Our Freshman

[XU3232]

Our freshmen need to start producing. Offensively and defensively - mainly offensively- they have been frustrating to watch, especially the last few games. Last night Myles and Brandon combined for 41 minutes and only managed 4 points between the two. At the beginning of the year I was very high on both of these guys but Myles has not proven to be the shooter I thought he was, and Brandon just looks like he is afraid to shoot or drive to the basket. I know they are freshman and they are still getting their feet wet, but at this point in the season we should start seeing some improvement. I dont expect them to be amazing, but they need to do more than what they are doing. Semaj and Stainbrook can't do everything themselves. I hope they can turn things around soon along with a few of the others like Dee and Philmore.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Defensively, Myles and Randolph get beat constantly. Before Reynolds was suspended he didn't produce much either. Earlier in the year things worked out fine because they were contributing a lot more offensively which made up for the defensive woes but now that isn't working. There isn't a single guy off the bench who can come out and play solid defense without fouling and it's frustrating to watch.

[XU3232]

Those are my thoughts exactly.

[bleedXblue]

They are freshman. The last kid that consistently produced as a frosh was Romain Sato.... Or maybe Holloway. It doesn't happen very often. What's more concerning is the lack of production from the upperclassmen who've been there and have the experience. They are they guys that should be leading this group through this rough patch.

[ammtd34]

They are freshman. The last kid that consistently produced as a frosh was Romain Sato.... Or maybe Holloway. It doesn't happen very often. What's more concerning is the lack of production from the upperclassmen who've been there and have the experience. They are they guys that should be leading this group through this rough patch.

Well, Semaj. But your point remains.

[Milhouse]

It's incredibly unfair to compare any freshman we've got to Sato or Semaj...just saying very few will ever be that gifted upon arrival.

[Juice]

They are freshman. The last kid that consistently produced as a frosh was Romain Sato.... Or maybe Holloway. It doesn't happen very often. What's more concerning is the lack of production from the upperclassmen who've been there and have the experience. They are they guys that should be leading this group through this rough patch.

Philmore and Dee. The numbers they produce, or don't produce, in the minutes they play are putrid. Dee's offensive numbers the last 4 games are awful. He adds nothing and doesn't even play good enough defense to justify his anemic offense.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Philmore and Dee. The numbers they produce, or don't produce, in the minutes they play are putrid. Dee's offensive numbers the last 4 games are awful. He adds nothing and doesn't even play good enough defense to justify his anemic offense.

The problem is that there are no better options at this point.

[drudy23]

This team is at its best with a balanced attack. When guys like DDavis, Philmore, and Martin decide not to show up, we're going to have problems. They don't need to score 15 a game, but they have to contribute. We're at our best when everyone is a threat.

It's great that Semaj is pouring in 20+ a night...but it's also very, very bad.

[SM#24]

The problem is that there are no better options at this point.
Until next year when we get...more freshman, and a lot of them.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Until next year when we get...more freshman, and a lot of them.

We'll have Remy Abell and I'd venture to guess that at least a couple of next years freshman will have an immediate impact. I can see Myles and Randolph improving a lot going into next season as well. Just have to go with what we've got this season, though.

[bleedXblue]

There's been this underlying theme that the reinforcements come in next year. Well they do in the form of freshman. And freshman for the most part are a complete guess as to how they will handle D1 ball and the transition. Abel will help of course likely sooner than the frosh

[X Factor]

Yep, Sato, Hammer, and Semaj have been the three freshman in recent memory that really produced for Xavier.

I don't know why, but Xavier freshman always seem to take longer (1-2 yrs) to start producing offensively.

[The_Mack_Pack]

There's been this underlying theme that the reinforcements come in next year. Well they do in the form of freshman. And freshman for the most part are a complete guess as to how they will handle D1 ball and the transition. Abel will help of course likely sooner than the frosh

I think a lot of people see the freshman coming in but also the fact that this team is pretty young helps for next year. Our only seniors being Philmore, Stenger, and Amos is nice. Semaj most likely going pro will hurt but we should see a lot of improvement from the rest of the guys due to the fact that there will be so much more talented depth that everyone will need to fight for minutes. I'm still holding out hope that Semaj returns.. Every year there are a decent amount of first round guys who stick around for another year.

[TUclutch]

Yep, Sato, Hammer, and Semaj have been the three freshman in recent memory that really produced for Xavier.

I don't know why, but Xavier freshman always seem to take longer (1-2 yrs) to start producing offensively.

I would include Dez Wells. But he was physically way more mature than a lot of freshman. Holloway didn't do that much as a freshman. From what I remember, he really started to step up late soph year, especially the K St game. Not all freshman are going to contribute a ton right away. If you get one freshman a year who can contribute along with the guys who have been there you should be solid. Im not too worried about this season yet, and Im definitely not counting out any of the 3 freshman(BR MD and JR) for having an impact next season.

[The_Mack_Pack]

I don't know why, but Xavier freshman always seem to take longer (1-2 yrs) to start producing offensively.

I feel like that's most programs. Outside of teams like Kentucky, Kansas, UNC, etc. freshman typically aren't big contributors.

[casualfan]

I feel like that's most programs. Outside of teams like Kentucky, Kansas, UNC, etc. freshman typically aren't big contributors.

100% which is why its so tough when we miss on guys like Latham, Canty, and Mckenzie. Those guys should all be seniors right now, but instead none of them area here.

Then you look at the 2011 class. Solid three man class on paper. Reynolds didn't qualify though and Dez is obviously gone.

Same thing with the 2012 class. It again included Reynolds as well as Myles Davis, Semaj, and James Farr.

This team is suffering from recruiting misses. There's no other way to put it. Latham, Canty, and McKenzie should be seniors. Reynolds should be a junior (or at least a sophomore) and Myles should be a sophomore as well.

Now with Myles and Reynolds having finally made it to campus those misses aren't as egregious, but they still hurt.

[Milhouse]

The 2012 class of Semaj and Farr has been pretty stellar so far.....

[TUclutch]

Hard to call Myles a miss. The NCAA screwed him. Same with Reynolds(the second time) Maybe Xavier knew he would take a year of prep school though. I don't think they knew the NCAA wouldn't count some classes for him coming into last year and they definitely didn't think Myles would have to sit out.

[cheeba]

Yep, Sato, Hammer, and Semaj have been the three freshman in recent memory that really produced for Xavier.

I don't know why, but Xavier freshman always seem to take longer (1-2 yrs) to start producing offensively.




Dez Wells anyone....I would say he produced as a freshman

[Muskeagle]

Dez Wells anyone....I would say he produced as a freshman

Apparently...the problem was, he tried to "re-"produce as a freshman.


sorry....couldn't resist.

[cheeba]

Apparently...the problem was, he tried to "re-"produce as a freshman.


sorry....couldn't resist.

one could also say he was really good at "pro" creating a shot

[nuts4xu]

Our freshmen need to start producing. Offensively and defensively

Yes, and so do our sophomores, juniors and seniors! Thank you Captain Obvious!

[XU3232]

Yes, and so do our sophomores, juniors and seniors! Thank you Captain Obvious!

Really? Semaj, Stainbrook, and Martin along with Philmore and Dee at times aren't performing this year? Ok buddy.. Appreciate your response.

[XU3232]

Really? Semaj, Stainbrook, and Martin along with Philmore and Dee at times aren't performing this year? Ok buddy.. Appreciate your response.

Forgot to add Farr to this list also. I know other than Semaj and Stainbrook no one else is exactly consistent.. But If Randolph and Myles can't score they serve no point. It's not like they are defensive specialists. Myles was doing well earlier this year but now he is in a serious shooting slump.

[Smooth]

At least twice last night Myles and Randolph were back on D on the break and let the Villanova guy go right between them. Stop the ball on the break is something these guys have probably heard hundreds of times a year since they were 10 years old. Disappointing to see it happen twice (or four times since they both screwed up twice). It may be time to give Amos a couple minutes a half provide an example for how to play defense.

[TUclutch]

At least twice last night Myles and Randolph were back on D on the break and let the Villanova guy go right between them. Stop the ball on the break is something these guys have probably heard hundreds of times a year since they were 10 years old. Disappointing to see it happen twice (or four times since they both screwed up twice). It may be time to give Amos a couple minutes a half provide an example for how to play defense.

Ive heard his knee is the reason he isn't playing

[RoseyMuskie]

I'm going to cut both Myles and Brandon some slack. If we can all recall, both played extremely well to start the season. While that level of competition wasn't anywhere near that of the Big East, they took a step up from what they were used to in HS. I think it's an indication that they can take another step to get to BE level. Unfortunately, it probably won't be until next season.

Brandon has the quickness to play at this level. I can foresee him developing that pull up floater nicely.

I believe Myles especially needs another offseason. The season off and knee procedure are slowing him down. I also believe he could lose about 10 pounds and get into better game shape. That's a product of his basketball absence and transition to college, where he will have a better strength and condition program/coach.

Big men rarely step in year one and are dominant. Reynolds has heart and freak athleticism. I think another offseason will be huge for him as well.