London

[Muncie]

I think his role next year maybe one of the most interesting unknowns . His potential is huge but it seems his growth has been slow.

[xu82]

He lost minutes to Gates this year, but it seems Gates is going to be a stud. Makinde needs to keep getting stronger and he will be a match up problem as well. For those who say we aren't athletic enough......hooey. Going in the right direction every year.

[XMuskieFTW]

He looked decent on offense this season, but he really needs to work on his defense if he wants to make the rotation.

[nasdadjr]

He looked decent on offense this season, but he really needs to work on his defense if he wants to make the rotation.

Would anyone disagree that Makinde is looking like the exact same career start as James Farr? Think about it a long athletic guy who likes to hang out at the three pt line. Hopefully he figures out what Farr found out before his senior year

[XMuskieFTW]

Would anyone disagree that Makinde is looking like the exact same career start as James Farr? Think about it a long athletic guy who likes to hang out at the three pt line. Hopefully he figures out what Farr found out before his senior year

I can't see him bulking up to anywhere near the size James was. Would love to see him have a 15-18 foot jumper that we can rely on.

[XUGRAD80]

I think he has unlimited potential, and am very much hoping that he develops it and shows it sooner, rather than later. He seems to have the type of athletic talent that many of the athletic 6-10 guys in the ACC possess, but certainly doesn't have their skill level....yet. IF he can develop some of their skills he can be a very valuable part of the team over the rest of his career. Seems to have a good attitude and looks like he really enjoys playing. Let's remember that he did have a big growth spurt late in his HS years and has not been a "down low" player most of his life. It's hard to show what talents you do have, from the bench. Sitting behind upperclassmen is a tough thing for many to do, but as JR showed, it's never to late to show what you can do. He and Gates could be two keys to next year's success. Hope they have a great off-season and come back strong next year.

[XUFan09]

Would anyone disagree that Makinde is looking like the exact same career start as James Farr? Think about it a long athletic guy who likes to hang out at the three pt line. Hopefully he figures out what Farr found out before his senior year
Farr wasn't athletic, and Makinde is already far more skilled than him. Farr also had a frame that could allowed for him to really bulk up, whereas Makinde doesn't.

Farr was a freshman who lacked the flexibility and strength to defend in the post at the D1 level and couldn't get rotation minutes on what was a weak frontcourt after Travis Taylor. Makinde was sometimes earning rotation minutes on this squad as he and Kaiser traded places game to game for the last rotation spot. Makinde lost out eventually, but it was a crowded and talented backcourt.

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[UCGRAD4X]

Farr wasn't athletic, and Makinde is already far more skilled than him.

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This may be the part of the OP point - what makes ML's potential development so intriguing.

[TUclutch]

Would anyone disagree that Makinde is looking like the exact same career start as James Farr? Think about it a long athletic guy who likes to hang out at the three pt line. Hopefully he figures out what Farr found out before his senior year

Yea, except London is a shooter. Farr wanted to be a stretch 4, but he wasn't a very good shooter. London is. We've seen it in samples, and it has been said he is one of the best shooters in practice. As it was stated above, the reason he hasn't played much is his defense. That's what he needs to improve with in order to get on the floor as a stretch 4

[UCGRAD4X]

Yea, except London is a shooter. Farr wanted to be a stretch 4, but he wasn't a very good shooter. London is. We've seen it in samples, and it has been said he is one of the best shooters in practice. As it was stated above, the reason he hasn't played much is his defense. That's what he needs to improve with in order to get on the floor as a stretch 4

I, too, have heard the accolades about London's shooting but to say Farr "wasn't a very good shooter" seems unfair. Perhaps, compared to ML, but James' forte in his early years was his outside shooting.

[CSS85]

I think he has unlimited potential, and am very much hoping that he develops it and shows it sooner, rather than later. He seems to have the type of athletic talent that many of the athletic 6-10 guys in the ACC possess, but certainly doesn't have their skill level....yet. IF he can develop some of their skills he can be a very valuable part of the team over the rest of his career. Seems to have a good attitude and looks like he really enjoys playing. Let's remember that he did have a big growth spurt late in his HS years and has not been a "down low" player most of his life. It's hard to show what talents you do have, from the bench. Sitting behind upperclassmen is a tough thing for many to do, but as JR showed, it's never to late to show what you can do. He and Gates could be two keys to next year's success. Hope they have a great off-season and come back strong next year.

At the awards reception after the Creighton game, Mack gave what was basically a motivational speech to London and invoked the name of James Posey when addressing London's potential. Mack then said something to the effect of "sometimes having unlimited potential is a burden as well as a benefit because people have high expectations, but only YOU can decide if you want to reach your potential and put in the work to get there." It kind of reminded me of the things he said about Ed last year like "he has a chance to be special if he puts in the work." It seems as though Mack is expecting London to be a much bigger factor next year.

[bleedXblue]

This team needs more athleticism and Makinde brings that. I hope he makes a big leap this offseason.

[Xavier]

Yea, except London is a shooter. Farr wanted to be a stretch 4, but he wasn't a very good shooter. London is. We've seen it in samples, and it has been said he is one of the best shooters in practice. As it was stated above, the reason he hasn't played much is his defense. That's what he needs to improve with in order to get on the floor as a stretch 4

I thought Farr was brought in to be a stretch four.

[mistabeecee41]

He had his ups and downs, but the lack of Makinde's PT had more to do with Kaiser than anything Makinde did wrong.

[MauriceX]

Yea, except London is a shooter. Farr wanted to be a stretch 4, but he wasn't a very good shooter. London is. We've seen it in samples, and it has been said he is one of the best shooters in practice. As it was stated above, the reason he hasn't played much is his defense. That's what he needs to improve with in order to get on the floor as a stretch 4

What's weird is that everything you say that describes London was perfect for Farr as a freshman and sophomore. Farr came in as a stretch 4. He was a guard until he hit a late growth spurt, so he still relied on outside shooting. Preseason his freshman year, the analysis of how he could contribute was "serious shooting ability from long range and could develop into a lethal stretch four-man" (Link (http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/31/rothstein-files-five-observations-from-xavier/))

He also shot 38% from three as a sophomore. (At the time, second best on the team) He would come in for short periods, make a couple threes, and grab a bunch of rebounds. (bunch is relative to the minutes he played)

If you fall victim to short memory syndrome, his slump his junior year and his focus on post play his senior year could indicate he isn't a good shooter. But that is ignoring two years.

[XUFan09]

This may be the part of the OP point - what makes ML's potential development so intriguing.
I agree that Makinde's potential is intriguing, but I don't think the Farr comparison is appropriate. Makinde would have had rotation minutes on that 2013 team. I've only seen Posey in the NBA, but at the very least, that comparison made by Mack is better than the comparison to Farr.

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[Muskie]

I agree that Makinde's potential is intriguing, but I don't think the Farr comparison is appropriate. Makinde would have had rotation minutes on that 2013 team. I've only seen Posey in the NBA, but at the very least, that comparison made by Mack is better than the comparison to Farr.

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Ah the James Posey years. I hope we fair better in the Tourney department with Makinde.

[xu82]

Ah the James Posey years. I hope we fair better in the Tourney department with Makinde.

If Makinde has a slightly smaller shoe size it might end well.

[GoMuskies]

If Makinde has a slightly smaller shoe size it might end well.

You're thinking of Derrick Brown, I believe.

[xu82]

You're thinking of Derrick Brown, I believe.

Yep, my bad.

I wa every encouraged by the blocks Makinde had at one point. Very athletic and aggressive.

[UCGRAD4X]

Yep, my bad.

I wa every encouraged by the blocks Makinde had at one point. Very athletic and aggressive.

When considering the similarities / differences in recent Xavier big - and I think there has been a variety - shot blocking seems to be an area that has been missing, so that would be an interesting potential component to anticipate.

[paulxu]

Maybe Gates or London should have been guarding Koenig. We could have done with a blocked shot there.

[XUMIOH12]

What's weird is that everything you say that describes London was perfect for Farr as a freshman and sophomore. Farr came in as a stretch 4. He was a guard until he hit a late growth spurt, so he still relied on outside shooting. Preseason his freshman year, the analysis of how he could contribute was "serious shooting ability from long range and could develop into a lethal stretch four-man" (Link (http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/31/rothstein-files-five-observations-from-xavier/))

He also shot 38% from three as a sophomore. (At the time, second best on the team) He would come in for short periods, make a couple threes, and grab a bunch of rebounds. (bunch is relative to the minutes he played)

If you fall victim to short memory syndrome, his slump his junior year and his focus on post play his senior year could indicate he isn't a good shooter. But that is ignoring two years.

keep in mind, that link was a little blurb written by Jon Rothstein, who thinks every player is going to be awesome.

[XUFan09]

keep in mind, that link was a little blurb written by Jon Rothstein, who thinks every player is going to be awesome.

Haha true! Still, Farr did come in with a reputation as a shooter and throughout practice he showed his ability. His sophomore year, he actually displayed this ability in games. That was the only time he got regular reps from deep, and I really think he is the type of guy who needed regular reps to maintain efficiency. Some guys can come in and shoot maybe one three a game, if that, but it's tough to expect that.

[jhelmes37]

Yeah but the dude can straight tickle the ivories.

[Muncie]

I liked London ' s behind the back pass, can't remember which game ....anybody have a "high light" video

[xu82]

I liked London ' s behind the back pass, can't remember which game ....anybody have a "high light" video

To O'Mara I think? While that was fun, it's the kind of thing that can easily go wrong and keep him in his spot on the bench. He has an interesting blend of skills. I hope he earns the right to show them a lot more next year.

[bobbiemcgee]

http://www.bigeastcoastbias.com/2015/11/27/9808084/xavier-vs-usc-2015-makinde-london-pass-sean-omara-dunk-highlight

[vee4xu]

Maybe Gates or London should have been guarding Koenig. We could have done with a blocked shot there.

Take a deep breath. Hold if for a couple of seconds. Not exhale.

Now, see isn't that better. You just let go of that Wisconsin game once and for all.

[xu82]

Take a deep breath. Hold if for a couple of seconds. Not exhale.

Now, see isn't that better. You just let go of that Wisconsin game once and for all.

Not exhaling could cause problems! Breathe, Paul, breathe!!!

[paulxu]

There's only one answer for me.

More bourbon.

[vee4xu]

Not exhaling could cause problems! Breathe, Paul, breathe!!!

Oops. Seemingly a Freudian typo. Sorry Paul!

[xu82]

Oops. Seemingly a Freudian typo. Sorry Paul!

He's OK, he just got thirsty....