first half free throws while Louisiana Tech was just 4

PHILADELPHIA -- Goodbye, glory days. Hello, future.The Philadelphia Phillies bid farewell to Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard in 2016, signaling the end of the most successful run in franchise history. They also welcomed several talented young players, giving fans hope for 2017 and beyond.Its been a slow rebuilding process for the Phillies, but theres reason for optimism following a 71-91 finish.I know were definitely going to upgrade somehow, whether its from within or go out and get somebody via trade or even a free agent, depending on whos available and if it makes sense, manager Pete Mackanin said. Were going to fulfill our needs. We have to get better next year. We have to show improvement. And hopefully the moves we do make result in more wins.Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin and Jake Thompson showed potential to be mainstays in the starting rotation, if healthy. Cesar Hernandez, Odubel Herrera, Maikel Franco, Freddy Galvis and Cameron Rupp had solid offensive seasons, though all of them wont be part of the nucleus going forward.The departure of Ruiz -- traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August -- and Howards exit -- the team plans to pay him a $10 million buyout -- leaves the Phillies with no players from their 2008 World Series championship team.After winning five straight NL East titles and two pennants between 2007-11, the Phillies have missed the postseason five consecutive years.A slew of prospects coupled with a few emerging stars is expected to help Philadelphia end its playoff drought before the decade ends.Heres a look at the past season and upcoming offseason:OFFENSIVE POSITIVES: 2B Hernandez (.294 AVG, .371 OBP, 17 steals) and SS Galvis (20 homers, 67 RBI) will be the double-play combination to start next season. Galvis power and excellent defense -- eight errors -- made up for his poor average (.241) and on-base percentage (.274). 1B Tommy Joseph had 21 HRs in only 315 at-bats. 3B Franco tied Howard for team-best with 25 HRs, batted .255 and drove in 88 runs. CF Herrera (.286, 15 HR, 25 SB) was an All-Star, though he struggled in second half. C Rupp was a pleasant surprise at the plate: .252, 16 HR, 54 RBI.PITCHING POSITIVES: Eickhoff (11-14, 3.65 ERA) was consistent the entire season. Velasquez (8-6, 4.12), Nola (6-9, 4.78), Eflin (3-5, 5.54) and Thompson (3-6, 5.70) had flashes of excellence. Alec Asher (2-1, 2.28) had a strong September. Relievers Hector Neris (2.58, 2 saves) and Edubray Ramos (3.82) should be late-inning options next season. Jeanmar Gomez had 37 saves but struggled mightily down the stretch.THE PROSPECTS: OF Roman Quinn and C Jorge Alfaro made their big-league debuts in the final month. SS J.P. Crawford, OF Nick Williams and C Andrew Knapp could arrive in Philadelphia at some point next season. OF Dylan Cozens had 40 HRs and 1B Rhys Hoskins hit 38 at Double-A Reading.BIGGEST NEEDS: Disciplined hitters with a professional plate approach who take pitches, work the count and grind out at-bats. I would like to get a good solid proven hitter somewhere on the field, Mackanin said. Where that is right now will be determined by who is available and what kind of a deal, if any, they could make.DECISION TIME: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 3.71) will be a free agent and is expected to command a big salary. The Phillies probably wont offer him a multiyear contract but should consider making a qualifying offer -- a one-year deal worth about $17 million. If so, they would receive a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere.---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi Authentic Air Max 1 Shoes . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. Clearance Air Max 1 Shoes . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. http://www.cheapairmax1sale.com/ . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Air Max 1 From China . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Cheap Air Max 1 Free Shipping . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska hadnt planned to run its offense through Tai Webster and Jack McVeigh Saturday. It just worked out that the pair each had career scoring nights to lead the Huskers over Louisiana Tech 65-54.Webster had 17 of his 23 points in the first half, many of them coming off drives to the basket on which he either scored or went to the free throw line where he hit 7 of 8 shots.It just kind of played out that way, Webster said of his drives. Theyre a real aggressive defensive team and they force a lot of turnovers, obviously, Im living proof of it. I was just trying to match the aggression and not let me be on the back foot from it. Just attack them, bring the game to them.McVeigh scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half after the Bulldogs sent multiple defenders at Webster.Honestly, the shots just came to me, McVeigh said. They extended the pressure and with the pressure comes rotations and with rotations theres an open man. My teammates found me. Four of the six (field goals) were assisted on. Theyre easy looks when Im getting good passes from my teammates.Nebraska (3-0) led 45-41 when McVeigh hit a 3-pointer with 11:56 left, followed that up with a layup and Evan Taylor knocked down a jumper with 9:53 remaining that put the Huskers up 52-41.Louisiana Tech (1-2) traded baskets with Nebraska over the next six minutes, with Ed Morrow Jrs dunk giving the Huskers a 60-50 lead with 3:53 left. But Nebraska didnt hit another field goal.The Bulldogs Erik McCree hit a pair of jumpers to cut the Nebraska lead to six with 57 seconds left. But McVeigh hit two of three free throws and Webster added a pair to seal the win.Theres no question, we really just couldnt get over the hump and really build some momentum, said Louisiana Tech coach Eric Konkol. It seemed like every time we got close, we missed a shot or we turned it over or theyd get a bucket on the other end. We just coulldnt get over the hump tonight.dddddddddddd Got to give them a lot of credit. I thought they played some stingy defense and made it very difficult on us.Nebraska coach Tim Miles also praised the defense of his six primary players and particularly their toughness at the end.I thought the last four minutes we were a very, very tough team, Miles said. I thought there was a stretch in there where they were out-toughing us. But I thought we finished it the way they were doing it earlier. That was really important. Were not going to win otherwise.Nebraska won the game at the free throw line, outscoring Louisiana Tech by 15 from the stripe. The Huskers hit 11 of 12 first half free throws while Louisiana Tech was just 4 of 10. Nebraska hit 10 of 12 free throws in the second half. The Bulldogs were 2 of 2.McCree led Louisiana Tech with 16 points.QUOTABLEMcVeigh and Webster are roommates and were asked who had to buy dinner since they both had career highs Saturday. Webster replied: I guess I have to, hes the older one. Ill probably cook something. Out of the two, Im the best. He hooked me up the other day with some good seafood. So well see.THE BIG PICTURENebraska: Nebraska continues to search for production from its bench. Nebraskas non-starters contributed just 2 points in the first half and six in the second half in a combined 53 minutes of time on the floor.Louisiana Tech: Louisiana Tech has one more trip to a power 5 conference school in its first six games, playing at California on Nov. 30. The Bulldogs have lost at South Carolina and Nebraska.UP NEXTNebraska travels to Fullerton, Calif. where it will meet Dayton in the opening round of the Wooden Legacy tournament Thursday.Louisiana Tech returns home to Ruston, La. where it will host Oklahoma Baptist Wednesday. ' ' '