Game Thread: Xavier vs. St. John's (March 9, 2019)

[paulxu]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kBAAAOSwqfNXkU44/s-l300.jpg VS. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/sports/ncaa-march-madness-emoji/img/mascots/stJohnsRedstorm.png?c=1

Xavier University Musketeers (16-14, 8-9 BE) vs. St. John's Red Storm (20-10, 8-9 BE)
Saturday, March 9, 2019 5:00 PM ET
Cintas Center (10,224) Cincinnati, OH

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

Notes and Stats (https://goxavier.com/news/2019/3/7/mens-basketball-prepares-to-host-st-johns-in-regular-season-finale-on-saturday.aspx?path=mbball)

Television: FOX, including FOX 19 in Cincinnati, with play-by-play from Justin Kutcher and analysis from Donny Marshall. FOX 19 will air a live post-game show.
Radio: 700 WLW-AM, including via iHeart Radio, TuneIn and via Sirius (99), XM (207) and Internet (966) 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.

[GoMuskies]

Well, this is fun so far!

[GoMuskies]

Less fun now. Can we give Castlin’s minutes to Harden, please?

[GoMuskies]

Who tells Q he’s allowed to shoot? I wish they would stop telling him that.

[XfansinKy]

Q reminds me of an all American football player that likes to hoop

[GoMuskies]

Two straight threes with no Xavier defenders in the same area code. Geez. Going to need to win this on the defensive end. Those two possessions ain’t helping.

[xudash]

That 3 that Q finally made probably buys him 3 more attempts - in his mind.

[GoMuskies]

Love how Scruggs is playing, though.

[xu82]

I have to leave about 6:00pm for a dinner. I have a buddy at the game, and I’ll text on the way home. Do I want to watch the recording? I hope he says YES!

[GoMuskies]

That 3 that Q finally made probably buys him 3 more attempts - in his mind.

He can shoot all the wide open threes off someone else’s penetration he wants. Just don’t dribble into contested threes.

[xudash]

Goodwin really needs to get his act together. Just lazy. And I don't want to hear about his damn breathing.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Q is infuriating.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Welly having a senior night.

[paulxu]

Since Welage is 5-6, and 3-4 from 3...maybe we should us him more.

[xu82]

Yes and yes.

[GoMuskies]

Love the Welage show!

[xu82]

Since Welage is 5-6, and 3-4 from 3...maybe we should us him more.

But what if he needs a rest?

I’m kidding, not bashing!

[xudash]

Since Welage is 5-6, and 3-4 from 3...maybe we should us him more.

How is this for a narrative: become a legend, become a Xavier legend, in one game by preserving the streak and a better standing in the BE.

[whopper]

damn I was praying the seniors would lead the way on senior night. Will Hankins pick it up

[xu82]

Goodwin really needs to get his act together. Just lazy. And I don't want to hear about his damn breathing.

It’s odd to see a guy apparently regress like this. I know he had more talent last year, but.....why the lazy passes?

[paulxu]

I like it.

Edit: Dash's post

[GoMuskies]

Scruggs is a walking turnover. I understand why Q doesn’t get many breaks.

[xu82]

Imagine if we didn’t make horrible passes!

[paulxu]

I guess it's good we only have 5 TO's. But damn. They only have 1.

Take care of the fricking ball.

[xu82]

GREAT D on the last possession! The extra pass was always guarded.

[bjf123]

Imagine if we didn’t make horrible passes!

This!


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[mistabeecee41]

This is one of those “we should be up 15” type of games

[xu82]

I guess it's good we only have 5 TO's. But damn. They only have 1.

Take care of the fricking ball.

Because they were SO sloppy, doesn’t it feel like so much more??? Or is it just me?

[GoMuskies]

Five point lead. Doesn’t really feel like it for some reason. Going to be a tough second half. Hope our home fans do their part to carry the team through.

[paulxu]

One more half for the transfer seniors.

We can do this.

[whopper]

Welage is benefiting from Marshall not being in. He is not as good an all around player but could have done this all year. He is a finisher more than a playmaker but they all count as baskets.. Man I am praying that we complete the game. with a win. Look for more from Hankins i 2nd half.

[xudash]

5 point lead at the half.

No Naji.

As long as Travis tells them they are playing a very fast and very athletic team, and the lazy passing bullshit has to stop, I like our chances in the second half.

[noteggs]

Welly having a senior night.

Only took us 30 games to realize Welage can shoot more than just 3’s

[xudash]

Welage is benefiting from Marshall not being in. He is not as good an all around player but could have done this all year. He is a finisher more than a playmaker but they all count as baskets.. Man I am praying that we complete the game. with a win. Look for more from Hankins i 2nd half.

Hankins grade report is negative right now. He owes us a strong second half.

[kellernr]

Time to pound the ball inside.

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[xudash]

At least we shouldn't get outcoached in the second half.

[skyking]

Time to pound the ball inside.

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Agree! Stop with the threes and put some speed on the passes.

[xudash]

If Hankins and Goodwin engage and everyone else keeps it going, I like our chances.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

If Hankins and Goodwin engage and everyone else keeps it going, I like our chances.

Chances are we don’t make another 7 threes, unfortunately. Worried.

[kellernr]

Hankins needs to go back to the bench

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[GoMuskies]

Scary start to second half. Welage time?

[kellernr]

Hankins can play a little longer now

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[GoMuskies]

A Castlin 3!

[GoMuskies]

Hankins is stepping up!

[paulxu]

Hardin, Welage and Castlin are 5-7 on 3's.
Scruggs and Goodin are 3-12.

Not hard to figure out.

[AviatorX]

A little late, but did we decide yet if Naji is actually hurt or secretly suspended?

[paulxu]

I just hope we keep playing good ball for the next 12 minutes.

[bjf123]

A little late, but did we decide yet if Naji is actually hurt or secretly suspended?

Double secret probation maybe?


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[xudash]

Hankins can play a little longer now

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Ha! Well done.

[whopper]

damn, welage should have gotten 3 shots but he is not used to having to "sell it". Anyway got it back and shored

[GoMuskies]

I want this game so bad. More than 90% of games, probably. Would be so huge. We can do it!

[xudash]

Now Goodwin just pisses me off.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

How did Tyrique miss Welage after that rebound?

[GoMuskies]

Castlin has been really solid today. I wanted Harden to get his minutes. I was really wrong.

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Good Paul. Nice to know ya.

[HenryMuto]

UGGGGGGGGG missing front end of 1 and 1 then give up off rebound for a put back.......10 point lead down to 5

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Lol @ the ticker on Fox saying Nova has clinched their fifth straight regular season conference championship.

[GoMuskies]

Our zone defense is garbage. Hankins hitting a free throw would be novel.

[xudash]

Hankins has to make up for his last misses at the free-throw line. It's that simple.

[GoMuskies]

I’d accept making 1.

[GoMuskies]

Kyle Fucking Castlin!

[HenryMuto]

3 ball corner pocket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FINISH THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

[GoMuskies]

Castlin and Welage are Xavier legends! Amazing!

[MITTENMUSKIE16]

Man what a day for the Grad Transfers. Love to see it.

[whopper]

Man what a day for the Grad Transfers. Love to see it.

lets finish it please..defense,, ball security , judicious offense foul shots..I am praying. sports does not give you fairy tale endings though so lets hope Ponds misses the front end and we rebound and use the whole clock

[xavierj]

Goodin 7 assists, 1 turnover.

[xudash]

Castlin and Welage are Xavier legends! Amazing!

You know what: they truly are! I know the streak isn't that big of a deal, but to have these guys come in like this and pull this out like this is fantastic. Let's finish the job.

[xudash]

Maybe Hankins and Goodin got together before this game. Plotted strategy together. This is how I'll screwup. Hold my beer and watch this! Let me commit a stupid foul late in the game and put Ponds on the line for one and one.

[kellernr]

A little late, but did we decide yet if Naji is actually hurt or secretly suspended?He looked fine running out after that welage 3

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[GoMuskies]

Don’t turn it over and hit FTs = win

[whopper]

I am 63 years old and have tears in my eyes.

[HenryMuto]

Game...set...match!

1st round bye clinched!

[GoMuskies]

Amazing. So proud of this team.

[letskeepitreal]

Whatever happens this season, you’ve got to be proud of this team.

[XUBison]

Kyle Fucking Castlin!


The Colonel’s in the house... Finger lickin’ good!

[whopper]

can you imagine the loss of confidence with Welage and Castlin when we lost 6 in a row. This affirms my belief in basketball. Keep working, doing your best and see what happens. I am going to the local Irish club with my Xavier Basketball Hoodie wearing it proud

[Xville]

Hell of a step up from welage and castlin today...man just so impressive.

[skyking]

Great finish to the regular season! A great way to start our second season!

[bjf123]

Double figures from all the grad transfers! Hell of a Senior Day for them.


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[XUBison]

Grad-transfers deserved this game, big time. Well done to all three of them.

[paulxu]

Great way to close the regular season at home.

Thanks guys!

[xudash]

can you imagine the loss of confidence with Welage and Castlin when we lost 6 in a row. This affirms my belief in basketball. Keep working, doing your best and see what happens. I am going to the local Irish club with my Xavier Basketball Hoodie wearing it proud

I'll be there on the human odometer with you very shortly, but I'm sharing that tears thingy with you as I type this.

Gentlemen, we have ourselves A COACH.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Key to the victory today are rebounding, limited T.O.s and good 3pt shooting, special thanks to Welage. It was fun to watch because at no point in this game that I felt that we were at risk of losing/unable to come back. I feel good and proud of our seniors.

[BMoreX]

Just gotta win 3 in a row

[tacopizza885]

Absolutely beautiful. Love it!

[MauriceX]

Lol @ the ticker on Fox saying Nova has clinched their fifth straight regular season conference championship.

I'm glad I'm not the only one to notice this travesty in the ticker.

[Jesuit4Life]

https://twitter.com/XavierMBB/status/1104531839803379712


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

[DexterBailey84]

man Travis Steele can coach a little bit, huh?
Very very proud of this squad regardless of how things end up.
This group of Sr transfers, they'll always hold a special place in my heart...just an excellent foundation they've put in place to start off the Travis Steele era.

[xu82]

man Travis Steele can coach a little bit, huh?
Very very proud of this squad regardless of how things end up.
This group of Sr transfers, they'll always hold a special place in my heart...just an excellent foundation they've put in place to start off the Travis Steele era.

AMEN! Hats off to Steele for bring these three guys in, with all making huge contributions. Congratulations to all the transfers for all you’ve accomplished....AND ALL THAT IS STILL AHEAD!

[Muskeagle]

Anyone know if there is a replay of this game? I watched, but forgot to DVR.

[Cincypunk.org]

Who is Goodwin?

[Lloyd Braun]

Rewatching game: Castlin 3 to go up 7 with five minutes to go was so huge. Q orchestrated it beautifully to get the help defender on a PnR and directed Castlin to the corner. I never understood the flack Q gets from some on this board....

[94GRAD]

A little late, but did we decide yet if Naji is actually hurt or secretly suspended?

Please tell me this is sarcasm!?!? Did you not see him get hurt in the Butler game? Did you not hear he's been in a walking boot all week? Did you not hear he didn't practice all week? WTF!!!!

[GoMuskies]

Rewatching game: Castlin 3 to go up 7 with five minutes to go was so huge. Q orchestrated it beautifully to get the help defender on a PnR and directed Castlin to the corner. I never understood the flack Q gets from some on this board....

Good Q is really good. Bad Q is likewise really bad.

[xukeith]

Anyone know if there is a replay of this game? I watched, but forgot to DVR.

maybe Youtube in a month or so. I was disappointed the X youtube channel didn't show the press conference post game. I am always watching those from Coach and players.

[scoscox]

maybe Youtube in a month or so. I was disappointed the X youtube channel didn't show the press conference post game. I am always watching those from Coach and players.

If you go to foxsportsgo.com and go to replays you can watch the game

[whopper]

Rewatching game: Castlin 3 to go up 7 with five minutes to go was so huge. Q orchestrated it beautifully to get the help defender on a PnR and directed Castlin to the corner. I never understood the flack Q gets from some on this board.... Rewatching is FUN when you know the outcome. When I look at the questioning of Welage and Castlin during the losing streak (maybe justified) it is all forgotten now. 37 consecutive seasons. Just watched the end, press break from Welasge to Hankins was nice..a "hook" pass that probably would have been batted up in the air for a turnover during the losing streak.

[scoscox]

In order to end the year well we need the paul scruggs from last night for the rest of the year. he can't defer just because naji and q are out there. he's our most efficient scorer and we need him to put pressure on the defense

[Jesuit4Life]

maybe Youtube in a month or so. I was disappointed the X youtube channel didn't show the press conference post game. I am always watching those from Coach and players.
They were posted but they're unlisted so they don't show up on their uploads. Easy way to find them is going to the GoXavier.com recap (https://goxavier.com/news/2019/3/9/mens-basketball-seniors-combine-for-43-points-as-musketeer-take-down-st-john-s.aspx?path=mbball).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9gfrSmND6k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yI9NaEsofI


If you go to foxsportsgo.com and go to replays you can watch the game
Direct link: https://www.foxsportsgo.com/program/544759/college-basketball-st-johns-at-xavier

[Muskeagle]

They were posted but they're unlisted so they don't show up on their uploads. Easy way to find them is going to the GoXavier.com recap (https://goxavier.com/news/2019/3/9/mens-basketball-seniors-combine-for-43-points-as-musketeer-take-down-st-john-s.aspx?path=mbball).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9gfrSmND6k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yI9NaEsofI


Direct link: https://www.foxsportsgo.com/program/544759/college-basketball-st-johns-at-xavier

Thanks for the help guys!

[SemajParlor]

Rewatching game: Castlin 3 to go up 7 with five minutes to go was so huge. Q orchestrated it beautifully to get the help defender on a PnR and directed Castlin to the corner. I never understood the flack Q gets from some on this board....

Quentin was very good yesterday.

[Masterofreality]

Was there Saturday. Great to see Fred Garvin-Male Prostitute- aka Hideous Redhead, nuts4xu, '94Grad, WCWIII among others. Snipe was allegedly around but went ghost. There is no accounting for that boy.

The St. Johns game was a "Culture Win". It's exactly what Xavier teams do this time of the year.
-The players played with the pride that the front of the jersey calls for.
-The guys played following the "All For One" mode without selfishness.
-The Seniors stepped up in the biggest moment of the year.
-The culture of tough-minded, never give up, never give in never wavered- even when, arguably, the best player on the team couldn't go.

Travis Steele has perpetuated the tradition and culture. It may have taken a bit longer than anticipated to get it into the new arrivals, but it finally took. I am 1000% in on this guy. Yes, there have been missteps, mistakes, misreads and miscalculations, but he kept this team together through a point when it could have fallen badly apart. An 11-13 record after losing to Depaul at home was the bottom, but Steele wouldn't let the ship sink. Moving that one chair over is tough.

I have no idea what will happen this week, but I'm feeling good about the future. Let's just keep playing, where ever, when ever.

[UCGRAD4X]

I can imagine St. Johns thinking "Xavier's best player is out - we got this" and being shocked that they were beaten as decisively as they were.

So proud of the guys, that they didn't succumb to the flip side of that: "We're without our best player.We're in trouble." Instead the seniors did what seniors do. They stepped up and dropped an L on the Johnies.