Husker Gamethread: Minnesota at Nebraska

by Brian Speers on Feb 5, 2012 11:59 AM CST in Nebraska Husker Basketball

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Nebraska Cornhuskers, Feb 5, 2012 12:00 PM CST

Tipoff: 12 pm CST - Location: Bob Devaney Sports Center - Lincoln, NE

Television: Big Ten Network

Live Stats and Internet Radio: Huskers.com

Radio: IMG Husker Sports Network | KLIN 1400 in Lincoln - KFAB 1110 in Omaha - KRVN 880 in Lexington

Play by play - Kent Pavelka Color - Matt Davison

Question of the day: Is Nebraska actually a good defensive team, as they've been labeled?

This question has been bouncing around in my head all season, and you have to wonder after Thursday's loss at Northwestern. Nebraska looked silly, as they continuously opened allowed Wildcat players to get near the rim and take open shots. Conversely, Nebraska was harassed 30 feet from the basket almost all game, and it showed in the final results. So have we seen a decline in Doc's system? What's the deal? Playing soft isn't going to win many games in the Big Ten this season, and Nebraska is now faced with an almost impossible task of winning enough games to qualify for post-season play.

Minnesota comes in at 16-7, and 4-6 in the league, and could be considered a legitimate "bubble" team at this point in the season. The Gophers are averaging about 69 points per game, and are coming off a pretty bad loss to Iowa. Minnesota has defeated their share of tough teams, including Indiana as well as Northwestern - by 23.

Hard to tell how this game will go today. With the possible exception of Penn State, every team in the B1G is capable of beating anyone else. There seems to be no real rhyme or reason to why certain teams are winning or losing, and the only real constant has been the Buckeyes, who look like they could make a run at the National Title.

Nebraska is against the wall, and Doc Sadler is running out of time on the season. He needs this win in the worst way, and the fans need something to hang on to. Jump on and tune into the BTN for some Husker basketball on Super Sunday!

GBR!

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Tons of empty seats at the Bob

5-3 NU early on..

"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"

GO BIG RED!

by Brian Speers on Feb 5, 2012 12:05 PM CST reply actions

Looking strong today

14-11 NU

"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"

GO BIG RED!

by Brian Speers on Feb 5, 2012 12:16 PM CST reply actions

21-20 now Huskers ahead

"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"

GO BIG RED!

by Brian Speers on Feb 5, 2012 12:29 PM CST reply actions

33-32 Huskers lead at half

"Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game;
In the deed the glory"

GO BIG RED!

by Brian Speers on Feb 5, 2012 12:46 PM CST reply actions

Doc looks......spent

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:00 PM CST reply actions

:(

He’s really hard to not like.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:06 PM CST up reply actions

I know

I’d love to see him succeed here.

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

I'm curious whether success is possible at Nebraska.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:17 PM CST up reply actions

It's a fair question

Both Collier and Sadler were solid hires based on their resumes.

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:20 PM CST up reply actions

Because if "success", which I'm assuming is say challenging for the Big Ten crown, isn't possible, there's no reason to fire Doc unless he's not getting it done academically or there are other off-court issues.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:22 PM CST up reply actions

I believe

Most NU fans would like to see a tourney appearance (and ultimately a win). I think a lack of those things be the grounds for his dismissal. Of course we’ve never won a tourney game, so maybe that’s not the fairest standard to fire someone either…

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

Is five seasons enough time to judge a basketball coach?

I mean, I’m frustrated by Nebraska’s futility at “basketball” but I’m obviously far more invested in football and have no idea how to judge our play in basketball other than recognizing we’re not very good.

Have we improved since Collier left?

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

I'd love to see a comparison of Sadler to his peers, like was done for Pelini (one of 7 BCS programs with 9+ wins over the last four seasons, most wins among fourth year coaches, most wins among first-time fourth year coaches)

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

According to almighty Wikipedia

The defensive strategy Sadler employs has paid dividends as Nebraska has earned 89 victories through five seasons. The total is the most by a Husker coach in his first five years in Lincoln and he is already fourth on the school’s all-time wins list.

That last fact is very disturbing considering we’re talking about a 5th year coach who’s on the hot seat.

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe there's a renewed interest in Nebrasketball, with the increase in the field size for the NCAA tournament?

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

That won't affect interest at all

Two more at-large bids isn’t going to change anything. Only winning will.

by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 5, 2012 1:50 PM CST up reply actions

Is it the new facilities then?

There is definitely a greater amount of interest around the program in fixing up Nebrasketball.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:51 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, it's the facilities.

UNL (and the taxpayers) are pouring a ton of money into Nebraska basketball. They want a return on their investment.

by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 5, 2012 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

I think that will the nail in Doc's coffin then.

A shiny new coach to go with the new arena and practice facility.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:56 PM CST up reply actions

Collier-Sadler comparison

Conference record: BC 36-60, DS 33-57
Winning conference records: BC 0, DS 0 (1 at .500)
NIT appearances: BC 2, DS 3
Conference tourney wins: BC 2, DS 2

Short answer: We haven’t improved, but we haven’t gotten worse. And Sadler should get some credit in this comparison, because Collier inherited a program in much better shape than Sadler did.

by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 5, 2012 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

How are we doing compared to Northwestern or South Florida?

They’re the only other two Division 1 teams yet to win a game in the NCAA tournament.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

Don't know much about South Florida

But Northwestern has been much better lately than Nebraska. They’re 22-33 in conference the past three years and have made the NIT each year.

by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 5, 2012 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

Hrm. Not a good sign.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

39 all, 12 minutes left in 2nd.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:15 PM CST reply actions

That hurts

NU plays great defense, but Minny gets an offensive rebound and promptly hits a 3. 45-39 Minny, TO Nebraska.

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:22 PM CST reply actions

Minny seems to be doing well on defense as well.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

Our offense can be kind of a dumpster fire at times

So it may not be all Minny. :P

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

sigh

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

Ack

Elliason throws an elbow and the foul goes on NU. That guy was an arrogant douche at Chadron. Did my soul good to watch them lose to St. Cecilia in the state finals a couple years ago. He threw his silver medal in the trash on his way off the floor. Heh.

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:26 PM CST reply actions

I remember seeing him my junior or senior year

And being entirely unimpressed. He was one of the most awkward, unathletic guys I’d ever seen on a high school basketball court. He looked like a speech geek who was forced to play basketball because he happened to be seven feet tall. I had no clue why he was being recruited by Division 1 schools.

by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 5, 2012 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

Whoops - his junior or senior year

by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 5, 2012 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

Sounds like the entire basketball team from my high school.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

Except the tall part.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

Nebraska just lets Minny through, 8 point run, 48-39 with about 7 minutes. TO for Nebraska.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:29 PM CST reply actions

Lil' Red looking dejected.

For once I am in agreement.

I really thought this team was finding a stride.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:30 PM CST reply actions

Huge three

Which accounts for 33% of our second half points 14 minutes into the second half. :(

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:34 PM CST reply actions

Not doing so hot.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

Watching today

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:40 PM CST reply actions

*today's game, I don't see much success in their schedule coming up.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah...

I think we needed this one to avoid an overall losing season.

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

It's cute that they think Nebrasketball could make a deep run in the Big Ten tournament.

I’m not sure how they seed that (does everyone get in?) but I’m guessing we’d be taken out by Ohio State, Indiana, Wisconsin or either of the Michigans relatively early.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:42 PM CST up reply actions

Nebraska would be fortunate to face one of those teams at all in the tournament

They’ll face someone like Iowa, Minnesota, or Northwestern in the opening round, while all the good teams have a bye. If they won that, then they’d get the chance to get blown out by Ohio State or Michigan State (the likely 1 and 2 seeds).

by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 5, 2012 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

Ah.

I wasn’t aware of how they seed the tournament.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

First round is 6-11, 7-10, 8-9 seeds

Then second round is 4-5, 1-8/9, 2-7/10, 3-6/11.

by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 5, 2012 1:56 PM CST up reply actions

So #12 doesn't go?

Are we #12?

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, crap

I was just thinking of the old B1G tournament setup. Totally forgot about the new setup this year with 12 teams. Yeah, it should work like the old Big 12 tournament.

Nebraska’s #11 right now, BTW. Penn State is #12.

by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 5, 2012 1:58 PM CST up reply actions

NOT THE BOTTOM.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 2:00 PM CST up reply actions

Bo's too ashamed to be seen wearing Husker red at a Nebrasketball game :(

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 1:44 PM CST reply actions

Probably doesn't want to be bothered.

The kid was wearing a black adidas jacket, I’m guessing there was a N on it.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

Bo Pelini sighting, playing dad today.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:44 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, okay.

Nebraska is getting out-played.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:48 PM CST reply actions

Hey, look, the lake where I parked for football.

SO PRETTY.

Mostly because the snow isn’t here in Madison.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:50 PM CST reply actions

And game, 69-61 Goldie.

Play for the love of the game. A Cornhusker through feast or famine. That's the Nebraska way.

by Salt Creek and Stadium on Feb 5, 2012 1:58 PM CST reply actions

Not a good loss...

"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne

by jdhusker on Feb 5, 2012 2:02 PM CST reply actions

Well hey at least the Women's team is pretty good

They are like 19-3 on the season and almost all of their main players are freshman and sophomores. They are proving that it possible to have a winning basketball team in Lincoln…of course that’s probably an apples to oranges comparison.

Don't get cute.
Follow @HuskerGrip

by Billgrip on Feb 5, 2012 2:27 PM CST reply actions

Nebraska’s problem the last few years is that they don’t have anyone who is a consistent scorer.

I hate to compare to Creighton, but watch there games. Even on a bad night like on Saturday they still score 62 points. On a great night they score 104. Sometimes it takes Nebraska 2 games to score 100 points.

Look at this team and though and point to someone who consistently scores. Spencer is a good player who scores but he also attempts a ton of shots. McCray is way to inconsistent. Richardson is in the same boat. This team needs a couple of shooters off the bench. Creighton has Wragge and Jones who can come in knock down a couple three’s. Nebraska has no one like that.

by jack dein on Feb 5, 2012 3:41 PM CST reply actions