| Stats
& coverage � Box score |
Nov. 24, 2002
Barry Collier quotes:
On Ball State’s play, especially in the second half.
They did an excellent job hitting shots. They are a good shooting team in general, and then you had McCollom and Echols hitting shots, and they were getting offensive rebounds and controlling the rebounds in the second half. And there were breakdowns and Ball State exploited our defense when that happened.
On McCollom getting open for two three-pointers in the second half.
We were paying attention to Williams and Smith because we thought they try would try to score with them. He got too far away on help to leave McCollom as open as he was. But credit him for making the shot.
On Theron Smith
Smith is a handful. He can shoot inside, has a good handle on the ball and is good inside. He can play all over, although Ball State will use him more inside. But at the next level, he can play more outside.
On playing with intensity
We have to play with an intensity level that was apparent today. We played five first-year players, and we will gain experience in these games. Fortunately, there are another 11 or 12 games before we get into Big 12 play, so we need to continue to work and maximize our possessions.
Junior guard Nate Johnson quotes:
On Nebraska’s play against Ball State
We need to work on our effort and defense, those are the two keys to being successful. We normally play hard day in and day out, but it seemed like we played hard in spurts this weekend. We need to play harder and give a better effort.
On getting comfortable in the NU offensive system:
I felt that the first two games I was almost trying to make my game come to me instead of just letting it happen. I know what I need to do, and was just forcing it too much in the first couple games. Today, I let the game come to me and played and reacted.
Sophomore guard Corey Simms quotes:
Overall thoughts
We need to play harder, especially harder than the other night. We played harder today, but we still made mistakes and they made plays. We made fundamental mistakes that we need to fix. We’re not where we want to be right now, but I think we will get there with practice.
NU Postgame notes vs. Ball State
** Sophomore guard Corey Simms started his first career game against Ball State. The sophomore from St. Louis had played in 30 straight games dating back to his rookie season last year, coming off the bench in each contest.
** Junior guard Nate Johnson scored a team-high 23 points, including 17 of Nebraska’s 34 points in the second half. Johnson is the second player to record at least 20 points in a game this season, as sophomore guard Jake Muhleisen had 28 in Saturday’s loss. Last year, Nebraska didn’t have an individual 20-point scorer until the seventh game of the season, and had 14 20-point individual efforts during the season.
** Nebraska was 11-of-11 from the free-throw line in the second half against Ball State, hitting 87.5 percent (14-of-16) for the game. NU is hitting 74.5 percent (35-of-47) from the free throw line this year, up from last season’s 67.6 percent
** Nebraska played five first-year players in Nate Johnson, Jason Dourisseau, Wesley Wilkinson, Roy Enright and Tony Wilbrand against Ball State. Wilkinson and Dourisseau each hit their first career three-pointers, with Dourisseau finishing 3-of-4 from downtown for 12 points to rank second on the squad. Wilkinson tied for the team lead with Corey Simms in rebounding, as each collected seven boards.
Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.