HuskerBB

Definitely not a pretty game - but as we have noted often this season our wins are not going to be pretty. Illinois game plan reminded me of back to the days when we had Benny Parker and some teams just completely ignored him when we had the ball. They just dared Worster to shoot the ball - did not even guard him at all on the perimeter. Hard to play offense when a team does that and why he got very few minutes in the first half despite starting. He did make some good plays on defense but his inability to make a jump shot continues to be a problem. Brice and Juwan both struggled to get the ball into the hoop but they were warriors at times as well. What they allow teams to do to Brice off the ball is criminal - would be chargeable as sexual assault if it happened in a bar. Twice tonight the Illinois defender just grabbed the front of his jersey so he could not get away from them around a screen - once right in front of the ref who did nothing. Really have to commend Brice for continuing to keep his cool despite what he has to put up with this year. Rebounding was a huge problem tonight but at least part of that was because the refs allowed it to be an absolute free for all whenever a shot went up. Several times we were in position to get the ball or even had our hands on it but just got shoved out of the way and the ball taken away. Happened to Morgan more than once. Seemed like the refs tonight just decided anything goes when you went after a rebound. That said - once the game is being called that way we have to be tougher and stronger with the ball. At the end we finally seemed to be playing that way as Gary and Morgan both grabbed some tough rebounds down the stretch. As indicated I don't think these refs ever had any control of this game. Calls were inconsistent when they did make them and seemed just haphazard at best. To some extent both ways - but Illinois as the more physical team benefited from that more I think. Of course I understand fan bias plays into that some. I have always thought Illinois had bad basketball fans - but there were two guys a couple rows behind me tonight that were just completely obnoxious. Seemed like lots of Illinois fans had lower bowl seats to this game. Wish our fans would avoid selling good seats to the opposition but I understand they may not know who is buying them. Overall our crowd kind of started out slowly but got into the game at the end - especially in overtime. Much better than the last couple home games.

Teams have figured out that they just have to throw a blanket around Brice (i.e. having someone assigned to never leave him and grab and body him constantly away from the ball - like a box and one almost) and dare the other guys to score. Have seen the same thing multiple games and we can't seem to find a way to address it - probably mostly because outside of Connor the rest of the lineup is very mediocre on offense. I have gotten sick of starting over so I am not going to clamor for a coaching change. Two years ago we did great with transfers in getting Brice and Mast. Last year it went the other way - lost more in the portal than we gained. This will be a huge year in the recruiting front as Brice and Juwan alone are going to be very difficult to replace but we need to find multiple guys who can shoot the ball and at least one who can put up big numbers on the offensive end. As I said before Gavin being a bust is a killer to this team as we are desparately in need of other quality shooting options - and that was what he was supposed to be.

I agree - but it seems to be the only way to get him the ball. Never seems to happen if someone else brings it down because the defenders never let go of him so he can get a pass.

True but doesn't help when the other four guys are just ignoring what is going on.

We knew he had to shoot that and nobody puts a hand in his face. Worster leaves him and Berke doesn't come over.

Also a problem that once we get in the bonus we can't afford to have Meah or Morgan in the game because neither one of them can make a foul shot.

Feels like 2-3 seasons ago when teams just completely dominated us on the boards.

They are just grabbing and pushing Brice all over the floor. Seems like that is the common game plan against us. Just put a guy on Brice that never leaves him and holds him whenever he tries to make a cut to get the ball.

Morgan has been horrible on the defensive end tonight.

Pass the ball Rollie !!!

What a bail out call. Guy clearly traveled and then any contact was minimal.

We obviously decided in the gameplan we would let that Agee guy have that 3 point shot - but it is backfiring this half.

Connor is a great shooter when he is set - but not running wildly at the basket. Stop and take a good shot he had plenty of space to do that.

Stupid foul by Connor - no reason to do that.

Just getting outhustled now.

We can't let them split us on defense on the top of the key. Breaks down the whole defense. What Harper did to us twice at the end of the Rutgers game. Morgan just totally blew it that time by not closing the gap.

Uhlis really struggling tonight.

That Cohen guy should have fouled out in the first half

Signed on late so could not comment on this before the game - but is there a website somewhere that keeps track of how many times a team gets each Big 10 ref? Ridiculous how many games we get DJ Carstensen as a ref. Has to be intentional by whoever assigns the refs at the conference.

Yes a while back.

Another contender for understatement of the year :)

Glad we are ahead and half - but going to have to play better in the 2nd half to win this one.

The USC guy just grabbed Brice and pulled him away from the ball - but no call.

It is amazing we are in this game with the number of incredibly bad plays we have made on both ends so far. If we were playing well we would be up by 10+

Sam gives up easy buckets on 2 straight possessions.