Who's gonna step up from downtown?

[BandDad]

As we get into the more difficult part of the schedule, we will need someone other than Bluiett and Gates to be able to make some bombs. Those two are currently a combined 26 out of 52 (my high school math teacher would be proud to know that I didn't need a calculator to figure out that is 50%). The rest of the team is a combined 6 for 31 for 19% (did need a calculator for that one).

Joseph (GW coach) said last night that he expects to play more zone against X. Baylor plays primarily zone as well and I think we will see more and more of that as we are a matchup nightmare against a man to man scheme.

Macura should step it up some, but we need Scruggs, Marshall and Goodin to be a threat from the perimeter as well to keep our opponents honest. Goodin in particular needs to make at least a few or else teams will sag off of him and take away the drive like they did on Sumner last year.

Don't get too three happy either. Keep feeding the Big Fellas!

[Lamont Sanford]

I'd like to think that between JP, Scruggs, Marshall and Harden...even Kanter we can find some additional outside shooters from distance.

[X Factor]

JP needs to get going from three. He's only 2-8 from three so far this year. The 8 attempts is very low. Marshall and Scruggs aren't "shooters". We need them to be able to knock down an open three, but they aren't going to shoot 40%.

[XfansinKy]

If the game slows down just a little bit for Harden like it seems to be doing for Naji and Scruggs, then Harden could drop 2-3 every couple games on 5-7 attempts. I read he was by far the best jump shooter at an elite summer camp that I cannot think of the camp's name. Harden of course would need more minutes to do that and minutes are earned from coach Mack by playing hard nosed defense. Also, Naji is very capable of making a 2-4 every few games as long as he continues to play so relaxed. Marshall is a really big surprise for me. While I knew he was good, I didn't know he was potential All Big East freshman team good. He handles like a PG, runs the floor like an elite athlete should, positions and blocks out like an upper classmen, and has an NBA size body at the 3. I can see this kid being the next all time great at Xavier. By years end, he may get a lot more of Kaiser's minutes. Also big Kanter could drop 2 or 3 every few games. I like the way he plays.

[bleedXblue]

I have very little concern over this team making shots.

[sirthought]

I think in order for the production from Bluiett and Macura to stay positive they need to force the issue with getting the ball inside more, even if it is a zone. Make that the place the defense needs to worry about and the outside shots will present themselves more easily. I see NBA teams working against a zone and often not have difficulty passing to a big. Not sure why college players struggle with it as much.

[XfansinKy]

Off topic. Sorry. How do/can I create a post for myself and fellow Xfans to comment on if they are interested? I would like to see if X nation is as impressed with our young guys as I am.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Don’t forget K. Gate. He is pretty good shooting 3s.

[American X]

The Streetcar.

[GIMMFD]

Honestly I'm not terribly worried about it, we have the offensive firepower to figure things out regardless of if the 3 ball is hitting or not, JP will get closer to the law of averages, and take more shots when we need him to take threes. Things have just been pretty easy without them as of now.

[Muskie]

Honestly I'm not terribly worried about it, we have the offensive firepower to figure things out regardless of if the 3 ball is hitting or not, JP will get closer to the law of averages, and take more shots when we need him to take threes. Things have just been pretty easy without them as of now.

There will be plenty of shots. More than some of us want from him on certain nights.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[GIMMFD]

There will be plenty of shots. More than some of us want from him on certain nights.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Agreed, but JP is "big balls" for a reason, between him and Tre, I'm glad we have those two as closers going down the stretch, because they seem to love that late game pressure.

[bobbiemcgee]

Don’t forget K. Gate. He is pretty good shooting 3s.

Kais3r!

[Snipe]

Off topic. Sorry. How do/can I create a post for myself and fellow Xfans to comment on if they are interested? I would like to see if X nation is as impressed with our young guys as I am.

Hit the Men's Basketball Forum. At the top will be a button that says "Post New Thread".

For the record, I am impressed with our young guys. They were the final ingredient we needed for this historic run.

[xdude]

I know we've had some very talented teams in years past, but I don't see where we've ever had this much talent top to bottom. we'll get our share of 3s, and Mack will surely adjust if we're having one of those nights where nothing is falling from deep.

[American X]

I know we've had some very talented teams in years past, but I don't see where we've ever had this much talent top to bottom. we'll get our share of 3s, and Mack will surely adjust if we're having one of those nights where nothing is falling from deep.

Any three of the freshmen would easily be starters on many past squads.