It was only a week ago that Nebraska was on the bubble to make the tournament.  Three losses later they find themselves in desperate need to win their conference tournament. They are certainly not picked to win, but I propose that if a couple of things happen in their favor it could be more than just a dream.

Nebraska's incredible defense has made them competitive in every game they have played.  Their defense has been ranked 11th in the nation for most of the season.  Which is an incredible statistic when yo realize they also have one of the smallest teams in the nation. 

Nebraska also takes care of the ball better than most.  With a great defense and an offense that doesn't throw away the ball you have a foundation for success. 

With that being said there are a few things that have to happen in order for the Huskers to pull off a miracle:

1)  Down the stretch of this season Ade Dagunduro has shown himself to be the team leader.  No one questions who the ball goes to in a must score situation.  In their last game Kansas State had no answer for him, but Dagunduro gave them their answer, he fouled. 

He only played nine minutes in the first half of their game because of foul trouble.  In those nine minutes he put up nice statistics including nine points.  The second half was more of the same.

Dagunduro has to establish himself as a scorer early and stay out of foul trouble in order for Nebraska to win their conference tournament.  He is the key man on the court and he has to know that it is up to him to lead the Huskers to victory. 

Nebraska is very team oriented and they have never been a one man show, but in order to pull off a miracle they need Dagunduro to be a little more selfish.  He is their best shooter, play maker, and on the court leader.  

2)  Nebraska also needs a lot of help from their bench.  Ryan Anderson was just under 20 points last game.  They will need more big games from him when they face teams like Kansas, Mizzou, and Oklahoma.  Toney McCray is another player that needs to put up some numbers off the bench. 

Fresh legs always help a defensive team stay fresh and in the face of their opponents. Doc Sadler has done well this year with the amount of substitutions he has used.  Now we just need that bench to step up and put some points on the board.

3)  Paul Velander is undoubtedly the best three point shooter on the team.  He needs to be more consistent for the Huskers to win.  He tends to only shoot whenever it is a must have three point situation or he is wide open.

Velander needs to be able to roll off a screen and drill it.  He cannot wait for the wide open shot that rarely comes and he cannot wait for the situation that calls for a three because that is the only time he is double teamed.  

4) Lastly, I would like to see a little change in Doc Sadler's game plan.  That is hard for me to say because I greatly respect him and think he is an amazing coach that will make the Huskers a championship winning team. 

With that being said I think he must five Chris Balham and Alonzo Edwards more minutes. I know Balham is not the most talented and Edwards is only a freshman, but the fact is if they don't get more height on the court they cannot win the conference tournament. 

Blake Griffin from Oklahoma, Darren Kent from Kansas State, and Cole Aldrich from Kansas will all single handily dominate the Huskers if Sadler does not put some height against them.

If those four things happen the Nebraska Cornhuskers can pull off the miracle and win the Big 12 tournament.

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