Scruggs Coming Back

[chico]

Didn't see this on here yet and it's not quite "Were you there, did you hear" but Scruggs is coming back next year.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2020/04/05/xavier-basketball-paul-scruggs-return-his-senior-season/2950803001/

[XUGRAD80]

Article in today’s Cincinnati paper. He and Carter will be captains.

Chico posted while I was writing...:chokeout:


😂

[flatspat]

Good find Chico

Didn't see this on here yet and it's not quite "Were you there, did you hear" but Scruggs is coming back next year.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2020/04/05/xavier-basketball-paul-scruggs-return-his-senior-season/2950803001/

[xu82]

I’d call it a tie, but he had a link to win the tie breaker. Great news!

[Muskie]

Xcellent News!


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[D-West & PO-Z]

Seemed to be trending that way, glad it is confirmed. Really think Scruggs has a huge year next year.

[drudy23]

Take it and run with it. This program needs a leader.

Could be a 18-20ppg guy with a solid supporting cast with a bunch of guys getting double digits.

[xu82]

Great news! I’m sure all the love he got in our poll made all the difference! :-)

[whopper]

there is nothing not to like in Paul Scruggs, and he sacrificed to play the "kind of" point. People may not like this but this tragic situation makes me think Naj will come back as it will be impossible to get evaluated, Europe will be shut down and the G League which needs the NBA working may be a little iffy(hope not for Tre, JP, Kaiser and others) but we are in very uncharted territory .

[xudash]

"I think we've got a great group in the locker room, good guys," Steele said. "I think we got guys that are going to play to win. No agendas."

No agendas

Interesting.

[Muskie in dayton]

"I think we've got a great group in the locker room, good guys," Steele said. "I think we got guys that are going to play to win. No agendas."

No agendas

Interesting.

It’s like when you walk in your kid’s room and the first thing they say is “we’re not doing anything bad.”

Back to Scruggs though, this is great news. He’ll be our only true senior and he’s the kind of player that can carry the team next March. Most importantly by all accounts he’s a great person and representative of the University.

[drudy23]

If Naji does come back, it can't be what it was this past year. That's on Steele.

Naji would have to play within the confines of a newly designed offense.

Hopefully new personnel will allow Carter to get off the perimeter.

[GIMMFD]

Damn great news after basically 2020 getting off to a rough start, the roster is much better with Scruggs on it, and happy to have him be a senior leader out there for him, I have a feeling he could really thrive for us next year. He's had so many flashes of just unbelievable skill, great athletic moves, etc. He may go missing at times, and him and Naji never went off in the same game it feels like, but I think with him as a focal point it'll be pretty fun to see how he handles that.

[xu82]

If Naji does come back, it can't be what it was this past year. That's on Steele.

Naji would have to play within the confines of a newly designed offense.

Hopefully new personnel will allow Carter to get off the perimeter.

I don’t know, I sure will miss that pump fake!

[bleedXblue]

Great news. Can anyone tell me what Scruggs ideal position is? He isn't a true PG. I guess that's where he starts next year and we see what Odom can bring and how soon he can play? Does he prefer to play off the ball more?

[Masterofreality]

If Naji does come back, it can't be what it was this past year. That's on Steele.

Naji would have to play within the confines of a newly designed offense.

Hopefully new personnel will allow Carter to get off the perimeter.

Barely any mention of Naji in the article, and zero comment regarding him from Steele.

He gone.

[XUGRAD80]

Great news. Can anyone tell me what Scruggs ideal position is? He isn't a true PG. I guess that's where he starts next year and we see what Odom can bring and how soon he can play? Does he prefer to play off the ball more?

I would consider him more of a wing than anything else. Doesn’t have the ball handling abilities for point. Not a great catch and shoot player. But has a strong midrange and post up game, and he can rebound fairly well against other guards. My question is can he defend taller players well enough to play against 6-7/6-8 wings he might face? I think he is much better playing off the ball and not being counted on to facilitate for other players. I could see him moving into the high post against a 2-3 zone and creating havoc for the opposition with his ability to either shoot from there or drive. Has the POTENTIAL to be X’s best player next year, and to be one of the top players in the league, IMO.

[XUGRAD80]

Barely any mention of Naji in the article, and zero comment regarding him from Steele.

He gone.

I agree.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Great to hear. I think this is the best choice for Paul.

[smileyy]

Scruggs has a very effective post up game that he can't use when he's playing the point. He's best at the 2 spot, maybe the 3.

[xu82]

Scruggs has a very effective post up game that he can't use when he's playing the point. He's best at the 2 spot, maybe the 3.

The little turnaround fade away was strangely effective.

[JTG]

Steele's comment about no agendas this coming year struck me. I think it proves there were serious player issues with Naji and Q. I think, even though he is talented, we're better off without Naji. Call it addition by subtraction. I just believe the team will be more cohesive without Marshall

[xudash]

Steele's comment about no agendas this coming year struck me. I think it proves there were serious player issues with Naji and Q. I think, even though he is talented, we're better off without Naji. Call it addition by subtraction. I just believe the team will be more cohesive without Marshall

That was my take away is well.

[noteggs]

Not that we’ll ever find out or really matters, but you wonder how Paul and Naji feel about each other and the team as a whole.

[xu82]

Not that we’ll ever find out or really matters, but you wonder how Paul and Naji feel about each other and the team as a whole.

Add in Q and Travis and you have to wonder about the undercurrents there. It always felt like there was some strange shit in the background we didn‘t know about. Maybe it was just blown up in my mind, but it felt like a real thing. Not just wins and losses, but I enjoyed last season less than any in recent time. Frustrating as hell!

[XUGRAD80]

None of us will probably ever know if there were personality conflicts among players and/or coaches and players last year, but why mention it if there weren’t?

Just goes to show that no matter how physically talented a group of players are, they have to jell as a TEAM before they can excel. I’m hoping that future squads find a way to jell and to excel. How quickly that happens and how successfully that happens may well determine just how good they are next year. Let’s hope that Paul is the leader that the team needed this past year. I think that Jones tried to be that leader, but I’m not sure that “everyone” bought into that. Some of the facial expressions and body postures coming out of team huddles last year didn’t look so good.

[drudy23]

It definitely feels like something was amiss - and there were episodes of facial expressions and body postures - but the team seemed to be ok with each other, at least on the floor.

My hunch tells me the issues were player(s) v. coach(es).

The strange thing was, if that was the case, why didn't the coaches deal with it? Nothing really changed all year. So Steele can blame agendas, but he was also in a position to ensure agendas didn't happen. I don't get it.

[bleedXblue]

It definitely feels like something was amiss - and there were episodes of facial expressions and body postures - but the team seemed to be ok with each other, at least on the floor.

My hunch tells me the issues were player(s) v. coach(es).

The strange thing was, if that was the case, why didn't the coaches deal with it? Nothing really changed all year. So Steele can blame agendas, but he was also in a position to ensure agendas didn't happen. I don't get it.

Agreed. Although he did sit Q for some extended periods. I don't understand either if Naji WAS an issue, why he didn't sit him for a game to try and send a message.

[XUGRAD80]

It definitely feels like something was amiss - and there were episodes of facial expressions and body postures - but the team seemed to be ok with each other, at least on the floor.

My hunch tells me the issues were player(s) v. coach(es).

The strange thing was, if that was the case, why didn't the coaches deal with it? Nothing really changed all year. So Steele can blame agendas, but he was also in a position to ensure agendas didn't happen. I don't get it.

Well that didn’t take long.

[nuts4xu]

If Naji does come back, it can't be what it was this past year. That's on Steele.

Naji would have to play within the confines of a newly designed offense.


Naji showed he can't play within the confines of the offense. He either wasn't convinced to change, or was only interested in doing Naji things.

He is long gone....no matter how difficult the NBA draft process will be, he will never play another minute in a Xavier uniform.

[D-West & PO-Z]

It definitely feels like something was amiss - and there were episodes of facial expressions and body postures - but the team seemed to be ok with each other, at least on the floor.

My hunch tells me the issues were player(s) v. coach(es).

The strange thing was, if that was the case, why didn't the coaches deal with it? Nothing really changed all year. So Steele can blame agendas, but he was also in a position to ensure agendas didn't happen. I don't get it.

I agree. The players all to me seemed to really like and care for one another, especially those "core 4". I get the sense the issues were more players v coaches as well. And agendas or no agendas it is on Steele to make that work. There are always going to be some issues that arise over the course of a season, can Steele manage those and get the team to gel? I think that will determine if he ends up a successful coach or not. And again I think having mostly guys now that only know him as head coach will help.

[bjf123]

Just goes to show that no matter how physically talented a group of players are, they have to jell as a TEAM before they can excel.

This. I’ve said multiple times the last two years that too often it looked like 5 guys who just happened to be wearing the same color jersey instead of 5 guys playing as a team.


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[X Factor]

Well that didn’t take long.

Well Steele mentioned agendas. He didn't specifically say that this past year's team had that issue, but he left it open for interpretation. Since this is a Xavier hoops message board, people are going to talk about it.

I happen to believe there were a couple of guys that had their own agenda. If true, Steele should've made it clear the only agenda was going to be his.

[xudash]

None of us will probably ever know if there were personality conflicts among players and/or coaches and players last year, but why mention it if there weren’t?

Just goes to show that no matter how physically talented a group of players are, they have to jell as a TEAM before they can excel. I’m hoping that future squads find a way to jell and to excel. How quickly that happens and how successfully that happens may well determine just how good they are next year. Let’s hope that Paul is the leader that the team needed this past year. I think that Jones tried to be that leader, but I’m not sure that “everyone” bought into that. Some of the facial expressions and body postures coming out of team huddles last year didn’t look so good.

Makes me think of the Loyola team that made a run to the F4 with < 4-Star talent in the line-up. One word: precision.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Makes me think of the Loyola team that made a run to the F4 with < 4-Star talent in the line-up. One word: precision.

Not to mention pure dumb luck.

[IM4X]

Well Steele mentioned agendas. He didn't specifically say that this past year's team had that issue, but he left it open for interpretation. Since this is a Xavier hoops message board, people are going to talk about it.

I happen to believe there were a couple of guys that had their own agenda. If true, Steele should've made it clear the only agenda was going to be his.

This is what I was thinking after reading the article. Steele is naturally non-confrontational which is good in some ways but it can also allow the team to lose focus or go off track when those players have their own agenda. The only one who should have agenda is the head coach. His agenda is his vision for the team - what he expects to see from each player individually and from the team collectively.

Steele needs to be more assertive right from the beginning to get everyone bought in to his way. I think from his “agenda” comment on the article, he may finally be realizing that just because a player SAYS (to him or the media) that he has bought into the coach’s vision, it doesn’t mean he ACTUALLY has. The proof is in how that player (or those players) respond on the court. Travis would be wise to get this all figured out— and everyone on the same page -before next season begins.

He need to identify each player’s strengths and their role based on those strengths. Then he can keep testing how the pieces fit together best to work like a very productive, well oiled machine. No more assuming that all of the players are on board, when body language and behavior/decisions on the court suggest otherwise.

[Masterofreality]

Makes me think of the Loyola team that made a run to the F4 with < 4-Star talent in the line-up. One word: precision.

Not to mention a really effective motion offense. ;-)

[XU 87]

Makes me think of the Loyola team that made a run to the F4 with < 4-Star talent in the line-up. One word: precision.

True, but it also makes me think: "Extremely fortunate".

[AviatorX]

True, but it also makes me think: "Extremely fortunate".

Two 50/50 balls going the right way in one possession games and running into a 7/9 seed in the second weekend are a good recipe for a deep run.

[Masterofreality]

Two 50/50 balls going the right way in one possession games and running into a 7/9 seed in the second weekend are a good recipe for a deep run.

How comical is it that you are discounting a Final Four run where Loyola won 4 games vs higher rated seeds. It’s not like Clifton Community getting a pass because the entire bracket fell apart in front of them and they didn’t have to beat a higher seed.
Loyola beat 4 damn good teams to get there, with a damn effective offense. But just keep on with your ridiculous blind jealous hatred because Xavier’s never been to one.

[Smails]

Not to mention pure dumb luck.

No doubt...zero sustainability. They are George Mason, VCU, Penn...

[whopper]

"On the court Loyola packed all of the thrills, beating the third-place team in the ACC (Miami), the SEC regular season co-champions (Tennessee) and the Mountain West champions (Nevada) by a combined four points" They then beat Kansas St by 16 pt(no dean wade). I was rooting for them but sad for us and could not sleep either Sunday night of Wisconsin or FSU..just laid there and went to work next day. March madness is incredible and man I missed it this year regardless of whether we were there. I was at MSG on Feb 17 for our win and walked 12 miles, road many subways and probably dodged coronavirus a number of times as evidently it was everywhere. Seven month to new X game..

[xudash]

My ONLY point with the Loyola reference was this: they didn't have great talent, comparatively speaking, so they had to play as a well synchronized team to accomplish what they did, including the luck factor that propelled them to the final weekend.

Now imagine a team with talent that plays as a TEAM. It's up to Travis to figure that out.

[Masterofreality]

My ONLY point with the Loyola reference was this: they didn't have great talent, comparatively speaking, so they had to play as a well synchronized team to accomplish what they did, including the luck factor that propelled them to the final weekend.

Now imagine a team with talent that plays as a TEAM. It's up to Travis to figure that out.

Very fair comment Dash. But "Luck" plays into every team in the Tournament. Remember the West Virginia game of BJ Raymond lore? Joe Alexander had a free throw that could have won the game in regulation with only about 5 seconds to go. He was an 80% free throw shooter. He missed setting up BJ's heroics in OT.

Or how about Xavier's first NCAA win in 1987 vs Missouri? X had a one point lead and Bunton, who had been having a great game had a wide ass open look from 14 feet away on the wing that may have given Mizzou the win. Luckily he missed and the rest is history.

Luck plays a part in almost EVERY NCAA Tournament game, except for maybe the first round seed games. After that it's a dice roll. No comment about luck should ever take away a team's accomplishments. A win is a win...especially against quality competition.

Someday, hopefully, Xavier will get there.

[xudash]

Very fair comment Dash. But "Luck" plays into every team in the Tournament. Remember the West Virginia game of BJ Raymond lore? Joe Alexander had a free throw that could have won the game in regulation with only about 5 seconds to go. He was an 80% free throw shooter. He missed setting up BJ's heroics in OT.

Or how about Xavier's first NCAA win in 1987 vs Missouri? X had a one point lead and Bunton, who had been having a great game had a wide ass open look from 14 feet away on the wing that may have given Mizzou the win. Luckily he missed and the rest is history.

Luck plays a part in almost EVERY NCAA Tournament game, except for maybe the first round seed games. After that it's a dice roll. No comment about luck should ever take away a team's accomplishments. A win is a win...especially against quality competition.

Someday, hopefully, Xavier will get there.

I am with you all the way on the luck factor. I noted that in my post.

My simple point is, with that level of talent, they would not have made it out of the first weekend, luck or no luck, without having played as well as they played together.

[XUGRAD80]

I’m a big proponent of the idea that in a sport like basketball it is more important that players play as a great team, than it is to have great players. Of course, the really great teams have both. But if I had to choose, I’d take the former over the latter. IMO, this past years team had some really good (not great) players, but they seldom played great together as a team. Steele’s charge is to get the roster playing as a great team. It’s the players charge to become great teammates first, and great players 2nd. I wonder if some of last years players didn’t get that mixed up?

[xudash]

I’m a big proponent of the idea that in a sport like basketball it is more important that players play as a great team, than it is to have great players. Of course, the really great teams have both. But if I had to choose, I’d take the former over the latter. IMO, this past years team had some really good (not great) players, but they seldom played great together as a team. Steele’s charge is to get the roster playing as a great team. It’s the players charge to become great teammates first, and great players 2nd. I wonder if some of last years players didn’t get that mixed up?

And, as a major point of emphasis, it is a hell of a lot more fun to watch a team that plays together and plays well, than watching a team that goes all Helter skelter on us.

[XUGRAD80]

And, as a major point of emphasis, it is a hell of a lot more fun to watch a team that plays together and plays well, than watching a team that goes all Helter skelter on us.

True dat!

[XU 87]

How comical is it that you are discounting a Final Four run where Loyola won 4 games vs higher rated seeds. It’s not like Clifton Community getting a pass because the entire bracket fell apart in front of them and they didn’t have to beat a higher seed.
Loyola beat 4 damn good teams to get there, with a damn effective offense. But just keep on with your ridiculous blind jealous hatred because Xavier’s never been to one.

I for one am not jealous. I though their run was great. I was rooting for them. But they were VERY fortunate to get there. They won their first three games by a total of 4 points. They got a 9 seed in the the elite 8 game. They deserved every win, but they were still fortunate.

[Masterofreality]

I for one am not jealous. I though their run was great. I was rooting for them. But they were VERY fortunate to get there. They won their first three games by a total of 4 points. They got a 9 seed in the the elite 8 game. They deserved every win, but they were still fortunate.

My post was not directed at you ‘87. Please see my other post above how EVERY Tournament team needs luck to advance, including Xavier.
When you are in the Dance, it’s a fact of life. What if Arizona’s Trier makes that wide open 3 instead of Malcolm getting the rebound?
Fact of life. Aaaaand as the old saying goes- Luck is the result of Design plus Desire.

[whopper]

I remember reading an article before the 2018 dance saying because we had the lowest average victory margin of the #1 seeds (and maybe 1 and 2) that we had more than our share of "luck" during the season and that gave the analyst pause..turned out to be right in hindsight. I remember beating Creighton and Georgetown in last second, Struss rimming a 3 to tie the last game, Kanter coming up big in both St Johns games at end..our losses were not really close (Vilanova(2) and Providence). This year Naj hit some 3s to keep us in game, but a few more foul shots against Mrauette and Butler(even Providence) would have put us comfortably into the (non) dance.

[AviatorX]

How comical is it that you are discounting a Final Four run where Loyola won 4 games vs higher rated seeds. It’s not like Clifton Community getting a pass because the entire bracket fell apart in front of them and they didn’t have to beat a higher seed.
Loyola beat 4 damn good teams to get there, with a damn effective offense. But just keep on with your ridiculous blind jealous hatred because Xavier’s never been to one.

I don't hate Loyola nor am I jealous. Flags fly forever as they say, and no one can take away a Final Four appearance.

But come on dude, they won their first 3 games by a combined 4 points! The 1, 2 and 4 seeds in their region didn't make it out of the first weekend (props to Loyola for taking out the 3 seed, Tennessee was good, but the lowest ranked 3 seed on KenPom) and then they ran into a 9 seed without their best player in the Elite 8!

I don't think any less of Xavier's Sweet 16 run where they unseated traditional powers Lehigh and Georgia State in Round 2, but I also don't think those teams went on incredible tournament runs that proved how good they were. Gotta be realistic.

Have you really never commented on some of the fortune Butler got along the way to back to back title games?

[Masterofreality]

I don't hate Loyola nor am I jealous. Flags fly forever as they say, and no one can take away a Final Four appearance.

But come on dude, they won their first 3 games by a combined 4 points! The 1, 2 and 4 seeds in their region didn't make it out of the first weekend (props to Loyola for taking out the 3 seed, Tennessee was good, but the lowest ranked 3 seed on KenPom) and then they ran into a 9 seed without their best player in the Elite 8!

I don't think any less of Xavier's Sweet 16 run where they unseated traditional powers Lehigh and Georgia State in Round 2, but I also don't think those teams went on incredible tournament runs that proved how good they were. Gotta be realistic.

Have you really never commented on some of the fortune Butler got along the way to back to back title games?

I’m done with this. Just read my last 2 posts. EVERY team in the NCAA that goes on a deep run needs luck. A lot of it. He’ll, if JCages’ free throws doesn’t go in and out Beaknose Matta never gets to a Final 4. Just stop already.

[Smails]

Whew...at least we finally have agreement that Loyola's run was more about luck than some well oiled offensive system.

[AviatorX]

Whew...at least we finally have agreement that Loyola's run was more about luck than some well oiled offensive system.

The best part: Loyola's offense wasn't even that good in 2018! It was significantly less efficient than Xavier's offense and we all know how that worked out. Not a one to one comparison by any stretch (potentially not even useful, but it's still funny), but Loyola's offense that season was the rough KenPom equivalent of Xavier's 2019 NIT second round offense. So I guess we're back to Steele being a genius?

[xudash]

This is my last "contribution" to this thread as well.

IMHO, we ended up discussing two separate topics here. They're interrelated, but they CAN (with emphasis) be discussed separately.

We have the topic of LUCK.

And we have the topic of TEAM (i.e. playing cohesively as a team).

No one can deny that luck plays a role in the NCAAT. It is a given. It is a very fair point to make.

Now I'll go back to why I used Loyola and the TEAM thing in the same sentence. THEY WERE FUN TO WATCH, because of how well they played together. Crisp passing. Great movement, etc. They simply were on the same page with one another as they otherwise pixie-dusted their way along their magical run.

I simply remembered watching them in their S16 and E8 games and thought about how well they had come together as a unit, and doing so with not highly rated athletes, all in all. Then I remembered some of our games this year, and regardless of the difference in competition and circumstances/setting, chuckled at how inept we looked at times.

TEAM. Cohesive. Playing together. It makes up for other deficiencies. Then again, TEAM plus TALENT is a very good thing.

That's what I'm looking forward to with Travis and Company this coming season.

[IM4X]

This is my last "contribution" to this thread as well.

IMHO, we ended up discussing two separate topics here. They're interrelated, but they CAN (with emphasis) be discussed separately.

We have the topic of LUCK.

And we have the topic of TEAM (i.e. playing cohesively as a team).

No one can deny that luck plays a role in the NCAAT. It is a given. It is a very fair point to make.

Now I'll go back to why I used Loyola and the TEAM thing in the same sentence. THEY WERE FUN TO WATCH, because of how well they played together. Crisp passing. Great movement, etc. They simply were on the same page with one another as they otherwise pixie-dusted their way along their magical run.

I simply remembered watching them in their S16 and E8 games and thought about how well they had come together as a unit, and doing so with not highly rated athletes, all in all. Then I remembered some of our games this year, and regardless of the difference in competition and circumstances/setting, chuckled at how inept we looked at times.

TEAM. Cohesive. Playing together. It makes up for other deficiencies. Then again, TEAM plus TALENT is a very good thing.

That's what I'm looking forward to with Travis and Company this coming season.

Good Post.

[IM4X]

Have you really never commented on some of the fortune Butler got along the way to back to back title games?

The biggest part of Butler’s “fortune” by far during those years was due to Brad Stevens: A brilliant coach with a talent for finding the right kind of “under the radar” recruits (with good skills + high basketball IQs) and a talent for molding those individuals into an incredibly productive and cohesive team.

While favorable matchups and luck often play into a lower seed team’s fortune (i.e. advancing in the tournament), it seems much less a big factor when that team has gone to back to back NCAA championship games. Butler had a phenomenal coach and a roster that had incredible confidence, chemistry, tenacity and a will to win.

It would be unfair to minimize the significance of great coaching and a well balanced team with great chemistry, when we see a lower seed team go on a deep run in the tournament. With the right combination of players and the right coach -all on the same page - a team is likely to get better and better and have a very good chance of knocking off teams with superior talent but worse coaching, chemistry and tenacity.

X fans know this well. We have seen our lower seed teams get better and find fortune in the NCAA Tournament time and again.

[Masterofreality]

This is my last "contribution" to this thread as well.

IMHO, we ended up discussing two separate topics here. They're interrelated, but they CAN (with emphasis) be discussed separately.

We have the topic of LUCK.

And we have the topic of TEAM (i.e. playing cohesively as a team).

No one can deny that luck plays a role in the NCAAT. It is a given. It is a very fair point to make.

Now I'll go back to why I used Loyola and the TEAM thing in the same sentence. THEY WERE FUN TO WATCH, because of how well they played together. Crisp passing. Great movement, etc. They simply were on the same page with one another as they otherwise pixie-dusted their way along their magical run.

I simply remembered watching them in their S16 and E8 games and thought about how well they had come together as a unit, and doing so with not highly rated athletes, all in all. Then I remembered some of our games this year, and regardless of the difference in competition and circumstances/setting, chuckled at how inept we looked at times.

TEAM. Cohesive. Playing together. It makes up for other deficiencies. Then again, TEAM plus TALENT is a very good thing.

That's what I'm looking forward to with Travis and Company this coming season.

EXACTLY!!!! Thank you Dash! Right on point.
And that point is, whether Travis Steele can craft an offense that is cohesive and precise and get players to buy in- ALL the players? Haven't seen it yet, but it needs to happen.