCAA tourney, we can only afford 1-2 non-conference road losses and finish above .500 in conference play. This is possible looking at the non-conference side of the schedule but could be a tall order in the Big 12.
Season ticket renewals and public packages can be purchased through the Nebraska Athletic Dept.
Now for the developments on Christopher Niemann and Jorge Diaz. Niemann has been ruled ineligible for this season. He also loses his freshman year of eligibility but is still scheduled to arrive in Lincoln and is expected to practice with the team this year. Diaz on the other hand has been cleared by the NCAA to play this season but apparently can’t clear Nebraska’s admission requirements. He will enroll for the second semester and join the team on Dec. 19th. Even if he does join the team for the second half of the season, I for one don’t expect much of a contribution from him. By that time most of rotations and chemistry between the players will be pretty much in place leaving him as the odd man out. We’ll just have to look forward to next season to see if these guys can have any impact.
The loss of both of these big men is a blow to the team leaving 6-9 Alex Chapman as the tallest Husker. Matching up with the “trees” in the Big 12 will prove to be quite challenging. You thought we had trouble rebounding in some games last year?
Coach Sadler however noted that he intends to play his top 5 players even if that happens to be 5 guards. I think we’re about to see a drastic change in style from what we’ve seen from the team the last couple years. Baseline to baseline anybody?
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Diaz commits to play for Nebraska
August 23, 2008 by Bret Nellor, under 2008 Recruiting Class, Recruiting.
The Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star are both reporting that the Huskers have received an oral commitment from Jorge Diaz, a 6-11, 220 lb. center. Diaz spent this summer playing for the Puerto Rico junior national team and was considering Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa State and Loyola Marymount.
He has not yet been admitted to Nebraska but has received clearance from the NCAA academic clearinghouse. Which is great news since that seems to be the biggest hurdle for these international players. Diaz will likely receive the scholarship that was going to go to senior walk-on Paul Velander.
Diaz should add some much needed depth in the Husker’s frontline as they look to replace the void left by Aleks Maric. This also takes some pressure off the Christopher Niemann situation, who is still waiting to gain eligibility and clearance from the NCAA academic clearinghouse.
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Will Christopher Niemann be eligible for this season?
August 17, 2008 by Bret Nellor, under 2008 Recruiting Class, Recruiting.
The Omaha World-Herald reported that Christopher Niemann, the Husker’s 6-11 German recruit, is set to arrive in Lincoln at the end of this week. Nebraska certainly understands the importance his eligibility could have on the 2008 season as they are trying to do all they can to help his cause.
Two of Niemann’s German club teammates were ruled ineligible last season due to the fact that there were professionals on the team as well. For now Niemann has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA although he did not accept pay while playing for the club team.
The school’s efforts include sending a request to the NCAA to overturn Niemann’s eligibility ruling. There will be a teleconference to rule on that request likely this week. If Nebraska is successful in overturning the NCAA’s previous ruling, Niemann must also gain approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse for academic eligibility.
This will not be a walk in the park and much rides on getting the NCAA to overturn their initial ruling on Niemann. Hopefully we’ll get a favorable outcome on his status.
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Teeng Akol signs with Oklahoma State
August 11, 2008 by Bret Nellor, under 2008 Recruiting Class, Recruiting.
Teeng is a ‘Poke.
Looks like the Huskers will have to turn their attention to Jorge Diaz or another unknown recruit if they plan to add a big man to their 2008 roster. Word from the Lincoln Journal Star’s Life in the Red blog is that Teeng Akol officially accepted OSU’s scholarship offer today and cancelled his visit to Lincoln.
This is somewhat disappointing news, but there is still plenty of time to find a player who can add some depth to the Husker’s frontline.
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Huskers looking at another big man for 2008 class
August 11, 2008 by Bret Nellor, under 2008 Recruiting Class, Recruiting.
As the Christopher Niemann eligibility and Teeng Akol recruiting saga continues, Doc Sadler apparently is not putting all his eggs in one basket while waiting to hear from the NCAA clearinghouse about Niemann’s status and to see if Akol will come to Lincoln for a visit.
Coach Sadler was spotted in Las Vegas scouting Jorge Diaz, a 6-11, 220 pound center. Diaz is from Caguas, Puerto Rico and plays for Team Puerto Rico. Other schools reportedly interested in landing the big man for the 2008 season are Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa State and Loyola Marymount.
There are some questions about Diaz’s eligibility as he awaits his SAT scores in the next couple weeks. Once he has those results he plans to start taking some visits.
It seems pretty obvious that Coach Sadler is keeping all options open as he considers signing an additional front court player for 2008. This is a good move that could pay dividends as the Huskers currently have no player taller than 6-9 on the roster. I expect that Doc has a plan in place should there be no additions to the roster, but I’m sure he’d feel more comfortable with some more size and depth inside as we enter this season. Well maybe he wouldn’t, but I know I would!
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Work starting on 2009 recruiting class…plus some good news
August 5, 2008 by Bret Nellor, under 2008 Recruiting Class, 2009 Recruiting Class, Recruiting.
The Omaha World Herald reported today that Nebraska offered a scholarship to Brandon Ubel of Overland Park, KS for 2009. Ubel is a 6-8 forward with strong perimeter shooting skills and attends Blue Valley West High. He has had light recruiting interest so far.
Coach Sadler must see something in him and it appears that the Huskers may have an “in” since his sister runs track at Nebraska.
The Huskers received some good news regarding incoming recruit Eshaunte “Bear” Jones as he has passed through the NCAA clearinghouse and will be eligible for the upcoming season. His eligibility is not as crucial to the upcoming season as the team has very good depth in the backcourt but this is still a good sign. No news yet on incoming recruit Christopher Niemann’s eligibility.
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Husker recruit postpones visit
August 4, 2008 by Bret Nellor, under 2008 Recruiting Class, Recruiting.
Husker recruit Teeng Akol has postponed his visit to Lincoln and will visit Oklahoma State first. According to the Lincoln Journal Star he will visit Stillwater later this week upholding a commitment to them since they were the first to contact him after he was released from South Florida.
It appears that he has narrowed his choices down to only OSU and Nebraska as he has no other visits planned.
Seems to me that Akol is giving OSU the opportunity to “sell him” first, but is keeping Nebraska in the wings should he not feel comfortable with new Coach Travis Ford’s program. Maybe we should hope for a dust storm or tornadoes in Stillwater during his visit. We could really use a big guy with some athleticism!
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Huskers preparing for visit from 6-10 big guy
August 3, 2008 by Bret Nellor, under 2008 Recruiting Class, Recruiting.
A recent development in this year’s recruiting class has a 6-10 big man visiting Lincoln on Monday. In what has been a rather eventful off-season for Husker basketball with the loss of Roburt Sallie and the signing of Eshaunte Jones comes the news of a 3 star power forward/center considering Nebraska.
Teeng Akol, who rivals.com lists as 6-10, 200 lbs. had chosen South Florida over West Virginia, Oklahoma, Xavier, Indiana and Kentucky and was taking summer school classes at USF in order to gain admittance was denied entry to the school due to academics. He has yet to clear the NCAA clearinghouse but would be eligible to play this season if he can clear that hurdle.
Akol is listed as a 3 star power forward by rivals.com and scout.com as well as being listed as the #42 center in the country by ESPN.com. He is a native of Sudan and came to the United States in the fall of 2005. It appears that he is considering Oklahoma State, Missouri, Fresno State and UNLV in addition to Nebraska.
It is no secret that the Huskers could use some depth along the front line to help fill the void left by Aleks Maric. However, Akol’s NCAA clearinghouse situation sounds similar to incoming recruit Christopher Niemann. Should Akol sign with NU, hopefully we’d get at least one of these big guys eligible for the upcoming season.
Currently the Huskers have one scholarship that Doc Sadler had announced would go to Paul Verlander, but I imagine that would change to accomodate Akol. Stay tuned!
