03/15/2013 - Big 10 Tournament: Ohio State Report Card

DEFENSE: D+

Nebraska was good for the majority of the first half but come the second, simply played awful on the defensive end.

That allowed OSU to score 43 points in the second half (on 77% shooting!!!) and had the Buckeyes not taken out their starters for a good six minute stretch, this game would have been absolutely ugly.

Its not worth breaking this game down defensively. I was impressed with NU's zone moreso than I have all season in the first half. But in the end, the far superior team won and played well for the majority of the game. Unfortunately, this game played about like it should have.

REBOUNDING: A

This is always a "more than meets the eye" stat since OSU hardly missed any shots.

But Nebraska out rebounded OSU by three (28 to 25).

What's even more impressive though is that the Buckeyes only got THREE offensive rebounds for the entire night. Without looking, I'm willing to bet my savings account that's the least amount NU has allowed all season.

BALL HANDLING: F

The overall total of 15 isn't horrible. In fact, in comparison to the old Barry Collier and Doc Sadler teams, who routinely gave the ball away some years 18-20 times a game, 15 would have been average.

For this team though, 15 is bad, especially since it allowed OSU to come back from downtown double figures to ahead five at the half. Had NU simply taken care of the ball even "average," it is tied or leading at the break.

Doesn't matter in the end, though. Nebraska was never winning this game.

COACHING: B

There wasn't a lot of coaching in the second half. In fact, it looked as if Nebraska was basically doing whatever it felt like and just playing out the game/season.

That's not really a criticism, because at this point, what else was Coach Miles supposed to do? Plus, it was nice to see him loosen the reigns and let them just play out the last fifteen minutes of this game after a long season of discipline and hard work. Kind of a "reward" is how I looked at it.

For the season, Miles earns an "A" on his coaching.

OVERALL GRADE: C

This game went like it should.

Nebraska played close and hung for 20 minutes before the better team (and well rested team) dominated and took it to the worn out Huskers.

Tonight was like being in a long term relationship and "going at it" for the second time in a night. Not nearly as good as the first time and tough to duplicate (Purdue being the first, of course), but not bad enough to forget how good the first was. Horrible analogy - yes, I know.

In closing, it has been fun doing these report cards for an eighth straight season. If you, the reader, would like me back again, I will consider keeping 'er going for a ninth. The site will always exist no matter what, but I'm leaving it up to the readers on whether or not they'd like these report cards to continue. I know for awhile, I didn't feel as though I was a very popular person around here anymore, for whatever reason.

As far as the team goes, this started off as a fun season then turned into a depressing one, then turned into a really fun one. It has left a very good taste in my mouth. I'm very excited about the future of Nebraska basketball and I'm glad we got that one last big win against Purdue to give us a lot of momentum heading into the off-season. Here's to Coach Miles bringing in two big men (including Atewe) and perhaps, finding a "diamond in the rough" from a coach who will be fired and a kid who will re-open recruiting.

I'd like to end this report card and my writing for the 2012-2013 season by thanking everyone associated with the site for their continued passion about Husker Hoops. When I started this website in my bedroom in 2005, I never could have imagined it would turn into this. There are a group of great people here who I think a good majority of us almost consider "family" and its nice to have each other to talk with, day after day, year after year.

May you all take care and be blessed.

Signing off one more time,

"HHCDAVE"

PLAYER OF THE GAME: BRANDON UBEL

2012-2013 PLAYER OF THE GAME RESULTS:

RAY GALLEGOS - 11

DYLAN TALLEY - 10

BRANDON UBEL - 7

SHAVON SHIELDS - 4

DAVID RIVERS - 3

ANDRE ALMEIDA - 1

JORDAN TYRANCE - 1