THE GOOD NEWS
Nebraska lost just one senior, though that player, C Aleks Maric, leaves as the No. 2 rebounder and No. 5 scorer in school history. Without him, coach Doc Sadler will get to reinvent the Huskers, which isn't all bad for a coach entering his third season in 2008-09. Sadler already has established his principles, which begins with playing lockdown defense. Nebraska ranked first in the Big 12, holding opponents to 60.1 points on average.

THE BAD NEWS
Although Nebraska made strides in Sadler's second season, it didn't quite ascend into the upper division of the Big 12 standings and won't until it poses a bigger threat on the road. A chance for the Huskers to separate themselves from the other also-rans in the North Division fizzled when they lost at Colorado and Iowa State. Among the guards Sadler grouped around Maric, none really provided any offensive consistency, though they did show more potential at the end of the season.

KEY RETURNEES
G Ade Dagundoro possesses tremendous upside because of his athleticism. He has the length needed to cause fits defensively, and also showed a knack for getting to the rim. G Ryan Anderson can pop from the outside on occasion and also creates some problems with his height on the perimeter. Of all its returnees, Nebraska may try to get the most value out of G Cookie Miller, a 5-7 point who improved running the floor game as the season progressed.

ROSTER REPORT

--Over the last 18 games, G Steve Harley averaged 11.5 points after averaging just 6.0 points through the first 14 games. During the late spree, he hit 50 percent from the field 10 times.

--In his last game for Nebraska, C Aleks Maric posted his 39th career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in an 85-75 overtime loss at Mississippi in the NIT. With 1,015 career rebounds, Maric ranks second at Nebraska behind only Venson Hamilton (1,080).

--Although Nebraska is one scholarship over the 13-man limit for 2008-09, some attrition or redshirts are possible. Coach Doc Sadler continues to scour the juco circuit.

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