Breaking down the Big turnaround

[Xuperman]

Making predictions of final record and possible tournament seeding are fine but may be a tad early. So let's have a conversation on what got us here.

I was able to re watch most of the games in the streak and it is obvious that defense and Marshall are the difference...in fact they are one in the same. He has really turned it on in all phases, basically neutralizing a list of BE killers along with vastly improved touch from distance. He has embraced the "Go to" mantra in a big way. I think he is now at least 2nd team ALL conference.

As for the team as a whole, I see little difference. We may be playing with a little more energy on defense and certainly a huge boost in confidence is palpable but everyone other than Naj is putting up expected numbers and effort. Our turnover situation is still a huge problem but the elephant in the room is now our atrocious free throw shooting in crunch time. The last 6/7 minutes of both the VU and SJU games were embarrassing from the line. Both of these are serious flaws that are simply being overcome due to big leads and stops on defense.

If this group can get to 19/20 wins, we're talking Xavier LORE for our CORE FOUR and Coach Steele. We have BOOKEND lost recruiting classes to support these warriors and NO bench BUT we've caught lightning in a bottle and are poised for a crazy finish. Let's make some MAGIC....LET'S GO X!!

[xuwin]

Making predictions of final record and possible tournament seeding are fine but may be a tad early. So let's have a conversation on what got us here.

I was able to re watch most of the games in the streak and it is obvious that defense and Marshall are the difference...in fact they are one in the same. He has really turned it on in all phases, basically neutralizing a list of BE killers along with vastly improved touch from distance. He has embraced the "Go to" mantra in a big way. I think he is now at least 2nd team ALL conference.

As for the team as a whole, I see little difference. We may be playing with a little more energy on defense and certainly a huge boost in confidence is palpable but everyone other than Naj is putting up expected numbers and effort. Our turnover situation is still a huge problem but the elephant in the room is now our atrocious free throw shooting in crunch time. The last 6/7 minutes of both the VU and SJU games were embarrassing from the line. Both of these are serious flaws that are simply being overcome due to big leads and stops on defense.

If this group can get to 19/20 wins, we're talking Xavier LORE for our CORE FOUR and Coach Steele. We have BOOKEND lost recruiting classes to support these warriors and NO bench BUT we've caught lightning in a bottle and are poised for a crazy finish. Let's make some MAGIC....LET'S GO X!!

I think the biggest reason for the turnaround is the ability of our 2 big guys to adapt to playing together and our ability to play defense without fouling.

[xukeith]

I think the biggest reason for the turnaround is the ability of our 2 big guys to adapt to playing together and our ability to play defense without fouling.

bingo.

Just get Castlin to the free throw line and X will shoot 75%-85% here on out.
rebounding,
defense,
set plays,
not fouling,
blocked shots,
coaching are all great.

The days of Dee Davis and Lavender being under 5'8 and pgs are not looked upon favorably as they were good with ball. Our big guards are too tall and sloppy.

[scoscox]

the biggest difference is the team defense by a country mile. we trust each other and communicate much better, have completely shut off dribble penetration, defend the three light years better, and hardly have any breakdowns. we went from a sub-150 defensive team to a top 15 defensive team in this streak. that's the story. Naji has been great, but it's the defense.

[xuwin]

the biggest difference is the team defense by a country mile. we trust each other and communicate much better, have completely shut off dribble penetration, defend the three light years better, and hardly have any breakdowns. we went from a sub-150 defensive team to a top 15 defensive team in this streak. that's the story. Naji has been great, but it's the defense.

It is rare for Xavier to have 2 shot blockers protecting the basket. That allows them to be more aggressive with the perimeter defense.

[X-man]

the biggest difference is the team defense by a country mile. we trust each other and communicate much better, have completely shut off dribble penetration, defend the three light years better, and hardly have any breakdowns. we went from a sub-150 defensive team to a top 15 defensive team in this streak. that's the story. Naji has been great, but it's the defense.

Totally agree with your point. I would only add that the team also appears to trust each other more on the offensive end as well, and this has reduced our tendency to play "hero ball" at the end of games. But it is the improved team defense that really stands out. Now if we could just cut down turnovers, learn how to break a press, and to shoot a higher FT percentage.....

[OTRMUSKIE]

The big difference is Q is playing better. Before he was taking I’ll advised shots and they weren’t falling. And the next big thing is confidence. This team expects to win. I get Bernard on this staff as soon as he is done playing ball

[scoscox]

The big difference is Q is playing better. Before he was taking I’ll advised shots and they weren’t falling. And the next big thing is confidence. This team expects to win. I get Bernard on this staff as soon as he is done playing ball

this is a difference. Q is shooting marginally better and taking care of the ball marginally better, but again his major improvement has been on defense. He's been great. No more lapses in effort or focus, great on ball defense, cutting off penetration and defending the three.

[GIMMFD]

this is a difference. Q is shooting marginally better and taking care of the ball marginally better, but again his major improvement has been on defense. He's been great. No more lapses in effort or focus, great on ball defense, cutting off penetration and defending the three.

Have to agree, taking care of the ball and shooting better are nice, it opens things up a bit, but damn the defense has been good recently. Q was getting a lot of slack and rightfully so, but he looks a lot different now handling things, and it's paid off for him. It finally looks like what Steele talked about in pre-season, Naji has came into his own too. He's been getting after it on both ends of the court. The thing is, I still don't think this is our final form, because Scruggs still has potential to play a lot better too. If all three fire on all cylinders, this team becomes damn scary. I'm just glad the intensity has picked up on defense, because it has in turn led to confidence as you say. A team with confidence is a team that's hard to beat, especially because they are going out there and having fun with it too.

[SemajParlor]

It's almost like Q might be getting healthier from a nagging injury. Tough to take some seriously after the beating he was taking on here. Clowns.

[xu82]

I started cheering harder!

You’re welcome!

Naji looks like the man, but without the turnovers and making the shots. The D seems to extend much farther. We take better care of the ball in general. We make a few threes. We look like a new team.....

[AviatorX]

It's almost like Q might be getting healthier from a nagging injury. Tough to take some seriously after the beating he was taking on here. Clowns.

Worst PG in the Big East am I right???

[D-West & PO-Z]

Worst PG in the Big East am I right???

EKU sure thinks so....

[Xuperman]

What's remarkable is that the streak occurred during the the most daunting part of our schedule. That makes all this doubly satisfying!!

[UCGRAD4X]

What about the coaching? I've noticed much better use of times-out by Steele and Co. Instead of waiting until the lead has completely melted away and the opponent has overtaken us, he has seemed to better analyze when he sees something that would lead to such a run and stemming the potential tide.

[nuts4xu]

I approve of everything Xuperman has said in regards to the reasons for this fantastic run. But if you want to know the real reason this streak keeps rolling....I have 2 words for you....

STREAK FOOD!!!

Want to see what I have been using to feed this streak? Become a supporting member and venture into the X Lounge. #shamelessplug

[XUGRAD80]

What about the coaching? I've noticed much better use of times-out by Steele and Co. Instead of waiting until the lead has completely melted away and the opponent has overtaken us, he has seemed to better analyze when he sees something that would lead to such a run and stemming the potential tide.

I’ve noticed that too, but most coaches seem to wait until they are either tied or behind to call a timeout in those situations. Not something unique to Steele. Considering how short the bench is, and how many minutes the starters are playing, he sometimes needs to use them just to give the players a blow. He seems to understand that and I think has done that a few times.

[cutterX]

You're all just fooling yourselves! The credit goes to Snipe and his impassioned post a few weeks ago!! Snipe is Steele's "fixer", just don't ask for any details..........

[American X]

I started wearing blackface during games.