unelinstu's postgame chatter: vol 15, ed 17: Illinois

[cornfed24-7]

This thread was hard to start. The game sucked. Everything is F#$c&@. Go big red. 

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Edited January 11 by cornfed24-7

[Huskerpapa]

Pathetic, horrible, disappointing effort and outcome.

[hhcmatt]

The amazing Sladek not falling off the chairs was about the only thing that went right for us tonight

[HuskerFever]

[hskr4life]

We had an opportunity to take control of the game early in the first half as Illinois came out cold cold.  Couldn’t do it.  
 

Unfortunately, we can’t afford to dink around when the other team is trying to give the game to us.  

[nuhusker7]

That one sucked.

 

Come home, turn in the tv, and the first thing I hear is “And Tim Miles is doing great, the whole league is the best it’s ever been.” SJSU wasn’t even playing… Slap in the face in Wyoming vs Utah State.

 

But while that sucked, I think we still have a lot of good, fun moments left. Not saying it’s enough to keep Fred around, but I think there is enough to keep it interesting 

[ConkintheCorner]

Time to find more minutes for Kesei and less for Wilcher..  I really feel Keisei is just as good a defender as CJ.  CJ is just not confident in his shot right now. 

[hskr4life]

3 minutes ago, nuhusker7 said:

That one sucked.

 

Come home, turn in the tv, and the first thing I hear is “And Tim Miles is doing great, the whole league is the best it’s ever been.” SJSU wasn’t even playing… Slap in the face in Wyoming vs Utah State.

 

But while that sucked, I think we still have a lot of good, fun moments left. Not saying it’s enough to keep Fred around, but I think there is enough to keep it interesting 

12-6, 3-2 after tonight.

[cornfed24-7]

My only comfort is the trend of after a craptastic game this year we have been playing pretty good in the next one. 

[dustystehl]

Came out in the second half and scored 6 quick points to cut it to 5 and Illinois called timeout. Crowd was JACKED! But instead of Sandstorm or music to keep the crowd into it, they played a promo for a home game on February 18 - five weeks from now. When play resumed, crowd was sitting back down. Rewarding Underwood for calling that timeout. Need the arena to do their part with home court advantage. Like, maybe don't reset the shot clock after an air ball, giving them time to regain themselves and setup a play that resulted in a made three. And I can make putts from longer distances than some of the bunnies we missed tonight. Keita can dunk, right? Tonight was pathetic. Doesn't give me much hope. Make sure you have your afternoon open on Wednesday, March 8 to watch us in the B1G Tournament. I'm a sad Husker fan tonight...

[Handy Johnson]

If we would’ve come out with some starch in our shorts that first half, WE could’ve been the team that Won by 20. Now we’re really going to be “on the grind” looking at that schedule & this thing could spin the wrong way fast…

[hhcmatt]

Have to wonder how long Gary is out

Was sort of surprised to see Blaise in the game with the pre-game report being he had an injury setback during practices; looked awful during his 4 minutes.

Dain Danjia was eating Derrick's lunch. I don't think Walker scored on him.

Breidenbach got hot there in the 2nd half for a stretch.  He also committed 3 fouls in 4 minutes in the first half.

Griesel with 4 turnovers and 4-9 from the FT line. 

Bando's shooting is broken. He has officially entered the Ouedraogo zone.

Wilcher and Keisei are 3pt shooters who constantly pass up 3pt shots. I feel like M from James Bond yelling into a phone TO TAKE THE BLOODY SHOT seven times a game.

If those guys aren't shooting 3s, play more Lawrence. He's a capable shooter.

Hard to play Denim because he's a guy that doesn't score on a team that doesn't score.

 

We tend to bounce back but playing a good to great game at Purdue doesn't at all mean a win

[hhcmatt]

Postgame notes

 

• Sam Griesel’s 12 points tonight marked his fifth consecutive game scoring in double figures and his ninth time in double figures this season.
• Wilhelm Breidenbach scored all of his 11 points in the second half, including eight straight at one point. It was his third game in double figures this season. Breidenbach tied his career high with two 3-pointers.
• Behind Breidenbach’s 11 points, Nebraska’s bench scored 20 points, its highest output in five games.
• Before being injured late in the first half, Juwan Gary tied his season-high with two blocks (also at Michigan State on Jan 3).
• Jamarques Lawrence knocked down a 3-pointer in the first half. It marked his fourth 3-pointer of the season but his first made three at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
• Derrick Walker was held to just five points – all in the second half – as he was held to single digits for just the second time this season. Walker did lead Nebraska with three assists, the third straight game he has led the Huskers in assists.
• Nebraska outscored Illinois 32-30 in the paint, marking the Huskers’ third straight game with more than 30 points in the paint.
• Nebraska fell to 6-2 at home with tonight’s loss. 

[brfrad]

My biggest wish for this team is to have an underclassman PG.  Someone who can learn to distribute the ball, and take care of the ball.  A Glenn Watson or Chucky Hepburn.  One of our biggest misses was losing out on Chucky.

[hhcmatt]

Postgame presser

 

 

Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg
Opening statement and update on Juwan Gary’s shoulder
“With Juwan (Gary), we don’t know a lot right now. We will get a scan in the morning and do some more testing on him. Obviously, he was in a lot of pain and after being evaluated by the doctors, and we thought the right move was to keep him out for the rest of the game. We will have an update on Juwan hopefully in the next 24 hours.”

On the most disappointing part of the game and the game overall
“They are so fast and athletic when they turn you over. That was a big difference in the game and also with second-chance points. They had their way with that as well. We just have to have more focus on the basic part of our plan and go out and execute those things to give ourselves a chance. We had probably our best offensive game against Minnesota, but we didn’t carry that over. We had stretches in the second half. Listen, when Derrick (Walker) goes out, he’s a big part of our system and playmaker. Getting those two fouls and not ever getting into a rhythm tonight, that hurt us on that end. Give them credit. They took us out of it. They took our shooters away and played Derrick. We just couldn’t get anything going. He had a career game the other day in Minnesota. Second half, we had stretches that I thought we cut very well to get it going. We talked in the locker room. We couldn’t have played much worse and had guys out of the lineup with fouls, but we were still in striking distance. We came out of the gate and made a run and cut it to five, but then they pushed it right back up. Wilhelm (Breidenbach) was a bright spot. It was good to see him get it going offensively. We just have to hopefully keep him in the game better in the first half with eliminating some of the fouls that are costing him. I think it was 10 with six and a half left, and then they went on a monumental run to finish it. We just have to stick together. For whatever reason, after losses we are bouncing back, but after wins we are just not handling it the right way. We have to find a way to bounce back whether it’s a win or loss and prepare. I thought our preparation was actually pretty good the last few days, but we certainly didn’t carry that over into the game.”

On fouls making an impact on the game 
“It does but it shouldn’t be that big of a factor. We certainly practice with all our guys, and they all need to be ready to step in there and make an impact. We missed a lot of layups, I thought, and we aren’t converting on our free throws. We did the other day, we didn’t tonight. When you give up those types of opportunity, you just don’t get those back. We’ll learn from it, and hopefully we’ll grow from it and get better from it, but we’re going into the best team in the league’s gym which is the hardest place to play in our league. Hopefully, we respond well.”

On not being able to string wins together
“It’s frustrating. Again, if we want to have a chance to play in the postseason, you have to string them together and you have to start with that. We’ve had a brutal schedule. It’s been hard. There’s no doubt about that. But, you go on the road, you get a big win to pull even, as far as wins and losses on the road and at home, and then you come and drop one. We have to find a way to steal at least one more on the road, hopefully a couple of them, and start stringing good efforts together for the remaining 14 left.”

Forward Willhelm Breidenbach
On the struggles throughout the game
“I think it just takes us too long to get going. Just not being able to jump on it from the start I think really hurts us and then obviously me coming in and picking up dumb fouls kind of gives the other team momentum. Just have to play smarter I think and play more poised and follow the game plan.”
 
On fouls called during the first half
“We have a pretty next-man-up mentality. I mean Jamarques (Lawrence) came in. Denim (Dawson) came in and gave us really good minutes, so I think it is just kind of everybody is prepared. Obviously it sucks when there is that many whistles. Like I said when I am picking up dumb fouls that definitely hurts the team.”
 
On getting in a rhythm while fouls are being called
“It is hard but a lot of them are avoidable, box-outs, moving screens, things like that so we just have to play smarter.”
 
On Breidenbach’s scoring run
“Just take what the defense gives me. Whatever I can do to help the team and give the team a better chance at winning is what I will do. It does not necessarily have to be scoring but if I am scoring then that is fine. If it is rebounding or anything in between then that is what I will do.”

[HuskerActuary]

6 hours ago, dustystehl said:

Came out in the second half and scored 6 quick points to cut it to 5 and Illinois called timeout. Crowd was JACKED! But instead of Sandstorm or music to keep the crowd into it, they played a promo for a home game on February 18 - five weeks from now. When play resumed, crowd was sitting back down. Rewarding Underwood for calling that timeout. Need the arena to do their part with home court advantage. Like, maybe don't reset the shot clock after an air ball, giving them time to regain themselves and setup a play that resulted in a made three. And I can make putts from longer distances than some of the bunnies we missed tonight. Keita can dunk, right? Tonight was pathetic. Doesn't give me much hope. Make sure you have your afternoon open on Wednesday, March 8 to watch us in the B1G Tournament. I'm a sad Husker fan tonight...

I have also been disappointed in the sound team this year. What I'd give to have Chris Pankonin back! Looks like he's with the Jazz now.

[hal9000]

At least our next game is a ‘get right’ game against Purdue.

[jimmykc]

Another game I really anticipated winning which turned into another big egg. Ho hum let's move on. We won't be allowed to sit at the big table this year, but maybe we can scoop up a few crumbs that fall off. 

[NUdiehard]

The scouting report is out on this team.  In the B1G, if you have weaknesses, they will be exploited.  This is why it is soooo difficult to win with guys who are role player talent, even if they play tough and gritty on defense, rebounding, etc.

 

I love Walker and his heart and what he has giving this team this year.  But the scouting report on him is not complicated.  He NEVER shoots a jumper.  Ever.  So Illinois simply put their very large defender right under the hoop and told him to never extend out to defend Walker.  This prevents Walker from being able to using his dribbling skills to maneuver past his defender on his way to a layup.  It also doesn't help that the other Illinois defenders were playing off their man and helping in the paint because we have so many guys who can't/won't shoot the 3 (more on this below).

 

Gary gives so much heart and grit to this team, hope he isn't seriously injured.  Need him back.  With that said, the book is out on him.  Opponents simply do not guard him away from the hoop.  #33 for Illinois was playing very soft on Gary in the first half which allowed him to help in the paint against Walker and when Griesel tried to penetrate.  This is why having "complete" basketball players is so important.  It is why shooting is so important.  Gravity is so important.   Without those offensive skills, teams can sag off their man and clog the paint. 

 

Keisei and Wilcher - The scouting report is out.  Teams guard both Keisei and Wilcher EXTREMELY tight on the perimeter.  These are pretty much the only two players on the entire Nebraska roster that the opponent must guard tight, so they do it with a vengeance.  This makes it extremely tough for either of these 2 to get off a 3 point shot.  With that said, they both still occasionally pass up on 3s that they could get off (especially Wilcher) and they need to take them when available.  Last night they combined for just two 3 pointers (0-2).  This is not going to work, they need to combine for about 6-10 3s per game.

 

Bando has lost all his confidence.  He is now shooting 22% on 3s and just 36% overall.  Bando has never been an efficient scorer.  Last year at SMU his overall shooting percentage was just 36%, but he did at least shoot 35% on 3s with good volume.  We need a 35% from 3 Bando to have any chance at success, and we have not got it this year.  I do wonder if all the effort he exerts on the defensive end affects his shot.  Nonetheless, on a team devoid of shooters, losing his 3 point production is a killer.

 

Griesel had a rough night.  Played sooo hard (dove on the floor about 20 times), but turned the ball over and wasn't efficient on his shooting (including FTs).  Griesel is another player that can't/won't shoot the 3, he has only made nine 3s all season, that is about .5 per game and at only a 32% clip.  Again, not going to get it done in this league.

 

Keita has been a shell of himself since returning from injury and is unplayable. 

 

Wilhelm still has way too many dumb fouls, and he really struggled closing out on shooters when on defense.  But, he did have a nice 3 minute stretch where he flashed what we hope he can be.  He scored 8 straight points in the second half by making a 3, then on the next possession he pump-faked at the top of key and when the defender bit, he drove by and scored, and then he hit another contested 3 from deep after that.  This is what Wilhelm must continue to develop.  He MUST continue to take and make that 3 point shot.  Without the 3 point shot, he simply does not have the athleticism to be an efficient player, but with the 3 point shot, he can be a solid player as he develops.  His 3 point shooting last night illustrated exactly why 3 point shooting is so important.  After he made his first 3, the defense had to extend out and defend him.  This opened up the lane for him and other players--Gravity.  Gravity is so important.

 

Fred started Dawson in replacement of Gary in the 2nd half.  I don't think he is the replacement solution if Gary is out for a while.  Dawson is athetic and plays hard, but his offensive game right now is offensive.  The problem is who to play in Gary's place.  Wilhelm could play the 4, but he is foul prone and also is the backup 5, so playing at the same time as Walker doesn't really work.  This means Fred will probably have to go small and play either Keisei or Lawrence and have Griesel guard the opposing 4.  Not ideal, and NU will lose defense, length and rebounding, but at least it will have more shooting and gravity on the floor.

 

Nebraska's defensive philosophy can be frustrating to watch at times.  We over-help sooo much, and seemingly give up wide open 3s all game when the opponent simply swings the ball to the weak side corner.  Illinois only shot 28% on 3s last night, so I guess the 3 point defense wasn't the problem, but man it seems like we are constantly scrambling and failing to close out on wide open shooters.   That #24 for Illinois is a 3 point specialist in the corner and we let him hit two in a row in the 2nd half that were daggers. 

 

Shannon on Illinois is a STUD.  That is the type of guy NU needs to make a leap.  In the first half, Illinois was cold from 3, but he took over.  TALENT changes everything.  Unfortunately, Keyonte Johnson would have been our stud this year, but the athletic dept crapped the bed again and ruined it for this team and the fans.  Some things never change. 

Edited January 11 by NUdiehard

[Chuck Taylor]

3 minutes ago, NUdiehard said:

The scouting report is out on this team.  In the B1G, if you have weaknesses, they will be exploited.  This is why it is soooo difficult to win with guys who are role player talent, even if they play tough and gritty on defense, rebounding, etc.

 

[kldm64]

18 minutes ago, NUdiehard said:

Nebraska's defensive philosophy can be frustrating to watch at times.  We over-help sooo much, and seemingly give up wide open 3s all game when the opponent simply swings the ball to the weak side corner.  Illinois only shot 28% on 3s last night, so I guess the 3 point defense wasn't the problem, but man it seems like we are constantly scrambling and failing to close out on wide open shooters.   That #24 for Illinois is a 3 point specialist in the corner and we let him hit two in a row in the 2nd half that were daggers. 

 

Shannon on Illinois is a STUD.  That is the type of guy NU needs to make a leap.  In the first half, Illinois was cold from 3, but he took over.  TALENT changes everything.  Unfortunately, Keyonte Johnson would have been our stud this year, but the athletic dept crapped the bed again and ruined it for this team and the fans.  Some things never change. 

 

This is why I've never been a fan of Doc Sadler and his defensive philosophy.  We constantly try and double team and just leave wide open shooters with teams that swing the ball quickly.  We have to rely on teams having an off night shooting in order to win. While I appreciate Fred's willingness to make changes this year, just doesn't appear he is the guy that is going to get it done at Nebraska.

 

We had a STUD in Bryce McGowens last year but it was a total wasted year.  Poor coaching and selfish play ruined that.

[huskerbaseball13]

Any chance Coach Cal would want this job? Lol

[throwback]

This team can't survive giving up 16 points off turnovers and 17 second chance points. Those numbers need to be more like 6 and 7 instead of 16 and 17.

 

Far too many live ball turnovers that led to easy baskets. Seems like we are really bad against teams that are aggressive on the perimeter (Illinois, St Johns) and better against soft teams on the perimeter (Iowa, Western Council Bluffs).

 

We need to be able to play to our strength -- half court defense -- and those live ball turnovers are killers.

 

How many putbacks did Illinois get off their own airballs? Bad luck there.

 

Then we don't have a Shannon. That dude won the game with what he did in the first half when no one on either team was able to get anything going.

 

Ultimately, though, we have no margin for error because we are so challenged offensively. Have to limit the turnovers, have to prevent put backs, and can't afford to have our top guys out for extended periods with fouls and injury. Didn't come close to happening last night.

 

[Chuck Taylor]

33 minutes ago, huskerbaseball13 said:

Any chance Coach Cal would want this job? Lol

Kentucky fans would pay his salary here if he left. Good budget move for us.

[NUdiehard]

1 hour ago, kldm64 said:

 

We had a STUD in Bryce McGowens last year but it was a total wasted year.  Poor coaching and selfish play ruined that.

 

No.  Bryce was a potential future stud, but he was not a STUD last year.  Not even close really.  Bryce was a super skinny freshman who was inefficient on offense and a complete liability on defense.  Bryce shot 27% from 3 and 40% overall, and did not have the grit or physicality to bang and grind in the B1G.  This is WAY different than guys like Shannon and Keyonte who are grown MEN who are built like Juwan Gary, but also have elite offensive skills.  Keyonte is currently averaging 18.4 pts, 7 rebounds and almost 3 assists on 57.4% overall FG% and over 40% from 3.  Bryce was not in the same stratosphere as a skinny freshman last year.  He may eventually get there if he develops his body, but last year he was almost as much as a liability as a weapon in most games. 

Edited January 11 by NUdiehard