@brich88 #fromwaydowntownbang

Nebraska traveled to Iowa City last night and beat a team that is currently its peer in the middle-to-bottom of the Big 10. We say currently, because as Ken Sadler keeps whiffing on the little in-state talent Nebraska does have, Iowa has raked in its share of talented, local recruits.

Nonetheless, NU beat the Hawkeyes on this night where it matters most, in a surprisingly entertaining 79-73 game. PYB made its first wise call in a couple weeks by trusting our instincts and not betting the game with Iowa -4.5. (We also ignored 'advisors' who told us North Carolina, the Nebraska/Iowa overs and Hawaii were golden and missed out on a 3-0 night..but we digress.)

During pre-game research, we were a bit surprised to see just how competitive the Huskers had been (relatively, of course) on the road, away from the 5,000 basketball dullards that help half-fill the Devaney Center and create one of the lamest environments in major college basketball. Outside of the bottle blasting NU took in Columbus against the Suckeyes, the rest of the road slate went as follows: win at USC (sure they suck but it's a road win and it's NU), 10-point, competitive loss to 15th-ranked Creighton, win at TCU, near miss at previously-ranked Illinois, near miss at Wisconsin.

Now add a six-point win at Iowa. For a team that's struggled as mightily as Nebraska and trailed by nine early in the game, that's huge and we'll take it. Baby steps. So, as we move on, Sadler & company have a chance to win their next six games. Not all of them, but they could win any of them. Three wins in that stretch would be commendable and would keep NU out of the conference cellar--always a good thing---especially for a coach hoping to keep his job a while longer.

Some notes:

--PYB favorite Brandon Richardson led the way with 25 points and six three-pointers. He looked confident shooting from outside Thursday, as he does once a season. Something tells us that the right coach could have made a monster out of Richardson, who seems too passive most nights despite his consistently good defensive play. He's kept his mouth shut, worked hard and stuck it out through five tough years in Lincoln. Hopefully, he can finish his last season with a flourish.

--Bo Spencer chipped in 16 points, which is noteworthy considering that he spent half his time on the offensive end dribbling up, over and around double teams from Iowa's Nazi-esque, skinheaded forwards. It's a shame Spencer can't play with some better talent so we can see his full capabilities. He's the best scorer NU has had since Tyronn Lue. No question.

--George Diaz continued cementing his place as one of the biggest pussies in NU hoops history. PYB will take it a bit easy on him, as we don't know how bad his feet really are. But, at this point, we're not even sure he can jump and his two rebounds aren't enough either way. A strong, healthy & aggressive (oxymoron, we know) Diaz should have had 15 and 10 minimum, last night. Amazingly, the team said the game turned when Nebraska started putting the ball inside to he post. No shit?!

With that said, NU is off for a week until they travel to Northwestern Thursday to avenge that nasty football loss in Lincoln. Can't wait!

Finally, off topic, PYB would like to take this time to honor a former classmate & teammate who was killed in a car accident two days ago on his way to work as a Lincoln police officr. He was a great guy, much better than we are---and it's a tragic end to a too-short life. RIP Tony.

Fading Into Bolivion...

The Dallas Morning News published an updated version of this list today, featuring the Top 100 recruits in the DFW Metroplex. Nebraska has ZERO commits and just two who are considering them along with a host of other schools. Not good.

We can feel the team getting slower as we type. Hopefully, the Loomis pipeline keeps funneling in Lance Thorells for DB prospects....

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

Nebraska basketball fans are stupid. So are their football fans, but that's another story for another time. Somehow, farmers in Indiana and Iowa can grasp the concepts of James Naismith's game, but the rubes in Nebraska cannot.

PYB says this not because we hate so-called NU basketball fans (well, we hate a lot of them), but because we have to hear the same song and dance from them every season. After not doing their part for nearly 15 years by supporting their team, they show up in volume a game or so AFTER their 'beloved' Huskers beat a rated team. Only problem being it is usually against a more highly rated team (Kansas) that has NU physically outmatched--by a long shot. Then, after the inevitable blowout, they give up on the team for the rest of the year and don't show up for home games where Ken Sadler's squad has a chance to win and needs their support the most. Loud crowd ain't turning a 34-point loss into a win, but it will turn a six-point loss into a win.

Such was the case Saturday night against Ohio State, as the Suckeyes were vastly superior at every position on the floor and three spots into the bench. Bo Spencer would be the only NU player who would play for Thad Matta's squad. Any semi-savvy basketball fan could tell this because Nebraska was rarely able to get into its half-court offense. Buckeye guards continually blocked shots by NU guards and forwards with ease.

Nebraska would not win this game if they played it 1000 times in Lincoln. Basketball is all about matchups, and this one is horrible for Nebraska. So, NU fans showed their lack of knowledge by acting horrified about the 34-point loss. It was inevitable. Sit back, bet big on the Buckeyes, rake in your dough and enjoy it. Bobby Knight would. Oh wait, gambling is illegal--Nebraskans wouldn't do that.

A 15-point loss wouldn't have been any better. Wouldn't have mattered. What does matter is that NU has a chance to win its next seven games and needs to win three of them--at least. Their roster is devoid of talent, and blowouts will happen. Get over it.

What also matters is that Sadler doesn't have a point guard for next year. In fact, he has nothing at all except two big men who can score 15 against bad teams but only score four points against most good teams. George Diaz is a pussy and is pushed around every game. Doc will have to sign a difference-maker in his next class, or he'll be gone. As much as we like him, that's just the fact of the matter.

PYB thinks that maybe Doc just isn't cut out to be a head coach at this level of Division I, just like Dana Altman wasn't. But it's obvious he can teach defense and is a good X and O guy and may be cut out to be a top-notch assistant at a great program. We won't be surprised to see him racking up NCAA tournament trips after NU inevitably dumps him for another underwhelming hire.

The only other path would be to go with a big name, if you could get any big name to come to Lincoln. It would have to be a coach who can push the limits of the NCAA rules to get guys to come in from basketball talent hotbeds. We say push the envelope, because unless your Ohio State, USC or John Calipari you can't outright cheat. The new facilities will give someone that chance. But it's no layup.

There is literally ZERO talent base at the Nebraska high-school level. The state hasn't produced a legitimate Division-I prospect for 20 years. What about Mike Gesell, in Sioux City, you say? Well, he scores a lot of points, but his team is 9-5 and just lost to another Class B team last nite. Any top-notch Division I recruit can carry a Class A team to a state championship or close to it. Losing to Beatrice?? Doesn't happen if you're a true next-level guy. That's a fact.

So, as we move from here, PYB waits for NU to drop two more home games it should win. Partly because the team isn't very good and doesn't play to its limited potential. But moreso because 6,400 fans show up and sit on their hands and grumble rather than just making the best of the current situation, being loud and helping its team to a victory. How about putting on a good face for potential future recruits? Guarantee that they notice the moribund environment at most games.

Guarantee they notice the nerd-ridden student section. Seriously....the section has BOTH a douche thats wraps himself in a Snuggie and thinks it's cool AND a guy who dresses up like the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz. For lack of better insight, what the fuck??? And Associate AD Marc Boehm says this will intimidate other teams at the new arena. We're sure Tom Izzo is shaking in his boots.

Sadly, the basketball team's current situation is just part of a larger problem within the athletic ranks at NU. Its teams' competitiveness is at an all-time low across the board. Football sucks, basketball sucks, baseball sucks......even volleyball sucks in relative terms.

We're SURE you noticed how NU fans have started 'following' wrestling more closely, since the team is actually rated. That increased coverage in the OWH.....no coincedence. Nebraska fans want a winner, but they don't want to work for it. It's the new American way. Just ask any new-age athlete. Or any illegal immigrant using your tax dollars while sitting in the emergency room waiting to pop out her fourth illegitimate kid.....

Talk about another story for another day.....

--PYB

Nebraska...The Slipper Still Fits

Going into Wednesday evening's game against Indiana, PYB thought the best reason to watch the game was the fact that a pair of Johnsons -- Gus and Eddie -- was announcing the game. Gus, of Rise & Fire fame, is the better known of the announcing pair. Eddie has been a longtime Phoenix Suns analyst and is certainly the more underrated of the two. "No doubt about it...."

Throughout the first half, we were impressed with NU's effort and were surprised that the talent difference didn't seem to be outrageously different. IU was much more solid fundamentally and shot the ball much better, but at least George Diaz wasn't getting dunked on and getting smacked in the face with the other guy's nut sack....."Puuure!"

Cracks soon developed, though, as NU couldn't penetrate the Hoosier defense and lived up to its reputation as the worst half-finishing team in college basketball history. As usual, the Huskers wasted 17 minutes of solid play and turned a two-point deficit into a seven-point gap at the break. "Bang!"

After another deflating first-half finish, NU started the second stanza with zero attitude and energy and promptly fell behind by 13 points when Cody Zeller dunked to make it 49-36. Another big loss with an early exiting crowd was in store. Eddie Johnson was mystified by the Huskers' lack of fire -- "No Doubt About It..."

So PYB kept watching while surfing the internet and watching the Twitter folks throw dirt on the Huskers' grave. Somehow, the lead dwindled. Somehow, Nebraska got within striking distance. Somehow, Nebraska won. "What a game!"

In our eyes, IU's main advantage over NU was Zeller and its better outside shooting. The Hoosiers forgot to keep Zeller involved, which took away outside opportunities. Simple game. Apparently hard lessons to remember. "Ballgame!"

Nebraska hit 10 of 30 threes, including two timely/lucky ones by Butterfingers Toney McCray. They shot 38% for the game. Somehow Bo Spencer ground his way to 23 points despite being Nebraska's only legitimate scoring threat. Dylan Talley and Brandon Richardson each made huge defensive plays late. But, they turned it over just 11 times, played hard defense and gave themsevles a chance to win. That's all you can ask from a team devoid of talent. "There's no doubt about it."

Ken Sadler looked both happy and relieved after the win, even taking the time to mosh around with the nerd-laded NU student section. (Click here for Exhibit A) In pure Lincoln fashion, the song of choice was several years out of date. A fun moment, nonetheless.

The win was 'huge' in relative terms. Ken and Co. are still 2-5 in Big 10 play. But, after they take a sure bottle-blasting against Ohio State this weekend, NU has at least a chance in its next seven games. A win against the Suckeyes ain't happening. The Huskers have nobody to control a player as strong as Jared Sullinger..."Here comes the All-America!"

They're outmatched everywhere else too. But -- if NU can win three or four of the next seven, that's at least respectable and would be a success for this team. "There's no doubt about it."

So in the moribund state of NU hoops, the program owns bragging rights for a year over a storied Indiana program and the Ghost of Larry Bird.......Maybe!?

Big Red is Big Blue

We are sure you've read this already. We're speechless. The Rat wants a medal for ruining the Husker program for 15 seasons and counting. Apparently, some have forgotten what a truly awful coach he was on all levels. Watch the game tapes. Take a look at his recruiting classes. It's embarrasing. For a refresher course, watch the fourth quarter of this year's MAC Championship game. Panic and butchered clock management at its worst. Pure Solich.

So, this is what NU has come to. Figurehead Tom Osborne clamoring to honor the biggest mistake in school history. Keep in mind that Rat Solich was TO's hand-picked successor. Bad hire. Everyone makes them. Apparently, Osborne has not learned from this mistake and was doomed to repeat it.

Now, the new 'source of pride' in Lincoln is how many Academic All-Americans the team spits out. Sure, that was a nice talking point when the team was actually good. Now, poster boys like Austin Cassidy also get undeserved starting spots and lose the team games.

Is anyone in charge capable, or lucid, enough to turn the ship around? From what we've seen, very doubtful indeed. But give Frankie his medal.....his tenure alone earned him accolades as a Nebraska hero....just like it does at every floundering, antiquated corporation across America. In the meantime, we'll watch the schools where merit is rewarded rack up the titles. Nebraska = IBM. Oregon = Apple.

VoTD

PYB can't decide if this is more ridiculous, funny or awesome??

Lock it Down

--Ken Sadler and Co. grabbed their first Big 10 basketball win in history by beating Penn State handily, in a sloppy-but-effective 70-58 win. The Nittany Lions had one player in double figures (Tim Frazier with 30) and the rest put on one of the worst shooting displays PYB has ever seen in 30 years of watching college hoops. As a Nebraska fan, that says a lot.

PSU shot .333 from the field (20/60) and an amazing .125 (3/24) from three-point range. Sure, we've seen cold-shooting nights, but these shots weren't close. They weren't in & out. They weren't misfortune. They were off from the point of release. They were bad.

So, for one night, NU got to look like Tony Delk and a mid-1990s Kentucky team in comparison and locked down their first B10 win. They were more athletic. They were better. They covered the five points. Everyone went home happy. Now, go have fun on Sunday playing at Wisconsin, a team who bottle blasted the Huskers 64-40 two weeks ago.

We'll revel in the win for a few hours more, though, as NU put four player into double figures--led by Bo Spencer's 19 points and five assists. His six turnovers were way too many, but given how much he has to do for the offense that's collateral damage. Toney McCray, Dylan Talley and Caleb Walker also cracked double figures, and George Diaz manned up enough to pussyfoot around the Devaney Center floor for four points and five rebounds in 27 minutes.

NU shot over .500 from the field for the second straight game, and if they can sustain the effort and avoid more injuries, there are a few potential wins left. We count 10 possibly winnable games. Eight realistically winnable games. Not good, but not as disastrous as it looked two days back.

--It was fun watching Northwestern lose to Michigan on BTN just before the NU-PSU game. Danny Crawford's (longtime NBA ref for you racists in NE that don't follow the League) son Drew got jobbed on a no-call on a play at the end of regulation where he was clearly fouled twice. Possibly, this was payback for all the money he's cost Wednesday night's zebras on NBA games over the years with his trumped-up calls. Just a theory. Crawford still racked up 20 points, while Tim Hardaway Jr. two-stepped his way to 19 points and five threes for 13th-rated Bitchigan.

--As some things change, more stay the same. LeQueen James helps tank another game, this time a meaningless regular-season tilt vs. the LA Clippers, by missing free throws and leading his team's game-ending scoring drought. Miami didn't score a field goal in the last 12+ minutes of regulation. Heat lose, 95-89. An icon, indeed.

All for now. PYB.