hhcdave

Coach Miles... is that you???

Nebraska 75 WIU 61

OFFENSE: A+ What can you say negative about the offense in the game? Answer: nothing. I don't even know where to start - should it be Shavon Shields and his game high 28 points? Or should it be Terran Petteway's 17? Or how about some big props for Benny "no love from HHC" Parker's 9 points? Or even TRUE FRESHMAN Tai Webster and his 9 points (and one assist??? I swear it was like 7).Yes, let's start there, where the offense did - off of the successful screen and rolls designed for Webster, who really (in this game) didn't even need them, based on his ability to penetrate and break down the defense, almost at will. That's why I have a hard time believing he had only one assist. Maybe that's technically right, but the offense started with him, and I firmly believe he got the team relaxed and started by playing even keel. Walter Pitchford hit some big three's early and for the game, NU shot a remarkable 52% from the field, 50% from downtown and 77% from the line. Oh and most importantly? 79 points! DEFENSE: A Nebraska held "Dunk City" to ZERO slams. Now with that said, Dunk City was DEFINITELY in the building tonight, but they performed at halftime. To be serious, 55 points allowed (27 and 28 each half, respectively) and 44% from the field is AWESOME "D" for NU against a much more experienced group. Now, did FCGU lose some players? Sure. Did FCGU have some players banged up? Sure. But Nebraska had (arguably) it's best player suspended and another (most likely) key contributor, too. So I don't want to hear excuses. Nebraska was the far superior team on the floor and the athleticism comparison wasn't even that. REBOUNDING: A Nebraska held FCGU to just THREE offensive rebounds - and I believe two were in the first half (one on a Mickey Mouse box out by Leslee Smith, which led to a fiery Tim Miles during the timeout). For the night, NU out boarded the Eagles by ten (33 to 23) and were led by (who else?) Shields with six. BALL HANDLING: A Let's talk more about Webster and let's look beyond the stat line (and BTW, one negative, make your free throws! With your penetration ability and the way they call the games these days, you'll be shooting a TON this year. Gotta make 'em). But back on track - I was SO IMPRESSED with how cool he played. He had ice water in his veins from the start. Nothing phased him. And some big time moves, while also showing some seasoned decisions on when to push and when not to. Nebraska turned the ball over just nine times. COACHING: A+ Talent is NIGHT AND DAY over what it was last year - or at least what it was in the games (we had some ballers at practice). Many players looked VASTLY improved - that move David Rivers made toward the end of the first half with a drop step and ball fake was a big time move. I have never seen that from him. Benny Parker pushed and finished better than ever. He looked great. Shields continues to improve. We are seeing upgrade in talent, guys improving and defeating the most toasted team in America last March by 24 points, all in one night. Oh, and a BEAUTIFUL building christened in the right way. Coach Miles deserves a lot of praise. OVERALL GRADE: A 15,119 was the largest home crowd in school history and boy, oh boy, were they (we) treated to a once in a lifetime type of night. Tommy Lee, Karmin, the entire marching band, "Dunk City" (at halftime) and Nebraska raising eye brows all over the country with a "behind the woodshed" beating of FCGU. NOBODY expected this - NOBODY. Everything went perfect - let's hope we have at least 11,000 on Tuesday and we get a solid double digit win against a better than many realize Western Illinois club. EXCITING NIGHT!!! BONUS GRADE: ARENA GRADE: A- Food I had was great - a big hot dog at the State Fair stand. Nachos at the stand behind section 103. Popcorn, Valentino's. All great. Sound was phenomenal - maybe tone down the volume a bit, however, pre-game. It's hard to even talk with how loud the music is (and I work with music so I'm no sound prude). Scoreboard AMAZING. Stats AMAZING. Video AMAZING. Scrolling stats and info around stadium AMAZING. Best intro I've ever seen (the Bon Jovi - loved it). Only negative? Horrible job by the ticket office for fans who are handicapped (like my Mom tonight). We were told once this week we could come in early and exchange her season tickets for handicap seats (she wasn't handicapped at time of purchase). Then told we couldn't. Then told we could. Then told we couldn't. (Depending who we talked to when we called). We were told to be there by Will Call at 6:30. We got there at 5:45 because we were told there are "limited handicapped seats"? (Huh? Is that even legal?) After we attempted to park in two garages that the ticket office told us would allow free handicap parking, we were scolded by both and I had to drop Mom off all by herself on the middle of a street. Eventually found Lot 4 thanks to a nice fan who overheard. The handicap button on the door into the will call/ticket office area on SW corner of arena didn't work. Then there was no bench or place for Mom to sit. So she sat on the floor for an hour. We were fourth in line and 10 minutes before, people started cutting to Will Call. Etc etc. But I still rate everything an "A-" on this "bonus section." Was definitely hot and steaming mad for quite awhile though. Why would you make a handicap person "get there early to guarantee a seat?" and then have nowhere for them to sit or have their door working and tell them incorrect info on where to park? My only gripe. PLAYER OF THE GAME: Shavon Shields 2013-2014 PLAYER OF THE GAME TOTALS: Shavon Shields - 1 Click here to view the article

Yes. And there's only six home games, not upwards of 20.

$10 is effing ridiculous. It's not like the taxpayers helped fund that area or anything.

THANK YOU for that great write up and WELCOME. Norm, Jimmy, Dimes, HuskerBB, Uneblinstu, etc, etc. (AKA our long time, long time posters). Do any of you remember when we hosted North Texas in year two or so of the site? We had a whole bunch of great posters make it over from their message board. This kid reminds me of them - just a GREAT basketball fan with knowledge and passion. I LOVE IT. I think I speak for all of us when I say, good luck every single day except for tomorrow, and we would like to see you check in from time to time, even after the game is over. Maybe you can adopt the Huskers as your "2nd team" as many around the country did last year during the Tourney with FCGU. We're both underdogs with great fans. Would be great to see you around here from time to time throughout the year, as you can find many of our games on national TV and follow from afar. I lived in Florida a few years too so mad respect for your state. Hope you hang around and adopt the 'Skers. Go Big Red and good luck after tomorrow - will be pulling for you!!!

Hmm. Why else would Tommy Lee have been on the flight if its unrelated? Has he ever been back since that show in 2005 - anyone know?

Nebraska 73 FCGU 65

17

Due to popular demand at the end of last season, I will be doing report cards for the ninth season again this year. Can you believe that, this site is going on NINE YEARS in existence?!??! How amazing and nuts is that? I will NOT be doing one for the exhibition game tomorrow, but will begin them on Friday with FCGU. There will be 4-6 games this year that I won't be able to do them for - hopefully, HHCScott can pick them up as he has in the past. If not, I will be looking to a couple longstanding board members whom I trust to do 'em! Welcome to the 2013-2014 season! Dave

Thank you for doing this. I love your new ideas!

I will take two XL's. If they shrink easy and are smaller i'll take an XXL and an XL

Cary Cochran's freshman year, with Venson Hamilton, Cookie Belcher, Larry Florence, etc. he hit a 4 point play at KU. 1998-1999. They had them on that day and won at Allen Fieldhouse. They wore them in the San Juan Shootout one year (I'm pretty sure) either that year or the following year and (I think) won it versus teams like Miami, Houston (Maybe) and SMU??? I remember Miami was in it but am not certain about the other two. We wore these quite a bit at the end of the Nee years, as late as 1998-1999 and possibly, 1999-2000. I know for sure they never wore them past 1999-2000 if they wore them at all that year. Didn't we have them on in 1998-1999 in the dreaded Rayford Young/Texas Tech game in the Big 12 Tournament, too? The game that cost us the Tourney with the coast to coast with mere moments left?

I will make only one guarantee on this: NO WAY IN HELL he is going to OSU. He is completely mocking their fans and everyone who thinks he is. My guess? He got burned and not happy with how they treated him during the visit. Probably also talked down about Nebraska more than any of the other suitors since they're in the Big 10. OSU is out. No chance in hell. SMU is out too. No chance in hell. Unless Larry Brown is paying really well and cheating like his days in Lawrence. Even so, this kid aint going to SMU. Its been us, A&M and LSU. If I'm setting the odds, here's my final guesstimates: LSU - 60% NU - 35% A&M - 5%

I'm fine with knocking it down to 3-5 final choices and putting it to vote on 10/15, with a final result decided by 11/1? But Dimes gets final say!

Guys I've got a bad gut feeling about this. Hope I'm wrong...

Can someone please put Southern Utah on one of those fake schedules since I was a ball boy there in the 80's and my Dad taught there? Thanks

No freaking way?!?!?! Mellow Mushroom is coming to Lincoln? I used to eat it ALL THET IME when I lived in NC and FL. When did this get announced and where is it going? When does it open? And how'd you discover the awesomeness of Mellow Mushroom?

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.