Game Thread: Xavier v Villanova University (12/21/2021)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://bkstr.scene7.com/is/image/Bkstr/1349-PLUSH-1349-8-Tan


THE MATCHUP

NO. 18 XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (11-1, 1-0 BIG EAST)
AT NO. 23 VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY WILDCATS (7-4, 0-1 BIG EAST)
TUESDAY, DEC. 21, 2021 AT 7:00 P.M. ET
FINNERAN PAVILION (6,501) IN VILLANOVA, PA.

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play by-play from Brandon Gaudin and analysis from Jim Jackson.
Radio: 55KRC-AM with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer Byron Larkin ('88). XU broadcast is also available on Sirius XM (387) and the SXM App. (977).
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com and fan stats at GoXavier.com.

[American X]

Nope, no way, not getting my hopes up. I have seen this movie before. Sonny Corleone gets mowed down on the Long Island Causeway and pretty much the same thing happens to Xavier.

Here is a preview of what the highlights will look like:

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthumbs.gfycat.com%2FConsciousWeal thyEstuarinecrocodile-size_restricted.gif&f=1&nofb=1

[X-band '01]

But will this be on the Blue Route or the Sure Kill Expressway? I can't keep my Philly roads straight.

[UCGRAD4X]

It's just a little fuzzy kitty!

p.s I refuse NOT to get my hopes up

I'm not sure how grammatically correct that statement is but WTF!

[GIMMFD]

I'm honestly a bit of hopium I guess, I think we can do it tomorrow night. Villanova isn't as scary as they usually are, they have okay shooters still, but they don't have that takeover type of player, Samuels plays a bit timid. They don't get to the lane as often either, I think we have some athleticism to match them, but then again they've shot like what 20% from deep the last couple games? I think as long as they aren't hot tomorrow (which knowing our luck..) we have a good chance.

[X Factor]

We all suffer from PTSD every time Villanova pops up on the schedule. Ever since joining the BE, we have been abused and treated like a DII school against Nova. They spread us out, and rain three pointers from all over the court. We throw the ball away and forget how to play defense.

I want to think tomorrow will be different; that we will own them in the paint and on the glass, that our defense will be fierce and physical on the perimeter. I want to believe that we will knock down our open looks from three. I want to believe our athletes are better than their athletes.

I just can't shake the nightmares from the past 8 years. I will be pouring a glass of my favorite bourbon before tipoff. By the end of the game, I'll probably be intoxicated either way.

[JTG]

A win would be nice. I just hope Odom doesn't get clotheslined going to the rim and sent to the hospital like Sumner did back in '17. Occasionally Nova likes to play rough because they always get the whistle in their favor.

[bleedXblue]

A win would be nice. I just hope Odom doesn't get clotheslined going to the rim and sent to the hospital like Sumner did back in '17. Occasionally Nova likes to play rough because they always get the whistle in their favor.

I was chastised for saying the play on Sumner was dirty and intentional. I still stand by that.

Now, lets go get a W

[xuphan]

I was chastised for saying the play on Sumner was dirty and intentional. I still stand by that.

Now, lets go get a W

Time for Steele to show what kind of coach he really is. He has his players and his style of coaching. Needs to show if he can win against the best in the conference.

[Muskie]

I am bullish about our chances tonight!

[Drew]

I want to be optimistic but everything is setting up for Nova to make this their "get back" game. I am guessing they hit 15+ threes in a rout.

[paulxu]

Here's what the Athletic thinks:

The Wildcats are stumbling right now, dropping 14 spots in the AP poll after last week’s loss to Creighton, but this team still has all of the talent that made Villanova a Top 10 team in the preseason. That could make life difficult for Xavier, which hits the road here against a desperate Villanova squad eager to right the ship ahead of the Christmas break. Anything less than an A+ effort from the Musketeers could lead to a loss.

[UCGRAD4X]

Here's what the Athletic thinks:

The Wildcats are stumbling right now, dropping 14 spots in the AP poll after last week’s loss to Creighton, but this team still has all of the talent that made Villanova a Top 10 team in the preseason. That could make life difficult for Xavier, which hits the road here against a desperate Villanova squad eager to right the ship ahead of the Christmas break. Anything less than an A+ effort from the Musketeers could lead to a loss.

I think this is a fair assessment. To discount Nova would be a HUGE mistake. They may need their A++ game.

We've had 6 different scoring leaders in the last 6 games. That is AMAZING and a testament to the talent and depth of this team (Miles turn? Jelly Roll?). We are going to need more than one or two players step up in a big way in this game.

[xuwillie]

I want to be optimistic but everything is setting up for Nova to make this their "get back" game. I am guessing they hit 15+ threes in a rout.

I fully expect Villanova to have wide open threes and shoot around 50%.

[kxblue]

Think this is the best Xavier has matched up with Villanova in a long time. Think Xavier should win if they can limit TOs to season average.

Time for X to show they are the best team in the BE, hoping for an epic game

[American X]

Remember when we got highly ranked and all excited that we might beat Villanova then they attempted to murder Edmond Sumner and destroyed us??? That was not awesome.

At a minimum, I hope we do not look like a bunch of ignoramuses meeting each other for the first time on the basketball court. Let's at least look like we have played the game of basketball before.

Can Xavier commit to Freemantle and Nunge on the inside or not? Just because Villanova is shooting every shot from outside does not mean that Xavier has to as well. If Xavier is trying to match Villanova early on in a shooting contest, we will know it is over when it has barely begun.

[bobbiemcgee]

Remember when we got highly ranked and all excited that we might beat Villanova then they attempted to murder Edmond Sumner and destroyed us??? That was not awesome.

At a minimum, I hope we do not look like a bunch of ignoramuses meeting each other for the first time on the basketball court. Let's at least look like we have played the game of basketball before.

Can Xavier commit to Freemantle and Nunge on the inside or not? Just because Villanova is shooting every shot from outside does not mean that Xavier has to as well. If Xavier is trying to match Villanova early on in a shooting contest, we will know it is over when it has barely begun.

They are shooting 25% from 3 the last two games. Look for that to jump to 50% if we don't guard the perimeter.

[Strange Brew]

Remember when we got highly ranked and all excited that we might beat Villanova then they attempted to murder Edmond Sumner and destroyed us??? That was not awesome.


Jay Wright is a stone cold killer. He straight up John Chaney’ed Sumner. Free needs to bring his Jersey roots tonight.

[GoMuskies]

They are shooting 25% from 3 the last two games. Look for that to jump to 50% if we don't guard the perimeter.

Look for that to jump to 50% even if every shot is taken with a Xavier defender literally inside their jock strap. That's just how it be at the Pavilion.

[Xville]

X is winning this game by 10. Villanova is not very good this year (preseason ranking was a joke and based on what Villanova has been the last decade plus), Xavier is better, and UCONN, Providence and Seton Hall will be tougher games imo.

[X-band '01]

I will be at work and sending our annual rent check in the mail to our benevolent Overlords.

[Xuperman]

If match ups play out anything close to normality, X wins this one.

Confidence should be extremely high for Xavier Nation that Scruggs and Johnson can do a stellar job neuralizing Gillespie and Moore's scoring at a respectable rate. Odom allows for a distinct advantage on these 2, as he provides no drop off defensively coming off the bench while Nova has shown no quality bench production in their backcourt...... Gillespie/Moore play a lot of minutes!!

Hunter should be really effective guarding Slator and Jones will hold his own vs Samuels IMO. That leaves Dixon to deal with Free and Nunge.....that is not close.

They have no bench. If X attacks the paint ala Marquette, foul trouble should create some rhythm/flow issues for VU. Gotta get to the line early and often and destroy them on the glass.......delicious recipe for the good guys!

[Final4]

If match ups play out anything close to normality, X wins this one.

Confidence should be extremely high for Xavier Nation that Scruggs and Johnson can do a stellar job neuralizing Gillespie and Moore's scoring at a respectable rate. Odom allows for a distinct advantage on these 2, as he provides no drop off defensively coming off the bench while Nova has shown no quality bench production in their backcourt...... Gillespie/Moore play a lot of minutes!!

Hunter should be really effective guarding Slator and Jones will hold his own vs Samuels IMO. That leaves Dixon to deal with Free and Nunge.....that is not close.

They have no bench. If X attacks the paint ala Marquette, foul trouble should create some rhythm/flow issues for VU. Gotta get to the line early and often and destroy them on the glass.......delicious recipe for the good guys!

I like the cut of your jib!!!

[GIMMFD]

If match ups play out anything close to normality, X wins this one.

Confidence should be extremely high for Xavier Nation that Scruggs and Johnson can do a stellar job neuralizing Gillespie and Moore's scoring at a respectable rate. Odom allows for a distinct advantage on these 2, as he provides no drop off defensively coming off the bench while Nova has shown no quality bench production in their backcourt...... Gillespie/Moore play a lot of minutes!!

Hunter should be really effective guarding Slator and Jones will hold his own vs Samuels IMO. That leaves Dixon to deal with Free and Nunge.....that is not close.

They have no bench. If X attacks the paint ala Marquette, foul trouble should create some rhythm/flow issues for VU. Gotta get to the line early and often and destroy them on the glass.......delicious recipe for the good guys!

Yup, agreed with everything said here, I think this is by far the best match-up with Nova we have had, and Steele's already beaten Nova twice too, so I think it's fair to say we have a puncher's chance. I just really hate when we play at the Pavilion, but I'm optimistic. I hit Xavier ML for +205, let's ride.

[bjf123]

I fully expect Villanova to have wide open threes and shoot around 50%.

Don’t they always? I like our team against Nova, but still picked them to lose in the Pick the Score thread.


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[atljar]

Remember when we got highly ranked and all excited that we might beat Villanova then they attempted to murder Edmond Sumner and destroyed us??? That was not awesome.

https://vine.co/v/iq9mWlzezgv

Attempted murder on film too!


But then redemption!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn76iv8j2zA

[GoMuskies]

I sure enjoy getting Xavier AND points! That + on the ML is always fun, too.

[paulxu]

Look for that to jump to 50% even if every shot is taken with a Xavier defender literally inside their jock strap. That's just how it be at the Pavilion.

That's spot on. They've only played 3 home games this year, and shot over 50% from 3 in all of them.

[XUMIOH12]

That's spot on. They've only played 3 home games this year, and shot over 50% from 3 in all of them.

Well i would hope Xavier is able to play better defense than Mount St Marys, Howard and St Joes. Not discounting Nova's shooting, but those teams are all horrible.

[SkyWalker]

X is winning this game by 10. Villanova is not very good this year (preseason ranking was a joke and based on what Villanova has been the last decade plus), Xavier is better, and UCONN, Providence and Seton Hall will be tougher games imo.

I disagree with Villanova is not very good this year. Losses at UCLA, Purdue (Neutral), at Baylor, and at Creighton don't make you not very good. We've played well so far this year and could have probably tallied 4 losses against that schedule. If X thinks Villanova is not very good this year, we have little chance tonight.

[Xville]

I disagree with Villanova is not very good this year. Losses at UCLA, Purdue (Neutral), at Baylor, and at Creighton don't make you not very good. We've played well so far this year and could have probably tallied 4 losses against that schedule. If X thinks Villanova is not very good this year, we have little chance tonight.

I shouldn’t have said not very good, what I meant to say was not very good compared to the standard that they have set for the last decade. The rest of what i said, I stand by and think Xavier wins this game.

[xuphan]

I shouldn’t have said not very good, what I meant to say was not very good compared to the standard that they have set for the last decade. The rest of what i said, I stand by and think Xavier wins this game.

Good start so far. Keep it up X!

[American X]

Great start, only nitpick is Freemantle defense on Dixon. Thought Hunter should switch to him, but he is on bench now with 2 fouls. Not crazy about Scruggs 3 attempt, but he hit it so its a great shot.

[KabeX]

Don't know why we let them break us down in the post. That said, other than that we seem to be Nova-ing Nova. Paybacks are ...

[xu82]

Odom “passing” and nails a tree pointer was hysterical! Would have been less funny if he just chucked it out of bounds!

[KabeX]

I like Dwon's new shot. He should keep doing that.

[GoMuskies]

This is so fun right now. BYU level fun.

[IM4X]

Like how comfortable we look.

[JTG]

Are all 3 officials Nova grads ?

[KabeX]

Wow Freemantle can't guard.

[xuphan]

Are all 3 officials Nova grads ?

No, just looked them up on Google.

1st Did graduate from Nova
2nd Got a masters from UC
3rd Dropped out of Dayton

[IM4X]

Oh how I wish Free could get a little tougher to score against in the paint and didn’t take threes on offense when no Muskie is near the basket.

[KabeX]

Gettin a little homered here.

[xu82]

How is that NOT an offensive foul on Nova when he dips his shoulder and attacks in the lane?

[GoMuskies]

How did they miss the three seconds?!?

[KabeX]

How did they miss the three seconds?!?

They actually missed it twice since it was more like 6 - 7 seconds.

[Xuperman]

Gillespie stepped on the base line....no whistle. FOUR second call in the lane....no whistle. Ticky tack fouls on X....plenty of whistle.

[kxblue]

Oh how I wish Free could get a little tougher to score against in the paint and didn’t take threes on offense when no Muskie is near the basket.

Steele promptly put him on the bench. Have to give credit to Steele, he has made the lineups click the last few games and def isn’t rewarding poor play. Great to see and team has looked very good.

[bjf123]

No, just looked them up on Google.

1st Did graduate from Nova
2nd Got a masters from UC
3rd Dropped out of Dayton

So, you’re saying they all hate X?


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[American X]

Here come the bad threes. We have seen this before. Start out fantastic 6-6, so now they think that they cannot miss and we end up 6-25.

[paulxu]

I do like to see mid-range jumpers. Lost art. Thanks Dwon.

[GoMuskies]

Colby could be better. All we're missing tonight so far.

[IM4X]

Let’s keep racking up those fouls fellas.

[Xville]

Yeah Colby has made a lot of bad decisions but outside of that, team looks good. Plus, I don’t think nova is all that great

[bjf123]

I do like to see mid-range jumpers. Lost art. Thanks Dwon.

Yep. It’s rare to see.


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[xuphan]

Yeah Colby has made a lot of bad decisions but outside of that, team looks good. Plus, I don’t think nova is all that great

Terrible possession out of a timeout. Hope we don’t give them momentum going into the half.

[KabeX]

Dwon's 1st mistake. I can live with that.

[xudash]

So, we go in up 8. It was a well played first half, particularly in that building.

[HenryMuto]

Nice 1st half

[GoMuskies]

Man, let's DO this!

[RoseyMuskie]

Excellent half. Steele had them ready to play. And an effective zone vs. Nova!?

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Oh how I wish Free could get a little tougher to score against in the paint and didn’t take threes on offense when no Muskie is near the basket.

Ditto.

[Xuperman]

No positive results conjured up by Steele in those last 2 time outs. Miles not ready for that moment.

[GoMuskies]

X -195 favorites now.

[xuphan]

X -195 favorites now.

Big first 6 minutes in the second half. They have the momentum and we need to not let them back into this game. Come on Steele and Co!

[bjf123]

Don’t think Nova will stay at 10% from 3.


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[XUBison]

I thought we were great in the first half. Feels like we should be up by more than 8, which makes me nervous…

[bjf123]

Sloppy start to this half with a couple of careless turnovers.


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[xuphan]

I thought we were great in the first half. Feels like we should be up by more than 8, which makes me nervous…

We are way too sloppy with the ball.

[KabeX]

Here we go

[GoMuskies]

Second half start has been atrocious.

[Xville]

Pretty much the worst start in the 2nd half as possible. Four turnovers, fouling a three point shooter..instead of extending the lead, letting nova right back in it. Let’s see what this team is made of.

[XUBison]

Ummm, boys? Halftime is over. Are you planning to come out for the 2nd half?

[xuphan]

Pretty much the worst start in the 2nd half as possible. Three turnovers, fouling a three point shooter..instead of extending the lead, letting nova right back in it. Let’s see what this team is made of.

Not acceptable away from home against a team like Villanova to be playing like this.

[bjf123]

Here we go

Yep. Not looking good.


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[xuphan]

Pretty much the worst start in the 2nd half as possible. Four turnovers, fouling a three point shooter..instead of extending the lead, letting nova right back in it. Let’s see what this team is made of.

Get Nunge in there and work the low post. Aweful start to this half Travis and co

[KabeX]

Playing right into their hand. WTF

[kxblue]

Our 2nd team better than our first

[xuphan]

Playing right into their hand. WTF

What kind of offense are we running to have Scruggs in the post? Travis has lost the plot this half.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Nunge and Free in the game at the same time... both camping outside the arc

[KabeX]

That's horrible

[bjf123]

Stop with trying the lob into the paint. It’s been a turnover at least 4 times.


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[bjf123]

This is just embarrassing. Horrible play by everyone on the floor.


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[KabeX]

Heading straight for another disappointing finish in Philly. Now freaking get you heads out of your arses and stop this nonsense.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Feels like Nova has 6 defenders out there this half

[RoseyMuskie]

Need to switch off the lob action. Maybe a back screen on the defender aggressively middling?

[Xuperman]

We've tried like 10 lob passes to the rim and NOTHING but turnovers to show for it. Please stop!

Oh, I forgot the Odom 3!!!

[Xville]

Garbage basketball to start the half…lobbing it into the post with three guys draped on the guy..so effing stupid

[UCGRAD4X]

If they try to lob it into the post one more time I'm going to puke

[xu82]

Garbage basketball to start the half…lobbing it into the post with three guys draped on the guy..so effing stupid

The lobs into the post must end! You’d think they’d learn……

[KabeX]

And there goes Jerome Carter.

[xuphan]

Heading straight for another disappointing finish in Philly. Now freaking get you heads out of your arses and stop this nonsense.

This is all on the coaching staff. Terrible play call after the timeout at the end of the half. Allow them to dunk it at the end of the half to give them momentum. What the hell did they talk about at halftime? Guards posting up and Big out at the arc? Terrible passing leading to all sorts of turnovers. Run some damn offense Steele and stop acting like this is street basketball in Harlem.

[bjf123]

Can’t make layups + can’t make 3s. = loss.

So frustrating!!!!!


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[American X]

Xavier should forfeit after that Jerome Hunter three attempt, but still amazingly with the lead.

[bjf123]

The lobs into the post must end! You’d think they’d learn……

Ok. That’s one.


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[xuphan]

Xavier should forfeit after that Jerome Hunter three attempt, but still amazingly with the lead.

12 Turnovers!

[KabeX]

Back to the stupid freakin decisions, shots et al from years past. Sigh.

[KabeX]

Game over.

[bjf123]

Dagger. Ballgame.


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[GoMuskies]

We're still their bitch.

[American X]

The Scruggs three attempt says it all that we are not serious about winning.

[KabeX]

I cannot understand for the life of me why we just piss down our leg against these guys. Unreal.

[Blue Blooded-05]

This 6 point deficit feels like 36

[Xville]

Worst half of basketball this season with 4 minutes left just absolute garbage. Villanova isn’t very good, and x is shitting down their leg playing like it is last year. Turnovers, wrong people shooting threes, zero adjustments. Horrible.

Hoping they can turn this around and find a way this last 4 minute war

[whopper]

from archidiacooo to Brunson to Gillespie to moore it seems like Villanova should get more 3 second calls dribling in lane but I guess not. Hope he misses 1.

[XUBison]

What I was afraid of— we were apparently not so good in the 1st half as much as Villanova was bad.

[xudash]

It’s not over yet.

[xudash]

Good shot Byron. It just didn’t go down.

[bjf123]

It’s not over yet.

Wanna bet?


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[Roach]

Evidently chucking bad-look 3s isn’t a good game plan.

[xuphan]

Worst half of basketball this season just absolute garbage. Villanova isn’t very good, and x is shitting down their leg playing like it is last year. Turnovers, wrong people shooting threes, zero adjustments. Horrible.

I just don’t see how this team or any team under Steele is going to get to a final four with how inconsistent and turnover prone his teams are.

[GoMuskies]

We suck

[whopper]

Moore always kills us

[Xville]

Still villanova’s bitch. This is seriously what it must have felt like to be a Dayton fan vs Xavier. 2nd half Xavier played like a bunch of pussies

[GoMuskies]

Worst Villanova loss yet.

[stammina0721]

Xavier only thought it was a 20 min game. When you come out and don't even get a shot off in 3 minutes it's just not going to work out. As soon as I saw that I said X will lose by over 10.

[XUBison]

Can we just forfeit the Pavilion games going forward?

[paulxu]

I actually thought we had this game at half time. Very disappointing showing in second half.

[XU 23]

What % of our 2nd half shots were actually open shots? It’s not like we just went cold… Our offensive strategery was pathetic and Steele got out coached, plain and simple.

[kxblue]

Tough half but still have a lot of faith in this team when Odom runs point and Nunge anchors the post.

Disappointing game from Free and Scruggs, and Jones needs to get more involved on offense. But overall this clearly is Steele’s best team. Hopefully they figure it out

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Not sure if Nova is the better team but they are definitely the tougher team.

[xuphan]

Xavier only thought it was a 20 min game. When you come out and don't even get a shot off in 3 minutes it's just not going to work out. As soon as I saw that I said X will lose by over 10.

This is the same 3 point chucking turnover prone team we have seen all 4 seasons Travis has been in charge.

[Blue Blooded-05]

We have almost as many missed 3s as we do points this half

[Xville]

Can we stop the stupid hunter-Fremantle on the court at the same time strategy?

[GoMuskies]

We suck

[markchal]

Steele got outcoached in a major major way. Blew an incredible opportunity

[stammina0721]

Not sure if Nova is the better team but they are definitely the tougher team.

This isnt true. Nova has the smarter play. Xavier's offense in the second half was a 180 from the first. Nunge and Freemantle shooting 3's, zero ball movement and the same damn interior lob that literally did not connect one time. Just not smart

[paulxu]

That's an incredible stat: we hit the first 6 threes we shot...and then missed 17 in a row.

[xuphan]

Tough half but still have a lot of faith in this team when Odom runs point and Nunge anchors the post.

Disappointing game from Free and Scruggs, and Jones needs to get more involved on offense. But overall this clearly is Steele’s best team. Hopefully they figure it out

I wish I had your optimism but the second half has been what we have seen from Steele all four years at Xavier. No leadership and structure on offense with allowing his players to Chuck 3s and have a lot of turnovers. Maybe there is enough talent to mask Steeles inept coaching but when we can’t knock down shots, Steele has no clue how to change the game plan to right the ship.

[XUBison]

I actually thought we had this game at half time. Very disappointing showing in second half.

You mean you didn’t expect us to go 0-13 from 3 in the 2nd half? You have watched our games against Nova, right?

[KabeX]

Setting new lows. Not a lot of adjectives to do this crap justice. The most pathetic half of basketball I've seem then play since ... well prob the last time they played them. I got nothing. Wait! I got BEER. That God.

[Xville]

2nd half focus was to chuck a bunch of threes mainly by guys who aren’t good three point shooters, and go back to handing the ball to the other team and do stupid lobs inside to guys who are triple teamed.

Bold strategy cotton

[XUBison]

not sure if nova is the better team but they are definitely the tougher and *better coached *team.

fify.

[TheDanimal]

What an astoundingly quick departure from an offensive strategy that was working to one that never has... The game was lost the minute the only struggling lineup was put out there to start the second half.

[markchal]

Free still looking lost on offense at times. Not looking the same at all. Jones and Scruggs were total no shows too. Honestly outside of Odom and Kunkel no one looked good

[xuphan]

You mean you didn’t expect us to go 0-13 from 3 in the 2nd half? You have watched our games against Nova, right?

So at what point during the 0-13 3 point shooting streak do you tell your team, “Well, we need to attack the rim and feed it down low to Nunge”

[SkyWalker]

I need to work on Pick the Score but I need to say something first. We were outcoached period. I'm not getting on Trav but in 10 minutes at halftime, Jay Wright taled to his team and took everything we accomplished in the first half away from us in the second half.

[markchal]

What an astoundingly quick departure from an offensive strategy that was working to one that never has... The game was lost the minute the only struggling lineup was put out there to start the second half.

That lineup was atrocious coaching and we lost the game in that first eight minutes

[Backyard Champ]

Just an awful effort in the 2nd. Nova wanted it far more.

I don’t think Steele was outcoached. The players just played extremely flat the whole 2nd half.

Yet- What the hell was the lineup in there in the last 4 minutes down 4? Just felt like we had 1 legit threat from 3. Our 3 shooting (or threat of it) is what gives the offense room to work. We effectively took that away and got ran off the court with no good offensive looks.

[GoMuskies]

Steele went from extension to hot seat in an hour. Impressive v

[Xville]

I’d love to know why hunter and free are starting together and miles all of a sudden has gotten zero minutes. I know miles wasn’t very good but he brings length and energy and I liked him starting, playing a few minutes and then nunge coming in. I mean otherwise, start nunge and get hunter out of the lineup…guy should be 10-15 minutes to rest guys.

Hunter and free playing together makes zero sense. You have two basically footers and you have both of them on the bench to start the game and the 2nd half? Makes no sense.

[xuphan]

Just an awful effort in the 2nd. Nova wanted it far more.

I don’t think Steele was outcoached. The players just played extremely flat the whole 2nd half.

Yet- What the hell was the lineup in there in the last 4 minutes down 4? Just felt like we had 1 legit threat from 3. Our 3 shooting (or threat of it) is what gives the offense room to work. We effectively took that away and got ran off the court with no good offensive looks.

You say he wasn’t outcoached but than gave reasons why he was out coached. Jay Wright made second half adjustments on defense and Travis couldn’t or wouldn’t change anything to help a team who couldn’t buy a 3 and was careless with the basketball. I would call that being out coached.

[xuphan]

Steele went from extension to hot seat in an hour. Impressive v

Don’t think he is on the hot seat but I do worry about him being a mediocre coach who isn’t fireable but also isn’t going to win you anything. Tonight (second half) was a scary reminder of what his teams have been in the past during Big East play.

[XUBison]

This isnt true. Nova has the smarter play. Xavier's offense in the second half was a 180 from the first. Nunge and Freemantle shooting 3's, zero ball movement and the same damn interior lob that literally did not connect one time. Just not smart

I’d rather have our players than theirs this year…

[Backyard Champ]

He had a bad lineup in the last 4, but I don’t think he was out coached in the first 36 minutes of the game. Which is why I was dumbfounded with the lineup in the end.
Maybe it’s out coaching, but I didn’t think nova coaching made the difference. I think it was player effort/focus. They had it, our guys lost it after being up 8. Then our coach put in a crap closing lineup

[drudy23]

Back to Trav ball in the second half.

No doubt he was outcoached in the second half. Wright made adjustments, we continued to rely on simply making shots.

We got Nunge for this type of half - and he touched it maybe 2-3 times in the second half.

When this coach gets into trouble, we usually always see the same thing on offense. Absolutely right that he didn't make adjustments to Wright's adjustments.

[xuphan]

I’d rather have our players than theirs this year…

Which coach would you rather have? I think we have better players but it showed how valuable a good coach can be when both teams are struggling.

[Backyard Champ]

How many straight 3’s did we miss? Close to 17 I think. We aren’t winning many games like that

[Backyard Champ]

Which coach would you rather have? I think we have better players but it showed how valuable a good coach can be when both teams are struggling.

Our players and team is more complete. Our senior leaders aren’t good leaders. I just don’t feel the comfort nova does when their seniors have the ball. They play cool and collected, ours don’t.

Odom did play well though imo

[XUBison]

So at what point during the 0-13 3 point shooting streak do you tell your team, “Well, we need to attack the rim and feed it down low to Nunge”

But, but, those 3s were all good shots. Weren’t they?

[stammina0721]

I’d rather have our players than theirs this year…

Agreed. I'm fully confident we win the rematch by 10 plus in Cincy

[drudy23]

When we don't make shots, we don't have the leadership (coaching or player) to realize it and make an adjustment. We double down on more shooting and hope they go in. We've seen this ALOT in the past 3-4 seasons and it's mind numbing.

[Roach]

Here’s my game summary: Travis Steele is surely a terrible chess player.

[XUBison]

Which coach would you rather have? I think we have better players but it showed how valuable a good coach can be when both teams are struggling.

Yep, my clumsy effort meant to make your point exactly.

[markchal]

I’d love to know why hunter and free are starting together and miles all of a sudden has gotten zero minutes. I know miles wasn’t very good but he brings length and energy and I liked him starting, playing a few minutes and then nunge coming in. I mean otherwise, start nunge and get hunter out of the lineup…guy should be 10-15 minutes to rest guys.

Hunter and free playing together makes zero sense. You have two basically footers and you have both of them on the bench to start the game and the 2nd half? Makes no sense.

Ok the miles thing I get. He went in and played horrible D and got dunked on. He should be an emergency player only from here on out. Nunge needs to start tho with either free or hunter

[Xuperman]

How many straight 3’s did we miss? Close to 17 I think. We aren’t winning many games like that

This game not withstanding, haven't we seen enough from this team that our 3 PT shooting is more than respectable? Villanova should be much more concerned at this point.....they have gone an astounding 29 for 121 in there last 4.

Just imagine the unhinged hysteria by some of the posters here with those numbers!

[Backyard Champ]

When we don't make shots, we don't have the leadership (coaching or player) to realize it and make an adjustment. We double down on more shooting and hope they go in. We've seen this ALOT in the past 3-4 seasons and it's mind numbing.

Bingo. When our shots aren’t falling, we don’t have the leadership on the court to figure it out. That is a mix between coaching and basketball IQ.

Scruggs just doesn’t look comfortable when things aren’t going our way. Not entirely sure what to do about that when he is our senior leader. I certainly don’t blame the loss on him. However, when we are losing momentum, I don’t feel confident with the ball in Scruggs hands. He, like most of our players, rush and force things. None of it looks comfortable.

Easy to play basketball when shots are falling.

[X Factor]

Gillespie averages less than 1.5 turnovers per game. Scruggs averages over 3 turnovers per game. He STILL over-penetrates with no where to go with the ball. He literally just threw it to Gillespie in the backcourt at the beginning of the 2nd half.

Odom needs to be the primary point guard. He can attack the basket, hit the 12-15 foot pull-up jumper, and he takes better care of the ball.

Why does Steele think Scruggs is a PG?

Kunkel is a better PG than Paul.

[X Factor]

deleted duplicate post

[XUBison]

This game not withstanding, haven't we seen enough from this team that our 3 PT shooting is more than respectable? Villanova should be much more concerned at this point.....they have gone an astounding 29 for 121 in there last 4.

I’m pretty sure they said during the game that X was shooting 35% from 3 coming into tonight, while Nova was shooting 36%. But whatever, you nutty dude.

[Backyard Champ]

This game not withstanding, haven't we seen enough from this team that our 3 PT shooting is more than respectable? Villanova should be much more concerned at this point.....they have gone an astounding 29 for 121 in there last 4.


I think it’s more about spacing. When we have guys that are truly not all that dangerous, defenses can clog the lane more. We have guys that players can’t leave. Odom, Scruggs, Hunter, Freemantle.. I’d argue are all guys opposing teams are comfortable slacking off on a bit to play help D.

[OTRMUSKIE]

We lost this gave for one reason and that's our head coach. He is so awful it's disgusting. Chris Mullins could have won this game from his couch. You tell Hunter the next time he shoots a 3 he sits the rest of the game. I mean it looked like they never had been coached before. Throwing passes over tall nova players with hopes we catch it? Nunge not even starting 2nd half? Pretty sure Nate didn't start 2nd half either. Why on Gods green earth wood you not play those guys to start the 2nd half? Maybe Nate did start but Nunge didn't. Terrible terrible terrible coaching all around .

[Double Down]

Outcoached!

[Xuperman]

We lost this gave for one reason and that's our head coach. He is so awful it's disgusting. Chris Mullins could have won this game from his couch. You tell Hunter the next time he shoots a 3 he sits the rest of the game. I mean it looked like they never had been coached before. Throwing passes over tall nova players with hopes we catch it? Nunge not even starting 2nd half? Pretty sure Nate didn't start 2nd half either. Why on Gods green earth wood you not play those guys to start the 2nd half? Maybe Nate did start but Nunge didn't. Terrible terrible terrible coaching all around .

Man OTR, you are really the best at what you do! Tell us super fan....WHO is responsible for a top 20 ranking and a #14 net? Please feel free to go into detail.

[xuphan]

Gillespie averages less than 1.5 turnovers per game. Scruggs averages over 3 turnovers per game. He STILL over-penetrates with no where to go with the ball. He literally just threw it to Gillespie in the backcourt at the beginning of the 2nd half.

Odom needs to be the primary point guard. He can attack the basket, hit the 12-15 foot pull-up jumper, and he takes better care of the ball.

Why does Steele think Scruggs is a PG?

Kunkel is a better PG than Paul.

Not sure if it is fair to compare Scruggs and Gillespie. Two different types of point guards. However, I do think Steele lets his players have way to much freedom to do individual stuff instead of play within the team and offense.

[xuphan]

We lost this gave for one reason and that's our head coach. He is so awful it's disgusting. Chris Mullins could have won this game from his couch. You tell Hunter the next time he shoots a 3 he sits the rest of the game. I mean it looked like they never had been coached before. Throwing passes over tall nova players with hopes we catch it? Nunge not even starting 2nd half? Pretty sure Nate didn't start 2nd half either. Why on Gods green earth wood you not play those guys to start the 2nd half? Maybe Nate did start but Nunge didn't. Terrible terrible terrible coaching all around .

I get your frustration as this seemed to replicate his teams in the past. I don’t think Steele is awful but I wonder if he will ever win us a game based on in game adjustments when guys aren’t knocking down 3s and the offense stalls. So far in his career, he hasn’t which has to change if we want to make it to a final four.

[American X]

Here come the bad threes. We have seen this before. Start out fantastic 6-6, so now they think that they cannot miss and we end up 6-25.

Well, only 6-23. Fuck me, right?

If this blowhard can see this coming from his couch, why can't the coaches and players?

[Xuperman]

Which coach would you rather have?

Good Captain Obvious post......Probably every fan base in the country would take the Nova guy in the fancy suit.


Outcoached!

Jay Wright tends to do that a lot.

[xuphan]

We lost this gave for one reason and that's our head coach. He is so awful it's disgusting. Chris Mullins could have won this game from his couch. You tell Hunter the next time he shoots a 3 he sits the rest of the game. I mean it looked like they never had been coached before. Throwing passes over tall nova players with hopes we catch it? Nunge not even starting 2nd half? Pretty sure Nate didn't start 2nd half either. Why on Gods green earth wood you not play those guys to start the 2nd half? Maybe Nate did start but Nunge didn't. Terrible terrible terrible coaching all around .

I get your frustration as this seemed to replicate his teams in the past. I don’t think Steele is awful but I wonder if he will ever win us a game based on in game adjustments when guys aren’t knocking down 3s and the offense stalls. So far in his career, he hasn’t which has to change if we want to make it to a final four.

[boozehound]

This was a really poor performance all around. Steele's lineups left something to be desired. Freemantle played Charmin soft and got punked. Scruggs was kind of a mess. Dwon was maybe the only bright spot.

This team doesn’t value the ball for shit, either. How many times did they turn the ball over on that shitty alley-oop feed? Why keep doing it?

[Xuperman]

Did OTR just try to start a "Memo to Steele" thread and it got nuked immediately? I think so. Too bad because it's always nice to be exposed to such positive energy after a tough loss.

[Backyard Champ]

Yeah I didn’t get that rainbow pass. Ball is in the air so long- Very difficult to grab the ball and go up with it without trouble

[xuphan]

Yeah I didn’t get that rainbow pass. Ball is in the air so long- Very difficult to grab the ball and go up with it without trouble

Anyone catch Steele’s post game interview? Wonder how he explains this second half mess.

[Caveat]

1. Villanova wasn’t going to lose 3 straight. Very much a bit of “wrong place, wrong time” for Xavier with this game. You play this back with them not backed into a corner for the first time in a while and maybe things go differently.

2. Travis Steele is out of excuses for continuing to lose big games against big opponents. At some point, he needs to start winning games against the top of the conference. This team is too deep / talented to look as bad as they did in the 2nd half tonight.

3. UConn feels like a bellwether game — is this an X team that overcomes losses and gets back to winning, or are we going to see another losing spiral and disappointing run of play from a Steele coached team?

[xuphan]

1. Villanova wasn’t going to lose 3 straight. Very much a bit of “wrong place, wrong time” for Xavier with this game. You play this back with them not backed into a corner for the first time in a while and maybe things go differently.

2. Travis Steele is out of excuses for continuing to lose big games against big opponents. At some point, he needs to start winning games against the top of the conference. This team is too deep / talented to look as bad as they did in the 2nd half tonight.

3. UConn feels like a bellwether game — is this an X team that overcomes losses and gets back to winning, or are we going to see another losing spiral and disappointing run of play from a Steele coached team?

I agree with everything but the first point. I thought Villanova were awful most of the game and were beatable by double digits. They just made adjustments and we didn’t.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Did OTR just try to start a "Memo to Steele" thread and it got nuked immediately? I think so. Too bad because it's always nice to be exposed to such positive energy after a tough loss.

A tough loss would be losing at the buzzer or having a chance to win. Our coach can't get us to that point because he doesn't have a clue. Nova is not good at all. And yet their coach found a way to win and ours found a way to lose. I hate being this negative but for anybody who keeps making excuses for this guy must have been handed participation trophies as a kid.

[xukeith]

Nova in good at home.

[Caveat]

I agree with everything but the first point. I thought Villanova were awful most of the game and were beatable by double digits. They just made adjustments and we didn’t.

They’re like 40-1 in games played in that building since 2013, and Jay Wright is still on the sidelines. There wasn’t a universe where they lose that game by double digits. Vegas had them as 5.5 favorites for a reason.

My biggest problem is that Xavier, under Steele, withers in these big moments. That has to stop yesterday.

[OTRMUSKIE]

They don't lose that's correct but that was with really good nova teams. This nova team isn't good, the crowd was not as loud I assume due to masks or just from winning too much. This was a game Xavier really needed to prove to the fan base They have turned the corner with Steele. Instead They lose by 13. Unacceptable but predictable. Still rooting for Steele, but this loss really sucks. The better team didn't win. But the better coach did.

[Lloyd Braun]

X -195 favorites now.

Found the jinx post of the night! Way to go, this ones on you! Only explanation….

[Lloyd Braun]

They don't lose that's correct but that was with really good nova teams. This nova team isn't good, the crowd was not as loud I assume due to masks or just from winning too much. This was a game Xavier really needed to prove to the fan base They have turned the corner with Steele. Instead They lose by 13. Unacceptable but predictable. Still rooting for Steele, but this loss really sucks. The better team didn't win. But the better coach did.

It’s winter break, and there was an Eagles game tonight. If there was ever a game to win there it wast his game. Oh well… Different story at Cintas hopefully

[MHettel]

really pathetic execution tonight.

This one was ours to win at halftime.

Sloppy with the ball early, then bad offensive executions with the stupid lob passes inside.

Got mugged.

Coaching is at fault. But the lack of composure by the players was astounding. Dumb, quick 3's by guys that aren't shooters.

if you want to win, then play like it. Does Colby Jones want to be in the NBA? He didnt show it tonight.

Scruggs? Best Supporting Actor? DUDE! You are the LEAD GUY!! What the hell did you do tonight? Turn it over and foul a three point shooter.

These guys need a shrink to understand their roles.

[X-band '01]

https://youtu.be/L9sras26ClE

And we thought things would never get back to normal.

[Xville]

What really worries me is that this team withered when it got hit in the mouth, which has been another staple of steeles teams over the years. I know it’s a cliche but toughness is not some thing a Xavier team has had in a long time, and I’m sick of it.

Free 29 minutes 6 points 3 rebounds
Nunge 23 minutes 6 points 1 rebound

That’s terrible, and I’m sick of free getting punked by good frontcourt players. You are a junior, how can you still be this weak?

[UCGRAD4X]

What really worries me is that this team withered when it got hit in the mouth, which has been another staple of steeles teams over the years. I know it’s a cliche but toughness is not some thing a Xavier team has had in a long time, and I’m sick of it.

Free 29 minutes 6 points 3 rebounds
Nunge 23 minutes 6 points 1 rebound


That’s terrible, and I’m sick of free getting punked by good frontcourt players. You are a junior, how can you still be this weak?


Free certainly has not lived up to his billing so far. He's had plenty of time to shake off the rust.

You are right, it seems as if it is just technique, focus and a lack of toughness. He's always seemed to have week hands too. I just don't see the fire. I hope we see it soon because his play is critical. He needs to take some heat off Jack and the guards so DHA can do his thing.

Let's Go ZFree!!!!

[UCGRAD4X]

I want to be clear, I'm not putting the blame on Zack. There is plenty to go around.

Part of it, maybe a whole lot, was just shots not falling and damn stupid assinine turnovers. (I spelled it with an extra 's' on purposse.)

The more disciplined, better coached team won last night. We've got to be that team if we are going to supplant the V. I thought this was the time and the place.

What a disapointment...to say the least.

Opportunity missed - and, as you said, an unfortunate deficiency.

[IM4X]

First, I’d like to thank my son for begging me to take him to the new Spider-Man movie last night which resulted in me missing the last bucket (by Nova) in the 1st half and the entire 2nd half of the game. He spared me from what appears to have been a half of absolute misery for any X fan.

So apparently the team started struggling and the brilliant strategy by Steele was to fall back on his old ways of “Anyone of you guys with an open look from three has my blessing to just chuck it up because one of them is bound to go in. It doesn’t even matter if you are a good three point shooter.”

It was embarrassing to watch Zach unable (or unwilling) to stop anyone from scoring on him. Free, Scruggs and Jones were either sick or didn’t get enough sleep the night before. Those three and Hunter looked unacceptably bad. When you have an off night shooting, you got to make it up by playing extra hard and making smart designs. Heck even Miles, who is supposed to be a very good defender, got schooled. If Scruggs is really the heart of the team as Steele likes to proclaim, then last night the team went into heart failure… and Dr. Steele did not preform the right procedure to properly resuscitate him and the rest of the team.

An interesting observation: X hit almost all of their 3s in the first half and missed all but 1 in the 2nd half. Villanova missed almost all of their 3s in the first half and made a high % of their 3s in the 2nd half. So on one hoop both teams shot well from 3 and on the other hoop both teams really struggled to make any 3s. Is it possible one hoop is the proper height and one is a few inches off?

[UCGRAD4X]

Most of the shots were not really even close. You might be onto something. Travis should have pulled a Gene Hackman.

[Xuperman]

We suck

You got some UK fan in you GO. I am surrounded by them here and that's what they tend to say after a loss, regardless of opponent or venue.

Nice touch to post it twice for emphasis btw.

[hoopster68]

If last night is any indication, our Muskies are soft. Opposing BE coaches know this and will exploit this weakness. While I'm generally a "glass half-filled" guy, the second half last night cooled my optimism. Middle of the BE here we come!

[IM4X]

Most of the shots were not really even close. You might be onto something. Travis should have pulled a Gene Hackman.

Ha. Yes, except the line becomes “I think you’ll find this hoop is a few inches off from the hoop on the other side.”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iE9CEAzLPKg

[drudy23]

I get your frustration as this seemed to replicate his teams in the past. I don’t think Steele is awful but I wonder if he will ever win us a game based on in game adjustments when guys aren’t knocking down 3s and the offense stalls. So far in his career, he hasn’t which has to change if we want to make it to a final four.

This right here is the basis of the frustration - yeah we lost at Villanova, not a huge deal.

But this theme, especially in Big East play, has played out for 3 seasons. We've seen a consistent theme of Big East coaches exposing our weaknesses with little answers. We saw that again last night. There are some VERY good coaches in this league that have flat out owned Steele. That's the concern.

We have yet to see a consistent evolution of improvement from Steele's teams to date over the course of a Big East season. None of his teams have played their best ball as the season progresses - it's been the opposite.

As I've mentioned before, the true colors of this team will happen in Big East play. This is where we find out if we are truly contenders or pretenders. Hopeful this is just a bump in the road.

[bleedXblue]

This right here is the basis of the frustration - yeah we lost at Villanova, not a huge deal.

But this theme, especially in Big East play, has played out for 3 seasons. We've seen a consistent theme of Big East coaches exposing our weaknesses with little answers. We saw that again last night. There are some VERY good coaches in this league that have flat out owned Steele. That's the concern.

We have yet to see a consistent evolution of improvement from Steele's teams to date over the course of a Big East season. None of his teams have played their best ball as the season progresses - it's been the opposite.

As I've mentioned before, the true colors of this team will happen in Big East play. This is where we find out if we are truly contenders or pretenders. Hopeful this is just a bump in the road.

When Steele's teams play well, they play well and when they struggle, he seems to have very little ability to right the ship and correct . Don't know why or how that is. Good preparation, game planning, recruiting etc are all hallmarks of a strong program and coaching staff. What makes them elite is having a guy that can make the adjustments. This is Steele's glaring weakness. Hope he can clear that final hurdle........

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Vegas had them as 5.5 favorites for a reason. My biggest problem is that Xavier, under Steele, withers in these big moments. That has to stop yesterday.

Exactly. The opportunity here, for X, is to use this awful performance to grow up and play to the potential of their talent. Not one single starter stepped up in the second half. Not one.

I think we will get a window into the character of this team and coach when UCONN comes to town and after. We saw what happened last year after a strong non-conference start---the team melted like hot butter on a car hood in August. We got to blame the Covid stops and starts, and I'm still inclined to believe that. I don't believe (and I hope) that Covid will not influence this season. If life goes on as it should, we're going to learn a great deal about this team.

[94GRAD]

Here come the bad threes. We have seen this before. Start out fantastic 6-6, so now they think that they cannot miss and we end up 6-25.

6-23, WAY off!

[GIMMFD]

Exactly. The opportunity here, for X, is to use this awful performance to grow up and play to the potential of their talent. Not one single starter stepped up in the second half. Not one.

I think we will get a window into the character of this team and coach when UCONN comes to town and after. We saw what happened last year after a strong non-conference start---the team melted like hot butter on a car hood in August. We got to blame the Covid stops and starts, and I'm still inclined to believe that. I don't believe (and I hope) that Covid will not influence this season. If life goes on as it should, we're going to learn a great deal about this team.

Yup, I agree here. Basically will be like the Virginia Tech game where we will see how they respond, let's see if they can carve out a win. Last night was just frustrating, went from feeling great at the half, to "what the hell just happened" really fast. Nova started hitting shots, we played a little panicky, kept trying to go to the bread and butter lob into Nunge, and then once we were down 5-6, everybody decided to start jacking up threes. There was zero composure in that pressure situation last night, and we had Nova on the ropes after the first half. Just had a sick feeling that they were going to shoot lights out in the second half, and that came to be true.

[American X]

Here come the bad threes. We have seen this before. Start out fantastic 6-6, so now they think that they cannot miss and we end up 6-25.


Well, only 6-23. Fuck me, right?

If this blowhard can see this coming from his couch, why can't the coaches and players?


6-23, WAY off!

More like they were way off.

The Hunter three was criminal. He is by far the worst shooter on the floor and he jacks it with a defender right on him and plenty of time on the clock.

Generally, Nunge taking a wide-open three is fine, but he was obviously gassed so he should have not even tried that airball.

The last Scruggs attempt was an inflated round ball of indifference about winning or not.

[GoMuskies]

Hunter is now 0-15 on the season on three point attempts against major conference opponents (may be generous in including UC in this category).

[94GRAD]

Hunter is now 0-15 on the season on three point attempts against major conference opponents (may be generous in including UC in this category).

So you're saying the due factor is large?

[D-West & PO-Z]

I just don’t see how this team or any team under Steele is going to get to a final four with how inconsistent and turnover prone his teams are.

Final 4? Let's just work on getting to the tournament.

[Blue Blooded-05]

This is seriously what it must have felt like to be a Dayton fan vs Xavier.

Forget the curse of Jimmy Carter. This is the curse of... I don’t know... Adam?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Chris Mullins

This is totally unrelated and not important at all, but have you ever noticed how people in Cincinnati love to add an s to things that don't have an s?

Mullins, Krogers, Meijers, etc.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Man, Scruggs and Free were awful last night, Colby was nowhere to be found. What a gut punch after an 8 point halftime lead.

Anyone who ever thinks Steele will outcoach Jay Wright is in for a rude awakening. When we play Nova we need the players to show up and show out. They weren't up to the task last night.

Anyway, we beat Uconn Tuesday and all is good. We HAVE to win our home BE games, as road wins are going to be so tough to come by in this league. Lose to Uconn and things are going to start looking dicey and awfully familiar.

I have faith we take care of business Tuesday!

[94GRAD]

This is totally unrelated and not important at all, but have you ever noticed how people in Cincinnati love to add an s to things that don't have an s?

Mullins, Krogers, Meijers, etc.

Is he talking about every bad coach and calling them Chris Mullins?

[drudy23]

Final 4? Let's just work on getting to the tournament.

This.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Is he talking about every bad coach and calling them Chris Mullins?

Ha, all the bad coaches in basketball are just now know as the Chris Mullins'.

[markchal]

Jones has been a nonfactor these first two BE games. Quite the 180 from some talking like he might leave after this season.

[noteggs]

Was encouraged with first half play for the most part. But the second half just sucked minus some of Odom’s play. Game reminded of the last game Villanova played when they were down 56-54 with 8 1/2 minutes left, but missed their last 12 shots from the field and were outscored 23-5 to end the game.

Obviously different outcome for Nova, but shit like this happens to good teams throughout the season. Just blows when it happens to us on a game I thought we could win.

Yes I know…but what about the last three years? I get it, just trying to focus on this year.

[Masterofreality]

4:00 mins to go 57-55 after Dwon steal & basket
-Nova 2 frees after foul on Nate 59-55
- in and out from Dwon drive
- Moore drive vs Scruggs 61-55
- Scruggs drive rejected by Daniels
- Dixon score after Scruggs beaten & Free couldn’t intimidate. 63-55 2:06
- Freemantle settles for a long 3. 1:50
- Moore drives right by Freemantle 65-55 1:31. TO. Xavier
- Nunge back in for Free
- Kunkle in for Dwon
- Johnson missed 3
- Johnson missed 3
- Kunkle drives & scores 2. 56.2 65-57

Nunge and Dwon should have never been off the court, but Nunge was out at the under 4 for Free and Dwon was taken out. That is not having a feel for the game lineups needed. Plus, too much lazy settling rather than attacking- other than Dwon & Kunk.

[Xville]

I hate to say this because I love Scruggs and am so glad for how he has represented the university, but he doesn’t have a killer (we are not going to lose get on my back) instinct. I think we all keep waiting for him to suddenly get one but it just doesn’t seem to happen.

[xavbball]

We bounced back after the Iowa State loss and hopefully we do the same after this loss. I’m one of those people who's tired of seeing the same mistakes for the last three seasons. That said, some blame has to go on the players last night. The second half was just awful. I had this game as a loss at the beginning of the season, regardless of how good this team ended up being. We just can’t beat Nova at their place. The game against UConn will tell us a lot.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I hate to say this because I love Scruggs and am so glad for how he has represented the university, but he doesn’t have a killer (we are not going to lose get on my back) instinct. I think we all keep waiting for him to suddenly get one but it just doesn’t seem to happen.

He doesnt have it consistently but to be fair her did have it during the OSU game and won us the game.

[Xville]

He doesnt have it consistently but to be fair her did have it during the OSU game and won us the game.

You’re right. How soon I forget the good stuff :) .

[xudash]

He doesnt have it consistently but to be fair her did have it during the OSU game and won us the game.

They all had it while they were heaving their guts out during a gut check win versus Virginia Tech.

They crapped the bed last night in the second half, and most of that was on the players, not on Travis. Sometimes it happens.

For me, it is now all about how we respond against UConn at home next Tuesday. We win in a solid fashion, then onward we go. If not, then I’ll admit we have problems.

Crazy stuff. Nova doesn’t lose in that building - virtually at all.

[XUBison]

4:00 mins to go 57-55 after Dwon steal & basket
-Nova 2 frees after foul on Nate 59-55
- in and out from Dwon drive
- Moore drive vs Scruggs 61-55
- Scruggs drive rejected by Daniels
- Dixon score after Scruggs beaten & Free couldn’t intimidate. 63-55 2:06
- Freemantle settles for a long 3. 1:50
- Moore drives right by Freemantle 65-55 1:31. TO. Xavier
- Nunge back in for Free
- Kunkle in for Dwon
- Johnson missed 3
- Johnson missed 3
- Kunkle drives & scores 2. 56.2 65-57

Nunge and Dwon should have never been off the court, but Nunge was out at the under 4 for Free and Dwon was taken out. That is not having a feel for the game lineups needed. Plus, too much lazy settling rather than attacking- other than Dwon & Kunk.

So, anyone still wondering why Free wasn’t playing the last 7 minutes against Marquette?

[bleedXblue]

So, anyone still wondering why Free wasn’t playing the last 7 minutes against Marquette?

He's not even an average defender. If he was scoring in bunches right now, you could justify playing him more.

[D-West & PO-Z]

So, anyone still wondering why Free wasn’t playing the last 7 minutes against Marquette?

Yes, since he was replaced by Hunter and we proceeded to give up a lot of points and score very little in that stretch.

Free is bad defensively but he typically has enough offensively to make him a net positive. Last night he didn't.

But again, yesterday when Hunter was in for huge stretches in the second half, we still didn't shut down Nova and and we couldn't score at all. Hunter took another miserable shot at a crucial time.

I think our best overall two way lineup is:

Dwon
Scruggs
Johnson
Colby
Nunge

I get that makes us small but I think it is our best defensive/offensive two way lineup.

[drudy23]

He's not even an average defender. If he was scoring in bunches right now, you could justify playing him more.

This is very true. His defensive deficiencies have always been somewhat overlooked because he could give you a double-double most nights.

[markchal]

I also assumed some of his defensive problems last year stemmed from the fact that we couldnt afford to have him in foul trouble. We were so dang thin up front that losing him for stretches would completely remove the inside threat.

With how good Nunge has played this year, and with Hunter being productive enough, I thought we'd see Free dig in a little harder on D. Instead, it's been a clear and consistent problem. We can hide it with the zone for some minutes, but not all of them

[Xville]

This is very true. His defensive deficiencies have always been somewhat overlooked because he could give you a double-double most nights.

Which makes me question Steele yet again because it seems there are different rules for differebt players on the roster. Is defense important or not, or is it just important to one’s who are not his guys? Free is probably the worst defender on the team outside of maybe the walk ons. And I’m sorry I like free but I’m tired of him playing like such a pussy.

[drudy23]

Which makes me question Steele yet again because it seems there are different rules for differebt players on the roster. Is defense important or not, or is it just important to one’s who are not his guys? Free is probably the worst defender on the team outside of maybe the walk ons. And I’m sorry I like free but I’m tired of him playing like such a pussy.

Can't argue with that.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Which makes me question Steele yet again because it seems there are different rules for differebt players on the roster. Is defense important or not, or is it just important to one’s who are not his guys? Free is probably the worst defender on the team outside of maybe the walk ons. And I’m sorry I like free but I’m tired of him playing like such a pussy.

Well I think Steele has held him accountable with playing time the last two games, no? Or are you referencing last year? Last year he gave you so much offensively you couldnt keep him out. No one else on the team was like that.

[Xville]

Well I think Steele has held him accountable with playing time the last two games, no? Or are you referencing last year? Last year he gave you so much offensively you couldnt keep him out. No one else on the team was like that.

He played the most minutes last game and still got 27 I believe against Marquette. Regardless, and yeah I know I’m going back to the well here so forgive me but all we heard last year about kyky is how he wasn’t playing because of his defense even though last year we desperately needed offense and shooters especially once Johnson got hurt. Seems that there are certain rules for certain players.

My other point is that I want free to start manning up…he’s a junior and .he looks like he has the same frame as he did as a freshman and still plays like it too. When is he going to start fighting thru contact, rebound with some authority and just overall be a grittier player? That is needed in this conference.

[D-West & PO-Z]

He played the most minutes last game and still got 27 I believe against Marquette. Regardless, and yeah I know I’m going back to the well here so forgive me but all we heard last year about kyky is how he wasn’t playing because of his defense even though last year we desperately needed offense and shooters especially once Johnson got hurt. Seems that there are certain rules for certain players.

My other point is that I want free to start manning up…he’s a junior and .he looks like he has the same frame as he did as a freshman and still plays like it too. When is he going to start fighting thru contact, rebound with some authority and just overall be a grittier player? That is needed in this conference.

I didn't realize he lead the team in mins Tuesday. That is surprising, thanks for pointing it out.

I totally agree about Freemantle manning up. Hopefully he figures it out.

[Xville]

I didn't realize he lead the team in mins Tuesday. That is surprising, thanks for pointing it out.

I totally agree about Freemantle manning up. Hopefully he figures it out.

Agreed this team needs it desperately in conference. There are just too many good frontcourt guys and that is still a concern with this team. We need a Farr/reynolds type in the worst way.

[Lloyd Braun]

Free will never be a good defender. He lacks lateral quickness due to clunky feet on defense. I hold the opinion he overperformed due to roster imperfections and opportunity. He is very good at basketball but he should be a 14/8 guy not a 18/10 guy. Hope nobody gets Butt hurt from this. Or quotes it when he goes for 22/12 in a losing effort.

[Xville]

Free will never be a good defender. He lacks lateral quickness due to clunky feet on defense. I hold the opinion he overperformed due to roster imperfections and opportunity. He is very good at basketball but he should be a 14/8 guy not a 18/10 guy. Hope nobody gets Butt hurt from this. Or quotes it when he goes for 22/12 in a losing effort.

I agree with a lot of this. I’m probably wishing for something from him that’s just never going to happen because it isn’t who he is. I think If there is anything missing from this roster, it is still someone in the frontcourt that intimidates the other team a bit. Steele mentioned that last year the team was missing that strength on the inside, I think the team is still missing it at the big East level. Nunge is a good player and hunter is fine if he isn’t shooting threes, but this team still lacks beef and toughness in the frontcourt

[Lloyd Braun]

He’s our best chance at authority in the lane and he is not that guy. Others shouldn’t get a free pass because of this. Nunge can assert himself and I’ve seen it.

[Xville]

He’s our best chance at authority in the lane and he is not that guy. Others shouldn’t get a free pass because of this. Nunge can assert himself and I’ve seen it.

Hope you are right and that nunge can do it in big East play. I don’t think the team can be successful in conference against the upper tier without it. This week in between games thing especially after a loss sucks. Very interested to see how they respond against UConn. Hopefully that 2nd half was just a blip.

[UCGRAD4X]

I don't think we've seen enough from Miles against the BE opponents so far. His (eventual) emergence could be critical in addressing this problem.

[XUBison]

I don't think we've seen enough from Miles against the BE opponents so far. His (eventual) emergence could be critical in addressing this problem.

Eventual?

[UCGRAD4X]

Eventual?

Ready to see him fulfill the predictions and accolades heaped upon him by his coach.