uneblinstu's post game chatter: ed 6, vol 12: The Citadel

[uneblinstu]

- Pretty frustrating start to this one. The Citadel was clearly the aggressor and NU gave them every reason to believe the first 15 minutes or so.  

- That said, after NU went on that run to end the half, hey controlled the action for basically the rest of the way.

- Petteway doesn't seem to me to be forcing the issue as much. I like how he's fitting into the flow right now and I like that every time on the break he's looking to take it to the rim.  We haven't had a guy do what he can do in transition in a long time. 

- Webster's in his own head right now. Exhibit A: The kickout with a wide open layup (or maybe dunk...) available to him. I'm betting this is the first time in his life he's ever struggled or not been the best player on the court or team. He'll get it figured out, but he's fighting it right now.

- Ray didn't score much tonight, but I thought he did pretty well in a variety of other areas tonight.  Looked to take the ball of the dribble more and finished with, I think, 3 assists.  

- Shields got overshadowed by Petteway, but his play in the first half of the second half might have been the difference in the game.

- Solid night from Smith that could have been a huge night if not for a few turnovers and missed opportunities at the rim.  Double double from the big man.

- Big crowd tonight, which I was pleasantly surprised by, but not much energy (except when the guy hit the half court shot and at halftime).

- Not Pitchford's best night. It happens.

- Huskers had 9 turnovers at half time and 13 for the game. Just not much was good in the first half.  Played, I think, pretty well in the second.

- Liked that they brought back the press in the second half.

- They did a better job of attacking the rim tonight, as evidenced by shooting 52% from the floor despite going 5-17 from 3 and the 34 free throw attempts, but they've got to do better 65%. Honestly, I was shocked they shot that high a percentage because they were hovering between 50% and 55% most of the night.  They hit them down the stretch, which, is good, sometimes it's when you get them as much as anything.

- Also, we've said it before, but rebounding...oof...

 

That's all for now.

 

Merry Christmas, everyone!

[nuled2dance]

Great write up as always. Merry Christmas!

[Huskerpapa]

I totally agree, the beginning of this game was a bit frustrating.  We appeared to be rusty or going through the motion.  Citadel was the aggressive team and certainly appeared to want it more.  That lasted fifteen minutes, then the last twenty-five, we played pretty well.

 

Those who played really well...Petteway

Those who played pretty good...Shavon and Leslee

Those who played okay...Biggs, Ray, Walter

Kinda no shows...Benny, Tai, Nathan

 

I left feeling okay.  I am telling myself that we really did not spend much time preparing for this team.  When we figured it out, we rolled over them.  My hope is that we are preparing for what begins next week.

[Row6Seat10]

That big crowd gave Ed Hightower a standing ovation. Would there ever be another official that the fans would do that to?

[uneblinstu]

That big crowd gave Ed Hightower a standing ovation. Would there ever be another official that the fans would do that to?

Absolutely, this is Nebraska, they'll pay their respects when those opportunities are called for.

[Norm Peterson]

Got kinda lucky to end the first half with a tie.  We took it at 'em to begin the 2nd half, though, and that wasn't luck.

 

I would say the one significant silver lining in an otherwise disappointing (or, at best, blah) performance was that we made significant half-time adjustments on both ends of the floor.  Immediately to start the second half, we began attacking the rim and trying to get the ball into the lane and it paid dividends beginning with the very first possession of the 2nd half.

[boomer1]

I would say the one significant silver lining in an otherwise disappointing (or, at best, blah) performance was that we made significant half-time adjustments on both ends of the floor.  Immediately to start the second half, we began attacking the rim and trying to get the ball into the lane and it paid dividends beginning with the very first possession of the 2nd half.

I agree with this completely.  I love that they made adjustments at half and came out and executed them.  I wish the football team would do that!

[Row6Seat10]

 

That big crowd gave Ed Hightower a standing ovation. Would there ever be another official that the fans would do that to?

Absolutely, this is Nebraska, they'll pay their respects when those opportunities are called for.

 

Oh, I agree that the Nebraska fans will do that. I was just curious who would be another official that they would recognized the way they did Hightower if the opportunity would arise.

[uneblinstu]

 

 

That big crowd gave Ed Hightower a standing ovation. Would there ever be another official that the fans would do that to?

Absolutely, this is Nebraska, they'll pay their respects when those opportunities are called for.

 

Oh, I agree that the Nebraska fans will do that. I was just curious who would be another official that they would recognized the way they did Hightower if the opportunity would arise.

 

Higgins, when the time comes in 20 years.  I bet they would have for Welmer, too had he not retired due to injury.

[AuroranHusker]

 

 

 

That big crowd gave Ed Hightower a standing ovation. Would there ever be another official that the fans would do that to?

Absolutely, this is Nebraska, they'll pay their respects when those opportunities are called for.

 

Oh, I agree that the Nebraska fans will do that. I was just curious who would be another official that they would recognized the way they did Hightower if the opportunity would arise.

 

Higgins, when the time comes in 20 years.  I bet they would have for Welmer, too had he not retired due to injury.

 

 

Wondered what had happened to Welmer... probably hurt his back due to the hysteric calls he'd aggressively gesture!! 

[uneblinstu]

ACL, I believe.

[AuroranHusker]

ACL, I believe.

okay, thanks

[Norm Peterson]

For probably 20 years, Ed Hightower was the only official whose name I knew.

 

It felt like an honor to have him officiate a Husker game since here was a guy who had done Final 4s and Championship games. 

 

There were times where I thought he might have blown a call.  But I always thought he was consistent and "called it both ways" so to speak. 

 

I agree with Row 6.  Hightower stands alone in my view.  No other college basketball ref has the kind of fame that Ed Hightower has. 

 

Did the guy with the Hightower head thing give it to Hightower after the game?  I could see what looked to me like Hightower asked them if he could have it and indicated where he wanted them to leave it after the game but I didn't see what happened.

[Norm Peterson]

To put it in different terms, Ed Hightower is like the Ed Hochuli of college basketball.

[AuroranHusker]

To put it in different terms, Ed Hightower is like the Ed Hochuli of college basketball.

Yep, and as you know, two Ed's are better than one...

[doc1394]

Did the guy with the Hightower head thing give it to Hightower after the game? I could see what looked to me like Hightower asked them if he could have it and indicated where he wanted them to leave it after the game but I didn't see what happened.

Yeah that guy gave it to UNL, who gave it to Hightower

[49r]

For probably 20 years, Ed Hightower was the only official whose name I knew.

 

It felt like an honor to have him officiate a Husker game since here was a guy who had done Final 4s and Championship games. 

 

There were times where I thought he might have blown a call.  But I always thought he was consistent and "called it both ways" so to speak. 

 

I agree with Row 6.  Hightower stands alone in my view.  No other college basketball ref has the kind of fame that Ed Hightower has. 

 

Did the guy with the Hightower head thing give it to Hightower after the game?  I could see what looked to me like Hightower asked them if he could have it and indicated where he wanted them to leave it after the game but I didn't see what happened.

 

Because we've only been in the B1G a few years, we haven't had the pleasure of having "TV" Ted Valentine ref many of our games yet.  But it's apparent that the amount of hate that fans have for him dwarfs anything that people feel for Hightower.

 

https://www.facebook.com/firetedvalentine

 

John Higgins is another notorious ref I can think of off the top of my head.