2019-20 Xavier Basketball Season News

[paulxu]

Tip off time gets closer every month.
I miss having Shannon write up the Muskies in the Enquirer, so got the Athletic subscription to read her thoughts, and others who have left papers/stations and now write there.

She has a lengthy article dissecting Team 98, player by player, with good commentary on all facets of what the team faces in the coming year.
She notes our two biggest challenges from last year, with thoughts on how they will be addressed.


Can Xavier curb self-destructive habits from last season, including its abundance of turnovers and dangerous allowance of catch-and-shoot 3-pointers?

Well worth the read if you have a subscription and are craving for some basketball news during September.

https://theathletic.com/1172657/2019/09/02/state-of-the-hoops-program-can-xavier-avoid-repeating-mistakes-on-way-back-to-ncaa-tournament/?source=weeklyemail

[bjf123]

Shannon’s coverage of Xavier is the only reason I pay for The Athletic. Well worth it the money.


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[Muskie]

I love the Athletic. Shannon does a great job, but their soccer coverage is also very good.


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[paulxu]

While I appreciate being on this list, I'm pretty sure our school was founded before 1900.

https://fansided.com/2019/09/11/college-basketball-best-home-court-advantages/8/

[deepX]

While I appreciate being on this list, I'm pretty sure our school was founded before 1900.

https://fansided.com/2019/09/11/college-basketball-best-home-court-advantages/8/


Xavier was founded in 1831. Cintas Center opened in "00" (as in 2000)

[bigdiggins]

Xavier was founded in 1831. Cintas Center opened in "00" (as in 2000)

Yes, but the article states : "The arena was built in 2000 thanks to plenty of private donations to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Xavier, and the basketball team quickly grew to love its new digs."

100 years earlier than 2000 was 1900 not 1831.

[bobbiemcgee]

Top 20:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/27592457/acc-big-east-pac-12-place-four-way-too-early-top-25

[BigMoeMusketeer]

Top 20:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/27592457/acc-big-east-pac-12-place-four-way-too-early-top-25

A) I'm not sure I'd refer to our pre-Big East schedule as "a forbidding non-conference schedule...", but okay.
B) I think we will be Top 10-15 team in November and December, and then a few close games in late December / early January could give us the chance to jump into the Top 10.
C) As pessimistic as I was a year ago based on that roster and other factors, I'm that bullish on the team this year. I could see 26-5 in the regular season, which would position them for quite a fun March!

[scoscox]

Yes, but the article states : "The arena was built in 2000 thanks to plenty of private donations to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Xavier, and the basketball team quickly grew to love its new digs."

100 years earlier than 2000 was 1900 not 1831.

169th anniversary doesn't sound as good

[scoscox]

A) I'm not sure I'd refer to our pre-Big East schedule as "a forbidding non-conference schedule...", but okay.
B) I think we will be Top 10-15 team in November and December, and then a few close games in late December / early January could give us the chance to jump into the Top 10.
C) As pessimistic as I was a year ago based on that roster and other factors, I'm that bullish on the team this year. I could see 26-5 in the regular season, which would position them for quite a fun March!

what does forbidding mean? maybe it means something other than foreboding and he used it intentionally

[BigMoeMusketeer]

what does forbidding mean? maybe it means something other than foreboding and he used it intentionally

Unfriendly or threatening, which is the context I've always heard it used in. Seems like a stretch in this case, not that our non-con is Cupcake City, but "forbidding" seems like a reach.

[GoMuskies]

Unfriendly to season ticket holders perhaps. Certainly not threatening to our W-L record.

[muskiefan82]

If you didn't know anything about the teams and their current makeup, a non-con of Mizzou, possibly UCONN and Florida, UC, Wake Forest, and TCU doesn't SOUND easy.

[Muskie]

The schedule is great for a team with some new pieces being inserted once again. I'm fine with it.

[xukeith]

If you didn't know anything about the teams and their current makeup, a non-con of Mizzou, possibly UCONN and Florida, UC, Wake Forest, and TCU doesn't SOUND easy.

On paper, Florida, UC and UConn are good tests. The rest are weak (On paper) but have name recognition and play in good conferences. .

[BigMoeMusketeer]

The schedule is great for a team with some new pieces being inserted once again. I'm fine with it.

Agree fully, I think they have scheduled perfectly. My issue, and to be honest, mostly being flippant, was in the verbiage that ESPN chose to use to describe it.

[scoscox]

On paper, Florida, UC and UConn are good tests. The rest are weak (On paper) but have name recognition and play in good conferences. .

Mizzou should be decent and tcu will be solid with Jamie dixon

[usfldan]

Five teams who missed the NCAA Tournament last season but could make a March Madness run in 2020 (https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/five-teams-who-missed-the-ncaa-tournament-last-season-but-could-make-a-march-madness-run-in-2020/)

Two Big East teams on the list (hopefully you can guess at least one).

[IM4X]

Five teams who missed the NCAA Tournament last season but could make a March Madness run in 2020 (https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/five-teams-who-missed-the-ncaa-tournament-last-season-but-could-make-a-march-madness-run-in-2020/)

Two Big East teams on the list (hopefully you can guess at least one).

Wow, He's really high on X.

I think most of us feel confident X could be very good this year. I'm just a little surprised a writer not affiliated with X thinks X could be that good too.

[surfxu]

I'm sure most everyone has seen the #TheArrival series that @XavierBasketball has done on Twitter over the previous month, where each Friday they have about a 7 minute mini-movie for each of the freshman arriving this year... but if you haven't then it's well worth catching up on. Zach Freemantle's story was released today, Daniel Ramsey's was last Friday, Dahmir Bishop and Deonte Miles were before that. Final one next Friday is KyKy. Anyway... I've found these things are REALLY well done. Props to the crew putting these together. Interviewing coaches, parents, family, friends and barbers! Really high character kids, each one has not always been the superstar but put in the effort to end up pretty highly ranked by the time they committed. It's really a testament to the coaching staff finding and recruiting young men that fit the Xavier mold. Not always the superstar but they possess the internal drive to improve and the unrelenting quest to succeed on and off the court.

[Xuperman]

Wow, He's really high on X.

I think most of us feel confident X could be very good this year. I'm just a little surprised a writer not affiliated with X thinks X could be that good too.

Nice props from an outsider but for the most part, this guy is just stating the obvious. Might be news for non Big East fans but we're not gonna sneak up on anybody in conference.

Odd that he thinks Miles will have an immediate impact.....based on what exactly, who knows but will be huge if it comes to fruition. Another thing is he seems to not know that in order to be 9-0 by the shootout, we will have left the Gators in our wake along with the other 8. I mean he mentions Florida in his 1st paragraph as top ten but fails to acknowledge our paths will likely cross. At 9-0 X will certainly be ranked above UF and start to get some real national buzz.

[paulxu]

In addition to going to Wake for the Skip Prosser Classic, the Muskies will host Western Carolina the very next game in December...coached by Skip's son Mark.

Nice touch.

[scoscox]

https://twitter.com/BannersParkway/status/1174334778545528832

this was my first thought when i saw this poll as well. it's a good thought

[sirthought]

https://twitter.com/BannersParkway/status/1174334778545528832

this was my first thought when i saw this poll as well. it's a good thought

Yeah...those guys are old!

[scoscox]

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2kQ0n6F4yK/

this looks awesome

[xukeith]

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2kQ0n6F4yK/

this looks awesome

I recall Terrell Holloway wanted to be called "Tu" but Mack and Miller said he had to earn it.
Glad KyKy is not using his birth name as it is a mouthful.

[Fireball]

If you haven't read it, there's a great article by Shannon on the making of "The Arrival" series.

https://theathletic.com/1224622/2019/09/20/inside-the-making-and-purpose-of-xaviers-slick-the-arrival-videos/

I've really enjoyed the videos, and is says a lot about Mario and his team to have the forethought to do something like this.

[XU_Lou]

Been out in Glacier NP for the last 3 weeks.... Heard that we didn't get Carlson - that bites... Anyone know how Dontarius is progressing since his surgery? Is he expected to be ready for MM, or 1st game?

[SkyWalker]

Been out in Glacier NP for the last 3 weeks.... Heard that we didn't get Carlson - that bites... Anyone know how Dontarius is progressing since his surgery? Is he expected to be ready for MM, or 1st game?

You mentioned MM in your post. Does any know if that has been scheduled yet. I haven't seen anything.

[noteggs]

You mentioned MM in your post. Does any know if that has been scheduled yet. I haven't seen anything.

I believe it’s Friday, October 18th at 5

[Xuperman]

Lots of NERVOUS energy being expended by Nova fans on the HLOH board. Entertaining back and forth with some of us X guys....mostly heavy smack shrouded in sarcasm from them. As expected a few of the OLD BE teams fans couldn't resist siding with VU.

ONE Xavier guy did decide to kiss the ring but the rest of us are not in the ring kissing mood.

They all hear the foot steps......this is gonna be epic!!

[GIMMFD]

Beautiful article from Shannon today on The Athletic talking about the overall vibe from the team, can give a more detailed summary but basically the boys are thinking it's Final Four/National Championship aspirations or bust!

[scoscox]

Lots of NERVOUS energy being expended by Nova fans on the HLOH board. Entertaining back and forth with some of us X guys....mostly heavy smack shrouded in sarcasm from them. As expected a few of the OLD BE teams fans couldn't resist siding with VU.

ONE Xavier guy did decide to kiss the ring but the rest of us are not in the ring kissing mood.

They all hear the foot steps......this is gonna be epic!!

thought it was fairly obvious i was trolling and having some fun stirring shit up for the sake of it, but some people definitely didn't pick up on it

[Xuperman]

thought it was fairly obvious i was trolling and having some fun stirring shit up for the sake of it, but some people definitely didn't pick up on itI

Yeah, you were the main straw stirring the shit shake from a hyperbole stand point for sure...but man they know what's comin'....Nova is depleted and weak. No mercy and No quarter Coach Steele. The day of reckoning is near.

[Xuperman]

However, there was one submissive X brown noser bowing to VU. He not only had his proboscist deeply entrenched, but managed to limp noodle a FOLLOW UP post.....embarrassing.

[xu82]

I

Yeah, you were the main straw stirring the shit shake from a hyperbole stand point for sure...but man they know what's comin'....Nova is depleted and weak. No mercy and No quarter Coach Steele. The day of reckoning is near.

I’m a Bills fan. I want to beat the Patriots a few times before giving them (and their fake bandwagon fans) shit. The time will come for X in the BE and nationally, but I won’t get too cocky quite yet. But I’m not giving in, either. Balance. Let the games begin!

[UCGRAD4X]

To hell with balance (I'm more of a "better to ask forgiveness than permission" guy anyway).

The Xavier ascendancy to the throne is nigh. We already have a regular season title. Just the beginning of the dynasty. Like all the other conferences they have eventually taken over, the so called old school BE troglodytes will smell the glove and come kicking and screaming to the altar of Steele.

Villanova will remain a venerable institution and a formidable but descending foe. They are welcome to #2 - if they can earn it.

#1 is spoken for in perpetuity.

[scoscox]

However, there was one submissive X brown noser bowing to VU. He not only had his proboscist deeply entrenched, but managed to limp noodle a FOLLOW UP post.....embarrassing.

really was disgraceful

[GIMMFD]

To hell with balance (I'm more of a "better to ask forgiveness than permission" guy anyway).

The Xavier ascendancy to the throne is nigh. We already have a regular season title. Just the beginning of the dynasty. Like all the other conferences they have eventually taken over, the so called old school BE troglodytes will smell the glove and come kicking and screaming to the altar of Steele.

Villanova will remain a venerable institution and a formidable but descending foe. They are welcome to #2 - if they can earn it.

#1 is spoken for into perpetuity.

This was some of the most eloquent shit talking I've ever read, I enjoyed it.

[scoscox]

SMELL THE GLOVE!!!! Bring it back boys

[xudash]

To hell with balance (I'm more of a "better to ask forgiveness than permission" guy anyway).

The Xavier ascendancy to the throne is nigh. We already have a regular season title. Just the beginning of the dynasty. Like all the other conferences they have eventually taken over, the so called old school BE troglodytes will smell the glove and come kicking and screaming to the altar of Steele.

Villanova will remain a venerable institution and a formidable but descending foe. They are welcome to #2 - if they can earn it.

#1 is spoken for into perpetuity.

All hail!

[scoscox]

https://twitter.com/jtbacon3/status/1177963167344971776?s=20

Kyky is such a freak. He does this with ease from the free throw line at 6’1”. That’s insane

[UCGRAD4X]

https://twitter.com/jtbacon3/status/1177963167344971776?s=20

Kyky is such a freak. He does this with ease from the free throw line at 6’1”. That’s insane

What the Fu

[GoMuskies]

I got about 3 pages into that HLH thread. Cringe factor very high.

[noteggs]

Nice article on Q and Rique talking about their years at X.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2019/09/29/xaviers-goodin-jones-reflect-their-friendship-and-final-season/2439912001/

[GIMMFD]

https://twitter.com/jtbacon3/status/1177963167344971776?s=20

Kyky is such a freak. He does this with ease from the free throw line at 6’1”. That’s insane

That's just absolutely insane, cocked it back too, good lord.

[scoscox]

i'll be keeping an eye on the xaviermbb twitter feed on the 30th day until the season starts

so cool to see all these guys' messages. Brian Grant did one today

[noteggs]

I was hoping for B Grant today! Between these videos and the “Arrivals”, X is doing a great job reaching out to their base before the season.

[scoscox]

I'm crestfallen that we didn't get an update from Kenny Frease today

[scoscox]

https://twitter.com/John_Fanta/status/1180145869313560576

So I guess this means we're either out on Traynor and Mitchell or one of them is gonna commit within the next few days. guessing we're probably standing pat

[noteggs]

Interesting start to UC’s basketball season.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2019/10/04/john-brannen-jarron-cumberland-yet-practice-university-of-cincinnati-uc-bearcats-basketball-team/3870301002/

Kinda reminds me of how we started last year in many ways

[bobbiemcgee]

I see one the names being considered for Steele's new baby is "Stainless". I like it.

[paulxu]

Scotland is all in.

https://www.greensofgloucestershire.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/5/f/5ftx3ft-navy-scotland-saltire_1.gif

[muskiefan82]

I see one the names being considered for Steele's new baby is "Stainless". I like it.

It should have been Remington

[xukeith]

Last year, Goodin, Marshall, and Scruggs really struggled to shoot and turned the ball over frequently.

Yes, X has more depth. That will help. But, shooters have a hard time being consistent with their careers.
The defense saved X last year. I only hope the defense will be as strong. 7 new players will need lots of time to work out issues.

I think our schedule will be easier.
I just can't see Q being a remarkable shooter. Scruggs will be better but not amazing.

Hope they average less than 12 turnovers a game.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Last year, Goodin, Marshall, and Scruggs really struggled to shoot and turned the ball over frequently.

Yes, X has more depth. That will help. But, shooters have a hard time being consistent with their careers.
The defense saved X last year. I only hope the defense will be as strong. 7 new players will need lots of time to work out issues.

I think our schedule will be easier.
I just can't see Q being a remarkable shooter. Scruggs will be better but not amazing.

Hope they average less than 12 turnovers a game.

Good thoughts. I expect better defense, even with new faces, although the improvement may not be significant. Turnovers were a huge problem last year and in my mind, not wholly resulting from the up tempo of play. Turnover numbers, in my mind, are more likely to increase with the new additions on the floor.

No stroke of genius here to point out the quality of play from the core four as critical to this year's results. And, of the core four, I'm most concerned about Q. He is the unquestioned floor leader, will have the ball in his hands the most and he will most determine pace of play. So, his turnover numbers must be controlled better than last year. Q also is the most likely defensive stopper. He is a great athlete and the natural floor leader. Hope he can avoid injury and play at a consistently high level all season. I realize we have newcomers this year who can back him up (which this team lacked last year). But, Q is the stirrer that mixes the drink and I hope he has a season to remember.

[bjf123]

Shannon linked to this in Facebook. I’m sorry, but that’s kind of embarrassing.


https://twitter.com/xaviermbb/status/1181265582764654593?s=21


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Xville]

Wasnt sure of where to post this, but the ul fanbase is concerned about the lack of commitments for 2020. Sound familiar?? Mack and his inconsistent recruiting continues

[xukeith]

Wasnt sure of where to post this, but the ul fanbase is concerned about the lack of commitments for 2020. Sound familiar?? Mack and his inconsistent recruiting continues

When hot, he was hot with Macura, Kanter, Trevon, Naji, Tyrique, Scruggs......

Edmond Summner, Jalen, Farr, .... not always good. But Elite 8 and multiple Sweet 16’s.

[bobbiemcgee]

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17894

#23

6 seed

[paulxu]

Cahill instructing Muskies on NCAA foul rules.

Too bad Feinstein wasn't in the building.

[XU 87]

When hot, he was hot with Macura, Kanter, Trevon, Naji, Tyrique, Scruggs......

Edmond Summner, Jalen, Farr, .... not always good. But Elite 8 and multiple Sweet 16’s.

I can only remember two bad recruiting classes with Mack- the year following Dez Wells being expelled (which I think caused issues with recruiting) and Mack's last year, where X seemed to finish second or third on a bunch of recruits.

[scoscox]

Kaisers class was just him and that wasn’t great. Mack’s biggest problem was that he lost tons of guys to transfer for whatever reason and lots of them due to disciplinary issues. One of the legit criticisms of him was that guys tended to run amok discipline wise

[bobbiemcgee]

Naji on the Erving watch list:

https://goxavier.com/news/2019/10/16/mens-basketball-naji-marshall-named-to-watch-list-for-2020-julius-erving-award.aspx

[Xuperman]

I’ve noticed that the optimism here has cooled somewhat since Madness, and for good reason. I have been raving about our prospects all off season, even to go as far as to say this could be our best team ever, but what the hell is going on? I KNOW that a fan event, a closed scrimmage and a exhibition game typically don’t mean squat, BUT in this case I think it does.

When has X had it’s top 6 players as JR’s and SR’s? Safe to say 5 of these guys are in their last season, so one would think they’d be laser focused and all business regardless of the situation. There is nothing so far that shows improvement in the 4 offense concerns from last year....shot selection, 3%, FT% and TO’s. These had to be MAJOR points of emphasis since March but where are the results? It’s almost like they’ve regressed.

I think we can count on Q, Ty and Naj giving us what’s expected...somewhere north of their production last year, but Scruggs is the key to everything IMO. Coach has got to get him there MENTALLY every game in order to shake off prior inconsistency. Based on what we’ve seen so far it’s still going to be an issue of concern. I don’t think Team 98 is Championship caliber w/o a ALL BE Paul Scruggs.

Well enough of the sure to be perceived negativity.....it’s all for real tonight. Here’s to making this shakey pre-season an afterthought. It’s SHOWTIME!!

[UCGRAD4X]

Yes, early indications are not as optimistic as off-season prognostications (in fairness, they rarely are). Which of these expectations will they confirm tonight?
I'm guessing somewhere in between.

A season is a lifetime and life begins 7:00 pm.

See you at the game.

[BigMoeMusketeer]

Kaisers class was just him and that wasn’t great. Mack’s biggest problem was that he lost tons of guys to transfer for whatever reason and lots of them due to disciplinary issues. One of the legit criticisms of him was that guys tended to run amok discipline wise

The majority of the kids that transferred out were essentially invited to leave because they weren't going to play. Guys like Brandon Randolph, Kamall Richards, Larry Austin, Makinde London, Jared Ridder, just to name a few.

Myles Davis is the one notable disciplinary issue that jumps out to me as being super disruptive, other than Xavier driving a bus over Dez Wells, before backing up over him to ensure a complete fatality.

[AviatorX]

People keep discussing last year's offense as if it was a disaster - the offense finished 56th on KenPom. The issue was the other side of the court. If the defense is as good as it was over the final stretch of last season, this team will be very formidable (barring some insane dip in the offensive efficiency). Will it be pretty? Definitely not.

[GIMMFD]

People keep discussing last year's offense as if it was a disaster - the offense finished 56th on KenPom. The issue was the other side of the court. If the defense is as good as it was over the final stretch of last season, this team will be very formidable (barring some insane dip in the offensive efficiency). Will it be pretty? Definitely not.

Disaster is a bit heavy, I think we were spoiled for 4 years with Trevon and JP, who could make something out of nothing shooting wise, and it seemed a little selfish last season at times, with not much flow offensively. Obviously the tempo will pick up with some depth this year, that may cause some kinks as well, considering we'll have to adjust to quicker decision making, the offense wasn't abysmal, but it still just didn't feel sharp.

You are 100% correct though, defensively throughout the season we were torched, but that run at the end of the season was very promising, if we can keep that type of defensive intensity up throughout the season, we'll keep ourselves competitive. The biggest thing will getting the new guys up to speed, from Shannon's coverage on The Athletic, it definitely seems these guys have the right mindset for preparation, but we'll have to see if it's just saying the right thing or if they're taking it to heart moving forward.

[JAPER]

Off topic:

Whatever happened to our return visit to Utah from the 2016-17 season?

[xufan02]

Off topic:

Whatever happened to our return visit to Utah from the 2016-17 season?

Our return game will not happen, Gavitt Game was in conflict last year. We bought out the return.

[Masterofreality]

I Love Naji Marshall, let me make that clear... BUT...

Naji HAS to stop shooting SO MANY 3 Pointers. The dude is 1-11 through two games!! That is 9, NINE freaking percent!! That by any measure is abjectly awful..and it's AT HOME in his own gym where he practiced all summer. Please stop with that. Those are too many empty possessions and against good teams, we won't always get the rebound. Somebody has to reel him in. He is NOT a good shooter from deep- shooting 27.7% from 3 last year.

I know that Travis doesn't want to dump on his guys, but Naji has to be reined in- He's shot the most 3's on the team and been the least successful- especially when there are other, better shooters on this team. C'mon, man, defer somewhat!!

[BigMoeMusketeer]

I Love Naji Marshall, let me make that clear... BUT...

Naji HAS to stop shooting SO MANY 3 Pointers. The dude is 1-11 through two games!! That is 9, NINE freaking percent!! That by any measure is abjectly awful..and it's AT HOME in his own gym where he practiced all summer. Please stop with that. Those are too many empty possessions and against good teams, we won't always get the rebound. Somebody has to reel him in. He is NOT a good shooter from deep- shooting 27.7% from 3 last year.

I know that Travis doesn't want to dump on his guys, but Naji has to be reined in- He's shot the most 3's on the team and been the least successful- especially when there are other, better shooters on this team. C'mon, man, defer somewhat!!

Two of them were at least 5 feet behind the new line...super optimistic.

[American X]

Why is Tyrique wearing #4?

(and Naji just took another 25 footer)

[nuts4xu]

Why is Tyrique wearing #4?

(and Naji just took another 25 footer)

I expected some deep meaning why Rique would change numbers. I anticipated "I came in with 0 experience, and now I am a 4 year guy" or "my wife was carrying my son when I started my career, and now he is 4 years old".

But at one of the early games, I heard one of the freshman asked him for the #0 (had to be Ramsey, obviously) and he just gave it to him. I don't know if this is a true story or rumor. But it seems he changed his number for some reason, and it seems that reason isn't public knowledge yet.

Oh, and Naji needs to STOP shooting so many 3's!!!

[Xuperman]

There couldn’t be a better litmus test for Team 98 than this Missouri game. This match up features several key factors in surveying where we stand now and a excellent indicator of what we have going forward.

1) Obviously they hammered us good last year. The personnel is basically the same, so we’ll see if a 1st year Coach learned from it and can make the necessary adjustments. 2) How much of a “payback” mentality does the Core 4 have? Plenty of wrongs to be righted on the horizon. 3) The Tigers are a physical/athletic P6 TEAM that mirrors what we’ll see in the BEast every game. Can we show clear separation from a good SEC team? 3) Vegas has the line dangerously close to a toss up considering our history, non conference, at Cintas. We’ll get a good idea of how we will take advantage of home court come 2020 when it really counts. 4) Will Zach and Dahmir prove themselves ready for prime time and continue to produce when playing against High D1 competition? 5) Will the dog barking spread beyond the student section?

All these very important factors will be on display tonight. Here’s to hoping ALL the boxes are checked on the positive side. It’s SHOWTIME!!

[sgarcia]

I Love Naji Marshall, let me make that clear... BUT...

Naji HAS to stop shooting SO MANY 3 Pointers. The dude is 1-11 through two games!! That is 9, NINE freaking percent!! That by any measure is abjectly awful..and it's AT HOME in his own gym where he practiced all summer. Please stop with that. Those are too many empty possessions and against good teams, we won't always get the rebound. Somebody has to reel him in. He is NOT a good shooter from deep- shooting 27.7% from 3 last year.

I know that Travis doesn't want to dump on his guys, but Naji has to be reined in- He's shot the most 3's on the team and been the least successful- especially when there are other, better shooters on this team. C'mon, man, defer somewhat!!


They can't move that 3pt line back far enough to stop Naji and Q from shooting 3's.

[X-band '01]

Even Forrest Gump had the student section tell him when to stop.

[Xuperman]

There couldn’t be a better litmus test for Team 98 than this Missouri game. This match up features several key factors in surveying where we stand now and a excellent indicator of what we have going forward.

1) Obviously they hammered us good last year. The personnel is basically the same, so we’ll see if a 1st year Coach learned from it and can make the necessary adjustments. 2) How much of a “payback” mentality does the Core 4 have? Plenty of wrongs to be righted on the horizon. 3) The Tigers are a physical/athletic P6 TEAM that mirrors what we’ll see in the BEast every game. Can we show clear separation from a good SEC team? 3) Vegas has the line dangerously close to a toss up considering our history, non conference, at Cintas. We’ll get a good idea of how we will take advantage of home court come 2020 when it really counts. 4) Will Zach and Dahmir prove themselves ready for prime time and continue to produce when playing against High D1 competition? 5) Will the dog barking spread beyond the student section?

All these very important factors will be on display tonight. Here’s to hoping ALL the boxes are checked on the positive side. It’s SHOWTIME!!

Not one box checked.

[scoscox]

Not one box checked.

Zach played well. Missouri won't mirror that many big east teams. Not a lot of teams other than Villanova will be as physical or good defensively as missouri. they match up better with us physically than most teams in the big east. this was a good win.

[OTRMUSKIE]

It was a good win for sure but the shooting has been an issue since last year. If we don’t start hitting 3’s at a better percentage this team isn’t going to dance.

[American X]

Who exactly is running the show on offense? Goodin is the point guard, but Naji has the ball in his hands half of the time. Throw in Scruggs who is also a point guard and it looks like they do not know who is supposed to being doing what.

All three can be brilliant at times, so how do they get those different parts to work together for something better?

[paulxu]

I'm pumped for a really good season, and a return to the tournament in March.
But I can't overcome a nagging suspicion that after 5 games a big hole is still needing to be filled...and I'm not sure we have the people to fill it.

Last year we were 234th of 353 teams in 3 pt % at 33.3%.
That was with Welage at 42 and Hardin at 35.
Only Scruggs of current players was over 30.

They moved the line back a foot and a half, and we are 331 in the country, against relatively weaker defenses than we'll face in the BE.
We're shooting 25% from 3.

In today's game that could be a killer, despite our tenacious defense.
My optimism for the season is tempered by this reality, and I'm hoping it improves very, very soon.

[UCGRAD4X]

If other, better defensive teams are guarding against the three, that would seem necessitate us shooting better. That would be a good thing. Also, if the are out guarding the outside, it would likely open up the middle more.

In theory.

[American X]

HOT TAKE: Zach 'Nuke' Freemantle is the white guy everyone else is going to hate.

[xukeith]

Boy, after that last night (this morning). I could not sleep until roughly 3am
X had a wonderful defense and EVERY player is fronting opponents and face guarding shooter close even after screens.
Hands up always and solid rebounding.
X's offense is picking up steam as X is hitting 3 pointers at a better range than 30%. Very happy Tyrique had only cramps (Steele said he had a sprained ankle during the post game 55krc show.

It is not fair to compare but just like Virginia, X is relying on shutting down as best they can other's offense.

Look at kenpom and look at the top 15 defenses.
Every defensive team is a major basketball program with one exception; Missouri.

X is in rock solid defensive shape. X won an ugly scrappy game. Frosh will grow up faster due to those extra minutes played. Ky Ky told me that he already knows X's system. We shall see.