Game Thread: Xavier v. Missouri (December 18, 2018) Non-Conference Game

[X-band '01]

Where is the leadership on the court from some player of coach? David West would be collaring guys and shouting in their faces if they showed that kind of effort.

Lionel Chalmers and Malcolm Bernard would also be going off after games like that.

[fellahmuskie]

At least the loss got everyone on the message board talking again. It's been kinda quiet around here.

[xeus]

I'd have sent them all home on a bus with TVs to watch tape, all the way home.
Planes are for winners.

[XUGRAD80]

I’m betting the fan board for UCLA sounds a lot like this one right about now.

[X-band '01]

I’m betting the fan board for UCLA sounds a lot like this one right about now.

Just about every Pac-12 message board has this sentiment. Doesn't change the mood around here, nor should it.

[whopper]

even though I have been disappointed with the results, I find it hard to believe that our core 4 returnees plus our grad transfers who are still averaging 25 pos and 9 rebounds collectively can't come up with 8-10 wins. Obviously a LOT of work to be done this week and a half, and a little attitude adjustment is in order. I kind of agree with the poster who said that the 4 returnees have never experienced a lot of adversity in basketball and that may have to do with the impression of folding. This week would be a good time for Steele and all the coaches to put that to bed. I have seen St Johns, Providence and Seton Hall and they all look ready to play, even Depaul, so there should NEVER be a situation where we are overconfident as there may have been last years.

[paulxu]

I can't imagine anyone being "over" confident this year. At least not that we might win.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

even though I have been disappointed with the results, I find it hard to believe that our core 4 returnees plus our grad transfers who are still averaging 25 pos and 9 rebounds collectively can't come up with 8-10 wins. Obviously a LOT of work to be done this week and a half, and a little attitude adjustment is in order. I kind of agree with the poster who said that the 4 returnees have never experienced a lot of adversity in basketball and that may have to do with the impression of folding. This week would be a good time for Steele and all the coaches to put that to bed. I have seen St Johns, Providence and Seton Hall and they all look ready to play, even Depaul, so there should NEVER be a situation where we are overconfident as there may have been last years.

If you are referring to total wins, for the season, numbering 8-10, I am in full agreement. If, however, you are stating your belief this team can win 8-10 conference games, I have to disagree very, very strongly. The responses to this thread are clear enough to avoid restating in detail. The play of the so-called "core four" has been erratic at best, the three grad transfers (while I'm glad to have them) aren't talented enough to make a difference and are not yet integrated into comfortable and predictable roles and the bench is thinner than a fence rail. The Big East has very talented coaching and tough, aggressive home venues. This team's defensive effort and ball discipline, against even questionable competition, has been mediocre at best. And, while I wish Coach Steel the very best, he hasn't yet demonstrated coaching skills beyond recruiting. I'm not saying they aren't there---just that I haven't seen them yet.

And, none of the foregoing even considers the potential locker room issues that have been raised on this board. I have heard a bunch of comments from my friends and colleagues who are X.U. fans (most of whom don't know this board exists) about the team absolutely quitting against U.C. and most recently Mizzou. I am not saying the Muskies have given up---I have no way of knowing. But, many a long-time fan has expressed dismay (I among them) for the manner in which this team has played thus far into the season. I have followed X basketball closely since the year 2 B.L. (Before Larkin) and, like others on this board, I have never seen the game played so unenthusiastically as by this team. Again, I don't know and I'm not in the locker room, but something seems very wrong with this team. I hope this has been just a rough patch but I think there is more to the story----I cannot arrive at any other conclusion with so little information.

So, when I add all those factors into the mix, I have a hard time seeing even four B.E. wins. I would be happy with such a result. I see only one possible road win and that is DePaul and two maybe three wins at Cintas. If the above referenced locker room issues truly do exist, I think we must, at least, consider the possibility this team goes winless in conference play. I realize that is as close to heresy on this board as any post I have ever seen. But I cannot make the math work unless the team we have seen so far is completely replaced by an entirely new attitude and the existing roster raises its level of play by a factor of two or three.

Although not an alum of Xavier, I think very highly of the school (how many schools can claim the graduation record, contributions of former players, contributions of its alumni and the ethical constitution of its basketball program. We Xavier fans, as has been stated, have been spoiled with outstanding play and outstanding conduct. So, I'm not trying to be a complete negative jerk. But, I see no path for this team to achieve 8-10 wins in the Big East. None, nada, zilch.

[GoMuskies]

0 conference wins seems hard to fathom, but we will probably only be favored 3 or 4 times the rest of the year (after Friday, of course).

[Juice]

0 conference wins seems hard to fathom, but we will probably only be favored 3 or 4 times the rest of the year (after Friday, of course).

FWIW, KenPom has X favored in 6 conference games.

[GoMuskies]

FWIW, KenPom has X favored in 6 conference games.

Interesting. Sagarin is even more generous now that I look at it. Sagarin would favor us 8 times (home against Creighton, St. John's Providence, Seton Hall, Georgetown and DePaul and road against Georgetown and DePaul). I'd take 8 wins right now.

[bleedXblue]

We better win half of our home games and 2 on the road. I know we are playing like dung, but I still hold out hope that things can get better.

[noteggs]

Per Shannon’s Twitter, Scruggs called player only meeting after bus ride back. Nice to someone take a leadership role!

[GoMuskies]

Per Shannon’s Twitter, Scruggs called player only meeting after bus ride back. Nice to someone take a leadership role!

Are we sure it was to talk about basketball and not just to play Fortnight?

[noteggs]

Are we sure it was to talk about basketball and not just to play Fortnight?

Lol! I’d take a team builder at this point

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Per Shannon’s Twitter, Scruggs called player only meeting after bus ride back. Nice to someone take a leadership role!

I like this a lot, but I love it was Scruggs. Other than early fouls, he is currently our best guy.


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[bleedXblue]

I like this a lot, but I love it was Scruggs. Other than early fouls, he is currently our best guy.


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I think that tells you a lot about our captains.......

[xu82]

Lol! I’d take a team builder at this point

Is Stones Lanes still open???

Maybe we can compete better in bowling?

I kid....I pray this is just a rough spell that makes us appreciate our coming success even more. It’s easy to get spoiled when you have the years we’ve had going back quite a while. It’s been a long time since I felt better about my Buffalo Bills than X hoops.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I think that tells you a lot about our captains.......

Who are the captains?


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[Xville]

I like this a lot, but I love it was Scruggs. Other than early fouls, he is currently our best guy.


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Agreed...he is our best and most talented player. It's a shame that it is a sophomore that has to do this, but in the same vein, I'm glad it's someone young because its means better things for the future.

[bleedXblue]

Who are the captains?


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Castlin, Jones and Q I think

[noteggs]

Is Stones Lanes still open???

Maybe we can compete better in bowling?

I kid....I pray this is just a rough spell that makes us appreciate our coming success even more. It’s easy to get spoiled when you have the years we’ve had going back quite a while. It’s been a long time since I felt better about my Buffalo Bills than X hoops.

As a matter fact they are and unfortunately as my daughter found out, drinking there is more important than bowling.

[xu82]

As a matter fact they are and unfortunately as my daughter found out, drinking there is more important than bowling.

They have BOWLING?

[noteggs]

They have BOWLING?

Haha! At least that’s what I told my dad. Apparently my daughter thinks I’m clueless...she’s not far off.

[XU 87]

If you have a better idea, have at it. You can ask them to play hard with a "pretty please".........and I'm also assuming that benching one player may send a message or signal to others.

Obviously whatever has been done to this point........isn't working. Gotta try something different. Again, if you have a better suggestion I'd love to hear it.

If you bench Naji, who takes his playing time? Harden? Kennedy? James? You would be benching him and playing guys who haven't earned PT.

[Xville]

If you bench Naji, who takes his playing time? Harden? Kennedy? James? You would be benching him and playing guys who haven't earned PT.

While I don't know if I agree with the whole benching starter thing...my follow up question to yours would be, Has Naji earned PT? Maybe he practices well and the players you outlined don't, but from the games themselves, Naji hasn't earned squat in a long time.

[XU 87]

While I don't know if I agree with the whole benching starter thing...my follow up question to yours would be, Has Naji earned PT? Maybe he practices well and the players you outlined don't, but from the games themselves, Naji hasn't earned squat in a long time.

He is second on the team in scoring and second in rebounding. So I think the answer is "Yes".

[Xville]

He is second on the team in scoring and second in rebounding. So I think the answer is "Yes".

He's also had awful shot selection going 11/51 from 3 point land and has more turnovers than assists and while he has been a good rebounder, he's been the worst defender on the team not named Welage. Do I think anyone on the bench could do better, no probably not. However, Naji has way more talent than anyone on that bench, and needs to play better....not sure if benching him would get him to play better, but some sort of wake-up call is needed especially on the defensive side of the ball.

[xu koop scoop]

How about giving Hankins a chance to start. At the expense of Jones, Naji or Castlin. I don't really care which one. Just to send a message. Hankins seems to have more spirit & drive during games than some of the others. I still wish to see Jones & Hankins together part of each game. Coaches need to implement plans to use those 2 together - at least once in awhile. Player team chemistry & coaching chemisty ( a mix of too many new coaches) needs to improve steadily. We've only played 12 games. We have a minimum of 20 more games to unfold. Enjoy each game. We should have many peaks & valleys.

[Masterofreality]

Interesting. Sagarin is even more generous now that I look at it. Sagarin would favor us 8 times (home against Creighton, St. John's Providence, Seton Hall, Georgetown and DePaul and road against Georgetown and DePaul). I'd take 8 wins right now.

I'll take 8 conference wins right now too. I'm very afraid we're gonna get "Cain-ed" under the "Struss" of being on the road at Depaul. First conference game and they'll be pumped for revenge at home. I can very surely see Xavier losing that game.