Doc Sadler has long prided himself on producing teams that keep games close with tough fundamental defense.
The Nebraska basketball coach didn’t exactly get what he was looking for on that front Friday night, but his team didn’t need it either.
Led by a cast of brand-new players and plenty of offense, NU easily topped Arkansas-Fort Smith 86-66 in a season-opening exhibition game at the Devaney Center.
Guard Ryan Anderson led NU with 18 points and freshman Christian Standhardinger added 17 and 7 rebounds on the night in his first game as a Husker. Eight Huskers put up 5 or more points on the night to pace NU’s balanced attack.
Fort Smith hung close with NU in the first half by hitting on just over 51 percent of its shots, and NU held a 43-39 lead at the half due in large part to the fact the Huskers hit on 20 of 29 free throw attempts.
NU’s defense improved in the second half and UAFS shot just over 35 percent to fall behind quickly, but Sadler was not impressed with how his rusty team defended the Lions.
“The effort, I think, was OK. The execution was as bad as it gets,” he said. “These guys work so hard and they’re giving me everything they’ve got, but the execution isn’t even close to being there.”
NU gave up 30 points in transition and eight three-pointers on the night, but made up for it by shooting 55.2 percent in the second half and hitting on 30 and 41 free throw attempts.
The much-needed size that the Huskers added to this year’s roster paid dividends Friday. Led by new starters Brian Diaz and Brandon Ubel, NU out-rebounded Fort Smith 48 to 26 and scored 42 points in the paint.
NU used 16 players in the game, in part as an opportunity for Sadler to see what exactly he has to work with this season. The seven newcomers who played Friday combined for 59 points and 32 rebounds on the night.
With the influx of new faces, Sadler knows he has plenty of work to do in order for his team to stand a chance in a challenging Big 12 Conference.
“Everything with this basketball team is new, and there’s going to be a lot of teaching from this point forward,” he said. “I really believe in time this team’s going to be a good basketball team.”
NU will take on Hastings Tuesday night to wrap up its exhibition preseason. The Huskers will take on South Carolina Upstate on Saturday night to open the regular season.
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