Game Thread: Xavier vs. Georgetown (3/2/2021)

[drudy23]

Coach speak count:
"Man" - 5
"Stunk" - 1
"Play for 40 min/it's a 40 min game" - 4
"We need more" - 2
"Find 5 guys to .. play hard" - 2
"Fight" - 6

The little man mean mugger - Trav Cronin

[IM4X]

Free was not good. But he’s a 4, or needs a bruiser 4 by his side.

Free’s problems are poor roster construction and bad luck with Stanley.

Agree. Not having another BE level banger to help out (e,g. T. Jones, Hankins, Reynolds, Farr, O’Mara, Kanter) really puts extra pressure on Free and causes him try to do more than he normally would do.

[markchal]

if a coach in year 3 doesnt have 5 guys that will play hard in a must-win game against a sub-500 team, our athletic director is the one that needs to "figure it out man"

[KabeX]

The little man mean mugger - Trav Cronin

Thanks for that. I mean this a team effort. We all have to pick our teammates up. I could go on ...

[Xville]

And here comes the coach speak.

If you could summarize what he says I’d appreciate it. I wish our reporters had some balls and actually asked some tough questions like...why the hell does carter continue to play and why have you wasted an entire year of kyky rotting on the bench? Followed by, why did it take you almost all year to figure out that 4 out 1 in was the way to put this team into the best position to win games?

[noteggs]

Shooting 34% on the night will not win many ballgames.

[KabeX]

If you could summarize what he says I’d appreciate it. I wish our reporters had some balls and actually asked some tough questions like...why the hell does carter continue to play and why have you wasted an entire year of kyky rotting on the bench? Followed by, why did it take you almost all year to figure out that 4 out 1 in was the way to put this team into the best position to win games?

See my prev post and Drudy's excellent recap.

[Backyard Champ]

Free was not good. But he’s a 4, or needs a bruiser 4 by his side.

Free’s problems are poor roster construction and bad luck with Stanley.

His problem is he’s had a poor defender. He often gets lost on who he should be covering, especially in switches. He can’t guard athletic 4’s at all- the best he can hope for is a soft, slow opposing 4. Otherwise he is getting out muscled, or is constantly watching his man drive by him.

[Xville]

Coach speak count:
"Man" - 5
"Stunk" - 1
"Play for 40 min/it's a 40 min game" - 4
"We need more" - 2
"Find 5 guys to .. play hard" - 2
"Fight" - 6

The problem is that Steele still has zero effing clue who those 5-6 guys are...even though it’s completely obvious to anyone watching the game except him and this garbage coaching staff

[sgarcia]

Someone tell me how this team possibly wins 2 straight games away from home.

[drudy23]

Posted again for emphasis:

Steele's milk-toast post-game comments:

* You gotta play 40 minutes in the Big East
* Nobody cares about the Creighton win (while mean mugging)
* "We gotta figure it out man" (seriously again - direct quote)
* Our effort flat out stunk!! (again, mean mugging)
* We gotta find 5 guys that are going to play hard (for I think the 5th time this season)
* Have to find five guys that are gonna play hard - said it twice
* We're losing - who cares, play hard (while mean mugging)
* We play 3 guards guarding 6'9 guys (mean mugging)

Not one mention of any accountability on his end, as usual.

"We gotta figure it out man" - has the same ring as Marvin Lewis' "we gotta be better"

[Xville]

Steele's milk-toast post-game comments:

* You gotta play 40 minutes in the Big East
* Nobody cares about the Creighton win (while mean mugging)
* "We gotta figure it out man" (seriously again - direct quote)
* Our effort flat out stunk!! (again, mean mugging)
* We gotta find 5 guys that are going to play hard (for I think the 5th time this season)
* Have to find five guys that are gonna play hard - said it twice
* We're losing - who cares, play hard (while mean mugging)
* We play 3 guards guarding 6'9 guys (mean mugging)

Not one mention of any accountability on his end, as usual.

"We gotta figure it out man" - has the same ring as Marvin Lewis' "we gotta be better"

He needs to figure it out. It’s not the players...they will perform if you put them in the best chance to win. That’s:

1. Sitting carter on the bench and only comes in to spell free
2. Playing 4 out 1 in
3. Let your best pure scorer play more than 5 minutes a game
4. Hire a coach who has a clue about x and o and lineup mgmt for next year.

[Xavier]

“We gotta figure it out”- heading to the last game of the regular season.

[RoseyMuskie]

His problem is he’s had a poor defender. He often gets lost on who he should be covering, especially in switches. He can’t guard athletic 4’s at all- the best he can hope for is a soft, slow opposing 4. Otherwise he is getting out muscled, or is constantly watching his man drive by him.

I don’t necessarily disagree with this, but I’d take my chances of him guarding a four. When you give up a shot, and then second chance shot, it’s back breaking.

Hypothetically, Odom, Scruggs, and Jones are athletic enough to make up and help, and with another physical body like IMX4 mentions, you’re able to cover up Free at the four.

[drudy23]

I'm thinking the Nashville Nightmare may have been a curse.

That was our last sniff of the tournament.

[xavierj]

I don’t necessarily disagree with this, but I’d take my chances of him guarding a four. When you give up a shot, and then second chance shot, it’s back breaking.

Hypothetically, Odom, Scruggs, and Jones are athletic enough to make up and help, and with another physical body like IMX4 mentions, you’re able to cover up Free at the four.

Xavier actually defended the post better when they went small than when Carter and Free were in the game together. Tandy, Jones and Wilcher all rebounded well too. Keep the small lineup for 40 and see what happens.

[IM4X]

“We gotta figure it out”- heading to the last game of the regular season.

Yep. Like I said after the last lost when he said the same thing -“It is really not what you want to hear from a coach this late in the season.”

[D-West & PO-Z]

Ugh.

I dont want to harp any any specific player or players but its hard when 2 of your starting 5 can shoot out of 5 feet from the basket. KyKy and Wilcher showed today they need more minutes and we played out best with both of them out there. I think we know who was on the bench during that time.

Steele has to sack up and make some changes. Figure it out.

I dont know this to be a need, and it wouldnt be addressed this year anyway, but a lot of people have suggested he needs to shake up his assistants and make a different hire. I dont know if that is the case but I think its worth a discussion.

What a frustrating night, and the sad part is, I dont think any of us are really all that surprised or shocked by this outcome. Losing tonight was a completely predictable outcome. That's an issue.

[drudy23]

Ugh.

I dont want to harp any any specific player or players but its hard when 2 of your starting 5 can shoot out of 5 feet from the basket. KyKy and Wilcher showed today they need more minutes and we played out best with both of them out there. I think we know who was on the bench during that time.

Steele has to sack up and make some changes. Figure it out.

I dont know this to be a need, and it wouldnt be addressed this year anyway, but a lot of people have suggested he needs to shake up his assistants and make a different hire. I dont know if that is the case but I think its worth a discussion.

What a frustrating night, and the sad part is, I dont think any of us are really all that surprised or shocked by this outcome. Losing tonight was a completely predictable outcome. That's an issue.

A consistency in Steele's tenure so far has been "status quo".

They're not going to let him go, but there has to be some type of shake-up with coaches or philosophy to disrupt the status quo. Allowing it to continue in its current form is just as bad.

[Strange Brew]

A consistency in Steele's tenure so far has been "status quo".

They're not going to let him go, but there has to be some type of shake-up with coaches or philosophy to disrupt the status quo. Allowing it to continue in its current form is just as bad.

I don’t like holding assistants accountable for the money man’s failures. Let TS go and hire Dante as an interim for next year. Can’t be worse than another year of this.

[drudy23]

I don’t like holding assistants accountable for the money man’s failures. Let TS go and hire Dante as an interim for next year. Can’t be worse than another year of this.

I really don't either, but I'm guessing there's less than zero chance little man Trav is shown the door.

Mean mug!!

[KabeX]

No way they show him the door after this messed up year. But if we're still saying the same crap this time next year ...

[GoMuskies]

I don’t like holding assistants accountable for the money man’s failures. Let TS go and hire Dante as an interim for next year. Can’t be worse than another year of this.

Why Dante? He's the first assistant I'd send packing.

[Backyard Champ]

Why Dante? He's the first assistant I'd send packing.

Not the first. Simply because I do think he can grow and maybe his passion rubs off on the players. But he is the last of them that I’d put the interim coach tag on. It would absolutely be a disaster

[XUOWNSUC]

"We gotta figure it out man" - has the same ring as Marvin Lewis' "we gotta be better"

I thought the same thing and posted about it in Travis thread. Travis Steele = Marvin Lewis. We aren’t going to sniff a Final Four (let alone second weekend) while he is around. We won’t be bad but we won’t be great either.

[boozehound]

Steele's milk-toast post-game comments:

* You gotta play 40 minutes in the Big East
* Nobody cares about the Creighton win (while mean mugging)
* "We gotta figure it out man" (seriously again - direct quote)
* Our effort flat out stunk!! (again, mean mugging)
* We gotta find 5 guys that are going to play hard (for I think the 5th time this season)
* Have to find five guys that are gonna play hard - said it twice
* We're losing - who cares, play hard (while mean mugging)
* We play 3 guards guarding 6'9 guys (mean mugging)

Not one mention of any accountability on his end, as usual.

"We gotta figure it out man" - has the same ring as Marvin Lewis' "we gotta be better"

When your answer is 'we just have to play harder' you don't have a fucking answer. Anybody can say that after any loss.

Also Coach - if you can't find 5 guys to play hard, that's on you.

In watching the game I'm not sure I think effort was the primary issue. It seems like this team is really lacking fundamentals around rebounding / boxing out, and we are undermanned in the front court. The substitution patters are baffling as well. It finally sparked a run when he let KyKy loose for a bit (only because he had to with Scruggs hurt) and Wilcher played more minutes. Why did it take so long to think of that?

He's going to get another year, but I'm less and less of the mindset that he should.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Why Dante? He's the first assistant I'd send packing.

Yeah for me it would be him or Johnson.

Steele is ultimately responsible but they arent getting rid of him after this year and there seems like there HAS to be a different perspective coaching wise next year.

[Backyard Champ]

I kind of disagree there. I thought effort was one of the main issues tonight. If we played with same effort/desperation as we did against Creighton, I think we win the game. Some of our key guys absolutely didn’t bring that effort/drive.

Anyone who watched the last two games could tell the effort was night and day. Maybe not during the comeback, but not enough time.

[whopper]

we are not a given against DePaul as seen by the BET last year with Naj and Tyrique and Q(?). I think Tandy tonight really put it in Steele's face without saying a word..this could go either way. In any event the team we saw tonight plus Stanley and Miles (even Ramsey) seem interesting for next year.

[boozehound]

we are not a given against DePaul as seen by the BET last year with Naj and Tyrique and Q(?). I think Tandy tonight really put it in Steele's face without saying a word..this could go either way. In any event the team we saw tonight plus Stanley and Miles (even Ramsey) seem interesting for next year.

I really think that Travis and KyKy are embroiled in some type of little-man syndrome fueled standoff. I'm not sure over what, but Travis seems to really go out of his way to avoid playing Tandy for any decent length of time. When he is finally forced to do it Tandy explodes and almost single handedly gets us back into the game.

[xu82]

I’m kinda looking forward to the NFL draft.

[KabeX]

I'm kinda looking forward to more whiskey.

[IM4X]

Ugh.

Losing tonightwas a completely predictable outcome once it became clear Steele was going back to playing that old lineup for much of the game which has never been successful. That's an issue.

Fixed it for you.

[Strange Brew]

Steele's milk-toast post-game comments:

* You gotta play 40 minutes in the Big East
* Nobody cares about the Creighton win (while mean mugging)
* "We gotta figure it out man" (seriously again - direct quote)
* Our effort flat out stunk!! (again, mean mugging)
* We gotta find 5 guys that are going to play hard (for I think the 5th time this season)
* Have to find five guys that are gonna play hard - said it twice
* We're losing - who cares, play hard (while mean mugging)
* We play 3 guards guarding 6'9 guys (mean mugging)

Not one mention of any accountability on his end, as usual.

"We gotta figure it out man" - has the same ring as Marvin Lewis' "we gotta be better"

Who hates mean mugging coach speak bs more than this board?

Players.

I hope KyKy just rolls his eyes at mini Mick the rest of his time at X.

[Masterofreality]

Same cliches every post game. He sounds exactly like he coaches- like a programmed robot.

“We gotta figure it out, man” isn’t the same in Game 19 with plenty of practices.

Know what you gotta figure out, man? A game plan and lineup that enhances your advantages vs just filtering your guys into a static mess. And maybe tire the bigger team out just a bit? Either speed it up with pressure and go small or give your bigs like Ramsey and Miles a chance to fight fire with fire.
I’d prefer small with pressure, but this in-between stuff with a totally non productive Carter just taking up space is lunacy.

[boozehound]

Same cliches every post game. He sounds exactly like he coaches- like a programmed robot.

“We gotta figure it out, man” isn’t the same in Game 19 with plenty of practices.

Know what you gotta figure out, man? A game plan and lineup that enhances your advantages vs just filtering your guys into a static mess. And maybe tire the bigger team out just a bit? Either speed it up with pressure and go small or give your bigs like Ramsey and Miles a chance to fight fire with fire.
I’d prefer small with pressure, but this in-between stuff with a totally non productive Carter just taking up space is lunacy.

Yeah, it's really bad if he is saying 'we have to figure it out' at this point. I'm pretty sure in his mind 'we' means the players, but in reality it's the coaching staff.

[Xville]

I know it is limited since it is just 5 games but this season when kyky plays at least 20 minutes, he is averaging 17 points a game...leading the team. Just something to think about. Also, thru the first five games of the season, he was averaging 15 points a game, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and had a almost 2:1 a to ratio. After that, his minutes get cut almost more than half when they play uc and the rest they say history. What other coach on what planet would have done that to a player save for a suspension or injury? It’s insane to me. Literally took our second leading scorer basically off the team. He should be fired just for this.

I hope kyky stays because I really do think the kid can be a star if used properly, but don’t fault him at all if he leaves.

[xavierj]

I know it is limited since it is just 5 games but this season when kyky plays at least 20 minutes, he is averaging 17 points a game...leading the team. Just something to think about. Also, thru the first five games of the season, he was averaging 15 points a game, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and had a almost 2:1 a to ratio. After that, his minutes get cut almost more than half when they play uc and the rest they say history. What other coach on what planet would have done that to a player save for a suspension or injury? It’s insane to me. Literally took our second leading scorer basically off the team. He should be fired just for this.

I hope kyky stays because I really do think the kid can be a star if used properly, but don’t fault him at all if he leaves.

Yes his handling of Kyky was bad and hurt the team. Last night Kyky had zero turnovers, rebounded, played solid defense and scored. He looked better than everyone else. The kid needs to be on the floor extended minutes to play his game. Playing him three minutes at a time does not play to his strength. That’s on the coaches. I also found it interesting late that when they went offense defense, they brought in Odom for Kunkel and left Kyky in the game. Next game I would start Paul, Kyky, Odom, Jones and Zach, but that won’t happen. If kyky knows he is starting and knows he will be on the floor, he will produce. Off the bench I bring in Wilcher first, then Kunkel and let Carter and Griffin split a little time giving Zach a rest.

[Xville]

Yes his handling of Kyky was bad and hurt the team. Last night Kyky had zero turnovers, rebounded, played solid defense and scored. He looked better than everyone else. The kid needs to be on the floor extended minutes to play his game. Playing him three minutes at a time does not play to his strength. That’s on the coaches. I also found it interesting late that when they went offense defense, they brought in Odom for Kunkel and left Kyky in the game. Next game I would start Paul, Kyky, Odom, Jones and Zach, but that won’t happen. If kyky knows he is starting and knows he will be on the floor, he will produce. Off the bench I bring in Wilcher first, then Kunkel and let Carter and Griffin split a little time giving Zach a rest.

Yep agreed...I’m good even if they start kunkel and have Tandy first off the bench. There is no justification for carter starting, ever. The only players that should be seeing significant minutes the rest of the way are:

Scruggs
Free
Tandy
Wilcher
Jones
Odom
Kunkel

That’s it. Have carter/griffin come in for about 5 minutes each to spell free. Go with the strength of the team, which are its guards...spread the floor as allow for driving lanes. Basketball really isn’t rocket science..it’s not football where there are a million things going on, yet this coaching staff and especially Steele have a very difficult time grasping how to put the team in the best position to win games.

[Xavier]

I also think Carter will be a better player with limited minutes. Let him come in, use his fouls- go hard for rebounds, etc. Hell, I'd be fine starting KyKy and letting him run things....we need to do whatever we can to keep him from transferring at this point.

[markchal]

you kinda have to start and play carter because Free can't play ANY defense, due to foul risk. At least that's the theory, but I'd like to see more Wilch at the 4. Either way, if that is the case, whose fault is it that we're in that position? He didn't take over this roster, he built it, so he's gotta own the flaws just the same.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yep agreed...I’m good even if they start kunkel and have Tandy first off the bench. There is no justification for carter starting, ever. The only players that should be seeing significant minutes the rest of the way are:

Scruggs
Free
Tandy
Wilcher
Jones
Odom
Kunkel

That’s it. Have carter/griffin come in for about 5 minutes each to spell free. Go with the strength of the team, which are its guards...spread the floor as allow for driving lanes. Basketball really isn’t rocket science..it’s not football where there are a million things going on, yet this coaching staff and especially Steele have a very difficult time grasping how to put the team in the best position to win games.

Carter deserves more than 5 mins a game but definitely significantly less than his 27-28 mins/game. I think anywhere from 10-15 mins per game depending in the type of game and how hes performing. He did create a lot of second chance opportunities last night with going hard for rebounds an tipping out etc. He just has ZERO offensive ability. You cant have him out there probably with Odom either for significant mins.

Honestly, I will be shocked at this point if Steele makes any significant changes, especially to Carter's minutes. He should, but I have no faith that he will.

[GoMuskies]

you kinda have to start and play carter

False!

[Xville]

Carter deserves more than 5 mins a game but definitely significantly less than his 27-28 mins/game. I think anywhere from 10-15 mins per game depending in the type of game and how hes performing. He did create a lot of second chance opportunities last night with going hard for rebounds an tipping out etc. He just has ZERO offensive ability. You cant have him out there probably with Odom either for significant mins.

Honestly, I will be shocked at this point if Steele makes any significant changes, especially to Carter's minutes. He should, but I have no faith that he will.

I have zero faith as well, so my point is probably moot. Maybe give carter 10 minutes a game but I don’t think there is a reason to have both him and free on the court at the same time.

I realize that because of that, free is playing out of position, but still believe that 4 out 1 in gives this team the best chance at winning.

[XUBison]

I know it is limited since it is just 5 games but this season when kyky plays at least 20 minutes, he is averaging 17 points a game...leading the team. Just something to think about. Also, thru the first five games of the season, he was averaging 15 points a game, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and had a almost 2:1 a to ratio. After that, his minutes get cut almost more than half when they play uc and the rest they say history. What other coach on what planet would have done that to a player save for a suspension or injury? It’s insane to me. Literally took our second leading scorer basically off the team. He should be fired just for this.

I hope kyky stays because I really do think the kid can be a star if used properly, but don’t fault him at all if he leaves.

Tandy is capable of making this same assessment… I would be stunned if he is back at X next year. I wish we knew the real story behind the scenes.

[xavierj]

you kinda have to start and play carter because Free can't play ANY defense, due to foul risk. At least that's the theory, but I'd like to see more Wilch at the 4. Either way, if that is the case, whose fault is it that we're in that position? He didn't take over this roster, he built it, so he's gotta own the flaws just the same.

I don’t know about Carter for defence vs Zach. My thought is Free may be better off if we go small, kind of like last night because it forces the other team to go small and Zach can do more on offense. I think Xavier also did better rebounding and defending the paint when they went small last night. Xavier is getting beat by teams hitting threes more than scoring inside. I would take my chances of going small and trying to see if the other team tries to guard more shooters with the bigs on the floor. When Carter and Zach are in there is no room in the lane. Plus Carter just can’t score. This team needs to be able to score the ball.

[markchal]

I don’t know about Carter for defence vs Zach. My thought is Free may be better off if we go small, kind of like last night because it forces the other team to go small and Zach can do more on offense. I think Xavier also did better rebounding and defending the paint when they went small last night. Xavier is getting beat by teams hitting threes more than scoring inside. I would take my chances of going small and trying to see if the other team tries to guard more shooters with the bigs on the floor. When Carter and Zach are in there is no room in the lane. Plus Carter just can’t score. This team needs to be able to score the ball.

I don't disagree, but the reason we gave up a lot of threes is because we went small and HAD to double bigs as soon as they got the ball in the post. It is what it is, but I'm just disappointed with the way the roster was built and that we have a stretch 4 and a traditional 4 as the only two playable "bigs" on the entire team.

[GoMuskies]

1'm just disappointed with the way the roster was built and that we have a stretch 4 and a traditional 4 as the only two playable "bigs" on the entire team.

Don't forget Stanley. That was just unfortunate.

[Xville]

I don't disagree, but the reason we gave up a lot of threes is because we went small and HAD to double bigs as soon as they got the ball in the post. It is what it is, but I'm just disappointed with the way the roster was built and that we have a stretch 4 and a traditional 4 as the only two playable "bigs" on the entire team.

the last ten minutes of the game where X primarily played small....Gtown was 2-5 from three.

The team lost because Steele went to the well in the first half playing the same shit lineup mgmt that has produced little to nothing this season.

[AviatorX]

Don't forget Stanley. That was just unfortunate.

I guess we also have to factor in Ramsey, who one can only assume Steele did not recruit with the knowledge that he'd be medically unavailable for 99% of his Xavier career. But who knows with the way this staff seems to shotgun around offers.