Story by NU Athletic Communications

The Nebraska men’s basketball team used a 17-0 second-half spurt to avert Rider’s upset bid in a NU’s 64-50 win Monday evening at Pinnacle Bank ArenaRider used an 8-0 run to trim Nebraska’s lead 47-46 after DJ Dudley’s basket with 10:41 remaining but could get no closer as the Huskers used timely shooting and a strong defensive effort to earn the win.

&nbsp;Keisei Tominaga ignited the rally with consecutive 3-pointers to give NU a 53-46 lead and force a Bronc timeout. From there, it was all Huskers, as Nebraska (3-0) held the visitors scoreless for over nine minutes and forced 12 consecutive missed shots.

&nbsp;Josiah Allick and Rienk Mast combined for nine straight Husker points before Jarron Coleman’s basket with 1:44 left gave NU a commanding 64-46 advantage. Mast posted his second straight double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds while Allick added 10 points and six boards.&nbsp;

Nebraska held Rider (1-2) to just 30.4 percent shooting, including 6-of-25 from 3-point range. The Broncs shot just 23.1 percent in the second half.&nbsp;

C.J. Wilcher led the Huskers (3-0) with 13 points, including a trio of first-half three-pointers, while Tominaga had nine points in 22 minutes in his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury on Oct. 29. Brice Williams added seven points and eight boards, as Nebraska enjoyed a 47-34 advantage on the glass.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Huskers, who improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2018-19, used a 13-2 spurt to break open a game which was tied at 17 with 8:25 left in the first half.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Huskers eventually stretched the lead to 36-24 after Wilcher’s third 3-pointer of the game and took a 38-29 lead to the locker room.

Rider, which was the preseason pick to win the MAAC, could not go away, scoring the first five points of the second half to get within 38-34 after Allen Powell’s 3-pointer with 18:05 left. Trailing 45-36 after a Coleman free throw, Rider used an 8-0 run to get within one with 10:41 remaining but could get no closer.&nbsp;

Corey McKeithan led Rider with a game-high 18 points while Mervin James added 10 points and five boards before fouling out.&nbsp;

The Huskers return to Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13 to take on Stony Brook at 7 p.m. (CT). The game can be streamed on B1G+ and heard across the Huskers Radio Network. Tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or calling the NU Athletic Ticket Office at 800-8-BIGRED.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska men’s basketball team used a 17-0 second-half spurt to avert Rider’s upset bid in a NU’s 64-50 win Monday evening at Pinnacle Bank ArenaRider used an 8-0 run to trim Nebraska’s lead 47-46 after DJ Dudley’s basket with 10:41 remaining but could get no closer as the Huskers used timely shooting and a strong defensive effort to earn the win.&nbsp;Keisei Tominaga ignited the rally with consecutive 3-pointers to give NU a 53-46 lead and force a Bronc timeout. From there, it was all Huskers, as Nebraska (3-0) held the visitors scoreless for over nine minutes and forced 12 consecutive missed shots.&nbsp;Josiah Allick and Rienk Mast combined for nine straight Husker points before Jarron Coleman’s basket with 1:44 left gave NU a commanding 64-46 advantage. Mast posted his second straight double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds while Allick added 10 points and six boards.&nbsp;Nebraska held Rider (1-2) to just 30.4 percent shooting, including 6-of-25 from 3-point range. The Broncs shot just 23.1 percent in the second half.&nbsp;C.J. Wilcher led the Huskers (3-0) with 13 points, including a trio of first-half three-pointers, while Tominaga had nine points in 22 minutes in his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury on Oct. 29. Brice Williams added seven points and eight boards, as Nebraska enjoyed a 47-34 advantage on the glass.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Huskers, who improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2018-19, used a 13-2 spurt to break open a game which was tied at 17 with 8:25 left in the first half.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Huskers eventually stretched the lead to 36-24 after Wilcher’s third 3-pointer of the game and took a 38-29 lead to the locker room.Rider, which was the preseason pick to win the MAAC, could not go away, scoring the first five points of the second half to get within 38-34 after Allen Powell’s 3-pointer with 18:05 left. Trailing 45-36 after a Coleman free throw, Rider used an 8-0 run to get within one with 10:41 remaining but could get no closer.&nbsp;Corey McKeithan led Rider with a game-high 18 points while Mervin James added 10 points and five boards before fouling out.&nbsp;The Huskers return to Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13 to take on Stony Brook at 7 p.m. (CT). The game can be streamed on B1G+ and heard across the Huskers Radio Network. Tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or calling the NU Athletic Ticket Office at 800-8-BIGRED.&nbsp;

Huskers clamp down on Broncos, 64-50

The Huskers improved to 2-0 with an impressive 71-52 road win at Wyoming on Friday night. The Cowgirls won 23 games and advanced to the second round of the 2023 Postseason WNIT.

Alexis Markowski led the Huskers with game highs of 17 points and 13 rebounds to notch her first double-double of the season and 22nd of her career. Markowski scored the first 10 points of a decisive 19-2 Nebraska surge to close the third quarter and start the fourth, turning a four-point lead into a 21-point cushion midway through the final period. Markowski is averaging a double-double with 15.0 points and 10.5 rebounds through two games.

Fellow preseason All-Big Ten performer Jaz Shelley added 15 points and game highs of seven assists and three steals. Shelley leads the Huskers with 16.0 points, 6.5 assists and 3.0 steals to go along with 4.5 rebounds per game.&nbsp;

Freshman Natalie Potts completed a sensational opening week of her college career with 15 points of her own at Wyoming. Through two games as a starter, the two-time Missouri High School Player of the Year is averaging 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block.

Darian White contributed 11 points at Wyoming in another strong start as a newcomer to the Husker lineup. White averaged 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals in the opening week of her Husker career. White was a four-year starter and three-time All-Big Sky performer at Montana State.

Through two games, Nebraska has shown explosive offense and shutdown defense. At Wyoming, the Huskers produced an 18-0 first-half run and a decisive 19-2 second-half surge to power their way to victory. In the opener, Nebraska produced runs of 16-0, 12-0 and 10-0.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)vs. Alcorn State Lady Braves (0-1, 0-0 SWAC)Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, 7 p.m. (CT)Pinnacle Bank Arena - Lincoln, NebraskaSpecial Event:&nbsp;Military AppreciationTickets:&nbsp;Huskers.com/Tickets - 1-800-8-BIG-REDLive Video:&nbsp;B1G+ (subscription)Live Stats:&nbsp;Huskers.com (StatBroadcast)Live Radio:&nbsp;Huskers Radio Network (6:30 p.m.)Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)Lincoln (107.3 FM), Omaha (590 AM),&nbsp;Huskers.com, Huskers App

Nebraska Cornhuskers&nbsp;(2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)22 - Natalie Potts - 6-2 - Fr. - F/G - 12.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Jr. - C/F - 15.0 ppg, 10.5 rpg0 - Darian White - 5-6 - Gr. - G - 12.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg1 - Jaz Shelley - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 16.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Jr. - G - 1.0 ppg, 1.5 rpgOff the Bench21 - Annika Stewart - 6-3 - Sr. - F - 9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg14 - Callin Hake - 5-9 - So. - G - 9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg12 - Jessica Petrie - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 4.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg2 - Logan Nissley - 6-0 - Fr. - G - 1.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 2.5 rpgHead Coach:&nbsp;Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)Eighth Season at Nebraska (116-99);&nbsp;17th Season Overall (309-208)

Alcorn State Lady Braves&nbsp;(0-1, 0-0 SWAC)2 - Nakia Cheatham - 6-0 - Sr. - G/F - 8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg5 - Destiny Brown - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 3.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg1 - Ashanti Backus - 5-4 - Sr. - G - 3.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg11 - Zy’nyia White - 5-6 - Jr. - G - 11.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg24 - Kiarra Henderson - 5-9 - Sr. - G/F - 5.0 ppg, 7.0 rpgOff the Bench21 - Akryiale Ford - 6-2 - Gr. - F - 8.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg15 - Jeanee Anderson - 5-7 - Sr. - G - 2.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg0 - Jazmine Jackson - 5-8 - So. - G - 2.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg30 - Maya Claytor - 6-0 - Fr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg32 - Milia Gibson - 5-6 - Jr. - G - 0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg14 - Arene Iyekekpolor - 6-0 - Fr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpgHead Coach:&nbsp;Nate Kilbert (MVSU, 1987)Fourth Season at Alcorn State (22-53);&nbsp;22nd Season Overall (201-399)

Husker Nuggets• Nebraska used an 18-0 first-half run and a decisive 19-2 second-half surge to power its way to a 71-52 victory at Wyoming (Nov. 10).

• Alexis Markowski led four Huskers in double figures with 17 points and 13 rebounds to notch her first double-double of the season. Jaz Shelley and Natalie Potts each contributed 15 points, while Darian White added 11. Those four Husker starters have produced double figures in each of Nebraska’s two wins to open the season.

• Nebraska jumped to a 46-12 halftime lead on its way to a 90-42 home-opening win over Northwestern State (Nov. 6). The 12 points allowed marked the second-fewest given up by the Big Red in a first half in school history, trailing only 10 points surrendered to Illinois in the first half in 2018. Nebraska’s 46 points scored exceeded any first half for the Huskers in 2022-23.

• The Huskers had six players produce double figures in points against Northwestern State, marking the first time Nebraska accomplished that feat since a 90-61 season-opening win over Oral Roberts on Dec. 4, 2020.

• The Huskers have hit at least one three in 466 straight games dating back to a loss at UTEP on Dec. 20, 2008. Nebraska has hit at least two threes in 345 consecutive games.

• Nebraska has hit 10 or more threes 28 times in the last 75 games, including 15 times in 2022-23. The Huskers opened 2023-24 with 10 three-pointers in a win over Northwestern State (Nov. 6, 2023). Nebraska knocked down a 2022-23 season-high 14 threes in a season-opening win over Omaha (Nov. 7, 2022).&nbsp;

• Through the first 20 seasons with the three-point shot in women’s basketball (1988-2007), Nebraska hit 10 threes in a game just six times (591 games).

Scouting The Alcorn State Lady Braves

Alcorn State returns four starters and its top four scorers from a team that finished 12-17 overall and 8-10 in the SWAC last year.&nbsp;

The Lady Braves opened this season with a 77-42 loss at Mississippi State (Nov. 6). MSU advanced to 2023 NCAA Tournament after taking a 73-65 overtime loss to Nebraska (Nov. 26, 22) in Puerto Rico.

Destiny Brown, a 6-3 junior forward and preseason All-SWAC selection, managed just three points and seven boards in the loss to the Bulldogs. Last season, Brown led the Lady Braves with 13.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.

ASU was led in the opener by 5-6 junior guard, Zy’nyia White, who had 11 points and five rebounds. White averaged 9.5 points and 2.9 rebounds a year ago as a starter.

Nakia Cheatham, a 6-0 senior guard/forward, added eight points and four boards. Cheatham averaged 7.1 points and 6.0 rebounds as a regular starter last season.

Kiarra Henderson, a 5-9 senior starter, pitched in five points and seven rebounds. She averaged 5.1 points and 4.4 boards primarily off the bench last season.

Senior guard Ashanti Backus rounded out the Alcorn State starting five with three points. She made six starts last season but averaged just 2.1 points per game.

Akryiale Ford contributed eight points and seven rebounds off the bench. The 6-2 graduate forward is in her third season with ASU. She averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds a year ago.

Senior Jeanee Anderson and sophomore Jazmine Jackson were the only other Lady Braves to find the scoring column against Mississippi State.

Returning starter Tyginae Wright (8.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2022-23) did not play in the opening loss to Mississippi State.

The only regular starter lost from last year’s Alcorn State squad is Cayla Obillo, who averaged 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and team bests of 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

Nebraska vs. Alcorn State Series History

No. 16 Nebraska defeated Alcorn State 83-49 (Nov. 16, 2014) in the only previous meeting between the two schools.

Long-time head coach Nate Kilbert returns to Lincoln for his fifth game as head coach with a third school, when he brings the Alcorn State Lady Braves to Pinnacle Bank Arena on Tuesday. Kilbert, who is in his 22nd season as an NCAA Division I women’s basketball coach, made his first trip to Lincoln as the coach of Mississippi Valley State for a 99-53 loss to the Huskers at the Devaney Center on Nov. 15, 2011. He went on to be the 2012 SWAC Coach of the Year in his final season leading the Delta Devilettes.

Kilbert returned to Lincoln two years later as the head coach of Arkansas Pine Bluff on Nov. 21, 2013, for Nebraska’s third home game at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The eventual Big Ten Tournament champion and No. 11 Huskers defeated UAPB 78-55. Kilbert had captured his second straight SWAC Coach of the Year award in his first year at Pine Bluff in 2012-13.

He was back at Pinnacle Bank Arena two years later with UAPB in a 96-46 loss to the Huskers on Nov. 14, 2015, before leading the Lady Lions back to PBA for a 73-52 loss on Dec. 2, 2017 against the eventual NCAA Tournament-qualifying Huskers.

Freshman Potts Smoking Hot in Opening Week

Two-time Missouri MaxPreps High School Player of the Year Natalie Potts has made an instant impact on Nebraska’s lineup. The 6-2 forward from O’Fallon, Mo., averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block in her opening week of the regular season.

In Nebraska’s 71-52 road win at Wyoming, Potts was a catalyst at both ends of the court, erupting for 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while adding two steals and a blocked shot. Potts was a menace defensively, creating easy offensive opportunities with deflections at the front of Nebraska’s press to help turn an early Husker deficit into a double-digit road victory over the Cowgirls.

In her regular-season collegiate debut, Potts added 10 points, five rebounds, an assist, two steals and a block while hitting 5-of-7 shots from the field in a 90-42 win over Northwestern State (Nov. 6).

Through two games, Potts has hit 10-of-11 (.909) two-point field goal attempts and 1-of-3 three-point tries.

White Shines in Husker Starting Debuts

Nebraska has received an immediate boost in the backcourt from three-time first-team All-Big Sky guard Darian White.

The 5-6 graduate student transferred into the Husker program during the summer after averaging 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals over 120 starts in four seasons at Montana State.&nbsp;

The No. 2 scorer in Montana State history, White finished with 1,716 points, 612 rebounds, 449 assists and 260 steals.

White was the 2022 Big Sky Tournament MVP, leading the Bobcats to the conference title and a trip to the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

She was also a two-time Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year (2021, 2022) and the 2020 Big Sky Freshman of the Year.

White was the 2019 Idaho Gatorade High School Player of the Year and joins three-time North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year Logan Nissley, two-time Missouri MaxPreps Player of the Year Natalie Potts and Australian National Program forward Jessica Petrie in Nebraska’s group of four newcomers for 2023-24.

In her Nebraska regular-season debut, White scored 13 points, including six in a 16-0 run to start the game, while adding game highs of nine rebounds and three steals to go along with four assists in Nebraska’s 90-42 win over Northwestern State (Nov. 6).

She was strong in all phases of her first road game as a Husker, contributing 11 points, four rebounds and two assists in a 71-52 victory at Wyoming.

Through two games, White is averaging 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals.

White took the court for the first time at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Nebraska’s exhibition win over Dakota Wesleyan (Oct. 29), producing 13 points, seven rebounds and game highs of eight assists and four steals.

• Darian White has scored in double figures 99 times in her college career (97, Montana State; 2, Nebraska), including each of her last 10 games.

•&nbsp; Jaz Shelley is 13 assists from joining the top 10 at Nebraska in career assists. Shelley heads into the Alcorn State game with 379 assists in two-plus years at Nebraska. All-American and two-time WNBA All-Star Anna DeForge ranks 10th in school history with 392.&nbsp;&nbsp;

•&nbsp; Jaz Shelley is 29 assists away from 500 in her college career. Only five Huskers in history have totaled 500 collegiate assists (Lindsey Moore, Meggan Yedsena, Rachel Theriot, Jina Johansen, Nicole Kubik).

• Jaz Shelley needs nine three-pointers to climb to No. 5 on the Nebraska career three-point list, matching Lindsey Moore (173, 2010-13).&nbsp;

• Alexis Markowski needs two double-doubles to climb into a tie for sixth in Nebraska history with Nafeesah Brown (24, 1992-94). Markowski is currently tied for seventh with Janet Smith (22, 1979-82).

• Annika Stewart needs four points to reach 500 in her career.

• Two-time All-Big Ten center Alexis Markowski (Lincoln, Neb.) was the Big Ten’s top rebounder with 322 rebounds in 2022-23. She was the only Big Ten player to average a double-double (12.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg) during regular-season conference play.

• Jaz Shelley is 72 points away from becoming the 37th 1,000-point scorer in Nebraska history. Alexis Markowski is 156 points from reaching 1,000 career points.

The Huskers improved to 2-0 with an impressive 71-52 road win at Wyoming on Friday night. The Cowgirls won 23 games and advanced to the second round of the 2023 Postseason WNIT.Alexis Markowski led the Huskers with game highs of 17 points and 13 rebounds to notch her first double-double of the season and 22nd of her career. Markowski scored the first 10 points of a decisive 19-2 Nebraska surge to close the third quarter and start the fourth, turning a four-point lead into a 21-point cushion midway through the final period. Markowski is averaging a double-double with 15.0 points and 10.5 rebounds through two games.Fellow preseason All-Big Ten performer Jaz Shelley added 15 points and game highs of seven assists and three steals. Shelley leads the Huskers with 16.0 points, 6.5 assists and 3.0 steals to go along with 4.5 rebounds per game.&nbsp;Freshman Natalie Potts completed a sensational opening week of her college career with 15 points of her own at Wyoming. Through two games as a starter, the two-time Missouri High School Player of the Year is averaging 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block.Darian White contributed 11 points at Wyoming in another strong start as a newcomer to the Husker lineup. White averaged 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals in the opening week of her Husker career. White was a four-year starter and three-time All-Big Sky performer at Montana State.Through two games, Nebraska has shown explosive offense and shutdown defense. At Wyoming, the Huskers produced an 18-0 first-half run and a decisive 19-2 second-half surge to power their way to victory. In the opener, Nebraska produced runs of 16-0, 12-0 and 10-0.Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)vs. Alcorn State Lady Braves (0-1, 0-0 SWAC)Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, 7 p.m. (CT)Pinnacle Bank Arena - Lincoln, NebraskaSpecial Event:&nbsp;Military AppreciationTickets:&nbsp;Huskers.com/Tickets - 1-800-8-BIG-REDLive Video:&nbsp;B1G+ (subscription)Live Stats:&nbsp;Huskers.com (StatBroadcast)Live Radio:&nbsp;Huskers Radio Network (6:30 p.m.)Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)Lincoln (107.3 FM), Omaha (590 AM),&nbsp;Huskers.com, Huskers AppNebraska Cornhuskers&nbsp;(2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)22 - Natalie Potts - 6-2 - Fr. - F/G - 12.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Jr. - C/F - 15.0 ppg, 10.5 rpg0 - Darian White - 5-6 - Gr. - G - 12.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg1 - Jaz Shelley - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 16.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Jr. - G - 1.0 ppg, 1.5 rpgOff the Bench21 - Annika Stewart - 6-3 - Sr. - F - 9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg14 - Callin Hake - 5-9 - So. - G - 9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg12 - Jessica Petrie - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 4.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg2 - Logan Nissley - 6-0 - Fr. - G - 1.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 2.5 rpgHead Coach:&nbsp;Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)Eighth Season at Nebraska (116-99);&nbsp;17th Season Overall (309-208)Alcorn State Lady Braves&nbsp;(0-1, 0-0 SWAC)2 - Nakia Cheatham - 6-0 - Sr. - G/F - 8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg5 - Destiny Brown - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 3.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg1 - Ashanti Backus - 5-4 - Sr. - G - 3.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg11 - Zy’nyia White - 5-6 - Jr. - G - 11.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg24 - Kiarra Henderson - 5-9 - Sr. - G/F - 5.0 ppg, 7.0 rpgOff the Bench21 - Akryiale Ford - 6-2 - Gr. - F - 8.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg15 - Jeanee Anderson - 5-7 - Sr. - G - 2.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg0 - Jazmine Jackson - 5-8 - So. - G - 2.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg30 - Maya Claytor - 6-0 - Fr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg32 - Milia Gibson - 5-6 - Jr. - G - 0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg14 - Arene Iyekekpolor - 6-0 - Fr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpgHead Coach:&nbsp;Nate Kilbert (MVSU, 1987)Fourth Season at Alcorn State (22-53);&nbsp;22nd Season Overall (201-399)Husker Nuggets• Nebraska used an 18-0 first-half run and a decisive 19-2 second-half surge to power its way to a 71-52 victory at Wyoming (Nov. 10).• Alexis Markowski led four Huskers in double figures with 17 points and 13 rebounds to notch her first double-double of the season. Jaz Shelley and Natalie Potts each contributed 15 points, while Darian White added 11. Those four Husker starters have produced double figures in each of Nebraska’s two wins to open the season.• Nebraska jumped to a 46-12 halftime lead on its way to a 90-42 home-opening win over Northwestern State (Nov. 6). The 12 points allowed marked the second-fewest given up by the Big Red in a first half in school history, trailing only 10 points surrendered to Illinois in the first half in 2018. Nebraska’s 46 points scored exceeded any first half for the Huskers in 2022-23.• The Huskers had six players produce double figures in points against Northwestern State, marking the first time Nebraska accomplished that feat since a 90-61 season-opening win over Oral Roberts on Dec. 4, 2020.• The Huskers have hit at least one three in 466 straight games dating back to a loss at UTEP on Dec. 20, 2008. Nebraska has hit at least two threes in 345 consecutive games.• Nebraska has hit 10 or more threes 28 times in the last 75 games, including 15 times in 2022-23. The Huskers opened 2023-24 with 10 three-pointers in a win over Northwestern State (Nov. 6, 2023). Nebraska knocked down a 2022-23 season-high 14 threes in a season-opening win over Omaha (Nov. 7, 2022).&nbsp;• Through the first 20 seasons with the three-point shot in women’s basketball (1988-2007), Nebraska hit 10 threes in a game just six times (591 games).Scouting The Alcorn State Lady BravesAlcorn State returns four starters and its top four scorers from a team that finished 12-17 overall and 8-10 in the SWAC last year.&nbsp;The Lady Braves opened this season with a 77-42 loss at Mississippi State (Nov. 6). MSU advanced to 2023 NCAA Tournament after taking a 73-65 overtime loss to Nebraska (Nov. 26, 22) in Puerto Rico.Destiny Brown, a 6-3 junior forward and preseason All-SWAC selection, managed just three points and seven boards in the loss to the Bulldogs. Last season, Brown led the Lady Braves with 13.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.ASU was led in the opener by 5-6 junior guard, Zy’nyia White, who had 11 points and five rebounds. White averaged 9.5 points and 2.9 rebounds a year ago as a starter.Nakia Cheatham, a 6-0 senior guard/forward, added eight points and four boards. Cheatham averaged 7.1 points and 6.0 rebounds as a regular starter last season.Kiarra Henderson, a 5-9 senior starter, pitched in five points and seven rebounds. She averaged 5.1 points and 4.4 boards primarily off the bench last season.Senior guard Ashanti Backus rounded out the Alcorn State starting five with three points. She made six starts last season but averaged just 2.1 points per game.Akryiale Ford contributed eight points and seven rebounds off the bench. The 6-2 graduate forward is in her third season with ASU. She averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds a year ago.Senior Jeanee Anderson and sophomore Jazmine Jackson were the only other Lady Braves to find the scoring column against Mississippi State.Returning starter Tyginae Wright (8.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2022-23) did not play in the opening loss to Mississippi State.The only regular starter lost from last year’s Alcorn State squad is Cayla Obillo, who averaged 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and team bests of 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game.Nebraska vs. Alcorn State Series HistoryNo. 16 Nebraska defeated Alcorn State 83-49 (Nov. 16, 2014) in the only previous meeting between the two schools.Long-time head coach Nate Kilbert returns to Lincoln for his fifth game as head coach with a third school, when he brings the Alcorn State Lady Braves to Pinnacle Bank Arena on Tuesday. Kilbert, who is in his 22nd season as an NCAA Division I women’s basketball coach, made his first trip to Lincoln as the coach of Mississippi Valley State for a 99-53 loss to the Huskers at the Devaney Center on Nov. 15, 2011. He went on to be the 2012 SWAC Coach of the Year in his final season leading the Delta Devilettes.Kilbert returned to Lincoln two years later as the head coach of Arkansas Pine Bluff on Nov. 21, 2013, for Nebraska’s third home game at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The eventual Big Ten Tournament champion and No. 11 Huskers defeated UAPB 78-55. Kilbert had captured his second straight SWAC Coach of the Year award in his first year at Pine Bluff in 2012-13.He was back at Pinnacle Bank Arena two years later with UAPB in a 96-46 loss to the Huskers on Nov. 14, 2015, before leading the Lady Lions back to PBA for a 73-52 loss on Dec. 2, 2017 against the eventual NCAA Tournament-qualifying Huskers.Freshman Potts Smoking Hot in Opening WeekTwo-time Missouri MaxPreps High School Player of the Year Natalie Potts has made an instant impact on Nebraska’s lineup. The 6-2 forward from O’Fallon, Mo., averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block in her opening week of the regular season.In Nebraska’s 71-52 road win at Wyoming, Potts was a catalyst at both ends of the court, erupting for 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while adding two steals and a blocked shot. Potts was a menace defensively, creating easy offensive opportunities with deflections at the front of Nebraska’s press to help turn an early Husker deficit into a double-digit road victory over the Cowgirls.In her regular-season collegiate debut, Potts added 10 points, five rebounds, an assist, two steals and a block while hitting 5-of-7 shots from the field in a 90-42 win over Northwestern State (Nov. 6).Through two games, Potts has hit 10-of-11 (.909) two-point field goal attempts and 1-of-3 three-point tries.White Shines in Husker Starting DebutsNebraska has received an immediate boost in the backcourt from three-time first-team All-Big Sky guard Darian White.The 5-6 graduate student transferred into the Husker program during the summer after averaging 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals over 120 starts in four seasons at Montana State.&nbsp;The No. 2 scorer in Montana State history, White finished with 1,716 points, 612 rebounds, 449 assists and 260 steals.White was the 2022 Big Sky Tournament MVP, leading the Bobcats to the conference title and a trip to the 2022 NCAA Tournament.She was also a two-time Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year (2021, 2022) and the 2020 Big Sky Freshman of the Year.White was the 2019 Idaho Gatorade High School Player of the Year and joins three-time North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year Logan Nissley, two-time Missouri MaxPreps Player of the Year Natalie Potts and Australian National Program forward Jessica Petrie in Nebraska’s group of four newcomers for 2023-24.In her Nebraska regular-season debut, White scored 13 points, including six in a 16-0 run to start the game, while adding game highs of nine rebounds and three steals to go along with four assists in Nebraska’s 90-42 win over Northwestern State (Nov. 6).She was strong in all phases of her first road game as a Husker, contributing 11 points, four rebounds and two assists in a 71-52 victory at Wyoming.Through two games, White is averaging 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals.White took the court for the first time at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Nebraska’s exhibition win over Dakota Wesleyan (Oct. 29), producing 13 points, seven rebounds and game highs of eight assists and four steals.Husker Numbers to Watch• Darian White has scored in double figures 99 times in her college career (97, Montana State; 2, Nebraska), including each of her last 10 games.•&nbsp; Jaz Shelley is 13 assists from joining the top 10 at Nebraska in career assists. Shelley heads into the Alcorn State game with 379 assists in two-plus years at Nebraska. All-American and two-time WNBA All-Star Anna DeForge ranks 10th in school history with 392.&nbsp;&nbsp;•&nbsp; Jaz Shelley is 29 assists away from 500 in her college career. Only five Huskers in history have totaled 500 collegiate assists (Lindsey Moore, Meggan Yedsena, Rachel Theriot, Jina Johansen, Nicole Kubik).• Jaz Shelley needs nine three-pointers to climb to No. 5 on the Nebraska career three-point list, matching Lindsey Moore (173, 2010-13).&nbsp;• Alexis Markowski needs two double-doubles to climb into a tie for sixth in Nebraska history with Nafeesah Brown (24, 1992-94). Markowski is currently tied for seventh with Janet Smith (22, 1979-82).• Annika Stewart needs four points to reach 500 in her career.Nebraska Notables• Two-time All-Big Ten center Alexis Markowski (Lincoln, Neb.) was the Big Ten’s top rebounder with 322 rebounds in 2022-23. She was the only Big Ten player to average a double-double (12.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg) during regular-season conference play.• Jaz Shelley is 72 points away from becoming the 37th 1,000-point scorer in Nebraska history. Alexis Markowski is 156 points from reaching 1,000 career points.

Huskers return home to battle Lady Braves Tuesday

HOUSTON (AP) — Fred VanVleet scored 26 points and Alperen Sengun added 23 to lead the Houston Rockets to a 107-104 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.

Houston’s six-game winning streak is the longest since January 2021.

Nikola Jokic had his fourth triple-double of the season, racking up 36 points, 21 rebounds and 11 assists in the loss.

Jokic hit a 3 with 19.1 seconds remaining to cut Houston’s lead to 103-102. He had a full-court shot at the buzzer to tie it but fell short.

The Nuggets entered the game 8-1, their best start since the 2018-19 season. Houston improved to 6-3 after starting the season 0-3.

“We’re getting better,” VanVleet said. “We can feel the trend trending upward, we’re trying to get more things done that the coaches are asking us to do, and we’re executing at a higher and higher level each time out.”

Rockets veteran Jeff Green hit a big 3 with 1:49 left in the fourth, putting Houston up 103-94. Green appeared in all 20 playoff games during Denver’s championship run last season. Green scored 15 points off the bench Sunday.

“He obviously made big shots and was attacking the basket,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “But also, all week, he had a ton of advice and experience, and he was out there being the quarterback on defense, calling out their sets and what they were getting into. He had that familiarity with the team and obviously that was helpful, but it was great to see him come through down the stretch, finish the game and make some big shots. I’m happy for him.”

Denver entered the fourth quarter with a 76-74 lead thanks to a 20-foot jumper from Collin Gillespie with 2 seconds left in the third.

Sengun added eight rebounds and five assists, while shooting 9 of 18 from the field.

“I think it’s a good thing that they’re playing more through him,” Jokic said of Sengun. “I think it’s going to benefit their whole organization. He’s a guy who is not selfish, he wants to play for the team, he wants to pass, and the whole team is going to move when the ball is in his hands. He played really good today.”

Behind Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 points, Aaron Gordon had 16 and Reggie Jackson added 14.

“The greatest challenge that we have is we’re trying to compete for a championship but also develop four young players off the bench,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. “That is insanely hard because young players are going to have nights like tonight, and you have to continue to support them and help them in any way that you can, and that’s what we’re going to do. We know these guys are capable.”

Houston has won two in a row against Denver following a 10-game losing streak.

“It gives us another feather in our cap,” Udoka said. “It gives us experience with late-game execution and getting the shots we want and defending. I’m happy with how we finished. They did hit some tough shots, but that’s expected from a championship-caliber team.”

Nuggets: Host the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the NBA In-Season Tournament play on Tuesday night.

Rockets: Open up a three-game California road trip with the Clippers on Friday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699881745613.jpeg" alt="Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic (15) shoots as Houston Rockets' Alperen Sengun (28) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)" />
 <figcaption>Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic (15) shoots as Houston Rockets' Alperen Sengun (28) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)</figcaption>
 </figure>Story by Houston APHOUSTON (AP) — Fred VanVleet scored 26 points and Alperen Sengun added 23 to lead the Houston Rockets to a 107-104 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.Houston’s six-game winning streak is the longest since January 2021.Nikola Jokic had his fourth triple-double of the season, racking up 36 points, 21 rebounds and 11 assists in the loss.Jokic hit a 3 with 19.1 seconds remaining to cut Houston’s lead to 103-102. He had a full-court shot at the buzzer to tie it but fell short.The Nuggets entered the game 8-1, their best start since the 2018-19 season. Houston improved to 6-3 after starting the season 0-3.“We’re getting better,” VanVleet said. “We can feel the trend trending upward, we’re trying to get more things done that the coaches are asking us to do, and we’re executing at a higher and higher level each time out.”Rockets veteran Jeff Green hit a big 3 with 1:49 left in the fourth, putting Houston up 103-94. Green appeared in all 20 playoff games during Denver’s championship run last season. Green scored 15 points off the bench Sunday.“He obviously made big shots and was attacking the basket,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “But also, all week, he had a ton of advice and experience, and he was out there being the quarterback on defense, calling out their sets and what they were getting into. He had that familiarity with the team and obviously that was helpful, but it was great to see him come through down the stretch, finish the game and make some big shots. I’m happy for him.”Denver entered the fourth quarter with a 76-74 lead thanks to a 20-foot jumper from Collin Gillespie with 2 seconds left in the third.Sengun added eight rebounds and five assists, while shooting 9 of 18 from the field.“I think it’s a good thing that they’re playing more through him,” Jokic said of Sengun. “I think it’s going to benefit their whole organization. He’s a guy who is not selfish, he wants to play for the team, he wants to pass, and the whole team is going to move when the ball is in his hands. He played really good today.”Behind Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 points, Aaron Gordon had 16 and Reggie Jackson added 14.“The greatest challenge that we have is we’re trying to compete for a championship but also develop four young players off the bench,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. “That is insanely hard because young players are going to have nights like tonight, and you have to continue to support them and help them in any way that you can, and that’s what we’re going to do. We know these guys are capable.”Houston has won two in a row against Denver following a 10-game losing streak.“It gives us another feather in our cap,” Udoka said. “It gives us experience with late-game execution and getting the shots we want and defending. I’m happy with how we finished. They did hit some tough shots, but that’s expected from a championship-caliber team.”UP NEXTNuggets: Host the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the NBA In-Season Tournament play on Tuesday night.Rockets: Open up a three-game California road trip with the Clippers on Friday night.

Fred VanVleet leads Rockets to sixth straight victory with 107-104 win over Nuggets

The Tri-City Storm came from behind and scored a shorthanded goal with less than five minutes to play Saturday night at the Viaero Center to shock the Waterloo Black Hawks with a 4-3 victory. Ryan Smith netted two goals, including the game-winning goal to help seal the victory for Tri-City. A.J. Lacroix and Jake Rozzi also scored goals during the contest. Ivan Zhigalov shined in net to record the first victory of his USHL career in goal for the Storm. Tri-City will return to action next weekend at the Viaero Center for back-to-back games against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Friday’s contest against the Lumberjacks will begin at 7:05pm CT, and puck drop for Saturday’s showdown is scheduled for 6:05pm CT. &nbsp;

Ryan Smith netted his fifth goal of the season at 12:46 of Saturday’s opening period to give the Storm a 1-0 advantage in the matchup. Nolan Roed and Vladislav Lukashevich each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Tri-City was outshot 11-5 during the 1st&nbsp;period, but carried a one goal advantage into Saturday’s middle period. &nbsp;

Jake Delaney scored his third goal of the season at 15:35 of the 2nd&nbsp;period to bring the game to a 1-1 score. Teddy Townsend recorded the lone assist on the scoring play. Griffin Erdman gave the Black Hawks a 2-1 lead in the game less than a minute later with his fourth goal of the season. The goal was scored at 16:03 of the 2nd&nbsp;period, and was assisted by Connor Brown. The Black Hawks outshot the Storm 13-12 during the middle period, and Saturday’s 3rd&nbsp;period began with Waterloo leading by a 2-1 score. Tri-City was 1-6-0-0 on the season when trailing after the 2nd&nbsp;period entering Saturday night’s game. &nbsp;

A.J. Lacroix scored his second goal of the year at 4:42 of Saturday’s 3rd&nbsp;period to bring the game to a 2-2 tie. Luke Posthumus and Carmelo Crandell each posted an assist on the scoring play. Jake Delaney netted a powerplay goal at 9:40 of the period to give the Black Hawks another one goal lead in the battle. Griffin Erdman and John Mustard each notched an assist on the scoring play. Jake Rozzi tipped in a shot from Trevor Connelly to record the game-tying goal on the powerplay with less than eight minutes remaining in the game. Connelly recorded an assist on the play. The final goal of Saturday’s game was the second goal of the matchup, and sixth goal of the season for Ryan Smith. Smith’s goal was netted shorthanded at 15:19 of the 3rd&nbsp;period. The Black Hawks attempted to tie the game in the final minutes with an extra attacker, but the Storm withstood the ferocious charge to secure the victory. Tri-City was outshot 9-8 in the 3rd&nbsp;period, and 33-25 overall in the battle. The Storm improved to 9-6-1-0 on the year in the win. &nbsp;

Ivan Zhigalov backstopped Tri-City to victory after making 30 saves on 33 shots. The victory in goal for Zhigalov was his first of the 2023-2024 regular season. Jack Spicer dropped the game in net for the Black Hawks after turning away 21 of the Storm’s 25 shots on net. &nbsp;

Tri-City improved to 7-2-0-0 against Western Conference competition this season in the 4-3 victory. The Storm has now compiled a three-game point streak after back-to-back home wins over the Black Hawks. Tri-City completed Saturday’s game 1/6 on the powerplay, and 5/6 on the penalty kill. Ryan Smith was named the 1st&nbsp;Star of the Game, with teammate Carmelo Crandell collecting 2nd&nbsp;Star honors. Waterloo’s Jake Delaney was selected as the 3rd&nbsp;Star of the Game. &nbsp;

The Storm hits the ice again on Friday, November 17th, in a home game against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>&nbsp;for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm&nbsp;organization.&nbsp;The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.

Story by Tri-City CommunicationsThe Tri-City Storm came from behind and scored a shorthanded goal with less than five minutes to play Saturday night at the Viaero Center to shock the Waterloo Black Hawks with a 4-3 victory. Ryan Smith netted two goals, including the game-winning goal to help seal the victory for Tri-City. A.J. Lacroix and Jake Rozzi also scored goals during the contest. Ivan Zhigalov shined in net to record the first victory of his USHL career in goal for the Storm. Tri-City will return to action next weekend at the Viaero Center for back-to-back games against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Friday’s contest against the Lumberjacks will begin at 7:05pm CT, and puck drop for Saturday’s showdown is scheduled for 6:05pm CT. &nbsp;Ryan Smith netted his fifth goal of the season at 12:46 of Saturday’s opening period to give the Storm a 1-0 advantage in the matchup. Nolan Roed and Vladislav Lukashevich each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Tri-City was outshot 11-5 during the 1st&nbsp;period, but carried a one goal advantage into Saturday’s middle period. &nbsp;Jake Delaney scored his third goal of the season at 15:35 of the 2nd&nbsp;period to bring the game to a 1-1 score. Teddy Townsend recorded the lone assist on the scoring play. Griffin Erdman gave the Black Hawks a 2-1 lead in the game less than a minute later with his fourth goal of the season. The goal was scored at 16:03 of the 2nd&nbsp;period, and was assisted by Connor Brown. The Black Hawks outshot the Storm 13-12 during the middle period, and Saturday’s 3rd&nbsp;period began with Waterloo leading by a 2-1 score. Tri-City was 1-6-0-0 on the season when trailing after the 2nd&nbsp;period entering Saturday night’s game. &nbsp;A.J. Lacroix scored his second goal of the year at 4:42 of Saturday’s 3rd&nbsp;period to bring the game to a 2-2 tie. Luke Posthumus and Carmelo Crandell each posted an assist on the scoring play. Jake Delaney netted a powerplay goal at 9:40 of the period to give the Black Hawks another one goal lead in the battle. Griffin Erdman and John Mustard each notched an assist on the scoring play. Jake Rozzi tipped in a shot from Trevor Connelly to record the game-tying goal on the powerplay with less than eight minutes remaining in the game. Connelly recorded an assist on the play. The final goal of Saturday’s game was the second goal of the matchup, and sixth goal of the season for Ryan Smith. Smith’s goal was netted shorthanded at 15:19 of the 3rd&nbsp;period. The Black Hawks attempted to tie the game in the final minutes with an extra attacker, but the Storm withstood the ferocious charge to secure the victory. Tri-City was outshot 9-8 in the 3rd&nbsp;period, and 33-25 overall in the battle. The Storm improved to 9-6-1-0 on the year in the win. &nbsp;Ivan Zhigalov backstopped Tri-City to victory after making 30 saves on 33 shots. The victory in goal for Zhigalov was his first of the 2023-2024 regular season. Jack Spicer dropped the game in net for the Black Hawks after turning away 21 of the Storm’s 25 shots on net. &nbsp;Tri-City improved to 7-2-0-0 against Western Conference competition this season in the 4-3 victory. The Storm has now compiled a three-game point streak after back-to-back home wins over the Black Hawks. Tri-City completed Saturday’s game 1/6 on the powerplay, and 5/6 on the penalty kill. Ryan Smith was named the 1st&nbsp;Star of the Game, with teammate Carmelo Crandell collecting 2nd&nbsp;Star honors. Waterloo’s Jake Delaney was selected as the 3rd&nbsp;Star of the Game. &nbsp;The Storm hits the ice again on Friday, November 17th, in a home game against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>&nbsp;for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm&nbsp;organization.&nbsp;The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.

 Storm shock Black Hawks in 4-3 Victory 

The Nebraska men's basketball team looks for a 3-0 start to the season, as the Huskers host Rider in the opening game of the Cornhusker Classic Monday night. Tipoff between the Huskers and Broncs is set for 7 p.m. and tickets are available for the matchup by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets, calling 800-8-BIGRED during business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or at PBA beginning at 5:30 p.m.&nbsp;

The Cornhusker Classic is a four-team event with Nebraska, Rider, Stony Brook and Duquesne that takes place between Nov. 13-22. All four teams will play each other during that time frame.&nbsp;

Nebraska (2-0) overpowered Florida A&amp;M en route to an 81-54 win on Nov. 9. Rienk Mast led all scorers with 20 points and 16 rebounds, as Nebraska put three players in double figures and out-rebounded the Rattlers, 55-35. Nebraska held FAMU to just 30 percent shooting from the field, including 4-of-20 from 3-point range.

Mast comes into Monday's game leading the Huskers in both scoring (16.5 ppg), and rebounding (11.0 rpg), as Nebraska has six players averaging at least eight points per game. The 6-foot-10 forward from Bradley posted his 19th career double-double in the win over Florida A&amp;M while becoming the first Husker since Aleks Maric in 2008 to post a game with 20 points and 15 rebounds.&nbsp;

Rider (1-1) comes off a 95-65 loss at No. 5 Marquette Friday night. The Broncs were the preseason pick to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) after a runner-up finish last year. The Broncs feature an experienced lineup with a trio of fifth-year players and two other fourth-year performers.&nbsp;

LOOKING AT RIDERRider comes to town with a 1-1 record following Friday's loss at fifth-ranked Marquette. In that game, Marquette shot 55 percent and converted 16 Rider turnovers into 24 points. T.J. Weeks Jr. had 14 points and 12 rebounds while Mervin James had 15 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort.&nbsp;

Rider was the preseason pick by the conference coaches to win the league, garnering eight of the 11 first-place votes. The Broncs finished second in the MAAC last season with a 13-7 record, highlighted by a win at Iona. Rider features a veteran lineup with all five starters in at least their fourth year of college, including a trio of fifth-year performers.&nbsp;

Senior forward Mervin James was selected as the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 12.9 ppg and 6.8 rpg last season. He comes into Monday's game with nearly 1400 career points and 700 career rebounds. James was joined on the preseason all-conference team by Allen Powell. Another fifth-year senior, Powell averaged 10.4 points, 2.1 assists and nearly a steal per game. The group also features T.J. Weeks Jr., who was a two-year starter at UMass and is a career 36 percent 3-point shooter, and Tariq Ingraham, a 6-foot-9 forward who began his college career at Wake Forest. Last year, he averaged 6.4 ppg on 59 percent shooting.

Kevin Baggett is in his 12th season at the school and is a two-time MAAC Coach of the Year. He was an assistant coach at Rider from 2006-12 and was promoted to head coach in 2012. A former player at St. Joseph's in the late 1980s, he has been coaching in the college ranks since 1995.

Monday's meeting is the first in the series, as NU is 6-1 all-time against teams from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. It is NU's first meeting against a MAAC opponent since a win over Marist in the 2017 Advocare Invitational in Orlando.&nbsp;

LAST TIME OUT: RIENK LEADS HUSKERS PAST FLORIDA A&amp;MBehind 20 points and 16 rebounds from Rienk Mast, Nebraska downed Florida A&amp;M, 81-54, on Nov. 9. &nbsp;Mast became the first Husker since 2008 to have at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a game, as the 6-foot-10 forward collected his 19th career double-double.

Nebraska showed a balanced attack with three players in double figures. Freshman Eli Rice came off the bench for a season-high 16 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, while Brice Williams had 15 points and six rebounds.

The Huskers enjoyed a 55-35 edge on the glass against the Rattlers and held Florida A&amp;M to just 30.3 percent shooting, including 4-of-20 from long range. Nebraska shot just 41 percent from the field but hit 10 3-pointers and went 26-of-35 from the foul line.

Nebraska trailed 8-7 before Mast ignited a 12-0 spurt with consecutive 3-pointers, as the Huskers held the Rattlers scoreless for nearly five minutes and pushed the lead to 19-8 after Williams’ 3-point play. A pair of Ja’Derryus Eatmon free throws ended the spurt and FAMU was within 22-12 before Rice and Josiah Allick combined for seven straight points to push the lead to 29-12. Nebraska led by as many as 20 in the first half before taking a 41-25 lead into the locker room.

Nebraska opened the second half with a 19-6 scoring run, capped by three-straight 3-pointers, to build a 60-31 advantage after a Williams’ 3-pointer with 12:39 left and cruised to a 27-point win.

POSTGAME NOTES VS. FLORIDA A&amp;M

MAST'S MASSIVE NIGHTRienk Mast put together a strong performance in Nebraska's win against Florida A&amp;M. The 6-foot-10 forward had game highs of 20 points and 16 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and 19th of his career.

Huskers with 20+ Points/15+ Rebounds (Since 1990)

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN HUSKERS REACH 80Nebraska has shown an explosive offense in the first two games, averaging 82.5 points per game. It is the first time since 2018-19 that NU has scored 80+ points in each of its first two contests.

FINDING BALANCE&nbsp;Nebraska relied on its depth and balance early in the season. While the Huskers have two players averaging double figures, four others are at between 8.0 and 9.5 ppg after two games.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska men's basketball team looks for a 3-0 start to the season, as the Huskers host Rider in the opening game of the Cornhusker Classic Monday night. Tipoff between the Huskers and Broncs is set for 7 p.m. and tickets are available for the matchup by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets, calling 800-8-BIGRED during business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or at PBA beginning at 5:30 p.m.&nbsp;The Cornhusker Classic is a four-team event with Nebraska, Rider, Stony Brook and Duquesne that takes place between Nov. 13-22. All four teams will play each other during that time frame.&nbsp;Nebraska (2-0) overpowered Florida A&amp;M en route to an 81-54 win on Nov. 9. Rienk Mast led all scorers with 20 points and 16 rebounds, as Nebraska put three players in double figures and out-rebounded the Rattlers, 55-35. Nebraska held FAMU to just 30 percent shooting from the field, including 4-of-20 from 3-point range.Mast comes into Monday's game leading the Huskers in both scoring (16.5 ppg), and rebounding (11.0 rpg), as Nebraska has six players averaging at least eight points per game. The 6-foot-10 forward from Bradley posted his 19th career double-double in the win over Florida A&amp;M while becoming the first Husker since Aleks Maric in 2008 to post a game with 20 points and 15 rebounds.&nbsp;Rider (1-1) comes off a 95-65 loss at No. 5 Marquette Friday night. The Broncs were the preseason pick to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) after a runner-up finish last year. The Broncs feature an experienced lineup with a trio of fifth-year players and two other fourth-year performers.&nbsp;LOOKING AT RIDERRider comes to town with a 1-1 record following Friday's loss at fifth-ranked Marquette. In that game, Marquette shot 55 percent and converted 16 Rider turnovers into 24 points. T.J. Weeks Jr. had 14 points and 12 rebounds while Mervin James had 15 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort.&nbsp;Rider was the preseason pick by the conference coaches to win the league, garnering eight of the 11 first-place votes. The Broncs finished second in the MAAC last season with a 13-7 record, highlighted by a win at Iona. Rider features a veteran lineup with all five starters in at least their fourth year of college, including a trio of fifth-year performers.&nbsp;Senior forward Mervin James was selected as the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 12.9 ppg and 6.8 rpg last season. He comes into Monday's game with nearly 1400 career points and 700 career rebounds. James was joined on the preseason all-conference team by Allen Powell. Another fifth-year senior, Powell averaged 10.4 points, 2.1 assists and nearly a steal per game. The group also features T.J. Weeks Jr., who was a two-year starter at UMass and is a career 36 percent 3-point shooter, and Tariq Ingraham, a 6-foot-9 forward who began his college career at Wake Forest. Last year, he averaged 6.4 ppg on 59 percent shooting.Kevin Baggett is in his 12th season at the school and is a two-time MAAC Coach of the Year. He was an assistant coach at Rider from 2006-12 and was promoted to head coach in 2012. A former player at St. Joseph's in the late 1980s, he has been coaching in the college ranks since 1995.Monday's meeting is the first in the series, as NU is 6-1 all-time against teams from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. It is NU's first meeting against a MAAC opponent since a win over Marist in the 2017 Advocare Invitational in Orlando.&nbsp;LAST TIME OUT: RIENK LEADS HUSKERS PAST FLORIDA A&amp;MBehind 20 points and 16 rebounds from Rienk Mast, Nebraska downed Florida A&amp;M, 81-54, on Nov. 9. &nbsp;Mast became the first Husker since 2008 to have at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a game, as the 6-foot-10 forward collected his 19th career double-double.Nebraska showed a balanced attack with three players in double figures. Freshman Eli Rice came off the bench for a season-high 16 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, while Brice Williams had 15 points and six rebounds.The Huskers enjoyed a 55-35 edge on the glass against the Rattlers and held Florida A&amp;M to just 30.3 percent shooting, including 4-of-20 from long range. Nebraska shot just 41 percent from the field but hit 10 3-pointers and went 26-of-35 from the foul line.Nebraska trailed 8-7 before Mast ignited a 12-0 spurt with consecutive 3-pointers, as the Huskers held the Rattlers scoreless for nearly five minutes and pushed the lead to 19-8 after Williams’ 3-point play. A pair of Ja’Derryus Eatmon free throws ended the spurt and FAMU was within 22-12 before Rice and Josiah Allick combined for seven straight points to push the lead to 29-12. Nebraska led by as many as 20 in the first half before taking a 41-25 lead into the locker room.Nebraska opened the second half with a 19-6 scoring run, capped by three-straight 3-pointers, to build a 60-31 advantage after a Williams’ 3-pointer with 12:39 left and cruised to a 27-point win.POSTGAME NOTES VS. FLORIDA A&amp;M<ul>
 <li>Rienk Mast collected his 19th career double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds. &nbsp;The last Husker to have at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a game was Aleks Maric, who had 32 points and 16 rebounds against Missouri on Feb. 13, 2008. &nbsp;</li><li>Mast’s 16 rebounds were the most by a Husker since Yvan Ouedraogo had 19 rebounds against Northwestern on March 1, 2020, and the second-highest rebound total in Hoiberg’s four-plus seasons at Nebraska.</li><li>Nebraska’s 55 rebounds were the most since also collecting 55 against Doane on Dec. 17, 2020. It was the most against a Division I team since having 55 vs. Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 6, 2018.</li><li>Nebraska has had double-figure scoring runs in each of its first two games (10-0 vs. Lindenwood; 12-0 vs. FAMU).</li><li>Nebraska had double-digit 3-pointers for the second straight game, the first time it happened since March 4-7, 2001 (at Iowa, at Northwestern).</li><li>In all, 64 of Nebraska’s 81 points were scored by first-year Huskers, as well as 30 points scored by players coming off the bench. Freshman Eli Rice reached double figures for the first time in his career with 16 points, including 11 in the first half.</li>
 </ul>MAST'S MASSIVE NIGHTRienk Mast put together a strong performance in Nebraska's win against Florida A&amp;M. The 6-foot-10 forward had game highs of 20 points and 16 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and 19th of his career.<ul>
 <li>He became the first Husker in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present) to have a game with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds, and the first Husker to do so since All-Big 12 performer Aleks Maric in 2008.</li><li>Since 1990, only six Huskers have had games with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds. That list includes Aleks Maric, Kimani Ffriend, Venson Hamilton, Mikki Moore and Eric Piatkowski.</li><li>Mast now has nine career 20-point efforts after Thursday's performance. His 16 rebounds were one shy of a career high.</li><li>As of Nov. 11, Mast is fourth in the Big Ten in rebounding, 11th in scoring and 17th in field goal percentage (.524)</li>
 </ul>Huskers with 20+ Points/15+ Rebounds (Since 1990)NameOpponentDatePts.Reb.Rienk MastFAMU11/9/232016Aleks MaricMissouri2/13/083216Aleks MaricAlabama A&amp;M11/17/072116Aleks MaricMissouri2/24/073119Aleks Maricvs. Houston12/23/062115Aleks Maricat Iowa State2/15/063716Kimani FfriendBaylor1/22/20002119Venson HamiltonOkla. St.2/17/992015Mikki Mooreat Nevada3/18/972115Eric PiatkowskiKent12/5/922316Eric PiatkowskiE. Wash.12/21/912315GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN HUSKERS REACH 80Nebraska has shown an explosive offense in the first two games, averaging 82.5 points per game. It is the first time since 2018-19 that NU has scored 80+ points in each of its first two contests.<ul>
 <li>Nebraska will be looking for third straight game with 80+ to open the season. It would be the first time since the 2018-19 team opened the season with four straight games of 80+ points.&nbsp;</li><li>Nebraska is 16-4 under Hoiberg when scoring at least 80 points including 11-1 over the last three seasons. The only loss was a 104-100 quadruple overtime game at North Carolina State in 2021. NU has won its last nine games when reaching the 80-point plateau.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>FINDING BALANCE&nbsp;Nebraska relied on its depth and balance early in the season. While the Huskers have two players averaging double figures, four others are at between 8.0 and 9.5 ppg after two games.<ul>
 <li>Nebraska has had six players reach double figures in the first two contests. The Huskers had five players in double figures in the opener and three players in double figures in the win over Florida A&amp;M.</li><li>NU has gotten at least one double-figure effort from its bench in both contests. In the opener, Sam Hoiberg matched his career high with 15 points off the bench to lead NU in scoring. Against Florida A&amp;M, freshman Eli Rice tallied 16 points in 22 mintues of action.</li><li>The Huskers have done this without Keisei Tominaga (13.1 ppg) and Juwan Gary (9.6 ppg), who have yet to play in NU's first two contests.</li><li>Seven of the 12 players who played in Monday's win were making their Husker debut. In fact, C.J. Wilcher was the only player who appeared in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 openers.</li>
 </ul>HUSKER TRENDS<ul>
 <li>Nebraska is tied for second in the Big Ten with 10.5 3-pointers per game after the first week of action. &nbsp;Since Jamarques Lawrence was inserted into the lineup on Jan. 25, 2023, the Huskers are averaging 8.1 3-pointers per game and shooting at 37 percent behind the line in those 14 contests.&nbsp;</li><li>The Huskers enter the week second in rebounding margin at +12 per game (Purdue is +14.0 per game). NU enjoyed a 55-35 advantage on the glass in the win over Florida A&amp;M. The Huskers will be tested against a Rider team that was in the top-50 nationally in rebounding margin last year. The Broncs enter Monday's game at with a +10.5 per game rebounding margin.&nbsp;</li><li>Sam Hoiberg led NU in scoring for the first time in his career with 15 points against Lindenwood on Nov. 6. Hoiberg became the first walk-on to lead Nebraska in scoring in a game since Paul Velander had 20 points in a 73-51 win over Kansas State on Jan. 17, 2009.</li>
 </ul>

Huskers open Cornhusker Classic with Rider Monday night

Nebraska gymnast Emma Spence earned a gold medal in the floor event at the Gymnova Cup in Keerbergen, Belgium, on Sunday.

Spence posted a total score of 13.267 in the event to take first. Her fellow Team Canada members Aaliyah De Sousa (12.433) and Maddison Hajjar (12.367) placed second and third, respectively. Spence scored a 13.100 in the preliminary rounds on Saturday to qualify her for the finals.

The rising junior also qualified for the finals in the vault after notching a score of 13.733 on Saturday. She finished fifth in the finals on Sunday with a score of 12.434. Annabelle Burrows of Team Australia grabbed the gold (12.834).

In Saturday's all-around, Spence earned a second-place finish with an overall score of 51.000.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska gymnast Emma Spence earned a gold medal in the floor event at the Gymnova Cup in Keerbergen, Belgium, on Sunday.Spence posted a total score of 13.267 in the event to take first. Her fellow Team Canada members Aaliyah De Sousa (12.433) and Maddison Hajjar (12.367) placed second and third, respectively. Spence scored a 13.100 in the preliminary rounds on Saturday to qualify her for the finals.The rising junior also qualified for the finals in the vault after notching a score of 13.733 on Saturday. She finished fifth in the finals on Sunday with a score of 12.434. Annabelle Burrows of Team Australia grabbed the gold (12.834).In Saturday's all-around, Spence earned a second-place finish with an overall score of 51.000.

Spence claims Floor Title at Gymnova Cup

The No. 10 Nebraska rifle team finished in third place at the Fall Classic this weekend. The Huskers shot a team aggregate of 4,700.

Sophomore Emma Rhode represented NU in the top 10 overall, with a ninth-place finish and an aggregate score of 1,176.

In the air rifle, Rhode led the team with a first-place finish and a score of 594. Freshman Charlie Mick also placed in the top 10 (10th, 594). Rhode qualified for the finals and placed seventh. Junior Mackenzie Strauch and senior Cecelia Ossi both shot 589s and Watts (588) and Johannessen (580) rounded out the team.

The Huskers were also in third after the smallbore event on Saturday with a team score of 2,334. Senior Cecelia Ossi (585) and sophomore Tori Watts (585) finished in ninth and 10th, respectively. The tiebreaker was determined by the number of 10-point shots by each athlete.

No. 2 West Virginia finished in first (4,741), No. 7 Air Force was second (2,709), NU&nbsp; placed third (2,334) and No. 6 Murray State was fourth (4,692).

"This has been a disappointing end to the fall session," Head Coach Mindy Miles said. "I had my hopes high for the team finishing strong. The long break for winter will give them time to reflect and find what will make the spring a better performance that they are proud of."

Next up, Nebraska will take a break for the winter before returning to action at Kentucky on Jan. 14.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe No. 10 Nebraska rifle team finished in third place at the Fall Classic this weekend. The Huskers shot a team aggregate of 4,700.Sophomore Emma Rhode represented NU in the top 10 overall, with a ninth-place finish and an aggregate score of 1,176.In the air rifle, Rhode led the team with a first-place finish and a score of 594. Freshman Charlie Mick also placed in the top 10 (10th, 594). Rhode qualified for the finals and placed seventh. Junior Mackenzie Strauch and senior Cecelia Ossi both shot 589s and Watts (588) and Johannessen (580) rounded out the team.The Huskers were also in third after the smallbore event on Saturday with a team score of 2,334. Senior Cecelia Ossi (585) and sophomore Tori Watts (585) finished in ninth and 10th, respectively. The tiebreaker was determined by the number of 10-point shots by each athlete.No. 2 West Virginia finished in first (4,741), No. 7 Air Force was second (2,709), NU&nbsp; placed third (2,334) and No. 6 Murray State was fourth (4,692)."This has been a disappointing end to the fall session," Head Coach Mindy Miles said. "I had my hopes high for the team finishing strong. The long break for winter will give them time to reflect and find what will make the spring a better performance that they are proud of."Next up, Nebraska will take a break for the winter before returning to action at Kentucky on Jan. 14.

Huskers finish in Third at Fall Classic

RPAC All-Conference Volleyball Teams

The Nebraska bowling team finished third at the 2023 Motiv Lady Jack Classic with a record of 9-4 and a total pinfall of 14,236. The Huskers are now 26-13 closing out the fall season.&nbsp;

The Huskers started day three with a best-of seven baker game match against No. 7 Jackson State on Sunday morning. The Gamecocks won the first game, 212 to 177 before the Big Red answered back with a 229 in game two against Jackson State’s 169 to secure the second match win. A close loss in game three (243 to 279) before the Gamecocks caught fire in game four with a 180-232 win. Jackson State would seal the win in game five (165-192) leaving Nebraska to face No. 1 Vanderbilt.&nbsp;

In the second match of the day, the Commodores secured the first three games of the best-of-seven baker game match (180-198, 205-233, 174-290) before Nebraska answered back in games four through six (216-190, 216-156, 224-203). A tie in game seven would secure Vanderbilt the match at 228-228. Nebraska would face No. 6 Youngstown State to compete for a third place finish.&nbsp;

In the final match of the tournament, Youngstown came out of the gate hot with the first win in game one with a 244-267, before Nebraska answered back with a double win in games two (255-192) and three (189-157). Game four (173-194) and five (182-184) would be a battle with Youngstown taking the win. The Huskers answered back to secure the third place finish in game six (221-214) and game seven (211-171).&nbsp;

Up next, the Big Red is back in action Jan. 8-10, as the Huskers travel to Las Vegas, Nev., to compete in the Stormin’ Blue and White, hosted by St. Mary’s University.&nbsp;

Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska Women's Bowling Twitter (@HuskerBowling), Instagram (@huskerbowling) and Facebook.

Motiv Lady Jack Classic (Total Pinfall Day Three):&nbsp;

No. 1 Vanderbilt University (14,336)

No. 6 Youngstown State University (14,519)

No. 2 Arkansas State University (14,333)

No. 9 Maryville University (13,416)

No. 20 Univ. of Wisconsin, Whitewater (12,087)

No. 14 McKendree University (12,194)

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska bowling team finished third at the 2023 Motiv Lady Jack Classic with a record of 9-4 and a total pinfall of 14,236. The Huskers are now 26-13 closing out the fall season.&nbsp;The Huskers started day three with a best-of seven baker game match against No. 7 Jackson State on Sunday morning. The Gamecocks won the first game, 212 to 177 before the Big Red answered back with a 229 in game two against Jackson State’s 169 to secure the second match win. A close loss in game three (243 to 279) before the Gamecocks caught fire in game four with a 180-232 win. Jackson State would seal the win in game five (165-192) leaving Nebraska to face No. 1 Vanderbilt.&nbsp;In the second match of the day, the Commodores secured the first three games of the best-of-seven baker game match (180-198, 205-233, 174-290) before Nebraska answered back in games four through six (216-190, 216-156, 224-203). A tie in game seven would secure Vanderbilt the match at 228-228. Nebraska would face No. 6 Youngstown State to compete for a third place finish.&nbsp;In the final match of the tournament, Youngstown came out of the gate hot with the first win in game one with a 244-267, before Nebraska answered back with a double win in games two (255-192) and three (189-157). Game four (173-194) and five (182-184) would be a battle with Youngstown taking the win. The Huskers answered back to secure the third place finish in game six (221-214) and game seven (211-171).&nbsp;Up next, the Big Red is back in action Jan. 8-10, as the Huskers travel to Las Vegas, Nev., to compete in the Stormin’ Blue and White, hosted by St. Mary’s University.&nbsp;Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska Women's Bowling Twitter (@HuskerBowling), Instagram (@huskerbowling) and Facebook.Motiv Lady Jack Classic (Total Pinfall Day Three):&nbsp;No. 7 Jacksonville State (13,806)No. 1 Vanderbilt University (14,336)No. 3 Univ. of Nebraska (14,236)No. 6 Youngstown State University (14,519)No. 2 Arkansas State University (14,333)No. 5 Stephen F. Austin (12,661)No. 9 Maryville University (13,416)No. 22 Tulane University (12,634)No. 13 Newman University (12,854)Valparaiso University (12,294)No. 20 Univ. of Wisconsin, Whitewater (12,087)No. 14 McKendree University (12,194)Lewis University (11,794)Marian University (11,828)Aurora University (11,469)Carthage College (10,486)

Huskers come up big at Motiv Lady Jack Classic

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — The Big Ten Conference banned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jim-harbaugh">Jim Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;from coaching at Michigan's three remaining regular-season games on Friday, defying a warning from the second-ranked Wolverines in an extraordinary confrontation over an alleged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-jim-harbaugh-3e10afe6ab07e89a623c128c04cd03b0">sign-stealing scheme</a>&nbsp;that has rocked college football.

Harbaugh was disciplined by the conference less than 24 hours before the Wolverines play at No. 9 Penn State in their toughest matchup of the season so far. His team (9-0) has a shot to win a third straight Big Ten title and the school's first national championship since 1997.

Michigan's plane landed in Pennsylvania shortly before the announcement. It issued a statement ridiculing the decision.

“Like all members of the Big Ten Conference, we are entitled to a fair, deliberate, and thoughtful process to determine the full set of facts before a judgment is rendered," the school said. "Today’s action by Commissioner Tony Petitti disregards the conference’s own handbook, violates basic tenets of due process, and sets an untenable precedent of assessing penalties before an investigation has been completed.”

Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of an improper scouting scheme in his program. Michigan warned earlier this week that it was prepared to take possible&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-ten-michigan-sign-stealing-f61527ddff714600862b699ad507b273">legal action</a>&nbsp;if the conference punished the program before a full investigation; the NCAA and the Big Ten are both looking into the claims.

Getting a court order could prove difficult before Saturday's game; Friday is the recognized federal holiday for Veteran’s Day and courts were closed and Michigan noted that in its response.

“To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect,” it said.

The Big Ten said the school had violated its&nbsp;<a href="https://bigten.org/documents/2023/6/20//2022_23_Big_Ten_Sportsmanship_Award_Honorees.pdf?id=8109">sportsmanship policy</a>&nbsp;by conducting “an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years” that resulted in “an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition.” As a result, the Big Ten said&nbsp;<a href="https://bigten.org/news/2023/11/10/general-big-ten-conference-announces-violation-of-sportsmanship-policy-by-university-of-michigan-football-program.aspx">Michigan must play without Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;against the Nittany Lions (8-1) this weekend, next week at Maryland and in the annual showdown game against rival and No. 3 Ohio State two weeks from now. While Harbaugh is allowed at practices and other activities, he cannot be “present at the game venue.”

Such a fight between a conference and one of its most storied members is unheard of. The dispute began three weeks ago and the allegations leaked day by day, with it becoming clear the Wolverines do not want their undefeated season derailed by an unfinished investigation of activities it says Harbaugh knew nothing about and are not unheard of across college football.

Michigan says it is cooperating with the NCAA, which does not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-452b6a83bb0d0a3707f633af72fe92ac">outlaw sign-stealing,</a>&nbsp;but has rules against in-person scouting of opponents and using electronic equipment to steal signs. The allegations against Michigan suggest a far more robust approach to gathering signs.

The low-level staffer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-big-ten-sign-stealing-7b8bf1c599791b8d695d0d7b2676d4f8">at the center of the investigation,</a>&nbsp;Connor Stalions, resigned last week. Through his attorney, Stalions said that, to his knowledge, none of the Michigan coaches told anyone to break rules or were aware of improper conduct when it came to advance scouting.

The NCAA probe is likely to stretch well past the season. Big Ten’s rules allowed for swifter action and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-big-ten-9eedd04038f922cceb5bfc2d0f33d9a3">coaches and athletic directors in the league had pushed Petitti</a>&nbsp;to discipline Michigan under conference bylaws that cover sportsmanship and competitive integrity.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-4aa86354dd9015ffd0a2db9444050bf4">Multiple Big Ten schools</a>&nbsp;found tickets purchased in Stalions’ name to their games over the last three seasons.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-staffer-tickets-49e53bfb99bb18c981011f0dca788565">Tickets to the last two Southeastern Conference championship games</a>&nbsp;were also purchased in Stalions’ name. Big Ten schools have also provided the NCAA some video surveillance footage of people sitting in those seats, holding cellphones pointed toward the field.

Harbaugh served a school-imposed, three-game suspension earlier this season for an unrelated and unresolved NCAA infractions case tied to recruiting. The former star quarterback for the Wolverines has an 80-25 overall record and a 59-17 mark in Big Ten games over nine seasons with the Wolverines.

The Big Ten’s disciplinary action may push Harbaugh to seek another opportunity to coach in the NFL. He tried to go back to the league after the 2021 season.

Michigan has contended that other schools steal signs.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-452b6a83bb0d0a3707f633af72fe92ac">A former employee</a>&nbsp;at a Big Ten football program, whose role was to steal signs, said he was given details from multiple conference schools before his team played Michigan to compile a spreadsheet of play-calling signals used by the Wolverines last year. He spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, fearing the disclosures could impact his coaching career.

The person said he also passed along screenshots of text-message exchanges with staffers from a handful of Big Ten football teams with the Wolverines, giving them proof that other conference teams were colluding to steal signs from Harbaugh’s team.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — The Big Ten Conference banned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jim-harbaugh">Jim Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;from coaching at Michigan's three remaining regular-season games on Friday, defying a warning from the second-ranked Wolverines in an extraordinary confrontation over an alleged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-jim-harbaugh-3e10afe6ab07e89a623c128c04cd03b0">sign-stealing scheme</a>&nbsp;that has rocked college football.Harbaugh was disciplined by the conference less than 24 hours before the Wolverines play at No. 9 Penn State in their toughest matchup of the season so far. His team (9-0) has a shot to win a third straight Big Ten title and the school's first national championship since 1997.Michigan's plane landed in Pennsylvania shortly before the announcement. It issued a statement ridiculing the decision.“Like all members of the Big Ten Conference, we are entitled to a fair, deliberate, and thoughtful process to determine the full set of facts before a judgment is rendered," the school said. "Today’s action by Commissioner Tony Petitti disregards the conference’s own handbook, violates basic tenets of due process, and sets an untenable precedent of assessing penalties before an investigation has been completed.”Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of an improper scouting scheme in his program. Michigan warned earlier this week that it was prepared to take possible&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-ten-michigan-sign-stealing-f61527ddff714600862b699ad507b273">legal action</a>&nbsp;if the conference punished the program before a full investigation; the NCAA and the Big Ten are both looking into the claims.Getting a court order could prove difficult before Saturday's game; Friday is the recognized federal holiday for Veteran’s Day and courts were closed and Michigan noted that in its response.“To ensure fairness in the process, we intend to seek a court order, together with Coach Harbaugh, preventing this disciplinary action from taking effect,” it said.The Big Ten said the school had violated its&nbsp;<a href="https://bigten.org/documents/2023/6/20//2022_23_Big_Ten_Sportsmanship_Award_Honorees.pdf?id=8109">sportsmanship policy</a>&nbsp;by conducting “an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years” that resulted in “an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition.” As a result, the Big Ten said&nbsp;<a href="https://bigten.org/news/2023/11/10/general-big-ten-conference-announces-violation-of-sportsmanship-policy-by-university-of-michigan-football-program.aspx">Michigan must play without Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;against the Nittany Lions (8-1) this weekend, next week at Maryland and in the annual showdown game against rival and No. 3 Ohio State two weeks from now. While Harbaugh is allowed at practices and other activities, he cannot be “present at the game venue.”Such a fight between a conference and one of its most storied members is unheard of. The dispute began three weeks ago and the allegations leaked day by day, with it becoming clear the Wolverines do not want their undefeated season derailed by an unfinished investigation of activities it says Harbaugh knew nothing about and are not unheard of across college football.Michigan says it is cooperating with the NCAA, which does not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-452b6a83bb0d0a3707f633af72fe92ac">outlaw sign-stealing,</a>&nbsp;but has rules against in-person scouting of opponents and using electronic equipment to steal signs. The allegations against Michigan suggest a far more robust approach to gathering signs.The low-level staffer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-big-ten-sign-stealing-7b8bf1c599791b8d695d0d7b2676d4f8">at the center of the investigation,</a>&nbsp;Connor Stalions, resigned last week. Through his attorney, Stalions said that, to his knowledge, none of the Michigan coaches told anyone to break rules or were aware of improper conduct when it came to advance scouting.The NCAA probe is likely to stretch well past the season. Big Ten’s rules allowed for swifter action and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-big-ten-9eedd04038f922cceb5bfc2d0f33d9a3">coaches and athletic directors in the league had pushed Petitti</a>&nbsp;to discipline Michigan under conference bylaws that cover sportsmanship and competitive integrity.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-4aa86354dd9015ffd0a2db9444050bf4">Multiple Big Ten schools</a>&nbsp;found tickets purchased in Stalions’ name to their games over the last three seasons.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-staffer-tickets-49e53bfb99bb18c981011f0dca788565">Tickets to the last two Southeastern Conference championship games</a>&nbsp;were also purchased in Stalions’ name. Big Ten schools have also provided the NCAA some video surveillance footage of people sitting in those seats, holding cellphones pointed toward the field.Harbaugh served a school-imposed, three-game suspension earlier this season for an unrelated and unresolved NCAA infractions case tied to recruiting. The former star quarterback for the Wolverines has an 80-25 overall record and a 59-17 mark in Big Ten games over nine seasons with the Wolverines.The Big Ten’s disciplinary action may push Harbaugh to seek another opportunity to coach in the NFL. He tried to go back to the league after the 2021 season.Michigan has contended that other schools steal signs.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-sign-stealing-452b6a83bb0d0a3707f633af72fe92ac">A former employee</a>&nbsp;at a Big Ten football program, whose role was to steal signs, said he was given details from multiple conference schools before his team played Michigan to compile a spreadsheet of play-calling signals used by the Wolverines last year. He spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, fearing the disclosures could impact his coaching career.The person said he also passed along screenshots of text-message exchanges with staffers from a handful of Big Ten football teams with the Wolverines, giving them proof that other conference teams were colluding to steal signs from Harbaugh’s team.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh banned from final 3 regular-season games over sign-stealing allegations

Jackson Polk, a Senior at North Platte High School officially committed to Southeast Community College yesterday night continuing his baseball career at the collegiate level. Polk helped lead the FNBO Nationals to one of its best seasons this year, where the squad ended with a 31-20 record before falling shy of a state title opportunity losing to 5 Points Bank Hastings 8-3 in the Lower Bracket matchup. This last season for the Nationals Polk played predominantly at Shortstop before taking the mound as a trusted right-handed pitcher when called upon by Head Coach Ricky Holm.

"I know the Head Coach at Southeast and know that this is one of the best places for him to continue his Baseball career going forward." Coach Holm said, "They are going to give him the ability to hit and pitch right away which is important to him."

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am extremely blessed to announce my commitment to SCC! I want to thank God, my family, friends, and coaches for everything they have done to get me to this point. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rollcats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rollcats</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SCCBASEBALLNE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SCCBASEBALLNE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Parks_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Parks_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Prospects_NE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Prospects_NE</a> <a href="https://t.co/ei6ZLRdKvL">pic.twitter.com/ei6ZLRdKvL</a>&mdash; Jackson Polk (@Jackpolk24) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jackpolk24/status/1722786146164355136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Jackson Polk, a Senior at North Platte High School officially committed to Southeast Community College yesterday night continuing his baseball career at the collegiate level. Polk helped lead the FNBO Nationals to one of its best seasons this year, where the squad ended with a 31-20 record before falling shy of a state title opportunity losing to 5 Points Bank Hastings 8-3 in the Lower Bracket matchup. This last season for the Nationals Polk played predominantly at Shortstop before taking the mound as a trusted right-handed pitcher when called upon by Head Coach Ricky Holm."I know the Head Coach at Southeast and know that this is one of the best places for him to continue his Baseball career going forward." Coach Holm said, "They are going to give him the ability to hit and pitch right away which is important to him."

Local area athlete announces commitment to Southeast Community College

Nebraska Head Coach Pablo Morales announced five additions to NU’s swimming and diving program on Friday, Nov. 10.

The five-member class features the No. 1 recruit in South Dakota, a Nebraska swimming and diving legacy from Arkansas, a Nevada state champion, a strong distance swimmer out of Virginia and a talented backstroker from Canada.

“I couldn’t be happier with our class of 2024 commitments that became official today,” Morales said. “With their commitment to excellence in the pool as well as the classroom, they will both add to and flourish in the team culture here at Nebraska. They still have some great schoolwork and swimming left to do before they arrive here next fall, but we can’t wait to start guiding their Husker careers.”

Jenna Gogel hails from Bentonville, Ark., where she helped Bentonville West to a runner-up conference finish and a runner-up finish at the Arkansas State Meet. Individually, Gogel captured second in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke at state. She added an 100 breaststroke conference victory and a second-place finish in the 200 IM to her 2022-23 accolades. A Northwest Arkansas Aquatics swimmer, Gogel was named the 2022-23 Swimmer of the Year, selected to the Scholastic All-America Team and a US Open Qualifier in the 100 breaststroke. Gogel is considered the No. 3 recruit from Arkansas. Her mom, BriAnna (Wilkins) Gogel, swam at Nebraska and graduated in 1997.

“I chose Nebraska because of the incredible academic support for student athletes,” Gogel said. “The team and their team culture was beyond amazing and I felt like I fit right in. I believe Coach Pablo (Morales) and Coach Pat (Rowan) will take me to the next level in my swimming career.”&nbsp;

Katy Zboinski comes to Lincoln from Sparks, Nev., where she attends Spanish Springs High School. She has broken the 100 breaststroke school record the past two seasons and was the 2023 NIAA 3A 5A State Champion and the NIAA 3A 5A Northern Region Champion in the 100 breaststroke. Currently the seventh-ranked recruit out of Nevada, she competed at the USA Swimming Futures Championship in Sacramento, Calif. over the summer, placing ninth in the 200 breaststroke and 25th in the 100 breaststroke in personal-best long-course times.

“I chose Nebraska because they truly care about their athletes and I will get an excellent education and join an amazing swim program,” Zboinski said.

As the top-ranked recruit out of South Dakota, Jazmyn Lunn has a decorated career with the Sioux Falls Swim Team, recording two state championships and 87 individual states titles. The freestyle and butterfly specialist also owns nine total state records, including five individual events and four relays. Over the summer, Lunn competed at the USA Swimming Futures Championship in Fargo, N.D., placing second in the 100 butterfly and sixth in the 200 butterfly.

“I chose Nebraska because the culture is incredible, and they make sure all of their athletes are taken care of in and out of the pool,” Lunn said.

Marissa Laurin, a senior at St. Joseph Catholic, brings talent to Nebraska’s backstroke group. &nbsp;From Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada, she swam for the Grande Prairie Piranhas and was honored as the Swimmer of the Year and the Most Improved Swimmer. Lauren earned bronze in the 200 backstroke at the Canada Summer Games and placed inside the top-10 in Canada in her age group in multiple events. Her club team placed third in medium sized teams in provincial championships.

“I chose Nebraska because I know Pablo (Morales) and Patrick (Rowan) are great coaches and will help me improve in my sport and have created a positive team atmosphere that I am excited to be a part of,” Lauren. “The academic and athletic support has far surpassed what I was looking for in a school and made the decision a lot easier.&nbsp;

An addition to Nebraska’s distance corps, Riley Miklos currently swims for Deep Run High School and Nova of Virginia Aquatics. In the 2023 season, Miklos was a state finalist in the 200 and 500 freestyle. Additionally, she was a short-course state finalist for her club team in the 200, 500 and 1000 freestyle along with the 200 butterfly. At the NCSA Summer Championships, Miklos finished 14th in the 800 freestyle, 19th in the 400 freestyle and 23rd in the 400 IM.

“I chose Nebraska because I felt the environment, coaches, and teammates would enable me to be the best swimmer and student I could be,” Miklos said.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska Head Coach Pablo Morales announced five additions to NU’s swimming and diving program on Friday, Nov. 10.The five-member class features the No. 1 recruit in South Dakota, a Nebraska swimming and diving legacy from Arkansas, a Nevada state champion, a strong distance swimmer out of Virginia and a talented backstroker from Canada.“I couldn’t be happier with our class of 2024 commitments that became official today,” Morales said. “With their commitment to excellence in the pool as well as the classroom, they will both add to and flourish in the team culture here at Nebraska. They still have some great schoolwork and swimming left to do before they arrive here next fall, but we can’t wait to start guiding their Husker careers.”Jenna Gogel hails from Bentonville, Ark., where she helped Bentonville West to a runner-up conference finish and a runner-up finish at the Arkansas State Meet. Individually, Gogel captured second in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke at state. She added an 100 breaststroke conference victory and a second-place finish in the 200 IM to her 2022-23 accolades. A Northwest Arkansas Aquatics swimmer, Gogel was named the 2022-23 Swimmer of the Year, selected to the Scholastic All-America Team and a US Open Qualifier in the 100 breaststroke. Gogel is considered the No. 3 recruit from Arkansas. Her mom, BriAnna (Wilkins) Gogel, swam at Nebraska and graduated in 1997.“I chose Nebraska because of the incredible academic support for student athletes,” Gogel said. “The team and their team culture was beyond amazing and I felt like I fit right in. I believe Coach Pablo (Morales) and Coach Pat (Rowan) will take me to the next level in my swimming career.”&nbsp;Katy Zboinski comes to Lincoln from Sparks, Nev., where she attends Spanish Springs High School. She has broken the 100 breaststroke school record the past two seasons and was the 2023 NIAA 3A 5A State Champion and the NIAA 3A 5A Northern Region Champion in the 100 breaststroke. Currently the seventh-ranked recruit out of Nevada, she competed at the USA Swimming Futures Championship in Sacramento, Calif. over the summer, placing ninth in the 200 breaststroke and 25th in the 100 breaststroke in personal-best long-course times.“I chose Nebraska because they truly care about their athletes and I will get an excellent education and join an amazing swim program,” Zboinski said.As the top-ranked recruit out of South Dakota, Jazmyn Lunn has a decorated career with the Sioux Falls Swim Team, recording two state championships and 87 individual states titles. The freestyle and butterfly specialist also owns nine total state records, including five individual events and four relays. Over the summer, Lunn competed at the USA Swimming Futures Championship in Fargo, N.D., placing second in the 100 butterfly and sixth in the 200 butterfly.“I chose Nebraska because the culture is incredible, and they make sure all of their athletes are taken care of in and out of the pool,” Lunn said.Marissa Laurin, a senior at St. Joseph Catholic, brings talent to Nebraska’s backstroke group. &nbsp;From Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada, she swam for the Grande Prairie Piranhas and was honored as the Swimmer of the Year and the Most Improved Swimmer. Lauren earned bronze in the 200 backstroke at the Canada Summer Games and placed inside the top-10 in Canada in her age group in multiple events. Her club team placed third in medium sized teams in provincial championships.“I chose Nebraska because I know Pablo (Morales) and Patrick (Rowan) are great coaches and will help me improve in my sport and have created a positive team atmosphere that I am excited to be a part of,” Lauren. “The academic and athletic support has far surpassed what I was looking for in a school and made the decision a lot easier.&nbsp;An addition to Nebraska’s distance corps, Riley Miklos currently swims for Deep Run High School and Nova of Virginia Aquatics. In the 2023 season, Miklos was a state finalist in the 200 and 500 freestyle. Additionally, she was a short-course state finalist for her club team in the 200, 500 and 1000 freestyle along with the 200 butterfly. At the NCSA Summer Championships, Miklos finished 14th in the 800 freestyle, 19th in the 400 freestyle and 23rd in the 400 IM.“I chose Nebraska because I felt the environment, coaches, and teammates would enable me to be the best swimmer and student I could be,” Miklos said.

Neb Swim & Dive: Morales announces five signees

OMAHA, Nebraska&nbsp;- The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.supernovas.com/" target="_blank">Omaha Supernovas</a>, Nebraska’s first and only major league professional volleyball team in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.provolleyball.com/" target="_blank">Pro Volleyball Federation</a>, announced today that&nbsp;Doctor Larry Widman&nbsp;will be joining the franchise as part of the Performance Team for the inaugural season which kicks off with the league’s first-ever match on January 24, 2024, at the CHI Health Center, between the Supernovas and the Atlanta Vibe.&nbsp;

“We are very excited for Dr. Widman to join our sports performance team,” said Supernovas Head Coach&nbsp;Shelton Collier. “He has an impressive history of successes with volleyball programs and players in Nebraska and nationwide. He’s&nbsp;the ideal person to step into this important role&nbsp;with us as we get things started with our team here in Omaha. He has an awesome perspective and will certainly be very valuable&nbsp;to our staff and players as we navigate this first season together.”&nbsp;

Doctor Widman&nbsp;has more than 25 years of experience as a psychiatrist, nearly 20 of which has been working as a high-performance mindset coach. The author of several books including “Max Out Mindset” and “Max Out Mindset for Volleyball”,&nbsp;Dr. Widman has worked with professional athletes, Olympians, and elite-level college and high school athletes. He works with multiple NCAA, NAIA, and top high school programs throughout the country. That includes being the mindset coach for American volleyball icon&nbsp;Jordan Larson&nbsp;who he coached in the buildup to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in which the U.S.A. would win the gold medal for the first time.&nbsp;

Doctor Widman’s work branches out further, helping many of the top college volleyball teams in the nation. He was an integral part in assisting&nbsp;Nebraska Volleyball Head Coach&nbsp;John Cook&nbsp;rediscover&nbsp;his passion for coaching while helping him understand the modern athlete. He has also worked with Creighton Volleyball Head Coach&nbsp;Kirsten Bernthal Booth, and her program, since 2012. During that time the Bluejays&nbsp;have made 11 consecutive NCAA Tournaments including a Sweet 16 run in 2015 followed by an Elite Eight appearance in 2016.&nbsp;

“I am thrilled to be taking on a supporting role with the Omaha Supernovas!” said&nbsp;Dr. Widman. “My life's journey has uniquely prepared me for this opportunity to offer top-tier mindset training to some of the world’s most talented volleyball players and coaches as we bring real pro&nbsp;volleyball to the United States. My focus is on the whole person, with the goal of helping them max out when it matters the most in life and sport.”&nbsp;

A Westside High School graduate, Dr. Widman completed his medical schooling at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and did a combined residency with UNMC and Creighton University. Doctor Widman lives in Lincoln with his wife Julie and has two children, Bennett&nbsp;and Sophie.&nbsp;

REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL&nbsp;competition will officially begin in the United States with the Omaha Supernovas hosting the Atlanta Vibe in the first match in league history at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha on January 24, at 7:00 p.m. CT. Nebraska supports volleyball better than anyone, as evidenced by the more than 92,000 fans that turned out this season for a collegiate match at the Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium in August, setting a new world record for the highest attended women’s sporting event.&nbsp;

The Supernovas are one of seven U.S. teams for the 2024 inaugural season: Omaha Supernovas,&nbsp;<a href="https://atlantavibe.com/inaugural-season-tickets-on-sale/" target="_blank">Atlanta Vibe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://orlandoprovb.com/" target="_blank">Orlando Valkyries</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbusfury.com/" target="_blank">Columbus Fury</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grrise.com/" target="_blank">Grand Rapids Rise</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://sandiegoprovb.com/" target="_blank">San Diego Mojo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://vegasprovb.com/" target="_blank">Vegas Pro Volleyball</a>. Two expansion teams,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dallasprovolleyball.com/" target="_blank">Dallas Pro Volleyball</a>&nbsp;and Kansas City Pro Volleyball, have been announced for 2025. In Season One, the Pro Volleyball Federation will be showcased&nbsp;in three different U.S. time zones. Matches will take place on 67 different dates between January and May 2024, occurring on every day of the week.&nbsp;

The Supernovas will play 12 home matches and 12 away matches, for a total of 24 matches in the 16-week regular season.&nbsp;The full schedule is available on the team’s website,&nbsp;<a href="https://supernovas.com/" target="_blank">Supernovas.com</a>. After the regular season, the Supernovas are aiming to be one of the top four squads in the standings that will compete for the Pro Volleyball Federation Championship&nbsp;in May. The location of the championship will be determined and announced at a later date.&nbsp;

The current Supernovas world-class roster includes Olympians, U.S. National Team veterans, NCAA National Champions and All-Americans, to include Bethania de la Cruz, Tori Dixon, Danielle Hart, Sydney Hilley, Gina Mancuso-Prososki, Brooke Nuneviller, Yossiana&nbsp;Pressley, Nia Reed, Jess Schaben-Lansman, Natalia Valentín-Anderson, Hristina Vuchkova, Lindsey Vander Weide and Kendall White.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699632156772.jpeg" alt="Dr. Larry Widman" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Larry Widman</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Nebraska&nbsp;- The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.supernovas.com/" target="_blank">Omaha Supernovas</a>, Nebraska’s first and only major league professional volleyball team in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.provolleyball.com/" target="_blank">Pro Volleyball Federation</a>, announced today that&nbsp;Doctor Larry Widman&nbsp;will be joining the franchise as part of the Performance Team for the inaugural season which kicks off with the league’s first-ever match on January 24, 2024, at the CHI Health Center, between the Supernovas and the Atlanta Vibe.&nbsp;“We are very excited for Dr. Widman to join our sports performance team,” said Supernovas Head Coach&nbsp;Shelton Collier. “He has an impressive history of successes with volleyball programs and players in Nebraska and nationwide. He’s&nbsp;the ideal person to step into this important role&nbsp;with us as we get things started with our team here in Omaha. He has an awesome perspective and will certainly be very valuable&nbsp;to our staff and players as we navigate this first season together.”&nbsp;Doctor Widman&nbsp;has more than 25 years of experience as a psychiatrist, nearly 20 of which has been working as a high-performance mindset coach. The author of several books including “Max Out Mindset” and “Max Out Mindset for Volleyball”,&nbsp;Dr. Widman has worked with professional athletes, Olympians, and elite-level college and high school athletes. He works with multiple NCAA, NAIA, and top high school programs throughout the country. That includes being the mindset coach for American volleyball icon&nbsp;Jordan Larson&nbsp;who he coached in the buildup to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in which the U.S.A. would win the gold medal for the first time.&nbsp;Doctor Widman’s work branches out further, helping many of the top college volleyball teams in the nation. He was an integral part in assisting&nbsp;Nebraska Volleyball Head Coach&nbsp;John Cook&nbsp;rediscover&nbsp;his passion for coaching while helping him understand the modern athlete. He has also worked with Creighton Volleyball Head Coach&nbsp;Kirsten Bernthal Booth, and her program, since 2012. During that time the Bluejays&nbsp;have made 11 consecutive NCAA Tournaments including a Sweet 16 run in 2015 followed by an Elite Eight appearance in 2016.&nbsp;“I am thrilled to be taking on a supporting role with the Omaha Supernovas!” said&nbsp;Dr. Widman. “My life's journey has uniquely prepared me for this opportunity to offer top-tier mindset training to some of the world’s most talented volleyball players and coaches as we bring real pro&nbsp;volleyball to the United States. My focus is on the whole person, with the goal of helping them max out when it matters the most in life and sport.”&nbsp;A Westside High School graduate, Dr. Widman completed his medical schooling at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and did a combined residency with UNMC and Creighton University. Doctor Widman lives in Lincoln with his wife Julie and has two children, Bennett&nbsp;and Sophie.&nbsp;REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL&nbsp;competition will officially begin in the United States with the Omaha Supernovas hosting the Atlanta Vibe in the first match in league history at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha on January 24, at 7:00 p.m. CT. Nebraska supports volleyball better than anyone, as evidenced by the more than 92,000 fans that turned out this season for a collegiate match at the Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium in August, setting a new world record for the highest attended women’s sporting event.&nbsp;The Supernovas are one of seven U.S. teams for the 2024 inaugural season: Omaha Supernovas,&nbsp;<a href="https://atlantavibe.com/inaugural-season-tickets-on-sale/" target="_blank">Atlanta Vibe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://orlandoprovb.com/" target="_blank">Orlando Valkyries</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbusfury.com/" target="_blank">Columbus Fury</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grrise.com/" target="_blank">Grand Rapids Rise</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://sandiegoprovb.com/" target="_blank">San Diego Mojo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://vegasprovb.com/" target="_blank">Vegas Pro Volleyball</a>. Two expansion teams,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dallasprovolleyball.com/" target="_blank">Dallas Pro Volleyball</a>&nbsp;and Kansas City Pro Volleyball, have been announced for 2025. In Season One, the Pro Volleyball Federation will be showcased&nbsp;in three different U.S. time zones. Matches will take place on 67 different dates between January and May 2024, occurring on every day of the week.&nbsp;The Supernovas will play 12 home matches and 12 away matches, for a total of 24 matches in the 16-week regular season.&nbsp;The full schedule is available on the team’s website,&nbsp;<a href="https://supernovas.com/" target="_blank">Supernovas.com</a>. After the regular season, the Supernovas are aiming to be one of the top four squads in the standings that will compete for the Pro Volleyball Federation Championship&nbsp;in May. The location of the championship will be determined and announced at a later date.&nbsp;The current Supernovas world-class roster includes Olympians, U.S. National Team veterans, NCAA National Champions and All-Americans, to include Bethania de la Cruz, Tori Dixon, Danielle Hart, Sydney Hilley, Gina Mancuso-Prososki, Brooke Nuneviller, Yossiana&nbsp;Pressley, Nia Reed, Jess Schaben-Lansman, Natalia Valentín-Anderson, Hristina Vuchkova, Lindsey Vander Weide and Kendall White.&nbsp;Season Tickets are available at the team’s website and on the team’s app, available for download on smartphones and tablets.&nbsp;ABOUT OMAHA SUPERNOVAS&nbsp;The Omaha Supernovas aims to be the premier home of professional volleyball throughout the world. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, Co-Founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.&nbsp;ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION&nbsp;Pro Volleyball Federation is&nbsp;REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL&nbsp;and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America.&nbsp;For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.provolleyball.com/" target="_blank">ProVolleyball.com</a>.