Nebraska junior Aleks Maric is 14 points shy of scoring 1,000 for his career. He already has 600 career rebounds. Only one player in Nebraska history, Dave Hoppen, has reached those plateaus by the end of his junior season.

Would meeting Hoppen’s marks be a sense of accomplishment for Maric?

“A sense of accomplishment,” Maric said, “would be making the NCAA Tournament. That would be real special.”

Barring an unforeseen run through the Big 12 Tournament, that’s not likely this season for the Huskers, who are 15-11 entering today’s home game against Missouri. They’re 4-8 in the Big 12, and are coming off a 63-59 loss Wednesday at 11th-place Baylor.

“If it doesn’t happen, that’s a reality,” Maric said. “You can’t dwell on it. We just didn’t make it happen. Simple as that.”

Of course, there’s always next year. Yes, for Maric, too.

Maric said Friday there’s no reason to speculate he’ll depart after this season and enter the NBA Draft.

“I’d be crazy … I’d be fooling myself,” Maric said, “if I personally think I’m ready.”

It’s no sudden decision, Maric said.

“When I decided to come back this summer, I decided to come back and finish through my senior year,” said Maric, a communication studies major.

“I mean, I’m one year shy of getting my degree. Why not just stay one more year? Have fun playing college basketball and get my degree.”

Maric, a 6-foot-11 center, tested the professional waters last spring. He submitted his name for the NBA Draft in April but never signed with an agent, therefore protecting his college eligibility. He withdrew his name a day before the June deadline.

Then former NU coach Barry Collier left in August, and Maric again planned on leaving. He asked for his scholarship release so he could either transfer or play professionally in Europe. New coach Doc Sadler flew to Maric’s home in Australia and convinced Maric to return.

“No regrets whatsoever,” Maric said. “I couldn’t be happier.”

Sadler said he hasn’t recently talked to Maric about next season but has been planning on his return. He’s already thought about postseason work with Maric.

“The biggest thing is, really this spring and summer, we’ve got to work on his foot quickness in short spans,” Sadler said.

“You know, Aleks hasn’t played basketball very long, and he understands that. He understands that he’s pretty much a new guy playing. It’s not like he’s been playing for 15 years. He’s learned stuff every day.”

Maric, a native of Sydney, Australia, played competitive soccer for seven seasons before beginning basketball. After a season with the Australian Institute for Sport, Maric played one season of high school basketball in the United States, then signed with Nebraska.

Today, he’s the Huskers’ leading scorer (17.7 points) and rebounder (7.7).

“His work ethic is just unbelievable,” Sadler said. “He wants to be good.”

Maric said he’s improved under Sadler and his staff, noting he’s quicker, more agile and more comfortable shooting.

He also realizes he has ample room to grow.

“You’ve got to work on the stuff you’re not used to. That’s what makes you a player,” Maric said. “With me, I’ve got to work on my ball-handling skills.”

Maric is coming off a seven-turnover game at Baylor, but generally, Sadler said Maric’s ball-handling and floor skills have improved this season.

“Are they where they need to be? No,” Sadler said. “Are they getting better? Yes.”

To say Maric has been instrumental in Nebraska’s success this season would be an understatement. The only regular player in NU’s lineup taller than 6-4, Maric is almost always the focal point of opposing defenses. He scored a career-high 41 against Kansas State, one of the only times this season Maric didn’t face constant double and triple teams.

In Nebraska’s first game against Missouri, Maric scored 12 of his 14 points after halftime, helping the Huskers rally for a 66-61 victory in Columbia, Mo.

If the Huskers are to avoid their eighth straight losing season in Big 12 play, they must beat Missouri (17-9, 6-7), then finish with victories over Iowa State, Colorado and Oklahoma State.

“No room for error,” Maric said. “No room at all.”

Briefly

n Nebraska shot 34 percent in its loss to Baylor, only the third time this season NU has shot less than 35 percent. “Missed wide open shots,” Sadler said. “Bottom line is, we came out flat. No energy.”

n Charles Richardson’s four three-pointers against Baylor were a career high. Richardson has played a full 40 minutes in three of NU’s last four games.

n Sophomore guard Jamel White, suspended for the remainder of the season, attended Friday’s practice as a spectator. Sadler greeted White with a handshake and a hug.

Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.