Nebraska's upset victory over No. 24-ranked Kansas State helped keep the Cornhuskers' slim postseason hopes alive.
Now, coach Doc Sadler's team needs to duplicate the feat Saturday in much more difficult conditions, playing at No. 22-ranked Texas A&M (20-6, 6-5 Big 12). Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at College Station, Texas, where the Aggies are 15-2 this season.
"We're into one-game seasons now," Sadler said. "Every game is big. Because we won (Wednesday night), Saturday's game is bigger than (Wednesday night's) game now.
"We're not in any position to look beyond."
Nebraska (15-9, 4-7) enters the game in a fourth-way tie for eighth place in the conference standings. However, the Huskers are just one game out of sixth place, leaving open the possibility that a strong finish could lead to a berth in one of the postseason tournaments.
Sadler said he saw some encouraging things from Nebraska last Wednesday night in its 71-64 home victory over Kansas State. The victory was the second for the season against a ranked foe for the Huskers and also avenged a 74-59 loss to the Wildcats back on Feb. 6 at Manhattan, Kan.
"I told the team that we played well, but we still didn't play as good as we can play," Sadler said. "That's encouraging. I just hope that sometime in the near future, we play as well as we can play because that's what it's going to take in these games coming up."
The Huskers are starting a stretch that will see them play three of four games on the road, including road games against ranked teams A&M and Texas.
However, Nebraska guard Steve Harley said wins like Wednesday night's will help. The Huskers hadn't defeated a top-25 team since beat then-No. 16 Oregon 88-79 in overtime at the Qwest Center on Dec. 15.
"It gives us confidence and momentum," Harley said. "We know that we can beat good teams if we play at our best."
Game notes
Saturday's game at Texas A&M is the first of four straight contests against Big 12 South Division opponents for Nebraska. The Huskers haven't played more than three consecutive games against South teams since the league formed for the 1996-97 season. Texas A&M is looking to halt a two-game losing streak, falling at home to Oklahoma State (59-54) and on the road last Monday at Texas (77-50). Mark Turgeon is in his first season as A&M's coach, coming to the program from Wichita State. Turgeon played college basketball for Kansas, finishing his career in 1987.
Starting Lineups
Nebraska (15-9, 4-7) Yr. Ht. Ppg. Rpg.
G Cookie Miller Fr. 5-7 6.8 *4.2
G Steve Harley Jr. 5-11 8.3 2.6
G Ade Dagunduro Jr. 6-5 8.5 3.8
G Ryan Anderson So. 6-4 9.3 5.9
C Aleks Maric Sr. 6-11 16.2 10.0
Texas A&M (20-6, 6-5) Yr. Ht. Ppg. Rpg.
G Dominique Kirk Sr. 6-4 7.8 *3.7
G Donald Sloan So. 6-3 9.6 4.1
G Josh Carter Jr. 6-7 13.0 4.3
F Joseph Jones Sr. 6-9 11.0 5.4
F Bryan Davis So. 6-9 9.0 5.0
*-Assists per game
WHEN: Saturday, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Reed Arena College Station, Texas
TV: KLKN (G.I. cable channel 8)
RADIO: KRGI (1430 AM)
SATELLITE RADIO: Sirius (channel 126)
WEB: Huskers.com
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