uneblinstu's Post Game Chatter: Vol 8, Issue 18 - vs Minnesota

[49r]

I think coach Miles looked a bit under the weather too, they kept cutting to him on the TV and he looked like he was kind of in pain and wiping his brow and stuff.

[Silverbacked1]

At half as Minny was walking off the court the players where not happy with each other. I would say they might not win again this year.

Also Pittino looked like a dead man walking.

And as I watched the game last night I had to think that when you are looking for a big man you must get one that has some skill because if they don't they will look like the guys that Minny kept putting in the game.

[hhcmatt]

 

Shavon, Andrew, Tai, Glynn and Jacobson played very well.  Jacobson was as active as he's been all year.  Morrow was decent.   Benny was under the weather and struggled mightily.  Jack was off tonight.  After that, well, I"ll go with mom's admonition about if you can't say anything nice.....

What are you talking about?  I'm telling you right now Morrow is probably the biggest key to why we are starting to look better.  Decent isn't going 9 out of 10... that is called GOOD.

 

Those drives that have been driving me crazy that Shavon and Tai dribble into the lane and fire it up through 3 defenders... They are now turning into what they should of been all year.  They are now finding a wide open Morrow for for the easy buckets.

 

Disagree all you want, but in my eyes Morrow play has been the difference.

 

I think Morrow is a piece of why we've looked better. Biggest? Maybe though it really seems like an overall group effort like everyone has finally figured out where they're supposed to be and in general look more confident. 

 

Morrow looks like he has more spring but I still think he isn't 100%. 

Also, he only played 8 minutes in the first half because Miles got tired of watching Murphy burn him for baskets. He and Jacobson are forming a serviceable post player rotation that I hope can pay dividends for us over the next 3+ years

 

[Silverbacked1]

I also have to say that I think the coaching staff has made some good changes as well. The rotation seems to be set nicely.

The little press that the second unit puts on is really a nice change of pace.

They ran an inbounds play last night that they scored off of.

And I think we have done a better job of breaking the press. Neither Ritgers or Minny really pressed hard but we pushed the ball some and it was nicer.

[Red Don]

I also have to say that I think the coaching staff has made some good changes as well. The rotation seems to be set nicely.

The little press that the second unit puts on is really a nice change of pace.

They ran an inbounds play last night that they scored off of.

And I think we have done a better job of breaking the press. Neither Ritgers or Minny really pressed hard but we pushed the ball some and it was nicer.

 

They look much more competent as a Basketball Team; doing what we all came to watch them do.

[cozrulz]

A win @Illinois would put the Huskers back on track.

[hhcmatt]

Nebraska Postgame Notes

*-Nebraska has won its past two conference games by at least 20 points, the first time that has happened since Jan. 16-30, 1971 (Iowa State and Oklahoma State)
*-Nebraska finished with 84 points, the second consecutive game with 80+ points. It marked the first time that happened for Nebraska since 2002 (at Texas A&M; vs. Kansas)
*-Shavon Shields made his 100th consecutive start, becoming only the second Husker to start 100 straight games. Dave Hoppen, who started all 111 of his games, is the only other Husker to make 100 consecutive starts. Shields is the sixth Husker to start 100 games at Nebraska
*-Shields finished with 2015-16 conference highs in points (24) and rebounds (eight). Shields also went over 1,400 career points tonight and now has 1,405 points and is within 10 points of 11th place on NU’s career scoring list.
*-Glynn Watson Jr. set his career high in steals with four. He had three each in games against Cincinnati and Tennessee.
*-Nebraska’s 47-point first-half was the Huskers’ highest first-half total in conference play since scoring 49 points against Kansas State in 2002.
*-Tai Webster a career high with five assists tonight. He had three other games with at least five assists, the last coming against Arkansas State on Dec. 14, 2013
*-Nebraska shot 50 percent in consecutive conference games for the first time since the 2011-12 season (Illinois; at Purdue)


Nebraska Head Coach Tim Miles Quotes
On how satisfying it was to not have a letdown after the Rutgers game
“The key for the game tonight was to string together effort and execution. Let's see how many we can put together. How many possessions we can put together in a row where we play tough and physical and move the ball and share the ball and take good shots. Really after the first 14 minutes of the game, it was kind of an awkward start with the possessions and the jump ball and just everything. It was awkward but after that I thought we were really tough. At one point in the first 14 minutes I know we had four different occasions where we had consecutive stops. Three at a time, then four at a time, then three at a time, then four at a time four, 14 straight stops and we built a lead off of that and that was really critical.”

On Nebraska’s success against the zone tonight
“We’ve got guys that make more shots. They’ve worked at making more shots too. We’ve got guys that really put in the time on that. I thought Shavon (Shields) was terrific tonight. I thought he was on the attack. Here’s a guy that’s starting his 100 consecutive game and as far as I know there’s only one other guy that’s done that, Dave Hoppen, and that’s pretty elite company to be in. He was just really good and you could see that he looked like the best guy on the floor for a really long time.  You got Andrew White III and they’ve got some guys so I was really proud of Shavon (Shields) and I was really proud of Drew (Andrew White III) for not forcing anything. He got one early and then he was just patient and ended up having a strong second-half. He really let the game come to him.”

On the younger guys figuring out their roles
“I think we’re better that way. We have a clear understanding of scheme and team. Scheme is your job obligation in terms of how to play the right way and I think we’re getting better. We are going to have a really difficult week next week with at Illinois and at Michigan State.”

On the play of the freshmen
“I thought Michael (Jacobson) was really active on the glass and finished strong. I was very impressed with Michael (Jacobson). Then I thought Ed (Morrow Jr.) came in and played well. I thought Rutgers was his best game and I thought tonight he was as good as that too. He had a couple defensive errors early but after that he bounced back and was really tough. We need those guys. We need that physicality. And those guys are starting to warm to that fight and we need them to. Glynn (Watson Jr.) had eight points, three assists and no turnovers. That’s Glynn and he’s only going to get better and better.”


Nebraska Forward Shavon Shields
On how satisfied that win was
“That was really good. I think it was really good for our team. You know, just from a mindset and a morale standpoint, I think that was good to get those two. We have a tough one this weekend at Illinois so we have to be ready and have two good days of prep, Thursday and Friday and go get one on Saturday.”

On if some of the younger guys started to look good and pick up on things
“I think they are more comfortable in their roles now. They finally figured it out, what they need to do to not only help us win but to be successful and that has helped our team and them. It’s been big.”

On anything he’s seen from Ed Morrow Jr.
“Just being aggressive on the offensive boards. I think those get him going offensively and defensively. If he gets an offensive board put back, he just scored and he’s kind of amped up to play defense and I think that has helped him a lot.”

On the mentality of attacking the zone and how it was different this time
“Yeah we did. We did. Everybody made plays in the middle of the zone and instead of waiting and kind of reacting and then trying to go set up something, I think we just took it and went. That was big. Glynn (Watson Jr.) did a good job of it, Tai (Webster) did a good job of it. Just getting it down the floor and just going. Once you kind of beat that pressure the first side, it seems like they’re in rotation which opens up driving lanes and kickouts and stuff, I just felt like everybody was kind of in a rhythm at the start of the game. Getting stops helps them to not be able to set up the zone and that was another big thing for us.”

On the concern of having a let down
“The last two games, we’ve gone into half time up by 20. Previous games we have kind of given away leads and then let teams get back in and make it in the game. That was a big emphasis. Have a good warmup, start strong on defense, because second half defense has been really, really poor this year. I think we did a good job of it, doing what we need to do to keep them out of reach and out of the game.”

Minnesota Head Coach Richard Pitino
Opening Statement
“Obviously we are an extremely unconfident basketball team right now. We can’t make shots and then can’t make stops and rebounds. That is a recipe to lose a lot of games. We’ve got to find a way to get some confidence going. I thought going on the road would’ve helped us a little bit. I thought we started off good. I like that lineup that I put in there. I thought they had good energy. They had good juice and then we got in foul trouble and it kind of sucked the life out of us a little bit. You have to give them credit as well. They played well, but we’re just not a very good basketball team right now. We’re a very unconfident basketball team. I’ve got to do my best to get some confidence going.”

On when the confidence took a turn for them this season
“I would probably say the Northwestern game at home. I think that drained us. I think guys lost a lot of faith in themselves. One thing we talked a lot about was, regardless of where we are, who we’re playing, where we’re at, I kind of thought going on the road would help the confidence a little bit. Sometimes playing at home when you aren’t playing good is tough too. We just did not respond real well.”

On Shavon Shields
“I love the guy. I think he’s one of the most valuable players for their team. He wills his team to victory. He’s got heart. He pulls everybody with him. He’s a special senior. I think Benny Parker too, he wasn’t great tonight but they play hard. They have will and Shavon Shields is definitely one of those players.

[hhcmatt]

[49r]

At half as Minny was walking off the court the players where not happy with each other. I would say they might not win again this year.

Also Pittino looked like a dead man walking.

And as I watched the game last night I had to think that when you are looking for a big man you must get one that has some skill because if they don't they will look like the guys that Minny kept putting in the game.

 

I just got back from reading Gopherhole this morning, and man, the torches are lit.  They want his ass out the door TODAY!

 

If anything it might be worse for them than last year was for us...which is saying something.

 

Also, a real common thread keeps popping up over there.  They all really LOVE Tim Miles.

[49r]

 

I also have to say that I think the coaching staff has made some good changes as well. The rotation seems to be set nicely.

The little press that the second unit puts on is really a nice change of pace.

They ran an inbounds play last night that they scored off of.

And I think we have done a better job of breaking the press. Neither Ritgers or Minny really pressed hard but we pushed the ball some and it was nicer.

 

They look much more competent as a Basketball Team; doing what we all came to watch them do.

 

 

Playing 200-ish RPI teams will have that effect.

 

Illinois is going to give us a little better idea of what kind of progress these kids are actually making.

[Fullbacksympathy]

Big red says above, "Evelyn shows flashes." Agreed: whenever Evelyn drives the baseline, he makes a clever play with the ball, and something special happens.

 

Yep.  This kid is a very talented passer, and has good enough handles to be a true point guard to go along with great PG length.  I'm really intrigued by his future.  I think he and GW are going to be excellent compliments to one another moving forward.  I like the way this staff is grooming him as a true freshman.

 

Watson/Evelyn

Gill/Webster

White/Roby

McVeigh/Morrow/Horne

Jacobson/Hammond

 

That's a pretty mean looking squad next season.  

[HB]

 

Big red says above, "Evelyn shows flashes." Agreed: whenever Evelyn drives the baseline, he makes a clever play with the ball, and something special happens.

 

Yep.  This kid is a very talented passer, and has good enough handles to be a true point guard to go along with great PG length.  I'm really intrigued by his future.  I think he and GW are going to be excellent compliments to one another moving forward.  I like the way this staff is grooming him as a true freshman.

 

Watson/Evelyn

Gill/Webster

White/Roby

McVeigh/Morrow/Horne

Jacobson/Hammond

 

That's a pretty mean looking squad next season.  

 

 

He better dramatically improve his outside shot if he's ever going to be a factor.  

[Nighthawk]

lol...have to say for me the highlight of the game was making the husker vision screen when they did the Twitter photo thing

[hhcmatt]

He better dramatically improve his outside shot if he's ever going to be a factor.  

 

Are you talking about his form is off or that he's 1-10 from outside. If it's the latter, can I show you Andrew White's Kansas or TP's Texas Tech numbers to show you that 10 shots in garbage time doesn't matter.

 

Also, it's not like Watson is some great shooter at this point.

[49r]

Unrelated...can anyone tell me if it was volleyball clap or Husker Power last night?

[Silverbacked1]

HUSKER POWER was heard over the lame effort of the golf clap!

[hal9000]

HUSKER POWER was heard over the lame effort of the golf clap!

Yes, seemed to be student led, as there was a student holding up a "HUSKER" sign.  I was waiting for a Pinnacle staff member to come along and make him stop, but no one did. 

[Huskerpapa]

HUSKER POWER is here to stay...it will go on even without the signs.  But to make it work right, the students have to be there...their absence over the holiday allowed some to revert back to the polite and pathetic volleyball clap.

 

I will be honest, I came to the game with pretty moderate expectations.  I thought that we should and would win, but beyond that...I just didn't know.  What I saw made me happy.  Not the win per se', not the blow out per se', rather the effort that was given.  I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago that something was missing.  It could have been heart.  But it was certainly effort. 

 

Last night the effort was there.  A routine loose ball near half court and AW III is laying out for it.  Relentless effort after rebounds and so forth...the players may have thought they were working hard, but it was MIA.  It was there for the Rutgers game and it was most certainly there for the majority of the Minnesota game.  We OUTWORKED Minnesota.  People can talk about talent, but we won the way we won due to our effort last night.

 

Someone mentioned this and I will say it again, Watson, Jacobson and Morrow are ever improving.  Each time out now, they look like they are taking their game up a notch.  I thought McVeigh looked good with the exception of his shot.  He had a few open looks that he simply needs to knock down.  I know I have been saying for ages that our biggest surprise this year will likely be Jacobson.  I saw him playing a couple of games in HS and knew he had game.  But he still looks a bit limited on the floor, kind of like his feet are still bother him a bit.  Yet his effort last night was exceptional. 

 

I do not want to overstate a win against a very pedestrian and struggling team, yet this was a very good win and if we keep improving, then the light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a runaway train.

[bobcat402]

HUSKER POWER is here to stay...it will go on even without the signs.  But to make it work right, the students have to be there...their absence over the holiday allowed some to revert back to the polite and pathetic volleyball clap.

 

I will be honest, I came to the game with pretty moderate expectations.  I thought that we should and would win, but beyond that...I just didn't know.  What I saw made me happy.  Not the win per se', not the blow out per se', rather the effort that was given.  I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago that something was missing.  It could have been heart.  But it was certainly effort. 

 

Last night the effort was there.  A routine loose ball near half court and AW III is laying out for it.  Relentless effort after rebounds and so forth...the players may have thought they were working hard, but it was MIA.  It was there for the Rutgers game and it was most certainly there for the majority of the Minnesota game.  We OUTWORKED Minnesota.  People can talk about talent, but we won the way we won due to our effort last night.

 

Someone mentioned this and I will say it again, Watson, Jacobson and Morrow are ever improving.  Each time out now, they look like they are taking their game up a notch.  I thought McVeigh looked good with the exception of his shot.  He had a few open looks that he simply needs to knock down.  I know I have been saying for ages that our biggest surprise this year will likely be Jacobson.  I say him playing a couple of games in HS and new he had game.  But he still looks a bit limited on the floor, kind like his feet still bother him a bit.  Yet his effort last night was exceptional. 

 

I do not want to overstate a win against a very pedestrian and struggling team, yet this was a very good win and if we keep improving, then the light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a runaway train.

another inch and about 20 lbs on Jacobson and he will be a handful for the next three years, and Morrow has quietly started to find his game and his role for this team which is amazing. Watson has such a sweet dribble pull up game, its so quick and pretty

[49r]

Agree, cwg.

 

They look like a much more cohesive unit out there.  This could be the starting lineup we see for the rest of the season.

[Red Don]

HUSKER POWER is here to stay...it will go on even without the signs.  But to make it work right, the students have to be there...their absence over the holiday allowed some to revert back to the polite and pathetic volleyball clap.

 

I will be honest, I came to the game with pretty moderate expectations.  I thought that we should and would win, but beyond that...I just didn't know.  What I saw made me happy.  Not the win per se', not the blow out per se', rather the effort that was given.  I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago that something was missing.  It could have been heart.  But it was certainly effort. 

 

Last night the effort was there.  A routine loose ball near half court and AW III is laying out for it.  Relentless effort after rebounds and so forth...the players may have thought they were working hard, but it was MIA.  It was there for the Rutgers game and it was most certainly there for the majority of the Minnesota game.  We OUTWORKED Minnesota.  People can talk about talent, but we won the way we won due to our effort last night.

 

Someone mentioned this and I will say it again, Watson, Jacobson and Morrow are ever improving.  Each time out now, they look like they are taking their game up a notch.  I thought McVeigh looked good with the exception of his shot.  He had a few open looks that he simply needs to knock down.  I know I have been saying for ages that our biggest surprise this year will likely be Jacobson.  I saw him playing a couple of games in HS and knew he had game.  But he still looks a bit limited on the floor, kind of like his feet are still bother him a bit.  Yet his effort last night was exceptional. 

 

I do not want to overstate a win against a very pedestrian and struggling team, yet this was a very good win and if we keep improving, then the light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a runaway train.

 

This!  49er is right, they look much more cohesive as a team (albeit vs lackluster opposition), yet a big confidence booster that's much better than getting your confidence destroyed by a superior team to the point you don't even try, (just look at Minnesota's body language).

 

We are developing more credible scoring threats that, who knows, may open up the inside game!

 

Illinois will be a B1G Test; if we can keep our poise I like our chances.

[HuskerFever]

I just want to silent the Michigan State fans again on their home court. That's going to happen through relentless effort.

[Silverbacked1]

HUSKER POWER is here to stay...it will go on even without the signs.  But to make it work right, the students have to be there...their absence over the holiday allowed some to revert back to the polite and pathetic volleyball clap.

 

I will be honest, I came to the game with pretty moderate expectations.  I thought that we should and would win, but beyond that...I just didn't know.  What I saw made me happy.  Not the win per se', not the blow out per se', rather the effort that was given.  I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago that something was missing.  It could have been heart.  But it was certainly effort. 

 

Last night the effort was there.  A routine loose ball near half court and AW III is laying out for it.  Relentless effort after rebounds and so forth...the players may have thought they were working hard, but it was MIA.  It was there for the Rutgers game and it was most certainly there for the majority of the Minnesota game.  We OUTWORKED Minnesota.  People can talk about talent, but we won the way we won due to our effort last night.

 

Someone mentioned this and I will say it again, Watson, Jacobson and Morrow are ever improving.  Each time out now, they look like they are taking their game up a notch.  I thought McVeigh looked good with the exception of his shot.  He had a few open looks that he simply needs to knock down.  I know I have been saying for ages that our biggest surprise this year will likely be Jacobson.  I saw him playing a couple of games in HS and knew he had game.  But he still looks a bit limited on the floor, kind of like his feet are still bother him a bit.  Yet his effort last night was exceptional. 

 

I do not want to overstate a win against a very pedestrian and struggling team, yet this was a very good win and if we keep improving, then the light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a runaway train.

Up arrow up arrow, god I wish I had better thumb mobility.

[Huskerpapa]

 

HUSKER POWER is here to stay...it will go on even without the signs.  But to make it work right, the students have to be there...their absence over the holiday allowed some to revert back to the polite and pathetic volleyball clap.

 

I will be honest, I came to the game with pretty moderate expectations.  I thought that we should and would win, but beyond that...I just didn't know.  What I saw made me happy.  Not the win per se', not the blow out per se', rather the effort that was given.  I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago that something was missing.  It could have been heart.  But it was certainly effort. 

 

Last night the effort was there.  A routine loose ball near half court and AW III is laying out for it.  Relentless effort after rebounds and so forth...the players may have thought they were working hard, but it was MIA.  It was there for the Rutgers game and it was most certainly there for the majority of the Minnesota game.  We OUTWORKED Minnesota.  People can talk about talent, but we won the way we won due to our effort last night.

 

Someone mentioned this and I will say it again, Watson, Jacobson and Morrow are ever improving.  Each time out now, they look like they are taking their game up a notch.  I thought McVeigh looked good with the exception of his shot.  He had a few open looks that he simply needs to knock down.  I know I have been saying for ages that our biggest surprise this year will likely be Jacobson.  I saw him playing a couple of games in HS and knew he had game.  But he still looks a bit limited on the floor, kind of like his feet are still bother him a bit.  Yet his effort last night was exceptional. 

 

I do not want to overstate a win against a very pedestrian and struggling team, yet this was a very good win and if we keep improving, then the light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a runaway train.

Up arrow up arrow, god I wish I had better thumb mobility.

 

Hahaha.  I just noticed.  It keeps me ever so humble Silver

[49r]