OFFENSE: D+
Nebraska scored just 53 points on 38% shooting from the field and only got to the foul line 12 times, missing five.
It was nice to see Ray Gallegos get it going early with two connections from downtown and briefly, you had to think "this might be Nebraska's day," especially when they were up four points and had two chances to extend further with ZERO atmosphere from the OSU home front.
However, Gallegos would soon disappear and so would NU's offense, mainly because of turnovers (which will discuss in "Ball Handling"). Nebraska finished with only seven assists and continues to play as a "one on one" team, as we discuss all of the time, from Terran Petteway to Deverell Biggs to Shavon Shields. Nearly all of their converted shots are off of individual drives - that's good in one regard, to have guys that can do that, but you ain't going anywhere in the Big 10 without team offense and well designed plays. The Huskers don't have either, sans small stretches, throughout the majority of the first 40% of this season.
DEFENSE: D
Not good at all. Fouling central, again, with NU sending OSU to the line 29 times.
The Huskers, because of that foul trouble, played more zone than they would prefer, and that led to open jump shot after open jump shot. Shooters often weren't identified (see Della Valle, Amedeo).
After the first 15 minutes of this game, it was almost guaranteed that OSU would either: A. Score each possession, either from the field or at the foul line. B. Miss a very makeable open shot or C. Create an unforced turnover on itself (though only seven for the game). Translation: the only chance NU had of stopping OSU was if they turned it over or missed an open shot or free throws. Nebraska forced very few legitimate stops in this game - probably less than ten. And the few times it played :30 seconds of good defense, OSU STILL scored (like that difficult shot from 9th year senior Aaron Craft in the second half with :03 on the shot clock).
REBOUNDING: A-
Nebraska lost the rebounding battle by only one (32 to 33) but dominated the offensive glass (10 to 5), though OSU obviously missed WAY LESS shots from the field.
Our Player of the Game is a no brainer - Leslee Smith, who had a game high 10 rebounds (to go along with 11 points).
No other Husker had more than four rebounds.
BALL HANDLING: D
A "D" might be harsh for only committing 13 turnovers on the road against a VERY GOOD "on the ball" defensive team.
But the turnovers KILLED this game. Absolutely SLAUGHTERED IT.
TWICE we couldn't get the ball in bounds? Yet we went to the locker room at 2:50 PM with three timeouts that we couldn't take home to Lincoln.
A 5th year senior (Gallegos) almost got a third "5 second" call but instead, opted to heave the ball toward Aaron Craft on an out of bounds play, which of course turned into points at the other end.
With about 2:00 left (maybe less) in the first half, NU was down 3. Due to turnovers, it became 10 by the half.
Same thing in the second half - another couple 8-0 runs after key turnovers.
Also, randomly, just thought I'd throw this in the report card (nowhere to really put it that fits).
But how in the hell did Leslee Smith go from an "and one" on a drive in the latter stages of the first half to taking the ball out of bounds (which led to the above mentioned Gallegos turnover)? If he's not getting the shot to count, he doesn't at least get continuation and two free throws? How can your original call be THAT BAD? That was a three point swing (assuming Smith makes one of two and you take away the turnover and other two at the other end). You go in down 7 instead of 10. Just a random thought.
COACHING: C
Nebraska looked good in the first half. Prepared. Came out again with good energy.
I'm not in love with the lack of timeouts taken today, nor how NU showed almost zero passion out of the locker room after halftime. They looked lethargic and brain dead, especially on defense. The second half was EXTREMELY disappointing - this has to fall at least a little on coaching. Only one timeout used to motivate the team in the second half or light a fire under their tails. No passion or great effort. No answers for OSU on defense. I think the Buckeyes scored on 8 of their first 9 possessions out of the half (correct me if I'm wrong).
I'm okay with Miles taking out a couple key players in the final 1:30 of the first half to avoid three fouls. But was a bit curious having BOTH Nathan Hawkins and David Rivers on the court at the same time along with two other first year players. Game got away at that point. Not really criticizing this move; just pointing it out as potentially debatable.
OVERALL GRADE: C-
What looked to be a "B+" game had Nebraska battled in the second half and kept this within 13-15 points turned into a frustrating game that left you wondering what the hell happened in the second half.
Still, turn the page and go win three of your next five, which I think is doable (Michigan, Purdue, Penn State).
PLAYER OF THE GAME: LESLEE SMITH
2013-2014 PLAYER OF THE GAME RESULTS:
TERRAN PETTEWAY - 7
TAI WEBSTER - 2
WALTER PITCHFORD - 2
LESLEE SMITH - 2
SHAVON SHIELDS - 1
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