TheCropDuster Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 Soda isn't coming to NU BY LEE BARFKNECHT WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER RELATED LINKS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- » NU Men's Basketball » Big 12 Men's Basketball Nebraska apparently has a 7-foot hole in its men's basketball roster for the coming season. Husker players at the Council Bluffs summer league on Wednesday night said 7-foot, 230-pound Toni Soda from The Patterson (N.C.) School isn't coming to Lincoln because he doesn't have the necessary course work to be eligible. NU coach Barry Collier traveled to Croatia last year to secure Soda's commitment and meet his parents. When Soda signed last November, he was listed as a four-star recruit out of five stars by rivals.com; was ranked No. 35 nationally by HoopScoop recruiting; and was the No. 15 prep school player in rankings by scout.com. Soda's apparent return to prep school and the departure last spring of 6-9 senior forward B.J. Walker leaves Nebraska with only three players taller than 6-7 - 6-11 junior center Aleks Maric, 6-9 sophomore forward Jim Ledsome and 6-8 redshirt freshman Chris Balham. Nebraska captain Charles Richardson, a senior guard, said Wednesday night he assumes that the Huskers are looking to use the two scholarships still available. "We've had a couple of big men on campus within the last couple of months," Richardson said. "There's been no word on that yet. "With recruiting starting up again this week, I assume they are trying to get somebody right away." If Nebraska has front-court playing time available, Balham wants to challenge for it. He was a dunking machine in his game on Wednesday night, putting to good use the 15 pounds he has gained to 235. "Without a doubt, he is the strongest guy on our team," Richardson said. "That's a lot to say for a redshirt freshman." Also drawing good reviews on Wednesday was incoming freshman guard Jay-R Strowbridge from Ardmore, Ala., who committed after freshman guard Marcus Walker transferred. In analyzing the 6-0, 180-pound Strowbridge, Richardson said: "He is really quick and can jump. And he's got good size for the Big 12. He'll come in and get good quality minutes." Roburt Sallie, a 6-5 incoming freshman guard, already is in Lincoln. Two other incoming freshmen - 6-4 guard Ryan Anderson and 6-6 forward Kris Douse - are scheduled to arrive this week, Richardson said. Maric is still in Australia trying to make his home country's national team. He could be gone as late as the first week of September. "Hopefully if Big Al comes back in good shape," Richardson said, "we'll be ready to roll." Contact the Omaha World-Herald newsroom Copyright ©2006 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or distributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald. Quote Link to comment
DJR313 Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 That about figures. Is Collier's contract up yet? Quote Link to comment
KansasHusker Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 With this being the case...Balham is needed to come in and play some big time minutes. He obviously can tear the rim down with his dunks and can rebound...before last season I said to myself this was our dark horse guy that will end up tearing it up for us...now it's time to unleash the beast in this KS guy. Quote Link to comment
TrueHuskerFan20 Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 can anything else happen to husker hoops?? why cant there ever be good news when basketball is the topic??? Quote Link to comment
T-BONE Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 why dont coaches look in to this stuff more then what they do ? Its just hard to believe that the coaches didnt know much about him and his classes ! Quote Link to comment
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 Might as well turn the team over to the AAU assistant coming in. He couldn't do any worse with this depleted roster. Quote Link to comment
Tommie15 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 looks like pederson dropped the ball again Quote Link to comment
dbetz23 Posted July 9, 2006 Share Posted July 9, 2006 FIRE COLLIER NOW! (I'M SERIOUS!) Quote Link to comment
T-BONE Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 I looked at our basketball roster and he is on it for next year why is this ? Quote Link to comment
KansasHusker Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 I looked at our basketball roster and he is on it for next year why is this ? Just hasn't been updated thats all. He won't be here next year. Quote Link to comment
T-BONE Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 I know its been awhile but what ever happend to this kid? Did he end up going to JC or what? Just kind of curious! Quote Link to comment
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