Nebraska 77, Kansas 70: PUI

[ChipperF1]

Whew! Talk about playing more than half of game drunk. That is what Nebraska did against Kansas.
The first half, the lasses couldn't hit shot while KU worked their game well. K.C. Hilgenkamp and Selena Scott played the way we know they can play and Kansas had a four point led at halftime.
The second half was a lot better, especially the grit Katie Robinette showed. The first half, she played the sissy, candypants basketball she played much of Big 12 season, in the second half she cut the crap and took it to hole. Aggressive basketball yielded 22 points 12 rebounds. And again, can't say enough about Keasha Cannon. A hard core 15-point, 15-rebound.
I'll say it right now, If Keasha Cannon doesn't at least make the All Big-12 second team, it'll be the biggest robbery this side of the Canadian Pairs Skating Team And that is one big robbery, I tell ya!
Please DON'T DIS KEASHA CANNON BECAUSE HER TEAM SUCKS!!!!!!!!

WHAT WORKED FOR NEBRASKA
1. Keasha Cannon. In front of a lot of family and friends, and facing a Kansas defense that was geared up and game planned against her directly. Cannon gave us quite ballgame. 15 points, 15 rebounds, 4 steals...BUT 5 turnovers, 2 of them in the final two minutes that hurt the cause.

2. Katie Robinette. Another solid outing. This kid is learning that there are rewards in attack. I'll take 22 and 12, anyday. But just like Cannon, CUT DOWN ON THE TURNOVERS...SHE HAD 7 OF THEM!!!

3. Jina Johansen. Another efficient ballgame for our new starting quarterback. 6 assists, 5 points. A very Matt Turman-like performance. I'd like to see Jina score some more points. Hit a few more shots, but the kid is settling in and I think its coming.

4. Shannon Howell. Attacking the basket is paying off by going 6-for-7 from the line, but she has to hit more of those slashing tries. Her 13 points could have easily been 20.

WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR NEBRASKA.

1. Starting slow early. This team came out thinking they were better than they were and it bit 'em
Ladies, again I remind you, against teams in the top 110 of the RPI, you are 3-11, your 14-11 record was built on the backs of jabronis!
To quite Herb Brooks "You are not talented enough to win on talent alone."

2. Panicking Late. The finsl 3 minutes of the game scared me, because the lasses went back to being the same old Nebraska team. Making mistakes, not making adjustments, not making plays.
Do that against Oklahoma, you'll find yourself 30 points down.

3. Stephanie Jones. 0-FOR-6???? She battled well inside. Had 7 rebounds, but we need Jones finishing inside. She has really finished plays well all season. Also 5-for-10 from the free thrown line. That is substandard.

Overall: We won. Yawn.
Again, This Husker fan isn't celebrating. The team walked into the Lawrence thinking they were actually good because they finally beat a real team. This game was a textbook example of Playing Under the Influence. I was disappointed in the way the team came into the game and how they finished it. On the upside the team showed some grit and did get a road victory, but the overall uneveness of the game leaves me cold.

Next is Oklahoma and this game is one I'm looking forward to. The Sooners are going to come in hot. They see a #1 seed. They see the conference title ahead and they are going to come out to play.
This will be good for Nebraska. It's on the road. The opposition is a better team than Nebraska. And I have feeling the Sooners will take the Huskers for granted, considering that they've survived a solid game with Kansas State and they have a Texas team that is fueled by their great win this week looming ahead.

For Nebraska, this is a beautiful situation, and a chance for respect.
Nebraska 69, Oklahoma 66

--ChipperF1

[BenEClone]

No team would turn down a chance to have Robinette or Cannon. Both are starter class anywhere. The supporting cast is also talented. In terms of the raw talent they brought to Lincoln, NU ought to be in the hunt for a top four finish in the conference. Thus, if OU is napping, I agree that NU could beat them if one or two starters have a bad game or get into foul trouble. Though 5 can score in double digits, OU is little deeper than KSU. When NU plays hard, they often (seems to me) play rough so they officials could influence the outcome.

[metromaniac]

Chipper, Chipper----

Of course, it's the Big 12. Yes, Nebraska beat KSU. Albeit at home with Cannon and Robinette having their games of the year.
OU now has a cushion and may play more reserves, but don't count on that if it is close.

Regardless, OU now smells the title and will not let this game get away. Caulfield or Ross will slow Cannon from her current frentic and exciting pace. Result----OU stays on track for the trek to Austin next week.

[swok34]

With a game that could clinch at least a "share" of the conference title and play at high noon Wednesday come tourney time.......Sherri Coale, nor her team, do not overlook any opponent... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

Besides, I think this Sooner team knows that the amount of games left that the bench can play in are beginning to get extremely limited....these starters think a lot of their "white team", ??aren't they called the white team?.....and revel and cheer them on when they get to watch them from the sidelines.......

as Sherri told 'em before the K-State game, win this game and we can have a lot of fun over the next 2 weeks. Sherri Coale watched the first 5 minutes of the KSU/NU game and knew how to defend KSU........."stand by your "woman" and don't let her out of your sight.......both Nebraska and OU will probably play pretty physical defense.

[ChipperF1]

Metro, metro....

All I said was if Oklahoma take the game lightly, they'll lose. If their starters don't come to play and it becomes a skirmish they face a much greater risk of losing than they did a month ago. And the case if true for the other side. Nebraska has to play another great game (much better than last night's debacle).

And do I detect a little note of downplay on Nebraska win over Kansas State? Lets look at the facts, sparky, Nebraska drilled Kansas State early in the game, weathered every storm and did it without a lot of help from a Husker crowd that was pretty darn catatonic until the big runs came. K-State's fan were much more helpful to their team that day.

As for this coming ballgame, it's an uphill fight, but. The lasses have to play another great game. But the thought of Crossing Guard Caulfield vs. Keasha Cannon? Veddy Interestink, Veddy Interestink, indeed http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[carolann]

I haven't tried to put together any all big-12 teams for a reason - it gives me a big headache. Putting Johansen at the point and Cannon at the 2, looked like a great move for Nebraska against KSU. Cannon definitely looked like an all-star. The completeness of her puts her in a special class.

[KSUron]

Metro & Swok, don't get too comfortable and confident. OU is a better basketball team than NU but you may not have the best tackle basketball team. I think that title goes to Nebraska and I do not use the term to downplay Nebraska. They play the rough in your face game better than Oklahoma. Consider that you had to rely heavily on Roz Ross to win at K-State and she came through beautifully. She will not get as many open looks against NU. I expect Caton Hill to do well but frankly Stacy Dales may not. She never did deal with KSU's physical game and we are strictly second rate at tackle basketball. NU is not. To the extent that this turns into a basketball game NU is in trouble. To the extent that it becomes tackle basketball you are in trouble and lately the Big XII seems to have decided that they want to "let em play". IF Johansen has another good game and the refs "let em play" you may not have to worry about getting playing time for your bench.

Personally I don't care for tackle basketball but its all KSU will see from teams that are capable of playing it until we stop it from being successful. I don't blame NU or OU from playing physical against KSU but I don't have to like it. What really ticks me off is that its working. We may just see how good OU is at handling it from a team that is darn good at it.

Btw Kansas is more physical than OU and it did not surprise me that they played NU somewhat close. I think it meant that NU got KU's best shot. If you think it means that NU will be an easy mark for OU I think your wrong. Having said all that I expect OU to win but they better be prepared to fight for it.

[swok34]

We may just see how good OU is at handling it from a team that is darn good at it

I recall the game vs. Nebraska 2 years ago in Norman....it was a great game and physical as you mentioned... OU has pretty much the same personnel with the exception of a couple of players. I'm not sure that I believe that NU is any more physical than Texas A & M or Baylor.

and Stacey proved herself against TAMU........ http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[KSUron]

Swok, I can't comment on TAMU. I did not see their game with KSU or OU. As regards NU and BU, NU was much more physical with us in our games this year. No disrespect meant to Stacey Dales. She deserves the high esteem she is held in. My point in regard to her was that she did not do well in our game and I think she may also have trouble with NU the way she and they are playing right now. I have a lot of respect for OU and I would expect Coach Coales and Stacey Dales to make adjustments to help her be effective. But to assume she will be effective on Saturday as a given is IMO a mistake.

I hope, btw that Laurie Koehn, Kristin Rethman and also Nicole Ohlde have a better game against KU on Sunday than they did against OU. Don't let's kid ourselves, none of them played the OU game all that well. Rethman and Koehn both had unforced turnovers as well as forced ones. Nicole scored 22 points but let herself get taken out of rebounding position for the second straight game and also was too patient (passive) on her post moves, plus she kept the ball down low where short people could get it way too long and way too often. Result: more easy turnovers. Not all of those things were due to OU's defense but to OU's credit they did take advantage. In short I don't think either team came out of that game covered in glory and we both have shortcomings to worry about. (We also both have a heck of a lot to be proud of.)

It is not inconcievable that KU could beat KSU on Sunday either. KU will bring us a very physical game and NOT slink softly into the night. KSU on the other hand, has let the physical game get to them. Our heads are out of sync and that's not a good way to come into a game against a desperate "backs to the wall" team and coach.

P.S.
It may also be that I'm still a little too "ticked" about our play of late and not giving either team enough credit. NU may not be able to defend Dales the way we did and she may do quite well thank you. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif Match-ups always make a big difference and NU may not be able to deal with her, especially her post up moves. Thats why we get to play these games on the basketball floor instead of on paper I guess. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by KSUron (edited 02-14-2002).]

[metromaniac]

With all due respect, I understand tackle ball----however---probably the two toughtest players I have ever seen,in my life, who both know a few "tricks" and use them when needed, are Caton Hill and LaNeisha Caulfied. Ross isn't too shabby either when the going gets tough. There are also several others, known or unknown to the masses.

So in a word, or two, just bring on the physical style and we will have to see what happens. I adnit I could be wrong, but IMO, the Sooner Women will be far less effected by this style than most. Heck, does anybody think UCONN plays pansie, non tackling D?????

Chipper , Chipper----Just want you to know "I love you man" and totally respect the job and game NU played last weekend. Just thought the odds of your prediction were in the single digits. Again, just IMO. No smack intended or implied.

[swok34]

Here's a quote from Sherri Coale on her team........

"This team has never ceased to amaze me, I don't always know what the answer's going to be. But I know we're going to find one......"

She said herself last night that her job this week was to get her team ready to play Saturday after playing such a good, good basketball team and winning on the road. I really appreciate the way Sooner Sports Network stays on and shows the teams interaction after the game and the interview with the coach....
I liked Mechelle Voepel's article that gave several quotes from OU and KSU players.......they all made a point to go up to one another and shake hands or say a word or two....

Kansas State will be a force to be reckoned with.....Sherri Coale was talking on her radio show one night that one of the men's basketball players had inquired about how OU's freshman was doing playing the minutes she's playing.....and Sherri said, I think she's ok.......and Hollis proceeded to tell her that by February of his freshmen year, he wondered how he could possibly go 6 weeks more basketball.

I think I've heard a FOX announcer mention that Deb Patterson says there's no pressure on the freshmen, they've already outperformed their ranking......preseason #7 in the Big XII...and here they are sitting as a team who has touched the Top 10 in Division I. Pretty impressive for such a young team. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif No mattter that they played together in AAU, Division I is a lot more physical basketball and I think the WNBA is even more physical.

[mred]

Originally posted by swok34:
there's no pressure on the freshmen, they've already outperformed their ranking......preseason #7 in the Big XII...and here they are sitting as a team who has touched the Top 10 in Division I.

Not to be a smart aleck, but there's not a big difference between #7 in the Big XII and top 10 nationally. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif Tech is #7 in the standings right now, and they are AP #16! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/tongue.gif

I know what Deb Patterson meant. I just felt like being stupid... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif What this really means is that the Big XII as a whole has surprised everyone, even the Big XII fans who realize how tough the conference is. I certainly didn't expect to have 7 teams at this point in the season who are all virtually guaranteed a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Just a note: on December 6th, I predicted that the Big XII would send 8 teams to the NCAA tournament: everyone except NU, OSU, A&M, and Kansas. That isn't too far off... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif
http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001235.html


[This message has been edited by mred (edited 02-14-2002).]

[KSUron]

I take your points swok and mred. I have to agree that its awful cool to see your team as the feature story on the ESPN site even when its a loss, but its especially cool when the loss is by single digits to the number three team in the nation. I may be through my http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/frown.gif phase and back into a http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif phase. Its great to be a part of the Jumbo Dozen conference win or lose. (but I'd still rather win) http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[dem]

Originally posted by KSUron:

Personally I don't care for tackle basketball but its all KSU will see from teams that are capable of playing it until we stop it from being successful. I don't blame NU or OU from playing physical against KSU but I don't have to like it. What really ticks me off is that its working. We may just see how good OU is at handling it from a team that is darn good at it.



Substitute "ISU" for "KSU" in the above paragraph for another true statement. The only change needed would be from "its working" to: "it was working, although not so much now as earlier in the season." My bet is that the KSU kids will get on top of the situation sooner rather than later [need a pun there], especially given the fabulous athleticism on that team.

[swok34]

Listening to Sherri Coales' radio show tonite........she mentioned that her practice tomorrow may need to be structured differently due to the fact that no matter who's on Nebraska's team........they will be physical http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

She also made a comments about some of her other freshmen, the one I wanted to point out is in line with the discussion of Kansas State's freshmen.........the thing that Lauren Shoush needs to learn is to "play more physical" and it's taking her some time to adapt to that difference from high school basketball.

Perhaps, it's rare that a freshmen comes along that adapts so quickly. I think Ohle is 10 times better than she was last year, it's just that experience of having played in the league a year.......and for this group of freshmen to have "already" had the success they've had is absolutely mind-boggling....next year scares the beejees out of me.

One of the signs of a "great" program are fans in the seats....
it's really all about money you know........and Kansas State fans have impressed me with the way they've responded.....I only wish OU fans had half that amount of gumption to stand in line for 3 hours to get a seat.... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif Last year, our stands should have been packed to the gills.....this year even. It's been slow going here at OU, but at least it is going and it's much nicer to see 7000 than 70 http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

Trust me, KSUron..........we'd all like to be looking forward to next year like Kansas State fans must be..........a Stacey Dales quote to end my little cheron here....... http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif"But I'm not done playing yet" http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif.....in response to a question asked of her in her chat about her goals for the upcoming years.

[ChipperF1]

Personally I don't care for tackle basketball

Okay, who let Chad May in here!!!
Nebraska didn't tackle anybody. They played a determined man-on-man against K-State and did a fine job.

My lasses are not Stu Grimsonettes! We don't play Don Cherry Basketball.

[swok34]

I typically tape every game when OU's on TV (and some of the Big 12 ones that I can't watch live) except last night because I forgot to put the %@&! tape in. I watch a lot of them over the summer, ya I know.........I miss college basketball.

I recall the last time Nebraska was here at OU, that was the finest first half of basketball I have seen...watched that tape quite a bit. If I remember correctly, it was the Brooke Schwartz/Laneisha Caufield show...I think they each had about 20 points by halftime.......

[KSUron]

Originally posted by ChipperF1:
Okay, who let Chad May in here!!!
Nebraska didn't tackle anybody. They played a determined man-on-man against K-State and did a fine job.

The only word I would add to your descrition is (physical) determined man-on-man. Nebraska played within the rules and the game as it was called and I credit them for it. They weren't supposed to lay down and let us play our game without coming up with a response that worked in their favor. There is a a vast difference between playing physical agressive ball and taking cheap shots or playing dirty. At no time did NU even approach that line and if I have given the impression to anyone that I think they did I appologize. Everyone can THINK about playing agressive physical defense but not everyone can do it and be effective with it. Nebraska can and did. (and ditto for Oklahoma)

I probably deserve the football references. I brought up "pancakes" but they were in the flow of the game and IMO were not intentional or a cause for gripes in and of themselves. I brought them up only to ilustrate a point about how the game was called. Btw someone, it may have been you, who commented on a prior KSU game took note of some "pancake" screens set by Kendra Wecker so I better not get too sensitive on that subject.