Game Thread: Xavier v Villanova University (2/21/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.http://villanova.com/images/2006/3/7/mascot-199w.jpg


CINCINNATI --- The No. 16/15 Xavier University Musketeers, 20-7 overall and 12-4 in the BIG EAST Conference, host the Villanova University Wildcats on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Xavier won its 20th game this season and captured its 100th all-time BIG EAST regular season win on Saturday, 82-68 over DePaul.

Xavier, 14-1 at Cintas Center, is shooting to extend its 11-game home winning streak.

THE MATCHUP

NO. 16/15 XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (20-7, 12-4 BIG EAST)
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY WILDCATS (13-14, 7-9 BIG EAST)
TUESDAY, FEB. 21, 2023 AT 6:30 P.M. ET
AT CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play by-play from Jason Benetti and analysis from Bill Raftery.
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 138 or 202 and 965 on the SXM App.
Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://Statbroadcast.com) and fan stats at GoXavier.com (http://GoXavier.com)

[bleedXblue]

Going to be a war. Nova has nothing to lose.

[xavierj]

Going to be a war. Nova has nothing to lose.

They will play hard and muck it up. Xavier has a big advantage with the coaching spot, so will expect Sean to have them laser focused with a great game plan. If we see Xavier’s normal offense, I don’t think Nova can keep up.

[muskiefan82]

X needs to play well enough to convince Whitmore to transfer here next year....

[bleedXblue]

X needs to play well enough to convince Whitmore to transfer here next year....

He's gone LOL 1st round NBA (i think i saw that hes projected to go in the top 5)

[muskiefan82]

He's gone LOL 1st round NBA (i think i saw that hes projected to go in the top 5)

I know. I was mostly kidding. But if he did want to come back, he'd be better off here! LOL

[Masterofreality]

Going to be a war. Nova has nothing to lose.

No let up. We’ve already spent our “extra” capital.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

They will play hard and muck it up. Xavier has a big advantage with the coaching spot, so will expect Sean to have them laser focused with a great game plan. If we see Xavier’s normal offense, I don’t think Nova can keep up.

I'll guess we will find out in a few hours, but I think you've got this all wrong. Nova has under-performed this year but injuries had a big role until recently. Everybody is now healthy. This is a team with veteran leadership, some outstanding young talent and, as BleedXBlue noted, "nothing to lose". They are an outstanding free throw shooting team and if they push us into foul trouble, we could get smoked. Tonight, I fear Nova.

[Xavier]

They went on the road and kept it within single digits against Marquette (9) and Creighton (5). I think it’s going to be more difficult than some do, but I felt a different level of intensity against DePaul. Hopefully the response to the butler and Marquette finishes. Keep that intensity up, the defense, etc- and we will be in very good shape. If we see that, and I think we do, X could win by 10+.

[drudy23]

Just win baby.

[paulxu]

Is this one of those "trap" things?

[xavierj]

N/M

[Xavier]

I think you quoted the wrong post

[xavierj]

I think you quoted the wrong post

Lol. Yep

[xavierj]

I'll guess we will find out in a few hours, but I think you've got this all wrong. Nova has under-performed this year but injuries had a big role until recently. Everybody is now healthy. This is a team with veteran leadership, some outstanding young talent and, as BleedXBlue noted, "nothing to lose". They are an outstanding free throw shooting team and if they push us into foul trouble, we could get smoked. Tonight, I fear Nova.

Not sure what I have wrong? Xavier has a big advantage in the coaching spot and Nova will struggle to keep up if Xavier’s offense is on. Nova is 1-11 when their opposition scores 70 or more points. Nova is 3-4 since Justin Moore returned and they are 3-8 on the road this year. This is a game Xavier has to win and I have actually have faith in Xavier this year and think they will be motivated a ton to win the last two homes games and finish Big East play undefeated at home. Unless Xavier gets in foul trouble and shoots terribly, I think they win 81-72 or something like that.

[murray87]

Is there an update on Claude? Sorry if that's already been posted

[murray87]

OK, just heard some recorded Miller comments. Expects Claude to play. Seems hopeful with Hunter too

[American X]

In the Big East predictions, I factored in an unexpected home loss. I hope not-full-strength Xavier versus full-strength Villanova is not it.

[Final4]

OK, just heard some recorded Miller comments. Expects Claude to play. Seems hopeful with Hunter too

Shit what did I miss? What's wrong with Hunter?

[atljar]

Shit what did I miss? What's wrong with Hunter?

I believe rolled ankle and KyKy with a sprained foot of some sort

[XU-PA]

Shit what did I miss? What's wrong with Hunter?

Tweaked his ankle, 2nd half of the DePaul game. Still played on it.

[Xville]

Concerned about this one.. hoping the home environment can pull x thru once again but fully healthy nova with revenge on its mind vs a non healthy x team gives me pause.

Just win. Really is a huge game to give x the ability to absorb the road losses should they come later this week and next.

[SkyWalker]

I wasn't really overly concerned about tonight until reading this thread. Lots of gloom and doom. BE POSITIVE!!!

[paulxu]

Let's just kick butt and take names.

[HenryMuto]

Only favored by 5 I see. Feeling nervous about this one. Finally got a win at Nova really can't afford to blow this one if you can't get the sweep this year then when.

[xavierj]

Only favored by 5 I see. Feeling nervous about this one. Finally got a win at Nova really can't afford to blow this one if you can't get the sweep this year then when.

What did you expect them to be favored by? Providence was only favored by 4 on Saturday. Nova has talented players and it’s a conference game. I think Xavier will win by more than that but Nova will try to grind it out.

[KabeX]

Hunter AND Claude will play. KyKy and obviously Free will not.

[HenryMuto]

COME ON Nunge

[HenryMuto]

Last time they were without Moore and this time we are without Freemantle and his 29 pts from last time.

[HenryMuto]

WTF happy birthday Nova on that 3 Daniels

[Three Point Pete]

I wasn't really overly concerned about tonight until reading this thread. Lots of gloom and doom. BE POSITIVE!!!The gloomier the thread, the better X plays!

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[HenryMuto]

That was a damn flop on Kunks 3

[HenryMuto]

The gloomier the thread, the better X plays!

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Never under estimate your opponent if you do you take losses like at DePaul and at Butler.

[HenryMuto]

Damn Jones missed a WIDE OPEN 3 to make it 16 and now they are going to cut it to 10

[KabeX]

And the inevitable dry spell

[HenryMuto]

I was about to go off about how terrible end of the half and Boum hits from 40 feet.

Now I will see this I would trade that 40 footer for the 40 footer he missed against Marquette.

I will take a 6 point lead but damn it we were up 13 and we missed 3 WIDE WIDE OPEN 3's one to make it 16 early on and 2 late that would made it 8.

Anyway play strong in 2nd half

[HenryMuto]

What is this crap about they don't know if Freemantle will be back ? When he was first out everything was said he would be back before the BE tournament.

[noteggs]

Boum!!!

[bjf123]

Souley had a foot in the center jump circle. That should be worth 4.

[Three Point Pete]

Looked OK in 1st half. Better defense for sure. Need to feed Nunge in paint.

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[HenryMuto]

CBS does not even show Xavier as being ranked! WTF

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/gametracker/live/NCAAB_20230221_NOVA@XAVIER/

[noteggs]

Well at least Hunter went into the half with only 2 fouls.

[KabeX]

Memories of Va Tech. Although Sean was not happy with that last almost futile attempt.

[GoMuskies]

Last five minutes were a mess. That half court bomb was absolutely massive.

[American X]

Jordan Crawford thinks Souley Boum has great range.

Miller was right about the defense getting better. Now just don't give up 50 in the second half like we tend to do.

[xu82]

Souley had a foot in the center jump circle. That should be worth 4.

The CFL and XFL are looking into that.

I want to see us go inside, but I don’t want to burn Nunge out. Get a big league and bubble wrap him on the sideline. Where would we be without him right now. Nice to see Hunter doing what he ALWAYS should have been doing!

[KabeX]

Quit jacking quick 3s!

[HenryMuto]

Well here we are again 2nd time Nova has made a run to cut it down to 3.

I can't believe how many WIDE WIDE WIDE open 3s we have missed tonight. At least 5 or 6.

[Xville]

Pretty piss poor shot selection this half so far. Get the ball inside

[HenryMuto]

Quit jacking quick 3s!

They are wide open what you want them to do ? It isn't like they are taking contested 3's.

I am good with those shots when there is NO ONE IN THE AREA CODE

[IM4X]

Quit jacking quick 3s!

this is garbage play- Miller needs to set them straight. Quit with the quick threes. Earns some points inside.

[HenryMuto]

Pretty piss poor shot selection this half so far. Get the ball inside

How is having a wide open 3 with no one around you piss poor shot selection ?

You guys are high

[KabeX]

They are wide open what you want them to do ? It isn't like they are taking contested 3's.

I am good with those shots when there is NO ONE IN THE AREA CODE
I would like them to get the ball inside to ... I don't know ... THEIR SEVEN FOOTER.

[IM4X]

They are wide open what you want them to do ? It isn't like they are taking contested 3's.

I am good with those shots when there is NO ONE IN THE AREA CODE

I am not at all good with them / when they are rushed and not falling - thought this team is supposed to pass it around at least three times

[Xville]

Now a whole lot of stupid

[HenryMuto]

2 turnovers one trying to force it inside you take what the D gives you

[Xville]

How is having a wide open 3 with no one around you piss poor shot selection ?

You guys are high

Already shot 21 threes this game.. that’s about our game average. Shooting them rushed and not in the flow of the offense even when open is not a good shot. That’s Steele offense

[KabeX]

Already shot 21 threes this game.. that’s about our game average. Shooting them rushed and not in the flow of the offense even when open is not a good shot. That’s Steele offense
This is correct. Need balance.

[IM4X]

We officially suck at passing.

[HenryMuto]

Well you all wanted them to go inside what they do missed like 5 straight shots and turned it over 4 times doing that and gave up the lead.

Their only scores before Jones made that layup was two open 3s.

Nunge is not making squat inside they are swarming him.

[Xville]

Exactly right sean… what he meant to say was “ stop playing like little bitches”

[xu82]

“It’s a game of toughness.”

Yep.

[KabeX]

Well you all wanted them to go inside what they do missed like 5 straight shots and turned it over 4 times doing that and gave up the lead.

Their only scores before Jones made that layup was two open 3s.

Nunge is not making squat inside they are swarming him.

When you were lauding the 3s they missed like 5 or 6 in a row. You missed my point completely. I'm fine with 3s in the offense.

[noteggs]

We are trying to get it inside but with stupid passes

[IM4X]

Jacking threes quick threes without passing is how the fellas loss their big lead. That and terrible passes inside.

[American X]

A few more line drive 3s from Colby will do the trick.

Use that whiteboard to diagram how to make a layup for Nunge.

[bjf123]

We are trying to get it inside but with stupid passes

I think most of our turnovers have been passes into the paint.


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[KabeX]

Jacking threes quick threes without passing is how the fellas loss their big lead. That and terrible passes.
That's how we lost at De Paul. Hopefully Sean rights this fast.

[Xville]

This is what I was worried about. Nova is full strength, Moore looks better each game and x can get bullied at times because there is no one inside with a set of balls.

[HenryMuto]

Jesus christ with the turnovers how many is that 10 in the 2nd half ? Lets see what they are made of.

[Xville]

How many fucking times are we going to turn the ball over on entry passes? Geezus fuck

[xuwillie]

This is what I was worried about. Nova is full strength, Moore looks better each game and x can get bullied at times because there is no one inside with a set of balls.

And you can't have your alleged best player continue to have shitty games. He's not a first round pick

[HenryMuto]

THATS OUR ball they had a jump ball earlier

[Xville]

Huge back to back by nunge! Come on biys

[HenryMuto]

STOP FORCING IT inside JFC that LOB is always a fcking turnover

[Xville]

Stop forcing shit!

[Xville]

Alright last 4… test of wills. Who wants it?

[HenryMuto]

Another careless turnover leads to AND 1

I can't see a win happening at this point

[Xville]

Great job kunkel.. fuck up and then compound your fuckup.

[HenryMuto]

13 turnovers vs 3 turnovers this is Marquette all over again but this is at home. No reason for this most of these turnovers are just bad passes.

Very dishearting was up 13 early and just let this slip away.

[KabeX]

Still anyone's game. Turnovers have to stop. No secret to what Nova is going to do. We need to go right at em.

[GoMuskies]

Hope we can get healthy. Just not a particularly good team right now. Battling hard but not enough bodies.

Oh, and it would help if we could throw an entry pass.

[Xville]

Hope we can get healthy. Just not a particularly good team right now. Battling hard but not enough bodies.

Oh, and it would help if we could throw an entry pass.

I knew we’d miss freemantle, but they miss him even more than I thought they would.

[Xville]

Yep travel.

[IM4X]

Kunkel is killing us.

[GoMuskies]

Kunk not helping. Geez.

[HenryMuto]

Ouch could been tied with AND 1 but Kunk screws it up then we give up a 3

Ball game

[GoMuskies]

Miller fighting Neptune would be something.

[Xville]

Wtf kunkel. Geezus. He’s on a 1:1 ratio of good/bad plays this half. I don’t understand what miller is so pissed about. That was a clear travel.

[KabeX]

Wow. Looked like just a little contact there. Get a stop. Get a bucket. Get another stop. Simple.

[whopper]

if they have a full strength justin moore (who i thought was villanova best player) and we dont have Zach F they we dont really have the horses maybe

[HenryMuto]

Nova don't miss FT's usually so this is going to be hard

[HenryMuto]

That foul was huge now if Boum can hit these FT's we don't have to foul them.

[GoMuskies]

X just working on getting into that Vegas region!

[Xville]

Alright great d… make the free throws!

[HenryMuto]

We lost to Marquette when it looked like we had it won can we turn a loss into a win tonight ?

[Xville]

Great job boum!

[HenryMuto]

I would go nuts in the first 5 seconds of this possession to try and get a steal and foul if you don't get it the clock will only reset to 20 (or not at all if not yet to 20 anyway) since we have 1 to give. Maybe the refs won't call the foul like they didn't vs Boum.

[Xville]

I wonder if you foul here, as long as it’s not Moore.

[HenryMuto]

They did it but we didn't get the ball or foul so do it again still have 4 seconds to foul and it won't matter.

[HenryMuto]

I wonder if you foul here, as long as it’s not Moore.

No foul to let them shoot FT's we have 1 to give only if early in the clock because we don't want it to reset to 20.

[Xville]

This looks like it will be x’s 10th one possession game. Pretty insane

[HenryMuto]

Ok here we go down 1 with 11 seconds left. Give us the win we deserve for that loss to Marquette.

[Xville]

Yes great d! Here we go! Colby for the win.. drive it!

[HenryMuto]

Well that sucked another tough loss Boum throws up a terrible shot. I can't believe that is what we did.

[GoMuskies]

That was really fucking stupid.

[Xville]

That was the dumbest thing i have ever seen. Our end of game plays have been absolutely terrible

[BillikenMusketeer]

Another terrible loss in a winnable game. They are piling up now

[Xville]

3-3 in February… staring 3-5 in the face. 13-7 prediction in conference looks like it will be right on the money

[GoMuskies]

Just beat Butler and take our 7 seed.

[bjf123]

WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT????????


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[HenryMuto]

I was worried but certainly felt this would be a win.

[KabeX]

Choked it down the stretch. Just not smart.

[Boro Muskie]

We need healthy players, Sean players. These guys just ran out of gas.

[HenryMuto]

11 seconds left and that is the play they ran just Boum drive against 3 guys and pray. Hard to understand.

That damn Kunkel AND 1 play where he fouled. Not to mention when we could had an AND 1 and Kunkel traveled.

We are all frustrated obviously. You get a miracle 3 to end 1st half you expect to win.

You had the ball down 1 with 11 seconds left and can't score.

Had the lead vs Marquette and can't get a stop.

Damn

[Xville]

I was worried but certainly felt this would be a win.

Honestly I didn’t. Nova is a tougher program, is at full strength and x isn’t. Plus, nova has two of the best players on the court.

[KabeX]

Guess we're still their bitch. Sean better freakin change that.

[Xville]

Yeah, looking like a 6 or 7 seed. Sucks. Just can’t keep playing six guys… depth is obviously a major major issue

[Xville]

Guess we're still their bitch. Sean better freakin change that.

Sean needs his guys. This roster is what it is. Hopefully free comes back and can get to game shape

[XUGRAD80]

Sooner or later X has got to be on the right side of these one possession games. :bash:

[HenryMuto]

Too many terrible turnovers on terrible passes. We lost Marquette because of turnovers and lost tonight with that being a huge factor.

Kunkel travel on what would been AND 1 and Kunkel not catching the pass and turning it into AND 1.

That alone was 5 or 6 pts.

I can't take losses like this. We were supposed to win we had 13 point lead we still led by 10 early 2nd half then folded it.

Still fought back time and again to lead and get within 1 then had the ball with 11 seconds left and we just like did that crazy crap.

We all love Boum but what the heck was that ? I mean he just thought he could blow by get to the rim like Marquette and Butler did to us on the final play difference was their defense was in place to stop it. Someone had to be open 3 guys were on him.

I can't accept this loss.

[GoMuskies]

Tandy and Craft getting hurt is crazy and sucks. Mostly for them, because they finally had their shot, but of course for the team, too, as they could at least give guys a rest. Just terrible timing and luck.

[HenryMuto]

X was 92% to win according to ESPN when it was 40-30 in 2nd half. 81% before the game.

Man

[Xville]

Sooner or later X has got to be on the right side of these one possession games. :bash:

They are 5-5 this season… honestly they are just coming back to the mean.

[GoMuskies]

These Marquette and Nova games are why we couldn't afford to play like shit and lose at Butler and DePaul. Those come back to haunt you.

[KabeX]

X was 92% to win according to ESPN when it was 40-30 in 2nd half. 81% before the game.

Man
Y I saw that. Just goes to show that ESPN really has no clue. That's about as accurate as stock market predictions.

[IM4X]

That was quite embarrassing. Miller has to own much of this loss. Yes, the players made plenty of bad decisions, but Sean waited too long to try and let his guys play though a rough patch of bad decisions. It allowed Nova to climb back into the game and build confidence after X had been dominating. Then, X players started jacking quick 3s without even attempting to pass- to make it even worse - just like the old Steele days.

[xu82]

X was 92% to win according to ESPN when it was 40-30 in 2nd half. 81% before the game.

Man

Well, that’s ESPN for you…..



(Sorry, I hate what they have done there.)

[xuwillie]

Too many terrible turnovers on terrible passes. We lost Marquette because of turnovers and lost tonight with that being a huge factor.

Kunkel travel on what would been AND 1 and Kunkel not catching the pass and turning it into AND 1.

That alone was 5 or 6 pts.

I can't take losses like this. We were supposed to win we had 13 point lead we still led by 10 early 2nd half then folded it.

Still fought back time and again to lead and get within 1 then had the ball with 11 seconds left and we just like did that crazy crap.

We all love Boum but what the heck was that ? I mean he just thought he could blow by get to the rim like Marquette and Butler did to us on the final play difference was their defense was in place to stop it. Someone had to be open 3 guys were on him.

I can't accept this loss.


Boum is doing this way too much. Is miller giving him the green light to be selfish? If so it ain’t working

[xukeith]

Last play was not ideal. Boum threw himself trying to draw a foul. Most officials swallow the whistle.

[Blue Blooded-05]

They are 5-5 this season… honestly they are just coming back to the mean.

Just feels worse because we’ve lost 3 of 4 by a total of 4 points.

[KabeX]

Well with virtually no chance at the BET title, guess we should root for Marquette now.

[GoMuskies]

I prefer Creighton. We're going to lose at least one more (probably two), so these teams are probably irrelevant to our BET seeding.

[xukeith]

Free throws and turnovers hurt us.

playing 6 guys is catching up to us.

[Xville]

That was quite embarrassing. Miller has to own much of this loss. Yes, the players made plenty of bad decisions, but Sean waited too long to try and let his guys play though a rough patch of bad decisions. It allowed Nova to climb back into the game and build confidence after X had been dominating. Then, X players started jacking quick 3s without even attempting to pass- to make it even worse - just like the old Steele days.

A lot of it is frankly the roster. He can only do so much, plus not having free is obviously an issue. I think we all were a bit fooled into thinking this team is better than they actually are.

[Xville]

Think I’ve lost track.. was free expected back next week or the week of the bet?

[HenryMuto]

I don't agree with you guys I felt most of those 3s were wide open so what if it was early in the clock when you are wide open you shoot if you can make it they just didn't fall. I wish they would shot about 5 more instead of having 5 straight turnovers throwing it inside it seemed.

The only 3 I didn't like was Jones took a quick one down 4 he was not open it wasn't off a pass or a pull up.

Just my opinion that wasn't the issue. The issue was all the turnovers forcing it inside was a major problem.

[paulxu]

This was not the night for Colby to have his worst game of the year.

[xukeith]

Think I’ve lost track.. was free expected back next week or the week of the bet?

By my count, he is supposed to be back next week. but who knows?

[Caveat]

Hey maybe we should try ineffectively lobbing the ball into the post a few more goddamn times.

Just to be sure it won’t work once or twice on accident.

[xukeith]

This was not the night for Colby to have his worst game of the year.

7 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 points , 2 turnovers

[American X]

What a fucked up shot to end the game. Astonishing how many creative ways they strung together to blow that game. I thought at Marquette could not be topped, but they proved me wrong.

Jones was brutal tonight. Not going that far with your best player being a sinkhole.

What are the odds on Villanova winning the Big East tournament?

[Xville]

This was not the night for Colby to have his worst game of the year.

Honestly, he’s had a few of these shooting nights . I love Colby, but I don’t understand why he’s projected to be a first round pick.

Nevermind regarding bad shooting nights, it seemed like he has but I guess it’s just been in a couple of glaring losses. He had the same kind of game Against DePaul.

[UCGRAD4X]

My guess is Souley was hoping to get a foul on that last drive.

[HenryMuto]

No one is going to care but I will say it anyway. Win the last 2 games and you are in the drivers seat for 1st place. Instead you are loss at Providence away from finishing 4th. Again I am sure no one here cares especially right now.

[MHettel]

Terrible end game. Again.

[HenryMuto]

My guess is Souley was hoping to get a foul on that last drive.

Ya that was a crazy shot that had no chance. I wonder why he went left instead of right he couldn't even get a real shot up from the left side at that speed.

Tough to take wish Sean had still had a timeout.

[KabeX]

I don't agree with you guys I felt most of those 3s were wide open so what if it was early in the clock when you are wide open you shoot if you can make it they just didn't fall. I wish they would shot about 5 more instead of having 5 straight turnovers throwing it inside it seemed.

The only 3 I didn't like was Jones took a quick one down 4 he was not open it wasn't off a pass or a pull up.


Just my opinion that wasn't the issue. The issue was all the turnovers forcing it inside was a major problem.

A couple things:
1) When you take a quick 3 not in the flow of the offense you have less chance for a follow-up on the miss (which happens 60 - 65% of the time)
2) you're not playing inside out so you're also not forcing the other team to play hard defense - wear them out a bit and force some fouls 3) we were absolutely ice cold during that stretch. If you took only 1 of those missed 3s and instead ran your offense and got a bucket, it's a different outcome and we're drinking a victory beer.

No one is saying don't take 3s. But in the context of the game, they weren't falling and we got away from what was working. Now I will agree with you on some of the atrocious entry passes and otherwise bonehead passes. You have to execute.

[X-band '01]

Think I’ve lost track.. was free expected back next week or the week of the bet?

More likely the first game back would be at Providence.

Nice job to tank tonight as opposed to tanking against Nova at MSG.

[X-band '01]

Who was the official that called the travel on Kunkel? Miller was clearly seething postgame because he was a trail official who overruled the other official that was going to call an and-1 for Kunkel.

Instead, 6-point swing. The end

[xu82]

Ya that was a crazy shot that had no chance. I wonder why he went left instead of right he couldn't even get a real shot up from the left side at that speed.

Tough to take wish Sean had still had a timeout.

I think they were so shorthanded he needed to let them get some air. It’s the problems you pay these guys to deal with. Shit happens. Not happy, move forward. Peak at the right time.

[Caveat]

Terrible end game. Again.

Miller has been consistently out coached in these situations lately.

[Caveat]

Who was the official that called the travel on Kunkel? Miller was clearly seething postgame because he was a trail official who overruled the other official that was going to call an and-1 for Kunkel.

Instead, 6-point swing. The end

I’m sick of blaming officiating.

Where do we point the finger at for none of the bench depth improving enough to give this team even basic rest minutes?

[X-man]

Who was the official that called the travel on Kunkel? Miller was clearly seething postgame because he was a trail official who overruled the other official that was going to call an and-1 for Kunkel.

Instead, 6-point swing. The end

I don't normally blame the officials for a loss, but that call absolutely gave Nova the game. And it was such a BS call that the official who made the call, over-ruling the guy right on the play, should never officiate another game.

[GoMuskies]

I’m sick of blaming officiating.

Where do we point the finger at for none of the bench depth improving enough to give this team even basic rest minutes?

All those guys are hurt. Craft and Tandy would have taken 10 minutes of that time.

[Xville]

Who was the official that called the travel on Kunkel? Miller was clearly seething postgame because he was a trail official who overruled the other official that was going to call an and-1 for Kunkel.

Instead, 6-point swing. The end

While Sean might be pissed, it was the right call. At least I now understand what he was so pissed at though

[GoMuskies]

Kunkel probably shouldn't have traveled if we didn't want that call made.

[KabeX]

So the way I see it we're gonna be a 4 or a 3 in the BET. And as someone just said, it really doesn't matter. I see Prov and Creighton 15 - 5 at worse. I see us likely 14 - 6 maybe 13 - 7 if we lose both road games. 15 -5 assuming we beat SH and Prov (not likely). So at this point, don't continue to urinate down our leg, get healthy and make a run in the BET.

[Caveat]

All those guys are hurt. Craft and Tandy would have taken 10 minutes of that time.

Tandy is part of the problem too.

[paulxu]

7 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 points , 2 turnovers

The assists and rebounds are great, and necessary for us to be in the game.
But with Free out, 4 points from Colby won't get the job done.
Also, if he hits his only two free throws, or even one of his 5 three attempts...we win.

[drudy23]

Biggest priority is getting everyone to 100% for Madness.

I hate saying it, but the Big East tournament is relatively meaningless.

[HenryMuto]

So the way I see it we're gonna be a 4 or a 3 in the BET. And as someone just said, it really doesn't matter. I see Prov and Creighton 15 - 5 at worse. I see us likely 14 - 6 maybe 13 - 7 if we lose both road games. 15 -5 assuming we beat SH and Prov (not likely). So at this point, don't continue to urinate down our leg, get healthy and make a run in the BET.

I wanted to avoid 4th rather not play UCONN in the quarters

[drudy23]

We played 7 guys and 4 of the 5 starters almost played the entire game. It's not sustainable, so prepare yourself for a couple more losses.

At full strength, we are very good. Dudes are worn down, it's ok to admit that.

[X-band '01]

That's why I'm thinking tomorrow will be an off day for the players before they travel on Thursday to Seton Hall. There should be time for either a brief practice/shootaround on Thursday before hopping on the bird to Newark.

[HenryMuto]

We played 7 guys and 4 of the 5 starters almost played the entire game. It's not sustainable, so prepare yourself for a couple more losses.

At full strength, we are very good. Dudes are worn down, it's ok to admit that.

And now we have a Friday game on road I hate Friday games on the road.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Honestly, he’s had a few of these shooting nights . I love Colby, but I don’t understand why he’s projected to be a first round pick.

Nevermind regarding bad shooting nights, it seemed like he has but I guess it’s just been in a couple of glaring losses. He had the same kind of game Against DePaul.


7 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 points , 2 turnovers


This was not the night for Colby to have his worst game of the year.

I ran into a scout for Atlanta who told me there were over a dozen NBA scouts at the game evaluating Whitmore and Colby. Colby was glued to Whitmore most of the night and did a pretty good job. Offensively, he missed a bunch of open three balls and kind of just crapped the bed. Maybe he was nervous. If so, wrong night for that.

[HenryMuto]

3 of our last 4 games

9 seconds left tied lost
8 seconds left up 1 lost
11 seconds down 1 lost

Ugg

[KabeX]

Y I understand that. Part of me feels the same way and the other part reminds me that we swept em. But again it is essentially a home game. At this point I would be surprised if that doesn't happen.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I don't normally blame the officials for a loss, but that call absolutely gave Nova the game. And it was such a BS call that the official who made the call, over-ruling the guy right on the play, should never officiate another game.

Don't blame the refs. The starting five Nova put out there were every bit the equal of our guys. And without Free, maybe a tad more talented. They had scouted the pick and roll or lob to Nunge and jumped it at least a half dozen times. They were well prepared. They also completely dictated the pace the entire second half. I think Neptune deserves more credit than some on this board give him.

We played like a seven seed becasue without Free, we are a seven seed caliber team.

[KabeX]

Y I understand that. Part of me feels the same way and the other part reminds me that we swept em. But again it is essentially a home game. At this point I would be surprised if that doesn't happen.
Sorry this was commenting on Henrymuto's post about seeing UConn in the BET. I think that's exactly what will happen.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Biggest priority is getting everyone to 100% for Madness.

I hate saying it, but the Big East tournament is relatively meaningless.THANK YOU!! Although I think regular season title is meaningless, the tournament can give you momentum. All that matters is how far you advance in the dance. If you can win the Big East on the way that's great! If you don’t advance in the dance then to me it’s meaningless. Nobody talks about winning regular season titles but we do talk about how far we make it in the dance.

[drudy23]

Not saying they're going to have that attitude - Sean is a competitor and would never let his team think that way, and he's going to try to win any and every game he plays in, as he should.

But at the same time, rest is needed. It's pretty obvious. I'm guessing practices are pretty light at this point.

[Caveat]

3 of our last 4 games

9 seconds left tied lost
8 seconds left up 1 lost
11 seconds down 1 lost

Ugg

Poor late game coaching is killing this team.

Down 1 with 11 seconds to play tonight and Boum looked completely confused on what to do. How do you not have a play practiced and called for this situation?

[drudy23]

Poor late game coaching is killing this team.

Down 1 with 11 seconds to play tonight and Boum looked completely confused on what to do. How do you not have a play practiced and called for this situation?

The other team has coaches too.

You're trying to bait the "Sean isn't a good late game coach" narrative. It's not going to work.

[Caveat]

The other team has coaches too.

You're trying to bait the "Sean isn't a good late game coach" narrative. It's not going to work.

The other team’s coach is Kyle Neptune — and he had a losing record until about 9:00 this evening.

[xu82]

I would feel better with a Zip Burger and fries.

[drudy23]

What percentages of "plays", this late in the season against conference opponents, do you think actually work? And in addition to that, there is another team on the floor, it's very possible they did something to trump the play call. It's funny how people think coaches call plays and the red sea separates and the team can just execute it perfectly.

The other team has players too.

[KabeX]

I would feel better with a Zip Burger and fries.
Damn that's a nice thought. Well that and BEER.

[xavierj]

Tandy is part of the problem too.

Not sure what you are getting at. The team is what it is and the coach is undoing a lot of went wrong the last 4 years. This team, this year, will have won the 2nd most games in a Big East season, since Xavier has been in the Big East and will be wearing white in the first round of the NCAA tourney. If Zach hadn’t been hurt you wouldn’t be having this conversation anyway. I think Sean wanted to give everyone a shot rather than push them out and I am fine with that. They will be fine.

[Lloyd Braun]

I want to preface this comment with an opinion that the referees didn’t cost X the game. May have been fatigue, but X had a chance to win and fucked up.

That said…. Can’t we get some home cookin at some point? Why does everybody else get a game that they should have lost but X doesn’t? I want a game where there was no business winning and handed in a silver platter by a referee. That’s how you know you’ve made it I think. Maybe I’m just miss remembering this game but I don’t remember one.

Dixon shuffled his feet all night, got away with an extra slippery pivot foot every time he was in the post and they call it at the end after the Kunkel travel? That is just bad reffing. Both were correct calls by the way but you can’t let it go all night and then call it in a critical spot for attention from 59 feet away.

Calling a foul on the 3 point attempt from 35 feet away when the other referee is 5 feet away falls in the same category. That’s bad reffing. Law of averages means X should get a game or two that fall in their favor at some point. Perhaps those games have happened before but I don’t recall them…

All in all they need to be tougher and Free isn’t exactly an upgrade in the toughness department.

Did Cesare play in the 2nd half? 2 minutes even would have helped IMO but I’m not a D1 coach. Teams that go deep in the dance don’t lose that game, hope I’m wrong and am overreacting to bad losses

[XUGRAD80]

X is still going to finish somewhere between 2nd-4th in the league, which going into the season I think that everyone of us would have been happy with. If they can get themselves into the semis of the BE tourney, let alone the finals or a championship, they will end up with a very good seed in the NCAA tournament. It’s not all doom and gloom. They have made significant progress as a program this year and they have done it while being short handed the whole year, but especially this month. Getting Free back would certainly be a huge boost, but making shots consistently would be an even bigger boost.

After last night, does Jones still have a chance to be a 1st rounder in the NBA draft? 7 reb, 7 asst., 4 pts, 2 TO in front of 24 scouts. Moore looked like a possible 1st rounder, but Jones was MIA for much of the game. He needs to be better on the offensive side of the court on a more consistent basis. There is a possibility that X only plays 5 more games this year. 5! None of them can afford to have an off night the rest of the year if they hope to accomplish anything. It’s do or die time now.

[drudy23]

Souley, Colby and Nunge have all logged serious, serious minutes this year. They're worn down, even though no one will give it as an excuse. Hoping Free is healthy enough to return and these 3 can find a way to get re-energized for the tournament. A deep run is still possible with this team.

[bleedXblue]

I'm sure it was previously posted. No margin for error right now. Horrible turnovers that were unforced and Colby having an off night were the biggest factors.

Need to win 2 of the last 3 we have somehow.

[muskieindent]

People are jumping on Boum but Colby was as much to blame for this loss. 4 points on 2-10 shooting and 0 for 2 at the line.With Zach out no one can have a bad night. Its a tough situation but we easily could have won these last 3 losses . Incredibly frustrating .At this point I'll just be happy that we make the tournament.Maybe we get Zack back and can catch fire for a few games.

[xavierj]

People are jumping on Boum but Colby was as much to blame for this loss. 4 points on 2-10 shooting and 0 for 2 at the line.With Zach out no one can have a bad night. Its a tough situation but we easily could have won these last 3 losses . Incredibly frustrating .At this point I'll just be happy that we make the tournament.Maybe we get Zack back and can catch fire for a few games.

No doubt on Colby. His free throw misses are killers as well. He needs to find ways to score when his shot isn’t falling. He is also too passive, which is why he got 7 assists last night, which is great but this team needs him to put them on his back when things get tight. He has all the tools except the alpha mindset.

[Caveat]

No doubt on Colby. His free throw misses are killers as well. He needs to find ways to score when his shot isn’t falling. He is also too passive, which is why he got 7 assists last night, which is great but this team needs him to put them on his back when things get tight. He has all the tools except the alpha mindset.

I appreciate that he was expending a ton of effort on the defensive end to guard -- if the question about his game at the next level was his ability to guard his position, he was definitely putting on a show for the scouts in that aspect.

Part of his problem is systemic to the entire team: a lack of willingness to be physical. Too many times this team pulls up on fast breaks instead of going up strong to the hoop, or chooses not to drive because they're unwilling (or, in Boum & Kunkle's case unable) to physically get to the rim and score. This also shows up in the post game, with soft lob passes that kept getting intercepted instead of simple, physical plays to get in position to score on the block.

Priority #1 for Miller in recruiting is to get some players who enjoy the weight room a little more.

[Xville]

To caveat’s point, Yep… look at Justin Moore compared to anyone on Xavier… it’s a man against boys.

[zippin']

Yikes that game was tough to watch. X misses Free big time!

[xavierj]

To caveat’s point, Yep… look at Justin Moore compared to anyone on Xavier… it’s a man against boys.

No doubt, Moore is a pro, but Caveat is obviously trying to blame the coach rather than the limitations of the players he is working with. Now maybe Sean could have decided to bring in several other players, rather than giving the current guys a chance, but he didn’t and he still has this team on track for a fairly high NCAA seed and one of the best Big East seasons Xavier has had since they joined the league.

[Caveat]

No doubt, Moore is a pro, but Caveat is obviously trying to blame the coach rather than the limitations of the players he is working with. Now maybe Sean could have decided to bring in several other players, rather than giving the current guys a chance, but he didn’t and he still has this team on track for a fairly high NCAA seed and one of the best Big East seasons Xavier has had since they joined the league.

Sean can't help what Steele recruited. I'm not blaming him for that -- but it needs to be a priority in recruiting to get more dudes who can play the kind of physical basketball needed to grind out conference victories during this stretch of the season. That means big men who have the ability to go body-to-body on both ends of the floor and some guards who can drive through contact and finish at the rim.

Where I am going to put some blame on Sean is how there's been so little progress on the bench guys. KyKy has regressed. Edwards looks utterly lost during his minutes. The team has gotten nothing out of Miles or Tucker. Again, some of the blame falls on Steele for recruiting these guys, but you'd hope / expect Miller and the staff to do something to get productive minutes somewhere out of these guys with how ragged the starting 5 has been run with Freemantle out.

[drudy23]

Sean can't help what Steele recruited. I'm not blaming him for that -- but it needs to be a priority in recruiting to get more dudes who can play the kind of physical basketball needed to grind out conference victories during this stretch of the season. That means big men who have the ability to go body-to-body on both ends of the floor and some guards who can drive through contact and finish at the rim.

Where I am going to put some blame on Sean is how there's been so little progress on the bench guys. KyKy has regressed. Edwards looks utterly lost during his minutes. The team has gotten nothing out of Miles or Tucker. Again, some of the blame falls on Steele for recruiting these guys, but you'd hope / expect Miller and the staff to do something to get productive minutes somewhere out of these guys with how ragged the starting 5 has been run with Freemantle out.

I would put the development of Edwards and Tandy more on Steele than Miller. In another situation, Miller likely doesn't even keep either, but did the right thing and let them play it out. You can't make up for 2-3 years of ineptitude in one summer, even though Miller has come pretty close.

[zippin']

Sean can't help what Steele recruited. I'm not blaming him for that -- but it needs to be a priority in recruiting to get more dudes who can play the kind of physical basketball needed to grind out conference victories during this stretch of the season. That means big men who have the ability to go body-to-body on both ends of the floor and some guards who can drive through contact and finish at the rim.

Where I am going to put some blame on Sean is how there's been so little progress on the bench guys. KyKy has regressed. Edwards looks utterly lost during his minutes. The team has gotten nothing out of Miles or Tucker. Again, some of the blame falls on Steele for recruiting these guys, but you'd hope / expect Miller and the staff to do something to get productive minutes somewhere out of these guys with how ragged the starting 5 has been run with Freemantle out.

I think at this point in their careers there isn't much you can do. They aren't good enough to play anything approaching meaningful minutes, and when they do come in they're ice cold from being glued to the bench. I don't think that's really anyone's fault and it's just how it is. Also, I think that injury Tandy had really hindered him. He was good as a freshman and just has never recaptured that.

[drudy23]

I will say that I expected KyKy to come off the bench and make some shots this year. I can't remember the last time he made a 3.

[GoMuskies]

I will say that I expected KyKy to come off the bench and make some shots this year. I can't remember the last time he made a 3.

Early in the year that was happening. He hit a big one against UConn on NYE. He got worse and his role shrunk as the season went on. Same pattern as under....well, nevermind.

Damn, just went to the game log and saw that 3 against UConn was his last made 3. 0 for 6 in 2023.

[GoMuskies]

Tandy played 15 minutes against IU, 15 minutes against Florida, 18 minutes against Dook and 20 minutes against Gonzaga.

He was basically out of the rotation in meaningful games after that....and we won 11 in a row.

In games against teams not named Montana, Tandy is 5-29 from three point range this season.

[MHettel]

Sean can't help what Steele recruited.

Yeah, not NOW he cant. But he did have that opportunity at the end of last year. He was hired and players were already in the portal before the Tourney ended. he could have been at work well before many of the other teams were.

Heck, would you trade KyKy and Edwards for Ben Stanley and Dwon Odom right now?

[GoMuskies]

Definitely Dwon. Stanley is a combined 8-25 against the only decent teams ODU has faced this year (VaTech and College of Charleston). Really not sure he's better than Edwards. I think Edwards might be able to score 10 points, grab 4 rebounds and shoot 44% in 23 minutes in C-USA.

[noteggs]

If Dwon stayed, do we still get Boum? I doubt it but maybe.

[GoMuskies]

If Dwon stayed, do we still get Boum? I doubt it but maybe.

Definitely prefer Boum to Dwon! And I really liked Dwon. Georgia State is godawful, by the way.

[xavierj]

Definitely prefer Boum to Dwon! And I really liked Dwon. Georgia State is godawful, by the way.

D’won having a rough year. 16% from three and as many turnovers as assists, all against really bad competition. Things are not going well for for all that moved on to Georgia state.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Definitely prefer Boum to Dwon! And I really liked Dwon. Georgia State is godawful, by the way.

Me too.

If I have to choose between them, I take Boum. But really loved Odom and there were times this year we needed his warrior mentality. Recall that Odom announced he was transferring shortly after his meeting with Miller last year. Not knowing what was said at that meeting, I still don't think Miller said anything to him that caused him to move on. Odom's lack of outside shooting, while one of his few weaknesses, was a significant shortcoming. Perhaps Boum would still have come to X even had Odom stayed, but I recall an interview with Boum at the beginning of the season when he mentioned that the opportunity to be on the ball here at X is one of elements that attracted him to select us. Odom really needed to be on the ball as well to maximize his effectiveness. So, it may have been difficult for the two of them to coexist on the floor. Still, wish Odom had stayed.

I don't believe it realistic to expect Miller to have successfully culled the scholarship roster immediately after taking over. As competent a judge of talent as I believe him to be, it seems unrealistic for Miller to have foreseen that Tandy and Edwards, players whose games he hadn't seen close up, wouldn't measure up in a league he had not been part of for years.

But even if Miller had foreseen minimal contributions from these players, think back to Miller's introduction to Xavier. I remember the faces of the team watching him as he spoke at that event. There was a lot of skepticism perhaps even a bit of distrust on a lot of their faces. At the time, I was struck with the difference between the enthusiasm among the Xavier fan base surrounding Miller's hiring (like the folks on this board) and the clear caution I read from the players. We had several players who seemed ready to leave, Free chief among them, and Miller pushing some guys out (I think) would have been the exact wrong action to take.

To most of us on this board, Miller has brought renewed hope for Xavier's basketball future. I don't see a meltdown coming even though I'm disappointed with the results of the last few games. Free's injury has taken away a key element of our wunderkind offense and forced Nunge to log more minutes than optimal---can't wait to get him back. But were Steele were still in charge, the season would have been over by now.

[XUGRAD80]

Sean can't help what Steele recruited. I'm not blaming him for that -- but it needs to be a priority in recruiting to get more dudes who can play the kind of physical basketball needed to grind out conference victories during this stretch of the season. That means big men who have the ability to go body-to-body on both ends of the floor and some guards who can drive through contact and finish at the rim.


Help IS coming. But let’s remember that it can big men longer to develop than guards, so have to be patient with the freshman that will be coming in. I fully expect X to have 2 transfer bigs coming in next year, along with the 4 freshman that have already signed. Combine those with the possibility of 1 or 2 of the current front court players coming back, and X should be OK next year.

I’m more concerned with them getting healthy and reinvigorated THIS year.

[drudy23]

Definitely prefer Boum to Dwon! And I really liked Dwon. Georgia State is godawful, by the way.

There's no comparison. It's Boum all day.

As athletic as Odom was, he was simply a liability on offense. You can't have guys on the floor that are zero threat from the perimeter. It's like playing 4 on 5 and one of the reasons good Big East coaches took it to Steele.

At best, he's a 5-7 minute guy to spell Boum to get rest. Yes, we do need that, but the comparisons as a player are night and day. Boum is a significant upgrade.

[MHettel]

Me too.

If I have to choose between them, I take Boum. But really loved Odom and there were times this year we needed his warrior mentality. Recall that Odom announced he was transferring shortly after his meeting with Miller last year. Not knowing what was said at that meeting, I still don't think Miller said anything to him that caused him to move on. Odom's lack of outside shooting, while one of his few weaknesses, was a significant shortcoming. Perhaps Boum would still have come to X even had Odom stayed, but I recall an interview with Boum at the beginning of the season when he mentioned that the opportunity to be on the ball here at X is one of elements that attracted him to select us. Odom really needed to be on the ball as well to maximize his effectiveness. So, it may have been difficult for the two of them to coexist on the floor. Still, wish Odom had stayed.

I don't believe it realistic to expect Miller to have successfully culled the scholarship roster immediately after taking over. As competent a judge of talent as I believe him to be, it seems unrealistic for Miller to have foreseen that Tandy and Edwards, players whose games he hadn't seen close up, wouldn't measure up in a league he had not been part of for years.

But even if Miller had foreseen minimal contributions from these players, think back to Miller's introduction to Xavier. I remember the faces of the team watching him as he spoke at that event. There was a lot of skepticism perhaps even a bit of distrust on a lot of their faces. At the time, I was struck with the difference between the enthusiasm among the Xavier fan base surrounding Miller's hiring (like the folks on this board) and the clear caution I read from the players. We had several players who seemed ready to leave, Free chief among them, and Miller pushing some guys out (I think) would have been the exact wrong action to take.

To most of us on this board, Miller has brought renewed hope for Xavier's basketball future. I don't see a meltdown coming even though I'm disappointed with the results of the last few games. Free's injury has taken away a key element of our wunderkind offense and forced Nunge to log more minutes than optimal---can't wait to get him back. But were Steele were still in charge, the season would have been over by now.

I dont think it was necessarily a "Boum OR Odom" decision. I think we could have had both. All signs have pointed to Tandy being a complete bust for 3 years now. Think if we had Odom coming off the bench this year taking Tandy's minutes.

Dont get me wrong. I wouldnt have wanted Miller to just come in and gut the roster. There were 4 returning pieces that had shown they could play at this level, and then Hunter just needed to be refocused. But KyKy, Miles, Edwards and Tucker....

Where was Dante Jackson in all of this? He played for Miller, and Miller trusted him enough to retain him as an assistant. Why didnt Dante speak up and tell Sean that Miles was a lost cause with no shot of ever contributing? We needed to upgrade the end of the bench. We needed a couple hungry guys that were willing to compete for minutes on a deep team.

When you think about it, before we got Boum and Claude was still unknown, we really had only one returning guard (AK). I expect we may see 5 new starters next year (Claude being one of them )

[IM4X]

When you think about it, before we got Boum and Claude was still unknown, we really had only one returning guard (AK). I expect we may see 5 new starters next year (Claude being one of them )

That’s a scary thought. Oh do I hope we see at least one of the starting bigs returning. If that doesn’t happen, Sean had better be able to get two very talented bigs from the transfer portal. The big elephant in the room is that X has no proven answers at the 4 and 5 next year, should Zach, Jack and Jerome not come back. I am surprised that Sean didn’t make it a priority to pull in one along with Boum. Got to hope he has a few he believes he can grab this off season.

[IM4X]

Like most (if not all on this board) I am ecstatic that Sean is back at the helm. He is clearly one of the best coaches in college basketball and a good guy. He has mostly been masterful in his coaching this season. It’s been incredibly encouraging to see Sean quickly jump on top of just about every issue his team has in a game. He is not infallible, though. There have been some areas where the team continues to struggle - including the ability to make smart decisions when the game is on the line. Either Sean is not preparing the players enough for these situations or the players are going rogue. Either way, it needs to be fixed ASAP.

If it’s simply that players are not executing the play properly (i.e. Boum making the mistake not to passing to and open Claude at the end of the Nova game) then this team needs to be spending more time perfecting these types of plays. I get wanting to have the ball in Boum’s hand at the end, but he has to know to kick it out to his open teammate when there is no room to operate in the paint. These poor decisions could be the difference between an early exit and a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

[UCGRAD4X]

As to Miller coming in and "forcing" players out, I'm not sure that is a fair or accurate characterization. I prefer to think of it as Sean coming in and being honest and truthful to the boys as to his assessment and plans moving forward - providing information which allowed them to make an informed decision about their future.

As to end of game play, I have a hard time differentiating this from in-game running the offence and scoring. The time-frame is just condensed, like a football teams has a "hurry-up" offense. What I mean is, I'm not sure this is a specific few plays put in only for this purpose and practiced apart from the game plan instead of a part of the plan.