Game Thread: Xavier vs. St. Johns (2/16/2021)

[paulxu]

https://www.brickeconomy.com/resources/images/sets/lego-8804-3_large.jpgVS. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b1/c6/05/b1c605655ed48fc42fb287ae56a0713f.png


THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (11-3, 4-3 BIG EAST)
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY RED STORM (13-8, 7-7 BIG EAST)
TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 2021 AT 8:30 P.M. ET
CARNESECCA ARENA IN QUEENS, N.Y.

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from John Fanta and analysis from Tarik Turner.
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). XU broadcast also available on Sirius XM channel 381 and internet 971.
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.

[bjf123]

Hope they’re already on the plane!


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[GIMMFD]

Need to win this one, I hope we go in there and take care of business.

[drudy23]

Just win.

By 1 or by 51.

Just win.

[Lloyd Braun]

Current line: Johnnies -1.5, OU 155

I would have guessed SJ -3

[UCGRAD4X]

I hesitate to say this is a 'must win' but they really need to show something in this game. Steele needs to make a statement in this game. I agree with 'just win baby!' - but it's time to take this thing over. Gaining momentum toward the end of the regular season toward the tourneys needs to start tonight. I don't want them to limp into the tournament and leave us saying, "Now we can sneak up on 'em!" I'd rather a team fear playing us than overlooking us.

We need to come out with heat and keep the fire burning.

[xavierj]

Current line: Johnnies -1.5, OU 155

I would have guessed SJ -3

It started out SJ -3

[drudy23]

Let’s see how Steele adjusts the second time around against the Johnnies. They are still significantly more athletic than us. Let’s not let them get out in the open court and do what they want. Slow them down with some zone looks and please, for the love of God, don’t chuck up stupid 3s so they can get out in transition. They want to play an open style, let’s not play into their strengths.

[UCGRAD4X]

Let’s see how Steele adjusts the second time around against the Johnnies. They are still significantly more athletic than us. Let’s not let them get out in the open court and do what they want. Slow them down with some zone looks and please, for the love of God, don’t chuck up stupid 3s so they can get out in transition. They want to play an open style, let’s not play into their strengths.

Fair play to you.

I assume you expressed this in your weekly zoom meeting with the coaching staff. Or was it just with Coach Steele this time?

[whopper]

no Griffin tonight I think which means Miles (Ramsey?). Griffin had 7 p and 8 Reb in 14 min game 1..Zach was bad with 5 but damn can Carter come close to 11 and 16? This is a tough one to answer. You need depth at St Johns pace even without foul trouble (which is a big ask).

[drudy23]

Fair play to you.

I assume you expressed this in your weekly zoom meeting with the coaching staff. Or was it just with Coach Steele this time?

I text him daily.

[sgarcia]

no Griffin tonight I think which means Miles (Ramsey?). Griffin had 7 p and 8 Reb in 14 min game 1..Zach was bad with 5 but damn can Carter come close to 11 and 16? This is a tough one to answer. You need depth at St Johns pace even without foul trouble (which is a big ask).

Maybe we'll see Tandy get some minutes tonight. If not now, when?

[GoMuskies]

Current line: Johnnies -1.5, OU 155

I would have guessed SJ -3

I think St. John's is the play.

[GIMMFD]

I think St. John's is the play.

I couldn't bring myself to bet against X, I have a feeling we're just gonna show up today and play a really solid game.

[GoMuskies]

I couldn't bring myself to bet against X, I have a feeling we're just gonna show up today and play a really solid game.

I had to go "can't lose bet". Just feels like two teams going opposite directions. Hope I'm way off.

[drudy23]

We come out and run two sets and get 2 buckets and then shoot 5 threes 5 seconds into the shot clock.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Four minutes in and 5 starters have a missed 3

[GIMMFD]

I had to go "can't lose bet". Just feels like two teams going opposite directions. Hope I'm way off.

I don't blame you, so far we're playing into St. John's game plan by playing quickly, taking a crap ton of threes, and just looking disoriented. Need to settle into this one.

[Xville]

Great start just keep chucking up those threes and playing right into St. John’s game. The love affair Steele has with kunkel and carter is insane.

[drudy23]

Amazing what happens when they have even a little bit of patience on offense.

[KabeX]

What is it with SJ and 3 ... nevemind. Thanks Colby

[drudy23]

Keep them in the halfcourt and we win by 10+

[KabeX]

Welcome back Mr. P. F. Scruggs.

[drudy23]

And Odom should never shoot 3s - along with Carter.

[KabeX]

And Odom should never shoot 3s - along with Carter.
I find this to be a winning strategy.

[drudy23]

I find this to be a winning strategy.

It seems like every time those two shoot 3s, it's a long rebound and a score on the other end. It seems to happen everytime.

[GoMuskies]

I hate the way St. John's plays. I hope we never have a coach like Anderson. I guess Prosser's style was somewhat similar, but I feel like it wasn't quite as haphazard as what Anderson's teams do.

[Xville]

Can we go back to the days of when Jones started? He’s easily one of the best five players on the team.

[drudy23]

All we do is shoot 3s

[drudy23]

And our opponent is making 3s - everything looks the same - yay!

[Xville]

What the fuck is this lineup...seriously Steele is becoming a gawd awful lineup manager. This is inexcusable. Jones one of our best players makes 2 threes...let’s go ahead and take him out along with free and leave carter as the only big with kunkel (steeles best buddy), Witcher and odom. What the flying hell.

[KabeX]

Looking forward to the part where we stop playing right into the opponents hands.

[xuwillie]

I hate the way St. John's plays. I hope we never have a coach like Anderson. I guess Prosser's style was somewhat similar, but I feel like it wasn't quite as haphazard as what Anderson's teams do.

Not a huge fan how we have played the past 2+ years minus one game. It’s exhausting

[xavierj]

And our opponent is making 3s - everything looks the same - yay!

Right. Same shit different night. Just chuck up a bunch of threes and don’t play defense. Not exactly sure what the plan is other than hey just shoot, maybe some will go in and maybe they will miss some.

[drudy23]

Just run every play for Nate Johnson.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Maybe we'll see Tandy get some minutes tonight. If not now, when?

It amazes me that Tandy is the only player to ever play his way into Steele’s doghouse

[drudy23]

Might want to slow the pace otherwise theyll be up 15 soon

[bjf123]

It amazes me that Tandy is the only player to ever play his way into Steele’s doghouse

He’s in now.


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[HAAS_U]

There’s a Kyky sighting

[KabeX]

And Tandy released from Dog House. This should be interesting.

[Xville]

It amazes me that Tandy is the only player to ever play his way into Steele’s doghouse

Holy fuck he’s in....it’s a Tuesday night miracle

[AviatorX]

Who is #24?

[Xville]

Good thing Steele hasn’t played Tandy until tonigt we didn’t need all of his scoring ability. No one is ever going to convince me that kunkel is a better player than Tandy...no chance in hell.

[KabeX]

Welcome back KyKy. We'll see if he's still in when they go back to m2m.

[drudy23]

KyKy can score? Would have never known.

[whopper]

Good thing Steele hasn’t played Tandy until tonigt we didn’t need all of his scoring ability.. I think there may be a lot of twists and turns tonight although we did take a big punch for a few minutes

[AviatorX]

FYI for those who really want to make this narrative a thing, Xavier is 61st in the nation in 3P%, 176th in the nation in percentage of total field goal attempts which are 3's, and 129th in the country as far as percentage of total points coming from distance. Hardly extreme.

[XBR1]

I would love to see us start playing defense.

[drudy23]

FYI for those who really want to make this narrative a thing, Xavier is 61st in the nation in 3P%, 176th in the nation in percentage of total field goal attempts which are 3's, and 129th in the country as far as percentage of total points coming from distance. Hardly extreme.

A general comparison to the whole has nothing to do with the appropriateness to this team. 3-4 guys should have the green light. Too many guys not that great at shooting are shooting alot of 3s - also not in an offensive rhythm either - just chucking them after 1 pass.

[stammina0721]

I want to make a statement... Absolutely noone will ever miss against Xavier ever again.

[Xville]

Another just overall really bad half of basketball. Played right into St. John’s game plan, and didn’t play a lick of defense. This is very reminiscent of how the end of the last two seasons went. That’s coaching.

[KabeX]

Ugly.

[stammina0721]

Villanova miss miss miss, creighton miss miss miss. Xavier hit every shot known to man. Been watching this for way too long.

[drudy23]

Not that great on either end in the first half.

Our offense feels like an AAU offense.

[GoMuskies]

At least I guess we now know why Tandy doesn't play.

[Xavier]

Yikes.

[bourbonman]

At least I guess we now know why Tandy doesn't play.

Yep

[bourbonman]

So why do we think Carter can play Big East basketball? I’m willing to listen and learn.

[Xavier]

So why do we think Carter can play Big East basketball? I’m willing to listen and learn.

I’m not sure we have any big that can. Griffen at least showed some toughness and was a big body.

[drudy23]

We've shot more 3s than 2s - I will never understand it.

Steele thinks Carter is our Kris Jenkins.

[bleedXblue]

I wanna know what coach would go out with this game plan against a team that wants to play fast? I just do not get it at all. We should be slowing the pace and making sure we aren't taking quick shots. The transition D is awful too.

[Xville]

At least I guess we now know why Tandy doesn't play.

Why? He did the same shit half the roster did that half. Did you see Johnson or kunkel? Same shit.

I’m getting tired of the hockey line changes though...it’s impossible to get guys into a rhythm the way Steele handles lineups lately.

[drudy23]

I wanna know what coach would go out with this game plan against a team that wants to play fast? I just do not get it at all. We should be slowing the pace and making sure we aren't taking quick shots. The transition D is awful too.

It's the EXACT same thing that happened in game 1.

The Johnnies always piss down their leg because usually their coach sucks. If you simply grind it out, stick to it, and patiently play your game, you almost never lose to them.

When Steele tries to be Jay Wright, our coach becomes crappier than their coach.

[Xville]

I’m not sure we have any big that can. Griffen at least showed some toughness and was a big body.

X needs a legitimate big man transfer next year. I like griffin but x needs someone with more talent. Can not compete well in the big east without good big men, unless you have McDonald all American swing men like nova tends to have every year

[Xavier]

Yeah, Tandy wasn’t good but wasn’t that much worse than other guys. Still, I’ve never seen someone who loves pulling up one foot in front of the 3pt line. It’s the worst shot in basketball and it’s his go to move if he isn’t shooting a 3.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Time for a new fire Steele thread. The guy simply isn’t cut out for this job. Time to bring in Kelsey.

[bleedXblue]

Anyone want to explain Steele's rotations and players? Do we have a core 7-8 guys?

[HenryMuto]

Disastrous end to the half

[drudy23]

Anyone want to explain Steele's rotations and players? Do we have a core 7-8 guys?

There is no explanation.

My explanation is that he doesn't know what he's doing.

[xavierj]

At least I guess we now know why Tandy doesn't play.

Well was he really worse than anyone else? Had an 2 assists, a steal and a three in 4 minutes of play. Can’t just expect a guy who just hasn’t played, step on the floor and be comfortable right away.

[bleedXblue]

Why? He did the same shit half the roster did that half. Did you see Johnson or kunkel? Same shit.

I’m getting tired of the hockey line changes though...it’s impossible to get guys into a rhythm the way Steele handles lineups lately.

Agreed playing 9 guys right now is 1-2 too many

[Xavier]

X needs a legitimate big man transfer next year. I like griffin but x needs someone with more talent. Can not compete well in the big east without good big men, unless you have McDonald all American swing men like nova tends to have every year

Oh yeah, way more talent- just compared to other “bigs” he is more serviceable and at least some traditional signs of a big. I really think we chuck so many 3s because our bigs can’t create good post moves. Honesty earlier in the year we saw more guys cutting and stuff like that to get Easy points.

[bleedXblue]

Well was he really worse than anyone else? Had an 2 assists, a steal and a three in 4 minutes of play. Can’t just expect a guy who just hasn’t played, step on the floor and be comfortable right away.

He took 2 really stupid shots. Does he ever use his speed and athleticism to get to the rim?

Stop pulling up for 15 footers

[drudy23]

The offense has done a complete 180 from the beginning of the year.

It looks more and more like last year every game. I guess Steele is trying to find another player to blame.

[KabeX]

Gotta make SJ play defense. They don't like to do it in 1/2 court. Transition D just flat out bad. Playing right into their hands. Fix the damn rotation. Play some damn defense. Find a way to win the damn game.

This is the end of your Capt. Obvious rant.

[bourbonman]

I’m not much on basketball strategy, but how about no one shoot until Johnson has had 5 shots to start this half, unless you have a dunk, not a layup, a dunk.

[drudy23]

Gotta make SJ play defense. They don't like to do it in 1/2 court. Transition D just flat out bad. Playing right into their hands. Fix the damn rotation. Play some damn defense. Find a way to win the damn game.

This is the end of your Capt. Obvious rant.

Obvious to everyone but the one making the decisions.

[xavierj]

He took 2 really stupid shots. Does he ever use his speed and athleticism to get to the rim?

Stop pulling up for 15 footers

What were the stupid shots? He did a pump fake and probably should have gone to the rim and then shot got blocked, then shot a wide open 10 footer off a pass. Hit a three. Maybe I missed a other shot.

[drudy23]

Grind it out and St Johns will fold, they always do.

If you play playground ball, they're going to run you out of the gym.

[bleedXblue]

Gotta make SJ play defense. They don't like to do it in 1/2 court. Transition D just flat out bad. Playing right into their hands. Fix the damn rotation. Play some damn defense. Find a way to win the damn game.

This is the end of your Capt. Obvious rant.

yep, yep and yep

[drudy23]

And our first shot is a Carter 3 - and they score.

Unreal.

[KabeX]

That's what we want. A stop and a Carter 3. Brilliant.

[Xville]

Yay carter shot a 3 just what x needed!

[xavierj]

This team sucks. Paul getting abused by the chubby freshman.

[KabeX]

Noooooo ... good shot Colby

[Xville]

This team can’t guard

[xavierj]

This team can’t guard

Probably should go to a 1-3–1 with Jones at the top. Can’t be worse than what’s going on now.

[KabeX]

Hard to believe but we have more made 3s than they do. Yep, we can't guard.

[Xavier]

Well, I guess we just have to hope we catch fire from 3. That seems to be the game plan. St. John’s is playing with so much more effort. They want this one so much more

[KabeX]

I would try it but I think we'd see some spectacular alley oops. Gotta try something different tho.

[bleedXblue]

Probably should go to a 1-3–1 with Jones at the top. Can’t be worse than what’s going on now.

a better defense would be too make St Johns play D and stop taking quick shots

[stammina0721]

I'll bet anyone right now any amount of money St John's doesn't havev57 points with 15 min to go in any game... Who wants action

[drudy23]

a better defense would be too make St Johns play D and stop taking quick shots

This is so apparently obvious, it's mind boggling. I don't get it.

[drudy23]

fuck this shit

[Xavier]

What the hell. Maybe call a time out?

[Xville]

Hey Steele maybe call a timeout before your team gets run out of the gym

[drudy23]

Welcome to AAU

[KabeX]

Sorry but we're not shooting our way back into this one. Take it to the rack.

[Xville]

Keep jacking up those threes and give St. John’s transition o....fucking brilliant.

[drudy23]

This has to be Steele's gameplan - there's no way we're shooting this many 3s if he's telling them something different.

I honestly think he thinks we're going to shoot our way back.

[XBR1]

Freemantle might be the worst defender on the team.

[bleedXblue]

I'd take a 7th place Big East finish right now.

[xavierj]

Freemantle might be the worst defender on the team.

Yep.

[KabeX]

For those who are curious, Marcellus Earlington averages 6.5 ppg and a hair under 35% from 3. Making no judgements here whatsoever. Just providing a public service announcement.

[stammina0721]

And to think Rick Pantino can be had at a discount

[XUBob]

Drudy, my sentiments exactly, I’ve been saying we look like an AAU team this year. On nights the threes are falling we are fine, if not I have no idea what the outcome will be. I’ve followed X for a long time and other then the 60’s& 70’s this is the fist time I expect the worst and hope for the best.

[Xville]

I like Witcher and think he is going to end up being a really good player as an upper class men but can someone explain to me why he is playing so much? Must be a gold jersey stud

[drudy23]

Trav has to prove we can be Villanova.

[paulxu]

Colby is 3-4. Maybe he should shoot more.

[Xville]

Whoa a defensive adjustment..I just wet my pants

[Blue Blooded-05]

Johnson needs to become the alpha dog on this team

[bleedXblue]

I don't even know what to say at this point.

Woefully unathletic. Embarrassing

[HAAS_U]

Just atrocious. Can Free box out?

[KabeX]

Loads of time and we're still in it. Let's see what kind of "adjustments" are made in the last 2 wars.

[kellernr]

Just atrocious. Can Free box out?He is one of the worst defenders on the team.

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[bleedXblue]

It's a dunk fest

[Xville]

Jones wide open the entire time up the floor..pass to him? Nah gonna go ahead and dribble under the basket for a bit.

Absolutely zero d on this team...no perimeter or interior d. Hard to win games without it.

[XU 23]

Our zone is embarrassingly bad.

[bleedXblue]

It's a dunk fest

Can Miles play any D at all? Who the F are we recruiting when 2 bigs cant see the floor. At all after 1.5 years in the program

[XU 87]

Our zone is embarrassingly bad.

Travis hasn’t noticed and keeps playing it.

[shucker]

He is one of the worst defenders on the team.

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Actually the entire team D is a train wreck tonight
7 dunks from one St John's player..

[bjf123]

There isn’t a single statistical category where we’re not down to them. Embarrassing.


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[KabeX]

Our DEFENSE is embarrassingly bad.
Fixed that for you.

[sgarcia]

Get on the fucking ground Zach!

[drudy23]

Soft.

[whopper]

Jones wide open the entire time up the floor..pass to him? Nah gonna go ahead and dribble under the basket for a bit.

Absolutely zero d on this team...no perimeter or interior d. Hard to win games without it.. If we go small we are not that fast and good shooting. if we go big we are slow and don't really score down low. It is hard to see a path to victory. Damn and that posh guy just stripped Nate from behind (must have done it 4 x tonight). I am just sad. I really can't say this guy can do better or that guy can do better as all have limitations (don't we all) but our upside seems lower that most team's upside. Hope I am wrong

[KabeX]

Fixed that for me.
WE are embarrassingly bad.

[XU 23]

Welp, this probably moves us to bubble territory if we end up losing.

[Xavier]

Finally, 33 minutes into the game- X starts to attack the rim. Then Johns shows they just want it way more. Inexcusable

[xavierj]

That right there is Xavier basketball right now. Out hustled and out toughed. Might win two more games, 1 is more likely. This team won’t win at Providence and Marquette and will lose to Creighton at home. Sad to see.

[Xville]

Can’t wait for Steele’s milk toast press conference. Lame and uninspiring as this team.

[drudy23]

I'm starting to sense a similar tone of disbelief and increasing apathy with these guys.

[X Factor]

Just wait til next year...Steele will have the guys he wants. :facepalm::lmao:

[bjf123]

Dagger


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[xuwillie]

Not sure how people still think Steele is a good coach. Recruit maybe but his game day coaching is horrendous

[KabeX]

Did anyone really think that wasn't going in. We're done.

[XU 23]

0 defense

[Xville]

Jones and Scruggs are the only players on this team that are complete players, maybe throw Johnson in that mix. The rest are just meh.


Ballgame!

[drudy23]

Not sure how people still think Steele is a good coach. Recruit maybe but his game day coaching is horrendous

Gameplanning, personnel moves, in-game, adjustments - horrendous.

[shucker]

This team is too soft and doesn’t hustle or play hard nosed for the big east.
We are getting pushed around and out hustled each game.
We fall in love with the perimeter and don’t go to the rim and then no one is down low to rebound.

[X Factor]

Anyone subscribe to Xavier 247? Can't wait to read the reactions over there. No criticism allowed.

[XU 23]

Still in the zone, for some reason.

[Xville]

Jones wide open again and having a great game...pas to him? Nah fuck it. I’ll dribble around some more and let Johnson who hasn’t thrown it in the ocean this game shoot it

[drudy23]

Sadly, we can still win.

[KabeX]

Still in the zone, for some reason.
Like it matters?

[GoMuskies]

X +650 feels like a good bet right now.

[Xville]

34 threes...with 4 minutes left...34? 34!!!!

[bjf123]

Sadly, we can still win.

Can and will are two very different things.


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[paulxu]

Johnson is off tonight. And our interior defense doesn't exist.

[Xville]

X +650 feels like a good bet right now.

I agree... I dunno why. Hope I guess

[bleedXblue]

34 threes...with 4 minutes left...34? 34!!!!

Against one of the worst 2 PT defensive teams in the country. St Johns is 281st

[KabeX]

34 threes...with 4 minutes left...34? 34!!!!
Yeah but we made 11! That's double figures! And I just know the next one is going down.

[Xville]

It’s be nice to drive the lane and get fouled

[Xavier]

That layup miss is perfect example of how soft Freemantle is

[paulxu]

Need a sense of urgency in these games...which for some reason we don't have.

[Xville]

I’m sorry but free is so unbelievably soft. For a guy who acts tough, he’s nowhere close

[Xavier]

So soft. And again, finally getting offense by driving. Didn’t do it the whole damn game

[shucker]

Too many wasted possessions. You are down 7 less then 3 minutes left in the game and we use all of the shot clock.
St Johns is up 7 and they are still running and gunning.

[xavierj]

Man Kunkel can’t make wide open looks. He and Johnson are 3-16 from three. That’s not good.

[bleedXblue]

I’m sorry but free is so unbelievably soft. For a guy who acts tough, he’s nowhere close

This whole team is soft no one plays with a chip on their shoulder.

[paulxu]

Hopefully Colby Jones has earned himself some more playing time. Should help us in the future.

[Xville]

Pressing the press team lol ok steele

[drudy23]

Are we allowed to talk about similarities from the last 2 years yet? It's real folks.

[xavierj]

Man Kunkel can’t make wide open looks. He and Johnson are 3-16 from three. That’s not good.

[GoMuskies]

X +650 feels like a good bet right now.

I was wrong. We are bad.

[KabeX]

Loads of time and we're still in it. Let's see what kind of "adjustments" are made in the last 2 wars.
And we have our answer.

[Xavier]

Pressing the press team lol ok steele

Meh. I’d argue down 7-9 with 3 minutes left is the time to press..

[AviatorX]

Are we allowed to talk about similarities from the last 2 years yet? It's real folks.

Last year's team never would have put up this type of defensive performance. One of the worst in recent memory and that is saying something with how the last few years have gone.

[sgarcia]

Man Kunkel can’t make wide open looks. He and Johnson are 3-16 from three. That’s not good.

Why no Tandy in the 2nd half? Kunkel and Johnson stunk offensively and defensively.

[bjf123]

Are we allowed to talk about similarities from the last 2 years yet? It's real folks.

Hello bubble.


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[Xville]

Not a tourney team...another mediocre big east conference season hovering around 500. Everyone else had to deal with covid too....didn’t have covid the last two years and the same shit happened. Steele can’t coach

[GoMuskies]

Why no Tandy in the 2nd half? Kunkel and Johnson stunk offensively and defensively.

Tandy didn't really show anything in his stint to inspire confidence he'd be a better option.

[X Factor]

Jason Carter last two games combined: 3 points, 4 rebounds.

But hey, let's glue Miles butt to the bench.

[xavierj]

So here is the issue. Xavier just doesn’t have any guys, too nice. Need to get someone inside that can mix it up, finish and rebound. Frankly the coaching sucks too. Have some pieces but too many missing pieces. Unless they get someone via transfer route that can play down low and score and rebound, next year won’t be any better. I guess losing Stanley and not having Griffin available didn’t help, but this team is a shit show right now.

[HAAS_U]

Jason Carter last two games combined: 3 points, 4 rebounds.

But hey, let's glue Miles butt to the bench.

That’s Travis Steele logic for ya.

[GoMuskies]

Jason Carter last two games combined: 3 points, 4 rebounds.

But hey, let's glue Miles butt to the bench.

Free
Scruggs
Johnson
Jones

Is there anyone else we feel particularly good/confident about?

[drudy23]

And another thing - is our assistant coaching staff really that strong?

[bleedXblue]

If we miss the tourney, Steele's job is on the line next year. Can't remember a time when a Xavier coach was really on the hot seat.

[drudy23]

If we miss the tourney, Steele's job is on the line next year. Can't remember a time when a Xavier coach was really on the hot seat.

He promised the AD Villanova - will we be that next year?

[Xville]

So here is the issue. Xavier just doesn’t have any guys, too nice. Need to get someone inside that can mix it up, finish and rebound. Frankly the coaching sucks too. Have some pieces but too many missing pieces. Unless they get someone via transfer route that can play down low and score and rebound, next year won’t be any better. I guess losing Stanley and not having Griffin available didn’t help, but this team is a shit show right now.

For all the Steele “recruiting prowess” that we keep talking about...where the hell is anyone in the frontcourt that can do anything like play d or score in the post? Got some nice guards that can brick the hell out of the rim most games though

[bjf123]

He promised the AD Villanova - will we be that next year?

That’s easy. No.


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[bleedXblue]

he promised the ad villanova - will we be that next year?

nfw

[GoMuskies]

And another thing - is our assistant coaching staff really that strong?

Dante is really the one I wonder about. He wasn't exactly shooting up through the assistant ranks before Steele hired him. Is he good enough to have that job if he didnt play at X?

[markchal]

we looked thoroughly out-classed and out-hustled by St. John's...I know they are playing better this year, but that is still pretty alarming.

[paulxu]

Johnson was WAY off tonight
Starting lineup 6-27 on 3's.
Subs 5-10.

[drudy23]

For all the Steele “recruiting prowess” that we keep talking about...where the hell is anyone in the frontcourt that can do anything like play d or score in the post? Got some nice guards that can brick the hell out of the rim most games though

There's not really anyone like this in the pipeline either.

He's recruiting guys just like we have. There's no way this program will be consistently successful without some dawgs in the paint.

[bleedXblue]

For all the Steele “recruiting prowess” that we keep talking about...where the hell is anyone in the frontcourt that can do anything like play d or score in the post? Got some nice guards that can brick the hell out of the rim most games though

The fact that Miles cant see the floor after 1.5 years in the program is VERY, VERY telling

[sgarcia]

Tandy didn't really show anything in his stint to inspire confidence he'd be a better option.

Kunkel was god awful. Tandy should've had some of those minutes.

[drudy23]

The fact that Miles cant see the floor after 1.5 years in the program is VERY, VERY telling

Does this say more about Miles or Steele?

I honestly think Steele is in over his head.

[GoMuskies]

40 threes. Impressive

[whopper]

This was ugly and the body language not good. The path to victory is so narrow for this team as there is literally zero margin of error.

[HAAS_U]

Does this say more about Miles or Steele?

I honestly think Steele is in over his head.

100% agree on Steele... completely over his head.

[Xville]

Kunkel was god awful. Tandy should've had some of those minutes.

Steele loves him some unathletic white guys. Probably reminds him of himself since he never played the game.

Maybe his in laws will pay for his buyout

[xavierj]

There's not really anyone like this in the pipeline either.

He's recruiting guys just like we have. There's no way this program will be consistently successful without some dawgs in the paint.

Zach would be much better if he had another big that could rebound and score. I think there is too much pressure and Zach struggles to finish because of it. He gets no help down low. I mean Carter gives them zero down low. Also need a big who can help defending the basket because Zach struggles with that and again isn’t getting much help. Zach needs to get a lot stronger and Better find another big who is athletic and block shots, score and rebound. If not next year will be another mediocre year. Sad to see.

[paulxu]

Steele may not be coaching right. I'm not smart enough to know.
But I do know he can't play defense...and our team doesn't seem at all concerned about it either.

[IM4X]

Defense was a joke.
Doesn’t help that the coaches didn’t make sure to have more than one legit BE level big.
We got completely bullied inside.
Coach - once again you waited too long with the press.
How many times our we to believe “our guys will be ready to play next game.”

[bjf123]

Kunkel was god awful. Tandy should've had some of those minutes.

Yep. It’s not like we were playing stellar defense and Tandy would have been a liability.


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[Blue Blooded-05]

And another thing - is our assistant coaching staff really that strong?

No. Looks like we’re going to be hiring from the outside for the first time since Matta.

[drudy23]

Zach would be much better if he had another big that could rebound and score. I think there is too much pressure and Zach struggles to finish because of it. He gets no help down low. I mean Carter gives them zero down low. Also need a big who can help defending the basket because Zach struggles with that and again isn’t getting much help. Zach needs to get a lot stronger and Better find another big who is athletic and block shots, score and rebound. If not next year will be another mediocre year. Sad to see.

Who's fault is that?

It feels like we're playing 5 guards. It's not like he played Griffin that much when he was healthy. Is he recruiting any Big East big guys? No - because he has to prove we're the next Villanova. We cannot compete in this conference trying to mimic Villanova, we don't have the recruiting profile. We need to stick to what has worked for 5 decades.

We need some Tyrique!

[SemajParlor]

Are people really suggesting that Deionte Miles and KyKy Tandy were the reasons we didn't win tonight? Do you guys watch games?

[whopper]

Zach would be much better if he had another big that could rebound and score. I think there is too much pressure and Zach struggles to finish because of it. He gets no help down low. I mean Carter gives them zero down low. Also need a big who can help defending the basket because Zach struggles with that and again isn’t getting much help. Zach needs to get a lot stronger and Better find another big who is athletic and block shots, score and rebound. If not next year will be another mediocre year. Sad to see. This was a litle sad to see. Scruggs was on a #1 seed and put us up 2 against Florida State with 115 left March 2018 and never thought he would not see the NCAA again. Man i hope i am wrong

[drudy23]

Are people really suggesting that Deionte Miles and KyKy Tandy were the reasons we didn't win tonight? Do you guys watch games?

Not at all what people are saying. But if guys aren't getting it done, make a change.

There an obvious lack of confidence in Steele, and it's pretty justified.

[XUBob]

I want Travis to do well, I really do, but, after 2+ years I just don’t see it. At some point it has to be on the coach, we took 40 threes tonight, I mean c’mon no team should ever shoot 40 threes in a game, that’s on the coach. Our D which I thought was ok the last two years is gone. If this program isn’t careful we will become DePaul.

[Xville]

Are people really suggesting that Deionte Miles and KyKy Tandy were the reasons we didn't win tonight? Do you guys watch games?

That’s not what people are saying, what people are saying is that it couldn’t be any worse playing those guys. Did you watch the game? I saw terrible shooting, horrible d, a crap game plan, and a love affair of unathletic white guys. Same shit it’s been all conference season.

[KabeX]

13-7 / 6-7. Can't see anyway it ends up better than that. Anyone know if there will be an NIT this year?

[drudy23]

[QUOTE=KabeX;693779Anyone know if there will be an NIT this year?[/QUOTE]

Who cares.

[SemajParlor]

what people are saying is that it couldn’t be any worse playing those guys.

If that's people are saying than I disagree.

[bjf123]

Next two games are must wins. Possibly the next three, but I just don’t see this team beating Creighton.


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[KabeX]

Who cares.
Sorry. I couldn't find the useless rhetorical question font ;)

[xavierj]

That’s not what people are saying, what people are saying is that it couldn’t be any worse playing those guys. Did you watch the game? I saw terrible shooting, horrible d, a crap game plan, and a love affair of unathletic white guys. Same shit it’s been all conference season.

There are 5 games left. If Travis has any future potential as a good college basketball coach I hope we see a lot of changes. First of all he better get Carter out of the starting lineup and insert Jones. Shorten the bench. If Griffin is back play him more than Carter off the bench because we need someone more athletic on the floor. If Carter is in, get him off the three point line and let him post up or something but him sitting out on the three point line is pointless because he will be wide open and he will miss. I would go with Scruggs, Johnson, Wilcher, Jones and Free. Bring Kunkel, Griffin and Carter off the bench and just go with it. I don’t care if they lose, but change something up.

[Xville]

Yeah I mean they will beat butler, after that I dunno. Georgetown, Marquette and providence are all not good but I’m not convinced this team is that much better to win on the road against those teams—-fans or not. I mean shit Providence and Marquette x was lucky as hell to win those at home.

[drudy23]

Steele has the mean mug going in the post game presser. I can't see it but I can see it.

Mick and Trav - excuses aren't excuses when you're mean muggin.

We're back to "I'll find 5 guys on defense. I'll only play 5 if I have to" - Mick Cronin is our coach.

For the millionth time in 3 years, it's "we gotta be tougher and guys aren't going to play if they're not" - and then nothing changes. I see better than I hear Trav.

Next loss - taking their jerseys.

[KabeX]

Well, got my coach speak fix for the evening.

[drudy23]

Well, got my coach speak fix for the evening.

How many times have you heard that from him in 3 years?

[SkyWalker]

Anybody know how many KILLS we had tonight? Ruff Ruff

[Xville]

Steele has the mean mug going in the post game presser. I can't see it but I can see it.

Mick and Trav - excuses aren't excuses when you're mean muggin.

We're back to "I'll find 5 guys on defense. I'll only play 5 if I have to" - Mick Cronin is our coach.

For the millionth time in 3 years, it's "we gotta be tougher and guys aren't going to play if they're not" - and then nothing changes. I see better than I hear Trav.

Next loss - taking their jerseys.

Gawd did he really say some of that baloney? I’m about done with him. He is in over his head. He really needs to look inward at some of his decisions and start taking some blame for his team’s performance.

[drudy23]

Gawd did he really say some of that baloney? I’m about done with him. He is in over his head. He really needs to look inward at some of his decisions and start taking some blame for his team’s performance.

He said all of that baloney - well, except the taking the jerseys part.

Also had no issue with taking 40 3s - "I'm not worried about offense, we're gonna score, I need guys that are gonna man up and defend"

What are the odds Carter and Freemantle start next game? Because if anyone deserves to be benched for defense, it's those 2.

[xavierj]

He said all of that baloney - well, except the taking the jerseys part.

Also had no issue with taking 40 3s - "I'm not worried about offense, we're gonna score, I need guys that are gonna man up and defend"

What are the odds Carter and Freemantle start next game? Because if anyone deserves to be benched for defense, it's those 2.

If Carter starts the next game I will probably just turn off the Tv because that will tell me all I need to know about Travis. To be honest the guys he keeps playing as much as he does, have been the same guys all year and that lineup really could be 6-9. Winning the five games that ended winning margins of 3 points or less for Xavier hid a lot of warts that we are seeing now.

[Xville]

He said all of that baloney - well, except the taking the jerseys part.

Also had no issue with taking 40 3s - "I'm not worried about offense, we're gonna score, I need guys that are gonna man up and defend"

What are the odds Carter and Freemantle start next game? Because if anyone deserves to be benched for defense, it's those 2.

It’s shit like this from him that tells me he doesn’t know as much about basketball as we need him too. Shooting that many 3s is especially a problem against a team like that because a miss is probably going to be a long miss, giving the athletic aau team a run out, and not allowing x to set their d which in turn plays right into St. John’s game plan. The more I hear Steele speak, the more I think he is in over his head.

[Xville]

If Carter starts the next game I will probably just turn off the Tv because that will tell me all I need to know about Travis. To be honest the guys he keeps playing as much as he does, have been the same guys all year and that lineup really could be 6-9. Winning the five games that ended winning margins of 3 points or less for Xavier hid a lot of warts that we are seeing now.

It’s like -10000000 that carter is in the starting lineup next game. Steele loves his unathletic white guys, and I’m thinking carter has some compromising photos of Steele.

[IM4X]

Zach would be much better if he had another big that could rebound and score. I think there is too much pressure and Zach struggles to finish because of it. He gets no help down low. I mean Carter gives them zero down low. Also need a big who can help defending the basket because Zach struggles with that and again isnÂ’t getting much help. Zach needs to get a lot stronger and Better find another big who is athletic and block shots, score and rebound. If not next year will be another mediocre year. Sad to see.

We posted about badly needing another big to help Freemantle. I had posted this was a big concern of mine before the season. I mean I like Griffin as a sub and maybe in a year Miles will be good enough- but right now there is no one other than Freemantle that is truly BE caliber at the 4 or 5 position. Steele knew this and did not make it a priority. I couldn’t get it out on my head before the season how much we were going to struggle this year defending inside year without Tyrique.” I actually think the way to go may be playing Freemantle together with Miles a lot more - I’ve said it before - Miles is raw- but he needs more playing time with the starting line up who all can score to give him confidence. He still needs or put weight on, but at least he gives some blocking ability.

[bleedXblue]

The last two games have clearly shown how much more physical and athletic UCONN and St Johns were almost across the board at every position. It's one thing to not play D and a completely different thing to not be able to defend b/c you cant keep up. Sure effort, execution and technique can help offset some of this, but that's what I see when we play teams like we have the last two games.

[drudy23]

Let’s see how Steele adjusts the second time around against the Johnnies. They are still significantly more athletic than us. Let’s not let them get out in the open court and do what they want. Slow them down with some zone looks and please, for the love of God, don’t chuck up stupid 3s so they can get out in transition. They want to play an open style, let’s not play into their strengths.

Can I get an interview?

[murray87]

What's the definition of insanity again??..........

[xavierj]

Can I get an interview?

Travis must have saw this and said screw that guy, I will do just the opposite.