Wednesday, November 18, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Preview
Returning starters to fill void left by leading scorer
Nebraska loses star point guard to NBA
By Brandon Krisztal
Kansan sportswriter.
The Nebraska men's basketball team has a big void to fill after losing leading scorer (21.2 points per game) and All-Big 12 first teamer Tyronn Lue to the NBA.
However, the Cornhuskers' coach Danny Nee, now in his 13th season in Lincoln, is returning four of the starters that lost to Arkansas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cornhuskers finished last season with a record of 20-12 and a 10-6 conference mark, fourth in the Big 12.
Nee has accepted the loss of Life
who would have been a senior.
"When I look at Nebraska basketball, the first thing that everyone is asking me is how do you replace Tyronn Lue," he said. "We really miss him, he's a great player. In the three years he was with our program he did so many things, but it was right for him to move on. He's on the Lakers right now. Now it's life without Tyronn."
Nebraska will be anchored by senior center Venson Hamilton, who was second in the Big 12 in rebounding last year with 9.8 boards per game and was second on the team in points per game with 11.2. Hamilton is a preseason All-Big 12 selection and was a member of the Big 12 All-Star team that toured Europe in August.
Hamilton likes Nebraska's chances this year.
"With four returning starters we all should increase our scoring and
that includes me," Hamilton said. "Every team in the Big 12 has a chance at losing this year."
The Cornhuskers also will be look
ing for junior shooting guard Cookie Belcher to increase his scoring. Last season, his 11.1 points per game was third best on the team.
In the Huskers' season opening 79-59 win against North Carolina Greensboro.
Nee: Dealing with life after former guard Tyronn Lue.
Belcher led the Huskers with 18 points and Hamilton notched 13 points and 11 rebounds.
"With Tyronn gone, we have to look to others to score." Belcher
said. "With time running out on the shot clock, we could always rely on Tyronum, but now I think Venson (Hamilton) and I are ready to be the go-to-guys."
The other two starters are senior forwards Larry Florence and Andy Markowski.
Florence, who was often defended by opponents' toughest perimeter players last year, was fourth on the team with 8.9 points per game.
Markowski was the team's second leading rebounder with 6.6 boards a game. He also earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Academic team for the second time.
Newcomer Joe Holmes is expected to fill the vacancy left by Lue at point guard. Last season at Tyrler (Texas) Junior College, Holmes averaged 10.4 points and 8.1 assists per game.
Nee also is looking for freshman guard Cary Cochran to contribute
Women's basketball ready to rumble
'Huskers' new attitude brings strength to game
By Sam Mellinger
Kansan sportswriter
The Nebraska women's basketball team is pictured on the cover of its media guide with the facial expressions of boxers waiting for a fight.
That's the attitude the team is taking into this season with its "Mad Dog Defense."
"When teams are playing us, they better pack a lunch," said junior Naciska Gilmore. "Because it's going to be a long day."
Glimore and the rest of the team adopted this tough style of play last year, coach Paul Sandforder's first at Nebraska. Sandford replaced Angela Beck and guided Nebraska to a tie for third place in the conference, a 23-10 record and a win in the NCAA Tournament.
"I love to play for him, I feel he's heavensent," Glilmore said.
The obvious obstacle for the Cornhuskers this season will be replacing defensive stopper Jami Kubik and All-Big 12 selection Anna DeForge.
Jami Kubik was the player Sanderford often turned to last season to guard the opposition's best player. Her sister, Nicole, may be in that role this year.
"Everyone said we didn't have a point guard last year," Sanderford said. "But Nicole led the league in steals."
In fact, it wasn't even close. Nicole had 104 steals last season, 30 more than the next-best thief. She also led the Cornhuskers in assists with 150 and scored 13.2 points per game, second behind DeForge.
"You could take five Nicole's and play anybody."Sanderford said.
While Nicole may be able to shoulder much of the defensive responsibility left by her sister, replacing DeForey will take a team effo
left her sister, replacing
DeForge will take a team effort.
Sanderford: Team has adopted tough tyle of defense.
"There's six or seven players who could score a lot of points for us," Nicole said. "We have people who have come in and can become the next Anna DeForge."
Those newcomers are 6-0 freshman Candace Blackbird, 6-0 freshman Jennifer Jaracz, 6-5 junior Casey Leonhardt, 5-6 freshman Karsen Muller, 6-4 senior Lisa Reitsma and 6-1 junior Monique Whifield. Muller is out at least two months with an ankle injury.
months with a college basketball after
Reitsma picked up collegiate basketball after
a standout career on the school's volleyball
team. Reitsma earned first-team All-American
honors her sophomore and junior seasons, and second-
team mention last season as a senior
"She's been impressive," Sanderford said.
"She can run the floor."
She came darling newcomer is Whitfield, a first-team junior college All-American last year at Central Arizona Community College. Whitfield helped CACC to a 33-1 record and the NJCAA national title last season.
"An exceptional athlete," Sanderford said. "She's got good quickness and good size."
The 'Huskers are 2-0 this season, with a 96-39 win against South Alabama and a 72-48 win against then-No. 21 Arizona.
Nebraska was picked to finish fifth in the preseason Big 12 coaches' poll. The Cornhuskers play the Jayhawks Jan. 16 in Lincoln and Feb. 13 in Lawrence.
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