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Nebraska Cornhuskers Decent array of talent greets Collier
Last season11-19, 4-12 Big 12CoachBarry Collier (1st season; 196-132 overall)
Projected starting lineupG Kevin Augustine, 6-0, Jr.Former USC point guard arrives via Fullerton Community College.
G Cary Cochran, 6-1, Jr.
G Cookie Belcher, 6-4, Sr.
F Steffon Bradford, 6-6, Sr.
C Kimani Ffriend, 6-11, Sr.
Top guy off the benchC Brian Conklin, 6-11, Fr.Still more depth for Nebraska up front, plus a guy who isn't afraid to shoot from the outside.
Key gamesvs. Miami (Dec. 16 at Sunrise, Fla.). There are worse places to stop en route to the San Juan Shootout.vs. Iowa State (Jan. 20). Potential upset with ISU's thin frontcourt if Huskers come together. at Colorado (Feb. 17). Nebraska needs to win games like this to emerge from middle of the pack.
OutlookEven before Danny Nee left Lincoln, one Big 12 assistant commented on how lucky his replacement would be. The athletic department is flush with cash, and the team ain't as bad as it looks, either. Collier's old school, Butler, made more NCAA appearances in the last four years (three) than his new school (one). He looks like a good hire, but it won't be easy to integrate six newcomers to a team that went through hell a season ago. Belcher's return means everything to the Huskers. He already holds the Big 12 record for steals, 271, and sits 105 away from the Division I record. Ffriend and Bradford may not be the most fundamental players, but they have size and athleticism. The key will be developing a backcourt that was easily the league's worst in Belcher's absence last year. --Adam Thompson
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