Game Thread/NIT Tournament: Xavier v University of Florida (3/20/2022)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://www.funwearsports.com/NCAA/FLORIDA_GATORS_UF/Florida-Gators-Die-Cut-UF-Albert-Gator-Mascot-Logo-Vinyl-Decal.jpg

NO. 2 SEED XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (19-13)
NO. 3 SEED UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GATORS (20-13)
2022 NATIONAL INVITATION TOURNAMENT SECOND ROUND
SUNDAY, MARCH 20 AT 1 P.M. AT CINTAS CENTER (10,224)

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: ESPN with play-by-play from Mike Morgan and analysis from Tim Welsh.
Radio: 700 WLW 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).

Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://Statbroadcast.com) and fan stats at GoXavier.com (http://GoXavier.com).

[Three Point Pete]

Interims Al Pinkins vs Jonas Hayes does not look too relevant. I'm thinking coaching will not be stellar. It will come down to which squad is tougher and has more desire to win.
OPs suggest Xavier is soft, this game should settle it. I see interesting matchups: Jones/Reeves, Nunge/Castelton, Scruggs/Appleby. Watch out for these Gators they bushwhacked top -ten Auburn in Feb. I hope everyone shows up to support our guys, because this could be the most exciting game of the tourney.

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[D-West & PO-Z]

Get you tickets now before you can't get them. Feeling good about a Sean Miller floor speech!

I am hearing very good things!

[muskiefan82]

I wonder what practice is like.

[xu82]

Get you tickets now before you can't get them. Feeling good about a Sean Miller floor speech!

I am hearing very good things!

I almost wish I had not read that. Stuff like that gets me more excited than I should be, and I’d prefer not to have my soul crushed.


Deep breaths…..OK, life will go on.

[Strange Brew]

I almost wish I had not read that. Stuff like that gets me more excited than I should be, and I’d prefer not to have my soul crushed.


Deep breaths…..OK, life will go on.

The last 4 winters have been soul crushing enough…:)

[D-West & PO-Z]

I almost wish I had not read that. Stuff like that gets me more excited than I should be, and I’d prefer not to have my soul crushed.


Deep breaths…..OK, life will go on.

Ha, still hearing positive things but obviously who knows how long this will take??

[American X]

Will we hear a 'WE WANT MILLER!' chant on Sunday?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Will we hear a 'WE WANT MILLER!' chant on Sunday?

Hopefully they bring bagman out to center court to lead the cheer!

[American X]

I never imagined that I would be excited for this NIT game.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Get you tickets now before you can't get them. Feeling good about a Sean Miller floor speech!

I am hearing very good things!

Hoping for that floor speech!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[D-West & PO-Z]

I never imagined that I would be excited for this NIT game.

Same! I am 2 rows back under the basket right by the X bench. Cannot wait!

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Going to be interesting to see how the players react tomorrow. More intensity? Better discipline? More confidence maybe?

[bjf123]

It will be interesting to see how many fans show up now. My wife and I would be there, but we’ll be teaching a scuba class.


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[Smooth]

Hoping for that floor speech!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

That would be like Quick Change, Frisbee dogs, and Unicycle Dish Chick combined.

[bleedXblue]

Would be very cool if he was there and acknowledged the crowd at some point.

[wvmuskie420]

Just bought my ticket for tomorrow...middle section row P Xavier bench side....will be catching greyhound at 815...in the nati by noon!!!!!! Anyone have any recommendations for a cheap hotel to stay at for the night?

[American X]

Hopefully they bring bagman out to center court to lead the cheer!


Would be very cool if he was there and acknowledged the crowd at some point.

Even better, bring the bagman out to center court to lead the cheer then remove the bag to reveal IT IS SEAN MILLER!

[xuphan]

Just bought my ticket for tomorrow...middle section row P Xavier bench side....will be catching greyhound at 815...in the nati by noon!!!!!! Anyone have any recommendations for a cheap hotel to stay at for the night?

How cheap are you talking? Cheap hotel Ive stayed at for Xavier games would be the Quality Inn & Suites Cincinnati. Good price for a quick overnight stay and not to far from the Cintas. I guess it all depends on your price and what you want in the hotel.

[wvmuskie420]

50-75.00.....only thing I require is a tv and a bed lol...

[bobbiemcgee]

50-75.00.....only thing I require is a tv and a bed lol...

You're talking super 8 territory. Bring the roach powder.

https://www.google.com/search?q=super+8+cincinnati&rlz=1C1JZAP_enUS904US904&oq=super+8+cincinnati&aqs=chrome..69i57j46i175i199i512j0i22i30l5j0i10i22 i30.10210j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[UCGRAD4X]

Attending Xavier's last NIT game EVER!!!

(at Cintas and, after this year...anywhere)

[American X]

I did not have gator down for the first victory celebration of the new Sean Miller Era, but, alas, we should get used to devouring everything in our path.


https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FlCwZRKW.gif&f=1&nofb=1

Tonight We Ride!!!

[xuphan]

You're talking super 8 territory. Bring the roach powder.

https://www.google.com/search?q=super+8+cincinnati&rlz=1C1JZAP_enUS904US904&oq=super+8+cincinnati&aqs=chrome..69i57j46i175i199i512j0i22i30l5j0i10i22 i30.10210j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

The first thing you should do after getting to your room is to check the bed for bed bugs and stains. Check every inch of that bed of beds.

[JTG]

I'm guessing the players go all out today auditioning for the new coach. Or not, if they plan on leaving.

[GoMuskies]

Attending Xavier's last NIT game EVER!!!

(at Cintas and, after this year...anywhere)

Nah, Vanderbilt is taking down Dayton. We'll have a other home game this week.

[Strange Brew]

You're talking super 8 territory. Bring the roach powder.

https://www.google.com/search?q=super+8+cincinnati&rlz=1C1JZAP_enUS904US904&oq=super+8+cincinnati&aqs=chrome..69i57j46i175i199i512j0i22i30l5j0i10i22 i30.10210j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Can't worse than the Best Western in Hazard, KY. I seen it!

[KabeX]

Byron just said Zach not starting b/c he missed practice. Gotta believe he's one of the transfers but we'll see.

[GoMuskies]

Fuck this F1 bullshit.

[paulxu]

Why is the F1 broadcast on?

[xukeith]

Why is the F1 broadcast on?

What’s this car racing ??

[atljar]

Try ESPN 2!

[noteggs]

Because it’s ESPN

[GoMuskies]

Why is the F1 broadcast on?

Because ESPN treats the NIT like the dogshit that it is, but it's OUR dogshit today!

[MHettel]

It’s on ESPN 2

[xukeith]

Because it’s ESPN

ESPN doesn’t air the NIT today?

[Jesuit4Life]

Game is on ESPN2 right now

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[GoMuskies]

It's on ESPN2! Was the crowd sounding loud at the start. Missed it in the ESPN bullshit.

[xukeith]

So Freemantle quit the team I guess or somebody had him run away.

[MHettel]

Anyone know if Stanley is in uniform / on the bench?

[GoMuskies]

What was that addidas commercial?!?

[GoMuskies]

Anyone know if Stanley is in uniform / on the bench?

Nevermind. My mind went to Edwards.

[noteggs]

So Freemantle quit the team I guess or somebody had him run away.

Missed practice this week

[drudy23]

So Freemantle quit the team I guess or somebody had him run away.

He's on the bench.

Sounds like he missed practice and has to sit? Anyone know the story here?

[GoMuskies]

Here comes Free

[paulxu]

Some sloppy passing.

[GoMuskies]

Some sloppy passing.

Especially by Florida. Hopefully a killer instinct today. Step on their throats right now! Back to ESPN.

[Jesuit4Life]

Okay, now it's on ESPN... this is ridiculous.

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[American X]

(insert Xavier under Miller will be like a F1 racecar analogy here)

[GoMuskies]

AmX, your ban hammer is requested in the Miller recruiting impact thread.

[SM#24]

I can't imagine how good Scruggs would be if he could stay until he’s 30.

[noteggs]

Huh…thought Freemantle’s defense would’ve gotten better with the coaching change. Mystery

[American X]

AmX, your ban hammer is requested in the Miller recruiting impact thread.

These poor Butler fans goes haywire when the tournament is in their town, they are not within a light year of it, and Xavier hires the coach to sweep them from here until the end of days.

[bjf123]

Any estimates on crowd size?


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[XUBison]

Any estimates on crowd size?


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Dunno, but the atmosphere is night and day from Tuesday.

[SM#24]

Any estimates on crowd size?


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From a friend: Byron & Joe commented that the lower bowl is basically full.

[Xavgrad08]

Hope Scruggs is ok. Don’t want to see anyone get hurt in a meaningless game.

[noteggs]

Halftime commentary on new coaches from ESPN-

“What a great young coach Golden’s going to be and so on and so on…”

“We know Miller can coach, but let’s spend 95% of the time talking about recruiting violations.”

Nice…assholes! Typical ESPN

[GoMuskies]

Colby with what would have been a sweet throw down on a Nerf goal!

Nice start.

[GoMuskies]

This seems like a game between two teams that belong in the NIT.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I say there is about 3500 here. Scruggs just came back in on crutches

[American X]

Jerome Hunter is a hot knife through butter.

[GoMuskies]

Love Hunter NOT shooting the three. This second half team isn't bad.

[noteggs]

They finally realized Travis wasn’t on the bench? Too soon?

[Jesuit4Life]

https://twitter.com/XavierMBB/status/1505614830941708289

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[American X]

Love Hunter NOT shooting the three. This second half team isn't bad.

...and The Jerome Hunter Three-Point Experience returns!!!

[GoMuskies]

Vintage Hunter!

[GoMuskies]

This is a rock throwing contest.

[American X]

Why Jerome Hunter is camped out in the corner will remain one of the great mysteries of the universe.

[GoMuskies]

If we hold the ball for 30 seconds every time we may be able to win without scoring again. I'm not sure we CAN score again.

[whopper]

watching this game you can see how teams like Creighton, St Peters, and others have jelled during the season and we(and Florida) stagnated. We are not better than November and others teams have grown in cohesion. You have to watch some NCAA and then this to see it. It happens but hopefully wont again. That Castleton rebound was a lucky carom into active hands but stiill worried me

[American X]

Air Hunter!

[xu82]

I trust Hunter shooting…..dunks.

[GoMuskies]

If Hunter spent more time dunking and less time shooting 3s he'd be a lot more popular.

[GoMuskies]

I don't feel like we miss Travis Steele.

[American X]

I don't feel like we miss Travis Steele.

Who?

[GoMuskies]

Who?

The Hoodie Guy

[GoMuskies]

Creighton women win. Nice.

[noteggs]

Beat me to it Go

[xu82]

I don't feel like we miss Travis Steele.

Addition by subtraction……

[noteggs]

Can you have a flagrant foul from your own teammate?

[paulxu]

I did not have gator down for the first victory celebration of the new Sean Miller Era, but, alas, we should get used to devouring everything in our path.


https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FlCwZRKW.gif&f=1&nofb=1

Tonight We Ride!!!

Just because I like this.

[noteggs]

Empty the bench!

[SM#24]

Creighton women win. Nice.
Another $100 tournament credit.

[xu82]

Can you have a flagrant foul from your own teammate?

My son blocked his teammate’s shot in a scrimmage in high school. Everybody approved.

[SM#24]

Jonas 1-0
Maybe we wasted a lot of money on Sean when the answer was right in front of us…jk

[American X]

That game had a completely different feel. It may have been unappealing to a neutral observer, but I thought it was a thing of beauty-ish. That is the first enjoyable game since UConn on 2/11.

[Masterofreality]

We got 20 wins!!
What’s our NET??

[xu82]

That game had a completely different feel. It may have been unappealing to a neutral observer, but I thought it was a thing of beauty-ish. That is the first enjoyable game since UConn on 2/11.

I happy to read this to an OSU buddy I’m sitting with. I just said the same thing.

[Masterofreality]

...and The Jerome Hunter Three-Point Experience returns!!!

Cannot believe that he will be in Sean’s plans, at least without significant aggressive counseling.

[XUBison]

That game had a completely different feel. It may have been unappealing to a neutral observer, but I thought it was a thing of beauty-ish. That is the first enjoyable game since UConn on 2/11.

But didn’t you hear? The players miss their coach.

[Masterofreality]

But didn’t you hear? The players miss their coach.

I can most assuredly tell you, they do not.

[XUBison]

I can most assuredly tell you, they do not.

But,but— ESPN said so.

Maybe I’m sensitive, but the coverage was annoyingly pro-Gators. I never heard the commentators talk about how much Florida’s players missed their coach. Nope, they’re just excited for their new Golden boy.

[Masterofreality]

But,but— ESPN said so.

Maybe I’m sensitive, but the coverage was annoyingly pro-Gators. I never heard the commentators talk about how much Florida’s players missed their coach. Nope, they’re just excited for their new Golden boy.

Of course, because the SEC Network is an ESPN project. They are in bed big time with them. Just like Fox is big in with the Big East and Pac 12. The Big 10 Network is a Fox project too.
The bias was not surprising. ESPN still tolerates the BE

On the players, there was too much floating around in New York-before the Butler game- to ignore and not believe.

[X-band '01]

Cannot believe that he will be in Sean’s plans, at least without significant aggressive counseling.

He needs to put in a call to Archie and ask how the hell he thought recruiting Hunter at IU was a good idea.

[X-band '01]

Just because I like this.

Was nice watching the students and a few Florida fans chomping back and forth at the under-4 TO.

[xu82]

I missed the first half because a buddy came by and we went out for lunch. I have to say, what I did see of the second half just looked………different. We have players, we just need to put them in a position to thrive.

I’m VERY optimistic about the future of Xavier basketball.

[IM4X]

Cannot believe that he will be in Sean’s plans, at least without significant aggressive counseling.

Especially because it didn’t work out between Hunter and Sean’s brother, right?

[X-band '01]

Hope Scruggs is ok. Don’t want to see anyone get hurt in a meaningless game.

His knee was definitely iced down when he returned to the floor. Didn't hear any update on the postgame, but I'd be surprised if he'd be able to go for Xavier's next game from what we saw today.

[X-band '01]

I missed the first half because a buddy came by and we went out for lunch. I have to say, what I did see of the second half just looked………different. We have players, we just need to put them in a position to thrive.

I’m VERY optimistic about the future of Xavier basketball.

Xavier started the 2nd half with a 14-3 run. Other than that, it felt just like every other Big East home game where the team in white was jacking up 3 after 3. I just didn't realize Florida would throw out a lineup that looked like Castleton and 4 Jerome Hunters of their own.

[IM4X]

That game had a completely different feel. It may have been unappealing to a neutral observer, but I thought it was a thing of beauty-ish. That is the first enjoyable game since UConn on 2/11.

agree.

Thought Hayes and the rest of the assistants looked dialed in today against Florida. The players seemed relaxed and in a grove. Better chemistry. Better passing. Less forced shots. Maybe the best team chemistry since early in the season. This could be easier for Miller to try to keep all or most of the assistants.

[XUBison]

Of course, because the SEC Network is an ESPN project. They are in bed big time with them. Just like Fox is big in with the Big East and Pac 12. The Big 10 Network is a Fox project too.
The bias was not surprising. ESPN still tolerates the BE

On the players, there was too much floating around in New York-before the Butler game- to ignore and not believe.

I get that ESPN sucks, but it was still obnoxious. I suspect we are in for a lot of that— so worth it.

I do feel some have tried to float a narrative that Steele was jobbed. Some on this board have even suggested as much. I wouldn’t be surprised if a team full of early 20-something guys felt this way. They’ll get over it and move on.

[paulxu]

The good: Making more FT's than the other team shot
The bad: 18 TO's
The ugly: 20% from 3

But boy were there some stretches of really good ball movement. Future looks bright.

[IM4X]

The good: Making more FT's than the other team shot
The bad: 18 TO's
The ugly: 20% from 3

But boy were there some stretches of really good ball movement. Future looks bright.


All the more reason Miller needs to hang onto Ward and Craft.

[JTG]

Defensive effort seemed to be there, and an actual plan on defense (double team Casleton) Previously we never seemed to have a plan for the opponent's best player.

[Masterofreality]

Defensive effort seemed to be there, and an actual plan on defense (double team Casleton) Previously we never seemed to have a plan for the opponent's best player.

Yes

[X-band '01]

Thing is, if Cleveland State had one more day to prepare and figure out what the rest of the Big East already knew about Xavier, I think they'd win. Fortunately that did not happen.

[Masterofreality]

agree.

Thought Hayes and the rest of the assistants looked dialed in today against Florida. The players seemed relaxed and in a grove. Better chemistry. Better passing. Less forced shots. Maybe the best team chemistry since early in the season. This could be easier for Miller to try to keep all or most of the assistants.


Yes. Remember how Raftery was commenting during Xavier games about how tight Xavier's team looked?
They sure didn't seem tight today.
The team takes on the personality of its coach. Steele always seemed to be too wired into analytics and stats, without really understanding flow of the game and what was actually going on on the court. His sub patterns seemed to reflect that.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Vandy up on UD with 8 to go.

[X-band '01]

Game now going to OT in Vandy.

[xukeith]

If Vandy wins, will next game be at Cintas?

[GoMuskies]

If Vandy wins, will next game be at Cintas?

Yes

[bjf123]

Looks like Vandy is coming to Cintas. Sucks to be Dayton!


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[X-band '01]

Senior Day, Part IV

[GoMuskies]

Senior Day, Part IV

For REAL this time.

[muskiefan82]

Everything is so much more fun today

[bobbiemcgee]

Senior Day, Part IV

Thx Vandy. We never want to play a game at the VDump again.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Vandy won because of Pippen. That guy can play. We will need to double him. Dayton never did.

[bobbiemcgee]

VD gave up their home game for a hs tournament. Dumb scheduling.

[noteggs]

Vandy won because of Pippen. That guy can play. We will need to double him. Dayton never did.

Yeah, he also torched us in the “secret scrimmage” game in November.

[smileyy]

VD gave up their home game for a hs tournament. Dumb scheduling.

Do you expect anything else from the dump?

[xuphan]

Do you expect anything else from the dump?

Who and when do we play in the next round?

[IM4X]

Yes. Remember how Raftery was commenting during Xavier games about how tight Xavier's team looked?
They sure didn't seem tight today.
The team takes on the personality of its coach. Steele always seemed to be too wired into analytics and stats, without really understanding flow of the game and what was actually going on on the court. His sub patterns seemed to reflect that.

Yes. Rafferty clearly thought something was wrong with the team. He and Brando were trying really hard not to be too harsh but couldn’t t help but mention something seems off with the players. Steele certainly knows how to collect stats. He can tell you WHAT things were bad in a game (missed open 3, didn’t play well enough on defense, etc.)

Unfortunately, he never questioned his thinking or approach enough to discover the best answer for WHY those things were bad or challenge himself to figure out how to properly fix them. “They had open looks, but shots just weren’t falling” was too often his canned answer. He didn’t seem to care that a player wasn’t a good 3 point shooter or was having an off day or how far behind the line the player was when he took the shot or if his players set their feet and squared their shoulders before taking the shot or if players were shooting the ball as they were moving left or right as the released the ball or if a player- taking the shot - was completely gassed, making it extremely likely that the ball was going to fall short (hitting the front rim).

He also struggled to change his defense and lineups that better fit each opponent and situation. It sure felt like we were playing a lot of man against Cleveland State (at least in the second half) and they just kept blowing past X players defending them- easily scoring in the paint, yet they couldn’t shoot a lick form outside. You would think zone would help keep them from penetrating and force them to keep shooting 3s.

Travis can learn form this experience. If I were him, I would really study WHY things didn’t go so well in games and be very self critical. I would rewatch every press conference and really listen this time to the questions asked and my answers. Then I’d challenge myself to be better about HOW I might have responded differently both in my responses and in my approach. Maybe be more hands-on about how and when players shoot and keep working on getting my players to play tougher and finish better in the paint. Also, really challenge myself to find a better approach with defense.

[D-West & PO-Z]

From a friend: Byron & Joe commented that the lower bowl is basically full.

85%

Night and day difference in atmosphere from last Tuesday night. Granted their are other factors involved in that (day/time, opponent) but Miller hire has reenergized the fan base no doubt.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Hope Scruggs is ok. Don’t want to see anyone get hurt in a meaningless game.

Man, same. I feel for Scruggs big time. He was crying, sense he realizes it is something severe. Let's hope not.

For as much as Scruggs didn't have the season he or us wanted him to, he was still the heart and soul of this team and gave a ton to Xavier. He didn't have to play a 5th year, didn't have to play in the NIT, is getting ready to start a pro career somewhere and this happens. I hope it's a quick recovery.

2 of the 3 refs came to check on Scruggs when he returned to the bench (during 2 different timeouts). I think that says a lot about the respect he has from those in the college basketball community.

[markchal]

just hate that for him, guy was a warrior for us for 5 years. Not always perfect, but there were games where he was the only one who could make things happen. I'll *always* remember his dunk to seal the OSU win. Really hope it's not what we all know what it is. And if it is, just an incredible bummer of an ending to his career with us.

[IM4X]

just hate that for him, guy was a warrior for us for 5 years. Not always perfect, but there were games where he was the only one who could make things happen. I'll *always* remember his dunk to seal the OSU win. Really hope it's not what we all know what it is. And if it is, just an incredible bummer of an ending to his career with us.

A thing of beauty.

[whopper]

i remember scruggs hit 2 shots to put us up 71-69 against FSU 4 years ago..that is a long career. If he could have been the 2 guard he would have been much better off but Q blowing up forced him to point where he really struggled especially when you look at good points in the tournament. Hope he is ok but will know soon. He also crushed Cincinatti last year and can think of a few others as well

[American X]

VD gave up their home game for a hs tournament. Dumb scheduling.

We are working with the Athletic Department to schedule a time for Xavier fans to collectively point and laugh at VD.

[xu82]

We are working with the Athletic Department to schedule a time for Xavier fans to collectively point and laugh at VD.

VD is nothing to laugh at….unless it it that VD.

[joe titan]

He needs to put in a call to Archie and ask how the hell he thought recruiting Hunter at IU was a good idea.

Maybe Hunter ends up @ URI.