Props to Jerome Hunter

[IM4X]

Quite a bit of players stepped up at different moments in the WVU game, but I was most pleasantly surprised by Hunter. While he didn’t score a ton of points, he really played some solid defense and the six points he did have felt huge.

After starting a tad rusty, he really turned it on and seemed to show up to help in the exact moments doing the exact things the team needed from him. Not only did it not feel like a drop off when he was playing, it felt like a positive boost for the team.

I’ve been a bit critical of Jerome’s play at times in the past, but I was very impressed to see him play in Saturday’s game with such confidence, focus, poise and tenacity.

Great game Mr. Hunter! Keep it up!

[boozehound]

Jerome Hunter's recent play stands out to me as an example of what happens when you have a good coach, and a player that buys in. Last year Hunter spent a lot of time hanging out behind the arc shooting 3's and he wasn't successful. This year he is mixing it up in the paint, grabbing rebounds, and hustling and his productivity has increased substantially. Credit to both Miller and Hunter.

[bjf123]

Jerome Hunter's recent play stands out to me as an example of what happens when you have a good coach, and a player that buys in. Last year Hunter spent a lot of time hanging out behind the arc shooting 3's and he wasn't successful. This year he is mixing it up in the paint, grabbing rebounds, and hustling and his productivity has increased substantially. Credit to both Miller and Hunter.

He just needs to stop being a fouling machine. I’m sure they’re working on that.


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[Strange Brew]

He just needs to stop being a fouling machine. I’m sure they’re working on that.


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I don't mind the fouls if they are a result of him using his frame to lean on/bang on the opposing bigs to wear them down a bit.

[drudy23]

He just needs to stop being a fouling machine. I’m sure they’re working on that.


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He's a role player - who cares if he fouls, as long as there are not bone-head fouls. Fouling isn't always bad.

You get 5, might as well use them if it's due to aggressive, but not stupid, play.

[American X]

He's a role player - who cares if he fouls

Because the other team gets to shoot foul shots?

I am still awaiting The Jerome Hunter Three Point Experience this season. It will happen at some point.

[drudy23]

Because the other team gets to shoot foul shots?

I am still awaiting The Jerome Hunter Three Point Experience this season. It will happen at some point.

Is it a good foul if he fouls a guy getting ready to dunk the ball and he has to make 2 free throws instead? Sure, it is, as long as you're making sure he isn't converting the dunk. Maybe he misses 1 or 2 free throws.

Obviously, Hunter's strategy isn't to come in and foul people, but it's absolutely the right play in some instances. And Hunter is enough of a role player to not be concerned if he gets a few fouls this way.

[American X]

Hunter's strategy isn't to come in and foul people

He has had us fooled.

[xu82]

This is what Hunter should have looked like from the opening tip of his first game at XU. Credit to Hunter for adapting and Miller for showing him the light.

[American X]

Way to save your career game for #2 UConn, Jerome!

[X-band '01]

Would love to see him win both Comeback Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year in lots of circles. Definitely playing like it.

[Muskie in dayton]

Way to save your career game for #2 UConn, Jerome!
Jerome was the difference today against UCONN. Kudos to Miller and staff for remolding his game, and kudos to Jerome for embracing his role!

[whopper]

i think he has been watching Rodman video as his demeanor is similar now.

[drudy23]

This is what Hunter should have looked like from the opening tip of his first game at XU. Credit to Hunter for adapting and Miller for showing him the light.

This. 100% this.

[XUGRAD80]

Jerome was the difference today against UCONN. Kudos to Miller and staff for remolding his game, and kudos to Jerome for embracing his role!

Have to agree. I’ve gone from a Never Hunter to a Hunter Forever. Most improved player by far. Could be a real difference maker if he continues to play like we’ve seen the last few games.

[zanesxu]

9-9 free throws.

It’s amazing the difference coaching makes… this team is virtually the same as last year and is so much more likeable… Hunter is the case and point

[EastCoastXman]

If Bill Rafferty was doing the game we would have heard....."Send them Home Jerome".

[UCGRAD4X]

Quite a bit of players stepped up at different moments in the WVU game, but I was most pleasantly surprised by Hunter. While he didn’t score a ton of points, he really played some solid defense and the six points he did have felt huge.

After starting a tad rusty, he really turned it on and seemed to show up to help in the exact moments doing the exact things the team needed from him. Not only did it not feel like a drop off when he was playing, it felt like a positive boost for the team.

I’ve been a bit critical of Jerome’s play at times in the past, but I was very impressed to see him play in Saturday’s game with such confidence, focus, poise and tenacity.

Great game Mr. Hunter! Keep it up!

"Pleasantly surprised"? That's the understatement of the season so far. Unbelievable game for Jerome. I'll be honest, I kept waiting for him to revert to the old Hunter. He came through time and time again. Mea Culpa.

Having a third inside presence was the missing piece.

[JTG]

The ultimate missing piece to this team sits at the end of the bench, wears a quarter zip and coughs a lot. Thank you.

[XUGRAD80]

The ultimate missing piece to this team sits at the end of the bench, wears a quarter zip and coughs a lot. Thank you.

Ain’t that the truth!

[Caveat]

Jerome “James Farr” Hunter

[SemajParlor]

Jerome was the MVP today. Props to him for sticking with it.

[IM4X]

Hunter was very clutch. Something that feels really good to type. So happy for him - So good to see him gain confidence and find his grove afree buying into SeanÂ’s vision for him and the team. This team needed him to show up like he did today and they will need him to continue to show up similarly in future games, if they are to have a chance to get in the tournament and advance far. Bravo Jerome!

[Final4]

Hunter went to the bench late in the game to a standing ovation by a large part of the crowd. Gotta affect your psyche going forward.

[XUGRAD80]

Hunter went to the bench late in the game to a standing ovation by a large part of the crowd. Gotta affect your psyche going forward.


A WELL DESERVED standing ovation. He played hard! And he played well. Something that was lacking much of last year.

[XU-PA]

Would love to see him win both Comeback Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year in lots of circles. Definitely playing like it.

What if he works into the starting 5? The lineup of Boum, Jones, Hunter, Free and Nunge was interesting to watch vs the big lineups that UConn had in the floor.

[xukeith]

What if he works into the starting 5? The lineup of Boum, Jones, Hunter, Free and Nunge was interesting to watch vs the big lineups that UConn had in the floor.
I didn't thimk Hunter was in the game with Freemantle and Nunge. I assumed Hunter was always playing the 4 spot while Zach or Jack were on the bench.

[X-man]

Hunter went to the bench late in the game to a standing ovation by a large part of the crowd. Gotta affect your psyche going forward.

I think that he is a legit candidate for MVP of yesterday's game.

[UCGRAD4X]

I didn't thimk Hunter was in the game with Freemantle and Nunge. I assumed Hunter was always playing the 4 spot while Zach or Jack were on the bench.

I do not recall more than two of them on the floor together. Only one for some minutes I seem to recall. Free for sure, I think Hunter. Not sure.

[bjf123]

I do not recall more than two of them on the floor together. Only one for some minutes I seem to recall. Free for sure, I think Hunter. Not sure.

I think they might have all been in together for maybe a minute late in the game when Sean was switching Hunter for Kunkel depending on the situation.


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[Masterofreality]

The transformation of Jerome Hunter is stunning.
The epitome of Coaching excellence personified.

Check out this article from Cincinnati.com: The transformation: How Jerome Hunter became the player Xavier needs https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2023/01/01/the-transformation-how-jerome-hunter-became-the-player-xavier-needs/69769234007/

[N67ER]

What if he works into the starting 5? The lineup of Boum, Jones, Hunter, Free and Nunge was interesting to watch vs the big lineups that UConn had in the floor.

That lineup did not last long. It doesn’t work well on offense because ball movement and dribble penetration suffers. Kunkle and Boum force the action because they move the ball with speed and force the defense to constantly switch. That is the key to getting the ball to the inside with mismatches.

[IM4X]

Yeah. I think Miller had them in there becasue X was getting crushed on the boards. UCOnN was getting too many 2nd chances. It was a move that seems to work at first but (as N67er pointed out), ball movement became an issue. Maybe they can figure something out, but it can quickly become a problem having too many bigs trying to handle the ball.

[Masterofreality]

That lineup did not last long. It doesn’t work well on offense because ball movement and dribble penetration suffers. Kunkle and Boum force the action because they move the ball with speed and force the defense to constantly switch. That is the key to getting the ball to the inside with mismatches.

Definitely a “specialty” lineup, but it can work well in certain situations.
It’s called Matchups. Something that Coach Aluminum never understood.

[xukeith]

MIght Hunter return next year ? We will need solid post players.

[noteggs]

If you asked last year, no way he’s coming back a third year. Think he understands what the makeup of next year team will look, so I lean yes. However with the surprising results, sure others will be talking in his ear.

[American X]

Coming this January - The Jerome Hunter Three Point Experience Returns!

Another solid game from Hunter, but, as long as four other teammates are on the floor, let's leave creating one-on-one offense in the past.

[X-band '01]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeJXYhdfR6Q

What could he do? McDermott triple dog dared him to shoot a 3.

[bjf123]

I think the biggest surprise from Jerome last night was that he played that long and only picked up one foul. He usually has 2 within a few minutes of going into the game and has to come right back out.


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[American X]

He's not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed.

[smileyy]

He's not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed.

A huge 8-8 from the line!

[xukeith]

Best game from Hunter. 24 points 8/11 from field 8-8 ft line.

[KabeX]

All hail Mr. J. F. Hunter!

[BandAid]

He's not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed.

He might be the hero we deserve, too

[xu82]

All hail Mr. J. F. Hunter!

We survived today because of that young man. There is no question about that. Thank you, sir!

[sirthought]

I was thinking the whole game he'd be the reason we won. Maybe not the biggest shots. But certainly the guy maintaining things.

[XUGRAD80]

I’m happy for him, but at the same time I hope that X doesn’t need a repeat performance like that from him the rest of this year.

Sure hope he does come back for next year though, and I wouldn’t have said that a year ago.

[paulxu]

Pregame they showed a clip of Sean Miller playing point for Pitt...as he got off a no-look pass to.... "Send it in Jerome!"

Our Jerome kept us in this game.

[Strange Brew]

He's not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed.

:). Well played game Jerome. Damn good game when it mattered.

Now get ready for the “Jerome” storyline on Sun.

[KabeX]

We survived today because of that young man. There is no question about that. Thank you, sir!
Indeed we did! We're gonna need the same Jerome Sunday.

[UCGRAD4X]

I was commenting late in the game;

Who would have imagined last year, that a year later, the first tournament game, our leading scorer and ultimately the hero of the game would be....

...anybody but...

...must be a different Jerome Hunter.

[Strange Brew]

I was commenting late in the game;

Who would have imagined last year, that a year later, the first tournament game, our leading scorer and ultimately the hero of the game would be....

...anybody but...

...must be a different Jerome Hunter.

That’s why it’s the greatest two days in sports…

[XUBison]

This thread needed a bump. I hope Jerome keeps having the game of his life. Can’t think of many performances more heroic.

[xu82]

I was commenting late in the game;

Who would have imagined last year, that a year later, the first tournament game, our leading scorer and ultimately the hero of the game would be....

...anybody but...

...must be a different Jerome Hunter.

You got that right! He was about all we had going for us for a while there. What a difference a year - and a competent coach - can make! Props to Sir Jerome!