Game Thread: Xavier v Duke (11/25/2022)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://i.etsystatic.com/19851161/r/il/d9fc79/3498439660/il_340x270.3498439660_55qz.jpg



THE MATCHUP

RV/RV XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (4-1, 0-0 BIG EAST)
NO. 8/10 DUKE UNIVERSITY BLUE DEVILS (5-1, O-0 ACC)
FRIDAY, NOV. 25, 2022 AT 12:30 P.M. PST (3:30 P.M. ET)
AT MODA CENTER IN PORTLAND, OREGON

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: ESPN with play by-play from Doug Sherman and analysis from Cory Alexander. Brooke Weisbrod is the sideline reporter.
Radio: 55KRC 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 (https://goxavier.com/).

[drudy23]

Yes. Sir.

Great test for this team against a beatable Duke team. Filipkowski will be a tough guard, but I feel like our balance will be tough for Duke to guard. Really looking forward to this game, and a chance for this team to truly take the next step. I won't be disappointed if we lose, but I feel this game is there for the taking.

Florida game we had 5 guys in double figures. Looking forward to this one.

[paulxu]

Same broadcasters as yesterday. But...they added a sideline reporter who played for St Ursula, and then came to Coastal Carolina for her college career.
She's called BE games before. Maybe she should call this one.

[Xville]

Our frontcourt needs to rebound aggressively and grab the damn ball today. No TJD repeat. Get this shit done and bring on mustache ride boy

[GoMuskies]

X +4.5

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Yes. Sir.

Great test for this team against a beatable Duke team. Filipkowski will be a tough guard, but I feel like our balance will be tough for Duke to guard. Really looking forward to this game, and a chance for this team to truly take the next step. I won't be disappointed if we lose, but I feel this game is there for the taking.

Florida game we had 5 guys in double figures. Looking forward to this one.

The balanced scoring is a strength which can be viewed as a potential weakness since only six guys had significant minutes. Our bench must do more today. We cannot keep winning relying on the same starting five. Nunge lacks the stamina to play the no. of minutes he is being asked to play. You can see that late in the last couple of games when his footwork and free throw shooting deteriorated. I would love to see Miles rise to the occasion but that may simply not be possible.

[drudy23]

The balanced scoring is a strength which can be viewed as a potential weakness since only six guys had significant minutes. Our bench must do more today. We cannot keep winning relying on the same starting five. Nunge lacks the stamina to play the no. of minutes he is being asked to play. You can see that late in the last couple of games when his footwork and free throw shooting deteriorated. I would love to see Miles rise to the occasion but that may simply not be possible.

I think Colby and Free are capable of playing 35+ night in and night out unless they get in foul trouble. Boum rarely tires as well. I do agree with you on Nunge, but I don't think him playing 30 minutes a game is that concerning. We really only need 2-3 more minutes out of another big man to spell Nung.

Nunge played 32 minutes yesterday - get that to 28-30.

[xudash]

Any word or reasonably acceptable rumors regarding the status of Colby's ankle? He appeared to tweek it a little versus Florida, but he kept going. Obviously, we need him as close to playing at 100% as possible.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Here we go! Let's Ride!

[GoMuskies]

Free can't guard that 7 footer.

[xukeith]

Living by shooting 3 point bricks. It is early.

Flipinski can put on a show.

[GoMuskies]

Why Free? No need for that offensive foul.

[paulxu]

We're out rebounding them, but 1-5 from 3 is not good.

[GoMuskies]

Freshmen

[Blue Blooded-05]

Haven't been able to manufacture a good look yet. Everything difficult against their length

[paulxu]

That was a horrible possession.

[noteggs]

Rolling the dice with this lineup

[GoMuskies]

Getting abused on the offensive end.

[paulxu]

And so was that one.

[Blue Blooded-05]

There we go... finding our stroke! Need to use it to develop the inside game. Won't beat Duke chucking threes.

[GoMuskies]

Nice burst.

[Blue Blooded-05]

The head camera adds absolutely nothing to my enjoyment of this broadcast.

[GoMuskies]

We do some really dumb shit.

[GoMuskies]

Wow, we're falling apart.

[xu82]

Colby needs a Mr Miyagi treatment! Get well!

[xukeith]

Jack and Zack 1/9 from the field

[GoMuskies]

Free is overmatched.

[Blue Blooded-05]

New Duke coach. Same Duke flops.

Still pissed about Duhon's flop in 2004.

[UCGRAD4X]

Absolutely bogus call on Kunkel. Didn't cost us. Then Free gives it up. Our passing has been suspect all year.

[paulxu]

Still a chance in the second half...but this all looks eerily familiar.

[noteggs]

Thank goodness for Boum and Jones

[GoMuskies]

We've still got hope, but that was far from great.

[UCGRAD4X]

We need some Freemantle on both ends of the court.

Keep getting Boum to the line. Nice three point play from the stripe.

[xu82]

New Duke coach. Same Duke flops.

Still pissed about Duhon's flop in 2004.

Some traditions just refuse to die.

[Blue Blooded-05]

I feel like a 6-point deficit isn't too bad.

Their size is tough. Shooting worse inside the arc (37%) than outside the arc (42%). Meanwhile, they're shooting 56%/80%, respectively, with a bunch of contested shots around the arc that fell.

Free has been unable to produce shots or get their bigs in foul trouble. He's rebounding well, but at some point, Miller needs to make the call whether to match up with their size or go small and try to shoot around them. Made a nice run in the first half with a smaller lineup. Boum and Jones are absolute ballers against any opponent. Say what you will about Kunk, but he was the only one who manufactured a few good looks in the first half. They just didn't fall.

We're in this, though. That's all I can ask against a top-10 team.

[xukeith]

Wouldn't we all agree that a healthy 100% Colby Jones is ideal?
Shut him down, X needs that foot 100% .

[Xuperman]

Oddly, I am enjoying this game far more than yesterday. Love that Coach is getting the young bench guys some key minutes against this Blue Blood. Tandy and Hunter are dangerously close to becoming head cases.

[RoseyMuskie]

Wouldn't we all agree that a healthy 100% Colby Jones is ideal?
Shut him down, X needs that foot 100% .

Not the right time to shut down. Maybe sit him against SELA this week. But not against Duke.

[xuwillie]

this is the same crap we see from Freemantle once we hit big east play. Let’s hope he has a decent half

[xukeith]

X offense needs to come from Zach and Jack. That is who X is .

[noteggs]

Duke is going to be in the bonus by the 16 mark at this point

[GoMuskies]

We sucking.

[X Factor]

We are so DUMB! What is going on?

[xukeith]

I guess X needs to wait a couple years before Miller can recruit all top 50 players. It will help.

[X Factor]

We need wide bodies. Jack and Zach are soft.

[RoseyMuskie]

Nunge not catching the ball is yesterdays equivalent of FLA missing their bunnies for our run outs.

[xudash]

How do they come out and start the half that stupidly?

[whopper]

we are rushing too much..probably wont win but the ball must be in hands of Boum, Kunk and Jones and no shame in starting a play over

[Xville]

How do they come out and start the half that stupidly?

Just like the iu game that killed any momentum they had

[KabeX]

Time for a run

[KabeX]

That was timely.

[xudash]

Time for a run

Good post!

[X Factor]

How does Nunge get out-rebounded on the offensive end so often? He's 7 freakin' feet tall!

[xukeith]

Boum needs to shoot is 15 times a game

[GoMuskies]

Well, that's one way to squander a big opportunity.

[X Factor]

Boum needs to shoot is 15 times a game

And take care of the ball!

[xukeith]

How does Nunge get out-rebounded on the offensive end so often? He's 7 freakin' feet tall!

He has old man knees.

[whopper]

looked a little like a kicked ball to me but obviously not called. Let's hope

[xudash]

Passing practice.

Would that be a good idea? Work on their PASSING! Maybe a 4-point swing and Kunkel getting dinged up.

[xudash]

looked a little like a kicked ball to me but obviously not called. Let's hope

Whopper, the replay seem to clearly show that Boum simply put it on his lower leg.

[GoMuskies]

Frustrating

[xudash]

Hunter!

[GoMuskies]

Jerome Hunter sighting!

[GoMuskies]

Nunge is killing us.

[X Factor]

Nunge has ZERO lift

[xukeith]

Xavier will win. you heard it here

[X Factor]

Jack is straight up awful today

[RoseyMuskie]

Make a fricking shot Nunge

[xukeith]

Nunge 1/12

[X Factor]

Jack is 7 feet and 1-12 from the field

[KabeX]

right there under 10 to play. This is when I want to see that Sean Miller induced toughness.

[xu82]

Win or lose, this team is watchable again, and for that I am thankful.

[xubrew]

The commentators at the X v Duke game are talking about some meeting from back in 2008?? At the Meadowlands??

I don’t remember that. I don’t think that ever happened

[X Factor]

Zach terrible shot

[GoMuskies]

Our big guys are going to be fine in the Big East. But we're gonna need better to be elite.

[KabeX]

The commentators at the X v Duke game are talking about some meeting from back in 2008?? At the Meadowlands??

I don’t remember that. I don’t think that ever happened

Yes, I have done further research and it indeed did NOT happen. Oh, and I also recently watched Men In Black

[xu82]

The commentators at the X v Duke game are talking about some meeting from back in 2008?? At the Meadowlands??

I don’t remember that. I don’t think that ever happened

I WISH I has no recollection of that. It’s was a neutral court about that long ago, and it did not end well. That’s more than enough to recall.

[Strange Brew]

Xavier will win. you heard it here

It’s over. :)

[RoseyMuskie]

Ahh, now Duke is getting the “shot didn’t go in so there’s a foul” call.

[X Factor]

We are playing like trash, but the game is right there for the taking. Need to be smart coming down the stretch and execute.

[xukeith]

Defense might make X lucky and squeak a win here. Who would have thought X can play defense?

[GoMuskies]

If that game had happened, and if I had been there, I would have left at halftime.

IF!

[xubrew]

I WISH I has no recollection of that. It’s was a neutral court about that long ago, and it did not end well. That’s more than enough to recall.

Not to be THAT guy, but this is just fake news. We never played them in the Meadowlands in 2009!! And it was never 20-4!!

[UCGRAD4X]

Gon need us some Zack and Jack to finish this off right.

[xu82]

Not to be THAT guy, but this is just fake news. We never played them in the Meadowlands in 2009!! And it was never 20-4!!

I just remember we we “blessed” with the opportunity to play Dook on a neutral court and it ended poorly. That did happen sometime, somewhere about that long ago.

EDIT: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/283552752

[GoMuskies]

Love some Claude, but he is an incredibly freshmany freshman.

[GoMuskies]

I just remember we we “blessed” with the opportunity to play Dook on a neutral court and it ended poorly. That did happen sometime, somewhere about that long ago.

Nope, never happened, and I definitely was not there and definitely did not leave at halftime.

[xu82]

Nope, never happened, and I definitely was not there and definitely did not leave at halftime.

But did you have a good time?

[Strange Brew]

Nope, no foul on Duke there.

[GoMuskies]

But did you have a good time?

I definitely would not have if it had happened.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Interesting Miller stayed with Claude and Tandy after the timeout

[UCGRAD4X]

Boum got hammered.

[GoMuskies]

Nunge has been just awful against Dook and IU.

[Strange Brew]

Boum got hammered.

It was a clean hit. Because Duke.

[KabeX]

Haven't seen Kunkle in a while. Think we might need some 3 balls now.

[UCGRAD4X]

It was a clean hit. Because Duke.

What the f'k was I thinking?

[Strange Brew]

Haven't seen Kunkle in a while. Think we might need some 3 balls now.

He may be hurt after “fouling” the Duke player.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Can't imagine a Tandy fade away was drawn up in the huddle

[GoMuskies]

Maybe Steele was right to bench Tandy.

[Strange Brew]

What the f'k was I thinking?

You were applying the normal rules not the Duke rules.

[Xavier]

Maybe Steele was right to bench Tandy.

Yep. But Kunkel isn’t on the bench he must have gotten hurt

[xukeith]

Looks like X missed 33 layups. Thank God for Boum. Freemantle and Nunge, get rest. Lets beat Purdue Sunday

[bjf123]

Maybe Steele was right to bench Tandy.

No, he wasn’t.


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[muskiefan82]

Why can't X ever show up fully against this damn team?

[Strange Brew]

Why can't X ever show up fully against this damn team?

8 on 5.

[xuwillie]

The front court was complete trash but is anyone surprised.

[whopper]

kunkel must have been hurt on that foul as we needed him those lost 4 minutes

[xu82]

I hate to lose, but I think we can hold our heads high after each of our losses. Miller has given me hope that he will put a competitive team out there, using many of the same parts Steele failed miserably with.

[X-band '01]

Looks like X missed 33 layups. Thank God for Boum. Freemantle and Nunge, get rest. Lets beat Purdue Sunday

Ditto Jones and Kunkel. They could use a couple days to get right.

[X Factor]

Nunge and Freemantle went combined 3-19.

[KabeX]

Well since I can't have a victory beer then I think I'll have another beer. Don't feel real good about this one. Duke is obviously good but man we left a lot of chances out there. Team better be pissed at this result.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Damn. Frustrating. It was there for the taking. Had a few chances to get it below 3 late in the second half. Just didn't capitalize. Regardless, this team has proven it can hang with 2 teams that will likely be top-4 seeds in the tourney. Things are looking up!

[Xville]

Nunge is soft.. I’m sorry but he is… the difference in the game was him not finishing layups and getting stuffed by the rim.

[UCGRAD4X]

For playing like complete shit (except for Boum) they were surprisingly in this game. Needed just a little help. Another basket or two from X. Another stop or two. Another call or two.

[GoMuskies]

We're going to come in second or third in the Big East and play in the NCAA Tournament.

[xukeith]

BE batting 0-3 today.

[RoseyMuskie]

Nunge is soft.. I’m sorry but he is… the difference in the game was him not finishing layups and getting stuffed by the rim.

I think Jack is a nice player, but it’s hard to refute this. Is it a coincidence Jack played well yesterday when Castleton is similar in nature?

Jack will bounce back from this. But teams that have physical 4s/5s are going to be X’s thorn this year.

Nowhere to hide, Timme or Edey on deck.

[Strange Brew]

I think Jack is a nice player, but it’s hard to refute this. Is it a coincidence Jack played well yesterday when Castleton is similar in nature?

Jack will bounce back from this. But teams that have physical 4s/5s are going to be X’s thorn this year.

Nowhere to hide, Timme or Edey on deck.

Jack should be fine. It’s a lot of minutes B2B against quality big men. Get some sleep, ice and Advil Jack and lace ‘em back up on Sunday!

Sunday…We ride! :)

[Xavier]

We're going to come in second or third in the Big East and play in the NCAA Tournament.

Yep.

[whopper]

i know this is impossiible but i would like to see Kunkel in more with the goal of always getting off a shot (even a Kunkel heave) when the game is tight. I think you will fiind that most of the time when we got it to 3(probably 5x) we did not get a shot off and tried to do too much. His FG% will drop i know but he seems to know how to clear himself for a shot that draws iron every tiime and has a chance to go in. I would also like to see Free go up vertiically and shoot over a guy like Young, not try to get closer and closer. Again his percent would go down but we would get a decent shot i believe

[JTG]

i know this is impossiible but i would like to see Kunkel in more with the goal of always getting off a shot (even a Kunkel heave) when the game is tight. I think you will fiind that most of the time when we got it to 3(probably 5x) we did not get a shot off and tried to do too much. His FG% will drop i know but he seems to know how to clear himself for a shot that draws iron every tiime and has a chance to go in. I would also like to see Free go up vertiically and shoot over a guy like Young, not try to get closer and closer. Again his percent would go down but we would get a decent shot i believe

He was hurt, he took a shot to the ribs during his last foul. Someone said he wasn't even on the bench after that.

[xu82]

We're going to come in second or third in the Big East and play in the NCAA Tournament.

Coming from where we have been, I’d be thrilled with that in year one!

[xukeith]

We're going to come in second or third in the Big East and play in the NCAA Tournament.

IF X shuts Colby Jones down and he gets that foot healed.

[SkyWalker]

I'm sure glad Nunge's wife got that head camera shot today. It was Jack's only field goal. Also, Free continues to turnover the ball. I think he is strong enough to go up against the Big East but he seems to have incredibly weak hands. Also remember these are Steele's recruits. Sean has gotten them to play with Indiana and Duke pretty quickly, but some of them still have multiple years under Steele and bad habits can be hard to break.

[OTRMUSKIE]

STOP SHOOTING 3’s Nunge!!! If you can’t guarantee a made 3 then don’t shoot it! Enough of KYKY too. Boom should have just kept shooting the ball. Sometimes being selfish pays off. Overall this team is going
To be a tough out. Hope we get the Zags! Even if we lose I want to see how we do against another tip 10 team.

[UCGRAD4X]

I'm sure glad Nunge's wife got that head camera shot today. It was Jack's only field goal. Also, Free continues to turnover the ball. I think he is strong enough to go up against the Big East but he seems to have incredibly weak hands. Also remember these are Steele's recruits. Sean has gotten them to play with Indiana and Duke pretty quickly, but some of them still have multiple years under Steele and bad habits can be hard to break.

Zack's always had weak hands. Nothing Miller's going to be able to do to change that.

[xuwillie]

I'm sure glad Nunge's wife got that head camera shot today. It was Jack's only field goal. Also, Free continues to turnover the ball. I think he is strong enough to go up against the Big East but he seems to have incredibly weak hands. Also remember these are Steele's recruits. Sean has gotten them to play with Indiana and Duke pretty quickly, but some of them still have multiple years under Steele and bad habits can be hard to break.

Curious What has free shown that he can go up against big east players? I’m not seeing much of a change in his game

[xukeith]

I don't think more than 3 BE teams have a more physically talented frontcourt than X. Miller needs 2-3 years of getting top 50 talent to crack the F4. Hopefully X can progress and make top 3 in BE then make some noise in March. Not too poor today vs All Americans.

Watch Miller's press conference . He reveals some issues.

[xukeith]

Curious What has free shown that he can go up against big east players? I’m not seeing much of a change in his game

I don't think magically Miller's recruits will have strong hands or weak hands. There is zero correlation to Steele = weak hands.

[boozehound]

That loss kinda sucked, but I think this definitely looks like a tournament team. Duke’s bigs were too much for Nunge and Freemantle and the rest of the team didn’t quite play well enough to compensate. They also didn’t get blown out and battled back multiple times against a team that clearly had more talent, so in that respect I thought they showed some nice resiliency.

[paulxu]

I would like to see a couple of things corrected, and hopefully Miller will do so.
1 - basic box out under the rim
2 - reduce TO's from lazy passes
3 - if you are a little player (relatively speaking) and you drive into the lane, and 3 bigger players collapse on you....somewhere in the building there are a couple of your teammates that are open; or, hopefully, cutting to the basket. Maybe pass it instead of losing it.

Duke blocked 4 shots; we blocked zero. TO's were 15 to 11.

[JTG]

If Kunkel doesn't get hurt, there is a decent chance we win. When he went out Boum was being doubled because he was the only legit threat. Kunk could have spread the floor and maybe he and Boum drop a couple timely 3s. It was terrible luck that he got hurt with 4 minutes left. That's pretty much when the game was ended.

[xu82]

If Kunkel doesn't get hurt, there is a decent chance we win. When he went out Boum was being doubled because he was the only legit threat. Kunk could have spread the floor and maybe he and Boum drop a couple timely 3s. It was terrible luck that he got hurt with 4 minutes left. That's pretty much when the game was ended.

I was in and out watching. What do we know about the injury?

[Xavgrad08]

Boum has looked like an absolute stud the past two games. He was a great pickup Via the Portal. Seems like X had some careless turnovers. Also, seems like X is giving up a lot of offensive rebounds. Hoping we can develop a little bit of a bench because I am worried about Jack wearing down. I think this is a tournament team. Not sure what the ceiling is, but I am excited because of Sean.

[XUGRAD80]

Boum has looked like an absolute stud the past two games. He was a great pickup Via the Portal. Seems like X had some careless turnovers. Also, seems like X is giving up a lot of offensive rebounds. Hoping we can develop a little bit of a bench because I am worried about Jack wearing down. I think this is a tournament team. Not sure what the ceiling is, but I am excited because of Sean.

Spot on IMHO. Defensive rebounding, the lack of, is a big problem for this team right now. Miles is starting to show some improvement, but is still far from being what X needs in the way of a quality front line player. Hopefully he keeps improving and becomes someone that can give Jack and Free some breaks. But hey, it’s still November and there is a lot of season left. I want this to be a team that keeps improving the whole season and is playing its best ball in February and March.

[xudash]

I would like to see a couple of things corrected, and hopefully Miller will do so.
1 - basic box out under the rim
2 - reduce TO's from lazy passes
3 - if you are a little player (relatively speaking) and you drive into the lane, and 3 bigger players collapse on you....somewhere in the building there are a couple of your teammates that are open; or, hopefully, cutting to the basket. Maybe pass it instead of losing it.

Duke blocked 4 shots; we blocked zero. TO's were 15 to 11.

Agree 100%.

And I hope we get healthy and stay healthy soon.

[Xville]

I hate talking bad about nunge because x would be royally effed without him, but he was a big liability today and essentially cost x the game. How does a 6’10 guy get stuffed by the rim and miss so many point blank shots? Is it just fatigue or what is his deal? He got worked over against Indiana and played soft today.

[Xavier]

I agree. He is important for X, he has shown he is much better (offensively). For whatever reason he looks exhausted by the under 12 media time out in the first half. I don’t remember him being this poor offensively, so I think he will turn it around.

[JEHARDI]

I was in and out watching. What do we know about the injury?

Concussion, will not play Sunday.

[xavierj]

Concussion, will not play Sunday.

Will be a good game to see maybe Craft get some extended run and let him get comfortable. Doesn’t look like Sean trusts him yet. Claude continues to get comfortable it looks like.

[Xavier]

Is that confirmed? I just saw a head injury. I’m sure they were concerned about a possible concussion but didn’t see that confirmed yet

[X-band '01]

So Xavier gets Gonzaga after all. Man when they look bad, they don't screw around.

[xuwillie]

Timme might score 40 against free. This team has needed a true big east power forward for years now

[bleedXblue]

Agreed. The athleticism in the post is not good with this team and has been sorely lacking since Tyriqe.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Spot on IMHO. Defensive rebounding, the lack of, is a big problem for this team right now. Miles is starting to show some improvement, but is still far from being what X needs in the way of a quality front line player. Hopefully he keeps improving and becomes someone that can give Jack and Free some breaks. But hey, it’s still November and there is a lot of season left. I want this to be a team that keeps improving the whole season and is playing its best ball in February and March.

Agree with your last sentence but it isn't always clear we are improving with exceptions of Claude and yes, I'll say it.................Miles. Miles has, as others have remarked, been able to come in and not hurt us. I don't think he will ever contribute to the offense in a material way but, I'm O.K. if our front court doesn't take a huge step back when he enters the lineup. To your overall point, I will assume, this early in the season, that playing better teams like I.U., Duke and Gonzaga will have a positive effect when conference play begins.

I view an improvement in Mr. Miles play as one of the most critical elements to X overachieving this year. We are decent without him but we need to be able to play him more minutes without losing momentum. The reason Nunge looks exhausted halfway through the second half (as another poster observed); the reason he looks "soft"; the reason his footwork is so bad late in the game is we are playing him about ten minutes a game too many. He doesn't have gas in his tank because he is sometimes on the floor when he should be on the bench. That applies to a lesser extent to Free as well. Our Bigs are neither athletic nor strong---that's the reason why Colby ended up on Flipowski the second half. Trying to stay with players who outmatch them wears down Nunge and Free. I don't see an obvious fix to this other than to rest them more and to do that, Miles must step up. Hopefully, he can and will.

[JTG]

Maybe Miller needs to bite the bullet when we're playing a team with a top flite big and let Miles body the guy or even foul them just to give Nunge a longer blow. It would be especially nice if he roughed up the Zags bigs.

[drudy23]

Maybe Miller needs to bite the bullet when we're playing a team with a top flite big and let Miles body the guy or even foul them just to give Nunge a longer blow. It would be especially nice if he roughed up the Zags bigs.

While I would typically agree that we might as well use Miles' 5 fouls, Timme will put him in the spin cycle, and 4 of those fouls would likely be And1s - they are going to have to double Timme, which will open up more for the Zags.

I'd probably double Timme and hope for a Gonzaga bad shooting day.

He's one of, if the not THE most efficient low post scorer in college basketball. There's no way we can guard him 1:1. BUT - he also plays with a high IQ and is a good passer as well. Going to be a tough game to win. He's Christian Laettner part 2 (without the rings).

[JTG]

While I would typically agree that we might as well use Miles' 5 fouls, Timme will put him in the spin cycle, and 4 of those fouls would likely be And1s - they are going to have to double Timme, which will open up more for the Zags.

I'd probably double Timme and hope for a Gonzaga bad shooting day.

He's one of, if the not THE most efficient low post scorer in college basketball. There's no way we can guard him 1:1. BUT - he also plays with a high IQ and is a good passer as well. Going to be a tough game to win. He's Christian Laettner part 2 (without the rings).

I think I'd guard the arc and let them have 2s. The last time we played them they were white hot from 3 and the game was over in the first ten minutes.

[whopper]

I just rewatched some of the game and just as i expected Kunkel got his concussion covering up for a turnover he did not make. Boum (an excellent player) put the ball of the calf of a Duke player(i was hoping for a kick but did not expect) and it spun out for a fast break which was an "and 1". It just shows the compounding effect of a turnover compared to a forced shot(which is bad but may go in or give a rebound possiblilty). Going to be hard to beat Gonzaga w/o Kunk. I am going to make a sacreligous statement. I dont think Kunk is that much below JP as a player. He rebounds, handles w/few TO's, has a mid range game and looks to be 6'3+ and i am not even talkiing 3's I loved JP but without Kunk (starting at Marquette) i shudder to think what the last couple of years would be like. Let's go KYKY and hope he can channel the spring 2020 Kyky who had a few strong double fig game in Big East

[drudy23]

I am going to make a sacreligous statement. I dont think Kunk is that much below JP as a player.

Um...

[UCGRAD4X]

I just rewatched some of the game and just as i expected Kunkel got his concussion covering up for a turnover he did not make. Boum (an excellent player) put the ball of the calf of a Duke player(i was hoping for a kick but did not expect) and it spun out for a fast break which was an "and 1". It just shows the compounding effect of a turnover compared to a forced shot(which is bad but may go in or give a rebound possiblilty). Going to be hard to beat Gonzaga w/o Kunk. I am going to make a sacreligous statement. I dont think Kunk is that much below JP as a player. He rebounds, handles w/few TO's, has a mid range game and looks to be 6'3+ and i am not even talkiing 3's I loved JP but without Kunk (starting at Marquette) i shudder to think what the last couple of years would be like. Let's go KYKY and hope he can channel the spring 2020 Kyky who had a few strong double fig game in Big East

Not quite. But he is no where near JPs ability to live rent free in the other team's collective head.

[Xavier]

If he continues this play, I’d say he is a little bit better overall offensive player. But I remember he has kinda started well then dropped off in big East. This attacking offense suits his game better though. Hope he can keep it up. Need kyky to step up if Kunkel is indeed out tomorrow

Still, I’d take JP every single time. He’s a much better player overall.


*edit- hand up, recency bias hit me. Just looking at stats overall- my take is wrong. I’m a dumbass. Give me JP everywhere

[xuwillie]

If he continues this play, I’d say he is a little bit better overall offensive player. But I remember he has kinda started well then dropped off in big East. This attacking offense suits his game better though. Hope he can keep it up. Need kyky to step up if Kunkel is indeed out tomorrow

Still, I’d take JP every single time. He’s a much better player overall.


*edit- hand up, recency bias hit me. Just looking at stats overall- my take is wrong. I’m a dumbass. Give me JP everywhere


Yeah can’t believe this is even up for discussion.

[Strange Brew]

Not quite. But he is no where near JPs ability to get live rent free in the other team's collective head.

There is and will always be only 1 JP. He was/is different not just with the ball but also in the way you mentioned. :)

[UCGRAD4X]

If he continues this play, I’d say he is a little bit better overall offensive player. But I remember he has kinda started well then dropped off in big East. This attacking offense suits his game better though. Hope he can keep it up. Need kyky to step up if Kunkel is indeed out tomorrow

*edit- hand up, recency bias hit me. Just looking at stats overall- my take is wrong. I’m a dumbass. Give me JP everywhere

Still, I’d take JP every single time. He’s a much better player overall.

Kunk will close in on the stats with Miller's tutelage but would have to be off the charts.

[whopper]

i know this is not a strong opinion, just a thought. I noticed last year that except for the ability to dunk at time, Kunk was a better athlete than Nate J. He seems mentally tough as nails, he defensive rebounds ferociously for his size, and i am biased to his ability to stop on a dime, rise up and take a 15 footer which is a lost art and not JPs game. I also said he is not "that much below JP as a player". I am not saying better. Arizona, FSU(twice), Seton Hall, etc live forever; just give Kunk his due.

[Strange Brew]

i know this is not a strong opinion, just a thought. I noticed last year that except for the ability to dunk at time, Kunk was a better athlete than Nate J. He seems mentally tough as nails, he defensive rebounds ferociously for his size, and i am biased to his ability to stop on a dime, rise up and take a 15 footer which is a lost art and not JPs game. I also said he is not "that much below JP as a player". I am not saying better. Arizona, FSU(twice), Seton Hall, etc live forever; just give Kunk his due.

Kunk is great and I think of him more like J Williams (chocolate) than JP. Kunk is, IMHO smoother than JP with the ball.

JP was a wrecking ball (in a good way) on the court.