Game Thread: Xavier v Gonzaga (11/27/2022)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/Gonzaga_Bulldogs_logo.svg

THE MATCHUP

RV/RV XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (4-2, 0-0 BIG EAST)
NO. 6/5 GONZAGA UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS (4-2, 0-0 WCC)
SUNDAY, NOV. 27, 2022 AT 4:30 P.M. PST (7:30 P.M. ET)
AT VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM IN PORTLAND, OREGON

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: ESPN with play by-play from Dan Schulman and analysis from Jay Bilas. Myron Medcalf 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/).

[Xville]

I know x hasn’t played either of them much but getting really sick and tired of losing to duke and gonzaga. Shit needs to end tomorrow

[paulxu]

Just realized Bilass is on the call, and they sat the lady sideline reporter down for Metcalf.

[Xavier]

Gonzaga is better than Duke. Don’t let that Purdue score fool you, zags missed a bunch of shots they usually make and the offense respected Purdue big too much. We don’t have that. They are the best team we will see OOC. Maybe all year- but Creighton and Uconn are right there. I’m assuming Kunk is out, it’s an extremely uphill battle.

Our 3s need to fall and we need someone to step up who hasn’t yet this year.

[JTG]

Odd scheduling, championship @ 3:30, and our game @ 7:30?

[X-band '01]

Kind of a weird arrangement where the men's and women's championship games are scattered in the Moda Center; the men's and women's 3rd place games are all scattered at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum (same building where X beat Florida on Thursday).

[Xville]

Gonzaga is better than Duke. Don’t let that Purdue score fool you, zags missed a bunch of shots they usually make and the offense respected Purdue big too much. We don’t have that. They are the best team we will see OOC. Maybe all year- but Creighton and Uconn are right there. I’m assuming Kunk is out, it’s an extremely uphill battle.

Our 3s need to fall and we need someone to step up who hasn’t yet this year.

I don’t know about all that. They have been absolutely smoked twice now. I don’t think their guards are as good as they have had in years past.

UConn and creighton are extremely good, I think they are both better than the zags this year imo.

Now with all that said, I expect the zags to beat x by ten plus. I think timme is going to have an absolute field day against our frontcourt and x’s d is mediocre at best right now.

I hope this post ages terribly.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Bart Trovik predicts a 5 point X loss and gives us a 31% chance to win.

I'll take those odds. It will be an uphill battle for sure.

Gonzaga is good but not as good as the last couple years. Guards aren't nearly as good as they have been and Holmgren covered a lot for Timme's defensive issues down low.

[Xavier]

I don’t know about all that. They have been absolutely smoked twice now. I don’t think their guards are as good as they have had in years past.

UConn and creighton are extremely good, I think they are both better than the zags this year imo.

Now with all that said, I expect the zags to beat x by ten plus. I think timme is going to have an absolute field day against our frontcourt and x’s d is mediocre at best right now.

I hope this post ages terribly.

They are not as good as the last couple years, that’s for sure. I may have over stated it, but mainly they are better than what they showed against Purdue- and much better offensively than Duke for sure. Tomorrow will be frustrating as Timme will destroy Freemantle/Anyone we put on him. Gonzaga will end up being a better win than either Duke or Indiana would’ve, though.

[American X]

Send in Hunter and Miles to do nothing but double team Timme. Maybe something will happen.

[UCGRAD4X]

Send in Hunter and Miles to do nothing but double team Timme. Maybe something will happen.

I actually kinda like this take. Push him around. Punish him a little. Just limit the and-1s when you foul him. Slow it down and let Jack and Zach get a good breather.

[Xavier]

Kunkel is out. We figured as much but confirmed. Kyky/Claude need to step up. Jones and Boum have to be fantastic

[JTG]

I actually kinda like this take. Push him around. Punish him a little. Just limit the and-1s when you foul him. Slow it down and let Jack and Zach get a good breather.
Agree, pissing off the opponents star player often pays dividends, like frustration fouls or throwing off his game.

[bleedXblue]

We could start by playing some better defense and actually come out ready to play for 40 minutes. I want to see this team play this game as if it is a must win. Tired of losing games like this where we keep it close but cant come out on top. The only positive outcome is a win. Keeping is close accomplishes nothing at all.

[X-band '01]

Agree, pissing off the opponents star player often pays dividends, like frustration fouls or throwing off his game.

Would be funny on some level if either Jerome Hunter or Deionte Miles go code red on Timme.

[GoMuskies]

X +7.5. Not feeling good about this one.

[Xville]

X +7.5. Not feeling good about this one.
Yeah me neither. I think x loses by ten plus like usual against gonzaga. X is Dayton to them.

I threw a lil something on the under at 159 for the hell of it.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Kunkel is out. We figured as much but confirmed. Kyky/Claude need to step up. Jones and Boum have to be fantastic

We need a breakout game from Colby where he just decides to be an alpha dog on this team and hopefully doesn't look back the rest of the season.

Boum seems to have more of this mentality but it would be so much better if it was Colby given his talent.

[noteggs]

Still pissed that we were the original engine that could. Unfortunately with their success, they have passed us. Guess it helps to have a coach stay 24 years.

Well at least people still mispronounce their name like ours. So we have that in common.

[xudash]

[QUOTE=noteggs;743903]Still pissed that we were the original engine that could. Unfortunately with their success, they have passed us. Guess it helps to have a coach stay 24 years.

Well at least people still mispronounce their name like ours. So we have that in common.[/QUOTE

Continuity. Continuity, where continuity is achieved with a very good coach.

They have passed us at this point. There is no doubt about that. But I would not trade places with them for one minute. If you look at it from the vantage point of strategic positioning versus sports résumé, they are in a tenuous position, given where the modern day sport is, and is headed. They are the absolute top dog in a very mid-major conference that does not attract sufficient media money. Gonzaga, on its own, is collecting good media checks given the visibility that they have created for themselves. They have to to fix their conference affiliation issue to be well positioned for the long term. That isn’t going to be easy.

I was thinking about that issue for them the other day. Boston College came to mind. BC ran away from the Big East for more money and prestige. It made sense for them in some regards, but it simply took them out of their element geographically. BC is finding it very difficult to be competitive at a high-level on a consistent basis in its key sports. My point is that there are no easy fixes for Gonzaga, but Gonzaga would seem much better off coming to the Big East versus attempting to go to a football-centric conference.

Look at it this way: what if Mark Few pulled a Jay Wright after this season or the next? Gonzaga wouldn’t fade away immediately, obviously. Perhaps they might even hire somebody better than Few. Maybe not. But that is the risk. And they would face a transitional period like we have had to face through all of our coaching changes. They are essentially on an island, and it puts a great deal of pressure on making good decisions for positive future outcomes.

[GoMuskies]

I wonder if Arizona's coach would go back to Gonzaga when Few retires. That would be something.

[xu82]

Good point. Even if they hit a home run on the next coach, what are the odds he’s going to stay for another quarter century. Yeah, next to zero. They would be on the same coaching treadmill we have experienced.

On the flip side, I like to think that Miller is done with the job hopping. It’s an odd way for us to gain stability, but I’ll take whatever works!

[D-West & PO-Z]

I wonder if Arizona's coach would go back to Gonzaga when Few retires. That would be something.

That is a great question. I'm not sure I would want to follow Few at Gonzaga though. Especially considering he has things humming at Arizona.

[GoMuskies]

I didn't realize he was at Gonzaga 22 years! But he's still 12 years younger than Few.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I didn't realize he was at Gonzaga 22 years! But he's still 12 years younger than Few.

He was probably dying for Few to leave, lol.

[D-West & PO-Z]

On an unrelated note, is Boeheim determined to burn the Syracuse program to the ground before he leaves?

[X-band '01]

I'm a little surprised more Zag fans aren't as confident that they'll win today, but I suppose that's expected to a degree because they never know which team shows up night in and night out.

Now if Xavier suddenly learns to play defense tonight, then we have officially entered into their Twilight Zone.

[Three Point Pete]

Well Spokane, Rod Serling!

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[drudy23]

Our first Colby Jones swiss army knife reference from Jay Bilas!!

[drudy23]

We've missed 4 bunnies already.

[BillikenMusketeer]

I fear Free and Nunge will be exposed tonight

[X Factor]

Nunge continues to suck in Portland

[xuwillie]

I fear Free and Nunge will be exposed tonight

Free has been exposed the past 3 years.

[drudy23]

Wake up!!!

[X Factor]

This is sad

[noteggs]

Is 2 for 11 a bad way to start?

[X Factor]

Has Miles made a FT this year?

[Xavier]

One of those games you can tell it’s over in first 5 minutes.

[drudy23]

I suggest Sean get in their sh*t asap or this is gonna get ugly.

[X Factor]

Sean has some work to do.

[SkyWalker]

This is garbage so far. We're lucky it's this close.

[noteggs]

We are making the Zags look so much better than they are. Kinda like the Duke game

[X Factor]

I thought Claude would be giving X more than he has up to this point. Craft was rated higher than Des and he barely sees the court.

[RoseyMuskie]

Kunkel’s absence hurts twofold. Outside of him not playing, you can’t really slide Colby to the 4 without making a major sacrifice.

And Miles FT shooting is disgusting.

[Xavier]

Kunkel isn’t the difference but when we suck he is best at calming things down. We are going to need a miracle

[X Factor]

We are making the Zags look so much better than they are. Kinda like the Duke game

Purdue, with 2 freshman guards, made Gonzaga and Duke look like mid-majors

[drudy23]

Duke and Gonzaga are very beatable teams. We gotta get this one.

[X Factor]

Nunge is the weakest 7 footer in the country

[Xavier]

Purdue, with 2 freshman guards, made Gonzaga and Duke look like mid-majors

Purdue is one of the best teams in the country right now

[xudash]

Nunge is the weakest 7 footer in the country

He needs to go up with more authority!

[X Factor]

Purdue is one of the best teams in the country right now

Yeah, with 2 freshman guards starting

[RoseyMuskie]

Well Billas has proven he’s checked out.

[xukeith]

KyKy forgets to box out often. Their frosh guards are top 40 recruits.
That is my excuse. Missing layups -disease is contagious.

[X Factor]

Great job Hunter, way to get a hand up...NOT

[xukeith]

We are not down 20 yet.

[noteggs]

I would just like to see perimeter defense or pressure

[X Factor]

KyKy jumps TOO high on his jumpshot

[X Factor]

What the F was that Nunge?

[xukeith]

KyKy jumps TOO high on his jumpshot

Off one or two feet?

[xukeith]

KyKy jumps TOO high on his jumpshot

Off one or two feet?

[Three Point Pete]

Waiting for bench to score some more points. Maybe more shots will drop, or get some crazy rebounds.

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[Xuperman]

The ESPN box score has Gonzaga with only four O boards? If that's the case, they made at least three 3's off them. This team is consistently frustrating to watch. Way too many missed point blank shots and the ball just doesn't seem to bounce in our favor.....again.

[drudy23]

We are what we are. Our success is going to hinge on the consistency in the post.

Neither Free and Nunge are strong enough to get to their preferred spot in the post against top tier teams. However, if they can figure out a way to be productive in the post, we can stay in games but it will tough to get over the hump against good teams.

Some bulk is an obvious recruiting need moving forward.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Kunkel’s absence hurts twofold. Outside of him not playing, you can’t really slide Colby to the 4 without making a major sacrifice.

And Miles FT shooting is disgusting.

Not to mention we miss Kunkel's grit.

Miles has had four years to work on his free throw shooting. You go to the gym and shoot a few hundred a day and things get better. I wonder if Miles ever goes to the gym. I'm sure he is a nice young man, but he is just a lousy basketball player.......lousy.

[X Factor]

Sean needs to rip Nunge a new one

[D-West & PO-Z]

Sean needs to rip Nunge a new one

There is nothing Nunge can do. Timme is a monster on offense and Nunge is not a good defender. This is the least surprising thing ever. What can Nunge do? Doing the best he can.

[Xavgrad08]

That missed layup by KyKy was huge.

[D-West & PO-Z]

That missed layup by KyKy was huge.

Brutal

[X Factor]

There is nothing Nunge can do. Timme is a monster on offense and Nunge is not a good defender. This is the least surprising thing ever. What can Nunge do? Doing the best he can.

Well Sean took him out and put Miles in. Sean's willing to give up Nunge on the offensive end to slow down Timme.

[drudy23]

Well Sean took him out and put Miles in. Sean's willing to give up Nunge on the offensive end to slow down Timme.

He took him out because he has no choice. The dude can't play 35+ minutes.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I don't say this to disparage Colby. He is our best overall player, but he doesn't have that dog in him that Miller referenced wanting.

If he had that attitude he could just switch on, like Tu, or even like a Naji or hell even Freemantle, he would be so much better and so would we.

Just don't think he has it. Doesn't mean he wont be our best player or win us games but he hasnt shown it. Hopefully Miller can find it down in there somewhere.

[X Factor]

Bunch of weak hands can't control a rebound

[D-West & PO-Z]

Well Sean took him out and put Miles in. Sean's willing to give up Nunge on the offensive end to slow down Timme.

He's gotta get him a break. Nunge wasn't out long.

Miles has done better than Nunge defensively though that is for sure.

[drudy23]

No killer instinct.

[X Factor]

Hunter sucks. No box out whatsoever

[D-West & PO-Z]

Best game Miles has ever had easily.

He has been extremely effective defensively on Timme.

[drudy23]

Against Duke and tonight, we cannot bear down and get a stop when we need one - that's lack of dawg mentality.

[X Factor]

Against Duke and tonight, we cannot bear down and get a stop when we need one - that's lack of dawg mentality.

Travis Steele hangover. Sean will get them there eventually

[Xuperman]

This is a F'ing joke. Hard to get a stop when they literally get multiple shots on nearly every possession!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Gotta love the fight. Let's not settle for a moral victory.

[X Factor]

Heck yeah!!!

[drudy23]

Gotta love the fight. Let's not settle for a moral victory.

Exactly - it's there for the taking, this is huge for the resume. Finish!!

[X Factor]

This is beautiful

[noteggs]

Ummm… hell yeah!!!

[chico]

Just an observation - this run has been made with Freemantle on the bench.

[paulxu]

I hope we close this out to give Bilas something to think about.

[drudy23]

I hope we close this out to give Bilas something to think about.

I hope we close it out because we need another quality W.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Stop going under the screens!

[BillikenMusketeer]

Timme hip checks on every screen

[X Factor]

Hard to win when the other team hits 13 threes

[noteggs]

I would just like to see perimeter defense or pressure

Again

[drudy23]

Stop going under the screens!

Exactly - 4 in a row. And they made all 4.

[American X]

Tandy needs to make a breakaway layup and hit that three.

[X Factor]

When's the last time we got a 50/50 ball?

[BillikenMusketeer]

Winnable game but 13 threes is a lot

[X Factor]

This team is close but everytime they've gone on a run, the give up a run

[drudy23]

No moral victories - have to find a way to pull these out.

[X Factor]

No moral victories - have to find a way to pull these out.

Yep, can't go up 7-8 points and then give up an 8-0 run right away. Did the same thing against Duke

[American X]

It is nice to go toe-to-toe with a top team in the country, but so many missed layups......

[paulxu]

Maybe we should have had Colby and Boum shoot more 3's.

Having them take 19 FT's (and making 13) to our 8 FT's didn't help anything.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Need to learn to finish. Hopefully lessons learned in these games for conference play.

[xukeith]

Gonzaga offense > Muskies offense.

Healthy Colby and healthy Kunkel X wins by 7.

[Caveat]

Another year of moral victories and close losses as “something to build on…” sucks.

This program used to have standards. Just frustrating this is where we’re at again.

[RoseyMuskie]

The good news. This team will make the tournament.

The bad news. Missing out on a marquee win against either IU or Gonzaga.

[GoMuskies]

Tough loss. Outworked in key spots and a terrible start. Great fight, but Gonzaga just didn't miss down the stretch. Love to have that one back, but some good stuff.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Another year of moral victories and close losses as “something to build on…” sucks.

This program used to have standards. Just frustrating this is where we’re at again.

There is a huge caveat to that though. We have a new direction with a new leader who is a proven winner at the highest level.

Miller wasn't going to fix this roster overnight. I never had high hopes for this season, however I think they are ahead of schedule from what I thought they'd be. You can tell what a difference Miller's coaching makes.

No moral victories but I feel good about the rest of the non conference. Should be 8-3 heading into conference play.

[GoMuskies]

Another year of moral victories and close losses as “something to build on…” sucks.

This program used to have standards. Just frustrating this is where we’re at again.

Our standards have literally never included beating Duke or Gonzaga. Only our best team ever beat Indiana. I don't see this team disappointing at all by historical Xavier standards.

[xuwillie]

There is a huge caveat to that though. We have a new direction with a new leader who is a proven winner at the highest level.

Miller wasn't going to fix this roster overnight. I never had high hopes for this season, however I think they are ahead of schedule from what I thought they'd be. You can tell what a difference Miller's coaching makes.

No moral victories but I feel good about the rest of the non conference. Should be 8-3 heading into conference play.

Really getting tired of watching Xavier teams refusing to play defense.

[xavierj]

Another year of moral victories and close losses as “something to build on…” sucks.

This program used to have standards. Just frustrating this is where we’re at again.

No moral victories but it’s November and they have competed with three top 15 teams and will play another ranked team next Saturday. Need that one. I would rather win these games in March and not win them in November like we have in the last few years. This team will get better. The team is in good hands with the coaching staff. If Colby keeps playing this way, he’s gone. Need to get Colby and Kunkel healthy over the next week.

[Xville]

Same shit different day… losing to duke and gonzaga. It’s become a Xavier tradition at this point and I’m fucking sick of it

[xavierj]

Really getting tired of watching Xavier teams refusing to play defense.

That’s due to personnel. Hopefully it will get better as the year goes on but it will take some new players to be better consistently on defense.

[X-band '01]

Gonzaga offense > Muskies offense.

Healthy Colby and healthy Kunkel X wins by 7.

Not sure about that - if you saw the final 5 minutes, Gonzaga was very effective getting good looks off of screens and made Xavier pay every time. Every effing time for 8 or 9 straight possessions.

[xukeith]

No moral victories but it’s November and they have competed with three top 15 teams and will play another ranked team next Saturday. Need that one. I would rather win these games in March and not win them in November like we have in the last few years. This team will get better. The team is in good hands with the coaching staff. If Colby keeps playing this way, he’s gone. Need to get Colby and Kunkel healthy over the next week.

Might want to check that.

[xavierj]

Might want to check that.

What? West Virginia will be ranked. They will be 6-1 after tonight. They are rolling Florida.

[xukeith]

Not sure about that - if you saw the final 5 minutes, Gonzaga was very effective getting good looks off of screens and made Xavier pay every time. Every effing time for 8 or 9 straight possessions.

Maybe not. Zags roster is dripping with talent.

X scrapes up some talent here and there. Maybe after next year's rebuild, things will shine brighter.

[Caveat]

Not sure about that - if you saw the final 5 minutes, Gonzaga was very effective getting good looks off of screens and made Xavier pay every time. Every effing time for 8 or 9 straight possessions.

The refusal to fight through screens and guard the 3 point shot is infuriating.

[Xavier]

Up 8, shot clock winding down- Freemantle doesn’t step up on screen and lets them shoot (albeit deep) open 3. That’s the low IQ stuff that’s hard to overcome. Sparked the quick comeback

[xudash]

Another year of moral victories and close losses as “something to build on…” sucks.

This program used to have standards. Just frustrating this is where we’re at again.

With all due respect, you may want to hold off on that conclusion.

We aren't there again, because we aren't there with Steele at the helm. This is going to take time to build and I believe it will be superb once Sean has a couple of his classes engaged in the mix. In the meantime, there is reasonable hope that this edition of Xavier basketball will make progress all the way to an NCAAT invitation.

[JTG]

With all due respect, you may want to hold off on that conclusion.

We aren't there again, because we aren't there with Steele at the helm. This is going to take time to build and I believe it will be superb once Sean has a couple of his classes engaged in the mix. In the meantime, there is reasonable hope that this edition of Xavier basketball will make progress all the way to an NCAAT invitation.
Agree, but we better make some hay this year because with all that experience leaving next season will be rough. Once Kunk is back we should
be fine. I'll argue that we beat Duke with him, and beat Gonzaga. We've had 3 heart breakers in 10 days.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Agree, but we better make some hay this year because with all that experience leaving next season will be rough. Once Kunk is back we should
be fine. I'll argue that we beat Duke with him, and beat Gonzaga. We've had 3 heart breakers in 10 days.

In this day of transfers eligible immediately and with Miller now as Coach (his recruiting roots deeper and further than Steele's) any guessing of what next years team will or wont be is foolish.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Whoever is saying same ole crap or Xavier just doesn’t have it anymore can please STFU! We just lost by 4 points to the #6 team 7 to # 8 and 2 to #12. This is the same team basically as last year. All X needed to do this year was dance and it looks like Tbey will. This team is very good, very good! UNC just lost twice to worse teams than us. I guess it’s the same crap at UNC too? X has 3 moral victories and yes Tbey count this year early in the season. Great game so glad to have Xavier basketball back to where it should be.

[Caveat]

Whoever is saying same ole crap or Xavier just doesn’t have it anymore can please STFU! We just lost by 4 points to the #6 team 7 to # 8 and 2 to #12. This is the same team basically as last year. All X needed to do this year was dance and it looks like Tbey will. This team is very good, very good! UNC just lost twice to worse teams than us. I guess it’s the same crap at UNC too? X has 3 moral victories and yes Tbey count this year early in the season. Great game so glad to have Xavier basketball back to where it should be.

Losses are losses. “Very good” teams aren’t flirting with .500 going into December.

This team needs to start winning games.

[bjf123]

Losses are losses. “Very good” teams aren’t flirting with .500 going into December.

This team needs to start winning games.

And most “very good” teams probably haven’t played 3 top 15 teams in November. We’ll be fine.


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[boozehound]

Whoever is saying same ole crap or Xavier just doesn’t have it anymore can please STFU! We just lost by 4 points to the #6 team 7 to # 8 and 2 to #12. This is the same team basically as last year. All X needed to do this year was dance and it looks like Tbey will. This team is very good, very good! UNC just lost twice to worse teams than us. I guess it’s the same crap at UNC too? X has 3 moral victories and yes Tbey count this year early in the season. Great game so glad to have Xavier basketball back to where it should be.

This is my line of thinking. I'm not sure I can recall the last time Xavier played 2 top 10 teams early in the season. Throw in #12 IU and you have a tough start to the season. We competed very well in all 3 games, obviously it sucks that we didn't at least pull out one of them but this was a team that didn't make the dance last year, lost Scruggs, and only added a transfer and a couple of Freshman.

Also - for the most part the problem with Steele's teams wasn't early season play, it was the late season collapse. I'm pretty confident we won't have that with Miller at the helm. To be bent out of shape this early in the season just seems ridiculous given how bad the past few years have been.

I will say - our front court definitely struggled with the size and athleticism from both Duke and Gonzaga. They handled Gonzaga much better than Duke, but our bigs looked undersized in the post in both contests. This needs to be a priority area going forward from a recruiting perspective, and we will definitely need at least 1 transfer next year.

[bleedXblue]

Big East will be a battle as it normally is.

I'm concerned about 2 things:

1. We're getting beat on the boards by teams that are quicker and more athletic. Fundamentals by a couple of our big guys continue to not be good.

2. Defense in general, but a couple of key areas. Defending the perimeter. We give up a lot of wide open shots. KyKy continually gets picked and goes under ball screens. Very frustrating.

[Masterofreality]

Whoever is saying same ole crap or Xavier just doesn’t have it anymore can please STFU! We just lost by 4 points to the #6 team 7 to # 8 and 2 to #12. This is the same team basically as last year. All X needed to do this year was dance and it looks like Tbey will. This team is very good, very good! UNC just lost twice to worse teams than us. I guess it’s the same crap at UNC too? X has 3 moral victories and yes Tbey count this year early in the season. Great game so glad to have Xavier basketball back to where it should be.

We REALLY missed Adam Kunkel last night. Just didn’t have that extra punch. The only thing that bothered me was that X was zero on the 50/50 balls and got outworked for them all night long. That being said, without a random 3 by a seldom used Zags player who shoots 20% from 3 at the end of the half and a blown wide open layup by KyKy we win that game.
West Virginia is huge. Last chance to get a really good Out of Conference win.

[xavierj]

Big East will be a battle as it normally is.

I'm concerned about 2 things:

1. We're getting beat on the boards by teams that are quicker and more athletic. Fundamentals by a couple of our big guys continue to not be good.

2. Defense in general, but a couple of key areas. Defending the perimeter. We give up a lot of wide open shots. KyKy continually gets picked and goes under ball screens. Very frustrating.

Last night Colby went under the ball screen twice late in game and Gonzaga buried two threes. But both times Gonzaga should have been called for illegal screens and the refs just let it go. They were blatant illegal screens and can’t believe the refs looking right at it just let it go.

[Masterofreality]

In this day of transfers eligible immediately and with Miller now as Coach (his recruiting roots deeper and further than Steele's) any guessing of what next years team will or wont be is foolish.

Methinks we’ll have an International player or two.
Steele’s recruiting was OK but limited

[drudy23]

Good news - playing and losing to those teams don't kill your metrics.

Bad news - winning one or more of them sends your metrics into the stratosphere. Opportunity squandered but not a death sentence.

Danger - gives you less breathing room for bad losses - cannot start to pile up a few losses against team we should beat (e.g. UC).

We have plenty of opportunity for more good wins, but it would have been nice to get at least one of those games against IU, Duke, and Gonzaga.

[Xville]

This is my line of thinking. I'm not sure I can recall the last time Xavier played 2 top 10 teams early in the season. Throw in #12 IU and you have a tough start to the season. We competed very well in all 3 games, obviously it sucks that we didn't at least pull out one of them but this was a team that didn't make the dance last year, lost Scruggs, and only added a transfer and a couple of Freshman.

Also - for the most part the problem with Steele's teams wasn't early season play, it was the late season collapse. I'm pretty confident we won't have that with Miller at the helm. To be bent out of shape this early in the season just seems ridiculous given how bad the past few years have been.

I will say - our front court definitely struggled with the size and athleticism from both Duke and Gonzaga. They handled Gonzaga much better than Duke, but our bigs looked undersized in the post in both contests. This needs to be a priority area going forward from a recruiting perspective, and we will definitely need at least 1 transfer next year.

The problem I see in these losses is that X has left itself no breathing room in out of conference. At least if they had won one of the three, X could absorb a loss in the next round of games.

In other words, its no big deal to lose to any of these three teams, until it is.

[Caveat]

Big East will be a battle as it normally is.

I'm concerned about 2 things:

1. We're getting beat on the boards by teams that are quicker and more athletic. Fundamentals by a couple of our big guys continue to not be good.

2. Defense in general, but a couple of key areas. Defending the perimeter. We give up a lot of wide open shots. KyKy continually gets picked and goes under ball screens. Very frustrating.

I don't think this team can effectively play Freemantle and Nunge at the same time. Both of them are too slow (or, in Freemantle's case, we'll be generous and say "selectively motivated") on defense -- you can hide one of them, but not both.

Additionally, both are a liability in getting to the long rebounds you see on three point shots. In general, this team needs to have a come to Jesus moment about defending and rebounding perimeter shots. It isn't 2002 -- everyone on the court grew up watching Steph Curry and practice / make shots you'd never see kids in college take a few decades ago. You have to get a hand in a face the second someone gets in the same area code of the three point line. And you need to study and understand how to rebound the perimeter shot. Rebounding perimeter shots is an effort check, it takes work and a willingness to go all-out to either make it to a loose ball or force the other guy into a business decision.

Right now, if I were coaching against Xavier, I'd have my team jack up threes all night -- you'll get a lot of open looks and second-chance opportunities.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Anyone else completely shocked at Miles effectiveness defensively yesterday? I get he only played 9 mins but they were solid. I thought Timme would abuse Miles but I do not think Timme scored a point on him. Miles also only had 1 foul.

I have kind of written Miles off but maybe this is something to build off? He's not going to give you anything offensively but if he can come in and play 10-12 solid defensive mins a game, it will go a long way for this team.

I thought yesterday was Miles best game ever.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I don't think this team can effectively play Freemantle and Nunge at the same time. Both of them are too slow (or, in Freemantle's case, we'll be generous and say "selectively motivated") on defense -- you can hide one of them, but not both.

Additionally, both are a liability in getting to the long rebounds you see on three point shots.

Who would you suggest start in place of Freemantle (or Nunge) and get the bulk of the minutes?

[Xville]

Who would you suggest start in place of Freemantle (or Nunge) and get the bulk of the minutes?

Id be good with playing Colby at the four spot and going 4 out 1 in for a significant period. We have done that a few times in game and I don't think X loses anything by going this route. Free and Nunge are so bad defensively that it cost X in the games that have been lost.

I also suggest that Miles get even more minutes...X has plenty of offensive weapons, they need better D and I think Miles provides that on the interior.

[GoMuskies]

The only problem with having Miles on the court is that as long as he's out there the other guys sometimes try to pass him the ball. That did not go well any time it was tried yesterday.

[Caveat]

Who would you suggest start in place of Freemantle (or Nunge) and get the bulk of the minutes?

Literally anyone willing to guard, rebound and hustle for 50/50 balls.

This team is in desperate need of a James Farr type personality who is willing to make cleaning up on the glass a personal crusade.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Id be good with playing Colby at the four spot and going 4 out 1 in for a significant period. We have done that a few times in game and I don't think X loses anything by going this route. Free and Nunge are so bad defensively that it cost X in the games that have been lost.

I also suggest that Miles get even more minutes...X has plenty of offensive weapons, they need better D and I think Miles provides that on the interior.

So then you start KyKy and Kunkel?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Literally anyone willing to guard, rebound and hustle for 50/50 balls.

This team is in desperate need of a James Farr type personality who is willing to make cleaning up on the glass a personal crusade.

Ha, I agree but we don't have a James Farr. While we are at it can we just add a David West and Tu Holloway?

If you bench Free you replace him with Kyky. Not sure that helps the rebounding situation you are looking to fix.

Unless you start Hunter which wouldn't help either.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The only problem with having Miles on the court is that as long as he's out there the other guys sometimes try to pass him the ball. That did not go well any time it was tried yesterday.

Fair point and I kept wondering why they would do that. They should know better!

[Xville]

So then you start KyKy and Kunkel?

yeah, or maybe later in the year as claude gets more comfortable he starts at the 1 allowing Boum to play off the ball, and either kunk or kyky get the other spot, while the other becomes that instant sparkplug.

I'm going to trust in Miller, as opposed to our former coach, he knows way more about the game than any of us do. I'm just seeing serious issues defensively as he has mentioned, and I think there are a few things that can be done.

I for one don't believe Niunge and Free are going to become good defenders. They aren't overly athletic at this level, and frankly I don't think Free has the "want to" at all.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Some of you on here are acting like X is a tip 10 team. We won every game we should have and
Lost every game we should have. We are exactly where we should be. You’re right though, we need to win the remaining 4 games and we should. Doesn’t matter how you start it’s how you finish and this team is only going to get better

[IM4X]

Agree, but we better make some hay this year because with all that experience leaving next season will be rough.

I agree. I know it’s next season’s problem, but I too am concerned about the lack of experience next year. It’s possible that the players currently scoring over 90% of the team’s points will not be back. When is the last time X had a team that young and inexperienced. Yikes. It would be great if Miller could convince Colby and Free to stay one more year. I think everyone else is out of eligibility. Is that correct?

[drudy23]

We can worry about next year, next year. Just get to the damn tournament.

[Caveat]

Some of you on here are acting like X is a tip 10 team. We won every game we should have and Lost every game we should have.

This is the textbook definition of mediocrity.

[xukeith]

I agree. I know it’s next season’s problem, but I too am concerned about the lack of experience next year. It’s possible that the players currently scoring over 90% of the team’s points will not be back. When is the last time X had a team that young and inexperienced. Yikes. It would be great if Miller could convince Colby and Free to stay one more year. I think everyone else is out of eligibility. Is that correct?

Freemantle, Kunkle, Nunge, Boum, Tandy, and Miles technically could play 1 more year due to covid.
Jones is a junior but some people believe he will enter NBA draft. I imagine we have seen the last of the seniors after X wins National Championship in March.

[IM4X]

We can worry about next year, next year. Just get to the damn tournament.
Yes. First things first. I am grateful that this team’s offense isn’t struggling to score against elite level competition. Now if our fellas could just get a little better at defending and rebounding on defense, they might have a shot at getting to that elusive Final Four. Colby’s improved 3 point shooting is already making this team feel more complete.

[IM4X]

Freemantle, Kunkle, Nunge, Boum, Tandy, and Miles technically could play 1 more year due to covid.
Jones is a junior but some people believe he will enter NBA draft. I imagine we have seen the last of the seniors after X wins National Championship in March.

I like your thinking.

I also like knowing X has more key players who could potentially come back.

[bleedXblue]

I see Kunkle returning and that's it. There will be massive turnover after this year.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Freemantle, Kunkle, Nunge, Boum, Tandy, and Miles technically could play 1 more year due to covid.
Jones is a junior but some people believe he will enter NBA draft. I imagine we have seen the last of the seniors after X wins National Championship in March.

I believe Kunkel and Boum are in their fifth (Covid) years now. Nunge, Colby and Free have additional eligibility but all three have expressed interest in some type of professional career. And, all three witnessed what happened to Scruggs in the NIT so, if there is a landing spot professionally after this year, I expect them to move on.

Next year, the roster will be substantially different. We already know about the recent frosh signing class, but I expect some transfer Bigs plus maybe a European player or two.

Anyway, that's next year. This team needs to focus on this season and playing more hard-nosed winning basketball.

[Xavier]

Man I forgot about Scruggs injury somehow. It’s the exact reason why i have no issue guys leaving early to play professionally, even if that’s overseas.

[bleedXblue]

I believe Kunkel and Boum are in their fifth (Covid) years now. Nunge, Colby and Free have additional eligibility but all three have expressed interest in some type of professional career. And, all three witnessed what happened to Scruggs in the NIT so, if there is a landing spot professionally after this year, I expect them to move on.

Next year, the roster will be substantially different. We already know about the recent frosh signing class, but I expect some transfer Bigs plus maybe a European player or two.

Anyway, that's next year. This team needs to focus on this season and playing more hard-nosed winning basketball.

i think you're right......holy next year will be a rebuilding year for sure

[Caveat]

i think you're right......holy next year will be a rebuilding year for sure

Positive thing. I'd rather have Sean Miller's recruits & transfers playing than Miller trying to salvage something out of Travis Steele's recruits like we're watching now.

[xukeith]

I agree that Miller and staff likely will bring in a Euro player and two transfer bigs. We will need the help.

Who is the future shooting guard? Craft hasn't made a more than 12 foot shot. Tre Green is supposed to be an awesome shooter. Maybe Tandy will come back for another year.

[drudy23]

Craft hasn't made a more than 12 foot shot.

He's taken two 3's all year. He's a shooter that isn't shooting.

He seems very reluctant to be the player he is.

[GoMuskies]

I thought Craft looked really good yesterday. Much more assertive. Freshmen are often very different after Christmas than before.

[bleedXblue]

He's taken two 3's all year. He's a shooter that isn't shooting.

He seems very reluctant to be the player he is.

strange I agree most shooters have no conscious and want to fill it up

He playing way too timid and I dont care if he's a frosh

[drudy23]

strange I agree most shooters have no conscious and want to fill it up

He playing way too timid and I dont care if he's a frosh

He's very young - I know recruit's highlights tapes aren't everything, but watching some of his videos, he excelled at shot-making on pull-ups off the dribble, both inside and outside the arc. It's concerning we haven't seen that aspect of his game. Maybe he's being asked to focus on other things - who knows.

One of the best qualities you like to see in your freshman is a lack of fear. JP had zero fear - he didn't give a sh*t, he played his game. He had massive confidence the first day on campus. I'm in no way saying that Craft isn't going to be good - just an observation.

I watch the kid warm up all the time. He rarely misses. Hoping he just needs to see that first jumper go in and off he goes.

[X-band '01]

Last night Colby went under the ball screen twice late in game and Gonzaga buried two threes. But both times Gonzaga should have been called for illegal screens and the refs just let it go. They were blatant illegal screens and can’t believe the refs looking right at it just let it go.

So that's why John Chaney was screaming from beyond the grave for someone to pull a code red on the Zags.

[IM4X]

Positive thing. I'd rather have Sean Miller's recruits & transfers playing than Miller trying to salvage something out of Travis Steele's recruits like we're watching now.

Miller will get his chance to show what he can do with his recruits, but let’s be careful not to suggest these are mediocre players on this team. Steele’s coaching was clearly an issue, but I think we need to be fair where he is deserving of praise. While not all of his players have panned out, he has done a pretty darn good job bringing in recruits/transfers. Miller even admits as much.

Personally, I am very excited to see where the ceiling is for this team coached by Miller but mostly recruited by Steele. I’m one who believes Miller gets this team defending and rebounding better on defense by midsession. They are already looking much better on offense and are competitive against top 10 caliber teams. With just a handful more stops and defensive rebounds and a few less turnovers, this team will start looking pretty elite.

[Xville]

Sorry. Let’s not pretend these are mediocre players on this team. I can not go that far. I think Steele did a pretty darn good job with some of the recruits and transfers he brought in.

Steele’s coaching was clearly an issue, but I think we need to be fair where he is deserving of praise. While not all of his players have panned out, he has done a pretty darn good job with recruiting. Miller even admits as much. Personally,

I am very excited to see where the ceiling is for this team coached by Miller but mostly recruited by Steele. I’m one who believes Miller gets this team defending and rebounding better on defense by midsession. They are already looking much better on offense and are competitive against top 10 caliber teams. With just a handful more stops and defensive rebounds and a few less turnovers, this team is starting to look pretty elite.

I think he brought in a good amount of good players. However, the pieces don’t fit all that well, and they certainly weren’t built for the big east.

[IM4X]

I think he brought in a good amount of good players. However, the pieces don’t fit all that well, and they certainly weren’t built for the big east.

My biggest disappointment with Steele’s recruiting is that he didn’t bring in enough BE level bigs. We have Zach and Jack who are quite good (at least on offense), but we should have at least 4 bigs on the current roster who can play at the BE level (bigs who can be counted on to score a few buckets and make a few stops). I really Sean was going to bring in a second transfer who was forward or center.

[drudy23]

My biggest disappointment with Steele’s recruiting is that he didn’t bring in enough BE level bigs. We have Zach and Jack who are quite good (at least on offense), but we should have at least 4 bigs on the current roster who can play at the BE level (bigs who can be counted on to score a few buckets and make a few stops). I really Sean was going to bring in a second transfer who was forward or center.

Any program worth anything in the last couple of years in the Big East had SEVERAL powerful, thick, muscular, strong - however you want to describe them - just physical specimens when it came to size and strength. We have been at an OBVIOUS strength and leverage disadvantage because of it.

Our bigs are more finesse, which is fine, but you need the bangers in this conference. You absolutely have to have them because most of the teams worth a damn have several, and they're good.

Even the quality Villanova big men that could shoot were also just physical specimens that simply manhandled our bigs.

[Xavier]

Agreed. The only way to go with what Steele wanted is an absolute stud center that drains from deep and exploit it all game long. During Nunges stretch we had four guards with him (I think, hunter may have been there though) and we did a really good job with the pick and roll opening up cutting lanes and spreading Gonzaga out. It worked pretty well, I think we see more of that. Not much more.

It’s not a recipe for success in the big East to center the whole game plan around. But it will work here and there.