by BRIAN ROSENTHAL Lincoln Journal Star , Lincoln Journal Star

But Standhardinger's former and future teammate, sophomore Christopher Niemann, has suffered another knee injury and is undergoing surgery next week.

Sadler said the surgery is needed to determine the extent of damage. Niemann tore the ACL in the same knee in March.

Standhardinger and Niemann played on the German club team, Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule. But the NCAA ruled Niemann ineligible last season because club teammates were paid.

Because the NCAA is reviewing that amateur rule, questions remain about Standhardinger's status. Sadler on Saturday wouldn't say how Standhardinger would be affected by the amateur rule, stressing only that he'd been cleared academically.

However, Standhardinger is working on getting his visa and completing other international paperwork - a process that will begin Monday, but could take a few weeks. Still, that's a good sign. Sadler has previously said Standhardinger had indicated he'd likely stay home and play professionally rather than coming to Nebraska and sitting out the season.

Sadler wouldn't say whether incoming freshmen Adrien Coleman and Myles Holley are on campus. Standhardinger and Coleman are listed as students on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Web site, but Holley is not.

Once all are enrolled, Nebraska would be two players over the NCAA scholarship limit, although it's likely Chris Balham, who graduated last weekend but has a season of eligibility remaining, will end his career because of chronic knee problems.

Sadler said he won't answer any questions about the scholarship situation until at least Monday, which is the first day of fall semester classes.

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

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