12/08/2013 - Creighton Report Card

[hhcdave]

OFFENSE: C-

 

As hard as it is to believe, there were some positives offensively tonight.

 

For starters, Nebraska shot more free throws than Creighton (26 to 22) and NU's 59% from the field in the second half was better than Creighton's 55% in the first.

 

Outside of that though, there wasn't a lot of good to say, especially in the first ten minutes of the game, when NU's offense was "bad for the ages."

 

The Huskers came out scared, rattled and like they'd never seen aggressive defense in their lives. Creighton did a great job taking away the driving lines, sure, but NU took WAY TOO MANY jump shots and three pointers early on.

 

In fact, in the first half, Nebraska shot just 8% from downtown (1-12) and 30% from the field, which helped them get down 22-3. No, you can't even make that up.

 

I'll give NU some credit in that they played much better in the last 25 minutes, but when you dig a hole of epic proportions, it really doesn't matter.

 

DEFENSE: D

 

Nebraska allowed CU to shoot 49% for the game and pour in 82 points.

 

Again, from the 5:00 minute mark of the first half and on, once NU switched to the zone, it did a nice job of keeping Creighton in check.

 

But how can you really feel good about that?

 

One thing is for sure, Nebraska needs to play more zone. That defense has been largely successful (sans one game in the Charleston Classic) and it will help keep NU out of foul trouble.

 

The Huskers (and the rest of America) are glad to see Doug McDermott's days coming to an end as a collegiate player, as the big man lit the nets on fire to the tune of 33 points on 12-23 shooting (5-10 downtown).

 

REBOUNDING: C

 

34 to 30, Creighton. For as bad as this game was, rebounding really played no factor, and that's not a bad total.

 

Nice night for two Huskers on the boards, as Petteway and Deverell Biggs hauled down six boards apiece.

 

It's for this reason, along with 21 points, that Petteway is our Player of the Game (over Shavon Shields - though it was GREAT to see Shields "show up" and get back on track).

 

I also loved hearing how Petteway handled himself in the locker room following the game, as he apologize to teammates, was in tears and genuinely sorry that he was co-issued a flagrant two foul (along with Grant "Thug Life" Gibbs). Class act by Terran when, in this writer's opinion, he had little to apologize for.

 

Gibbs should know better, after all, as he was a college freshman when Petteway was still getting school lunch at Galveston, Texas Middle School.

 

BALL HANDLING: D

 

9 turnovers to 13 assists. In theory, that's nice.

 

If you watched the game, however, Nebraska's inability to get into its offense in the first 15:00 was one of the main shortcomings of this contest.

 

NU consistently lacked attack, passion, fire, etc. in its offense. That comes back to how they performed with the ball in their hands (that's what she........).

 

COACHING: D

 

This game was unacceptable. Period.

 

You can't get down 30 to a team in the first twelve minutes of a game, anytime, anywhere.

 

Nebraska looked scared, flat and overwhelmed early on, and at least some of that have to come back to the head coach.

 

Should NU have taken a shoot around in Omaha? Should they have planned their trip different with a hotel? Should they have played more straight up and less attention to McDermott, who you knew was going to get his 30 either way? Should NU have zoned earlier? Should former starter (just two weeks ago) David Rivers have gotten in the game over Nathan Hawkins? Lots of questions.

 

I appreciate how NU battled back and to Miles' credit, he was coaching BIG TIME in the second half, running up and down the sideline, calling timeouts and obviously seeing his team meet the challenges he issued at the half. So for that, he deserves credit and props.

 

But I can't do much more than that, as really, Miles and his team created lemonade out of the rotten lemons they created mostly on their own.

 

OVERALL GRADE: D

 

If Nebraska had been down 8 points at the half and lost by 15, we would all feel okay with this loss.

 

But the fact that Nebraska thoroughly EMBARASSED ITSELF (and its fans) in the first half is enough to make this one far from "acceptable."

 

Hopefully this will be a big part of the growing process, and we'll see a much different NU team in Cincinnati in a couple of weeks. Also, hopefully NU realizes that if it comes out loose, with intensity and plays its game, it can play with borderline Top 25 teams like Creighton.

 

I do have to give Creighton lots of credit, too, as much as it pains me. They have a very good basketball team and they'll be a solid 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

 

Still, the days of the Bluejays as a state "basketball power" appear to be coming to an end, based on CU losing the majority of its key players (and All-Americans) and based on the fact that its head man hasn't shown any ability to cut it in major conferences, which CU now finds itself a part of.

 

PLAYER OF THE GAME: TERRAN PETTEWAY

 

BONUS AWARD - DOUCHE OF THE GAME AWARD: GRANT GIBBS

 

2013-2014 PLAYER OF THE GAME TOTALS:

 

TERRAN PETTEWAY - 4

 

TAI WEBSTER - 2

 

LESLEE SMITH - 1

 

SHAVON SHIELDS - 1

 

WALTER PITCHFORD - 1

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[Huskerpapa]

More than fair...I may have given all F's but for our effort the last twenty-five minutes or so.  I am so disappointed with how we started this game.  Totally, totally unacceptable.

[GoBigRed]

More than fair...I may have given all F's but for our effort the last twenty-five minutes or so. I am so disappointed with how we started this game. Totally, totally unacceptable.

Even if we're scared, even if we're flat, even if we're cold, there is zero excuse for letting it get as bad as it did. Hate to say it, but totally on the coaches. I don't care if you have to call 5 timeouts in the first 10 minutes, you don't fall behind by 30 that early to ANYONE. our jacking up of 3s should have been recognized right away, and coaches should've gotten everyone on the same page and to attack the rim, like we finally figured out in te second half. Miles did a pretty terrible job of letting our guys get sucked into the tide so to speak and letting them endure it rather than calm them down and fix it.

[hhcdave]

That's the only negative I've consistently been on Miles for all season.

 

His lack of using timeouts to teach, stop momentum and regroup.

 

Granted, he did use a timeout when we got down 8-0.

[tcp]

That's the only negative I've consistently been on Miles for all season.

 

His lack of using timeouts to teach, stop momentum and regroup.

 

Granted, he did use a timeout when we got down 8-0.

Maybe he read Phil Jackson's book. There's some teaching merit to that approach, too.

 

that said, Petteway was terrific today. He gathered himself, got himself energized, and put the team on his shoulders. Again.

eventually it rubbed off.

[Buglem]

Agree on the report card.

One observation on McDermott, I've never seen an all American be so non-existent on the defensive end of the floor. No fouls and zero defensive presence. Guess he's practicing for the NBA already. He'll of an offensive player but pathetic on defense.

[hhcmatt]

Agree on the report card.

One observation on McDermott, I've never seen an all American be so non-existent on the defensive end of the floor. No fouls and zero defensive presence. Guess he's practicing for the NBA already. He'll of an offensive player but pathetic on defense.

 

Some of that has to be part of the gameplan...they don't work so well if Doug can't play.

[HuskerFever]

Would it be outlandish to say that, aside from Ohio State last year, that this was one of the worst performances under Miles? Nothing against him. It's just unfortunate that it came against this opponent.

[HuskerCager]

That's the only negative I've consistently been on Miles for all season.

 

His lack of using timeouts to teach, stop momentum and regroup.

 

Granted, he did use a timeout when we got down 8-0.

Coach seemed to allude to that on his post-game show, noting that he was taken aback by the 23-2 score, he didn't realize it got that out of hand.  That seems to indicate that the there was some poor communication by the coaching staff during that run.

[Cazzie22]

Why would McDermott have to play much defense tonight?  Nobody challenged him.  I was tryng to figure out what we were trying to do on offense all first half, if someone knows, please tell me.

 

Memo to Coach Miles:  Burn the black uniforms.

[colhusker]

Given the number of times we lost their two good shooters and allowed them wide open looks I would say the D for defense should be taken and run with. 

[hhcmatt]

Looks like Miles agrees with the report card

 

[Nighthawk]

Maybe someone will ask about Rivers tonight on his radio show. Doubt anyone will ask...and even stronger doubt that Coach Miles would respond if asked about attitude issues on the team.

[uneblinstu]

It's actually seems like a savvy move on McDermott's part, IMO.  He looks like he makes a conscious decision to give token defensive pressure but not give the opponent a chance a a three point play which also keeps himself in the game where he's more valuable.  Most of the guys that got inside on him weren't forwards or post players that could challenge him defensively, they were guards.  That's a no win situation for Dougie.

[PimpMario]

Offense F

This game was more garbage time than real time.  Game was over after 15 minutes.  We were down 30+.

 

Defense F

 

This game was more garbage time than real time.  Game was over after 15 minutes.  We were down 30+.

 

 

Seriously, how can you even include the second half in the equation?  It was garbage time by then.

[jimmykc]

Dave; I usually agree with your astute observations but the first half of our effort was so disappointing that it made the last half effort meaningless. All of your marks for this game should be downgraded at least one notch. I'm not sure there were many teachable lessons to be learned either. Best to leave this one lying like a road killed opossum and speed to the next destination without looking back.

[huskerbaseball13]

Looks like Miles agrees with the report card

 

 

Not to turn this into a football thread.....but this is why I like Miles a million times better than Bo.  Miles knows his team wasn't prepared.....a learning experience for this young group. 

[atskooc]

I didn't get a great look at Coach's tie...so I'll give the road black uni's a B+.

[Huskerpapa]

I didn't get a great look at Coach's tie...so I'll give the road black uni's a B+.

I thought the staff dressed alike.  Black slacks, white shirts, red ties.  I remember noting it at a time out...

[wrightbackatcha]

 

That's the only negative I've consistently been on Miles for all season.

 

His lack of using timeouts to teach, stop momentum and regroup.

 

Granted, he did use a timeout when we got down 8-0.

Coach seemed to allude to that on his post-game show, noting that he was taken aback by the 23-2 score, he didn't realize it got that out of hand.  That seems to indicate that the there was some poor communication by the coaching staff during that run.

 

That's a few times the coaching staff hasn't been on cue with advice.  However, all you have to do is look up or sense they've scored a crap ton of points.

[PimpMario]

 

Looks like Miles agrees with the report card

 

 

Not to turn this into a football thread.....but this is why I like Miles a million times better than Bo.  Miles knows his team wasn't prepared.....a learning experience for this young group. 

 

 

I would like Miles a million times better if he didn't have to apologize for embarrassing efforts.  

[ballgame]

I haven't been more down after a game than I was after yesterday's and I needed to take a day before even checking HHC. Miles deserves an F- for this one.  

[Handy Johnson]

When I flipped on the TV it was 40 - 10. A brutish reminder of what being a Nebraska basketball fan is all about. The highs and lows are pronounced.

[a0t0w0]

When I flipped on the TV it was 40 - 10. A brutish reminder of what being a Nebraska basketball fan is all about. The highs and lows are pronounced.

 

You need to find the high within the low.  One member found his in Nyquil shots.

[49r]

 

When I flipped on the TV it was 40 - 10. A brutish reminder of what being a Nebraska basketball fan is all about. The highs and lows are pronounced.

 

You need to find the high within the low.  One member found his in Nyquil shots.

 

 

NyQuil is just the chaser.