HB

Illinois 62 NU 57

No question Ray has improved a ton, but uneblinstu is right, redshirting didn't do much from a point guard standpoint. Still doesn't have good handles and isn't strong with the ball. Watch the tape of Ray's turnover following Ubel's alleged flagrant elbow for a good example. I have to respectfully disagree that Ray's game used to be as a spot up shooter. During the open practice era his first two years, and some limited game action, it was obvious his strength was the midrange jumper, when he elevated into the shot off the dribble. He always struggled as a spot up jump shooter., especially from long range. He has improved as a spot up shooter, and is better although still inconsistent from 3 point range (but what a great shot to put up up 6 late yesterday; that could have been the difference in the game and it isn't getting much play). He still is at his best when he can dribble into a midrange jumper.

Eric was Vinnie's younger brother, and he had some good moments here. He had an NBA body, but not quite quick enough and didn't shoot it consistently. I was surprised he had a cup of coffee in the NBA. One of my memories of Eric is him being on the receiving end of one of Danny's in your face tirades during an open practice. By comparison, this one made Pelini look like a tabby cat sitting on grandma's lap in a rocking chair. Eric took it like a man.

Not sure I would call 39 minutes, 8 points, 4 boards, 6 assists, and 1 turnover invisible.

Good work, Cip. Val Kilmer's Doc Holiday is one of the best ever. Dennis Quaid wasn't bad, but Kilmer easily outdid him.

CF, you are correct; your initial post was fine. It was more of a timing thing--right after a tough home loss you want to debate whether the team that beat us is very good or NCAA bound, and argue the point with our site founder. So I reacted a bit. But to say it was "freaking out" is a bit over the top, even "rereading the thread". Anytime Creighton Fan wants to talk about the strength of Big 10 teams it may trigger a Mo Valley response on here. Just the way it is. Much a do about not much. I would just pick your spots a little better, and the timing of them, when you're on a forum other than "College Basketball", or understand you may not get perfectly appropriate engagement in return. But I will vouch for your respectfullness while you have posted on this board. You're no Double Jay Alum, or even Tony. Peace out, and Go Shockers!

PSU 58 NU 54

Michigan Illinois (Noah, I didn't have the guts to go with it, but Northwestern could take this one!) Ohio State Iowa Minnesota Penn State

Agree with the comment about the offense change, Row 6. Meant to mention that in my postgame post, but it was already a novel! So far the change hasn't gone well at all--our scoring is way down. I don't know if that is part of the issue with the players looking forlorn out there. An early T last night might have helped. The team fouling and traveling all night got the better end of it last night.

Me thinks us Sandhills lovers have hijacked this thread. All because someone posted a bagpipe video. Funny how these things work.

I was thinking Chester Surles played in the game. The player, not the poster who is searching....

Somehow I've managed to miss her. Probably becuse she's drowned out in my section by the guy yelling shoot it even when some bricklayer has it 25 feet from the basket.

Yes, she was there with her parents. Nice looking athlete. What I liked was the interaction of her family and the other people in her section, which included parents of current players. They all acted like one big happy family, and it looked encouraging. If one didn't know, and just by looking, one would have thought she was already a commit. Jess Shepard will give us some strength and sturdiness we currently lack. She's a beast. Physical player. As mentioned above, we're a little off the scale right now on the finesse side. But she is only a Junior right ? Only a sophomore!

Silverback, be careful as spring break may be too early. The course typically doesn't open until May 1. It is open to the public, including the restaurant/lodge which is stunning. You could walk around the grounds anytime, but it would be much better after the official opening. Plus I know you like to eat. The bagpiper and his lovely wife, both of whom have thick Scottish accents, usually arrive around the first of June, and stay for close to 90 days before going back to Scotland. You could always combine it with a kayak trip on the Niobrara. If you ever need any ideas on exploring the beautiful scenery that is Cherry County, feel free to PM me. I have spent good parts of my summers up there since the mid 80's. 49er is from there and knows it all as well--and he is dead on about the nightime skies for star gazing.

One of my favorite places on earth. The website gives some idea of the Nebraska beauty. www.theprairieclub.com

Coz, have you seen him play other than 2 garbage minutes at Ohio State? Were you at the exhibition game in person? If you did, I'm not sure you would be so sure this guy is ready to play.

I get the redshirt issue, but it's not like its the biggest scandel ever to hit the program. The attention and hand wringing it gets on here, and that it started happening before much of the season had even played out, is ridiculous. Yes, the question can get asked, and people shouldn't get overly defensive, but wow, this is crazy over-amped. A daily topic and second-guessing by those with limited information, on a daily basis for several weeks. Again, we don't know what discussions were had with Miles during recruiting. Or whatever else is going on. If it eventually turns out that this guy is a really good player, and we wasted a year, the lack of a redshirt can be criticized then. It's a reach based on what i have seen and heard to do so now.

Yes, she was there with her parents. Nice looking athlete. What I liked was the interaction of her family and the other people in her section, which included parents of current players. They all acted like one big happy family, and it looked encouraging. If one didn't know, and just by looking, one would have thought she was already a commit. Jess Shepard will give us some strength and sturdiness we currently lack. She's a beast. Physical player. As mentioned above, we're a little off the scale right now on the finesse side.

Disturbing. Very disturbing. I've been doing this for 30 years, and this was one of the more disheartening performances I have witnessed. Something is wrong with this team, in addition to the obvious lack of depth. They looked like "dead man walking". Color out of the faces, not having fun, not interacting with each other. From a distance, it looks like the players are crushed by the weight of high expectations. For all the talk of how much Illinois is improved, they are not that good. To be down double digits most of the game at home against that team shows how rough it is right now. One of the few times I can say without hesitation--we got outcoached. I realize the coaching looks better if we make some layups, but it didn't look like we ever figured out how to run the offense against The Buzz, and we never got the guards to calm down and handle the pressure. We looked as rattled at the end of the game as we did when they first switched into The Buzz. One thing is obvious--we lack physical strength. We had rebounding position so many times and were easily knocked out of it. The officials let them play, and it killed us. Illinois was not skilled, but was strong. We could have used some over the back calls, but we have to be stronger. I also think some of the missed layups were a function of worrying about possible contact. I hope we take a long look at the strength program this offseason. The lack of a traditional post player with some bulk hurt us with rebounding, and also in allowing us to punish Illinois for selling out on the trapping zone. When we did get the offfense started and rotated the ball, the lack of shooters hurt us--the ball had to rotate to a nonshooter, who either has to pass up the open shot, or throw up a prayer. Teams have us scouted, and I 'm not sure what we can do about it. It is clear that Jordan hasn't developed the driving game, ala Kelsay. Until she does, teams will keep running players at her on the perimiter, and her shot will have to be hurried even more. Rough night for Lindsay. I like her accountability in the postgame qoutes. Tough game sunday at Minny. We lose it we go to 2-4. I suspect we'll see a better effort, but it will still be a tough game to win. I hope we can turn it around, and get back to having some fun out there. We have great kids and they won't quit, but the lack of a true post player will continue to be a problem all year.

Silverback, if you golf (and even if you don't), you should check out the The Prairie Club just southwest of Valentine. An authentic Scottish bagpiper stands by the 18th green in full regalia each night toward dusk and plays a few songs. Looking out over the Snake River canyon, cocktail in hand, viewing a colorful sandhills sunset, listening to the bagpiper--it doesn't get any better than that.

Cip, another superb effort. I remember that song like it was yesterday. What I forgot, thankfully , was the choreography.

This guy has become an obsession on this board. Wonder if folks will ever give it a rest.

It could also be for a more laudable reason--living up to a promise. Could be that Biggs wanted to redshirt, and Miles promised him he could when he recruited him. In Barfnecht's lunch chat earlier this week (perhaps someone can link), he fielded a Vooch question, and basically said "those Euros demand to play and aren't looking to redshirt." Who knows if that is even close to the mark, but the point is, none of us know what's involved with all that is going on. With Vooch, clearly something is happening with practice which is causing Miles to not award playing time to Vooch at this point, and also is causing him to conclude he isn't ready right now to help us win. He'll play again at garbage time, I suspect.

Not sure we have a choice other than to do that in the futre, certainly until Ubel comes back. Who would you put in the game?

Wait. Do you really think Purdue will make the NCAA tournament this year? They're 9-8 overall, with an RPI of 119, and a 63 SOS. They were 6-6 in the noncon, with the best noncon win coming against a team with an RPI of 146. In combined road/neutral games, they are 2-5. I realize they have a home win against Illinois but that win is offset with a really bad loss against RPI 226 Eastern Washington. They would seemingly have to go on a mega, mega run in conference to even make the bubble it would seem. Purdue would be in second place in the Mo Valley That seems rather unlikely. Creighton and Wichita State are locks for the NCAA tournament right now and combined lost a total of two nonconference games while Purdue lost 6, some of which were to really bad teams. Either way, your response seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the discussion of whether or not Purdue will go to the NCAA tourney. It had to do with my thoughts on a Creighton Fan engaging in whether a Big 10 team will go to the tournament or not. So OK, perhaps Purdue would only be in 3rd place in the Mo Valley. OUtside of the top 2 teams, that is one pathetic conference. Purdue is not a great team, but it is much better than when it was losing games early in the season. Young team.