Sadler holds out hope for Husker big man
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
The best thing about the start of basketball practice, Nebraska coach Doc Sadler joked, is that questions about Nebraska’s big men are finally subsiding.
“Everybody knows we don’t have one,” he said, “so they quit asking about it.”
That comment elicited laughter Wednesday at the season’s first “Talk With Doc” luncheon in the Haymarket District.
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Of course, the lack of a big man on Nebraska’s roster really is no laughing matter.
The Huskers’ tallest player — 6-foot-11, 260-pound freshman Christopher Niemann — can’t play this season. Niemann, a native of Germany, was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for his participation on a club team in which teammates were paid.
As the situation stands now, Niemann will lose this year of eligibility; however, according to an Oct. 6 report in USA Today, the NCAA Amateurism Cabinet recently met to discuss the current prohibitions on playing with professionals, suggesting “the current definition of a professional team is too broad and unfairly penalizes prospective student-athletes who never intended to professionalize themselves.”
Sadler said he’s not been in contact with the NCAA regarding potential rule changes or how they could affect Niemann’s status, but seemed optimistic about the newspaper report. While it’s unlikely Niemann will be deemed eligible this season, a rule change could potentially reinstate his lost season of eligibility.
Whenever Niemann finally sees the court, fans will be impressed, Sadler said.
“He’s much better than I thought he was,” he said. “I didn’t realize he’s as good offensively as he is.”
As for any other big men dotting this year’s roster, Sadler told the crowd, “Maybe we’ll get one here pretty soon.”
That was a veiled reference to 6-11 forward Jorge Diaz, who’s remained committed to Nebraska but is waiting to take his Test Of English as a Foreign Language. Diaz, who lives in Puerto Rico, is expected to take the test later this month.
With a passing TOEFL score, Diaz could join the team in December and be eligible to play immediately.
It’s possible, though, that Diaz could redshirt and have four full seasons of eligibility beginning next season. That decision would likely depend on several factors, including Diaz’s playing condition when he arrives in Lincoln.
By that time, Sadler will have a general idea of how his team is managing without big guys. Nebraska’s tallest eligible player is 6-9 redshirt sophomore Alex Chapman — and he’s out at least another two weeks after having knee surgery earlier this month.
“Alex Chapman is struggling,” Sadler said. “He’s going to have a lot of catching up to do.”
Chapman is among four players who redshirted last year. Sadler updated the luncheon crowd on the others, Alonzo Edwards, Brandon Richardson and Toney McCray.
On Edwards: “We need Alonzo to be a good player. I don’t know if he’s there yet, or ready to be there yet.”
On Richardson: “Brandon Richardson is probably as competitive and mentally tough a player as anybody I’ve ever coached. He may not always make the play, but I can promise you you’re going to leaving knowing he gave everything he had.”
On McCray: “I told him just yesterday he’s probably the most talented kid we’ve got on our team. … He’s got to understand that it’s not fun and games any more. You’ve got to come to work every day. There’s more to it than just scoring. If he gets some of Brandon’s toughness, Toney McCray could be great.”
Sadler said his rotation could include as many as 10 players, and that there will be times he plays with five guards.
“I think it’s important for me to put the five best players out there,” he said, “regardless of what size they are.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
