uneblinstu's Post Game Chatter: Vol 8, Issue 19 - @ Illinois

[uneblinstu]

 

 

 

• Short bench today.  Miles went with 8 guys and left a couple on the bench.  McVeigh only played 8 minutes, meaning it was really a 7-man rotation most of the way.  I expect that trend to continue.

You wonder if McVeigh is one of the guys suffering from illness this week. Miles said there were several guys who missed practice some this week, he may have been one of them. Thought he did some nice things when he was in there.

 

Might have been part of the reason that only 8 played, and only 7 played significant minutes.  When a team goes into a zone, I love to see Jack in the game.  When he posts on or around the free throw line, good things happen.

 

I did like the tight rotation, though. Think that group could make a lot of trouble for a lot of teams. Supplement with Fuller and Hammond as necessary.

[Dead Dog Alley]

Michigan has won two road games so far, @ North Carolina State and @ Illinois, two middle of the pack teams.

 

Personnel wise, it's not a terrible matchup for Nebraska. Michigan almost exclusively goes with one average post player, one guard, and three wings on the floor. I don't know how long LeVert is out, but they're still pretty good on the wing with Irvin and Robinson and Dawkins.

 

It's a winnable game, but definitely not an easy one, especially considering the past results against Michigan in conference play. Outside of the 71-70 loss at PBA two years ago, they have not been pleasant to watch.

[demone]

Have to say I was very impressed with our defense today - did a nice of job of moving our feet, shutting down penetration and forcing them into a lot of jump shots. My biggest complaint until these past 3 games was a lack of noticeable improvement. The coaches have changed up the defense a bit (love the press wrinkle) & the players are responding. Not sure how many more we win, but if they keep getting better, I'll be happy.

[MichHusker]

The press shown today confused me a bit. It seemed Illinois got quite a few decent shots in it but they just flat out missed, and we continued with the press. I thought for sure miles would see Illinois was shredding it for the most part and pull back or just do token full court man to man

[hskr4life]

Have to say I was very impressed with our defense today - did a nice of job of moving our feet, shutting down penetration and forcing them into a lot of jump shots. My biggest complaint until these past 3 games was a lack of noticeable improvement. The coaches have changed up the defense a bit (love the press wrinkle) & the players are responding. Not sure how many more we win, but if they keep getting better, I'll be happy.

 

If they keep getting better, it will be "I can not wait to see how many more we win."  Time to get excited and quitcha down in the dumps!  We won 3 in a row baby!  

[GATA]

Just wanted to say how happy I am for Tai. His offense has come along now that he's loving the rim. Seems like the extra confidence is helping beyond the arc too. His defense, as always, is very good.

[AuroranHusker]

Just wanted to say how happy I am for Tai. His offense has come along now that he's loving the rim. Seems like the extra confidence is helping beyond the arc too. His defense, as always, is very good.

 

Yep, the confidence from Tai's game is a HUGE deal for the rotation. Webster off of the bench is likely better than any bench player on the opposing squad so Tai becomes a part of a matchup nightmare for the opponent as of late. Good things come to those who persevere. Great for #0.

[brfrad]

We are really loving the rim during this 3 game winning streak.  I have looked at the numbers.  During our 3 game losing streak, we shot from 3 point range, 38% of the time, and averaged 69.0 points.  During our 3 game winning streak, we shot from 3 point range 27.3% of the time, averging 84.0 points.  We also have crashed the boards, rebounding 42.7% of our missed shots. 

 

We have also been helped by the fact the last 3 teams don't have a formidable inside player (of course, Northwestern didn't either). 

 

Now, we come to a huge 4 game stretch, with some talented front courts (outside of Michigan).  It would be nice to see us putting it together and win 2 of these games. 

 

Tai has improved in almost every category.  He is shooting 40.6% from 3 and 81.0% from the free throw line.  He still makes bad decisions at times, but has played with great confidence since the Cincinnati game.

[Fullbacksympathy]

Individuals:

• AWIII is an NBA player.  I think he's a 3 and D guy, especially with his strength, toughness, attitude, and willingness to rebound.  He's better than Petteway (not a dig--I love TP)--more efficient, better attitude, better rebounder.  
• Shields was clutch today helping to end a couple of Illinois runs.  He's playing much more under control and being super intelligent when he drives.  He's so crafty when he's in the flow of the game.
• Morrow is a stud.  I knew he'd find his way.  He has way too much talent and work ethic not to be out there.  The confidence of our team is high when he's on the court being a difference maker.  HUGE block in transition.
• Watson is phenomenal.  His physical gifts are obvious, but what stands out to me is how many plays he makes while taking care of the ball.  He has a great assist:turnover, and the kid is clutch.  
• Tai deserves to be a great player.  He's worked his ass off for this school.  He's the most improved defender I think I've ever seen at UNL.  I'm thrilled for the kid. 
• Benny, Jacobson, and McVeigh all did some good things in reserve roles, where they should be.  

Other thoughts:

• We were looking to push the whole game after every defensive rebound.  With our lack of size and great speed, I'm truly surprised we didn't do this earlier in the season.  We're 3-0 with this mentality.
• I liked the switch up in defensive pressure.  Those subtleties help keep the other team's offense out of rhythm.  Hopefully we keep doing this.
• We had pretty solid transition defense, which is one area where Miles should take a note or two from Doc.  I thought they were really intent on getting back and matching up tonight, which was huge.
• Molinari has gotten a bad rap, in my opinion.  Last season, we didn't have a single three point shooter on the roster.  Think about how much of a difference AWIII makes just in that area alone.  That has nothing to do with Molinari.  If you want to critique Molinari, look no further than the individual defensive improvements of Tai, Watson, Morrow, McVeigh, and Jacobson.  The on-ball defense of these guys is light years from where they started.  That's technique and coaching.  
• I see much less of a need to land a traditional 6'10" 250lb center if we're going to continue pushing the tempo like this.  I would still love to have one, but I'm certainly not panicking as much if we continue to play fast and attack. 
• With our lineup of Watson, Tai, White, Shields, and Morrow, we were easily more athletic than any lineup Illinois could put on the court.  That's a testament to Miles' recruiting.  

Great win.  Welcome back to the bubble outskirts, kids.  I don't think we need to think of any game moving forward as a "miracle win" scenario.  We're a decent team, minimum.  We just need to continue playing well and we'll get some wins.  

[jimmykc]

Awarded the sunshine- pumping- post- of- the-day award. Just reading this makes my morning better and I hope it all is spot on. With the temperature in minus digits and the Chief/Packer Superbowl rematch now a dream, I needed this.

[Huskerpapa]

Ingredients:  Effort, hitting our shots, aggressive eye to the hole, team defense and excellent rebounding. 

 

Take the ingredients, mix and match tirelessly.  Keep the heat on the remainder of the season and then lets see what happens.

[hhcmatt]

Dare I say we are becoming a prolific scoring team.  We are averaging 74.6 ppg after 19 games.  I compared that to other NU teams after 19 games, and this is the highest scoring team since the 1995-96 team averaged 86.4.  And this is the first time we are averaging over 70 at this point in the season since 2001.

 

We're currently #1 in Offensive efficiency and #2 in eFG% in league play. 

[Huskerpapa]

Always interesting to see what the other side said post-game:

 

"Miles, considered goofy in some quarters and by far the Big Ten’s most eccentric coach, played it straight afterward."

 

http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/illini-sports/mens-basketball/2016-01-16/tate-groces-team-outmatched-outplanned-against-%E2%80%99husk

 

“They were just tougher and better than us,” Groce said. “They earned it. They beat us today.

 

http://www.sj-r.com/article/20160116/SPORTS/160119630/?Start=2

[hhcmatt]

Highlights

 

http://www.huskers.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=4921494

[hhcmatt]

[HuskerFever]

Highlights

 

http://www.huskers.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=4921494

 

My favorite part was them winning.

[Buglem]

Was it just me or should their point guard (#1) have been called for double dribble after he got the pass when they won the tip? It looked like he caught it, bounced it forward with two hands, caught it and then dribbled. Not that it mattered just looked weird on the highlights.

[Swan88]

Was it just me or should their point guard (#1) have been called for double dribble after he got the pass when they won the tip? It looked like he caught it, bounced it forward with two hands, caught it and then dribbled. Not that it mattered just looked weird on the highlights.

I wondered the same thing.

[Huskerpapa]

http://www.smilepolitely.com/culture/groce_out-coached_versus_nebraska/

[HuskerFever]

http://www.smilepolitely.com/culture/groce_out-coached_versus_nebraska/

 

Out-coached? That sounds a little cocky, doesn't it?

[AuroranHusker]

 

http://www.smilepolitely.com/culture/groce_out-coached_versus_nebraska/

 

Out-coached? That sounds a little cocky, doesn't it?

 

 

 

No, this does (if Illini had defeated NU, that is; this is how it would have been described by the writer):

 

"hum-drum wins, like Nebraska"

[hhcmatt]

 

http://www.smilepolitely.com/culture/groce_out-coached_versus_nebraska/

 

Out-coached? That sounds a little cocky, doesn't it?

 

 

I was so puzzled by their game plan I half expected Groce to commit how he was proud of their team shutting down Petteway.

[Miles ahead of the rest]

Highlights

 

http://www.huskers.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=4921494

Not to be nit picky, but how on earth does the very first dribble of the game off the tip not get called a double dribble?  You can clearly see it in the video how he spins it in front of him, grabs it with two hands, and then dribbles it again! lol

[AuroranHusker]

 

Highlights

 

http://www.huskers.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=4921494

Not to be nit picky, but how on earth does the very first dribble of the game off the tip not get called a double dribble?  You can clearly see it in the video how he spins it in front of him, grabs it with two hands, and then dribbles it again! lol

 

 

Well, the game was AT Illinois.

[uneblinstu]

I just went back and watched the highlights. Couple of thoughts:

- White could be a heckuva setter.

- I really hope we see Morrow clean up the offensive boards more like we've seen lately. That put back dunk was noice.