hhcdave

I really loved Nate Johnson and agree with the sentiment he was a playmaker. Had he been 3 inches taller, he would have been a synch for the NBA. I remember he got a really long look from the Lakers and Kobe liked him. But one bad memory of Nate. Texas A&M's first road win in like 6 years or something ridiculous. We scored like 45 points. Used a timeout to get the last shot, down by 1. He dribbles, dribbles, dribbles, launches like a 30 foot contested jump shot as time expires, off the backboard. No play was run. Ugliest end to a game I can remember in the last 20 years.

Or maybe he's saying he loves the weekend but hates when it ends. As in, he's having a blast. He didn't say THIS weekend, he said "THE" weekend. Highly doubt he would be talking trash about his visit while he's still on it. Think this could actually be GOOD news.

Hugh, Norm, CWG, Jimmy and many other of the longtime followers: Does this remind you at all of Tony Farmer? He had played at NU with San Jose State while in the Ameritas Classic. I remember him telling me that's how he ended up in Lincoln. He knew the team and Danny was very familiar with him to offer when he wanted out. Could we (knock on wood) see history repeating?

Guys, There is no chance in hell Miles could take this job even if he wanted to (which he doesn't at this moment). A year ago, which does he take? Minnesota. He grew up a Minnesota fan and its a more attractive Big 10 job. Now, after one year, after uprooting his family, being here and invested in the current players, recruits and town, alumni? Heck, his Dad gets great care at a heart hospital in Lincoln. He doesn't want the gig. Further, let's see he did, there's no chance in hell Nebraska, after one season, lets him out of his contract to go to a rival Big 10 school. No chance. ZERO chance this happens.

I'm thrilled with this recruiting class. My advice? Jump off the ledge with a parachute on and enjoy the thirll and ride that is going to be the next several years. Great things to come.

Nice to see Dirk talking trash about his alma mater.

True but Parker did his against the Big 10 as a true freshman, while Peltz did his against the likes of Kent State as a junior.

I agree (as does everyone on this board) that Ray needs to be a more complete player by demonstrating the ability to put the ball on the floor, attack the mid range/hoop and get to the line/score/penetrate. However, its easy to say "he needs to do that" right now, in middle of season, when he doesn't have near the amount of time to evolve that part of his game. That's like saying: "Almeida needs to just shoot those 18 footers when he's open." Its easy to say that and say he should but it doesn't mean he's capable or will.

I don't think Mike Peltz has anywhere near the talent nor upside than Benny Parker does. But maybe I'm blind.

Have had you in my thoughts all day. Please keep us updated and let us know if you need anything.

My apologies Norm! haha. Hopefully it produces more chuckles than sicknesses.

OFFENSE: D+ Nebraska came out and lit the world on fire in the first five minutes of this game via HOT shooting. Unfortunately though, from that point forward, NU went into multiple 4+ minute "offensive hibernations" where they didn't score, and that (along with turnovers) let this game get away slowly in the first half but surely in the second. For the game, Nebraska shot 41% from the field, including just 16% (3-19) from downtown. Ray Gallegos and Dylan Talley finished a combined 2-13 from beyond the arc and obviously, that wasn't going to even keep Nebraska in the same zip code. Brandon Ubel goes out as "Player of the Game" for the second night in a row, finishing his NU career with 16 points and 7 rebounds in this one. It was sad to see Talley dealing with sickness during this tournament and Andre Almeida barely making it into the game but overall, our seniors can definitely leave Nebraska satisfied in knowing that they gave all they had and left it on the court. Thank you, seniors.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 Click here to view the article

Ohio State 74 Nebraska 58

Danny never wanted Cochran. It was an assistant who talked and talked him into it. I forget who it was. Cary would have gone to SMU had the head coach down there not gotten fired at that same time. I forget his name.

OFFENSE: B Nebraska was JUST good enough to pull this one out, as the Huskers finished with 45% from the field and 71% from the stripe (though they finished just 3-8 from the line). In the opening half, when NU's legs were fresh, they were en fuego, finishing with 52% from the field, including 15 first half points for Shavon Shields, who continues to look better and better with each passing game. For the night, the Olathe, Kansas freshman finished with 19 big points. If you asked me at the half, there would be NO WAY he wasn't the Player of the Game. But after four quick second half points, Shields wouldn't be heard from again, and it was up to Brandon Ubel to finish with Shields started, as the senior put in 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists!!! Ubel is a "slam dunk" Player of the Game and speaking of which, imagine his line if he'd have finished the "bunnies" around the rim. It was great to see NU run its offense THROUGH THE POST in this game, as I've been harping on NU for not doing this for several weeks now. Ubel got touches nearly every possession and once the ball went inside or to the middle, good things happened. Had the Huskers shot a little better in the second half and at the line, this would be an "A" but as it is, it was a solid night for the Big Red. DEFENSE: B Purdue missed a lot of foul shots (7 of 14) or they'd easily have scored 60, which is not enough for NU to win this game. Therefor, I give Huskers a solid "B" even despite holding the Boilermakers to 55 points and 40% shooting from the field. I feel as though a lot of Purdue's scoring in the mid 50's was more their doing than ours, is what I'm trying to say. HOWEVER, NU's defense in the first half (again, when they were fresh) was TREMENDOUS. And for the night, even if you hold Purdue to 60-65, as the Huskers probably should have, its still a "solid" defensive effort. Let's please give both Ray Gallegos and Benny Parker some defensive credit in this one. Especially Parker, who I thought was perhaps the best of the year on the defensive end. For as much flack as he gets, let's give him some love. REBOUNDING: B Purdue out rebounded the 'Skers by five (36 to 31) but manhandled the Huskers on the offensive glass (12 to 5). However, how about that HUGE box out by a couple of Huskers that allowed Shavon Shields to grab that KEY KEY KEY late second half offensive board off of the Ray Gallegos missed foul shot. That could have been a game changing swing of things. Along with Ubel's eight boards, it was good to see Shields and David Rivers pull down six. BALL HANDLING: A+ 2.5 to 1.0, Assist to Turnover ratio. AKA, 15 assists, 6 turnovers. PHENOMENOL JOB BY NU!!!! 3 assists, 1 turnover by Dylan Talley (though it was a costly one that cost NU 3 points and a 2nd foul on Rivers). Ubel had 5 assists and 3 turnovers as well. Great, great night. COACHING: A+ Tim Miles' team looked like a legitimate "middle of the pack" Big 10 team in the first half. They were crisp and efficient offensively, with a clear plan and on defense, they moved Purdue 3-5 feet further away from the basket than they'd like as the Boilermakers got into the offense. Miles was AGAIN able to get his team to the end of the game without multiple guys fouling out (by the skin of his teeth). He used Jordan Tyrance nicely to get us to the second half without much foul trouble. Good use of the timeouts and I liked not using them at the end, so that Purdue didn't have extra time to plan and think. OVERALL GRADE: A- Nebraska played just a step below "great" and got a HUGE win. I don't think the importance of this win can be understated. Maybe I'm the only one, but watching this game on television in my living room, I could almost feel this program rising tonight. It's hard to explain - its almost like this win proved a lot tonight. This is a momentum win for the program heading into next season and as Tim Miles hits the recruiting trail early next week. VERY PROUD OF THIS TEAM and VERY PROUD to be a Husker Hoops Fan. PLAYER OF THE GAME: BRANDON UBEL 2012-2013 PLAYER OF THE GAME RESULTS: RAY GALLEGOS - 11 DYLAN TALLEY - 10 BRANDON UBEL - 6 SHAVON SHIELDS - 4 DAVID RIVERS - 3 ANDRE ALMEIDA - 1 JORDAN TYRANCE - 1 This post has been promoted to an article

Purdue 66 Nebraska 55

The stooper back to obscurity is going to be fun to watch over the next decade for our buddies up in Omaha.

Woodbury is certainly a douche.

OFFENSE: B+ DEFENSE: D+ REBOUNDING: F BALL HANDLING: B+ COACHING: C OVERALL GRADE: C PLAYER OF THE GAME: RAY GALLEGOSOFFENSE: B+ Nebraska played "A" level offense for the majority of the second half, outside of a four minute stretch where they were clearly winded and flustered. In fact, NU came out and hit 7 of their first 8 from the field and even for several possessions after when they missed, were still getting good shots. In the first half, the Huskers played "C" level offense and had trouble getting good shots for the majority of the first ten minutes of the contest. A big tip of the hat to Andre Almeida, whose low post presence only led to 4 individual points but overall, did much more than that in screening, taking up space and keeping the defense honest. Ray Gallegos is a clear cut Player of the Game with 22 points in 34 minutes, including 7-14 from downtown (7-15 overall). Pretty amazing that out of 15 attempts, 14 were three's. That's of course both good and bad, and if he can add more of a drive/mid-range game next season, he could be really, really good. Maybe wouldn't have to work so hard off of screens, too, though he seems to be Mr. Iron Man. Pretty solid game for Brandon Ubel, who finished with a solid 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and no turnovers. However, some first half missed bunnies and an "in and out" on a three kept NU from making noise going into the half. Overall, 38% for Nebraska and 60 points - the former isn't good but the latter is fairly good for this team. DEFENSE: D+ Iowa scored 74 - that's not good. However, a lot of that was due to rebounding, which we'll get to next. First, though, NU had more defensive break downs in this game than I can remember in a long, long time. Iowa had 5-7 dunks, 5-7 wide open six footers and a number of wide open three's out of NU's zone in which the Huskers either were brain dead or just too tired to react. That allowed the Hawkeyes to shoot a staggering 57% from the field - not gonna get it done. Also, that flagrant foul called on Almeida was brutally awful by the officials. That was the biggest change in the game. The defense was bad today, but not quite in the same league as the rebouding. REBOUNDING: F Nebraska was out boarded by SEVENTEEN (39 to 22) after matching a much better rebounding team (Minnesota) on Wednesday night. This was very, very, very disappointing and gave the Huskers zero chance at stealing this game. As mentioned above, Ubel grabbed seven boards, but no other Husker had more than three. That tells you all that you need to know. I attribute this more to fatigue, both physically and mentally, than anything else. BALL HANDLING: B+ Nebraska had just six turnovers - that's pretty dawgone good. However, one turnover was so completely awful that it needs to be mentioned. What in the world was Dylan Talley doing when he tried to feed David Rivers the ball out of an in bounds play from the right baseline in the closing minutes of the first half? That play was so bizarre - I couldn't tell if he was trying to throw a side arm bounce pass with back spin to Rivers, who was on the sideline, or throw the ball off of the legs of the Iowa player and just missed. Either way, a killer and maddening play. COACHING: C So so - Iowa got WAY TOO MANY dunks and bunnies off of blown defensive assignments and/or no communication off of screens. There were two different in bounds plays where NU left Iowa guys WIDE OPEN for three's. I didn't feel like Miles put his foot down on this quick enough. It happened several times in the first four minutes of the second half when the lead would go form 7 to 10 to 6 to 10. Open dunk after open dunk. Call a timeout and do something. Make it a big deal because it certainly was. As mentioned above, this was the first game in a long, long while that this team looked mentally out of it. Probably because of fatigue. There wasn't good focus for half of the game, especially defensively. Lack of concentration. Probably led to lack of better aggression/fundamentals on the boards, too. The fact that this stood out is in reality, a very glowing compliment to Coach Miles, because this HAS NOT been happening all season, even despite the lack of depth, athleticism, talent, injury, etc. Still, it was bad and noticeable today. OVERALL GRADE: C An average performance on the road from Nebraska, who offensively, was "good" but defensively and on the boards, "bad." A definite winable game that NU didn't play well enough to muster. PLAYER OF THE GAME: RAY GALLEGOS 2012-2013 PLAYER OF THE GAME RESULTS: RAY GALLEGOS - 11 DYLAN TALLEY - 10 BRANDON UBEL - 5 SHAVON SHIELDS - 4 DAVID RIVERS - 3 ANDRE ALMEIDA - 1 JORDAN TYRANCE - 1 Click here to view the article

It was 3.5 seconds, tops, if you go by "referee" counting. When a human counts to 5, refs are usually at 4. They have awfully long seconds usually, is what I'm saying, and 5 seconds is usually 6. No way in hell that was even "4 seconds" of actual ref time. MAYBE 4 seconds of human time. BS call. Read my report card - couldn't believe we didn't call a timeout after that and consider fouling or setting up a defense.

OFFENSE: B- Nebraska didn't shoot the ball well from the field (36%) and once again couldn't get the ball inside for much production out of Brandon Ubel (the majority of his 15 points were created off of isolation off of the dribble) and Andre Almeida (only 4), but luckily, NU was 16-20 from the line (80%) including by my count, making its final fourteen free throws in a row as a team. That was the difference in this game - foul shooting. NU = 80% MU = 50%. Both teams shot the same amount of free throws (20) so NU's 6 more points were clearly the backbreaker. The Huskers had tremendous spacing the first ten minutes of the game, though that seemed to deteriorate from time to time, most notably in the middle stages of the second. Ball screens were plentiful and with a purpose and outside of not involving our big men the last half of this conference season, I think the offense has been pretty good based on our limitations.DEFENSE: A Nebraska was tremendous defensively, holding Minnesota to 38% from the field and just 51 points. And even though the Gophers left a number of "gimme's" at the foul line, MU's offensive rebounding in a lot of ways neutralized that, giving Minnesota several extra points (the Gophers had 14 offensive boards). So really, its a "legit" 51 points allowed, is what I'm trying to say. While Ray Gallegos was quiet offensively in this one, I think he deserves a lot of praise for his work defensively. I haven't seen him go that hard on "D" all season. Also, our Player of the Game is just that because of his work defensively, Andre Almeida. Sure, the pick and roll got him a few times and sure, Trevor Mbakwe took it at him from time to time, but without Almeida stepping up for Ubel in the first half and Shields in the second, there is no way in hell we win this game. He is our Player of the Game, which I'm sure will cause debate, but since the majority here don't want shared Player of the Game's anymore, I can't do Ubel and Almeida. I'm giving it to Almeida, because he BY FAR exceeded expectations tonight. REBOUNDING: A+ For an undersized and underathletic Nebraska team to TIE Minnesota on the boards (34 to 34) is impressive. For NU to do it in foul trouble, and without the services of David Rivers and Shields in the clutch, and Ubel in the first half, is incredible. OUTSTANDING JOB by NU tonight, outside of the four offensive boards off of free throws and 14 overall. BTW, kind of sad that Talley had the best box out of the night, allowing Rivers to grab a defensive rebound off of a free throw late in the second half. Talley shows 'em how its done and is the MVP of this team. BALL HANDLING: B Even though the phantom 5 second call was complete BS and 3.5 seconds, tops, you CAN'T let that happen with two timeouts. Awful play. Also, some unforced turnovers by Ubel throughout the game hurt. Overall though, 10 turnovers, you can live with it! COACHING: B+ Two minor complaints about coach tonight. 1. You have TWO TIMEOUTS - use one on the Benny Parker possession with a minute left, when there were 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, seconds and he had nowhere to go. Right in front of you, in a 3 point game, call a timeout. 2. You have TWO TIMEOUTS - use one after the phantom 5 second call. I think you HAVE to foul Minnesota there once Mbakwe has the ball until 5.0 seconds left - foul him. You certainly can't allow a wide open three that would have sent it to OT, where we would have lost by 4-6 points. At least call a "TO" and think about it. I didn't like not using one there, at all. Otherwise, Miles milked 40 minutes of his team, which scratched and clawed its way to a win. Gritted its teeth. Grinded it out. He got the game to the 40 minute mark by the skin of his teeth, barely having any players left. He made a nice adjustment to go into the "2/3 zone", though it didn't end up working. Nice call, however. Great call to get Gallegos and Talley some wide opens jumpers out of timeouts and half. I love our head man - just didn't like his game management at the very end. OVERALL GRADE: A That is Nebraska's "signature win" for the season, and a TREMENDOUS WAY to send the "Bob" out. As that final three pointer went up by Minnesota, that would have tied things, in the past, you feel like it would have gone. But somewhere in the rafters of that building, NU had the ghosts of its past around, and smiling down one final time. It was as if there was no way NU would lose its final game in that building. I like to think that somewhere, Jack Moore was watching, and maybe, just maybe, he got a finger tip on that shot. PLAYER OF THE GAME: ANDRE ALMEIDA 2012-2013 PLAYER OF THE GAME RESULTS: RAY GALLEGOS - 10 DYLAN TALLEY - 10 BRANDON UBEL - 5 SHAVON SHIELDS - 4 DAVID RIVERS - 3 ANDRE ALMEIDA - 1 JORDAN TYRANCE - 1 Album: 2013-03-06 Minnesota 12 images 0 comments Click here to view the article