Game Thread: Xavier vs. Northern Iowa (Tire Pros Invitational) November 20, 2016

[Muskie]

http://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2752.png&h=70&w=70vs.http://www.xavierhoops.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2113&stc=1



November 20, 2016
7:00 p.m. Tip-Off (Projected)
Orlando, Florida
HP Fieldhouse
Radio:



TV: ESPN2


Live Stats (http://statbroadcast.com/events/tournament.php?tid=451)
Live Chat (http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=XavierHoops)

[ron meXico]

By chance they're not the tigers are they? Rolling thru tigers this tournament. Hopefully our streak against furrred animals continues.

Will be an interesting match up. Can we stay with them outside if they pull Sean or Shid away? Our post play is way better than Oklahoma coupled with our big guards which should favor us. We show up and play D I expect we leave Orlando with the trophy.

Trevon starting to come out of whatever funk he had that first game. I just want a picture of pimp, xeus and Fred garvin victory hoisting snipe thru Orlando after the win is completed.

[muskiefan82]

Panthers can be tigers. A panther is just a black version of a member of a big cat family.

[xu82]

Panthers can be tigers. A panther is just a black version of a member of a big cat family.

Racist!

[X-band '01]

Here's the link to Panther Nation (http://www.panthernation.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8)

[nuts4xu]

If we can't beat them in Orlando, we should at least learn enough to beat them next week at the Cintas Center.

It's strange when we end up playing a team twice in the same season, and they are not in our conference. It's even more strange to play a non con team two games in a row. I don't know if this has ever happened before.

[XUMIOH12]

really did not want to play UNI twice. It will be hard to beat them twice in a row, and if we lose one of the games, then a lot of people will discredit the game we won against them.

[XUMIOH12]

defending the 3 will be the biggest thing, that was what they were dying by, then lived by against oklahoma.

[X-band '01]

And then there's the need to stress a 40-minute (or 45 minutes if need be) game against UNI. They're capable of hitting a game winner from Tampa, but they're capable of overcoming double-digit leads, and also capable of blowing a double-digit lead under a minute.

[muskiefan82]

Panthers can be tigers. A panther is just a black version of a member of a big cat family.


Racist!

African-American cat? Is that better? :flex:

[xu82]

African-American cat? Is that better? :flex:

But the ones here would be North American African American Big Cats. I think.

[xukeith]

XU's offense is ahead of defense so far BUT defense will win BE title. Hope our all star perimeter players can lock down on defense. Might be asking too much from Bluiett and Sumner.

[Blue Blooded-05]

If we can't beat them in Orlando, we should at least learn enough to beat them next week at the Cintas Center.

It's strange when we end up playing a team twice in the same season, and they are not in our conference. It's even more strange to play a non con team two games in a row. I don't know if this has ever happened before.

While never back-to-back, this is actually the 3rd time in the last 4 seasons we've played the same non-conference team twice in the month of November. We played Tennessee on 11/12/13 (win) and 11/29/13 (loss). We also played Long Beach St on 11/18/14 (win) and 11/30/14 (loss).

Intuitively, this seems like it should not be common. I wonder if this has happened to anyone else.

[XMuskieFTW]

I saw somewhere this is the first time we are playing a nonconference team back to back since 1960.

[XUMIOH12]

I saw somewhere this is the first time we are playing a nonconference team back to back since 1960.

does that even count? They weren't even actually in a conference at that point right?

[XMuskieFTW]

does that even count? They weren't even actually in a conference at that point right?

I think it said they played the team in some tournament and then 3 days later at Schmidt. So i'll count it.

[nasdadjr]

Hey stat guys can anyone find the last time any college team played the same non conference team 2 times in a row

[nasdadjr]

XU's offense is ahead of defense so far BUT defense will win BE title. Hope our all star perimeter players can lock down on defense. Might be asking too much from Bluiett and Sumner.

I couldn't disagree more. I think our defense is light years ahead of the offense right now. The offense is honestly ugly to watch. Bad movement, no timing on screens and a lot of bad shots. Defense and JP nailing 25 ft bombs are keeping us in games right now.

[STL_XUfan]

Hey stat guys can anyone find the last time any college team played the same non conference team 2 times in a row
Didn't the CTI do a best out of three championship as their "gimmick"?

[XUMIOH12]

Didn't the CTI do a best out of three championship as their "gimmick"?

the CBI has a best of 3 final round. the CIT uses the format where the matchups are determined after each round is over, like the NIT used to do. the Vegas 16 has a nice gimmick where they only field 8 teams

[xuwin]

XU's offense is ahead of defense so far BUT defense will win BE title. Hope our all star perimeter players can lock down on defense. Might be asking too much from Bluiett and Sumner.

Actually Bluiett is the one that locked down Clemson's star player.

[nasdadjr]

the CBI has a best of 3 final round. the CIT uses the format where the matchups are determined after each round is over, like the NIT used to do. the Vegas 16 has a nice gimmick where they only field 8 teams

Okay regular season

[XU-PA]

apparently they stopped selling online for this, need 2 tickets, anyone have anything give me a ring

727-254-7133

Terry

[XUMIOH12]

Okay regular season

i was just clarifying to the other guy that he meant the CBI and not the CIT. I wasn't saying that was the answer to your question, don't feel like looking that one up ha

[GIMMFD]

Not sure how to feel about this one, not sure what team is going to come out. I'd love for Macura to keep his hot streak though, he was incredible the last game. At this point it's the gelling stage of the season, so I can't even get too upset about losses or anything, but I'm really hoping we run the out of conference just like last year, and Tyrique continues to develop. Good to see our recruiting class is panning out pretty nicely so far, because I'm really liking the way Q runs the floor as well... boy when Miles and Kaiser get back, we'll be damn good.

[X-ceptional]

What is the time allotted between games? 20 or 30 minutes?

[X-band '01]

20 minutes. I don't think they'll start earlier than 7:30, though.

[GIMMFD]

What is the time allotted between games? 20 or 30 minutes?

20!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Guide says 7:30 and there is an ESPN 30 for 30 short on, so 7:30 right?

[X-ceptional]

Ah, gotcha. Ya, looks like 7:30 it is then. Had 7:00 on the mind... thanks, guys!

[XU-PA]

Kaiser is in shorts, warming up with the team

[XU-PA]

And Bill Murray is in the house

[Masterofreality]

FYI.

Game is on 55KRC if you have I Heart Radio. And if you don't, why the hell NOT!!!???

[X-band '01]

Guide says 7:30 and there is an ESPN 30 for 30 short on, so 7:30 right?

Kind of an interesting 30-for-30 short on the old MECCA floor in Milwaukee. It was used for the Bucks and Marquette home games at the MECCA from late 1977 until 1988 (Bradley Center opened for the 1988-89 season).

[muskienick]

FYI.

Game is on 55KRC if you have I Heart Radio. And if you don't, why the hell NOT!!!???

I've got a radio here in Cinci that picks up WKRC as well as a TV that picks up ESPN2. It's sometimes sweet being a Cincy Muskie lover!

[BMoreX]

He's in uniform

[muskienick]

Please God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Mary, Joseph, Saints Q, Gary, and Brian --- May the Muskies play to their potential this evening, win or lose. That is all this Jesuit-educated (St. X H.S. and XU) grad asks of you this evening.

However, please stand by until my next request, next Friday a little before noon!

Yours truly,
muskienick

[D-West & PO-Z]

That was a 2????

[BMoreX]

Get to the basket

[X Factor]

Settling for jumpers all over the court. Hopefully it's not another 2-22 from three game.

[XMuskieFTW]

Not a fan of how much we've been in love with the jumper so far this season.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Was a 3!

[GoMuskies]

Trevon is good.

[letskeepitreal]

We have got no inside game

[X Factor]

He can be. He's very inconsistent so far this year.

When X's entire offense is jump shots, that's not good. Need to get O'Mara some touches down low.

[X Factor]

We might not score 50 points

[IVANHOE]

700 WLW going to pick up the X game or just talk about AJ Green's injury all night?

[GoMuskies]

There was just an ad for Advocare, and after watching it I still don't know what Advocare is.

[X Factor]

Their little 5"10 guards can shoot

[X Factor]

I think JP is our best player.

[GoMuskies]

I think JP is our best/most important player.

[GoMuskies]

I think JP is our best player.

Great minds. Lol

[IVANHOE]

now 700 wlw going to packers game westwood radio feed. This is the worst.

[X Factor]

Terrible call on Sumner. The guy was backpedaling! Not a charge.

[RealDeal]

We are playing like shit, any only down by 2?

[GoMuskies]

Tyrique is going to be a really good player.

[GoMuskies]

Ed is already a really good player!

[X Factor]

I'd rather Tyrique play than Rashid.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Stop the fouling!

[XfansinKy]

Yea the more PT Tyrique gets the better. Big time athlete with an NBA power forward build.

[paulxu]

There's 5 guys on the floor. I've seen way too many times where one guy dribbles around and goes inside forcing it all by himself.
Drives me nuts.

[X Factor]

0 FT attempts in the first half...

[Olsingledigit]

Can't believe we are not yet in the bonus.

[X Factor]

Ed is 2-8! Missed layup.

[X Factor]

We haven't played a good game so far this year.

[Olsingledigit]

0 FT attempts in the first half...
Q missed an and one

[X Factor]

Q missed an and one

You're right. Forgot about that single FT.

[GoMuskies]

Fun early season match up against a good team in a neutral site. Good way to spend a Sunday night.

[X Factor]

Fun early season match up against a good team in a neutral site. Good way to spend a Sunday night.

It shouldn't be tied though. Xavier is clearly more talented.

[X Factor]

Who was the last Xavier big man that didn't look he was way overthinking things when he caught the ball in the post? I think Sean does a pretty good job of making a move when he catches it, but Gaston is way too slow to make a post move.

[drudy23]

We're 2 starters down...not sure why anyone thought this would be a cakewalk.

Plus, UNI is a pretty good team.

[X Factor]

Please don't shoot Gaston!

[paulxu]

Win or lose, I just want to see us play good team ball.

[X Factor]

Gaston stinks

[X Factor]

That's the only time Gaston should shoot. Offensive rebound under the basket and go right back up with it. Good job!!

[XU 87]

Gaston stinks

Please stop.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, I like Gaston as a guy mixing it up on the offensive glass. We probably just shouldn't ever pass him the ball in the half court offense.

[X Factor]

Please stop.

I just complimented him on the offensive rebound and putback.

[X Factor]

Let's go boys! Don't let up!

[BMoreX]

UNI already in the bonus

[D-West & PO-Z]

Trevon could get to 2,000 points if hes around next year.

Quickly becoming one of my top 5 favorite X players.

[paulxu]

UNI already in the bonus

Refs want a close game. Sheeesh.

[XfansinKy]

Sometimes Trevor reminds me of Paul Pierce

[GoMuskies]

Finish them!

[Olsingledigit]

Their coach is a whiner

[X Factor]

Sometimes Trevor

Trevor?

[paulxu]

Do NOT let up.

[XfansinKy]

Probably auto-correct

[X Factor]

Second half has been really good for Xavier. Playing great defense and moving the ball.

And I just hit 3,000 posts!!

[BandAid]

Damn Q!

[letskeepitreal]

I really like the fact that Jones, Goodin and Gaston and Bernard are getting lots of early season playing time. Nothing like live game experience.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

UNI is shooting like 10% this half!

[X Factor]

Gaston should just not shoot unless it's an offensive rebound.

[bleedXblue]

the foul situation is beyond bullshit

[GoMuskies]

They have zero answer for Sumner.

[Muskie]

LaPhonso Ellis is killing me.


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[paulxu]

A little sloppy here

[Muskie]

Are we in the Double Bonus? LaPhonso says yes, but my stat tracker says no?


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[X Factor]

LaPhonso Ellis is killing me.

I actually don't mind LaPhonso.

[X Factor]

Are we in the Double Bonus? LaPhonso says yes, but my stat tracker says no?


Not even in the bonus yet. That was an error by LaPhonso.

[Olsingledigit]

The foul calls are ridiculous

[XfansinKy]

They are so athletic with Q and Ed in the backcourt it's ridiculous. It's like a track meet.

[Pluto]

They have zero answer for Sumner.

Did you know he took a one day acting class over the summer to help project his voice more?


I feel like this is going to be this years stainbrook uber/London piano thing.

[paulxu]

What was Sean doing there?

[Olsingledigit]

I can't believe it

[X Factor]

These refs suck ass

[X Factor]

Our offense has gone cold

[X Factor]

We breathe on them and it's a foul!

[BandAid]

This foul situation is absurd

[paulxu]

These calls do not seem to be even. Maybe I'm biased (for sure) but after a point it's pretty obvious.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Everyone in foul trouble. We need more bodies.

[X Factor]

We've played 10 good minutes of basketball tonight.

[paulxu]

No points in the last 4 minutes. I'm guessing we didn't win that 4 minute war.

[X Factor]

24% from three as a team. Bluiett is 2-10 from three. Geez.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Fouls are 22-11

[X Factor]

That's how you finish Tyrique!

[drudy23]

Damn JP can be lazy with passes.

[drudy23]

Danger zone

[GreatWhiteNorth]

X can lose this game if this continues.

[X Factor]

Just a brutal game. Offense sucks.

[XU 87]

No points in the last 4 minutes. I'm guessing we didn't win that 4 minute war.

Playing not to lose.

[Muskie]

Quit working the clock so much and looking for jump shots. Take it to the basket


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[paulxu]

10 - 4 foul disparity and we're not even in the bonus yet.

[bleedXblue]

10 - 4 foul disparity and we're not even in the bonus yet.

No its like 15-4 in the second half

[X-Men]

Quit working the clock so much and looking for jump shots. Take it to the basket


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Really impressed Macura drove that instead of firing one from deep with shot clock winding down.

[X Factor]

Big steal by JP.

[X Factor]

To win while playing at a C level is pretty good. Easily could've won by 20 points.

[GoMuskies]

Not sure the zone is the optimum strategy here.

[Muskie]

UNI hanging around


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[bleedXblue]

To win while playing at a C level is pretty good. Easily could've won by 20 points.

yeah without the bullshit foul disparity we have no issues winning by 20

[paulxu]

Little Mack girls in the house

[GoMuskies]

People in Vegas are nervous...

[XU 87]

Nice win against a decent team.

[GoMuskies]

See ya Saturday Panthers.

[paulxu]

Let's see. Last week we won 2, and dropped 4 spots in the polls.

Guess that means we'll be 17th tomorrow.

[bobbiemcgee]

HP Fieldhouse being renamed Cintas South - now back to Cintas North with another trophy.

[paulxu]

Did move us to #4 in the RPI

[letskeepitreal]

Certainly not playing like a top 10 or so team but with two vets missing, kinda like the character building opportunity especially for our newcomers.

[BandAid]

I expect UNI to shoot better next time. I don't expect for the foul differential to be so lopsided prior to the last minute. Should be another good game.

[X Factor]

I expect UNI to shoot better next time. I don't expect for the foul differential to be so lopsided prior to the last minute. Should be another good game.

I expect Xavier to shoot a lot better in the friendly confines of the Cintas Center.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Amazing, no player fouls out. Happy to be undefeated, but not too proud for this win. UNI wasn't very good.

[xu82]

Amazing, no player fouls out. Happy to be undefeated, but not too proud for this win. UNI wasn't very good.

Neither are we right now, but we seem to be getting better. I'll take that.

[XUGRAD80]

Foul differential will not look quite so lopsided because of the last minute where NI was forced to foul, but it sure was one sided for much of the game. I expect it to be a little more even next time around. Good win against a good MVC team. Congratulations to the team for bringing home another trophy. Hopefully there will be a couple more this season....:)

[Xpectations]

19 straight OOC victories in her regular season. Last loss was Dec 20, 2014.

[bleedXblue]

I expect Xavier to shoot a lot better in the friendly confines of the Cintas Center.

And the foul situation to be better At one point in the 2nd half it was 14-3 differential in favor of NI.

[X-band '01]

Amazing, no player fouls out. Happy to be undefeated, but not too proud for this win. UNI wasn't very good.

They will be. Should be top 2 or 3 in the Missouri Valley this year.

[drudy23]

We're 5-0 without 2 starters...I'll take it regardless of how any of them looked.

[bleedXblue]

We're 5-0 without 2 starters...I'll take it regardless of how any of them looked.

Would really like to hear this week that Myles has been reinstated and will join the team soon. Gates sounds like he will be back next weekend.

[SemajParlor]

Man, has Xavier come a long way in just a few short years.

[Caveat]

Every win while Gates & Davis are out are huge wins.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Well, they've answered the depth and team defense questions.

[Caveat]

Would really like to hear this week that Myles has been reinstated and will join the team soon. Gates sounds like he will be back next weekend.

If what I've heard rumored about is true (and it may very well be untrue), he's got one more game to sit.

[MADXSTER]

I have no problem with foul disparity if a team is fouling a lot more than the other team. I hate when refs seem to feel the need to keep the foul count close.

[bobbiemcgee]

All Tourney:

Bluiett - (MVP) Macura - Xavier Morgan -UNI Woodard - OU_ Gibbs -Davidson

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Good to see Q playing well. He is our starting pg next year if Ed goes pro.

[bobbiemcgee]

Trophy should have been 4 new skins and a lube job.

[markchal]

Good to see Q playing well. He is our starting pg next year if Ed goes pro.

Scruggs

[X-Fan]

We're 5-0 without 2 starters...I'll take it regardless of how any of them looked.


Would really like to hear this week that Myles has been reinstated and will join the team soon. Gates sounds like he will be back next weekend.

I might be grasping here, but I was encouraged that Mack mentioned both Kaiser & Myles as two key players missing. I'd think that Mack wouldn't even mention Myles if his return wasn't in the works.

That said, GREAT minutes for Q & Tyrique. IMO, Tyrique is showing signs of being the most productive Frosh big since D. West.

[AviatorX]

Scruggs

Scruggs is a PG in the same way that Ed is a PG. He'll definitely be better off the ball early on, plus Q is learning the PG position this year.

[GoMuskies]

He obviously won't be a "point guard", but I suspect that handling the ball will be a big part of Macura's job description next year.

[XMuskieFTW]

Scruggs is a PG in the same way that Ed is a PG. He'll definitely be better off the ball early on, plus Q is learning the PG position this year.

I think we can expect Scruggs and Goodin to each play 20+ next season. They'll play a lot together and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see both start.

[AviatorX]

I think we can expect Scruggs and Goodin to each play 20+ next season. They'll play a lot together and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see both start.

Agreed for sure.

[Xuperman]

Nice team energy and win but our box score is not good. Anyone else think that Koch is what O'mara hopes to be? Nice big w/ polished footwork. Sean could not hang. Take notes and get ready for rematch.

[nasdadjr]

Certainly not playing like a top 10 or so team but with two vets missing, kinda like the character building opportunity especially for our newcomers.

It's college basketball so I have to disagree. I am on the record as saying Xavier will drop from the top 25 and reenter later this year. I thought that would happen cause of lack of depth and young guys while 2 starters were out. I also said we would lose 2/3 games this week. I am happy to say I am 100% wrong. We look every bit of a top 10 team. Defensively this is a great looking team off to a great start. Our talent is too good for the offense to stay stifled. Sumner and Blueitt will find their outside shot. Our timing and passing will improve. When it does and we keep getting this defensive effort Xavier will be a threat to Nova. But in the early season I'd much rather be an awesome defensive team improving offensively than a great offense who has no defense

[Muskeagle]

Certainly not a perfect looking game, but I do think that 3 games in 4 days should be taken into account. They played some great defense tonight. There were a lot of contributors. Goodin looked good in spurts. Jones looked good at times. Gaston had 7 boards. Sumner looked much better in the second half. Blueitt shot the ball better.

Disappointed that we couldn't seem to look better on offense, but UNI does play stingy defense. Settled for too many jumpers, but seemed to correct that in the second half. Survive and advance seems a little silly at this point, but, I like survive, advance and IMPROVE...and I think they are doing that. Turnovers got better (a little). Fought through an oddly officiated game. A couple of charging calls (which are included as turnovers) seemed highly questionable. The team is improving and just finished a stretch of 5 games in 10 days. Not a lot of practice time to work on issues that games have revealed...and yet, they are improving. I like the this team already...even if they are giving me ulcers! :)

[nasdadjr]

As a side note.. watch out for Creighton... those boys are good will be top 10 will be a top 3 seed this year and will also compete for a conference championship. This will be a fun year

[Masterofreality]

I spent my time on Twitter last night. Kinda becoming my go to in game reaction point. Banners and Dana & Victory are on there plus a bunch of other fans.

Reading through this timeline post game is hilarious, but I'm sure my *non-reactionary* Twitter timeline is too. :laugh:

I love the way this team is fighting through the short bench issue. Our front line is still learning our in-game system (Gaston, but more Bernard) but we're still winning. Tyrique is giving us quality minutes and Tre is playing a lot of 4 with Kaiser out. I can't wait to see Gates out there and hope for Myles to be back by Christmas.

We haven't played overly well yet, but we have a early season Tourney 'Ship, wins over SEC & ACC teams (which 10 years ago we'd be orgasmic over) are undefeated and are repping the League well...sticking it to the network that loves to ignore us. The way the guys fought through some obvious fatigue vs Clemson at games' end was superb to see.

A week to rest and hopefully get Mr. Gates back. The week of December 3 is going to be amazing, and this guy & MOR's Trophy will be at Colorado. Can't wait.

5-0 baby. Survive and advance.

[Masterofreality]

One last thing on the UNI game.

Many were concerned that we just kept shooting jump shots last night and didn't do enough penetrating. That was mostly a factor of UNI just packing the lane and challenging us to make shots. UNI was obviously hoping that we were more of the team that shot blanks against Mizzou instead of the team that shot darts vs Clemson. Thank Gawd Tre was in "take the game over" mode. He singlehandely kept us in it until we figured it out.

I think that CMack made a big halftime emphasis about that very point. The very first play out of halftime, they set up a screen and a drive for Ed to score down the right side of the lane. That little troll who was trying to guard him didn't have a chance after the adjustments.

I LOVE Ed, but sometimes he still defers too much. Just part of the learning process though. He's figuring it out. We're good.

[xuwin]

It's college basketball so I have to disagree. I am on the record as saying Xavier will drop from the top 25 and reenter later this year. I thought that would happen cause of lack of depth and young guys while 2 starters were out. I also said we would lose 2/3 games this week. I am happy to say I am 100% wrong. We look every bit of a top 10 team. Defensively this is a great looking team off to a great start. Our talent is too good for the offense to stay stifled. Sumner and Blueitt will find their outside shot. Our timing and passing will improve. When it does and we keep getting this defensive effort Xavier will be a threat to Nova. But in the early season I'd much rather be an awesome defensive team improving offensively than a great offense who has no defense

I totally agree. This team is showing one on one defensive skills much better that it had last year. Mack prefers the man to man defense but had to develop the 1-3-1 zone because last years team struggled to cover one on one. We haven't use a lot of zone this year even when we get in foul trouble. I was very impressed yesterday that with all the foul trouble we had we still didn't have anybody foul out and still maintained great defense. This team is still learning to play together and will get much better offensively. We will lose a few games early and come on strong as the season progresses. Adding Gates and Davis to the mix will be a big factor too.

[Wheelhouse]

Goodin had a couple of eye-popping plays. I've liked what I've seen from both freshmen so far. They are providing quality minutes while we're short-handed and that early experience will only help in March.

[markchal]

I'm still a little concerned with the offense. It seems like a lot of standing around and waiting for one of the big 3 to make a play. Main concern is our lack of an inside presence. Seems like the bigs are mostly scoring off putbacks and dump-offs (although Jones had a terrific seal and dunk yesterday) and don't establish good position/we seem to turn it over a bunch passing it down to them. Not sure if O'Mara even scored yesterday, but there's some talent up front and plenty of time to become more of a threat for this offense.

[bleedXblue]

I'm still a little concerned with the offense. It seems like a lot of standing around and waiting for one of the big 3 to make a play. Main concern is our lack of an inside presence. Seems like the bigs are mostly scoring off putbacks and dump-offs (although Jones had a terrific seal and dunk yesterday) and don't establish good position/we seem to turn it over a bunch passing it down to them. Not sure if O'Mara even scored yesterday, but there's some talent up front and plenty of time to become more of a threat for this offense.

Yes this and ball security at the end of games is alarming. Really could use Myles to help with this.......

Our bigs this year are going to be inconsistent......just hope by the end of the year they mature some and bring a little more reliability.

[nasdadjr]

I totally agree. This team is showing one on one defensive skills much better that it had last year. Mack prefers the man to man defense but had to develop the 1-3-1 zone because last years team struggled to cover one on one. We haven't use a lot of zone this year even when we get in foul trouble. I was very impressed yesterday that with all the foul trouble we had we still didn't have anybody foul out and still maintained great defense. This team is still learning to play together and will get much better offensively. We will lose a few games early and come on strong as the season progresses. Adding Gates and Davis to the mix will be a big factor too.
Yes we are much better defensively than last year. Farr and Reynolds did a good job within their skill set... however they couldn't defend the perimeter. Big guys with a little touch torched X last year. That is why we did well against Nova (2nd game), UC, Marquette and other teams that bang inside. That is also why we struggled against Creighton and Seton Hall.

This year out bigs can play defense outside and it is showing. Loving what I see from Tyrique and Gaston. When this offense comes around ( and it will) this will be a scary good team