Game Thread: Xavier vs Georgetown University (1/21/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://sportslogohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/georgetown_hoyas_1996-pres_s.png


CINCINNATI --- The No. 8 Xavier University Musketeers, 15-4 overall and 7-1 in the BIG EAST Conference, look to bounce back from their first league setback of the season when they host the Georgetown University Hoyas on Saturday at noon.

Xavier, which leads the BIG EAST, is off to its best start ever in BIG EAST play after eight games.
THE MATCHUP

NO. 8/8 XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (15-4, 7-1 BIG EAST)
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOYAS (5-14, 0-8 BIG EAST)
SATURDAY, JAN. 21, 2023 AT NOON ET
AT CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO
TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play by-play from Matt Schumacker and analysis from Nick Bahe.
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 133 or 201 and 964 on the SXM App.

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

[Xville]

By sagarin, it should be around x -18. Would be great to have one of those games. I think we all need a bit of a breather game lol

[American X]

Now will Miller go deeper into the bench? Let KyKy, Kam & Cesare out there even if making some mistakes?

Spoiler, probably not. Actually, I wonder if fouling the three shooter is the last time we ever see KyKy.

[drudy23]

Now will Miller go deeper into the bench? Let KyKy, Kam & Cesare out there even if making some mistakes?

Spoiler, probably not. Actually, I wonder if fouling the three shooter is the last time we ever see KyKy.

At this point in the year, probably not. If they get a big lead, maybe.

I'd like to see Craft get some looks.

[Caveat]

Anyone gonna D up #1?

[noteggs]

Opposing guards killing us

[Caveat]

It’s hard to pull away from teams when you let them shoot 55%.

[noteggs]

Totally dominating the paint yet only up 3. WTH

[HenryMuto]

Defense man..............40 to G'Town already

[Xville]

Unless this team changes the way they decide to play d, I see them as an early out in march. You can’t be this bad on d in the tourney

[GoMuskies]

We're a bit of a mess right now.

[xu82]

I hope our degenerate gambler friends took the over, whatever that was.

[noteggs]

With the pace of play, Gtown can’t keep hitting these jump shots with tired legs. I would think.

[X Factor]

3rd game in a row an opposing guard scores close to 20 points in the first half.

Defense is trash overall.

[xuwillie]

This team is slowly turning back to Steele days. Very selfish one on one play

[Xville]

Extremely disappointing. I don’t know what’s up with this team but miller needs to fix it quickly. This looks like the Steele teams of years past in late January/ february

[X Factor]

This team is slowly turning back to Steele days. Very selfish one on one play

They have 20 assists as a team already. That's not selfish.

They need to play defense though.

[GoMuskies]

Pretty sure Miller called TO just to rip some ass about defense. At least I hope so!

[noteggs]

Find a way to get through the damn screen!

[Strange Brew]

Refs bailing out the Ewings again.

[GoMuskies]

Can't complain about the offense. We're carving them up.

[noteggs]

I like the soft full Court press on Spears

[Strange Brew]

Push the ball, play defense and enforce your will.

[xukeith]

Up to 25 assists. X cannot blow any BE team out. Defense is abysmal.

[Strange Brew]

I like the soft full Court press on Spears

Me too. Make him make the off balance 18 footer. He did but he likely won’t every time.

[bjf123]

Georgetown has got the moving pick down to a science. If the refs don’t call it, keep doing it.


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[Xville]

Alright, better! Now get a few stops and blow this open and don’t let up

[Strange Brew]

Georgetown has got the moving pick down to a science. If the refs don’t call it, keep doing it.


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They also have getting bailed out with FTs down to a science.

[GoMuskies]

We're frustrated with our defense. Imagine how Georgetown fans feel about theirs!

[xukeith]

Imagine playing Georgetown when Hoyas have a 100% healthy team.

[xu82]

This feels a little like an NBA All Star game.

[GoMuskies]

Imagine playing Georgetown when Hoyas have a 100% healthy team.

Is Ewing still their coach in this scenario? If so I still like our chances.

[Xville]

Offense is pretty damn anazing

[GoMuskies]

Georgetown seems to have quit. Hard to blame them.

[noteggs]

If you can’t make ft Colby, might as well hit a 3 for a 5 point play!

[Strange Brew]

Another bailout foul for FTs.

[xu82]

It must suck to have 29 points with 6 minutes left, one of the games of your life, and still be down 16. Must take some of the fun out of it.

[Strange Brew]

It must suck to have 29 points with 6 minutes left, one of the games of your life, and still be down 16. Must take some of the fun out of it.

Cold blooded. Haha!

[Strange Brew]

Another great call…

[Xville]

Great offense, pretty terrible d against a bad Georgetown team with two of their starters out. Kunkel can’t guard at this level and neither can boum

[GoMuskies]

Our FT shooting has been abysmal.

[jack66]

[QUOTE=Strange Brew;749971]Another great call…[/

Is today’s game supposed to be on wlw?

[Strange Brew]

Our FT shooting has been abysmal.

This is true.

[GoMuskies]

Colby took a fucked up shot.

[Strange Brew]

Colby took a fucked up shot.

Yeah, that was fugly.

[GoMuskies]

Well.....we won.

[X Factor]

Watching an opposing player torch Xavier is getting old.

[Strange Brew]

Well.....we won.

Free had a pretty good game. :)

[Xville]

Too bad primo already used up his free transfer.. he’d look good in a Xavier uniform next year

[X Factor]

Free had a pretty good game. :)

He was excellent. Big time game.

[XUGRAD80]

31 assists on 39 baskets. That dog will hunt.

[xukeith]

A win is a win but that was the worst team in BE with missing players vs. X. X couldn't dominate them. Defense struggles again. UConn, here X comes.

[X-band '01]

Definitely some frustration from Sean Miller during the postgame because of the defense and foul shooting, but relieved just the same to get the game overwith. The next 3 games are money time and UConn is actually in a bigger slump than Xavier is.

[bjf123]

Yep. Joe and Byron would talk about offense and Sean went right back to defense. Wonder what they’ll be working on in practice?

Still, heck of a game by Zach.


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[Xville]

Yep. Joe and Byron would talk about offense and Sean went right back to defense. Wonder what they’ll be working on in practice?

Still, heck of a game by Zach.


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Heck of a game from free.

The defense absolutely has to be driving miller effing nuts.

[xukeith]

Definitely some frustration from Sean Miller during the postgame because of the defense and foul shooting, but relieved just the same to get the game overwith. The next 3 games are money time and UConn is actually in a bigger slump than Xavier is.

He is very perplexed. Completely speechless. One of the all time best X coaches has zero answer for why X cannot play defense. Miller said he is "helpless" .

Perhaps X cannot be taught how to defend.

[UCGRAD4X]

Xavier players just don't have that quick twitch kind of quickness to play tight defense or close out on three point shooters. Play off and opposition gets a drive fake step back jumper. Play close and the get that first step around and can't play through the picks. Just seem too slow. Stuck in the mud.

[noteggs]

Well Sean did say “maybe we should start tackling them.” Maybe the refs won’t notice and O’Connell will just call them as charges?

[Caveat]

Xavier players just don't have that quick twitch kind of quickness to play tight defense or close out on three point shooters. Play off and opposition gets a drive fake step back jumper. Play close and the get that first step around and can't play through the picks. Just seem too slow. Stuck in the mud.

Their defensive issues start with the fact that none of the guards can stay in front of their man.

This team needs to get way, way more athletic via recruiting or the portal.

[Xville]

Their defensive issues start with the fact that none of the guards can stay in front of their man.

This team needs to get way, way more athletic via recruiting or the portal.

Exactly. Kunkel tries but he can’t guard a lamppost, and boum is pretty awful as well. On top of that, our frontcourt doesn’t have the foot speed to help off their man quickly enough.

[UCGRAD4X]

Their defensive issues start with the fact that none of the guards can stay in front of their man.

This team needs to get way, way more athletic via recruiting or the portal.

That's what I mean. I don't know that there is really much miller can do about it. Just need to get his own guys in.

[muskiefan82]

If Spears wants to enter the portal and come to X, I'd be okay with it

[X-band '01]

Thing is, Spears already transferred into Georgetown from Duquesne.

[xu82]

Thing is, Spears already transferred into Georgetown from Duquesne.

He seems to make better decisions ON the court.

[HenryMuto]

A win is a win. Good day of hoops all my teams won today so far.

[UCGRAD4X]

Felt sorry for the announcer today having to pronounce all the Gtown players' names. He really got confused, though, when he pronounced the city of Lima, Peru like the Ohio city, or the bean.

[Strange Brew]

A win is a win but that was the worst team in BE with missing players vs. X. X couldn't dominate them. Defense struggles again. UConn, here X comes.

Welcome to being the hunted and not the underdog hunter.

[Strange Brew]

Exactly. Kunkel tries but he can’t guard a lamppost, and boum is pretty awful as well. On top of that, our frontcourt doesn’t have the foot speed to help off their man quickly enough.

Hey, some lampposts are quicker than others. Kunk had a good game.

G’Town came in on a mission and had a player that played in what some of know as unconscious.

[Strange Brew]

Well Sean did say “maybe we should start tackling them.” Maybe the refs won’t notice and O’Connell will just call them as charges?

Haha, it’s funny cause it’s true.

[N67ER]

Watching an opposing player torch Xavier is getting old.

I wouldn’t care if Spears had 60 points as long as we win. With the game he was having, I don’t think there is a player in the Big East who could have stopped him. He was unconscious!

[bjf123]

I wouldn’t care if Spears had 60 points as long as we win. With the game he was having, I don’t think there is a player in the Big East who could have stopped him. He was unconscious!

Agreed. He was just having a great day.


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[kane79]

hate to say it but watching this defense reminds me of Jimmy Binnie

[Xville]

Hey, some lampposts are quicker than others. Kunk had a good game.

G’Town came in on a mission and had a player that played in what some of know as unconscious.

Whatever. Just excuses for really bad defense.

[xavbball]

Whatever. Just excuses for really bad defense.

100%. There’s a reason why everybody has career games against us. Our defense is just pathetic.

[American X]

God help KyKy Tandy. Two minutes, two fouls (including three shooter again), one turnover. Poor Miller just cannot get more from his bench. Claude did some good things, but did not exactly shine like a diamond. Thank goodness for Jerome Hunter (things you never thought you would say).

Was Primo Spears taking everything the strategy or did it just happen? Did Ewing actually scout the Xavier guards defense and figure their best shot was letting their best player take every shot he could (plus 11 assists)?

[Xville]

The offense is absolutely elite and a joy to watch, the defense is a complete trainwreck and make my eyes bleed. They are now 97 in d on Kenpom. Rare that you can ourscore opponents on the road, have to play d.. hope they bring the intensity on that side of the ball this week. Otherwise, it’s going to be an Ofer.

[xukeith]

Looking at past 2021 and 2022 seasons on kenpom. I was looking for similar high offenses and horrible defenses.

Purdue finished 2022 season with offense ranked #2 and defense ranked #93.
They went to sweet 16. They also had 10 top 50 kenpom wins before NCAA appearance.

Ohio St. finished 2022 with #13 offense and #111 defense.
Alabama finished 2022 season with #16 offense and #92 defense.
Notre Dame " " #28 " #69 " .
Miami(FL) " " #19 " #107 "


Iowa finished 2021 season with #3 offense and #75 defense.
Ohio St " #4 " #82
Villanova " #6 # 66
West Virginia #12 # 70. "
LSU " #5 " #124



It is not ideal to have a horrible defense and a kick ass offense.
It is not so rare to find some teams who do have some NCAA success with great offense.

[Xville]

Looking at past 2021 and 2022 seasons on kenpom. I was looking for similar high offenses and horrible defenses.

Purdue finished 2022 season with offense ranked #2 and defense ranked #93.
They went to sweet 16. They also had 10 top 50 kenpom wins before NCAA appearance.

Ohio St. finished 2022 with #13 offense and #111 defense.
Alabama finished 2022 season with #16 offense and #92 defense.
Notre Dame " " #28 " #69 " .
Miami(FL) " " #19 " #107 "


Iowa finished 2021 season with #3 offense and #75 defense.
Ohio St " #4 " #82
Villanova " #6 # 66
West Virginia #12 # 70. "
LSU " #5 " #124



It is not ideal to have a horrible defense and a kick ass offense.
It is not so rare to find some teams who do have some NCAA success with great offense.

Thanks, interesting! some good and some bad results in the tourney with those extremes. Miami had a good run last year. As always, comes down to matchups. I just wish the defense would get better over the next month so we don’t have that kind of extreme spectrum.

[SkyWalker]

God help KyKy Tandy. Two minutes, two fouls (including three shooter again), one turnover. Poor Miller just cannot get more from his bench. Claude did some good things, but did not exactly shine like a diamond. Thank goodness for Jerome Hunter (things you never thought you would say).

Was Primo Spears taking everything the strategy or did it just happen? Did Ewing actually scout the Xavier guards defense and figure their best shot was letting their best player take every shot he could (plus 11 assists)?
Feel sorry for Kyky. I know fouling a three point shooter is not a great idea. Taking him out of the game for that is fine. But sitting him for the rest of the game is too much. 1. It's got to be hurting his confidence and 2. At least he's trying to defend the three pointer shooter. I'm not seeing many of his teammates defending the three. I really think Kyky is the best option to extend our bench.

[UCGRAD4X]

Feel sorry for Kyky. I know fouling a three point shooter is not a great idea. Taking him out of the game for that is fine. But sitting him for the rest of the game is too much. 1. It's got to be hurting his confidence and 2. At least he's trying to defend the three pointer shooter. I'm not seeing many of his teammates defending the three. I really think Kyky is the best option to extend our bench.

Miller probably thinks he best option to extend our bench too. KyKy's play needs to reflect such a notion or Miller is going reconsider. The sad fact may be that despite the poor performance he still is.

[X-band '01]

Feel sorry for Kyky. I know fouling a three point shooter is not a great idea. Taking him out of the game for that is fine. But sitting him for the rest of the game is too much. 1. It's got to be hurting his confidence and 2. At least he's trying to defend the three pointer shooter. I'm not seeing many of his teammates defending the three. I really think Kyky is the best option to extend our bench.

But making that same mistake 2 games in a row isn't something that can be justified.

[JTG]

But making that same mistake 2 games in a row isn't something that can be justified.
That guy from Georgetown deserves an Emmy for that foul. KyKy's fingertip may have brushed the guys jersey and he fell to the floor like he was hit with a baseball bat.

[paulxu]

That guy from Georgetown deserves an Emmy for that foul. KyKy's fingertip may have brushed the guys jersey and he fell to the floor like he was hit with a baseball bat.

Agree, and the ball was long gone when KyKy brushed the shirt. I think Miller will look at the tape and realize KyKy was robbed.

[bjf123]

Agree, and the ball was long gone when KyKy brushed the shirt. I think Miller will look at the tape and realize KyKy was robbed.

At least they called a flop later on them.


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