Saturday, October 11th was the greatly anticipated meeting between rival teams University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and University of Wisconsin-Platteville (UWP) in the eighth Cornhusker Clash tournament. The day consisted of two NCDA formatted games between UNL and UWP, a rookie match, and an alumni match. Let’s take a look at how each game went.
UNL vs UWP Game 1 (4-3)
Platteville made the trip down Friday afternoon/night after just a week’s rest from NDA nationals, where several of their players competed. Both teams brought full squads plus a few extras, and their rookie classes show a lot of promise. Having so many players allows for the rookies to get a good look at how the tournament will run and lets them observe how the opposing team strategizes. Watching can be an incredibly useful tool when it comes to learning the game.
After nearly nine minutes of back and forth. Platteville was able to hold out with just three players against nearly a full team as they fought to keep the point alive. Unfortunately, the Pioneers were unable to make any more outs, so the point went to UNL. UWP came back more coordinated for the second point and began picking off players one by one before quickly retreating back to their baseline. They utilized a shot clock violation on UNL to set up several successful team throws. Each team continued to lose players, but UWP secured the second point even after thrown catches and missed blocks that dwindled their numbers further. Coincidentally, the last two players in on Platteville’s side were the same two from point one. With 7:41 left in the first half, UNL came back to take the third point while UWP tied it up again with a minute and twelve seconds to spare. The half ended tied 2-2. The second half played out much like the first ; the first point went to UWP while the next two went to UNL, ending the game UNL 4-3 UWP.
Rookie/Alumni Game
This game was intended to be fun and to be valuable experience in gaining independence and building confidence on the court. Each team consisted of the rookie classes from each squad with a few current players and alumni to round out the roster and to provide support. A few players from the budding Iowa team also attended and played on the Platteville side. It was great to see the turnout for this game and the support the veteran players provided while not going easy on the newbies.
UNL vs UWP Game 2 (6-1)
UNL obviously wasn’t please with how game one went, and they came back with a vengeance. The game started, rather unceremoniously, with false starts on both sides. After balls were reset, UNL took control and kept pressure on Platteville, who was stuck on their baseline without ball control. They set up a couple team throws, which were ineffective, allowing UWP to pick up the pace again. Their pressure caused a shot clock violation on UNL, and UWP executed one successful team throw. The back and forth continued as each side slowly picked at the other, but in the end, UNL took the first point of game two. For point two, UWP was on the offensive, keeping UNL pushed to their baseline. A major difference between UWP’s and UNL’s play style is their catching stance when pushed to their baselines; UWP stands staggered with arms raised, waiting for the throw while UNL kneels down to make them a smaller target and to maximize their catching potential. UWP kept the battle up, but the second, third, and forth point went to UNL, ending the half. By the end of the game, UNL took two more points on UWP while the Pioneers scored one on UNL. Both teams fought hard, but UNL came out victorious on the day.
