Start Farr

[birdman71]

[Not to be confused with Bart Starr]


He is our most productive big man.
He has a great attitude.
He is never an embarrassment.
He deserves it.

I don't buy into this 6th man spark off the bench. Start the best lineup.

[bleedXblue]

I agree, but soon you will be barraged with the "its working well so why change it now" crowd. Good luck!

[XUMIOH12]

I agree, but soon you will be barraged with the "its working well so why change it now" crowd. Good luck!

Its working well, so why change it now!!! He's a great spark off the bench!

[blueblob06]

I know that logically it would make the most sense to start the 5 players that are playing the best but I like the idea of subbing in a fresh, starter-caliber big man a few minutes into the game. While the other team is subbing in back-ups, we are bringing a guy as good or better than the guy replacing him. I think doing this wears on our opponents over the course of the game. Four minutes against a fresh Reynolds, then 4 against a fresh Farr, and so on and so on, I think it just exhausts the opposing team and I like the strategy right now. The other team either has to play their best big for longer minutes than they should or sub in a backup that can't compete with Farr/Reynolds.

Wojo's comments about X after the game by the way were awesome. He mentioned that Farr is an absolute beast (and for the "start Farr" group, he said Farr could start on any team in the conference). He also said he's played on national championship teams and championship-caliber teams, and that Xavier is a national championship contender.

[XMuskieFTW]

Could Jalen handle the ego hit? Also, is Farr really going to get any more minutes if he does start? If he's playing the same minutes just keep bringing him off the bench. If it will help get an additional 2-3 minutes out of him then maybe consider it.

[Masterofreality]

I think that this is a fluid situation depending on what buttons CMack feels he needs to push with Jalen. Some games, he wants to get Jalen in to start to make sure his head's in the game early- like his start and initial slam dunk against Marquette. Sometimes they don't want him to overreact early because he's so pumped that he'd get 2 fouls in the first 4 minutes. It certainly is an interesting, but not necessarily a negative situation, but it sure would be easier if Jalen was more consistent in his approach.

[xu82]

I trust our coach to do what is best.

[xuwin]

I trust our coach to do what is best.

I second your trust. It's a stretch to be suggesting changes the way things are going now.

[X Factor]

In that case, start Macura over Abel. Remy hasn't done anything the past 2-3 games.

But seriously, we're 16-1. Mack isn't and shouldn't change a thing right now.

[UCGRAD4X]

Jalen needs to be in to get that all-important jump ball to start the game. :superman:

[xuwin]

In that case, start Macura over Abel. Remy hasn't done anything the past 2-3 games.

But seriously, we're 16-1. Mack isn't and shouldn't change a thing right now.

I think the defense that X is playing influences what lineup is on the floor. Xavier always starts in a man to man defense and Remy is supposedly our best on ball defender.

[XUFan09]

I think the defense that X is playing influences what lineup is on the floor. Xavier always starts in a man to man defense and Remy is supposedly our best on ball defender.
Yeah, no question you keep starting Abell for his defense. It's a huge plus, and as a bonus, he's shooting in the high 30s from 3 on the season, so he's going to stretch the floor even when he's not making shots in a game.

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[Masterofreality]

Yeah, no question you keep starting Abell for his defense. It's a huge plus, and as a bonus, he's shooting in the high 30s from 3 on the season, so he's going to stretch the floor even when he's not making shots in a game.

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This.....in spades.

[zanesxu]

I think it's less important that we "Start Farr" and more important that we keep "Playing Farr". Starting lineups can be an overrated measure; especially with a team like ours that goes arguably 9-10 deep. Mack has impressed me with his growth as a coach in playing a more complete game strategy - he no doubt has a strategy for playing Farr, considering Farr has gone from starting 15 of the first 17 games last year to 2 of the first 17 this year; even after losing a big in Stainbrook might suggest Farr would be more likely to start...

if for nothing else, Farr's a great Jalen-early-foul-trouble insurance policy...

[Emp]

I agree, but soon you will be barraged with the "its working well so why change it now" crowd. Good luck!

More like a flash mob.

It's so amazing that we have the luxury of being able to wait for Jalen to find his mojo. Not just JF, but serviceable minutes from Sean, Gates. Best team ever for depth. I'd still take the '90-1 starting five, but overall most talent ever, and certainly best team on the floor.

[Xavier]

I do wonder what the rotation looks like come March. Typically every team shortens rotation a bit, will be interesting to see how it does for X. I like Omara but he is an example of shortening rotation. I mainly ask what you think happens because I really like what I'm seeing from Gates and think he does make the cut and gets minutes in March.

[UCGRAD4X]

I do wonder what the rotation looks like come March. Typically every team shortens rotation a bit, will be interesting to see how it does for X. I like Omara but he is an example of shortening rotation. I mainly ask what you think happens because I really like what I'm seeing from Gates and think he does make the cut and gets minutes in March.

As usual, it will depend on so many factors: match-up (most obviously) travel / fatigue factor (time between games), who's hot / playing well in practice...to rattle off a few.

Although, I think it was after the DePaul game that Mack was walking back the 'playing well in practice' theory and how it transfers to games. He said Myles had one of his worst practices in recent memory before the game and then went out and had a career night. Although I doubt that it changed his philosophy on the matter a whole lot in the long run.

[xuwin]

I do wonder what the rotation looks like come March. Typically every team shortens rotation a bit, will be interesting to see how it does for X. I like Omara but he is an example of shortening rotation. I mainly ask what you think happens because I really like what I'm seeing from Gates and think he does make the cut and gets minutes in March.

As long as they play the 1-3-1 zone a lot I don't see the rotation shortening. The players have different skill sets for zone or man to man defense. They also alternate a lot between big and small lineups and I see that continuing.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I do wonder what the rotation looks like come March. Typically every team shortens rotation a bit, will be interesting to see how it does for X. I like Omara but he is an example of shortening rotation. I mainly ask what you think happens because I really like what I'm seeing from Gates and think he does make the cut and gets minutes in March.

I think is someone gets squeezed out it is Gates, not O'mara.

[Masterofreality]

Although, I think it was after the DePaul game that Mack was walking back the 'playing well in practice' theory and how it transfers to games. He said Myles had one of his worst practices in recent memory before the game and then went out and had a career night. Although I doubt that it changed his philosophy on the matter a whole lot in the long run.

CMack's thing about being an "everyday guy" is on the effort and enthusiasm side, not how a guy shoots in practice. Myles is an everyday guy...everyday. Mack didn't "walk back" on his theory. Just that Myles didn't perform "physically" as well as he had, but his effort and leadership was still there.

[xuwin]

I think is someone gets squeezed out it is Gates, not O'mara.

Gates will not get squeezed out. His playing time will only increase. His skill set fits perfectly with the 1-3-1 zone. Tall, long arms and very agile.

[bobbiemcgee]

Couldn't be happier with Farrnold. If Reynolds doesn't get it together soon, maybe he comes back next year!

[markchal]

I think is someone gets squeezed out it is Gates, not O'mara.

Have you been watching the last few games? Kaiser is getting a big push and is great in the 1-3-1. I expect less O'Mara in big games except in cases of severe foul trouble.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Gates will not get squeezed out. His playing time will only increase. His skill set fits perfectly with the 1-3-1 zone. Tall, long arms and very agile.


Have you been watching the last few games? Kaiser is getting a big push and is great in the 1-3-1. I expect less O'Mara in big games except in cases of severe foul trouble.

I'm not saying he will or anyone will but my guess if someone did get squeezed out it would be him over O'mara, at least in most situations. Not necessarily every game, might be based on matchups. I just know we are going to need more than Farr and Reynolds down low on most nights. We have more depth elsewhere.

[xuwin]

Have you been watching the last few games? Kaiser is getting a big push and is great in the 1-3-1. I expect less O'Mara in big games except in cases of severe foul trouble.

O'Mara's playing time happens now when Reynolds or Farr has foul trouble and I don't see that changing. He's the only bench player that we have that fits that role.

[bobbiemcgee]

Joe Danneman Verified account
‏@FOX19Joe

Chris Mack on Kaiser Gates: "That cat can really shoot." Probably the second best shooter on the team. Need to find him minutes.

[Xpectations]

Yeah, no question you keep starting Abell for his defense. It's a huge plus, and as a bonus, he's shooting in the high 30s from 3 on the season, so he's going to stretch the floor even when he's not making shots in a game.

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True.

Plus, in games against Top-100 Kenpom opponents, (Nova, USC, Michigan, UC, Butler, Dayton, Alabama), Remy is 10 of 18 beyond the arc, or 56%.

When playing all teams lower than Kenpom 100, Remy has shot 3 of 19, or 16%, from beyond the arc.

"Big Game Rem"

[Xavier]

I think is someone gets squeezed out it is Gates, not O'mara.

I do like how O'mara is playing, I just like that Gates adds a deep threat. Man, our depth is great. Really allows us to play a lot of different ways.

[MADXSTER]

When most teams have already shortened their bench, Xavier seems to have extended theirs.

[boozehound]

True.

Plus, in games against Top-100 Kenpom opponents, (Nova, USC, Michigan, UC, Butler, Dayton, Alabama), Remy is 10 of 18 beyond the arc, or 56%.

When playing all teams lower than Kenpom 100, Remy has shot 3 of 19, or 16%, from beyond the arc.

"Big Game Rem"

Remy confuses me. He shows the ability absolutely take over games (See: Butler), but often seems content to almost never take a shot. We have enough offensive weapons that he doesn't need to be a big scorer, but I would like to see Remy force the issue a few times a game by taking it to the rack. He is big, strong, and has enough quickness to take a guy off the dribble. I have seen him pass up open shots and driving lanes many times to pass to another player who doesn't end up getting as good of a look as Remy passed on.

[xuwin]

Remy confuses me. He shows the ability absolutely take over games (See: Butler), but often seems content to almost never take a shot. We have enough offensive weapons that he doesn't need to be a big scorer, but I would like to see Remy force the issue a few times a game by taking it to the rack. He is big, strong, and has enough quickness to take a guy off the dribble. I have seen him pass up open shots and driving lanes many times to pass to another player who doesn't end up getting as good of a look as Remy passed on.

I think Remy struggles against teams that turn it into a half court game. On offense his forte is running the floor and driving to the hoop. He shoots better in the up tempo games as opposed to games where he has to penetrate a zone and create his own shot.

[XMuskieFTW]

Your wish is Mack's command.

[XUMIOH12]

now lets blame the loss on starting Farr!

[birdman71]

Your wish is Mack's command.

Well, that didn't work. I will only give him tips for his girls team from now on.

[Pete Delkus]

I don't get why we want to change lineups this season. I don't know the back story with Jalen, but I hope we continue to maintain the lineup that has seemed to work this year.

In saying this, as the game moved along last night I would have went big with both James and Jalen as a target of our offense. Last night was the first game I could have seen Stainbrook making a difference offensively. slowing that game down would have helped our offense and maybe broke their shooting rhythm.

However, not overreacting on one loss.

[XfansinKy]

I don't get why we want to change lineups this season. I don't know the back story with Jalen, but I hope we continue to maintain the lineup that has seemed to work this year.

In saying this, as the game moved along last night I would have went big with both James and Jalen as a target of our offense. Last night was the first game I could have seen Stainbrook making a difference offensively. slowing that game down would have helped our offense and maybe broke their shooting rhythm.

However, not overreacting on one loss.

I like the lineup with Myles, Remy, Ed, Jalen, and Tre. Apparently coach Mack does too for the most part. I sure hope whatever is keeping Jalen from being consistent is eliminated. He's so good when his game is going well. I don't know about age, but at this point, he's not getting any draft consideration. A summer league tryout at best. He's got the talent to turn it around though like he did come tournament time last year. Looking forward to James and the rest of the team settling back in and playing top ten type ball. They will imo.

[Pete Delkus]

I know he did it for defensive reasons, and was trying to sneak a successful offensive possession out of it, but it didn't work.

This:
Austin Jr
Remy
JP
Gates
O'Mara

This lineup vs an aggressive D like Georgetown's last night has NO chance.

[XUMIOH12]

I know he did it for defensive reasons, and was trying to sneak a successful offensive possession out of it, but it didn't work.

This:
Austin Jr
Remy
JP
Gates
O'Mara

This lineup vs an aggressive D like Georgetown's last night has NO chance.

i noticed that one. It didnt work haha

[XUMIOH12]

I think at one point we had Sumner, Macura, Bluiett, Farr and Reynolds for a very big lineup.

[XfansinKy]

I think at one point we had Sumner, Macura, Bluiett, Farr and Reynolds for a very big lineup.

That's a nice lineup when Macura is making shots.

[GoMuskies]

Start James Far......oh yea, nevermind.

[XMuskieFTW]

I still like him off the bench. It's not limiting his minutes by not starting. He still played 30 yesterday. I don't see us getting much more than that from him.

[LA Muskie]

Granted it's a really shitty sample size. But statistically I vote HELL NO.


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[Muncie]

Me thinks Mack knows what he's doing .

[XUMIOH12]

I still like him off the bench. It's not limiting his minutes by not starting. He still played 30 yesterday. I don't see us getting much more than that from him.

right. really doesn't matter if he starts or not, when he is playing 20-25 + minutes per game.