11/27/2012 - At Wake Forest Report Card

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The obvious place to start is with Rey Gallegos, who poured in a career high 20 points on 8-13 shooting, including 4-8 from downtown. There was a four minute stretch of the second half where I could swear I was watching a road red team with #23 on the back. It was difficult shot after difficult shot, with an amazing left handed lay up in between. Gallegos is a slam dunk Player of the Game.

However, Andre Almeida was a close second, as the big man showed the kind of touch we all hoped he'd have when he set foot on campus. Almeida finished a staggering 9-10 (90%!!!!) from the field along with 2-2 from the foul line and tied a career high with 20 points of his own. Almeida also earned his first career double-double, as he pulled down a team leading 11 boards.

Besides those two, Dylan Talley scored his normal 14'ish points, and even in only 18 minutes, Ubel put in 11.

I also thought guys like Benny Parker and Mike Peltz looked good running the offense, other than Peltz's air ball, lean in jump shot that looked like my pickup game last week at Prairie Life.

Nebraska had excellent spacing, worked the offense until a good shot presented itself and once it did, they took it and obviously, converted more times than not.

This offense looked relaxed, focused and efficient. It was really rather amazing and not something I was expecting to see in the least.

P.S. Nebraska scored 51 points in the second half!!! 51!!! I bet we don't see that again this year.

DEFENSE: B+

Nebraska was pretty darn good defensively, though some of the Husker success was due to Wake Forest missing everything (including some open looks) in the first eight minutes of the game.

Actually, this game was quite interesting, because I felt Nebraska really played better defense in the second half, outside of the last few minutes, yet Wake scored 39 points and connected on 54% from the field. It's hard to explain; it just seemed as if they had more contested shots in the second half but happened to make them, unlike the opening frame. However, Nebraska did allow Wake to get to the rim a lot more in the second half, too, so maybe my analysis is more because I was having so much fun in the second half, that I didn't care.

REBOUNDING: A-

36 to 30 on the boards, another NU win.

10 offensive rebounds allowed is not great, but overall, this was another nice night for the Big Red boarding the basketball, especially with Ubel largely absent.

As mentioned above, this was the first career double-double for Almeida, who pulled down 11 boards and as always, Talley was right behind (with 8).

BALL HANDLING: A+

I believe Nebraska had only two turnovers the entire second half. Two. That's it!

For the game, NU finished with a sparkling 8, including 12 assists. Wake also showed different looks and various presses against the Huskers and though NU mildly struggled at times, it was clear this team was well prepared and expecting this.

COACHING: A+

I'm positive Tim Miles would be the first to admit that when you make some shots, the coach looks a hell of a lot more intelligent than he actually is.

Still, I don't care, and its more than the fact that NU was making shots, or that Gallegos briefly turned into Michael Jordan.

Nebraska was PREPARED for this game.

The offense was crisp; great spacing, a clear plan, and most of all, the team just looked so freaking loose.

Almeida looked probably the best he ever has, both offensively and defensively. Gallegos continues to improve. Talley looks like a new player. Parker looks serviceable. Even Ubel, who was mostly quiet for this party, has continued to evolve.

Nebraska did a great job of taking away free throws from Wake Forest's arsenal, outside of the final few minutes of the game.

The Huskers were prepared for Wake's various junk presses.

Miles stole key minutes and was able to keep both Ubel and Almeida in the game while it still counted.

Oh, and I should probably also mention that David Rivers looks like he could still become a basketball player yet. I went from thinking he had no chance at being in this program next season to now believing he could legitimately be a great 6th or 7th man for the remainder of his career.

Tim Miles deserves a lot of credit. I would hug him if I saw him.

OVERALL GRADE: A+

Nebraska won its biggest margin of victory on the road since December of 2003 at Minnesota. They represented the B1G well in the ACC/Big 10 challenge and they did so on National TV. This should also give NU some nice momentum and a nice Monday crowd against USC, when a young man from Europe makes his official visit to campus.

I am on cloud nine. Wake Forest is not good; but Nebraska might be better than we thought. And that's exciting.

GREAT WIN for our boys. Let's do our best to spread the word and get these kids a nice atmosphere on Monday - they deserve it.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: RAY GALLEGOS

2012-2013 PLAYER OF THE GAME TOTALS:

RAY GALLEGOS - 3

DYLAN TALLEY - 2

BRANDON UBEL - 1