Bouncing Back

Faith can move mountains. Nebraska point guard Kevin Augustine is certain of that.

What it does for bruised ribs, well, that remains to be seen. But at this point, the former Mater Dei High and USC guard has to believe.

Augustine didn't sit out 1 1/2 years, working, waiting, self-evaluating, to let a few bruised bones slow him down.

Or that groin injury. Or that bulging disc in his back. Or that broken toe.

That's not a breakdown of career injuries. That's just what has happened to Augustine since he ended his exile at Fullerton College and agreed to attend point-guard starved Nebraska last May.

"This year has been tough," Augustine said. "It's been a nightmare with the injuries. I've always worked extremely hard. Sometimes you have bad luck. This is a prime example of it. During tough times, I can always see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Fill in your own punch line there. Augustine has been run over by more than a few bad jokes already. He can take it. His view is he was meant to play major college basketball.

"Kevin has a strong faith in God," Nebraska Coach Barry Collier said. "For a while, I think he was wondering about what message he was hearing. Was he not supposed to play basketball any more? There was a lot of discouragement along with physical pain. He decided it was simply a challenge."

Call it a leap of faith . . . or rather, an act of faith. Why risk the sprained ankle?

Persevering Player

The walls of Augustine's eclectic apartment in Lincoln, Neb., are devoid of basketball photos or posters. On one wall is a copy of a Vincent van Gogh painting. On another, African masks. Careful, don't bump into the aquarium.

A first glance would also notice candles flickering. It could also make you wonder, where's the burning desire? Shouldn't there be something, maybe a bronzed sneaker from 1995, when he helped Mater Dei win the State Division I title? Doesn't he care about basketball?

That impression, however, would be wrong.

"I knew my time was coming," Augustine said. "While I was at Fullerton College, I kept working hard because I knew I would get another chance. I don't go out much here. This is like a business trip."

Augustine doesn't need to use words to show he's all business. Actions will suffice.

The Cornhuskers had a one-point lead Dec. 30 against Murray State. The Racers' Isaac Spencer, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward, came lumbering down the lane.