| Player | Minutes | NU Pts | UCLA Pts | Raw +/- | Player Adj | Net +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholson | 31 | 53 | 46 | +7 | +11.6 | +18.6 |
| Buie | 39 | 56 | 59 | -3 | +1.1 | -1.9 |
| Audige | 34 | 53 | 53 | +0 | -2.4 | -2.4 |
| Barnhizer | 32 | 48 | 46 | +2 | -4.5 | -2.5 |
| Martinelli | 5 | 4 | 9 | -5 | +2.0 | -3.0 |
| Berry | 38 | 58 | 60 | -2 | -5.9 | -7.9 |
| Beran | 11 | 13 | 21 | -8 | -2.1 | -10.1 |
| Verhoeven | 9 | 5 | 16 | -11 | +0.3 | -10.7 |
Matt Nicholson ended the season with his best game on the biggest stage, but it wasn't enough as the Wildcats fought valiantly and ultimately fell short against a talented UCLA team that played well.
I left the last 36 seconds out of the +/- numbers because NU was subbing in Beran and Verhoeven to foul, then removing them when UCLA attempted its free throws. (UCLA outscored us 6-5)
A quick look at the table shows how badly NU struggled when Tydus Verhoeven was playing the 5. 16-5 deficit in 9 minutes. UCLA scored and we didn't.
When you look at Nicholson's raw +7 and Beran's raw -8, combined with the fact that Beran only played with Nicholson, it becomes clear that we could have won the game.
When Nicholson was paired with Barnhizer, Buie, Berry and Audige (our 5 best players) we thrashed UCLA 38-25 in about 19 minutes.
When any other group was out there, we got beat 37-20 (again prior to the last 36 seconds of free throws).
Some of us have been calling for more of that "5 best players" lineup since Roper dropped out of the rotation and Barnhizer surpassed Beran.
On the flipside, the previously reliable Verhoeven/Martinelli/Barnhizer frontcourt got beat 9-2 in about 4 1/2 minutes. UCLA was too good for that trio together.
For Nicholson, it wasn't only the 7 for 7 shooting, the 3 of 4 free throws and the 9 rebounds (5 Off, 4 def)... he was disruptive to the UCLA offense, both on the perimeter and in the paint. He deflected rebounds to teammates, caused a few UCLA turnovers, forced the Bruins to take several wild shots near the basket. UCLA's two bigs combined for 8 points, 7 fouls, 3 turnovers, 3 blocks and 3 rebounds. With Nicholson on the floor, UCLA bigs got 1 rebound. NU players not named Matt were 9 of 30 on 2 point attempts. Barnhizer and Berry were 2 of 17 from the field. Both should have been primarily looking for Nicholson instead of shooting.
Chase Audige and Boo Buie deserve credit for playing well in the 2nd half after playing poorly in the first half. Audige had 7 assists for the game (against 3 turnovers).
We came out in the 2nd half down 35-25. Collins, as is his custom, went with the starters (Nicholson/Beran/Audige/Berry/Buie). UCLA bumped the lead out to 41-30 at the 16:37 mark, before Collins subbed in Barnhizer for Beran. Audige got hot and we scored at least 2 points on our next 7 possessions, to tie the score at 45. UCLA was reeling at the media timeout. And Collins subbed in Verhoeven for Nicholson. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Don't change anything! UCLA is rattled!
Vaquez went straight into the paint and scored. Audige had the ball taken away. UCLA attacked the basket again and made 1 of 2 free throws. Collins subbed Nicholson back in. Nicholson got caught trying to drive to the basket from outside the arc and threw the ball away. Jaquez missed a shot in the paint but UCLA got the rebound and buried a 3. Collins called timeout, NU now trailing 51-45.
Nicholson, Barnhizer, Audige, Buie and Berry played the next 9:33 and we never got back on even terms, missing 11 of our next 14 shots.
It was a great season. Tough to think how the 2 losses to Penn State made us a 7 seed... It was a great season. Sweet 16 would have been sweet.... It was a great season!
Sorry its over.
