Game Thread: Xavier vs. Butler (1/30/2021)

[paulxu]

https://www.brickeconomy.com/resources/images/sets/lego-8804-3_large.jpgVS. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e3/1d/f2/e31df2561baade18a1e16caa801de632.jpg


THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (10-2, 3-2 BIG EAST)
BUTLER UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS (5-8, 4-6 BIG EAST)
SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 2021 AT 5:30 P.M. ET
HINKLE FIELDHOUSE IN INDIANAPOLIS, IND.

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Alex Faust and analysis from Casey Jacobsen.
Radio: 700 WLW-AM with play-by-play from XU Hall of Famer and former XU standout Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU Hall of Famer and all-time leading scorer Byron Larkin ('88). Broadcast also available on Sirius XM channel 386 and internet channel 976.
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.

[paulxu]

I hope I haven't just jinxed this game.
Also, to say Joe Sunderman is both a member of the XU HOF, and a former XU standout...seems a little redundant.
Unless we have people in the HOF who weren't standouts?

[noteggs]

Just awesome to see this thread!

[mid major]

So is Jones a go? They were saying on Butler Hoops he was out due to Covid protocols. I haven't read it anywhere else.

[Olsingledigit]

So is Jones a go? They were saying on Butler Hoops he was out due to Covid protocols. I haven't read it anywhere else.

My reliable inside source tells me he has been seen in the cafeteria with the normal student population. Hopefully that means he can play.

[xavierj]

So is Jones a go? They were saying on Butler Hoops he was out due to Covid protocols. I haven't read it anywhere else.

I do not think he will play but he made the trip. Pretty sure he was the one who tested positive. I know it’s been awhile and I am sure he is covid free, but there are protocols that he has to complete and I do not think that has all been done. Most likely misses this one and then will be back next game.

[xu82]

I do not think he will play but he made the trip. Pretty sure he was the one who tested positive. I know it’s been awhile and I am sure he is covid free, but there are protocols that he has to complete and I do not think that has all been done. Most likely misses this one and then will be back next game.

Let us hope the “next game” isn’t another 3 weeks down the road. I’m glad we got a lot of games in early on the front end. This just FEELS crazy!

[paulxu]

What sort of protocol would allow for someone who tested positive to go on a team bus to Indy?

[xavierj]

What sort of protocol would allow for someone who tested positive to go on a team bus to Indy?

He is free of symptoms and negative on test. Similar to when Odom was covid free but not cleared. Think testing of the heart and getting all of those results. I think there is a number of days, maybe 21 from test or symptoms to test the heart function with some programs. So he doesn’t have covid but not yet medically cleared to play. I think each college program uses different protocols. I know my son was well clear of you covid but they wouldn’t even let him return to practice until the heart test gave the all clear.

[Lloyd Braun]

xavierj summarizes this well... for those curious what types of steps are used for an athlete to return to sports, here are some resources used.

Cardiac considerations for college student athletes (https://www.amssm.org/Content/pdf-files/COVID19/Nov03_2020NCAA-COVID-19-Algorithm.pdf)

Guidance for health professionals, athletic programs, coaches, parents, and athletes (https://www.amssm.org/COVID19.php) and click the tab that says “BJSM Infographic Graduated Return to Play”

As you can see the timeline to return to competition varies based on severity of illness and if there was any evidence of cardiac involvement. For the student athletes I am involved with we utilize a 17 day minimum timeline for all covid positive athletes to err on the side of caution. Mostly because some athletes have downplayed symptoms to try and return to play sooner.

[Lloyd Braun]

X opened as 1.5 pt favorites. Now 1.5 pt dogs. Would assume those researching long layoffs have concluded 3 weeks off is a 2-3 point swing.

[xavierj]

X opened as 1.5 pt favorites. Now 1.5 pt dogs. Would assume those researching long layoffs have concluded 3 weeks off is a 2-3 point swing.

For whatever reason it has been that way all year. Xavier is 10-2 and every game the line gets hammered against them. Happened against Oklahoma and UC early in the season.

[xavierj]

Xavier is 7-5 against the spread this year, Butler is 5-8. Hopefully the good shooting team for Xavier shows up and they cruise.

[JTG]

Xavier is 7-5 against the spread this year, Butler is 5-8. Hopefully the good shooting team for Xavier shows up and they cruise.

I would be absolutely stunned if that happened, very happy, but stunned. Butler is 3-0 vs X the last 3 outings, even though X is 41-23 all time v Butler.

[HenryMuto]

So the 10-2 team is a 1.5 dog to the 5-8 team in a year where home court isn't as much of an advantage.........man X better win.

[paulxu]

I hope we don't miss Colby Jones' contributions this game.

[UCGRAD4X]

I haven't been this anxious for a game since the start of the season. It's like opening day all over again.

[Xville]

Gawd butler is annoying af

[Lloyd Braun]

Horrible charge call on Scruggs. Absolutely terrible

[noteggs]

Horrible charge call on Scruggs. Absolutely terrible

Was that Johnson?

[Lloyd Braun]

Was that Johnson?

Oh maybe. I’ve been drinking. Either way the guy wasn’t set and slid in while moving

[bjf123]

Enough with the 3s Zac. They’re not falling for you.


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[paulxu]

Got some 3's falling.
Who is this announcer? He says "Listen to the Xavier bench. Almost sound like a real game."
Are we still in preseason?

[RoseyMuskie]

If Tandy wants any sort of meaningful minutes, he has to stop taking contested, long twos.

[XU 87]

That shot is why Kyky doesn’t play much.

[noteggs]

Got some 3's falling.
Who is this announcer? He says "Listen to the Xavier bench. Almost sound like a real game."
Are we still in preseason?

Casey Jacobs on. He’s normally pretty good

[bjf123]

That shot is why Kyky doesn’t play much.

Yep. Absolutely no reason for it.


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[noteggs]

Interesting lineup now

[paulxu]

Wonder what's up with Freemantle. He's 0-4, which is unusual.

[RoseyMuskie]

Relatively strong first half. But the coaches need to tell the non-shooters (Carter, Odom) to dial it back. Simply can’t have those two take three consecutive long range shots.

[IM4X]

I’m okay with no bigs shooting any more 3s today coach. The guards have got it from here. Just keep the big fellas inside

[kellernr]

Fremantle seems to get worse each time Xavier plays. Needs to give up on hanging out on the 3pt line and stay parked under the rim

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[paulxu]

Hah! Those were some fugly foul shots.

[RoseyMuskie]

Nice half. Strong defense in the last war.

[xudash]

Hah! Those were some fugly foul shots.

Alligator arms on both.

[GoMuskies]

Shaky last 8 minutes, but the first 12 were so good that it mattered less. Would be nice to get the first run of the second half since we know Butler will get one eventually. If they're down 20 when they make their run, that would be real nice.

[Xuperman]

I do not see any reality where the Kunk doesn't see 25+ minutes from here on out. He is displaying a fantastic BBIQ to go along with an impressive Arsenal of scoring options, AND he stays in front of his guy on D.

More importantly, does he and Free lose style points for their too early moustaches?

[Xuperman]

Love CJ.....am devastated by the Tandy situation.

[HenryMuto]

Xavier being the underdog in this game was very disrespectful for a team that is 10-2 vs a 5-7 team that isn't very good in a covid year their home court doesn't mean as much.

Glad to see Xavier is pounding them by 17 right now.

[Xuperman]

I do not see any reality where the Kunk doesn't see 25+ minutes from here on out. He is displaying a fantastic BBIQ to go along with an impressive Arsenal of scoring options, AND he stays in front of his guy on D.

More importantly, does he and Free lose style points for their too early moustaches?

On cue....I am so happy.
��

[GoMuskies]

Well, we got the first run. 7-0. Let's go!

[GoMuskies]

Some ugly moments in the last few minutes. Nice to have an 18 point lead when things are ugly!

[bjf123]

And the ugliness continues.


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[GoMuskies]

There's the Butler run, but hey, we were up by 20.

[xudash]

And the ugliness continues.


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Going to correct it right now!

[GoMuskies]

Dwon Odom looks awful out there.

[bjf123]

They keep getting away with hip checks on the screens. If the refs won’t call it, why not.


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[noteggs]

No one is looking good now

[Xavier]

Freemantle needs to be better. Not sure what’s happened to him.

[profson]

Starting to attack Wilcher

[HAAS_U]

Thank God for Nate Johnson

[paulxu]

11-0 run and the best shot we can get is a Zach missed 3?

[Xuperman]

That is FIFTEEN "FUCK THIS's" in a row. I can not believe this sh!t.

[Xuperman]

Thank u nate!!!

[IM4X]

11-0 run and the best shot we can get is a Zach missed 3?

X-ZACH-ly.

This is embarrassing.... what the hell did Steele say in the first timeout because nothing changed when they got back on the floor?

Why is our big- who has been off from outside all night - shooting more threes?

And what’s up with Kunkel’s terrible passes?

[GoMuskies]

When is the last time we got a stop? The defense is currently hot garbage.

[noteggs]

Where’s the defense?

[paulxu]

I'd say layoff jitters....if we hadn't had a 20 pt lead.

[whopper]

Kunkel needs to tignten things up..everybody except Scruggs is playing poorly this half.(maybe not Nate J.).Lets see what happens here. We are getting nothing underneath

[Xuperman]

What hurts the most is that BUTLER IS A TERRIBLE TEAM.

[bjf123]

I think they got too comfortable with the big lead.


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[XU 87]

Butler has stepped up the defense. And X has backed down.

[GoMuskies]

Thank God for Paul Scruggs!

[GoMuskies]

That Nate Johnson shot was about as bad a decision as you'll ever see anyone make.

[bjf123]

That Nate Johnson shot was about as bad a decision as you'll ever see anyone make.

Ya think? Ugh.


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[xudash]

FT attempts. Oh, boy!

[whopper]

if not for scruggs (and kunkel and nate a little). Many have played outright poorly and maybe it is the gap in play..

[paulxu]

Kunkel is 2-2 from 3. Wouldn't hurt to get him a couple looks.

[xu82]

That Nate Johnson shot was about as bad a decision as you'll ever see anyone make.

We’ve obviously never met in person.

[bjf123]

White men CAN jump!


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[xu82]

Kunkel with a block at the rim was not something I expected to see.

[paulxu]

Scruggs has kept us in this game. Hell of an effort.
But when things are closed in the lane...kick it to Kunkel.

Also, great Kunkel block!!

edit: if they're open, go ahead with the layup.

[GoMuskies]

This second half just looks like two terrible teams. But I'd love to have the win!

[xu82]

Mr Scruggs wins my prestigious Hero Of The Day Award!

[Xuperman]

Can any team....I do mean ANY team....High School or little kids, shoot worse from the line?

I am pissed and will dredge up the FT thread from last year......after this next Buffalo Trace.
:happy:

[paulxu]

He listened!

[IM4X]

Not a beautiful second half but it is beautiful to see Scruggs come back another season and step up and be able to make it HIS team.

[xu82]

OK, this makes Xavier 11-2. I can NOT complain about that. It’s not always pretty HOW we get there, but so far, so good.

[GoMuskies]

Great finish.

[HenryMuto]

People could won a lot of money on this one with Xavier being the underdog which was stupifying. That 13-0 run had me nervous for a hot second but Xavier recovered.

[Lloyd Braun]

People could won a lot of money on this one with Xavier being the underdog which was stupifying. That 13-0 run had me nervous for a hot second but Xavier recovered.

The money line was almost even money so it wasn’t much more than a coin flip.

[paulxu]

4 guys shot FT's.
Odom and Scruggs were 6-6.
Carter and Freemantle were 0-6.

[xudash]

Great finish.

I think that is the biggest takeaway from today. Some misses here, some bad d there, and Butler manages to run off a scoring streak. Yet Xavier mostly kept its poise and navigated its way home to a win.

It's always fun winning in that zeppelin garage.

[XUGRAD80]

People could won a lot of money on this one with Xavier being the underdog which was stupifying. That 13-0 run had me nervous for a hot second but Xavier recovered.

Had me a lot more than nervous. They stopped playing defense and stopped running offense at the same time.

Thought we should have seen more of the zone defense by X, Butler was just driving into the lane during their run, not really running anything special. Just drive and dish.

But they are 11-2 and got a road win agains BUTTler....so I’m happy about that!

[whopper]

that has got the worst game i ever have seen Butler play. We were not great but won..from what i saw today we are 20+ worse than Villanova. Let's hope Freemantle can get his head together. Kunkel showe surprising athleticism and Johnson was solid..nobody else played worth anything and would have liked to see a little more Griffen as neither big deserved as many minutes tonight. Nice to see a win.

[Blue Blooded-05]

4 guys shot FT's.
Odom and Scruggs were 6-6.
Carter and Freemantle were 0-6.

Not sure what happened to Freemantle from the line this year. He shot 79% last year. He’s shooting 55% this year.

[profson]

Johnson was much better than just solid. He was X’s second best player. I’m addition to the offense he had 6 rebounds and shut down Butler’s leading scorer, Jair Bolden

[xavierj]

that has got the worst game i ever have seen Butler play. We were not great but won..from what i saw today we are 20+ worse than Villanova. Let's hope Freemantle can get his head together. Kunkel showe surprising athleticism and Johnson was solid..nobody else played worth anything and would have liked to see a little more Griffen as neither big deserved as many minutes tonight. Nice to see a win.

Yeah being upset about a 13 point win on the road is fun. I thought the defense was good and thought Griffin should have played for Freemantle. Wilcher looked really solid in his short stint, nice corner three and then the drive to the bucket was sweet. He should have played more. Tandy did fine when he came in on offense and defense then took a bad shot and was never heard from again. The inside play was not good on offense but I thought they did a good job defending and rebounding for the most part. Just sucks carter can’t shoot anything and Freemantle is in a major funk. He has to get stronger. But overall I thought Xavier looked very good the first 25 minutes and the last 3, the 13 minutes in between was very ugly and mistakes made by the players and coaches. Odom has to finish and Free can’t be the one taking threes when we are trying to extend the lead and not let them back in it. When up 20 it should have been drives by Paul and Free should have stayed on the block. On to the next.

[Lloyd Braun]

The bench really shrunk in the 2nd half. Didn’t see much of Odom or Wilcher. Tandy forcing things bc he gets 2 minutes to show something.

Griffin played well on D when he was in the 3 minutes he played. No Miles after praising him all week....

Hey they won who am I to complain?

[XUGRAD80]

On the after game show, from Steele....

...no problem with Zack taking those shots, they are good shots and they will start to fall, he works harder than anyone......huh? He played much better on defense this time and didn’t let his lack of offense effect his effort on defense and on the boards (he had 10)......agree

...on the road, BE game, wanted to go with more experienced players after Butler got close, so didn’t play freshman then.....OK

....Scruggs was the best player on the court.....no kidding!

....overall pleased with how they played, especially defensively, after such a long lay off.....me too

[JTG]

I think maybe the string of games where Free was in foul trouble has caused him to change his style. He's hesitant to guard closely on d or play around the rim on offense. Butler's players have perfected the push off, they did it the whole game, and it was finally called near the end. Playing Butler is always like a trip to the dentist for me. We always have better ayers but Hinkle is like a visit to the Bermuda Triangle.

[bobbiemcgee]

Love Kunk's energy. He's all over the floor. I thought his block really got things going. Total surprise on the face of the offensive player. Plus you can tell he just loves being out there with that big smile on his mug.

[xudash]

On the after game show, from Steele....

...no problem with Zack taking those shots, they are good shots and they will start to fall, he works harder than anyone......huh? He played much better on defense this time and didn’t let his lack of offense effect his effort on defense and on the boards (he had 10)......agree

...on the road, BE game, wanted to go with more experienced players after Butler got close, so didn’t play freshman then.....OK

....Scruggs was the best player on the court.....no kidding!

....overall pleased with how they played, especially defensively, after such a long lay off.....me too

And a quoted observation from the Butler board:

Well it was fun while it lasted. Great run. Too much to overcome but you saw a glimpse there. Steele going 2-3 when we had no shooters out there was a strong move. Game changed right there.

I presume an example of Travis making a key in-game adjustment?

[GIMMFD]

I like when we win games, especially against shit schools like Butler. That's my analysis.

[XUGRAD80]

Thought he should have gone to zone sooner and played more than one possession with it.......but it worked out in the end.

[Olsingledigit]

I like when we win games, especially against shit schools like Butler. That's my analysis.

Haha!

[xudash]

I replayed the game this evening. The worst thing that I noticed came at the 28.4 second mark of the second half. Kunkel had just hit a three, making the score 68 to 55.

The camera goes to the Xavier bench. Everyone is up and cheering, except for Tandy. He’s not even looking down court. He’s looking down at the ground with a blue X cover shirt on (out of the game).

Not a good look.

[XU 87]

I replayed the game this evening. The worst thing that I noticed came at the 28.4 second mark of the second half. Kunkel had just hit a three, making the score 68 to 55.

The camera goes to the Xavier bench. Everyone is up and cheering, except for Tandy. He’s not even looking down court. He’s looking down at the ground with a blue X cover shirt on (out of the game).

Not a good look.

He’s his own worst enemy out there. Gets in the game, and then fired up a dumb shot early in the shot clock. And it’s happened over and over this season.

It’s too bad- the guy has talent.

[XUGRAD80]

He’s his own worst enemy out there. Gets in the game, and then fired up a dumb shot early in the shot clock. And it’s happened over and over this season.

It’s too bad- the guy has talent.

Totally agree.

[Cincypunk.org]

I replayed the game this evening. The worst thing that I noticed came at the 28.4 second mark of the second half. Kunkel had just hit a three, making the score 68 to 55.

The camera goes to the Xavier bench. Everyone is up and cheering, except for Tandy. He’s not even looking down court. He’s looking down at the ground with a blue X cover shirt on (out of the game).

Not a good look.

I just went back and watched this. That statement simply is not true.

He is intently watching the play develop from the bench and stands up and raises his hands when Kunkel hits the 3.

He isn't super animated, but not everybody on the team will have a Ben Stanley personality where they are dancing and being goofy etc. after every play.

There is no need to create a narrative that isn't true.

[UCGRAD4X]

He’s his own worst enemy out there. Gets in the game, and then fired up a dumb shot early in the shot clock. And it’s happened over and over this season.

It’s too bad- the guy has talent.

There were a lot of "ooops" and mental errors, especially during that stretch, but that was the only moment of the game that I said, "WTF....seriously?"

Maybe he and Free are just in a bit of a sophomore slump (Kyky, in particular, obviously).

[xavierj]

There were a lot of "ooops" and mental errors, especially during that stretch, but that was the only moment of the game that I said, "WTF....seriously?"

Maybe he and Free are just in a bit of a sophomore slump (Kyky, in particular, obviously).

Yeah but he was playing good on defense and was solid the possession before. Travis needs to give him a chance and 3 min isn’t going to help get him going. I mean Free was taking stupid shots all night and Nate’s pull up brick three when they were down a guy was flat dumb but they just keep playing. I think Travis is sending the wrong message. In a game like last night when they had cushions, he should have had Tandy in there. The 5 on the floor after the lead got to 20 made mistake after mistake and Travis made no changes until it got to about 7 points. One of these games he needs to let Tandy get extended run and let it go. Hopefully DePaul will provide that opportunity. Hopefully he sticks because next year he will he needed. We will need a guard who can shoot and Odom clearly won’t be a threat from three.

[XUGRAD80]

........Hopefully he sticks because next year he will he needed. We will need a guard who can shoot and Odom clearly won’t be a threat from three.

I wonder what Jones and Wilcher and Kunkel would say about that? Looks to me that not only can all three of them shoot pretty well, they also know when NOT to take bad shots.

And, oh yeah, X will still have a couple of schollys open so I’d guess that it’s not out of the question that they can add a transfer shooter too.

[xavierj]

I wonder what Jones and Wilcher and Kunkel would say about that? Looks to me that not only can all three of them shoot pretty well, they also know when NOT to take bad shots.

And, oh yeah, X will still have a couple of schollys open so I’d guess that it’s not out of the question that they can add a transfer shooter too.

Jones and wilcher will play the three and 4. They will need Tandy. Did you see Odom shoot a three last night? Yikes that was hard to watch. Tandy was an all big East Freshman. We don’t need to look for someone else when you already have a guy who is capable. It’s on the coaches to develop him. By all accounts he is working hard so he is trying to do his part. This team is far from perfect yet it seems he is handled differently than everyone else.

[bleedXblue]

I wonder what Jones and Wilcher and Kunkel would say about that? Looks to me that not only can all three of them shoot pretty well, they also know when NOT to take bad shots.

And, oh yeah, X will still have a couple of schollys open so I’d guess that it’s not out of the question that they can add a transfer shooter too.

i think KyKy is trying too hard to prove himself. Instead of focusing on earning minutes playing better D and creating opportunities on the offensive end he's stuck in this mode of trying to hard to score a bunch. Hard for kid to really do much of anything getting 3 minutes a game.

[RoseyMuskie]

Count me as someone as who thinks Travis handled Tandy exactly right yesterday.

Tandy took the worst shot in basketball; a long contested two. And that wasn’t a first for him this season. At some point a coach needs to hold players accountable and Travis did just that.

I very much want Tandy to get out of this funk and become a key contributor. We all know of his abilities. But if you don’t have the wherewithal that a long contested two is about the lone thing that will get you benched, then I have to question Tandy’s ability to process game flow in real time.

[xavierj]

Count me as someone as who thinks Travis handled Tandy exactly right yesterday.

Tandy took the worst shot in basketball; a long contested two. And that wasn’t a first for him this season. At some point a coach needs to hold players accountable and Travis did just that.

I very much want Tandy to get out of this funk and become a key contributor. We all know of his abilities. But if you don’t have the wherewithal that a long contested two is about the lone thing that will get you benched, then I have to question Tandy’s ability to process game flow in real time.

Did he hold Johnson accountable? Or is that just for Tandy? Xavier was on a break playing 4 on 5 and Johnson throws up a three by the coaches line that about broke the backboard. I mean if he is holding Kyky accountable, why not everyone else that takes terrible shots early in the shot clock?

[94GRAD]

Did he hold Johnson accountable? Or is that just for Tandy? Xavier was on a break playing 4 on 5 and Johnson throws up a three by the coaches line that about broke the backboard. I mean if he is holding Kyky accountable, why not everyone else that takes terrible shots early in the shot clock?

Because Johnson makes the right decision 90% of the time and KyKy 10%

[Xville]

Because Johnson makes the right decision 90% of the time and KyKy 10%

Goodin got two years to be absolute garbage and play X out of games.

[94GRAD]

Goodin got two years to be absolute garbage and play X out of games.

There were no other options those 2 years, X has plenty of options when KyKy makes bad decisions.

[Xville]

There were no other options those 2 years, X has plenty of options when KyKy makes bad decisions.

Meh. There were options, not as many as now, but there were. Not sure what Steele expects giving tandy 20 minutes or so on average up until kunkel becomes eligible, and then is relegated to the back of the bench instantly. Three years in and Steele still has questionable roster management. Griffin got 4 minutes last night? Why? I didn’t know that West and grant were back.

[xavierj]

Because Johnson makes the right decision 90% of the time and KyKy 10%

Right but Tandy was fine until Travis thought it would be a good idea to kill a guys confidence by pulling him out as soon as he makes a mistake. Xville is right about Kunkel getting eligible. Prior to that Kyky was averaging 15 Pts, 3 assists In about 28 minutes a game and was pretty efficient on offense. Then it’s been just not give him an opportunity. But whatever. Hopefully it doesn’t come back to bite Travis and the team.

[xukeith]

The gig is up in Kentucky guard-ville. Kyky chooses not to talk. He chooses to pout. Steele put him in last night. He can't be mad. Everyone ahead of him are stroking tons of buckets.
There is one reason Kyky can't do well on the court. That reason is between KyKy's ears. Maybe next year he only will have Kunkel and Wilcher ahead of him instead of 5 guards ahead of him. He cannot play pg. He never has ben a point guard.

X is modeling the Villanova look with 6'3-6'6 guards. \
One negative Odom observation is he is clearly quicker and faster than every defensive player. Yesterday, He was trying to do too much.

[RoseyMuskie]

Did he hold Johnson accountable? Or is that just for Tandy? Xavier was on a break playing 4 on 5 and Johnson throws up a three by the coaches line that about broke the backboard. I mean if he is holding Kyky accountable, why not everyone else that takes terrible shots early in the shot clock?

Tandy has had a long two issue all season. In fact, he’s the worst statistically on “Far 2s” on the team, per BartTorvik. He’s shooting 32% in that department.

He’s also taken the third most “Far 2s” on the team.

I’ll concede that a few of them are end of possession necessities, but when you couple the fact he’s shooting inefficient shots relatively often, and not making them at an efficient rate, it really hurts the team.

At some point, the coach needs to end that. And Steele drew a line in the sand yesterday.

[Muskeagle]

I really hope Steele can find a way to reach Tandy and get him to be a productive member of the team. I have no idea how that will happen, because, well, none of us, me included really knows any of these guys. I hope it works out for him here at X.

As for the Johnson silly shot...that was a weird play. It was the play where we we on a 5 on 4. The Butler player was down and you can see Steele doing the arm circle thing he does to speed them up. It seemed in the moment, that Nate saw that and felt like it was an offside induced free play opportunity, because, he heard the "go, go, go" from the sidelines and jacked it up. OBVIOUSLY, the play called for using the advantage of the 5 on 4....but watching the sidelines in the situation, it looks like Nate felt like it was a "hurry up situation" not a free "set" situation. My two cents....and I don't know shit...but that's what it felt like to me.

[xudash]

Let me make sure I understand one observation here: Kunkel was made eligible and performs within the framework of the team and at a high level, and Tandy got his feelings hurt, and that is Travis Steele’s fault?

Sorry, but KyKy needed and still needs to understand that he is no longer THE guy. They’re all talented. He has to understand to slow it down, work better with the team and make better decisions.

Free will is a bitch.

Travis isn’t primarily responsible for Tandy’s decision making process, work ethic and disposition.

One last thing: is it possible that Travis has had or will have a one-on-one come to Jesus with him? There is still time to turn this situation around. He’s obviously very talented. But that is of little value if he can’t fix what is going on between the ears.

[paulxu]

Wait...is this the covid/mask thread?

[AviatorX]

Last year, everyone wanted Steele to reign in Q and Naji and many on here rightfully pointed out that it's hard to do that when there are no credible options. This year, Steele is doing exactly that because there are so many good options and KyKy has been a ball-stopper. As soon as KyKy makes a play outside the flow of the offense, he's yanked. How many times did people post on here wanting to see that with Q and Naji the past few seasons?

If you have to win a game tomorrow, whose minutes are you taking away to play KyKy? Odom was less than impressive yesterday, but to this point has earned the chance to play through things more than KyKy IMO.

As far as Griffin is concerned, he's a D2 grad transfer, you literally can't screw up that roster management because it's a one and done situation. He is all upside, so while I concede maybe there are credible points that he should play another 4 or 5 minutes in some games, it's not some symptom of Steele's poor roster management.

[Xville]

Last year, everyone wanted Steele to reign in Q and Naji and many on here rightfully pointed out that it's hard to do that when there are no credible options. This year, Steele is doing exactly that because there are so many good options and KyKy has been a ball-stopper. As soon as KyKy makes a play outside the flow of the offense, he's yanked. How many times did people post on here wanting to see that with Q and Naji the past few seasons?

If you have to win a game tomorrow, whose minutes are you taking away to play KyKy? Odom was less than impressive yesterday, but to this point has earned the chance to play through things more than KyKy IMO.

As far as Griffin is concerned, he's a D2 grad transfer, you literally can't screw up that roster management because it's a one and done situation. He is all upside, so while I concede maybe there are credible points that he should play another 4 or 5 minutes in some games, it's not some symptom of Steele's poor roster management.

Ok fine lineup management. I see no reason for Carter and Fremantle to be playing the kind of minutes that they did yesterday and griffin to play 4, not have miles to play zero in a 20 point game, or Tandy to play 3. Let Tandy play thru it just a touch...not saying let him just throw up crap 2-3 times but give him a little longer leash. The guy was extremely effective the first part of the year. Not saying kyky isn’t responsible for his disposition etc right now, but Steele has at least some influence on it based on the way he handled the lineup mgmt once kunkel became eligibile. I think Tandy earned minutes by the way he played thru the first several games, and basically without warning, his minutes shrink substantially in the very first game kunkel is eligible. As a player, that would really piss me off.

The absolute love affair Steele has with Carter is frankly weird. He’s an ok player but good gawd no reason he should be 30 minutes.

[AviatorX]

Ok fine lineup management. I see no reason for Carter and Fremantle to be playing the kind of minutes that they did yesterday and griffin to play 4, not have miles to play zero in a 20 point game, or Tandy to play 3. Let Tandy play thru it just a touch...not saying let him just throw up crap 2-3 times but give him a little longer leash. The guy was extremely effective the first part of the year. Not saying kyky isn’t responsible for his disposition etc right now, but Steele has at least some influence on it based on the way he handled the lineup mgmt once kunkel became eligibile. I think Tandy earned minutes by the way he played thru the first several games, and basically without warning, his minutes shrink substantially in the very first game kunkel is eligible. As a player, that would really piss me off.

The absolute love affair Steele has with Carter is frankly weird. He’s an ok player but good gawd no reason he should be 30 minutes.

I personally would be fine never watching Bryan Griffin guard another ball screen situation, but like I said above I don't hate the idea of a little more Griffin a little less Freemantle/Carter. Carter plays so many minutes because there really aren't a ton of options at the 4 without going to clunky lineups.

[xudash]

Ok fine lineup management. I see no reason for Carter and Fremantle to be playing the kind of minutes that they did yesterday and griffin to play 4, not have miles to play zero in a 20 point game, or Tandy to play 3. Let Tandy play thru it just a touch...not saying let him just throw up crap 2-3 times but give him a little longer leash. The guy was extremely effective the first part of the year. Not saying kyky isn’t responsible for his disposition etc right now, but Steele has at least some influence on it based on the way he handled the lineup mgmt once kunkel became eligibile. I think Tandy earned minutes by the way he played thru the first several games, and basically without warning, his minutes shrink substantially in the very first game kunkel is eligible. As a player, that would really piss me off.

The absolute love affair Steele has with Carter is frankly weird. He’s an ok player but good gawd no reason he should be 30 minutes.

If they truly earn minutes in practice, and we’ve discussed before that KyKy wasn’t practicing well (I seem to recall that discussion), then doesn’t that explain his lack of floor time?

Travis doesn’t strike me as being a sadist.

[xavierj]

If they truly earn minutes in practice, and we’ve discussed before that KyKy wasn’t practicing well (I seem to recall that discussion), then doesn’t that explain his lack of floor time?

Travis doesn’t strike me as being a sadist.

Actually I heard Kyky Hs been practicing well and Travis also said the same thing. Never heard anyone say he wasn’t practicing well. I think Dante also said he was practicing hard.

[XUGRAD80]

Actually I heard Kyky Hs been practicing well and Travis also said the same thing. Never heard anyone say he wasn’t practicing well. I think Dante also said he was practicing hard.

I question where you heard from Travis that he was practicing well? I don’t recall reading it in any of the articles that the Enquirer or Cincinnati.com has put out, and his name was not mentioned in the pregame Butler show. Miles name was mentioned. It was stated that he was healthy and practicing well and that they HOPED to get him some minutes, didn’t say they PLANNED to.

I certainly don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility that Travis has told Tandy that if he continued to take dumb shots that he would find his butt back on the bench. Can’t imagine that when they watch film of games that things like that are not pointed out to the players. I know that if I had a player that continued to do things like that, and hurt the team, my leash would get shorter and shorter as it continued to happen.

[bobbiemcgee]

Liked the "Zip 'em Up" at the end of the game. Apparently Carter was taking an extended Poop and missed the bus:

https://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/xavier_bus_had_to_turn_around_after_leaving_player _behind/s1_127_33966041

[bleedXblue]

I question where you heard from Travis that he was practicing well? I don’t recall reading it in any of the articles that the Enquirer or Cincinnati.com has put out, and his name was not mentioned in the pregame Butler show. Miles name was mentioned. It was stated that he was healthy and practicing well and that they HOPED to get him some minutes, didn’t say they PLANNED to.

I certainly don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility that Travis has told Tandy that if he continued to take dumb shots that he would find his butt back on the bench. Can’t imagine that when they watch film of games that things like that are not pointed out to the players. I know that if I had a player that continued to do things like that, and hurt the team, my leash would get shorter and shorter as it continued to happen.

You continue to ignore the fact that other players take ill advised and poor shots too? Happens every single game multiple times. How is it that he's treated differently than other players? That's the issue.

[XUGRAD80]

You continue to ignore the fact that other players take ill advised and poor shots too? Happens every single game multiple times. How is it that he's treated differently than other players? That's the issue.

Doesn’t seem to be an issue to the coaching staff, does it?

The point is, X doesn’t NEED another guard right now, the other 5 guards (Scruggs, Jones, Kunkel, Johnson, Odom) are all playing well and at a higher level overall than Tandy has been since November-early December. You can say that Tandy MIGHT play better if given a longer leash, but we KNOW that the others are playing well overall. Perfect? No, nobody is saying that they are. But there are all playing better overall than a Tandy is. We’ve even see Witcher provide the team with another scoring threat. Tandy may have been a highly touted recruit coming into last year, but that was then, it’s not now. Scruggs, the 3 freshman, along with Johnson and Kunkel, give X more depth at the guard position than they have seen in years. Unless Tandy is going to outplay those players on a consistent basis, he really isn’t vital to the success of this team. Considering that the 3 freshman and Kunkel are all going to be around at least 2 more years (and X is recruiting a TON of highly rated guards for the 2022 class), the success of Tandy is not a make or break thing for the program. It would be a great problem if he was playing great when he does play and X had to figure out how to get him more playing time, but that’s not the case.

Jeez....X is 11-2 and in 3rd place in the conference. Let that sink in for a moment. They can’t be playing to bad can they? I can’t understand why people are losing their mind because the 3rd string guard isn’t getting much playing time. I can’t see how anyone can see that as anyone’s fault other than the players. But I guess if that’s the worst problem X seems to have right now, things can’t be to bad, right?

[xudash]

Add to that that everyone here must want KyKy to succeed at Xavier.

I believe we're all in unison in wanting that - in wanting him to find a way to a positive path forward with X. I don't want to see him go.

[XUGRAD80]

Tandy stats for minutes played and points scored:

Oakland. 23/18
Bradley. 17/4
Toledo. 32/24
East KY. 41/18

Tenn Tech. 28/10
UC. 11/2
OU. 11/6
Marq. 10/2
Creighton. 12/6
S Hall. 15/3

SJU. 2/2
Prov. DNP
Butler. 3/0

He played double digit minutes in every game in December and only scored 10 points 1 time. In December he averaged over 14 minutes a game and averaged 4.9 points per game. Other than the 4 cupcakes that X played to open the season he hasn’t scored much, has he?

In fact he has scored a grand total of 13 points against BE competition, while playing 42 minutes. In addition, in the 6 conference games he has a total of 1 assist, while having 2 turnovers. His overall shooting in BE games is 5/13, that’s 38%.

He simply isn’t playing well enough in the minutes he has been given to warrant more playing time in close games.

It’s not that I, or anyone else WANTS to see him fail, or to leave. But if a player isn’t producing, and you’re playing close games, you can’t play them just for sake of playing them. Let X get into a situation where they can coast to a win and he may well get a lot more playing time. But X hasn’t been in that kind of game since OU. Sure they had a 20 point lead in the Butler game early in the 2nd half, but for how long? Butler out scored X 13-0 in the blink of an eye after Scruggs got his 3rd foul and went to the bench. X never got into a comfortable position again until the last minute of play.

[AviatorX]

You continue to ignore the fact that other players take ill advised and poor shots too? Happens every single game multiple times. How is it that he's treated differently than other players? That's the issue.

Probably because he’s at the bottom of a crowded backcourt rotation where everyone ahead of him is playing really well or brings an element he doesn’t. If KyKy could play the 4, he’d be seeing the floor more right now.

He’s in a tough spot because a better version of him ended up on the roster a year earlier than expected (and before he could cement that role himself). That’s a tough break, but this isn’t rec ball so if he wants to leave because of that he will.

This whole conversation is weird to me when the team is playing well. I’d get it if Xavier was struggling.

[xavierj]

Probably because he’s at the bottom of a crowded backcourt rotation where everyone ahead of him is playing really well or brings an element he doesn’t. If KyKy could play the 4, he’d be seeing the floor more right now.

He’s in a tough spot because a better version of him ended up on the roster a year earlier than expected (and before he could cement that role himself). That’s a tough break, but this isn’t rec ball so if he wants to leave because of that he will.

This whole conversation is weird to me when the team is playing well. I’d get it if Xavier was struggling.

I agree and he is in a tough spot but I also do not think he has been given a fair chance but that’s just my opinion. What I don’t like on this board as there are some that want to paint him as an attitude problem, who doesn’t work hard, is a bad teammate and is pouting and I really do not think that is the case and I do not think it is fair to Kyky. He is a player on the team that we all want to see succeed who just is not able to crack the rotation right now. By all accounts he shows up and works everyday. Heard after the Providence game he was in the gym early taking part in a voluntary workout. Hope it all works out for him and I hope he can block out the distractions because I do think he will have a productive college career and hope it is at Xavier.

[AviatorX]

I agree and he is in a tough spot but I also do not think he has been given a fair chance but that’s just my opinion. What I don’t like on this board as there are some that want to paint him as an attitude problem, who doesn’t work hard, is a bad teammate and is pouting and I really do not think that is the case and I do not think it is fair to Kyky. He is a player on the team that we all want to see succeed who just is not able to crack the rotation right now. By all accounts he shows up and works everyday. Heard after the Providence game he was in the gym early taking part in a voluntary workout. Hope it all works out for him and I hope he can block out the distractions because I do think he will have a productive college career and hope it is at Xavier.

I’m with you on everything else. No reason for me to believe KyKy is anything but a great teammate. Really this whole team seems to mesh extremely well. Unfortunately, he’s a victim of the oldest message board trope in the book - he doesn’t look excited enough!

[Xuperman]

Probably because he’s at the bottom of a crowded backcourt rotation where everyone ahead of him is playing really well or brings an element he doesn’t. If KyKy could play the 4, he’d be seeing the floor more right now.

He’s in a tough spot because a better version of him ended up on the roster a year earlier than expected (and before he could cement that role himself). That’s a tough break, but this isn’t rec ball so if he wants to leave because of that he will.

This whole conversation is weird to me when the team is playing well. I’d get it if Xavier was struggling.

This is well said, because who's minutes is he going to take? His forte is a sniper from distance. That's a tough situation when a guy like Johnson comes in and currently leads the nation from distance %. Kunk comes in with the same rep and Jones doesn't seem to want to share many minutes for the same reason.... and it doesn't help his situation when all 3 excel in the other tangibles. Then there's the emerging CJ.

Last year we had no consistent shooters, now we have too many.
:popcorn:

[whopper]

why is scruggs not even tryng to finish or get fouls. That wraparound pass is not too effective compared to the skills he has including the pull up.l. Praying for Carter to hit these foul shots. Scruggs recently is puzzling to me. Strange body language..does not seem mad enough if he is ineffective. Even helps opponents up(i should like that but ..)

[bleedXblue]

We won and that literally is the only positive I take from this game other than Colby emerging as a stud. I can think of no less than 10 head scratching, boneheaded coaching gaffe's. But we won, so i will save them for tomorrow.