Sense of Urgency

[bleedXblue]

I'm really curious to see how this team plays today particularly on the defensive end. I think we're due to make some shots, but defense is all effort and attitude. Sure hope we see a different mentality today than we've had the last few games.

[letskeepitreal]

Patton's going to be hard to guard inside

[XfansinKy]

X will make shots at home. Yea their big boy is a problem for any team but Rashid can slow him down. It's not a "must win" but this is a really important/good opportunity for a big win. Myles has his welcome back party today and X wins.

[XUFan09]

I honestly just wish this stretch of games was more spread out. Or the Creighton game was on the road and the Butler game was at home. Oh well.

[vee4xu]

Gaston was a monster with 12 pts and 17 boards. The team had 18 offensive rebounds. However, not enough to overcome 13 missed FTs and 17 TOs. I saw some lazy passes at the top of the key and too many alley-oops, layups and putbacks by Creighton.

[Muskie]

Those four missed point blank shots at the end killed us.


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[vee4xu]

[QUOTE=Muskie;574730]Those four missed point blank shots at the end killed us.

Agree 100%. What killed more were the 13 missed FTs, because had they made just six of those 13 FTs, then they are on the line shooting FTs with Creighton behind instead of furiously trying to make the last shot.

[muskieindent]

Gaston was a monster with 12 pts and 17 boards. The team had 18 offensive rebounds. However, not enough to overcome 13 missed FTs and 17 TOs. I saw some lazy passes at the top of the key and too many alley-oops, layups and putbacks by Creighton.
He played well but 2 for 6 from line hurts as well as those 2 stick backs he missed.Good but not good enough.Could say that about the entire team though.
I thought CM's post game remarks were interesting.He certainly wasn't as critical as he was Saturday.Maybe he isn't sure about the psyche of this team.Does he need to handle them with kid gloves or go Bobby Knight on them?

[xufan2434]

He played well but 2 for 6 from line hurts as well as those 2 stick backs he missed.Good but not good enough.Could say that about the entire team though.
I thought CM's post game remarks were interesting.He certainly wasn't as critical as he was Saturday.Maybe he isn't sure about the psyche of this team.Does he need to handle them with kid gloves or go Bobby Knight on them?

I think he was critical after Butler because the defense was God awful and that end of the floor more than anything is about effort and hustle. And he thought the effort was there yesterday, they just couldn't execute well enough. I don't think he should go Bobby Knight on em. I think their confidence has already been shook enough. He's gotta find a way in this next week to encourage em and get it back. I still think this team has plenty of potential, they just still haven't figured out how to play together yet. They're stuck trying to do what they did last year without the right pieces.

You could see the difference yesterday. They would get a stop, crowd would cheer, and they would race down the floor and then get the deer in headlights/confusion look. Last year, it was rebound-pass-pass and then drive or shoot and they were off and running. There was continuity and swagger. They still just haven't figured that part out yet. God I miss Remy Abell for those parts of the game

[bleedXblue]

I think he was critical after Butler because the defense was God awful and that end of the floor more than anything is about effort and hustle. And he thought the effort was there yesterday, they just couldn't execute well enough. I don't think he should go Bobby Knight on em. I think their confidence has already been shook enough. He's gotta find a way in this next week to encourage em and get it back. I still think this team has plenty of potential, they just still haven't figured out how to play together yet. They're stuck trying to do what they did last year without the right pieces.

You could see the difference yesterday. They would get a stop, crowd would cheer, and they would race down the floor and then get the deer in headlights/confusion look. Last year, it was rebound-pass-pass and then drive or shoot and they were off and running. There was continuity and swagger. They still just haven't figured that part out yet. God I miss Remy Abell for those parts of the game

I miss James "big rebounding machine" Farr

[scoscox]

Remy the Butler killer, James the rebounding and somewhat scoring machine and Jalen the tone setter. I don't think their replacements have been the problem. Malcolm has been solid. We miss the rebounding dominance, but we've still been pretty good in that department. THe biggest problems we've had are turnovers and shooting and FT shooting and I blame the backcourt for all of that. I think it will be helped by Kaiser playing a role and Myles taking a lot of the pressure off as he gets integrated more. I hope.

Edmond has been good, hopefully his shoulder will heal well during this week, I think that hampered him the last two games. Trevon has been invisible so ar in conference and far too passive and JP I don't think is ready to be a primary ballhandler. I think he is still best suited in the sixth man, microwave role.

[xufan2434]

Remy the Butler killer, James the rebounding and somewhat scoring machine and Jalen the tone setter. I don't think their replacements have been the problem. Malcolm has been solid. We miss the rebounding dominance, but we've still been pretty good in that department. THe biggest problems we've had are turnovers and shooting and FT shooting and I blame the backcourt for all of that. I think it will be helped by Kaiser playing a role and Myles taking a lot of the pressure off as he gets integrated more. I hope.

That's where I disagree. I don't think Malcolm really brings anything to the table offensively. He's hit his open 3's when he's had them but it's because the other guys get him open. Which is fine, that's what we want. But outside of maybe one drive to the bucket a game, he just hands the ball off and dances around the perimeter until someone else gets him a shot. And he's been atrocious from the FT line so you have to put him in the blame for that along with the other guys. He's also had some bad turnovers including one yesterday (again trying to hand the ball off) in a situation where X needed a bucket. And I'm not trying to knock him, cause I think he brings a great attitude. But his game just doesn't bring enough compared to the other guys starting for the top BE teams

Again, I think the main 3 guys have been asked to go 1 on 1 far too much this year instead of running an actual offense. They hand the ball off around the perimeter for 20 seconds then try to create something. That's recipe for disaster. And it causes them to force things which ultimately leads to bad turnovers out of frustration.

[Caf]

Again, I think the main 3 guys have been asked to go 1 on 1 far too much this year instead of running an actual offense. They hand the ball off around the perimeter for 20 seconds then try to create something. That's recipe for disaster. And it causes them to force things which ultimately leads to bad turnovers out of frustration.

Remember when Xavier used to successfully run pick and rolls?

[xufan2434]

Remember when Xavier used to successfully run pick and rolls?

Haha been a while since we've seen that. What blows my mind is yesterday towards the end of the game, they called a TO down 2 needing something. They run 1-4 high and eventually bring Ed all the way over to the left wing for a mismatch isolation and possible pick and roll with Gaston. What do ya know, he takes the mismatch baseline and gets an And 1... I know Mack knows far more than I do, I'm just wondering where the sets like that are the entire game.

[IM4X]

Gaston was a monster with 12 pts and 17 boards. The team had 18 offensive rebounds. However, not enough to overcome 13 missed FTs and 17 TOs. I saw some lazy passes at the top of the key and too many alley-oops, layups and putbacks by Creighton.

Unfortunatley, you could say that about every game this year. Lazy passes and at times lazy effort on the part of the Xavier player who is calling for the ball. Both Trevon and JP like to put their hand up (calling for the ball) as if they are open, yet often neither bothers to create any real separation from the player guarding them. The Xavier player with the ball then throws the tough pass which allows for the player defending JP or Tre to jump in front for an easy steal. With just a little more hustle on their part to get separation, there would likely be no steal (and no easy two points for the opponent).

[XfansinKy]

I'm an optimist to a fault but I believe X has an opportunity to get a lot better as the season progresses. Kaiser is starting to look athletic again getting his knees bent, and sliding his feet on defense. That's a huge advantage having a kid 6'8 that can jump out and pick up smaller guards. Myles will be rounding into shape and getting his legs under him about the time some guard's legs are getting tired. I believe Tyrique could still make a nice contribution with opportunities to make highlight reel plays that creates big momentum shifts. Add in that the toughest stretch of games are in the rear view and I believe this season still could be great.

[bleedXblue]

I'm an optimist to a fault but I believe X has an opportunity to get a lot better as the season progresses. Kaiser is starting to look athletic again getting his knees bent, and sliding his feet on defense. That's a huge advantage having a kid 6'8 that can jump out and pick up smaller guards. Myles will be rounding into shape and getting his legs under him about the time some guard's legs are getting tired. I believe Tyrique could still make a nice contribution with opportunities to make highlight reel plays that creates big momentum shifts. Add in that the toughest stretch of games are in the rear view and I believe this season still could be great.

I hope you're right. I don't know if we can shoot it any worse than we have this year. IMHO, defense and TO's have to get better if we expect to win double digit games in the BE.

[XUGRAD80]

In the last three games, X has played two good defensive games.....unfortunately that was only the 1st halfs of the first two games, and turnovers and missed free throws lead to them not taking advantage of that good defense in the third game.

The one thing that I find missing in so many of these posts is the realization that X will not be playing a combination of the NBA all time best teams the rest of the year. ALL of the teams that X will be playing have weaknesses and concerns too. All of them are very capable of playing badly, shooting badly, and having defensive lapses too. NONE of them is unbeatable. IF X plays like they are capable, they will be able to win some easily, and will be competitive in all of them. But I agree that eliminating stupid turnovers is a big key to them having future success.

[XUdenver]

http://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/preseason-darling-xavier-needs-to-turn-things-around-fast-after-third-straight-loss/

A lot of truth in there..

[XfansinKy]

http://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/preseason-darling-xavier-needs-to-turn-things-around-fast-after-third-straight-loss/

A lot of truth in there..

The waters parted for Sumner and he just dropped the ball in the lane. Bluiett has a step in, shoulders square, three point shot and completely bricked it. Rashid choked on two bunnies instead of going up a ripping the rim down.

[GOX]

IM4X is spot on. No separation by outbound or inbound player results in turnovers.
That is of course Is compounded by our perimeter only offense.
Mack says we stay out in the permimeter because the big 3 " lack confidence" that getting the ball inside will result in points.
I understand that.
But you have to develop an inside or inside/out game.
We are in a high turnover situation because every opponent knows they can play close on the perimeter, which pushes the perimeter out further, and gives the opponent more recovery time to cover the drive in the lane.
If we are going to continue to turn the ball over on the perimeter and have inconsistent , streaky perimeter shooters, I say take the chance to get inside and thereby take the pressure off the perimeter.
We are going to have a long season with a one dimensional offense that is easily defended.

[mirabilelectu]

IM4X is spot on. No separation by outbound or inbound player results in turnovers.
That is of course Is compounded by our perimeter only offense.
Mack says we stay out in the permimeter because the big 3 " lack confidence" that getting the ball inside will result in points.
I understand that.
But you have to develop an inside or inside/out game.
We are in a high turnover situation because every opponent knows they can play close on the perimeter, which pushes the perimeter out further, and gives the opponent more recovery time to cover the drive in the lane.
If we are going to continue to turn the ball over on the perimeter and have inconsistent , streaky perimeter shooters, I say take the chance to get inside and thereby take the pressure off the perimeter.
We are going to have a long season with a one dimensional offense that is easily defended.

Agreed, so often our offense develops very far outside of the three point line limiting our options. I also understand that it's part of the offensive set, but multiple times per-game Gaston seems to receive the between the elbow of the key and the three point line (sometimes at the three point line) and proceeds to stand there with it because he is not a threat from that distance. That's just a wasted touch, his man sags to the basket and clogs the middle. The spacing on this offense is pretty atrocious considering the guys on the court, I think this might be a result of the fact that other than Ed, no one is really a consistent threat to go to the rack (and, to your point, we don't feed the bigs). I don't know how X is going to win consistently with such poor half court offense.

[mirabilelectu]

Agreed, so often our offense develops very far outside of the three point line limiting our options. I also understand that it's part of the offensive set, but multiple times per-game Gaston seems to receive the between the elbow of the key and the three point line (sometimes at the three point line) and proceeds to stand there with it because he is not a threat from that distance. That's just a wasted touch, his man sags to the basket and clogs the middle. The spacing on this offense is pretty atrocious considering the guys on the court, I think this might be a result of the fact that other than Ed, no one is really a consistent threat to go to the rack (and, to your point, we don't feed the bigs). I don't know how X is going to win consistently with such poor half court offense.

Should have read "such poor execution of the half court offense."

[bigdiggins]

Should have read "such poor execution of the half court offense."

No, you were right the first time.

[bleedXblue]

I see an offense totally lacking any originality or creativity. When was the last time you saw a really well executed back door cut resulting in an easy bucket? Pass on the perimeter, occasionally dump it inside, hope a ball screen is effective in getting some separation and then a jump shot........

[bigdiggins]

Most of the offense seems to consist of two plays:
Play 1 - Mack taps his elbow as the ball is being brought up court, one pass is made and a contested long range jumper is chucked.
Play 2 - Conduct a series of dribble hand offs outside the 3 point line until 10 seconds left on the shot clock, rush and chuck a contested long range jumper.

[AviatorX]

I think X runs way more sets than some are willing to admit. It's not like you can run one every time down the court.

Go back and rewatch the last few minutes of the Creighton game -- Mack ran a set out of a TO to get Sumner switched on to Zierdan (split FT's here I think), ran a set to get Sumner switched onto Patton (Sumner beat him and looked like he had a layup, resulting in 800 missed putbacks by X), and down 3 on the last possession ran a set to get Blueitt a great look from 3. Results sucked, but the sets were run successfully.

Also been multiple times this year where the opposition has gone zone and cross screens at the top have allowed Sumner/Goodin to split the top of the zone and hit a cutter toward the basket.

Also, the dribble weave/hand off is running an offense. It's designed to move the defense and create mismatches for the Big 3 to exploit. If you watch an IU game sometime, they run something very similar even more often and have an elite offense year after year.

[mirabilelectu]

I think X runs way more sets than some are willing to admit. It's not like you can run one every time down the court.

Go back and rewatch the last few minutes of the Creighton game -- Mack ran a set out of a TO to get Sumner switched on to Zierdan (split FT's here I think), ran a set to get Sumner switched onto Patton (Sumner beat him and looked like he had a layup, resulting in 800 missed putbacks by X), and down 3 on the last possession ran a set to get Blueitt a great look from 3. Results sucked, but the sets were run successfully.

Also been multiple times this year where the opposition has gone zone and cross screens at the top have allowed Sumner/Goodin to split the top of the zone and hit a cutter toward the basket.

Also, the dribble weave/hand off is running an offense. It's designed to move the defense and create mismatches for the Big 3 to exploit. If you watch an IU game sometime, they run something very similar even more often and have an elite offense year after year.

Apologies if I came across unclearly; I understand we run an offense, my point is that it we don't execute it well enough to be consistently effective. We run our motion/flex offense (the weave) the most often, but when I watch it we don't doing anything authoritatively; screens are weak, the cutting is without purpose, and it does produce open looks but we don't hit people in space, but rather when they get to a spot. This results in contested jumpers or iso ball. I'm not saying its a bad offense, I'm saying that we do not run it effectively. Point taken that we do run other plays, but IMO we don't switch up our offense enough to introduce any doubt in the opposition. I know this is anecdotal, but when we went to the 1-3-1 against Nova, they were ready, had plays set up for that situation and ran them to perfection. Those plays resulted in 2 open jams. I don't know if I'm alone in this, but it's frustrating to watch our guys run the same offenses regardless of the defense we face; when people go zone against us, we rarely find spacing on the baseline or at the elbow, just content to run the weave on the perimeter (I'm talking generally, I acknowledge your anecdotes about the end of the game situations).

[AviatorX]

Apologies if I came across unclearly; I understand we run an offense, my point is that it we don't execute it well enough to be consistently effective. We run our motion/flex offense (the weave) the most often, but when I watch it we don't doing anything authoritatively; screens are weak, the cutting is without purpose, and it does produce open looks but we don't hit people in space, but rather when they get to a spot. This results in contested jumpers or iso ball. I'm not saying its a bad offense, I'm saying that we do not run it effectively. Point taken that we do run other plays, but IMO we don't switch up our offense enough to introduce any doubt in the opposition. I know this is anecdotal, but when we went to the 1-3-1 against Nova, they were ready, had plays set up for that situation and ran them to perfection. Those plays resulted in 2 open jams. I don't know if I'm alone in this, but it's frustrating to watch our guys run the same offenses regardless of the defense we face; when people go zone against us, we rarely find spacing on the baseline or at the elbow, just content to run the weave on the perimeter (I'm talking generally, I acknowledge your anecdotes about the end of the game situations).

You definitely make some good points, and my post wasn't necessarily in response/disagreement to you as the others who responded.

Agreed on the effectiveness of the base offense at times this year -- I guess I just wonder if more shots were falling if we'd even be having this conversation. It is definitely frustrating. Not sure anyone would have thought we'd be discussing this group's inability to make shots in January.

[whopper]

Unfortunately Gaston and O'Meara are no threat in the seams as Farr, Reynolds and even Stanbrook were (15 to 10 foot jump shots) so getting them the ball by definition subjects the team to more turnovers (a missed 13 footer is far less damaging than a turnover). This point about lack of separation on these weaves is very true, the defenders reach in with impunity as it is predictable so a tipped ball on the wing or key can result in a fast break. Not sure what to do about it except maybe Gates as a big with purpose of taking the shot in the seam.

[Caf]

Unfortunately Gaston and O'Meara are no threat in the seams as Farr, Reynolds and even Stanbrook were (15 to 10 foot jump shots) so getting them the ball by definition subjects the team to more turnovers (a missed 13 footer is far less damaging than a turnover). This point about lack of separation on these weaves is very true, the defenders reach in with impunity as it is predictable so a tipped ball on the wing or key can result in a fast break. Not sure what to do about it except maybe Gates as a big with purpose of taking the shot in the seam.

The only part I disagree with is that you said "and even" in front of Stainbrook.

[mirabilelectu]

You definitely make some good points, and my post wasn't necessarily in response/disagreement to you as the others who responded.

Agreed on the effectiveness of the base offense at times this year -- I guess I just wonder if more shots were falling if we'd even be having this conversation. It is definitely frustrating. Not sure anyone would have thought we'd be discussing this group's inability to make shots in January.

Nor was mine, I agree with your takes as well. I agree about the shots; we have had some good looks rattle out, but for the most part I think (and I think you would agree) that our shot selection seems so poor because we often just shoot it at the end of the shot clock. We have not engineered good shots to remedy our shooting woes (by this I mean that we haven't really switched up what we are running in order to catch the defense off guard and create some really good looks).

IMO with the absence of two post players through whom we could run our offense we desperately need a traditional PG. This is not a knock on Ed by any means, he's a great player with a ton of potential, but he lacks the ability to break down a defender. I actually was very excited to see Q run the offense for a few minutes (I thought he did OK, still looking to make some very tough passes) because I think he gets into the middle much more patiently and easily than Ed. If Ed doesn't beat his man with the first step (he often does) he is simply shepherded to the perimeter again; the charge he committed on Monday in the corner with a few minutes left is an exemplar of what I'm getting at. Ed passed up a look to drive, but ran into a completely stationary (some of the charges were questionable, that one wasn't) defender instead of dribbling around him. Right after that play my friend, who became an X fan because I forced him to watch games, texted me: "how is X going to win when the Defense can leave your PG wide open on the perimeter? I can't believe he can't shoot that." I'm not saying a more traditional point guard would be a panacea, but I think it's safe to say that Ed doesn't help us create space.

[xufan2434]

Apologies if I came across unclearly; I understand we run an offense, my point is that it we don't execute it well enough to be consistently effective. We run our motion/flex offense (the weave) the most often, but when I watch it we don't doing anything authoritatively; screens are weak, the cutting is without purpose, and it does produce open looks but we don't hit people in space, but rather when they get to a spot. This results in contested jumpers or iso ball. I'm not saying its a bad offense, I'm saying that we do not run it effectively. Point taken that we do run other plays, but IMO we don't switch up our offense enough to introduce any doubt in the opposition. I know this is anecdotal, but when we went to the 1-3-1 against Nova, they were ready, had plays set up for that situation and ran them to perfection. Those plays resulted in 2 open jams. I don't know if I'm alone in this, but it's frustrating to watch our guys run the same offenses regardless of the defense we face; when people go zone against us, we rarely find spacing on the baseline or at the elbow, just content to run the weave on the perimeter (I'm talking generally, I acknowledge your anecdotes about the end of the game situations).

Could not be more spot on here. Everyone is constantly moving in slow motion out there. The reason they fumble hand-offs or the guy hedging gets a steal is because they're not moving with emphasis. That steal Patton had on JP early in the game wouldn't happen if JP came flying off the screen. Instead he'd most likely draw a block foul. And to your point AviatorX, I agree late in the game he called some good sets. He got the effective switch for Ed to get that And 1 to tie it. IMO they just don't do enough of those things. Mack preaches ball movement, but having 4 guys lazily run around the perimeter handing it off and making the occasional swing pass would not exactly be understood as good ball movement. We'll see what he comes up with this week. He usually does a good job creating an offense revolving around his best players. This year, I just don't see what he's created working for those 3.

[scoscox]

JP is the absolute worst culprit. Grinds the offense to a halt

[xukeith]

Apologies if I came across unclearly; I understand we run an offense, my point is that it we don't execute it well enough to be consistently effective. We run our motion/flex offense (the weave) the most often, but when I watch it we don't doing anything authoritatively; screens are weak, the cutting is without purpose, and it does produce open looks but we don't hit people in space, but rather when they get to a spot. This results in contested jumpers or iso ball. I'm not saying its a bad offense, I'm saying that we do not run it effectively. Point taken that we do run other plays, but IMO we don't switch up our offense enough to introduce any doubt in the opposition. I know this is anecdotal, but when we went to the 1-3-1 against Nova, they were ready, had plays set up for that situation and ran them to perfection. Those plays resulted in 2 open jams. I don't know if I'm alone in this, but it's frustrating to watch our guys run the same offenses regardless of the defense we face; when people go zone against us, we rarely find spacing on the baseline or at the elbow, just content to run the weave on the perimeter (I'm talking generally, I acknowledge your anecdotes about the end of the game situations).

We lack Dee Davis mental talent. He knew every space/ play and was deliberate on getting ball crisply to players. Who would have thought we missed him over more talented and higher recruited guards?

[ReturnOfTheMack]

JP is the absolute worst culprit. Grinds the offense to a halt

Lately, Trevon "Carmelo" Bluiett isn't far behind. The ball has been stopping when he hits his hand the past few weeks.

[scoscox]

Haha I agree with that. Thought about including him, but my vendetta against JP wouldn't allow it

[waggy]

We lack Dee Davis mental talent. He knew every space/ play and was deliberate on getting ball crisply to players. Who would have thought we missed him over more talented and higher recruited guards?

Give Sumner 2 more years of experience and see what happens. It's all about experience.

[bleedXblue]

Lately, Trevon "Carmelo" Bluiett isn't far behind. The ball has been stopping when he hits his hand the past few weeks.

Absolutely correct. These guys generally aren't looking at facilitate the offense, they want to BE the offense. Its painfully clear and quite honestly very surprising that Mack cant get it corrected.

[XUGRAD80]

Lately, Trevon "Carmelo" Bluiett isn't far behind. The ball has been stopping when he hits his hand the past few weeks.

Just want to point out that Bluiett had 4 assists against Villanova and 3 assists against Creighton.

Not disagreeing that the offense is not working real well right now, but I really feel that much of that is turnovers and missed free throws and lack of defensive stops leading to easy baskets. Some of that is undoubtably Blu's fault, but there is plenty of "blame" to pass around....if you feel the need to "blame" someone, that is.

[Xville]

Absolutely correct. These guys generally aren't looking at facilitate the offense, they want to BE the offense. Its painfully clear and quite honestly very surprising that Mack cant get it corrected.

This has happened before with Mack coached teams. The difference is that back then it was Jordan Crawford and Tu doing it, and they were a lot more skillful than Tre and JP. Sumner can be a lot more than what he is right now, but he is still very raw.

[ReturnOfTheMack]

Just want to point out that Bluiett had 4 assists against Villanova and 3 assists against Creighton.

Not disagreeing that the offense is not working real well right now, but I really feel that much of that is turnovers and missed free throws and lack of defensive stops leading to easy baskets. Some of that is undoubtably Blu's fault, but there is plenty of "blame" to pass around....if you feel the need to "blame" someone, that is.

Those assist numbers are just "eh" on face value. When you consider the ball is in his hands more than anyone on the team not named Sumner, you realize those numbers aren't worth much. I'm not trying to beat up on the guy. I think he's a really good college player but lately a large share of the offensive woes has to lay at his feet. He's struggling to hit shots, he's struggling to get in rhythm, and he's struggling to make the offense run efficiently. His production has been more a product of volume than quality. That's not entirely his fault but when you're the best pure offensive player on the team that's how it goes.