demone

Nebraska's inbounds plays, according to HC Tim Miles: "Get the f*** open!"

Said in the game thread: this program is simply exhausting. At this point, I’m just a zombie.

NU 64 ILL 69

It hasn't been 50 for me but a strong 25 and I'm with you cip...I'm pretty numb to it all at this point. In order for me to maintain any level of sanity, it is a requirement.

Watson has been absolutely dreadful tonight. Too many bad 3s and TOs.

This program is simply exhausting...

I think we need to cut the head off a live rooster... No wait, that's Bull Durham...

Dammit Roby! Shoot the g** d*** ball!!!

I find the whole situation bizarre at best and truly disgusting at worst. Wait, can it be both at the same time? Either there are some really awful people with a monster axe to grind if this was invented from nowhere -OR- there actually is something behind the rumors and it's just a matter of time before it ends harshly. Regardless, this athletic department has got to find a way to start winning across multiple programs quickly - it is the only way to shut down the drama seekers.

Well said. My father coached high school basketball in this state for 30 of his 40+ years of teaching. Emotions can sometimes get the best of all of us but in the end, we all want the same thing - for Nebraska basketball to succeed. We can engage in healthy debate and critique without becoming petty or personal. Always good to have a little perspective.

NU 62 UW 67

I have now heard this several times over the past couple of weeks. I am certainly not plugged in at all but where is this coming from?

I’ve seen and personally believed the narrative that we have a lot of talent. While Miles is certainly a large part of the problem, I think it’s fair to ask about the level of talent as well. Stars mean nothing to me. At this level, I’m not sure our talent is much above average.

There is something really wrong with Allen's jump shot today...looks all out of sync.

God Bless Tanner Borchardt - one of the few guys on the team committed to all out effort right now.

I think it's 70% our offense/30% shooting...I've never seen a team in love with dribbling the basketball like Tim Miles' teams. And unless you are flush with 5* talent capable of creating your own shot at will, dribbling the ball ain't gonna get it done.

I think I'm going to start keeping track of how many times Roby faces up, is open and doesn't take the shot.

Norm, this is a really good question and a lot more complex than it seems on the surface. It's easy to say that he should be rewarded with an extension if he gets to the tourney and wins, which is what will likely happen. I like Tim Miles. I've had the good fortune to meet and talk with him a couple of times and I want him to succeed here. The track record over nearly 7 years, however, is not trending in the right direction. We can debate Xs & Os if we want. We can debate the physical development of the players, the apparent lack of offensive identity, the complete disregard for the concept of boxing out. But, my greater concern is the overall psychology of the players within this program. An article in the OWH tonight recapping his comments on his radio show is the epitome of concerning. He called his team "soft" and "unprepared". Tell me how that can possibly happen when you are 3-4 in league play and start 3 seniors and a junior, all of whom have been in the program at least 3 years? We know basketball can be a rollercoaster ride. But the ups and downs should be much less severe when you are putting that much experience on the court. The ups are great (Creighton & Indiana) but the downs are big drops (Minnesota, Maryland, Rutgers). In my opinion, the blown leads, the hero ball, the lack of consistent focus & effort are symptoms of ineffective leadership and a faulty culture within the program. The lack of a bench shines a brighter spotlight on these things because there are simply no consequences for those unwilling to do what is required to be successful. I don't have the answer - if Tim gets to the tourney and wins, he will remain at Nebraska. And I do hope that is the case. But I'm more than a little concerned that the foundational issues of leadership & culture will remain.

NU 69 OSU 65 11

NU 80 RU 71

NU 69 MSU 77

NU 70 IU 77

That's a 4-year starter at point guard taking that shot...he's had a great 2nd half but not running more clock in that situation is unacceptable.

The past few games have made me a little nuts with JPJ - tonight is another example.

This is the best take I've seen - and why I said after the MN game, "this one is gonna hurt". Bad nights happen in basketball occasionally and they should be expected. It's a strange thing but sometimes, the ball just simply will not go in the hole. But when you have an experienced, veteran team and you play well enough to win against MN & MD, you have to close those out. NU couldn't do it once, much less twice. Which in turn makes the "bad night" loss even worse. The hole has been dug and I find myself seriously doubting NU can accomplish the "undefeated at home & steal a couple on the road" task. I will be watching and will be rooting for it, but I wouldn't put money on it. I hope I'm very wrong.