Semaj Christon -- The Game Is Slowing Down For Him

[Nigel Tufnel]

Look...I played hs basketball. I'm no guru....but the one thing about basketball I learned while growing up....you get a lot better when the game slows down. As you get used to the tempo, you start thinking ahead. I really believe its one of the biggest factors in the game. For some guys, the game never slows down. But for others...what at one time seemed like chaos....starts looking differently. It starts going in slow motion.....you see what your opponent is going to do before they even know they are going to do it.

The last few games...I have seen the game slowing down for Semaj. And it has been slowing down at a crazy rate with each passing game. I'm not even talking about the crazy contested 3's at the end of the game. I'm talking about how his turnover rate...his charging calls going down. His unselfishness. His assists. His free throws. His defense...my goodness...his defense.

The game is going in slow motion right now for Semaj. That's a really good thing for X. I'm sure he'll struggle in some upcoming games...but right now, Semaj is playing chess while his opponents are playing checkers.

[xavierj]

Look...I played hs basketball. I'm no guru....but the one thing about basketball I learned while growing up....you get a lot better when the game slows down. As you get used to the tempo, you start thinking ahead. I really believe its one of the biggest factors in the game. For some guys, the game never slows down. But for others...what at one time seemed like chaos....starts looking differently. It starts going in slow motion.....you see what your opponent is going to do before they even know they are going to do it.

The last few games...I have seen the game slowing down for Semaj. And it has been slowing down at a crazy rate with each passing game. I'm not even talking about the crazy contested 3's at the end of the game. I'm talking about how his turnover rate...his charging calls going down. His unselfishness. His assists. His free throws. His defense...my goodness...his defense.

The game is going in slow motion right now for Semaj. That's a really good thing for X. I'm sure he'll struggle in some upcoming games...but right now, Semaj is playing chess while his opponents are playing checkers.

Yes. Very true. When it slows down it gets much easier. It appears it has for him. He is unstoppable right now. Could score 40 if they wanted to run everything through him. He scores 28 and just picks his spots. Pretty impressive.

[Snipe]

It is crazy good. I was pissed off 10 minutes into the second half because he had only taken a couple of shots in the second half. Even when he has a career high I am demanding more. They closed the gap on us and he only had 19 points after having 17 at half and I was demanding more, more, more.

To Marquette's credit they did make some defensive adjustments to circumvent the young Sophomore. He adjusted. Those three point shots were something to watch, and we don't win that game without them. That kid is a stud, he had a career high, and during the game I was always thinking that he should shoot more. Love how unselfish he is. That kid is special.

I love the slowing down for him analogy. I can see what you are saying. He really is putting it together.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Totally agree with all the comments about Semaj. However lets see how he does the next four games. We have had a lot of home games and he is living up to his billing but let's see how he does Sunday and against other tough competition on the road. Right now he is showing the scouts that he is first round potential. The kid is just playing awesome basketball right now. I didn't think he had what it takes to make the leap but I was totally wrong. This kid is gooooooood!

[Titanxman04]

He is incredible. Would like to see this continue on the road, as that will be the true marker there. But yes, everything is clicking, he's "getting it". It's so much fun to watch him play and it'll be interesting to see if McDermott and him end up going blow for blow like West and Korver did back in the day.

[kyxu]

I love Semaj Christon. I hope he continues this tear, gets called among the first ten names in June and makes that cheddar in the league.

[WCWIII]

The pass near the end of the game to Martin cutting down the lane is an example. The announcers gave Semaj some love and they showed the replay - I was even more impressed Semaj could see Martin as Martin seemed to come from nowhere.

[Kahns Krazy]

I think the game slowed down for everyone last night. It was after 11:30 when the buzzer sounded.

[mohr5150]

I was a major critic of Christon at the beginning of the season. I thought he seemed to let the hype get to his head and wasn't focused during games. Wow, has that changed over the past month. This guy is the real deal. I was concerned about his ability to shoot the outside shot and his free throws, which is totally about concentration. He has fixed these issues and has become a complete player. I am very impressed with him. Good for him and good for our Muskies!

[X-Fan]

Totally agree. #xavierway

[Milhouse]

Mack deserves a ton of credit for his coaching and development of Semaj.

Enjoy him while we have him. Semaj's Last Stand.

[GoMuskies]

Starting sometime in the second half of the Alabama and up through the Marquette game, Semaj has had the best stretch of basketball I've personally ever witnessed from a Xavier player other than Jordan Crawford's three game blitzkrieg through the NCAA Tournament.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Starting sometime in the second half of the Alabama and up through the Marquette game, Semaj has had the best stretch of basketball I've personally ever witnessed from a Xavier player other than Jordan Crawford's three game blitzkrieg through the NCAA Tournament.

How about Lionel Chalmers during The Run?

But yeah, Semaj is on fire right now. I know Bilas isn't popular here, but he had good things to say about Semaj this morning: "Really enjoyed watching Xavier's Semaj Christon last night. He had a mature, efficient 28 points v. Marquette, and keeps getting better."

[XUFan09]

The pass near the end of the game to Martin cutting down the lane is an example. The announcers gave Semaj some love and they showed the replay - I was even more impressed Semaj could see Martin as Martin seemed to come from nowhere.

Martin quietly slipped into the gap, ready to get that pass before Semaj was even actually in position. Beautiful play.

[BMoreX]

He's also shooting 75% from the foul line since the Bahamas.

[nuts4xu]

He's also shooting 75% from the foul line since the Bahamas.

With like 4 turnovers since then too.

[blobfan]

I haven't watched/participated in enough basketball to be as insightful as Nigel and others but I have seen something special on the court the past few games. Even more than Crawford, Semaj seems calm and in control. It's really beautiful to watch. It's not just his play it's the way he doesn't engage when it isn't necessary. He just moves on and plays his game.

[bobbiemcgee]

Others should be woorred:

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/10/xaviers-semaj-christon-is-a-stud-and-why-marquette-fans-should-be-very-worred/

[mid major]

I think the game slowed down for everyone last night. It was after 11:30 when the buzzer sounded.

It certainly slowed down for me DVR. Thanks Zebras. WTF?

[Masterofreality]

Look...I played hs basketball. I'm no guru....but the one thing about basketball I learned while growing up....you get a lot better when the game slows down. As you get used to the tempo, you start thinking ahead. I really believe its one of the biggest factors in the game. For some guys, the game never slows down. But for others...what at one time seemed like chaos....starts looking differently. It starts going in slow motion.....you see what your opponent is going to do before they even know they are going to do it.

The last few games...I have seen the game slowing down for Semaj. And it has been slowing down at a crazy rate with each passing game. I'm not even talking about the crazy contested 3's at the end of the game. I'm talking about how his turnover rate...his charging calls going down. His unselfishness. His assists. His free throws. His defense...my goodness...his defense.

The game is going in slow motion right now for Semaj. That's a really good thing for X. I'm sure he'll struggle in some upcoming games...but right now, Semaj is playing chess while his opponents are playing checkers.

Props Nigel. Great insight.

I also think that it is slowing down for Jimmy Farr. I can't wait for it to slow down for Jalen Reynolds. It could get real scary in Cintas real soon.

[XUFan09]

I think it's starting to slow down for Reynolds, based off this game.

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[Xtemporaneous]

Props Nigel. Great insight.

I also think that it is slowing down for Jimmy Farr. I can't wait for it to slow down for Jalen Reynolds. It could get real scary in Cintas real soon.

It's beginning to for Jalen. As evidenced last night he grabbed powerful boards and held onto the ball instead of his recent - pull the ball down and get it batted away. I think also offensively he is beginning to see the lanes and sets develop. You're right that once he puts it together this team will be super scary and a load to deal with on the perimeter and in the block.