Game Thread: Xavier v. Missouri (November 12, 2019) Non-Conference

[Muskie]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kBAAAOSwqfNXkU44/s-l300.jpg

Xavier University Musketeers (2-0,0-0) vs. Missouri (2-0,0-0)
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Cintas Center, Cincinnati

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



Television: CBSSN




Xavier Radio: Xavier Gameday App (available in your phone's app store)
55KRC-AM, including via iHeart Radio, TuneIn and via Sirius (134), XM (202) and Internet (965) 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.

______

Xavier Defeated Siena to improve to 2-0 on the season. (Link (https://goxavier.com/news/2019/11/8/mens-basketball-marshall-and-jones-combine-for-40-points-in-81-63-win-over-siena.aspx))
Missouri Defeated Incarnate Word. (Link (https://mutigers.com/news/2019/11/6/mizzou-mens-basketball-routs-incarnate-word-in-season-opener.aspx))

Tiger Media:
Missouri Athletics Homepage (Link (https://mutigers.com/sports/mens-basketball))
Missouri on Twitter (Link)

[American X]

Is there a reason we play both Missouri and Missouri State this week or is it coincidence? Do we get a discount in Branson or free Budweiser for doubling up Missouri?

[Muskie]

Is there a reason we play both Missouri and Missouri State this week or is it coincidence? Do we get a discount in Branson or free Budweiser for doubling up Missouri?

Maybe Mario was on a bender when he visited the state?

[muskiefan82]

Is there a reason we play both Missouri and Missouri State this week or is it coincidence? Do we get a discount in Branson or free Budweiser for doubling up Missouri?

Missouri is the return trip from the game last year. Isn't Missouri State one of the home games for the Charleston Classic?

[American X]

Missouri is the return trip from the game last year.

That reminds me. Is Missouri bringing their dance team? That was by far the highlight of last season.

[XMuskieFTW]

Missouri is the return trip from the game last year. Isn't Missouri State one of the home games for the Charleston Classic?

Missouri State is the 4th exempt game for the Charleston classic. Has to be played within 14 days of the tournament so just happened to be the same week.

[bleedXblue]

whats the vegas line for this game

[GoMuskies]

whats the vegas line for this game

I saw X -6 last night.

Looks like it's down to -5 now.

[Blue Blooded-05]

That reminds me. Is Missouri bringing their dance team? That was by far the highlight of last season.


But is their dance team “nationally ranked”??

[Jesuit4Life]

Channel finder: https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com
Gameday guide: https://twitter.com/XavierMBB/status/1194261071848075267

[X-band '01]

But is their dance team “nationally ranked”??

Just their journalism school and safe spaces as far as I know.

[GoMuskies]

Just their journalism school

It's the top notch faculty that keeps them elite.

https://i2.wp.com/media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/screenshot_2015-11-09_at_91.jpg?w=1201&ssl=1

[xu82]

Just their journalism school and safe spaces as far as I know.

I wonder what the Queen of Crazy is up to today.

[xu82]

It's the top notch faculty that keeps them elite.

https://i2.wp.com/media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/screenshot_2015-11-09_at_91.jpg?w=1201&ssl=1


We saw Carrottop in Las Vegas a few years ago, and, well......

[X-band '01]

It's the top notch faculty that keeps them elite.

https://i2.wp.com/media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/screenshot_2015-11-09_at_91.jpg?w=1201&ssl=1

She didn't by chance turn up at Northwestern recently, did she? Their student newspaper is trending for all the wrong reasons right now.

[GoMuskies]

I wonder what the Queen of Crazy is up to today.

She's at MOR's favorite: Gonzaga.

[Jesuit4Life]

Let's Go X

[xu82]

Despite the make, not a big fan of the quick Naji 3

[xu82]

I’m loving me some Freemantle!

[drudy23]

defense very good so far.

[drudy23]

How can we be this bad at shooting?

[Xville]

Defense good...shooting outside of five feet bad

[Xville]

Really like carter and freemantle's games. Feel like they both have a bit of an edge to them which outside of hanky spanky has been missing for quite a few years.

[Xville]

Unless the players really like it, can we please get rid of the stupid barking?

[xu82]

Who’d a thunk they might shoot worse than US?

[X Factor]

High major college basketball players should not be this bad at shooting.

I hate to see this team try to shoot on the road.

[AviatorX]

The shooting is obviously terrible, but for those who think there is no hope: if Bishop/Carter go a combined 2-5 on 5 wide open looks off of penetration, the percentage is at least a bit more palatable and this game is blown wide open. I think the idea is that as the season progresses, a few more of those type of looks from those type of guys will fall.

[X Factor]

High major college basketball players should not be this bad at shooting.

I hate to see this team try to shoot on the road.

[Xville]

Decent 16 minutes..gawd awful last 4 minutes. Only being up 7 when mizzous best player was on the bench almost the whole half is a bit ominous.

[X Factor]

Goodin with 4 first half turnovers...I would take KyKy as a freshman any day.

[noteggs]

She didn't by chance turn up at Northwestern recently, did she? Their student newspaper is trending for all the wrong reasons right now.

That’s funny! Pub reps! Of course, not intending to offend you on your post (reporting) LOL.

[GoMuskies]

My eyes are bleeding.

[AviatorX]

Goodin with 4 first half turnovers...I would take KyKy as a freshman any day.

Yes, KyKy Tandy, noted for his decision making prowess. I feel like the worst thing he can do for his reputation in some on this board's eyes is actually play minutes. He isn't going to be the second coming.

[AviatorX]

Decent 16 minutes..gawd awful last 4 minutes. Only being up 7 when mizzous best player was on the bench almost the whole half is a bit ominous.

Serious coaching malpractice from Cuonzo to sit him like that. Never works out.

[xu82]

Who’d a thunk they might shoot worse than US?

[xu82]

Is anyone else having troubles with the site? Keeps crashing on me. Kinda like our offense.

[X Factor]

Yes, KyKy Tandy, noted for his decision making prowess. I feel like the worst thing he can do for his reputation in some on this board's eyes is actually play minutes. He isn't going to be the second coming.

Goodin is a senior, has 0 points and 4 turnovers. Guarantee you KyKy couldn't do worse, and he can actually shoot.

[noteggs]

Is anyone else having troubles with the site? Keeps crashing on me. Kinda like our offense.

Same. Thought my comments and jokes were getting old.

[Xville]

This team is absolute garbage at shooting 3s

[drudy23]

I could find 4 rec guys that would shoot a better percentage at wide open threes. We've literally had 8-10 wide ass open shots that weren't even close.

[Xville]

Keep shooting threes boys and shoot yourself out of the game.

[AviatorX]

Goodin is a senior, has 0 points and 4 turnovers. Guarantee you KyKy couldn't do worse, and he can actually shoot.

Counterpoint: have you ever seen KyKy play in a game?

[drudy23]

Our upperclassmen should be better than this.

Scruggs and Q are invisible.

[xu82]

A season is a lifetime, but..............this is awful. ZERO shooters. I’m usually pretty well balanced, but the shot selection should lead to some people being shot. Some people have NO business jacking that up. Like Bills, we need one more year of talent infusion. I’d sit Q after that last TO. Why not?

[X Factor]

This team is not fun to watch.

[Xville]

Counterpoint: have you ever seen KyKy play in a game?

I have...in high school and AAU. The kid can play...lots of tu in him. Hes better in every aspect of the game offensively than q. Defense is going to be a learning curve though.

[drudy23]

I said this during game one - my biggest fear is Steele trying to turn us into Cronin UC. Defense first and athletes that can't score.

Terrible brand to play and watch.

[RoseyMuskie]

This team is not fun to watch.

Agreed. They may win a decent amount of games, but it’s going to be painstaking to watch.

[xu82]

A season is a lifetime, but..............this is awful. ZERO shooters. I’m usually pretty well balanced, but the shot selection should lead to some people being shot. Some people have NO business jacking that up. Like Bills, we need one more year of talent infusion. I’d sit Q after that last TO. Why not?

[RoseyMuskie]

Not that there is such thing as a good 2-18, but this is a terrible, terrible, terrible 2-18. It’s worse than the stat indicates since so many looks have been wide open.

[GoMuskies]

This team is not fun to watch.

This team is currently awful.

[drudy23]

We suddenly look like a D2 team.

[Xville]

Down by 5, feels like 20. Great turnover goodin....scruggs, goodin and naji should be absolutely embarrassed by their play.

[drudy23]

I don't care if KyKy can't guard me. If he's anything like Tu Holloway, he needs 35 minutes a game.

[American X]

Damn, Q. Even Chris Mack only threw the ball into a guy's face, not into his balls.

[Xville]

OT...five more minutes of bleeding eyes.

[American X]

Hooray, boy and girls, you get a free bonus five minutes of this basketball extravaganza!

[scoscox]

I don't care if KyKy can't guard me. If he's anything like Tu Holloway, he needs 35 minutes a game.

travis in his radio show "kyky's our best shooter... by far"

[scoscox]

I don't care if KyKy can't guard me. If he's anything like Tu Holloway, he needs 35 minutes a game.

travis in his radio show "kyky's our best shooter... by far"

[Lloyd Braun]

Starters played all 2nd half, correct?

[GreatWhiteNorth]

I’m grateful and relieved for the win. Both teams not shooting well. We would not have won had we not shot decent FTs. Boy, we need shooters!

[GoMuskies]

Take the W, burn the tape.

[xu82]

Take the W, burn the tape.

Amen!

[xudash]

Take the W, burn the tape.

Yes. But let’s acknowledge and give high marks for gutting it out and pulling out the victory.

[whopper]

did not see this coming down 5, could be a real character game. Now we know Carter can compete at hish level D1 and we saw Scruggs go 5-5 inside the 3 pt line. Q did play OK in the OT and our expectations are down, and Naj can do a little of everything. Amazingly enough I looked the last years Evansville Xavier box (we won by 6 but they had a few 3s at end) and 2 double figure players for Evansville today (over kentudcy ) had double figures against us(Frederking and Kuhlman). It just shows what parity there is. Good (not great) win but we saw in first half a path to victory

[KabeX]

Ugly and I mean UGLY win or escape or whatever you want to call it. I was as frustrated as all of you. I am repeatedly saying to myself .. "Yes, it's NOVEMBER. It's still NOVEMBER! Thank the Lord above. And yes, I had an extra victory/escape beer.

Onward!

[bobbiemcgee]

Shot 32% and 14% from 3, but pulled out a butt check win. Go Muskies!

[Xville]

Take the w...team has to shoot better and develop an offensive flow to do well in the be

[XUGRAD80]

Just enjoy that X is 3-0, Kentucky lost to Evansville, and start preparing for Missouri State. One game at a time.

[xu82]

How is KyKy doing?

Just curious.......

The ability to score points comes in handy in many games, I’ve come to realize.

[scoscox]

Shot 32% and 14% from 3, but pulled out a butt check win. Go Muskies!

lol a butt check win. never heard that one before

[scoscox]

Just enjoy that X is 3-0, Kentucky lost to Evansville, and start preparing for Missouri State. One game at a time.

Auburn only beat South Alabama by one as well. I'm very happy with this win

[X Factor]

Take the W, burn the tape.

How many tapes did Xavier burn last year? There won't be any game film of Xavier in a couple more years.

[SemajParlor]

How many tapes did Xavier burn last year? There won't be any game film of Xavier in a couple more years.

Difference is we got a W after the tape burn as opposed to last year we got the L. I'll take that for March thank you.

[AviatorX]

How many tapes did Xavier burn last year? There won't be any game film of Xavier in a couple more years.

Maybe they can just scrap the film room and expand the locker room/new practice court further?

[AviatorX]

After the misery of last season, I'm not assigning style points and/or questioning wins. We'll take all we can get.

20% from deep on the season. Surely that cannot continue.

[xukeith]

Can you imagine how good Trevon Bluiett and JP Macura’s senior year would have been if they were capable of playing 1/2 as good defense as this current Musketeers team? Those Final Four teams were all top 20 in defensive efficiency. Travis believes X can be top 25 in defense this year. KyKy is the best 3 point shooter at 47% in practice but it’s going to take him at least a month to get healthy and game ready. Defense carries. BE now has 1 loss(Creighton lost at Michigan)

[scoscox]

Take the W, burn the tape.

what do we do with the cannoli?

[AviatorX]

Xavier D held Mizzou to 0.72 points per possession. Let's not lose sight of how strong of an effort that is. Defense is going to vault up the KenPom rankings (while the offense falls off a cliff).

[GoMuskies]

After the misery of last season, I'm not assigning style points and/or questioning wins. We'll take all we can get.

I like ugly wins much better than pretty losses.

That being said, that's about as ugly a game as you'll see outside of a Mick Cronin team's intersquad scrimmage.

[Grizzx12]

That was ugly for sure but I'll take the win and assume shooting improves. Plus, Evansville beat Kentucky, Auburn won on a third tip against South Alabama and Butler still plays in some sort of meat packing warehouse so things could be worse for a Tuesday in early December.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I love Hinkle never hate on Hinkle. X has major issues. We are going to have a long year of shooting doesn’t get better fast. KYKY can’t get here fast enough.

[sirthought]

Can you imagine how good Trevon Bluiett and JP Macura’s senior year would have been if they were capable of playing 1/2 as good defense as this current Musketeers team? Those Final Four teams were all top 20 in defensive efficiency. Travis believes X can be top 25 in defense this year. KyKy is the best 3 point shooter at 47% in practice but it’s going to take him at least a month to get healthy and game ready. Defense carries. BE now has 1 loss(Creighton lost at Michigan)

You can relax on that defense cry just now. The advanced stats show we're improved over last season but not really that great at the moment. Work in progress.

[XUGRAD80]

The only stat that really counts is 3-0.

The only other stat that comes close is 59.3....which is the average # of points that X has given up in those 3 wins.

There are other stats that cause concern...shooting % numbers and turnovers especially....and those things are areas that can be improved.

Steele gives every indication in his pre and post game comments that he is aware of the need for improvement in those areas and that he feels that the team WILL improve in those areas.

But they are still 3-0 and the players are playing hard every minute of every game....there is nothing to fault in those two things.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I love Hinkle never hate on Hinkle. X has major issues. We are going to have a long year of shooting doesn’t get better fast. KYKY can’t get here fast enough.

And, Butler shoots far, far better in Hinkle than X does at Cintas. Give Naji credit for having the stones to take that three near the end of regulation. Loved the first half defensive effort but, it seemed less effective in half two. Haven't seen stats; that was just the eyeball test. Anybody have some analysis of the two halves of D? X is going to need great defensive efforts this season. If we shoot this bad at home...……….oh brother.

[XUGRAD80]

And, Butler shoots far, far better in Hinkle than X does at Cintas. Give Naji credit for having the stones to take that three near the end of regulation. Loved the first half defensive effort but, it seemed less effective in half two. Haven't seen stats; that was just the eyeball test. Anybody have some analysis of the two halves of D? X is going to need great defensive efforts this season. If we shoot this bad at home...……….oh brother.

X kept Mo scoreless for long stretches of the 1st half...once for 10 minutes and another time for almost 5. But in the 2nd half, that was turned around and Mo kept X scoreless for long stretches. Mo also hit some 3-pointers and many more open shots in the 2nd half as the defense struggled and/or MO figured it out. Almost a tail of 2 half’s.

[drudy23]

The defense was great in spurts, and frankly, very lazy in spurts. The uncontested dunk at the end of the game was unacceptable. Terrible on the ball defense where the defender completely gave up as the defender passed him, and not one of the 4 help side defenders even realized it happened. None had a clue where the ball was. That wasn't good.

When they're locked in, they play good D. The problem with this core (Q, Naji, Scruggs, and Big Ty) is that they tend to settle in and relax too often. They're almost too laid back. They are the leaders and need to show consistent defensive effort for the whole 40 minutes. Set that example for the young guys to make them better. I'm guessing that type of stuff drives Steele crazy.

[GoMuskies]

Give Naji credit for having the stones to take that three near the end of regulation.

I guess. He was 2 for 16 for the season before taking that shot. Glad it went in, of course, but it probably didn't make sense for him to have the "stones" to take that shot. I don't mind Naji or Q taking open, in-rhythm threes even if they're not great shooters. It just seems that both guys take so many forced threes outside the flow of the offense. The kind of shots you don't mind GOOD shooters taking, but they're not good shooters.

[scoscox]

I guess. He was 2 for 16 for the season before taking that shot. Glad it went in, of course, but it probably didn't make sense for him to have the "stones" to take that shot. I don't mind Naji or Q taking open, in-rhythm threes even if they're not great shooters. It just seems that both guys take so many forced threes outside the flow of the offense. The kind of shots you don't mind GOOD shooters taking, but they're not good shooters.

That was a play run for naji to take a three. So steele drew it up for 15% shooter. Just thank the lord he made it

[scoscox]

And, Butler shoots far, far better in Hinkle than X does at Cintas.

Historically, we shot a lot better in cincy as than on the road. Not sure it makes a difference with this team though

[scoscox]

You can relax on that defense cry just now. The advanced stats show we're improved over last season but not really that great at the moment. Work in progress.

What advanced stats are you looking at? Every metric I look at has us playing very good defense. Top 25 defense

[murray87]

The defense was great in spurts, and frankly, very lazy in spurts. The uncontested dunk at the end of the game was unacceptable. Terrible on the ball defense where the defender completely gave up as the defender passed him, and not one of the 4 help side defenders even realized it happened. None had a clue where the ball was. That wasn't good.

When they're locked in, they play good D. The problem with this core (Q, Naji, Scruggs, and Big Ty) is that they tend to settle in and relax too often. They're almost too laid back. They are the leaders and need to show consistent defensive effort for the whole 40 minutes. Set that example for the young guys to make them better. I'm guessing that type of stuff drives Steele crazy.

Can we add Stanley Burrell to the coaching staff as defensive coordinator?!

[drudy23]

And who's team is this? Who's the top dog? Could be Naji or Scruggs - but one of them has to take it. Who's the junk yard dog that gets a bucket when we need it? My money is on Scruggs.

Did you ever question if it was Tu's team? or Tre's team? Or Dwest's team?

If they're not careful, KyKy's gonna make it his team. He won't care.

[GoMuskies]

We're going to be better if it's Scruggs's team. But from what I can see (just from watching from afar on TV), personality-wise Naji has a greater desire for it to be HIS team.

[X-man]

Ugly game, for sure. Like a Cronin coached team. But I do believe that we will shoot the ball better. In the warm-ups, they hardly missed anything from outside. And to our credit, most of the threes we took were wide open. Now perhaps they were giving us that shot because we stunk up the place so much. But if they were, it made it that much harder to work the ball inside. A few made threes will do our offense a world of good.

[D-West & PO-Z]

travis in his radio show "kyky's our best shooter... by far"

Not that that says much but it is encouraging to hear we have a shooter in the waiting. Hope he gets healthy in a hurry.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Ugly and I mean UGLY win or escape or whatever you want to call it. I was as frustrated as all of you. I am repeatedly saying to myself .. "Yes, it's NOVEMBER. It's still NOVEMBER! Thank the Lord above. And yes, I had an extra victory/escape beer.

Onward!

This!

[D-West & PO-Z]

After the misery of last season, I'm not assigning style points and/or questioning wins. We'll take all we can get.

20% from deep on the season. Surely that cannot continue.

Agree, get W's and hope to improve.

And lets hop KyKy can add some shooting to this team when he returns. I have no idea if he will but I am holding out hope!

[AviatorX]

X kept Mo scoreless for long stretches of the 1st half...once for 10 minutes and another time for almost 5. But in the 2nd half, that was turned around and Mo kept X scoreless for long stretches. Mo also hit some 3-pointers and many more open shots in the 2nd half as the defense struggled and/or MO figured it out. Almost a tail of 2 half’s.

Missouri scored 0.72 points per possession. You're going to have a difficult time finding a better XU defensive effort than that.

[bleedXblue]

I've been saying this for the last year.....Scruggs and Q aren't complimentary players to each other. I see them as basically the same player with Scruggs having a bit more offensive prowess than Q. I don't know why they cant seem to figure out how to play off each other, but they don't most of the time.

Alpha Dog.....we don't have one unless that's Marshall. He seems to want to be that, but most of the time goes schoolyard when trying to make a play.

Hoping KyKy can change some of this.........b/c something has to give.

[AviatorX]

I've been saying this for the last year.....Scruggs and Q aren't complimentary players to each other. I see them as basically the same player with Scruggs having a bit more offensive prowess than Q. I don't know why they cant seem to figure out how to play off each other, but they don't most of the time.

Alpha Dog.....we don't have one unless that's Marshall. He seems to want to be that, but most of the time goes schoolyard when trying to make a play.

Hoping KyKy can change some of this.........b/c something has to give.

No doubt KyKy's minutes will likely be in relief of Q and Scruggs, so should see less of them on the court together. Hopefully that works out, but last year I think you can make a credible argument that whether they work well together or not, you'd rather have them both out there than the alternative (more Harden or Castlin, I guess?).

[drudy23]

It just seems Q, Scruggs, and Naji should gel more after playing 3-4 years together. That part is the most puzzling to me. None of them seem to be on the same page with each other on the court. They seem to like each other though.

With this much tenure, it still shouldn't be an issue. But they seem just as out of sync as the young guys (maybe even worse at times). And honestly, I don't know that the young guys really look that out of sync. Freemantle, Carter, and Moore have all had their share of bright spots.

[bobbiemcgee]

If Moore is our 2nd best 3 pt. shooter, why not give him more shots? He has only taken 8 and made 3 of them. He has a very pretty shot from the top of the key. We need to run some plays for this guy. Shot 39% @ WMU with a ACL tear. Who do we want to take these shots? Q or Bryce?

[D-West & PO-Z]

And who's team is this? Who's the top dog? Could be Naji or Scruggs - but one of them has to take it. Who's the junk yard dog that gets a bucket when we need it? My money is on Scruggs.

Did you ever question if it was Tu's team? or Tre's team? Or Dwest's team?

If they're not careful, KyKy's gonna make it his team. He won't care.

Yeah this.

I am usually a very optimistic XU fan. But I cant ever remember a time in my fandom having less confidence in the go to player to really get a bucket when the team needs one. I am not even positive of who that player is, I think it is Naji. But again not a lot of confidence in that happening.

Big shot last night, huge he made it, but do you have great confidence in him or another players hitting that 3 at the end or driving to the hoop at the end to get that bucket we need right now? I hope we get there but I am not there now.

[XUGRAD80]

On the other hand....since there isn’t any ONE player that teams might feel they need to prepare for, they need to prepare for anything and anyone. That can be and advantage if played right.

I mean, seriously, did ANYONE see that play where Naji hits the 3 coming?

[GoMuskies]

On the other hand....since there isn’t any ONE player that teams might feel they need to prepare for, they need to prepare for anything and anyone. That can be and advantage if played right.

I mean, seriously, did ANYONE see that play where Naji hits the 3 coming?

I think everyone saw him shooting coming (I think he leads the team in 3 point attempts). The going in part definitely could not have been predicted.

[xudash]

3rd game of the season.

First real test. And against a very big, athletic team that performs well on the D end.

Yes, we aren't shooting effectively or anywhere close to where we need to be. Yes, the offense isn't fluid in general.

BUT, I remember our first year coach pulling them together towards the end of the season - - we have a solid coach. NO, he isn't going to be like the YTG.

Bottomline: [1] It's early; [2] They gutted out a tough win last night; and [3] We aren't even at full strength.

Travis will clean this up. Hopefully, the shooting will get better. It has nowhere to go but to get better, and I believe they'll find their confidence and their range.

Long way to go gents.

[D-West & PO-Z]

On the other hand....since there isn’t any ONE player that teams might feel they need to prepare for, they need to prepare for anything and anyone. That can be and advantage if played right.

I mean, seriously, did ANYONE see that play where Naji hits the 3 coming?

See we had this legitimately on the 07-08 team. (Probably others but they come to mind).

I dont feel that way with this team at all. Not saying I wont eventually this season but dont right now.

[xukeith]

Lots of past X teams would have folded last night and lost. This team was calm and cool. They found a way to dig in and win.
Solid play. Lots of newcomers are not knowng their role. They will find an identity as games go on. Long way to go.

[JTG]

Lots of past X teams would have folded last night and lost. This team was calm and cool. They found a way to dig in and win.
Solid play. Lots of newcomers are not knowng their role. They will find an identity as games go on. Long way to go.

Actually I am pretty impressed by Freemantle and Carter seeming to know exactly what their roles are.

[AviatorX]

Actually I am pretty impressed by Freemantle and Carter seeming to know exactly what their roles are.

I think Carter asserting himself more (he started to a bit last night, but couldn't hit anything) will help the flow of the offense greatly. He should be able to facilitate through the post which hopefully will result in less dribbling from the guards. He has the potential to be a second facilitator of sorts - although you could make a compelling argument X doesn't have a primary facilitator so far. Not making any comparison as far as their games are concerned, but Kerem Kanter wasn't exactly inspiring early. Although they don't have to sit a year, it can still take a bit for grad transfers to get in the flow of a new system.

The best chance for the offense to improve is for Carter to assert himself into this role and Tandy to provide a spark in short bursts. Not crazy asks, which is why I remain optimistic about this team. If the offense stays as is (even with improved shooting, which is bound to occur), X is going to be mediocre (obviously).

[UCGRAD4X]

I was thinking the same thing about the Carter/Kanter comparison (should I be worried). Coach was commenting how he's finally starting to come into his own and expects much more to come. Sounds good to me because he was about the only thing that seemed positive about yesterday except the outcome.

[bleedXblue]

Lots of past X teams would have folded last night and lost. This team was calm and cool. They found a way to dig in and win.
Solid play. Lots of newcomers are not knowng their role. They will find an identity as games go on. Long way to go.

Lots of X teams have folded? really? What program are you watching?

[bleedXblue]

This teams going to get better and gel more. When that happens who knows?????? But it is a mystery with 4 guys in the floor having played with each other for as long as they have that they look they way they do. Was not expecting this for sure.