Huskerpapa

Rollie or the coaches sort of figured it out in the second half. Yes, fouls, not performance put him on the bench in the first half. When he wasn't being covered, he began penetrating to contact in the 2nd half, he could then kick it out or drop it off. He also took care of the ball. Also, a follow up note on our intensity. There really was only one time where we had a player go to the floor and stay there after a hard contact. That would have been when Juwan got smacked in the face. It has been my pet peeve all year when our bigs had contact and went to the floor in, what appeared to be, a theatrical move. This game, when Andrew or Berke went to the floor, it was aggressive and for cause. Loved to see that subtle difference.

It felt good last night when Coach Cook and Busboom-Kelly embraced at half court with a cascade of cheers raining down on them!

I spazzed out when Charles came out on the floor for the dunk contest. I hope someone caught that fall on video. Holy cow. For those who didn't see it, he did a difficult but cool flip...but landed on his upper back and head. Yikes.

Man, that exhausted me. We needed that, it took a lot of effort, but well done! * I was begging Rollie not to hoist any more perimeter shots...but I give him credit for his perseverance. * Juwan didn't shoot a three. But man he was balling out there. Honestly, I thought every player that made it on the floor played pretty well. We just got blasted on the boards. Good lord, I believe they doubled us up. I was stroking out with every second and third chance points we gave them. Six turnovers was a huge advantage for us. Good win...now I am off to see our games in Eugene and Seattle.

Not bad...

Good win...ANY Big Ten road win is well earned!

Yeppers...happy trails Coach. Retirement is very well earned.

Title IX issues would be present.

Us 77 Them 71

That start was amazingly bad. Then we showed some fight and resolve...then, toilet bowl flush

We have some players who are good, but we are not a team. The problem existed a few years ago as well. So many little things are missing. It is a problem. Biiiggg problem.

So sad...

Sooo much better

...and I'm flying out to the west coast to watch this team play Oregon and Washington...

Deplorable.

Us 74 Them 78 12 assists

Just watched our three bigs practicing 3-pointers

...also looks like Griffiths is still slow. Sorry, too easy.

Morgan is warming up and he sure looks okay.

For those wondering how are thee players are recovering from their injuries, here us a short video of them tonight... https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8Fp7UQa/

Sorry, no love from me. I will let others cross that line.

Quite a few hardy souls in the Vault tonight.

Smoked them. Absolutely smoked em. It would be easier to try to pick out one of our players who played bad...

Instead of the starting five I will look at the finishers at this moment. One prerequisite for being on the floor at the end of games is the ability to make free throws. So who are our top five free throw shooters, AND, do those five hit free throws when the pressure is on. The easy first choice is Brice. 92% from the line and he makes them when they count. Shoot, we may be watching one of the best free throw shooters we've ever had. Secondly, Sam Hoiberg. He shoots 82%. This may sound strange, but I think the coaches should rethink his offense/defense switches at games end. He hasn't really had to make a free throw under pressure; but I have little doubt about his ability to do so. Besides, if he missed it he would likely turn around and steal the outlet pass. Third, Connor Essigian. He shoots 81% and his free throws seem a lot smoother since the first several games this year. He is a shooter and is comfortable launching his shots from anywhere, including the line. Fourth, Juwan Gary. He has improved his stroke; and although I often scream "oh no" when he shoots from the outside; and "dunk the damn ball" when he misses a bunny; I trust him from the line, and he is shooting 76% Braxton 27%, nope. Ulis 37%, nope. Morgan 64%, not quite good enough. Rollie has improved; 69%; but he would be #6 My fifth would be Berke. He is 68% and we need a big. I don't believe he lacks the confidence he simply needs to find his stroke. Yes, I know that many other things go into the equation. Including handles, rebounding, defense, yada-yada. What do ya think.

Us 76 Them 69