Huskerpapa

Something has to shake this team up. Lord, we look clueless right now. I guess I have one other observation. The refs are letting mugging occur. Are we going to play physical...at all?

Good lord.

Sloppy first 4. Man.

Two missed bunnies. Two bad turnovers and now a phantom foul?

Why didn't Juwan jam it???

Empty house...and two bad possessions

As mentioned in a similar thread, I will be at the Vault. Husker sports are #1 in my heart at all times.

I will be at the Vault.

At first, I wasn't sure who you were writing about...

It is my understanding they can move and switch until the ref stops them. If I recall Meah said something to the ref and ref simply smiled and shrugged.

I guess that as long as the team isn't thinking about it, it is fine. The team needs to focus on the game at hand. Hearing that Rutgers "wanted it more" is a tad troubling.

I have two humble concerns: 1) We have threads discussing post-season, and while fun when we are winning, seem somewhat pompous when you are in the midst of a three game losing streak. We have to fix ourselves and start winning, including on the road, before we should be mentioning playoffs. 2) Our defense is broken. If we are not seeing that, we are turning a blind eye. Hopefully our staff sees the issues and can adjust the scheme. Hey, if the team is slow, then you darn well better be physical.

Yeah, unfortunately we are not a very physical team. I thought we would be, but we are not. There wasn't a player on Rutgers team that should have knocked any of our three bigs to the floor last night. Yet, all three of our bigs went to the floor multiple times. Berke had a chance for a put back at a critical point last night, and instead went to the floor in search of a foul. I believe the ensuing inbound pass was picked off. Braxton would complain to the refs mid-play...why? He also let Rutgers get into his head when he went to the free throw line. Folks, that kind of mental gymnastics and physical whimpering cannot happen in our league. Goodness!

Us 78 Them 87

I didn't think I would be saying this; but man our defense is atrocious. We will struggle to win games if we don't get our poop in a group. And oh yeah, certain players can't be on the floor if you can't make free throws. Sorry, but true. Yeah sure, they have two super freshmen...so what, you can't leave them to double team. You have to stay on them.

Very nice win! Way to fight and get it done!

Bob Uecker was always just a bit outside...that is why I loved him, even if he was a Brewer. RIP

What a tough young man...prayers to the family and may Jack and his dad rest in peace!

Yeah, a lot of good takes here. I guess I go back to something that a pretty good coach explained to me many, many moons ago. That is, you can play the same exact scheme as your opponent, and in all probability, the team with the best players, who play with the best focus, best execution and greatest intensity will win. In the games where we were blown out, scheme was not the fatal bullet. Plus, I think individually (especially when you factor in experience) we have the players...so I guess sh*t happens.

I have only watched him once this year. He was very good; but didn't walk away thinking he was a high Division I player. Actually, the Lincoln kid I have my eye on is the North Star kid. Jordan Castor. I believe he is only a freshman, and he's got game. Also intrigued by Bahl from Papillion; but I may just be caught up with who his sister is.

I thought I would revisit this topic given our defensive breakdowns against Michigan State, Iowa and Purdue. When our defense is on, we are very good; when our defense is awol, it has been very bad. Is it lack of intensity? Is it a schematic problem? Are players confused as to roles? Are Big Ten players and coaches able to easily decipher our scheme? We are exploring line ups in a different thread, so perhaps it chemistry issue. Is it all of the above or something else? Early in the season I sort of called out the coaching staff, as it appeared we did not know how to leverage Meah on offense. I will say the same thing about how we are leveraging him on defense. Isn't he a shot blocker? I love Juwan. But someone let the dawg out of him. Is he hurt? Berke, a couple weeks ago, was supposed to be our highest rated defender by some sort of metric. Really? That still surprises me. At times, yes. At other times, no. We need to be consistent. I can say that about each and every player...At times and in certain games, wow. At other times, woof. We need CONSISTENCY! And folks, we ain't getting it. Intensity, focus, effort, physicality, desire, pride all have to improve. Sh*t, our bigs get knocked to the floor more than a drunken frat boy. I expect improvement against Rutgers; but I want to know that our defense will be present each and every game here on out. Leaders need to lead by word and example.

Us 77 Them 69

Ughh.

Hake has been terrific on the defensive end. Her shots are there, just not falling.