Wisconsin Tuesday November 13

[xukeith]

I think X needs a 100% performance from everybody to pull off a win. Wisconsin missed the NCAA tourney last year for first time in 20 years.

Ethan Happ is an amazing center who pulled in 11 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in their first game.
They are very talented and experienced.

Sadly, I see X losing this game as the newcomers have not gelled yet with everyone. I hope I am wrong.
Wisconsin wants revenge. They are a top 5 B10 team this year.

[xeus]

Thanks for a really awesome and timely post.

[xukeith]

Please provide me with all the stats and chemistry on our beloved X team that demonstrates a handily win over an NCAA Wisconsin team.
X will be favored by 1-2 points.

[xu82]

I am REALLY looking forward to the game!!!




With Evansville.

I’m not getting ahead of things.

[xukeith]

Thoughts? They have only played one game.
Wonder if they shoot the 3? Hankins can defend Happ? or foul twice?

[bjf123]

Thoughts? They have only played one game.
Wonder if they shoot the 3? Hankins can defend Happ? or foul twice?

We’re gonna get smoked.


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[Juice]

Thoughts? They have only played one game.
Wonder if they shoot the 3? Hankins can defend Happ? or foul twice?

I think Hankins would do a better job against him than Tyrique.

[Xuperman]

Thanks for a really awesome and timely post.

I will wait for the official thread, however I will comment only to say I'm not commenting.

[xukeith]

Xavier 2-0 0-0 7-11 +10.49 64 109.3 38 98.8 113 73.1 125

XU has better record than Providence but so far has worst defense in BE.

[bleedXblue]

Sorry to say but this team isn't ready right now to compete at a high level against a quality opponent. It is a home game and I expect it to be close. FT shooting and defense is going to cost us some games. Not surprised at this stage with so many new players. Mid year this team could be very good.......

[AviatorX]

Sorry to say but this team isn't ready right now to compete at a high level against a quality opponent. It is a home game and I expect it to be close. FT shooting and defense is going to cost us some games. Not surprised at this stage with so many new players. Mid year this team could be very good.......

Personally, I just don't think Wisconsin is that good.

I think this will be an ugly, sloe game in the 50's and X will pull out a win (while manifesting all the weaknesses we expected coming into the year, as opposed to the defensive issues).

[JTG]

Personally, I just don't think Wisconsin is that good.

I think this will be an ugly, sloe game in the 50's and X will pull out a win (while manifesting all the weaknesses we expected coming into the year, as opposed to the defensive issues).

A slow paced game has Wisky written all over it. No way our defense holds up for Wisc 25+ sec possessions. Another root canal game against the Badgers.

[sirthought]

Looking at these rosters, it's pretty obvious that Wisconsin holds the edge on more experience playing at a high level.

Xavier has an edge on size and heft. (And maybe rebounding.) If XU is going to win it'll be because of physical play and just out hustling the Badgers.

It's interesting that the Wisconsin website lists Ethan Happ at 6'10" and 237 lbs. while sports reference lists him at 6'8" and 200 pounds. Huge difference! I'm hoping Hankins and Jones can just make him uncomfortable all night. He's clearly better than most college players in the country, but shutting him down even a bit can hurt them.

I'm more worried about their quick guards who both shot better than 50% from three in their first game. Pair that with the fact that six players shot a perfect free throw percentage.

Xavier will have to improve not fouling, while also being tougher and imposing.

[GIMMFD]

Looking at these rosters, it's pretty obvious that Wisconsin holds the edge on more experience playing at a high level.

Xavier has an edge on size and heft. (And maybe rebounding.) If XU is going to win it'll be because of physical play and just out hustling the Badgers.

It's interesting that the Wisconsin website lists Ethan Happ at 6'10" and 237 lbs. while sports reference lists him at 6'8" and 200 pounds. Huge difference! I'm hoping Hankins and Jones can just make him uncomfortable all night. He's clearly better than most college players in the country, but shutting him down even a bit can hurt them.

I'm more worried about their quick guards who both shot better than 50% from three in their first game. Pair that with the fact that six players shot a perfect free throw percentage.

Xavier will have to improve not fouling, while also being tougher and imposing.

I just don't see how we win this game, a lot of inexperience coupled with some problems right now, we're gonna have to get boat loads better by Tuesday, and I just don't think that's going to happen. This team will get better, and will be better in a month or so from now, but I just don't see them improving 10x by Tuesday. I hope I'm wrong, and they come out with intensity and passion, and play a complete game, but we're a bit aways from being where we need to be, which is to be expected at this stage.

[whopper]

Funny I was watching last year's game on ncaa.com on my rowing machine(gives me a full hour plus) and Karem only played 7 min and did little, Marshall and Scruggs hardly played, and Tyrique ran down Happ on a fast break what would have tied it with a min to go, and Davidson hit some tough shots(in first half) and Pritzl hit some 3s that bought them back. Wisconsin was considered the better team and a national contender according to the announcers and the Xavier win was considered an upset. How quick things change in college hoops and Happ and Iverson were in the Koenig game(and Happ played great and Iverson played well) and Kaiser would have been the only X player left(but of course gone). Happ had a number of assists

[bjf123]

If we lose on Tuesday, which won’t surprise me, you can blame me. I think the last non conference home game we lost was against Florida. My wife and I have a close friend who’s a UF grad and we brought her to the game. For the Wisconsin game, my wife’s out of town and I’m bringing another friend who’s a WI grad. Sorry.


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[Fireball]

Xavier will be able to out-athlete most teams on their schedule, and I think that will allow us to win a lot of games before the defense comes together.

As far as Wisconsin goes, we will be able to out-athlete them, but need to play a good (not great) defensive game to beat them. I hope that the screaming they'll take between Saturday and Tuesday will get them to where they need to be defensively.


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[XMuskieFTW]

Not sure why so many people are expecting a loss. These teams match up pretty evenly and we are at home. X holds a significant edge and the 1 and the 2. I'll give Wiscy an edge at the 3, X the edge at the 4, and Wiscy the edge at the 5. I'll give their bench a very slight edge, but we have the best player off the bench. It wouldn't shock me to see us go 7 deep. Maybe 8 for a few minutes. I bet this is the type of game we see Q, Scruggs, and Naji all play 35+ minutes. We should be favored, and we should win this game at home.

[whopper]

I like your spirit. Growing up in the 70s you almost knew the outcome of 95% of games before they happened but the skill and especially the psychology of today's players never ceases to surprise me. A center against Alcindor(Jabbar) or Walton would put up 2 pts and 3 rebounds, now players take individual challenges far more seriously. I am learning to look at each game as a discreet event and last year it seemed during the season we were expected to win(except Villanova). This year every game will be a new game with a box score you can't even imagine before the game. Good luck to X

[IM4X]

Not overly impressed with Wisconsin in their first game. They have some good players but look very beatable. Travis continues to bring up how the focus has to stay on X doing the things it’s supposed to and not worrying about the opponent. I can see this being one of those games where the defense steps up. I also can see Q taking charge of the offense right away and helping players feel more comfortable and in rhythm becasue of it. I see Naji being more patient... taking better shots... starting to “feel it” from outside and when he drives.

This is the perfect game for Steele to stick with seven guys to help players stay in rhythm and allow great chemistry to be developed... so he can see the team’s true potential. I’m hoping he sticks with Q, Naji, Scruggs, Jones and the 3 transfers for almost the entire game, to allow that to happen.

[xukeith]

Xavier will be able to out-athlete most teams on their schedule, and I think that will allow us to win a lot of games before the defense comes together.

As far as Wisconsin goes, we will be able to out-athlete them, but need to play a good (not great) defensive game to beat them. I hope that the screaming they'll take between Saturday and Tuesday will get them to where they need to be defensively.


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Maybe. X has more athletes except Happ (who will be in NBA). Wisconsin has disciplined team with boring set plays. can X beat a more talented team if they can get turnovers and easy buckets. Hands high hands high!!

[XMuskieFTW]

Maybe. X has more athletes except Happ (who will be in NBA). Wisconsin has disciplined team with boring set plays. can X beat a more talented team if they can get turnovers and easy buckets. Hands high hands high!!

Happ isn't going to be in the NBA. There isn't a lot of use in the NBA for an unathletic 6'8 kid who can't make a shot outside of 4 feet.

[xukeith]

Happ isn't going to be in the NBA. There isn't a lot of use in the NBA for an unathletic 6'8 kid who can't make a shot outside of 4 feet.

OK maybe not.

He is VERY good, though. BETTER than Stainbrook and better than any X big man since West.
All their players are better than any competition this season.
Hope chemistry and a go-to star player emerges (Naji).

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Watching the game from last year, tyrique did an excellent job on Happ on both sides of the ball. Hoping for more of the same tonight.