Game Thread: Xavier v. Butler (January 2, 2018) Big East Conference

[Muskie]

Xavier Musketeers vs. Butler Bulldogs



January 2, 2018

Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

Cintas Center | Cincinnati, Ohio

TV: FS1

Radio: 700 WLW

Live Chat (http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=XavierHoops)

Live Stats (http://www.sidearmstats.com/xavier/mbball/)

[American X]

I hope we have our act together from the opening tip. I am sure the Generic Mascots who dropped 101 on #1 would love to steal one at the Cintas Center.

[BandAid]

I hate these guys

[paulxu]

More Big East meat.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41YbQWNFa5L._SY355_.jpg

[X Factor]

Butler message board is referring to X as "the criminals". Of course, they're "the good guys".

Can't wait to send those yokels back to Indy with a loss to start their New Year.

[bleedXblue]

I hope our team wants to kick their ass as much I as I do. I cant stand Butler. Right up there with UC for me.

[Muskie]

Trevon will break the Top 5 in scoring with four points (he's currently at 1,881).

[X Factor]

Xavier hasn't fared well in shutting down the opponent's best player. Big kid for UNI went off for 25+, Rowsey had a big game, Max Strus had 30, Trae Holder had 40.

Really need to not let Kelan Martin go off for 25-30, which he is capable of doing.

[bleedXblue]

Xavier hasn't fared well in shutting down the opponent's best player. Big kid for UNI went off for 25+, Rowsey had a big game, Max Strus had 30, Trae Holder had 40.

Really need to not let Kelan Martin go off for 25-30, which he is capable of doing.

I'm not really all that worried about Martin going off.....I think we have Gates/Marshall guard him. I'm more worried about some of their fringe guys getting hot. Like the GW x-fer

[AviatorX]

I honestly don't think Butler is very good. X will win comfortably by about a dozen I bet.

[X Factor]

Early line is X -7

[GIMMFD]

Just need to beat the hell out of em. Hopefully Tre gets his shot back, and we win comfortably, don't need to let them leave Cintas with a W.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Butler message board is referring to X as "the criminals". Of course, they're "the good guys".

Can't wait to send those yokels back to Indy with a loss to start their New Year.

Get ready for more “the Butler way” ie, “we’re classier than they are” commentary the moment they start losing. It’s amazing their fans don’t all have dislocated shoulders from patting themselves on the back too vigorously.

The phrase “drinking the Kool-aid” is normally used to describe such blind loyalty. This phrase originated from the story of cult leader/mass murder Jim Jones, who convinced thousands of men, women and children to kill themselves by drinking cyanide laced Kool-aid as authorities moved in to shut down their compound. It was the largest civilian loss of life in a single event in US history until 9/11.

However, I have decided that describing Butler fans as “drinking the kool-aid” is inappropriate in this context, since cult leader/mass murder Jim Jones is a graduate of Butler University. Look it up for yourselves: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jones

[Cheesehead]

"Criminals"?

I hope JP dunks it in the closing seconds... again.

[Irishdawg]

"Criminals"?

I hope JP dunks it in the closing seconds... again.

I think most reasonable Butler fans expect a letdown after the Villanova win, and I'd expect X to at least win by double digits. Xavier hasn't played their best basketball in conference yet, but I expect them to take a step in that direction tonight.

In the strictest definition, since Xavier has two players on their team who've committed crimes (albeit very minor offenses), they can be called "criminals". I will say that Butler's players are not choirboys either, but historically for whatever reason they don't get busted for similar-level issues. It's just a fan making themselves feel better.

I loved Mark Titus' definition of Macura on his "One Shining Podcast" after the Crosstown Shootout. He loves the role of the villain, and unlike Baker Mayfield, he never backtracks, apologizes or tries to explain his actions away. Got to respect the kid for that. Won't like him any time he faces Butler, but I honestly do chuckle whenever he's instigating other team's fans, players or coaches, especially out of conference.

[xukeith]

I think most reasonable Butler fans expect a letdown after the Villanova win, and I'd expect X to at least win by double digits. Xavier hasn't played their best basketball in conference yet, but I expect them to take a step in that direction tonight.

In the strictest definition, since Xavier has two players on their team who've committed crimes (albeit very minor offenses), they can be called "criminals". I will say that Butler's players are not choirboys either, but historically for whatever reason they don't get busted for similar-level issues. It's just a fan making themselves feel better.

I loved Mark Titus' definition of Macura on his "One Shining Podcast" after the Crosstown Shootout. He loves the role of the villain, and unlike Baker Mayfield, he never backtracks, apologizes or tries to explain his actions away. Got to respect the kid for that. Won't like him any time he faces Butler, but I honestly do chuckle whenever he's instigating other team's fans, players or coaches, especially out of conference.

Speaking of shoulders, I have not spent timeless efforts looking since Trevon seemed to hurt his shoulder 3 games ago, as we all know, he has that black therapeutic tape from chiropractors on his shooting right shoulder. Has Mack or anyone told anyone what is Trevon's shoulder status?

[X-ceptional]

I'll never get tired of the Thunderdunk, and I think the jersey release video was the best version with the reactions, etc. Enjoy (with sound).

https://twitter.com/jpmacura/status/907317197902675968?s=17

[XUFan09]

I think most reasonable Butler fans expect a letdown after the Villanova win, and I'd expect X to at least win by double digits. Xavier hasn't played their best basketball in conference yet, but I expect them to take a step in that direction tonight.

In the strictest definition, since Xavier has two players on their team who've committed crimes (albeit very minor offenses), they can be called "criminals". I will say that Butler's players are not choirboys either, but historically for whatever reason they don't get busted for similar-level issues. It's just a fan making themselves feel better.

I loved Mark Titus' definition of Macura on his "One Shining Podcast" after the Crosstown Shootout. He loves the role of the villain, and unlike Baker Mayfield, he never backtracks, apologizes or tries to explain his actions away. Got to respect the kid for that. Won't like him any time he faces Butler, but I honestly do chuckle whenever he's instigating other team's fans, players or coaches, especially out of conference.I think a lot of people are too focused on the (admittedly bad) DePaul game when suggesting that X hasn't looked good in conference. They went on the road to play a good Marquette team, took Marquette's best shot (including some great hero ball by Rowsey), and still won the game. That's a well-earned Tier 1 win.

To be more precise, then, X hasn't looked good AT HOME recently. Granted, the Marshall game did look good until one injury too many allowed Marshall to make the game look more respectable by the end. In general, I think X was too cocky concerning inferior opponents ETSU and DePaul. I don't think that will be the case versus a worthwhile opponent like Butler.

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[HenryMuto]

Going to be a tough game tonight. Hope X comes out strong unlike the DePaul game.

[XU-PA]

We all know this is, as every Butler game, a big game.
But I think this is the game that gives us a look at what this group really has, and where they can go.

[XU-PA]

Early line is X -7
I saw an early line with a 153 over/under. Who's got 80-73??

[bjf123]

Terrible rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Sing it like it’s written!


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[GoMuskies]

Kelan Martin is annoyingly good.

[GoMuskies]

Trevon doesn't have to be quite SO aggressive hunting shots.

[X Factor]

Kelan Martin is annoyingly good.

He can play in the NBA.

X needs Trevon to start making shots. JP can't carry the load forever.

[mistabeecee41]

He can play in the NBA.

X needs Trevon to start making shots. JP can't carry the load forever.

He’s been pressing for 5 games or so. Kind of reminds me of a stretch early on in Crawford’s season where he did the same thing

[paulxu]

I'd rather he press with the step back, or open 3, rather than the spinning, scoopy stuff in the lane.

[GoMuskies]

The 1-3-1 with Macura and Marshall is pretty salty. Scruggs hurt us with that quick shot (turnover essentially) that led to a layup on the other end.

[paulxu]

We are a little out of control here.

[Lloyd Braun]

I don’t care that Q can’t shoot 3s. I care that he apparently has a green light to do so.

[Grizzx12]

We are a little out of control here.

Butler isn't playing especially well but we are letting them hang around

[kellernr]

Q with an air ball from 3. He needs to stop shooting them and stick to driving the lane and kicking it to an open shootet.

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[GoMuskies]

Q's first jumper of the new year....LOL

[X Factor]

Butler isn't playing especially well but we are letting them hang around

Exactly. We should be up double digits.

Goodin for three...:yuk:

[letskeepitreal]

Yup we gotta show no mercy to Butler as they are tough. Lettem hang around and they will cause you trouble.

[Blue Blooded-05]

That was a bizarre 4 minute war. Felt like Butler was encouraging us to ad lib and go 1-on-1... which we did to no or little success. Need to get back into the inside out motion

[paulxu]

They seem to score a lot of layups on us

[GoMuskies]

FTs aren't great so far.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Our FT shooting is not good so far.

[Grizzx12]

Well maybe Trevon is just thinking too much. Just get him the ball in motion and let him do Trevon things!!

[X Factor]

JP is our MVP

[GoMuskies]

Sweet run to end the first half.

I've got to go to the gym, so I'm recording the second half. No one tell me who wins, okay?

[X Factor]

Sweet run to end the first half.

I've got to go to the gym, so I'm recording the second half. No one tell me who wins, okay?

Weak! I'll tell you right now, Xavier wins.

[letskeepitreal]

What’s happening with out free throw shooting?

[X Factor]

What’s happening with out free throw shooting?

Anytime Tyrique is getting to the line, it's going to hurt our %.

[XUFan09]

Anytime Tyrique is getting to the line, it's going to hurt our %.Exactly. Though, he's even been bad for him the last two games.

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[Blue Blooded-05]

Naji with fresh legs coming off the bench is a rediculous luxury.

+13 with the ball. No let up!!

[bjf123]

What’s happening with out free throw shooting?

Players reading their own hype?


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[paulxu]

Jones should never let the ball come to his waist.

[RoseyMuskie]

Have to give Goodin some kudos; feel like his position on the defensive glass has been solid. Nice to have a point guard who can rebound like him.

[X Factor]

Bleuitt with a bad force

[Grizzx12]

Great find by big O!!!

[Blue Blooded-05]

Great find by big O!!!

Reminiscent of The Stain Train!

[paulxu]

Can you imagine the score if we could stop the other team from making layups?

[X Factor]

O'Mara and Kanter turning into black holes in the post!!

[Grizzx12]

Why can't we seem to catch a break on any of these loose balls? Seems like all game they go right to Butler

[HenryMuto]

We have a ball game now folks.

[Grizzx12]

This would be a good time to stop shooting like hell from the line

[Lloyd Braun]

Big Sean’s post passing has been so good.

[X Factor]

We should be up 15! Haven't played that well in all honesty.

[Blue Blooded-05]

We look like we’ve checked out. Problem is, no one told Butler the game wasn’t over. Mack needs to light a fire.

[Xupergirl]

It’s going to be a long 3 minute

[Xupergirl]

Too close for comfort. It would be nice if we could get the rebound.

[Grizzx12]

How'd that happen exactly?

[Grizzx12]

What the actual fuck JP!

[paulxu]

What was JP thinking?

[paulxu]

We sure make these interesting.

[X Factor]

We are just playing dumb basketball!

[Xupergirl]

Why the hell would they foul Baldwin

[X Factor]

X should easily be up 10+ points. Haven't played smart or good basketball down the stretch.

[Blue Blooded-05]

The last 4 minutes feels like the end of an NBA game

[HenryMuto]

Great win tonight going to be very tough to win at Hinkle later this year.

[X Factor]

X still hasn't played a solid 40 minutes for a while. Still winning though.

X now 18-6 vs Butler in the last 24.

[xu82]

I’ll take a W over a good team every time. Just win, baby! Hold serve at home! Steal a few on the road. Then peak in March!

[xu82]

What the actual fuck JP!

Oh! I know EXACTLY what point in the game this was!

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Heart-pounding finish! If only we could shoot our FTs like we can, this game won’t be so close. Still, we are victorious and that’s what really counts.

[RoseyMuskie]

Not pretty at the end, but O’Mara was the difference maker, and X’s depth shined again. Nice to to nitpick a seven point win over a rival.

[Grizzx12]

X still hasn't played a solid 40 minutes for a while. Still winning though.

X now 18-6 vs Butler in the last 24.

Agreed but the effort/intensity seemed much better from start to finish in this one. Seemed like against DePaul they played at half speed while those guys were flying around in the first half

[XUFan09]

We look like we’ve checked out. Problem is, no one told Butler the game wasn’t over. Mack needs to light a fire.This team's confidence is generally a positive that allows them to step up to any opponent and make the comeback if needed. However, it's situations like this that are the downside.

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[XU-PA]

Wow! Solid win against a good team.

[Pete Delkus]

A win is a win, especially against Butler.

However, can we get a summer of Brad Redford spending every hour with Q & Scruggs and teaching them the art of the shot.

[GoMuskies]

Two wins away from taking control of this mutha.

[letskeepitreal]

Yup any win against Butler is a solid win in my opinion.

[xu koop scoop]

The Revenge tour continues. Last years losses become this years wins. Baylor, UC, Colorado, Marquette (who swept us) & Butler tonight (who swept us regular season). Gee, we lost a lot of games last year prior to the NCAA tourney.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

12 right? Now have 1 loss with 13 games left


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[Olsingledigit]

Yup any win against Butler is a solid win in my opinion.

Amen to that

[whopper]

Amen to that I love this team, they remind me of the late 90s indiana pacers who were solid but their solidness prevented them from blowing anyone out. With the JP offensive foul and Q foul that cost us 3-5 points off the margin. Q block so key and I did not even see close to goaltending and the fact they did not replay it endlessly tells me it was not. No complaints at all, you dance with what brung you. It would be nice to see someone stop baldwin who has killed us pat two years,maybe scruggs

[bleedXblue]

X still hasn't played a solid 40 minutes for a while. Still winning though.

X now 18-6 vs Butler in the last 24.

I love that stat if its accurate. I know 7-3 in the last 10 games.

[xudash]

Yup any win against Butler is a solid win in my opinion.

Their fans are priceless. Makes beating them all the more enjoyable.

BTW, did you know The Butler Way includes posting a picture on their board of their mascot taking a leak on Xavier property (one of the entrance signs).

Classy.

[xu82]

Their fans are priceless. Makes beating them all the more enjoyable.

BTW, did you know The Butler Way includes posting a picture on their board of their mascot taking a leak on Xavier property (one of the entrance signs).

Classy.

I’d like to think we would get that kind of stuff cleaned up instantly. I’m no saint nor a prude, but that’s just not cool. It’s a bad look for the school AND the league.

Not to mention, I’d hate to slip and fall in frozen Butler piss!!! I got crapped on by a bird in front of a thousand people on a cruise, and I’m not sure which would be worse!

[X Factor]

X first team to 15 wins

[xu82]

X first team to 15 wins

WE WIN!!! YAY!

Love the hot start. I’m praying we can still do the Mack thing and peak in March. He seems to be a master at that. LOVE our staff.

[Muskie]

Tre is now Top 5 in points scored as well. Chris inches closer to Gillen.

[markchal]

Thought I heard someone on TV say we lead the nation in FT attempts and makes. We do a great job getting to the line, but that sounds impressive if true.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Thought I heard someone on TV say we lead the nation in FT attempts and makes. We do a great job getting to the line, but that sounds impressive if true.

It's true. And currently #7 in Free Throw percentage.

[Cheesehead]

Their fans are priceless. Makes beating them all the more enjoyable.

BTW, did you know The Butler Way includes posting a picture on their board of their mascot taking a leak on Xavier property (one of the entrance signs).

Classy.

but our players are criminals so it's ok.

[Masterofreality]

And right on cue, the idiot Butler fans go right to the free throw disparity stat to show why they lost. Uh, no.

I just rewatched the whole game. Other than *maybe* one play, there was absolutely no other time where a Xavier guy deserved a foul or a Butler guy deserved a freebie. We played solid defense without fouling, just like The East Tennessee State game, and Butler was non aggressive to the hoop. To the aggressors go the spoils so STFU Butler fan. You have ZERO case.

[Masterofreality]

By the way. I subscribe to the Enamaquirer.

Ok. Xavier is a Top 5 Team right? They were playing a team that just knocked off the #1 ranked team right? There were 10,600 people there right? Other than Marvin Lewis getting re-upped, there was NOTHING else of significance going on in Sports in Cincy last night, right?

So why is the Xavier/Butler game story buried on the 10th- that’s the absolute LAST- page of the sports section? I gotta believe that if SucKS had a game like that it would have been front and center on page one.

Yeah, it means little since nobody reads the paper anymore, but I’m salty as hell about the disrespect that we still get when we are the best sports story in town.

[Masterofreality]

By the way, JP is Savage on Instagram too, and Kaiser Gates chips in too!:laugh:

2226

[XU 87]

By the way. I subscribe to the Enamaquirer.

Ok. Xavier is a Top 5 Team right? They were playing a team that just knocked off the #1 ranked team right? There were 10,600 people there right? Other than Marvin Lewis getting re-upped, there was NOTHING else of significance going on in Sports in Cincy last night, right?

So why is the Xavier/Butler game story buried on the 10th- that’s the absolute LAST- page of the sports section? I gotta believe that if SucKS had a game like that it would have been front and center on page one.

Yeah, it means little since nobody reads the paper anymore, but I’m salty as hell about the disrespect that we still get when we are the best sports story in town.

The Enquirer usually doesn't have the previous night's games in the paper edition. If I had to guess, page 10 was the only way to have it in the paper edition.

[mid major]

The only negatives from last night were the missed free throws and JP steamrolling the Fowler dude under the basket on a 3 on 1. That followed Q fouling a three point attempt. So there was a five point swing in one play. I wish we'd stop taking the foot off the pedal. But excellent win.

[XUFan09]

And right on cue, the idiot Butler fans go right to the free throw disparity stat to show why they lost. Uh, no.

I just rewatched the whole game. Other than *maybe* one play, there was absolutely no other time where a Xavier guy deserved a foul or a Butler guy deserved a freebie. We played solid defense without fouling, just like The East Tennessee State game, and Butler was non aggressive to the hoop. To the aggressors go the spoils so STFU Butler fan. You have ZERO case.

Marquette fans were whining too about the FT disparity. In both cases, intentional fouling at the end increased the disparity, unsurprisingly, and the opponent was bad at getting to the line and bad at stopping opponents from getting to the line. By this point in the season, if you are a Marquette or Butler fan, you should know that your team regularly doesn't shoot as many free throws as its opponent. In Butler's case in particular, they are 327th in the nation at getting to the line. That's godawful and it didn't start with the Xavier game.

[paulxu]

Butler and Marquette...Whine and Cheese.

[Xtemporaneous]

Obviously we have to class. Probably a good time to nominate Bluiett for the Senior CLASS Award. Perfect timing. Suck it Butler...

From the desk of Tom Eiser...

CINCINNATI — Xavier University senior All-America candidate Trevon Bluiett has been selected as a candidate for the 2017-18 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate basketball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. David West, 2003 Xavier University graduate, 2003 National Player of the Year and 15-year NBA veteran, won the men’s basketball Senior CLASS Award back in 2003.

The men’s basketball candidate class will be narrowed to a field of 10 finalists in February, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one male candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.

The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four® and NCAA Women’s Final Four® this spring. For more information on each of the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.

Bluiett is third in the BIG EAST Conference in scoring at 19.8 ppg. for No. 5/4 Xavier, which takes a 15-1 record into Saturday’s game at Providence. Bluiett is fourth in the BIG EAST in 3-point field goals per game at 2.9, second on the team in rebounding at 5.7 rpg. (16th in the BIG EAST) and fourth in the BIG EAST in free-throw shooting at 88.5 percent (77-of-87). Bluiett, who has an active streak of 27 straight games scoring in double figures, has scored 20 or more points in 10 of this season's first 16 games and has moved into fifth place on Xavier's all-time scoring list with 1,902 career points.

This is the latest in a long line of honors for Bluiett, a two-time First Team All-BIG EAST Conference and two-time All-BIG EAST Championship selection. Bluiett is on the watch list for the Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA's National Player of the Year), The John R. Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, Julius Erving Award and the Lute Olson Award. Bluiett earned preseason All-America honors: second team honors from Sporting News, NBC Sports and Athlon Sports and third team honors from ESPN, CBS Sports, Street & Smith's, Blue Ribbon Basketball and College Sports Madness.

[XU 87]

Marquette fans were whining too about the FT disparity. In both cases, intentional fouling at the end increased the disparity, unsurprisingly, and the opponent was bad at getting to the line and bad at stopping opponents from getting to the line. By this point in the season, if you are a Marquette or Butler fan, you should know that your team regularly doesn't shoot as many free throws as its opponent. In Butler's case in particular, they are 327th in the nation at getting to the line. That's godawful and it didn't start with the Xavier game.

In addition to fouling at the end of the game, teams that shoot a lot of jump shots are going to get less free throw attempts. Teams like Xavier who go to the hoop a lot are going to draw more fouls.