Huskers – Page 128 – North Platte Post Archive

No. 24 Ohio State Comes Back to Beat Nebraska

Posted on March 14, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — LaQuinton Ross had 26 points and 13 rebounds and No. 24 Ohio State rallied from an 18-point second-half deficit to beat fourth-seeded Nebraska 71-67 on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament.

The victory sends No. 5 seed Ohio State (25-8) into a semifinal matchup with No. 1 seed Michigan on Saturday. The Wolverines defeated No. 9 seed Illinois 64-63 in another quarterfinal on Friday.

Amedeo Della Valle added 12 points for the Buckeyes, who led for all but the final minute of the first half, then had to rally past the Cornhuskers (19-12).

Terran Petteway led Nebraska with 20 points, but fouled out while defending Ross late in the game. Walter Pitchford added 15 points and Shavon Shields scored 12 for Nebraska, playing after a first-round bye for the first time since joining the Big Ten.

Ohio State led for almost the entire first half. But Nebraska’s switch to a zone defense held Ohio State’s offense in check, and the Huskers finally took their first lead of the game on a layup by Shavon Shields with 51 seconds left in the half.

That put Nebraska in front 29-28, and after a missed 3-pointer by Ross, Ray Gallegos hit a jumper at the other end to send Nebraska into halftime with a 31-28 lead.

Nebraska scored the first five points of the second half to build a 36-28 lead, prompting an Ohio State timeout. The Buckeyes’ struggles at the free-throw line in the first two minutes of the second half didn’t help their cause. Amir Williams and Sam Thompson were both 0-for-2 in that stretch.

Meanwhile, Petteway (1-of-2) and David Rivers (2-of-2) were hitting their free throws, and a Rivers jumper gave Nebraska an eight-point lead.

Ross scored to stop the Huskers’ run. But Petteway answered a 3-second violation on Ohio State with a jumper to put Nebraska ahead 38-30.

That started a 12-0 run for Nebraska, including two free throws by Petteawy after a technical foul on Ross for shoving.

Ross responded with a 3-pointer to stop Nebraska’s run and kickstart a 9-0 stretch for the Buckeyes to make it 48-39.

Both teams reached the double bonus with 9:36 to play and the score 54-44 Nebraska. Ohio State closed to 58-56 on a Thompson dunk with 4:42 to play.

Pitchford hit a 3-pointer to put Nebraska ahead 61-56. But after two free throws by Aaron Craft and two free throws by Shields, Della Valle hit a 3-pointer with 2:47 to play to pull Ohio State back within 63-61. Petteway fouled Ross on a dunk attempt, and Ross hit both free throws to tie the game at 63 with 1:52 to play.

Nebraska couldn’t get a good look at the other end, then Petteway was called for his fifth foul while defending Ross. His two free throws put Ohio State ahead 65-63.

Two Big Ten Quarterfinals to Air on ESPN, Including NU-OSU

Posted on March 13, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS – The Big Ten announced that Friday’s first two quarterfinal games of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will be televised on ESPN. Eighth-seeded Illinois will take on top-seeded Michigan at Noon ET, while fifth-seeded Ohio State will face fourth-seeded Nebraska beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Illinois advanced to the quarterfinals after a 64-54 win over Indiana, while Ohio State defeated Purdue, 63-61, to move onto the quarterfinal round.

Friday’s evening session will feature two games on BTN. Second-seeded Wisconsin will take on either Minnesota or Penn State beginning at 6:30 p.m., while third-seeded Michigan State will face either Iowa or Northwestern at approximately 9 p.m.

Big Ten Announces 2014 Men’s Basketball Postseason Honors, 3 Huskers Honored

Posted on March 10, 2014

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten men’s basketball All-Conference teams and individual award winners were announced on Monday, with Michigan’s Nik Stauskas earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors from the conference’s coaches and a media panel. Michigan head coach John Beilein claimed Coach of the Year laurels from the media while Nebraska head coach Tim Miles was named Coach of the Year by his peers. Indiana’s Noah Vonleh picked up Freshman of the Year accolades from the coaches and media. Ohio State’s Aaron Craft was named the Defensive Player of the Year while Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes was voted the Sixth Man of the Year by the coaches.

Stauskas takes home the Big Ten Player of the Year award after leading the conference with 13 games of 20 or more points. A four-time Big Ten Player of the Week this season, Stauskas ranked among the top five with 17.0 points per game and a .447 shooting percentage from three-point range in Big Ten contests only. The sophomore earns the fifth Player of the Year award in program history and the second in as many years for Michigan, following 2013 recipient Trey Burke.

Beilein led the Wolverines to their first outright Big Ten Championship since 1986. Michigan boasts a 23-7 overall record and a 15-3 mark in Big Ten play this season, marking the fourth consecutive year that Beilein has guided the Wolverines to a top-four finish in the conference standings. He is just four wins shy of his 700^th career victory and five wins away from his 150^th victory at Michigan. He collects his first Big Ten Coach of the Year award and the first for a Michigan coach since 1985.

Under the guidance of Miles, Nebraska posted a record of 11-7 in conference play, giving the Cornhuskers the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye in the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament. With an overall record of 19-11, Nebraska is one victory shy of its first 20-win season since 2008. Miles claims his first Big Ten Coach of the Year award.

Vonleh is Indiana’s 10th Big Ten Freshman of the Year selection after becoming the first freshman to lead the conference in rebounding since Ohio State’s Greg Oden in 2006-07. Vonleh is the second Hoosier in the last three seasons to be named Freshman of the Year along with Cody Zeller in 2012. Vonleh averaged 11.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in Big Ten contests.

Craft collects Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year laurels after setting the conference record with 328 career steals. The 2012 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Craft becomes the sixth conference player to win the award twice and gives the Buckeyes their fifth individual defensive honor. Craft led the conference with 2.7 steals and 4.6 assists per game this season in Big Ten play.

Hayes is averaging 8.0 points per game off the bench for Wisconsin and shooting 53 percent in all contests. He becomes Wisconsin’s second Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year and first since Jason Bohannon in 2008.

Stauskas was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media. He was joined on the first team for both the coaches and media by Iowa’s Roy Devyn Marble, Michigan State’s Gary Harris, Nebraska’s Terran Petteway and Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky.

Joining Vonleh and Hayes on the coaches’ All-Freshman Team were Illinois’ Kendrick Nunn, Michigan’s Derrick Walton Jr., and Purdue’s Kendall Stephens. Craft was joined on the All-Defensive Team by his teammate Shannon Scott, Harris, Purdue’s A.J. Hammons and Wisconsin’s Josh Gasser.

The Big Ten also announced 12 Sportsmanship Award Honorees. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. This season’s honorees are Illinois’ Joseph Bertrand, Indiana’s Will Sheehey, Iowa’s Mike Gesell, Michigan’s Jon Horford, Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine, Minnesota’s Austin Hollins, Nebraska’s Shavon Shields, Northwestern’s Drew Crawford, Ohio State’s Lenzelle Smith Jr., Penn State’s Tim Frazier, Purdue’s Travis Carroll and Wisconsin’s Ben Brust.

2013-14 All-Big Ten Men’s Basketball Team

FIRST TEAM

Roy Devyn Marble, Iowa
NIK STAUSKAS, MICHIGAN
Gary Harris, Michigan State
Terran Petteway, Nebraska
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin

SECOND TEAM

Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
Caris LeVert, Michigan
Adreian Payne, Michigan State
D.J. Newbill, Penn State
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin

THIRD TEAM

Noah Vonleh, Indiana
Aaron White, Iowa
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
LaQuinton Ross, Ohio State
Tim Frazier, Penn State

As selected by Big Ten coaches

HONORABLE MENTION

Rayvonte Rice, Illinois
Glenn Robinson III, Michigan
Keith Appling, Michigan State
Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
Andre Hollins, Minnesota
Shavon Shields, Nebraska
Drew Crawford, Northwestern
A.J. Hammons, Purdue
Ben Brust, Wisconsin

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Kendrick Nunn, Illinois
Noah Vonleh, Indiana
Derrick Walton Jr., Michigan
Kendall Stephens, Purdue
Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM

Gary Harris, Michigan State
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Shannon Scott, Ohio State
A.J. Hammons, Purdue
Josh Gasser, Wisconsin

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Nik Stauskas, Michigan

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Aaron Craft, Ohio State

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:

Noah Vonleh, Indiana

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR:

Nigel Hayes, Wisconsin

COACH OF THE YEAR:

Tim Miles, Nebraska

UNANIMOUS SELECTIONS IN ALL CAPS

As selected by Media Voting Panel

FIRST TEAM

Roy Devyn Marble, Iowa
NIK STAUSKAS, MICHIGAN
Gary Harris, Michigan State
Terran Petteway, Nebraska
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin

SECOND TEAM

Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
Caris LeVert, Michigan
Adreian Payne, Michigan State
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
D.J. Newbill, Penn State

THIRD TEAM

Noah Vonleh, Indiana
Aaron White, Iowa
Drew Crawford, Northwestern
Tim Frazier, Penn State
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin

HONORABLE MENTION

Rayvonte Rice, Illinois
Will Sheehey, Indiana
Glenn Robinson III, Michigan
Keith Appling, Michigan State
Denzel Valentine, Michigan State
Andre Hollins, Minnesota
DeAndre Mathieu, Minnesota
Shavon Shields, Nebraska
LaQuinton Ross, Ohio State
A.J. Hammons, Purdue
Ben Brust, Wisconsin
Josh Gasser, Wisconsin
Traevon Jackson, Wisconsin

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Nik Stauskas, Michigan

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:

Noah Vonleh, Indiana

COACH OF THE YEAR:

John Beilein, Michigan

UNANIMOUS SELECTIONS IN ALL CAPS

Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Honorees

Joseph Bertrand, Illinois; Will Sheehey, Indiana; Mike Gesell, Iowa; Jon Horford, Michigan; Denzel Valentine, Michigan State; Austin Hollins, Minnesota; Shavon Shields, Nebraska; Drew Crawford, Northwestern; Lenzelle Smith Jr., Ohio State; Tim Frazier, Penn State; Travis Carroll, Purdue; Ben Brust, Wisconsin

Tim Miles’ Popularity Soaring Among Nebraska Fans

Posted on March 10, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Coach Tim Miles and the Nebraska basketball team have their fans excited as they move closer to the program’s first NCAA tournament bid since 1998.

Nebraska (19-11) heads to Indianapolis for the Big Ten tournament with 10 wins in their last 12 games and a fourth-place finish in the conference. The court-storming student section was, in a word, nuts during Sunday’s 77-68 upset of then-No. 9 Wisconsin. The rest of the sellout crowd responded to Miles’ plea to stand and make noise the whole game.

Marc Boehm is the executive associate athletic director in charge of the basketball program. He said the fans are in a “euphoric state of mind” because the Huskers’ success has been sudden.

NCAA Hopeful Nebraska Upsets No. 9 Wisconsin 77-68

Posted on March 9, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Shavon Shields and Terran Petteway scored 26 points apiece, and Nebraska upset No. 9 Wisconsin 77-68 on Sunday night to put a dent in the Badgers’ hopes for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The Cornhuskers (19-11, 11-7) won for the 10th time in 12 games to clinch fourth place in the Big Ten for their highest conference finish since 1997-98. The Badgers (25-6, 12-6) had their longest conference win streak since 1940-41 end at eight games.

Shields made a couple free throws, Ray Gallegos hit a 3 and Shields dunked in transition to start a 12-1 run that turned a 52-48 deficit into a 60-53 lead with 5 minutes left.

No. 16 Nebraska Wins Big Ten Tourney Title

Posted on March 9, 2014March 10, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Rachel Theriot scored 19 of her 24 points in the second half Sunday, leading Number 16 Nebraska past Number 23 Iowa 72-65 for the Big Ten tournament title.

It’s the first time the Cornhuskers (25-6) have ever won a conference tourney crown, clinching the league’s automatic NCAA tournament bid. Nebraska also posted its second straight 25-win season and is tied for the second most victories in school history. The Cornhuskers head into the postseason with plenty of momentum after winning 12 of 13.

Iowa (26-8) was led by Ally Disterhoft with 20 points and Samantha Logic with 14 but had a six-game winning streak snapped.

Nebraska never trailed, though Iowa closed to 57-56 with 7:43 to play. Theriot, the tourney’s most outstanding player, helped Nebraska pull away with an 8-3 run.

No. 16 Nebraska Crushes No. 19 Michigan St. 86-58

Posted on March 8, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — Tear’a Laudermill scored 20 points and Rachel Theriot added 18 as third-seeded and No. 16 ranked Nebraska, exploded for a 50-point first half in beating No. 19 Michigan State, the No. 2 seed, 86-58 on Saturday in the Big Ten semifinals.

The Cornhuskers (24-6) advance to the Big Ten tournament championship game against No. 23 Iowa, the fifth-seeded team, on Sunday.

Nebraska was on top 24-17 in the first half prior to Laudermill’s 3-pointer that capped a 9-0 Cornhusker run and stretched the lead to 33-17 over Michigan State (22-9). Over the next 6 minutes, Nebraska upped that margin to 23 points and led the Spartans 50-27 at the break.

The Cornhuskers scored first in the second period, opening a 26-point lead, and coasted the remainder of the half, while shooting 52 percent from the floor.

Branndais Agee led Spartan scorers with 18 points.

Huskers’ Jamal Turner Opens Spring Practice at QB

Posted on March 8, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Wide receiver Jamal Turner spent most of Nebraska’s first spring football practice working at quarterback.

The Cornhuskers have a returning starter in Tommy Armstrong and a highly regarded top challenger in Johnny Stanton. But coach Bo Pelini said Saturday he wants to explore all options this spring.

Turner was recruited as a quarterback in 2011 but switched to receiver early his freshman year. He’s made 60 catches for 762 yards and four touchdowns the past three seasons.

He was limited to eight games because of injury last season and caught 13 balls for 102 yards and a TD.

No. 16 Nebraska Defeats Minnesota 80-67

Posted on March 8, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jordan Hooper scored 33 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as No. 16 Nebraska beat Minnesota 80-67 in the Big Ten quarterfinals on Friday night.

The third-seeded Cornhuskers will play No. 19 and second-seeded Michigan State on Saturday for a spot in the championship game. During the regular season Nebraska and Michigan State split two contests.

Emily Cady scored 15 points and Rachel Theriot added 14 points and a career-high 18 assists for the Cornhuskers (23-6).

Minnesota (20-12) trailed by just five points after Mikayla Bailey hit a 3 with 6:54 left to play. Cady responded by opening up an 11-0 run — which saw five Cornhuskers score — to give Nebraska a decisive lead that carried through the rest of the game.

Stabresa McDaniel came off the bench to score 14 points for the No.6 seeded Golden Gophers and Rachel Banham added 12.

Huskers’ Pelini Receives 1-Year Contract Extension

Posted on March 7, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini has received a one-year contract extension through February 2019.

Athletic department spokeswoman Chris Anderson on Friday confirmed the extension, which was first reported by CBSSports.com. Anderson said terms were not immediately available for release.

Pelini is 57-24 in six seasons, but there was speculation about his job status at the end of last season as the Cornhuskers’ streak of no conference championships stretched to 14 years.

Minutes after Nebraska lost its last regular-season game, to Iowa, Pelini defended his record and said, “If they want to fire me, go ahead.” Athletic director Shawn Eichorst issued a statement of support for Pelini the next day, but as recently as Tuesday had refused to answer questions about a contract extension.