Xavier @ Providence (January 25, 2014) Game Thread

[paulxu]

http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bigeast-logo.jpg
http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/prov/graphics/prov-mascot-cutout.jpgVShttp://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/MinifiguresBios/images/pic773F455B41A27FB44B60F2397BAA49D7.jpg

Xavier University Musketeers (15-4, 5-1) vs. Providence College Friars (14-5, 4-2)
Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. ET
Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, R.I. (12,400)

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

Notes (http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/012214aaa.html)

Television: FOX Sports 1 with Kenny Albert (play-by-play) and Gary Williams (analysis).

Radio: 700 WLW-AM (and iHeartRadio), play-by-play from Joe Sunderman (`79). Analysis by Byron Larkin (`88).

[xu82]

Sorry, but this reminded me of the mascot thread. Does that not look like a home-made long sleeve toga for a frat party combined with a bank robbers mask? There were several mascots at the top of the decision chart, and then this was at the other end of the spectrum. Now we can discuss the game....

[fellahmuskie]

This is a huge game. Our reputation has been built at home so far this season and it's time to make a name for ourselves on the road.

I'd like to see Philmore, Martin and Dee provide the veteran leadership and guide the men to a huge Big East road win. We have all the talent we need, time to take care of business in Rhode Island and let know Villanova and Creighton know we're coming for them.:sword:

[X-man]

Today's game in Providence (noon) is closely followed by a cryer game against URI in Kingston (4:00). Hilarious because that is as close as we get to being on the same court with that sad little team.

[X-band '01]

Christon V. Cotton should be a wonderful matchup.

Will also be curious to see how LaDontae Henton does against Xavier - he would have been a Daytona Flier had Brian Gregory remained at Dayton.

[American X]

11am CT tip? Morning Drinking!

Anyone saying Xavier SHOULD win this game, their brain has been frozen. But this is a great opportunity for a quality win, kind of the point of being in the Big East. Years past, this trip would be URInation doing their best to be a spoiler but hardly ever being a quality win.

[XUPhilly04]

11am CT tip? Morning Drinking!

Anyone saying Xavier SHOULD win this game, their brain has been frozen. But this is a great opportunity for a quality win, kind of the point of being in the Big East. Years past, this trip would be URInation doing their best to be a spoiler but hardly ever being a quality win.

Outside of Creighton and Nova twice, this would be the most impressive win left on our schedule unless Marq or Gtown turn it around quickly.

[xuwin]

I think the starters have stepped up on the road and played basically the same as at home. The dropoff has been with the bench players on offense. The bench players that have performed so well at home need to adapt to the rigors of the road and provide the support that we are used to. I think the key to this game is to play them even in the 1st half and wear them down with our depth at the end which is what we have been doing in just about every game.

[xuwin]

Christon V. Cotton should be a wonderful matchup.

Will also be curious to see how LaDontae Henton does against Xavier - he would have been a Daytona Flier had Brian Gregory remained at Dayton.


I don't think that matchup will happen. I don't think either team can afford it. The only way it may happen is if Dee gets in foul trouble. I could see Amos getting some defensive minutes in this game.

[XUPhilly04]

I think the starters have stepped up on the road and played basically the same as at home. The dropoff has been with the bench players on offense. The bench players that have performed so well at home need to adapt to the rigors of the road and provide the support that we are used to. I think the key to this game is to play them even in the 1st half and wear them down with our depth at the end which is what we have been doing in just about every game.

The fact that a team's bench tends to perform better at home than on the road is normal for basketball teams in general (NCAA and NBA). I can't explain why its that way for so many teams but what you pointed out isn't that unusual.

[xumuskies08]

Stainbrook 0-2 with a turnover early on. Perfect.

[bjf123]

So they also stand until the Friars score their first basket?


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[Backyard Champ]

I think that we can let them keep hoisting 3's. They will miss a lot, hope this doesn't come back to bite me.

[The_Mack_Pack]

I think that we can let them keep hoisting 3's. They will miss a lot, hope this doesn't come back to bite me.

They'll probably miss a lot but they'll also get a lot of offensive rebounds.

[powerofX]

That seems like a quiet arena for being so full.

[paulxu]

We do not seem very intense. Bad pass by Stain instead of going up with the ball. Ugh

[bjf123]

Get a bloody rebound!


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[xumuskies08]

Jesus Christ! Rebound the freaking ball!

[The_Mack_Pack]

Defensive rebounding has been bad..

[paulxu]

already the bonus for ticky tacky fouls. Crap.

[The_Mack_Pack]

definitely did not want to put the best free throw shooting team in the country in the 1 and 1 already.

[coasterville95]

Chat room is full,

I see we are holding it competetive just down 5 in the first half on the road.

[paulxu]

Loved our hustle on the last 4 pts. Then Stainbrook shoots a 3? WTF?

[xumuskies08]

WTF Stainbrook? Who told him he was allowed to shoot a 3?

[The_Mack_Pack]

What is Stainbrook doing?

[XU3232]

Stainbrook looks awful. Worst half I have seen him play.

[bleedXblue]

Stainbrook has looked slow and tired to me the last few games

[The_Mack_Pack]

Stainbrook has looked slow and tired to me the last few games

Agreed. The season may be wearing on him a bit.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Reynolds looks extremely active, he needs to start finishing though.

[RoseyMuskie]

Perfectly okay with running a planned oop to Jalen, but today marks the third time Stain has tried to complete the play (and failed). Can we run the play so a guard makes the pass!?

[xumuskies08]

Seriously. What is wrong with Stainbrook. He looks awful.

[Pablo's Brother]

C'mon stain!

[bleedXblue]

Reverse lay up attempt and then a foul? Wtf?

[bleedXblue]

We better rebound really well in the second half.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Martin is single handedly keeping X in this game.

[RoseyMuskie]

Gary Williams is terrible. And Kenny Albert said "the basket is caught in the rim." Not as bad as our defensive rebounding though!

[bjf123]

We need Semaj to get going in the 2nd half.


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[xumuskies08]

Lucky to only be down 4 considering how bad Stainbrook and Christon played.

[Cheesehead]

X not getting the same calls Friars are. Jim Burr is just awful. Get Semaj involved and X will pull this out. Stainbrook not good so far. More Farr in second half.

[powerofX]

Martin is single handedly keeping X in this game.

Yup! Who would have thought Martin is the one bringing energy and hustle.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Still nice to be down only 4 after Semaj and Stainbrook played poorly.

[The_Mack_Pack]

X not getting the same calls Friars are. Jim Burr is just awful. Get Semaj involved and X will pull this out. Stainbrook not good so far. More Farr in second half.

I think we'd have seen a lot more Farr if he didn't pick up his second foul.

[XU3232]

Thrilled to only be down 4 after that half. I trust that Mack will make the correct adjustments at halftime.

[XUBob]

Fortunate to be this close, can't keep fouling this team, let's hold on to some rebounds. I'm hoping we play true to our recent form an OK half one great half. Obviously I want this to be the great half. Matt & Semaj have to give us a lot more.

[xudash]

Is this one of those games where we're fortunate to be this close or is this just a damn mess?

Hopefully, Semaj will find a way to have an impact, and Stain will take some equilibrium pills at halftime, so that he'll stop ending up on the floor so much.

[LA Muskie]

I see a much better 2nd half coming.

[xumuskies08]

Providence shot 4x the free throws X did in the first half. Gotta quit fouling.

[BandAid]

It's disappointing that so many of the fouls came on the the floor or off the ball (the least fulfilling feeling of all fouls). It ended up with them being on the line a lot. We need to clean those up.

[The_Mack_Pack]

It's disappointing that so many of the fouls came on the the floor or off the ball (the least fulfilling feeling of all fouls). It ended up with them being on the line a lot. We need to clean those up.

A lot of the fouls occurred trying to get rebounds.. Those are by far the worst fouls to have against a team that shoots the best of anyone in the country from the line.

[bjf123]

A lot of the fouls occurred trying to get rebounds.. Those are by far the worst fouls to have against a team that shoots the best of anyone in the country from the line.

Got to box out better.


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[Cheesehead]

Way to freeze Martin on the line, Ref. Why we're they not giving him the ball?

[Pablo's Brother]

Do all the guys have butterfingers?

[The_Mack_Pack]

Semaj is really forcing it out there.

[XUBob]

Is it just me or does it look like X is just in a funk today, nothing going right, good shots not falling, butterfingers for hands, surprised Providence isn't running away with this. Well let's wake up, take over and get a road win.

[bjf123]

It's not just you. They just look "off".


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[Cheesehead]

Mystery foul on x. Replay showed no contact on the drive

[xumuskies08]

Ugh.

[Cheesehead]

Getting hosed by these refs.

[TUclutch]

The foul on Christon? Definitely a foul. Lazy reach/slap by him.

JMart is the only one making any plays or showing a good amount of effort in my opinion

[xumuskies08]

Pathetic

[Cheesehead]

Farr was clearly fouled twice. Once on reach-in and after the three attempt

[The_Mack_Pack]

The foul on Christon? Definitely a foul. Lazy reach/slap by him.

JMart is the only one making any plays or showing a good amount of effort in my opinion

Not sure why we're not going to JMart more. Stainbrook just doesn't have it, they need to try something else.

[BandAid]

Nothing going right.

[KabeX]

I'm done with this. Only one who came to play was JMart. Game was winnable too.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Farr was clearly fouled twice. Once on reach-in and after the threeattempt

Jim Burr is officiating and we're on the road so those won't be called..

[TUclutch]

Sidenote: Whats up with Providence coach's hair?

[bjf123]

I had to turn the game off to let my blood pressure come back down. So frustrated.


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[KabeX]

I hear ya brother

I had to turn the game off to let my blood pressure come back down. So frustrated.


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[BandAid]

Gary Williams might be the worst commentator ever. It's not that he's annoying or uninformed. He's just bad.

[HAAS_U]

Not sure why we're not going to JMart more. Stainbrook just doesn't have it, they need to try something else.

I agree with ya 100%. Stainbrook has been struggling today. I'm still waiting for Semaj to take control.

[BandAid]

Sidenote: Whats up with Providence coach's hair?

He has permanent scars on his head. Hair no longer grows there. It may have been cancer - I'm not sure.

EDIT: Just googled it. Skin condition.

[XU3232]

This is brutal. Semaj and stainbrook can't play much worse.

[wny08]

Are we really complaining about the officiating? Am I watching the same game as the rest of you?

We are getting outplayed in every facet of the game by a team that's working harder. It happens sometimes, especially on the road. Let's see how our guys respond.

[xumuskies08]

Hold your horses!

[HAAS_U]

Let's go X. 13-5 run

[TUclutch]

Are we really complaining about the officiating? Am I watching the same game as the rest of you?

We are getting outplayed in every facet of the game by a team that's working harder. It happens sometimes, especially on the road. Let's see how our guys respond.

This. The officiating hasn't been that one sided. Just not playing well most of the game

[sirthought]

This color analyst has one of the most subdued voices I've heard on college basketball games, but he makes more intelligent comments than most.

[xumuskies08]

Are we really complaining about the officiating? Am I watching the same game as the rest of you?

We are getting outplayed in every facet of the game by a team that's working harder. It happens sometimes, especially on the road. Let's see how our guys respond.

I mostly agree with you except X has gone inside a TON and scored a TON of points inside and still can't seem to get to the line at all. Philmore's free throws will only be the 7th and 8th of the day for X.

[SM#24]

Are we really complaining about the officiating? Am I watching the same game as the rest of you?

We are getting outplayed in every facet of the game by a team that's working harder. It happens sometimes, especially on the road. Let's see how our guys respond.
Agree; we should leave the ref complaining to Dayton

[sirthought]

That Friar mascot is down-right creepy.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Cotton is out-Semajing Semaj.

[wny08]

This color analyst has one of the most subdued voices I've heard on college basketball games, but he makes more intelligent comments than most.

I was thinking the same thing. Some may disagree, but I don't mind his style even though it doesn't make for the most exciting broadcast. Antithesis of the Dick Vitale types.

[HAAS_U]

X needs to keep getting the Friars into foul trouble. Providence doesn't have the depth.

[The_Mack_Pack]

This color analyst has one of the most subdued voices I've heard on college basketball games, but he makes more intelligent comments than most.

Gary Williams definitely knows his stuff.

[wny08]

I mostly agree with you except X has gone inside a TON and scored a TON of points inside and still can't seem to get to the line at all. Philmore's free throws will only be the 7th and 8th of the day for X.

Good point, but I think the real issue leading to FT disparity is second chance opportunities. XU is being outworked regardless of points in the paint stats.

[xumuskies08]

Unbelievable

[TUclutch]

What in the world was DD doing fouling that guy

[RealDeal]

Let's go x

[BandAid]

Oi - Justin...

[xumuskies08]

Get a much needed stop...immediate turnover

[Pablo's Brother]

No stops on d.

[wny08]

In other news, Semaj is starting to get in a rhythm!

But we will not dig out of this hole without closing out on shooters and limiting 2nd chances. Need stops!

[The_Mack_Pack]

A few turnovers would be helpful as well.

[wny08]

Bad TOs will happen with JMart - whether it's the old or new JMart. That's OK, we just need him to continue to hustle.

[xudash]

Let's see if they are pissed enough to play hard and pull this out.

[xumuskies08]

Just can't seem to get a stop

[The_Mack_Pack]

Just can't seem to get a stop

Nope. Now we have to foul a great FT team. Not looking good.

[sirthought]

Just nothing falling their way.

[BandAid]

I have a hard time believing this white stiff has had so many clean blocks

[XU3232]

This is a different team when they are on the road. Everyone besides jmart looked pretty bad today.

[xudash]

This is a different team when they are on the road. Everyone besides jmart looked pretty bad today.

I don't know. One of those games.

Looking forward to the revenge match.

[xumuskies08]

Not a "bad" loss but this is a game heading into play I thought they should've won.

[XUBob]

Probably our worst game since Nov., yet, the kids played hard, kept it close in a tough road venue, don't like the result but I'll live with the effort. Let's get Matt back on track and see what the rest of the season brings. Gotta get the Hall next Sat.

[Cheesehead]

X beats this team at Cintas. Marked it down. Those announcers were just awful and refs weren't great but not the reason X lost.

[XU 87]

X defense stunk.

[fellahmuskie]

Tough loss, but hats off to Providence. Lots to keep working on.

[The_Mack_Pack]

X defense stunk.

That's been a concerning issue since the St. John's game.

[BandAid]

I was hoping we would win this game, but I wouldn't say I was expecting it. I do expect to beat them in the Cintas.

They dictated their tempo for the first 30 minutes. Kudos to Providence.

Cooley's a real good coach. It won't be long until they're regularly competing for conference crowns year in and year out.

[mistabeecee41]

would have been nice to get a quality top 50 road win. Bama and DePaul are top 100 road wins, but nothing that will impress the committee.

[xumuskies08]

Defense was disappointing. Giving up 81 to Providence isn't very good.

[Masterofreality]

What a boneheaded game...from all sides.

A) Chris Mack had to put a press on earlier. Just let Providence run their stuff without challenge too long.
B) For as good as Justin Martin played, his two boneheaded plays- uncontested double dribble and the stupid 3 when you were down only 4- cancelled everything else out.
C) Boneheaded casualness by not securing the basketball. Looking at you Jimmy Farr.
D) Matt Stainbrook shooting a 3? What?
E) Semaj fouling with less than 10 seconds on the shot clock?

There were more, but the attention to detail was not there. Providence played a very good basketball game..and credit to them, but Xavier did themselves no favors. I'm sure that everyone connected on the Xavier side will look at the film and see the same things, so I'm not unduly criticizing.

[wny08]

Good effort last few mins, but too little/too late. Overall a bad performance for X. Some credit is due for hanging in there on the road against a good PC team, but you have to bring full effort for 40 mins or else you fall too far behind. First time in a while that I can recall our bigs getting way outplayed.

But...I have to remind myself we're in the Big East now and we can't exactly expect to win every game. Move on and win the next one with better team effort.

[XU3232]

Providence did an excellent job controlling the tempo. We just didn't look like ourselves and never really got into a groove. I think we will beat them at home.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Yeah I had this penciled in as a loss. Providence did just beat Creighton there. X played very sub par from what I can tell on the radio but they will bounce back. Just gonna have to steal a win somewhere else now.

[xumuskies08]

Providence definitely did a good job of controlling the tempo. However, X knew that was their style going in and should've done a better job of pushing the tempo. That's on Mack and company IMO.

[wny08]

I have a hard time believing this white stiff has had so many clean blocks

His blocks looked perfectly legit to me. We're talking about a legit 7 footer with long arms, and he anticipates shots well. Call him a stiff if you want, but he does a great job as a defensive specialist.

Stain is going to struggle against the Batts/Desrosiers of the world when he's telegraphing every move and not using great footwork and fakes to overcome height differential. Stain is too good of a player to repeat this performance. He'll play better next game, and I also predict he will outplay Batts & co. next time.

[Masterofreality]

Providence definitely did a good job of controlling the tempo. However, X knew that was their style going in and should've done a better job of pushing the tempo. That's on Mack and company IMO.

This was my biggest complaint of the game. I'm not ordinarily one to plié on strategy after a loss, but A) Providence had no bench- X bench outscored PC 16-2 and Xavier had the depth advantage, yet no effort to take advantage of it. Cotton played a comfortable 40 minutes. B) PC just ran their patient stuff.

My real only complaint with the strategy all year is that we do not use our depth vs the opposition as well as we can. Speed the damn game up.

[BandAid]

His blocks looked perfectly legit to me. We're talking about a legit 7 footer with long arms, and he anticipates shots well. Call him a stiff if you want, but he does a great job as a defensive specialist.

Stain is going to struggle against the Batts/Desrosiers of the world when he's telegraphing every move and not using great footwork and fakes to overcome height differential. Stain is too good of a player to repeat this performance. He'll play better next game, and I also predict he will outplay Batts & co. next time.

I know - and I can't believe it!

[OTRMUSKIE]

I am not a big believer in depth. If you have 6 guys that can win you the game then that's all you need. Especially if they are in great shape. Providence is a good team and will make the dance.

[OH.X.MI]

Seemed to me there was a real lack of urgency all game, no emotions and no energy. Don't mind a tough road loss to a good team, but the guys just didn't seem to want it for most of the game.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Seemed to me there was a real lack of urgency all game, no emotions and no energy. Don't mind a tough road loss to a good team, but the guys just didn't seem to want it for most of the game.

X "wanted" it, they just played bad defense. And like Mack said post game, the defense has been pretty poor the past 3 weeks.

[Masterofreality]

X "wanted" it, they just played bad defense. And like Mack said post game, the defense has been pretty poor the past 3 weeks.

Well, sometimes, you might have to change it up. A little more zone when guys are penetrating and getting to the rim. A little more press to try to turn them over?

Look, I'm all for individual defensive accountability, but sometimes, you've gotta be willing to change it up if it's not working. XU was laying back all game but did nothing to impose our will.

[danaandvictory]

Just a casual, pedestrian performance. Would've been good enough to beat St. Bonaventure. We don't play them any more.

[OH.X.MI]

XU was laying back all game but did nothing to impose our will
.

Agreed. The guys brought the game within 4 or 6 multiple times and couldn't close. This is a team that has consistently made big second half comebacks and closed out close games. That takes grit and determination which seemed, for whatever reason, to be lacking this game.

[LA Muskie]

This color analyst has one of the most subdued voices I've heard on college basketball games, but he makes more intelligent comments than most.

It's Gary Williams (former MD coach). And I agree on both counts. Good commentary, but the delivery needs a lot of work. He sounds like he's on Valium.

[wny08]

This was my biggest complaint of the game. I'm not ordinarily one to plié on strategy after a loss, but A) Providence had no bench- X bench outscored PC 16-2 and Xavier had the depth advantage, yet no effort to take advantage of it. Cotton played a comfortable 40 minutes. B) PC just ran their patient stuff.

My real only complaint with the strategy all year is that we do not use our depth vs the opposition as well as we can. Speed the damn game up.

I hear you. I can see both sides of that argument. What you're saying is probably true of today's game (in hindsight) since Providence was out-Xaviering us and we needed to try something else.

Honestly I lean toward agreeing with CM's strategy of sticking to the packline as much as possible. I'm more of a lunchpail approach to half court D kind of guy.

As a tall, deep, athletic team, there is no reason XU can't get stops by getting in the face of shooters, walling up, and boxing out. Stay in front of your man, talk, fight through screens, and make the opponent take difficult shots. Lately this team isn't doing those things consistently.

[BMoreX]

It's Gary Williams (former MD coach). And I agree on both counts. Good commentary, but the delivery needs a lot of work. He sounds like he's on Valium.

Which is ironic considering how animated he was on the sideline while coaching.

[LA Muskie]

This game came down to defense and defensive rebounding. Namely, that we had little of both.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Tough to win road games in this league. There is no real cake teams here.

[wny08]

Well, sometimes, you might have to change it up. A little more zone when guys are penetrating and getting to the rim. A little more press to try to turn them over?

Look, I'm all for individual defensive accountability, but sometimes, you've gotta be willing to change it up if it's not working. XU was laying back all game but did nothing to impose our will.

Well said. While I don't disagree, I do seem remember some very good X teams (not too long ago either) that never had to resort to gimmicky defenses. A part of me just hates (hates!) switching to zone.

[Nuchman]

3-17 from 3pt land. Not good. Mack will right the ship.

[kyxu]

I think Xavier was 3-18 for 16% from three to Providence's 40%.

We can all agree that this was likely Xavier's worst performance thus far in the Big East, and yet they were still in it for most of the game. It was kind of reassuring to hear how upset Mack was after the game. Hopefully, this performance will galvanize the team.

[mohr5150]

This game was lost on the defensive end of the court, and if there is one player who played an absolutely horrible defensive game was Dee Davis. He guarded Cotton for most of the game, and got burned time and time again. When Mack finally switched Davis and Christon, Cotton immediately saw the switch and found the guy who Davis was guarding, who promptly hit a three. A few weeks ago, in the post game interview on WLW, Mack said Davis is an outstanding defender. I have absolutely no idea what he is talking about. It wasn't just Davis, though, but his inability to guard anyone led to some very easy baskets.

[MHettel]

I am not a big believer in depth. If you have 6 guys that can win you the game then that's all you need. Especially if they are in great shape. Providence is a good team and will make the dance.

Perplexing, to say the least. If you really had a team with only 6 guys that could contribute, you could expect a lot of opponents pushing the tempo and attacking the rim to get your bigs into foul trouble. Then you are screwed.

[vee4xu]

I'm not worried. Putting this game into the context of an entire season, stuff happens. X stayed in the game despite everything. That's the sign of a good team This is the point on which I plan to focus.

[American X]

Hats off to Providence. They played better than Xavier today. Providence looks like a tournament team. Cotton alone can get a team to the Sweet Sixteen.

For as many points as Xavier scored in the paint, the winning margin bounced off the the iron. Need better execution from point blank. Christon and Stainbrook forced way too many with way too much time on the shotclock.

Just a handful too many mental errors to win a road game (double dribble, etc.). Missed front ends twice, those four points could have changed complexion of game at the end. Missed three of those at Creighton (what if?).

Justin Martin is a baller. Dee Davis was AWOL. Jalen Reynolds needs to permanently play above the rim putting the ball in the basket. If Myles Davis is on the roster as a three-point specialist, he is not earning his paycheck.

[BMoreX]

This is the difference between the A10 and the Big East. Road wins are not a luxury. They are battles.

As I say this, Marquette ties it up with 4 seconds to go with Villanova in Milwaukee.

[XU3232]

This is the difference between the A10 and the Big East. Road wins are not a luxury. They are battles.

As I say this, Marquette ties it up with 4 seconds to go with Villanova in Milwaukee.

Overtime now.. Nova was robbed on a last second foul call.

[Masterofreality]

In the NBA a foot in the arc is reviewable, I guess not in college.

[BMoreX]

Overtime now.. Nova was robbed on a last second foul call.

Yup, just an awful call. Up 7 now. I hope they get it since they were so clearly hosed.

[XU3232]

Yup, just an awful call. Up 7 now. I hope they get it since they were so clearly hosed.

Yea I'm glad they won. It's nice having an elite team in the Big East. I hope they are in the top 5 when they come to Cintas.

[Tu 4 MVP]

I would like for someone to convert the throw to Reynolds on the alley oop. With his wingspan, I don't know how the balls aren't coming close to him.

[Masterofreality]

Here's the thing about the defense.

In this league, from what I've seen, EVERY team has breakdown guards who can get in the paint...except maybe Marquette because guys like Vander Blue left. That means you need to be more flexible as a a coach in changing things up if you are getting broken down. I'm all for individual accountability like I said, but you sometimes have to do something to help your guys. These guards are consistently better than guards we saw in the A-10.

Against Georgetown, Xavier started pressing at about the 14 minute mark and got DSR and Starks beaten down by the end. Today, Xavier didn't start pressing in earnest until about 4 minutes...way to long. Also, PC shoots 33% from 3 land for the season. While they shot 40% today, I would have rather bet on them having to shoot more from outside and missing more than allowing guys to dribble drive to the lane.

Trust me, love CMack as a coach, and this is not my second guessing..because I was watching the game saying the exact same things I'm saying here. Just my own opinion from 23 years of coaching. I would have played it differently.

[xu82]

I just caught the end of 'Nova - Marquette. I know someone posted something earlier, but what the hell were they thinking with those uniforms?!? I wondered what it took to get a post about their uniforms, but if you see it you understand. Trying to give the team attitude like A Boy Named Sue? Aren't they worried that would hurt recruiting? I am not into fashion or one who cares much about the uni's, but that was hideous! Those poor guys...

[xu82]

I realize they normally dress like more attractive Easter eggs, and I'm ok with that. Today was bad...

[paulxu]

I never coached; only played HS.
But I would have liked to have seen the following:
1 - a lot more fast paced offense to wear on their apparent 6 players; and we seem more effective
2 - press for the same reason
3 - less of Semaj one-on-three; more passing to cutters, etc (I really appreciate it when he goes into Stain in the paint, and HE cuts for the dish)

Oh well. Keep on keeping on.

[The_Mack_Pack]

This loss may be a blessing in disguise. This was the first time since November that Xavier lost a game in which they played very poorly. Just need to readjust a bit. I'm liking the week off and a home game against Seton Hall to get back on track.

[Porkopolis]

I'll avoid quoting you to save those using the ignore feature the trouble, but your team also lost to said "2012-2013 bottom feeder." And they did so by double the amount X did. Of course that is to say nothing of the fact that the Hoyas also lost to, you know, Xavier.

[LA Muskie]

This game was lost on the defensive end of the court, and if there is one player who played an absolutely horrible defensive game was Dee Davis. He guarded Cotton for most of the game, and got burned time and time again. When Mack finally switched Davis and Christon, Cotton immediately saw the switch and found the guy who Davis was guarding, who promptly hit a three. A few weeks ago, in the post game interview on WLW, Mack said Davis is an outstanding defender. I have absolutely no idea what he is talking about. It wasn't just Davis, though, but his inability to guard anyone led to some very easy baskets.

Dee struggled against Cotton today but if you have missed the fact that he's been our best defender since the Bahamas then you haven't been watching closely enough.

[xu82]

I never coached; only played HS.
But I would have liked to have seen the following:
1 - a lot more fast paced offense to wear on their apparent 6 players; and we seem more effective
2 - press for the same reason
3 - less of Semaj one-on-three; more passing to cutters, etc (I really appreciate it when he goes into Stain in the paint, and HE cuts for the dish)

Oh well. Keep on keeping on.

I agree with all of that and wonder why we didn't adjust today. Are they always that thin or do they have some injuries? Hope to see us take advantage in the rematch! Between fatigue and fouls it seems so obvious.

[Musketeer_15]

got beat by a 2012-2013 "Big Least" bottom feeder.

By the looks of it, Providence beat your Hoyas by 18 at their place...

[Ledgewood]

got beat by a 2012-2013 "Big Least" bottom feeder.

Hanging out on another teams message board in a topic that has nothin' to do with your team, huh? Cool.

[OH.X.MI]

I also will not quote to spare the people who have ignored, which I will be doing after this post, but you are the single most pathetic poster I have ever seen on any message board, on any topic. I've never seen such rude, ill-informed, and mean spirited post from UC or Dayton fans who legitimately have issues with Xavier. You are an absolute embarrassment to Jesuit Universities around the country.

[xu82]

Hanging out on another teams message board in a topic that has nothin' to do with your team, huh? Cool.

But on a positive note, I learned how to use the ignore feature.

[Xavier]

By the looks of it, Providence beat your Hoyas by 18 at their place...

Thats a UC fan in disguise (I know, pathetic)

Anyways, didn't read the thread- my thoughts: The game plan wasn't terrible, Stain got a ton of looks...just hardly finished any of them. I would have liked to see Philmore get more touches in the 1st. Two plays stick out at me in the comeback. 7 point game (after it was just 11) Martin gets a rebound and carries the ball. Then after the turn over, down 4, Martin took a very quick 3. He played a great first, just had a couple key bad moments. Also, I kept waiting for Dee to drain a 3. Myles hitting a couple threes was good. But it was very disappointing overall game. I know some question a few coaching decisions, as do I, but that's only because Mack has shown to be a good halftime coach lately (IMO). I expected a much better 2nd half

[waggy]

Again, he is not a Hoya fan.

[xu82]

Obviously, Martin played a great game and he was the only reason we hung close. Having said that I do wish he would find a guard more often rather than pretend to be one. Not just on todays "unforced error" but in general. Maybe that's just me being picky... Mack believed in him early in the season and proved to be correct to do so, and he doesn't seem to take issue with him bringing the ball up. It just makes me uneasy (and I felt that way before today).

[Strange Brew]

got beat by a 2012-2013 "Big Least" bottom feeder.

No, no. We beat Georgetown this year. Actually I don't think GU has beat X since Iverson was in a Hoya uni.

[xumuskies08]

got beat by a 2012-2013 "Big Least" bottom feeder.

You're embarrassing yourself. Please go away.

[xumuskies08]

I just caught the end of 'Nova - Marquette. I know someone posted something earlier, but what the hell were they thinking with those uniforms?!? I wondered what it took to get a post about their uniforms, but if you see it you understand. Trying to give the team attitude like A Boy Named Sue? Aren't they worried that would hurt recruiting? I am not into fashion or one who cares much about the uni's, but that was hideous! Those poor guys...

Breast cancer awareness. They get a pass.

[xu82]

Breast cancer awareness. They get a pass.

THANK YOU! I'm so glad there was an explanation for that.

[UCGRAD4X]

Thats a UC fan in disguise (I know, pathetic)

Anyways, didn't read the thread- my thoughts: The game plan wasn't terrible, Stain got a ton of looks...just hardly finished any of them. I would have liked to see Philmore get more touches in the 1st. Two plays stick out at me in the comeback. 7 point game (after it was just 11) Martin gets a rebound and carries the ball. Then after the turn over, down 4, Martin took a very quick 3. He played a great first, just had a couple key bad moments. Also, I kept waiting for Dee to drain a 3. Myles hitting a couple threes was good. But it was very disappointing overall game. I know some question a few coaching decisions, as do I, but that's only because Mack has shown to be a good halftime coach lately (IMO). I expected a much better 2nd half

I thought that was pivotal as well. Obviously difficult to pick out one moment, but that carry was pretty boneheaded in an otherwise good game by JMart. Not sure if he was being cute or cocky or what - but if he is going to be a team leader, he needs to keep it tight and be dependable when it counts the most.

[crolfes12]

This board has referred to Providence, Seton Hall, and St. Johns as "bottom feeders" in the "Big Least" for years prior to 2013-2014. This includes last year.

Providence has the same key players on this year's team as they did last year (minus the very talented Vinny Council).

So why arent they a bottom feeder any more?


Last time I checked, bottom feeders have almost no chance of making the tourney. Providence is projected by most to get in right now... Not a bottom feeder

[GoMuskies]

Just got through watching on DVR and haven't read this thread yet. My initial thought is that we played like a steaming pile of feces. Oh well. On to the next one.

[West is Best]

Just got through watching on DVR and haven't read this thread yet. My initial thought is that we played like a steaming pile of feces. Oh well. On to the next one.

I was actually pretty happy with the effort, but felt the coaches may have hurt us here. Our game plan was built around feeding Stainbrook in the post, and the staff really underestimated the shot-blocking that Providence had. Providence rarely had to double team Matt even though he established great position on the right block. This game is like a textbook on how to guard Stainbrook down low. He's a good player, but we've been running too much of our offense through him. We're going to need the other players to step up their offensive contribution going forward.

It's unfortunate, because I think the staff has really gelled this year and improved from an X's and O's standpoint. On the positive side, I was really happy with what I saw from Jalen Reynolds. Once he entered the game our rebounding issues really improved dramatically.

[xu82]

I was actually pretty happy with the effort, but felt the coaches may have hurt us here. Our game plan was built around feeding Stainbrook in the post, and the staff really underestimated the shot-blocking that Providence had. Providence rarely had to double team Matt even though he established great position on the right block. This game is like a textbook on how to guard Stainbrook down low. He's a good player, but we've been running too much of our offense through him. We're going to need the other players to step up their offensive contribution going forward.

It's unfortunate, because I think the staff has really gelled this year and improved from an X's and O's standpoint. On the positive side, I was really happy with what I saw from Jalen Reynolds. Once he entered the game our rebounding issues really improved dramatically.

I approved of feeding the post, but just wish a few of the bunnies had rolled in. Tough day for Matt. A few good bounces and it's a different game. He'll get them at home. I just wish we had pressed and run more due to their thin bench. Jalen's best play was a put back after the whistle, but it showed what we have t look forward to!

Edit: Bunnies may have been harsh, but he had some very good looks.

[Cheesehead]

Creighton leading the Hoyas.

[xu82]

Creighton leading the Hoyas.

Have they made more threes than they've taken, as they seemed to against X? They are crazy to watch when they're hot (which seems to be almost always).

[Cheesehead]

Not quite as hot tonight: 33% so far but they are up 13 with 3 minutes to go.

[xavierj]

This board has referred to Providence, Seton Hall, and St. Johns as "bottom feeders" in the "Big Least" for years prior to 2013-2014. This includes last year.

Providence has the same key players on this year's team as they did last year (minus the very talented Vinny Council).

So why arent they a bottom feeder any more?

How would you know? There is no way you are a real Georgetown fan who has been stalking this board for years. Why would you? I stil have never been to a Georgetown board and they are in xavier's league yet you have been reading this board for years? Why?

[Cheesehead]

Hoyas lost by 13. Hope you enjoyed that Hoya Paranoia.

[paulxu]

My initial thought is that we played like a steaming pile of feces.

That's an interesting visual.

[Backyard Champ]

I was actually pretty happy with the effort, but felt the coaches may have hurt us here. Our game plan was built around feeding Stainbrook in the post, and the staff really underestimated the shot-blocking that Providence had. Providence rarely had to double team Matt even though he established great position on the right block. This game is like a textbook on how to guard Stainbrook down low. He's a good player, but we've been running too much of our offense through him. We're going to need the other players to step up their offensive contribution going forward.

It's unfortunate, because I think the staff has really gelled this year and improved from an X's and O's standpoint. On the positive side, I was really happy with what I saw from Jalen Reynolds. Once he entered the game our rebounding issues really improved dramatically.


Interesting. I thought it was a great game plan. Matt needed to finish a few of the looks in the first half, and it's a whole different game. I love the offense through him, teams have to double him, and he is usually a fantastic passer. It opens things up.

Personally I think we are best if we are pushing the ball, if that gets stopped, I like what we do on the offensive sets. I think Mack has done a hell of a job this year.

[danaandvictory]

I have no complaints about the offense. With regard to the other end, I have to pretty much agree with MOR that they need to be a bit more flexible with their approach. This is not like Sean's last team with a bunch of long, interchangeable athletes that can dominate out of the packline. We're getting killed right now and part of it is the accumulation of tape on our base defense.

[LA Muskie]

I'm much more concerned with the defensive execution than the scheme. If we played our system well yesterday, we win.

[XUFan09]

I'm much more concerned with the defensive execution than the scheme. If we played our system well yesterday, we win.

Yep. And that's how Xavier had a top 25 defense in adjusted efficiency through the first half of the season. Right when the offense really started to take off, the defensive intensity and focus eased off.

[kyxu]

I'm much more concerned with the defensive execution than the scheme. If we played our system well yesterday, we win.

Exactly.

[xu82]

I'm much more concerned with the defensive execution than the scheme. If we played our system well yesterday, we win.

I would say the same for the offensive scheme and execution. Plenty of good looks, just couldn't finish or rebound. Yes, pushing the tempo might have been helpful, but finish better and it's a different game. Execution was the problem. (Reminds me of the old John McKay quote when he was coaching the Bucs, "what do you think of your teams execution?" "I think it's a good idea.")