11/27/2012 - At Wake Forest Report Card

[hhcdave]

OFFENSE: A

If the Huskers had scored a few more points in the first half, this would be an "A+."

Either way, I can't imagine Nebraska playing any better offensively, as the Big Red shot 51% from the field en route to scoring 79 points!

What's even better than the scoring is how NU achieved it, with virtually everybody contributing.

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

Click here to view the article

[tcp]

great write up, dave. that was something. this game blew up a few actuarial tables. love it!

[BjoeHusker]

Almeida without a doubt was the player of the game. 20 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks in only 27 minutes. Had to step it up with Ubel in foul trouble. Gallegos was a non factor in the first half while Almeida was a major reason the Huskers had the lead.

[sayelr]

Unbelievably awesome game. Gotta love it. People will see the ticker and say to me: damn, look what nebraska did to wake forest. And I will say to them: yeah dude, Nebraska is ridiculous at basketball.

[trickey]

I am happy to win the game ...etc. Color me THRILLED!...Yet, let me nit-pick/wonder at a "growing team" problem...

During the closeout potion of the game, we showed a team that isn't familiar with how to win.

This is not surprising...yet, the Huskers did not realize...as a team we were up by enough that we did not need to score.

We were taking quick shots with 15 to 20 seconds left on the shot clock!

During this game, it did not come back to bite us...but it could/will at some point if not addressed.

When a team is up by 20 or more with less than 5 minutes left...they need to realize...there is no need to score, but rather there is a need to make time disappear. Our quick shot selection of this evening could let some better teams back in the game.

This is a great problem to have. A growing/learning problem... that as a fan I have not seen in quite a while. Thanks, T.M. GATA GBR

[atskooc]

Great write up!

But isn't Webster from New Zealand? In what sense is he from Europe?

[Tallbaby21]

New Zealand, mate!

[hhcmatt]

I also thought Andre was player of the game.

[Cousin Mose]

Congrats on the big road win.

[Donkey]

What is the most important to me is that they bounced back from a loss. Nebraska had some good momentum until the Kent State game. The guys could have given up, but they did not. Not only did Nebraska win, but they won decisively on the road.

There may be numerous minuses to the team, but they definitely play with heart and conviction.

[Chuck Taylor]

I'd also vote for Almeida, especially for the 27 minutes he played. I really think he's going to be the key to whether this team is in the game or not, once we get to BIG play. I give Coach Miles credit for putting him on the bench against Kent, maybe that woke him up.

[swoll cracker]

It was my first chance to watch Nebraska play last night. The fat guy was tremendous. He moved his feet really well on the defensive end and made it difficult for Wake to find any room near the basket in the half court. And offensively he displayed a beautiful touch around the rim.

Miles has dusted Bzdelik by double digits the last two times they met. The last was a 77-60 stomping of Colorado.

[royalfan]

Agree with those that think Andre was player of game. Pretty easily in my view.

[Huskerbb73]

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.

I agree with this. Nebraska was so agressive in getting in their faces, it seemed like they gave them some easy lanes to the hoop. Also, I didn't think that they played transition defense very well at times. Wake was atrocious at finishing though. All in all, a very good win last night.

[Silverbacked1]

Fear the Beard.

I vote Almeida doesn't shave.

[hhctony]

There may be numerous minuses to the team, but they definitely play with heart and conviction.

I'm with this. I don't think we could ever question the heart our guys played with under Sadler. I think you can question the conviction; or the know how. It's like everybody's basketball IQ has just 500 points.

[hhcdave]

Wow, I didn't think I'd be the only one who thought Ray was Player of the Game.

My view was, up to the point where he took the game over, we were still hanging on to 4-8 point leads, and once he got going, he single handedly carried us to a comfortable lead, based on his little scoring explosion in the second half.

I agree with the sentiment that Almeida played lights out, however. Maybe I should have done Co Players of the Game.

[hskr4life]

Wow, I didn't think I'd be the only one who thought Ray was Player of the Game.

My view was, up to the point where he took the game over, we were still hanging on to 4-8 point leads, and once he got going, he single handedly carried us to a comfortable lead, based on his little scoring explosion in the second half.

I agree with the sentiment that Almeida played lights out, however. Maybe I should have done Co Players of the Game.

I mean you can make an argument for either, because both played lights out.

Also does anyone else love this problem that we can't decide who is player of the game... hopefully this continues!

[Silverbacked1]

Per ESPN:

Breakout Performance of the Night – Andre Almeida

At 6-11, 314 pounds, it’s tough to imagine Almeida staying under the radar. After Tuesday’s performance, the Brazilian will be noticed for more than just his size.

Almeida finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in Nebraska’s 79-63 win at Wake Forest. The last Big Ten player with a 20-10 game in which he shot 90 percent from the field was Iowa’s Cyrus Tate in 2009. Before that it was Raymar Morgan and Greg Oden.

I'm saying either way. Both played very well. They just need to keep it up.

[49r]

Put me in the torn between Rey and Andre camp for player of the game, or at least I was for most of the second half.

What tipped it in Andre's favor, for me at least, was the double-double. Well, that and the fact that I honestly believe Rey was just finally living up to his potential. That kind of performance should be the rule for him, not the exception. Andre, however, (and this is again JMO) played way over his expected abilities and was a very disruptive factor especially on defense last night. For that, I believe he should be rewarded with POTG honors.

[Handy Johnson]

Love the fact that when we got up, we kept puttin' the boots to 'em. Very encourging. This was across the board, best case scenario as far as production and minutes from our key players. Now lets win another one before the dreaded Bluebirds come to town.

[uneblinstu]

This is a ball game if both guys don't have big nights, or if both just have 12 point nights, but I think the shots Ray hit were game changers

[Huskerpapa]

Ray also played great, great defense taking their stud completely out of his game...don't discount that effort. I also liked Andre on defense. He makes a difference on both ends of the court when he is motivated to play. I was kind of torked at his initial effort. But after his first rest, he came back and played the best game of his career at Nebraska.

[Norm Peterson]

It's tough when you put up a career high 20 pts and grab 11 boards and don't get player of the game because someone else put up a career high 20 points on 4 of 8 shooting from downtown in the crucial stretch that put the game away.

I think Ubel had a similar experience the other night when he went like 17 pts and 13 bds on the same night that Dylan Talley went off for 27. You have maybe the best game of your career but don't get player of the game because someone else went crazy on the court.

But it happens. I could see either pick being justified. They both had great games.

[Cazzie22]

I think Peltz does a lot for the team that won't show up in the stats. He's not a scoring threat but he's the type of player that will set the screens, get loose balls and even rebound. Great win tempered by the fact that I'm not sure Wake is really very good.