Game Thread: Xavier vs. Villanova (February 22, 2020) BE Conference Game

[paulxu]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kBAAAOSwqfNXkU44/s-l300.jpg VS. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1V8lVXdNbHjgw83zyjVdYjeQCs7aVE BqPVpodEHVaz4i_j2H1Hg

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (17-9, 6-7 BIG EAST)
No. 12/13 VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY WILDCATS (20-6, 9-4 BIG EAST)
SATURDAY, FEB. 22, 2020 AT 2:30 P.M. ET
CINTAS CENTER (10,224) IN CINCINNATI

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FOX National, including FOX 19 in Cincinnati, with play-by-play from Kevin Kugler and analysis from Jim Jackson. Lisa Byington is the sideline reporter.
Radio: 55KRC-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). The broadcast will also be available on Sirius XM (386) and Internet (976).
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.

[paulxu]

Respect the (NEW) streak !

[xu koop scoop]

Ready here in N Fla. Looking to be entertained for 40 minutes today. That means a chance to win in the 40th minute (Having the ball, down 2 or less.) Another way to be entertained would be up 20 with 2 min & see Leighton & James in mop up duty. This huge for Nova as they want another BE Title. We need more than a 6 man wrecking crew, so Q, Moore or even James needs to make an impact.

[Lloyd Braun]

Vegas odds are ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Opened as a Pick em, some have X -1, some have V -1. O/U opened 136 now 137.5

I feel like most will settle on Nova -1 but who knows.... Go X!!!

[HenryMuto]

Goes without saying but huge game today. Is this the year X can finally get over that Nova hump ?

[Xville]

Goes without saying but huge game today. Is this the year X can finally get over that Nova hump ?

They won last year. They already got over the hump, mack left.

[xavierj]

They won last year. They already got over the hump, mack left.

Yep. And if not for an awful call in the BET, Xavier probably wins that too. Also, played them well at Nova this year but couldn’t finish good looks At the rim.

[bjf123]

Got here early for a Father Finn Society event before the game and there were people tailgating in the B/C4 lot. Don’t see that too often.


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[Lloyd Braun]

O/U down to 135.5

I kind of like the OVER for those playing along at home. For entertainment purposes only of course. Could see this going to OT too unless Nova firing on all cylinders. Feels like our record in white-outs is poor but I have no data to support that.

[xu koop scoop]

Lets give Nova a shot of Novacaine so they won't feel the pain of a great Xavier game.



t

[Lloyd Braun]

What’s Carter’s FG% at the rim?

[xu82]

What’s Carter’s FG% at the rim?

The rim says “ouch!”. But the net doesn’t feel a thing!

[AviatorX]

What’s Carter’s FG% at the rim?

I actually think that was the most explosive move we've seen from Carter to get to the rim. More of that and he'll be alright.

[xavierj]

I actually think that was the most explosive move we've seen from Carter to get to the rim. More of that and he'll be alright.

Maybe try to use the glass a little too.

[XUBison]

Good grief, Carter has no touch.

[Xville]

Carter missing layups and stupid goodin shooting 3s...

[XUBison]

Good grief, Carter has no touch.

I should say, no touch at the rim. Maybe he should just shoot 3s.

[Xville]

Playing way too timid.

[xu82]

The under is looking better and better......

[AviatorX]

Very obvious Xavier is not going to beat good teams if Tandy and Freemantle aren't going to be a plus. Not a knock on them. Just reality. They both look timid.

A Paul Scruggs sighting wouldn't hurt either. I think he can really do some work on Moore.

[xudash]

Carter missing layups and stupid goodin shooting 3s...

I couldn’t believe he did that. No inner voice in that boy to direct him to good decisions.

[XUBison]

Playing way too timid.

yep. We look confused on offense.

[stammina0721]

Not a good start. Team just can't get over the Nova mental hurdle

[stammina0721]

It's a shame Goodin has the mental IQ of a rock so we have to put Scruggs on the ball

[XBR1]

Way to come out on fire.

[xavierj]

Very obvious Xavier is not going to beat good teams if Tandy and Freemantle aren't going to be a plus. Not a knock on them. Just reality. They both look timid.

A Paul Scruggs sighting wouldn't hurt either.

It’s the same thing as the first game, just can’t convert around the rim against Nova for whatever reason. Xavier has already missed 8 in close looks, 6 right at the rim.

[whopper]

I am shocked at how Bey, Samuel, Robinson-Earl, Moore and Gillespie can dribble into the lane and somehow never draw a double team or a 3 second..probably has to do with spacing and the dribbling skill of the big men. The big men are very very skilled and all around players. Carter's left hand miss broke my heart.

[AviatorX]

Stay in contact and have this around 6-8 points at half and I feel good about it. Just can't make the hill too big too climb as this team loves to do.

[X Factor]

Tyrique can't make a point blank shot either!

[stammina0721]

Biggest complaint about Steele is he never works the refs. Jay Wright will get a call now cause of that BS travel. Steele doesn't work refs at all and that's why we get constantly screwed over vs them

[paulxu]

We're winning the TO war (i.e. we have more than they do)

[xu82]

Way to come out on fire.

Do you mean like....a dumpster fire?


And there Naji just misses another layup....

[X Factor]

How do come out and start 5-20 at home?

[HenryMuto]

Down 11 not the start I was looking for

[AviatorX]

Biggest complaint about Steele is he never works the refs. Jay Wright will get a call now cause of that BS travel. Steele doesn't work refs at all and that's why we get constantly screwed over vs them

I mean...the tenure factor definitely comes into play their as well.

[AviatorX]

Obviously two of his points were on a mental lapse by Tandy (off a bad shot), but I strongly strongly dislike how X is guarding Bey thus far. Really can't be indecisive on screens he's involved with. He's too good.

[xavierj]

Jones hasn’t shown a ton of energy yet. Hopefully he is saving that for the 2nd half.

[Xville]

My gawd carter

[AviatorX]

Tyrique beating himself with frustration fouls. Jesus.

[xudash]

Get

Carter

Out

Of

The

Game!

[stammina0721]

I mean...the tenure factor definitely comes into play their as well.

Gotta start sometime

[xavierj]

Can’t let nova go on a run before half.

[whopper]

no offensive rebounds and I guess you have to get back but still..would like to see a better ending at half

[X Factor]

Absolutely zero help defense

[AviatorX]

Nova ABUSING KyKy and Freemantle on defense. They have a loooooong way to go.

[Xville]

Terrible half of Xavier basketball just ugly

[X Factor]

Nova ABUSING KyKy and Freemantle on defense. They have a loooooong way to go.

Ever heard of help defense?

[bjf123]

They have 7 points off our 6 turnovers. We have none off of their 3.


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[XBR1]

This officiating crew has been awful all season

[xavierj]

Terrible half of Xavier basketball just ugly

Yep. Not a good half. Ref’s are letting Nova be physical and Xavier doesn’t seem to like that. Can’t get comfortable.

[stammina0721]

This game is close to over. Not in the sense of the game is out of hand but X is just a mental mess and it's affecting them on both ends to where they may not recover

[AviatorX]

Ever heard of help defense?

Yeah, but you can't require help by just getting beat off a straight line dribble against Nova or you're fucked.

[Lloyd Braun]

Scoring drought has been weathered....

I expect them to come out strong in 2nd half and make it close.

[HenryMuto]

21 FN points JFC

[Xville]

This game is close to over. Not in the sense of the game is out of hand but X is just a mental mess and it's affecting them on both ends to where they may not recover

Maybe turn on your agt rerun and stop watching

[Xavgrad08]

Our half court offense has been ugly. Wish we would feed the post and move the ball a little more. We are only down 9 given how bad we played it could be worse.

[stammina0721]

Steele is really pissing me off not working the refs. How a team that pounds inside has one free throw is just ridiculous

[xavierj]

Xavier shooting 28% on 2 point shots, most at the rim.

[stammina0721]

Maybe turn on your agt rerun and stop watching

They won last time I did so gotta try to make the magic happen some way

[X Factor]

Yeah, but you can't require help by just getting beat off a straight line dribble against Nova or you're fucked.

You didnt say anything Goodin and Tyrique completely blowing a switch on the perimeter letting Bey make a wide open 3.

Tyrique is 0-5. Carter can't make a layup either.

Zach and KyKy are true freshman. They're playing pretty well.

[xavierj]

Steele is really pissing me off not working the refs. How a team that pounds inside has one free throw is just ridiculous

What do you want him to do? Get a T. He addressed that. It’s just not his philosophy. He believes if you do that it affects your players and they start complaining. Maybe he will change that as he matures as a coach, but he doesn’t believe in it at this point.

[xavierj]

You didnt say anything Goodin and Tyrique completely blowing a switch on the perimeter letting Bey make a wide open 3.

Tyrique is 0-5. Carter can't make a layup either.

Zach and KyKy are true freshman. They're playing pretty well.

Goodin took the blame on that one as he was supposed to fight over the screen. TY looks tired. No energy.

[XUBison]

The stark contrast between the flow of Nova‘s offense and the stagnant offense we run is… Disconcerting.

[X-band '01]

Nova's just daring someone other than Tyrique Jones to beat them now.

X had one 9-2 burst, but everything outside of that stretch is water torture in a game like this.

[X Factor]

Xavier just doesn't get ANY easy buckets on offense. Zero transition points ever. Everything is a just a grind and prayer someone actually makes a shot.

[stammina0721]

What do you want him to do? Get a T. He addressed that. It’s just not his philosophy. He believes if you do that it affects your players and they start complaining. Maybe he will change that as he matures as a coach, but he doesn’t believe in it at this point.

Well his philosophy is wrong. How many teams have been dead that you have seen pick it up big after a T? Coach K, Calipari, Bob Knight and so on have all done it on multiple occasions. I guess Steele knows better though.

Players want to know you have their back. Naji got destroyed going to the hoop and got no call. Right there just go off and explode. Get a T who cares? At that point the players believe you have their back and then they will play harder for you

[xukeith]

X is a driving team and Villanova is playing solid defense not letting Marshall and Scruggs to penetrate. X missed 3-4 close looks early.

If X plays this good defense, they may keep opponent from stomping.
X offense (If there exists one) is need of a much improved strategy.

[bjf123]

Steele is really pissing me off not working the refs. How a team that pounds inside has one free throw is just ridiculous

Did you see Shannon’s tweet? Said Steele was red faced going after the ref after some of the non calls.


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[stammina0721]

No I didn't ... Not sure I believe it though

[X Factor]

Just sick of Nova doing whatever they want, wherever they want, against us.

How can we not come out fired and and play a good half of basketball?

[Xville]

This is another why does carter get so many minutes game

[X Factor]

NO WAY we win this game

[Xville]

Can carter effing sit his ass on the bench. So sick of his unathletic ass

[X Factor]

Fuck this....we just curl up un the fetal position against Nova every time.

[AviatorX]

Well his philosophy is wrong. How many teams have been dead that you have seen pick it up big after a T? Coach K, Calipari, Bob Knight and so on have all done it on multiple occasions. I guess Steele knows better though.

Players want to know you have their back. Naji got destroyed going to the hoop and got no call. Right there just go off and explode. Get a T who cares? At that point the players believe you have their back and then they will play harder for you

Have you watched this team shoot the ball? I'm down to avoid giving any free points on a statement technical.

This is a strange line of criticism.

[stammina0721]

I really just have one question. How does a team in the big east who was a 1 seed two years ago go through 2 recruiting classes and can't get a pure shooter or a PG?

[AviatorX]

You didnt say anything Goodin and Tyrique completely blowing a switch on the perimeter letting Bey make a wide open 3.

Tyrique is 0-5. Carter can't make a layup either.

Zach and KyKy are true freshman. They're playing pretty well.

Yeah, I actually did say word for word I hated how X was indecisive on screens involving Bey.

[bjf123]

No I didn't ... Not sure I believe it though

My seats are behind the bench so I can’t see his face, but he’s talking to the refs a lot.


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[stammina0721]

And before you say Tandy I'll say he has not shown it yet

[xavierj]

I really just have one question. How does a team in the big east who was a 1 seed two years ago go through 2 recruiting classes and can't get a pure shooter or a PG?

Ask Chris Mack... they have a point coming and Steele recruited Tandy who can shoot. He also has one of the best high school shooters coming.

[Xville]

And before you say Tandy I'll say he has not shown it yet

Yes he has. just please just up. You dont know what you are talking about

[xavierj]

And before you say Tandy I'll say he has not shown it yet

If you don’t see great future potential in Tandy, I don’t know what to tell you.

[XBR1]

Ask Chris Mack... they have a point coming and Steele recruited Tandy who can shoot. He also has one of the best high school shooters coming.

Exactly right. Chris had one really good recruiting class at Xavier. That’s it.

[shucker]

This team just lack offensive consistency. Not enough offensive punch to win games against really good teams. We get a stop and then take a bad shot over and over on offense.

[X Factor]

Why are we force feeding Jones???

[xavierj]

Tyrique is ready now..

[Xville]

Here we come!!!!

[Xville]

So glad instant offense goodin is in. Carter and goodin in same lineup...3x5

[X Factor]

Great defense Carter

[Xville]

F goodin...this is a freaking awful lineup Steele has in right now...what the eff.

[X Factor]

Goodin and Carter suck!!!! Why are they in?

[AviatorX]

I'm sure 50 people beat me to this, but why the fuck is Goodin in the game?

Put in Scruggs, Tandy, Marshall, Carter/Freemantle (depending on matchups) and Jones and fucking roll with it, Steele. 6 man rotation for 10 minutes. This is not complicated.

[stammina0721]

Now it's over. That three minute stretch could have made it happen but scores 0 points on multiple great opportunities

[RoseyMuskie]

F goodin...this is a freaking awful lineup Steele has in right now...what the eff.

Yep. No reason Goodin is playing. Move on.

[bjf123]

Travis is close to getting T’d up after that last foul on X.


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[Xville]

Absolutely horrible coaching last couple of minutes. Having that lineup in is inexcusable. Made a run and completely ruined it

[xavierj]

F goodin...this is a freaking awful lineup Steele has in right now...what the eff.

Yep

[X Factor]

Now it's over. That three minute stretch could have made it happen but scores 0 points on multiple great opportunities

What did you expect?

[xudash]

Goodin and Carter. My God.

[whopper]

we let their smaller/wing players post with no help but Scruggs can't do the same on their end. Damn.

[stammina0721]

DePaul scored 71 vs Nova their D isn't world beating. X is gonna struggle to score 50 today

[X Factor]

Why is Tandy on Bey?

[stammina0721]

I think Naji has been worse at the line than Jones the last 10 games. Dude is horrible but can somehow hit threes

[xavierj]

Why isn’t Tyrique in the game??

[Blue Blooded-05]

Goodin and Carter. My God.

I have as many rebounds as Carter today

[X Factor]

This is a joke

[X Factor]

They are infinitely more skilled than we are.

[stammina0721]

Let's just say this .. if I told u with 7 min left that nova had 50 you would feel pretty good and bet that the game is close and that nova is not up double digits

[XUBison]

This is hard to watch.

[AviatorX]

Jermaine Samuels always lights Xavier up. It's hilarious.

This game doesn't really change the tournament outlook, but certainly frustrating.

Also, I continue to triple down on my stance that no BE team will be in the second weekend, though I think Nova has the best chance with the right matchup.

[Xavgrad08]

Death, Taxes and losing to Villanova.

[Xville]

Well, now need to finish 3-1...not going to be easy

[stammina0721]

Well at least Steele has taught is something. A team of small forwards can't win consistently

[X Factor]

Its hilarious watching Naji dribble

[stammina0721]

Wow did u see Naji dribble there? That is not an NBA guy

[Xville]

Villanova really isnt even playing well...just missing shots all over the place and standing around on offense

[stammina0721]

This is just worth the laugh now

[XUBison]

Scruggs has mostly sucked since moving to PG. The Gooden reality has just crushed this team.

[AviatorX]

I understand this team sucks offensively, but watching the combination of Scruggs throwing the ball away at will and force feeding it to a big guy who is not a good post scorer somehow manages to be frustrating every game.

[X Factor]

We need to start over.

[whopper]

I am not in love with our energy today.. If I were Fremantle or carter(not good today) I would be hitting the floor needlessly, swiping, etc so I would be exhausted. Others too

[AviatorX]

Scruggs has mostly sucked since moving to PG. The Gooden reality has just crush this team.

Yeah...the Scruggs is the best PG on this team contingent can't be loving this...Goodin still has that honor, though not a high bar!

[X Factor]

Bball IQ on full display

[stammina0721]

I lasted longer this game than St. John's. Go figure

[AviatorX]

Also love that Bey basically just fell into Jay Wrights lap with the fallout at NC St and Miami FL. Somehow Wright manages to wind up in situations like that while mismanaging Mcdonalds All Americans and come out ahead!

[Xville]

Back to the bubble..yay

[X Factor]

Glad we have a couple of recruits on official visits for this shit show.

[xu82]

Death, Taxes and losing to Villanova.

There are some ways to get around taxes.....

[AviatorX]

Back to the bubble..yay

Come on man...X is safely in the field coming into today, losing a Q1 game to a projected 4 seed does not move the needle like that. Let's not do this.

[Xville]

Well, the road is still there...dont think they beat providence away..so get DePaul, gtown and butler on senior night

[shucker]

Nova shooting 6 for 25 from 3 point range today and with 4 minutes left X is down 16. Just not good enough. No energy today and really bad offense again.

[Xville]

Come on man...X is safely in the field coming into today, losing a Q1 game to a projected 4 seed does not move the needle like that. Let's not do this.

Just mean that the margin gets much slimmer...now probably has to go 3-1...otherwise its 50-50 to get in most likely. Losing to nova in a vaccum is no big deal, it's the implications of it

[AviatorX]

Well, the road is still there...dont think they beat providence away..so get DePaul, gtown and butler on senior night

I'm willing to bet they don't even need all three of those.

[AviatorX]

Just mean that the margin gets much slimmer...now probably has to go 3-1...otherwise its 50-50 to get in most likely. Losing to nova in a vaccum is no big deal, it's the implications of it

I'm with you. X's resume is uninspiring, but I really think it benefits greatly from nothing even close to a bad loss and a huge road marquee win. No one else on the bubble is going to be able to say that.

[X Factor]

Hahahaha....

[X Factor]

Scruggs has sucked bad

[HenryMuto]

We almost never beat Nova. This makes X 2-14 in their last 16 games vs Nova. Really needed a win today now have to go back to fighting to get a bid.

[whopper]

Scruggs has lost his mind..Carter gave us nothing and he needs to play 20 with more energy..may have been outplayed at every position which is incredible because Robinson-Earl played as well as tyrique

[AviatorX]

This team is destined to smoke a 6 seed in the first round with Scruggs and Naji finally both having huge games and then lose 63-62 to a 3 seed after Naji dribbles it off his foot and Carter misses an uncontested layup at the buzzer.

[AviatorX]

We almost never beat Nova. This makes X 2-14 in their last 16 games vs Nova. Really needed a win today now have to go back to fighting to get a bid.

Can you link your bracket? The people are waiting!

[XUBison]

Wow, what a dud.

[X-band '01]

Team looked like they had the same doughnuts for pregame that Travis Steele was passing out to the students today.

Oh well, on to DePaul. Maybe they can exorcise that awful memory from last season.

[AviatorX]

I am still trying to understand why Goodin got as much clock as he did in the second half (a few of those lineups were bad). That said, looking at this one with some perspective (and less in the moment frustration), IMO with respect to Steele this one is safely filed alongside @ Creighton in the "don't have the horses" category.

Let's just make the NCAA tournament.

[X Factor]

Finally got the game where Nova didnt go crazy from 3 and they still won comfortably.

[AviatorX]

I absolutely love Paul Scruggs. Still remember watching HS highlights of him and thinking he was built in a lab to play guard at X.

That said, it feels like he has had some significant duds here as of late. If he is going to leave after this season, I really hope it turns around a lot, otherwise he's going be be on the wrong end of the Kaiser Gates/Jalen Reynolds leaving early with no realistic chance of playing in the NBA scale.

[AviatorX]

Finally got the game where Nova didnt go crazy from 3 and they still won comfortably.

They were 28% in Philly this year and 31% at MSG last season. It doesn't really boil down to just that with Nova as much as people want it to. They're an incredible offensive team.

[xudash]

They are infinitely more skilled than we are.

This is exactly what I was getting ready to post.

I am sharing your post, because I absolutely do not see this as being on Travis at this point. It is a talent gap but he must be given the opportunity to close through his recruiting efforts. I understand complaints about endgame decision making, etc., but he hast to work with the cast of characters that he has available to him at this moment.

That includes Carter and Graydon. And that is not good.

[X Factor]

This is exactly what I was getting ready to post.

I am sharing your post, because I absolutely do not see this as being on Travis at this point. It is a talent gap but he must be given the opportunity to close through his recruiting efforts. I understand complaints about endgame decision making, etc., but he hast to work with the cast of characters that he has available to him at this moment.

That includes Carter and Graydon. And that is not good.

I agree, but less talented teams win games all the time. Clemson beat Louisville. NC State beat Duke by 20.

It happens in the BE a lot, just never with Xavier.

[AviatorX]

This is exactly what I was getting ready to post.

I am sharing your post, because I absolutely do not see this as being on Travis at this point. It is a talent gap but he must be given the opportunity to close through his recruiting efforts. I understand complaints about endgame decision making, etc., but he hast to work with the cast of characters that he has available to him at this moment.

That includes Carter and Graydon. And that is not good.

I agree with this thinking, and I'm not nearly as down on Carter as everyone else, but Carter is a major part of Steele's first recruiting class, let's not forget that.

[AviatorX]

I agree, but less talented teams win games all the time. Clemson beat Louisville. NC State beat Duke by 20.

It happens in the BE a lot, just never with Xavier.


Did you miss Xavier destroying a projected 2 seed on the road a few weeks ago? That was objectively one of the best regular season wins in program history from a resume standpoint. I'd be curious to see other submissions for that honor.

[xavierj]

This is exactly what I was getting ready to post.

I am sharing your post, because I absolutely do not see this as being on Travis at this point. It is a talent gap but he must be given the opportunity to close through his recruiting efforts. I understand complaints about endgame decision making, etc., but he hast to work with the cast of characters that he has available to him at this moment.

That includes Carter and Graydon. And that is not good.

I agree with this. Xavier missed 20 layups today. You can’t put that on a coach. You also have to give credit to Wright as his game plan was to hold Jones in the first half and the refs let them do that.

[AviatorX]

Defense is up to 16 on KenPom.

The worst part about Xavier's offense is that it's both bad and boring. I understand the force feeding of Tyrique, but god damn it is hard to watch.

[xu koop scoop]

We need to finish .500 in league. Very few teams ever get in under .500 in any league. If so, they win at least 1 in conference tourney. We could win 4 more or lose all 4. Taking this 1 game at a time & looking at each as if its an Ncaa Tourney game.

[Masterofreality]

We were never in this game. The fact that Jason Carter continues to get minutes for zero production (0-4 from 2 feet away, 2 rebounds only in 30 minutes) is mind boggling. Wright just totally outcoached Steele despite the fact that his team could not hit 3's. Wright set up the mismatches and as soon as KyKy came in Wright just kept going after him. Steele did nothing about it but just sat there and let it happen despite KyKy not having a good game. Our simplistic offense strikes again and Steele has zero clue on how to fix it. His postgame comments couldn't be any more cliche'. It’s like Groundhog Day, "MAN".

[AviatorX]

We were never in this game. The fact that Jason Carter continues to get minutes for zero production (0-4 from 2 feet away, 2 rebounds only in 30 minutes) is mind boggling. Wright just totally outcoached Steele despite the fact that his team could not hit 3's. Wright set up the mismatches and as soon as KyKy came in Wright just kept going after him. Steele did nothing about it but just sat there and let it happen despite KyKy not having a good game. Our simplistic offense strikes again and Steele has zero clue on how to fix it. His postgame comments couldn't be any more cliche'. It’s like Groundhog Day, "MAN".

I'll bite - what would your rotation (with minutes) have looked like today? I'm not even going to ask about the offense because I assume you'd suggest a Bob Knight motion or something.

[GoMuskies]

We were never in this game. The fact that Jason Carter continues to get minutes for zero production (0-4 from 2 feet away, 2 rebounds only in 30 minutes) is mind boggling. Wright just totally outcoached Steele despite the fact that his team could not hit 3's. Wright set up the mismatches and as soon as KyKy came in Wright just kept going after him. Steele did nothing about it but just sat there and let it happen despite KyKy not having a good game. Our simplistic offense strikes again and Steele has zero clue on how to fix it. His postgame comments couldn't be any more cliche'. It’s like Groundhog Day, "MAN".

It was funny listening to the Villanova broadcast on Sirius while I was driving. He was confused as to why Carter plays.

[Xville]

Carter is a great mac player and if x was still in the a10, he'd be good. He is outclassed at this level yetsyarts. Makes no sense.

[xu82]

It was funny listening to the Villanova broadcast on Sirius while I was driving. He was confused as to why Carter plays.

This is a fairly common reaction, I’m afraid.

[xavierj]

We were never in this game. The fact that Jason Carter continues to get minutes for zero production (0-4 from 2 feet away, 2 rebounds only in 30 minutes) is mind boggling. Wright just totally outcoached Steele despite the fact that his team could not hit 3's. Wright set up the mismatches and as soon as KyKy came in Wright just kept going after him. Steele did nothing about it but just sat there and let it happen despite KyKy not having a good game. Our simplistic offense strikes again and Steele has zero clue on how to fix it. His postgame comments couldn't be any more cliche'. It’s like Groundhog Day, "MAN".

I wouldn’t say out coached, I mean Xavier’s defensive game plan against Nova is spot on and executed. The problem is this team just can’t score. If this team had consistent shooters they would be a top 10 team. It is what it is with this team. I mean you really can’t make shooters out of bad shooters. The looks were there but not put in the basket.

[OTRMUSKIE]

If X plays VD in the dance I expect Carter to go for 30/30 otherwise he needs to just pass the ball when down low. Is it possible the rims are just too low for him? Maybe if we could play with 12 foot rims he would stop getting blocked by the goal?

[xu82]

This is exactly what I was getting ready to post.

I am sharing your post, because I absolutely do not see this as being on Travis at this point. It is a talent gap but he must be given the opportunity to close through his recruiting efforts. I understand complaints about endgame decision making, etc., but he hast to work with the cast of characters that he has available to him at this moment.

That includes Carter and Graydon. And that is not good.

This. It may take some time to get back to where we were, but I trust Steele to do it when we have the horses and he grows into the first chair. Public reps will have to do.

[Masterofreality]

I wouldn’t say out coached, I mean Xavier’s defensive game plan against Nova is spot on and executed. The problem is this team just can’t score. If this team had consistent shooters they would be a top 10 team. It is what it is with this team. I mean you really can’t make shooters out of bad shooters. The looks were there but not put in the basket.

If Xavier set more than one screen per possession and worked off wing cuts I might agree. But Xavier does not. One high screen, one ball reversal then “try” to throw it into Tyrique. Simple. Easily defensed. Which is why there is traffic at the rim.

[XUBison]

I think Carter’s issues are all about nerves/lack of confidence. Or rather, I suspect Steele fully believes this. Otherwise, there’s no justification for his playing time.

I am more perplexed by our PG play. No matter who is playing that position, he is underachieving big time.

[Masterofreality]

I'll bite - what would your rotation (with minutes) have looked like today? I'm not even going to ask about the offense because I assume you'd suggest a Bob Knight motion or something.

Going to postgame dinner. Get to it later

[whopper]

I saw a lack of energy by secondary players and that includes Carter, Goodin, Zach (surprisingly). When playing against a team like Villanova if you only match their efforts you will lose. The dribbled in the lane 5-6 times at times, honestly the secondary players(who have fouls to give) should be diving in to hinder that person as they are too good given that time. We actually had few fouls and could have risked some more. You can play it straight up and guarantee yourself a nice clean loss. Diving in may cause embarrassment and fouls but what do we have to lose. We disrupted very little today

[xukeith]

X barely beat SJU. Who here expects a top 5 BE finish?

[AviatorX]

I saw a lack of energy by secondary players and that includes Carter, Goodin, Zach (surprisingly). When playing against a team like Villanova if you only match their efforts you will lose. The dribbled in the lane 5-6 times at times, honestly the secondary players(who have fouls to give) should be diving in to hinder that person as they are too good given that time. We actually had few fouls and could have risked some more. You can play it straight up and guarantee yourself a nice clean loss. Diving in may cause embarrassment and fouls but what do we have to lose. We disrupted very little today

Villanova was below their averages virtually across the board and around .9 points per possession. Xavier’s defense currently ranks 16th on KenPom.

Sometimes I wonder if people even watch the game.

[xukeith]

Also Villanova played Wednesday so they were tired

[Nigel Tufnel]

I got to into the Cintas super early today. 45 mins before game time. I watched Nova warm up and then watched X warm up....I looked at my buddy and told him Nova was gooping to win. They are so focused. They shot 3 pointers around the perimeter on both sides of the basket for 20 mins. X came out and literally F'ed around in their warmup. Double and triple clutching layups, dunking....the contrast was obvious.one team was laser focused and working on what they do. The other team was being silly in warm ups. Difference in culture was shocking.

[xavierj]

Also Villanova played Wednesday so they were tired

Lol.

[bjf123]

I think Carter’s issues are all about nerves/lack of confidence. Or rather, I suspect Steele fully believes this. Otherwise, there’s no justification for his playing time.

I am more perplexed by our PG play. No matter who is playing that position, he is underachieving big time.

I think it’s safe to assume that Steele and the coaching staff choose the lineup based on what the see in practice every day. So I guess you’re all saying that they’re playing Carter in spite of the fact that others are clearly better players?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[xavierj]

I got to into the Cintas super early today. 45 mins before game time. I watched Nova warm up and then watched X warm up....I looked at my buddy and told him Nova was gooping to win. They are so focused. They shot 3 pointers around the perimeter on both sides of the basket for 20 mins. X came out and literally F'ed around in their warmup. Double and triple clutching layups, dunking....the contrast was obvious.one team was laser focused and working on what they do. The other team was being silly in warm ups. Difference in culture was shocking.

That’s interesting. You may have a point.

[Xville]

I got to into the Cintas super early today. 45 mins before game time. I watched Nova warm up and then watched X warm up....I looked at my buddy and told him Nova was gooping to win. They are so focused. They shot 3 pointers around the perimeter on both sides of the basket for 20 mins. X came out and literally F'ed around in their warmup. Double and triple clutching layups, dunking....the contrast was obvious.one team was laser focused and working on what they do. The other team was being silly in warm ups. Difference in culture was shocking.

That's actually a little disturbing from xavier. I dont mind the team looking loose but if there is a game to be focused, this was it.

[stammina0721]

Sad thing to me is this... Xavier is probably going to make the tourney this year. However, this team has almost no chance of advancing far. Last year's team was way better with Hankins and couldn't get in. Last year's team could advance very far this year with how they were playing. I don't think many people on this board would say X at this point last year is a worse team than X right now

[Masterofreality]

I got to into the Cintas super early today. 45 mins before game time. I watched Nova warm up and then watched X warm up....I looked at my buddy and told him Nova was gooping to win. They are so focused. They shot 3 pointers around the perimeter on both sides of the basket for 20 mins. X came out and literally F'ed around in their warmup. Double and triple clutching layups, dunking....the contrast was obvious.one team was laser focused and working on what they do. The other team was being silly in warm ups. Difference in culture was shocking.

If that’s how they practice right before the game, how do they practice during the week??
Get those Xavier Way points!!!

[xu82]

I got to into the Cintas super early today. 45 mins before game time. I watched Nova warm up and then watched X warm up....I looked at my buddy and told him Nova was gooping to win. They are so focused. They shot 3 pointers around the perimeter on both sides of the basket for 20 mins. X came out and literally F'ed around in their warmup. Double and triple clutching layups, dunking....the contrast was obvious.one team was laser focused and working on what they do. The other team was being silly in warm ups. Difference in culture was shocking.

I hope the coaches realize this, and we grow as a team as a result. It’s not an AAU trip to Disney, it’s business.

[Olsingledigit]

Sad thing to me is this... Xavier is probably going to make the tourney this year. However, this team has almost no chance of advancing far. Last year's team was way better with Hankins and couldn't get in. Last year's team could advance very far this year with how they were playing. I don't think many people on this board would say X at this point last year is a worse team than X right now

I don’t see us making the tournament after today unless we lose no more than one more game. That will be tough to do.

[Olsingledigit]

I think Carter’s issues are all about nerves/lack of confidence. Or rather, I suspect Steele fully believes this. Otherwise, there’s no justification for his playing time.

I am more perplexed by our PG play. No matter who is playing that position, he is underachieving big time.

I don’t care what his “issues” are he was a clear detriment on the floor especially in the first half. He might be better served not starting and watching the game flow for a few minutes first.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I hope the coaches realize this, and we grow as a team as a result. It’s not an AAU trip to Disney, it’s business.

Maybe the difference is most teams do what X does...and then there is Nova. Nova used both baskets during pre-warmups. They had 2 in the corner, 2 on the wings and 1 at top of the key. Each player must have gotten up 50-60 3's in 10 mins.

Nova leaves and X comes out using one side of the floor only. They are in a standard layup line. Most guys are double clutching layups, dunking. The Hansen kid was trying to put on a dunk contest. Like I said....for me, the difference was astonishing. One was all business... the other....not so much. But I'm an old fart...so I probably know nothing.

[xavierj]

I don’t see us making the tournament after today unless we lose no more than one more game. That will be tough to do.

Have you seen the bubble teams? Holy. UC, Purdue, Mississippi State, Wichita State, NC state, Utah state and others. They have to fill all the spots. Espn had Xavier as a 9 seed last I checked. 3-1 and they are in comfortably. 2-2 maybe a 10 or 11 seed. Rather be a 10 or 11 than an 8 or 9.

[Masterofreality]

Xavier lost its 4th home game of the conference schedule today. It is extremely possible that this team will have a losing record in the league in the House you are supposed to protect.
That is unacceptable. Period.
The Marquette game that was absolutely blown by a clueless staff looms large.

[xudash]

I got to into the Cintas super early today. 45 mins before game time. I watched Nova warm up and then watched X warm up....I looked at my buddy and told him Nova was gooping to win. They are so focused. They shot 3 pointers around the perimeter on both sides of the basket for 20 mins. X came out and literally F'ed around in their warmup. Double and triple clutching layups, dunking....the contrast was obvious.one team was laser focused and working on what they do. The other team was being silly in warm ups. Difference in culture was shocking.

I am truly dead serious: you should find a way to convey that to the athletic department.

It is one of the better insights I’ve ever seen posted on this board and it absolutely speaks to the issue of culture. Whether it would be seen as a criticism or not, it absolutely should be seen as constructive criticism and something that we should pursue at full speed.

[xu82]

I got to into the Cintas super early today. 45 mins before game time. I watched Nova warm up and then watched X warm up....I looked at my buddy and told him Nova was gooping to win. They are so focused. They shot 3 pointers around the perimeter on both sides of the basket for 20 mins. X came out and literally F'ed around in their warmup. Double and triple clutching layups, dunking....the contrast was obvious.one team was laser focused and working on what they do. The other team was being silly in warm ups. Difference in culture was shocking.

I’m with XUDASH here. It would be great if there was video of both to make it clear.......both to the players and the staff. Know what it takes to be a special program.

[paulxu]

I wonder how Vegas had us as a 1 pt favorite.

[drudy23]

I got to into the Cintas super early today. 45 mins before game time. I watched Nova warm up and then watched X warm up....I looked at my buddy and told him Nova was gooping to win. They are so focused. They shot 3 pointers around the perimeter on both sides of the basket for 20 mins. X came out and literally F'ed around in their warmup. Double and triple clutching layups, dunking....the contrast was obvious.one team was laser focused and working on what they do. The other team was being silly in warm ups. Difference in culture was shocking.

I noticed this in a game earlier in the year that I was at as well. It was almost like the warm up before the warm up. If you've ever been to an NBA game, it's was kind of like how they warm up. Their favorite music playing and players kind of dancing and jumping around. I have mixed emotions as I don't want to sound like the old guy (I'm not that old), but it kind of made me raise my eyebrow. I don't know if they do it to get relaxed and pumped up, and maybe it works. But it just seemed out of place - but maybe that's what all home teams do - I'm sure there's a ton of time before a game that's scripted out. Maybe that's the time to relax a bit. I don't know.

Lots of dunks, lots of dancing, lots of kind of goofing around, lots of crazy shots.

I will say, when the "real" warm up started, it wasn't like that. I also doubt they do this on the road as "their" music isn't likely playing either.

At the end of the day, Villanova is just a better team and a better program. They pretty much own us. We are their Dayton.

[AviatorX]

Steele banned headbands after last season, so there's hope he'll really focus on what's important here and clean up pre-game warmups. I understand losing is frustrating. I really do. But let's not lose our heads and make sweeping indictments on program culture based on layup lines. No one sitting in the main bowl at Cintas 45 minutes pre-game is in a position to make that judgment, especially without the first clue about what goes into the rest of game prep.

I guess people want to make this more complicated than it is, but here's the simple (and unfortunate) reality: because of personnel issues, Xavier is basically trying to play 1980's Detroit Pistons bully bull in an era where that style doesn't work, and they're doing it without a single reliable post-scorer on the roster. It's not a knock on Tyrique to say trying to play through him in the post as the first option is not a good plan. It's just not, even though he's a very good player. If you think this is how Steele wants to play offense, then you must think he is an absolute moron and forgot everything he knew (and the offense he designed) a whole two years ago.

To get it out of the way:

1) But Steele is the head coach, and he was Mack's lead recruiter, so he's responsible for this roster.

Sure, you can feel this way, I won't tell you otherwise, but in my opinion, it's a pretty unfair angle to Steele. The 2018 class was an absolute wash in the coaching change and Kaiser Gates (a great shooter) was another unexpected loss. Steele inherited a completely flawed roster. Full stop. He cobbled together two recruits X would never take in normal circumstances and three grad transfers (one of whom was probably the best shooter on the market) to mixed results. Of course, if Steele continues to sign national top 150 guys who end up like Ridder, Harden and Bishop (three guys who at one point were expected to provide some floor spacing for this team) in the next handful of classes, he will end up getting fired and the program will be in real trouble. Bottom line - it takes time to turn over a roster, which was clearly a requirement coming into last season.

2) But this team returned almost everyone and didn't get any better.

First of all, I think this team is absolutely better than last season. This should be obvious based on this team's path to the tournament at this point. I'd also note that this team lost to a below average Wake Forest team on the road and a Florida team that has disappointed but was preseason #6, but otherwise all of its losses are to surefire single digit seeds (Nova, Creighton and Seton Hall are all but assured to be protected seeds; Butler and Marquette have slipped a little bit, but will still be wearing home jerseys in the first round).

Second, returning a flawed core doesn't change those flaws (which lie mostly in team composition and chemistry, not lack of skill improvement), it just makes you an older, more experienced flawed team. This next point may be shocking to some: the rest of the Big East also got older and better. The teams that were better than Xavier are still better than them this year.

[sgarcia]

I wonder how Vegas had us as a 1 pt favorite.

Xavier covered 5 in a row before today. That’s how.

[xudash]

I noticed this in a game earlier in the year that I was at as well. It was almost like the warm up before the warm up. If you've ever been to an NBA game, it's was kind of like how they warm up. Their favorite music playing and players kind of dancing and jumping around. I have mixed emotions as I don't want to sound like the old guy (I'm not that old), but it kind of made me raise my eyebrow. I don't know if they do it to get relaxed and pumped up, and maybe it works. But it just seemed out of place - but maybe that's what all home teams do - I'm sure there's a ton of time before a game that's scripted out. Maybe that's the time to relax a bit. I don't know.

Lots of dunks, lots of dancing, lots of kind of goofing around, lots of crazy shots.

I will say, when the "real" warm up started, it wasn't like that.

Thanks for sharing that as additional perspective.

I am not a coach, but my reaction to that: Nova is a cold, efficient, burning machine. No wasted minutes. No allocation of minutes to be loose at one moment and be totally and purely focused the next. They are all one thing. And they appear to love being that way.

Here is what I noticed, watching the TV just before the game: Nova was huddled up together, close to their bench, and everything that was going on in our arena was blocked out by them.

Culture, Gents. Culture. It isn’t everything, but it is a big piece of a championship caliber program.

[AviatorX]

Thanks for sharing that as additional perspective.

I am not a coach, but my reaction to that: Nova is a cold, efficient, burning machine. No wasted minutes. No allocation of minutes to be loose at one moment and be totally and purely focused the next. They are all one thing. And they appear to love being that way.

Here is what I noticed, watching the TV just before the game: Nova was huddled up together, close to their bench, and everything that was going on in our arena was blocked out by them.

Culture, Gents. Culture. It isn’t everything, but it is a big piece of a championship caliber program.

I admire Nova's culture as much as anyone, but let's not forget that only a handful of years ago the popular narrative was that Wright couldn't win when it counted, until all of the sudden he did.

I really don't think Xavier needs to model how they warm up and huddle before games after Nova.

[drudy23]

Thanks for sharing that as additional perspective.

I am not a coach, but my reaction to that: Nova is a cold, efficient, burning machine. No wasted minutes. No allocation of minutes to be loose at one moment and be totally and purely focused the next. They are all one thing. And they appear to love being that way.

Here is what I noticed, watching the TV just before the game: Nova was huddled up together, close to their bench, and everything that was going on in our arena was blocked out by them.

Culture, Gents. Culture. It isn’t everything, but it is a big piece of a championship caliber program.

And that's Jay Wright. He's a legit top 5 coach. No doubt.



They will continue to be Nova with him at the helm.

[drudy23]

Any type of culture can work. The key is finding the players that perform their best within it.

I can't see Colin Gillespie being comfortable in what is being described in Xavier's warm-ups.

I also can't see Tyrique Jones being comfortable in a more rigid, machine like environment like they have at Nova.

But it's really hard to ignore Wright's results.

[AviatorX]

Any type of culture can work. The key is finding the players that perform their best within it.

I can't see Colin Gillespie being comfortable in what is being described in Xavier's warm-ups.

I also can't see Tyrique Jones being comfortable in a more rigid, machine like environment like they have at Nova.

But it's really hard to ignore Wright's results.

Another key component to their culture is simply having better players virtually across the board. Look how many of those guys X was in on. It sucks, but it's the truth.

[drudy23]

Another key component to their culture is simply having better players virtually across the board. Look how many of those guys X was in on. It sucks, but it's the truth.

No doubt.

I read an article a few years ago about his profile of player he likes. They can shoot, they are team first guys, and have high basketball IQ. This is true of pretty much every player at Nova the last decade.

[xavierj]

Another key component to their culture is simply having better players virtually across the board. Look how many of those guys X was in on. It sucks, but it's the truth.

This is true. Nova has a couple NBA guys, Xavier doesn’t.

[xudash]

I admire Nova's culture as much as anyone, but let's not forget that only a handful of years ago the popular narrative was that Wright couldn't win when it counted, until all of the sudden he did.

I really don't think Xavier needs to model how they warm up and huddle before games after Nova.

I am way past warm-up and huddle with this line of thought.

I still believe in Travis. I absolutely believe and I believe we all agree that a change in coaches is highly disruptive to a program, and that we’re living through that now.

Travis forgets in a day what I know about basketball. And regardless of Jay Wright‘s past, his last five or so years haven’t been all that bad, right? There is something to be learned and borrowed, from watching his program operate.

Aviator, Totally agree with you about Villanova having better players. It gets back to having the right coach and having the right coach that sticks around with a program for a while to build continuity and success.

[whopper]

This is true. Nova has a couple NBA guys, Xavier doesn’t. Archidiacamo, Hart, Brunson, Pascal, Bridges, Spellman, Divencenzo and (I think) Daniel Ochiefu was in the league a year..Booth has also been on Wizards from League. That is incredible in a league where 25% of players are foreign born and not in the US College Basketball pipeline. Today was a disappointment..I would have liked to see more energy and I think there is something to warmups

[XU22]

I got to into the Cintas super early today. 45 mins before game time. I watched Nova warm up and then watched X warm up....I looked at my buddy and told him Nova was gooping to win. They are so focused. They shot 3 pointers around the perimeter on both sides of the basket for 20 mins. X came out and literally F'ed around in their warmup. Double and triple clutching layups, dunking....the contrast was obvious.one team was laser focused and working on what they do. The other team was being silly in warm ups. Difference in culture was shocking.

I was there early as well. We looked like an AAU team warming up out there, screwing around and not taking game shots.

We just didn't seem very dialed in and hungry for a W from warmups through the whole game.

That culture that Wright has installed is something else. He recruits guys to his system and excels. For every 5 star like Antoine or Robinson Earl he gets a kid like Gillespie or Bey and molds them into beasts.

I feel like we have a lot of pieces that do not fit and that is hurting us quite a bit this year.

[XU22]

I think it’s safe to assume that Steele and the coaching staff choose the lineup based on what the see in practice every day. So I guess you’re all saying that they’re playing Carter in spite of the fact that others are clearly better players?


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Steele said something to the effect of your best practice players are your best game players...

Allen Iverson would disagree as would I.

[xavierj]

Steele said something to the effect of your best practice players are your best game players...

Allen Iverson would disagree as would I.

Most college coaches would tell you different. Xavier is not Kentucky and this isn’t the NBA. The guys in college with good practice habits typically excel and a college coach can’t let guys just show up and play or else no one will practice with focus. You want to talk about culture in warmups and then say it’s not important to practice hard. I mean come. So Villanova players only focus in warmups but jack around in go through the motions in practice? Is it more important to have a good warmup routine than a good practice routine?

[XU22]

Most college coaches would tell you different. Xavier is not Kentucky and this isn’t the NBA. The guys in college with good practice habits typically excel and a college coach can’t let guys just show up and play or else no one will practice with focus. You want to talk about culture in warmups and then say it’s not important to practice hard. I mean come. So Villanova players only focus in warmups but jack around in go through the motions in practice? Is it more important to have a good warmup routine than a good practice routine?

You can have a great practice and still not be in the top 5 in "Xavier Way" points...

You put the players out there that are going to help you get a win.

JC wasn't going to help you get a W over Nova. I don't care if he got a million practice points.

[AviatorX]

Most college coaches would tell you different. Xavier is not Kentucky and this isn’t the NBA. The guys in college with good practice habits typically excel and a college coach can’t let guys just show up and play or else no one will practice with focus. You want to talk about culture in warmups and then say it’s not important to practice hard. I mean come. So Villanova players only focus in warmups but jack around in go through the motions in practice? Is it more important to have a good warmup routine than a good practice routine?

Also...where are people going with this argument? Is the thought that Steele isn't playing the players he thinks give him the best chance to win?

Unless someone really wants to go to bat for Bryce Moore or Dontarious James (and I'm not sure why one would), every potential contributor plays significant minutes.

[xavierj]

Also...where are people going with this argument? Is the thought that Steele isn't playing the players he thinks give him the best chance to win?

Unless someone really wants to go to bat for Bryce Moore or Dontarious James (and I'm not sure why one would), every potential contributor plays significant minutes.

I agree. Coaches play the best players that they think can help them win. If they had other options, I am sure they would play them. Fans always want the guys who are on the bench.

[GoMuskies]

I was driving when the game was going on, so I missed this thread, but what an absolute shit effort this was. This team just kinda sucks. Looking forward to the next era of Xavier basketball.

[X Factor]

If this team is good enough to beat Seton Hall on the road, they're good enough to beat Villanova at home.

You guys are talking like this Nova team is one of the greatest teams ever in college basketball.

X was only a 1 point dog today and they played like absolute dog crap on offense. They literally came out with zero energy.

[AviatorX]

If this team is good enough to beat Seton Hall on the road, they're good enough to beat Villanova at home.

You guys are talking like this Nova team is one of the greatest teams ever in college basketball.

X was only a 1 point dog today and they played like absolute dog crap on offense. They literally came out with zero energy.

Yeah, I don't think anyone disagrees with this. The discussion around roster flaws, etc. is really just fleshing out why this team's margin for error is about as thin as possible.

[stammina0721]

Steele banned headbands after last season, so there's hope he'll really focus on what's important here and clean up pre-game warmups. I understand losing is frustrating. I really do. But let's not lose our heads and make sweeping indictments on program culture based on layup lines. No one sitting in the main bowl at Cintas 45 minutes pre-game is in a position to make that judgment, especially without the first clue about what goes into the rest of game prep.

I guess people want to make this more complicated than it is, but here's the simple (and unfortunate) reality: because of personnel issues, Xavier is basically trying to play 1980's Detroit Pistons bully bull in an era where that style doesn't work, and they're doing it without a single reliable post-scorer on the roster. It's not a knock on Tyrique to say trying to play through him in the post as the first option is not a good plan. It's just not, even though he's a very good player. If you think this is how Steele wants to play offense, then you must think he is an absolute moron and forgot everything he knew (and the offense he designed) a whole two years ago.

To get it out of the way:

1) But Steele is the head coach, and he was Mack's lead recruiter, so he's responsible for this roster.

Sure, you can feel this way, I won't tell you otherwise, but in my opinion, it's a pretty unfair angle to Steele. The 2018 class was an absolute wash in the coaching change and Kaiser Gates (a great shooter) was another unexpected loss. Steele inherited a completely flawed roster. Full stop. He cobbled together two recruits X would never take in normal circumstances and three grad transfers (one of whom was probably the best shooter on the market) to mixed results. Of course, if Steele continues to sign national top 150 guys who end up like Ridder, Harden and Bishop (three guys who at one point were expected to provide some floor spacing for this team) in the next handful of classes, he will end up getting fired and the program will be in real trouble. Bottom line - it takes time to turn over a roster, which was clearly a requirement coming into last season.

2) But this team returned almost everyone and didn't get any better.

First of all, I think this team is absolutely better than last season. This should be obvious based on this team's path to the tournament at this point. I'd also note that this team lost to a below average Wake Forest team on the road and a Florida team that has disappointed but was preseason #6, but otherwise all of its losses are to surefire single digit seeds (Nova, Creighton and Seton Hall are all but assured to be protected seeds; Butler and Marquette have slipped a little bit, but will still be wearing home jerseys in the first round).

Second, returning a flawed core doesn't change those flaws (which lie mostly in team composition and chemistry, not lack of skill improvement), it just makes you an older, more experienced flawed team. This next point may be shocking to some: the rest of the Big East also got older and better. The teams that were better than Xavier are still better than them this year.

This is wrong cause we don't have Hankins. If we have Hankins this team already has 20 wins. Hankins is a much better option than Jason freaking Carter

[stammina0721]

I wonder how Vegas had us as a 1 pt favorite.

I bet the under very large. I love free money

[AviatorX]

This is wrong cause we don't have Hankins. If we have Hankins this team already has 20 wins. Hankins is a much better option than Jason freaking Carter

Ok, we also have a significantly significantly better defense (realistically, should add a few more significantly's), are playing in a much better Big East (with a better overall record to show for it) and have a much better chance of making the tournament. Any of that matter?

[stammina0721]

This is true. Nova has a couple NBA guys, Xavier doesn’t.

Well we should get another shitty year if Naji and his high dribble and non free throw making self and Scruggs. Not gonna hate on Scruggs as much cause Goodin being his selfish self is forcing Scruggs to play against his strength. But both will be back next year cause neither are NBA talents. I think Naji dribbling looks like a 5th grader

[stammina0721]

Ok, we also have a significantly significantly better defense (realistically, should add a few more significantly's), are playing in a much better Big East (with a better overall record to show for it) and have a much better chance of making the tournament. Any of that matter?

Let me ask you this... Consider February Xavier last year and what you see now. Do you really think this team beats lasts year's team?

[AviatorX]

Let me ask you this... Consider February Xavier last year and what you see now. Do you really think this team beats lasts year's team?

Yes. Last year's team was really bad. Go back and look at the quality of the teams they beat in February. The league was way down.

It doesn't really matter though, because the most important thing is this team is having a better season than last year's with respect to making the postseason (aka all that matters).

[xu82]

Let me ask you this... Consider February Xavier last year and what you see now. Do you really think this team beats lasts year's team?

Are you the guy who didn’t have the stamina to watch through the last WIN because it was too hard on you emotionally? Yes, we would be a better team with Hankins, but we can’t change that. Seasons are up and down, as are eras.

We are building something back up, and it won’t be as fast as anyone wants....but I believe we will see it happen. I refuse to let it make me miserable if it doesn’t happen as easy or fast as I want it to happen. Hell, I’m a loyal Bills fan!


.

[Xville]

Also...where are people going with this argument? Is the thought that Steele isn't playing the players he thinks give him the best chance to win?

Unless someone really wants to go to bat for Bryce Moore or Dontarious James (and I'm not sure why one would), every potential contributor plays significant minutes.

True but I dont agree when people or coaches say it doesnt matter who starts because the minutes breakdown is what matters. Completely disagree with that. Setting the tone for the game is so important. Go with the best five players on the team. Scruggs, tandy, naji, free and jones

[IM4X]

1. Yes, we would be a better team with Hankins, but we can’t change that. Seasons are up and down, as are eras.

2.We are building something back up, and it won’t be as fast as anyone wants....but I believe we will see it happen. I refuse to let it make me miserable if it doesn’t happen as easy or fast as I want it to happen.

1.This is the issue with Miles sitting out this season. I think we all understand he wasn’t stepping in day one at the level of Hankins this year, but had he been in there getting some playing time this year, he would have helped with rebounding and been disruptive with his blocking and maybe he could be at Hankins level by next year.

Now he has zero real college game experience and our other returning bigs are not exactly rebounding machines who scare opponents with their defense of jumping/ blocking ability. Unfortunately it looks like we will struggle with our rebounding next year (with Jones graduating, with Ramsey’s knee issues with Miles having no real college game experience and with no bigs in the ‘20 class), which is going to put even more pressure on our outside shooting to be better. Are we really going to be that much better?

2.No it is not as fast as we want. We had better hope we do not miss on any of the ‘20 recruits and that we can land at least one or two legitimately BE level grad transfer in the off season (preferably a really good rebounder and/or a good shooter).

Steele put a lot of stalk in this core four being able to take their game to the next level. One of them has answered the call. One has looks like a freshman bust and the other two have talent but have regressed because they are simply mentally lazy players who think they don’t need to be coached or maybe they simply need a coach who is in their face -Bobby Knight style- when they make stupid make takes instead of the Opie Taylor “come on fellas” approach we get from Travis.

When seniors and Juniors are continually turning the ball over with same stupid, lazy passes and getting for the ball taken away from them like they are freshmen, the coach needs to take some responsibility. I think Steele will keep getting better at coaching different types of players but he is currently too lax for this particular team. He and his staff are Struggling miserably at getting their players to make smarter decisions. On the other hand, this team is clearly not as talented as the one two years again and in some respects not even better than last years team.

[stammina0721]

Are you the guy who didn’t have the stamina to watch through the last WIN because it was too hard on you emotionally? Yes, we would be a better team with Hankins, but we can’t change that. Seasons are up and down, as are eras.

We are building something back up, and it won’t be as fast as anyone wants....but I believe we will see it happen. I refuse to let it make me miserable if it doesn’t happen as easy or fast as I want it to happen. Hell, I’m a loyal Bills fan!


.

Not exactly. I'm the guy who turned it off cause I gave up on the game. Big difference

[stammina0721]

And if I don't think X is going to win 10 minutes into the next game I'll turn that one off and give up on it to. Is that an issue for you? If so I really don't care.

[Lloyd Braun]

And if I don't think X is going to win 10 minutes into the next game I'll turn that one off and give up on it to. Is that an issue for you? If so I really don't care.

This is odd. If X is up by 20 in the first half do you turn it off? Or just games they are losing by a lot?

One thing about this team is that they do fight the whole game, for which I give Steele credit. We really haven’t seen that since Sean’s teams.

[AviatorX]

True but I dont agree when people or coaches say it doesnt matter who starts because the minutes breakdown is what matters. Completely disagree with that. Setting the tone for the game is so important. Go with the best five players on the team. Scruggs, tandy, naji, free and jones

What would your minutes breakdown look like? I mean I guess KyKy could play a few more yesterday (although he wasn’t exactly forcing the issue) but my point is it’s kinda like rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic as far as this team’s issues are concerned. It would be different if Q was still playing 30 a game.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Steele banned headbands after last season, so there's hope he'll really focus on what's important here and clean up pre-game warmups. I understand losing is frustrating. I really do. But let's not lose our heads and make sweeping indictments on program culture based on layup lines. No one sitting in the main bowl at Cintas 45 minutes pre-game is in a position to make that judgment, especially without the first clue about what goes into the rest of game prep.

I guess people want to make this more complicated than it is, but here's the simple (and unfortunate) reality: because of personnel issues, Xavier is basically trying to play 1980's Detroit Pistons bully bull in an era where that style doesn't work, and they're doing it without a single reliable post-scorer on the roster. It's not a knock on Tyrique to say trying to play through him in the post as the first option is not a good plan. It's just not, even though he's a very good player. If you think this is how Steele wants to play offense, then you must think he is an absolute moron and forgot everything he knew (and the offense he designed) a whole two years ago.

To get it out of the way:

1) But Steele is the head coach, and he was Mack's lead recruiter, so he's responsible for this roster.

Sure, you can feel this way, I won't tell you otherwise, but in my opinion, it's a pretty unfair angle to Steele. The 2018 class was an absolute wash in the coaching change and Kaiser Gates (a great shooter) was another unexpected loss. Steele inherited a completely flawed roster. Full stop. He cobbled together two recruits X would never take in normal circumstances and three grad transfers (one of whom was probably the best shooter on the market) to mixed results. Of course, if Steele continues to sign national top 150 guys who end up like Ridder, Harden and Bishop (three guys who at one point were expected to provide some floor spacing for this team) in the next handful of classes, he will end up getting fired and the program will be in real trouble. Bottom line - it takes time to turn over a roster, which was clearly a requirement coming into last season.

2) But this team returned almost everyone and didn't get any better.

First of all, I think this team is absolutely better than last season. This should be obvious based on this team's path to the tournament at this point. I'd also note that this team lost to a below average Wake Forest team on the road and a Florida team that has disappointed but was preseason #6, but otherwise all of its losses are to surefire single digit seeds (Nova, Creighton and Seton Hall are all but assured to be protected seeds; Butler and Marquette have slipped a little bit, but will still be wearing home jerseys in the first round).

Second, returning a flawed core doesn't change those flaws (which lie mostly in team composition and chemistry, not lack of skill improvement), it just makes you an older, more experienced flawed team. This next point may be shocking to some: the rest of the Big East also got older and better. The teams that were better than Xavier are still better than them this year.

While I was frustrated by the loss, I certainly am not losing my head. I was simply making an observation. Maybe using the word "culture" was a mistake. I played a lot of basketball growing up, I feel like I know a little about the game. The difference in the pre-warmups was very noticeable. I am definitely on the Steele bandwagon and I haven't posted one comment on this site disparaging him. It was not my intent to judge him or the program with my initial post. If you read my second post, I admitted I was an old fart and probably knew nothing. It was just an observation that stuck out to me before the game today. Maybe I'll just say I was very impressed with Nova's pre-game business like approach and leave it at that.

[Muskie in dayton]

Glad we have a couple of recruits on official visits for this shit show.

They saw there is ample opportunity for playing time!

What recruits were there?

[scoscox]

While I was frustrated by the loss, I certainly am not losing my head. I was simply making an observation. Maybe using the word "culture" was a mistake. I played a lot of basketball growing up, I feel like I know a little about the game. The difference in the pre-warmups was very noticeable. I am definitely on the Steele bandwagon and I haven't posted one comment on this site disparaging him. It was not my intent to judge him or the program with my initial post. If you read my second post, I admitted I was an old fart and probably knew nothing. It was just an observation that stuck out to me before the game today. Maybe I'll just say I was very impressed with Nova's pre-game business like approach and leave it at that.

I couldn’t help but notice as well. We’ve been nonchalant in warmups since mack became coach and it hasn’t really changed with steele. Bring back that four corners passing drill we used to do

[stammina0721]

This is odd. If X is up by 20 in the first half do you turn it off? Or just games they are losing by a lot?

One thing about this team is that they do fight the whole game, for which I give Steele credit. We really haven’t seen that since Sean’s teams.

In all honesty it has to deal with if I am entertained. If I will be more entertained playing golf or watching a different program over a Xavier game then I'll do that instead. To me that makes sense. Why do something with my entertainment time if I'm not being entertained?

I am a big fan but I just don't let sports dominate my life the way I used to. The Bengals Steelers playoff debacle did that to me. That game put me in such a funk that I vowed to never care about sports to that level again. Thing is it makes the games I watch a lot better in my eye cause I can actually enjoy the games more and when I'm done with it I can just turn it off and move on to the next thing regardless of time remaining in the game

FYI this is also why I don't go to games anymore. Turning off the TV and moving on to my next activity is way easier if I'm not at the event.

[Lloyd Braun]

Jamaican accent: “Will you shut up about the damn Swiss!... The right foot for us is not the Swiss foot.”

-My response to emulating Nova’s program.

[Xville]

What would your minutes breakdown look like? I mean I guess KyKy could play a few more yesterday (although he wasn’t exactly forcing the issue) but my point is it’s kinda like rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic as far as this team’s issues are concerned. It would be different if Q was still playing 30 a game.

I just want kyky to start and play a lot more minutes and I want to carter to sit the bench and play sparingly. Free and tandy should both be playing 30 mins a game in my opinion. Yes, they are going to have freshman mistakes, but they both have so much more talent than carter and it's not close. Carter is mac level talent and I really dont give a crap if hes a world beater in practice.

I'm so sick of Steele waiting so long to pull the trigger on guys. It took a year and a half of gawd awful basketball from q to pull him and if we have to sit thru another year of terrible bb from carter I'm gonna pull my hair out.

[AviatorX]

I just want kyky to start and play a lot more minutes and I want to carter to sit the bench and play sparingly. Free and tandy should both be playing 30 mins a game in my opinion. Yes, they are going to have freshman mistakes, but they both have so much more talent than carter and it's not close. Carter is mac level talent and I really dont give a crap if hes a world beater in practice.

I'm so sick of Steele waiting so long to pull the trigger on guys. It took a year and a half of gawd awful basketball from q to pull him and if we have to sit thru another year of terrible bb from carter I'm gonna pull my hair out.

Again, I’m really curious to see your ideal break down of the 200 game minutes. Is it going to involve a lot of Moore? Dontarious James?

[scoscox]

Jamaican accent: “Will you shut up about the damn Swiss!... The right foot for us is not the Swiss foot.”

-My response to emulating Nova’s program.

i'm not kissin no egg

i realize the warm up thing is trivial it just bothers me and has for awhile. i'd like to see a more purposeful warm up. do i realize i'm yelling at clouds? yes

[Xville]

Again, I’m really curious to see your ideal break down of the 200 game minutes. Is it going to involve a lot of Moore? Dontarious James?

I'd never play q, i never want to see him on a basketball court for xavier again..moore would be my guard off the bench, hes not be level talent either but at least never have to see a again, carter the forward guess he could play 15ish minutes and james the rest. Scruggs, naji, tyrique should only be coming out for quick breathers

It is obvious the roster is devoid of a lot of talent, so Steele should try to maximize the talent that is actually on it. The only ones we know that are of be caliber are the now core three, tandy and free. Moore, and Carter can fill in here and there but Steele should just run with those five and let it be this year.

Next year is going to be really interesting if naji and scruggs are gone. We may finally have a true point for the first time in what seems like forever...so we will at least have that going for us. I hope miles puts on twenty pounds of muscle, and/or Ramsay can play because otherwise this team is going to get abused on the boards next year

[vee4xu]

Two words: not good.