Game Thread: Xavier vs. St. John's (February 17, 2020) Big East Conference Game

[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 (16-9, 5-7 BIG EAST)
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY RED STORM (14-11, 3-9 BIG EAST)
MONDAY, FEB. 17, 2020 AT 6:30 P.M. ET
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN (19,812) IN NEW YORK

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Brian Custer and analysis from Jim Spanarkel.
Radio: 700 WLW-AM 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). Broadcast is also available on Sirius XM (380) and Internet (970).
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.

[paulxu]

I need a new streak to respect.

[GoMuskies]

Gotta have this one. The path to the NCAA Tournament gets much narrower if we do not win tonight.

[Xville]

Gotta have this one. The path to the NCAA Tournament gets much narrower if we do not win tonight.

Agreed. Absolutely can not afford to have scruggs get his two quick fouls tonight. We need him and/or tandy to have a strong game.

[paulxu]

Wonder how many people will show up in MSG?

Maybe all the Knicks and Ranger fans will come out on a slow day in Manhattan.

[Masterofreality]

Agreed. Absolutely can not afford to have scruggs get his two quick fouls tonight. We need him and/or tandy to have a strong game.

Scruggy's second foul last week was BS.
Will be interesting to see what refs are assigned tonight. Four guys I want nowhere near us are James Breeding, Jeff Anderson, Michael Stevens or O'Connell. Would love to see Ayers and/or Mike Eades. With St. John's pace, we don't need some trigger happy ref out there.

[UCGRAD4X]

A great way to avoid getting a quick second foul is to avoid getting a quick first foul.

Just sayin'

[Masterofreality]

A great way to avoid getting a quick second foul is to avoid getting a quick first foul.

Just sayin'

Truth.

[MADXSTER]

A great way to avoid getting a quick second foul is to avoid getting a quick first foul.

Just sayin'

That's some Confucius shit right there

[flatspat]

Scruggy's second foul last week was BS.
Will be interesting to see what refs are assigned tonight. Four guys I want nowhere near us are James Breeding, Jeff Anderson, Michael Stevens or O'Connell. Would love to see Ayers and/or Mike Eades. With St. John's pace, we don't need some trigger happy ref out there.

How bout ur boy Wally Rutecki?
Besides the aforementioned refs I would not mind seeing Doug
Shows

[Double Down]

X is best this year when they get out to a fast start. Control the ball, limit turnovers and crash the glass. Get a good road win at MSG.

[xukeith]

X is best this year when they get out to a fast start. Control the ball, limit turnovers and crash the glass. Get a good road win at MSG.

Most teams prefer to start out strong with a lead and limit turnovers. We shall see. SJU plays everyone tough except Creighton

[drudy23]

Just win - by 1 or by 30 - just win.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Is there stud player out? Huron?

[HenryMuto]

Really badly need this game tonight is there any chance X actually will win it ?

[HenryMuto]

Is there stud player out? Huron?

Xavier vs St. John’s
SJU: Mustapha Heron is out for the season with an ankle injury.
SJU: Ian Steere is suspended for an unspecified reason.

[noteggs]

How bout ur boy Wally Rutecki?
Besides the aforementioned refs I would not mind seeing Doug
Shows

Got your wish - Officials for tonight’s game- Doug Shows, Joe Lindsay, Tony Henderson

[OTRMUSKIE]

The one guy avg 0.8 ppg so not a factor. But Heron is a big loss.

[paulxu]

John Cahill is BE supervisor of officials. What could go wrong.

[GoMuskies]

Let's go!!!!!! Got a feeling. Took us big-ish. Let's do it!

[GoMuskies]

We'll be okay once we get a shot up!

[GoMuskies]

Scruggs enjoying MSG.

[fellahmuskie]

I like playing teams that miss layups.

[xu82]

Hoping Tyrique gets his 20/20 tonight.

[xudash]

Naji has to simply play smarter. Getting picked from behind from a team known for its picking.

[MADXSTER]

Naji has to simply play smarter. Getting picked from behind from a team known for its picking.

That's more lack of communication from your teammates.

[GoMuskies]

FT shooting still bad. only thing to complain about so far.

[GoMuskies]

Naji is scary. For both us and them!

[xudash]

FT shooting still bad. only thing to complain about so far.

Am I allowed to complain about Goodin, seeing game action? Chuck’s up a three (missed) as soon as he gets in the game.

[GoMuskies]

Am I allowed to complain about Goodwin, seeing game action?

Not until he shoots a 3. So there were about 1.8 seconds when your complaint was not admissible.

[xavierj]

Not sure how Scruggs wasn’t fouled

[GoMuskies]

I hate that we won't look to run even if we have numbers.

[Xville]

Why was q even in the game? That guy should be getting 5-7 minutes absolute max

[xudash]

Not until he shoots a 3. So there were about 1.8 seconds when your complaint was not admissible.

My apologies.

[GoMuskies]

From 14-3 up, it's been 14-3 against. The offense is just so, so bad.

[Xville]

Haven't scored in 5 minutes...yikes. We need guards who can explosively get to the rim...we dont have anyone that can do that on the roster. Hoping that odom can be that guy, and tandy can turn into one.

[GoMuskies]

Finally willing to push pace a bit and we got two easy ones.

[bjf123]

Last game, we held St. John’s to 1-16 from 3. They’re shooting 50% from 3 tonight. They ain’t gonna cut it.


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[MADXSTER]

Last game, we held St. John’s to 1-16 from 3. They’re shooting 50% from 3 tonight. They ain’t gonna cut it.


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Tru dat but they won't keep that up

[GoMuskies]

I count 6/10 from the FT line. That's not gonna cut it either.

[xavierj]

Last game, we held St. John’s to 1-16 from 3. They’re shooting 50% from 3 tonight. They ain’t gonna cut it.


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I think that’s the game plan. They are a bad three point shooting team.

[xukeith]

X is pushing the ball and getting easy buckets finally. Defense needs to show up again.

SJU is playing a lot of mixing up defenses. Good to see adjustments finally on offense.

[bjf123]

I think that’s the game plan. They are a bad three point shooting team.

Us shooting 20% from 3 doesn’t help either.


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[GoMuskies]

Need good Naji. Seen enough bad Naji for one game.

[GoMuskies]

Tandy is gonna be so nasty.

[xukeith]

Naji is having a good game. Defense is great. Who has the rebounding numbers?

[xukeith]

I seriously don't remember more than 3 points from Carter.
I guess I slept.

[Xville]

Thank goodness for tandy that half....he was one guard that started taking the ball to the rim and converting. Without him, x is down by a lot.

[bjf123]

Naji is having a good game. Defense is great. Who has the rebounding numbers?

We’ve out rebounded them 27-23, but they have one more offensive board. Tyrique has 8.


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[xukeith]

I see online that X outrebounded SJU by 3, 28-25.

Someone is wrong online.

[bjf123]

Got mine from ESPN app.


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[xudash]

Carter cannot miss that. Good God!

[xavierj]

These refs freaking blow.

[xavierj]

Q checks in. Score tied

[Xville]

Naji likes msg

[bjf123]

Naji likes msg

He needs to stopping yapping at the fans under our basket and get back on defense.


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[drudy23]

We cant lose this game.

[Xville]

Goodin trying to defend Dunn lol. Great idea steele

[RoseyMuskie]

Hey Naji, quit yapping.

[Xville]

He needs to stopping yapping at the fans under our basket and get back on defense.


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Right now, he can yap all he wants...when he misses one he can shut it haha

[xavierj]

Good Naji is coming

[Xville]

Honestly, I like the swag from naji...we have been missing that kind of attitude for a while...I like to see it from someone that can back it up, and he certainly can.

[bjf123]

The way this game is going, it’s going to come down to FTs. That’s not good for us!


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[RoseyMuskie]

Honestly, I like the swag from naji...we have been missing that kind of attitude for a while...I like to see it from someone that can back it up.

He got the crowd back into the game, he’s been atrocious from the free throw line, and been maddeningly inconsistent the last couple games. But sure, make a few buckets and run your mouth.

[Xville]

Saw x is shooting 50 percent and wondering how x is only up 1..scroll down to turnovers..oh that's why

[Blue Blooded-05]

How many times are we going to shimmy/shake/flex/complain to the refs while they push the ball up the floor for an easy bucket?

[Xville]

He got the crowd back into the game, he’s been atrocious from the free throw line, and been maddeningly inconsistent the last couple games. But sure, make a few buckets and run your mouth.

If this is what gets him going, I'm all for it.

[XUBison]

Honestly, I like the swag from naji...we have been missing that kind of attitude for a while...I like to see it from someone that can back it up, and he certainly can.

agree with this.

[Xville]

Hello steele... why is q in the game and why is he "guarding" dunn?

[Xville]

Bad shot tandy

[Xville]

Freemantle gets stripped way too easily...guy needs to get stronger with the ball. That should have been 2 instead it was a 4 point swing

[XU 23]

14 turnovers vs. 2 from St. John’s. Ouch.

[xukeith]

Tandy silly Tandy.

[xavierj]

Q still in now down 3. He did nothing but miss a good look and foul guys. Wtf?

[XUBison]

Mike Anderson ball is pretty entertaining. Seems like a good fit at MSG.

[Xville]

Looking completely lost right now

[RoseyMuskie]

Poor coaching night for Steele. Letting St John’s dictate pace.

PS, nice job Naji. Turnover. Missed shot. Keeping running your mouth.

[Xville]

Outhustled and out toughed right now.

[bjf123]

How can we be so bad at ball control?


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[drudy23]

Freemantle gets stripped way too easily...guy needs to get stronger with the ball. That should have been 2 instead it was a 4 point swing

Been happening all year with him.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Stop me if you’ve heard this one...

Turnovers: 16
3-point %: 23.5%
FT %: 58.3%

[Xville]

Can Steele go with the best 5 on the team for once and see what happens?

Tandy
Scruggs
Naji
Free
Jones

Come on boys plenty of time...take care of the ball and play some d

[GoMuskies]

Our offense isn't good enough for our defense to play like this.

[Xville]

Good idea to switch to zone by Steele. Should slow the Johnnies down

[stammina0721]

Game over. Good night. If Naji thinks he is an NBA player he is nuts. He can score a little but a guard who is streaky, can't shoot free throws and dribbles the ball off his leg or gets ripped from behind constantly is not NBA material

[drudy23]

Game over. Good night. If Naji thinks he is an NBA player he is nuts. He can score a little but a guard who is streaky, can't shoot free throws and dribbles the ball off his leg or gets ripped from behind constantly is not NBA material

OK, go to bed.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Can Steele go with the best 5 on the team for once and see what happens?

Tandy
Scruggs
Naji
Free
Jones

Come on boys plenty of time...take care of the ball and play some d

And deprive us of Carter’s 30 invisible minutes?

[Xville]

Geezus fuck stop turning the damn ball over

[xukeith]

In Scruggs we trust

[stammina0721]

Even if this team makes March they are one and done. Basketball IQ is too low to beat anyone in the tournament.

[bjf123]

We don’t deserve to win this game.


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[GoMuskies]

Carter plays like a pretty good MAC player.

[drudy23]

4 stops in a row and we get nothing.

[stammina0721]

OK, go to bed.

Too early for bed. Did turn on AGT though

[chico]

Game over. Good night. If Naji thinks he is an NBA player he is nuts. He can score a little but a guard who is streaky, can't shoot free throws and dribbles the ball off his leg or gets ripped from behind constantly is not NBA material

I think we could say your fandom lacks - what's the word - stamina?

[Xville]

What in the flying fuck Scruggs

[XU 23]

19 TOs

[drudy23]

Finally some points.

[GoMuskies]

Good battle. Gotta keep getting stops.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Good battle. Gotta keep getting stops.

They’re missing open 3s. Wouldn’t call that “getting stops”

[drudy23]

It doesn't need to be pretty, it just needs to be a W

[GoMuskies]

They’re missing open 3s. Wouldn’t call that “getting stops”

Beats the layup line they were running before! :)

[noteggs]

How can Paul be so good and then well...

[xukeith]

And deprive us of Carter’s 30 invisible minutes?

Carter is doing well now.

[stammina0721]

I think we could say your fandom lacks - what's the word - stamina?

Accepting what this team is says nothing about fandom. I'll be a fan how I want you be a fan how you want. I know this game is over and at that point no reason to watch a team constantly shit down their leg. If it's February and they don't care enough to not turn the call over 20.times then why should I care to keep watching a game that's over

[xukeith]

How can Paul be so good and then well...

He is exhuasted

[RoseyMuskie]

Now or never. Think this is going to dictate postseason.

[N67ER]

And deprive us of Carter’s 30 invisible minutes?

Are you watching the same game I am? Carter has 10 points and six rebounds.

[stammina0721]

But on that note good night all I'll check back in next game. Hopefully you all find a way to will the win

[drudy23]

KyKy loses the ball and sits there and looks at it.

[Xville]

Accepting what this team is says nothing about fandom. I'll be a fan how I want you be a fan how you want. I know this game is over and at that point no reason to watch a team constantly shit down their leg. If it's February and they don't care enough to not turn the call over 20.times then why should I care to keep watching a game that's over

This game is over yet we are down 1...you're an idiot

[drudy23]

7 consecutive stops - 2 points.

[xukeith]

Tandy again coughs it up

[XUBison]

In Scruggs we trust

sometimes?

[GoMuskies]

Accepting what this team is says nothing about fandom. I'll be a fan how I want you be a fan how you want. I know this game is over and at that point no reason to watch a team constantly shit down their leg. If it's February and they don't care enough to not turn the call over 20.times then why should I care to keep watching a game that's over

Looks like you might be wise.

[bjf123]

Bye bye bubble. Gonna lose this one at the line.


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[GoMuskies]

Ok, that's freshmen for ya!

[drudy23]

Naji, what the.....ok

[N67ER]

The turnovers are unbelievable. What is wrong with Tandy tonight?

[RoseyMuskie]

Would be nice if Steele could draw up an effective offensive set out of this break.

[GoMuskies]

How did Naji make that shot? Lol

[XU 23]

Lol what was that??

[Xville]

Ok one stop come on

[HenryMuto]

Down 1 with 40 seconds left and X has the ball..........come on!!!!!!!!!!!!

[drudy23]

Draw up a good one, Trav

High low to Tyrique Sean Omara style?

[XU 23]

How are we even in this game?

[GoMuskies]

It's going to be Naji. For better or worse. Just hope we get a shot!

[Xville]

Nice tip away there tandy!!!! Clutch down the stretch from him. Hea a freshman gotta play thru the mistakes he is going to have.

[HenryMuto]

Unreal another turnover

[drudy23]

Run a fucking play

not naji hero ball

[RoseyMuskie]

Hahahaha. That’s so bad on so many levels. Coaching, Naji, you name it.

[Xville]

Naji dribbling all over the place is not the play I would have drawn up

[GoMuskies]

It's going to be Naji. For better or worse. Just hope we get a shot!

I wish I hadn't watched this team so much.

[kellernr]

Why is Naji allowed to dribble? Horrible

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[HenryMuto]

He missed it one last chance to dance

[Xville]

Tandy should have been the one to take it to the rim there...

[HenryMuto]

SCORE !!!!!!!!!!!

Up 1 NEED 1 STOP!!!!!!!!!!

[drudy23]

Get a fucking stop!!!!!!

[Xville]

Nice pass naji!!!

[GoMuskies]

Naji taketh and Naji giveth.

[HenryMuto]

They really need to waive the 30 second rule between posts during game time.............

[Xville]

Come on!!!!! One stop and rebound your ass off!!

[xudash]

Please. One stop!

[HenryMuto]

He missed it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wish that clock had run out

[xu82]

Maybe they will turn it over? We would have done it for them!

[xudash]

Yes

[GoMuskies]

Need our FT to cover now. :)

[Xville]

Never a doubt! Where you at stama douche

[drudy23]

Boom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GoMuskies]

No miracle 3. No miracle 3. No miracle 3.

[RoseyMuskie]

Freemantle showing some Holloway stones.

[Blue Blooded-05]

And the Tu Holloway steel balls award goes to....

[xu82]

My brother in law (who hosted Zion W to a pool party at his house after the prom a couple years ago) is texting me about how much he loves Freemantle. He doesn’t even follow X, but just happened to tune in.

[HenryMuto]

I wish Saint John's was dumb like other teams I watch that I have seen call that timeout down 2 at the line with the guy still shooting a FT because then he could have missed on purpose and game would just end on a 90 footer but nope Saint John's actually smart and kept the timeout.

Usually I foul up 3 but with only 1.8 left not sure I do that certainly not on a catch.

[XU 23]

No fouls. No fouls. No fouls.

[N67ER]

Looks like you might be wise.

Oh ye of little faith!

[HenryMuto]

Ball game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a huge win that was huge where that guy at that went to bed crying this game was over ???????????

[xukeith]

Great Marshall delivery to Zach as Naji was double teamed

[GoMuskies]

Had it the whole way.

[Xville]

Hell fucking yes!!! Dont care about all the mistakes that was some damn clutch play and a badly needed win....3 more until it is tourney lock time

[N67ER]

UGLY, but a win is a win. If this team was not a turnover machine it would be dangerous!

[HenryMuto]

That's a much needed quad 1 win if Saint John's can hang in the top 75

[chico]

Accepting what this team is says nothing about fandom. I'll be a fan how I want you be a fan how you want. I know this game is over and at that point no reason to watch a team constantly shit down their leg. If it's February and they don't care enough to not turn the call over 20.times then why should I care to keep watching a game that's over

Now it's over.

[fellahmuskie]

Can't wait for Saturday! Cintas will be rocking.

[Xville]

Essentially x has no bench because goodin sucks, james doesnt play, and bishop transferred, so I'll forgive the boys for all the turnovers on the road against 40 minutes of hell

[xu82]

Now it's over.

He should have shown more stamina!

[xukeith]

Great game. Huge roadkill. 3 more wins and X punches their ticket. Maybe 2 more wins at 8 -10 will seal it.

[paulxu]

New Streak !!!!!

[GoMuskies]

As a bonus, beginning to end that was probably the most objectively entertaining game we played all year.

[sgarcia]

Essentially x has no bench because goodin sucks, james doesnt play, and bishop transferred, so I'll forgive the boys for all the turnovers on the road against 40 minutes of hell

No idea why James never sniffs the court or why Moore didn’t get Q’s 2nd half minutes because Q stinks on both ends of the court.

[Xavgrad08]

Big win. We turned it over a bunch and still won. Let’s make sure Cintas is rocking on Saturday.

[xukeith]

What was X down with 2 minutes to play?

[bleedXblue]

Going to the zone won it for us.......

[paulxu]

They had 4 TO's
We had 22 TO's.

What the.....

[Xville]

What was X down with 2 minutes to play?

5.....8-0 run to end it..cant really get more clutch than that

[Xville]

Going to the zone won it for us.......

Agreed..great adjustment to slow the Johnnies down.

[xu82]

They had 4 TO's
We had 22 TO's.

What the.....

That’s just CRAZY! It makes a win that much more ridiculous!

[Blue Blooded-05]

5.....8-0 run to end it..cant really get more clutch than that

6 of those 8 by freshman

[N67ER]

No idea why James never sniffs the court or why Moore didn’t get Q’s 2nd half minutes because Q stinks on both ends of the court.
The complete demise of Q’s game as a senior has been sad to watch. He adds absolutely nothing on offense or defense.

On the other hand, I think Carter should get his due after this game. 10 points, 7 rebounds, 1block, 1 assist, and just 1 turnover. That’s a nice line.

[xu82]

5.....8-0 run to end it..cant really get more clutch than that


Very entertaining! PLEASE don’t ever do that to my heart again!

[drudy23]

I might have to get me some tickets for Saturday.

[GoMuskies]

The complete demise of Q’s game as a senior has been sad to watch. He adds absolutely nothing on offense or defense.

It reminds me of Greg Paulus's senior year at Dook, though obviously much lower profile

[bleedXblue]

I might have to get me some tickets for Saturday.

Its at home

[bleedXblue]

The complete demise of Q’s game as a senior has been sad to watch. He adds absolutely nothing on offense or defense.

On the other hand, I think Carter should get his due after this game. 10 points, 7 rebounds, 1block, 1 assist, and just 1 turnover. That’s a nice line.

Q looks defeated. I feel bad for him. Hes going to regret it ended this way down the road.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Hot damn that was sloppy and incredibly frustrating at times but.......Just Win Baby!

Big win X. Way to gut it out.

[xukeith]

It reminds me of Greg Paulus's senior year at Dook, though obviously much lower profile

Goodin did make 4 threes against Marquette when this all started to gel for X

[noteggs]

Freshman (2) finally turning the corner! Know they have some to clean up, but damn...

[GreatWhiteNorth]

The number of turnovers (22) by X, esp. by STEALs (15) is pretty shocking. Either team could have won this game, but I am just thankful that we did.

[xudash]

Its at home

Brutal. Well done.

[bjf123]

As a bonus, beginning to end that was probably the most objectively entertaining game we played all year.

If by entertaining, you mean frustrating, mind numbing, yelling at the TV, emotional roller coaster, then sure, it was entertaining!


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[xu82]

If by entertaining, you mean frustrating, mind numbing, yelling at the TV, emotional roller coaster, then sure, it was entertaining!


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What else might you do for fun?

[scoscox]

Q looks defeated. I feel bad for him. Hes going to regret it ended this way down the road.

he doesn't do any of the little things well to earn playing time. sure he can't shoot, but he also doesn't defend well or make hustle/winning plays

[drudy23]

Its at home

Thought it was away...can anyone confirm this?

[drudy23]

Its at home

Public reps.

[D-West & PO-Z]

But on that note good night all I'll check back in next game. Hopefully you all find a way to will the win

This is one of the fans at Cintas I'm always tweeting about trying to beat the "traffic". Score doesnt matter, he gone.

[STL_XUfan]

I want to do a prop bet for the rest of the season: X turnovers v. Tyrique rebounds.

[bjf123]

This is one of the fans at Cintas I'm always tweeting about trying to beat the "traffic". Score doesnt matter, he gone.

There are a lot of them.


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[D-West & PO-Z]

There are a lot of them.


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Yes. There. Are.

It is mind blowing.

[bleedXblue]

Yes. There. Are.

It is mind blowing.

What I don't get is that its pretty damn easy to exit Cintas and surrounding parking lots.......I think I have parked in every lot over the last 20 years. None of them take more than 10 minutes to exit

[bourbonman]

As a bonus, beginning to end that was probably the most objectively entertaining game we played all year.

I was there and somehow I can’t be objective when I watch my team have that many turnovers, allow the opposition score easily with open shots and our traditional awful FT shooting. Loved Fremantle’s FT at end and Kyky’s block of the 3 pointer.

So yes, all said and done I was more than entertained with the win.

Disappointing small crowd that didn’t get to its feet until under 30 seconds.

Go X

[bjf123]

What I don't get is that its pretty damn easy to exit Cintas and surrounding parking lots.......I think I have parked in every lot over the last 20 years. None of them take more than 10 minutes to exit

Before the reseating a few years ago, there was a father and son who sat in front of us. The father was probably in his 70s. They would leave every game with about 3 minutes left. That allowed the father, who walked slowly, to navigate his way out with a lot fewer people on the concourse. That, I understand.


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[XBR1]

What I don't get is that its pretty damn easy to exit Cintas and surrounding parking lots.......I think I have parked in every lot over the last 20 years. None of them take more than 10 minutes to exit

Disagree with this. I have had numerous games this season where it took me 45 minutes to an hour to get out of C1. The way it’s setup is a mess this season.

[DART87]

Disagree with this. I have had numerous games this season where it took me 45 minutes to an hour to get out of C1. The way it’s setup is a mess this season.


This is true, the closer the parking to the arena, the longer it takes to get out.

[stammina0721]

Well AGT is over and checked the score and saw they won. Good job you all your will power was stronger than mine. Not gonna apologize for giving up on this one though but am shocked and happy they won

[OTRMUSKIE]

You’re a sucka if you park in the parking lot by cintas. That’s what you get for trying to be cool and sexy with your handsome parking lot. I on the other hand park right by that HBC building or whatever it is. In out in 2 mins. And if you can’t walk because your hip hurts or you’re too old they have golf carts.

[Lloyd Braun]

That was an incredibly entertaining game that we very easily could’ve lost. You have to think that Travis had the zone defense up his sleeve for emergencies only. Maybe I am mistaken but I feel that previous teams use that against St. John’s with very good results for very obvious reasons. I was hoping they would go to it earlier to slow the game down but didn’t. Obviously the abysmal turnovers and free-throw shooting are the standard now for this team. That does not bode well when facing fundamentally sound teams. Oh and Nova is Saturday.

All that said this team NEVER gives up even when I feel they should. That will go a long way for the freshman in years to come.

[whopper]

I just got home from game and it was incredible as I got a courtside seat on baseline for $40 but since it was from a St John season holder I was the only not St Johns nutty fan there. Had to stand whole game as they did not sit..they were ragging on my but I did to react at all except with a tiny fist pump after tansy's block. Wore my blue and white 2018 big east champ rugby. All played well and Q seems a little snakebit as Dunn got a few baskets going downhill off turnovers and Q could not stop him and also ha a drive 90% down-he is odd man out(as is Moore) due to Tandy great play (he had 3 rocket powered drives with and ones). Thank God for zone and Figurorea went 2-17!!! Fremantle was great, Jones finished wetl and Carter was effective (but how did he miss layup-he did help greatly with ball handling though). 2 hr train ride home much more pleasant after a win

[D-West & PO-Z]

What I don't get is that its pretty damn easy to exit Cintas and surrounding parking lots.......I think I have parked in every lot over the last 20 years. None of them take more than 10 minutes to exit

Agree, that is what is so baffling to me as well. That is why I am always putting traffic in quotations.

I get leaving early in blowouts, I dont, but I get that. But it is crazy how many people leave early even when the game is a toss up.

People can do what they want obviously I just find it funny and like to remark on it. It isnt a one off, but an every game issue.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Before the reseating a few years ago, there was a father and son who sat in front of us. The father was probably in his 70s. They would leave every game with about 3 minutes left. That allowed the father, who walked slowly, to navigate his way out with a lot fewer people on the concourse. That, I understand.


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That I get.

Although when my dad is 70 I'll make him stay and we can sit tight for a while and navigate easier once it has cleared out!

[xu82]

That I get.

Although when my dad is 70 I'll make him stay and we can sit tight for a while and navigate easier once it has cleared out!

Sometimes it’s better to wait than to rush. I go to Bills games and my favorite crowd just waits while cooking wings and watching late games on TV. I get that waiting inside Cintas is far from that, but you just wait and expect to wait.....like getting off a plane. It will happen, eventually, and you can NOT make it go any faster.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Sometimes it’s better to wait than to rush. I go to Bills games and my favorite crowd just waits while cooking wings and watching late games on TV. I get that waiting inside Cintas is far from that, but you just wait and expect to wait.....like getting off a plane. It will happen, eventually, and you can NOT make it go any faster.

Same, my dad has NY Giants season tickets. Now that is traffic! We just tailgate after when we go because you are waiting 2 hours to get on the highway that you can see from the parking lot.

[X-band '01]

It is utterly amazing that Xavier could commit eighteen more turnovers than St. John's and still find a way to win that game. Eighteen extra possessions fpr the Johnnies and they could not take advantage.

Yes, Xavier had 12 more rebounds and a better shooting percentage, but it also felt like St. John's couldn't miss anything in between the first four minutes of the game and the final four minutes of the game. Credit to these guys for not folding up and putting themselves in position to get back to .500 in the conference come Saturday.

[jhelmes37]

My brother in law (who hosted Zion W to a pool party at his house after the prom a couple years ago) is texting me about how much he loves Freemantle. He doesn’t even follow X, but just happened to tune in.

Weird flex, but ok

[Smails]

I don't post during the games (i'm completely incapable) and I find fewer things more enjoying than going through the game thread after a close or sloppy win. I basically relive my emotions the night before in a much more relaxed state.

[xu82]

Weird flex, but ok

He’s very into his college hoops and he was mentioning the Zion night in his texts, so it came out. I don’t hear from him that much, but he kept going on and on about Zach. It was unusual.

[xudash]

Per a post on HolyLandofHoops, 14,000+ paid attendance last night at MSG.

Not bad at all.

Somewhere, in a parallel universe, Xavier still does not have to play at Rose Hill Gym in front of 12 people when we travel to New York.

[Masterofreality]

Per a post on HolyLandofHoops, 14,000+ paid attendance last night at MSG.

Not bad at all.

Somewhere, in a parallel universe, Xavier still does not have to play at Rose Hill Gym in front of 12 people when we travel to New York.

All 12 of those people used to be Xavier fans- including Luther Rackley!

By the way.. I can't stop smiling. I was screaming at the TV at 15 minutes to go for a Zone defense, and finally at the under 8, probably out of desperation at that point, we finally went zone.
Better late than never. And, yeah. Good teams win. Great ones beat the spread.

I also can't contain my excitement for seeing Zach Freemantle and KyKy Tandy for 3 more years after this one. Showing up HUGE in the World's Most Famous Arena.
KyKy is becoming Tu2. Ohhhhhh, Baby!!

[IM4X]

I was at MSG for the game. My takeaway.

1. Always awesome to watch X play at MSG - the absolute best venue for college basketball.

2. Still amazed that X came back and got the W after playing like crap for much of the game. The team certainly didn’t look like they were on a mission to
make sure they didn’t miss the dance for a second year in a row... at least not for the first 36+ min. The light finally turned on with about 3:50 left.

3. I don’t know how much of it you could see on TV, but man did Naji piss off the SJ fans. He kept jawing with some dude under the basket. I’m surprised Steele didn’t say something to him. I don’t mind a little bit of this stuff but it got out of control and ultimately cost the team a few times. I do have to admit it was quite amusing hearing the crowd boo him every time he touched the ball. Maybe a reminiscent of JP - The difference is that JP never seemed to let the crowd distract him from what was going on in the game.

4. 22 turnovers. So many were “grade school level” bad. Naji, Scruggs, Tandy, Jones all had bad ones and even Jason’s only TO was really, really dumb. When you hear your sister and nephew (who were also at the game with me cheering hard for X) commenting on how bad the turnovers are, you realize you are not just being an overly critical alum.

5. It is amazing how mediocre our ball handling is. Naji and Scruggs, driving in the lane and getting stripped again and again is just brutal to watch. Q and Kyky are the best ball handlers we have available- Unfortunately Q can’t make a layup or an outside shot and Kyky, well at least Kyky can get to the rim, make a layup and draw a foul.

6. We still struggle miserably when pressed. Moore especially.

7. It felt a bit strange that the two freshmen looked like the most poised and mature players on the floor last night- and at MSG no less.

8. Frustrating to see SJ get easy buckets because Jones, Marshall, and Scruggs each stopped and moped or complained about a steal or foul not being called on the offensive end, instead of hustling back on defense. Coach????

9. 3 point shooting woes continue... Freemantle and Scruggs shot well. Tandy 0-3. Q 0-2. Naji 0-5... Apparently the SJ fans got in his head.

10. Sad that Q is back to being a complete liability. What the heck is going on with him? What the heck is Steele doing about this situation? Got to try and something coach! Shock therapy? I kid- sort of. How is a senior playing worse than he was when he was a freshmen.

11. Hard to excuse Steele for much of this mess. Players are undisciplined. Not getting to the line enough (only 15 foul shots last night) and continue to shoot worse from the line than their average from previous years. Not getting better with their decision making/passing. Still struggle to break the press. Players still miss easy bunnies. Players continue to dribble into traffic and get stripped. You can see the players are running their own show much of the time, not Steele. This is a serious issue at times. If Travis is finding Q and Naji and Scruggs are not easily coachable, then he had better make sure his future recruits are... and he better make sure he has a better balance of shooters, rebounders and ball handlers. Odom should help with the ball handling and Wilcher should help with the shooting and hopeful Miles can help with rebounding, but it just feels like next year’s team might be in for a rude awakening with rebounding without Jones... and it feels like we need even more shooters than just Wilcher.

12. Ugh, this team has so many damn issues... but at least they pulled out the win.

[JTG]

All 12 of those people used to be Xavier fans- including Luther Rackley!

By the way.. I can't stop smiling. I was screaming at the TV at 15 minutes to go for a Zone defense, and finally at the under 8, probably out of desperation at that point, we finally went zone.
Better late than never. And, yeah. Good teams win. Great ones beat the spread.

I also can't contain my excitement for seeing Zach Freemantle and KyKy Tandy for 3 more years after this one. Showing up HUGE in the World's Most Famous Arena.
KyKy is becoming Tu2. Ohhhhhh, Baby!!

Should we start calling Tandy K2 or TuK ?

[Muskeagle]

I'm not really complaining about the reffing (a little bit obviously), but can we be any unluckier than we've been with Goaltending calls lately? Pretty clear missed offensive goaltending last night. Then the missed defensive goaltending. Last game, Tyrique got called for one that the commentators didn't think was a goaltend. Then there was the halftime heave which probably SHOULD have been called, but I think they sort of felt...well, yeah, but it's a full court heave. Anyway, I think most calls end sort of end up even...but dang, it's a bad run against us on goaltends

[AviatorX]

I'm not really complaining about the reffing (a little bit obviously), but can we be any unluckier than we've been with Goaltending calls lately? Pretty clear missed offensive goaltending last night. Then the missed defensive goaltending. Last game, Tyrique got called for one that the commentators didn't think was a goaltend. Then there was the halftime heave which probably SHOULD have been called, but I think they sort of felt...well, yeah, but it's a full court heave. Anyway, I think most calls end sort of end up even...but dang, it's a bad run against us on goaltends

I know it doesn't work this way, but there was also a pretty blatant missed goaltend call in the Marquette game at Cintas (which of course, X lost in 2OT).

[Xville]

I was at MSG for the game. My takeaway.

1. Always awesome to watch X play at MSG - the absolute best venue for college basketball.

2. Still amazed that X came back and got the W after playing like crap for much of the game. The team certainly didn’t look like they were on a mission to
make sure they didn’t miss the dance for a second year in a row... at least not for the first 36+ min. The light finally turned on with about 3:50 left.

3. I don’t know how much of it you could see on TV, but man did Naji piss off the SJ fans. He kept jawing with some dude under the basket. I’m surprised Steele didn’t say something to him. I don’t mind a little bit of this stuff but it got out of control and ultimately cost the team a few times. I do have to admit it was quite amusing hearing the crowd boo him every time he touched the ball. Maybe a reminiscent of JP - The difference is that JP never seemed to let the crowd distract him from what was going on in the game.

4. 22 turnovers. So many were “grade school level” bad. Naji, Scruggs, Tandy, Jones all had bad ones and even Jason’s only TO was really, really dumb. When you hear your sister and nephew (who were also at the game with me cheering hard for X) commenting on how bad the turnovers are, you realize you are not just being an overly critical alum.

5. It is amazing how mediocre our ball handling is. Naji and Scruggs, driving in the lane and getting stripped again and again is just brutal to watch. Q and Kyky are the best ball handlers we have available- Unfortunately Q can’t make a layup or an outside shot and Kyky, well at least Kyky can get to the rim, make a layup and draw a foul.

6. We still struggle miserably when pressed. Moore especially.

7. It felt a bit strange that the two freshmen looked like the most poised and mature players on the floor last night- and at MSG no less.

8. Frustrating to see SJ get easy buckets because Jones, Marshall, and Scruggs each stopped and moped or complained about a steal or foul not being called on the offensive end, instead of hustling back on defense. Coach????

9. 3 point shooting woes continue... Freemantle and Scruggs shot well. Tandy 0-3. Q 0-2. Naji 0-5... Apparently the SJ fans got in his head.

10. Sad that Q is back to being a complete liability. What the heck is going on with him? What the heck is Steele doing about this situation? Got to try and something coach! Shock therapy? I kid- sort of. How is a senior playing worse than he was when he was a freshmen.

11. Hard to excuse Steele for much of this mess. Players are undisciplined. Not getting to the line enough (only 15 foul shots last night) and continue to shoot worse from the line than their average from previous years. Not getting better with their decision making/passing. Still struggle to break the press. Players still miss easy bunnies. Players continue to dribble into traffic and get stripped. You can see the players are running their own show much of the time, not Steele. This is a serious issue at times. If Travis is finding Q and Naji and Scruggs are not easily coachable, then he had better make sure his future recruits are... and he better make sure he has a better balance of shooters, rebounders and ball handlers. Odom should help with the ball handling and Wilcher should help with the shooting and hopeful Miles can help with rebounding, but it just feels like next year’s team might be in for a rude awakening with rebounding without Jones... and it feels like we need even more shooters than just Wilcher.

12. Ugh, this team has so many damn issues... but at least they pulled out the win.

Geezus. X won the game and is 17-9, yet this may be the wettest blanket post this year yet

[IM4X]

Geezus. X won the game and is 17-9, yet this may be the wettest blanket post this year yet

Just reporting what I saw with my eyes at the game friend.

They played very poorly for most of the game and were lucky to beat a mediocre SJ’s team.

They did not look like a team determined to get to the dance - at least not until the last 3:50.

But, yes they did win... which is more important than anything.

[GoMuskies]

Geezus. X won the game and is 17-9, yet this may be the wettest blanket post this year yet

LOL, agree. I mean, I sure THINK all those things during the game and sometimes say them in the game thread in the heat of the moment...but when we get a tough roadkill I generally put the happy spin on any issues.

As good old Skip used to say, "Get in, get a win, get out". Nothing else matters on the road.

[IM4X]

LOL, agree. I mean, I sure THINK all those things during the game and sometimes say them in the game thread in the heat of the moment.

Honestly, when you are at the game, it’s like you are exposed to so many more flaws than what the Tv shows you.

I might need to stick to Tv with this team.

[xudash]

Honestly, when you are at the game, it’s like you are exposed to so many more flaws than what the Tv shows you.

I might need to stick to Tv with this team.

Good analysis. You saw what you saw.

However, though St. John’s doesn’t have the flashy record, they do have a lot of quickness and good athletes and they played their asses off, really going for the victory.

I go back to the issue of playing with focus and being sharp. We didn’t, and it cost us 20+ turnovers. Nonetheless, SJU deserves some credit for their play. We certainly could have done better, but we did weather a red storm in New York City!

[Xville]

Just reporting what I saw with my eyes at the game friend.

They played very poorly for most of the game and were lucky to beat a mediocre SJ’s team.

They did not look like a team determined to get to the dance - at least not until the last 3:50.

But, yes they did win... which is more important than anything.

I mean I hear ya but this is what mike anderson teams do (I'm also a Mizzou fan so I saw it firsthand) and everyone and their mother knows we dont really have a point guard so it is what it is. X also outrebounded them by a ton and still shot well overall, plus they were clutch as hell when it mattered most.

[GIMMFD]

Just reporting what I saw with my eyes at the game friend.

They played very poorly for most of the game and were lucky to beat a mediocre SJ’s team.

They did not look like a team determined to get to the dance - at least not until the last 3:50.

But, yes they did win... which is more important than anything.

I'm expecting them to have some stinkers along the way, the growth in the past few games has been very promising, I'm just hoping it's not a sign of regression, teams that make the dance find a way to get the wins. I realize it's almost deja vu from the beginning of the season, but I'm happy that it's in the win column. It's never easy to go on the road in the Big East and come away with a win, so will take em any way we get him. How about Freemantle though? May end up being our next guy with a massive case of STEEL BALLS. Also loved Kyky driving to the basket at the end of the game, damn he's gonna be fun when he's more polished.

[AviatorX]

Geezus. X won the game and is 17-9, yet this may be the wettest blanket post this year yet

It's hilarious. X has won 4 of 5 (3 quad 1 wins, two on the road) while not doing anything this team can't repeat on a routine basis. In a weird way, this is actually more encouraging than if X was ripping 45% on 3's and taking care of the ball, because we know this team cannot do that consistently. They are winning games the exact way they need to. If you're looking for style points with this team you're a lost cause.

[bjf123]

Geezus. X won the game and is 17-9, yet this may be the wettest blanket post this year yet

And that’s saying something! I do agree with his comments about Naji spending too much time jawing with someone under our basket. There were a couple of times when he didn’t get back in time on defense leading to an easy SJU basket.


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[noteggs]

It's hilarious. X has won 4 of 5 (3 quad 1 wins, two on the road) while not doing anything this team can't repeat on a routine basis. In a weird way, this is actually more encouraging than if X was ripping 45% on 3's and taking care of the ball, because we know this team cannot do that consistently. They are winning games the exact way they need to. If you're looking for style points with this team you're a lost cause.

As much as I agree with this post, didn’t we win all 3 quad 1 wins on the road? SH, DePaul, and St John’s. Just trying to make your post stronger lol.

[AviatorX]

As much as I agree with this post, didn’t we win all 3 quad 1 wins on the road? SH, DePaul, and St John’s. Just trying to make your post stronger lol.

You are correct! Thank you - I think I was already counting Saturday's win over Villanova.

[D-West & PO-Z]

And that’s saying something! I do agree with his comments about Naji spending too much time jawing with someone under our basket. There were a couple of times when he didn’t get back in time on defense leading to an easy SJU basket.


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Yeah I tweeted this too. When he did it after a couple and 1's that is all good with me, but he was doing it as SJ had inbounded the ball and was racing down the court.

[EastCoastXman]

I was also at the game. The guy in the front row behind our basket in second half in St John Student section was a former St John's player. While it did rev Naji up, I thought he was trying to do too much. Every time he touched the ball the crowd was booing loudly. Very much reminiscent of JP at Seton Hall when he drove the Lobsters crazy.

Also I was sitting pretty close when Tyrique jacked up ZFree. What great teammates!

[SemajParlor]

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure that was Mo Harkless. Noticed him get in Najis face a few times and I know they showed Harkless on the big screen at the game on the court. Couldn't tell where he was sitting though.

Tu Holloway was also at the game as well

[IM4X]

Good analysis. You saw what you saw.

However, though St. John’s doesnÂ’t have the flashy record, they do have a lot of quickness and good athletes and they played their asses off, really going for the victory.

I go back to the issue of playing with focus and being sharp. We didn’t, and it cost us 20+ turnovers. Nonetheless, SJU deserves some credit for their play. We certainly could have done better, but we did weather a red storm in New York City!

Thanks dash.

You nailed my frustration. Yes, SJ plays fast and does a nice job of being disruptive... and I loved how our guys played at the end, but our players just didn’t look like they were taking the game seriously at times. I think we all could live with a few extra TOs but there were simply far too many inexcusable ones.

Really proud of the freshmen, though. Stepping up big time in MSG. Good to see them feeling comfortable in the venue they will be returning again for the BE tournament.

[IM4X]

I'm expecting them to have some stinkers along the way, the growth in the past few games has been very promising, I'm just hoping it's not a sign of regression, teams that make the dance find a way to get the wins. I realize it's almost deja vu from the beginning of the season, but I'm happy that it's in the win column. It's never easy to go on the road in the Big East and come away with a win, so will take em any way we get him. How about Freemantle though? May end up being our next guy with a massive case of STEEL BALLS. Also loved Kyky driving to the basket at the end of the game, damn he's gonna be fun when he's more polished.

Take away about 5 of the worst TOs out of the 22 they had, and take away a few times where they didn’t hustle back on defense and I probably would have been okay with the other issues. It’s not the team missing a few extra shots or the ball bouncing the wrong way kind of stuff that gets to me. It’s watching X retain X players make more than a handful of really lazy passes that lead to easy TOs and it’s watching easy buckets scored by the opponent simply because an X player was too lazy to hustle back on defense that drives me nuts (as I know it does Steele) because that’s like giving a game away.

I’m in complete agreement with you about Freemantle and Kyky. They played fearlessly and delivered when we needed them. So happy for Zach that he had such a good game just across the river from his hometown -he probably had a big group of family and friends at the game. Zach and Kyky looked like upperclassmen out there last night. A very promising sign for the future, including the upcoming BE tournament back at MSG.

[GIMMFD]

Take away about 5 of the worst TOs out of the 22 they had, and take away a few times where they didn’t hustle back on defense and I probably would have been okay with the other issues. It’s not the team missing a few extra shots or the ball bouncing the wrong way kind of stuff that gets to me. It’s watching X retain X players make more than a handful of really lazy passes that lead to easy TOs and it’s watching easy buckets scored by the opponent simply because an X player was too lazy to hustle back on defense that drives me nuts (as I know it does Steele) because that’s like giving a game away.

I’m in complete agreement with you about Freemantle and Kyky. They played fearlessly and delivered when we needed them. So happy for Zach that he had such a good game just across the river from his hometown -he probably had a big group of family and friends at the game. Zach and Kyky looked like upperclassmen out there last night. A very promising sign for the future, including the upcoming BE tournament back at MSG.

Oh yeah, I definitely agree with that point, we do some mind-numbingly dumb things at very inopportune times as well. We shouldn't have 22 turnovers, that's just sloppy and terrible, and I agree with the points about Naji jawing too much and not getting back. It's frustrating to watch as a fan, and I'm sure Steele hates it as well, I was just simply trying to make sense of the performance. I'm glad we won, it's not a recipe for success, but we won, and right now that's all we gotta continue to do.

Definitely looked like upperclassmen, it's been fun to watch them grow over the course of the season, if our recruiting stays at this type of level and players develop how these two are, we can definitely knock down the door to a Final 4. I'm excited to see them in the Big East Tournament as well, some players shrink under bright lights, and those two did not at all. Hopefully they continue to develop, but it definitely makes me slightly less worried moving forward.

[Masterofreality]

I was also at the game. The guy in the front row behind our basket in second half in St John Student section was a former St John's player. While it did rev Naji up, I thought he was trying to do too much. Every time he touched the ball the crowd was booing loudly. Very much reminiscent of JP at Seton Hall when he drove the Lobsters crazy.

Also I was sitting pretty close when Tyrique jacked up ZFree. What great teammates!

I love Naji, but DUDE!!! NEXT PLAY!!! By mouthing off and showing out, you are playing right into what St. Johns wanted you to do.
Steele HAS to get a handle on that. Players coach, OK, but when this trash hurts the effort and team you gotta rein it in.

[bleedXblue]

I love Naji, but DUDE!!! NEXT PLAY!!! By mouthing off and showing out, you are playing right into what St. Johns wanted you to do.
Steele HAS to get a handle on that. Players coach, OK, but when this trash hurts the effort and team you gotta rein it in.

where is the maturity? Although I was saying the same thing about JP all the time?

[UCGRAD4X]

I was also at the game. The guy in the front row behind our basket in second half in St John Student section was a former St John's player. While it did rev Naji up, I thought he was trying to do too much. Every time he touched the ball the crowd was booing loudly. Very much reminiscent of JP at Seton Hall when he drove the Lobsters crazy.

Also I was sitting pretty close when Tyrique jacked up ZFree. What great teammates!


Could you get what T was saying to Z?