Game Thread: Xavier vs St John's University (2/4/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://bkstr.scene7.com/is/image/Bkstr/065-PLUSH-65-8-Red?$HomePageRecs_ET$



CINCINNATI --- The No.16 Xavier University Musketeers, 18-5 overall and tied with Marquette for first place in the BIG EAST Conference at 10-2, host the St. John's University Red Storm on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Cintas Center.

Xavier is coming off an 85-83 overtime win over No. 17 Providence on Wednesday. It marked XU's first game without its leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, senior Zach Freemantle, who has a left foot injury that is expected to sideline him for four weeks.

Xavier leads the nation in assists per game at 20.8 apg. and is second in the BIG EAST and sixth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.62. XU had a season-low five turnovers on Wednesday.

THE MATCHUP

NO. 16/15 XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (18-5, 10-2 BIG EAST)
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY RED STORM (14-9, 4-8 BIG EAST)
SATURDAY, FEB. 4, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. ET
AT CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FOX National, including FOX 19 in Cincinnati, with play by-play from Tim Brando and analysis from Nick Bahe.
Xavier 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 134 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/)

[paulxu]

After watching way too much college ball, Xavier teams of the past included, where hero ball/NBA tryout was the norm...this warms the cockles of my heart.


Xavier leads the nation in assists per game at 20.8 apg.

[xudash]

BJ, if you’re reading this, the pre-game target for tomorrow is Dana’s at 3PM. What’s the inner scoop on parking at the cathedral of Jesuit College Watering Holes?

[Masterofreality]

BJ, if you’re reading this, the pre-game target for tomorrow is Dana’s at 3PM. What’s the inner scoop on parking at the cathedral of Jesuit College Watering Holes?

Available parking lot about a block down Dana Ave toward I-71 near the Flower Shop.

[American X]

I know the Redmen are on the skids, but cannot overlook this game like DePaul. Xavier is short-handed and coming off an exhausting overtime win. St. John's plays super up-tempo, has (mismanaged) talent, and knows they can pull a huge road upset having done it at UConn.

That being said, I hope to spend late afternoon/early evening relaxing, having a few drinks, and watching Xavier cruise to victory. Should score about a billion points, so it should be fun.

Nunge, Jones & Boum all have a shot at BE POW with another big game.

[94GRAD]

BJ, if you’re reading this, the pre-game target for tomorrow is Dana’s at 3PM. What’s the inner scoop on parking at the cathedral of Jesuit College Watering Holes?

3pm will be a little ifffy but should be ok. We do have an auxiliary lot at 1930 Dana Ave, 500 feet away next to Jim Bush Carpet

[Masterofreality]

3pm will be a little ifffy but should be ok. We do have an auxiliary lot at 1930 Dana Ave, 500 feet away next to Jim Bush Carpet

Seems redundant.

[Masterofreality]

I know the Redmen are on the skids, but cannot overlook this game like DePaul. Xavier is short-handed and coming off an exhausting overtime win. St. John's plays super up-tempo, has (mismanaged) talent, and knows they can pull a huge road upset having done it at UConn.

That being said, I hope to spend late afternoon/early evening relaxing, having a few drinks, and watching Xavier cruise to victory. Should score about a billion points, so it should be fun.

Nunge, Jones & Boum all have a shot at BE POW with another big game.

The lack of any discipline on offense for St. John’s is incredible to behold.
I know Mike Anderson has never had a losing record as a HC and some NCAA success, but he has little postseason success since he’s gotten older. My opinion from years is that any coach who tries to basically only have his team Press and run, relying on turnovers to score with no half court scheme, is a lazy coach. And I heard it from the horses mouth from Mike Moran, former Xavier football player who came back to Cleveland and became Head Basketball Coach at Villa Angela St Joseph’s HS and then John Carroll up here. Mike told me flat out, “I don’t know crap about basketball schemes so we’re just gonna create havoc.
That only works to a point. As Sean Miller has proven, you have to evolve as a coach and the game changes. Shaka Smart has changed his scheme from pure havoc to something more disciplined, but Anderson never has.

[UCGRAD4X]

Playing a smaller line-up of ball-handlers should benefit the team. Less stress on the thin front court. I would expect to see more KyKy and maybe even a bit of Craft.

[X-band '01]

The lack of any discipline on offense for St. John’s is incredible to behold.
I know Mike Anderson has never had a losing record as a HC and some NCAA success, but he has little postseason success since he’s gotten older. My opinion from years is that any coach who tries to basically only have his team Press and run, relying on turnovers to score with no half court scheme, is a lazy coach. And I heard it from the horses mouth from Mike Moran, former Xavier football player who came back to Cleveland and became Head Basketball Coach at Villa Angela St Joseph’s HS and then John Carroll up here. Mike told me flat out, “I don’t know crap about basketball schemes so we’re just gonna create havoc.
That only works to a point. As Sean Miller has proven, you have to evolve as a coach and the game changes. Shaka Smart has changed his scheme from pure havoc to something more disciplined, but Anderson never has.

To be fair to Shaka, it was a lot easier to get away with that in a conference like the Atlantic 10. But once the Big 12 saw his teams with a degree of regularity, they figured him out.

Could he be the next Travis Steele in that most of the other coaches have figured out how to defeat them?

[Blue Blooded-05]

Won’t get to watch today. My brother in law and his fiancé had the nerve to plan their wedding for 5:00 on a Saturday.

Who does that?!?!

[X Factor]

To be fair to Shaka, it was a lot easier to get away with that in a conference like the Atlantic 10. But once the Big 12 saw his teams with a degree of regularity, they figured him out.

Could he be the next Travis Steele in that most of the other coaches have figured out how to defeat them?

He's got Marquette sitting at 18-5 (10-2 in BE) and in the Top 15 so I'm not sure I would compare him to Travis Steele.

[X-band '01]

Oh shit, I meant to say Mike Anderson could be the next Steele. Not Shaka. Mea Culpa.

[Xville]

Back in the house again today looking forward to seeing some solid play from kyky and Edwards

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

The lack of any discipline on offense for St. John’s is incredible to behold.
I know Mike Anderson has never had a losing record as a HC and some NCAA success, but he has little postseason success since he’s gotten older. My opinion from years is that any coach who tries to basically only have his team Press and run, relying on turnovers to score with no half court scheme, is a lazy coach. And I heard it from the horses mouth from Mike Moran, former Xavier football player who came back to Cleveland and became Head Basketball Coach at Villa Angela St Joseph’s HS and then John Carroll up here. Mike told me flat out, “I don’t know crap about basketball schemes so we’re just gonna create havoc.
That only works to a point. As Sean Miller has proven, you have to evolve as a coach and the game changes. Shaka Smart has changed his scheme from pure havoc to something more disciplined, but Anderson never has.

Their lack of discipline, at times, causes them to beat themselves. Playing at Cintas with an amped up home crowd should help us. Still, after coming off an emotional and exhausting OT win where we played, essentially, six guys, this game makes me nervous. Hope the previous post is correct and we see a more confident and assertive Edwards---even for just 10-12 minutes.

[joe titan]

Control Posh = 10 point win.

[Lloyd Braun]

From Fanta on the Twitter (https://twitter.com/john_fanta/status/1621901378284044289?s=46&t=VNXj6uANyRUulvE0LLfHqA): “Some news: St. John’s has had travel issues getting from New York to Cincinnati for their game at Xavier at 5 ET today, I’m told. Red Storm are just about to take off from NY.”

[X Factor]

From Fanta on the Twitter (https://twitter.com/john_fanta/status/1621901378284044289?s=46&t=VNXj6uANyRUulvE0LLfHqA): “Some news: St. John’s has had travel issues getting from New York to Cincinnati for their game at Xavier at 5 ET today, I’m told. Red Storm are just about to take off from NY.”

What a fiasco by St. John's.

[HenryMuto]

Lots of tough road games coming up we can't afford to lose any home games the rest of the way if we have any hopes of winning the Big East regular season title and finishing as a protected seed for the Big Dance.

Saint John's won't be easy but you just can't lose this game. We had our 1 bed wetting for the year at DePaul can't afford anymore.

[X-band '01]

From Fanta on the Twitter (https://twitter.com/john_fanta/status/1621901378284044289?s=46&t=VNXj6uANyRUulvE0LLfHqA): “Some news: St. John’s has had travel issues getting from New York to Cincinnati for their game at Xavier at 5 ET today, I’m told. Red Storm are just about to take off from NY.”


What a fiasco by St. John's.

Should I go to Flight Tracker before posting to Pick The Score?

[Masterofreality]

From Fanta on the Twitter (https://twitter.com/john_fanta/status/1621901378284044289?s=46&t=VNXj6uANyRUulvE0LLfHqA): “Some news: St. John’s has had travel issues getting from New York to Cincinnati for their game at Xavier at 5 ET today, I’m told. Red Storm are just about to take off from NY.”


What a fiasco by St. John's.

I mean. There are 5 damn airports around NY. I’m sure at least ONE of them would have had an around noon flight to Cincinnati yesterday. What a crap show

[X-band '01]

If they left on the La Guardia flight this morning, that would put them at CVG approximately 1 PM. That would be just enough time to get to Cintas for pregame meal and a shootaround.

I'm guessing the Johnnies don't fly charter where they could also get to Lunken Airport instead?

[noteggs]

Back in the house again today looking forward to seeing some solid play from kyky and Edwards

On Sean’s presser yesterday, stated he wants to give Kyky and Edwards more of a run. Try to get Kam in as well. Thought it was interesting what he said about Edwards. Said he hasn’t really used him in correct spots and put him in tough situations especially on the road. Man love to hear that guy talk.

[Lloyd Braun]

No David Jones today… That is somewhat significant

[bjf123]

No David Jones today… That is somewhat significant

Maybe Mickey Dolenz is available? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


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[HenryMuto]

Off to another good start let's try to keep piling on the points as opposed to letting the other team back in it for a change. Sure be nice to not have a game come down to the final minute for a change.

[GoMuskies]

St. John's seems really bad. I'm okay with that. We could use a break.

[GoMuskies]

Craft bucket is nice. Good move.

[HenryMuto]

30-15 now the real game begins

[HenryMuto]

Boum with 2 fouls here we go again this is Wednesday all over again up big Boum 2 fouls last time he sat the rest of the half they cut it to 4 then Boum never picked up another foul. I don't like sitting him entire last 7 minutes he should be able to play with 2 fouls.

[GoMuskies]

Defense still stinks.

[HenryMuto]

I love that top of the key 3 pointer from Nunge. Every time he lines up to shoot it when he is wide open I swear I always think it is going in and it usually does.

[noteggs]

Good half

[HenryMuto]

Great 1st half 49-30

[noteggs]

Still can’t believe this is basically the same offensive players as last year.

[bjf123]

Been waiting all year to see this on the X scoreboard. Maybe we’ll get 1-2-3-4-5 in the second half. Yes, I’m easily amused

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230204/37dd587a5683f32c26d58d29f385b1eb.jpg


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[HenryMuto]

Still can’t believe this is basically the same offensive players as last year.

Coaching matters

[GoMuskies]

Be nice to put this one right away.

[xu82]

I needed this kind of stress free game. This is FUN!

[X Factor]

Kiss my butt KenPom!!

[HenryMuto]

Mayne our NET and kenpom numbers can move up a little higher with a huge blowout win

[HenryMuto]

We sure don't need any more injuries hope Kunk is ok

[Caveat]

Love to see this from Kam Craft. Big confidence building minutes.

[noteggs]

Coaching matters

Exactly

[xu82]

Love to see this from Kam Craft. Big confidence building minutes.

It seems he’s also having some “teaching moments” more recently. Young guys have to see the floor to learn and grow. I hope he’s a quick learner.

[whopper]

kyky was automatic freshman year..i remember him getting passes from Q, Naj, scruggs on wing in Jan, Feb 2020. Shot seems to have little rotation now..wonder why. It is probably mental as more scrutiiny now

[noteggs]

Clinic

Ticker needed it

[xukeith]

Great to see Claude look solid and make 2 threes. He looks really strong and his future is bright. Ditto for Craft.

[XUGRAD80]

Such a relief to have laughter after all the tight games that X has had recently.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Game like this is soothing, good for the heart.

[xavierj]

Great to see Claude look solid and make 2 threes. He looks really strong and his future is bright. Ditto for Craft.

He hit three. 4 of his 7 made threes last two games. Sean said he shoots it well in practice. Dude has a very bright future.

[paulxu]

26 assists. So good to see us playing team ball.

[UCGRAD4X]

Been waiting all year to see this on the X scoreboard. Maybe we’ll get 1-2-3-4-5 in the second half. Yes, I’m easily amused

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230204/37dd587a5683f32c26d58d29f385b1eb.jpg


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The Free Throw % is worth the price of admission.

[American X]

The passing makes a beautiful sunset look like a garbage dump.

Both Nunge and Colby are due BE honors (Nung3 for POW).

The Redmen are a mess, kind of feel sorry for those players. I think Miller solved how to beat them. That Andre Curbelo is like an anime version of a New York point guard.

Speaking of feeling sorry, I do not know how to get the witch's hex off of KyKy Tandy.

Watch out basketball world if Desmond Claude keeps producing at that level.

[xukeith]

With Claude showing much improvement, X backcourt next season doesn't seem so bleak with Claude, Green, Craft and hopefully another transfer guard with experience.

[Three Point Pete]

With Claude showing much improvement, X backcourt next season doesn't seem so bleak with Claude, Green, Craft and hopefully another transfer guard with experience.Reid Ducharme is supposed to be a good shooter with a tight handle.

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[SCMuskie]

I loved seeing Claude take over the last couple of minutes. He was directing traffic and looking like a leader out there. His future is super bright.

[muskiefan82]

First, I love the change that is Freemantle this year. Dude has been a force on offense and in rebounding, but this team is so much faster and athletic right now. I want him back, believe me, but I think this might be a blessing in disguise as X learns to play a completely different style that they can then use Freemantle in certain situations and really wreak havoc on what defenses are trying to do. I think this month without him will pay real dividends later.