^ ; ' ,
_____ Mike Warren/DN
STEFFON BRADFORD (loft), a 6-6 iunior forward, battles for a rebound during a game against the Baylor Bears, Bradford, a junior college transfer, is averaging 12.6 points per game for the
Husfcers and is ranked sixth in the Big 12 conference with 8.7 rebounds per game. g, 5i ;
” / feel like I can get to
the boards against
anybody. I have been
blessed with the
physical ability...
Steffbn Bradford
NU forward
. ,,
By Matthew Hansen
Staff writer
The names Tajudeen Soyoye and Jeff Hafer,
both Missouri post players, fail to strike fear in
the heart of NU’s Steffon Bradford.
He respects them. He says that while they
are the weaker part of the Tiger lineup, they are
capable players.
He just isn’t scared. He said he plans to go
over, around and occasionally through the
Mizzou duo for multiple offensive rebounds
and putbacks.
Just like every other game.
Bradford, at times during the season, has
made the Nebraska backboard his own private
property. He has refused to let opponents or
teammates do so much as sniff the basketball
while he adds another offensive rebound and
two more points to his ever-increasing totals.
By the numbers, the junior college transfer
has had little trouble adjusting to Big 12 bas
ketball. Bradford has produced better point and
rebound totals during the conference schedule
than he did in the non-conference portion.
Bradford is averaging 12.8 points per game,
/but has scored at a 15.1 clip in NU’s last 10 con
tests. His rebounding numbers have gone up
similarly. He is currently ranked sixth in the
conference with 8.7 rebounds per game.
These totals are largely due to his ability to
get to the offensive glass. Bradford leads the
Big 12 with 5.1 offensive boards per game. It’s
his calling card, and he doesn’t mind admitting
it.
“I feel like 1 can get to the boards against
anybody,” Bradford said. “I have been blessed
with the physical ability to do so, and I enjoy it.
A lot of basketball players can’t or won’t
rebound offensively. I will.”
Bradford said how many times he and low
post partner Kimani Ffriend get the ball, and
what they do with it, will result in either a
Husker victory or defeat.
He said it’s the same story every game.
“That’s what we always want to do —
Please see BRADFORD on 19
Christiansen takes
over at heavyweight
■ After sitting a year oat, the
junior wrestler comes back for
shots against two top-five teams.
By David Diehl
Staff uniter
The roller-coaster ride Coach Tim Neuman
has endured for his heavyweight wrestling clas
will take yet another turn this weekend.
Andy Christiansen chose a prime weekend t
return to the mat for the No. 7 Comhuskers whei
they square off against No. 4 Oklahoma tonigh
and fifth-ranked Oklahoma State on Sunday.
Christiansen is coming off a long hiatus fron
wrestling after competing for Nebraska his red
shirt freshman year. He compiled a 7-7 record a
190-pounds. He then left the team in his sopho
more year.
The junior decided to come back after
Neumann contacted him about the problems the
team has had at heavyweight. NU’s original
starter, Pat Miron, is out for die year with a knee
injury, and NU hasn’t won a heavyweight match
since he wait down.
Christiansen then chose to test die wrestling
1 waters again.
3 “It is one ofthose things if you look back and
you didn’t try it, you can’t go back and do it,”
> Christiansen said. “I looked at it and thought I
* should try it out
t “They just said they were hurting for a
heavyweight. I decided to try it out because it
l _‘*
t Please see CHRISTIANSEN on 19
