Game Thread: Xavier vs. DePaul (March 11, 2020) BE Tournament

[paulxu]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kBAAAOSwqfNXkU44/s-l300.jpg VS. https://www.decalsextremeonline.com/assets/images/depauluniversitybluedemonsmascot(c).jpg



NO. 7 SEED XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (19-12, 8-10 BIG EAST)
NO. 10 SEED DEPAUL UNIVERSITY BLUE DEMONS (15-16, 3-15 BIG EAST)
BIG EAST TOURNAMENT 1ST ROUND --- WED., MARCH 11 AT 9:30 P.M. ET
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN (19,812) IN NEW YORK

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Tim Brando and analysis from Bill Raftery. Lisa Byington is the sideline reporter.
Radio: 700 WLW-AM with play-by-play from XU Hall of Famer and former Musketeer standout Joe Sunderman ('79). Analysis will be provided by Xavier Hall of Famer and XU all-time leading scorer Byron Larkin ('88). A radio broadcast will be available on Sirius 137/XM 207 (also on SiriusXM app, channel 966).
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.

[flatspat]

X - 6.5

[GoMuskies]

X - 6.5

Is it? I saw -4 like two hours ago.

[flatspat]

Is it? I saw -4 like two hours ago.

Opened at 4 but now 6.5 everywhere else I saw like scoresandodds.com and Vegasinsider.com which includes west gate sports book and mirage

[drudy23]

Just win baby.

[Xville]

Any updates on the availability of the two pauls for the game?

[GoMuskies]

Any updates on the availability of the two pauls for the game?

The line movement would suggest that's working out in our favor.

[paulxu]

Any updates on the availability of the two pauls for the game?

I'll be there (my den) at game time. No worries. Not sure about the other guy.

[bjf123]

I'll be there (my den) at game time. No worries. Not sure about the other guy.

Be sure to stretch before tipoff!


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[Lloyd Braun]

Both Paul’s likely to play

[paulxu]

I'm in it to win it.

[kellernr]

Watching the clip of Xavier's practice I can guarantee most of the guys would fail a drug test. They all look stoned as hell

[Xville]

Watching the clip of Xavier's practice I can guarantee most of the guys would fail a drug test. They all look stoned as hell

I love naji but holy shit.

[Xville]

So glad to see q in the starting lineup again. Love the way he contributes to us sucking

[HenryMuto]

Last game with fans after tonight there will likely be no one allowing fans in.

[xu82]

Last game with fans after tonight there will likely be no one allowing fans in.

I’m glad I didn’t make this my first BE tourney trip as planned.

[SM#24]

So much to like about Naji, then he chucks up a shot like that.

[HenryMuto]

NBA has just suspended all games after tonight...........will there even be an NCAA tournament ? We will even get through all the conference tournament games ?

[Xville]

Way to make those free throws tyrique..geezus fuck

[Lloyd Braun]

Free sort of reminds me of Matt Howard. Great footwork, nice jumper. Chance to be special ...

[Xville]

Carter missing bunnies and tyrique missing fts. I've seen this movie before.

[xu82]

NBA has just suspended all games after tonight...........will there even be an NCAA tournament ? We will even get through all the conference tournament games ?

If there is no tournament, we can’t miss it!

[kellernr]

Free sort of reminds me of Matt Howard. Great footwork, nice jumper. Chance to be special ...

We will be calling him the white David West by his senior year

[paulxu]

If we can get Naji not to play hero ball, and drop off to someone when he's triple teamed, we'll win this game.

[paulxu]

Or stop complaining to the refs while the other team runs down the floor and scores.

[kellernr]

What the hell is Carter doing out there? Switch off and take kykys guy half way across the court then stops. Then comes down the court and throws it nowhere near the hoop. Time to sit him

[Xville]

This team is a joke

[KabeX]

Vibe ain’t good here. If there’s no fans tomorrow then I guess I’ll have to drink double tonight! Need to shore up the D. Sloppy so far.

[X Factor]

What was Carter doing?

[xavierj]

If we can get Naji not to play hero ball, and drop off to someone when he's triple teamed, we'll win this game.

Hero ball? He has taken 4 shots but has 4 assists. He has thrown some nice passes. Threw one to carter, which he should have shot the ball instead holds it then has to throw one up.

[X Factor]

We are so indecisive. Pass up wide open shots and then dribble into trouble. Constantly miss wide open guys. No moving without the ball.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Q’s missed dunk perfectly encapsulates his season

[Xville]

Naji should have 8 or 9 assists already but these guys cant finish shit

[Lloyd Braun]

One of the first friendly calls all season for us calling the foul on Reed. Horrible call but I’ll take it.

[HenryMuto]

Could have guarded for 8 seconds and not even be in this game.

[Xville]

This team is absolute garbage

[bjf123]

Naji trying to play hero ball again.


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[kellernr]

I guess scruggs isnt playing tonight

[Xville]

Getting worked over by fucking depaul... what a joke.

[drudy23]

Well, if they cancel the BET and the NCAAT, which seems more and more likely, it won't sting as bad knowing we weren't making it anyway.

We suck.

[Lloyd Braun]

One thing they don’t do well is take a charge.... always a block or Olé to the hoop

[xu82]

Hero ball? He has taken 4 shots but has 4 assists. He has thrown some nice passes. Threw one to carter, which he should have shot the ball instead holds it then has to throw one up.

Well, he did just drive into three defenders and turn the ball over. He was pretty unselfish for a while and looked good, but hope he doesn’t try to put the team on his shoulders.....unless it works, of course! :-)

[kellernr]

Final score will show a 12pt win for X. Hopefully saving Scruggs for the 2nd half. Paul at 75% is still better than carter playing every minute.

[X Factor]

Welp, I'm sure the NIT will be cancelled...

[XUBison]

Welp, I'm sure the NIT will be cancelled...

Now that’s a hell of a post.

[paulxu]

I have seen some encouraging signs of actual plays being run.
Gives me a lot of hope for next year.

[Xville]

Seems like every damn game besides seton hall, they have to scratch and crawl to get back into games...exhausting to watch

[GoMuskies]

This is just the weirdest damned situation. Hard to take these games very seriously right now. Just seems to hardly matter.

[X Factor]

Zach had a nice half.

[Xville]

I'll be surprised if there is a tournament anyways so guess none of this stuff even matters

[xudash]

Imposing our will would be nice.

[xu82]

Zach had a nice half.

Zach is already a favorite. Love his game and ability to stretch the court with his shooting.

[whopper]

Dow futures down 1000, as a retiree I substitute teach inner city..city just banned subs till March 31 so lose $1000 pay..NBA suspended as Rudy gobert tests positive, and I worry about self at 64 even though I work out like madman.hard to focus on game but thank God for Zach. Good news I will drive to Cincinnati with wife to take "advantage" o no work for a free vacation and wedding planning for Bellarmine in Sept.
This is just the weirdest damned situation. Hard to take these games very seriously right now. Just seems to hardly matter.

[GoMuskies]

MSG to be empty the rest of the way. No surprise.

[fellahmuskie]

This is just the weirdest damned situation. Hard to take these games very seriously right now. Just seems to hardly matter.

I'm at the game right now and feel exactly the same way. So weird.

[Lloyd Braun]

If a bear craps in the woods but nobody hears it does it make a noise?

[xu82]

If a bear craps in the woods but nobody hears it does it make a noise?

No noise, but I’d likely step in it........

[bjf123]

No noise, but I’d likely step in it........

Like X did in the first half.


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[paulxu]

Come on Muskies. Give us something happy during this crap time in our country,

[SM#24]

Nice shot Naji

[Xville]

That just personified the season...chance to go up...but naji throws up a stupid shot with plenty of time left, and then our resident fucking moron fouls a guy going in for a layup, but not hard enough so he makes an and 1

[paulxu]

Let's flex after we win.
Please Naji, be good Naji and play smart.
Thank you.

[xudash]

That is the season right there: Naji losing the ball on the dribble and believing that he has the chuck up a 3, followed up by Goodin with a dumb foul at the other end.

[whopper]

I am tired or Rafferty and Brando saying how great our players are strange as it seems. Sometimes I think our problem is that we read our own press clippings (not that there is paper news anymore). Too late but I liked it when they did not give X respect and we had to earn it

[kellernr]

We were always told if your going to foul someone make sure they miss and hit the ground hard.

[chico]

So is the no charge zone also a no travel zone?

[paulxu]

That guy was over Zach's back.

[drudy23]

Put Tyrique back in, seriously.

[bjf123]

Dagger?


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[drudy23]

I can't take anymore Q, Naji, and Carter.

[kellernr]

Carter gets in the way of his own guys on rebounds way too much.

[paulxu]

Think I'll toss a lazy pass over there so they can get a 3.


I know these guys care, but come on.

[xudash]

Crosscourt floater pass by Goodin. Result: Turnover.

[GoMuskies]

That last pass should be the last play of Goodin's college career.

[RoseyMuskie]

I will not miss Q. My god, put his a** on the bench Steele.

[Xville]

I'm so sick of seeing goodin and carter....only good thing about losing would be not having to watch one of them in an x uniform ever again

[paulxu]

How do they get a 4 on 1 break?

[xu82]

How do they have a 4 on 1 break after we miss a shot?

[Lloyd Braun]

Starting to double Jones in post.

[drudy23]

This team cannot get out of its own way.

[Lloyd Braun]

Good naji

[Xville]

Ok we made a run...now keep q on the fucking bench steele

[chico]

How can someone go from maddening to dominating so quickly?

[drudy23]

How can someone go from maddening to dominating so quickly?

Don't worry, back to maddening is soon to follow. That's how this team rolls.

[kellernr]

I could have sworn a technical foul used to count as a personal foul too. Am I wrong or did they change that rule?

[bjf123]

How can someone go from maddening to dominating so quickly?

Have you watched Naji at all? [emoji16]


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[Xville]

How can someone go from maddening to dominating so quickly?

Shit ton of talent + not a lot of good players around him + low bb iq

[bjf123]

I could have sworn a technical foul used to count as a personal foul too. Am I wrong or did they change that rule?

It did. Reed has 4 now.


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[kellernr]

Don't worry, back to maddening is soon to follow. That's how this team rolls.

Need to keep feeding it to the bigs and try to draw some more fouls. I don't really want Jones at the line but if he's drawing fouls on Reed I'll take it.

[kellernr]

Ok. The announcers made it sound like it didn't count as his 4th

[chico]

Have you watched Naji at all? [emoji16]


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Yeah for almost 3 years and I still can't figure it out. There's never been another player I can remember that is so bipolar.

[GoMuskies]

Good Naji is really good.

[xudash]

Crosscourt floater pass by Goodin. Result: Turnover.

[Lloyd Braun]

That tech was complete bullshit....

[GIMMFD]

Yeah for almost 3 years and I still can't figure it out. There's never been another player I can remember that is so bipolar.

Haha the closest I have is Justin Martin, it seemed when J-Mart wanted to play, he was unreal, but when he was uninterested, it was something else. Hopefully good Naji closes the half out for us. Let's put them away

[HenryMuto]

Nice comeback now finish it.

[bjf123]

How many times was Tyrique fouled on that play?


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[GoMuskies]

A rebound would be good.

[Lloyd Braun]

Unfortunately can’t unsee that whole sequence.

[HenryMuto]

A rebound would be good.

Was that 3 or 4 offensive rebounds on that possession ? I lost count.

[xu82]

You can’t give them 3-4 times to score. One is MORE than enough!

[Lloyd Braun]

Haha the closest I have is Justin Martin, it seemed when J-Mart wanted to play, he was unreal, but when he was uninterested, it was something else. Hopefully good Naji closes the half out for us. Let's put them away

Jmart is a great example. Jalen fits the bill for me too.

[Xville]

We got one useless player out of the lineup, can se get the other one out? Play moore or james dont give a crap...no more carter for fucks sake

[xu82]

Bank pass off the front edge of the rim should get an extra point for degree of difficulty.

[drudy23]

And....we're back, right on cue.

[GoMuskies]

Losing to DePaul would be a pretty appropriate way to end this season.

[kellernr]

Bad naji is back. Bring back good naji for the last 4 minutes

[Xville]

Preparing for a loss....so sick of carter...why the hell is he continuing to play

[drudy23]

I'll take Tyrique and Free all day long. Tandy can play, but has a lot to learn.

The others, drive me crazy.

[GoMuskies]

It's okay to shoot a 2 when down 3.

[Xville]

I'll take Tyrique and Free all day long. Tandy can play, but has a lot to learn.

The others, drive me crazy.

Agreed...I'm pretty done watching the majority of these older guys...just stupid basketball. I hope scruggs come back as a bridge...but wish carter would just go away

[RoseyMuskie]

No excuse to have first team Big East, second team Big East, two all conference freshman, and to lose to the 10 seeds in the tournament.

[Lloyd Braun]

Once Reed came back in they should have gone right at him. That has not happened

[kellernr]

This team has 0 basketball IQ. Everytime they have had a lead late in a game they start chucking 3s like the game is a lock. Drive the damn lane and draw the foul. They are in the damn bonus

[stammina0721]

Steele is in so far over his head it isn't even funny

[drudy23]

Why

[GoMuskies]

Tandy, uh no.

[Xville]

Absolutely stupid basketball. Let this season be over.

[RoseyMuskie]

This is fireable...

[kellernr]

Steele has 0 control over this team. They basically do whatever they want out there with no consequence. I pray they miss the tourney again next year so he gets the boot

[Xville]

Everyone is responsible for this crap season...players, coaches, coronavirus.

Hope Scruggs comes back

[whopper]

This is fireable...there will been No NIT as if they suspend NBA why even start NIT this is it and I am so sad for all involved

[XBR1]

This team sucks without Scruggs.

[xu82]

Steele has 0 control over this team. They basically do whatever they want out there with no consequence. I pray they miss the tourney again next year so he gets the boot

I don’t want YOU on my team.

[HenryMuto]

That's Xavier's ball 1 last chance to dance

[GoMuskies]

Did Q make a GOOD play?!?

[GIMMFD]

Well. This fucking sucks.

[stammina0721]

there will been No NIT as if they suspend NBA why even start NIT this is it and I am so sad for all involved

Shouldn't be too hard. X won't be called next year either

[kellernr]

All those missed free throws by jones come back to bite xavier again.

[AviatorX]

No defense from me on this one. This team and program suck right now in light of the standards at XU. There is no sugar coating.

[Xville]

Well, see you all next year. Glad there wont be an nit....dont want to watch this shit anymore

[stammina0721]

If Xavier isn't on the phone with John Beilein right now then they don't have the same basketball standards they used to have. We really lost something when we lost Bobinski again.

[XBR1]

Wow

[D-West & PO-Z]

What a disgrace. DePaul hadnt won a BE tourney game since 2014.

Team doesnt deserve bid.

[Xavier]

Nothing to say, Steele did a horrible job needing one win in last three. Frustrating, pathetic and inexcusable to miss tournament two straight years

[drudy23]

Zero improvement with offensive flow all season. We did what we were bad at pretty much all year. Tyrique emerged but other than that, it was the same crap all year.

How does that happen?

[Xville]

This should be completely unacceptable at xavier.

So glad to not have to watch goodin anymore, and though hes insanely talented, glad to see naji out the door too.

Hope Scruggs comes back and forms the new nucleus.

Odom
Tandy
Scruggs
Free
Anyone but carter

Looks like a decent starting five to me

[GoMuskies]

Well, that was....a season.

[drudy23]

The first thing I would do is put the C on Freemantle's jersey and tell him to start kicking ass and taking names. Then I would be on the search for the best assistant coach in the country.

Steele hasn't had this team for 2 years.

[stammina0721]

This should be completely unacceptable at xavier.

So glad to not have to watch goodin anymore, and though hes insanely talented, glad to see naji out the door too.

Hope Scruggs comes back and forms the new nucleus.

Odom
Tandy
Scruggs
Free
Anyone but carter

Looks like a decent starting five to me

If Steele is in charge they won't win. It is very clear every coach in this league is better and views him as a joke to coach against

[Backyard Champ]

We literally needed 1 win in last 3 games to make the tournament. Steele blew it big time.

DePaul didn’t even play good defense and we still blew it.

[kellernr]

Travis steele needs to go. Killed the 35 year conference streak of .500 or better and then loses to DePaul. Xavier was due for a bad coaching hire. Should have snagged Brannen 2 years ago.

[Xavier]

Yikes, no way. UC has the best player in a 1 or 2 bid league and they will miss the tournament.

[Backyard Champ]

This team clearly needed some leadership as our basketball IQ sucked.

Steele couldn’t provide it. We have talent to be better than 19-13. That’s all on coach

[Go Go Golston]

Let me tell you something "man", man this coaching staff really got exposed during the conference season. "Man", I'm really glad this dumpster fire is over.
The most frustrating season I've ever witnessed. Been watching since 1978.
Here's my last post which I've been holding onto all season. In the first game of the year against Jacksonville, Marshall made a shot and as he went past the Jacksonville bench, he shhhhh! them and I thought what a douche. To pimp such an inferior opponent. And Xavier beat them by a whopping 9 points. To me that set the tone for him, the team and coaching staff. This is not the program I signed up for. Change it quick, please, somebody-anybody.
Have a good summer and stay virus free.

[Xville]

If Steele is in charge they won't win. It is very clear every coach in this league is better and views him as a joke to coach against

I'm not sold on steele... I mean why would anyone be, but this roster construction was terrible. So many square pegs....I want to see what a Steele team looks like with a real point guard and his own guys...then, I think we can make a real decision on him

[Backyard Champ]

I'm not sold on steele... I mean why would anyone be, but this roster construction was terrible. So many square pegs....I want to see what a Steele team looks like with a real point guard and his own guys...then, I think we can make a real decision on him

Agreed here. Let’s see him with his guys. He did great with Hankins/Freemantle/Tandy. I see potential.

But he also did a terrible job with this current team, who underachieved big time.

[stammina0721]

I'm not sold on steele... I mean why would anyone be, but this roster construction was terrible. So many square pegs....I want to see what a Steele team looks like with a real point guard and his own guys...then, I think we can make a real decision on him

Our PG was the starting PG on a one seeded team. We had a PG we didn't have a coach who held players accountable and that is why we saw so much regression. I've seen enough. The sample size is over. Steele is overmatched and in over his head. One more year won't change that.

I'm sorry but when a guy like John Beilein is available you have to get on the phone immediately. He may say no, but you have to get on the phone and try while he is on the open market

[whopper]

I would be shocked if there was even an NIT so it is over. The loss of Q's confidence/skill pushed Tandy up way too soon, made Marshall into a point forward, ruined the whole rotation. We were outplayed and Baldwin's 3 has so many ramifications many of which have not even been manifested yet(no NCAA, No NIT, status of Naj/Paul and even Steele). Thanks to the team for their effort if not results and a lot of soul searching

[stammina0721]

And I'm saying this as a Marvin Lewis apologist. I never thought he should be fired until his next to last year. Before that I was always calling people nuts for wanting him gone.

Just wanted to bring that up to show I'm not the kind of guy who wants to fire guys on a whim. But I have to trust my own eyes and they are saying we currently have Chris Mullen 2.0 as our leader right now

[gladdenguy]

Tiny Travis
CoachNIT

Pathetic showing. At least we don’t have to watch this particular Xavier team again.

[drudy23]

I agree the coach didn't hold anyone accountable, and I think it's part of the root cause of what's happened.

It seems like Naji was in control of this team (and not in a good way), not Steele.

[xu82]

If you’d like, I can nominate you all for honorary Buffalo Bills fans! :-)

[X Factor]

And I'm saying this as a Marvin Lewis apologist. I never thought he should be fired until his next to last year. Before that I was always calling people nuts for wanting him gone.

Just wanted to bring that up to show I'm not the kind of guy who wants to fire guys on a whim. But I have to trust my own eyes and they are saying we currently have Chris Mullen 2.0 as our leader right now

Probably more like our version of Wojo.

[Xville]

Our PG was the starting PG on a one seeded team. We had a PG we didn't have a coach who held players accountable and that is why we saw so much regression. I've seen enough. The sample size is over. Steele is overmatched and in over his head. One more year won't change that.

I'm sorry but when a guy like John Beilein is available you have to get on the phone immediately. He may say no, but you have to get on the phone and try while he is on the open market

Q sucks...period. yeah he looked good when there were shooters all over the damn floor and the defense was spread out so wide he could drive the lane or make one pass and get an assist. Hes not a point guard, hes a combo guard who has little bb IQ and little talent vs this level.

[Xavier]

I'm sorry but when a guy like John Beilein is available you have to get on the phone immediately. He may say no, but you have to get on the phone and try while he is on the open market

Just stop with this. He may be available but not to Xavier. Get realistic with other guys you want.

[Xville]

I would be shocked if there was even an NIT so it is over. The loss of Q's confidence/skill pushed Tandy up way too soon, made Marshall into a point forward, ruined the whole rotation. We were outplayed and Baldwin's 3 has so many ramifications many of which have not even been manifested yet(no NCAA, No NIT, status of Naj/Paul and even Steele). Thanks to the team for their effort if not results and a lot of soul searching

I'll be shocked if there is even a tournament at this point.

[xu82]

I agree the coach didn't hold anyone accountable, and I think it's part of the root cause of what's happened.

It seems like Naji was in control of this team (and not in a good way), not Steele.

I can’t disagree. It was Naji and Q, then it was just Naji.....but it was never right. I give Travis a chance to continue on and see what he can build with his guys.

[Backyard Champ]

Our PG was the starting PG on a one seeded team. We had a PG we didn't have a coach who held players accountable and that is why we saw so much regression. I've seen enough. The sample size is over. Steele is overmatched and in over his head. One more year won't change that.

I'm sorry but when a guy like John Beilein is available you have to get on the phone immediately. He may say no, but you have to get on the phone and try while he is on the open market


Quite honestly, Q is a good PG. Look at some of the highlights from when we actually had good shooters to surround Q. Q is actually good at getting by his defender, but then everyone can collapse because we have no threat that they have to keep an eye on.

The biggest problem this year, and last year frankly, is we didn’t have the shooters. Having a shooter opens up the lane for Q, Jones, drives, literally everything offensively. Problem is, q isn’t a scoring first PG. I think people overlook the fact that defenses can literally collapse/double every drive Q had. His skill set is great if we have shooters, which was shown his first two years here.

[drudy23]

There were a few games down the stretch where Free was visibly upset with his teammates' decision making. You could tell he was thinking "we are so dumb".

Next year, Free needs to grab a dude's jersey and put the fear of Free in them when that happens, and preferably, at the first practice. Steele certainly didn't do that.

Naji seems like the Mark Lyons type that was allowed to stay.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'll be shocked if there is even a tournament at this point.

Same. One week from today this is only going to be more widespread and its only a matter of time until college basketball players start getting diagnosed.

I think its 50/50 at best the tournament happens.

[X Factor]

Quite honestly, Q is a good PG. Look at some of the highlights from when we actually had good shooters to surround Q. Q is actually good at getting by his defender, but then everyone can collapse because we have no threat that they have to keep an eye on.

The biggest problem this year, and last year frankly, is we didn’t have the shooters. Having a shooter opens up the lane for Q, Jones, drives, literally everything offensively. Problem is, q isn’t a scoring first PG. I think people overlook the fact that defenses can literally collapse/double every drive Q had. His skill set is great if we have shooters, which was shown his first two years here.

You're not a good PG because you can make one pass to a Trevon Bleuitt or JP Macura and watch them make a three pointer. There is WAY more to being a PG than that.

[stammina0721]

Just stop with this. He may be available but not to Xavier. Get realistic with other guys you want.

No because while I really don't like Steele I can't justify firing a guy after 2 season for an up and comer with no history. That is nuts after two seasons. If Beilein would listen you have to make the call and if he wants it kick Steele to the curb. However, you can't fire Steele for a guy with no or little experience.

Steele can be fired for an established successful coach who would want the job, however he can't be fired for an unproven guy without another year of a Trainwreck.

So that is why I say you have to call Beilien. He could easily say no and at that point you gotta give Steele one more year. However, if a clearly more talented coach would be interested you have to make that move.

[Backyard Champ]

You're not a good PG because you can make one pass to a Trevon Bleuitt or JP Macura and watch them make a three pointer. There is WAY more to being a PG than that.

And yet, everyone thought he was a good PG when he was going that.

When you’re not a primary scoring option PG, but can drive pretty well, not having anyone who can shoot makes it far more difficult.

[KFX]

Sorry about not addressing the COVID 19 issue. But Ol’ Coach Steele is a joke. I don’t have the time to go through the particulars but DePaul just put XU out of the tournament. Been watching the team since 1979 - Steele is a bad hire. Again, DePaul put us out of the tourney. Used car salesmen.

[SM#24]

No because while I really don't like Steele I can't justify firing a guy after 2 season for an up and comer with no history. That is nuts after two seasons. If Beilein would listen you have to make the call and if he wants it kick Steele to the curb. However, you can't fire Steele for a guy with no or little experience.

Steele can be fired for an established successful coach who would want the job, however he can't be fired for an unproven guy without another year of a Trainwreck.

So that is why I say you have to call Beilien. He could easily say no and at that point you gotta give Steele one more year. However, if a clearly more talented coach would be interested you have to make that move.
How will we ever know if the call was made or not ?

[drudy23]

Sounds like Dante was sent out again for the post-game.

This probably shouldn't bother me, but it does. Part of the accountability issue.

Would love to hear Byron's real thoughts on this.

[stammina0721]

How will we ever know if the call was made or not ?

We won't... Just have to trust administration at Xavier is trying behind closed doors.

I know X has really never been in this position before. But the powers that be have to embrace their responsibility to get the program back on track by trying to get a great coach to come while he is available.

I don't personally do it but can you imagine another bad season like the last two? It's real hard to keep asking season ticket holders to shell out over a thousand dollars in " donations" every year when this is the quality of basketball we are getting.

[RoseyMuskie]

Here’s why I’m really struggling with the thought of Steele moving forward.

-Went under .500 in conference with a first team, a second team, and two freshman all conference players.

-In two years, he couldn’t figure out the recipe for Scruggs and Marshall to succeed together

-Of his two transfers, one was a bust, and one was okay. Need at least one to be good

-The regression of Quentin Goodin was one of the worst in the last fifteen years (how long I’ve been following X). Coaching plays a part in that.

-The team’s IQ was terrible. I understand that for the most part, it’s a byproduct of personnel. But coaching does play a factor too.

[drudy23]

Here’s why I’m really struggling with the thought of Steele moving forward.

-Went under .500 in conference with a first team, a second team, and two freshman all conference players.

-In two years, he couldn’t figure out the recipe for Scruggs and Marshall to succeed together

-Of his two transfers, one was a bust, and one was okay. Need at least one to be good

-The regression of Quentin Goodin was one of the worst in the last fifteen years (how long I’ve been following X). Coaching plays a part in that.

-The team’s IQ was terrible. I understand that for the most part, it’s a byproduct of personnel. But coaching does play a factor too.

Solid post. It does seem many of our problems this year come down to coaching and personnel decisions. I think your list is very telling and indicative of a coaching issue.

[Backyard Champ]

Here’s why I’m really struggling with the thought of Steele moving forward.

-Went under .500 in conference with a first team, a second team, and two freshman all conference players.

-In two years, he couldn’t figure out the recipe for Scruggs and Marshall to succeed together

-Of his two transfers, one was a bust, and one was okay. Need at least one to be good

-The regression of Quentin Goodin was one of the worst in the last fifteen years (how long I’ve been following X). Coaching plays a part in that.

-The team’s IQ was terrible. I understand that for the most part, it’s a byproduct of personnel. But coaching does play a factor too.

Is Hankins considered a transfer for him? If so- I think him and carter were great gets for our teams. People had high expectations for carter, but reality is, without him we’d have been so bad. Look at minutes played- sure he didn’t tear it up, but I think he was a solid role player. And his last few games this year, I thought we’re pretty solid. Maybe not tonight, but I don’t think he played worse than anyone else tonight.

The regression of Q is directly related to teammates. His skill set is great with shooters, not so much when you have no one to kick too.

Agree- team IQ was awful. The team is talented, IQ was not. I will say- I was extremely impressed with Jones and his development. 3 straight years I thought he’d never learn how to play in the post. This year he was great. Overall though, the IQ was dreadful. Both Steele and the players should taken credit for that.

[X Factor]

Is Hankins considered a transfer for him? If so- I think him and carter were great gets for our teams. People had high expectations for carter, but reality is, without him we’d have been so bad. Look at minutes played- sure he didn’t tear it up, but I think he was a solid role player. And his last few games this year, I thought we’re pretty solid. Maybe not tonight, but I don’t think he played worse than anyone else tonight.

The regression of Q is directly related to teammates. His skill set is great with shooters, not so much when you have no one to kick too.

Agree- team IQ was awful. The team is talented, IQ was not. I will say- I was extremely impressed with Jones and his development. 3 straight years I thought he’d never learn how to play in the post. This year he was great. Overall though, the IQ was dreadful. Both Steele and the players should taken credit for that.

Jones' development? Like as in I saw him use left hand 1 time around the rim in his career? His minutes and usage went up each year, but he shot a lot worse from the field as a senior, and worse from the FT line.

He became a better rebounder and defender, I'll give you that. I do love Tyrique, and I'll put the blame on the coaches for NOT developing his left hand in the post.

[Backyard Champ]

If you don’t think Jones got substantially better from his junior year to his senior year, I don’t know what to say.

I’ll be honest: I was a huge Jones hater his first few years. Never passed out of the post, didn’t have great touch, always got in foul trouble. His senior year was outstanding. Much, much better offensively. And as you said, better defensively and rebounding. To say Jones didn’t have great development is just ridiculous.

[RoseyMuskie]

Is Hankins considered a transfer for him? If so- I think him and carter were great gets for our teams. People had high expectations for carter, but reality is, without him we’d have been so bad. Look at minutes played- sure he didn’t tear it up, but I think he was a solid role player. And his last few games this year, I thought we’re pretty solid. Maybe not tonight, but I don’t think he played worse than anyone else tonight.

The regression of Q is directly related to teammates. His skill set is great with shooters, not so much when you have no one to kick too.

Agree- team IQ was awful. The team is talented, IQ was not. I will say- I was extremely impressed with Jones and his development. 3 straight years I thought he’d never learn how to play in the post. This year he was great. Overall though, the IQ was dreadful. Both Steele and the players should taken credit for that.

Re. Hankins, no, I was specific to this season.

To say Carter was “great” is a vast overstatement. I think he improved by the end of the season, but if I had to grade him, I’d give him a C+. His orating was below 100..

I’ve been hard on Goodin since last season. I thought personnel played into his weakness last year. But I was wrong. Look at tonight. He shuffled his feet near the end of the first half (atrocious turnover) and then the pass to Naji was terrible. That’s not shooting.

I get that Travis won’t be fired. And we are emotional now as well. But the fact is, he’s underperformed at the helm. Could he turn it around? Sure. But no longer can we blindly cheer him on. We need to try and be objective in the evaluation, or else the program runs an even bigger risk of slipping further.

[Backyard Champ]

I think many people overrate transfers. We’ve had great success with them in the past, but to hope a transfer comes in and is great is hard to get.

Carter came in and played a role. Tough to find your spot when you have 4 guys who are the “core 4”. He filled a spot we desperately needed. Without him, we’d have been extremely thin in the front court. He played a hell of a lot of minutes for someone who would be considered a bad get. He got better at the end of the year, and I expect him to be solid next year. He showed flashes.

[UCGRAD4X]

Ive been trying to dismiss the fire Travis frenzy as frustration, premature and short sighted. After that blast two games, I am firmly in the camp of ending the Travis experiment, The buck stops there whatever the excuses. Time to rip off the band aid of this festering wound,suffer the consequences and move on. I want to think we have much higher standards than losing to DePuke in the play-in to the BE tournament.

[IM4X]

Um, did Naji just reveal he is coming back next year at the end of tonight’s press conference. Sure sounded like it.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=esVPReWxaLs

I know people are upset about tonight’s loss (I am disgusted), but I would be happy to see Naji’s return. I honestly feel many of his crazy mistakes and bad decisions are because he has too many timid players around him with limited talent (like Q and Carter and Moore) who continually pass the ball back to Naji and expecting him to make all of the big plays. If he comes back with Scruggs and we add a few more play makers and scorers (Odom, Wilcher and C Jones) maybe he won’t have as much pressure to put everything on his shoulders because everyone sill finally step up and do their part. Moore Carter and Q were sssentially useless tonight and it’s not the first (or 5th or 10th) time this season that was the case.

I want to see Naji come back to play with Scruggs and with a playmaker like Odom and an added shooter on the team like Wilcher (to go with Scruggs and Kyky) and another slasher like Colby Jones... plus the addition of D Miles to go
along with FreemAntle down low.

[IM4X]

Ive been trying to dismiss the fire Travis frenzy as frustration, premature and short sighted. After that blast two games, I am firmly in the camp of ending the Travis experiment, The buck stops there whatever the excuses. Time to rip off the band aid of this festering wound,suffer the consequences and move on. I want to think we have much higher standards than losing to DePuke in the play-in to the BE tournament.


I am losing faith too. I was particularly disturbed to hear Travis say he was okay with the late quick threes in the game by his players (with a few minutes left). What??? He and the players who took the shots (Kyky and Naji) may be the only ones. Even Raftery couldn’t believe the decision. Just like in another recent lose where X had 20 turnovers that resulted in like 17 points for the opponent and yet Steele told Shannon in the post presser that it was not the reason they lost the game.

I really thought maybe he had some Brad Stevens qualities, but he still seems to be missing on solving (and sometimes even recognizing) what is really holding the team back from winning games. If Naji comes back, I’d give Travis one more year, but he had better wake up and get smarter with the plays he calls and the questionable decisions he is okay that his players make.

[OTRMUSKIE]

We are in waters we haven’t seen since Skip. Everybody just take a deep breath but make sure it’s under a hazmat mask. X is going to be just fine. Just hug your kids, your girlfriend or boyfriend or both. At the end of the day this game means nothing. Xavier will be fine and it’s starts next year. We may suck next year too! But we are Xavier and we have the resources to be great again. Now let’s pray the tournament is canceled so we don’t have to watch.

[Xville]

Um, did Naji just reveal he is coming back next year at the end of tonight’s press conference. Sure sounded like it.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=esVPReWxaLs

I know people are upset about tonight’s loss (I am disgusted), but I would be happy to see Naji’s return. I honestly feel many of his crazy mistakes and bad decisions are because he has too many timid players around him with limited talent (like Q and Carter and Moore) who continually pass the ball back to Naji and expecting him to make all of the big plays. If he comes back with Scruggs and we add a few more play makers and scorers (Odom, Wilcher and C Jones) maybe he won’t have as much pressure to put everything on his shoulders because everyone sill finally step up and do their part. Moore Carter and Q were sssentially useless tonight and it’s not the first (or 5th or 10th) time this season that was the case.

I want to see Naji come back to play with Scruggs and with a playmaker like Odom and an added shooter on the team like Wilcher (to go with Scruggs and Kyky) and another slasher like Colby Jones... plus the addition of D Miles to go
along with FreemAntle down low.

That was a bit cryptic from naji but I still don't think hes coming back. We shall see....I mean maybe he really wants to play in the ncaa tourney and knows he wont have the chance this year.

[whopper]

I think the most important play (and a telling outcome) is the multiple offensive rebound play where the backup center Ongenda was fouled going into a TV timeout. After timeout he came back and hit both(defying my prediction)..if we come down with rebound up 3 and have ball (not a big margin but not 1). At both Providence and Butler, D James and Carter were in the EXACT same situation, shooting 2 off an an offensive rebound /foul at 8 min TV timeout and clanged ALL 4. Just a little snapshot of the season and this whole tournament seems at risk to me.

[paulxu]

At the risk of digging up a dead horse to beat on it again, the biggest reason we lost this game is fairly simple to me.

We shot 71% from the FT line; acceptable.
We had 11 TO's; acceptable (except the one ridiculous, lazy cross court pass for a steal and basket)

We shot 3-17 from 3. 17.6%.
That's the game right there. Naji and Tandy were 0-11.
Just make 2 of those and it's a different game.
Hope we've got some shooters coming in next year; well, shooters who can score anyway.

[mid major]

Sorry about not addressing the COVID 19 issue. But Ol’ Coach Steele is a joke. I don’t have the time to go through the particulars but DePaul just put XU out of the tournament. Been watching the team since 1979 - Steele is a bad hire. Again, DePaul put us out of the tourney. Used car salesmen.

I know DePaul had their Paul and we didn't have ours but we should still beat them, right? Without harping on the could have been's and I may be alone on this but I've seen nothing which would evoke trust and confidence in this program moving forward with Steele at the helm. I want to be wrong, though.

[D-West & PO-Z]

It doesnt really matter I guess but does anyone know if this game will count in the end? Does it count towards X's record? Steele's record? Do the stats accumulated count?

Just wondering since the tournament was cancelled.