Nebraska 77, Texas A&M 73: We Won. Big Deal.

[ChipperF1]

Sometimes, two bad teams can produce a good game. Wednesday night in Lincoln, a smaller Husker crowd saw just that in Nebraska's 77-73 win over Texas A&M.

Despite the win, this Husker fan isn't celebrating. This game was too close, and Big Red was still woefully deficient in too many areas.

The game started great. The Huskers got out the blocks with two first half runs to sport a lead as large as 12. Keasha Cannon's return to the lineup opened the door for a lot of the offense. She ended up with a near triple-double (and came very close to a dubious qudruple double).

Texas A&M fired up the threes. A lot of threes. They hit 8-of-21, and many of them keep this game close. LaToya Rose hit 3 clutch long range strikes. Her third gave Texas A&M a 53-52 mid-second half.

How did Nebraska pull it out? From a member of bench. Griechaly Cepero did what she does best. She may not have the game plan down but she's got a lot of instictive gifts and she showed them all. Two jump shots by her broke Texas A&M's run, and her defensive play late in the game stymied the Aggies long range strikes. Cepero moved up the selection charts with a solid effort.

NOTES ON TEXAS A&M: They suck, but so does Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma State.
But the difference between the four teams is this

Nebraska: Has some talent. Has no heart. Has bad coach
Oklahoma State: Has no talent, Has heart, Has a solid coach
Kansas: Has no talent, Has some heart. Needs new coach.
Texas A&M: Has a little talent. Has some heart. Has a fair coach. Needs a school to care.

The Aggies ran a game plan and its dang near worked. Nebraska was conceding the three, and Texas A&M went out and then hit. Defensively, they scrapped their way to forcing 26 turnovers. Meg Banahan and Toccara Williams had 3 steal each, and the entire team was forcing bad passes and being aggressive. They kept themselves in the game even though they were outshot (52% vs. 37%), they were outrebounded (48 to 39), and basically playing a better team. The Aggies played like night, like they could beat teams above their station.

Texas A&M could be like Texas, TTU or Baylor, if their school only really cared.

WHAT WORKED FOR NEBRASKA.

1. Keasha Cannon: Welcome back!!!!!!! 17 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists. The real captain of this team. For the first time in a while, the Huskers stopped impersonating a Big 12 team, and played like one all because the point guard is back.

2. Alexa Johnson: 15 points last night and maintained solid inside control. She also had 7 rebounds, and played sharp interior defense. Expect to see Johnson starting and the Rover spot against Kansas State.

3. Stephanie "Charo" Jones: 12 points, 4 rebounds, good hustle. But the jury is still out on the "High School All-American".

4. Griechaly Cepero: One of the few players on this team who knows what her role is, and plays accordingly

WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR NEBRASKA

1. Turnovers: 26 TURNOVERS?!?!?! This is why Texas A&M kept this close. The Huskers got careless with the ball and the Aggie scoop up some goodies. 26 Turnovers will get this team beat against the real teams in this league. Even Cannon had 9 turnovers. UGLY!

2. Guard Play (except for Cannon): Hopefully Shah Roberts will be back for the road trip to Manhattan, but if she isn't somebody has to step in the breach and give Keasha some backcourt help.

Shannon "Eric" Howell is steady, but she still plays unagressive and still doesn't shoot well. Howell's playing more like and Candi White, pass first-shoot second. That isn't what Howell does.

Margaret "Lazy Girl" Richards? She reverted back to her usually pattern. Lazy and uncaring. She's what Casey Leonhardt would be if she was a guard.

"Missy" Cowgill? 0-for-3 last night. Now many, including Nebraska's radio people say, "K.C. just needs to keep shooting"
Chipper sez, "K.C. needs to STOP SHOOTING and learn what defense is."

Jina "Jacy" Johansen: She still not the scoring presence she needs to be, but she did have 3 assists and takes care of the ball. I wouldn't consider her for 20-25 minutes stints, yet, but its good she's getting reps.

3. Katie "Charo Jr." Robinette: Robinette was benched against Texas A&M, and actually this could be the best thing for her. She's been pressing too much, and needs some time to look at what's going on and understand her role.
This isn't to say Robinette has been a "bust" in the Stephanie Jones tradition, but Robinette's play so far has been solid, but below what her credentials demand.

Overall: It's good to get in the win column, but it was Texas A&M. Ahead is a ranked team in hostile territory.
Despite the appearances, Nebraska has a shot to win this one.

Kansas-based Division 1 teams have lost 11 straight games to Nebraska-based Division 1 teams

Okay, I'm reaching here http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif
But there is quite an opportunity to really get the season going. Nebraska needs 5 more wins to clinch a winning season, and a win versus a ranked opponent would make this campaign a lot less phony.

The $64,000 question is does this team want it that badly?

--ChipperF1



[This message has been edited by ChipperF1 (edited 02-25-2002).]

[This message has been edited by ChipperF1 (edited 02-25-2002).]

[This message has been edited by ChipperF1 (edited 02-25-2002).]

[This message has been edited by ChipperF1 (edited 02-25-2002).]

[KSUron]

Originally posted by ChipperF1:
actually this could be the best a ranked team in hostile territory.
Despite the appearances, Nebraska has a shot to win this one. [b]Kansas-based Division 1 teams have lost 11 straight games to Nebraska-based Division 1 teams[b]

Okay, I'm reaching here http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif
But there is quite an opportunity to really get the season going. Nebraska needs 5 more wins to clinch a winning season, and a win versus a ranked opponent would make this campaign a lot less phony.--ChipperF1

Ahh, ChipperF1, Let the games begin! I'm really looking forward to your upcoming posts on this game. My take is that Nebraska's front court can't match up with the Wildcats, but on the other hand the Husker back court will be less able than KSU's.

I expect to be back at Bramlage with a few (thousand) of my friends, to witness the invasion of the red infidels of the north.

Howell did not serve me too well on my Hoopla! team but I may just keep her on the bench ready to come back. I won't be using Robinette this session either. I doubt she has ever seen anything quite like Mahoney. Seriously I still think NU has life in it. Please just don't pick this game to come alive. I am REALLY enjoying this run.

[ChipperF1]

My take is that Nebraska's front court can't match up with the Wildcats, but on the other hand the Husker back court will be less able than KSU's

Backcourt wise, I don't see anyone on Kansas State who can hold up Keasha Cannon, but then again she's the only good player Nebraska has so Patterson will probably concentrate multiple defensive looks on her.
Frontcourt, depends on who starts. A Projected Johnson-Jones interior will be interesting against Ohlde and especially Wecker.

Really both teams have a wildcard on their side. Nebraska has Cannon, who Kansas State hasn't seen before. Kansas State has Wecker, who Nebraska has never seen before.

I also think the psyche of both teams will play into it. I'm not sure which Nebraska team will show up. I have a feeling Kansas State will come out cocky. After all, they've beaten three ranked opponents, they've moves into the top 15, and their next four games are against four examples of why Title IX doesn't work. If a young, good squad is suddenly thinking Saturday will be a breather, we could have a Red Dawn on the lower farm side of Manhattan.

[KSUron]

Originally posted by ChipperF1:
Backcourt wise, I don't see anyone on Kansas State who can hold up Keasha Cannon, but then again she's the only good player Nebraska has so Patterson will probably concentrate multiple defensive looks on her.
Frontcourt, depends on who starts. A Projected Johnson-Jones interior will be interesting against Ohlde and especially Wecker.

Really both teams have a wildcard on their side. Nebraska has Cannon, who Kansas State hasn't seen before. Kansas State has Wecker, who Nebraska has never seen before.

I also think the psyche of both teams will play into it. I'm not sure which Nebraska team will show up. I have a feeling Kansas State will come out cocky. After all, they've beaten three ranked opponents, they've moves into the top 15, and their next four games are against four examples of why Title IX doesn't work. If a young, good squad is suddenly thinking Saturday will be a breather, we could have a Red Dawn on the lower farm side of Manhattan.

There is a lot here that we can agree on but where is the fun in that? Lambert scored well against us and I do think that Canon will get her points too. Beyond that? KSU's basic approach is a lot like ISU's. Has Nebraska had good luck at Hilton? (not fair I know but what the heck) It will be interesting to see how the Huskers plan to defend Ice water vein Koehn and Rethman. BU & CU both have very fine and aggressive man defenses. Can NU match them? Koehn scored 22 on the Buffs in spite of the tight defense.

Up front the same problems come up. I don't see anyone who is going to hang big numbers on the Cats but I can sure see Ohlde and Wecker being hard to stop. Another wild card is Mahoney on defense. If you haven't seen her play, I will tell you that trying to play offense against Mahoney is not a walk in the park. She is also an offensive threat with the three and drives to the hoop but she will look to pass first. She is a guard with an attitude in a forwards body. Ohlde and Wecker will also give the Husker coaching staff an offensive challenge. I think KSU will get its points, can NU match them?

I know Nicole and from what I have seen of the others I don't think KSU will be cocky or take NU lightly. Some of us fans? maybe? but even there we are too new at this wining stuff to take it for granted. I think our "head problems" are still more on the confidence side than the cocky side.

I expect Cannon to be an excellent player and what I remember of Cepero is a very athletic player who did a lot right including defend. Call me silly but I think the Huskers just don't have the players to match the KSU scoring. On paper this is KSU big time but I have a feeling NU is ready to give a first rate effort and KSU may be down a bit. Not enough. KSU by 10.


[This message has been edited by KSUron (edited 01-10-2002).]

[ChipperF1]

Well, lets have some fun...

KSU had Ohlde and Rethman. The "ice-in-the-vein" crew?

They were on the business end of a Big Red Broom last season http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif
Wecker, she'll cause problems. Mahoney? I've seen two games this year, and while she had a lot of solid skills, Keasha Cannon will take her. You better have every Fred Sanford defense in the arsenal.

Inside may hurt us, depending on who plays. Alexa Johnson, Stephanie Jones, are a little more battle proven. Griechaly Cepero will come off the bench. But she's so used to dominating anything wearing purple in Volleyball, perhaps the attitude will carry over to basketball. (She did have 14 points and 8 rebounds against KSU in January '01 in her her third game with the team. Saturday is her third game of the season with this years team http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif)


Nebraska may suck, and this year they really suck. But this year's team is more capable that last year's model, and that model swept Kansas State.

[KSUron]

Yup your right about Cepero, but that was at Devaney. In the Purple Palace she only got 7. I don't even want to talk about Leonhardt, of all people, in that game. (29 points must have been a serious portion of her season total)

If you really figure Mahoney is going to have prime responsibility for your point guard you must have no respect for your forwards and post players at all. I think Cannon will see a lot more of Koehn and Rethman in Patterson's zone. And she will score points. Will it be enough?

This years purple model still has Ohlde and Rethman but everything else is new. Our guards scored reasonably well on the Huskers last year and so did Ohlde. She is bringing some front court help with her this time. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

The Leonhardt deal does bring up another point. The refs let her bang, shove and clobber at will in that game and she had the sense to take advantage of it. The way the zebras call the game could effect the strategy, but we have other options this year..

[KSUron]

Originally posted by ChipperF1:
Griechaly Cepero will come off the bench. But she's so used to dominating anything wearing purple in Volleyball, perhaps the attitude will carry over to basketball. (She did have 14 points and 8 rebounds against KSU in January '01 in her her third game with the team. Saturday is her third game of the season with this years team http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif)

Volleyball Coach Sue Fritz is from our little town so we follow it more than otherwise. If we both make the NCAA's I'd love to see the unlikely vision of you rascals in Manhattan for THIS sports playoffs. Paybacks are heck. It won't happen but I can dream. The first round volleyball playoff in Manhattan with Nebraska was unfair to both our schools.

If you are going to be second best to somebody, the Husker Volleyball team is a real fine crew to be second to.

[ChipperF1]

If you really figure Mahoney is going to have prime responsibility for your point guard you must have no respect for your forwards and post players at all.

If you've read any of my post, you know I have very little respect for my team, period. Unlike most Nebraska fans, I am NOT myopic.

But I have fundamental difficulties with braggadacio coming from any team that can be dominated by a player as lazy, worthless and slothful as Casey Leonhardt.
Whining about the refs in last year's game? WAAAAAAAAH! WAAAAAAAAH! IT'S CASEY LEONHARDT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!! Casey Leonhardt was to basketball what Bobby Knight is to anger management.

Kansas State is a better team than last years. Vastly improved. The lasses will have some problem, especially given that we don't shot the ball well at all. The key to this game is to make the game ugly on defense, and hope that Keasha, Alexa and Stephanie make a lot of plays on offense.
I still believe the mental state will be a factor. KSU could be playing under the infleuence, and Nebraska could come out hungry. Nebraska hasn't beaten a ranked opponent since the second game of last season.

[KSUron]

ChipperF1, I am not complaining about the refs except in the general sense that if you get a crew that calls or does not call things on a given night it can effect the game. On that night it did effect the game, but I don't have any doubt that Nebraska was going to win that game no matter how it was called. That was not the point of my comment.

I had told folks that I attended that game with, that I did not expect too much from Casey L. My opinion of her as a player was not that different from yours, but on that night in those conditions she rose up and did her job. It could happen tomorrow that someone I least expect (Leonhardt sure fell into that category) could for that given day, rise up and shock us. I wonder if that was her "career" night. I have to look that up someday. I remembered her performance in that game because it REALLY bit at the time.

Telling anyone that last years team would beat Nebraska would have been braggadocio although a "W" would not have been unthinkable. I think either team can win tomorrow but I think KSU has a better shot than NU. We will see and if its NU I won't be shocked.

The last few games we have not held outside shooters in check so that may be an area NU can exploit. I don't see NU making too much hay inside (so that's probably where the damage will come). In the Baylor game both teams excelled in areas no one would have expected. That may happen again versus NU.

One of the things I like about this team is that when they get in trouble they fight back and adjust. Our first game was on the road at Georgia Tech with a soph and four freshman. No sane person would have predicted a "W" but the little scrapers hung in there and got one. I think they deserve my respect. We lost a game to ASU that was very winnable. More of those will come. KSU will not go through the Big 12 undefeated. I expect about four losses but who knows, it could easily be more.

Someone speculated on the ESPN board that KSU may be a dark horse for the NCAA final four. PLEASE! We have rather a long way to go before even entertaining thoughts like that. It might be nice to MAKE the field of 64 first. On the other hand I expect to win Saturday, but as I have said on this board before, Nebraska has talent and they are going to beat some teams (and KSU could be one). I expect to have fun either way.

The mental state thing is a real deal and I think KSU could be off a little. I still think they can win because of their grit, athleticism, talent and coaching, and because they are still too young to know better. BTW Kendra, Nicole and Laurie may be a soph and two freshman but they have played together against high level competition in AAU ball for several years. They have an advantage there that is not apparent to the general public.

What is NU's mental state. Will they be ready to play over their season performance to date, and will the NU coach make the better adjustments? It remains to be seen. I love this game.