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I'm not exactly sure why I am motivated to suspend my longtime status as fan and lurker of the best Husker basketball site on the planet. On second thought, I do know. I am so juiced that I may never come down. Actually I just wanted to join the fray here briefly after one of the very best times in my broadcast career. This season has been the best. The Wisconsin game was the best. Tim Miles and his staff are the best. These players are the best. The Vault is the best. Nebrasketball fans are the best. The RedZone is the best. Heck, even Matt Davison is the best. Thanks to all of you for your meaningful, funny, heartfelt and insightful discourse on the site. I've enjoyed it for many years. We share a passion that has been a relatively small fraternity over the years. And the fact that we now need a bigger bandwagon, well, that's best of all. Finally, you all are the best. Carry on.

Those of us back here knew you were getting a very special coach in Tim Miles. I think we're all amazed at what he has accomplished in so little time. A lot of us still stay in touch with Tim and are closely following your team as a result. We waited until Tim's 5th year at CSU to go dancing. You only had to wait two years. But you know what's cool? The best is yet to come. Enjoy the ride!

No doubt the best Husker fans on the planet post here. You guys were optimistic even when things didn't look great. Take a deep breath and soak it in. We're dancing, and in no small part to you guys. Take a bow!

I wonder how many of you were also piqued by Bo's post game sour grapes comments which I'm sure is exactly what he intended. This preys directly upon Nebraskans' natural tendencies to downplay their own worth and denigrate the value of our state ( the main exception to this attitude being our college football program). In the past I have been inclined to feel that we were quite fortunate that the mighty Big Ten deigned to admit us into their prestigious league like a poor black sheep relative who is allowed to sit at the foot of the holiday banquet table. Indeed i was gratified that we could escape the " Texas and a bunch of other schools" league. Yesterday changed this perception permanently. The Big Ten is damn lucky to have us. Not only was the league becoming a bit stodgy and sanctimonious but its' NCAA sports importance was diminishing by the year to more progressive leagues such as the SEC, Pac 10, and yes, even the old Big Twelve. The debacle at Penn State and the poor bowl performances further damaged the league's image. As I watched the ladies hoist their championship trophy and the wildly enthusiastic fans stream across the impressive arena floor I no longer feel we owe the Big Ten any debt of gratitude. We have improved the league's national image in basketball, volleyball, baseball, and football immeasurably. So perhaps coach Ryan is the one who should visit Nebraska a bit more often. He might even win another game here if he coaches for another decade or so.

Thanks to all who participated in that. Several times I got chills. I have never been in a place like that where everyone came together and refused to lose. I knew there was no sit Sunday and what not. But it blew away my wildest dreams. Congrats Husker Nation. We deserved it with that effort!!

NO ONE SAT DOWN! I THINK THEY'RE STILL STANDING! - This is the night we've been dreaming of for 16 years. That atmosphere was unlike anything I've been apart of. And it lasted the whole night. They called for "No Sit Sunday and the fans came through. - The Huskers big three came to play. I don't know that there would have been many teams that would have come in here today and won. This was a special place tonight. - Man, Shields is the best player on the team right now. - I love that these guys aren't afraid. - I love that Miles says the curse is bullS#!&. - I don't know where things are going to end for this team, but this ride has been nothing short of unbelievable. - You know it's never going to get better than tonight, right? The expectations have been raised for this program. But tonight, this ride, is special. It will live in the annals of Husker history. We will be talking about this night for the rest of our lives. I love this team. I love this journey. I'm really excited to see what they do in Indianapolis. Enjoy this, fellas. Next year is here. This post has been promoted to an article

I like the kid.

Is anyone else too jacked to sleep?

Had a lot of dust in my section...that's what I'm claiming for the watery eyes during senior intros. Maybe it's the happily-ever-after girl in me, but Peltz proposing had me in tears. Nebraska Basketball has a funny way of bringing out the romantic in me. And then at the end of the game, I dragged my dad onto the court with me when I rushed it. He'd never done anything like that, so kind of a cool moment to share with him.

The return of Shield's explosiveness has been a major difference maker. Some of those moves he made around the basket were amazing and it didn't seem like they were possible mid-season. Do you ever thing Pitch is going to miss a shot anymore? Does anyone else get excited about all these guys coming back next year?

HuskerHoopscentral has been great. Been a diehard husker hoops fan for 20 years and a season ticket holder for 8. Nice to read posts from people who share my enthusiasm for the program. Until recently when the bandwagoners joined in it was hard to find anyone who would call themselves a big time Nebrasketball fan. WE HAVE ARRIVED!! After wandering 20 years in the "sucks to be you" desert. Last night was great. My 92 grandma, who has had season tickets for 55 years stood next to me the entire game. Lot of energy spent cheering on the Huskers. Tired after the game we just sat and watched. Didn't want it to end. GO BIG RED!!

Not long ago Dirk Chatelain received strong criticism from Jay fans for suggesting that Husker basketball success would cause an explosion of the Nebrasketball fan base without impairing the Jay fan base. Now he's being criticized by Husker fans for asking a simple question reflecting the fear of many Husker fans that this success won't last. The fact that Tim Miles pounced on the question to get rid of such thinking speaks well of Tim Miles. But that's not a negative for the reporter. Kudos to both.

Anyone who earned bonus points will have those taken off their season total. I hope everyone enjoyed this new addition to the HHCC.

Probably not. BTW, this board is littered with threads wondering about the demise of a player....a lot of them about Benny Parker.

It will be fun to go back and read all of the predictions that we would finish last. I came across this one today: Nebraska: Nebraska returns just 52% of its possessions from last year which should slow the momentum Tim Miles was building late in the season. JUCO transfers Leslee Smith and Deverell Biggs, Texas Tech transfer Terran Petteway, and Florida transfer Walter Pitchford should add some experience which might help a little. But none of them would start for a good team in the Big Ten. (Petteway had a hideous 75 ORtg in limited minutes for Texas Tech. I remember watching him two years ago and thinking that he had no idea what a good shot was. Perhaps that is correctable, but he was still dreadful.) Realistically, this is still the beginning of the rebuilding project. Tim Miles needs to give a lot of minutes to his young players next year and build for 2015-2016. And this one: Nebraska (+6000) – These guys were kind of spry in Tim Miles’ first season at the helm. But Nebraska should take a step back this year. When you’re Nebraska there aren’t too many steps further back you can take, but this roster is terrible. Guards Ray Gallegos and Shavon Shields are competent. That’s about it. And the two best players in the frontcourt, transfers Tarran Petteway and Walter Pitchford, are guys that could barely get off the bench at Texas Tech and Florida, respectively. This team is pretty terrible.

I just plused everybody that wrote something here. That is just happy I am right now.

Nebrasketball- Where grown men are brought to tears. I cried too, my friend.

Ran into a couple of you post game. I was crying outside the PBA...it hit me...we won the game and it was a huge game. Man, I am so happy...I cannot talk, but I am happy.

He then got bitchslapped with TM's answer.

He'll remember it as a place where No. 1 seed dreams go to die.

I don't like your dreams!!!! Please stop sleeping.

Wasn't sure what title to give this thread. Was going to go with "Roburt Who?" Our demons have been exorcised. When we needed a lucky bounce, finally we got them this year. Been waiting forever. Going to toss back some cold ones and soak it all in. High fives all around ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy this one.

OFFENSE: A Nebraska shot the ball in fantastic fashion in all facets: -An overall 52% from the field. -55% from downtown. -76% from the line. This led to an impressive 77 points (with 70 before the "foul-a-thon" ensued) and kept Nebraska in this game when Wisconsin couldn't miss for the first 25 minutes. This was an old fashioned "toe to toe" ten round fight and after coming to a draw for the first eight rounds, NU completely dominated Wisconsin in the last two and a good portion of that was the Huskers attacking the rim and getting good shots. Shavon Shields is our Player of the Game thanks to 26 points on 10-17 shooting, including 6-7 from the line. Had the referees decided to give NU at least one or two calls out of the five times they went to the rim and were bodied in the first half, Shields would have no doubt hit 30 tonight. Terran Petteway didn't have his best game but also matched Shields with 26 - that's how good he is, where we can now say he had kind of an "off night" and still had a career night for the majority of the players in the Big 10. The Huskers didn't need much offense besides that, but Walter Pitchford hit some HUGE three pointers en route to scoring 15 and Ray Gallegos hit perhaps the biggest shot of the game (unless you consider Shields' shot that we'll discuss later bigger) in nailing a three that took NU from down 2 to up 1. Without looking, I don't think Nebraska ever trailed again after that shot. DEFENSE: B+ I really thought Nebraska was "good" even in the first half, when I'd give them a "B-." I'd go "A" for the second half, which equals out to a "B+." Early on, NU raided Badger big men and that led to some big time three pointers from Wisconsin, which started 4-5 and 7-9 from downtown. Even though a few of those were wide open, the Badgers couldn't miss, and that's not typical. Also, several contested shots were hit in the first half, and NU still held the Madison visitors to a respectable 35 first half points (with some help from the zebras from the foul line, too). In the second, NU played more straight up and once again, was inspired by its recent leader, Benny Parker. I thought the jump ball where he completely ripped the ball out of the hands of Traveon Jackson was awesome!!! I also want to commend Tai Webster for his defense tonight - he only played 9 minutes, but I thought he looked good on that side of the court (as he has continued to improve recently). Nebraska held Wisconsin to 36% shooting from the field in the second half. REBOUNDING: C- Wisconsin is bigger than NU and on top of that, the Huskers didn't have their best night on the glass, finishing -4 while getting killed with offensive boards (11 to 3). Huge night for Petteway, who finished with 10 rebounds and honestly, should get "Co Player of the Game" with Shields. However, since we haven't done that all year, I'm going to stick with Shields, who seemed to get his points at more crucial times, including the "and one" to cut a 7 point early second half lead down to 4. This game perhaps gets away without that. BALL HANDLING: A+ Only five turnovers to go along with nine assists - GREAT. Also, NU only had four before Petteway just dropped the ball out of bounds during garbage time. That's 38 minutes of four turnover basketball - damn impressive. COACHING: A+ This team loves playing for Coach Miles - that is shown more and more every single day. We keep hearing and witnessing how charismatic and funny coach is. We keep hearing and witnessing how he builds programs. We keep hearing and witnessing how he recruits. But let's not forget one thing that nobody ever talks about - MILES IS A HELL OF A FLOOR COACH. He makes adjustments with the best of them. And he allows his players to do so, too. He gets personnel equipped to perform, teaches them, puts them in the best position to succeed but isn't afraid to let them "take over" as based on his post game comments about Shields helping to decide defenses (another reason he's "Player of the Game.") I also tonight, for the first time, noticed some "NBA" in NU. This is a good thing. It seemed as though Shields and Petteway kind of began switching off shots in the second half - each "getting theirs" and taking their turns, kind of like in the NBA. They did this within the flow of the offense and with including their teammates. However, unlike the NBA, they still busted their asses on defense, played hard for 40 minutes and put the team first overall. I can't emphasize enough how lucky we are to have Craig Smith, either. He doesn't get the glory of the two big recruiters in Harriman and Hunter, but I think he's to Tim Miles what Gary Bargen was to Danny Nee. Miles has had him at every stop. We are going to solely miss him following next year when he gets his first head coaching job. OVERALL GRADE: A+ NU has won 8 of 9 -10 of 12. They have their best conference finish since 1997-1998. They have their best home mark since 1982-1983. I have poured my heart and soul into this program since the late 90's. This is the best night I've ever had with the program. And the best atmosphere. Sitting in Section 111, Row 14, here's my favorite takeaway from the night. No, not the amazing job the NU event staff did putting on the pre-game (A+). No, not the amazing job the PBA event staff did putting on the entire game (A+-). No, not seeing the seniors "off" or Mike Peltz's secret wedding proposal that only his roommate Walter Pitchford knew about (A+). And no, not seeing NU punch its ticket to the Big Dance. No, the best part of the night for me was the fact that NOBODY left early AND that it was so freaking ruckus, loud and wild that even sitting 14 rows up, in the second half, I COULD NOT HEAR THE WHISTLE ON FOULS OR OUT OF BOUNDS PLAYS!!! Even right in front of us, on our end. First time in my life. I had no idea when the whistle was blown. It was crazy. It was just like a Nebraska football game, except 1,000 times better because it was Nebrasketball. We. Are. Back. And it feels so ####ing good (pardon my French). SPECIAL AWARD - DOUCHEBAG QUOTE OF THE YEAR - BO RYAN On the crowd's influence : “We were at Virginia when they had maybe 18 thousand, and we've played at Ohio State. These guys have all played in pretty big places. This is the Big Ten. Have you ever been to the other places? Or do they just keep you here? Do you get to travel? Some people do local TV and don't go to the other Big Ten games." On the new environment : “It's not new to us. You'd have to live the lives these guys live, going into the places we go into." PLAYER OF THE GAME: SHAVON SHIELDS 2013-2014 PLAYER OF THE GAME RESULTS: TERRAN PETTEWAY - 13 SHAVON SHIELDS - 8 WALTER PITCHFORD - 4 TAI WEBSTER - 2 LESLEE SMITH - 2 DEVERELL BIGGS - 1 This post has been promoted to an article

All I can say is WOW! I've been to a lot of games over the years, and I've never seen a crowd like this. Everyone brought their "A" game tonight. I'd like to especially thank the students. You guys were awesome! Also, I've been wanting to say this for so long. We're going dancing!

I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief. I'm experiencing feelings of euphoria and joy. I'm appreciating this moment as only someone who's been deprived can. Perhaps I can describe it this way. I had to go through basic once upon a time many years ago. It sucked. Magnificently. I hadn't appreciated what it was like to hang out with friends, doing what I wanted when I wanted. I hadn't appreciated being around my family and having them close and being able to spend time with them whenever I wanted. I hadn't appreciated a nice, comfortable bed without 50 roomates or not having to wake up at 4:30 in the morning to go do some pushups and situps and run a few miles. I hadn't appreciated a lot of creature comforts and freedoms so much as I appreciated them when I came home from basic. But that was just basic. Being a Husker basketball fan over the last 15 (or more) years has been like doing 3 consecutive tours in Afghanistan. And last night was like coming home from the war. For gawd's sake people, we can enjoy where we are without having to forget where we've been. Where we've been ensures we don't take for granted where we are. It makes sure we appreciate where we are. So, don't run from the "baggage." Don't pretend it doesn't exist. Miles can do that because it wasn't his baggage. But it's that baggage that makes me so fricking grateful for what happened last night.

Caption: I love the Red Zone

I hear there's this cool new place in Hampton called Conlee's that is going to host a watch party...

Wanted to congratulate you guys on the win and all it means for the program. As I said in an earlier thread, let's finish this thing in Dallas.... Good luck the rest of the way!

I actually think it was fair too...Dirk has been here longer than Miles. He's a Nebraska alum. He grew up with Husker sports. By his own admission, before becoming a supposedly impartial member of the media, he was a Husker fan. So it stands to reason that, while, it's not Miles' baggage, it IS Nebraska Basketball's. As much as we were around for it, so was he. So I don't really see the problem with asking about Nebraska Basketball's (former) woes at a Nebraska Basketball press conference, especially with so much on the line, in a game we historically would have pissed away. I suspect the question would have been asked, win or lose. We just got a happier answer with a win.

It is really fun to come to a board, where the message is almost always positive. Yea we do some bitchin on here from time to time, but most of you are respectful of other posters. I think that maybe some of the other boards could learn from this board how to support a team without getting personal or so damned negative!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enough about Dirk. Back to our incredible team...

Folks, we have a thread started right now called "The Exorrcist". That tells me that Dirk isn't the only one that has the past on their mind. If a local writer brings up issues with the coach that reflects the feelings of the fan base, how that is out of line? Having said all that, I loved Miles' answer. And I think his answer was targeted to our fans more than it was targeted at Dirk or Lee.

I concur. I didn't think our club seating would stand the whole game. I figured if people tried they would get shouted down. And I wasn't sure I could stand the whole game. My old back has been killing me. But I stood the whole time and never felt a thing. Of course, I had lots of pain killers at Gate 25 prior to the game. That is the key when you get to be my age.

Exorcism not complete until first NCAA game won. However, we definitely have the demon's attention now.

Wouldn't Cipriano or Nee be the Devaney.... then, Miles can be the Osborne w/ the 25-yr winning tenure! I think it's bigger than this. IMO, Miles could be the athletic department's newest icon. In the 60's, 70's and even 80's, Devaney was the face of athletics at Nebraska, not just football. After that, it's been Osborne. When you think of NU athletics today, what's the first name you think of? Who in the department best represents NU and the state of Nebraska? There is a void now that Osborne is gone. Miles has a chance to be that person. What do the rest of you think?

I like this side of you

LOL. Remember when benny needed to leave the team? WTH guys! Tai will get way better (just like Parker did) over the off season. Kid is a true freshman.

We deserved this! Big time! If you want to pick me out storming the court I am the one holding the pink "30 year old kid" hat above me head.

I believe Tai will continue to start. But we have talked about this in the past, it is not who starts that really counts, it is who is on the floor with the game is on the line.

I hope I can stand at all if I make it to 89. Way to go!!!

This.

If he doesn't get COTY, then I'm not sure what the award is for. Incredible, incredible job by Coach Miles.

Edit- I drank too much last night. I apologize for my absolutely incoherent posts.

That PBA is now on his bucket list!

I'm crying like a baby, special moment.

pound that chest.