BAYLOR (1-6, 1-6) at NEBRASKA (14-6, 4-3)
Feb. 4, 2006 - Devaney Center (Lincoln, Neb.) - 8:00 p.m. CST

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RADIO: Baylor/ISP Sports Radio Network (ESPN/KRZI 1660AM Waco / KMKI 620AM Dallas)
INTERNET AUDIO: live broadcast at BaylorBears.com
TELEVISION: ESPN+Plus complete TV listings
INTERNET VIDEO: none
LIVE STATS: check www.huskers.com

THE GAME
Baylor, coming off its first win, plays the eighth game of its abbreviated season when it faces Nebraska Saturday, Feb. 4, in Lincoln. Tipoff at the Devaney Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. CST and the game will be televised live via ESPN+Plus syndicated stations (Time-Warner Cable channel 16 in Waco/Temple/Bryan). Baylor (1-6, 1-6) snapped a 20-game losing streak Wednesday with a 72-70 win over Kansas State. BU has played just seven games after an NCAA ban removed all non-conference games. The result is that the youthful Bears, playing four freshmen among their eight-man rotation, have faced opponents in mid-season form and played the nation's toughest schedule. Nebraska (14-6, 4-3) have won two straight, most recently a 59-57 victory at Oklahoma State Tuesday. Baylor is celebrating its 100th season of basketball in 2005-06.

BAYLOR TIP-INS
- BU's schedule is rated the nation's toughest (by ESPN.com & CBSSportsLine RPI).
- Baylor's "Freshmen Four" account for 53% of the team's scoring, 54% of rebounds, 58% of assists and 53% of minutes played.
- Mamadou Diene ranks 2nd in the Big 12 in offensive rebounds (3.7 orpg) and 4th in blocks per game (1.7 bpg).
- BU's 4 freshmen are outproducing the Bears' 4 returning starters in scoring (30.3-19.0 average points) and rebounding (17.6-10.1 average boards).
- Baylor is 0-6 all-time vs. Nebraska in Lincoln.
- Over the last 6 seasons Baylor is 14-22 (.389) vs. Big 12 North teams and just 8-40 (.140) vs. Southern teams.
- Baylor is 3-26 in its last 29 away games (dating to `02-03) and has lost 12 straight.
- Baylor's bench has accounted for 43% of its scoring (170 of 398 points).
- Baylor has shot 43% (33-77) on 3-pointers over the last 3 games; led by Henry Dugat (10-20), Curtis Jerrells (6-14), Patrick Fields (3-6) & Aaron Bruce (10-25).
- Aaron Bruce ranks 4th in the Big 12 in 3-pointers per game (2.7) and 8th in 3-point percentage (35.8%).
- Henry Dugat ranks 6th in the Big 12 in 3-pointers per game (2.3) and 4th in 3-point percentage (43.2%).
- Freshman Mamadou Diene has made at least block in all 7 career games (1.7 bpg).
- Baylor's Aaron Bruce and Nebraska's Aleks Maric are fellow Australians and former high school and national-team teammates.
- For the 3rd straight season BU is playing without its full allotment of scholarships (12 available, 10 filled).
- Underclassmen have led BU in scoring in 31 of its last 35 games (dating to last year) [in 22 of last 35 a freshman has been top scorer].
- Baylor's roster includes 6 freshmen, more than any other Big 12 team.
- Baylor is 12-2 when scoring 70+ points (in Drew Era; 3 seasons).
- Baylor teams have made at least one 3-point basket in 413 straight games.
- Baylor will play a minimum of 17 games this season. The last time BU played fewer than 21 games was 1944-45 (0-17).

HEAD COACH Scott Drew
Scott Drew, in his third season at Baylor in what many have called the most daunting rebuilding project in college basketball history, owns a three-year mark of 18-46 at the school and a career record of 38-57 (four seasons). Prior to Baylor, Drew spent 10 seasons at Valparaiso, the last as head coach after nine seasons as an assistant to his father Homer. During his decade at Valpo, the Crusaders earned six NCAA Tournament berths, including five straight from 1996-2000. An outstanding recruiter, Drew is responsible for four national Top-20 recruiting classes over the last seven years (No. 17 in 2005 and No. 10 in 2004 at Baylor; No. 6 in 2001 and No. 13 in 1999 at Valpo). He was named the 1998-99 National Recruiter of the Year by Court Vision.

THE NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
Nebraska (14-6, 4-3) is led by sixth-year head coach Barry Collier, who is 84-83 while at Lincoln. Collier owns a career record of 280-215; he spent 11 seasons as the head coach at Butler, his alma mater, prior to taking over at Nebraska.

NU NOTES: Nebraska is 12-2 at home this season... Nebraska is led by senior F Wes Wilkinson, who averages 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds... Wilkinson leads the Big 12 in both 3-point shooting percentage (48.7%) and blocks (2.11 bpg)... Sophomore C Aleks Maric is a native of Sydney, Australia and former teammate of Baylor's Aaron Bruce at the Australian Institute of Sport... The pair were also teammates on Australia's national team that won the 2003 World Championships.

THE NEBRASKA SERIES
Saturday marks the 16th meeting between Baylor and Nebraska. The Huskers lead the series, which dates back to 1949, by a 10-5 tally. The Bears are winless in six games played in Lincoln. The series began with a 71-55 Nebraska victory in December 1949 over Bill Henderson's Baylor squad that would advance to the 1950 NCAA Final Four.

WINLESS SKID SNAPPED
Baylor snapped a 20-game losing streak Wednesday with its 72-70 overtime win over Kansas State. The victory was the Bears' first since Jan. 19, 2005 vs. Colorado. The win, propelled by freshmen guards Henry Dugat (23 points) and Curtis Jerrells (game-winning 3-pointer), made No. 3 on ESPN SportsCenter's "Top 10 Winning Moments" on Wednesday.

CRIPPLING SANCTIONS & INEXPERIENCED ROSTER
Baylor's basketball program has been hamstrung by a crippling combination of no non-conference games and heavy inexperience. Due to NCAA sanctions Baylor has been set back by having to play teams in mid-season form (what Texas Tech head coach Bob Knight termed a "tremendous handicap"). At the same time, the Bears are having to do so with a roster loaded with freshmen lacking collegiate experience (Baylor's "Freshmen Four" play an average of 27.0 minutes between them).

"FRESHMAN FOUR" LEADING THE BEARS
Four of Baylor's six freshmen (Mamadou Diene, Henry Dugat, Curtis Jerrells, and Kevin Rogers) are playing significant minutes and have made an immediate impact on this year's team. Through seven games, the freshmen have combined for 53 percent of the team's points, 54 percent of the rebounds, 58 percent of the assists and 53 percent of the minutes played.

DUGAT'S INSTANT OFFENSE
In the last two games freshman G Henry Dugat has displayed impressive scoring prowess off of the bench. He has averaged 20.5 points and led the team in scoring in each of the last two games. At Texas A&M Dugat scored 13 straight points over five minutes and nine seconds in the second half. In the K-State win he scored 17 of Baylor's 20 points during a seven-minute, 20-second stretch in the first.

NATION'S TOUGHEST SCHEDULE
Baylor's lack of non-conference games resulted in a schedule filled solely with Big 12 opponents. The Bears' difficult conference-only slate is rated the nation's toughest strength of schedule by the RPI on ESPN.com and CBSSportsLine.com.

HALF A SEASON
Due to unprecedented NCAA sanctions brought on by the previous coaching staff, Baylor did not play any regular-season non-conference games this season. Baylor will play a minimum of 17 games this season (16-game Big 12 schedule plus at least one game in Big 12 Championship). The last time the Bears played fewer than 21 games in a season was 1944-45, when Baylor finished 0-17. [NOTE: Baylor is eligible for postseason play]

BAYLOR ROOKIES OUTPERFORMING THE VETERANS
Baylor's four returning starters haven't carried the team as much as most Bear fans might have expected heading into the season. The quartet (sophomores Aaron Bruce and Richard Hurd, junior Tim Bush and senior Tommy Swanson) is averaging just 19.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game combined; in comparison Baylor's four freshmen combine to average 30.3 points and 17.6 rebounds.

BAPTISM BY FIRE FOR BAYLOR'S CUBS
Rarely have collegiate freshmen been thrust into NCAA Division I play as emphatically as Baylor's cubs. The Bears rookies, without the benefit of exhibition contests or non-conference games, jumped right from the high school ranks into Big 12 play (and the nation's toughest schedule). Additionally, the freshmen are playing substantial minutes against experienced opponents in mid-season form.

BRUCE TRYING TO AVOID SOPHOMORE SLUMP
The Bears leading scorer, second-year guard Aaron Bruce, has experienced a drop in production from his sensational rookie year in which he led the nation's freshmen in scoring (18.2 ppg) and earned All-Big 12 and Freshman All-American accolades. Bruce's scoring average is down to 11.4 points per game through seven games. He is eighth in the Big 12 in 3-point percentage (35.8%) and fourth in 3-pointers made (2.7 3pg).

NORTH vs. SOUTH
Over the last six seasons Baylor has had much more success against Big 12 North schools than those in the South. Baylor is 14-22 (.389) the last six seasons vs. Northern schools and just 8-40 (.140) vs. teams in the South.

BAYLOR'S THREE TRUE FRESHMEN REMINISCENT OF `01-02 TRIO
Baylor's three true freshmen - Henry Dugat, Curtis Jerrells and Kevin Rogers - have made an immediate impact this season; an impact that is reminiscent of another trio of Bear cubs that made a big splash in 2001-02. This year's freshmen are putting up numbers comparable to the previous trio of John Lucas III, Lawrence Roberts and Kenny Taylor. [Lucas and Roberts were eventual All-Americans and NBA players].

BAYLOR TRUE FRESHMEN            MPG PPG RPG APG'05-06 True Freshman (Dugat, Jerrells & Rogers) 80.1    26.8    10.9    5.7'01-02 True Freshman (Lucas, Roberts & Taylor)  69.3    33.7    11.4    5.5

EMERGENCE OF "THE MAYOR"
Mamadou Diene, a seven-foot redshirt freshman from Senegal, has made his presence felt early in his young career. Diene, referred to as "The Mayor" by the Baylor coaching staff due to his huge popularity across campus, has averaged 3.6 points, 6.7 rebounds (12th in the Big 12) and 1.7 blocks (fourth in the league) per game in his first seven games played. Diene ranks second in the Big 12 in offensive rebounds, averaging 3.7 per game. The 18-year-old Diene has gained more than 40 pounds since his arrival in the United States in Jan. 2005 weighing 197 pounds.

MILESTONES & RECORDS WATCH
- Aaron Bruce ranks 5th on Baylor's career 3-point percentage list (.389).
- Tommy Swanson is 3 blocks shy of entering Baylor's Top 10 career blocks list (52 blocks, two players tied at No. 9 with 55).
- Aaron Bruce is 9 made 3-pointers shy of entering Baylor's Top 10 career 3-point field goal list (86 made, Patrick Hunter No. 10 with 97).
- Mamadou Diene is 13 blocks shy of qualifying for Baylor's single-season blocks list (would be 7th at 1.71).
- Tommy Swanson is 1 disqualification shy of moving into a 7th place tie on Baylor's Top 10 career fouled out list (12 FOs, 3 players tied at No. 7 with 13).
- Kevis Shipman is 10 made 3-pointers shy of qualifying for BU's career 3-point percentage list (would be 7th at .367).

ROAD WOES
Baylor owns a 3-26 record in its last 29 games away from home (dating back to the 2002-2003 season) and has lost 12 straight. The Bears are 2-23 in their last 25 games played on opponents' home courts and have lost 11 straight.

THE LAST MEETING: NEBRASKA 74 - BAYLOR 63 [Feb. 12, 2005]
Jake Muhleisen scored 20 points to lead Nebraska to a 74-63 win over Baylor at the Ferrell Center, Baylor's seventh straight loss. Four Baylor players scored in double-digits, led by freshman guard Aaron Bruce's 17, but foul trouble for Bruce and Tommy Swanson doomed the undermanned Bears. Swanson picked up his fourth foul less than two minutes into the second half. After Baylor cut the Husker lead to 36-35 on two Tim Bush free throws with 15:39 remaining, Nebraska went on an 11-3 run and took control. Bruce received his fourth foul during the Nebraska run, which gave the Huskers a 47-38 lead with 10 and a half minutes to go. Nebraska went inside to freshman center Aleks Maric, who scored 10 of the next 12 points to give the Huskers a 59-48 lead with 5:39 remaining. The Cornhuskers finished with a 34-25 rebounding edge.

LAST TIME OUT: BAYLOR 72 -KANSAS STATE 70 OT
Freshman Curtis Jerrells nailed a game-winning 3-pointer to lift underdog Baylor to an improbable 72-70 overtime win over Kansas State at the Ferrell Center. The win snapped a 20-game losing streak that dated to Jan. 19, 2005, for the Bears, who have been crippled by sanctions the last three seasons. Jerrells took a skip pass from Tim Bush on the left wing and swished the game-winner from 24 feet with 21.4 seconds remaining. After Jerrell's basket, K-State had two more chances. Kevin Rogers rebounded a 3-point miss by Lance Harris with eight seconds left but a jump ball was called when Rogers fell to the ground. Alternate possession gave the ball to the Wildcats with 2.3 seconds remaining. Kansas State inbounded to Cartier Martin, whose shot glanced off the backboard. Henry Dugat got the rebound as time expired. Rogers' putback tied the game 62-62 for the Bears with 1:21 left in regulation. Neither team could score in the final minute and Martin missed two potential winning jumpers for the Wildcats, the second at the buzzer. Dugat scored 17 in the first half and led all scorers with a career-high 23 points. The Bears were playing without forward Pat Fields, out with a sprained wrist, and lost leading-scorer Aaron Bruce to fouls. Bruce missed the final 12 minutes of the game. Baylor trailed 23-13 with just over eight minutes to play in the first half but cut the margin to 33-32 at halftime. The Bears took their first lead of the game at 47-45 on Bruce's 3-pointer with 14 minutes to play in the second half.

BAYLOR'S THIRD HANDICAPPED SEASON
For the third straight year, Baylor enters the season without its full allotment of scholarships. The Bears have 12 available scholarships (only 10 filled). During head coach Scott Drew's first two seasons, Baylor dressed seven or fewer scholarship players in every game.

VERY YOUNG CUBS
Baylor has six freshmen on its roster (5 true, 1 redshirt), the school's highest such total in 28 years (7 frosh on '78-79 squad) and the most of any Big 12 team. BU's roster boasts two seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen.

BEARS REACH NEW HEIGHTS... LITERALLY
Unlike last season when Baylor's roster had a noticeable lack of height - with only two players taller than 6-6 (one a walk-on) - the 2005-2006 roster boasts five such players: Kevin Rogers (6-9), Mark Shepherd (6-9), Tommy Swanson (6-10), Jari Vanttaja (6-10) and Mamadou Diene (7-0).

PRESEASON HONORS
Aaron Bruce is rated the eighth-best point guard nationally by CBSSportsline.com and No. 12 in Lindy's preseason publication and is also honored with the league's "Best Instincts" by Street & Smith's magazine. The sophomore was also projected an All-Big 12 honoree by Lindy's and Athlon. Baylor freshman Kevin Rogers was named the Big 12's "No. 1 Signing Coup" by Lindy's and Rivals, as well as being tabbed a "Top 100 College Freshman by Street & Smith's.

SWANSON'S SENIOR EXPERIENCE A RARITY
Fourth-year senior Tommy Swanson entered the season as not only the most experienced member of the Bear squad - he's also a rare veteran in BU's recent basketball history. Swanson was just the second BU player in the last six years to enter his senior season with more than 60 career games played as a Bear (73 prior to season); former teammate Matt Sayman had 89 entering senior year.

INTERNATIONAL ROSTER
Baylor's 13-man 2005-2006 roster boasts 10 Americans and three players from overseas. The three, all signed by Scott Drew in the last two years, include sophomore Aaron Bruce (native of Australia), redshirt freshman Mamadou Diene (native of Senegal) and freshman Jari Vanttaja (native of Finland).

RECRUITING CLASS RATED 11th NATIONALLY
Baylor's 2005 signee class was rated the nation's 11th-best class by Rivals and No. 17 according to HoopScoop. The class includes three national Top-100 freshmen and a top international signee. The signees include four prep seniors, Henry Dugat of Dayton (Texas) High School, Curtis Jerrells of Del Valle High School in Austin, Texas and Kevin Rogers of South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas; as well as Jari Vanttaja of Oulu, Finland.

100th SEASON OF BASKETBALL
The 2005-2006 season marks the 100th season of collegiate basketball at Baylor. Baylor's Centennial, which is presented by H-E-B, will be celebrated by a season-long series of events, culminating with a basketball lettermen reunion the weekend of Feb. 24-25. The highlight of the weekend's events will be the announcing and honoring of the 15-man Baylor All-Centennial Team during the Bears home game vs. Iowa State Saturday, Feb. 25. Baylor basketball officially began in 1906-07 with a seven-man squad that won its first two games and finished 5-6. The Bears' storied history includes Final Four appearances in 1948 and 1950, a national runner-up finish in 1948, five conference championships as well as the heroic tragedy of the 1927 Immortal Ten team.

BAYLOR'S EARLY SIGNING CLASS RATED 21st NATIONALLY
Baylor's two-man early signing class was rated 21st nationally by Rivals.com, the second-highest national ranking for a class of two or fewer players. The signees include two consensus Top 100 recruits, guard Demond "Tweety" Carter and center Josh Lomers. Carter, a 5-10 point guard for Reserve Christian from LaPlace, La., is one of the most prolific scorers in high school basketball history. His national rankings include No. 45 HoopScoop, No. 47 CSTV.com, No. 61 Rivals.com, No. 82 Hoopmasters and No. 87 Scout.com. Carter is rated a Top-10 point guard recruit nationally by both Rivals.com and Hoopmasters. Carter, whose nickname is "Tweety," has scored more than 6,000 career points and been a varsity starter since the seventh grade. He is a four-time all-state selection and has led Reserve Christian to three state championships, including the school's first-ever title in 2002 as an eighth grader when he was honored as the tournament MVP. Lomers is rated the No. 6 center nationally by Rivals.com. Overall he is rated nationally by CSTV.com (No. 39), Rivals.com (No. 43), Hoopmasters (No. 64), and Scout.com (No. 88). Lomers is also the third-rated recruit in Texas according to Rivals.com. A 7-foot, 1-inch center, Lomers plays for Boerne (Texas) High School and was named to the 2005 TABC 4A All-State team as a junior last season after averaging 22 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7 blocks per game.

BAYLOR EARLY SIGNEES:Name            Pos.    Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown (Schools)Demond "Tweety" Carter  G   5-10    170 Fr. LaPlace, La. (Reserve Christian School)Josh Lomers     C   7-1 250 Fr. Boerne, Texas (Boerne HS)

NEXT UP...
Baylor returns to Waco to host Missouri in a Tuesday, Feb. 7, matchup. Tipoff at the Ferrell Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST and the game will be televised live on FSN Southwest.