01/09/2013 - At Michigan Report Card

[hhcdave]

OFFENSE: C-

Given the opposing team and enviornment, 47 points is by no means good, but it's also not terrible.

However, the way the Huskers got to 47 wasn't very impressive, as it was the Ray Gallegos show, as in him shooting the ball 21 times (and converting on 7, or 33% of shots). Don't get me wrong, Gallegos single handedly kept this team in the game, but that is a problem.

Why do I say its a problem? Because Nebraska had literally no low post offense, with Brandon Ubel and Andre Almeida combining for 6 points. If you're keeping score at home, that was all by Ubel.

The Huskers literally didn't look in the post at all or generate anything that was overly easy, save the layup Ubel got off of the in bounds play in the first half, and a wide open hook shot he missed out of a timeout with 3:30 left in the first half.

There just wasn't much except for Gallegos and Talley jump shots, with the two combining for 11-33 (33%). That's not going to get it done.

The Huskers got to the foul line just seven times, and missed four of them.DEFENSE: A

Since defense is separate from rebounding, this is a definite "A" for NU, who held Michigan 20 points under its season average, including its lowest field goal percentage of the year (39%) and lowest amount of points (62).

Nebraska did get the benefit of many wide open Michigan misses, as well as nine missed free throws (including four front ends of one and one's), but NU gets the majority of the credit for slowing Michigan down, not giving them easy baskets and holding them in check.

Very happy with the defensive effort.

REBOUNDING: F

God awful effort, though I admit NU was out classes athletically in a big way.

Michigan had SIXTEEN offensive rebounds.

Let me repeat - SIXTEEN.

Overall, they out rebounded the Huskers by SEVENTEEN (47 to 30).

Just not a good game, at all, for NU. While he had a nice game, I especially noticed Shavon Shields struggling to box out and rebound. There were also a couple of times David Rivers didn't find his man, either. But again, these guys are playing a bit out of position, so you can't be too difficult on them.

BALL HANDLING: A

Nebraska allowed only ONE easy fast break bucket, though it came at a key time in the contest, with NU down 5. Dylan Talley telegraphed a pass which led to a dunk at the other end in the latter stages of the second half.

However, 10 assists and 6 turnovers on the road against this team, ESPECIALLY with Benny Parker only playing 12 minutes because of foul trouble, was very, very encouraging.

COACHING: B+

Nebraska was clearly prepared to play this basketball game, and the majority of things they failed on were things that were out of their hands. I.E., the lack of athleticism in rebounding.

The only thing I didn't like was mentioned above - that we made virtually no effort, outside of a couple of timeouts, to get the ball to Ubel. Granted, you have to give Michigan a lot of credit, too. But we needed more than just Gallegos and Talley hocking up desperation jumpers to score in the mid to upper 50's, or what it would have taken to have a chance.

I like Coach Miles' use of timeouts in this game and as I've mentioned a few times this year, he seems to have a knack for getting good shots out of timeouts/out of bounds plays, just like the previous couple of coaches.

OVERALL GRADE: B+

Nebraska played on the upper end of good in this game, based on the fact that there wasn't a lot they could do with lack of size and athleticism in rebounding.

I was encouraged by this effort and think if they can continue to show this kind of enthusiasm and heart, they'll pull out three to four wins in Big 10 play.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: RAY GALLEGOS

RAY GALLEGOS - 8

DYLAN TALLEY - 3

BRANDON UBEL - 3

DAVID RIVERS - 1

SHAVON SHIELDS - 1

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[atskooc]

Coach Miles' tie: D+.  Liked the shirt, though.

[trickey]

Considering my pre-game expectations...I am absolutely giddy.

However, I am somewhat perplexed as to why we let MU play out a 30 second possession starting about the 1:30 mark of the second half without fouling (they then scored).

Under one minute... we foul several times to make the score appear worse than we played.

 

If we waive the white flag at 1:30, why do we punish ourselves at the under one mark?

 

Even with the small problems, on the whole...well played Huskers!

[uneblinstu]

Let's revisit the rebounding box. The Huskers were holding their own most of the game up until they failed to check Robinson when he came in on the dunk off the rebound. From there they out rebounded us 12-2. That changes things a bit as Michigan got a lot of opportunities while we're trying to rally late and Mighigan is at the free throw line the whole time. NU's going to be rebounding challenged all year, especially when AA's only gets 10 minutes of playing time.

[Daledangdarn]

ESPN boxscore had different rebounding stats than the report card, I don't know is right.

[uneblinstu]

Dave used the official box provided by Michigan.  I think it includes team rebounds and such that I don't think ESPN captures in their PBP and boxes.

[Huskerpapa]

The point that Coach Miles has been driving in the media hit home last night.  This team has to figure out what it takes for them to win.  Without being too simplistic, I think it comes down to the "little things" - I think this scorecard is pretty fair.  Last night, when I turned on the TV to watch, I told a friend that I wished for the following:  [1] Stay within 15 in the first half, [2] Stay within 25 for the game, [3] play hard, [4] come out of the game with no injuries.  This team ended up meeting or exceeding my expectations.  So that is good, right?  Yet I ended up being frustrated because we played a very good game, but then seemed to let the little things beat us. 

 

Waking up this morning, I realized that I am likely unfair with my frustration.  Many of the "little things" that beat us is because of the Michigan talent, speed, etc.  So good job Huskers.  But man, I am very impressed with one player in particular for Michigan.  Burke is a stud.

[jimmykc]

Doc Sadler type players=Doc Sadler type game

[Handy Johnson]

After this one I turned off the lights, threw on "Ooh Child" by the Five Stairsteps, and had a nice glass of single malt Scotch.