Game Thread: Xavier vs St John's University (3/2/2022)

[X-band '01]

On another bright note, we'll never have to worry about early 70s throwbacks ever again.

[xuphan]

Why did CJ Wilcher transfer again? Seems like we could use his shooting right now.

[SM#24]

This senior class at X of student will have spent their 4 years with no NCAA tourney game to cheer for, not a single one.
First in 40 years. The difference is 40 years ago we were a crap program that was on the upswing. Now we’re at our lowest point since then.

[IM4X]

Fair. We should probably fire whoever put this team together.

Yep. Maybe we ought to also fire the person who keeps letting players jack up 3s even though itÂ’s been very clear the inside game has consistently been the way the team has out scored the opponent and gotten back into games.

[Xville]

I think Scruggs coming back stunted the growth of this team. Adding Harper and actually playing him was just moronic

I agree. I said that a few games ago and was told I was crazy but Scruggs is 1.) not a point guard 2.) not a leader. This should have been Odom’s show this season.

[Xville]

Why did CJ Wilcher transfer again? Seems like we could use his shooting right now.

Well, he insinuated that the coaching staff lied to him…so there’s that

[whopper]

Lets try to keep the Big East program together. I am sickened to see the fans booing (i am at home fuming to be sure) and read that Nunge was being somehow hooted for practicing FTs. I can only imagine the players state of mind and they have given me a good deal of pleasure(as well as agita). Nate Johnson and Scruggs looked like a. lock for the NCAA and now a miracle is needed. Zach has a style that may have had it's day in this spacing game and struggled back from injury (and has some limitations that were really exposed. Hunter had a cloud over him (had some bad timing but also bad play). Kunkel had a nice run but the coach turned into a pumpkin today. We all need to take a breath but i know tha decisions must be made. Damn this all for sure

[American X]

First half, Xavier ties it at 24-24. Jerome Hunter immediately misses two threes (including an airball) and Xavier never ties or leads again.

Second half, Xavier cuts it to three. Jerome Hunter immediately bricks a three and St. John's score a three then blows the doors off.

Why is Hunter sitting in the corner for a three? Why would anyone pass it to him? Why does he have the green light?

Blame everywhere, but his terrible attempts and misses seem to be total momentum destroyers, all done in very limited minutes. Impressive in a horrifying way.

[Masterofreality]

2017 when Tre Bluiett got hurt. But that was player injury related. Nothing more

[Blue Blooded-05]

2017. Elite 8 year. Lost 6 straight.

That team had shooters, though. And semi competent coaching

[Backyard Champ]

Agree. Hunter is trash. And he seems to be the guy who can make mistake after mistake without being benched. It’s so obvious to everyone watching, I’m not sure what Steele is thinking.

[noteggs]

First half, Xavier ties it at 24-24. Jerome Hunter immediately misses two threes (including an airball) and Xavier never ties or leads again.

Second half, Xavier cuts it to three. Jerome Hunter immediately bricks a three and St. John's score a three then blows the doors off.

Why is Hunter sitting in the corner for a three? Why would anyone pass it to him? Why does he have the green light?

Blame everywhere, but his terrible attempts and misses seem to be total momentum destroyers, all done in very limited minutes. Impressive in a horrifying way.

Think we got the wrong transfer from IU?

[OTRMUSKIE]

Ong it was 2016-2017 season. Lost 6 games in a row and finally won the last game of the season then two in the BEAST and went on to make Elite 8. This team has shooters too and has one of the coaches from that team too. Well, it's going to take 3 more wins to make it. Let's see if history repeats itself.

[bjf123]

I went back to the 1979-80 season. Bob Staak lost 7 in a row in 1980-81 and 1981-82. Chris Mack lost 6 in a row in 2016-17. Travis Steele lost 6 in a row in 2018-19 season.


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[D-West & PO-Z]

First half, Xavier ties it at 24-24. Jerome Hunter immediately misses two threes (including an airball) and Xavier never ties or leads again.

Second half, Xavier cuts it to three. Jerome Hunter immediately bricks a three and St. John's score a three then blows the doors off.

Why is Hunter sitting in the corner for a three? Why would anyone pass it to him? Why does he have the green light?

Blame everywhere, but his terrible attempts and misses seem to be total momentum destroyers, all done in very limited minutes. Impressive in a horrifying way.

Absolute killers.

[Masterofreality]

First half, Xavier ties it at 24-24. Jerome Hunter immediately misses two threes (including an airball) and Xavier never ties or leads again.

Second half, Xavier cuts it to three. Jerome Hunter immediately bricks a three and St. John's score a three then blows the doors off.

Why is Hunter sitting in the corner for a three? Why would anyone pass it to him? Why does he have the green light?

Blame everywhere, but his terrible attempts and misses seem to be total momentum destroyers, all done in very limited minutes. Impressive in a horrifying way.

And on both of those 3 attempts he had a wide open lane to the basket. Could have gotten 2 And 1’s but lazily jacks up 3’s.
Steele loves referring to the stat sheet postgame. But it stuff like that with Hunter that are losing plays that don’t show on the Stat sheet. Yet Coach Tin just lets him roll.

[xuwillie]

Agree. Hunter is trash. And he seems to be the guy who can make mistake after mistake without being benched. It’s so obvious to everyone watching, I’m not sure what Steele is thinking.

There's a reason hes open. Coaching isn't as hard as steele makes it look

[American X]

Think we got the wrong transfer from IU?

I am convinced that he has a neurological disorder and does not know what team he plays for. Playing in Pitt's uniforms could not have helped.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Steele can beat those guys. If they lose Saturday, and odds are good they will, he will def lose 8 in a row.

[Masterofreality]

I'm anxiously waiting a MOR soliloquie after that one.

Nope. You all saw it. No inside basketball involved in that ass whipping.
Can’t wait for Final 4 to come on here and ignore 245,654,769,723,053 negative posts from every other poster about this amorphordite and pick out this one to criticize.

I’ve taped and deleted more games this year than ever. I usually love to pick them apart, but this is plain drudgery.

[N67ER]

There are simply no words! The most depressing and frustrating season of the disappointing Steele era. No meaningful lineup changes and substitution patterns that make no sense game after game. I have no faith that this downward spiral can be arrested with Steele at the helm. Though he has been around basketball for most of his life, he appears to have no “feel” for the game. Nunge is exhausted; Scruggs is obviously burned out; Hunter gives good effort, but does not appear to have the talent. And yet, little time for Edwards and less for Stanley. Odom should run the point and let Kunk spell him. I can see it. Others can see it. Why can’t the coach see it?

Saturday could be really ugly. What a terrible way to end a season.

[Masterofreality]

Mean mug

This should be a drinking game. Every time…..SHOT!!

[Masterofreality]

I hope everyone else follows suit. There is zero excuse for this to continue. If I’m anyone on this roster I’m getting the hell out of here if Steele is retained

I got some decisions to make.

[xuphan]

Well, he insinuated that the coaching staff lied to him…so there’s that

What did they lie to him about? Making a final four?

[Xville]

What did they lie to him about? Making a final four?

I’m guessing it was in regards to playing time after his freshman year but I dunno. Don’t remember the exact wording or quote but he said something about the Nebraska coaches that insinuated the x coaches were not truthful

[xuphan]

I’m guessing it was in regards to playing time after his freshman year but I dunno. Don’t remember the exact wording or quote but he said something about the Nebraska coaches that insinuated the x coaches were not truthful

That’s to bad because we could really use his shooting.

[xu82]

In the long run, this could have been the best thing that could happen. Don’t extend the downward spiral of the Xavier brand.

[Backyard Champ]

Just watched postgame comments from Steele. He thought Hunter played well. Unbelievable

[Xville]

Just watched postgame comments from Steele. He thought Hunter played well. Unbelievable

He will go to the ends of the earth to defend his guys…did the same with Carter. Ffs earlier in the year he called hunter a good shooter.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Cut him loose, let him finish out the season but let fans know he is gone regardless.

[whopper]

not that it matters but Freemantle sat the last 15 minutes or so. Nobody played well of course but he had a couple of hoops to start the half. Is there a story there? Hard to believe he could have been worse than Hunter. There seems to be zero chemistry out there now. I think of Scruggs playing well against FSU 4 years ago(hitting the 2 FT that game us our last lead) and ending like it looks like it will now. Nate a less history but some good moments.I am an empath so my heart goes out and from what I saw the past few games we are not as good as some teams. Lets hope G-Town won't take advantage.
I am watching UCONN cv Creighton and how could we have beat Creighton twice and UConn once. Kalkbreener owning UConn.. Saw Butler lost to Providence in OT and hard to believe we won twice.. Marquette- a split? The fall off has been unbelievable. Va Tech beat Duke and Ok State beat Baylor. Seems like a century ago. We must still try though and lets hope

[Xville]

Cut him loose, let him finish out the season but let fans know he is gone regardless.

I’m preparing myself for a huge letdown in that he will be retained. I only go to 3-4 games a year but no way in hell I’m spending anything on this if Steele is retained. Gave my tickets away for Saturday…no reason to waste my entire Saturday driving up, watching that crap and then driving back.

[xuphan]

Just watched postgame comments from Steele. He thought Hunter played well. Unbelievable

I saw it as well. Adam Baum again not asking the questions the fans want to hear. The best writer ask the tough questions.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Sad part, I think Ewing is the only BE coach worse than Steele. I am serious, Steele is that awful. With tape and experience, teams roll us.

[Masterofreality]

Just watched postgame comments from Steele. He thought Hunter played well. Unbelievable

Did he raise his eyes from the stat sheet?

[Xville]

With a good coach, this team below can make the tourney next year:

Odom
Jones
Edwards
Nunge
Kunkel
Tandy

Bring in a 2 that can battle for immediate playing time whether it’s convincing the recruits to stay or get a transfer. Get a power beefy 4.

[SemajParlor]

The year they made the Elite 8 lol

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I’m preparing myself for a huge letdown in that he will be retained. I only go to 3-4 games a year but no way in hell I’m spending anything on this if Steele is retained. Gave my tickets away for Saturday…no reason to waste my entire Saturday driving up, watching that crap and then driving back.

No way they keep him after this dumpster fire, you just can’t. If he pushes for the biggest payout, you send him and his FIL packing. It’s clear to me why we tank now, he makes no in season adjustments that are even remotely good or at least any kind of curveball for opponent coaches. I half wonder if Miller told him something before the UConn game. How did they win that? Boggles my mind.

[xuphan]

With a good coach, this team below can make the tourney next year:

Odom
Jones
Edwards
Nunge
Kunkel
Tandy

Bring in a 2 that can battle for immediate playing time whether it’s convincing the recruits to stay or get a transfer. Get a power beefy 4.

No way. This team needs a total rebuild and a culture change. Odom can’t shoot, Tandy and Kunkle are streaky shooters who don’t defend well, and Colby struggles from the outside as well. This team needs some badasses that will get Xavier back to being a difficult team to play. We don’t have a single one of them on the roster.

[Backyard Champ]

No way they keep him after this dumpster fire, you just can’t. If he pushes for the biggest payout, you send him and his FIL packing. It’s clear to me why we tank now, he makes no in season adjustments that are even remotely good or at least any kind of curveball for opponent coaches. I half wonder if Miller told him something before the UConn game. How did they win that? Boggles my mind.

I mean, there is still a chance at a run. We should beat grown and butler. I prefer Providence over nova. I’m nuts I know, but could see us getting to semi finals facing a 4/5 seed.
Make the tournament and make a run= successful season. This season still can be successful



I’m not sure why I do this to myself. Makes the losses even more painful.

[X-band '01]

I'm still going to DVR the Georgetown game purely for comedic value. Has a coach ever been booed during introductions here before?

[OTRMUSKIE]

A small part of me wants GTown to get their first win against us. All I know is two more games till Miller time!

[bleedXblue]

Complete travesty what's going on right now. If Steele had any dignity he would negotiate a fair buyout and allow both parties to move on.

[xudash]

Complete travesty what's going on right now. If Steele had any dignity he would negotiate a fair buyout and allow both parties to move on.

My thoughts exactly.

[Xavier]

Miller isn’t happening. Zero chance (sorry), and I’d bet a lot of money Steele is back. I legitimately think Greg would point to a decent NIT run as program headed in the right direction. “Post season success”

[IM4X]

The year they made the Elite 8 lol

Let’s hope that’s a good omen.

[IM4X]

Strange. Travis didn’t have the typical post presser.
Where is he in some kind of secret underground bunker.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=Teb8VtEQTM4&feature=emb_logo

Same old words. Different day.

”Thought we had some pretty good looks from 3”
”We gotta continue to get better”
”We have to finish a little better around the rim”
“What hurt us… giving up the threes… You can’t do that against really good shooters”
“We’re gonna pick ourselves back up…”

Then he says,“I thought some missed threes lead to some transition opportunities (for St. John’s)”

Thanks Captain Obvious. Yet, every time his team kept clawing back into the game with their inside game (Jones, Odom and Nunge), Steele never thought to say to his guys “Hey guys, let’s keep going inside - We’re right back in this game. If we keep working it inside, they’ll keep fouling and we’ll not only get to stop the clock, but maybe even grab the lead.” Nope. Instead Travis simply allows his players to go back to letting his horrible shooters launching lazy 3s that miss which lead to (as he would say after the game) “Transition opportunities on those long rebounds” which allowed St. John’s to simply pull away again.

It’s disturbing that Steele would prefer “good looks (by bad shooters) from 3” over continuing to stick with what was actually working (taking it inside). It’s become painfully clear that players forcing 3s, players continuing to be out of position, players making lazy passes and the coach allowing bad lineups to stay in the game too long have collectively kept this team from winning many more games. Game after game any team momentum or chance of winning gets taken away by bad play on the court or by bad decisions by the coach.

Steele always seems to have pretty good stats after the game. Too bad he doesn’t seem to have better solutions during the game.

[Xville]

No way. This team needs a total rebuild and a culture change. Odom can’t shoot, Tandy and Kunkle are streaky shooters who don’t defend well, and Colby struggles from the outside as well. This team needs some badasses that will get Xavier back to being a difficult team to play. We don’t have a single one of them on the roster.

A good coach can change the culture quickly.

Odom is a hell of a player who defends his behind off, and he seems like he could be a good leader. Nunge is a good inside guy, Colby a good complimentary Swiss Army knife. The others would be off the bench… need a good 2 and a beefy 4 from the portal.

[American X]

Strange. Travis didn’t have the typical post presser.
Where is he in some kind of secret underground bunker.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=Teb8VtEQTM4&feature=emb_logo

Same old words. Different day.

”Thought we had some pretty good looks from 3”
”We gotta continue to get better”
”We have to finish a little better around the rim”
“What hurt us… giving up the threes… You can’t do that against really good shooters”
“We’re gonna pick ourselves back up…”

Then he says,“I thought some missed threes lead to some transition opportunities (for St. John’s)”

Thanks Captain Obvious. Yet, every time his team kept clawing back into the game with their inside game (Jones, Odom and Nunge), Steele never thought to say to his guys “Hey guys, let’s keep going inside - We’re right back in this game. If we keep working it inside, they’ll keep fouling and we’ll not only get to stop the clock, but maybe even grab the lead.” Nope. Instead Travis simply allows his players to go back to letting his horrible shooters launching lazy 3s that miss which lead to (as he would say after the game) “Transition opportunities on those long rebounds” which allowed St. John’s to simply pull away again.

It’s disturbing that Steele would prefer “good looks (by bad shooters) from 3” over continuing to stick with what was actually working (taking it inside). It’s become painfully clear that players forcing 3s, players continuing to be out of position, players making lazy passes and the coach allowing bad lineups to stay in the game too long have collectively kept this team from winning many more games. Game after game any team momentum or chance of winning gets taken away by bad play on the court or by bad decisions by the coach.

Steele always seems to have pretty good stats after the game. Too bad he doesn’t seem to have better solutions during the game.

I concur. I award you reputation points. I have harped on the bad three attempts since the first tip of the season.

Xavier did claw back a couple times by executing inside, then The Jerome Hunter Three-Point Experience happened. Coach Hoodie has obviously given him the green light, so I put most of blame there. After that, all momentum was stolen like Prince Akeem's luggage off a Queens sidewalk.

[xavierj]

2017 when Tre Bluiett got hurt. But that was player injury related. Nothing more

Well Trevon did play in 4 of those games and at least 38 minutes in 3 of them. That team went 5-10 over a 15 game stretch. The difference is that team was just more talented and much more physical. Chris Mack never would have made it to Louisville without Trevon. This current team is done though. They may beat Georgetown, but they won’t beat Butler.

[SM#24]

Well. I have to chose between the Muskies and FCC on Saturday - that may have just made my decision easier.

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Muskies are still better than FCC.

[SM#24]

Just watched postgame comments from Steele. He thought Hunter played well. Unbelievable
To be fair and I’ve said this before, there are positives to Hunter’s game. Outside shooting is not one of them. If he took as many three point shots this year as Dwon has, we would be praising him for the other things he does. But I do agree in the now famous words of Steve Lappas (who I can’t stand by the way), “Hunter has no business taking all these shots”

[Masterofreality]

Strange. Travis didn’t have the typical post presser.
Where is he in some kind of secret underground bunker.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=Teb8VtEQTM4&feature=emb_logo

Same old words. Different day.

”Thought we had some pretty good looks from 3”
”We gotta continue to get better”
”We have to finish a little better around the rim”
“What hurt us… giving up the threes… You can’t do that against really good shooters”
“We’re gonna pick ourselves back up…”

Then he says,“I thought some missed threes lead to some transition opportunities (for St. John’s)”

Thanks Captain Obvious. Yet, every time his team kept clawing back into the game with their inside game (Jones, Odom and Nunge), Steele never thought to say to his guys “Hey guys, let’s keep going inside - We’re right back in this game. If we keep working it inside, they’ll keep fouling and we’ll not only get to stop the clock, but maybe even grab the lead.” Nope. Instead Travis simply allows his players to go back to letting his horrible shooters launching lazy 3s that miss which lead to (as he would say after the game) “Transition opportunities on those long rebounds” which allowed St. John’s to simply pull away again.

It’s disturbing that Steele would prefer “good looks (by bad shooters) from 3” over continuing to stick with what was actually working (taking it inside). It’s become painfully clear that players forcing 3s, players continuing to be out of position, players making lazy passes and the coach allowing bad lineups to stay in the game too long have collectively kept this team from winning many more games. Game after game any team momentum or chance of winning gets taken away by bad play on the court or by bad decisions by the coach.

Steele always seems to have pretty good stats after the game. Too bad he doesn’t seem to have better solutions during the game.

Great analysis

[murray87]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but even Rafftery was exasperated by our "offense" towards the end. One sequence when seemingly the entire team was running around helter-skelter beyond the arc and Raff said "the foul line is open" yet we did nothing but clang another desperate three. It doesn't take John Wooden to devise something where Dwon dribbles towards the line, then maybe he's open for a jumper or maybe Colby or Nunge have broken towards the hoop when the D collapses on Dwon and he can dish off for an easy bucket.

It's elementary my dear Tin Man!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I think a senior night loss at home against winlessGeorgetown will do it. That will be enough for the AD to hear he home court heckling from our own fans.

[markchal]

Still so surreal to see how bad he's ruined this program. We were picked third in the Big East and will be lucky to finish 8th. February collapse every year, and honestly? This might be the worst one. Most experienced/talented roster he's had, yet we ROUTINELY get blown out by 10-15+ almost every game lately.

[Xville]

So I watched again from when x got it to 4 at 52-49 with 8:53 left and St. John’s calls a timeout. Anderson, who is an average coach, makes adjustments…Steele makes adjustments as well…. Lol just kidding

Colby misses a crucial 1 and 1… hunter then fouls Alexander the next time down on a drive that was going nowhere… who makes both 54-49.

Hunter jacks up a three with 8 seconds left in the shot clock even though kunkel is wide open next to him, as well as the entire lane. Coburn makes a 3 and it is essentially game over.

Actuwlly only down 7 with 6 minutes left but then Steele brings Scruggs in, takes Odom out who has had a heck of a half and now it’s over.

[drudy23]

You sit Scruggs for an extended period of time, and the first play he makes when he returns is a pass directly to the other team.

How do you not throw your hands up and immediately replace him?

He treats these players like they're the 4th grade C team guys who need constant positive encouragement otherwise they will just crack and quit. Are the players really this fragile that he can't challenge them and they'll respond? Does he do this in practice, because I've never seen it on the sidelines in a game.

[drudy23]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but even Rafftery was exasperated by our "offense" towards the end. One sequence when seemingly the entire team was running around helter-skelter beyond the arc and Raff said "the foul line is open" yet we did nothing but clang another desperate three. It doesn't take John Wooden to devise something where Dwon dribbles towards the line, then maybe he's open for a jumper or maybe Colby or Nunge have broken towards the hoop when the D collapses on Dwon and he can dish off for an easy bucket.

It's elementary my dear Tin Man!

This has been a common theme from Raf and the Fox studio guys. You constantly hear "not living up to expectations" from this crew when you talk about X. You know they're talking about the coach, but won't specifically call it out.

In the few games Raf has done of ours, he's always questioning our offense and shot selection - and he's right. He's also wondering out loud why it hasn't gotten better.

[bleedXblue]

Hit the reset button please

[bleedXblue]

You sit Scruggs for an extended period of time, and the first play he makes when he returns is a pass directly to the other team.

How do you not throw your hands up and immediately replace him?

He treats these players like they're the 4th grade C team guys who need constant positive encouragement otherwise they will just crack and quit. Are the players really this fragile that he can't challenge them and they'll respond? Does he do this in practice, because I've never seen it on the sidelines in a game.

This was exactly my point two weeks ago. Does he stick a foot up any players a**?

No wonder the players like him

He is flat out too nice.......

[drudy23]

This was exactly my point two weeks ago. Does he stick a foot up any players a**?

No wonder the players like him

He is flat out too nice.......

Not sure who brought up the term entitlement with this team (was it Byron), but it fits.

The coach enables it because he wants to be liked by "his guys".

There's a psychological study in here somewhere.

[Xavier]

You sit Scruggs for an extended period of time, and the first play he makes when he returns is a pass directly to the other team.

How do you not throw your hands up and immediately replace him?
.

I hate that Scruggs has had such a tough year. He has ups and downs but his down play is as dumb and bad as it gets. Scruggs is a very good 3rd option on a team. That pass is classic Paul unfortunately, such a lazy pass. How he has that as a 5th year senior is beyond me.

[Muskie]

I hate that Scruggs has had such a tough year. He has ups and downs but his down play is as dumb and bad as it gets. Scruggs is a very good 3rd option on a team. That pass is classic Paul unfortunately, such a lazy pass. How he has that as a 5th year senior is beyond me.

Every player peaks and then they are what they are. As fans we get this mentality that the longer the player is in the program the better they get. If I'm being honest, Paul capped out one and half seasons ago. He's a GREAT player when he doesn't have to be the Leader or the lead scorer. He is who he is at this point. A guy talented enough to give you one to two games per season where he can put the team on his back and will a win for you. Otherwise he's a competent but not flashy player.

[Masterofreality]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but even Rafftery was exasperated by our "offense" towards the end. One sequence when seemingly the entire team was running around helter-skelter beyond the arc and Raff said "the foul line is open" yet we did nothing but clang another desperate three. It doesn't take John Wooden to devise something where Dwon dribbles towards the line, then maybe he's open for a jumper or maybe Colby or Nunge have broken towards the hoop when the D collapses on Dwon and he can dish off for an easy bucket.

It's elementary my dear Tin Man!

If you want an example of Lunacy and poor coaching there was this.
St John’s in a zone. Foul line open. Dwon has ball at 3 point line.
Jerome Hunter breaks up from the baseline, nah, not to the open foul line spot.
Nah. Hunter runs right past open foul line but to set a pick for Dwon. AGAINST A ZONE!!
Of course nothing happens, we jack up another 3 that wastes a possession.
Stuff in a nutshell.

[Masterofreality]

You sit Scruggs for an extended period of time, and the first play he makes when he returns is a pass directly to the other team.

How do you not throw your hands up and immediately replace him?

He treats these players like they're the 4th grade C team guys who need constant positive encouragement otherwise they will just crack and quit. Are the players really this fragile that he can't challenge them and they'll respond? Does he do this in practice, because I've never seen it on the sidelines in a game.

There is never any yelling or mean mugs in practice from what I’ve seen.
Maybe they were just being polite for the invitees when we were there though.

[drudy23]

There is never any yelling or mean mugs in practice from what I’ve seen.
Maybe they were just being polite for the invitees when we were there though.

Are you still on the invite list lol

[American X]

You sit Scruggs for an extended period of time, and the first play he makes when he returns is a pass directly to the other team.

Fifth-year senior Paul Scruggs passing the ball directly to the other team on a crucial possession sums up so much of this season and the last four years.

[American X]

As fans we get this mentality that the longer the player is in the program the better they get.

Rightly so we have that mentality! Because we have seen it so many times! I am still campaigning for the Jason Love statue as a testament to improving over your four years.

Players are not just not improving but devolving over their career. Coach Hoodie let the scourge of Lumpkinitis (which Burrell & Lavender eradicated) back into the locker room and introduced Dee Davis Disease as well.

[Masterofreality]

Are you still on the invite list lol

I haven’t cussed Christopher out to his face yet. :-)

[ArizonaXUGrad]

You have to think a player revolt is coming. This off season could see a mass exodus ala UC to force Christopher’s hand.

[drudy23]

You have to think a player revolt is coming. This off season could see a mass exodus ala UC to force Christopher’s hand.

I don't know. The players seem to like Steele. I think they like their coaches treating them like their buddies. It doesn't do much for getting the most out of them, but it makes their lives easier not having a coach that's constantly yelling at them. It's the easier path.

I worry about the young guys. It was basically a wasted year for Edwards who should have been sprinkled into the rotation the entire season.

As I mentioned before, I could see Kunkel looking elsewhere and even Nunge, because he doesn't see a path to winning.

[gladdenguy]

I mean, there is still a chance at a run. We should beat grown and butler. I prefer Providence over nova. I’m nuts I know, but could see us getting to semi finals facing a 4/5 seed.
Make the tournament and make a run= successful season. This season still can be successful



I’m not sure why I do this to myself. Makes the losses even more painful.

Do you really want this?

It will not hide everything that he has done year after year to drive this program to the ground. I'm as big a Xavier fan as any, but I honestly don't want them making the tourney. That will allow Steele to keep his job. That is not the long term solution we need.

He has proved, after 4 years, that he is not the guy. Greg Christopher needs to make a change. If not, there will be many people opting out of tickets next year, and it could get ugly fast.

[IM4X]

To be fair and I’ve said this before, there are positives to Hunter’s game. Outside shooting is not one of them. If he took as many three point shots this year as Dwon has, we would be praising him for the other things he does. But I do agree in the now famous words of Steve Lappas (who I canÂ’t stand by the way), “Hunter has no business taking all these shots”

This is the probing though about Hunter and even other X players. They don’t play to their strengths. They want to prove they can do more even though they don’t do it well and it crippled the team. And Steele invites this kind of thinking and behavior on the court. “Hey guys take a shot if you are open.” It’s just garbage.

Unfortunately what makes it worse for Hunter is that he struggles when it comes to making open layups. I don’t know if it is all mental or not. Even if Steele claims he plays solid defense (which he doesn’t consistently), it hurts the team tremendously to have that guy on offense when he can’t be counted on to make the easy basket. It’s like many of these guys don’t practice shooting or passing during practice.

[IM4X]

I hate that Scruggs has had such a tough year. He has ups and downs but his down play is as dumb and bad as it gets. Scruggs is a very good 3rd option on a team. That pass is classic Paul unfortunately, such a lazy pass. How he has that as a 5th year senior is beyond me.

He does have lazy passes, but often the passes we think of as lazy (that get stollen) are actually the fault of teammate calling for the ball, yet being too lazy to create sufficient separation. Jones is guilty of doing it. Kunkel is guilty of doing it. Hunter. Free. Scruggs. All guilty of being that lazy teammate who refuses to take a few quick steps to get the separation. They just assume person defending them are not paying attention to the pass…. And boom… the defender steps and front and takes off down the court for an easy bucket.

This is on Steele for not drilling it in their heads right before the game. “If a pass gets stollen that was on it’s way to you and it was stolen because you didn’t help by moving and making it and easier pass for your teammate, then you will sit on the bench and I will call you out by name after the game for that bit of laziness. That’s how stupid a mistake it is.”

[boozehound]

He does have lazy passes, but often the passes we think of as lazy (that get stollen) are actually the fault of teammate calling for the ball, yet being too lazy to create sufficient separation. Jones is guilty of doing it. Kunkel is guilty of doing it. Hunter. Free. Scruggs. All guilty of being that lazy teammate who refuses to take a few quick steps to get the separation. They just assume person defending them are not paying attention to the pass…. And boom… the defender steps and front and takes off down the court for an easy bucket.

This is on Steele for not drilling it in their heads right before the game. “If a pass gets stollen that was on it’s way to you and it was stolen because you didn’t help by moving and making it and easier pass for your teammate, then you will sit on the bench and I will call you out by name after the game for that bit of laziness. That’s how stupid a mistake it is.”

Good point. It happens so often that it is very clearly tolerated. Although, it seems like almost anything is tolerated right now. Case in point: The Jerome Hunter 3-point experience.

[IM4X]

Good point. It happens so often that it is very clearly tolerated. Although, it seems like almost anything is tolerated right now. Case in point: The Jerome Hunter 3-point experience.

Agree. I’m pretty sure if Miles went in the game and bricked a bunch of threes Steele would just say, “Miles had some good looks tonight. They just weren’t falling.” Steele isn’t getting that a player whose probability of making a 3 is half of what another player’s is, then that player should not be given the same green light to take a 3.

It’s not even a stretch to think Miles may shoot better from 3 than Hunter. I thought Hunter was heralded as being a good 3 point shooter. As you mentioned in your other post, “good shooters” struggling to make baskets year after year in Steele’s system suggests that a big part of the the problem is his system.

[xuphan]

Agree. I’m pretty sure if Miles went in the game and bricked a bunch of threes Steele would just say, “Miles had some good looks tonight. They just weren’t falling.” Steele isn’t getting that a player whose probability of making a 3 is half of what another player’s is, then that player should not be given the same green light to take a 3.

It’s not even a stretch to think Miles may shoot better from 3 than Hunter. I thought Hunter was heralded as being a good 3 point shooter. As you mentioned in your other post, “good shooters” struggling to make baskets year after year in Steele’s system suggests that a big part of the the problem is his system.

Anyone catch Joe and Byron calling the game yesterday? What were their thoughts? I always find value in Byron’s thoughts with him being a former Xavier player.

[IM4X]

Anyone catch Joe and Byron calling the game yesterday? What were their thoughts? I always find value in Byron’s thoughts with him being a former Xavier player.

I didn’t catch it. I do often wonder why X doesn’t try to get Byron involved with coaching in some capacity. I mean, is there anyone who has more pride in X doing well then him?

[xukeith]

This may be abit off topic but while I was tuning in the radio, I find UC broadcasters broadcasting the UC -SMU game and I noticed that the Team are physically in Texas.

Why are Joe and Byron continuing to broadcast remotely. It is not as good as in person.
Not enough money to pay for the X broadcast?

Is this another reason X is not a big time program with remote broadcasts?

[bjf123]

I don’t think that was Xavier’s call. Maybe the Big East didn’t want the opposing team’s broadcasting people on site?


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