Game Thread: Xavier vs. Georgetown (March 1, 2020) BE Conference Game

[GIMMFD]

I zipped down to Georgia last year to catch a game while on a business trip in the area and came away very impressed. He was the best player on the floor and it wasn’t close. He has good instincts, unreal athleticism, and he has fire inside of him. I can’t wait to have him here. That said he does not have a natural stroke from 3 and it seems forced to set other guys up. I feel like I’m being forced to rag on the guy as not a true PG. he’s a basketball player that will help this team and is a true gamer. But if you are looking for John Stockton-like vision to run a team I think it is a square peg in round hole. He will attack the rim and defense, push the ball, and in transition can be special.

(Disclaimer I have only seen him in person once and form all opinion on 35 minutes of playing time)

Sounds like a more developed Sumner, which I'd be completely okay with to be honest.

[whopper]

2 years ago, Blair, Pickett, Moseley where on the court and combined for 46 points when we needed a Trevon 4 pt play to put the game to OT AT HOME and win it. Add Terrell Allen who had 22 against Butler last week. The centers combined for 11 pt and 12 rebounds. The walk on both played 12 min and had 4 pts. We played poorly no doubt but this was not the Little Sisters of the Poor(which everyone's father asked you if you played if you came home and say "we won"). A road win is a road win, the the Carter/Freemantle double block on Wahib was my biggest surprise of the year. They got a home whistle and we did not play smart for sure. By the way in that OT win, Tyrique went 10-10 from foul line. Another lifetime ago. Living in Conn I just got 2 tickets at the Dunc Wednesday and will take my Providence Grad best friend (we went to school from 1961-9, played hoop togther) and at $20 a head a great deal. Since I am retired and substitute teach daily in Bridgeport (I retired but have a wedding to (mostly) pay for at Bellermine (daughters grad in 17 and 10 and both working in Cincinnati) in Sept) this is about as fun as it gets.

[xudash]

2 years ago, Blair, Pickett, Moseley where on the court and combined for 46 points when we needed a Trevon 4 pt play to put the game to OT AT HOME and win it. Add Terrell Allen who had 22 against Butler last week. The centers combined for 11 pt and 12 rebounds. The walk on both played 12 min and had 4 pts. We played poorly no doubt but this was not the Little Sisters of the Poor(which everyone's father asked you if you played if you came home and say "we won"). A road win is a road win, the the Carter/Freemantle double block on Wahib was my biggest surprise of the year. They got a home whistle and we did not play smart for sure. By the way in that OT win, Tyrique went 10-10 from foul line. Another lifetime ago

Wow. Great perspective.

[GoMuskies]

No, that was pretty well Little Sisters of the Poor. But we beat them. On the road. All that matters in the end.

[Strange Brew]

Wow. Great perspective.

Road kill. Over. Next.


Naji, way to hit a fricking HUGE shot!

[JTG]

No, that was pretty well Little Sisters of the Poor. But we beat them. On the road. All that matters in the end.

The same Little Sisters of the Poor who boatraced Butler at Hinkle 2 weeks ago, I believe.

[chico]

Xavier is 1-8 against the Top 4 teams in the BE + Butler. They haven't played up to their competition that well.

I'm thinking more since the Seton Hall game.

[paulxu]

I'm just amazed that we're 2 games away from the end of the season and seemingly continue to struggle with basketball basics.
Don't have sloppy passes, take care with your dribble, move the ball around, run some plays, don't be an unnecessary hero, if you drive into a triple team...find the open man (or two), etc.,etc.,etc.
Very frustrating. Maybe it'll magically come together in the last 2 games.
Hope so. Me and bourbon are there till the last whistle.

[AviatorX]

I'm just amazed that we're 2 games away from the end of the season and seemingly continue to struggle with basketball basics.
Don't have sloppy passes, take care with your dribble, move the ball around, run some plays, don't be an unnecessary hero, if you drive into a triple team...find the open man (or two), etc.,etc.,etc.
Very frustrating. Maybe it'll magically come together in the last 2 games.
Hope so. Me and bourbon are there till the last whistle.

With all due respect, why are you amazed? This is a low basketball IQ group with an alpha dog who is far and away the team’s most
important player but is good for a few visibly boneheaded moments a game. The formula is to ugly games up and win with elite defense, which they are doing.

So many people posted that this team wouldn’t win another game, would finish last in the BE, blah blah blah and now here we are safely in the tournament on March 1 after winning 6/8 still looking for style points. That’s what’s amazing.

[Xville]

I'll preface this by saying I hope this teams keeps winning and goes to the final four. However, I am about done with this era of xavier basketball. It's so incredibly ugly and very hard to watch...the pieces just dont fit.

On one hand, I'd like paul and naji to come back, but on the other I'd rather just "start fresh" next year even though there will probably be considerable growing pains.

[xudash]

I'm just amazed that we're 2 games away from the end of the season and seemingly continue to struggle with basketball basics.
Don't have sloppy passes, take care with your dribble, move the ball around, run some plays, don't be an unnecessary hero, if you drive into a triple team...find the open man (or two), etc.,etc.,etc.
Very frustrating. Maybe it'll magically come together in the last 2 games.
Hope so. Me and bourbon are there till the last whistle.

Amplifying your point, more than anything else, Naji falling inbounds on an inbounds play - and at that critical juncture in the game - almost blew my mind.

[whopper]

just got tickets to Providence, going to drive from New Haven CT..2 tickets $40 total (up high) and going with a PC alumni. Sometimes you see more in person, watching warm ups, etc.. Go X but I am not optimistic.

[paulxu]

With all due respect, why are you amazed?

I'm use to Xavier teams getting (at least marginally) better as a season wears on.
Last year was a pretty good example, although it happened too late.
Was hoping the experienced, returning group would progress further...not stay static, and often regress.

But...I always enjoy the ride. Pulling for good things in the next couple of weeks.

[Lloyd Braun]

just got tickets to Providence, going to drive from New Haven CT..2 tickets $40 total (up high) and going with a PC alumni. Sometimes you see more in person, watching warm ups, etc.. Go X but I am not optimistic.

If X comes out lackadaisical in warmups I don’t like our chances :(

[xavierj]

I'm use to Xavier teams getting (at least marginally) better as a season wears on.
Last year was a pretty good example, although it happened too late.
Was hoping the experienced, returning group would progress further...not stay static, and often regress.

But...I always enjoy the ride. Pulling for good things in the next couple of weeks.

They have gotten better. They are 19-10 and 8-8 in a better league this year. The Big East was down last year in my opinion. Xavier is still flawed but some of what you see also has to do with the teams they are playing. I mean everyone looks at DePaul as a bad team but they were really good until they got into league play. Even St. John’s has really good wins. Butler’s only loss was by 1 point at Baylor and they are 8-8 in the Big East.

[noteggs]

No, that was pretty well Little Sisters of the Poor. But we beat them. On the road. All that matters in the end.

That’s what I told my Dad. Then tried to cover my ears on the last 30 minutes going home. Honestly, love you Dad and thanks for all you did for me RIP.

[JEHARDI]

I zipped down to Georgia last year to catch a game while on a business trip in the area and came away very impressed. He was the best player on the floor and it wasn’t close. He has good instincts, unreal athleticism, and he has fire inside of him. I can’t wait to have him here. That said he does not have a natural stroke from 3 and it seems forced to set other guys up. I feel like I’m being forced to rag on the guy as not a true PG. he’s a basketball player that will help this team and is a true gamer. But if you are looking for John Stockton-like vision to run a team I think it is a square peg in round hole. He will attack the rim and defense, push the ball, and in transition can be special.

(Disclaimer I have only seen him in person once and form all opinion on 35 minutes of playing time)

I live in the ATL area, have seen him play and have followed him the last couple years. He is a true PG. I have only seen him play in his conference (low level / private school league)would have liked to see him play up against better competition but he will play the point and will play it at a high level.

[Lloyd Braun]

I live in the ATL area, have seen him play and have followed him the last couple years. He is a true PG. I have only seen him play in his conference (low level / private school league)would have liked to see him play up against better competition but he will play the point and will play it at a high level.

Perhaps our definition of a true PG is different? Pass first floor general to set up the offense would be my criteria. It’s quite possible he will be that at X but I’m not sure that’s his natural fit. To be fair one could argue we haven’t had a true PG since Dee Davis. Summer was real close, and I know Q has a bunch of assists.... maybe I’m too strict on defining a position.

[scoscox]

the most frustrating thing about naji is that, if he could cut down on absent minded turnovers, he'd be 1st team all league. he's so incredibly versatile. there isn't anything he can't do, other than limit his turnovers

[D-West & PO-Z]

Xavier is 1-8 against the Top 4 teams in the BE + Butler. They haven't played up to their competition that well.

2 wins right? Seton Hall and Providence.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'll preface this by saying I hope this teams keeps winning and goes to the final four. However, I am about done with this era of xavier basketball. It's so incredibly ugly and very hard to watch...the pieces just dont fit.

On one hand, I'd like paul and naji to come back, but on the other I'd rather just "start fresh" next year even though there will probably be considerable growing pains.

Be careful what you wish for. I remember people being done with the Trevon/JP era of Xavier basketball and the "bad defense" and being really excited for a more athletic fast paced defensive team.

Granted we are way better defensively (at least this year, not last) but the offense is miserable at times.

(I am not saying I am not ready for a new era or some of these incoming players, I am, more the be careful about Paul and Naji leaving part.)

[kellernr]

Be careful what you wish for. I remember people being done with the Trevon/JP era of Xavier basketball and the "bad defense" and being really excited for a more athletic fast paced defensive team.

Granted we are way better defensively (at least this year, not last) but the offense is miserable at times.

(I am not saying I am not ready for a new era or some of these incoming players, I am, more the be careful about Paul and Naji leaving part.)

I think Naji leaves but the way Scruggs has preformed this year im not sure he will be getting many looks from teams outside of the G League. I'd like to see Scruggs come back and move back into his 2 guard spot while Kyky/Odom run point.

[Xuperman]

I’m not sure Odom is a true PG. As I have said in past posts he is Eric Bledsoe 2.0.


Why do you say that? I have no idea about Odom, but just curious. I know Steele made him a priority as soon as he got the job. He seems super athletic, likes to get to rim and is a good defender, but doesn’t seem to be a great shooter. Hopefully he can set guys up off the dribble. And I would take an Eric Bledsoe type guy.

There has never been more video and detailed stats on a Xavier recruit than what's available on Odom. He basically lives and breathes BBall and has made himself somewhat of a legend, not only in Georgia HS lore, but high level AAU as well. He is a TRUE PG....857 assist 266 turnovers with MORE CAREER STEALS than turnovers....think about THAT for a moment! Out of his 1529 FGA only 192 were from 3, so that's where the Bledsoe comparison ends for me, as Bledsoe shot from distance roughly 1/3 of the time (well he did in his 1 year at UK).

https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/dwon-odom/JQ4UY6-AEeaAdqA2nzwY6g/basketball/stats.htm#year=19-20

Looks like he has worked on his outside shooting as he's posted his best season from 3 at a 41% clip, but the amazing thing is, he's a CAREER 69% from inside the arc and most of the video shows it is driving the lane....the guy is an AMAZING finisher!

So yea, let's hope that Paul returns to pair up with this guy. Would be a LETHAL COMBINATION.

BTW, for those that might question his high school competition, he had very similar numbers in AAU.

[Xville]

If naji leaves, I wonder if x would go small and have tandy, odom, and then scruggs at the 3?

[Masterofreality]

Garbage officiating.

John Gaffney has officially joined the Trash Officiating Group who's President is Brian O'Connell, the Vice President is Jeffrey Anderson, and Wally Rutecki is the Secretary, Mike Eades, Treasurer and Jamie Luckie- who somehow has infiltrated the Big East, is President Emeritus. The Good Ref Club includes- Ayers (despite him missing the intentional on Ohio State), Driscoll, Mike Roberts and Chiazza, despite being young. The rest are a dice roll mediocre.


I'm just amazed that we're 2 games away from the end of the season and seemingly continue to struggle with basketball basics.
Don't have sloppy passes, take care with your dribble, move the ball around, run some plays, don't be an unnecessary hero, if you drive into a triple team...find the open man (or two), etc.,etc.,etc.
Very frustrating. Maybe it'll magically come together in the last 2 games.
Hope so. Me and bourbon are there till the last whistle.

It's pretty amazing to me that the same people that say that our players are so "Stupid" never say the same thing when they're executing a solid defensive scheme, which I give Steele full credit for having...and it's not necessarily simple...although I think he misses times when he should go zone when it's not an emergency panic time like against St. Johns. The offense is still a joke and these guys are, half the time, trying to create something on the fly. Same thing every possession- run weave at top of key, run your big up to set a screen then he retreats and after one reverse pass they try to feed it low. If that is stopped with a double team, a pass back out to a guy who has to try to create one on one. Same damn thing every time!!! And WTF is this when GTown was playing a 2-3 zone with the foul line middle open, did Xavier STILL have their big running up top to set a pick on a guy who was playing zone with another zone guy next to him. THIS rather just running the big to the foul line that was wide the F open for an easy 10 footer that Free could have made or making the defense adjust up for a wing cut or backdoor. Or even a pass back out of the post for a wing jumper by KyKy, Scruggs etc. Byron was saying the exact thing on the radio yesterday, so don't think it's just an old man coach yelling at the cloud. It's abjectly ridiculous.
These guys are not being taught properly on offense and their left to their own devices too much and they're trying to invent iish on the run. Result? Another 22 turnovers. Install a SYSTEM like Miller's Motion or other organized stuff.

[xavierj]

John Gaffney has officially joined the Trash Officiating Group who's President is Brian O'Connell, the Vice President is Jeffrey Anderson, and Wally Rutecki is the Secretary, Mike Eades, Treasurer and Jamie Luckie- who somehow has infiltrated the Big East, is President Emeritus. The Good Ref Club includes- Ayers (despite him missing the intentional on Ohio State), Driscoll, Mike Roberts and Chiazza, despite being young. The rest are a dice roll mediocre.



It's pretty amazing to me that the same people that say that our players are so "Stupid" never say the same thing when they're executing a solid defensive scheme, which I give Steele full credit for having...and it's not necessarily simple...although I think he misses times when he should go zone when it's not an emergency panic time like against St. Johns. The offense is still a joke and these guys are, half the time, trying to create something on the fly. Same thing every possession- run weave at top of key, run your big up to set a screen then he retreats and after one reverse pass they try to feed it low. If that is stopped with a double team, a pass back out to a guy who has to try to create one on one. Same damn thing every time!!! And WTF is this when GTown was playing a 2-3 zone with the foul line middle open, did Xavier STILL have their big running up top to set a pick on a guy who was playing zone with another zone guy next to him. THIS rather just running the big to the foul line that was wide the F open for an easy 10 footer that Free could have made or making the defense adjust up for a wing cut or backdoor. Or even a pass back out of the post for a wing jumper by KyKy, Scruggs etc. Byron was saying the exact thing on the radio yesterday, so don't think it's just an old man coach yelling at the cloud. It's abjectly ridiculous.
These guys are not being taught properly on offense and their left to their own devices too much and they're trying to invent iish on the run. Result? Another 22 turnovers. Install a SYSTEM like Miller's Motion or other organized stuff.

I think you will see a completely different offense next year. I believe Travis tried what you are saying early last year with this bunch, but realized he had to adjust to playing ugly to win with this group. I think next year with a true point and more shooters the offense will be more like the one he designed for Chris when he had Bluiett and JP. If you see the same crap offense next year I will agree with you, but doubt we will see that. Travis knows more about basketball than you think he does. I am sure of that.

[Lloyd Braun]

There has never been more video and detailed stats on a Xavier recruit than what's available on Odom. He basically lives and breathes BBall and has made himself somewhat of a legend, not only in Georgia HS lore, but high level AAU as well. He is a TRUE PG....857 assist 266 turnovers with MORE CAREER STEALS than turnovers....think about THAT for a moment! Out of his 1529 FGA only 192 were from 3, so that's where the Bledsoe comparison ends for me, as Bledsoe shot from distance roughly 1/3 of the time (well he did in his 1 year at UK).

https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/dwon-odom/JQ4UY6-AEeaAdqA2nzwY6g/basketball/stats.htm#year=19-20

Looks like he has worked on his outside shooting as he's posted his best season from 3 at a 41% clip, but the amazing thing is, he's a CAREER 69% from inside the arc and most of the video shows it is driving the lane....the guy is an AMAZING finisher!

So yea, let's hope that Paul returns to pair up with this guy. Would be a LETHAL COMBINATION.

BTW, for those that might question his high school competition, he had very similar numbers in AAU.

You can compare stats all day and find a way to contrast players. But using Bledsoe’s stats as a freshman at UK to Odoms as a high schooler is apples and oranges. Eye test for me says it’s a good comp. Odom has good form on his shot so I agree that he has promise on his shooting. Still think he is not a true PG by my definition but that’s not that big of a deal really...

[XU 23]

John Gaffney has officially joined the Trash Officiating Group who's President is Brian O'Connell, the Vice President is Jeffrey Anderson, and Wally Rutecki is the Secretary, Mike Eades, Treasurer and Jamie Luckie- who somehow has infiltrated the Big East, is President Emeritus. The Good Ref Club includes- Ayers (despite him missing the intentional on Ohio State), Driscoll, Mike Roberts and Chiazza, despite being young. The rest are a dice roll mediocre.

https://kenpom.com/officials.php

Here’s Pomeroy’s ref rankings for the 2020 season. I have no idea how he complies this, but pretty interesting stuff.

[Masterofreality]

https://kenpom.com/officials.php

Here’s Pomeroy’s ref rankings for the 2020 season. I have no idea how he complies this, but pretty interesting stuff.

Can’t read it because I don’t subscribe to premium. You’ll just have to summarize, but I’m sticking with my ranking.
By the way, I think TV Teddy is pretty good.

[xudash]

Quote from Naji after the game - - how did we arrive at his go-ahead 3:

"Oh, unbelievably good. I could see it going in the whole time," smiled Marshall, who finished with a game-high 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists. "I was just trying to read the defense on whatever they gave me. I feel like they took away the drive. There was five seconds left so I didn't want to put it in somebody else's hands, put them in a bad position so I just took the shot and I'm glad it just went in."

Steele said, "Naji's got ice in his veins. He's built for that moment. He's spent countless hours extra in the gym for those moments and it makes me really proud."

He earlier noted that he put it in Naji's hands at that point.

FYI

[GIMMFD]

If naji leaves, I wonder if x would go small and have tandy, odom, and then scruggs at the 3?

I'd like to think so, I think you'd want your best players on the court, and Odom, Tandy, Scruggs gives that option. Odom will probably be eased in if Scruggs is still around as well in the beginning, the bigger pluses are having Jones and Wilcher's shooting presence, even if they play sparingly it'll be nice to have some shooters that can keep the defense honest, as we lack that a bit this year.


Quote from Naji after the game - - how did we arrive at his go-ahead 3:

"Oh, unbelievably good. I could see it going in the whole time," smiled Marshall, who finished with a game-high 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists. "I was just trying to read the defense on whatever they gave me. I feel like they took away the drive. There was five seconds left so I didn't want to put it in somebody else's hands, put them in a bad position so I just took the shot and I'm glad it just went in."

Steele said, "Naji's got ice in his veins. He's built for that moment. He's spent countless hours extra in the gym for those moments and it makes me really proud."

He earlier noted that he put it in Naji's hands at that point.

FYI

Naji may make some incredibly frustrating turnovers, and have some flaws to his game, but he's definitely clutch. He's hit big threes all throughout the season for us, and he's the one guy I feel most comfortable about taking that shot. They've ran and hit the Villanova 3 play what? 4 times this season? Definitely can't hate on the "ice water" veins Naji has.

[Masterofreality]

Quote from Naji after the game - - how did we arrive at his go-ahead 3:

"Oh, unbelievably good. I could see it going in the whole time," smiled Marshall, who finished with a game-high 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists. "I was just trying to read the defense on whatever they gave me. I feel like they took away the drive. There was five seconds left so I didn't want to put it in somebody else's hands, put them in a bad position so I just took the shot and I'm glad it just went in."

Steele said, "Naji's got ice in his veins. He's built for that moment. He's spent countless hours extra in the gym for those moments and it makes me really proud."

He earlier noted that he put it in Naji's hands at that point.

FYI

That sure doesn't sound like a "Stupid" basketball player to me.

[MADXSTER]

I re-watched the game last night(I know I'm a glutten) and a few notes. Xavier moved the ball really really well on offense and pushed the ball up the court every time without forcing anything. Q had a really good game. Tyrique Jones played about as bad as anyone could have played(and I mean really bad) in the first 30 minutes. The last 10 minutes he was All Big East. The refs were really bad and that lead to the game looking even worse than what it was.

Overall I really liked what I saw. Much more so than watching it live.