Game Thread: Xavier v Central Michigan (12/1/2021)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/457182433272532992/YehpFgrG_400x400.jpeg

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (5-1, 0-0 BIG EAST)
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY CHIPPEWAS (1-5, 0-0 MAC)
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1, 2021 AT 6:30 P.M. ET
CINTAS CENTER (10,224) IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play by-play from Matt Schumacker and analysis from Stephen Bardo.
Radio: 55KRC with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from Xavier all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer Byron Larkin ('88). XU broadcast is also available on Sirius XM channel 384 and 974 on the SXM App.
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.

[noteggs]

Looks like Jerome finally got his feet set

[SM#24]

Send it in Jerome ! Downtown style.

[noteggs]

Nice to see a healthy team on the floor

[noteggs]

Why didn’t they review the goaltending call?

[xukeith]

looking solid from 3 tonight.

Freemantle making comfortable passes to wide open Miles.

Hunter shooting 2/2 from 3. His shot looks excellent.

[Xville]

I almost forgot this was even on. Cmu is sooo bad.

[whopper]

would like to see miles get to 50-60% on FT..looks like it is possible as stroke looks ok

[noteggs]

would like to see miles get to 50-60% on FT..looks like it is possible as stroke looks ok

A little flat for my taste

[xukeith]

Hunter is looking excellent offensively and defensively. He is moving well left to right on defense. Had one t.o.

[SM#24]

A little flat for my taste
A little ?

[SM#24]

Not good. Been outscored by 4 over past 14m and have scored only 18 points in that stretch. Very poor shot selection. Plus 8 f’ing TOs in the half.

[noteggs]

Not good. Been outscored by 4 over past 14m and have scored only 18 points in that stretch. Very poor shot selection. Plus 8 f’ing TOs in the half.

Yeah, not sure what happened in last 10. Hoping Steele is just tinkering with various line-ups. Hard to believe they still connected on 40% of 3’s in the half.

[SM#24]

6/15 from 3; or 18 pts on 15 shots.
9/13 from 2; or 18 pts on 13 shots.
Too many 3s. I think we made our first three as well.

[whopper]

5-13 from foul line? that will kill us and everyone has to step it up.. Scruggs zero points.? Something going on with him. A good performance but some strange numbers

[Xville]

Johnson and Jones make me happy

[GoMuskies]

X cut it close on the first half -14.5!

[noteggs]

Johnson and Jones make me happy

I’ve never seen a 6’6”ish wing like Colby who had that kind knack to find a rebound.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Miles has to shoot better FTs.
Looks like Johnson is the real thing.

[Lloyd Braun]

X cut it close on the first half -14.5!

CMU +33.5 live bet!

[IM4X]

Really sloppy play.

wouldn’t mind seeing a few new players subbing in out of this timeout.

[Xville]

Why is the bench not emptying a bit? Get Edwards, kyky and Stan some time. Up by 28 and three starters are in, why?

[IM4X]

Is there anything Nunge can’t do? He can score from anywhere on the floor. He makes his foul shots. He defends well. He blocks shots and even creates turnovers.

[whopper]

agreed. They deserve it... I am dying to see Stanley and kyky in an offensive mode as I have no idea if they can really contribute in a pinch

[Lloyd Braun]

Why is the bench not emptying a bit? Get Edwards, kyky and Stan some time. Up by 28 and three starters are in, why?

It’s really bizarre. Not to mention injury risk …

[Lloyd Braun]

CMU +33.5 live bet!

Whew that was close

[xu82]

Is there anything Nunge can’t do? He can score from anywhere on the floor. He makes his foul shots. He defends well. He blocks shots and even creates turnovers.

In the MVP vote I chose Scruggs. Today I would vote for Colby Jones or…..surprise, surprise….Mr Nunge!

[xuphan]

In the MVP vote I chose Scruggs. Today I would vote for Colby Jones or…..surprise, surprise….Mr Nunge!

52% from the free throw line. That won’t cut it during Big East play. We need a gold jersey for free throw shooting it seems.

[Lloyd Braun]

In the MVP vote I chose Scruggs. Today I would vote for Colby Jones or…..surprise, surprise….Mr Nunge!

I think Colby is probably the right answer night in and night out. But… when Nate is on, X is TOUGH to beat. Colby is steady though…

[noteggs]

I think Colby is probably the right answer night in and night out. But… when Nate is on, X is TOUGH to beat. Colby is steady though…

Good call!

Stats listed bellow

https://barttorvik.com/team.php?&team=Xavier

[Lloyd Braun]

Good call!

Stats listed bellow

https://barttorvik.com/team.php?&team=Xavier

Wow good stuff thanks…

Wish I had more time to sift through data like this, I enjoy it. One thing I found interesting is a comparison to this team statistically (small sample size but who knows) is the 2020 Xavier team. Oh boy…

[94GRAD]

52% from the free throw line. That won’t cut it during Big East play. We need a gold jersey for free throw shooting it seems.

This is your takeaway from the game tonight? GFY!

[XUBison]

This is your takeaway from the game tonight? GFY!

Oh for God’ sake, chill out. We pounded a bad team tonight, yay. That kind of ft shooting won’t cut it In the long run. Seems like a pretty benign statement of fact.

[GIMMFD]

Is there anything Nunge can’t do? He can score from anywhere on the floor. He makes his foul shots. He defends well. He blocks shots and even creates turnovers.

Might be the best transfer pick up we've had in a long long time, and we've had some decent ones lately, was encouraging to see Steele run Freemantle and Nunge together, though Freemantle was spacing the court. Also hope Nate stays this hot for a while, when he's on, he's really on.

[UCGRAD4X]

Free definitely not ready to bang inside. He did back one into the paint but needed one more on the block for a better shot. Good to see him knock off some rust. Looking forward to some interesting lineup combos. He was in with Miles for a bit. Don't remember if he paired with Nunge. Zac- n - Jac?

[UCGRAD4X]

Oh, and how 'bout that lady ref?

[xuphan]

This is your takeaway from the game tonight? GFY!

And your takeaway was what? Beating a poor central Michigan team by double digits at home was fantastic? Steele look dreamy to you on the sideline? Not sure what takeaway you got from an expected win but We did not shoot well from the free throw line which isn’t acceptable. Only making half of our free throws is unexpected and will cost us games if it continues. You can GFY if you don’t like my opinion on my takeaway from the game. It’s a message board dude, a place of opinions.

[xavierj]

And your takeaway was what? Beating a poor central Michigan team by double digits at home was fantastic? Steele look dreamy to you on the sideline? Not sure what takeaway you got from an expected win but We did not shoot well from the free throw line which isn’t acceptable. Only making half of our free throws is unexpected and will cost us games if it continues. You can GFY if you don’t like my opinion on my takeaway from the game. It’s a message board dude, a place of opinions.

Yes free throws could be better. Miles is really struggling from the line. Shoots a line drive. Defense and rebounding was really good again. And if they can shoot the three like they did last night, they will win a lot of Big East games. But the free throw shooting won’t always be that bad and the threes won’t always be that good. What can be good is defense, rebounding and effort.

[markchal]

Really bizarre that we didnt get Edwards Stanley and Tandy in earlier than like 3-4 minutes left. We're up 30+ in the second half with 8-10 minutes left, Johnson has scored 24 points...and he's still in the game? That whole stretch from like 13-5 it looked like we were going through the motions. Put in the other guys, they'll be a lot hungrier and can keep a 30+ lead against a bad team.

[XUGRAD80]

Was there ever a situation where Nunge and Miles were on the court together? I don’t remember any. But my initial thought was that those two and Freemantle would be the parts of a 3 man rotation, with 2 of the 3 almost always on the floor at the same time. However, when I think about that possibility I’ve also got to ask how would a Nunge/Miles tandem work together? Double low post on offense? Parts of a 1-3-1 zone? Other possibilities are out there too. I’m not convinced that Stanley is going to be a part of that rotation any time soon. He really looks out of sorts at this point.

Take on the game…..they seem to have some problem maintaining focus when they get big leads. That results in too many turnovers and the taking of bad shots during those periods where their attention waivers. Miles needs to get some arc on his foul shots, can’t imagine that his coaches haven’t talked to him about that.

[Xville]

Really bizarre that we didnt get Edwards Stanley and Tandy in earlier than like 3-4 minutes left. We're up 30+ in the second half with 8-10 minutes left, Johnson has scored 24 points...and he's still in the game? That whole stretch from like 13-5 it looked like we were going through the motions. Put in the other guys, they'll be a lot hungrier and can keep a 30+ lead against a bad team.

Agreed. That was my only complaint about last night. Makes zero sense to me when injuries have certainly been an issue the last few years. Solely an opinion but the way Steele talks about practice, I just wonder if it’s a we are not going to give guys time just to give them time, they have to earn it kind of thing. I mean that’s fine in games that are actually in doubt, but I think the health of johnson and others are way more important then taking a hard stance in games like this. I don’t think Steele is alone in doing this kind of thing either, I see it quite frequently in other games.

[XUGRAD80]

Really bizarre that we didnt get Edwards Stanley and Tandy in earlier than like 3-4 minutes left. We're up 30+ in the second half with 8-10 minutes left, Johnson has scored 24 points...and he's still in the game? That whole stretch from like 13-5 it looked like we were going through the motions. Put in the other guys, they'll be a lot hungrier and can keep a 30+ lead against a bad team.

My take….he’s working toward a 9 player rotation and the other 3 players will only get garbage time minutes. If you look at the minutes played, the most was 27 minutes, with a couple of others at 25-26. That’s not bad in regards to keeping players fresh.

[boozehound]

My take….he’s working toward a 9 player rotation and the other 3 players will only get garbage time minutes. If you look at the minutes played, the most was 27 minutes, with a couple of others at 25-26. That’s not bad in regards to keeping players fresh.

Poor Ben Stanley may have missed his window for playing time last year. He likely would have seen significant minutes on last year's team if he was healthy, but now he has to battle with Nunge, Miles, Hunter, and (to a lesser extent) Edwards. Tough break for him.

[XUGRAD80]

Poor Ben Stanley may have missed his window for playing time last year. He likely would have seen significant minutes on last year's team if he was healthy, but now he has to battle with Nunge, Miles, Hunter, and (to a lesser extent) Edwards. Tough break for him.

I’m hoping that it’s only a matter of time before he regains his form and explosiveness, perhaps by the time January rolls around. But I’m also afraid that you might be right. The NCAA really screwed him over.

[murray87]

Agree that the bench should have been utilized much sooner last night. And the next time Hunter brings the ball up court and then launches a 3 Steele should immediately get him out of the game.

[Xville]

Agree that the bench should have been utilized much sooner last night. And the next time Hunter brings the ball up court and then launches a 3 Steele should immediately get him out of the game.

While I agree about hunter, never gonna happen. In the postgame, Steele actually said he was a good shooter, so it sounds like ge has the green light whenever he wants. I don’t think a career 32% 3 pt shooter is a good shooter at the college level but whatever.

[Lloyd Braun]

While I agree about hunter, never gonna happen. In the postgame, Steele actually said he was a good shooter, so it sounds like ge has the green light whenever he wants. I don’t think a career 32% 3 pt shooter is a good shooter at the college level but whatever.

Must shoot great in practice! Practice practice practice!

[boozehound]

While I agree about hunter, never gonna happen. In the postgame, Steele actually said he was a good shooter, so it sounds like ge has the green light whenever he wants. I don’t think a career 32% 3 pt shooter is a good shooter at the college level but whatever.

Right. I'm fine with him taking a few of them, but he needs to find another way to contribute on offense. The possession in which he took the ball up and immediately launched a 3 was absurd. He wasn't *that* open, and they didn't even try to initiate an offense.

Nate Johnson should probably be the only guy on the team with a perpetual greenlight from 3. Situational for guys like Kunkel, Scruggs, Jones, and Tandy. Rare for Nunge, Hunter, Freemantle.

[bleedXblue]

We won......yep..... easily against a bad team

1. Why was Nate in the game with 4 minutes left and we're up 30? Use the damn bench and empty it when you can along with protecting your top 7-8 guys from injury.

2. Hunter IS NOT A GOOD SHOOTER AND NEVER HAS BEEN. Adequate shooter, maybe? He is your 4th-5th option from deep after Scruggs, Johnson and Kunkel for sure. I'm not so sure why this is so damn hard? Better last night with only 4 attempts.

[whopper]

I’m hoping that it’s only a matter of time before he regains his form and explosiveness, perhaps by the time January rolls around. But I’m also afraid that you might be right. The NCAA really screwed him over.

I agree..seems like a good teammate and maybe practiicing with X is better than playing in his old conference. From what i saw last hear agaisnt Craigton and Seton Hall(12 pt in each game) Carter could have been cut to 20 min/game or less. Lets hope his day will come

[xukeith]

It doesn't bother me at all that Tandy, Edwards, and Stanley got only 3-5 minutes each.
It is early December and Steele is seeing how different defenses and different offenses work with different players (especially now with Zach).

That is why you play lower teams: to fine tune rotations see different styles in play on defense/offense.

This team is nowhere near ideal and the more fine tuning the better. Tandy, Edwards and Stanley probably will not be large contributors. Move on.

[XUGRAD80]

It doesn't bother me at all that Tandy, Edwards, and Stanley got only 3-5 minutes each.
It is early December and Steele is seeing how different defenses and different offenses work with different players (especially now with Zach).

That is why you play lower teams: to fine tune rotations see different styles in play on defense/offense.

This team is nowhere near ideal and the more fine tuning the better. Tandy, Edwards and Stanley probably will not be large contributors. Move on.

I agree with this. Unless Xavier decides to play like Press Virginia, or they have a lot of injuries, they don’t need to go any deeper than 9 players. What they do need to do is to get the 9 players that will see the bulk of the minutes playing well together. IMO it’s more important to build chemistry among those top 9 than it is to try and protect them, or to try and develop the last 3.

[drudy23]

Hunter isn't a great shooter - I honestly don't have a ton of heartburn when he shoots wide open 3s in the flow of the offense. You almost have to shoot those.

But he has taken many threes this season after one pass which weren't THAT open - stop doing that.

[bleedXblue]

I agree with this. Unless Xavier decides to play like Press Virginia, or they have a lot of injuries, they don’t need to go any deeper than 9 players. What they do need to do is to get the 9 players that will see the bulk of the minutes playing well together. IMO it’s more important to build chemistry among those top 9 than it is to try and protect them, or to try and develop the last 3.

You aren't building chemistry with 4 minutes left up by 30 against a shitty team. Come on.

[D-West & PO-Z]

It doesn't bother me at all that Tandy, Edwards, and Stanley got only 3-5 minutes each.
It is early December and Steele is seeing how different defenses and different offenses work with different players (especially now with Zach).

That is why you play lower teams: to fine tune rotations see different styles in play on defense/offense.

This team is nowhere near ideal and the more fine tuning the better. Tandy, Edwards and Stanley probably will not be large contributors. Move on.

Yeah, I tend to agree with this, I had no issue with it.

I seem to remember Skip never taking guys out either, made me think of him when people were complaining about it.

[IM4X]

We won......yep..... easily against a bad team

1. Why was Nate in the game with 4 minutes left and we're up 30? Use the damn bench and empty it when you can along with protecting your top 7-8 guys from injury.

2. Hunter IS NOT A GOOD SHOOTER AND NEVER HAS BEEN. Adequate shooter, maybe? He is your 4th-5th option from deep after Scruggs, Johnson and Kunkel for sure. I'm not so sure why this is so damn hard? Better last night with only 4 attempts.

Exactly. Hunter would be so much more effective and remove all thoughts of him being a liability if he would take a few less threes and a replace them with a few more shots in the paint. It would be better for him (more points) ans better for the team (improve the teams chance of winning).

He can still take a few 3s if it really is a good shot at the right time- but when he is shooting 6 in a game and misses them all (like he did in the Iowa State game) it could mean the difference between a win and a loss. Not to put that loss on him (Scruggs really struggled in that game too), but if Hunter never shot a 3 in that game and Scruggs took a few less bad shots, it is very possible X could have won that game.

This is a real issue I’m not even sure Steele pays any attention. He should. It clearly hurts the team.

[xudash]

It doesn't bother me at all that Tandy, Edwards, and Stanley got only 3-5 minutes each.
It is early December and Steele is seeing how different defenses and different offenses work with different players (especially now with Zach).

That is why you play lower teams: to fine tune rotations see different styles in play on defense/offense.

This team is nowhere near ideal and the more fine tuning the better. Tandy, Edwards and Stanley probably will not be large contributors. Move on.

Agree completely.

It's hard to argue against the risk of injury point or the "give the other 3 more time with a lead of 30" point, but what if Travis was actually using it as an opportunity to do a little fine tuning for the meat of the schedule to come. Some would consider that good coaching.

[noteggs]

Agree completely.

It's hard to argue against the risk of injury point or the "give the other 3 more time with a lead of 30" point, but what if Travis was actually using it as an opportunity to do a little fine tuning for the meat of the schedule to come. Some would consider that good coaching.

Yea the risk of injury is always there. Think about the hours of practice they endure each year. Had 3 significant injuries in my career and all happened during practice.

Agree with you and Keith on figuring out what tinkering you have do with individual line ups regardless of the results. Also tells Steele which players can still stay engaged and play within themselves.

There is two big reasons we pay thousands of dollars for these games. Obvious one is to try and pad the win total. Secondly and most importantly as you described, see what combinations work best before the BE schedule. As people rightfully pointed in the past, this is one area Steele needed to improve (not a slam but a challenge for a lot of first time coaches - before the haters come out, yes I know this is year 4).

If you look at last year our buy games were so close and we were just trying to find a way to win. Might as well take advantage of the not so close games this year.

[XUGRAD80]

You aren't building chemistry with 4 minutes left up by 30 against a shitty team. Come on.

The 3 players mentioned got between 3-5 minutes each. Freemantle got 6. Just how many minutes should those 3 players, who are most likely not going to be counted on to contribute much this year, be given? For what purpose other than to keep them happy? Geez, this is a stupid discussion. This ain’t CYO ball. The coaches are paid to win. They are going to win by having their best players playing their best. If this season, or the success of the program hinges on Tandy, Stanley, and Edwards getting more playing time, then X is more screwed up than we thought!

[Xville]

The 3 players mentioned got between 3-5 minutes each. Freemantle got 6. Just how many minutes should those 3 players, who are most likely not going to be counted on to contribute much this year, be given? For what purpose other than to keep them happy? Geez, this is a stupid discussion. This ain’t CYO ball. The coaches are paid to win. They are going to win by having their best players playing their best. If this season, or the success of the program hinges on Tandy, Stanley, and Edwards getting more playing time, then X is more screwed up than we thought!

No one said the program hinges on those three players. They could mean success in a game or two but more importantly, my main point is why risk the success of the program this year by having starters out there in a 30 point blowout? That to me is at best irresponsible and at worst negligible and effing stupid. You aren’t teaching them squat having them out there in a thirty point blowout.

[XUGRAD80]

No one said the program hinges on those three players. They could mean success in a game or two but more importantly, my main point is why risk the success of the program this year by having starters out there in a 30 point blowout? That to me is at best irresponsible and at worst negligible and effing stupid. You aren’t teaching them squat having them out there in a thirty point blowout.

Did you look at the box score and see the minutes played by the players? I don’t think that anyone played more than 25-26 minutes total. Was there even a starter on the floor the last 6-10 minutes of the game?

Edit…I checked the play by play and Hunter and Miles are mentioned at around the 5 minute left point, not after. All the others were out before that.

[Xville]

Did you look at the box score and see the minutes played by the players? I don’t think that anyone played more than 25-26 minutes total. Was there even a starter on the floor the last 6-10 minutes of the game?

Edit…I checked the play by play and Hunter and Miles are mentioned at around the 5 minute left point, not after.

I didn’t have to look at the box score as I watched the game and hunter, miles and maybe even most importantly Johnson were still out there with 4-5 minutes left. The minutes played don’t matter to me as much as who was out there with 8 minutes left in a blowout

[bleedXblue]

I didn’t have to look at the box score as I watched the game and hunter, miles and maybe even most importantly Johnson were still out there with 4-5 minutes left. The minutes played don’t matter to me as much as who was out there with 8 minutes left in a blowout

Johnson came out around the 4:00 minute mark.

I wont listen to any nonsense around why some of our best players were on the floor late into a blowout. Protect your assets.

[XUGRAD80]

X played NINE players in the FIRST half….NINE.

Johnson made 2 free throws at the 6:21 mark of the second half and I believe was replaced at that point.

Nobody played excessive minutes.

X got to work on several different combinations of players.

The backups got lots of quality minutes.

The end of the bench people got some minutes.

Freemantle got 6 minutes in the first half and sat out the second half.

The only ones that didn’t play are walk-ons.

[XUBison]

The 3 players mentioned got between 3-5 minutes each. Freemantle got 6. Just how many minutes should those 3 players, who are most likely not going to be counted on to contribute much this year, be given? For what purpose other than to keep them happy? Geez, this is a stupid discussion. This ain’t CYO ball. The coaches are paid to win. They are going to win by having their best players playing their best. If this season, or the success of the program hinges on Tandy, Stanley, and Edwards getting more playing time, then X is more screwed up than we thought!

I’m sorry, what are you people talking about here? From your posts, you were an athlete, and you watch sports, correct? When do you ever see starters in until the final few minutes of a blowout without a coach getting blasted for it? I mean, Tom Thibodeau is infamous for completely derailing Derek Rose’s MVP career.

And coaches schedule buy games so their starters can build chemistry by beating the tar out of outmanned opponents? That is a new one for me. Coaches talk all the time, in basketball, football, or whatever, about wanting to go deep into their benches during blowouts so other players get game reps to help their development. And the thousands spent on buy games is spent because more is made by virtue of the proceeds generated by a home game that doesn’t have to return the favor— the ultimate reason they are scheduled.

This X team— after all the excuses the past three years, it is just now getting healthy. There is ZERO to be gained by having starters playing late into a blowout.

The guys at the end of the bench deserve no playing time except the tail end of mop-up? Oh, wow. I’m sure that will keep players like Tandy and Stanley motivated and incentivized to stay engaged and work hard in practice. But I guess we don’t need them anyway, so who cares? Oh, except for TWO games ago against Va Tech when our lineup was depleted.

The Tandy thing has been debated ad nauseam, but Stanley was a top level transfer, someone thought to be a difference maker. And Edwards… we are content having zero contribution from our freshman class this year? Why didn’t he just redshirt with Tucker then? These guys got walk-on minutes! I dont give two hoots about giving playing time to keep guys happy, but I do give a damn about player and program development. Aren’t player engagement and retention big parts of that?

[bleedXblue]

I’m sorry, what are you people talking about here? From your posts, you were an athlete, and you watch sports, correct? When do you ever see starters in until the final few minutes of a blowout without a coach getting blasted for it? I mean, Tom Thibodeau is infamous for completely derailing Derek Rose’s MVP career.

And coaches schedule buy games so their starters can build chemistry by beating the tar out of outmanned opponents? That is a new one for me. Coaches talk all the time, in basketball, football, or whatever, about wanting to go deep into their benches during blowouts so other players get game reps to help their development. And the thousands spent on buy games is spent because more is made by virtue of the proceeds generated by a home game that doesn’t have to return the favor— the ultimate reason they are scheduled.

This X team— after all the excuses the past three years, it is just now getting healthy. There is ZERO to be gained by having starters playing late into a blowout.

The guys at the end of the bench deserve no playing time except the tail end of mop-up? Oh, wow. I’m sure that will keep players like Tandy and Stanley motivated and incentivized to stay engaged and work hard in practice. But I guess we don’t need them anyway, so who cares? Oh, except for TWO games ago against Va Tech when our lineup was depleted.

The Tandy thing has been debated ad nauseam, but Stanley was a top level transfer, someone thought to be a difference maker. And Edwards… we are content having zero contribution from our freshman class this year? Why didn’t he just redshirt with Tucker then? These guys got walk-on minutes! I dont give two hoots about giving playing time to keep guys happy, but I do give a damn about player and program development. Aren’t player engagement and retention big parts of that?
yep
:bash:

[D-West & PO-Z]

We have found a new, super stupid debate on xavierhoops.

We never disappoint guys!

[drudy23]

For what it's worth, I was surprised those guys didn't get run earlier. It was a blowout against a team with no hope of making a real comeback.

It didn't upset me, but what's the point of them being on the team honestly if they can't even get a decent look in a 30 point game? They're not walk-ons - they're capable D1 players.

[hoopster68]

I was at the game. Starters were in at the 4:00 minute mark in the second half. Why? Once more, this head coach tells me he is a head case.

[xu82]

I was at the game. Starters were in at the 4:00 minute mark in the second half. Why? Once more, this head coach tells me he is a head case.

I don’t agree with it, and I’m not defending it. I have to wonder what motivated this and the only thing I can think of is developing chemistry. That’s just grasping for a rational explanation…….

[whopper]

i think Kyky could take Kunkels rotation in a game like this and maybe Stanley for Hunter. I think Edwards can easily slot in. I dont like the wholesale empty the bench concept. We may need some of these players in key situations and i think we at X owe them some run.. I appreciate their efforts

[noteggs]

We have found a new, super stupid debate on xavierhoops.

We never disappoint guys!

This ^^^

Times 20

[UCGRAD4X]

We have found a new, super stupid debate on xavierhoops.

We never disappoint guys!


This ^^^

Times 20

Wait! Wait! Wait! Can't we talk about this?

BTW: How about the chick ref - eh? (Not that there's anything wrong with that)

[bleedXblue]

This ^^^

Times 20

It is a silly stupid debate.

Originated from a silly, stupid decision to leave starters in a game with 4 minutes left up by 30

[Smails]

It is a silly stupid debate.

Originated from a silly, stupid decision to leave starters in a game with 4 minutes left up by 30

Christ...you have made your point. The horse is dead

[Smails]

We have found a new, super stupid debate on xavierhoops.

We never disappoint guys!

You know this is just setting up the inevitable next complaint. Ben Stanley is going to come in to a meaningful game and not play well...then we'll hear:

"SEE, if he would have played more than 5 minutes against CMU, he might have been more effective in this game."...Ohh it's coming

[bleedXblue]

Christ...you have made your point. The horse is dead

ahhh, come on lets keep this going!

Guys complaining about other guys complaining is so much fun!!

[markchal]

You know this is just setting up the inevitable next complaint. Ben Stanley is going to come in to a meaningful game and not play well...then we'll hear:

"SEE, if he would have played more than 5 minutes against CMU, he might have been more effective in this game."...Ohh it's coming

I don't think the way Steele sets his rotation is above questioning after his first few years. I actually like that he's shortened the bench a bit (and let's be honest, Kunkel has decidedly ended the preseason Great Debate on this board), but we DO have a lot of potential depth, so it was just a bit puzzling that they didn't get more minutes in the game. Long-term may not matter much, but CMU is legit the worst team we will play all year, and it was a prime opp to get guys some real experience and figure some stuff out in game situations.

I will gladly take "problems" like what to do when we're up 30 rather than some of the other stuff we've been faced with the last few seasons

[Smails]

ahhh, come on lets keep this going!

Guys complaining about other guys complaining is so much fun!!

Me thinks someone doesn't know the difference between a complaint and an observation. Carry on!

[muskiefan82]

On another note, why is CMU, a MAC team, so awful? The MAC isn't a horrible conference. Certainly they can get better players than that?

[xukeith]

On another note, why is CMU, a MAC team, so awful? The MAC isn't a horrible conference. Certainly they can get better players than that?

When everyone else in the conference is better than you, you stink.

[MADXSTER]

On another note, why is CMU, a MAC team, so awful? The MAC isn't a horrible conference. Certainly they can get better players than that?

As I read this, I thought but did not say this our loud....why is X WBB, a BE team, so awful? The BE isn't a horrible conference. Certainly they can get better players that that?

[muskiefan82]

As I read this, I thought but did not say this our loud....why is X WBB, a BE team, so awful? The BE isn't a horrible conference. Certainly they can get better players that that?

This is true and the same kind of question. I guess there is a Fordham in every mid-major conference.

[xuphan]

When everyone else in the conference is better than you, you stink.

Careful, 94Grad thought this was a big win for us.

[Xville]

As I read this, I thought but did not say this our loud....why is X WBB, a BE team, so awful? The BE isn't a horrible conference. Certainly they can get better players that that?

That kind just made me think whatever happened to Amy Waugh?

Really shows how one bad hire can wreck a program..women’s team made two in a row

[94GRAD]

Careful, 94Grad thought this was a big win for us.

I'm of the camp every win is big. Rumor has it, no matter bad you play, if you win every game, you'll go undefeated and win the National Championship. I'll do some research on the Google machine to confirm my hypothesis.

[XUGRAD80]

That kind just made me think whatever happened to Amy Waugh?

Really shows how one bad hire can wreck a program..women’s team made two in a row

I think she is going into the X HOF this year? She was a really good guard.

[XUGRAD80]

https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2021/12/3/22816124/how-deep-does-a-team-need-to-be-xavier-basketball

For your viewing and reading pleasure….:slapfight: LOL

[94GRAD]

I think she is going into the X HOF this year? She was a really good guard.

She actually turned down the induction. Very weird.

[paulxu]

She actually turned down the induction. Very weird.

That is VERY weird.

[Xville]

I’m of the opinion something happened…that resignation was really odd and haven’t heard anything about her since

[MADXSTER]

I’m of the opinion something happened…that resignation was really odd and haven’t heard anything about her since

I tend to agree. Looks like a bridge has been burned here.

[xukeith]

https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2021/12/3/22816124/how-deep-does-a-team-need-to-be-xavier-basketball

For your viewing and reading pleasure….:slapfight: LOL

Hard to argue against those historic X facts. Strong analysis.

[XUGRAD80]

I’m of the opinion something happened…that resignation was really odd and haven’t heard anything about her since

Really odd and sorry to see it. She was always one of my favorite X players, men or women.

[UCGRAD4X]

That kind just made me think whatever happened to Amy Waugh?

Really shows how one bad hire can wreck a program..women’s team made two in a row

Just wanted to be clear; we're talking the lady muskies right?

[xuphan]

I'm of the camp every win is big. Rumor has it, no matter bad you play, if you win every game, you'll go undefeated and win the National Championship. I'll do some research on the Google machine to confirm my hypothesis.

So you are saying that if you win every game, you go undefeated and win a national championship? You are one smart cookie there bud. Thank you for enlightening us all on this concept.