RAPID REACTION - Nebraska

[Degaz-RU]

1. This was the best game we played all year, probably in two years. We were down 72-67 but then went on a 14-4 run and took an 81-76 lead. We almost lost the game because we missed 5 straight FTs, but then Ace hits 2 big ones to put us up 83-79.

2. Pike gets a lot of criticism for poor inbound plays, but the two inbound plays in the final 20 seconds were elite, leading to the Ace FTs and the Grant dunk. Game sealing plays.

3. Ace and Dylan continue to amaze. Ace 24 pts, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks. Dylan 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. They took control in the second half like stars should. And they executed in crunch time like veterans.

4. Rutgers 12-29 on threes. All huge shots. Best we’ve shot threes since I can remember.

5. HUMONGOUS contributions from the two-headed monster of Dylan Grant and Zach Martini. They combined for 26 points and 5 rebounds, shooting a combined 11-13 (4-5 on threes). Pike has figured out a way to put both of these players in a position to succeed.

6. Also big game from Ogbole, with 2 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. On a night when Sommerville played like a freshman, Manny came up big.

7. We almost lost the game at the FT line, only shooting 7-14, including going 0-5 down the stretch until Ace sealed the game with 2 FTs on a 1-on-1 opportunity.

8. This is our first Quad 1 win, and boy was that a big one. I’m not getting my hopes up that we can get back into the bubble conversation, but IF IF IF we continue to play like we have the last two games,….

9. We stopped Nebraska’s 20-game home winning streak. This is a good team that is ELITE at home, so this is a high quality win.

10. One final point. LET’S FVCKING GO!!!!

 

[RUtrumpet92_rivals498139]

I like that we have a few days now to prepare for Penn State round two. That's a big one, a chance to get to .500 in league play and sweep the Nits.

 

[carmenst]

Huge road win against a Quad 1 team! Great to get that under the belt with 6 weeks left on the schedule.

 

[fatsam98]

#2!!!!! Came to add this haha

 

[RuSnp]

1. This was the best game we played all year, probably in two years. We were down 72-67 but then went on a 14-4 run and took an 81-76 lead. We almost lost the game because we missed 5 straight FTs, but then Ace hits 2 big ones to put us up 83-79.

2. Pike gets a lot of criticism for poor inbound plays, but the two inbound plays in the final 20 seconds were elite, leading to the Ace FTs and the Grant dunk. Game sealing plays.

3. Ace and Dylan continue to amaze. Ace 24 pts, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks. Dylan 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. They took control in the second half like stars should. And they executed in crunch time like veterans.

4. Rutgers 12-29 on threes. All huge shots. Best we’ve shot threes since I can remember.

5. HUMONGOUS contributions from the two-headed monster of Dylan Grant and Zach Martini. They combined for 26 points and 5 rebounds, shooting a combined 11-13 (4-5 on threes). Pike has figured out a way to put both of these players in a position to succeed.

6. Also big game from Ogbole, with 2 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. On a night when Sommerville played like a freshman, Manny came up big.

7. We almost lost the game at the FT line, only shooting 7-14, including going 0-5 down the stretch until Ace sealed the game with 2 FTs on a 1-on-1 opportunity.

8. This is our first Quad 1 win, and boy was that a big one. I’m not getting my hopes up that we can get back into the bubble conversation, but IF IF IF we continue to play like we have the last two games,….

9. We stopped Nebraska’s 20-game home winning streak. This is a good team that is ELITE at home, so this is a high quality win.

10. One final point. LET’S FVCKING GO!!!!

Away quad 1s are gold. Need more. But before you can get more you need one.

 

[winfield102]

Great win!

Why is Dylan passing to EO on the inbounds when Nebraska has to foul???

Loved the passes by JWill. Probably robbed of some assists. A lot of kick outs after driving.

Great game offensively by Grant. Defense definitely needs work.

Happy Martini contributed. Great shooting.

I see us having to go 12-3 in the last 15. So far we are 2-0. Need to go 4-1 3 times. Win 2 out of the next 3 and keep the dream alive.

 

[Scangg]

I'm old enough to remember being lectured that me calling for Grant wouldn't make a difference

 

[RU848789]

I'm old enough to remember being lectured that me calling for Grant wouldn't make a difference

Me too, lol. Love what he brings to the table, but still dumbfounded it took this long.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

OP predicted a loss. Makes the W so much sweeter when so few predicted it. really, most of those "predicting" a W were wishcasting... my own thought on it was that the pressure of the record 21st win might help a lot.. and us coming off beating UCLA.

I could not believe how QUIET the Husker fans were on defense very late in the game with so much on the line.

Shame on them.. but glad they sat mutely and watched the devasting loss.

 

[RU-ROCS]

1. This was the best game we played all year, probably in two years. We were down 72-67 but then went on a 14-4 run and took an 81-76 lead. We almost lost the game because we missed 5 straight FTs, but then Ace hits 2 big ones to put us up 83-79.

2. Pike gets a lot of criticism for poor inbound plays, but the two inbound plays in the final 20 seconds were elite, leading to the Ace FTs and the Grant dunk. Game sealing plays.

3. Ace and Dylan continue to amaze. Ace 24 pts, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks. Dylan 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. They took control in the second half like stars should. And they executed in crunch time like veterans.

4. Rutgers 12-29 on threes. All huge shots. Best we’ve shot threes since I can remember.

5. HUMONGOUS contributions from the two-headed monster of Dylan Grant and Zach Martini. They combined for 26 points and 5 rebounds, shooting a combined 11-13 (4-5 on threes). Pike has figured out a way to put both of these players in a position to succeed.

6. Also big game from Ogbole, with 2 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. On a night when Sommerville played like a freshman, Manny came up big.

7. We almost lost the game at the FT line, only shooting 7-14, including going 0-5 down the stretch until Ace sealed the game with 2 FTs on a 1-on-1 opportunity.

8. This is our first Quad 1 win, and boy was that a big one. I’m not getting my hopes up that we can get back into the bubble conversation, but IF IF IF we continue to play like we have the last two games,….

9. We stopped Nebraska’s 20-game home winning streak. This is a good team that is ELITE at home, so this is a high quality win.

10. One final point. LET’S FVCKING GO!!!!

Fred Hoiberg said in his post game what many of us have been saying — we are a MUCH better team with a healthy Dylan Harper. Terrible luck that he effectively missed 3 games, 2 of which we probably win if he was 100%. Now there is no margin for error but maybe this team is up to the task. Time will tell.

 

[RU MAN]

1. This was the best game we played all year, probably in two years. We were down 72-67 but then went on a 14-4 run and took an 81-76 lead. We almost lost the game because we missed 5 straight FTs, but then Ace hits 2 big ones to put us up 83-79.

2. Pike gets a lot of criticism for poor inbound plays, but the two inbound plays in the final 20 seconds were elite, leading to the Ace FTs and the Grant dunk. Game sealing plays.

3. Ace and Dylan continue to amaze. Ace 24 pts, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks. Dylan 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. They took control in the second half like stars should. And they executed in crunch time like veterans.

4. Rutgers 12-29 on threes. All huge shots. Best we’ve shot threes since I can remember.

5. HUMONGOUS contributions from the two-headed monster of Dylan Grant and Zach Martini. They combined for 26 points and 5 rebounds, shooting a combined 11-13 (4-5 on threes). Pike has figured out a way to put both of these players in a position to succeed.

6. Also big game from Ogbole, with 2 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. On a night when Sommerville played like a freshman, Manny came up big.

7. We almost lost the game at the FT line, only shooting 7-14, including going 0-5 down the stretch until Ace sealed the game with 2 FTs on a 1-on-1 opportunity.

8. This is our first Quad 1 win, and boy was that a big one. I’m not getting my hopes up that we can get back into the bubble conversation, but IF IF IF we continue to play like we have the last two games,….

9. We stopped Nebraska’s 20-game home winning streak. This is a good team that is ELITE at home, so this is a high quality win.

10. One final point. LET’S FVCKING GO!!!!

I loved your post. I especially loved #2. Those inbound plays drawn up at the end of the game were fantastic!

 

[anon1753890747]

Got to give credit
#2 is on point credit to Pike
Can’t remember and in bound play like that with 4 seconds to go!

 

[Rufaninga]

Ace with inbound block & catch was clutch

 

[RU848789]

Ace with inbound block & catch was clutch

Ace has really stepped up his defense and rebounding (and shot-blocking), which is great as he's so athletic and I love how he high points his rebounds so well. I think he's finally starting to get it and he's having fun playing better and us winning.

 

[DHajekRC84]

I'm glad to see so many calling out those inbounds plays. I have been fairly critical of Pike for his lack of drawing up the plays...not tonight. Those were a couple of the best I've seen from the team in years. That timeout to get Ace the 3 point shot at the end of the first half too. It wasn't complicated but it wasn't just the usual hold and launch either.
Pike did a very nice job last night.
Somehow guys are getting it and the right mix is playing. Shame it took this long.

For those screaming for LS to start..we'll I guess SO FAR it has worked out better for Big O than him. But that's fine..whatever works. Apparently they both prefer coming off the bench lol. So glad to see him continue to improve given all the haters early on.

LS Top/Big O bottom.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Ace has really stepped up his defense and rebounding (and shot-blocking), which is great as he's so athletic and I love how he high points his rebounds so well. I think he's finally starting to get it and he's having fun playing better and us winning.

Since the 4-rebound effort against Alabama, Ace’s lowest rebound output is 7 (and that’s over the course of 11 games). His rebound numbers in those games were: 10, 7, 15, 7, 12, 8, 8, 7, 7, 10, and 11.

 

[Degaz-RU]

I'm glad to see so many calling out those inbounds plays. I have been fairly critical of Pike for his lack of drawing up the plays...not tonight. Those were a couple of the best I've seen from the team in years. That timeout to get Ace the 3 point shot at the end of the first half too. It wasn't complicated but it wasn't just the usual hold and launch either.
Pike did a very nice job last night.
Somehow guys are getting it and the right mix is playing. Shame it took this long.

For those screaming for LS to start..we'll I guess SO FAR it has worked out better for Big O than him. But that's fine..whatever works. Apparently they both prefer coming off the bench lol. So glad to see him continue to improve given all the haters early on.

LS Top/Big O bottom.

Further to the point of running plays, Rutgers had a clear plan for Nebraska constantly doubling from the baseline on low post touches.

Best example was second half when Martini received an entry pass on the left low block, he turned and saw the double coming from under the basket, surveyed the court and threw a cross court pass to Dylan on the opposite wing, and then Dylan swung the ball to a wide open Ace in the corner, and Ace drained a three.

We tried running the same play a few minutes later from the opposite side, but this time Nebraska decided to not double. So we took Nebraska out of what they like to do on defense — double the post from the baseline — because of perfect execution by Martini, Dylan, and Ace on the previous play.

 

[RUJMM78]

The Grant /Martini combination was key to winning because there was a third scoring threat on the court.Martini is a very good 3 point shooter which was needed with Nebraska also hitting 3 pointers.Grant scoring around the basket on put backs was very important.He also has nice form shooting 3 pointers from the corners.Great road win against a opponent with a 20 game winning streak at home.

 

[RutHut_rivals]

To add to point 10.

 

[rudad02]

1. This was the best game we played all year, probably in two years. We were down 72-67 but then went on a 14-4 run and took an 81-76 lead. We almost lost the game because we missed 5 straight FTs, but then Ace hits 2 big ones to put us up 83-79.

2. Pike gets a lot of criticism for poor inbound plays, but the two inbound plays in the final 20 seconds were elite, leading to the Ace FTs and the Grant dunk. Game sealing plays.

3. Ace and Dylan continue to amaze. Ace 24 pts, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks. Dylan 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. They took control in the second half like stars should. And they executed in crunch time like veterans.

4. Rutgers 12-29 on threes. All huge shots. Best we’ve shot threes since I can remember.

5. HUMONGOUS contributions from the two-headed monster of Dylan Grant and Zach Martini. They combined for 26 points and 5 rebounds, shooting a combined 11-13 (4-5 on threes). Pike has figured out a way to put both of these players in a position to succeed.

6. Also big game from Ogbole, with 2 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. On a night when Sommerville played like a freshman, Manny came up big.

7. We almost lost the game at the FT line, only shooting 7-14, including going 0-5 down the stretch until Ace sealed the game with 2 FTs on a 1-on-1 opportunity.

8. This is our first Quad 1 win, and boy was that a big one. I’m not getting my hopes up that we can get back into the bubble conversation, but IF IF IF we continue to play like we have the last two games,….

9. We stopped Nebraska’s 20-game home winning streak. This is a good team that is ELITE at home, so this is a high quality win.

10. One final point. LET’S FVCKING GO!!!!

If we continue to play like this & make the Big tourney, I don't think anyone is want to play RU.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Great win!

Why is Dylan passing to EO on the inbounds when Nebraska has to foul???

Loved the passes by JWill. Probably robbed of some assists. A lot of kick outs after driving.

Great game offensively by Grant. Defense definitely needs work.

Happy Martini contributed. Great shooting.

I see us having to go 12-3 in the last 15. So far we are 2-0. Need to go 4-1 3 times. Win 2 out of the next 3 and keep the dream alive.

There is a great chance that the team gets red hot, is playing like a top 3-4 team in the B1G, and still doesn't achieve this. But at least we might have some good basketball to watch.

 

[Scangg]

Grant and Martini combine for 11-13, 4-5