New Kenpom

[bobbiemcgee]

http://kenpom.com/index.php?y=2016

[XUFan09]

Last year's rankings: Offense (20), Defense (57), Overall (22)
This year's rankings: Offense (28), Defense (44), Overall (31).

In line with what I was thinking about this team, though I would actually move the defense up more than just 13 spots and consequently rank the team higher. It's no big deal, though, as it just serves as a placeholder for him to start the season. Slowly the preseason prognostications lose their weight in the overall formula as more and more games are played, and eventually, he just pulls them altogether once the game data can stand on its own two legs.

[bobbiemcgee]

A-10 average rpi = 103. Glad we're gone.

[X Factor]

Offense (18), Defense (6), Overall (8)

I can't believe how much better of a defensive team we are this year. The improvement is off the charts.

[X-Fan]

Offense (18), Defense (6), Overall (8)

I can't believe how much better of a defensive team we are this year. The improvement is off the charts.

That 1-3-1 has been transformational for this program. The Man to Man is significantly improved, but the 1-3-1 stops opposing offenses in their tracks. Awesome stuff!!!!

[MauriceX]

That 1-3-1 has been transformational for this program. The Man to Man is significantly improved, but the 1-3-1 stops opposing offenses in their tracks. Awesome stuff!!!!

I didn't have the ability to go back and look because i was streaming the game online, but the announcers were saying how streaky Wake was in the first half in terms of shooting. A stretch of 80% shooting followed by 7 missed shots. Made like 6 in a row, followed by 8 missed shots. I don't know the exact stats, but something like that.

I'd be really interested to know if the streaks correlate to the type of defense X was playing.

[MADXSTER]

The 1-3-1 also allows the players to catch their breath a bit more as opposed to playing man to man the entire game.

[UCGRAD4X]

The 1-3-1 also allows the players to catch their breath a bit more as opposed to playing man to man the entire game.

Helps when the bigs are in foul trouble too. Mack talked on post about 'hiding' farr/jalen in the 1-3-1.

[muskienick]

The 1-3-1 also allows the players to catch their breath a bit more as opposed to playing man to man the entire game.

Except for JP or whoever else is at the top of the 1-3-1.

[XU 87]

That 1-3-1 has been transformational for this program. The Man to Man is significantly improved, but the 1-3-1 stops opposing offenses in their tracks. Awesome stuff!!!!

I agree. I also think that the defense is better because this team is longer (Sumner v. Dee Davis) and more athletic (Stainbrook). I also think certain guys (Farr, Macura, Bluiett to name a few) are just better defenders than last year.

[FIGHTING MUSKETEER]

That 1-3-1 has been transformational for this program. The Man to Man is significantly improved, but the 1-3-1 stops opposing offenses in their tracks. Awesome stuff!!!!

Yep. I like JP at the top of the 1-3-1 but Sumner is also doing a good job. Last night after ES deflected a pass one of the commentators were praising him and the advantages of having a tall guard. Because of his height and long arms he is forcing opponents to make high arc/loop passes (don't know if that is the correct term) at the top. Eventually some of those will get cut/intercepted by us.

[XU 87]

Because of his height and long arms he is forcing opponents to make high arc/loop passes (don't know if that is the correct term) at the top. Eventually some of those will get cut/intercepted by us.

To beat a zone, you have to move the ball quicker (either through passing or dribble penetration) than the defense can react to such ball movement. X's 1-3-1 has no problem reacting to these high looping passes. It's awfully tough to attack X's zone and get good shots when the other team has to throw these passes to even get minimal ball movement.

[FIGHTING MUSKETEER]

To beat a zone, you have to move the ball quicker (either through passing or dribble penetration) than the defense can react to such ball movement. X's 1-3-1 has no problem reacting to these high looping passes. It's awfully tough to attack X's zone and get good shots when the other team has to throw these passes to even get minimal ball movement.

True. And many times what we see is back and forth passes between two players at the top, that represent no real attempt to create an offensive play . Meanwhile killing several seconds from their clock, resulting many times in forced/bad shots few seconds before the clock expires.

[Caveat]

I have no scientific backing for this, but just watching the games on TV it seems that Xavier's 1-3-1 is seeing increased effectiveness from the reduced shot clock. Teams are wasting more time passing around the outside of the zone -- you could afford to do 1-2 of those passes with a 35 second clock, not so much now.

[markchal]

I keep thinking teams are going to figure out our 1-3-1, but it keeps working. I know length is key, but I'm always surprised it works as well as it does. I do think our m2m defense has been much improved this year too.

[UCGRAD4X]

I have no scientific backing for this, but just watching the games on TV it seems that Xavier's 1-3-1 is seeing increased effectiveness from the reduced shot clock. Teams are wasting more time passing around the outside of the zone -- you could afford to do 1-2 of those passes with a 35 second clock, not so much now.

This is a good point. I am so NOT a basketball strategist, but it seems as if the key is getting someone in the circle area who can pop, pass or drive. With the high looping passes the 1-3-1 seems to force, it makes this difficult, and if they don't after the first two or three attempts - time is nigh.

Still getting used to the whole 'Mack embracing a zone' thing.

Liking it, however.

[XU 87]

True. And many times what we see is back and forth passes between to players at the top, that represent no real attempt to create an offensive play . Meanwhile killing several seconds from their clock, resulting many times in forced/bad shots few seconds before the clock expires.

That's true too.

[EastCoastXman]

In every game, there are always 1 or 2 possessions when the other team gets 1 or 2 offensive rebounds on a possession when we are in the 1-3-1 and coach immediately shifts back to man. But it is a great way to milk the clock and get our bigs through foul difficulty. Keeping J & J on the floor is key to our winning. The positives of this D are far outweighing any negatives.

[Murph85]

I used to dread playing Temple for all the reasons mentioned. Theirs was a match up zone but they were always tall and would have one guy that could light it up from anywhere.

[wkrq59]

Offense (18), Defense (6), Overall (8)

I can't believe how much better of a defensive team we are this year. The improvement is off the charts.

Think maybe that has something to do with coaching the kind of players Chris is recruiting???

[smileyy]

Being able to put an entire lineup that's 6'4" or taller and mobile sure does make for an effective 1-3-1 zone.

[xuwin]

Being able to put an entire lineup that's 6'4" or taller and mobile sure does make for an effective 1-3-1 zone.

I totally agree. This team is taller and quicker and matches up much better on defense against teams like Villanova when they go to the 1-3-1 defense. Michigan had a similar perimeter oriented offense and Xavier totally dismantled them. Xavier's ability to defend both man to man and zone is much better than last year. Xavier's overall size and quickness is better whether they go big or small with their defense.