NU's Miller excited to get back in flow
Cookie Miller remembers crying.
Part of the reason was because he was in excruciating pain. Part of it was the initial report from the Texas A&M trainers.
“They told me I was out for the season, that I was going to need surgery,” Miller said. “That’s what their trainers told me.
“I was like, ‘Why me?’”
Once Miller returned to Lincoln after the Feb. 23 game in College Station, Texas, further evaluation of his right shoulder revealed a severe sprain.
Serious enough to sideline Nebraska’s freshman point guard for three games. Not for the season.
Miller returned in Sunday’s 68-49 victory against Colorado, and figures to be in better condition and game mode for Thursday’s 6 p.m. first-round Big 12 Tournament game against Missouri.
“It was kind of a relief, just to come off the bench and get in the game,” said Miller, who entered with 14 minutes, 42 seconds remaining in the first half. He was greeted with a loud ovation.
“I feel good, getting back into the flow of things. There’s a lot of pressure off me now, because I didn’t know how I was going to react. To me, it came along good.”
Miller had two early turnovers but settled in and finished with three turnovers, three assists, two steals and four rebounds.
One assist came when Miller fell to the floor as he fired the ball to a streaking Steve Harley down-court. Harley turned the transition pass into a dunk and a 48-18 lead.
“I looked back at the tape last night, and I forced a lot of things,” said Miller, who missed his only two shot attempts. “I was excited to even be in there. I think the next game I’ll be calmer and do what I normally do.”
Miller logged 19 minutes. Nebraska coach Doc Sadler said there was no set plan to hold back Miller or ease him into action.
“My deal on that is if he’s cleared to play, then he’s cleared to play. Let him go,” Sadler said. “I think these next few days are important for him to get some conditioning, more than anything.”
Sadler said it’s too early to determine whether Miller will reclaim his spot in the starting lineup. Sophomore Sek Henry has started the past three games in Miller’s place.
Miller said he took a couple of hits on his shoulder, but nothing he didn’t anticipate.
“That’s going to happen, though,” he said. “I’m not going to hide it. I want to be 100 percent when I’m out there. I’m not going to hide the injury.
“I mean, it’s cool. It’s tolerable pain. Not annoying pain. It’s pain you can deal with. I’m getting through it, and hopefully Thursday comes, and it might be gone.”
Miller, noting he’s still in the healing process, said he doesn’t expect to need surgery after the season.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “Basically, I need to see how it heals. Hopefully not.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
Part of the reason was because he was in excruciating pain. Part of it was the initial report from the Texas A&M trainers.
“They told me I was out for the season, that I was going to need surgery,” Miller said. “That’s what their trainers told me.
“I was like, ‘Why me?’”
Once Miller returned to Lincoln after the Feb. 23 game in College Station, Texas, further evaluation of his right shoulder revealed a severe sprain.
Serious enough to sideline Nebraska’s freshman point guard for three games. Not for the season.
Miller returned in Sunday’s 68-49 victory against Colorado, and figures to be in better condition and game mode for Thursday’s 6 p.m. first-round Big 12 Tournament game against Missouri.
“It was kind of a relief, just to come off the bench and get in the game,” said Miller, who entered with 14 minutes, 42 seconds remaining in the first half. He was greeted with a loud ovation.
“I feel good, getting back into the flow of things. There’s a lot of pressure off me now, because I didn’t know how I was going to react. To me, it came along good.”
Miller had two early turnovers but settled in and finished with three turnovers, three assists, two steals and four rebounds.
One assist came when Miller fell to the floor as he fired the ball to a streaking Steve Harley down-court. Harley turned the transition pass into a dunk and a 48-18 lead.
“I looked back at the tape last night, and I forced a lot of things,” said Miller, who missed his only two shot attempts. “I was excited to even be in there. I think the next game I’ll be calmer and do what I normally do.”
Miller logged 19 minutes. Nebraska coach Doc Sadler said there was no set plan to hold back Miller or ease him into action.
“My deal on that is if he’s cleared to play, then he’s cleared to play. Let him go,” Sadler said. “I think these next few days are important for him to get some conditioning, more than anything.”
Sadler said it’s too early to determine whether Miller will reclaim his spot in the starting lineup. Sophomore Sek Henry has started the past three games in Miller’s place.
Miller said he took a couple of hits on his shoulder, but nothing he didn’t anticipate.
“That’s going to happen, though,” he said. “I’m not going to hide it. I want to be 100 percent when I’m out there. I’m not going to hide the injury.
“I mean, it’s cool. It’s tolerable pain. Not annoying pain. It’s pain you can deal with. I’m getting through it, and hopefully Thursday comes, and it might be gone.”
Miller, noting he’s still in the healing process, said he doesn’t expect to need surgery after the season.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “Basically, I need to see how it heals. Hopefully not.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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