Xavier vs. Tennessee (November 29, 2013)

[paulxu]

http://vixdojo.com/Mascots/Vix_2009_TennesseeVolunteersMascotSmokey.jpgVS.htt p://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/MinifiguresBios/images/pic773F455B41A27FB44B60F2397BAA49D7.jpg


Tennessee Volunteers (3-2) vs. Xavier University Musketeers (5-1)
Friday, November 29, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Atlantis Resort, Bahamas

Live Chat (http://www.chatzy.com/32573582761803)

Television: AXS.tv
Radio: TBA

[paulxu]

Blobfan, where are you? We need you!!!

[GoMuskies]

Xavier-2. I don't really love our chances today, though.

[ammtd34]

One positive is that their turnaround is a few hours shorter than ours.

[Olsingledigit]

One positive is that their turnaround is a few hours shorter than ours.

Moot if SC cramps again.

[X-band '01]

I know Semaj had a rough night, but we're resorting to using initials for him now? That's harsh.

[ammtd34]

Moot if SC cramps again.

I know. It's also moot if someone breaks an ankle.

[XUFan09]

Get that Dayton crap out of here!

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[casualfan]

I know. It's also moot if someone breaks an ankle.

And if we had anyone on our team who consistently broke their ankle during big games that would be worth worrying about as much as his cramps.

[ammtd34]

And if we had anyone on our team who consistently broke their ankle during big games that would be worth worrying about as much as his cramps.

All my post said was that it was positive that our turnaround was longer. It is obvious that if our best player can't play, that is a negative. Since he cramped last night, a shorter turnaround would increase the likelihood that he cramped tonight. So, yes, the longer turnaround is positive.

[xavier513]

Does anyone know of a live stream for this game? Time Warner Cincinnati does not get AXS TV.

[GIMMFD]

What the hell is AXS?

Also I think we handle them, Dee and J-Mart are back, so that's going to be a big step forward. Unfortunate what happened last night, but we have to move on and continue.

[Jesuit4Life]

Does anyone know of a live stream for this game? Time Warner Cincinnati does not get AXS TV.

I haven't found one and unfortunately I don't think that will change before gametime.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I can't find anything for you. Might want to head to a bar

[xumuskies08]

I just have a bad feeling. Semaj may not be 100% and Tennessee is probably pissed about losing at Cintas. I really hope the fellas prove me wrong. Dee and Randolph need to step up. Can't have a repeat performance of last night from those two.

[BMoreX]

Shannon Russell ‏@slrussell 5s

#Xavier's starting five: Dee Davis, Brandon Randolph, Semaj Christon, Jalen Reynolds, James Farr. New combo, if it sticks.

Well that's interesting.

[Xavier]

What radio station will it be on?

[GoMuskies]

That's....unexpected.

[Jesuit4Life]

What radio station will it be on?

55 KRC

http://www.iheart.com/live/1709/?autoplay=true

[X-Fan]

Axs is available on U-Verse (106 or 1106 HD)

Use the link below to see if your provider has axs:

http://www.axs.tv/subscribe/

As far as the game goes, I really hope to see some improvement/maturing soon. Regardless of SC going down, this was more of the same that we saw last year with blowing 2nd half leads. It took WAY too long for them to figure out the press. A tough lesson to learn, but I am excited at our depth/talent this year. Can't wait till they start to "click".

[casualfan]

Shannon Russell ‏@slrussell 14s
Nevermind that lineup tweet. The monitors are wrong. #Xavier is starting the same five as yesterday.

[XUFan09]

So many games streaming on First Row and VIP Box, but not ours. *sigh*

[casualfan]

We look sluggish early. Announcers commenting that Semaj looks to be moving gingerly.

[XUFan09]

Some early fouls...

[XUFan09]

A nice mini-run by Randolph.

[BMoreX]

Tenn not mossing

[xsteve1]

X playing no defense and getting abused in the paint.

[X-Fan]

X playing no defense and getting abused in the paint.
Yep, they don't look like they want it at all.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Playing with no urgency at all on defense. Semaj is obviously not okay either.

[XUBob]

Painful to watch right now, look lost and sluggish, hate to play a team we beat a couple of weeks ago. Tennessee playing well seems like lately holiday tournaments haven't been kind to the Muskies.

[xumuskies08]

No defensive intensity. No flow on offense. Not crashing the boards like they usually do. Everything sucks.

[xsteve1]

If this type of play continues X will leave Atlantis 0-3.

[XUFan09]

They have so many points from putbacks.

[XUFan09]

They have so many points from putbacks.

I just checked, and they're third in the nation on offensive rebounding rate at 46.8%, which is ridiculous, but that's not enough of an excuse when Xavier has held opponents to 26.8%, good for 46th in the nation.

[xsteve1]

X is just terrible in the half court.

[xuinmd]

I think I will see if I can go visit the dentist instead of watching the second half.

[nuts4xu]

Awful, just plain awful.

[The_Mack_Pack]

This team simply can't create in the half-court without Christon.

[xsteve1]

Semaj standing on the bench, he has to be cramping again. Without him this team blows.

[xumuskies08]

Awful. Simply awful. I hope Mack tears them a new on in the locker room...err hallway.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Randolph will ultimately become a really good point guard, his youth is showing in this game though. Dee Davis will never be a good starting point against good teams, he's just too small and too slow. We really need Semaj for this years team to click.

[xsteve1]

I'm a Dee supporter but he has sucked these last two games. Why does he continue to try to take it inside. Looking like X will lose by 25 today.

[XUFan09]

This game is everything wrong with the world. I'd be okay losing by five or something like that to a solid Tennessee team, but this is just awful.

[xavierj]

I have seen about enough of Dee and Philmore. Finish it up with the freshman.

[X-Fan]

Wow, way to come out for the 2nd half fellas...now down 21. This is pathetic. Mack doesn't seem to have any answers.

[xumuskies08]

This is embarrassing

[mistabeecee41]

this is embarrassing. not only our play, but mack stomping around on the sideline yelling at refs instead of making any sort of halftime adjustments is painful to watch.

[xsteve1]

This is embarrassing

Really an unacceptable effort from X today.

[XUBob]

I can handle losing but being out hustled is never acceptable, for years X's trademark is to compete, today not so much, disappointing.

[mistabeecee41]

I have seen about enough of Dee and Philmore. Finish it up with the freshman.


Philmore should be the 5th big in our rotation. He was getting TORCHED by all of Iowa's perimeter bigs last night. Now he's getting man handled by Tennessee's strong bigs today.

[X-Fan]

X's interior D is getting seriously exposed. Just owned.

[casualfan]

Tomorrow's game is going to be a major gut check.

[OTRMUSKIE]

It's the curse of the Holiday Tournaments. X always lays an egg for some reason. Even in conf tournaments they struggle. 3 games in 3 days just doesn't bode well for Xavier.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Xavier usually gets their assed kicked at least once a year, might as well be now.

[Xavier]

It's the curse of the Holiday Tournaments. X always lays an egg for some reason. Even in conf tournaments they struggle. 3 games in 3 days just doesn't bode well for Xavier.

Well, Xavier did win four games in four days 2 sepereate times to get to the NCAA tournament.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Well, Xavier did win four games in four days 2 sepereate times to get to the NCAA tournament.
Yeah they did didn't they! Well maybe I just expect too much but these holiday tournaments always brings out the worse in this team.

[XUBob]

I'm sitting here watching this painful mess, wondering why, maybe I'll get an eon or two off in Purgatory.

[nuts4xu]

Every loose ball, every bounce, every call...seems to be going UT's way.

Free throw shooting is unbelievably terrible.

[xsteve1]

Semaj's stock is plummeting.

[mistabeecee41]

Semaj's stock is plummeting.

Semaj isn't even CLOSE to being at the level of Tu/JC.

[XUFan09]

Semaj's stock is plummeting.

This game sucks, but his stock won't "plummet" from one bad weekend.

[xsteve1]

Jesus Dee WTF. He just needs to do 3 things, pass, shoot a few 3's and play good defense.

[The_Mack_Pack]

I'm a Dee supporter but he has sucked these last two games. Why does he continue to try to take it inside. Looking like X will lose by 25 today.

You're one of the few left who are Dee supporters I'm sure. He's good against small, slow teams. Against good teams, who Xavier will play a lot in the BE, he is just plain bad. It's not just that he's not talented enough to play at a high level but his decision making isn't even good.

[danaandvictory]

I can handle losing but being out hustled is never acceptable, for years X's trademark is to compete, today not so much, disappointing.

Last year's team stunk but they put forth major effort every time out. This...is not good.

[Jesuit4Life]

Someone is going home 0-3. Why's it gotta be us?

Salvage Saturday, please.

[X-Fan]

Last year's team stunk but they put forth major effort every time out. This...is not good.
I hear you, but this team has many new/inexperienced parts. Hopefully they learn from this and other setbacks and improve by BE play.

[RoseyMuskie]

I think this tournament how shown that X's starting lineup should be Semaj, Randolph, Farr, Martin, and Stainbrook with M. Davis and Reynolds quick off the bench.

Dee should be used as a backup PG only and shouldn't get more than 10-15 min. I like Philmore, but he is limited when compared to Farr and Reynolds.

[xsteve1]

Hope I'm wrong but I don't see how this team will be an NCAA team this year. Not enough athletes, not enough shooters and terrible from the line.

[The_Mack_Pack]

I think this tournament how shown that X's starting lineup should be Semaj, Randolph, Farr, Martin, and Stainbrook with M. Davis and Reynolds quick off the bench.

Dee should be used as a backup PG only and shouldn't get more than 10-15 min. I like Philmore, but he is limited when compared to Farr and Reynolds.

I would also like to see a new starting lineup. Dee, Martin, and Philmore just don't offer much and are definitely just role players.

[RealDeal]

I agree, time for dee and philmore to sit and let more talented guys start.

[vee4xu]

I put up my outdoor Christmas lights and ran 6 miles instead of following the game. By reading this thread, the game was every bit as bad as the score indicates. So, who is it now, the loser of Wake and USC? If so and it is Wake, then X get them twice just like TN. Oh well, time to rake leaves.

[OTRMUSKIE]

The thing is Tennessee didn't shoot extremely well, they shot like 44% for the game which is decent but not mind blowing. What they did do well was rebound rebound and rebound and the second chance points were 24-2 at one point. X will be fine but I want to see more M. Davis and less D. Davis. Big Stain misses way too many bunnies too. Tenn played like their coaches job was on the line and their season. That was the Tenn team many people thought we would see.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Statistically, this is our worst game for a long time. When was the last time we scored under 50 points. Again, 30% FT shooting.......we cannot win with this kind of shooting. What are the excuses?

[vee4xu]

30% free throw shooting of shooting from the field? I can't even imagine 30% FT shooting for a game. If so, YIKES!!

[XUFan09]

I would also like to see a new starting lineup. Dee, Martin, and Philmore just don't offer much and are definitely just role players.

Disagree on Martin. He is a good rebounder from the small forward position, can create offense from time to time, and can use his length to be disruptive on defense (though guarding a quick perimeter player is a serious weakness). He's no All-Star, but I'm fine with him in the starting lineup with the aggression and energy he's shown so far this season. Now, if Abell was eligible right now, it might be a different story, but when you consider who we have, he's the best bet at the small forward position except against small lineups.

[gladdenguy]

Dee Davis can stay in the Bahamas. Good riddance.

This team has a long way to go. Probably an NIT team.

Terrible trip Mack. Nice letdown.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Hope I'm wrong but I don't see how this team will be an NCAA team this year. Not enough athletes, not enough shooters and terrible from the line.

I think they'll make the tourney. Xavier just lost back to back games against really good teams, no need to worry yet. I would just like to see some lineup changes to utilize the more talented players (Randolph, Farr, Reynolds, M. Davis) over guys like Dee, Martin, and Philmore. However, there is no excuse for that pathetic display of rebounding and free throw shooting. There is no reason whatsoever that a divison 1 college player can't hit at least 70% of your free throws.

[GoMuskies]

The game was lost underneath with Xavier's lack of defensive rebounding...but I've never seen Dee Davis look more overmatched. I can't imagine we're going to be a very good team if Dee Davis is one of our starters/top five players. I'd love to see Randolph overtake him and have Dee be an energy off the bench type of guy. Even better if we had enough good players that his minutes were much more limited.

[Masterofreality]

Semaj's stock is plummeting.


This game sucks, but his stock won't "plummet" from one bad weekend.

It's not one bad weekend for his free throws. Sorry. NBA guards do not shoot 40% from the free throw line. They also do not cramp up. This happens way too often.

I'm not jumping on the kid, but unless he sits in the gym for hours and shoots hundreds of frees and gets his percentage to at least 70% he'll have no where else to go.

[RoseyMuskie]

I think Martin has been okay this season. I'd certainly be open to another starter, but X is limited at the 3 position, so there really isn't another option. Randolph, Semaj, and M. Davis would be too small and IP, Stain, and Farr wouldn't really have enough shooting. So for the time being I think Martin is a starter by default. And he really hasn't been too bad either.

[xavierj]

I would also like to see a new starting lineup. Dee, Martin, and Philmore just don't offer much and are definitely just role players.

Yeah Martin while limited was our best player the last two days. He scored, rebounded and played good defense. Dee and philmore not so much. I think as the year goes on you will see less and less of Philmore and Dee.

[mistabeecee41]

Every single concern we had about this team was exploited today.

No shooters. No creators outside of semaj. Half court offense. Struggling against of the bigger/stronger teams we'll see in the big east (cough cough Dee + Philmore).

And a new concern - I am starting to doubt whether or not Semaj is that 'carry the load' kinda guy that we'd thought he'd be. He's a great player, but he's no JC or Tu.

[Masterofreality]

Semaj's stock is plummeting.


Dee Davis can stay in the Bahamas. Good riddance.

This team has a long way to go. Probably an NIT team.

Terrible trip Mack. Nice letdown.

And right on cue...Gladden returns to the ledge. As predictable as the sunrise.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah Martin while limited was our best player the last two days. He scored, rebounded and played good defense. Dee and philmore not so much. I think as the year goes on you will see less and less of Philmore and Dee.

I hope that's right, and I hope it's because Randolph and Reynolds have been good enough to take minutes away from them.

[XUFan09]

Big Stain misses way too many bunnies too.

When you're shooting contested shots (or rushing shots to avoid the contest), you're going to miss some of them. Stainbrook is shooting 56.8%, which is really good. You have to go back to Brian Thornton to find a 5 from Xavier who has shot that well for the season (though Jason Love came close in 2008 at 56.2%).

[Xavier]

It's not one bad weekend for his free throws. Sorry. NBA guards do not shoot 40% from the free throw line. They also do not cramp up. This happens way too often.



I think NBA teams will look pass the cramping. But he needs to shoot better from the line. The whole team does.

[xsteve1]

Love Stainbrook but X just can't have him and Philmore in the game at the same time. This season will hinge on the development of Reynolds.

[Xavier]

And a new concern - I am starting to doubt whether or not Semaj is that 'carry the load' kinda guy that we'd thought he'd be. He's a great player, but he's no JC or Tu.

If Semaj is needed to carry the load, Xavier won't do much. I don't think he is, though. I think we saw the potential of this team in the first half against Iowa. Also, its unfair to compare any guard to JC.

[vee4xu]

Reynolds, Randolph, Farr and Davis are freshman and Stainbrook is playing with X for the first time. That means growing pains on the court. Instead of focusing on how the sausage is made, just take time to wait until you see the final product to give a strong opinion about it. X is a work in progress and is going through the sausage grinder. By the time March rolls around, they will be a finished product. Until then, I will go with the ebb and flow of what goes on during the process. But, that's just me.

[The_Mack_Pack]

If Xavier could've rebounded at an even level to Tennessee it probably would've been a really close game. A lot of that is effort which is very disappointing.

[XUFan09]

It's not one bad weekend for his free throws. Sorry. NBA guards do not shoot 40% from the free throw line. They also do not cramp up. This happens way too often.

I'm not jumping on the kid, but unless he sits in the gym for hours and shoots hundreds of frees and gets his percentage to at least 70% he'll have no where else to go.

For starters, no one seriously thinks Semaj is going to be shooting 50% for the whole year. Also, you're putting too much of a premium on shooting for an NBA point guard prospect with ridiculous potential. Tu Holloway needed to be a good shooter from everywhere (and his 3-point shooting never quite got up to par), because he didn't have much in the way of potential. What you saw was what you got. If Semaj ends up shooting anywhere near 67% like last year, he will be gone based off his ridiculous potential. How well he shoots this season will just contribute to where he lands in the first round.

[vee4xu]

Now time to go and rake leaves. See ya.

[Masterofreality]

For starters, no one seriously thinks Semaj is going to be shooting 50% for the whole year. Also, you're putting too much of a premium on shooting for an NBA point guard prospect with ridiculous potential. Tu Holloway needed to be a good shooter from everywhere (and his 3-point shooting never quite got up to par), because he didn't have much in the way of potential. What you saw was what you got. If Semaj ends up shooting anywhere near 67% like last year, he will be gone based off his ridiculous potential. How well he shoots this season will just contribute to where he lands in the first round.

Sorry. You wan to see a pro guard in the making? Kellen Dunham. Tough kid who does all the right things.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Now time to go and rake leaves. See ya.

No, come back........we are not done talking.

[xudash]

Reynolds, Randolph, Farr and Davis are freshman and Stainbrook is playing with X for the first time. That means growing pains on the court. Instead of focusing on how the sausage is made, just take time to wait until you see the final product to give a strong opinion about it. X is a work in progress and is going through the sausage grinder. By the time March rolls around, they will be a finished product. Until then, I will go with the ebb and flow of what goes on during the process. But, that's just me.

Not just because we're friends and former classmates, but I couldn't agree with you more.

Sure, had Semaj not cramped last night along with a few other negative things going on, we probably would have won that game and moved on to this evening. But that didn't happen and now this mess took place.

We have a long way to go. We should be very good by March. Win the last one, go home, sharpen up, and move forward. Our personal hurricane will become a faded memory in a few months.

[GoMuskies]

We have a long way to go.

I'll agree with you on that much.

[ammtd34]

Is this where I overreact?

[GIMMFD]

Two bad games and you guys would think it's the end of the world...

Yes we crapped the bed the last two games, yes we looked very flat and didn't play well, but a season is a long time. There's always ups and downs, I think we still have plenty of time to pull it together. We are very young, and still need time to gel. I'm pretty optimistic about the team currently, we're at 5-2, we can still get a win in the tournament, and regroup for the next few games. We know we don't have that many athletes and are awful from the line, however, we have a team that works for each other, and we have people that can score, Justin Martin had 15 the first night in a game we should have won, how many of you thought that would happen? Stainbrook is almost always in double digits, Semaj is still Semaj, granted the cramps are a slight worry. It's not the end of the world guys, we had a bad shooting night and were severely out rebounded, but it's back to the drawing board, we get into practice, and work the kinks out. March is still a long way away.

[GoMuskies]

Is this where I overreact?

Overreact, underreact or just react anywhere you like. It's wide open for you.

[XUFan09]

Sorry. You wan to see a pro guard in the making? Kellen Dunham. Tough kid who does all the right things.

I'd like to see the NBA drafting the best college players as much as you, but that doesn't mean that's happening. Using Draft Express, Kellen Dunham is projected 58th (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Kellen-Dunham-58744/) among sophomores right now. Semaj is projected 25th (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Semaj-Christon-7026/links/)overall. And Draft Express projects Semaj lower than any of the other major prognosticators.

The NBA drafts on potential so much because if they drafted a bunch of more complete college products, they would have a mediocre NBA team for the next few years. Now, if a team is already a title contender and is just looking for a solid player to add to the mix, they might turn more to the great college players with lower ceilings, which is why you see a lot of that kind of player going in the late first round. The Indiana Pacers, for example, did that with Solomon Hill. Most teams, though, are not title contenders in a given year, so they're thinking more long-term and paying a lot more attention to what a player could become than what a player is right now.

[xsteve1]

Sorry. You wan to see a pro guard in the making? Kellen Dunham. Tough kid who does all the right things.

Yep, Dunham is stud (hate using that term). I hope Macura or Bluiett are that type of player X is getting next year.

[LA Muskie]

If Semaj is needed to carry the load, Xavier won't do much. I don't think he is, though. I think we saw the potential of this team in the first half against Iowa. Also, its unfair to compare any guard to JC.

It's not if the player in question wants to leave early for an NBA career.

[Xavier]

It's not if the player in question wants to leave early for an NBA career.

No Xavier guard has been as talented as JC since I have been seriously watching (year before Thad). I don't think comparing him to one of the most talented guards Xavier has ever had is fair. He won't be as good as him and he couldn't single handidly carry a team like JC. (because he isn't the scorer JC was) But, my main point was, if he is asked to do so Xavier won't be that good. I think this team can be special, we saw the potential against Iowa. But that wasn't because Semaj was taking over, he was the best player on a well rounded team. Thats what Xavier needs, IMO.

[vee4xu]

Not just because we're friends and former classmates, but I couldn't agree with you more.

Sure, had Semaj not cramped last night along with a few other negative things going on, we probably would have won that game and moved on to this evening. But that didn't happen and now this mess took place.

We have a long way to go. We should be very good by March. Win the last one, go home, sharpen up, and move forward. Our personal hurricane will become a faded memory in a few months.

Two excellent reasons, dash. And if I may be so bold, I'll add great minds think alike. :-)

One other thing, I've consistently read here that X played two bad games. In reality, they played two bad halves. The second half yesterday and the first half today.

[GoMuskies]

The second half today sucked as well.

[vee4xu]

I just saw the score of today's second half and saw that X played Tennessee evenly. So, based it solely on that. I'll take your word for it Go that they didn't play well in the second half today as well.

[GoMuskies]

I just saw the score of today's second half and saw that X played Tennessee evenly. So, based it solely on that. I'll take your word for it Go that they didn't play well in the second half today as well.

Tennessee opened the second half with an 8-0 run and essentially led by 20 the whole second half. The 15 point deficit was as close as the game ever was the last 18 minutes.

[coasterville95]

Well I'm at Listerman's. Had to work today , I'm up to post 80 and I'm depressed
NBA. - if Semaj can't get cramping under control he can forget that. Who wants to spend millions on an unreliable player.

These pre season tourneys have kicked out butts since well, the year we won the whole thing in Puerto Rico.

[SemajParlor]

Sorry. You wan to see a pro guard in the making? Kellen Dunham. Tough kid who does all the right things.

High IQ player too right? Give me a break with this comment.

[SemajParlor]

Hey remember when Jordan Crawford went 4 for 20 in the first game of the Thanksgiving tournament he played? Pump the brakes ladies and gents. The sky is not falling.

[GoMuskies]

Jordan Crawford had plenty of maddening performances his one year at Xavier. His flawless NCAA Tournament made that easy to forget, though.

[X-ROX]

I'm grossly disgusted in how I played," said Stainbrook, the only Musketeer double-figure scorer with 10 points. "I take full responsibility about not being ready. If I can't lead by example, I can't expect other guys to follow along. Knowing our team, we're going to bounce back tomorrow. I can tell you that we're going to be extremely fired up."

Gotta love this.....

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Glad to hear that from Matt. I hope the others have the same feeling and determination.

[Strange Brew]

I'm grossly disgusted in how I played," said Stainbrook, the only Musketeer double-figure scorer with 10 points. "I take full responsibility about not being ready. If I can't lead by example, I can't expect other guys to follow along. Knowing our team, we're going to bounce back tomorrow. I can tell you that we're going to be extremely fired up."

Gotta love this.....

Boom!! I just ran through a wall (Mrs. Brew will not be happy) after reading this. In all seriousness, I love this and his game. Can't wait for tomorrow.

LET'S GO X!