ChipperF1
01-03-2002, 09:30 AM
3,394 Husker fans came to the Devaney Center Wednesday, hoping for a good showing. Perhaps a sign that Nebraska will be a competitive team in the Big 12 conference.
It started out oh so good, too. A 7-0 lead! The Huskers catching fire!!! Shannon Howell (2 transition baskets) and Alexa Johnson (a three from the new starting center) were getting after it.
But the young Texas squad replied in kind with an 11-2 run. This would be a ballgame.
Then came the endless fouls. The Longhorn inside game was working, regardless of what the Nebraska radio homers said. All night they were saying "Nebraska's playing great defense." It's not great defense when you are putting the other team on the free throw line 9 times. Nebraska played a solid defensive game on the perimeter in the first half. Texas didn't hit a three point shot in 7 tries, and they were 34.5 shooting in the first half. The inability to really control Texas inside built the 27-21 halftime.
Offensively was were Nebraska was hurting, after the 7-0 start, the Huskers shot 30% from the field. They went 1-for-12 for three point on the way to a horrible 4-for-26 for the game.
In the final 5 minutes of the first half, Nebraska didn't score.
Second half, Texas took a lead as large at 12 before Nebraska made a run.
8:18 Alexa turnaround in the paint 47-36
7:57 Cowgill Trey!!!! (Finally!) 47-39......
6:52 Alexa Johnson Nice baby hook! 47-41, Texas up
4:13 Margaret Richard SuperLayup and foul and then a Johnson clean-up and bucket 49-45, Texas
From 49-45 Texas responded immediate working inside again to Stacy Stephens and Tracy Cook. Texas scored 12 points in the last 3 minutes, a number of those points from the free throw line, Nebraska went through a 90 second scoring drought by which they didn't recover.
Texas 61, Nebraska 54
THE TEXAS THREE-STEP...
Texas is a young team, and its shows, but all the assorted snipers who say its time for Jody to go I think should seriously reconsider that statement. You have a squad with a lot to recommend themselves.
The Longhorn strength is inside. So much size and so much talent. Stacy Stephens had her 4 double-double. She gained control of the paint from the state. Tracy Cook and Heather Schreiber did their jobs, too ON BOTH ENDS.
The difference?
Texas Frontcourt (Stephens-Cook-Schreiber)
45 points, 27 rebounds, 6 personal fouls total.
Nebraska Frontcourt (Johnson-Jones-Robinette)
29 points, 16 rebounds, 11 personal fouls total. Robinette fouled out of the game. Johnson ended with 4.
I think Jody needs to expand the guard role a little more. When Tai Dillard was in the game, it seemed that Texas had a little more balance, perhaps she should look at a little more. Overall, the Horns walked in to a hostile arena and walked out a winner. They will have a difficult game with Colorado, but they've played tough games and they'll compete.
WHAT WORKED FOR NEBRASKA
1. Alexa Johnson. She's taken advantage of an opportunity to play. 13 points, 8 rebounds. Paul Sanderfraud, you have your starting center. She wasn't perfect last night. Stacy Stephens outplayed her, but Johnson did challenge. Plus, when this team was making a move in the second half, Johnson played the biggest role. I LIKE THAT!
Paul, give up on Katie Morse, go with Alexa.
2. Stephanie "Charo" Jones! CHOOCHIE-CHOOCHIE!!!!!!!!!!
14 points on 6-for-12 shooting, 4 rebounds, and like Johnson, she was dealing inside. A good game for Jones against a good team AT LAST!!!
Again Paul Sanderfraud you have a starter here. Keep playing her.
3. Margaret Richards. 18 minutes, had 5 points, but she winning first step confrontation on Texas' guards when she was in the game. Richards coming off the bench works, she just needs to get more opportunities to drive and score.
4. Keasha Cannon. Played 20 minutes, had 6 points, 2 assists and 3 turnovers. She was off her game, and was expected to be. It is just good to have her back. Please continue to keep this kid in your prayers.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR NEBRASKA
1. Outside Shooting. 4-for-26 from three point range? This gang really couldn't shoot straight.
2. K.C. Cowgill. 2-for-9 from three last night. Since going 0-for against Cincinnati she's shot 8-for-27 from three point range. That's 29.6%. That will not do. Also Cowgill missed every attempt inside the three-point arc last night.
3. Katie "Charo Jr." Robinette. This is a High School All-American? Fouling out with 2 rebounds and 2 points?
This was her worst game since failing to score against Cincinnati.
"This is division I and a freshman is a freshman, is a freshman. Even one as celebrated as Katie Robinette. She will have tough games, but that's to be expected."
--Nebraska Radio commentators during the game
I agree. BUT, Just up Interstate-80 a true freshman High School All-American was scoring 19 points and dominating a game against the #4 team in the polls and getting her team a "W". That is why Kansas State acquired Kendra Wecker, and that why Nebraska acquired Katie Robinette.
So far, Kendra is holding her end of the deal. Katie isn't. Katie just lost any claim to Big 12 freshman of the year with tonight's performance. So far she's done good for a freshman, but she's been substandard for the "elite class" freshman everybody been saying she is.
OVERALL OUTLOOK:
Nebraska played a good game. But it shows how far this team has to travel and it shows how much Keasha Cannon means to the team, and how much and improving Shah Roberts means to this team as well.
Defensively, the team was excellent on the perimeter, but inside the lasses didn't make the plays.
Also, there is the matter of strategy. Paul Sanderford tried to make this team a candypants three-point shooting team. Nebraska isn't Creighton or Iowa State. This team doesn't shoot the three well enough to fire up 26 in a ballgame. The team does have some penetrator, and good mid-range shooter, and its inside players who can get a shot. We need to shoot threes, by 26 of them??? That will get you beat when you only hit 4 of them.
Next up is Iowa State. And the Cyclones will be in a rather surly mood given their loss to Kansas State. In their last two games against Nebraska, ICBM State's firststrike capability made both games embarassing. The Huskers will not beat the Cyclones, but they can give a respectable effort.
--ChipperF1 http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif
It started out oh so good, too. A 7-0 lead! The Huskers catching fire!!! Shannon Howell (2 transition baskets) and Alexa Johnson (a three from the new starting center) were getting after it.
But the young Texas squad replied in kind with an 11-2 run. This would be a ballgame.
Then came the endless fouls. The Longhorn inside game was working, regardless of what the Nebraska radio homers said. All night they were saying "Nebraska's playing great defense." It's not great defense when you are putting the other team on the free throw line 9 times. Nebraska played a solid defensive game on the perimeter in the first half. Texas didn't hit a three point shot in 7 tries, and they were 34.5 shooting in the first half. The inability to really control Texas inside built the 27-21 halftime.
Offensively was were Nebraska was hurting, after the 7-0 start, the Huskers shot 30% from the field. They went 1-for-12 for three point on the way to a horrible 4-for-26 for the game.
In the final 5 minutes of the first half, Nebraska didn't score.
Second half, Texas took a lead as large at 12 before Nebraska made a run.
8:18 Alexa turnaround in the paint 47-36
7:57 Cowgill Trey!!!! (Finally!) 47-39......
6:52 Alexa Johnson Nice baby hook! 47-41, Texas up
4:13 Margaret Richard SuperLayup and foul and then a Johnson clean-up and bucket 49-45, Texas
From 49-45 Texas responded immediate working inside again to Stacy Stephens and Tracy Cook. Texas scored 12 points in the last 3 minutes, a number of those points from the free throw line, Nebraska went through a 90 second scoring drought by which they didn't recover.
Texas 61, Nebraska 54
THE TEXAS THREE-STEP...
Texas is a young team, and its shows, but all the assorted snipers who say its time for Jody to go I think should seriously reconsider that statement. You have a squad with a lot to recommend themselves.
The Longhorn strength is inside. So much size and so much talent. Stacy Stephens had her 4 double-double. She gained control of the paint from the state. Tracy Cook and Heather Schreiber did their jobs, too ON BOTH ENDS.
The difference?
Texas Frontcourt (Stephens-Cook-Schreiber)
45 points, 27 rebounds, 6 personal fouls total.
Nebraska Frontcourt (Johnson-Jones-Robinette)
29 points, 16 rebounds, 11 personal fouls total. Robinette fouled out of the game. Johnson ended with 4.
I think Jody needs to expand the guard role a little more. When Tai Dillard was in the game, it seemed that Texas had a little more balance, perhaps she should look at a little more. Overall, the Horns walked in to a hostile arena and walked out a winner. They will have a difficult game with Colorado, but they've played tough games and they'll compete.
WHAT WORKED FOR NEBRASKA
1. Alexa Johnson. She's taken advantage of an opportunity to play. 13 points, 8 rebounds. Paul Sanderfraud, you have your starting center. She wasn't perfect last night. Stacy Stephens outplayed her, but Johnson did challenge. Plus, when this team was making a move in the second half, Johnson played the biggest role. I LIKE THAT!
Paul, give up on Katie Morse, go with Alexa.
2. Stephanie "Charo" Jones! CHOOCHIE-CHOOCHIE!!!!!!!!!!
14 points on 6-for-12 shooting, 4 rebounds, and like Johnson, she was dealing inside. A good game for Jones against a good team AT LAST!!!
Again Paul Sanderfraud you have a starter here. Keep playing her.
3. Margaret Richards. 18 minutes, had 5 points, but she winning first step confrontation on Texas' guards when she was in the game. Richards coming off the bench works, she just needs to get more opportunities to drive and score.
4. Keasha Cannon. Played 20 minutes, had 6 points, 2 assists and 3 turnovers. She was off her game, and was expected to be. It is just good to have her back. Please continue to keep this kid in your prayers.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR NEBRASKA
1. Outside Shooting. 4-for-26 from three point range? This gang really couldn't shoot straight.
2. K.C. Cowgill. 2-for-9 from three last night. Since going 0-for against Cincinnati she's shot 8-for-27 from three point range. That's 29.6%. That will not do. Also Cowgill missed every attempt inside the three-point arc last night.
3. Katie "Charo Jr." Robinette. This is a High School All-American? Fouling out with 2 rebounds and 2 points?
This was her worst game since failing to score against Cincinnati.
"This is division I and a freshman is a freshman, is a freshman. Even one as celebrated as Katie Robinette. She will have tough games, but that's to be expected."
--Nebraska Radio commentators during the game
I agree. BUT, Just up Interstate-80 a true freshman High School All-American was scoring 19 points and dominating a game against the #4 team in the polls and getting her team a "W". That is why Kansas State acquired Kendra Wecker, and that why Nebraska acquired Katie Robinette.
So far, Kendra is holding her end of the deal. Katie isn't. Katie just lost any claim to Big 12 freshman of the year with tonight's performance. So far she's done good for a freshman, but she's been substandard for the "elite class" freshman everybody been saying she is.
OVERALL OUTLOOK:
Nebraska played a good game. But it shows how far this team has to travel and it shows how much Keasha Cannon means to the team, and how much and improving Shah Roberts means to this team as well.
Defensively, the team was excellent on the perimeter, but inside the lasses didn't make the plays.
Also, there is the matter of strategy. Paul Sanderford tried to make this team a candypants three-point shooting team. Nebraska isn't Creighton or Iowa State. This team doesn't shoot the three well enough to fire up 26 in a ballgame. The team does have some penetrator, and good mid-range shooter, and its inside players who can get a shot. We need to shoot threes, by 26 of them??? That will get you beat when you only hit 4 of them.
Next up is Iowa State. And the Cyclones will be in a rather surly mood given their loss to Kansas State. In their last two games against Nebraska, ICBM State's firststrike capability made both games embarassing. The Huskers will not beat the Cyclones, but they can give a respectable effort.
--ChipperF1 http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif