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Even though it has been 15 years since Nee was at Ohio University, it's going to be a rush tonight for Duquesne's first-year basketball coach, when he leads the Dukes against his old school at the Convocation Center.

"It was on the schedule, when I took this job," Nee said. "I looked and I saw the Ohio U. game, and I kind of smiled and looked up and said, 'You're going back to Athens.'"

Duquesne (2-0) will be attempting to begin a season with three consecutive victories for only the second time since 1992-93. It marks the Dukes' first road game under Nee after home victories over Maryland-Eastern Shore and Vermont - the latter in overtime - as well as a win and a loss in two home exhibition contest at the Palumbo Center.

"It's very nostalgic. It's very positive. I had six great years. I enjoyed it," Nee said.

But at the same time, it's a business trip for Nee, who owns a 370-279 career record.

After a time on Digger Phelps' staff as an assistant at Notre Dame, Nee spent six years on the sidelines at Ohio's Convocation Center helping the Bobcats to two NCAA tournament appearances and one trip to the National Invitation Tournament. His career record of 107-67 represents the best winning percentage (.615) at the school.

But 1986 was a long time ago for Nee - 263 victories later he's trying to resurrect the program at Duquesne much in the same way he did at Ohio.

"We had a really solid run when we were there," Nee said. "We got it going, like how we want to do it here at Duquesne. I look at it the same way. We had a lot of good players (at Ohio). We had some great players. You don't win without good players."

Nee's lineups cranked out the victories, increasing his marketability. He left after the '86 season and a fourth consecutive record of at least 20 wins to take over as coach of Nebraska.

In 14 seasons with the Cornhuskers (1986-2000), Nee became their all-time winningest coach. He led them to five NCAA tournaments and six NIT's, winning the title in 1996.

Before Nee arrived at Nebraska, the school had won 20 games in a season just four times. But Nee led the Cornhuskers to seven 20-win campaigns.

A lot has happened since Nee's days in Athens. Ohio assistant John Rhodes played under him while with the Bobcats (1-0), who provided first-year coach Tim O'Shea with a victory over Navy in their opener on Monday.

The last time Nee set foot in the Convocation Center was in 1993, when he was inducted into the Ohio University Hall of Fame.

"That's the only time I've ever been back there," Nee said. "I've played Ohio U. when I was at Nebraska. It was at Nebraska in a tourmanent called the Americas Classic. But I haven't had any contact with them since."

For the record, Nebraska won the game.

"I've been out of Athens a long time," Nee said. "I have very fond memories. It was a really cool place. I enjoyed coaching there. The Convocation Center, I'm sure, will be flooded with a lot of memeories. We had some great games in that place."

REMEMBER WHEN?

Year		Overall	Conf.	Place	Postseason

1980-81		7-20	6-10	7t	

1981-82		13-14	8-8	4t	

1982-83		23-9	12-6	2	NCAA (2nd round)

1983-84		20-8	14-4	2	

1984-85		22-8	14-4	1	NCAA (1st round)

1985-86		22-8	14-4	2	NIT (1st round)

Totals		107-67	68-36		2 NCAA, 1 NIT

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