11/8/2013 - Florida Gulf Coast Report Card

Yes, let's start there, where the offense did - off of the successful screen and rolls designed for Webster, who really (in this game) didn't even need them, based on his ability to penetrate and break down the defense, almost at will. That's why I have a hard time believing he had only one assist. Maybe that's technically right, but the offense started with him, and I firmly believe he got the team relaxed and started by playing even keel.

Walter Pitchford hit some big three's early and for the game, NU shot a remarkable 52% from the field, 50% from downtown and 77% from the line.

Oh and most importantly? 79 points!

DEFENSE: A

Nebraska held "Dunk City" to ZERO slams.

Now with that said, Dunk City was DEFINITELY in the building tonight, but they performed at halftime.

To be serious, 55 points allowed (27 and 28 each half, respectively) and 44% from the field is AWESOME "D" for NU against a much more experienced group.

Now, did FCGU lose some players? Sure.

Did FCGU have some players banged up? Sure.

But Nebraska had (arguably) it's best player suspended and another (most likely) key contributor, too. So I don't want to hear excuses. Nebraska was the far superior team on the floor and the athleticism comparison wasn't even that.

REBOUNDING: A

Nebraska held FCGU to just THREE offensive rebounds - and I believe two were in the first half (one on a Mickey Mouse box out by Leslee Smith, which led to a fiery Tim Miles during the timeout).

For the night, NU out boarded the Eagles by ten (33 to 23) and were led by (who else?) Shields with six.

BALL HANDLING: A

Let's talk more about Webster and let's look beyond the stat line (and BTW, one negative, make your free throws! With your penetration ability and the way they call the games these days, you'll be shooting a TON this year. Gotta make 'em).

But back on track - I was SO IMPRESSED with how cool he played. He had ice water in his veins from the start. Nothing phased him. And some big time moves, while also showing some seasoned decisions on when to push and when not to.

Nebraska turned the ball over just nine times.

COACHING: A+

Talent is NIGHT AND DAY over what it was last year - or at least what it was in the games (we had some ballers at practice).

Many players looked VASTLY improved - that move David Rivers made toward the end of the first half with a drop step and ball fake was a big time move. I have never seen that from him.

Benny Parker pushed and finished better than ever. He looked great.

Shields continues to improve.

We are seeing upgrade in talent, guys improving and defeating the most toasted team in America last March by 24 points, all in one night. Oh, and a BEAUTIFUL building christened in the right way.

Coach Miles deserves a lot of praise.

OVERALL GRADE: A

15,119 was the largest home crowd in school history and boy, oh boy, were they (we) treated to a once in a lifetime type of night.

Tommy Lee, Karmin, the entire marching band, "Dunk City" (at halftime) and Nebraska raising eye brows all over the country with a "behind the woodshed" beating of FCGU.

NOBODY expected this - NOBODY.

Everything went perfect - let's hope we have at least 11,000 on Tuesday and we get a solid double digit win against a better than many realize Western Illinois club.

EXCITING NIGHT!!!

BONUS GRADE:

ARENA GRADE: A-

Food I had was great - a big hot dog at the State Fair stand. Nachos at the stand behind section 103. Popcorn, Valentino's. All great.

Sound was phenomenal - maybe tone down the volume a bit, however, pre-game. It's hard to even talk with how loud the music is (and I work with music so I'm no sound prude).

Scoreboard AMAZING. Stats AMAZING. Video AMAZING. Scrolling stats and info around stadium AMAZING. Best intro I've ever seen (the Bon Jovi - loved it).

Only negative? Horrible job by the ticket office for fans who are handicapped (like my Mom tonight). We were told once this week we could come in early and exchange her season tickets for handicap seats (she wasn't handicapped at time of purchase). Then told we couldn't. Then told we could. Then told we couldn't. (Depending who we talked to when we called).

We were told to be there by Will Call at 6:30. We got there at 5:45 because we were told there are "limited handicapped seats"? (Huh? Is that even legal?)

After we attempted to park in two garages that the ticket office told us would allow free handicap parking, we were scolded by both and I had to drop Mom off all by herself on the middle of a street. Eventually found Lot 4 thanks to a nice fan who overheard.

The handicap button on the door into the will call/ticket office area on SW corner of arena didn't work. Then there was no bench or place for Mom to sit. So she sat on the floor for an hour. We were fourth in line and 10 minutes before, people started cutting to Will Call. Etc etc.

But I still rate everything an "A-" on this "bonus section." Was definitely hot and steaming mad for quite awhile though. Why would you make a handicap person "get there early to guarantee a seat?" and then have nowhere for them to sit or have their door working and tell them incorrect info on where to park? My only gripe.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Shavon Shields

2013-2014 PLAYER OF THE GAME TOTALS:

Shavon Shields - 1