Miles says UM can be model for NU
MINNEAPOLIS — Last year, when Nebraska played Minnesota in men’s basketball, the Huskers built a 38-point lead before cruising to an 84-59 victory.
In an 8-23 Gopher season, it was a game that had fans blistering UM coach Richard Pitino and led to questions about whether he had lost his team.
On Thursday night, Minnesota improved its record to 23-7 — the nation’s No. 1 turnaround — by toying with a young Nebraska team with the same level of experience in its playing rotation the Gophers had last year (one senior, one junior and seven freshmen and sophomores combined).
NU coach Tim Miles said the flip in success for Minnesota can be a model for the 12-17 Huskers.
“I look at our team and I know where we’re at and where we’re trying to go,” Miles said. “We’ve got some guys sitting out that we think are pretty good.
“And we think in a matter of time, we’ll be pretty strong next year. I’ve used these guys (Minnesota) as an example. It’s difficult to go through this league when you’re out there with not enough weapons.”
Webster makes some history
Nebraska senior guard Tai Webster had a relatively quiet night. The Big Ten’s third-leading scorer was held seven points under his average with 11.
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But it was his 30th straight game in double figures. And he hit another historic milestone.
Webster became just the fourth Husker to score 500 points and pass out 100 assists in a season. The others were Tyronn Lue, Erick Strickland and Jaron Boone.
Bits and pieces
Husker forward Michael Jacobson posted six points and three rebounds in the first eight minutes. He finished with 10 points — his first double-figure game since Feb. 9. Jacobson played despite having his right (shooting) wrist wrapped in tape. He hit 5 of 7 shots. ... Minnesota’s 11 blocked shots were the second-most by an NU opponent. Kansas blocked 12. ... Nebraska finishes regular-season play Sunday at 7 p.m. at Pinnacle Bank Arena against Michigan (19-11, 9-8).