Game Thread: Xavier v University of Connecticut (2/19/2022)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/91d67577-b273-44ec-a7e2-654e37ff98b4.7e57417e27ce28545b20f3ef0ae48063.jpeg ?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFF
CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 17-8 overall and 7-7 in the BIG EAST Conference, head to Connecticut on Saturday for their second game in nine days against the No. 24 University of Connecticut Huskies, 18-7 overall and 9-5 in the BIG EAST. XU defeated UConn 74-68 on Feb. 11 at Cintas Center.
Xavier plays its next two games on the road against Top 25 BIG EAST teams. After the UConn game Xavier travels to Providence to take on the No. 8 Friars on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

THE MATCHUP

RV/RV XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (17-8, 7-7 BIG EAST)
NO. 24/24 UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (18-7, 9-5 BIG EAST)
SATURDAY, FEB. 19, 2022 AT 12 P.M. ET
GAMPEL PAVILION (10,167) IN STORRS, CONN.

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FOX National, including FOX 19 in Cincinnati, with play-by-play from Tim Brando and analysis from Donny Marshall.
Radio: 700 WLW-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 on Sirius (135), XM (202) and the SXM App. (965).
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://Statbroadcast.com) and fan stats at GoXavier.com (http://GoXavier.com).

[profson]

Never been there so would appreciate advice on where to park.

[drudy23]

A loss is bad.

A win is good.

If Steele touts mean mugging and toughness, we should see a different team tomorrow. More of the same and I double down on Coach Aluminum speak.

Just win.

[whopper]

i just got a text that i have a ticket to game as someone cancelled from a carload of 4. I am in. We shall see..the guy who texted is a lawyer who spends a month coaching hoops in Greece and whose extended family was "UConn family of the year" 5 years ago as his uncles played in 40s, and all the kids went. I would kill for a win

[Xville]

UConn -6.5. Might be a good time to bet on x, I wont for their sake, but I’m starting to naively convince myself they will win this game

[UCGRAD4X]

i just got a text that i have a ticket to game as someone cancelled from a carload of 4. I am in. We shall see..the guy who texted is a lawyer who spends a month coaching hoops in Greece and whose extended family was "UConn family of the year" 5 years ago as his uncles played in 40s, and all the kids went. I would kill for a win

Maybe he knows somebody from the old country who has a certain skill set.

[X-band '01]

Blue Runningman jerseys being worn today. Who will ever forget the classic X-UConn rivalry?

[bleedXblue]

Very difficult for nice guys to turn a "toughness" switch on. You usually have it or don't.

Hopeful as always. But don't expect much to be honest.

Sad that Xavier basketball has become this.

[xuphan]

Very difficult for nice guys to turn a "toughness" switch on. You usually have it or don't.

Hopeful as always. But don't expect much to be honest.

Sad that Xavier basketball has become this.

Will Nate play today?

[noteggs]

No

[Xville]

These uniforms are awesome…never should have changed them.

[xuphan]

Good start so far!

[Xville]

Great start keep it up

[Xville]

Nice move kunk… come on! Play d, take free out of the game every defensive possession lol and this team has a chance

[Strange Brew]

Edwards and Free chucking threes….

[Xville]

Scruggs is such a terrible ball handler and decision maker. The guy is just not a point guard he’s barely serviceable at that position

[xuphan]

Edwards and Free chucking threes….

Everyone has the green light from 3.

[xuphan]

Good start so far!

Well, this is going south quickly.

[SM#24]

The 4-0 start was fun while it lasted.

[Xville]

Colby jones has regressed.. another player under Steele who hasn’t developed.

[Strange Brew]

We don’t offense.

[noteggs]

Come on guys, don’t let them get second chance points!

[X-band '01]

Everyone has the green light from 3.

Unless you're Dwon Odom:


https://youtu.be/2DXR7Ny1qNE?t=110

[X-band '01]

Shouldn't their crowd chant "Dog shit " instead?

[Xville]

Playing well on d just need to find a way to score

[xuphan]

Playing well on d just need to find a way to score

We need to guard the perimeter better.

[noteggs]

5 more boards at this point…ouch

[whopper]

At game we are playing ok need Scruggs to be effective. Thank God for kinkel

[SM#24]

When the rim blocks your shot, does the shot clock reset ?
Asking for friend.

[X-band '01]

Oh Hunter...

[Xville]

Scruggs is so damn lazy with the ball. Fifth year senior that makes 5 year old mistakes

[noteggs]

Colby cheese never gets old for the announcers

[xu82]

Scruggs is so damn lazy with the ball. Fifth year senior that makes 5 year old mistakes

Just walked in and saw Free make the lazy pass, then Paul does the same giving up the dunk. It’s just not fun to watch!

[LOLmickcronin]

Scruggs is so damn lazy with the ball. Fifth year senior that makes 5 year old mistakes

At least he hustled back on D since a big man was handling the ball and stole it back. Oh wait no he completely stopped and watched him throw down a dunk.

[Xville]

Just walked in and saw Free make the lazy pass, then Paul does the same giving up the dunk. It’s just not fun to watch!

And they both get rewarded with more playing time. Amazing

[bigdiggins]

What does Steele see they no one else does they warrants hunter getting minutes over literally anyone else.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

The few who still think Travis is the guy, how can you watch this and still think that? Down 11 on the road in a game you desperately need.

This team has plenty of talent a better staff would prepare for this environment and game.

Make that 15 down. Fire this loser.

[TheDanimal]

Need to fire Steele before the flight home..

[whopper]

What does Steele see they no one else does they warrants hunter getting minutes over literally anyone else.

Becoming a beat down. Thank god my ticket was free

[RoseyMuskie]

Can we fire Steele mid game? Having Hunter and Freemantle on the court together that long is malpractice.

[XUGRAD80]

I may not even watch the 2nd half. This is sickening.

[X-band '01]

This one's getting away as fast as it did against St. John's.

[Xville]

Kunkel is losing his damn mind playing with these guys. I bet he’s wondering who the hell coaches these guys

[xu82]

Is Miller available for the halftime speech?


….or the second half?

[Strange Brew]

Embarrassing. Make it stop.

[markchal]

I hope Steele remembers to write SWAGGER on the board at halftime!

[Xville]

Can we fire Steele mid game? Having Hunter and Freemantle on the court together that long is malpractice.

Shouldn’t even be allowed back on the plane. Going to the store…not worth watching.

[drudy23]

Embarassing.

Scruggs turnovers, Hunter abysmal, everyone getting punked and pushed around.

We honestly might be bottom 1/4th in this conference for real.

[LOLmickcronin]

Steele has the ability to construct so many different lineups that makes no sense it’s unreal.

[Xville]

I hope Steele remembers to write SWAGGER on the board at halftime!

Maybe put it next to nunge’s believe Ted lasso cartoon

[Masterofreality]

Why can't Steele see that Freemantle and Hunter are awful together?? No Miles, no Edwards and Nunge sits! WTF???

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Not firing him at this point is grounds for Christopher’s own firing. Good lord, 18 down in a game you have to win.

9-11 is looking our high side at this point. We might win one the rest of the way.

[drudy23]

Can we fire Steele mid game? Having Hunter and Freemantle on the court together that long is malpractice.

This.

Completely unbelievable. No excuse.

[HenryMuto]

I figured Xavier would lose but not like this. It was just 26-23...........now 44-26. Time to turn on the Kentucky game.

[drudy23]

Why can't Steele see that Freemantle and Hunter are awful together?? No Miles, no Edwards and Nunge sits! WTF???

It's unreal.

Just completely unreal.

[LOLmickcronin]

Steele has the ability to construct so many different lineups that makes no sense it’s unreal.

[drudy23]

We simply aren't Big East ready. We're just not.

We used to be, but we're not anymore with this philosophy.

He's imploding this program because of his stubbornness and ego.

[X-band '01]

Should have picked up a 12-pack of Clorox when I was shopping this morning.

Although if anyone else has other recommendations for bleach to drink, I'm all ears.

[noteggs]

21-12 rebounds. Wonder who’s winning?

[xuwillie]

And now it looks like he has lost the team. Change has to be made

[drudy23]

We still run nothing on offense.

[whopper]

Steele has the ability to construct so many different lineups that makes no sense it’s unreal. This is depressing and I may be the only Xavier fan here. Scruggs walking it up? Why. Colby dribbling under basket and Scruggs too. Why? Zach getting some defensive boards. Nunge has been ok. Let’s see if something changes but hard to see.

[drudy23]

Likely a rock bottom 30 pt loss.

I don't see a halftime surge today.

[markchal]

This program has reached embarrassment status...Christopher/Steele both need to go.

It's not even losing games anymore, it's just getting run off the court consistently. This is his most talented team and there's not a squad in the conference who can't get up 15 on us in the first 20 minutes.

It's not surprising anymore, but doesn't make it any less pathetic

[ArizonaXUGrad]

He either knows he is on the hot seat and panicking or knows he is safe and just doesn’t care. Either way I don’t see any kind of worry because our tournament hopes are going down the toilet.

[SM#24]

In the 10 minutes Odom was on the court, we were +2. -19 in the 10 minutes he sat.

[LOLmickcronin]

This is depressing and I may be the only Xavier fan here. Scruggs walking it up? Why. Colby dribbling under basket and Scruggs too. Why? Zach getting some defensive boards. Nunge has been ok. Let’s see if something changes but hard to see.

The scruggs/Colby thing drives me nuts. They drive underneath then stop the ball for 2-3 seconds. Or Colby gets blocked every single time bc he goes up so slow or doesn’t fake.

They honestly should never be on the court together. Odom should be the only pure point guard used that way. Colby/paul should be secondary ball handlers.

[xuwillie]

In the 10 minutes Odom was on the court, we were +2. -19 in the 10 minutes he sat.


His love for scruggs free and hunter is what has ruined this team

[RoseyMuskie]

In the 10 minutes Odom was on the court, we were +2. -19 in the 10 minutes he sat.

Thanks. The sad thing is, my eyes told me this from my couch. Steele can’t see it.

[drudy23]

No clue what happened to Colby.

Won't shoot and just dribbles around and underneath the basket.

[LOLmickcronin]

In the 10 minutes Odom was on the court, we were +2. -19 in the 10 minutes he sat.

We saved him for the last 20 seconds of the half lol. Had to rest him. Why put a real point guard out there when you have scruggs and Colby to dribble under the basket, stop, then turn it over or get their shot blocked?

[LOLmickcronin]

His love for scruggs free and hunter is what has ruined this team

Scruggs has earned minutes Steele just uses him completely wrong.

Free sucks this year and he keeps playing him as if he’s all big East like last year. Maybe it’s from the injury still I don’t know but he’s not the same player and miles or cesare should be seeing his minutes by this point.

[noteggs]

Made sure I did everything the opposite today, not sure what’s happening…

[X Factor]

Kunkel was giving it to Hunter for blowing a defensive assignment. I wish Steele would actually do that, instead he left him in the game.

[xu82]

This was a 3-5 point game when I arrived to watch. I think I’ll take the blame, and use it as an excuse to do something else.

[Blue Blooded-05]

This was a 3-5 point game when I arrived to watch. I think I’ll take the blame, and use it as an excuse to do something else.

Good idea... Go do something more fun than watching this. Like having a root canal

[markchal]

Colby Jones went from our best player noncon to just a complete nonfactor in way too many conference games. Just not looking good on either end

[KabeX]

Apathy level high and increasing. Was doing other things and listening to B & J. Turned it on. Thought I come on over here. Misery loves company. Is it too early to start drinkin?

[Cornbread1190]

Not firing him at this point is grounds for Christopher’s own firing. Good lord, 18 down in a game you have to win.

9-11 is looking our high side at this point. We might win one the rest of the way.

Package Deal! it’s time ⏱ for Both of them to go! Travis and Greg Christopher out. Smell ya later.. they both stink at their craft..!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

This is one of the most talented X teams in along time and this is the result. Finish off this L, we will have issues getting more than 2 the rest of the way. 19 win year, what seed in the tourney is that worth?

[KabeX]

This is one of the most talented X teams in along time and this is the result. Finish off this L, we will have issues getting more than 2 the rest of the way. 19 win year, what seed in the tourney is that worth?
18-12 or 19-11 is the best we could hope for. Actually 17-13 might be better with a flame out in the first round of the BET. That should force Christopher's hand ... right? ... right?

[xu82]

THAT looked like a middle school game!

[X-band '01]

Not taking advantage of a bunch of UConn turnovers is a bit ominous.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

18-12 or 19-11 is the best we could hope for. Actually 17-13 might be better with a flame out in the first round of the BET. That should force Christopher's hand ... right? ... right?

We are 17-8 now, in 15 game mins 17-9 with 5 games left. If they beat Georgetown twice and lose the rest it’s 19-12, lose the first game in New York and you get 19-13 with a 9-12 conference record.

[noteggs]

Apathy level high and increasing. Was doing other things and listening to B & J. Turned it on. Thought I come on over here. Misery loves company. Is it too early to start drinkin?

Thinking the same so cracked one

[X-band '01]

Okay, this is realllllllly getting bizarre.

[noteggs]

Okay, this is realllllllly getting bizarre.

Know really with that ejection

[Xville]

Maybe kynkel went full Lionel charmers in the locker room at half.

[X-band '01]

So let's see...

10 UConn turnovers

An ejection of a player that hasn't suited up for UConn since last season


...Nah, lightning can't possibly strike twice with this team.

[drudy23]

Why can’t this level of effort and energy be consistent?

[KabeX]

We are 17-8 now, in 15 game mins 17-9 with 5 games left. If they beat Georgetown twice and lose the rest it’s 19-12, lose the first game in New York and you get 19-13 with a 9-12 conference record.
Thanks for the clarification. Either way, that should do it. Not falling for this "comeback". Hurley will adjust.

[Xville]

Yep that should be the nail right there. They can’t play 40 minutes for some reason.

[noteggs]

How was that not a foul on Cole?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Too many down, had it close then a few O-boards Given up now it’s a chance to get back down 11 or 12.

[MHettel]

How was that not a foul on Cole?

Oh, it was.

[X-band '01]

Nunge needs a fill-up at the gas station yesterday.

[Xville]

This team drives me insane

[paulxu]

Without Kunkel, we'd be 1-11 on 3's.

[X-band '01]

The Buick ain't making it to the gas station today.

[XUBANDGRAD]

It’s time. Steele just needs to be let go. Let fucking Dante Jackson coach this fucking mess.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Back to 10, I hope you enjoyed another hard fought comeback loss. 7-8 in conference, how do you all think we finish?

[sgarcia]

No depth to get us over the hump in crunch time.

[BillikenMusketeer]

Seen this too many times this year. Down double digits at half and have some good runs but fall short in the end. Freemantle absolutely blows. Why is he shooting contested threes? He has regressed tremendously

[Xville]

That’ll do it. Tied for 6th or 8th by end of day. However you wanna look at it.

[noteggs]

Hate to sound like a broken record, but how do you get beat on boards so bad?

[Xavgrad08]

Frustrating game to watch. X is very tough to watch at times. Highlight of the game was watching the former UConn player get tossed.

[bleedXblue]

I think we end up with 9 wins

[Xville]

Seen this too many times this year. Down double digits at half and have some good runs but fall short in the end. Freemantle absolutely blows. Why is he shooting contested threes? He has regressed tremendously

Because there are zero repercussions for him for throwing up brick after brick. “Eventually they will go in” really coach? What’s his season percentage from 3 mr analytics

[noteggs]

Guess UCONN students like having beat X vs Tulane.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I think we end up with 9 wins

That equals maybe a home NIT. Welcome to the new X normal, NIT in March. Thanks Steele, was that the last 2%?

[bleedXblue]

Cant shoot, cant rebound and cant defend.

[BillikenMusketeer]

No excuse for being down double digits, sometimes almost 20 points, at half almost every conference game. Something needs to change

[Xville]

Lol Scruggs just encapsulated his career

[ArizonaXUGrad]

That announcer is a fool for saying that because we are going to lose out more than we win.

[X-band '01]

Something did change with Hunter being tied to the bench in the 2nd half, but it was 4 minutes too late. He had no business being out there when X got blitzed late in the 1st half.

[Xville]

X’s new tagline:

Bubble city…catch the Steele fever…camera pans to Steele..”it’s me’

[muskiefan82]

x’s new tagline:

Bubble city…catch the steele fever…camera pans to steele..”it’s me’

xavier basketball: 20 minutes of hell

[boozehound]

Something did change with Hunter being tied to the bench in the 2nd half, but it was 4 minutes too late. He had no business being out there when X got blitzed late in the 1st half.

The fact that Hunter ever started, and stayed in the lineup as long as he did, tells you all you need to know about this staff. At no point in the season has he looked like a good player.

[Xville]

The fact that Hunter ever started, and stayed in the lineup as long as he did, tells you all you need to know about this staff. At no point in the season has he looked like a good player.

How the recruiting sites got it so wrong with him I’ll never know..he’s turrible

[ArizonaXUGrad]

How the recruiting sites got it so wrong with him I’ll never know..he’s turrible

Be careful with those sites, ratings are just someone’s opinion.

I could see this team finishing 1-6 including the tank loss in New York. Providence on the road would save us, but that is just a bridge too far.

[X-band '01]

xavier basketball: 20 minutes of hell on the court, 4 days of hell on this board

Fixed that for you

[Masterofreality]

Why can't Steele see that Freemantle and Hunter are awful together?? No Miles, no Edwards and Nunge sits! WTF???

To the above:
6:26 first half 26-21 UConn
Hunter Freemantle both in
STEELE COULD HAVE SUBBED AT THE UNDER 4 TO with 3:57. Did not
41-26 at 1:26 when Steele called TO to Sub Nunge back in.
Game lost in 5 minutes with that combo on the floor. TEN POINTS in that stretch.
Terrible lineup management.
Loss. All on Steele. Period.

[Xville]

Be careful with those sites, ratings are just someone’s opinion.

I could see this team finishing 1-6 including the tank loss in New York. Providence on the road would save us, but that is just a bridge too far.

Oh I don’t take them too seriously but usually top 50 you are thinking at least he’d be serviceable…

[IM4X]

Something did change with Hunter being tied to the bench in the 2nd half, but it was 4 minutes too late. He had no business being out there when X got blitzed late in the 1st half.

I just do not get the decision to insert Hunter and then keep him in there as UConn just rip through that lineup. Unacceptable that Steele went with that lineup and then refused to change it. Nunge should have never come out of the game- if he needed a breather, give Edward the minutes. Steele knew Nunge matches up very well against Sanogo. As soon as Hunter went in, it was a game on for UConn. Hunter can’t defend. He can’t make 3s and he can’t even make layups. The other team knows this. The only one who forgot this was is own Coach.

UConn would not have pulled away in the first half and X could have made it a game of not for that lineup… and Free and Nunge going back to playing finesse basketball with their low percentage shots away from the basket.

[Masterofreality]

I just do not get the decision to insert Hunter and then keep him in there as UConn just rip through that lineup. Unacceptable that Steele went with that lineup and then refused to change it. Nunge should have never come out of the game- if he needed a breather, give Edward the minutes. Steele knew Nunge matches up very well against Sanogo. As soon as Hunter went in, it was a game on for UConn. Hunter can’t defend. He can’t make 3s and he can’t even make layups. The other team knows this. The only one who forgot this was is own Coach.

UConn would not have pulled away in the first half and X could have made it a game of not for that lineup… and Free and Nunge going back to playing finesse basketball with their low percentage shots away from the basket.

See above. Free/Hunter were in for 5 minutes. Steele COULD have got Nunge back in at the under 4. Didn’t.
Xavier went down 15 during that time. Horrible lineup management and roster misuse.
Where have we heard that before?

[OTRMUSKIE]

Scruggs, Hunter don't need to play period. This team looked great with odom taking control. Kunkle, Nunge, Colby, odom and free but he isn't allowed to shoot just grab rebounds and stair into the crowd. That lineup worked.

[Masterofreality]

To the above:
6:26 first half 26-21 UConn
Hunter Freemantle both in
STEELE COULD HAVE SUBBED AT THE UNDER 4 TO with 3:57. Did not
41-26 at 1:26 when Steele called TO to Sub Nunge back in.
Game lost in 5 minutes with that combo on the floor. TEN POINTS in that stretch.
Terrible lineup management.
Loss. All on Steele. Period.

If anyone is looking for a concise reason why Travis Steele is a secondary coach, the above is it.
We can talk about opaque “systems” and schemes, but the inability, or stubbornness in utilizing lineups, matchups and the roster, this is it.
Sure, Jack Nunge needed a blow. But after 2:30 you had a TV timeout that would have given him almost a 5 minute bench rest. Steele left Hunter/Freemantle in and from 3:57 to 1:26, Xavier fell out of the game.
The same roster/matchup mismanagement we’ve seen from this Coach for almost 4 years. And this is directly on Steele. No one else.
Inexcusable.

[SM#24]

I just want this bad dream to be over. Four years is long enough.

[Masterofreality]

Scruggs, Hunter don't need to play period. This team looked great with odom taking control. Kunkle, Nunge, Colby, odom and free but he isn't allowed to shoot just grab rebounds and stair into the crowd. That lineup worked.

Freemantle & Hunter play the same position! They are both 4’s although Steele keeps trying to insist through his lineups that Free is a 5.
He most assuredly is not. Hunter should give Free a blow. Dionte Miles should be being groomed as Nunge’s backup. But he never sees the floor.
The exact roster mismanagement that I’ve screamed about since year one.

[drudy23]

There has never really been a time in Steele's tenure where his teams seem united on the offensive end.

In the second half, it was mostly isolation dribble drives to the rim, that mostly resulted in shots being blocked or kicking for missed 3s.

Whatever he's talking about with his "system", I have no clue, because this system sucks.

[XUBison]

Hate to sound like a broken record, but how do you get beat on boards so bad?

especially considering we have one of the best rebounding guards in the country. Anyone care to help Colby? Sad.

[Strange Brew]

No depth to get us over the hump in crunch time.

Don’t need depth. Play Odom, Kunk, Scruggs, Jack and Free. Bring in Edwards and Miles for the big boys and Johnson when healthy/Colby for the guards. Never want to see Hunter Carter on the floor again. Steele is terrible with lineups.

KyKy could’ve been a good PG for this team but Travy knows best. Travy may be a “nice” guy for “little Xavier” but he has no heart.

Edit: Spelled Odom’s name wrong. That’s because he doesn’t play enough. The only PG on the team. Except for that KyKy guy.

[Strange Brew]

If anyone is looking for a concise reason why Travis Steele is a secondary coach, the above is it.
We can talk about opaque “systems” and schemes, but the inability, or stubbornness in utilizing lineups, matchups and the roster, this is it.
Sure, Jack Nunge needed a blow. But after 2:30 you had a TV timeout that would have given him almost a 5 minute bench rest. Steele left Hunter/Freemantle in and from 3:57 to 1:26, Xavier fell out of the game.
The same roster/matchup mismanagement we’ve seen from this Coach for almost 4 years. And this is directly on Steele. No one else.
Inexcusable.

You forgot GD analytics.

[smileyy]

I've never been on the Fire Steele bandwagon. Until now.

[GoMuskies]

Nice second half. Unfortunately the first one counts, too.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I just want this bad dream to be over. Four years is long enough.

+1

Bizarre line-ups / substitutions and decision making has plagued Steele's teams since the beginning. Don't understand what he is thinking and apparently nobody else on this board does either. Players seem to have lost fight. This has been an exhausting season. Cannot wait for it to be over.

[xu82]

Cant shoot, cant rebound and cant defend.

Yeah, but other than that……

[markchal]

It's just the same thing year after year.

I dont know why I thought this year would be different and I got suckered into believing he was turning a corner. I guess I didn't want to accept that we finally messed up a coaching hire and set the program back.

[IM4X]

Freemantle & Hunter play the same position! They are both 4’s although Steele keeps trying to insist through his lineups that Free is a 5.
He most assuredly is not. Hunter should give Free a blow. Dionte Miles should be being groomed as Nunge’s backup. But he never sees the floor.
The exact roster mismanagement that I’ve screamed about since year one.

I’d even make the argument Hunter isn’t even a true 4. Sure, he may be used as a stretch four, but let’s be honest. The guy can’t make layups. He can’t hit many outside shots. He can’t guard well inside the paint against bigs and he makes way too many bad decisions.

I just assumed Miles didn’t go in because he was hurt. Why else would Steele play Hunter in that situation. Miles may not be much of a scorer but he doesn’t make nearly thee mistake as Hunter and his 6’11 height and longer wingspan would have made it a bit more difficult for Sanogo (who he would like have been matched up against) to shoot over.

How is it that just about every one of us looked at that substitution and thought, “What the hell are you doing Travis.” I mean Steele knew it was 7’ Nunge with both his length and athleticism that pretty much shut down Sanogo in the interior last game and he was doing a pretty good job against him in this game.until Steel made that brilliant substitution. Then it was “game on” for Sanogo…. and Steele did nothing but watch his “Free and Hunter” bad decision play out for 5 minutes, completely crippling his team. Just some stupid shit on his part.

[IM4X]

Hate to sound like a broken record, but how do you get beat on boards so bad?

Pretty sure Steele told the bigs, “Hey, Free… if you and Nunge feel like leaving the paint and abandoning your rebounding duties to go hang out on the perimeter and shoot jumpers and 3s and act like you’re both really good shooting guards, have at it… I’m pretty sure all your shots will all go in and so I doubt we’ll lneed your services grabbing any boards!”

[Xville]

At best this team will win two more games, play Wednesday against butler and lose and then hopefully the administration suddenly grows balls. Christopher can go too, I don’t want him to have any involvement in hiring the next coach.

[JTG]

At best this team will win two more games, play Wednesday against butler and lose and then hopefully the administration suddenly grows balls. Christopher can go too, I don’t want him to have any involvement in hiring the next coach.

I'd agree, but who do you suppose would fire Steele and Christopher ? Certainly not the new Pres, who is probably clueless about bball. She better figure it out, though, because bball is the reason X is the showplace it is today. Without successful basketball, Xavier is the hot mess it was under Fr. Mulligan in the 70s.

[Xville]

I'd agree, but who do you suppose would fire Steele and Christopher ? Certainly not the new Pres, who is probably clueless about bball. She better figure it out, though, because bball is the reason X is the showplace it is today. Without successful basketball, Xavier is the hot mess it was under Fr. Mulligan in the 70s.

I don’t have any inside knowledge, but from what other posters have said here that do have that insight, I regrettably do not believe that anyone including Steele will be let go no matter what happens.

Doesn’t mean I don’t want it to happen

[whopper]

I was at Gamppel yesterday(live in CT and someone had xtra paid ticket) so saw it all. Thaat 4 min in first half with poor lineup was horrible Looking at last yr providence games, Zach averaged 21 pts and 10 reb against Nate Watson and Croswell and Horchler..incredible to imagine now but this was 12 months ago. HOwever Horchler and Criswell hardly played in the loss(Colby jumper at buzzer) and played a lot in the win which may explain it. Duke had 30 in the loss. This may seem pointless but i wonder sometimes if i was dreaming about the way some used to play. Funny to see Griffin play 10 min and have 5 p and 4 rebound and carter 25 min with 4 and 6. Also Wischer with 6 in 6 mon and Kunk with 8 in 18 all on 2s(0-5 from 3) but we won

[Masterofreality]

looking at last yr providence games, Zach averaged 21 pts and 10 reb against Nate Watson and Croswell and Horchler..incredible to imagine now but this was 12 months ago. HOwever Horchler and Criswell hardly played in the loss(Colby jumper at buzzer) and played a lot in the win which may explain it. Duke had 30 in the loss. This may seem pointless but i wonder sometimes if i was dreaming about the way some used to play. Funny to see Griffin play 10 min and have 5 p and 4 rebound and carter 25 min with 4 and 6. Also Wischer with 6 in 6 mon and Kunk with 8 in 18 all on 2s(0-5 from 3) but we won

Thanks for the reminder of the continual roster misuse.
But PRACTICE POINTS!!!

[Masterofreality]

I just assumed Miles didn’t go in because he was hurt. Why else would Steele play Hunter in that situation.

How is it that just about every one of us looked at that substitution and thought, “What the hell are you doing Travis.” I mean Steele knew it was 7’ Nunge with both his length and athleticism that pretty much shut down Sanogo in the interior last game and he was doing a pretty good job against him in this game.until Steel made that brilliant substitution. Then it was “game on” for Sanogo…. and Steele did nothing but watch his “Free and Hunter” bad decision play out for 5 minutes, completely crippling his team. Just some stupid shit on his part.

You probably blinked ;-) and missed it, but Miles WAS in. For a minute before the under 12(?) first half timeout.
Not hurt.

[bjf123]

I was out and about yesterday so I didn’t get to watch that abomination. Listening to the game while I was in and out of the car, you could hear the dejection in the voices of Joe and Byron.


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[GIMMFD]

It's honestly beginning to be a chore to watch Xavier games, and I really hate that I can't enjoy them as much anymore. *sigh*

[whopper]

it is not a chore for me yet..I know what it is like to fail and i am hoping to get some good news in the next two weeks.. I cant be as negative although I know it is hard. My two cents is Odom at PG, Scuggs at 2 (or 3 with Nate and Kunkel at 2), Colby much minutes, Nunge much minutes and Free if effective in and out. Jermone odd man out(he does a "little" of everything but not enough of anything)
By the way i read a statistic that indicates why the +/- is mostly meaningless. Adam Kunkel had a -22 yesterday...he is the only reason it was a game for much of the game. I guess he was in (not shooting ) during UCONn run at at game end when we were fouling.