Game Thread: Xavier vs. DePaul (February 9, 2019)

[paulxu]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kBAAAOSwqfNXkU44/s-l300.jpg VS. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ab/8c/08/ab8c08f4176b9da3d0ad1d87c8422682.png



Xavier University Musketeers (11-12, 3-7 BE) vs. DePaul Blue Demons (11-9, 3-6 BE)
Saturday, February 9, 2019: 8:00 PM, EST
Cintas Center (10,224) Cincinnati, OH

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

Notes and Stats (https://goxavier.com/news/2019/2/7/mens-basketball-hosts-depaul-on-saturday-on-military-appreciation-night.aspx?path=mbball)

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Aaron Goldsmith and analysis from Nick Bahe.
Xavier Radio: 700 WLW-AM, including via iHeart Radio, TuneIn and via Sirius (81), XM (81) and Internet (81) with play-by-play from XU Hall of Famer and former Musketeer standout Joe Sunderman ('79). Analysis will be provided by Xavier Hall of Famer and XU all-time leading scorer Byron Larkin ('88).

Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com. Fan stats at GoXavier.com.

[XfansinKy]

6'7 230 pound Marshall taking it coast to coast for a pull up 17 foot brick shot over a defender with 25 seconds left on the shot clock. Winning basketball baby!

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Spacing is so terrible

[Xville]

This is like watching a 3rd grade basketball game where kids just throw it in the air just because they feel like it knowing there is zero chance of it going in.

[HenryMuto]

5-5 with 11:47 left...……………..Losing Mack has crippled this team.

[Xville]

5-5 with 11:47 left...……………..Losing Mack has crippled this team.

Mack has zero to do with not being able to shoot outside of 2 feet.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Yeah what on earth are you talking about? The only way we are getting points is manufactured plays on the white board out of breaks. Team has 1 guy that can create. That’s the problem

[Xville]

Steele looked beyond frustrated in that huddle..almost as if he was about to throw his hands up in the air and say eff this.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Q airball. Go back to using the glass

[XfansinKy]

It's just brutal watching his shots

[X Factor]

Naji didnt even try to box out. But, he made a three on the other end.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Would you rather watch Q shoot threes or Naji dribble the length of the court? serious question.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Naji didnt even try to box out. But, he made a three on the other end.

And that was about a minute after the timeout when Steele yelled at the team to actually box out and not just talk about it. Apparently, Naji didn't get the message.

[bjf123]

Would you rather watch Q shoot threes or Naji dribble the length of the court? serious question.

If those are the only choices, I’ll take Q shooting threes.


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[Xville]

I mean naji scored over half of our points...hes the least of our worries at least in this game.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Here is hoping for a strong start to second half. We definitely look like the 2 worst teams in BE, but hey get a win and we are only one out of 3rd place. Somehow we are still in play for a bye in BE tourney. Gotta get this one though.

[Xville]

An air ball on a shot from inside the free throw line....that's new.

[X-band '01]

Burn the headbands. Bring back the Snuggies. Someone get Pedro Cerrano and sacrifice a live chicken.

[Muskie]

Burn the headbands. Bring back the Snuggies. Someone get Pedro Cerrano and sacrifice a live chicken.

We could also start putting Vaseline on the basketball too.


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[Xville]

Burn the headbands. Bring back the Snuggies. Someone get Pedro Cerrano and sacrifice a live chicken.

Are you saying that Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?

[IM4X]

Q is either hurt or just slow and lazy and doesn’t give a SH!t. Either way he needs to step it up or sit. .No hustle... slow to see oppotrunities. Slow first step and turnovers... bad playing- and turnovers.

[Xville]

Q is either hurt or just slow and lazy and doesn’t give a SH!t. Either way he needs to step it up or sit. .No hustle... slow to see oppotrunities. Slow first step and turnovers... bad playing- and turnovers.

I think just having a bunch of shooters on the team made him look a lot better than he actually is. I just dont think hes all that talented at this level. Hes a poor shooter, hes an average ball handler, and hes a poor defender. He can jump, and he can pass at an above average level..that's about it.

[whopper]

it makes me happy when Welage scores ..I would like these grad transfers to finish strong when when that last buzzer sounds that is probably it.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Rique just hit nothing from five feet. Man oh man.

[paulxu]

Haven't seen a "carrying the ball" call in a loooooong time.

[whopper]

and Femi answered with a tough 10 footer..That was what Kanter gave us last year. Lets hang on to this one..

[bjf123]

Burn the headbands. Bring back the Snuggies. Someone get Pedro Cerrano and sacrifice a live chicken.

Public reps for the Major League reference.


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[JTG]

Approaching folding time.....be careful

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

This is not ideal

[whopper]

trying to stay positive but we are not getting stops and stopping ourself

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Q with a nice, lazy pass at a crucial time.

[paulxu]

TO time. (not Terrell Owens)

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Q with a nice, lazy pass at a crucial time.

He’s fucking terrible

[whopper]

this is unbelievable .. I am so sad

[xudash]

Goodwin starts the clown show that has put this game in jeopardy.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

This team crumbles down the stretch. Paul with the back breaker there.

[KFX]

3 turnovers after the time out.

[Grizzx12]

Damn. Pretty shitty time for a melt down

[Xville]

This team is absolute garbage...that may be giving garbage a bad name. I know he isnt the only issue but I'm sick of watching q play..he gives this team absolutely nothing.

Honestly, I'll be shocked if this team wins a game the rest of the season unless major changes occur.

[paulxu]

5 straight TO's.
From up 4...to down 5.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

How many times over this stretch have we just absolutely crumbled at the U4

[bjf123]

God do we suck.


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[KFX]

Embarrassing DePaul at home.

[paulxu]

That may be the most depressing 4 minutes of Xavier basketball that I've seen in a long time.

[Lloyd Braun]

At least we pick early in the draft.... tank, baby!

[KabeX]

Losing to De Paul at home. Has that ever happened? Well nowhere to go but up from here. Right? Right?

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Team should be 0-11. 3 miracle wins in conference.

[bjf123]

Hello 20 loss season. Doubt we win another game.


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[KFX]

This team doesn’t give a shit.

[X-band '01]

Change the code to the locker room and kick the team out. Unacceptable finish.

[xu82]

God do we suck.


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I just got home to catch the end of this. I preferred the party with grilled lobster and shrimp, and more importantly, the open bar, more than the end of this game. Stay strong, and build for next year.

[Xville]

I expected some ups and downs this season but I never expected this. I mean this is downright embarrassing.

[letskeepitreal]

Yup, I think I’m done until next year. I guess we have to have some down years but this is pretty ugly. Turnovers rearing their head again. I don’t get it.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Change the code to the locker room and kick the team out. Unacceptable finish.

Seriously. There’s nothing more Steele can really do with this group. Nobody cares, and it’s clear. And they aren’t nearly talented enough not to care. Severely flawed group. Can Steele run them until they TRY to care?

[whopper]

I am going to Providence next week with a friend and I want to pay attention to what is happening off the court. There may be more to this than meets the eye. Worrisome as this was an extremely unintelligent ending to the game at home. There was no clock management, no sense of ball security and I think you may find that the only shot DePaul missed was Reeds 3 which they rebounded into Cains 3. I am puzzled.

[IM4X]

I think just having a bunch of shooters on the team made him look a lot better than he actually is. I just dont think hes all that talented at this level. Hes a poor shooter, hes an average ball handler, and hes a poor defender. He can jump, and he can pass at an above average level..that's about it.

Q has played mostly solid on defense, but simply doesn’t hustle on on the other end of the court. He stands around on offense. He is very indecisive when he gets the ball (usually making a bad decision once he does decide). He throws lazy passes. He doesn’t go after loose balls. He travels. I haven’t even mentioned his shooting yet.

The fact that he has been so bad at everything, should have Steele telling him not to shoot anymore until he proves he can first show much better effort on offense.

This team falls apart at the end of each game and Qs crap play is making other key players try to do too much to compensate.

What the hell is going on with him. We at least could count on him to facilitate the ball better and find a few creases take off and throw it down a few times.

[KFX]

The worst coach in the big east just beat us at cintas.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

This has to be the worst team I have seen for many, many years. It is down right embarrassing! I am not blaming anybody, it is just the way it is.

[KFX]

Since Steele’s time out we were outscored 17 to 5.

[Xville]

Seriously. There’s nothing more Steele can really do with this group. Nobody cares, and it’s clear. And they aren’t nearly talented enough not to care. Severely flawed group. Can Steele run them until they TRY to care?

This team looked their best when q was not playing with wins over butler and georgetown. They have looked, for the most part like complete garbage since then. I dont know if there is any correlation there, but I wonder if there is something chemistry wise with q on this roster.

[X Factor]

Rock bottom folks...hopefully.

[KabeX]

Hello 20 loss season. Doubt we win another game.


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Just said the same thing. Seriously I really think we could lose out. Wow.

[GIMMFD]

Glad I didn't take time out of studying to watch this shit show.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

The worst coach in the big east just beat us at cintas.

I am thoroughly convinced Steele has the worst roster in the league. Anyone who brings up recruiting ranks to disprove this doesn’t deserve a response. Use your eyes and tell me Q and Tyrique deserve to be considered “top 100 prospects” They have two pretty decent guys in Naji and Pail who would start for other teams but would not be the focal point of any other team in the league.

[whopper]

I thought Creighton was bottom. I am not one to knock college kids(at 63) but this can hurt the Xavier brand if not checked as this is not a fun team to watch. I pulled for Depaul last year against most teams as I thought they were fun to watch.

[RyanblockXU]

I'm not joking when I say, gut the whole team. I wouldn't be sad if the whole team transferred. Because either there is a cancer on the coaching staff and they can't motivate players or its the players themselves who show ZERO heart. Zero.


Dude.. It's embarrassing that the shitty thrown together team Mick Cronin Inherited in his first year played with more heart, and Intensity than this team ever did.

Thats my concern. When you know you don't have the talent to win every game, you better at minimum establish a culture of toughness and heart. Our guys don't give 2 shits if they win or lose. Zero pride.


Pathetic bunch of losers. And I mean that. Any one who guys that quietly into the night is a bunch of soft losers who don't deserve to put on the X

[Xville]

Three home games left...really curious what those crowds are going to look like...have tickets to the st John's game and I really dont feel like going...cant believe I'm thinking that way about a xavier game.

[RyanblockXU]

I am thoroughly convinced Steele has the worst roster in the league. Anyone who brings up recruiting ranks to disprove this doesn’t deserve a response. Use your eyes and tell me Q and Tyrique deserve to be considered “top 100 prospects” They have two pretty decent guys in Naji and Pail who would start for other teams but would not be the focal point of any other team in the league.

If we have the worst rosters, then we also have the worst coaching staff

I've seen nothing from Steele to say he is better than any coach in this league.

[Xuperman]

This team is absolute garbage...that may be giving garbage a bad name. I know he isnt the only issue but I'm sick of watching q play..he gives this team absolutely nothing.

Honestly, I'll be shocked if this team wins a game the rest of the season unless major changes occur.

“Honestly” I’m sick of you....but you’re not the only one. You have officially exceeded your typical Butler board poster in constant whining and that’s saying a lot.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

If we have the worst rosters, then we also have the worst coaching staff

I've seen nothing from Steele to say he is better than any coach in this league.

Huh? Yes, I’m saying we have the worst players in the league. As for coach, maybe he is, maybe he isn’t. Mullin is bad, Lavall is bad. Steele is in his first year, and can recruit, so eventually we’ll see if he can coach.

[KFX]

When was the last time you saw an X team quit like that? I’m thinking 15 years ago when ND kept trying to hand us the game and we were too timid to take it in the ncaa tourney in KC. Throw in a Villanova game or two and Duke in NYC and that’s it. We quit against DePaul at home.

[Xville]

“Honestly” I’m sick of you....but you’re not the only one. You have officially exceeded your typical Butler board poster in constant whining and that’s saying a lot.

It's nice you have no problem with the team's performance, but to call out another fan based off of the crap that I just saw is pretty douchey.

[Xuperman]

I'm not joking when I say, gut the whole team. I wouldn't be sad if the whole team transferred. Because either there is a cancer on the coaching staff and they can't motivate players or its the players themselves who show ZERO heart. Zero.


Dude.. It's embarrassing that the shitty thrown together team Mick Cronin Inherited in his first year played with more heart, and Intensity than this team ever did.

Thats my concern. When you know you don't have the talent to win every game, you better at minimum establish a culture of toughness and heart. Our guys don't give 2 shits if they win or lose. Zero pride.


Pathetic bunch of losers. And I mean that. Any one who guys that quietly into the night is a bunch of soft losers who don't deserve to put on the X

This is the cancer for a FAN board. I am embarrassed for you.

[whopper]

there is no need to pile on..they know they are playing bad. I wish Welage was more like Sean McDermott who can rebound and defend a bit because spacing is needed. Those turnovers were 80% a result of no spacing and 20% poor execution. No-one wanted to shoot anything but a point blank shot which made them easy to defend

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

If we have the worst rosters, then we also have the worst coaching staff

I've seen nothing from Steele to say he is better than any coach in this league.

Agree regarding Steele but he hasn't seemed to be in charge for most of the season. His first half timeout was a bit sad---he was imploring the team to box out but it was almost like he was lecturing them, neither team nor coaching staff are on same page. Wonder what next year's recruits think when they watch this.

[Xville]

This is the cancer for a FAN board. I am embarrassed for you.

Calling out other posters based off of the game this team just played is very tough guy behind a keyboard of you.

[Xville]

Agree regarding Steele but he hasn't seemed to be in charge for most of the season. His first half timeout was a bit sad---he was imploring the team to box out but it was almost like he was lecturing them, neither team nor coaching staff are on same page. Wonder what next year's recruits think when they watch this.

Yeah...next year really is the important thing. This year is a throwaway at this point, but two years of this and everyone starts getting pretty antsy.

Regarding that timeout, I made a comment at that time that Steele almost acted that at any point he was just going to throw his hands in the air and say eff it. Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but I almost get the sense that Steele doesnt like this team and honestly has run out of ideas for how to get them to play differently.

[KFX]

Steele’s post game isn’t filling me with confidence. WTF is he talking about? Singles not home runs. The guy talks in cliches. It’s going to be a long three years.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

At this point we just can’t have decommits out of this class.

[IM4X]

Embarrassing once again... squandered yet another solid lead.Yeah... Sorry. Steele does not get a pass when his team shows they can play with teams, but then he refuses to sit players who are hurting the team Why the hell is Q in there so much when he was doing nothing but making things worse every offensive possession. Enough of his crappy play on offense. If he doesn’t remembeer how to pass or play with tenacity or use his head when he has the ball, then it is on Steele for not putring someone else in- anyone willing to hustle and pass well and not make SO many bad decisions that turn into points for DePaul..

Also, why can’t Steele teach his team the right way to finish a damn game. Once again players at the end were trying to play “One man hero.” Players almost always look lost and out of control at the end of games. Hard to believe the entire team just doesn’t get it. More likely part of the problem is with the message.

[KFX]

Yeah...next year really is the important thing. This year is a throwaway at this point, but two years of this and everyone starts getting pretty antsy.

Regarding that timeout, I made a comment at that time that Steele almost acted that at any point he was just going to throw his hands in the air and say eff it. Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but I almost get the sense that Steele doesnt like this team and honestly has run out of ideas for how to get them to play differently.


Thought the same damn thing.

[CP05XU08CU13]

I thought Creighton was bottom. I am not one to knock college kids(at 63) but this can hurt the Xavier brand if not checked as this is not a fun team to watch. I pulled for Depaul last year against most teams as I thought they were fun to watch.

Completely agree that the current performance, or lack thereof, is really hurting the Xavier brand. I said earlier on another thread that next year is NCAA tournament or bust for Steele. The fact that Xavier was a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament last year and has dropped all the way to last in the Big East does not bode well for Steele and his staff. The excuse that the roster is depleted does not make up for the fact that Steele cannot get his players motivated, or the fact that the team has progressively gotten worse. I feel for the new coaching staff, but it appears that Steele is in over his head. Xavier has become too big of a program to drop back this far. Thus, Steele has one more year to get the house in order. I think there are a list of solid coaches out there that would jump at the chance to lead Xavier. Hopefully, Steele does not squander this opportunity next season.

[Xuperman]

Calling out other posters based off of the game this team just played is very tough guy behind a keyboard of you.

Nope, just a die hard fan that remembers the fieldhouse days. This team has been like family for me and mine. I get pissed when wet behind the ears fans trash my team.

[Xville]

Nope, just a die hard fan that remembers the fieldhouse days. This team has been like family for me and mine. I get pissed when wet behind the ears fans trash my team.

You may want to think a bit and realize that anyone that is spending their time posting on a message board on a Saturday night is also a diehard fan.

Way to go for being a fan for so long. Any fan has every right to trash this teams performance...its garbage. If it gets to the personal level of anyone on the team , I can understand your sentiment, but otherwise its fair game in my opinion.

[bjf123]

At this point we just can’t have decommits out of this class.

I have to admit I’m concerned this might happen. We’ve got a train wreck on our hands this year and really need the incoming class. They’ll probably all get serious playing time as freshmen.


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[vee4xu]

I'm ready to order a code red.

[Xville]

I have to admit I’m concerned this might happen. We’ve got a train wreck on our hands this year and really need the incoming class. They’ll probably all get serious playing time as freshmen.


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I mean...they are all signed, so they would have to be willing to sit out a year to go somewhere else at this point right? I'd have to think the chances of that are extremely slim but I'm sure it's happened before.

[whopper]

it is kind of sad to look at the dec 29 box score(we came back at Depaul) to see Welage play 30 min, go 5-8 from 3 with 17 points 3 Reb an assist. It seemed like we had a plan then to space the floor..what happened.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

You may want to think a bit and realize that anyone that is spending their time posting on a message board on a Saturday night is also a diehard fan.

Way to go for being a fan for so long. Any fan has every right to trash this teams performance...its garbage. If it gets to the personal level of anyone on the team , I can understand your sentiment, but otherwise its fair game in my opinion.

Reps. Exactly. We’re all here because we love the program, and want to see it be at its best.

Wet behind the ears. Lol. The standard has improved for this program. Don’t need to wear that like a badge of honor.

[Hink]

I want to give Steele a pass, I do, for many reasons. But when a guy has 2 Tos and 2 fouls in the final few minutes of a game, he has to sit. I do not like the lack of accountability. I realize the X bench is slim, but come on man. Put KK or Elias out there and give them a chance. It cannot be worse than what we just witnessed.

[bjf123]

We keep seeing the same mistakes happening on the court. It’s one of two things. The players are that bad, or the coaches are. I guess there’s a third option. It’s both.

This is completely unacceptable, though I’m sure the players and coaches know this. At the moment, I really have zero interest in going to the rest of the games. I’m sure I’ll be there, but I’ll be going in expecting more embarrassing losses.


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[RyanblockXU]

I kinda feel bad for Hankins and Welage.


Both signed on to play at Xavier specifically because they wanted to play in the NCAA tourney.


The bright side is that they are going to get to go on a spring break trip, which most Xavier basketball players are never able to

[D-West & PO-Z]

I mean...they are all signed, so they would have to be willing to sit out a year to go somewhere else at this point right? I'd have to think the chances of that are extremely slim but I'm sure it's happened before.

Usually before they get to school and they want out the school lets them out of their commitment and they dont need to sit. Right? That is how I understand it. Kind of douchey by a school not to.

But honestly I am not worried about any decommits. I get being worried by worst case scenarios given how bad this season has turned out but I dont think most recruits decommit because their team had a bad season the year before they go there. They committed to Steele not Mack. I feel ok about the recruits staying committed.

[Xville]

So was just perusing the roster and noticed that two of james' coaches during his high school career mentioned he was an exceptional shooter. Is he? If he is, why is he getting absolutely zero run? Just something that stood out to me since we have no one that can consistently stretch the floor.

[Xville]

Usually before they get to school and they want out the school lets them out of their commitment and they dont need to sit. Right? That is how I understand it. Kind of douchey by a school not to.

But honestly I am not worried about any decommits. I get being worried by worst case scenarios given how bad this season has turned out but I dont think most recruits decommit because their team had a bad season the year before they go there. They committed to Steele not Mack. I feel ok about the recruits staying committed.

On your first paragraph, yeah guess you are right. I just couldn't remember the rule because it doesn't seem to happen very much once a recruit is signed.

[noteggs]

We keep seeing the same mistakes happening on the court. It’s one of two things. The players are that bad, or the coaches are. I guess there’s a third option. It’s both.

This is completely unacceptable, though I’m sure the players and coaches know this. At the moment, I really have zero interest in going to the rest of the games. I’m sure I’ll be there, but I’ll be going in expecting more embarrassing losses.


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Were you surprised as me on how quite Cintas was tonight. I mean the whole game except for the cool halftime show.

[X Factor]

So was just perusing the roster and noticed that two of james' coaches during his high school career mentioned he was an exceptional shooter. Is he? If he is, why is he getting absolutely zero run? Just something that stood out to me since we have no one that can consistently stretch the floor.

James, Harden, and Kennedy are as good as gone next year.

[Xuperman]

You may want to think a bit and realize that anyone that is spending their time posting on a message board on a Saturday night is also a diehard fan.

Way to go for being a fan for so long. Any fan has every right to trash this teams performance...its garbage. If it gets to the personal level of anyone on the team , I can understand your sentiment, but otherwise its fair game in my opinion.

Ok, but we all know the situation has gone south. What good does it do to embellish the fact? I guess I don’t understand the need to post crap that is SO obvious. Butler/UD fans and other haters love it but that’s about it.

[D-West & PO-Z]

James, Harden, and Kennedy are as good as gone next year.

Care to expand? Because you think Steele forces them out? Because they are fearful of no playing time with good class coming in? Because they are mad about not playing and dont like direction of program?

you think all three are gone?

[Xville]

Ok, but we all know the situation has gone south. What good does it do to embellish the fact? I guess I don’t understand the need to post crap that is SO obvious. Butler/UD fans and other haters love it but that’s about it.

You are now essentially asking what's the point of a message board. If I cant express my opinion of what is going on, whether good or bad, what's the point? It's obvious the team is playing like garbage, the how and why isnt obvious.

[Xville]

Care to expand? Because you think Steele forces them out? Because they are fearful of no playing time with good class coming in? Because they are mad about not playing and dont like direction of program?

you think all three are gone?

I dont have any insight into this, but I will say one thing about harden. I feel for the kid because I don't understand after almost two full years in the program, he still looks completely uncomfortable out there on the court. Is it because he is completely terrified to make a mistake because that means going to the bench, or was his "star" rating really that far off? It's just odd to me he still looks like a scared shitless freshman at this stage in the game.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I dont have any insight into this, but I will say one thing about harden. I feel for the kid because I don't understand after almost two full years in the program, he still looks completely uncomfortable out there on the court. Is it because he is completely terrified to make a mistake because that means going to the bench, or was his "star" rating really that far off? It's just odd to me he still looks like a scared shitless freshman at this stage in the game.

Yeah I agree. I mean if one of the guys might transfer I would think him. He has really made any jump as a soph on a team that severely lacks depth.

The freshmen though I wouldn't fully understand. Freshman usually dont make a huge impact at X unless they are really special.

[noteggs]

Second chance points DePaul’s 18 to our 2. Ball game

[IM4X]

So was just perusing the roster and noticed that two of james' coaches during his high school career mentioned he was an exceptional shooter. Is he? If he is, why is he getting absolutely zero run? Just something that stood out to me since we have no one that can consistently stretch the floor.

I too thought he was supposed to be a good shooter. At this point, I would love to see James get the start next game and just see what happens.

Scruggs
James
Naji
Jones
Hankins

[IM4X]

40 minutes of playing time and 4 shot:

Castlin 22 minutes... 1 shot 0-1

Harden 10 minutes... 0 shots

Welage 8 minutes... 1-2

[username]

.

[whopper]

In all these game where we are ahead with 5 min, it is not that we go cold shooting it is that we don't even shoot, with a turnover or maybe a forced shot at end of shot clock. Everyone is trying to work way in (Scruggs, Marshall spin moves in lane, Goodin probing) which is simply not available at end of game to anybody. We don't even get a shot off that has a chance of being offensively rebounded. Players are bringing their defenders into the way with lack of spacing. It is too late to fix but someone should look at film of all the late losses(Seton Hall, Gtown(road), Depaul, Marquette(home) and see what the common element is. This is sad for me and I am going to Providence nextt week (from Ct) and (why I don't know) see what the interactions are among the players and between players/coaches before game.
In my minds eye I can recall games when Q(for past 3 years) drove and passed to Tre, JP, Kaiser or Karem for "the dagger". I can't recall any "daggers" this year in the clutch(except Castlin v Gtown), just spinning in the lane begging for a call trying to muscle in a basket. The way defenses are these days (and the fact that refs recognize "walling up" and don't just bail out a driver) makes hero ball impossible; even Duke has won close games with Barrett and Redish hitting jumpers not Zion dunking. How do we get that back with this personnel, I could only see Scruggs(who has the ball) or Welage(who is not in) confidently shooting a shot

[bleedXblue]

In all these game where we are ahead with 5 min, it is not that we go cold shooting it is that we don't even shoot, with a turnover or maybe a forced shot at end of shot clock. Everyone is trying to work way in (Scruggs, Marshall spin moves in lane, Goodin probing) which is simply not available at end of game to anybody. We don't even get a shot off that has a chance of being offensively rebounded. Players are bringing their defenders into the way with lack of spacing. It is too late to fix but someone should look at film of all the late losses(Seton Hall, Gtown(road), Depaul, Marquette(home) and see what the common element is. This is sad for me and I am going to Providence nextt week (from Ct) and (why I don't know) see what the interactions are among the players and between players/coaches before game.
In my minds eye I can recall games when Q(for past 3 years) drove and passed to Tre, JP, Kaiser or Karem for "the dagger". I can't recall any "daggers" this year in the clutch(except Castlin v Gtown), just spinning in the lane begging for a call trying to muscle in a basket. The way defenses are these days (and the fact that refs recognize "walling up" and don't just bail out a driver) makes hero ball impossible; even Duke has won close games with Barrett and Redish hitting jumpers not Zion dunking. How do we get that back with this personnel, I could only see Scruggs(who has the ball) or Welage(who is not in) confidently shooting a shot

Its b/c we don't run any kind of offense at all. I don't even know what our offensive sets are called other than dribble around the perimeter. Hope to dump it inside to Jones or Hankins and hopefully they get a shot off. Really, we are very easy to defend. We almost never make the extra pass or two.

Watch our guys and name the last player to do a head fake and get the defender off his feet. I see a team lacking basic basketball IQ and fundamentals. Most of that is coaching..........

[vee4xu]

Teams need players who want the ball at the end of the game crunch time. In the past, X has had one or two such players each year. This year, however, it appears the team play hot potato with the ball in the last four minutes of close games and they are ending up losses in not so close of a game. No one on this team has the "I'll put the team on my back" personality that it takes to win in crunch time. Not an indictment, just a fact.

[SM#24]

Teams need players who want the ball at the end of the game crunch time. In the past, X has had one or two such players each year. This year, however, it appears the team play hot potato with the ball in the last four minutes of close games and they are ending up losses in not so close of a game. No one on this team has the "I'll put the team on my back" personality that it takes to win in crunch time. Not an indictment, just a fact.
Do we have anyone with the actual skill to do this ?
Even Scruggs & Naji are more likely to turn the ball over than make individually forced plays.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah I agree. I mean if one of the guys might transfer I would think him. He has really made any jump as a soph on a team that severely lacks depth.

The freshmen though I wouldn't fully understand. Freshman usually dont make a huge impact at X unless they are really special.

I think if you can't get on the floor for a bad team, you generally leave. I'd be surprised if more than one of Harden, Kennedy or James return. And I would not be at all surprised if all three leave.

[muskies1235]

Rebounding is still the glaring issue for me.

That's an effort stat and after I brought it up a few games ago it's only gotten worse.

Depaul got 41% of their misses last night. That's an absurd number.

This team's issues start with defense and rebounding.

You can win a lot of games with an offense in the top 55.

It's hard to win any with a defense outside the top 200.

[vee4xu]

Do we have anyone with the actual skill to do this ?
Even Scruggs & Naji are more likely to turn the ball over than make individually forced plays.

No. That's my point.

[whopper]

If you want to see us beat DePaul 6 weeks ago you may want to watch this.. There is a little difference in spacing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHH_fQNQAfY

[Masterofreality]

Its b/c we don't run any kind of offense at all. I don't even know what our offensive sets are called other than dribble around the perimeter. Hope to dump it inside to Jones or Hankins and hopefully they get a shot off. Really, we are very easy to defend. We almost never make the extra pass or two.

Watch our guys and name the last player to do a head fake and get the defender off his feet. I see a team lacking basic basketball IQ and fundamentals. Most of that is coaching..........

This is spot on. The "weave" at the top of the 3 point arc makes me throw up every time. That is 10 shot clock seconds wasted....for what? A late jack
#WeaveToHeave

[Masterofreality]

Usually before they get to school and they want out the school lets them out of their commitment and they dont need to sit. Right? That is how I understand it. Kind of douchey by a school not to.

But honestly I am not worried about any decommits. I get being worried by worst case scenarios given how bad this season has turned out but I dont think most recruits decommit because their team had a bad season the year before they go there. They committed to Steele not Mack. I feel ok about the recruits staying committed.

I'm worried about transfers...

[scoscox]

Its b/c we don't run any kind of offense at all. I don't even know what our offensive sets are called other than dribble around the perimeter. Hope to dump it inside to Jones or Hankins and hopefully they get a shot off. Really, we are very easy to defend. We almost never make the extra pass or two.

Watch our guys and name the last player to do a head fake and get the defender off his feet. I see a team lacking basic basketball IQ and fundamentals. Most of that is coaching..........

I’m not saying Travis is without blame but a lot of this is a result of not having any shooting. We’re easy to defend because Paul is the only person that can hit a shot outside the paint. Q can’t even make uncontested layups. The weave helps us open driving lanes. We make the extra pass but the extra pass is to a guy that can’t shoot so what does it matter? Head fakes don’t matter cause no ones a threat to shoot etc.

The basketball iq is definitely at a premium and that’s definitely on coaching

[coasterville95]

Three home games left...really curious what those crowds are going to look like...have tickets to the st John's game and I really dont feel like going...cant believe I'm thinking that way about a xavier game.


I hear you. I'm thinking about Wednesday night in particular. 8:30 pm start, which you know full well means 8:45 or worse. I HATE those late night work night games anyway, but with a very real chance at a bad loss, I'm strongly considering just watching the game on TV. That way, when the team checks out, so can I.

I need the "Why should I make the trip to Cintas to watch this level performance, under these conditions" pep talk.

That said, fully planning on going to see the Villanova game.

[coasterville95]

I hear you. I'm thinking about Wednesday night in particular. 8:30 pm start, which you know full well means 8:45 or worse. I HATE those late night work night games anyway, but with a very real chance at a bad loss, I'm strongly considering just watching the game on TV. That way, when the team checks out, so can I.

I need the "Why should I make the trip to Cintas to watch this level performance, under these conditions" pep talk.

That said, fully planning on going to see the Villanova game.

Well a friend gave me a strong pep talk and I’m at Cintas. That talk including a ticket to the Lookout club area helped...


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