Xavier vs. Providence Game Thread - Big East Tournament Semifinal (March 9, 2018)

[AviatorX]

We do not have a good history in conference tourneys unless we really need to win.

I am slowly becoming less and less pissed, especially with Duke down 9 right now.

Sunday and next week cant come soon enough.

Totally agree. Go Heels!

[xavierj]

Right. Because when you give up a basket on 14 out of 15 possessions (my count - might be off one or so) it’s guarding well enough to win.

It wasn’t 14-15 more like 9 of 20. Providence made 2 baskets the Last 5 minutes of the game and 2 in OT. They did shoot a lot of free throws late in the game. Xavier lost the game by blowing it, not because Providence was scorching the nets.

[bjf123]

Well, it’s more than two hours from the end of the game and I’m still royally pissed off. How many bloody layups were missed down the stretch and in OT? I was so mad when JP missed the layup and was called for the charge that I turned off the TV and smashed the TV remote on the floor. I probably won’t be able to fall asleep for awhile.

The way the team played the last 10 minutes of the game, they didn’t deserve to win. At this point I think we’re looking at a 2 seed, barring Kansas and Duke both losing before their conference championship games. Any excuse to not have two Big East teams as 1 seeds.


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[GIMMFD]

The loss stings. Xavier looked as lifeless as I have seen them in the 2nd half. But you know what? This time next week we'll be watching them dismantle a double digit seed in the NCAA Tournament. They'll learn from this, Mack will make sure of it. And they will be fired up that first weekend.

Yeah this is the only silver lining I can think of, should leave a bad taste in their mouths and have them completely prepared for the tournament, would have loved another shot at Nova, but it's time to regroup, work on some things, and get it done next weekend.

[muethibp]

It wasn’t 14-15 more like 9 of 20. Providence made 2 baskets the Last 5 minutes of the game and 2 in OT. They did shoot a lot of free throws late in the game. Xavier lost the game by blowing it, not because Providence was scorching the nets.

It’s very difficult to interact with you because facts just don’t seem to matter much to you. Knowing that, it’s againat my better judgment, but I’ll post a string of PC possessions for you:

14:48 left - score
14:18 - score
13:23 - score
13:01 - score
12:23 - score
11:33 - score
10:45 - stop
9:53 - score
9:11 - score
8:36 - score
8:02 - score
6:59 - score
5:28 - stop
4:24 - score
3:47 - score

[AviatorX]

Well, it’s more than two hours from the end of the game and I’m still royally pissed off. How many bloody layups were missed down the stretch and in OT? I was so mad when JP missed the layup and was called for the charge that I turned off the TV and smashed the TV remote on the floor. I probably won’t be able to fall asleep for awhile.

The way the team played the last 10 minutes of the game, they didn’t deserve to win. At this point I think we’re looking at a 2 seed, barring Kansas and Duke both losing before their conference championship games. Any excuse to not have two Big East teams as 1 seeds.


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Duke is getting drilled right now. 2 of Kansas, Duke, and X basically have to be one seeds (I guess there's a slim argument for UNC if they finish off Duke and beat UVA tomorrow). Life is good.

[AviatorX]

It’s very difficult to interact with you because facts just don’t seem to matter much to you. Knowing that, it’s againat my better judgment, but I’ll post a string of PC possessions for you:

14:48 left - score
14:18 - score
13:23 - score
13:01 - score
12:23 - score
11:33 - score
10:45 - stop
9:53 - score
9:11 - score
8:36 - score
8:02 - score
6:59 - score
5:28 - stop
4:24 - score
3:47 - score


Can you go back to arguing that X didn't guard well enough to win when they lost by one possession?

[xu82]

Yeah this is the only silver lining I can think of, should leave a bad taste in their mouths and have them completely prepared for the tournament, would have loved another shot at Nova, but it's time to regroup, work on some things, and get it done next weekend.

I think this just might be a blessing.

[xavierj]

It’s very difficult to interact with you because facts just don’t seem to matter much to you. Knowing that, it’s againat my better judgment, but I’ll post a string of PC possessions for you:

14:48 left - score
14:18 - score
13:23 - score
13:01 - score
12:23 - score
11:33 - score
10:45 - stop
9:53 - score
9:11 - score
8:36 - score
8:02 - score
6:59 - score
5:28 - stop
4:24 - score
3:47 - score

Again they got to the free throw line a lot late. Made 4 shots in 10 minutes. Xavier missed a layup to ice it. Xavier wins 99% of the time when they hold a team under 70 in regulation and they hold a team to 43% shooting and 15% on 3’s. Xavier wins boards by 7 and turns it over 10 times in 45 minutes. They lost because they didn’t execute and make layups. It’s that simple.

[xu82]

Onward.

[XUBison]

You're right. You should keep posting stupid shit. Make sure you include stuff that attacks the players, particularly our seniors.

And where exactly did I post anything about any players, including the seniors? You are obnoxious tonight.

[HenryMuto]

Now I see why North Carolina lost to Wofford JFC close Duke out FFS

[XUBison]

It wasn’t 14-15 more like 9 of 20. Providence made 2 baskets the Last 5 minutes of the game and 2 in OT. They did shoot a lot of free throws late in the game. Xavier lost the game by blowing it, not because Providence was scorching the nets.

Agreed. I thought our D was solid tonight. We lost because our offensive execution sucked in the 2nd half. I think that’s why this one is especially hard to swallow.

[waggy]

I do not want the tape burned. I want them to watch it over and over until Thursday.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Onward.

Onward. Indeed.

Onward!


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[KabeX]

Here's what I know:

There are 3 teams we lost to this season. 1 of those losses will provide a springboard of motivation to propel us to our first Final 4. Or it won't. Either way we OWN a Big East Reg. Season Championship which I would take every day and twice on Sunday over a tournament championship.

Now then. Screw all the bad feelings. All the internal bickering here. All the bad karma. All that crap. After Sunday's selection show, we will know the path. It's that simple. We could be disappointed as hell in second round. Or we could be cutting down the nets in San Antonio. I for one will not let this bitch of a game destroy my March! Let's GO!

[sirthought]

I think coach played Kanter too much this game. I know he had the high score for us and was more effective, perhaps, in the paint. But he played as many minutes as Jones and O'Mara combined and had zero rebounds, blocks or steals. And too often he held on to the ball too much with zero passing.

I guess I shouldn't bitch about 7-9 shooting, but you don't win with the ball in one guy's hands that much, and he doesn't do enough on defense to keep people away from the hoop.

Even if Jones is mostly hacking the other team, at least we know he's helping to get stops for a few minutes.

O'Mara had a rough game, but I thought coach could have had more faith in him too. Nine minutes for a senior that knows his team is tough.

[XUBison]

I do not want the tape burned. I want them to watch it over and over until Thursday.

Yes, yes, yes. This one should be burned into their brains, not dismissed and forgotten. This team is really damn good, but they are more vulnerable than they should be. Whatever it takes to concentrate their focus and drive out this ADHD, I’m all for it.

[GIMMFD]

I do not want the tape burned. I want them to watch it over and over until Thursday.

Yeah agree with this sentiment. We have had a problem closing teams out all season, and that can't fly in a do-or-die situation, Mack has to find a way to get them to stomp on the opponents throats. Hopefully this is a bit of a wake up call to stay aggressive and not to play to lose. We are very resilient, and this is the first close game loss, but shouldn't have put ourselves in that position. Mack finds a way to motivate our guys, and I think we're going to see a hungry animal come next weekend.

[IM4X]

I do not want the tape burned. I want them to watch it over and over until Thursday.

Then I want them to watch the Nova Butler game to see the proper way to keep bringing it, play smart and not allow an opponent you are stomping the life out of get back up and beat the life out of you.

[whopper]

woke up at 5 am, first thing I see is that X v Providence replay is on and first play I see is Macura 3 putting us up by 17. Jackson says "Cartwright is 108 and coach Cooley needs more from Cartwright"..a few inside misses from Omara and 3 layups (2 of which we almost had the steal but did not come up with it) and I turned it off. Must get over it although many Providence grads in Connecticut who are loving it. Move on

[mid major]

We got too cocky and too cute with behind the back no look passes and we made some really bonehead plays at the end. It seems like the high IQ Bluiett would hold the ball and get fouled and hit the free throws for a four point lead with 12 seconds left. Damn, it just sucks we gave that game away.

[xavierj]

I just saw the end of regulation what a cluster. JP clearly gets decked right in front of the ref, no call, Tre blows the layup and Naji ready for the rebound gets two hands pushing him under the basket with the other ref looking right at it. But JP should have dribbled it out to get fouled and Tre just can’t miss that. Oh well on to the next.

[whopper]

the replay all centered on whether Carwright in act of shooting and I don't remember replaying the Tre miss. Watching it this morning, Tre was so open he caught it standing with Jackson kind of coming, JP, Nat and Tre in front court with Naj momentum to rim. Tre missed(damn) Nat was going together the rebound and was 2 handed pushed by Jackson which was missed, then they basically had a 4 on 2 with our 3 guys out of play and we had to foul. Our fast break opportunity was turned against us. Jackson had no points but made the (cheating) play of the night.

[xukeith]

I hope X is ticked off about their goal not being reached and will go gang busters on the 16 seed and then 8/9 winner this week.

[Lamont Sanford]

I'm still waiting for X to put together a FULL game this year. IMO they have yet to play a complete game this year. Last night...great first half, awful second half/OT. This team simply loses focus or takes their foot off the gas too early and often.

[Xville]

I'm still waiting for X to put together a FULL game this year. IMO they have yet to play a complete game this year. Last night...great first half, awful second half/OT. This team simply loses focus or takes their foot off the gas too early and often.

That's the thing that is so frustrating with this team...why are you jacking up threes early in the shot clock when you are up 10-15 points on top of playing lacksadasical defense? In a way I'm glad it finally bit them in the ass, it should have happened a few more times this year but they executed just enough in those other games. I really hope this is a wake up call to JP and Tre and they realize that of they do this crap again, their careers will be over a lot sooner than what their postseason goal is. JP has stated several times over the past few weeks he wants to win a national championship...wont get out of the first weekend, if they play like they did that second half.

[American X]

Deflated. I feel like the inflatable Batman the kids got at the state fair that eventually blew a gasket and was sadly lying on the ground completely flat.

[THRILLHOUSE]

O'Mara had a rough game, but I thought coach could have had more faith in him too. Nine minutes for a senior that knows his team is tough.

Yeah, I thought he abandoned Sean too early. I know those 3 possessions in a row where he missed at the rim were frustrating, but he was getting great position. I was surprised he didn't see the floor again, until the inbounds play near the end of regulation.

[Strange Brew]

Deflated. I feel like the inflatable Batman the kids got at the state fair that eventually blew a gasket and was sadly lying on the ground completely flat.

Good gawd man, pull it together. Next week.....WE RIDE!

[American X]

Good gawd man, pull it together. Next week.....WE RIDE!

I am impressed that you have already starting drinking this morning, especially on Mountain Time.

[Strange Brew]

I am impressed that you have already starting drinking this morning, especially on Mountain Time.

No booze for this guy.... yet

It’s one game. It was terrible. It’s over.

This team isn’t dead yet! It doesn’t want to go on the cart! In fact, I hope it’s burning the cart and the game tape this morning.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Ugly loss but in the end I am confident they will come out hard. This just pisses me off, I feel bad for my opponent in 90 minutes on the pitch.


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[mid major]

Still can’t believe how we gift wrapped that game. All these guys celebrating like we had won the World Series with a half left. Very reminiscent of the ASU game after Gates hit that 3 pointer to put us up 15 against the Sun Devils. Someone needs to tell Jones and Naji the game is not over yet. Not smart basketball at all. Yes, there were some iffy calls but the Friars wanted it more in the end.

[stammina0721]

Lol you can always tell when I've been drinking while watching a game cause I always go from green to red dots. Damn you wild turkey

[paulxu]

I've looked at the replay of Macura on the charge a few time. Here's a question for you guys that are refs and/or know the rules.
He (Macura) picks up his dribble, and leaves the floor BEFORE the guy is set.
The guy becoming set occurs while Macura is in mid-air right before he makes contact.

I thought you had to defer to the shooter if he had already gone up? What don't I understand?
Thanks

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Paul asks exactly the right question. My impression exactly. It was right before my lyin eyes I guess. Have not seen any video.

To say nothing of swallowing the whistle.


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[GIMMFD]

Paul asks exactly the right question. My impression exactly. It was right before my lyin eyes I guess. Have not seen any video.

To say nothing of swallowing the whistle.


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After the gift we got at the end of the Creighton game, I can't really complain too much about a ref swallowing his whistle. It was a bang bang play, and interesting, the safest thing for JP there would have been just to dish it off to Q.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Fair enough on the whistle swallow, GIM.

What about the rules around Paul’s question?

Still in NYC. It’s a cold and lonely town today......


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[American X]

On the positive side:

- Paul Scruggs looked All-World on his birthday
- Naji was eating boards likes Doritos
- Since when does Xavier get steals and easy buckets??? More please.
- Xavier has actually played solid defense three games in a row now

[xu82]

After the gift we got at the end of the Creighton game, I can't really complain too much about a ref swallowing his whistle. It was a bang bang play, and interesting, the safest thing for JP there would have been just to dish it off to Q.

Pass to Q (as I expected) and we get a thunder dunk instead of a charge. Ooops!

[GIMMFD]

Fair enough on the whistle swallow, GIM.

What about the rules around Paul’s question?

Still in NYC. It’s a cold and lonely town today......


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To be honest, I'm not as well-versed in the rules as some of the others on this board are, but I am on the agreement with Paul, JP left his feet before the defender was set, but I feel like most refs would have made it a no call there, not terribly sure how many would call a blocking foul there. If it did happen to be a no-call, the worst part is that JP missed the finish at the rim too. I don't know, it was a bang-bang play, and hopefully you just learn from that situation, same with Tre going up for the lay-up, just hold the ball and let them foul you. I'm sure Mack has quite a few talking points before the tournament.

[IM4X]

To be honest, I'm not as well-versed in the rules as some of the others on this board are, but I am on the agreement with Paul, JP left his feet before the defender was set, but I feel like most refs would have made it a no call there, not terribly sure how many would call a blocking foul there. If it did happen to be a no-call, the worst part is that JP missed the finish at the rim too. I don't know, it was a bang-bang play, and hopefully you just learn from that situation, same with Tre going up for the lay-up, just hold the ball and let them foul you. I'm sure Mack has quite a few talking points before the tournament.

I sure as hell hope so. When asked about his players readiness, previously in press conferences Mack has stated "Our guys know what's at stake". Maybe that was true for the regular season but they seem to have forgotten it for the tournament or maybe they knew what was at stake but just don't understand what it takes to play smart and focused and win. Mack better not assume anything about his players anymore.

[GIMMFD]

I sure as hell hope so. When asked about his players readiness, previously in press conferences Mack has stated "Our guys know what's at stake". Maybe that was true for the regular season but they seem to have forgotten it for the tournament or maybe they knew what was at stake but just don't understand what it takes to play smart and focused and win. Mack better not assume anything about his players anymore.

I'd say Mack is good at motivation, we scraped into the tournament last year and got to the Elite 8 by playing very good basketball, we seem to always do well in the tournament for the most part. I trust in Mack, and I trust he got after them a bit after that let down. It's not like he's a passive coach, he's pretty firey and brings a lot of passion to it. We have roughly a week to see if his strategy works, but history does tend to repeat itself, I'm not much of a betting man, but I would definitely bet on us to be ready to go next week.

[mistabeecee41]

Apologize in advance (it’s probably the wine that’s talking) but if you’re in the “it’s probably good that we lost so we can focus” camp you’re an idiot. Watching this game knowing we blew the chance to be outright regular season and conference tourney champs is depressing

[whopper]

this is a great game and wish we were here. Cartwright very underrated and Diaallo has a very simple but effective game. If you notice depth is meaningless in this final game which is our strength. A great big east season and we have to be satisfied with our regular season title and lets March. I can't wait

[Lloyd Braun]

Jay Wright would never allow his team to run up the score.

[GIMMFD]

Apologize in advance (it’s probably the wine that’s talking) but if you’re in the “it’s probably good that we lost so we can focus” camp you’re an idiot. Watching this game knowing we blew the chance to be outright regular season and conference tourney champs is depressing

I don't think anybody is saying it's good we lost, obviously the goal is to win every game and win the Big East Championship, blowing that game was definitely a frustrating experience for all of us, but at the end of the day, we can't change that, and we can hope the positive that comes out of it is a motivated team, rather than them dwelling on it, and not learning from it. At least that's how I feel about it.