uneblinstu's Post Game Chatter: Vol 9, Ed 1 - Sacramento State

[uneblinstu]

The season is here!

 

- Trouble finishing at the rim. Let sac st hang around longer than they should have. They missed 12 shots within 3 feet of the rim. That obviously can't continue and I don't think it will. But they were able to get to the rim, so that was good. They had a shot at the century mark tonight.

- Miles chalked a lot of the first game struggles, especially from the newcomers, to nerves. That's not too surprising. I expect them to settle down in the next couple games.
- Active defensively early. That kept Sacramento State from taking advantage of some of NU's struggles.
- Jordy slow on defense. Looked a little nervous. I want to see him play through some of that. I think he'll be fine, but tonight was not a good night for the young center.
- Sac St the aggressor in the middle if he first. Scrappier. just couldn't get over the hump. I think they tied it up late in the half at 31 (?) but NU kept swatting the Hornets away.
- On that 3 Watson hit at about 9:15, that would have been a 2 last year. Nice little development during the offseason. I know that was something he worked on.

- The Morrow jumper is a nice development, too.
- Taylor had a nice drive and on the whole has been better than I expected so far. I don't like when he has to handle the ball or bring it up the court. If he gets in a spot where he has to run the show and gets hit with a press, it's not gonna be pretty.
- Juggling chainsaw guy was interesting or something. How do these guys make these career decisions?
- Watson to McVeigh. Get used to that.
- They came out if the break much better. Miles rode the starting five for the first 8 minutes of the 2nd half. That crew looked really, really good. They just need to get the second line up to speed. Things got stagnant in a hurry when they broke those five up.

- Morrow is gonna do a lot more dunking this year. Throw a dart or two occasionally, too. Healthy Ed is gonna be fun to watch.
- First shot clock review of the year... Hopefully that won't be something that happens a lot, but it went pretty quickly tonight.
- Defensive rotations from the first line were really good. Lots of switching, but looked to be constantly communicating.
- I didn't know dancing like Uma Thurman was a thing...
- Wonder what the sac st coach said to get the T.
- Watsons just a stud.
- 4 in double figures. 2 over 20.

- Career highs from both Glynn and Ed.
- A lot of good things happened tonight, finishing at the rim aside. Rebounded well. Took pretty good care of the ball. 48% from the floor is pretty impressive considering how many in close range they missed tonight.
 

Edited November 14, 2016 by uneblinstu

[AuroranHusker]

Glynn, Edward, & Tai were the stars tonight. Wow.

[FredsSlacks]

the freshmen played like freshmen. we're going to need them to play a lot better if we want to compete in the big 10.

 

taylor has been a good surprise, but gill isn't looking like the player we were hoping for.

 

starters all looked improved. bench needs a lot of work.

Edited November 14, 2016 by TimSmiles

[uneblinstu]

 

Edited November 14, 2016 by uneblinstu

[HuskerFever]

I'm sure glad that I mentally invested in Watson last year. If this performance continues throughout the year, we might have a special one on our hands! I sure hope Jordy shakes out those cobwebs and becomes a dominant presence down low.

[uneblinstu]

 

[hhcmatt]

 

[hhcmatt]

Postgame Notes

• Nebraska improves to 82-39 in openers and has won 15 straight season openers.
• Glynn Watson Jr. finished with a career-high 23 points, topping his previous career best 17 against Rhode Island and Illinois last season. Watson also finished with six assists and no turnovers, five rebound and three steals, leading NU in scoring, assists and steals.
• Tai Webster posted his third 20-point game with 20 points.
• Ed Morrow Jr. finished with a career high with 15 points, eclipsing his previous high of 11 set against Southeast Louisiana.
• Nebraska’s returning sophomores combined for 54 of the Huskers’ 83 points.

Nebraska Coach Tim Miles

Opening Statement
“At the beginning of the year, we had a team meeting, I met with the sophomores there’s the old saying if you’ve ever been around athletics, when you coach freshman you know at the semester break the old coach says ‘You know you’re not freshman anymore, you’re sophomores. I told the guys listen, you four sophomores especially have logged more minutes than a lot of juniors in high-major basketball, and I expect you to play like veterans and I think that’s what we saw tonight. We saw a lot of development from those guys and we saw excellent play and I thought the second half was really good. They were pretty good early too. Unfortunately, we missed 12 shots within four feet in the first half. I’ve had known Brian Katz for a long time, when he left Diablo Valley in California and took Sac [Sacramento] State which was a difficult gig. We talked about building programs because he’d knew I’ve been NAIA, Division II, you know I’ve made that same transition. I knew we would get a good look that’s why we scheduled them. I thought they did a lot of good things after a tough showing, that opener in Colorado, that high altitude. Tad’s [Boyle] got a great team. You know that’s just asking for trouble. We knew tonight we’d get a good game out of this, and we got pressed, we saw some man, we saw some zone, we saw some different looks. I was really happy with the outcome.”

On bench scoring
“I think we had 40 bench points against Iowa State in the scrimmage. I think we got 10 tonight. The bench was 2 for 16 with five turnovers and two assists. I told the younger guys we are going to play the upper guys, we’re going to play them for a long time and they’re going to show you how to win, you know how to play winning basketball. I thought they played rock solid, extended the lead. We’ve just got to get the butterflies out of those young guys. There was some nervousness, some carelessness, nonchalant play and none of that is successful. The aggressor wins in basketball, in competition.”

On Glynn Watson Jr.
“I don’t know if you noticed, Glynn [Watson] had a bad headache. We had to take him out two or three times and just get him hydrated and just made sure he got medicine. If he can do that in that condition. He’s was really good, he did really good against Iowa State, he did what he had to do against Chadron. Glynn is a guy that is a game changer. I remember we got him signed. and Ed Morrow hadn’t committed yet and Ed said Coach he’s a game changer, that kid’s a game changer. He was right.”

Sophomore guard Glynn Watson Jr.

On setting a new career high:
“I just tried to play aggressive and execute our game plan. That was basically what I tried to do, was play aggressive and try to get my teammates open. I had open shots so I took them, that was basically it.”

On the starters playing for the first 8 minutes and whether that contributed to playing as a unit later in the game:
“I think we played pretty well, that’s what [Head Coach Tim Miles] was on us about, just staying together, more from the bench. I think us together, we played together last year, so I think that was a big key. That was basically it.”

On going on a run early in the second half and what that did for the team:
“That gave us a lot of confidence and a lot of leeway so we could get up and coast from there. I think that’s what helped us out to get our lead up and be able to play our game. Then they had to press and that’s why we got a lot more easy shots.”

Senior guard Tai Webster

On nerves among his teammates with this being their first game:
“There’s always nerves.  A lot of guys, this is their first time out, especially for the freshmen and transfers and whatnot.  We’ve got [Junior guard Anton Gill] coming in. We had a lot of nerves on the team but I think second half we shook them off and got back to work.”

On what the difference was between the first and second halves:
“[Coach Miles] got on us in the locker room and I feel like every guy in the locker room took it personally, take on the challenge.”

On what Head Coach Tim Miles said at halftime:
“Just how sluggish we were. We were giving up too many open shots and too many second chances for them. We didn’t really turn the ball over but we weren’t really aggressive with it either. We kind of just let the game come to us, we need to be aggressive on offense.”

On what they will take away from this game in preparation for Tuesday’s game against the University of Mary:
“I think we just move on to the next one from here. It’s a long season, and early games early on you want to try to get as many under your belt as you can.  Obviously we [have to] leave this one behind us, celebrate it in the locker room but once everyone leaves that locker room, onto the next one. It’s a really nice thing, to finally get out there and play some competition.  We’ve been going at each other’s necks in practice for months, it’s awesome to just get out there and put all that work going at each other out on someone else.”

Sophomore forward Jack McVeigh 

On his perimeter shooting performance:
“It’s a long season, so there’s a lot of shots to be taken. But also, I’m getting open looks from [Watson Jr. and Webster]. You saw it in the game, they were drawing so much attention they just kind of forgot about me in the corner. So these guys getting me easy looks, all I [have to] do is make the shot.”

Sacramento State Head Coach Brian Katz

Opening statement: 
“We had a pretty good first half and the separation happened in the first five points of the second half. They got five points in transition and went from 36-33 to 41-33, and I thought that was the difference in the game. “

On first half success: 
“I thought we played really hard, but we broke down a little defensively. They wore us down a little bit with their size and they wore us down a bit in the second half. We played hard, and I would have to look at the tape, but in the second half I thought they were a little more solid in running their stuff and they took us out of our stuff.”

On improvement from opener vs. Colorado: 
“Friday night we looked like we had never seen a basketball we were so nervous. Our first game of the year our guys were pretty nervous. I think if we would have played like this Friday night it would have been a very competitive game as well. We have had reasonable success, we’ve beaten three Pac-12 teams in the last five years, however, I will say I think that Colorado is a Sweet 16 team. I think they are a team that is for sure going to the tournament that is going to make some noise in the tournament, I really do. This team here [Nebraska] is young, I see them by January and February and March being a team that nobody is going to want to play in the conference. In moving forward, next year and the year after, they will be really good. They have good young players. Coach Miles is doing an unbelievable job, he’s doing a great job.”

On shooting efficiency: 
“We shot the ball well in the first half, we didn’t shoot it very well in the second half, I need to look at the tape and see what that was all about. Did we miss open shots, was it them, I don’t really know. The game is hazy right now, I’ll need to go watch the film.  First half obviously the ball went through the hoop and that made the different."

[big red22]

32 minutes ago, uneblinstu said:

 

They accounted for 74 of the points... Edit: my bad i thought he said starters

Edited November 14, 2016 by big red22

[Chuck Taylor]

I was really impressed by the efficient 3-point shooting. Tai, Glynn and Jack were the only ones who put them up, and our percentage was good as a result. This could have been a close game if we'd had a bunch of people jacking it up from outside. 

[throwback]

• When Tai missed that early layup, I was thinking, uh-oh, he's going to let that get in his head as he has in the past and struggle all night. But he bounced back nicely, had a very strong game. Good to see him not punishing himself as much.
• McVeigh was really good - led team in rebounding, 3 pt shot was very smooth, played much improved defense vs last year, took the charge in the 2nd half
• Newcomers - whew. Those guys were tight. It'll get better. I liked the quote from MIles afterward that those bench guys had 40 at ISU but only 9 last night. So they'll get there. Somehow we just have to convince them that the arena is empty like it was in Ames.

Edited November 14, 2016 by throwback

[hhcmatt]

These notes were previously transcribed up top

 

Post Game from Miles

 

Post Game from McVeigh, Webster, and Watson

 

[huskerbaseball13]

We all knew this but Glynn Watson is a stud.  Only up three at half was a bit of a shocker but it could have easily been 10+ had we finished at the rim.  I think that will take care of itself as the season goes on.  Won by 20+ but still lots of improvement left for this team which is a good thing.  Morrow impressed me....nice to see the added midrange game.  Tuesday should be a good game to get the freshman some more confidence.  Roby did not look comfortable on the court last night.  Looked as if he was thinking a bit too much which is not surprising for a true freshman in his first real game. 

[Huskerpapa]

The starters played well last evening, the reserves...not so much. 

 

I wanted to mention MJ.  He played an excellent game, but it won't show in the box score.  I will be anxious to see how his outside shot looks as we progress through the year. I also note that he does not have the appearance of being 100% healthy.  He looked at bit gimpy, and I am not sure if he has an injury or something else?  Does anyone have additional insight?

[Fullbacksympathy]

• Watson is a future NBA guard with elite quickness, ball handling, scoring ability, vision, defense, and scoring.  Look at his stat line.  Unreal.  
• I continue to be amazed and proud of Tai's progression as a basketball player.  He has gone from average athlete as a freshman to elite athlete as a senior.  He's our best defender, and he now has the elevation and quickness to get to the rim at will.  
• Morrow is exactly who I thought we'd see eventually.  I never jumped off that train.  His bloodline won't let him be anything other than great before he leaves here.
• Jack looks great and has really found an identity as a guy who can stretch the floor.  He did a nice job rebounding as well.
• As usual, Jacobson was super active.  I don't think he's ever going to be a stat-filler, but he's an extremely valuable part of this process working--good defender, passer, very good footwork, and can knock down an open jumper when necessary.  
• I thought Jordy looked great.  He runs the floor well and has a good understanding of his body.  He'll learn to put the ball back in the hoop soon enough.  He's going to be a terror once he bulked up his upper body a bit.
• Roby will be a great contributor.  What a luxury he is with that size and skill set.  
• I really like Evan Taylor.  He's an excellent defender and athletic enough to help us offensively as well.  Huge upgrade from Benny.  
• Gill will be fine.  You can see his ability.  I think we'll be a very difficult team to press this year with him being able to help with minutes.  His shots will fall.
• Jeriah seems to have a ways to go defensively, but he can get buckets.  

We're a much better team than last year.  

[bigFRED]

I've said since the Rhode island game last year that Glynn may go down as one of the best that we've ever had. Proving me right last night!

[Swan88]

Minutes for the new guys last night (Evan, Jeriah, Isaiah and Jordy) were 9, 11, 10 and 10, with the experienced guys playing the bulk of the game.

Hopefully, we'll see the reverse tomorrow night against the U. of Mary.

[hhcmatt]

With all due respect to Sacramento St, we didn't beat a very good team last night though from the looks of their schedule I don't think they'll kill our SOS.

Our three freshmen are going to contribute and maybe even drive us to some wins but last night they were the poster children for 'the inconsistent freshman'

 

St Mary's will be one more chance to tune up before Louisiana Tech which is quite ready to run us off the court if we let them.

[throwback]

Watching the replay (and happy that BTN decided not to pre-empt the 4 am replay for a replay of a devastating NU football loss)  ...

 

• Watson's step-back floater in the lane where he lost the handle vs a double team, regained control, drew contact, and hit the shot in the first half was something else. 
• The finish where Tai hit the shot high off the glass late first half when he got hammered by #44 and flew about 5 feet was also something else. (No foul called of course.)
• PIck and roll by Watson & Morrow early 2nd half was a great play, Morrow finished with the dunk.
• Jump shooting overall was pretty good. We really seemed to make an effort to get to the rim and not settle for jumpers, but when we did have chances to hit jumpers, we looked good. Webster/Watson/Morrow all looked very comfortable shooting from the perimeter much more so than last year, guys really worked over the summer there. And McVeigh was smooth from 3.
• Jacobson's interior passing was really nice to see - he and Morrow will make that combo work nicely this season.
• Taylor had several entry passes, he really wants to get the ball inside, kind of stood out as it seems like that entry pass is a lost art anymore.
• Geez, Watson was everywhere and did everything. I knew he played well watching it live (thank you Capt Obvious), but wow. What a season debut. Great ball handling, passing, shooting, driving. The back cut he had mid 2nd half and scored off the pass from Morrow was pretty. That kid put in work this summer and then some.
• I know Roby didn't do a lot stat wise, but that play mid 2nd half where he grabbed defensive board, dribbled to start break, pulled it back out when break wasn't there, but kept his dribble alive on the wing and then exploded toward the basket when the D relaxed made me smile. He ended up getting fouled and made both FTs. Smart play by him.

Edited November 14, 2016 by throwback

[hhcmatt]

A couple of gifs for the people
 

Watson->Tai->Jacobson->Morrow->Posterize

 

Morrow tries to split a double team that would have been a breakaway dunk if he was most ball handlers

 

[hhcmatt]

10 hours ago, hhcdimes said:

On Glynn Watson Jr.
“I don’t know if you noticed, Glynn [Watson] had a bad headache.

 

This is somewhat of a relief as his body language seemed like someone who grimacing through conditioning problems as opposed to headaches

[Huskerinexile]

Glynn Watson = Rajon Rondo

 

Best husker guard since Lue.

[Vinny]

Haven't seen anybody make this comparison yet, but healthy Edward reminds me a bit of Rodman.  Very active inside for being a bit undersized and very explosive.  Was a lot of fun watching him last night.  Watson also looked more sure of himself and less hesitant.  Jordy needs some work offensively, but I loved his effort and he seemed to have pretty good smarts defensively.  Small sample for him, I know, but good to see he'll pry be able to contribute a bit.

[Huskerpapa]

16 minutes ago, Vinny said:

Haven't seen anybody make this comparison yet, but healthy Edward reminds me a bit of Rodman.  Very active inside for being a bit undersized and very explosive.  Was a lot of fun watching him last night.  Watson also looked more sure of himself and less hesitant.  Jordy needs some work offensively, but I loved his effort and he seemed to have pretty good smarts defensively.  Small sample for him, I know, but good to see he'll pry be able to contribute a bit.

I mentioned this last year and kinda got shot down.  But he is a quick jumper similar to Rodman, and Ed certainly plays beyond his size, again similar to Rodman.  I haven't seen Ed in a wedding dress or make-up, so we can't make that comparison  

[Huskerpapa]

1 hour ago, LK1 said:

• Watson is a future NBA guard with elite quickness, ball handling, scoring ability, vision, defense, and scoring.  Look at his stat line.  Unreal.  
• I continue to be amazed and proud of Tai's progression as a basketball player.  He has gone from average athlete as a freshman to elite athlete as a senior.  He's our best defender, and he now has the elevation and quickness to get to the rim at will.  
• Morrow is exactly who I thought we'd see eventually.  I never jumped off that train.  His bloodline won't let him be anything other than great before he leaves here.
• Jack looks great and has really found an identity as a guy who can stretch the floor.  He did a nice job rebounding as well.
• As usual, Jacobson was super active.  I don't think he's ever going to be a stat-filler, but he's an extremely valuable part of this process working--good defender, passer, very good footwork, and can knock down an open jumper when necessary.  
• I thought Jordy looked great.  He runs the floor well and has a good understanding of his body.  He'll learn to put the ball back in the hoop soon enough.  He's going to be a terror once he bulked up his upper body a bit.
• Roby will be a great contributor.  What a luxury he is with that size and skill set.  
• I really like Evan Taylor.  He's an excellent defender and athletic enough to help us offensively as well.  Huge upgrade from Benny.  
• Gill will be fine.  You can see his ability.  I think we'll be a very difficult team to press this year with him being able to help with minutes.  His shots will fall.
• Jeriah seems to have a ways to go defensively, but he can get buckets.  

We're a much better team than last year.  

I thought Jordy looked a bit lost last night.  He is going to be a good one, but he needs a bit of a confidence boost, and time in the weight room to build his upper body.  I also believe Roby will be more than a contributor.  He is going through some "lesson learning" right now as well as conditioning.  Within the next few games I believe he will bust out.