Any concern about Dee's minutes?

[markchal]

I think we're past the point of debating Dee's value to the team. There's no question the offense plays much better when he's in. I think it's starting to get a bit concerning how much he has to play, though. He has gone below 35 min a game only two or three times in the last 12 games. Randolph seems to be in the dog house and Austin getting very few minutes, we don't exactly have a serviceable backup right now. That may be fine for now, but that worries me when we get to tournament time and have quick turnarounds between games. I really think we're going to need to spell him for some minutes so he doesn't run down when we need him most.

[drudy23]

Little too late for that...he's gotta tough it out. We don't have much room for error.

[NY44]

I think we're past the point of debating Dee's value to the team. There's no question the offense plays much better when he's in. I think it's starting to get a bit concerning how much he has to play, though. He has gone below 35 min a game only two or three times in the last 12 games. Randolph seems to be in the dog house and Austin getting very few minutes, we don't exactly have a serviceable backup right now. That may be fine for now, but that worries me when we get to tournament time and have quick turnarounds between games. I really think we're going to need to spell him for some minutes so he doesn't run down when we need him most.

I think getting into the tournament is a big enough if that you keep him going. Better to get there with a burned out Dee Davis than to not get there with a fresh one. Resting him would be nice, but at this point it's a luxury we just don't have.

I also think he can handle it and won't get burned out. He's averaging 31.4 but averaged 31.2 last year. I don't see that extra 12 seconds a game killing him.

[bleedXblue]

I'd like to see Austin get 5-7 minutes a game. We've seen Myles run some point as well. I'd get him some rest wherever possible.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Good luck Dee. As Thibs would say:

Do. Your. Job.

[Frambo]

I'd like to see Austin get 5-7 minutes a game. We've seen Myles run some point as well. I'd get him some rest wherever possible.
Larry doesn't bring enough to the table. I'd love to see Myles, Remy, Trevon and JP run it by committee when Dee needs a blow....keeps 3 scoring threats at the 1,2,3 positions.

[maketewahXalum]

I think we're past the point of debating Dee's value to the team. There's no question the offense plays much better when he's in. I think it's starting to get a bit concerning how much he has to play, though. He has gone below 35 min a game only two or three times in the last 12 games. Randolph seems to be in the dog house and Austin getting very few minutes, we don't exactly have a serviceable backup right now. That may be fine for now, but that worries me when we get to tournament time and have quick turnarounds between games. I really think we're going to need to spell him for some minutes so he doesn't run down when we need him most.

I mean, I know 35 minutes per game is on the higher side; but an extremely fit 22-year old should have no issue playing 35 minutes if need be.

Check out the stats from 2003-2004 season (year of the 1st Run):
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/2752/year/2004/xavier-musketeers

As you can see, Chalmers averaged 35 minutes per game. Averaged. I don't recall him ever being incapable of performing at a high level due to "being tired." Dee is averaging about 31 minutes per game, so on average, he is sitting out 22.5% of the game. Compare that to Chalmers, who was sitting out, on average, about 12.5% of the game.

Even look at Sato -- he averaged 37 minutes per game in both the 2003 & 2004 seasons.

Dee might have to play Chalmers-like minutes in every remaining game from here on out. If that is the case and he plays poorly, being tired is not an excuse.

[Madfan]

Dee did look tired last night. I've never seen him bent over as much at the end of a game. He won't ever complain though or ask for a breather-just not in him. I did think he needed take. Out the last couple minutes of the game-we had a big enough lead.

[nuts4xu]

Little too late for that...he's gotta tough it out. We don't have much room for error.

This.

He is a 20 something year old young man. Rest him when we can, but we need him on the floor running the show!

[bleedXblue]

Larry doesn't bring enough to the table. I'd love to see Myles, Remy, Trevon and JP run it by committee when Dee needs a blow....keeps 3 scoring threats at the 1,2,3 positions.

How does a kid develop if you don't get him some minutes? Of course he doesn't bring all that Dee does. But, you're going to wear him out and then what do you have?

[xuwin]

Dee played 39 minutes against a tough Providence team and then had to come back with two days rest to play on the road. I think he showed last night that his body didn't have time to fully recuperate. I think Saturday he will be fine with three days rest and a home game. We can credit last nights 20 point win last night to the depth of our bench. Unfortunately that didn't help Dee. He needs help if we are going to make a run.

[Masterofreality]

Brandon Randolph must really be in the dog house. Larry Austin Jr. Is obviously not quite ready other than spelling Dee at the end if "4 minute wars".

Yeah, I have a lot of concern given that the PG position is intense and requires concentration all the time plus the minutes. What do we do with a 3 games in 3 days scenario in a Tournament?

Dee has to gut it out along with someone else stepping up- even Myles at the PG spot a bit.

[NY44]

Brandon Randolph must really be in the dog house. Larry Austin Jr. Is obviously not quite ready other than spelling Dee at the end if "4 minute wars".

There was a fast break yesterday where Austin really showed his speed. The guy can fly.

I don't exactly see Randolph being in the 'dog house'. He can't really do anything that Abell or Dee can't do. He's never been a great passer or attacker. He just seems to bring it up the floor and then act as a swingman. I also think Mack has given him a pretty decent shot; In the first 20 games last year he averaged 20 minutes per game, and even played 32 minutes against USC. I think Mack has a pretty good idea of what he can do.

[ammtd34]

This is obviously not reason to play him, but did anyone see Larry throw it down with absolute ease when Steele was throwing the ball off the backboard during warm ups? That was impressive.

[muskieindent]

If Randolph isn't making more significant contributions at this point in his second year,I have to wonder if he ever will.

[X-band '01]

Is James Farr hurt or is he also slipping in practice? I don't remember him playing in the 1st half last night.

[xufan2434]

Is James Farr hurt or is he also slipping in practice? I don't remember him playing in the 1st half last night.

I think it had more to do with the matchup problems with Marquette.. The only time X really went with two bigs was with Stain and Jalen. And that's because there's just times where both of those guys need to be playing

[XUFan09]

I think it had more to do with the matchup problems with Marquette.. The only time X really went with two bigs was with Stain and Jalen. And that's because there's just times where both of those guys need to be playing
They also had O'Mara and Reynolds out there together. With a couple more games, we'll know for sure, but I suspect that O'Mara has surpassed Farr in the bigs rotation.

[markchal]

Which, to me, seems a little ridiculous. Farr just needs to shoot less, mainly. He's a vastly superior rebounder to O'Mara and I think a better system defender. O'Mara has done some nice things lately and I like his energy off the bench (and I think he has a very bright future) but I'm hoping it's been done more to spell Stain and to maybe even be a bit of a wakeup call to Farr.

[XUFan09]

Farr is the best rebounder on the team, but he has really not been a good system defender, particularly lately. Maybe it is partly a wake-up call, though.

[Xavier]

I feel like he could be good to fill in for Jalen in the 1-3-1 zone spot. He is pretty lengthy.

[xufan2434]

Farr just needs to get back to how he was playing in the Shootout last year... Easier said than done, but the guy is struggling with confidence. He's at least giving the effort he needs to be. He hustles and comes out to greet guys when he's on the bench. I just think it's more mental than anything. You can see him frustrated out there.

[JAPER]

I'd like to see Dee get more of a blow heading down the stretch. The guy seems to give so much on defense and seems to take at least one big charge/block every game that has to have a toll in the long-term. The shot he took at Providence left a mark...

[bleedXblue]

I'd like to see Dee get more of a blow heading down the stretch. The guy seems to give so much on defense and seems to take at least one big charge/block every game that has to have a toll in the long-term. The shot he took at Providence left a mark...

There is no reason we can't get Dee 5-7 minutes a game. Myles has proven to be adequate and Austin can get 2-3 minutes. Otherwise why in the hell did we recruit him? I liken the situation to O'Mara. Get the kid some minutes, show some confidence in his ability and good things will happen.