Game Thread: Xavier v Georgetown (12/16/2022)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://content.sportslogos.net/logos/31/686/full/qabl7hre3c4hgygnhsrkvfunn.png





THE MATCHUP

RV/RV XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (8-3, 0-0 BIG EAST)
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOYAS (5-6, 0-0 BIG EAST)
FRIDAY, DEC. 16, 2022 AT 6:30 P.M. ET
AT CAPITAL ONE ARENA IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play by-play from Scott Graham and analysis from Tarik Turner.
Radio: 700 WLW with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer Byron Larkin ('88). XU broadcast also available on Sirius XM channel 382 and 970 on the SXM App.

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

[zippin']

Not sure what to make of this game. On paper it seems like Spears, Wahab, and Akok are all good players but the team stinks. KenPom has X winning by 10 which would be awesome.

[xudash]

This stat just floors me:

Series info: Xavier leads the all-time series 17-6.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

G is 0-5 against Q2 and Q3 opponents this season having scored 63, 66, 70, 65, and 64 points in those match-ups.

Repeat: Q2 and Q3 opponents.

And they'll probably be looking past XU to their UConn game on 12/20.

We can sneak up on these guys!

[muskiefan82]

This stat just floors me:

Series info: Xavier leads the all-time series 17-6.

It is the Smith-Rivera curse. Once he decided to go to GTown over X they were doomed to failure. 3-14 vs. X ever since

[Xville]

X -10…. That’s a big no touch for me.

[drudy23]

Road games in the Big East are never easy, even when it's Georgetown and DePaul.

We SHOULD win, but nothing is guaranteed.

[X Factor]

X covers. Book it.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Road games in the Big East are never easy, even when it's Georgetown and DePaul.

We SHOULD win, but nothing is guaranteed.

Agreed and I have the ticket stubs from the Rosemont Horizon to prove it.

X defense will be key against a team with demonstrated scoring challenges.

[GIMMFD]

Road games in the Big East are never easy, even when it's Georgetown and DePaul.

We SHOULD win, but nothing is guaranteed.

I feel a lot more comfortable with Miller than Steele at the helm in terms of strategy, coaching, and not laying an egg as often though, will say that much.

[atljar]

Just saw one of g towns assistant coaches passed, Louis Orr. Thoughts and prayers to the Hoyas and his family

[X-band '01]

He was also a Xavier assistant at one point shortly after his NBA career ended. Godspeed.

[muskiefan82]

Just saw one of g towns assistant coaches passed, Louis Orr. Thoughts and prayers to the Hoyas and his family

I remember him on OUR sideline. This is a sad day.

[Muskeagle]

That is too bad. Never heard a bad word about the guy. He was always highly regarded by anyone I know who came into contact with him.

[xudash]

Godspeed Coach Orr.

[SkyWalker]

I played against Louis in high school. He was the tallest, skinniest player I ever saw. Followed his career both as a player and coach. Class Act! Rest in Peace Louis!

[Xville]

Finally don’t have to hear dicky simpkins. Best Christmas gift ever

[GoMuskies]

Looks like a big crowd!

[Xville]

When Georgetown was good like in the Roy Hibbert days, was the crowd still like this? It’s pathetic. I know there is a lot to do in dc but why can they not draw?

[Xville]

Freemantle physical? Uh ok dude lol

[GoMuskies]

Nice start again. Kunk getting his pocket picked gave them life. Would sure be nice to run away and hide from these guys early.

[GoMuskies]

We're a mess right now.

[bjf123]

6 turnovers in 4 minutes? Miller has to be livid.


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[GoMuskies]

Just keep screwing around and let these guys hang close. See what happens.

[Xville]

Looks like the same team… tos, weak interior.

Should have gone with my initial gut and picked gtown to cover

[GoMuskies]

We couldn't guard a decent intramural team.

[Xville]

I’m ready for Claude to begin starting and kunkel can go back to his rightful spot as a bench player

[GoMuskies]

This is embarrassing.

[Xville]

Um maybe bring someone else in to guard freemantle’s man that is scoring every time down the court? Just a thought

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, who cares if Free fouls out if this is how he plans to play D.

[GoMuskies]

Not used to seeing Boum miss open threes.

[Xville]

Nice work boum! Sneaky sneaky

[GoMuskies]

Imagine being a Georgetown fan. Brutal.

[bjf123]

4 fouls on Hunter already? Wow.


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[GoMuskies]

Hunter fouling out in the first half would have been funny.

[xudash]

I just want you guys to know that he brought the elbow, but he did not throw the elbow. Sure, no problem.

[Xville]

Wahab who averages 10 a game already has 11 in the first half. Our interior d is a big flaming pile of shit.

[GoMuskies]

Up 5, but Georgetown missed 7 FTs. Not great.

[xudash]

Up 5, but Georgetown missed 7 FTs. Not great.

The flipside is, we were up five with bushels of turnovers. Get that under control and maybe we’ll be okay.

[SkyWalker]

I do not like the pace of this game. Too fast for X.

[Xville]

All I want to see in the 2nd half, besides a win of course, is some intense physical defense. Gtown should be scoring in the 20s not almost 40

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Not sure what to make of this game. On paper it seems like Spears, Wahab, and Akok are all good players but the team stinks. KenPom has X winning by 10 which would be awesome.

X winning by 10? Where did that come from? We could be in serious trouble in the second half. Sans Hunter, Craft is our best option? That is a huge vote of no confidence by Miller in Edwards or Miles. I would think one of them could be trusted to come in and avoid Nunge picking up another foul late in the half. Our lack of a frontcourt bench is being exposed on Opening Night in the B.E.

Yikes!

[Xville]

I don’t understand why miles doesn’t get more playing time. He can’t do anything on offense but I think he is the bet interior defender we have and x has plenty of other offensive options for when he’s out there. Free gives nothing on one side of the court and starts… just doesn’t make much sense why Miles doesn’t play 7-10 minutes a game.

[GoMuskies]

How about some Tandy? Kunk is not getting 'er done.

[Caveat]

The defense this year is the worst I’ve ever seen from a Xavier team.

[Xville]

Another thing.. kunkel is absolute garbage defensively as well. He gets lost on his man constantly.. drives me effing nuts

[xukeith]

Another thing.. kunkel is absolute garbage defensively as well. He gets lost on his man constantly.. drives me effing nuts

This team will struggle to be .500 in Big East unless Miller changes something

[Xville]

Nice board and 1 nunge!

[Caveat]

Someone is gonna earn a ton of PT in conference play by committing to actually locking someone down on defense.

[GoMuskies]

Nice run. Needed. Sounds like a neutral site game at worst.

[paulxu]

Glad Kunkel hit that. But surprised the Colby passes up open 3 shots a lot.

[GoMuskies]

Glad Kunkel hit that. But surprised the Colby passes up open 3 shots a lot.

He had just missed three straight FTs.

[Xville]

Whoa! Free has come alive

[Xville]

X just can’t seem to extend leads due to their defense being piss poor

[paulxu]

Sometimes we look really good. And others....

[GoMuskies]

On balance, this has been a shit performance so far.

[Caveat]

YMCA level defense in this game from both sides.

It’s getting old watching this X team lose the ball / get caught out of position / give up easy shots.

[Xville]

Great run there! Now win this next 4 minute war and bury them!!

[GoMuskies]

That Georgetown zone was a complete joke.

[xukeith]

Nice run. Needed. Sounds like a neutral site game at worst.

X needs to play zone

[xavierj]

Refs calling the game completely different on Xavier’s end Vs when Georgetown has the ball

[Xville]

Much better last few minutes… bury this shit team!

[xudash]

Some of you guys a little happier now?

[GoMuskies]

Wow, Georgetown sucks. Thank God.

[Olsingledigit]

Refs calling the game completely different on Xavier’s end Vs when Georgetown has the ball

No kidding. Ridiculous the variance in fouls

[GoMuskies]

No kidding. Ridiculous the variance in fouls

I'm not sure Georgetown gets close enough to our guys on D to foul.

[Olsingledigit]

Some of you guys a little happier now?

No. We have not gotten enough ahead and held it consistently. This game is still very much in the balance.

[paulxu]

Let's give them a lot of foul shots.

[GoMuskies]

Hey, we suck again.

[Strange Brew]

Stripes keeping the Hoyas in this one.

[Xville]

Seriously wtf. This team can’t guard anyone

[Xville]

Stripes keeping the Hoyas in this one.

Are the stripes the ones playing d?

[Strange Brew]

Boom!

[xukeith]

Can you imagine this X team playing at Marquette?? gee

[GoMuskies]

Boum is a freak.

[xukeith]

Mr. Buckets alive!

[Xville]

Man boum is an effing stud!

[DexterBailey84]

Sooo, having a guy on your team that can get you points anytime you need them would seem to be a big advantage when March rolls around, no?

Just sayin.

[Xville]

Now let’s not only hold this lead, but extend it! Play some hard physical d for the last 7 minutes

[paulxu]

Not many coaches still wear a coat and tie.

[paulxu]

Officiating is somewhat suspicious tonight.

[xavierj]

That was awful call

[xukeith]

He looks sharp. Best dressed for prom.

[GoMuskies]

I'm worried Ewing is going to outcoach Miller down the stretch.

[xukeith]

Kunkel delivers!

[GoMuskies]

The offense is good.

[Strange Brew]

Are the stripes the ones playing d?

You're right, it's been an evenly called game....(rolleyes).

[Xville]

Offense is awesome. Defense is rec league.

Free and kunkel are obviously great at o but they are neutral players because of how bad their d is

[xavierj]

These refs are awful. Boum gets hacked no call, Georgetown gets breathed on and it’s a foul. Wild

[X Factor]

G'Town won't shoot like this in another game the rest ofvthe year. They're making every tough shot they take.

[Xville]

You're right, it's been an evenly called game....(rolleyes).

It hasn’t been, but they aren’t the ones losing their man and giving up wide open threes either.

I agree the refs are bad but that’s kind of what you get on the road in conference

[Olsingledigit]

Officiating is somewhat suspicious tonight.

Ya think?

[xukeith]

Only 2 TOs since 10 minute mak in 1st half.

[noteggs]

These refs are awful. Boum gets hacked no call, Georgetown gets breathed on and it’s a foul. Wild

Yea not good. Miller has had enough

[paulxu]

Sean with the T ?

[xukeith]

Who was that tech on?

[Xville]

How far off is the winner of the pick the score going to be lol

[Strange Brew]

Dagger!

[Xville]

Holy crap boum! Geezus

[GoMuskies]

Boum is unreal

[paulxu]

Boum trying to help Go out there.

[GoMuskies]

Boum trying to help Go out there.

Well done!

[Xville]

Thank you for the cover, X! A win is a win…somehow gotta figure out how to get better on d when competition gets ratcheted up

[Strange Brew]

Any roadkill is good roadkill in the BE.

[noteggs]

Defense is going to take a massive hit in efficiency…again

[GoMuskies]

Sean says our defense is a trainwreck. Agree.

[xukeith]

X is in first place !

[whopper]

desmond claude 6 pts 3 asst 1 to 3 rebounds...very important contributoin. The poor man's Hansborough with 17 p 6 reb 5 assists.

[xukeith]

Sean says our defense is a trainwreck. Agree.

Sean might not have any say over this X team.

[XUGRAD80]

Sean says our defense is a trainwreck. Agree.

It is what it is. Whew.

[xukeith]

Ball handling improved. Gee X will have to out shoot every team. Sean cannnot get this team better on D.

[Xville]

It is what it is. Whew.

Yeah. I think Sean can get them marginally better but they are just never going to be good defenders. The will isn’t there and the skill part isn’t there for quite a few of them either. It’s extremely frustrating but going to have to be patient for Sean to get his guys in here.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Giving up 89 pts to Georgetown is concerning. X has to learn to play tough D without fouling so much. We had only 12 FT attempts vs Georgetown’s 32. Miller won’t play Miles or Edwards even so many of our starters were in foul trouble, wonder why. Another outstanding game by Boum who was carrying the ream.

[XUGRAD80]

X got called for 22 fouls and GT for 10……If I hadn’t watched it I wouldn’t believe it. There were some strange calls made IMO. X dominated the boards 41-27.

But you can’t count on the offense to pick up the defense. They just are not good one on one defenders.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Yeah. I think Sean can get them marginally better but they are just never going to be good defenders. The will isn’t there and the skill part isn’t there for quite a few of them either. It’s extremely frustrating but going to have to be patient for Sean to get his guys in here.

I'm beginning to think you might be right. Maybe this team just isn't going to become defensive wunderkinds. But I don't think its due to lack of will. They were really working on the defensive end but it just wasn't working. I think they just lack defensive skills. That said some of those fouls on Nunge were ticky-tack and that third foul on Hunter---the one where Akok climbed over his back---was referee malpractice.

Neither of our Bigs play great "D" and I think that affects the rest of the team. We are going to face tougher frontcourts that G-Town showed us tonight. If I'm Miller, I'm working Edwards very hard. He's got to be able to give us more than we've seen. And, to the poster who says we need to see more Miles, no way is he the answer. At this point in the season, its Cesar or but.

[xavierj]

X got called for 22 fouls and GT for 10……If I hadn’t watched it I wouldn’t believe it. There were some strange calls made IMO. X dominated the boards 41-27.

But you can’t count on the offense to pick up the defense. They just are not good one on one defenders.

They are not but the refs called it much tighter when Georgetown had the ball. Had they called it the same on both ends Xavier probably wins by 20+. Have to give Georgetown credit as they made 24 of 32 shots outside the paint area, so they were making some tough shots they normally don’t make.

[MHettel]

Worried, but no too worried about the defense.

The pace of the game will naturally result in the opponent scoring a lot of points.

If we want to play at this pace, I’d focus on these few things….XU turnover RATE, FT plus/minus vs opponent, opponent 3%, and drebs.

If we can manage those 4 things ( or 3 of 4 on a given night) we can just put score teams

[Xville]

I'm beginning to think you might be right. Maybe this team just isn't going to become defensive wunderkinds. But I don't think its due to lack of will. They were really working on the defensive end but it just wasn't working. I think they just lack defensive skills. That said some of those fouls on Nunge were ticky-tack and that third foul on Hunter---the one where Akok climbed over his back---was referee malpractice.

Neither of our Bigs play great "D" and I think that affects the rest of the team. We are going to face tougher frontcourts that G-Town showed us tonight. If I'm Miller, I'm working Edwards very hard. He's got to be able to give us more than we've seen. And, to the poster who says we need to see more Miles, no way is he the answer. At this point in the season, its Cesar or but.

I said miles but I’m good with Edwards getting some time too. Miles is a trainwreck on offense but I do think at the least he can give a breather to the interior guys and play some decent d. At the least, he gives the other team a different look and maybe he can hack a guy or two.

X will need a few frontcourt transfers next year.

[XUGRAD80]

I thought that Edwards played well while he was in there. Also Dez had a good game. 3 assists and only 1 turnover for him. 3-6 from the field. He will keep improving as the season moves on and get more comfortable. SJU will be a big test for him.

I would like to see X try and mix in some different defensive looks. But can’t complain about the assists, shooting, or rebounding.

[atljar]

I would like to see X try and mix in some different defensive looks.
This 1000%. Not sure why we haven't seen it yet, and there very well may be a valid reason but I'm not technically basketball savvy to know it.

I remember years ago we had another TERRIBLE D team and Mack instilled the 1 3 1 with macura at the top. While Villanova shredded it with threes, it was an absolute lock down against many other teams. It transformed that season. Macura's energy was a big part of its effectiveness, but I could see a few of the guys like Jones or Kunkel having a similar energy up top

[Xville]

I don’t remember seeing it in any other games recently, but x did play zone a bit against Indiana. It worked for a little bit, but then Indiana started draining threes, and x got out of it.

I’m with you all though m. I would like to see it switched up a bit, if for nothing else to make the other team adjust for a bit.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I thought that Edwards played well while he was in there. Also Dez had a good game. 3 assists and only 1 turnover for him. 3-6 from the field. He will keep improving as the season moves on and get more comfortable. SJU will be a big test for him.

I would like to see X try and mix in some different defensive looks. But can’t complain about the assists, shooting, or rebounding.

Most of us on this board have a natural tendency to focus on the weakest parts of this team. But, we really need to give them credit on the offensive end. What was it----something close to thirty assists tonight? That is absurdly good. Great passing and unselfishness. So glad we have Boum.

[Masterofreality]

“When you look up as a coach and your team has 102, but you’re still worried to win the game you know you have work to do”.
-Sean Miller

[Masterofreality]

X got called for 22 fouls and GT for 10……If I hadn’t watched it I wouldn’t believe it. There were some strange calls made IMO. X dominated the boards 41-27.

But you can’t count on the offense to pick up the defense. They just are not good one on one defenders.

32 free throws for GTown vs only 12 for us, and we only made 6 of the 12.
X people who were there said that 2 out of the 3 refs (Not Driscoll) were horrible. Sean got a tech because he finally had had enough.
Sean will hold these refs accountable, unlike Steele ever did.

[muskiefan82]

I'm just happy X isn't the first Big East team to lose to Gtown. No one wants to be that team.

[American X]

I do not watch the NBA, but I really liked watching that game.

If you gave me the box score without names, I would have thought it was Creighton. Xavier shot better from the field and three than from the free throw line.

[Masterofreality]

I do not watch the NBA, but I really liked watching that game.

If you gave me the box score without names, I would have thought it was Creighton. Xavier shot better from the field and three than from the free throw line.

Souley took 7 more shots than anybody else on the team.
Anybody mad about that?

[Boro Muskie]

32 free throws for GTown vs only 12 for us, and we only made 6 of the 12.
X people who were there said that 2 out of the 3 refs (Not Driscoll) were horrible. Sean got a tech because he finally had had enough.
Sean will hold these refs accountable, unlike Steele ever did.

Dont want to be like a VD cryer fan but just wait until the Creighton game...

[Masterofreality]

Dont want to be like a VD cryer fan but just wait until the Creighton game...

Yeah. I’ve been to Omaha, twice. It’s uuuuugly there. :-(

[X-band '01]

Weather permitting, I'm going to try to make the DePaul trip for the first time in a few weeks.

[Masterofreality]

Weather permitting, I'm going to try to make the DePaul trip for the first time in a few weeks.

Plenty of good seats available!!

[American X]

Souley took 7 more shots than anybody else on the team.
Anybody mad about that?

Not mad at all, bro. Nearly all of his shots were in the flow of the offense. If they were not, he has earned the trust to hit them at all three levels. With a handful of exceptions, the entire team was taking high quality shots, usually off of a pass.

[Masterofreality]

Not mad at all, bro. Nearly all of his shots were in the flow of the offense. If they were not, he has earned the trust to hit them at all three levels. With a handful of exceptions, the entire team was taking high quality shots, usually off of a pass.

I was obviously kidding, like you already know.
If there is gonna be a volume shooter on this team, I want it to be him.
He’s gonna have off nights, and the challenge will be who else will be the dude to step up?
Kunk got back out of the Funk last night too.

[UCGRAD4X]

Souley took 7 more shots than anybody else on the team.
Anybody mad about that?

Yes! It should be more than 7. Maybe more than more than 7.

[Three Point Pete]

Reading the score 102 - 89 made my wonder: why does the GTown game seem different?

Well.. Georgetown games usually are memorable so this game was no surprise. Both teams scored 15+ points above their average output. Both had frantic1 minute runs of 6 or 8 points, and Souley's 8 point minute in his special 20 point 2nd half. Both teams made some difficult and well contested shots, while missing normally " gimmes" (go figure.)

Curiously, scoring hasn’t been either squad's main issue. Ewing has four players averaging double figures in an offense that has some inside-outside balance. (Miller, too! ) The trouble has come much more prominently on the defensive end of the floor. (yep, sounds familiar) GTown isn't a cohesive defensive unit and has been beaten soundly on the defensive glass. (if the shoe fits).But Hoyas squad has played together for 11 games (curiouser, Xavier has the
most experience in the conference.)

Other weird items: Xavier had 22 so called "fouls" but GTown only converted 19 points. Sean Miller "T'd "... really? Xavier had 8 TOs in first 8 minutes, but not another in about the next 20 minutes.

Clearly, both squads have talent and determination, but are still improving and they have not peaked yet. I enjoyed the show and look forward to the next meeting.


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[X-band '01]

Not sure why Sean Miller's technical didn't make the box score. Did he give the official scorer a death stare?

[paulxu]

Yes he did.

https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c7455d7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1433x806+0+77/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F82%2Fac%2F26a750e84b c781e377d55e1c51e0%2Fap22322863305077.jpg

[Olsingledigit]

Souley took 7 more shots than anybody else on the team.
Anybody mad about that?

Nope