Xavier v. St John's Game Thread (January 17, 2018)

[paulxu]

http://www.xavier.edu/postseason/images/bball2.jpg
http://cache.lego.com/upload/contentTemplating/MinifiguresBios/images/pic773F455B41A27FB44B60F2397BAA49D7.jpg VS https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/sports/ncaa-march-madness-emoji/img/mascots/stJohnsRedstorm.png?c=1
St John's Red Storm (10-8, 0-6 BE) v #11/12 Xavier University Musketeers (16-3, 4-2 BE)
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 8:30 pm ET
Cintas Center (10,224), Cincinnati, Ohio

Notes (http://goxavier.com/documents/2018/1/15//2017_18_Xavier_Game_Notes_game_20_ST_JOHN_S.pdf)

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


Television: CBSSN with Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (analyst), sideline reporting Allie LaForce

Radio: 700 WLW-AM (and iHeartRadio), play-by-play from Joe Sunderman (`79). Analysis by Byron Larkin (`88).

[paulxu]

Snowing in Spartanburg.
Mods asleep.
Might as well have a game thread.

[nuts4xu]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DTv172OUQAE7oKF.jpg

[Xuperman]

Can we get another stress free blowout? My guess is no. That Simon guy is gonna continue his upper tragectory and become a star soon. I think he was a 5 star recruit, part of Miller's #2 rated class along with Trier. He is a MAN and a prototypical BEast SG and an excellent compliment to the ultra quick Ponds. Can't believe this group has lost 6 straight.....they are wounded and dangerous...just happy to be at the 'Tas

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

May LaForce be with us!


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[GoMuskies]

Can we get another stress free blowout? My guess is no.

I think yes. St. John's is really awful now with LoVett hurt.

[Smooth]

May LaForce be with us!


I miss Molly McGrath, but Allie is a nice consolation prize.

[bleedXblue]

I think yes. St. John's is really awful now with LoVett hurt.

they took Nova deep the other night without him.......this team has very little margin for error defensively.......

[X-band '01]

Translation = Shamorie Ponds had a good offensive night but Villanova hit just enough to keep the Johnnies at bay.

[paulxu]

I hope somebody has some links. I don't get this CBSSN channel.

[GIMMFD]

Who orders the CBS Sports Network channel? What the shit is this, I planned on having a beer at the bar with some notes. I hope we smack down St. John's, should not be a stressful match-up, but we sure don't like easy games.

[SkyWalker]

Looks like the Cryers are the opening act.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

When was the last time we blew out the Johnnies? They seem to always be tough for us.


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[X-band '01]

Looks like the Cryers are the opening act.

Beginning of Xavier-St. John's would run on CBSSports.com if the Hawks need more time to close out their impending victory.

[Jesuit4Life]

There are a few streaming services that carry CBS Sports Network. You'll just have to make sure to cancel before your free trial period has ended, but that shouldn't be an issue. I've used Playstation Vue last season and Fubo TV for our earlier game this season (in fact, I'm still on my free trial with the 1 month promo below), and signing up, streaming, etc. have all worked fine.

PlayStation Vue (https://psvue.com/plans) (5-day free trial) - How to subscribe (https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/faq/subscription/#how-to) | Supported devices (https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/faq/supported-devices-and-set-up/#supported-devices)
Core and Elite plans include CBS Sports Network.

DirecTV Now (https://directvnow.com/thegoodstuff) (7-day free trial) - How to subscribe (https://help.directvnow.com/hc/en-us/articles/210967246-How-do-I-sign-up-for-DIRECTV-NOW-) | Supported devices (https://help.directvnow.com/hc/en-us/articles/212447843-What-devices-and-browsers-can-be-used-with-DIRECTV-NOW-)
Go Big and Gotta Have It plans include CBS Sports Network.

YouTube TV (https://tv.youtube.com) (7-day free trial) - How to subscribe (https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/7129816) | Supported devices (https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/7129767)
YouTube Red does NOT include CBS Sports Network.

Hulu with Live TV (https://www.hulu.com/live-tv) (7-day free trial) - How to subscribe (https://help.hulu.com/en-us/guide-to-new-hulu-and-live-tv) | Supported devices (https://help.hulu.com/en-us/supported-devices)
Hulu subscription plans (No Commercials or Limited Commercials) do NOT include CBS Sports Network.

Fubo TV (https://www.fubo.tv/welcome) (7-day free trial or 1 month promo (https://slickdeals.net/f/10488052-1-month-fubo-premier-tv-streaming-trial-free-new-customers-only)) - How to subscribe (https://fubotv.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/115001140368-Account-Management) | Supported devices (https://fubotv.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002183228-What-devices-can-I-watch-fuboTV-on-)

[X-band '01]

I am now convinced that Xavier at least tried to be competitive with Villanova in Philly. Georgetown playing like they would struggle to beat the bottom two teams in the American right now.

[xu82]

I hope it’s on in the Sky Club in the Atlanta airport where we have been stranded for about 6 hours trying to get to Sarasota. If we had driven we’d almost be arriving. Soon the third backup flight to Ft Meyers will be cancelled. The problem is my wife checked a bag, and they tell us we can wait to get it back, While simultaneously expressing just how futile that would be. It’s been a shitty month so far...

[GIMMFD]

I hope it’s on in the Sky Club in the Atlanta airport where we have been stranded for about 6 hours trying to get to Sarasota. If we had driven we’d almost be arriving. Soon the third backup flight to Ft Meyers will be cancelled. The problem is my wife checked a bag, and they tell us we can wait to get it back, While simultaneously expressing just how futile that would be. It’s been a shitty month so far...

Or you could just join Live Chat and I'll type you play by play updates ;)

[xu82]

Or you could just join Live Chat and I'll type you play by play updates ;)

I may try that, but I’ve been making the most of the free wine. My responses may look like gliri’s:&8:&/

[GIMMFD]

I may try that, but I’ve been making the most of the free wine. My responses may look like gliri’s:&8:&/

Wouldn't make it any different from a typical day in the chat..

[xu82]

Wouldn't make it any different from a typical day in the chat..

It might look the same, but it would be FREE!

[GIMMFD]

This flagrant is due to CBS Sports Network, this is stupid. I blame them on everything.

[mistabeecee41]

What kind of offense have we been running for the first 9 minutes?

[paulxu]

We don't seem to be playing with a lot of intensity.
Meanwhile, unranked teams are beating ranked ones;
SMU over Wichita (in Wichita)
Alabama over Auburn
Texas ahead of TT
Creighton hammering Seton Hall

[RoseyMuskie]

I’m kind of impressed X doesn’t have a two yet.

[xu82]

Live chat kicked me out with my connection. Sky Club gets FS1 but not CBSSN. I lose AGAIN!

Hope you all enjoy a pleasant victory!

[GIMMFD]

Live chat kicked me out with my connection. Sky Club gets FS1 but not CBSSN. I lose AGAIN!

Hope you all enjoy a pleasant victory!

American Airlines Advantage Admiral Club would never do that.

[X Factor]

I wish we could lock down on defense and get 4-5 stops in a row.

[letskeepitreal]

Pretty lackluster first half I thought

[XU 23]

Safe to say Trevon has his shot back.

[X Factor]

We need to play some defense...just trading baskets.

[letskeepitreal]

Don’t like the tenor of this game. We need to step on their necks and put them away or bad things can happen. Let’s go X.

[paulxu]

Apparent lack of intensity on defense probably drives Mack nutso.

[letskeepitreal]

Don’t like the tenor of this game. We need to step on their necks and put them away or bad things can happen. Let’s go X.

[mistabeecee41]

Don’t like the tenor of this game. We need to step on their necks and put them away or bad things can happen. Let’s go X.

Another home game against inferior competition, another dud.

How do we pound Creighton and Butler but go down to the wire with ETSU, Marshall and SJU?

[X Factor]

SJU shooting 51% from the field and 44% from three.

[XUFan09]

Another home game against inferior competition, another dud.

How do we pound Creighton and Butler but go down to the wire with ETSU, Marshall and SJU?Because highly confident attitudes are a two-edged sword, basically.

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[Grizzx12]

9-9 this half

[paulxu]

We have not one stop this half.

[X Factor]

Until this team decides to commit to playing defense, they're going to have a lot of close games. So talented offensively, but don't give a damn about playing defense.

[Lloyd Braun]

Slapping the floor on D is almost laughable when the other team is 11-11 in a half. St John’s should cool off some, but the defensive intensity is poor.

[X Factor]

Folks, SJU is 0-6 in BE play. Got spanked by DePaul, lost at home to Georgetown.

[paulxu]

So, they're shooting about 95% this half.

[Grizzx12]

Ho many stupid f*cking passes are they going to make in this game and just add to the TO line

[HenryMuto]

What the hell this team lost to DePaul by 17 at home

[X Factor]

Great pass Goodin.

[paulxu]

Obviously St John's wants this more than we do.
Wake up Muskies. Play some D and put this thing away.

[Grizzx12]

Obviously St John's wants this more than we do.
Wake up Muskies. Play some D and put this thing away.

Seems like they woke up! Crazy what happens when we clamp down

[X Factor]

Kerem Kanter is a beast!

[bobbiemcgee]

So, they're shooting about 95% this half.

Made 11 straight, then missed 10 straight.

Kanter has 22.

[paulxu]

We have 14 TO's; they have 5.

We really need to tighten that up.

[bobbiemcgee]

Kerem 22/13 bleeding X blue. Thx for coming to X big guy!

[paulxu]

I assume we want to win this game.

[X Factor]

What an ugly game. X played about 10 really good minutes of basketball.

[bobbiemcgee]

203!

[X Factor]

Someone always has a "career" night against X.

[Grizzx12]

Was Simon the guy who had missed like 17 straight coming into tonight? If so I can't blame the game plan of not clamping down on him but damn, that'd be like Q going 12-16 from the field.

In other news, I'm a Bucs fan so I'm used to nobody's going off for career days. At this point, I assume if a backup is starting for whatever reason they'll go nuts. See Austin Davis, Case Keenum (Rams version), Derek Anderson, etc...........

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Felt like a goofy tournament game that nearly got out of control.

Congrats CMack!


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[GreatWhiteNorth]

It’s a W, but we should win more comfortably against a bottom team at home. Looks like Kanter is the real thing. Well, many ranked teams got beat today, and we are not one of them.:spiritfingers:

[MauriceX]

Does anyone have any further information on that bizarre foul/no foul call in the first half? From what I could piece together from the broadcast - they called a foul (it clearly was), went to review it to see if it was a flagrant (it wasn't), but then couldn't get a good replay angle on the monitor. The ref said something to the announcers that since they decided to review the play but couldn't get a good angle, by rule, they had to rule that no foul whatsoever had occurred? That seems... bizarre.

It was clearly a common foul, but because they couldn't review to see if the common foul should be a flagrant, then it becomes not a foul??? What???

[X Factor]

After that spectacular display of defense, X dropped to #73 in KenPom's defensive rankings. That's not going to get X very far in the post-season.

[AviatorX]

After that spectacular display of defense, X dropped to #73 in KenPom's defensive rankings. That's not going to get X very far in the post-season.

Took them to the Elite 8 last year. Duke's in the same boat.

[X Factor]

Took them to the Elite 8 last year. Duke's in the same boat.

Duke won't go anywhere with their defense either, although they have a few lottery picks on their team.

Last year's team was better defensively than this team is right now. Still room for improvement. Why settle?

[Backyard Champ]

It's strange- feel like when this team is fired up on the defensive end, they are pretty good. Problem is, they aren't always fired up to play defense. So, we CAN be a good defensive team. At the same time, we have long periods where we can't get a stop, and we don't make it hard to score on us.

[GIMMFD]

We won, it was shitty, it wasn't good, but we won. Tre had another good game, Scruggs is showing promise, Kanter is emerging as a legitimate 3rd scoring threat. It's hard to get up for a team that's lost their last 6 games. We won. All that matters.

[XUFan09]

Expect X to also have a poor showing against Georgetown. Heck, they might have a bad showing in the return games versus DePaul and St. John's, despite already playing them close. This X team plays really loose against bad teams. When the bad team actually has some talent, they can make the game interesting.

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[GoMuskies]

Not very good, but I like winning!

[slysyl]

ST John is very quick and X is not and it really showed last night;but it is a win. Go XAVIER.

[throwbackmuskie]

More than anything, St John's length bothered X last night. At this point, everyone in the BE is going to being their best in games vs X and Nova, we saw that last night, Simon had this best game ever, X had a hand in his face and still he made shots, 12-16. Ponds on the other hand was the guy X focuses on shutting down and get a pretty good job of it, 6-20 shooting for him.

[bleedXblue]

More than anything, St John's length bothered X last night. At this point, everyone in the BE is going to being their best in games vs X and Nova, we saw that last night, Simon had this best game ever, X had a hand in his face and still he made shots, 12-16. Ponds on the other hand was the guy X focuses on shutting down and get a pretty good job of it, 6-20 shooting for him.

Yeah, but Nova just dispatches pretty much everyone.

I don't for a second think that teams see us and Nova on the same level.

[Lloyd Braun]

St. John’s (Tariq Owens) only had 4 blocks! I would have put the O/U at 10 so this is another win. Judging by CM’s halftime interview it sounds like launching 3s was the game plan. That’s a pretty big adjustment to our typical style of play. Considering the refs were letting them play and not calling the block/charge at all it could have gotten ugly with their length.

[throwbackmuskie]

I didn't put us on their level, just said like Nova, since we are the #2 team in the conference via ranking we are going to get everyone's best shot like Nova will.

[GoMuskies]

Hell, teams probably bring it harder against us than they do against Nova, because they know they've actually got a shot against us. Nova? Not so much.

[XU 87]

I thought X played a good game yesterday. I thought SJU just made a LOT of tough and contested shots.

[XUFan09]

I thought X played a good game yesterday. I thought SJU just made a LOT of tough and contested shots.The defense wasn't great until the past 7 minutes, but frankly, it wasn't really bad either. SJU was getting some open looks, but when they weren't, they were hitting tough, contested shots like you said. For example, SJU's 11-11 start to the second half included a lot of contested midrange jumpers, the ideal shot for a defense. They kept making them.

The offense was great. SJU has a good defensive team, and Xavier put up a lot of points on it and did so by repeatedly creating open looks.

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[GoMuskies]

I would say the 10 turnover differential was the reason the game was so tight. You're generally going to lose when turning the ball over 15 times to your opponent's 5. On the other hand, you're generally going to win when shooting 14 of 26 from 3. I'm glad the latter generality prevailed.

[XU 87]

The defense wasn't great until the past 7 minutes, but frankly, it wasn't really bad either. SJU was getting some open looks, but when they weren't, they were hitting tough, contested shots like you said. For example, SJU's 11-11 start to the second half included a lot of contested midrange jumpers, the ideal shot for a defense. They kept making them.

The offense was great. SJU has a good defensive team, and Xavier put up a lot of points on it and did so by repeatedly creating open looks.

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I should add that I thought the 2-3 zone X went to with about 15 minutes to go in the second half was awful. I could be wrong, but I can't recall the 2-3 being effective any other time they used it this year.

And I will add one more thing- RPI is now at 5.

[paulxu]

We had 15 TO's at Providence.

[GoMuskies]

We had 15 TO's at Providence.

Did we win?

[letskeepitreal]

I'd have to say that St Johns is the best no win team in the conference. I have watched a few of their games and I thought that they were always tough with tons of energy but a little undisciplined. Streetballers like UC, WVU or such.

[GoMuskies]

I'd have to say that St Johns is the best no win team in the conference.

They're also the worst no win team in the conference. They're the ONLY no win team in the conference.

[X-band '01]

I'd have to say that St Johns is the best no win team in the conference. I have watched a few of their games and I thought that they were always tough with tons of energy but a little undisciplined. Streetballers like UC, WVU or such.

They play to their competition. They played decent against Xavier, Villanova, Creighton and Seton Hall but played like garbage at home against Providence, DePaul and Georgetown. It's not a coincidence they're winless.

[XUFan09]

They play to their competition. They played decent against Xavier, Villanova, Creighton and Seton Hall but played like garbage at home against Providence, DePaul and Georgetown. It's not a coincidence they're winless.

Exactly. With Lovett, maybe they could have overcome that tendency, but without him, they don't have enough star power and they have basically no bench.

[JTG]

Yeah, but Nova just dispatches pretty much everyone.

I don't for a second think that teams see us and Nova on the same level.

Except vs Butler. Dawgs are 3-0 in their last 3 meetings...go figure? ????

[paulxu]

Did we win?

Exactly.

[Xuperman]

They're also the worst no win team in the conference. They're the ONLY no win team in the conference.

IMO, that team passes the eye test.....They would be at the top of the A-10