Game Thread: Xavier v Creighton University (1/15/2022)

[paulxu]

https://live.staticflickr.com/4074/4819000479_2020c62eb9_n.jpgVS.http://roundballdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Billy_Bluejay_logo.gif


THE MATCHUP

No. 17/21 XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (12-3, 2-2 BIG EAST)
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY BLUEJAYS (10-4, 2-1 BIG EAST)
SATURDAY, JAN. 15, 2022 AT NOON ET
CINTAS CENTER (10,224) IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV. RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FOX national, including FOX 19 in Cincinnati, with play-by-play from Aaron Goldsmith and analysis from Donny Marshall. FOX 19 will host a post-game show.
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 (138), XM (201) and the SXM App. (964).
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://statbroadcast.com/) and fan stats at GoXavier.com. (https://goxavier.com/)

[Nigel Tufnel]

X -9.5. Seems high to me. Good sign for X. I’d imagine the squares will be hammering Creighton and the points.

[GIMMFD]

Screw that, taking X -9.5, we win by 10 again here boys.

[Xuperman]

If there is anything close to a soft portion of a BEast schedule, it starts today. The next 7 are critical in having the necessary momentum and confidence heading into that brutal stretch in Feb/March.

If the Jays steal one today, getting to 10 conference wins become extremely difficult.

[drudy23]

Due for an efficient and productive game - X by 18

Free finally wakes up - maybe

[xuphan]

Due for an efficient and productive game - X by 18

Free finally wakes up - maybe

Let Nunge start and take control of this game early Steele.

[American X]

While Creighton is a worthy adversary, I am expecting a mostly stress-free victory.

[INSERT PLAYER NAME HERE] goes off for a big game.

In support of the team, I am personally challenging myself to drink as much beer as Greg McDermott.

[kellernr]

Is Master P's kid really part of the roster now?

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[American X]

Is Freemantle or Hunter going to guard Kalkbrenner? Will Steele ever double team him?

[drudy23]

Is Master P's kid really part of the roster now?

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Wait, what?

[kellernr]

Wait, what?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220115/85f95f46d6179f9dcf9d68ef9f4b4cb6.jpg

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[Smooth]

I predict that the city will celebrate this big Xavier win with massive post-game tailgating.

[drudy23]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220115/85f95f46d6179f9dcf9d68ef9f4b4cb6.jpg

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I was convinced this was an inside joke. Zero chance I thought this was real.

Make Em Say Uuuuuuh!!

[drudy23]

12:06 let's get this thing going.

[Xville]

Can someone please explain to me why free continues to get a pass from Steele no matter how poorly he plays?

[drudy23]

Can someone please explain to me why free continues to get a pass from Steele no matter how poorly he plays?

Jason Carter syndrome.

[Xville]

Great start on o!

[Xville]

Great help d free just let the guy go ahead and walk the lane and dunk while you stare at him

[drudy23]

Free has already given up 6 points.

[xuphan]

Can someone please explain to me why free continues to get a pass from Steele no matter how poorly he plays?

Yes I can. Steele has players who earn their minutes in practice. Free obviously earns his minutes in practice just like Jason Carter did last year.

[Xville]

Ok that’s fucking it..get free mantle out of the effing game…wake the hell up Steele, this ain’t last year he’s absolute garbage right now

[Xville]

Yes I can. Steele has players who earn their minutes in practice. Free obviously earns his minutes in practice just like Jason Carter did last year.

Steele loves his unathletic white guys.

[SkyWalker]

Where is the HELP defense? Didn't see it against Nova and haven't seen it yet today.

[whopper]

We can take a foul at times rather than a layup

[kellernr]

Steele really needs to get an actual PG on the roster soon.

Scruggs has the worst shot selection and constantly gets his shit blocked. Both of his awful shots resulted in quick run outs for CU.

Jones thinks he is a PG but never has any idea what he's doing when driving the ball.

Freemantle looks lost as hell still.


Bring in Odom and Nunge and sit Scruggs and Free

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[drudy23]

I hate our offensive philosophy.

[Xville]

Steele really needs to get an actual PG on the roster soon.

Scruggs has the worst shot selection and constantly gets his shit blocked. Both of his awful shots resulted in quick run outs for CU.

Jones thinks he is a PG but never has any idea what he's doing when driving the ball.


Freemantle looks lost as hell still.

Steele has one, he just doesn’t seem to use him a ton.

Bring in Odom and Nunge and sit Scruggs and Free

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There is a really good point guard already on the roster

I’m tired of how weak we look at times it’s frustrating as hell. Some of our guys need to grow some damn balls

[xuphan]

Steele really needs to get an actual PG on the roster soon.

Scruggs has the worst shot selection and constantly gets his shit blocked. Both of his awful shots resulted in quick run outs for CU.

Jones thinks he is a PG but never has any idea what he's doing when driving the ball.

Freemantle looks lost as hell still.


Bring in Odom and Nunge and sit Scruggs and Free

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Isn’t Odom a pure point guard? We seem to be struggling to get any point guards in this years class. We might have to look into the portal this spring/summer.

[bjf123]

Kid just made a half court shot to win a $500 gift card. Sign him up!


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[Xville]

Does Steele ever light our guys up? Every huddle it’s the same nice shit. Not saying you have to go Bobby knight on them but geezus.

[xavierj]

Creighton on pace for 22 blocks

[Lloyd Braun]

This game clearly will come down to which team’s big white stiffs can make the most plays

[xuphan]

This game clearly will come down to which team’s big white stiffs can make the most plays

I hope not.

[bjf123]

This game clearly will come down to which team’s big white stiffs can make the most plays

That’s doesn’t bode well for us. Ours keep missing point blank shots.


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[Xville]

This all looks extremely familiar…same team in conference play as the last 3 years. Great one minute, lackadaisical and mediocre the next.

I think we can all look forward to a 10-10 record in conference. Gets us in the tourney but doesn’t inspire a whole lot of excitement for the Steele tenure in year 4 with a roster that should have better results.

[whopper]

My heart goes out to Zach..I can see the desire and effort (today) but it has not paid off yet..glad he did not take the 3. Thankfully Creighton making some turnovers but damn this is frustrating. That Odom play was beyond frustrating but we can't lose the team with negativity. Maybe we overrated some of our early wins (V Tech and Ok State) but lets hope and stay postive X team and fans. Man we needed thoe last 2 plays

[D-West & PO-Z]

Missing layups....a Xavier tradition.

[noteggs]

Defense finally showed up

[XUBANDGRAD]

Jerome hunter literally adds less than nothing to this team.

[whopper]

I am not sure that Creighton does not have more points off turnovers than we do

[XUBANDGRAD]

I’m going to keep talking shit about hunter.

[Strange Brew]

Jerome hunter literally adds less than nothing to this team.

This aged....poorly.

[Strange Brew]

Defense good. Everything else...poop.

Win or pack your crap Travis.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Creighton turns it over what 14 times, and they are up by 5? Ouch. That is tough to do, but we out awfuled them.

[bjf123]

I am not sure that Creighton does not have more points off turnovers than we do

We have 9 to their 7. The killer is they have 20 rebounds to our 10. That and they’re 60 % from the floor vs. our 37%. Fugly.


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[kellernr]

5 pts from Scruggs, Jones and Johnson.

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[Xville]

That was yet another uninspired half.

Creighton had what 13-14 turnovers and is still winning, that’s impressive.

I just don’t think I agree with a lot of Steele’s philosophy and how he views the game.

Will probably come back and win this one, but I don’t know how anyone can watch this happen in year 4 and be excited and confident in what Steele is doing here.

[xuphan]

Defense finally showed up

Bout time. These poor starts are getting old.

[X Factor]

Hunter with the big 0 bball IQ play to end the half as he launches a three instead of letting X get the last shot. Instead, Creighton gets a bucket and goes into the half up 5.

Starting to wonder if Scruggs coming back for another year was the right call

[drudy23]

I smell a board meltdown if we don't pull this one out.

[CP05XU08CU13]

Hard to watch how sloppy and poorly Xavier plays. An undisciplined team is a direct reflection of the coach. They seem to be getting worse as the season progresses.

[Masterofreality]

Remember when a couple of years ago I was lobbying for Xavier to go after Alex O’Connell (who’s family went to Xavier) and was told by some on this board that “O’Connell sucks”- even though he played at Duke?
Good times.

[bjf123]

I smell a board meltdown if we don't pull this one out.

Ya think? The Fire Steele chorus will be bouncing off the walls.


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[Masterofreality]

Look. So simple. Lineup: Nunge, ok Free at the 4, Nate, Colby, Scruggs. Kunk in for Nate, Odom in for Scruggs. Hunter eeh in for Free. Alternate sub in for Colby. Give Miles some minutes for Nunge.

Why can't a Head Coach see that?

13 opp turnovers, and Xavier trails by 5. Yikes

[Xville]

Remember when a couple of years ago I was lobbying for Xavier to go after Alex O’Connell (who’s family went to Xavier) and was told by some on this board that “O’Connell sucks”- even though he played at Duke?
Good times.

I think it’s become apparent it doesn’t matter who is on the roster.

[whopper]

there have not been many defensive rebounding opportunities with them shooting 60% from 2 and 44% from 3. I don't know how we can say defense good (except for turnovers and we only had 2 more points off turnovers than they did). Man we need a good half. I would say some of those block were almost like turnovers. Lets go and say a prayer

[RoseyMuskie]

Hunter with the big 0 bball IQ play to end the half as he launches a three instead of letting X get the last shot. Instead, Creighton gets a bucket and goes into the half up 5.

Starting to wonder if Scruggs coming back for another year was the right call

I wonder if Hunter was going for the two for one. In which case it was a bit too late for that strategy, but I also appreciate the thought.

[xuphan]

Hunter with the big 0 bball IQ play to end the half as he launches a three instead of letting X get the last shot. Instead, Creighton gets a bucket and goes into the half up 5.

Starting to wonder if Scruggs coming back for another year was the right call

These plays seem to happen quite a bit. Hard to tell if you blame the players or the coach. Have faith that Steele will get this turned around at halftime.

[paulxu]

Generally when your opponent shoots 60%, and you shoot 37%...you be trailing.

[drudy23]

That's our play coming out of halftime - WTF MAN!!!!!!

Our coach is not good.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Scruggs defense is awful.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Hunter with the big 0 bball IQ play to end the half as he launches a three instead of letting X get the last shot. Instead, Creighton gets a bucket and goes into the half up 5.

Starting to wonder if Scruggs coming back for another year was the right call

It was a dumb quick shot but we would not have got the last shot.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I smell a board meltdown if we don't pull this one out.

HA, big time!

[D-West & PO-Z]

I wonder if Hunter was going for the two for one. In which case it was a bit too late for that strategy, but I also appreciate the thought.

That was my initial thought as well but it was def too late to do that. However, more college teams should do it.

[Masterofreality]

The fact that Steele rewards Hunter with a second half start after abject stupidity tells you all you need to know about his lineup discipline.

[xuphan]

The fact that Steele rewards Hunter with a second half start after abject stupidity tells you all you need to know about his lineup discipline.

We need to go on one of the classic Xavier runs this second half.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The fact that Steele rewards Hunter with a second half start after abject stupidity tells you all you need to know about his lineup discipline.

To be fair he has probably been our best offense today.

[GIMMFD]

Scruggs trying to take over, but having some moments of playing out of control/too quick. This game has been pretty ugly so far, we should be blowing them out of the water, how the hell did Nova lose by 20 to them??

[drudy23]

Scruggs trying to take over, but having some moments of playing out of control/too quick. This game has been pretty ugly so far, we should be blowing them out of the water, how the hell did Nova lose by 20 to them??

They also beat them by 30+

[D-West & PO-Z]

Donny Marshall for the millionth time calling Steele the best under basket out of bound play caller.

[xuphan]

Scruggs trying to take over, but having some moments of playing out of control/too quick. This game has been pretty ugly so far, we should be blowing them out of the water, how the hell did Nova lose by 20 to them??

Free gotta make that free throw.

[drudy23]

Can we not get Nate Johnson some shots?

[D-West & PO-Z]

My audio and video are off now...did that happen to anyone else?

[drudy23]

Dwon and Hunter in at the same time - here comes a scoring drought.

EDIT: He took Hunter out.

[kellernr]

Xavier continues to have the softest bigs the big east.

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[bjf123]

This is the Nova game again. We can’t make point blank shots and every time we get close, they stop us and score on the other end.


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[kellernr]

Can we not get Nate Johnson some shots?He needs to leave the corner of the court. Every possession he runs down to the corner and stands there.

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[Xville]

Xavier continues to have the softest bigs the big east.

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Soft coach = soft players

[GIMMFD]

They also beat them by 30+

I know that, but man Nova must have played terribly to lose by 20 the first time, because we look anemic and are still within striking distance. Need to make some buckets, and cut out the stupid decisions.

[whopper]

i just need to stay positive..these games are taking over my life and it is not healthy

[drudy23]

He needs to leave the corner of the court. Every possession he runs down to the corner and stands there.

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That's because that's our offense. He's one of the best shooters in the country and we never run any action specifically to get him a good look.

[Masterofreality]

To be fair he has probably been our best offense today.

Nah. Two jacked 3’s don’t dictate an “offense”

[bourbonman]

Xavier continues to have the softest bigs the big east.

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Yep.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Here we go! C'mon X, keep playing good D and get some layups to fall!

[GIMMFD]

Nice to see Colby get it going a bit after having a rough stretch of games, love watching him play when he's on.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Nah. Two jacked 3’s don’t dictate an “offense”

He was the leading scorer. I'll take 2 made jacked 3's and 10 points all day over players who miss layups every time down the floor. The goal is to win the game MOR.

Hunter frustrates me immensely at some points but he was the least of our problems in the first half. No reason to bench him.

[Strange Brew]

I changed shirts at the last timeout. I take full responsibility for wearing the wrong shirt....

[noteggs]

Here we go! C'mon X, keep playing good D and get some layups to fall!

Layups or shots in general

Let’s go!

[xuphan]

That's because that's our offense. He's one of the best shooters in the country and we never run any action specifically to get him a good look.

Yes Colby! Take the lead and don’t look back boys!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Layups or shots in general

Let’s go!

Hey now, I'm not getting to greedy, I will start with getting layups to fall.

[noteggs]

I changed shirts at the last timeout. I take full responsibility for wearing the wrong shirt....

Hate when that happens! I had to change chairs

[drudy23]

Gettin after it on the glass.

[Xville]

Colby and the rest of the team needs to realize he is the best player on the team even without a consistent outside shot.

[D-West & PO-Z]

4/11 from the FT line. Ugh

[noteggs]

Hey now, I'm not getting to greedy, I will start with getting layups to fall.

Good point

[xuphan]

Colby and the rest of the team needs to realize he is the best player on the team even without a consistent outside shot.

Colby needs to make free throws.

[D-West & PO-Z]

We are in the bonus. That might not be a good thing.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Our guards need to get tougher and start using forearm shivers when driving to the lane.....it is clearly allowed on a nightly basis in the BE. We should start participating.

[Xville]

He really needs to learn to go up stronger, but it is good to see free with 9 boards. In order to have any chance against the UConn, providence, seton hall teams, absolutely going to have to have that kind of production from him.

[GIMMFD]

Getting some momentum here, let's hope we close out strong. I like the plan in the second half, not really taking a bunch of stupid threes, and trying to get to the rim.

[D-West & PO-Z]

We are in the bonus. That might not be a good thing.

6 for our last 6 FTs. So far so good.

[xuphan]

Good point

Yes Travis! Much better in the second half.

[drudy23]

This feels better

[Strange Brew]

I blame my other shirt.

[GIMMFD]

Let's finish them off and cover -9.5 please.

[Lloyd Braun]

Let's finish them off and cover -9.5 please.

+1. Over 139.5 would be a bonus

[Xville]

Good to see the production from the bigs all in all..glad to see them take advantage

[D-West & PO-Z]

What a dumb foul Odom!

[Xville]

Kunkel with some early onions hopefully

[GIMMFD]

Of course O'Connell knocks one down after Kunk hits that lol.

[IM4X]

Not loving Nunge trying to dribble through traffic.

Let’s stick to our strengths guys.

[drudy23]

We survived, crisis averted - get the next two on the road and we're lookin good.

[xuphan]

Not loving Nunge trying to dribble through traffic.

Let’s stick to our strengths guys.

Good win for Travis and co. Still think players are free styling out there without much discipline but a win is a win. Take us back to where we belong Travis!

[Xville]

We survived, crisis averted - get the next two on the road and we're lookin good.

Glad to get the win…don’t see this team winning two consecutive games on the road.

[whopper]

not over yet damn it.. 3 3s in a row by Creighton

[drudy23]

Glad to get the win…don’t see this team winning two consecutive games on the road.

I can understand that, but damn it would be nice to get some breathing room over .500 for once.

[Lloyd Braun]

Easy on the “good win” posts with time on the clock. I’m damaged goods

[drudy23]

I'll take the hit if we blow it.

[HenryMuto]

Xavier with a must needed win today.

[Strange Brew]

Nice to see Free get a double double after a tough start today.

[GIMMFD]

No cover sadly, those threes from Creighton at the end made it much closer than it should have been, but we get the win at home and that's all that matters. Ugly, but a win's a win.

[IM4X]

Not a good start.
Some good. Some not so good.
Thought Creighton wasn’t supposed to be good with 3s this year - what a finish for them.
Looking like Zach may be back. Stay focused and determined young man.

[Masterofreality]

Glad Steele finally figured out the correct Lineup.

[whopper]

nobody mentioned but for 5 min Dwon was almost in a box and 1 on Nemhard, denied him the ball and they had a lot of turnovers during that stretch. What a balanced attack and while we love Nate for his 3 and D he can get passive and Kunkel is mentally more equipped to make things happen.

[paulxu]

I'm happy for Free, but that last dunk cost me a perfect score in the pick 'em.
Also happy we won!
Agree with MOR, lineup of Nunge and Free is a good thing.

[Strange Brew]

Glad Steele finally figured out the correct Lineup.

Ha! He's allowed to coach against DePaul now. :)

[XUGRAD80]

Glad Steele finally figured out the correct Lineup.

Agree. Now he needs to PLAY IT more!

[GreatWhiteNorth]

X with only 9 turnovers is impressive, and only 12 fouls is also good. 6 players in double figures. The first half gave me some anxious moments, but a strong second half brought home the WIN. Congratulations!

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I smell a board meltdown if we don't pull this one out.

Damn. It was close wasn't it?

[noteggs]

Glad Steele finally figured out the correct Lineup.

Yea also liked the Odom and Kunkel rotation of the back and forth defense for offense strategy.

[UCGRAD4X]

Really liked Odom's after a slow start. Only one point on offense.

[xudash]

not over yet damn it.. 3 3s in a row by Creighton

I just kept shaking my head. The fat lady kept wanting to sing, but she had to hold on for extra seconds.

At least we shook off the free throw fog in the second half to secure the win along with great defense.

[GoMuskies]

Well......it was a win.

[D-West & PO-Z]

X with only 9 turnovers is impressive, and only 12 fouls is also good. 6 players in double figures. The first half gave me some anxious moments, but a strong second half brought home the WIN. Congratulations!

Yeah those are some good numbers. Forced (maybe some not so forced) 21 turnovers, again made more FT's than the other team attempted which is always a great stat for us.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I was as frustrated as anyone watching the first half but I will say this...We all say constantly that there is no easy game in this league, it is tough from top to bottom most years, well I thin struggling initially we see exactly that. We get the win though and looked pretty good through a good stretch there in the second half. I wont be mad at any win.

That being said you have to win these home games. We should defend our home court the rest of the way out, at least if we want a shot of being a top 3 team in the BE.

[UCGRAD4X]

The scrappiness on defense in the 2nd half was a stark contrast to the first. I don't think it is a coincidence that the offense followed suit.

[xudash]

I am putting this here to make a simple point about Xavier now very definitely being in a big boy basketball conference: Northwestern went into East Lansing today and beat Michigan State 64–62.

[paulxu]

ESPN really doesn't like Fox.
Go to the X game report on ESPN, and there's a little 17 second clip of Colby scoring in the paint.
And the voice over by the announcers on the play....is Joe Sunderman!

[xu82]

ESPN really doesn't like Fox.
Go to the X game report on ESPN, and there's a little 17 second clip of Colby scoring in the paint.
And the voice over by the announcers on the play....is Joe Sunderman!

I’m not too happy with Fox myself right now, because locally they gave us the UGA championship celebration. So we went furniture shopping. Got some texts that still kept me on edge, despite not even being able to watch.

[X-band '01]

What was the celebration like - UGA dry-humping a fire hydrant?

In all seriousness, it's been a while since Xavier forced over 20+ turnovers against the opposition. Lots of it was Creighton being way too impatient with some of their decisions and having no clue of court awareness. Creighton was lucky they hit a high percentage to lead for as long as they did given the disparity in TOs.

[xu82]

What was the celebration like - UGA dry-humping a fire hydrant?

In all seriousness, it's been a while since Xavier forced over 20+ turnovers against the opposition. Lots of it was Creighton being way too impatient with some of their decisions and having no clue of court awareness. Creighton was lucky they hit a high percentage to lead for as long as they did given the disparity in TOs.

Come on now, UGA and that hydrant have a committed relationship.

I wish I could have seen it, but I am very happy any time we walk away with a win. Glad to hear Free may be finding his form.

[paulxu]

I’m not too happy with Fox myself right now, because locally they gave us the UGA championship celebration. So we went furniture shopping. Got some texts that still kept me on edge, despite not even being able to watch.

I think it was Fox National, not fox regional split ups or fs1. Should have had the game.

[X-band '01]

It was Fox national, but the local Fox station in Atlanta would have had special coverage of some foosball parade. I'm glad the Bengals are done so we don't have to worry about them until fall.

[XUGRAD80]

It was Fox national, but the local Fox station in Atlanta would have had special coverage of some foosball parade. I'm glad the Bengals are done so we don't have to worry about them until fall.

Newsflash….the Bengals WON! They ain’t done yet!

[Smails]

Is there a replay anywhere? DVR took a sh#t yesterday

[X-band '01]

There was a replay on FS2 this morning, but I don't see any others on tap.