Game Thread: Xavier v. Villanova (February 11, 2017)

[Muskie]

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2752.png&h=150&w=150v.http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/222.png&h=150&w=150

Xavier Musketeers vs. Villanova Wildcats



February 11, 2017
Game Time: 2:30pm ET
Cintas Center | Cincinnati, Ohio
TV: FOX
Radio:700WLW (https://www.iheart.com/live/700wlw-1713/?autoplay=true&pname=1209&campid=header&cid=index.html) & Westwood One
Live Stats (http://www.sidearmstats.com/xavier/mbball/)
Live Chat (http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=XavierHoops)

[American X]

I am concerned about our guys looking past this one to our road game at Providence.

[muskieindent]

I am concerned about our guys looking past this one to our road game at Providence.
It definetly could be a trap game.I mean they trap us in the back court after a made basket.Have to take care of the ball better than Wednesday night.

[drudy23]

We ride.

It is written, so it shall pass.

[XU 87]

It definetly could be a trap game.I mean they trap us in the back court after a made basket.Have to take care of the ball better than Wednesday night.

Way too many turnovers on Wednesday. That said, I thought X handled the DePaul press well, except for one turnover.

[xufan2434]

Way too many turnovers on Wednesday. That said, I thought X handled the DePaul press well, except for one turnover.

I don't have the numbers in front of me and refuse to look them up right now, but I swear Depaul has to be near the top in terms of BE teams that turn X over. They always play lazy and uninterested against them. Hard to blame em, they're trash. Basically I don't take anything into account from Depaul games in terms of how they'll play the next game.

[XUMIOH12]

not feeling very confident about this game at all

[xu82]

TODAY is Feb 10, which briefly confused and scared me. (See how easy that is?!)

[muskieindent]

I don't have the numbers in front of me and refuse to look them up right now, but I swear Depaul has to be near the top in terms of BE teams that turn X over. They always play lazy and uninterested against them. Hard to blame em, they're trash. Basically I don't take anything into account from Depaul games in terms of how they'll play the next game.

Playing down to the level of your opponent. Let's play up to Nova's level tomorrow.

[X-ceptional]

I don't have the numbers in front of me and refuse to look them up right now, but I swear Depaul has to be near the top in terms of BE teams that turn X over. They always play lazy and uninterested against them. Hard to blame em, they're trash. Basically I don't take anything into account from Depaul games in terms of how they'll play the next game.

I felt the same way after reading your comment, so I copied all of X's gamelogs from Sports Reference (http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/xavier/2017-gamelogs.html) (side note, this is one of my favorite websites) into Excel and looked at the conference games since Xavier joined the BEast. In that time, St. John's has turned us over the most, at 14.5/game. Sure enough, Depaul comes in second, with 13.29/game.

Of course, Nova is next at 12.75, and the rest are all around 11 or 12, except G'town at 8.5/game.

[xufan2434]

I felt the same way after reading your comment, so I copied all of X's gamelogs from Sports Reference (http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/xavier/2017-gamelogs.html) (side note, this is one of my favorite websites) into Excel and looked at the conference games since Xavier joined the BEast. In that time, St. John's has turned us over the most, at 14.5/game. Sure enough, Depaul comes in second, with 13.29/game.

Of course, Nova is next at 12.75, and the rest are all around 11 or 12, except G'town at 8.5/game.

Haha wow, that's pretty good. Sports Reference is awesome btw. Love looking up old seasons on there. And of the stats, that has to be biggest piece of evidence blatantly pointing out playing down to the bottom 2 teams every year. And then it flips to the best team and on down the rankings. Pretty interesting

[Nigel Tufnel]

Overnight line on sportsinsights is Nova -4. I thought it would be higher....

[xu82]

Overnight line on sportsinsights is Nova -4. I thought it would be higher....

If I were a betting man, I know what side of that I'd be on. I mean, I'm hopeful, but....

[paulxu]

I hope this team just shuts all the naysayers up, and goes out and wins the damn thing.

[xu82]

I hope this team just shuts all the naysayers up, and goes out and wins the damn thing.

I'm not a naysayer, just the nervous type. I picked X 78-75, and I'm sticking with it!

[BMoreX]

Line seems low

[bobbiemcgee]

Tent City beginning to form.

[paulxu]

Tent City beginning to form.

Free pizza!!!

[bobbiemcgee]

Shannon Russell

For Xavier to make a charge at first place in the Big East standings, it can’t afford to lose Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. home game against league-leading Villanova.
Of course, that’s easier said than done.
The No. 2-ranked Wildcats (23-2, 10-2 Big East) throttled No. 24 Xavier (18-6, 8-3) by 25 points at The Pavilion a month ago. It was the first game Edmond Sumner suffered a shoulder injury and the most lopsided Musketeers loss all season.
Xavier led by as many as eight points in the rout but coach Chris Mack considered the cushion deceptive because the Musketeers relied so heavily on 3-pointers. They attempted a season-high 32 threes.
“We settled a whole lot. And even when we built up an eight-point lead in the first half, it was fool’s gold because we never penetrated the 3-point line with a post pass, with a drive, simply a backdoor cut. There were I think five or six straight possessions at one point where we didn’t even crack the 3-point line. And I don’t even know if that’s possible,” Mack said Friday at Cintas Center.
“So we have to be much better in all facets of the game, but certainly earning our offense is of utmost importance.”
Jay Wright’s defending national championship team has downed opponents by an average of 14.6 points and controlled the glass by an average margin of plus-5.2. Josh Hart (19.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg) is a major concern but not the only concern, as Jalen Brunson (14.1 ppg, 4.2 apg), Kris Jenkins (14 ppg) and Mikal Bridges (10.5) inflict massive damage as well.
The Wildcats’ defeats this season came at Butler and at Marquette. In both games, Villanova lost the rebounding battle and struggled mightily with perimeter shooting. It stands to reason that clamping down on those areas would be in Xavier’s best interest.
Mack said that may be a prescription to beat the Wildcats, “but very few teams have gone to Walgreens.”
“They missed a lot of open threes against Marquette. They just did. Marquette put a 1-3-1 zone up, similar to our game last year where there were a lot of missed threes by Villanova. I don’t know if you can go into the game – and I don’t believe you can go into the game – hoping they miss threes,” Mack said.
“They’re going to take them. They’re going to take challenged ones, they’re going to take deep ones. You have to make them as difficult as you possibly can, and then you have to keep them off the glass. That puts more pressure on anybody’s first shot if they can’t get second and third looks.”
Xavier has been more physical and generous in feeding the post since it last faced Villanova. In Game One, RaShid Gaston, Tyrique Jones and Sean O’Mara combined for just 10 points.
And point guard Quentin Goodin, who relieved Sumner after his injury, had more fouls (2) than assists (1) in his 13 minutes.
The rematch presents Xavier with prime opportunities, from the standings to resume bolstering implications. The Musketeers’ charge is replicating much of what they did last February when they dispatched then-No. 1 Wildcats at Cintas Center: Owning the rebounding battle, outscoring Nova in the paint, compromising their looks from three and thriving offensively behind a host of double-figure scorers.
Each possession matters, as does Xavier’s intensity from start to finish. The drop-offs took a toll on XU in Game One.
“When we went out there, we threw the first blow and we punched them in the face and then they decided, ‘Hey, we’re going to punch you right back in the face.’ And they did. And we didn’t,” Malcolm Bernard said.
TV/RADIO: Saturday’s game will be on FOX national (including FOX 19 in Cincinnati) with Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson and Shannon Spake. Byron Larkin and Joe Sunderman will have the radio call on 700-WLW.
TENT CITY: Tonight students will set up tents outside Cintas Center to camp out for the game. Xavier will provide them with pizza tonight and donuts tomorrow, and coaches and players may make appearances.
Mack described the tent city as “awesome.”
“I think it’s something that the students will remember for a lifetime,” Mack said. “I don’t know how many chemistry classes you’ll remember, but you’ll always remember camping out before a game of tomorrow’s profile. And I know we’ve have them in the past, and former Xavier students and alums have talked about that as being one of the best experiences they’ve ever had with their friends. Hopefully the weather’s warm enough where they don’t get frozen out overnight.”
NUMBERS GAME: Xavier has won four straight, as has Villanova. The Musketeers are 12-1 at home

[Nigel Tufnel]

I hope this team just shuts all the naysayers up, and goes out and wins the damn thing.

I hope you don't think I'm a "naysayer" because I thought the line would be higher...I just thought the freshman PG angle would result in a little higher line. I thought it would be between 5.5-6.5. Doesn't mean I think Nova would cover it. And and I just checked...and it's down to Nova -3.5. Hmmmm

[scoscox]

I hope this team just shuts all the naysayers up, and goes out and wins the damn thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-hDl6OALv4

word

[X@heart]

Hey everyone, long time lurker but first time poster.
Well, I was reading the comments on the write up for the X vs Nova game tomorrow on VU hoops and from what I have read it seems as though their center J.Reynolds is out for tomorrows game and possibly the next few weeks. Just wondering has anyone on here heard about this. I know the guy doesnt score much, but I think we could take advantage of this. Opinions?

[Blue Blooded-05]

Hey everyone, long time lurker but first time poster.
Well, I was reading the comments on the write up for the X vs Nova game tomorrow on VU hoops and from what I have read it seems as though their center J.Reynolds is out for tomorrows game and possibly the next few weeks. Just wondering has anyone on here heard about this. I know the guy doesnt score much, but I think we could take advantage of this. Opinions?

Earlier this year in Philadelphia, we shot 17/58 from the floor, including 6/32 from three. If we shoot that way again, they could march out Vern Troyer at center and still beat us.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'd love to not see XU players go for the very first Nova pump fake.

[paulxu]

I hope you don't think I'm a "naysayer" because I thought the line would be higher...I just thought the freshman PG angle would result in a little higher line. I thought it would be between 5.5-6.5. Doesn't mean I think Nova would cover it. And and I just checked...and it's down to Nova -3.5. Hmmmm

Nah. Guess I'm more thinking of the talking heads that don't give us much chance. And after the 25 pt blow out, that makes sense.
Just stretching out a little. I'd love to see us win a squeaker. Would make for a good season. Any given Sunday and all that.

[xu82]

I'd love to not see XU players go for the very first Nova pump fake.

We could eat up the shot clock with patience.

[scoscox]

I'd love to not see XU players go for the very first Nova pump fake.

Haha no way we stay down. Apparently Darryl Reynolds is injured and sitting out the game. Even more reason to pound the paint

[bobbiemcgee]

Reynolds was 5-6 in our last meeting. Most of it came from exploiting our 1-3-1.

[American X]

Tent City beginning to form.

What did nuts4xu say to the stripper?

[Ray Foye Combo]

should be a good game guys........see you in the chat

#yourfavoriterivalfan

[Ray Foye Combo]

Reynolds made it to Cincy late, but he will play.

[XUMIOH12]

SI's Brian Hamilton just tweeted that Darryl Reynolds is out today

[Ray Foye Combo]

SI's Brian Hamilton just tweeted that Darryl Reynolds is out today

He may not, but our insiders close to the program are saying he will play.

This team is 1 injury away from being screwed though. Now our next 2 biggest players are 6'6 Eric Paschall and 6'5 Kris Jenkins....don't look at the roster. Painter isn't good enough to play. Screw it just put Jalen Brunson at the 5.

[Ray Foye Combo]

ok the Villanova twitter reported it....well that sucks....Painter is horrible

[GIMMFD]

Iiiiiii am anxious. I don't really have a feel for the game yet, I'm not too sure how I feel. Half of me thinks we'll win, the other half is worried. I'm just hoping the atmosphere was the same as last year, because man, Cintas was rocking. DO YOUR PART PEOPLE!!

[bjf123]

One key thing today. Make the bloody free throws!


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[UCGRAD4X]

One key thing today. Make the bloody free throws!

Own the paint!!!

[GoMuskies]

Let's go!!!!!!!!!!

[UCGRAD4X]

Quick timeout by Jay at the 16:08 mark. Weird

[UCGRAD4X]

Quick timeout by Jay at the 16:08 mark. Weird

and then a turnover

[letskeepitreal]

Good start but can we withstand the pressing of Villanova?

[Blue Blooded-05]

Tre limps into the locker room... %#@&!

[X Factor]

Villanova could beat us playing their walk-ons. They have our number.

[paulxu]

We've gone ice cold. They've got hot.

[X Factor]

1-6 from the FT line!

[X Factor]

It would be really nice if Goodin could actually finish a shot...

[X Factor]

Brunson finishes a tough shot in the lane...

[X Factor]

You can just tell we're not in the same class as Villanova. They rarely make mistakes or take bad shots. They do everything so well. They also make their FT's.

[letskeepitreal]

Outmuscled, out hustled and outshot. Gotta pick up the intensity and shooting to have a shot.

[xudash]

You can just tell we're not in the same class as Villanova. They rarely make mistakes or take bad shots. They do everything so well. They also make their FT's.

They do operate at a different level.

[paulxu]

I've seen Gates cut to the basket a couple of times with a step on his man, but our guards can't seem to spot the opening.

[bjf123]

1-6 from the FT line!

Keep that up and we're toast.


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[UCGRAD4X]

You can just tell we're not in the same class as Villanova. They rarely make mistakes or take bad shots. They do everything so well. They also make their FT's.

But we got better uniforms?

[paulxu]

Nova is good, take nothing away from them.
But they've got one TO, we've got 4.
We're 1-6 from the line, just leaving points to die. They're 4-5.
We can compete with these guys, just seems to be a little mental.
And..they run set plays with precision.

[paulxu]

Why do Tre and Goodin think they need to go 1 on 5?

[Muskie]

It doesn't help that Blueitt is operating at like 15%.


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[X Factor]

Nova is good, take nothing away from them.
But they've got one TO, we've got 4.
We're 1-6 from the line, just leaving points to die. They're 4-5.
We can compete with these guys, just seems to be a little mental.
And..they run set plays with precision.

It's because they're a lot better team. They DON'T turn it over. We do. They MAKE their FT's. We don't. They finish shots around the rim. We don't.

[X Factor]

Another Villanova game, another beat down.

[paulxu]

It's because they're a lot better team. They DON'T turn it over. We do. They MAKE their FT's. We don't. They finish shots around the rim. We don't.

Maybe we don't finish because we're 1 on 5.

[X Factor]

Goodin is about 3-48 from the field since he took over.

[GIMMFD]

Well this really sucks, hoping they come out with some fire in the second half or we're gonna get run out of the gym.

[mistabeecee41]

Have we ever lost by 30 at home? That's what's going to happen with an injured Tre, missing foul shots and Q taking another 24 shots

[UCGRAD4X]

We beat this team last year when they were number one and soon to be national champs. We can do it again but we gotta make some shots.

Just sayin

[X Factor]

Maybe we don't finish because we're 1 on 5.

Another sign of a really good team. They don't play hero ball. They trust each other and their offense.

[bjf123]

Tre put up goose eggs across the board. Need him to catch fire or it will be a fugly second half.


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[BandAid]

Jay Wright before half, "we're lucky we haven't fouled."

[X Factor]

Trevon has 0 points and 4 turnovers. I know his ankle is really hurting, but we have NO CHANCE to beat Villanova without Tre.

[X Factor]

Goodin is 1-9 from the field!! At this rate, he's going to be shooting 15% for the season.

[BandAid]

That Kris Jenkins four point play sucked big time. It was immediately after Tre went out to get his ankle taped up and Jenkins failed enough to take up the width of three people. Shit, he should shoot like that all the time. It's impossible to cleanly guard a guy when he's impersonating a dead fish in the air. That's supremely accelerated their run.

[JTG]

Jay Wright before half, "we're lucky we haven't fouled."

No Jay, you're lucky the refs haven't called anything, while X can't breathe on Villinova.

[skyking]

Thank God we are rebounding or it would be even uglier.

[X Factor]

Goodin from the field last 4 games: 2-11, 5-17, 2-6, 1-9 (today)

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Not making FTs in a tough game is a sin. With Tre hurting, we really have no consistent scorer. I just hope that we do not lose by an embassrassing margin.

[xu82]

Not making FTs in a tough game is a sin. With Tre hurting, we really have no consistent scorer. I just hope that we do not lose by an embassrassing margin.

Our team is full of sinners!

[AviatorX]

Not making FTs in a tough game is a sin. With Tre hurting, we really have no consistent scorer. I just hope that we do not lose by an embassrassing margin.

Honestly not even worried about it. The rest of this regular season is about not losing games X should win. Lose today by 1 or 100 and the mission is the same. Obviously a win would be a huge bonus.

Edit: Reynolds going out may be a blessing in disguise for Nova, at least against X. Don't have the front court to really punish them on the rebounding advantage on putbacks/FT's and it just opens more minutes for Divencenzo who is obviously killing X.

[HenryMuto]

Disappointing 1st half. Sure could use JR on this team. Why in the hell did he go pro what is he doing now ?

[bobbiemcgee]

Offensive rebounds X 9 Nova 0 - just take inside please!

[paulxu]

Gates is 1-1. Let's get him a couple more shots...just for the hell of it.

[AviatorX]

Disappointing 1st half. Sure could use JR on this team. Why in the hell did he go pro what is he doing now ?

Making a significant amount of money to play basketball instead of being a 25 year old super senior. Think he'll be alright.

[xuinmd]

Sure hop Q is not our point guard of the future no offensive skill

[xu82]

Sure hop Q is not our point guard of the future no offensive skill

And sometimes..... freshmen get better over time. I hope his scoring skills in the future look a little more polished than his present.

[X Factor]

5 point swing!!! Goodin misses ANOTHER layup and Hart buries a 3 on the other end!

[AviatorX]

5 point swing!!! Goodin misses ANOTHER layup and Hart buries a 3 on the other end!

Can't really blame him for that one man. It was 75% down.

[X Factor]

6-13 FT's...

We're not good fundementally.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

X is missing everything. This team is so hard to watch right now.

[bjf123]

Nova's FT defense is killing us.


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[paulxu]

I don't care if he misses. I want Gates shooting the 3, not Goodin.
We own the offensive boards, but are shooting 40% to their 50%. Can't win that way.

[paulxu]

JP at least knows how to drive and dish.

[X Factor]

Can Mack recruit a point guard who can shoot? Semaj - no. Ed - no. Goodin - no.

[paulxu]

Myles - yes, Davis - yes.

[X Factor]

Myles - yes, Davis - yes.

NOT a point guard.

[X Factor]

Another 4 layups missed

[paulxu]

Dee Davis not a point guard?

[bjf123]

I'm sure we lead the country in missed bunnies.


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[mistabeecee41]

I'm more disappointed in Kaisers performance than Qs. Q went down swinging - I almost forgot Kaiser was on the team

[paulxu]

I've got to believe that with a healthy Bluiett this would have been a close game we could have won.

[X Factor]

Yes, Dee was. Ok, one.

Without Ed it would've been an longshot to beat Nova today. Without Ed AND Trevon, there was NO chance Xavier winning this game.

Still wish they could've made some layups and FT's.

I've said it before though, depth is overrated, if you're not missing your "key" guys like X. Nova is playing 6 guys just fine.

[Xville]

Nova is our daddy and will win the league again

[X Factor]

I'm sure we lead the country in missed bunnies.


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Without a doubt. Xavier is easily one of the worst teams in the country at "finishing at the rim". I forget which stats site keeps track of it, but someone posted it awhile ago.

[X Factor]

Goodin, 1-13 :facepalm:

[X Factor]

In the history books, "Where did Jay Wright earn his 500th win?"

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Like I said, "missing everything".

[letskeepitreal]

In spite of cold shooting, kinda like what I'm seeing from Goodin. We are getting the assists especially from Goodin and Macura but just not converting. Pretty hard to beat Villanova without Sumner and Bluiett.

[skyking]

I remember way back when (Oct 2016) X was picked by many as a dark horse final four team. Maybe next year?

[X Factor]

Is rebounding overrated? X is out-rebounding Nova 40-25 overall and 21-6 on the offensive glass.

[paulxu]

I'm probably in the minority, but I think we just don't run enough set plays and settle for 1 on however many in crazy drives to the rim, that don't pick up a foul and don't go in.

We are killing them on the boards; 40-25. We have a 21-6 edge in offensive boards.
Generally those types of numbers occur in a win, not a 10 pt loss.

I'm still proud of the fight they are exhibiting, especially with Tre out. Like it or not, you lose your 2 best players you are going to suffer.

[X Factor]

That a was a massive brain fart by Bernard.

[HenryMuto]

Last year was this team's chance #2 seed and blew it vs Wisky.

[PattyMac1021]

Is rebounding overrated? X is out-rebounding Nova 40-25 overall and 21-6 on the offensive glass.

It seemed to work pretty well for UC even when they were being drilled by 3 pointers.

[X Factor]

Seriously? Great press guys. Nova just throws a bomb to Hart.

[bjf123]

Seriously? Great press guys. Nova just throws a bomb to Hart.

And yet we can't break a press.


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[X Factor]

If Goodin continues to shoot less than 20% like he has the past 4 games, we have no chance of doing anything in the postseason. Kid needs to grow up and start converting. He was a Top 75, 4 star recruit.

[AviatorX]

Last year was this team's chance #2 seed and blew it vs Wisky.

Good thing you have your other 3 teams! Except for OSU and Cleveland St who suck I guess.

[GoMuskies]

They're just better. Is what it is.

[BandAid]

Fuck jay wright and fuck Villanova

[X-Fan]

It was a tall enough task facing Nova with one true guard, then Tre goes out. Man, this season is such a roller coaster. Every time I think they are going to turn the corner they take a step back. So frustrating!

All that said, not all is lost. Hopefully Tre can heal up and X can get back on track.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

They're just better. Is what it is.

Taped
The game since I was out playing old man soccer. Is trevon's injury serious?

[AviatorX]

Taped
The game since I was out playing old man soccer. Is trevon's injury serious?

Tweaked the ankle. Tried to go again for a few minutes and then called it. Probably just needs rest and to hope for the best.

[UCGRAD4X]

Love how announcer praise Nova for winning short-handed. Love Gus but.....really?

[X Factor]

Basically we were down to one true offensive threat today and that was JP. Yes, Gaston had a big game, but that was because Nova's tallest player was 6'7.

No Ed, no Tre, Goodin with another 3% shooting game, and NO WAY we're beating Villanova.

[novachap]

Gotta say, that sucked. Some day we will play each other with both teams at full strength.

Before it got out of hand, i thought macura and gaston really looked good together. Could have gone with more 2 man game there i thought.

Anyway, see you in ny.

[AviatorX]

Well, not gonna beat Nova without Bluiett and Sumner. No way anyone could take exception to that.

However, watching Marquette and Seton Hall play today, if Bluiett can play, I really think X will finish 2nd in the conference. Maybe I'm crazy.

[JTG]

Goodin, 1-13 :facepalm:

He's got a month to get better. It only takes getting hot for a couple weeks to succeed.

[xu82]

Taped
The game since I was out playing old man soccer. Is trevon's injury serious?

When was the last time he had ZERO points? Ouch!

[XUFan09]

When was the last time he had ZERO points? Ouch!
Never.

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[xu82]

Well, not gonna beat Nova without Bluiett and Sumner. No way anyone could take exception to that.

However, watching Marquette and Seton Hall play today, if Bluiett can play, I really think X will finish 2nd in the conference. Maybe I'm crazy.

If you think about it, we played the second half without 60% of our expected starters this year (including Myles). You won't beat a team like Nova with that, but the future is bright.

[AviatorX]

As far as Q, I think Broering has nailed it on a couple of his free pods/The Skinny Podcast. Coming in, no one was worried about Q's ability to finish at the rim, it was a major strength. The question marks were whether he could run an offense/distribute the ball, which he has done exceptionally well in my view. He has gotten great great looks consistently for teammates since Ed went down.

These shooting performances are beyond frustrating to watch, but I'm still very very high on Q.

[xu82]

Never.

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Probably in any game in his LIFE. Get well Trevon!

[xu82]

as far as q, i think broering has nailed it on a couple of his free pods/the skinny podcast. Coming in, no one was worried about q's ability to finish at the rim, it was a major strength. The question marks were whether he could run an offense/distribute the ball, which he has done exceptionally well in my view. He has gotten great great looks consistently for teammates since ed went down.

These shooting performances are beyond frustrating to watch, but i'm still very very high on q.

absolutely!

[X Factor]

As far as Q, I think Broering has nailed it on a couple of his free pods/The Skinny Podcast. Coming in, no one was worried about Q's ability to finish at the rim, it was a major strength. The question marks were whether he could run an offense/distribute the ball, which he has done exceptionally well in my view. He has gotten great great looks consistently for teammates since Ed went down.

These shooting performances are beyond frustrating to watch, but I'm still very very high on Q.

Maybe, but since he took over after Ed went down, he's shooting 21% from the field, 28% from three, and 46% from the FT line.

He HAS to shoot better than that. He was a Top 75 recruit. We could put just about anyone out there and get those numbers.

[LA Muskie]

Myles - yes, Davis - yes.

I disagree with his premise. But Myles was never intended to be a PG. And Dee wasn't really a "shooter".


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[LA Muskie]

Yes, Dee was. Ok, one.

Without Ed it would've been an longshot to beat Nova today. Without Ed AND Trevon, there was NO chance Xavier winning this game.

Still wish they could've made some layups and FT's.

I've said it before though, depth is overrated, if you're not missing your "key" guys like X. Nova is playing 6 guys just fine.

Dee wasn't a "shooter" by any stretch. Except when compared to Semaj and Ed.


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[BandAid]

Maybe, but since he took over after Ed went down, he's shooting 21% from the field, 28% from three, and 46% from the FT line.

He HAS to shoot better than that. He was a Top 75 recruit. We could put just about anyone out there and get those numbers.

Don't worry. He will. (As long as it doesn't toy with his psyche. His two dunk attempts are emblematic of that already happening.)

[AviatorX]

Maybe, but since he took over after Ed went down, he's shooting 21% from the field, 28% from three, and 46% from the FT line.

He HAS to shoot better than that. He was a Top 75 recruit. We could put just about anyone out there and get those numbers.

Well, I don't think just about anyone could get in the lane at will like Q can at times, but yes obviously if he is a career 21/28/46 guy he will not be a good player.

[muskieindent]

As CM said,Brunson handed Quentin his lunch. Tough game for the freshman. Clearly we can't win without Trey. Let's get him healthy

[xuinmd]

he was not a shooter in high school. Also did not play high level competition.

[Juice]

he was not a shooter in high school. Also did not play high level competition.

1) He will be a better shooter than Ed
2) He played for Indy Elite in AAU. No one gives a shit about high school basketball.

[SkyWalker]

The problem with getting 22 offensive rebounds is that you need to miss at least 22 shots. We missed 39 FG's. Nova only missed 25.

[xudash]

I've got to believe that with a healthy Bluiett this would have been a close game we could have won.

Agreed. At some point there is no "next man up."

Sumner gone.

Bluiett down.

Jones not at 100%.

Forget that they're missing Reynolds. Just way too many key personnel losses for us to absorb.

[SkyWalker]

Agreed. At some point there is no "next man up."

Sumner gone.

Bluiett down.

Jones not at 100%.

Forget that they're missing Reynolds. Just way too many key personnel losses for us to absorb.

I was at the game today. Not sure if it was shown on TV but JP seemed to be stretching out his back numersous times. Hope he good to go against Providence.

[muskieindent]

he was not a shooter in high school. Also did not play high level competition.

He has to be able to finish better when he gets to the rim. That's the biggest difference between he and Ed.

[xavierj]

Dee wasn't a "shooter" by any stretch. Except when compared to Semaj and Ed.


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Semaj shot 39% from 3 and 49% from 2 his last year at X, where Dee Davis never reached either. Dee shot 32% from 3 his senior year.

[xavierj]

Sure hop Q is not our point guard of the future no offensive skill

He is a point guard and a great passer. He will be fine. He will start finishing. In AAU that is where he made his mark. He will never be a pure shooter, but many point guards just are not. Rajon Rondo was a 27% three shooter in college. Q was hitting 36% from 3 before today and that is where he was considered weak coming in. He attacks hard and is really strong, and will learn to adjust.

His last 6 games he has 34 assists and 11 turnovers. That's pretty good for a freshman PG.

[X Factor]

Semaj shot 39% from 3 and 49% from 2 his last year at X, where Dee Davis never reached either. Dee shot 32% from 3 his senior year.

But who would you trust to take a three pointer between those two? Semaj's 39% came on less than 50 attempts. He was not close to a 39% three point shooter. He could finish really well though.

[X Factor]

Rajon Rondo was a 27% three shooter in college.

Rondo is one of the few expections to the rule.

[TUclutch]

Disappointing 1st half. Sure could use JR on this team. Why in the hell did he go pro what is he doing now ?

Dumb post. Hes making 6 figures playing basketball and not going to class.

[TUclutch]

Sure hop Q is not our point guard of the future no offensive skill

Man, the trolls really come out during a rough game. Yet another ridiculous post

[bjf123]

I think Q is much better at sharing the ball. I haven’t checked the stats, but my impression is that he didn't average as many as Q. At the same time, he's much better at finishing at the rim. Q had a couple today where he was going for the dunk and flat out missed. Gotta make sure the ball goes in.


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[LA Muskie]

Semaj shot 39% from 3 and 49% from 2 his last year at X, where Dee Davis never reached either. Dee shot 32% from 3 his senior year.

Good point. Dee was a bad shooter too. We all know Semaj's last-year shooting percentages were not reflective of his shooting proficiency.


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[Caf]

They're just better. Is what it is.

This is really all there is to say. We lost to what is probably the best team in the country without our 2 best players. Learn what we can, recover, and on to the next one.

[OTRMUSKIE]

We somehow kept it close with really 3 of our players gone. We were expecting Myles to play then Ed got hurt and now Trey. This team should have lost by 30. Next year nova will get theirs I promise and maybe x2. Hart is gone their pg is prob gone as well and there is another player, Jenkins? He is gone too if not already. Nova is sick and well coached.

[X-band '01]

We somehow kept it close with really 3 of our players gone. We were expecting Myles to play then Ed got hurt and now Trey. This team should have lost by 30. Next year nova will get theirs I promise and maybe x2. Hart is gone their pg is prob gone as well and there is another player, Jenkins? He is gone too if not already. Nova is sick and well coached.

They'll also have Omari Spellman on their roster next year. His absence likely won't cost them the Big East title, but it could cost them deep in the NCAA Tournament if they run into a team that has a bunch of trees in the post.

[X Factor]

Next year nova will get theirs I promise and maybe x2.

I wouldn't say this about a team who has owned Xavier more than any team in the country recently. You don't think they have guys waiting in the wings to step up? They're a great program; more than a few players.

We're what, 1-10 against Nova since joining the BE?

[Caf]

I wouldn't say this about a team who has owned Xavier more than any team in the country recently. You don't think they have guys waiting in the wings to step up? They're a great program; more than a few players.

We're what, 1-10 against Nova since joining the BE?

https://twitter.com/JohnGasaway/status/830556247254585345

"Since the beginning of the 2013-14 season, Villanova has won 88 percent of its Big East games.

That’s dominance."

They have dominated everyone.

[X Factor]

https://twitter.com/JohnGasaway/status/830556247254585345

"Since the beginning of the 2013-14 season, Villanova has won 88 percent of its Big East games.

That’s dominance."

They have dominated everyone.


True, but probably only DePaul has a worse record against Nova, and that means they haven't beaten them since the new BE began.

[Caf]

True, but probably only DePaul has a worse record against Nova, and that means they haven't beaten them since the new BE began.

Just looking at teams who have beaten them.

16-17 they lost to Marquette and Butler.
15-16 Providence, Seton Hall, and us.
14-15 Georgetown and Seton Hall.
13-14 Creighton twice, and Seton Hall.

On that basis we're tied with Marquette, Butler, Providence, and Georgetown. St. Johns and DePaul have not beaten them in the new conference. Really impressive.

[xavierj]

Rondo is one of the few expections to the rule.

Not really. Isaiah Thomas (current player), Kyle lowery, Dwayne Wade, and Derrick Rose all shot less than 33% from three in college and even Westbrook shot only 33% his last year at UCLA.

[paulxu]

This is not the season we wanted. No Myles and senior leadership. No Ed and his 15 pts/game.
And now a hobbled Bluiett.
I like Q; but he's a freshman. He gets to the rim in a different way than Ed did.
He has to learn when 3 defenders collapse on him, that there are open cutters and 3 pt people waiting if his way is blocked for a shot.
Not giving up on a good season if things start to jell, and Tre comes back.
But the team will be tested in the next few weeks. If they play hard and don't give up, I'll be pleased as a fan.

[xu82]

Last year, most things seemed to break our way until the Big Dance. This year, it feels like a shit storm. But it's not as bad as it feels. Peak in March and this could be epic. If not, we are poised to be a very talented team next year. We have a few games we'd like back, but no really horrible losses. Most would have been half-expected, even. Disappointed, but fine with this year. Mack & Co. are awesome.

[vee4xu]

Villanova is the real deal. They have a great point guard, excellent perimeter shooters (51% today), they don't turn the ball over (6 today), they make foul shots (10-11 today) and they play great defense. Hats off to them. It's tough enough to beat a team like Villanova with all chambers filled with bullets, it's impossible to beat them with have the chambers empty. Keep plugging Muskies.

[D-West & PO-Z]

They're just better. Is what it is.

Yes this. Nothing else to say really. Nova is very very hard to beat when we are at full strength. Minus Ed and Tre nearly impossible to beat.

Nova is just a better team. I dont think that will last forever though. They have had a substantial head start in terms of playing in a major conference and getting big time recruits. We will close the gap sooner than later.

[Xville]

Villanova is a final four and possible back to back championship team. They are better than x even with Sumner and tre. X just doesn't have the horses this year to beat them.

Hopefully the team can move past this, grab second or third place in the big east and get a top 6 seed in the tourney. With all that has gone wrong this year, that would be a pretty good accomplishment.

Though I doubt that it happens, it would be awesome for tre and Sumner to both come back next year. I know it is silly to wish that because I think there is about a 1% chance of that happening, but it's time for this program to take a big east titlend. With those two back, I think they would do it quite frankly.

[IM4X]

Congratulations to Jay Wright for his 500th win. What a classy guy and a tremendous coach... And of course someone I'm sure has nothing better to do than look through threads on Xavierhoops.com to see if anyone is congratulating him.

[AviatorX]

Yes this. Nothing else to say really. Nova is very very hard to beat when we are at full strength. Minus Ed and Tre nearly impossible to beat.

Nova is just a better team. I dont think that will last forever though. They have had a substantial head start in terms of playing in a major conference and getting big time recruits. We will close the gap sooner than later.

Agreed. The rosters somewhat reset next year (obviously minus Brunson, he's an awesome piece), and X has come pretty close to evening the recruiting playing field IMO.

[IM4X]

I'm probably in the minority, but I think we just don't run enough set plays and settle for 1 on however many in crazy drives to the rim, that don't pick up a foul and don't go in.

We are killing them on the boards; 40-25. We have a 21-6 edge in offensive boards.
Generally those types of numbers occur in a win, not a 10 pt loss.

I'm still proud of the fight they are exhibiting, especially with Tre out. Like it or not, you lose your 2 best players you are going to suffer.

Agree with your,entire post... Especially the part about not running enough set plays. While Goodin didn't have a good game, it didn't seem like he was always get the help he needed to set him up for success.

[XfansinKy]

9-17 from the free throw line is a perfect recipe for a dish I like to call "How to ensure a loss". I nonly counted them as the game went on, so I may be off one or two on each side.

[XU-PA]

I was at the game today. Not sure if it was shown on TV but JP seemed to be stretching out his back numersous times. Hope he good to go against Providence.

if you watched closely yes, we saw a number of times JP working on tweaked parts. his back, and his right knee. same with Ty (knee), and saw Q in some pain holding his right hand.

This is one bruised and beaten crew.

Fight on men, fight on!

[XfansinKy]

He is a point guard and a great passer. He will be fine. He will start finishing. In AAU that is where he made his mark. He will never be a pure shooter, but many point guards just are not. Rajon Rondo was a 27% three shooter in college. Q was hitting 36% from 3 before today and that is where he was considered weak coming in. He attacks hard and is really strong, and will learn to adjust.

His last 6 games he has 34 assists and 11 turnovers. That's pretty good for a freshman PG.

I've been fortunate enough to see a lot of Q's KHSAA games, local camps, and some AAU when they played locally. The high school teams he played on were championship contenders and played some AAU ball as a unit if I'm not mistaken. Q started getting high level D1 recognition because of an elite camp he had a great showing in, not really because of AAU ball. I know quite a few of Q's cousins and they were so excited that he was going to a basketball powerhouse like eggsavier. His family though, are seriously solid, hard working people. Somebody raised him right because he's never been guilty by association. I would love for Q to make a high salary career out of basketball. His family are the kind that deserve it. Hey...40" vertical, benching 185 20+ times, running a sub 4.5 40 in high school tells me the things that can't be taught are already there as a freshman. I feel he will play as high a level of ptro ball as a developed jump shot will take him.

[XfansinKy]

If you think about it, we played the second half without 60% of our expected starters this year (including Myles). You won't beat a team like Nova with that, but the future is bright.

The future is super bright at guard. Whenever Scruggs gets on campus, the best player on the team is on campus then. Also Naji is a richer version of Justin Cage with a crazy good handle with the ability to play every position but center. He's also has a recruit ranking higher than Tre if I'm not mistaken.

[JTG]

The future is super bright at guard. Whenever Scruggs gets on campus, the best player on the team is on campus then. Also Naji is a richer version of Justin Cage with a crazy good handle with the ability to play every position but center. He's also has a recruit ranking higher than Tre if I'm not mistaken.
And like Q now, they will be freshmen, so it may be this time next year before they really jell.

[bjf123]

9-17 from the free throw line is a perfect recipe for a dish I like to call "How to ensure a loss". I nonly counted them as the game went on, so I may be off one or two on each side.

Before the game, I posted that FTs would be a big factor. We lost by more than the number of FTs we missed, but had we shot a decent %, we would have closed to within 3 or 4 a couple of times. That's a very different game than being down 10-12.


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[GOX]

With Bluett hobbled our 30 percent chance of winning slid to 10.
That's beyond the team's control
What they could control they did it well: 11 turnovers and outstanding effort from everyone on the Court.
Nothing to be ashamed of and Q got to play against a tremendous point guard which has to be a great learning experience.
Mack pointed out Brunson's ability to play fast but always in control. The way he entered the lane, could drive to the basket, or stop, turn his back to the basket, pivot, pivot, and off of the pivots see cutters and stationed perimeters, and then if no one was open, pivot and shoot.
That was worth the price of admission.

[XU 87]

With Bluett hobbled our 30 percent chance of winning slid to 10.


I thought the chances of winning went to about 0-1% once Bluiett got hurt. You must be an optimistic person.

It also occurred to me yesterday that the three best players expected back this year (Myles, Sumner and Bluiett), were not playing in the second half. That's a lot to overcome.