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

[paulxu]

https://www.brickeconomy.com/resources/images/sets/lego-8804-3_large.jpgVS. https://www.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/bulldog.png

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (13-5, 6-5 BIG EAST)
AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOYAS (8-11, 6-8 BIG EAST)
TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 AT 7:00 P.M. ET
MCDONOUGH ARENA IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Eric Collins and analysis from Danny Manning.
Radio: 55KRC-AM with play-by-play from XU Hall of Famer 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 384 and internet 974.
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.

[GIMMFD]

Just find a way to win again, don't make things difficult for yourselves for once PLEASE

[D-West & PO-Z]

If we win 1 of the remaining 2 games I dont think there is any scenario in which we get worse than the 5 seed.

However win out and we have a decent chance at a 3 seed still. We would need Seton Hall to win at home against UConn and then St. Johns to win at home against Seton Hall as the best path forward to the 3 seed. Not sure its the only one.

All that being said, lets just win both and then I am not that worried about the seed because I think we will be in regardless of the BE tourney results.

[Muskie]

I'd like to get the highest seed possible in the BE tourney. This is the kind of year that anything can happen in a one/done game situation. When X plays like they did at the beginning of the season (or against Creighton) they are a tough out for most teams in this conference and most of the country.

[drudy23]

Just win.

By 1 or 51.

Just win.

[Xville]

After doing a bit more research, I think x needs to sweep this week to be in without a decent run in the big east tourney. They seem to be squarely on the bubble and a quad 2 loss wouldn’t be great. Just win baby

[xukeith]

If we win 1 of the remaining 2 games I dont think there is any scenario in which we get worse than the 5 seed.

However win out and we have a decent chance at a 3 seed still. We would need Seton Hall to win at home against UConn and then St. Johns to win at home against Seton Hall as the best path forward to the 3 seed. Not sure its the only one.

All that being said, lets just win both and then I am not that worried about the seed because I think we will be in regardless of the BE tourney results.
I thought I read that standings in final seeding will be based on winning percentage. If X wins remailing 2 games they will have a 8-5 record (0.615)
If Seton Hall wins final 2 they secure 3 seed
If UConn wins final 2 They secure 3 seed
If X wins final 2 AND SH or UConn split final 2, X gets 3 seed.
Seton hall if split final 2 games (0.611) winning %
UConn if they both split final 2 games they would have a (0.588) winning %

[Xavier]

I actually thought this should be an easy one. I then saw that the line was basically a pick em and looked into Georgetown. They do have wins over Creighton and Seton Hall, within 10 against Nova and West Virginia. They certainly have the talent...will be a another battle, I guess.

[xuphan]

I actually thought this should be an easy one. I then saw that the line was basically a pick em and looked into Georgetown. They do have wins over Creighton and Seton Hall, within 10 against Nova and West Virginia. They certainly have the talent...will be a another battle, I guess.

Big night for the boys. Gotta keep playing like we did over the weekend.

[UCGRAD4X]

I know one game does not a trend make, but I'd sure like it too.

[whopper]

amazing that Blair and pinket played against Trevon, JP, Gates.. In 2 weeks there will be no big east players left from 2018 year..

[Xville]

Obligatory carter 3 point miss. Yay

[stammina0721]

Is Sunderman and Larkin even in the arena? I don't even hear shoes squeaking

[KabeX]

Got it out of the way hopefully.

[bjf123]

Well that was an ugly 4 minutes of basketball.


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[noteggs]

Free and Carter shooting the 3 of 3’s not ideal.

[XU Fan in DC]

GU grad here but lifelong X fan...it’s nice to see a game played on campus. I wish the Hoyas would play more games there so that students can easily attend. After my freshman year, I think, the team started playing out at the Cap Centre, which meant getting on a student shuttle bus to see them play.

[XU 23]

Why does Carter still get the start? Produces 0 offense.

[UCGRAD4X]

Carter back in

WHYYYYYYY!

[KabeX]

got hosed on the goal tending call.

[UCGRAD4X]

Tandy sighting

[XU Fan in DC]

Agree...ball was heading out of the cylinder.

[KabeX]

Not playing well at all. Can't be cobwebs or rust now. Whatever they better turn this crapola around.

[bjf123]

Tandy sighting

He’s got to step up now. Jones will be on the bench for awhile with two fouls.


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[IM4X]

What the hell is up with Free shooting a gazillion 3s

[UCGRAD4X]

What the hell is up with Free shooting a gazillion 3s

Not working for him inside.

[bjf123]

Box out!!!!!


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[noteggs]

What the hell is up with Free shooting a gazillion 3s

New name: Jack Freemantle

[XU Fan in DC]

X needs to get more offensive boards.

[KabeX]

Box the fu$k out

[bjf123]

Good lord we look lost tonight.


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[UCGRAD4X]

Box out!!!!!


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He had his head under the basket facing the wrong way. WTF

Completely out of position.

Better get his heat outta his ass.

[AviatorX]

I actually think the energy and ball movement look good. Shots just not falling. Sure there’s a few you could live without but that’s college basketball. Feels like if X can just stay in contact here a few bounces will go the right way and they’ll piece together a run.

Definitely feel better with Odom on the floor than without. Fremantle could probably do with sitting for a few minute stretch.

[noteggs]

Good lord we look lost tonight.


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Defense OK. But definitely offensively

[paulxu]

So strange. Against Creighton we were locked in, and moving smoothly in the offense.
Different game tonight.

[xukeith]

Hoyas stopping a ton of X penetration. Defense for both teams not to shabby.

First team to 24 wins.

[Xville]

Why is carter playing so much?

[IM4X]

Not working for him inside.

Not working much for him outside either (or his sharpshooting counter part Carter).

[xu82]

Tandy is not shy with the ball in his hands.

[KabeX]

Back to our old freakin ways. Ugh.

[SemajParlor]

This is the Providence game.

[paulxu]

I've seen this movie before.
Get down 10, and spend the rest of the game trying to close.
Hope this one is different.
Come on X...get it together!

[IM4X]

Holly crap!

Lots of bad decisions being made by lots of players. Scruggs needs to take over and set an example of how to do it right like last game

[AviatorX]

That was a bad lineup on the floor. Not tracking the foul situation closely though.

KyKy Tandy loves dribbling into less efficient shots. Glad to see him at least catch and shoot the last one.

[HenryMuto]

Like I said before road games are not easy for this team to win no matter the opponent.

[IM4X]

Keep Griffin In!!!

[UCGRAD4X]

Another huge foul differential

[Xville]

Ugh this team

[HAAS_U]

Ref show

[Xville]

Way too much Jason carter and 5 guys standing around the 3 point line. Makes no sense.

[IM4X]

Good thing Carter is helping out down low. Ugh.

[xu82]

This is less fun than I was hoping for. We are on pace to score about 40. YAY!

[KabeX]

Just pack it in now. If you're not even gonna try to box out then why f'in play. My gawd.

[drudy23]

Way too much Jason carter and 5 guys standing around the 3 point line. Makes no sense.

It's what we do - makes no sense is right.

FYI - offense isn't the problem remember - "We're gonna score points"

[paulxu]

What do you call an offense when all 5 guys are outside the arc...including you 2 bigs?

[drudy23]

Sure seems like a team playing for their tournament lives.

[XUBob]

I’ve seen this show too many times this year. This team isn’t built for double digit comebacks. Pray I’m wrong afraid I’m not.

[X Factor]

Try to keep it under 20 boys...

[Xville]

Think creighton and Oklahoma were the outliers and this is what this team and coaching staff are.

[drudy23]

What do you call an offense when all 5 guys are outside the arc...including you 2 bigs?

It's literally flabberghasting. No rhyme or reason.

He thinks he's Jay Wright, I'm convinced.

[Lloyd Braun]

We suck again.

Turns out Creighton win was due to lack of discipline on their plantation. Which is an outlier

[whopper]

this is a bad effort..hard to fathom. No good performances at all...maybe Griffin a bit. Bad offense and defense..we shall see

[Xavier]

Sure seems like a team playing for their tournament lives.

No kidding. Getting manhandled right now. Scruggs has to be a leader. Freemantle May want to grab a rebound. We’re getting toughed everywhere

[IM4X]

This is less fun than I was hoping for. We are on pace to score about 40. YAY!

What’s worse is Georgetown is on pace to score more than 60.

[kellernr]

Looking like trash tonight. It's 5 on 4 when Carter is on the court. The kid gives the team nothing on the offensive end of the court.

Miles needs to get some minutes since they are destroying X on the boards. Eventually X will recruit an actual center with size. Not a bunch of 6'9 guys that would rather hang out on the 3pt line

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[drudy23]

One guy rebounding on every possession. Impossible that way.

[Xville]

Here’s a thought coach..play 4 out 1 in with free out there and pick up the tempo....ya know like what worked last game? Just a thought

[paulxu]

Might help to let Kunkel shoot more.

[UCGRAD4X]

Can't get a rebound or loose ball to save our ass.

[UCGRAD4X]

OMG a foul on Hoya

[X Factor]

Why did Steele even play Ramsey a few games ago? What was the point of that? Hasn't seen the court since.

[IM4X]

Doesn’t score. Doesn’t get rebounds. Looks lost out there again. What is the reason Carter plays again? Anyone?

Edit: And shoots two threes in the first half even though he literally shoots less than 15% from behind the arc.

[Xville]

The two “leaders” on the team are 2-12 with awful defense... knew that wahab was going to be trouble against this team.

[KabeX]

How do you go from the best game of the year to the absolute worst in 48 hours?

[drudy23]

Pretty much beyond pathetic half.

Offense is an absolute joke.

[bjf123]

I’ll call it now. This one is over. Hello bubble.


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[xu82]

Gottem’ where we want ‘em at the half. They are probably feeling pretty good about this!

[AviatorX]

Why did Steele even play Ramsey a few games ago? What was the point of that? Hasn't seen the court since.

It is very obvious there is a medical situation with Ramsey we’ll likely never have all the answers to and that he’s generally not available.

[UCGRAD4X]

I haven't seen this team look so crappy since....oh yeah, game before last.

[drudy23]

We have to play better defense!!!!

Kill me.

[xu82]

I’ll call it now. This one is over. Hello bubble.


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This is the kind of bubble little kids make in the bath tub.

Come on, admit it.......

[KabeX]

I’ll call it now. This one is over. Hello bubble.


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Aint no possibility of a bubble the way this team is playing.

[Xville]

Worst half of Xavier basketball I have seen this year and that is saying something. I’m so fucking sick of seeing Jason carter out there so much. It’s not his fault at this point, it is Steele for playing him so damn much. Makes zero sense. Steele continues to go to a well that doesn’t work over and over and over and over, then when something works one half or one game...nah fuck that, gonna go back to see if I can make that flat tire inflate.

[xu82]

We have to play better defense!!!!

Kill me.


I’m pretty sure there are rules against that!

[AviatorX]

I know everything is Steele’s fault, but what is he supposed to do about the team going 8-30 including 1-13 from his two best players? You can’t argue all of those were bad looks due to the system. At some point guys who have proven they are capable have to find the net.

[BandAid]

This is only the second game I've gotten to watch this year due to my work schedule. Is that the worst half we've played, or do we just suck?

[sgarcia]

Lets get some shooters in the game. Carter and Odom can’t ever be in at the same time. It’s basically 3.5 on 5 when we have the ball.

[DexterBailey84]

So the last two plays of the half were to get the ball to Freemantle and Carter for 3's? Seriously??
Coach Steele needs to be on the hot seat right f'ng now, IMO. This program is absolutely better than this.

[xuphan]

We have to play better defense!!!!

Kill me.

Maybe I am old school but when your center has double the 3 point attempts as the next highest player, something is wrong. This is where I look to Steele to make halftime adjustments to change the game. Good coaches make good halftime adjustments.

[KabeX]

Our offense is back to its pathetic ways. When you get outrebounded by 11 with TEN FREAKIN OFFENSIVE RBs, you find yourself down 15 to a garbage team. We'd finish last in the GCL playing like this.

[noteggs]

Gottem’ where we want ‘em at the half. They are probably feeling pretty good about this!

Exactly!

[xu82]

Scruggs and Freemantle 2-13 combined. That has to even out, right? TIME TO GET HOT! This CAN be done!



Maybe......

[paulxu]

That is one of the worst halves this year.
Griffin and Carter...1 Rebound 2 pts.
We're getting killed on the boards 26 to 15. It may be worst than that, as we only show 3 offensive boards...by guards.
Sorry, just don't think the right combos are out there working.
Kunkel is 2-2. Should have had more shot attempts created for him with screens, ball rotation.

[Lloyd Braun]

Perhaps Witcher should be in the corner? I don’t think it matters. When Carter is on the perimeter his defender leaves to double team the nearest player and he’s left wide open. He needs to cut to the hoop, or set a screen for someone else to cut. Instead everyone stands around and watches him chuck up a 3

[xudash]

Worst half of Xavier basketball I have seen this year and that is saying something. I’m so fucking sick of seeing Jason carter out there so much. It’s not his fault at this point, it is Steele for playing him so damn much. Makes zero sense. Steele continues to go to a well that doesn’t work over and over and over and over, then when something works one half or one game...nah fuck that, gonna go back to see if I can make that flat tire inflate.

Lavin: length and size of Georgetown.

Why not Myles for Carter? Why not Ramsey (unless he is banged up again).

It is obvious to even the most casual observer that Carter has no business seeing the court for the rest of this game.

[stammina0721]

So glad to see the third year of Steele having his guys ready and hitting all cylinders in March.

[Xville]

I know everything is Steele’s fault, but what is he supposed to do about the team going 8-30 including 1-13 from his two best players? You can’t argue all of those were bad looks due to the system. At some point guys who have proven they are capable have to find the net.

5 guys standing around on the 3 pt line, 2 of them being carter and free is effing stupid. It is a coach’s job to put his players in the best position to win games as possible. Steele very rarely has done that. With all that said, I do agree that free and Scruggs have to be better than that, especially Scruggs...he needs to be more aggressive and maybe free doesn’t need to shoot every time he is open.

[SkyWalker]

Is "Brains of Steele" being outcoached again?

[drudy23]

Why not Myles for Carter?

Xavier Way points baby!!!

[Xavier]

Feel like every shot they put up they were getting the rebound. That’s why it’s hard to go 4 guards 1 big but maybe zone or something different. They’re offense was garbage and almost put up 40. They aren’t coming back tonight- senior day and Creighton high was just that. No effort at all

[XUBison]

My eyes are bleeding.

[xu82]

A young lady who works for my wife has two Masters from Georgetown. We play around and like to give each other shit, old family friends and have known her since she was in middle school. Thank God she probably doesn’t even know they have a basketball team!

[Lloyd Braun]

Dieonte Miles is not the answer, sorry. I am not opposed to putting him in but the expectations should be tempered with him.

[kellernr]

I know everything is Steele’s fault, but what is he supposed to do about the team going 8-30 including 1-13 from his two best players? You can’t argue all of those were bad looks due to the system. At some point guys who have proven they are capable have to find the net.He needs to sit Carter and he should have sat Scruggs and Jones when they both picked up their 2nd fouls. Could have put in Tandy and Wilcher or Griffin the last few minutes. Nope, let's let our most important player pick up another foul.

Not sure why everyone loves freemantle. Put anyone with some size on him and he will fold.

These guys look like they don't care. Jones is supposed to be the best defender we have and he is getting destroyed out there.

Brannen will have the Bearcats back in the tourney before Steele gets a team there.

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[KabeX]

Time to reiterate my orig prediction: 13-7 / 6-7. Gonna have to win the BET. No problem. I'm turning the NKU game on.

[xu82]

My eyes are bleeding.


Grab a band-aide. Make it two!

[IM4X]

I know everything is Steele’s fault, but what is he supposed to do about the team going 8-30 including 1-13 from his two best players? You can’t argue all of those were bad looks due to the system. At some point guys who have proven they are capable have to find the net.

There were a bunch of bad looks by the wrong players followed by a bunch more bad (rushed) looks by many more of the wrong guys. I am not letting f the coach off so easily- I would say somewhere in between the coach can make it a little more clear... “Hey, we need to stop rushing shots and we need to set our best shooters up for some open looks.... and where the F are you guys when the shot goes up... bigs and guards...need to crash the boards.”

plus we he is back to playing too much Carter. Ugh.

[LOLmickcronin]

Another issue is not only are shots not going down but our guards can’t get the by anyone on defense so it’s hard to open up good shots for others.

Plus, it seemed like every other pass wasn’t caught cleanly which then totally stops the ball.

[paulxu]

I know everything is Steele’s fault, but what is he supposed to do about the team going 8-30 including 1-13 from his two best players? You can’t argue all of those were bad looks due to the system. At some point guys who have proven they are capable have to find the net.

For me, the difference is in how the offense is playing. With Creighton, it was in a flow with good ball movement.
Tonight Zach and Paul are forcing it on their own, drawing the defense and not passing out, forcing tough shots for the most part.
The one really smooth "play" I saw was a high pick for Colby, who smoothly passed to Griffin cutting.

[AviatorX]

5 guys standing around on the 3 pt line, 2 of them being carter and free is effing stupid. It is a coach’s job to put his players in the best position to win games as possible. Steele very rarely has done that. With all that said, I do agree that free and Scruggs have to be better than that, especially Scruggs...he needs to be more aggressive and maybe free doesn’t need to shoot every time he is open.

Did you watch Freemantle try to score inside in that half? Don’t think we need more of that. He is not a good enough low post scorer against front lines with this kind of athleticism and length.

As for Carter, Wilcher is definitely taking more and more of his minutes by the half. But I understand a segment of folks won’t be happy until that number is 0. Fine.

That half featured more Tandy and Wilcher and it still sucked on the offensive end. Guys have to make fucking shots.

[Xville]

Lavin: length and size of Georgetown.

Why not Myles for Carter? Why not Ramsey (unless he is banged up again).

It is obvious to even the most casual observer that Carter has no business seeing the court for the rest of this game.

4 out 1 in, up the tempo and try to outrun them...make them uncomfortable instead of playing a providence slow plodding game. it’s so damn stupid of Steele to try match the size of gtown with where the roster currently is at.

[kellernr]

Lavin: length and size of Georgetown.

Why not Myles for Carter? Why not Ramsey (unless he is banged up again).

It is obvious to even the most casual observer that Carter has no business seeing the court for the rest of this game.He has no business seeing the court the rest of the year

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[Xville]

Feel like every shot they put up they were getting the rebound. That’s why it’s hard to go 4 guards 1 big but maybe zone or something different. They’re offense was garbage and almost put up 40. They aren’t coming back tonight- senior day and Creighton high was just that. No effort at all

Then stop playing carter...why is he out there if he gets 1 damn rebound...what’s he good for? Try to outrun and out score them. Steele is again clueless

[MHettel]

This is only the second game I've gotten to watch this year due to my work schedule. Is that the worst half we've played, or do we just suck?

Are you guys hiring?

[KabeX]

Update from BB&T Arena: NKU 47 - Detroit 45 at the under 16 TO. Pretty entertaining game - complete with good shot selection resulting in made shots with a high degree of boxing out. Refreshing.

[KabeX]

Holy Crap - Carter on the bench!

[LOLmickcronin]

He needs to sit Carter and he should have sat Scruggs and Jones when they both picked up their 2nd fouls. Could have put in Tandy and Wilcher or Griffin the last few minutes. Nope, let's let our most important player pick up another foul.

Not sure why everyone loves freemantle. Put anyone with some size on him and he will fold.

These guys look like they don't care. Jones is supposed to be the best defender we have and he is getting destroyed out there.

Brannen will have the Bearcats back in the tourney before Steele gets a team there.

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I don’t get the freemantle hate? Is he undersized and need to improve on defense? Sure. But he’s averaging sometnkng like 24-12 over the past 5 big East games he’s not the problem.

[BandAid]

Are you guys hiring?

Nurses are always in demand

[Xville]

Whoa Steele made an adjustment...holy shit. Alright let’s see if this works

[RoseyMuskie]

Nice possession out of the half. Rushed three to letting up another OReb. Soft!

[IM4X]

At least Kunkel came to play

[X Factor]

Play Ramsey

[Blue Blooded-05]

17 point deficit might as well be 47

[XBR1]

Freemantle is Wahab’s bitch.

[Xville]

Free just gets so abused against bigger players.

[xu82]

At least Kunkel came to play

“Kunkel has a team high 8 points”.

Not good at this point as that’s about 1/3 of our points in the second half.

[xuphan]

At least Kunkel came to play

Steele needs to go after a big from the transfer portal in the off-season. The lack of basic fundamentals with this team is disappointing this far into the season.

[Xavier]

Free just gets so abused against bigger players.

Yep. Physical bigs take him completely out of the game on both ends.

[Xville]

At least Steele made an adjustment and did 4 out 1 in. I’ll take it

[whopper]

Free just gets so abused against bigger players.he really should not be the center and damn it that Carter can't really bring it like a clunky white center. He has lost his confidence and I think he could and did play better..Griffin should play more - not a world beater but gets something done. Hope Miles is not all hype as we desperately need him next year.

[IM4X]

Okay... Carter now making himself more useful... gets a defensive rebound and then tips one on offensive out to a teammate for a quick bucket.

[UCGRAD4X]

I think I'm going to hurl something at the TV...or just hurl.

[IM4X]

he really should not be the center and damn it that Carter can't really bring it like a clunky white center. He has lost his confidence and I think he could and did play better..Griffin should play more - not a world beater but gets something done. Hope Miles is not all hype as we desperately need him next year.

Carter scores quite a lot if you consider how little he plays. If he was in for as many minutes as Carter - I bet he scores 12+ points

[xuphan]

Okay... Carter now making himself more useful... gets a defensive rebound and then tips one on offensive out to a teammate for a quick bucket.

Man I miss Justin Doellman

[KabeX]

And now NKU down 4. Clanking 3s. Hummnn. Sounds familiar.

[Xavier]

Kunkel is playing great tonight

[xu82]

Losing Scruggs to end the year is NOT a tradition I’d like to see continue.

[Xville]

Hell of a play by kunkel....guy is playing his ass off.

[drudy23]

That about sums it up for the season.

[KabeX]

And why not? I mean just take our best player out with a knee injury. My gawd I feel like I'm watching the Basketball Bengals.

[xu82]

Kunkel is playing great tonight


I enjoy watching Kunkel. He scores in a variety of ways and he’s sneaky scrappy.

[bjf123]

Those were all good looks from 3. Nothing falling.


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[Xville]

That’s about right. Hello nit

[xu82]

Offensive rebounds are better if you don’t get 5 straight but never make the next shot.

[KabeX]

That’s about right. Hello nit
Only 16 teams this year so not so sure about that.

[Lloyd Braun]

Brick city

[HAAS_U]

Paul is back!!!! LFG


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[drudy23]

Scruggs better do his best Willis Reed right here - we need this damn game.

[kellernr]

Jones over helps way too much. All he does is give up open 3s

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[Xville]

Scruggs and free 2-15... way to step up in a game you need. Geezus.

[Xavier]

I guess how many times can you say it but Freemantle just can’t play well against bigger bigs. Such a pathetic effort tonight

[xuphan]

Jones over helps way too much. All he does is give up open 3s

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Is this what AAU ball looks like?

[XBR1]

I feel sorry for Colby Jones. He deserves better.

[BandAid]

I'm getting more entertainment from Ewing shouting "rebound" than anything our guys are doing on the court.

[drudy23]

I guess how many times can you say it but Freemantle just can’t play well against bigger bigs. Such a pathetic effort tonight

And every Big East team has bigger bigs, except maybe Butler, so....

[IM4X]

Man I miss Justin Doellman

oh could we use Mr. Doellman.

[drudy23]

This is downright pathetic man.

This isn't Xavier basketball. It's glorified pick-up.

Steele's choices for how to use these guys have been dead wrong. It's on him.

[KabeX]

Easy to be a fire the coach guy when you're getting your ass handed to you by a mediocre at best team but ..
3 and 4 guys standing around and not getting a body on anyone INCLUDING THE OPPOSING DUDE RIGHT FREAKING NEXT TO YOU ... is on the coach. That is soft freakin basketball. No other way to describe it. We are trending in the wrong direction folks and I'm not talking just about this season.

[Xville]

What the f is Fremantle doing tonight. Seriously...the effort is crap tonight.

[IM4X]

We can’t get a rebound. Need to have Griffin in there too.

I would go with Scruggs, Kunkel, Free, Griffin. And Wilcher.

[Xavier]

And every Big East team has bigger bigs, except maybe Butler, so....

It’s why X needs a good big with Freemantle. He is great against other teams PF.

[Xville]

Maybe here is our run...find a damn way to get it under 10 and maybe gtowns sphincters will get tight

[bjf123]

WTF was that, Zach?


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[XU 87]

I guess how many times can you say it but Freemantle just can’t play well against bigger bigs. Such a pathetic effort tonight

Complete pussy performance today.

[IM4X]

Wilcher needs to shoot.

[Xville]

Well there goes the run.

[Xavier]

It’s just tough to watch

[AviatorX]

It is hard to imagine building a top end Big East team around Freemantle in his current form. He is a good player, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not hard to envision a couple of meh program seasons with him putting up huge numbers. He has to get stronger in the post on both ends. It’s not like the staff doesn’t want him to bang more, he just can’t.

Steele is obviously pretty pot committed to that gamble at this point. His career is going to sink or swim on Zach getting better.

[bjf123]

It’s just tough to watch

I’m done watching. Let’s hope I miss a great comeback.


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[drudy23]

Freemantle is mis-cast.

He's not a stretch 4 - he's a small 4. He works best with another big, not sitting on the perimeter. But Steele has to run his Villanova offense because he has Jay Wright on the walls in his bedroom.

[IM4X]

We need to keep driving so we can get contact and keep stopping the clock

[Xville]

They do seem to at least be competing the last few
Minutes, they didn’t compete at all the first half.

[KabeX]

Update from BB&T Arena: NKU wins a thriller at the buzzer with a last second tip in. Final 70-69. They won because a Detroit player missed a block out ... just sayin.

[IM4X]

There is the Kyky we have been waiting for... that is his spot too.

[drudy23]

A good time for KyKy to hit 4 in a row.

[HAAS_U]

Let’s go KyKy!

[Xville]

Kyky!!!!! Here we go!

[AviatorX]

Freemantle is mis-cast.

He's not a stretch 4 - he's a small 4. He works best with another big, not sitting on the perimeter. But Steele has to run his Villanova offense because he has Jay Wright on the walls in his bedroom.

Who is the other big you want to play with him? It’s really hard to find that guy. I agree with you if X could land a 6’11 version of Tyrique Jones, but can they?

[xuphan]

They do seem to at least be competing the last few
Minutes, they didn’t compete at all the first half.

Balls of Steele. Come on X. Let’s win this thing!

[Xavier]

The hell was free doing play before? Maybe making a run and he puts up that crap. Let kyky do whatever he wants rest of game

[BandAid]

Kyky has so much untapped potential

[drudy23]

Who is the other big you want to play with him? It’s really hard to find that guy. I agree with you if X could land a 6’11 version of Tyrique Jones, but can they?

Every other team in the Big East has them - this program has recruited great bigs for 50 years - and we can't get them? Huh?

Steele doesn't recruit them.

[xu82]

Tandy? Do we like Tandy NOW?

[Xville]

Good thing we didn’t need all that Tandy offense most of this year.

[Xavier]

Scruggs man. Poor leadership all around tonight.

[Lloyd Braun]

Turns out that Tandy needs some playing time to heat up. This is shocking!

Scruggs foul out hurts but game might be out of reach anyways.

[Xville]

Scruggs completely disappointing this game

[IM4X]

Got to keep feeding the hot players. Randy and kunkel

[drudy23]

CMON - we need this game!!

[Xville]

Let’s fucking gooooooo

[xu82]

Do we like Tandy again?

[Xville]

Yeah we didn’t need Tandy coach..not enough practice points

[Lloyd Braun]

The +/- in this game will be interesting to see.

[Xville]

What is wilcher doing? That’s an awful shot.

[Xavier]

Classic little too late.

[XBR1]

The offense is completely different when Tandy is in.

[KabeX]

They're messing with us just like the Bungles. Of course if they actually ... not even gonna say it.

[XU 87]

How can they have such a defensive breakdown? How?

[IM4X]

Tandy. Tandy. Tandy.... keep feeding Tandy.

Or as Lavin would probably say if he were doing this game...”Gotta feed Tandy the Candy.”

[Xville]

Tandy 12 points 5 boards...bet he plays like ten minutes max next game. Guy is freaking ooozing potential to be a 20 plus scorer in this league.

[xu82]

Classic little too late.

Too little and too soon is worse......


I’ve heard other guys report.....


.

[drudy23]

Do we have 2-3 more wins this year with some consistency with different rotations?

[Xville]

Love this lineup...it should be the main lineup every game plus Scruggs. Don’t need anyone else.

[IM4X]

That sure looked like a foul

[Xville]

Damn! Kunkel almost had that...ugh

[drudy23]

Plenty of time to get this one. Finish!!!!

[xudash]

Put Carter back in!

Sorry, wrong thread.

[Xville]

Gosh dammit free get to the damn weight room

[IM4X]

Got to play smart boys. Don’t be afraid to call a time out if you get it back

[Blue Blooded-05]

Damn! 2 good looks. Didn’t go down

[Xville]

Whatever happens...only want to see 6 or maybe 7 max in the rotation next game...play these 5, plus Scruggs... if you want to give griffin/carter 5 total mins fine but that’s all it should be

[KabeX]

Remember that bogus goal tending call in the 1st half ...

[GoMuskies]

Glad Carter has played so much all season and Tandy so little. Fucking bullshit.

[IM4X]

What the hell was that Jones

[sgarcia]

Pathetic the final 90 seconds.

[kellernr]

Jones needs to quit shooting. He looks like carterbout there.

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[drudy23]

Comeback doesn't mean a damn thing - another opportunity wasted with poor personnel decisions.

[Xville]

Maybe this second half will finally wake Steele the eff up about who needs to play and who doesnt

[Xavier]

Man a ton of chances completely botched

[IM4X]

Okay. I’m going to say it. What if Steele played Carter 7 less minutes tonight and Kyky 7 more more?

[XUBison]

So many missed opportunities...

[GoMuskies]

Xavier played 5 excellent minutes. Other than that, a complete embarrassment. Worst I've seen a Xavier team play in a long time.

[kellernr]

This loss falls on Scruggs, Carter and the trash coach.

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[xu82]

Glad Carter has played so much all season and Tandy so little. Fucking bullshit.

Tell us how you really feel about this, Go.


That was painful to watch.

[Xavier]

Just difference in effort and when shots drop. Pretty in trouble now

[KabeX]

Yup. And don't forget about the poor execution to go along with it.

[drudy23]

Okay. I’m going to say it. What if Steele played Carter 7 less minutes tonight and Kyky 7 more more?

Not just tonight - the whole season!!!

We likely have 2-3 more wins and are squarely in the tournament.

Season squandered by playing certain guys so much with really limited output.

[RoseyMuskie]

The last eight minutes or so really makes me question why Carter was getting the minutes he had been until Creighton...

[GoMuskies]

Kunkel hitting his first few shots turned out to be a problem as it caused him to hoist about 17 more.

[drudy23]

The last eight minutes or so really makes me question why Carter was getting the minutes he had been until Creighton...

His very pedestrian play for pretty much the whole season wasn't your first hint?

[GoMuskies]

His very pedestrian play for pretty much the whole season wasn't your first hint?

Stop insulting pedestrian play.

[Xville]

Tandy has been effing wasted almost this whole season due to Steele again not having a fucking clue how to manage a lineup and having favorites that have zero production. Almost fucking guarantee that Tandy gets about 8 minutes next game and carter is starting.

[XU 23]

Man, it’s looking like 3 years in a row without an NCAA tournament appearance. On the bright side, at least we have the Reds and Bengals to look forward to.

[IM4X]

Not just tonight - the whole season!!!

We likely have 2-3 more wins and are squarely in the tournament.

Season squandered by playing certain guys so much with really limited output.

It’s what you and I and a lot other have been saying- “Gotta Leave Kyky in for more than a few minutes a game.” It was ridiculous seeing Kyky make a mistake here or there and Steele pulling him -meanwhile so many others like Carter making tons of mistakes and scoring no points and yet they stayed in.

The players struggled from the get-go but much of that was the lineups just not working in the first half.

[Backyard Champ]

This loss is squarely on Scruggs and Free tonight. They just didn’t bring the energy necessary in a huge game. Free was embarrassed on the defensive side of the ball.
He played better in the late run, but just got killed most of the game. I know he’s only a sophomore, but his defense is just horrible. Gets lost frequently, gets out muscled frequently, and tonight, gave up a ton of rebounds. I thought his and Scruggs effort was poor. Not even close to the effort they gave against Creighton. Maybe they came in with the idea that they would win. Should have come in and played desperate, like against Creighton.

[drudy23]

I can't wait for the mean mugging in the post game presser.

[RoseyMuskie]

His very pedestrian play for pretty much the whole season wasn't your first hint?

I’m far from a Carter apologist. I do think he did some nice things defensively/rebounding earlier in the season. But he’s since lost that.

Steele opted to play the defense card and in retrospect it’s looking more and more like he played the wrong hand.

[drudy23]

I’m far from a Carter apologist. I do think he did some nice things defensively/rebounding earlier in the season. But he’s since lost that.

Steele opted to play the defense card and in retrospect it’s looking more and more like he played the wrong hand.

The Gambler he is not

[Backyard Champ]

Kunkel hitting his first few shots turned out to be a problem as it caused him to hoist about 17 more.


Kunk played well when the majority of the team was garbage, but missed a few wide open 3’s when the team was making its comeback. I’m fine with him shooting those open 3’s

[RoseyMuskie]

This loss is squarely on Scruggs and Free tonight. They just didn’t bring the energy necessary in a huge game. Free was embarrassed on the defensive side of the ball.
He played better in the late run, but just got killed most of the game. I know he’s only a sophomore, but his defense is just horrible. Gets lost frequently, gets out muscled frequently, and tonight, gave up a ton of rebounds. I thought his and Scruggs effort was poor. Not even close to the effort they gave against Creighton. Maybe they came in with the idea that they would win. Should have come in and played desperate, like against Creighton.

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.

[HAAS_U]

I can't wait for the mean mugging in the post game presser.

Travis “that’s on me” Steele... should be great

[kellernr]

Next game Steele will play Tandy 8 minutes while Carter goes back to playing 20+ minutes. Another March madness where X will most likely be watching from home.

Steele is a great recruiter but not head coach material. Needs to hire an Xs and Os guy to handle game decisions while he just recruits.

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[KabeX]

And here comes the coach speak.

[SemajParlor]

Well good thing we wasted an entire year on Ky Ky Tandy.

[kellernr]

I’m far from a Carter apologist. I do think he did some nice things defensively/rebounding earlier in the season. But he’s since lost that.

Steele opted to play the defense card and in retrospect it’s looking more and more like he played the wrong hand.He looked good against teams like toledo and Eastern Kentucky. Has been trash against any team with a pulse.

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[kellernr]

Well good thing we wasted an entire year on Ky Ky Tandy.Tonight was a transfer resume builder for KyKy.

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[KabeX]

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

[Blue Blooded-05]

He looked good against teams like toledo and Eastern Kentucky. Has been trash against any team with a pulse.

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Dude averaged 16.5 points two years ago. I had no idea the MAC was THAT far below the Big East

[Xavier]

I agree with what others have said, Carter Seems like a guy whose play is better with less minutes. Give him 5 a half to spell Freemantle I guess

[drudy23]

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"