New Blog Post on Some Points to Consider Prior to the Shootout

[XUFan09]

Here (http://fromstaaktomack.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/in-preparation-for-uc/)ya go. Hope people enjoy!

[Nigel Tufnel]

Nice article and good info. Thanks.

[XUFan09]

Nice article and good info. Thanks.

Thanks! I don't always write traditional previews because many other sources are doing that already, so I look to find a distinct niche to give you guys something different to read.

[LadyMuskie]

I love my Muskies from birth to earth, but it's going to be really difficult to beat the bearkittens tomorrow based on how we've been playing. :sad:

[Burrcats]

Pretty good breakdown. Cincinnati is always a very good offensive rebounding team, probably because they miss so many shots. Last game against New Mexico, they shot under 30% (yet still somehow the game was close most of the second half). The main issue of the defensive rebounding problem is size, no players in the rotation are more than 230-240 pounds. Also, UC's guards have done a poor job of boxing out when the big men are scrambled from the press. While UC will force a high amount of turnovers, they do not do a very good job of scoring off of them. That is where a majority of the extra shots come from. New Mexico shot 50% for the game, yet couldn't get across the 60 point mark until a minute left in the game. UC is a very good half court defensive team, but they are exploitable if you can move the ball and make UC switch everything...eventually you will get a breakdown. Cross screen from either side of the block were very effective by New Mexico (however they do have probably the best 4-5 combo in the nation).

I know Xavier will simply pack it on defense and be quick to help off the ball if their man is beat. Honestly, the game plan last year was a formula that was duplicated a lot in Big East play (well, our Big East). Xavier just wasn't talented enough last year to win. I see much of the same this year, the winner will be in the low 60's and the loser in the 40's or 50's. I'll say Cincinnati 63, Xavier 49.

An aside: 10 of the past 12 Cincinnati victories have been by double figures (and the other two were 9 and 8 point games). While in Xavier's last 12 wins, just 3 have been by double figures. Just something to think about.

[XULucho27]

Good stuff, man.

I agree with burrcats too though, low scoring game with the loser not getting too far above mid 50's in points. Team with the better perimeter shooting tonight takes it, IMO as both frontcourts assert themselves in the paint.

[casualfan]

There are two keys to this game for X IMHO.

1. Can they use their size advantage/Semaj to get the UC bigs in foul trouble. Jackson and Rubles are very good. After those two they have Freshman Jermaine Lawrence who is skilled, but not very physical and David Nyarsuk who doesn't play much.

2. Do we have anyone who can guard their best player. If Kilpatrick gets it going we could be in trouble. If we can contain him we'll have an excellent chance to pull out a W

[Thor in 204]

Boxing out, ball movement on offense, free throws. Then, critical player of the game, Dee Davis; he'll get first shot at staying in front of Kilpatrick, and will have to be tough with the ball against their press. I'd like to see Matt and all the players other than Semaj and Myles be less tentative and more assertive on offense (Semaj and Myles are already very confident, happily so). We need to come out with energy, something that hasn't happened since the Iowa game.

[RoadWarrior]

This is a game where you can throw all the stats out the window. It's all about "who wants it more!"
I think the Muskies are tired of playing tentatively. We must start out strong. I predict we'll see a focused intensity that will lead our Musketeers to victory.
This is the unleashing of fury that the Muskies need. We are a team of very talented guys that just hasn't gotten into a rhythm over the last 5 games. Tonight is that confidence builder we need to play and win as a team! I'm feeling' it!!!

[LadyMuskie]

I love my Muskies from birth to earth, but it's going to be really difficult to beat the bearkittens tomorrow based on how we've been playing. :sad:

I'm not wrong often (:wink:), but if I'm going to be wrong, I'm glad that it's about my Muskies losing. Way to go guys!

[bjf123]

I'm not wrong often (:wink:), but if I'm going to be wrong, I'm glad that it's about my Muskies losing. Way to go guys!

What she said.


Golf is a relatively simple game, played by reasonably intelligent people, stupidly.
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[XUFan09]

I admit, I was expecting a tight game, with the edge going to UC, but with Xavier having a chance to win it. Boy, was I wrong

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