Nebraska's Aleks Maric, left, collects a rebound against Missouri last season. Maric, who averages 16.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season, lauded coach Doc Sadler's winning

Lincoln, Neb. ? There was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.

Aleks Maric simply had to grin and bear it – and try to do something about it – as Kansas University’s No. 8-ranked basketball team built a commanding 43-8 lead over his unranked Nebraska Cornhuskers on Jan. 29, 2007, in Devaney Center.

“It was humbling. I’m not going to lie. It was embarrassing on national TV. You never want that to happen, especially at home,” the 6-foot-11, 275-pound senior said, reflecting on Nebraska’s first ESPN Big Monday appearance since 2006.

One of the best big men in the Big 12 if not the entire country, Maric did not score the first half as the Huskers limped into the locker room down, 43-16.

He finished with nine points and six rebounds as the Huskers outscored KU, 40-33, the second 20 minutes en route to a somewhat-respectable 76-56 defeat.

“We have to play better as a team, have shooters make shots,” Maric said, assessing today’s 8 p.m. rematch between No. 3-ranked KU (15-0) and unrated NU (11-2).

“I am a leader on the team. I have to bring positive energy to the floor. We have to play 40 minutes as a team. Everybody has to play well across the board,” noted the Australian big man, who takes a 16.2 scoring, 8.4 rebound average into the Big 12 opener for both teams. He has made 61.2 percent of his shots with 26 blocks on the defensive end.

Maric realizes NU faces a difficult task – even at home – tonight. Remember, KU also pasted NU, 92-39, last Feb. 17 in Allen Fieldhouse.

“Just the way the coach has them playing … they are a team. It’s like they played together five, 10 years. That’s how well they play together,” Maric said. “They play for one another, play for the university and for the coach. That’s what makes them special.

“It’s hard to find that in college sports, hard to find five guys on the floor or even the whole program that buy into totally what the coach is trying to do.”

Yet that’s also what’s happening at Nebraska under second-year coach Doc Sadler. The Huskers, who have lost to Creighton (72-64) and Western Kentucky (69-62 in overtime), have victories over then-No. 16-rated Oregon (88-79, OT) as well as Arizona State (62-47) and Rutgers (63-51).

“He’s very personable, open and honest,” Maric said of Sadler, the man who flew to Australia after he took the job to try to convince Maric to remain in college and not head to the pros.

“He brings energy and a winning attitude to every program he’s been with (including Arkansas-Fort Smith and UTEP).”

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The past is the past: The Jayhawks insist last year’s 20 -point victory in Lincoln and wild 53-point victory in the rematch in Lawrence mean nothing today.

“Last year we played very well, and they missed the shots we made,” KU coach Bill Self said of the game in Lincoln. “I won’t read more into that. They are more athletic this year, quite a bit more athletic.”

Four guards join Maric in the starting lineup. They are: Ade Dagunduro (11.4 ppg), Ryan Anderson (9.5), Cookie Miller (5.1) and Sek Henry (5.0).

“They’ve got better players now. They’ve been playing real well,” KU senior Russell Robinson said of the Huskers, who take a six-game win streak (12 straight at home) into today’s game. “It’s our first game in the Big 12, and it’s on the road. We have to step up and be ready.”

“They are 11-2 now. They’ve played some pretty good teams. They’re different from last year. I’m excited for the game,” KU junior Brandon Rush said.

“We can’t go out there flat or overlook any players, because they have a great team. It’s two great teams going against each other, so it’s going to be a great game,” Kansas senior Rodrick Stewart said.

NU coach Sadler said: ” I look at the game as a free game for us. I don’t think very many teams will beat those guys. In my opinion it will prepare us for the rest of the league.”

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This, that: Nebraska’s new football coaching staff, headed by Bo Pelini, will be introduced at halftime. NU has defeated a ranked team eight straight years, including this year’s victory over No. 16 Oregon. NU is 5-5 in its last 10 games versus ranked squads since beating No. 4 Oklahoma State in 2005 in Lincoln. NU is 1-4 against top-10 teams in that span.

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Recruiting: KU assistant Danny Manning and Memphis coach John Calipari were in the stands as junior guard Xavier Henry scored 15 first-quarter points in Putnam City (Okla.) High’s 80-36 victory over John Marshall on Thursday night. Henry finished with 21 points. Henry has a list of KU, Memphis, North Carolina, Ohio State and UCLA.