Nebraska

Aleks Maric: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:48:11 -0700

Aleks Maric

College: Nebraska

Class: Senior

Position: C

Height: 6’11”

Weight: 270lbs

Accolades: Second Team All-Big 12 (08), Second Team All-Big 12 (07), Big 12 All-Improved Team (07), Australian National Team (06), Big 12 All-Improved Team (06), Australian U-21 National Team (05), Australian U-20 National Team (03).

Scouting Report: A big, bruising Aussie center.

Strengths: Has NBA size and strength. Big-time rebounder – averaged over 10 a game his senior year. Punishing low-post player. Good shot blocker. Very experienced, both in collegiate and international competition. Very consistent player – had double-doubles in 16 games this year. Good at drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line.

Weaknesses: Not an NBA-level athlete – not quick or a big leaper. Age – will turn 24-years-old before next season begins. Turns the ball over way too much for a post player. Not quick enough to guard athletic NBA post players.

Projected 2008 Draft Range: Mid second round pick to undrafted.

Consensus: The current style of play in the NBA doesn’t suit Maric’s game, so he more than likely will spend his career in Europe or in his native Australia.

Stats: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=22146

CHN's Six-Star Ranking System

= Superstar/All-NBA Potential

= Potential NBA All-Star

= Consistent NBA Starter

= 6th Man/Fringe Starter

= Career Reserve

= Fringe NBA Player/12th Man

0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues

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NABC All-Star Game Rosters Announced

Press Release — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:24:37 -0700

The NABC All-Star Game rosters were announced today. The NABC All-Star Game is a showcase for top seniors that takes place in the Alamo Dome Friday evening before the Final Four

American All-Stars
-coached by former South Carolina head coach Dave Odom

Brian Butch of Wisconsin
Jamar Butler of Ohio State
Jaycee Carroll of Utah State
Robbie Cowgill of Washington State
Sundiata Gaines of Georgia
James Gist of Maryland
Mike Green of Butler
Alex Harris of UC Santa Barbara
Robert McKiver of Houston
David Padgett of Louisville
Brian Randle of Illinois
Charles Rhodes of Mississippi State

National All-Stars
-coached by Clemson's Oliver Purnell.

Ramel Bradley of Kentucky
Will Daniels of Rhode Island
Josh Duncan of Xavier
Shan Foster of Vanderbilt
Cliff Hammonds of Clemson
Joe Jones of Texas A&M
Aleks Maric of Nebraska
DeMarcus Neslon of Duke
Sean Singletary of Virginia
Jason Thompson of Rider
Jonathan Wallace of Georgetown

2008 NIT Capsule: Nebraska

Joel Welser — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:07:44 -0700

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Big 12 (19-12, 7-9)

Seed: #3

RPI: 93

Big Wins: 2/20 Kansas State (71-64), 2/23 at Texas A&M (65-59), 2/27 Oklahoma (63-45)

Bad Losses: 1/15 at Colorado (51-55), 2/13 Missouri (78-86), 2/16 at Iowa State (52-60)

Coach: Doc Sadler

Probable Starters:

Cookie Miller, Freshman, Guard, 6.2 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.0 spg

Steve Harley, Junior, Guard, 9.2 ppg, 1.5 apg

Ade Dagunduro, Junior, Guard, 8.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg

Ryan Anderson, Sophomore, Guard, 8.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg

Aleks Maric, Senior, Center, 15.9 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.7 bpg

Key Roleplayers:

Sek Henry, Sophomore, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg

Paul Velander, Junior, Guard, 4.0 ppg

Jay-R Stowbridge, Sophomore, Guard, 4.5 ppg, 1.6 apg

Shang Ping, Junior, Forward, 3.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg

Why They Can Surprise:

There is one superstar at Nebraska. Aleks Maric, a 6-11 center, will get a double-double just about every day. On the season he averages 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds. The Cornhuskers will work through the post on most possessions and as long as they keep doing that, Nebraska make some noise in the NIT.

The best quality Maric brings to the team is on the defensive end. Maric blocks 1.7 shots per game and it is his presence that has turned Nebraska’s defense from good to great. The team only gives up 60.2 points per game and it is very difficult to find an easy shot against the Huskers and Maric. That is why the opposition shoots just 39.8 percent against Coach Doc Sadler’s squad. This team also has five players who average at least one steal per game and the team as a whole will nab nearly nine per contest.

Why They Can Disappoint:

With Maric in the paint, it opens up the outside shot. But Nebraska still will not hit the long ball. Steve Harley, Ryan Anderson, Ade Dagunduro, Cookie Miller, Sak Henry and Jay-R Stowbridge can all hit the outside shot, but none of them are very prolific or consistent. All those guys, especially Miller, are decent ball handlers, but shooting is not their specialty. Harley and Anderson will get to the basket and put up some quality numbers in the scoring column, but with Maric in the paint, these guys get some open looks and they need to knock them down more consistently.

Who To Watch:

Outside of Maric, this is a team full of guards. Maric does a good job of staying out of foul trouble, but he is still a big guy who needs his rest, which is why he averages just 28.9 minutes per game. When Maric is out of the game, the offense and defense must make some major adjustments. Shang Ping is the only other player not listed as a guard that averages over ten minutes per game. The 6-10 junior is a far cry from replacing Maric’s production, but if he can at least handle the defensive duties, it will give Maric a little time to rest without Nebraska falling too far behind.

By the Numbers:

Scoring Offense: 67.3 (207^th in nation, 10^th in conference)

Scoring Defense: 60.2 (14, 1)

Field-Goal Percentage: 46.0 (77, 3)

Field-Goal Defense: 39.8 (27, 4)

Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.6 (263, 11)

Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.2 (203, 9)

Free-Throw Percentage: 66.6 (252, 11)

Rebound Margin: 2.5 (97, 6)

Assists Per Game: 14.4 (103, 4)

Turnovers Per Game: 13.3 (85, 8)

Joel’s Bracket Says: Second Round loss to Mississippi

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Aleks Maric is Big 12 Player of the Week

Press Release — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:37:01 -0800

IRVING, Texas - A pair of Nebraska athletes - senior Aleks Maric and junior Ade Dagunduro - have been chosen as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week for Dec. 10-16, in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. It is the third career weekly honor for Maric and marks the first time in Big 12 history that NU has earned both accolades in the same week.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Aleks Maric, Nebraska, C, Sr., 6-11, 275, Sydney, Australia/Australian Institute for Sport

Maric helped Nebraska to a 2-0 record last week with wins over Savannah State (82-37) and No. 16 Oregon (88-79 ot). The senior center averaged a team-high 16.5 points to go along with 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. His top effort came against the Ducks, as he posted his third 20-point game of the season with a team-best 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He had 17 points after halftime to lead NU to its first win in school history against a ranked non-conference opponent outside of Lincoln. Maric’s defense helped hold UO’s starting post players to seven points after they entered the contest averaging 24 points combined. He shot 63.2 percent (12-of-19) on the week, plus 75.0 percent (9-of-12) from the free throw line.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Ade Dagunduro, Nebraska, G, Jr., 6-5, 290, Inglewood, Calif./Antelope Valley CC

Dagunduro registered 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game in the two victories. The junior had 15 points and seven rebounds versus Oregon, helping NU hold the Ducks to 12 points below their season scoring average. He added nine points, four rebounds and four steals earlier in the week, as his defense led the Huskers in holding Savannah State to one field goal in the first 13 minutes of the game. Dagunduro has scored in double digits in five of his last six outings and is second on the team in scoring this season with 11.8 points per contest.

Poll: Who is the Best Australian in College Basketball?

Shawn Siegel — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 09:32:35 -0800

Big 12: All-November

Jeff Fox — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:36:31 -0800

All of the Big 12 (minus Texas) breathed a sigh of relief at the end of last season when freshman terror Kevin Durant bolted to the NBA. Little did they know that a new phenom up in Manhattan was going to be terrorizing the league this season à la Durant. You’ll find that phenom – plus four other players quick out of the gates – on the Big 12 All-November team.

Guard – D.J. Augustin – Texas – SO

17.7ppg, 6.6apg, 2.1spg

Best game – Nov 23^rd – New Mexico St – 25 points, 10 assists, 4 steals

No Durant, no problem. The Longhorns are Augustin’s team now and he hasn’t disappointed, leading them to victories over #7 Tennessee and #1 UCLA. He’s also been unconscious from downtown, hitting 18 of 36 for three. Now, about those turnovers (4.3 per game)?

Guard – Mario Chalmers – Kansas – JR

13.3ppg, 4.6apg, 2.3spg

Best game – Nov 11^th – UMKC – 23 points, 6 assists, 4 steals

The defensive stud has led the deep Jayhawks to a perfect start, including dropping 20 points on ranked USC. Add his 48% from long range to his tenacious D and you’ve got yourself a handful.

Guard/Forward – James Anderson – Oklahoma St – FR

19.7ppg, 1.5spg, 16/36 3pts

Best game – Nov 9^th – Prairie View A&M – 29 points, 5 assists, 4 boards

Anderson is letting it be known that there is more than one standout freshman residing in the Big 12 this season. He currently leads the Cowboys in scoring, three’s made and is tied for the lead in blocks. Not bad for a frosh.

Forward – Michael Beasley – Kansas State – FR

26.7ppg, 15.0rpg, 1.6bpg

Best game – Nov 9^th – Sacramento St – 32 points, 24 boards, 4 blocks

The aforementioned phenom is none other than Mr. Beasley. While Kansas State hasn’t knocked off any teams of significance yet, Beasley has been a nightmare to opponents. Just look at his averages – ridiculous.

Center – Aleks Maric – Nebraska – SR

16.2ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.3bpg

Best game – Nov 17^th – Alabama A&M – 21 points, 16 boards, 4 blocks, 4 steals

It’s hard for a guy measuring in at 6’11” 270lbs to fly under the radar, but Maric does. One of the top players in the Big 12, he’s really picked up his D numbers so far, tripling his steals average from last season and doubling his blocks per game. Can he keep it up?

- Big East coming tomorrow -

Preseason All-Big 12

Press Release — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:35:31 -0700

Voted on by Big 12 head coaches.

2007-08 PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 TEAM

Name, School Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.

Curtis Jerrells, Baylor G 6-1 205 Jr.
Darrell Arthur, Kansas F 6-9 230 So.
Brandon Rush, Kansas G 6-6 210 Jr.
Aleks Maric, Nebraska C 6-11 275 Sr.
D.J. Augustin, Texas G 6-0 180 So.
Joseph Jones, Texas A&M F 6-9 250 Sr.

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school): Aaron Bruce, Baylor; Richard Roby, Colorado; Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins, Kansas; Michael Beasley and Bill Walker, Kansas State; Marcus Dove, Oklahoma State; Josh Carter and DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M; Martin Zeno, Texas Tech

2007-08 Nebraska Basketball Preview

Joel Welser — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:24:37 -0700

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Overall Rank: #117

Conference Rank: #10 Big 12

2006-07: 17-14, 6-10, 7^th (t)

2006-07 postseason: none

Nebraska had two seniors on the roster last year and signed seven players during the early signing period. That means a few things, but the most important is the fact that Coach Doc Sadler is not waiting to upgrade the talent level on his roster. That method has created a relatively young team, but even without the newcomers the Cornhuskers have some talent to build around. Ryan Anderson, Jay-R Stowbridge and Sek Henry had decent freshmen campaigns and Paul Velander is as good as it is going to get for a walk-on.

Who’s Out:

Chris Richardson, Jr. and Marucs Perry were the lone seniors on the roster last year. Richardson was one of the most underappreciated point guards in the conference and Perry was the best three-point threat on the team. Jamel White is transferring after starting 16 games and fellow guard Mike Smith followed suit. Forwards Kris Douse and Kyle Marks did not see much action last year, but could have developed into solid contributors, but both will be playing somewhere else.

Who’s In:

If everyone qualifies, nine newcomers will be playing in Lincoln this year and just about all of them will get a long look for starting jobs or quality minutes off the bench. Jeremy Barr, a 6-8 265 pound transfer from USC, is a big presence under the basket. He earned a handful of starts for the Trojans over his short time in Los Angeles and should be a solid option for the Huskers once he is eligible at the semester break. Junior college transfer Alex Chapman and freshman Alonzo Edwards will add some depth up front and Edwards has the potential to be a special player before his days in Nebraska are over. On the wings, junior college transfers Shang Ping, Steve Harley and Adeola Daunduro will battle for minutes. Ping can get to the basket and finish and will help out on the glass. Harley has a little academic work to take care of over the summer, but he has the most potential to go from the juco to division one ranks very successfully. Tony McCray, a 6-6 shooting guard, may find it difficult to crack the rotation as a freshman, but is a solid building block for the future. Barring some unforeseen circumstance, Josh Miller will likely not be anything more than a backup this year, but the diminutive point guard is a tough player and solid passer who is not afraid to dribble amongst the trees.

Who to Watch:

Aleks Maric rarely gets the credit he deserves on a national level, but that is what happens when you are in Lincoln…and not playing football. The 6-11 senior averaged 18.5 points and 8.7 rebounds last year and a 20-10 campaign is not out of the question for his senior year. Maric can step outside and hit the mid-range jumper and can even step out too far and hit the three-ball on occasion. Thankfully, the new expanded three-point line will put an end to that, but Maric will be in the NBA by then anyway. Finding somebody to play next to Maric is the key. Nobody did last year so the interior defense could concentrate on Maric. If healthy, Chris Balham could be the answer. The sophomore has been battling injuries his entire career, most recently a broken nose, but if he can stay healthy Balham has the potential to compliment Maric quite well. However, the group of incoming power forwards should be able to handle that job even if Balham cannot contribute.

Final Projection:

With all the new faces, the most important thing for Nebraska is developing some chemistry. Much of that pressure will be placed on the shoulders of point guard Stowbridge. The combo guard started 13 contests in 2006-2007, but will need to quickly become a leader if the Huskers want to sniff an NIT bid. The talent is there for a .500 conference record, but how quickly they come together and buy into Coach Sadler’s system will be the difference between joy and disappointment in Lincoln.

Projected Post-season Tournament: none

Projected Starting Five:

Jay-R Stowbridge, Sophomore, Guard, 3.9 points per game

Sek Henry, Sophomore, Guard, 5.8 points per game

Ryan Anderson, Sophomore, Guard, 10.1 points per game

Jeremy Barr, Sophomore, Forward, DNP last season

Aleks Maric, Senior, Center, 18.5 points per game

Complete Top 144 Ranking | 2007-08 Preview | Discuss the Preview

Big 12 Player & Rookie of the Year

Press Release — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 13:14:04 -0800

IRVING, TEXAS - Junior Aleks Maric (Nebraska) and freshman Kevin Durant (Texas) have been named Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Player and Rookie of the Week for games of Nov. 13 - 19 in voting by a panel of media covering the conference. Maric garners player accolades for the first time, while Durant wins rookie honors for the second time in a many weeks.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Aleks Maric, Nebraska, C, Jr., 6-11, 270, Sydney, Australia/Australian Institute For Sport

Maric returned to the court 11 days after an appendectomy to lead the Cornhuskers to season-opening wins over Nebraska-Omaha (76-62) and No. 20/25 Creighton (73-61). The junior center averaged 23.0 points and 9.5 rebounds. He connected on 65.5 percent (19-of-29) of his shots, while converting 8-of-11 (.727) from the free throw line. Maric finished with 29 points versus UNO in just 29 minutes on 11-of-18 shooting. Against the Blue Jays, he had 17 points, including 15 in the second half as NU pulled away for the win. It was Nebraska’s first win over a ranked non-conference opponent since 2002.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Kevin Durant, Texas, F/G, Fr., 6-9, 225, Suitland, Md./Montrose Christian School

Durant rookie recognition comes after posting 25.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.5 assists per game in two outings. He connected on 16-of-36 (.444) shots from the field and 6-of-14 (.429) field goals from 3-point range. He also hit 12-of-13 (.923) free throws. Durant had 21 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in 39 minutes in a 63-61 loss to Michigan State. He followed that performance with 29 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and four assists in 32 minutes in a 77-76 tally over St. John’s. The point total tied for the fourth-best in Texas history.

2006-07 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Weekly Awards

Player - Rookie
Nov. 13 - A.J. Abrams, Texas, G, So. - Kevin Durant, Texas, F/G, Fr.
Nov. 20 - Aleks Maric, Nebraska, C, Jr. - Kevin Durant, Texas, F/G, Fr.

- From Big 12 -

2006-07 Preview: #99 Nebraska

Joel Welser — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:41:25 -0700

The late loss of coach Barry Collier has this program in flux.