Game Thread: Xavier v Marquette University (1/15/2023)

[paulxu]

https://live.staticflickr.com/4074/4819000479_2020c62eb9_n.jpg VS.https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xeEAAMXQya1Q8vgG/s-l500.jpg

CINCINNATI --- The No. 12 Xavier University Musketeers, 14-3 overall and 6-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, take a 10-game winning streak into Sunday's noon game vs. No. 25 Marquette, 14-4 overall and 6-1 in the BIG EAST. MU comes in with a five-game winning streak.

Sunday's sold-out game at Cintas Center will be broadcast on FOX National and 700 WLW.

THE MATCHUP

NO. 12/11 XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (14-3, 6-0 BIG EAST)
NO. 25/23 MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES (14-4, 6-1 BIG EAST)
SUNDAY, JAN. 15, 2023 AT NOON ET
AT CINTAS CENTER (10,224) IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FOX National, including FOX 19 in Cincinnati, with play by-play from Jason Benetti and analysis from Bill Raftery.
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 broad- cast also available on Sirius XM channel 85 or 203 and 966 on the SXM App.
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://statbroadcast.com) and fan stats at GoXavier.com. (http://goxavier.com)

[paulxu]

Guess Raftery liked it so much, he stayed over.

[GoMuskies]

Doing the normal game thread thing using Sagarin predictor ratings, I'd say X -3.5 will be the line.

[American X]

Television: FOX National, including FOX 19 in Cincinnati, with play by-play from Jason Benetti and analysis from Bill Raftery.


I like Jason Benetti and would like to see him more on our broadcasts. We have basically the same story. He graduated from law school and became a highly sought after announcer. I graduated from law school and became a Senior Moderator on a message board.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Jason Benetti is terrific.

White Sox play-by-play guy.

Too-shelf: prepared, perceptive, we’ll-paced, good-humored.

[xu82]

[/CENTER]

I like Jason Benetti and would like to see him more on our broadcasts. We have basically the same story. He graduated from law school and became a highly sought after announcer. I graduated from law school and became a Senior Moderator on a message board.

Oh, what would he give to trade places with you??? I bet even his parents are disappointed……

[GIMMFD]

Doing the normal game thread thing using Sagarin predictor ratings, I'd say X -3.5 will be the line.

The better question is if I hammer that line or not. I haven't watched enough to know much about the other teams, and Marquette has some impressive results, but I like our chances at Cintas always.

[drudy23]

Listening to Sean, they are tough to guard and have 5 guys that can put it on the floor and get to the hoop. He said that will test us unlike any other team we've faced. They lead the nation in 2PT FG%.

They also play very up-tempo so expect a pace similar to the Creighton game. Sounds like another game where Boum is in his element. Two VERY similar teams based on offensive and defensive efficiency rankings.

At a minimum, it should be a very entertaining game.

[Xville]

Go was right on the line. X -3.5…as others have said, I expect the same kind of game as creighton. It’d be nice to see some tough d tomorrow, but think it will just be another case of who is going to outscore who.

[X-band '01]

Would still expect to see some semblance of a Shaka team that has been through Navy SEAL training. Still bitter about Dee Davis getting a concussion against VCU.

[atljar]

Marquette has been playing at an extremely high level. Going to be a good game!

[IM4X]

Is this going to be XÂ’s toughest BE game to date - I very damn well looks like it could be. Marquette took down UConn, Nova and Creighton. Lost a very close one to the Friars. Thank goodness we get them first at home. Out fellas can take care of business if they have the lead late and make sure they get it in BoumÂ’s hands. DoesnÂ’t get any better than seeing him be fouled, knowing he is about to walk to the line to shoot.

[American X]

Will Xavier have enough gas in the tank? I am already tired just thinking about the pace of this game.

Souley Boum will win another Big East Player of the Week with a good performance today.

[GoMuskies]

Would help to get a shot off occasionally.

[Xville]

Same defense as creighton… help d and leaving guys wide open for three.

Claude is going to be playing more and more as the season goes on.. need his long arms and d out there

[GoMuskies]

Sweet answer to the early Marquette barrage. Going to be a fun one all the way through, it seems.

[GoMuskies]

I don't like this Kolek kid.

[X Factor]

Kolek hooked Claude and the refs missed it.

Marquette is hacking like crazy

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yikes, Kolek is getting into lane at will. Miller not happy.

[GoMuskies]

The "defense" is just embarrassing.

[GoMuskies]

Maybe someone consider getting in front of Kolek. Just a thought.

[noteggs]

Stating the obvious Boum a little off today

[GoMuskies]

Maybe someone consider getting in front of Kolek. Just a thought.

Apparently too much to ask

[D-West & PO-Z]

Apparently too much to ask

It's like we want him to go left but he wants to too. Makes no sense. If you can't stay in front of him, at least make him go right.

[noteggs]

It's like we want him to go left but he wants to too. Makes no sense. If you can't stay in front of him, at least make him go right.

Hopefully this first thing Sean brings at half

[kellernr]

Stating the obvious Boum a little off todayHe seems to always be a little off in the 1st half. He will drop 15pts in the 2nd half.

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[GoMuskies]

He seems to always be a little off in the 1st half. He will drop 15pts in the 2nd half.

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Good start in that direction!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Feel so much better in these situations than in the past. Not playing great, still up 1. Miller at the helm. Team doesnt wilt. Hangs tough.

[GoMuskies]

Fantastic effort to start the second half. Going to need some bench help to sustain the energy level.

[noteggs]

Not a ballgame until Colby gets medical attention

[Xville]

A guy who averages 9 ppg has 22 already, awesome

[GoMuskies]

A guy who averages 9 ppg has 22 already, awesome

Ok, but he had 20 @ the half. The second half is 10 minutes old.

[Xville]

Ok, but he had 20 @ the half. The second half is 10 minutes old.

Ah fair! Win the last ten.. lfg

[xudash]

A guy who averages 9 ppg has 22 already, awesome

Well, 20 of them came in the first half. And there is now 10 minutes left in the game.

[Xville]

So, wait to clarify did he have 20 at half and there is ten minutes left in the game? :)

[GoMuskies]

Chaos right now!

[American X]

Do The Nunge Hustle

[noteggs]

Crowd needs to bring the energy our boys are tired

[American X]

Both teams are gassed. The last war comes down to a battle of grit.

[Xville]

Huge shot souley! Boom!

[American X]

Garbage foul call on Kunkel which led to Marquette score.

[American X]

Steel. Balls. Boum.

[BillikenMusketeer]

Should have been offensive foul on 23 or no call. He leaned right into Hunter

[HenryMuto]

JFC just get that rebound and game is over now we have to get ball in and not turn it over and get it to a good FT shooter as it be 1 and 1 still and hit 2 FT's or just get that DAMN REBOUND GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[xudash]

Should have been offensive foul on 23 or no call. He leaned right into Hunter

Exactly. Absolutely.

[xudash]

Get the ball in and make the free throws and this is sealed.

[paulxu]

Yikes. If could have got that rebound, game would be over.
Come on Muskies!

[HenryMuto]

Ball Game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GoMuskies]

What a battle.

[paulxu]

Good deal!

[Xville]

Hell of a win and clutch free throw shooting!

[Blue Blooded-05]

Winning is so much more fun than losing.

[BillikenMusketeer]

Huge W. Always great when Shaka takes the L

[Xville]

Hopefully get somewhat of a break from these nail biters the next couple games

[XUGRAD80]

15-3 and 7-0…..I didn’t foresee this for sure.

But I LOVE IT!!!!

[American X]

Zip 'Em Up!

Marquette is a worthy adversary. They should move up the rankings after losing today.

[noteggs]

I know they’ll be some questions after the game, but how many points did Kolek have at halftime. ;)

[HenryMuto]

Connecticut getting crushed at home by Saint John's. Wow have they gone downhill since X beat them.

Right now X is 2 plus losses ahead of everyone except Providence.

Now X has a loaded schedule on the road coming up still need to play at all the good teams so that could be problimatic.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

What a win! Having Boum in your team make such a big difference, esp. with him shooting FTs to close out the game.

[xavierj]

I know they’ll be some questions after the game, but how many points did Kolek have at halftime. ;)

20 but think they didn’t think they had to guard him first half. Probably didn’t want anyone else to beat them but that really backfired. Xavier didn’t play that well and still won. Dominated the boards. Kunkel really struggled for the most part.

[UCGRAD4X]

What a win! Having Boum in your team make such a big difference, esp. with him shooting FTs to close out the game.

Didn't seem to have his best game. But his best game is pretty damn good. When we needed him, he was there. What a great leader.

[American X]

Jack "The Hustle" Nunge was a warrior today. Boum sealed the deal, but Nunge waged the negotiations.

[Three Point Pete]

He (Boum) will drop 15pts in the 2nd half.

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From your lips to God's ears!

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[Xavier]

Kunkel had some great skip passes for open 3s today. He missed his open looks but his passes were great

[xudash]

Some credit to HUNTER as well. Contributed on defense. One boneheaded pass that I recall, but seemed to play well overall.

[X-band '01]

It's amazing what offensive rebounds and 2nd chance points did for Xavier today. Game would have been quite a bit different if it were just a shooting contest.

[Caveat]

Connecticut getting crushed at home by Saint John's. Wow have they gone downhill since X beat them.

Right now X is 2 plus losses ahead of everyone except Providence.

Now X has a loaded schedule on the road coming up still need to play at all the good teams so that could be problimatic.

Yup. We’re gonna learn a ton about this team soon. The road in the BE is terrifying.

[JTG]

Connecticut getting crushed at home by Saint John's. Wow have they gone downhill since X beat them.

Right now X is 2 plus losses ahead of everyone except Providence.

Now X has a loaded schedule on the road coming up still need to play at all the good teams so that could be problimatic.

As long as we defend home court, we can afford a few slips on the road. Losing at home makes for problems.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Should have been offensive foul on 23 or no call. He leaned right into Hunter

Absolutely correct. Must be so smart because you are also a Billiken!

[paulxu]

I know they’ll be some questions after the game, but how many points did Kolek have at halftime. ;)

Too many.

[D-West & PO-Z]

As long as we defend home court, we can afford a few slips on the road. Losing at home makes for problems.

100%

Defend home court, beat the bad teams on the road and all will be good.

[X-band '01]

I know they’ll be some questions after the game, but how many points did Kolek have at halftime. ;)


Too many.

Had 20 in the 1st half but only 5 in the 2nd half.

[X-band '01]

100%

Defend home court, beat the bad teams on the road and all will be good.

And champions pick off a game or two against the cream of the crop. This week will be the easiest Xavier will have all year in the Big East; the following week will be the UConn-Creighton roadie.

[noteggs]

Had 20 in the 1st half but only 5 in the 2nd half.

Guess I should have used my sarcasm font because most people don’t follow full thread throughout game. It was brought a few times after the half.

[xudash]

Guess I should have used my sarcasm font because most people don’t follow full thread throughout game. It was brought a few times after the half.

I understood what you were doing there.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Anyone know how many points Kolek had in the 1st half vs the 2nd half?

[American X]

Anyone know how many points Kolek had in the 1st half vs the 2nd half?

Eleventeen.

[Lloyd Braun]

Anyone know how many points Kolek had in the 1st half vs the 2nd half?

19, 6

[bleedXblue]

19, 6

20 in the first and 5 in the second

[Strange Brew]

Great game!

Had to watch late due to Mass. Hunter played another great game. Really nice to see him playing well.

[bobbiemcgee]

You get an automatic dispensation if the Muskies are playing.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier is looking at something like a #8 ranking tomorrow afternoon (assuming the poll comes out as normal on the holiday).

[X-band '01]

That's why I took in a 7 AM mass and a full coffee pot afterwards.

[XUGRAD80]

You get an automatic dispensation if the Muskies are playing.


Unfortunately it was my Sunday to serve as Deacon and I couldn’t get away until 12:15. Listened on the radio to most of the 1st half, but got to watch the 2nd half on TV. Entertaining, right? 😂

[Xville]

55 days until selection Sunday. I wish it was today. So refreshing to look forward to March again after four years of just waiting for the inevitable late Jan/feb collapse.

I know we all keep saying it over and over but What a difference a coach makes, and boum! I anticipate some lumps coming with thee tough road games but 16-4 or 15-5 should be the number. Can’t wait for March!

[N67ER]

20 but think they didn’t think they had to guard him first half. Probably didn’t want anyone else to beat them but that really backfired. Xavier didn’t play that well and still won. Dominated the boards. Kunkel really struggled for the most part.

Not Sure I understand comment about Kunkel. He scored 12, had 4 assists leading to 2 3’s and 2 2’s, snagged 4 rebounds and took a charge. He also canned 2 important FT’s. He shot a higher percentage from the field than Boum, both from 3 and 2. By any measure that is a pretty decent performance. And he was not the primary defender on Kolek, so the defensive weaknesses in the 1st half were not on him.

[American X]

So did Xavier actually play defense in the second half or did Marquette just run out of gas?

[GoMuskies]

So did Xavier actually play defense in the second half or did Marquette just run out of gas?

Not sure if the defense was great overall in the second half, but Kolek wasn't allowed to sprint directly through the lef side of the lane to the rim with impunity in the second half, so THAT was at least progress!