Game Thread: Xavier v Butler (3/4/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/TeoAAOSw101fsFoH/s-l200.jpg

CINCINNATI --- The No. 19/17 Xavier University Musketeers, 22-8 overall and 14-5 in the BIG EAST Conference, close out the regular season with a 7 p.m. game on Saturday against the Butler University Bulldogs at Cintas Center.

Xavier will honor three student-athletes and three managers prior to the game. Graduate students Souley Boum and Jack Nunge and senior Adam Kunkel will be part of the Senior Night festivities as will managers Mark Gaertner, Blake Kirchner and Jackson Nierste. Those festivities should start about 6:30 p.m.

THE MATCHUP

NO. 19/17 XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (22-8, 14-5 BIG EAST)
BUTLER UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS (14-16, 6-13 BIG EAST)
"SENIOR NIGHT" ON SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023 AT 7:00 P.M. ET
AT CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play by-play from Brandon Gaudin 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 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 (http://GoXavier.com).

[American X]

So Jack Nunge is doing the Senior Night honors. I take it that indicates this is his farewell tour. If that is the case, let's make it a legendary March. Time for our graduate students and seniors to play the best basketball of their lives. It started with Providence, now continue with annihilating Butler.

[D-West & PO-Z]

So Jack Nunge is doing the Senior Night honors. I take it that indicates this is his farewell tour. If that is the case, let's make it a legendary March. Time for our graduate students and seniors to play the best basketball of their lives. It started with Providence, now continue with annihilating Butler.

Scruggs did the same thing but came back. However, I think its been on record from Nunge himself that this would be his last year. His wife would probably like for him to get a job and move out of their college apt with his younger brother, lol.

[bleedXblue]

Scruggs did the same thing but came back. However, I think its been on record from Nunge himself that this would be his last year. His wife would probably like for him to get a job and move out of their college apt with his younger brother, lol.

Nunge is going to make some dough in Europe if that what he wants. Sounds like a fun "job" for 5-7 years.

[muskiefan82]

I want a blowout for one reason only. I want to see Jack and his brother on the court at the same time.

[Xuperman]

Surprised that Zach, Jerome, KyKy are not included. They are all academic seniors. Could there be a chance that they have made their intentions known to return? Would think that they would want their moment if not.

[Wheelhouse]

I want *at minimum* a 20-point win against these scrubs. The loss at Hinkle was by far our worst loss of the year. Butler is an awful, awful team.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Nunge is going to make some dough in Europe if that what he wants. Sounds like a fun "job" for 5-7 years.

Absolutely!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Surprised that Zach, Jerome, KyKy are not included. They are all academic seniors. Could there be a chance that they have made their intentions known to return? Would think that they would want their moment if not.

You would think so. It's hard not to get excited at that being the reason, but who knows?

[Xuperman]

You would think so. It's hard not to get excited at that being the reason, but who knows?

Some here are predicting a Tandy transfer, so probably wouldn't be kosher to be honored here and go somewhere else.....maybe not. It's possible he could have a more solid role next year. Coach Miller did start him based on "hardest worker", so there's that. However, if he wants any chance to be a featured player, it is best he finds a mid major fit. Des has already swiped his role and Trey Green is just killing it for the national #1 high school team.

How about Miami?
:biggrin:

[Blue Blooded-05]

To those of us who remember the Thad Matta era... what degree of "welcome" do you think he'll get in his first game at Cintas in (presumably) 19 years?

Speaking personally... I have no ill will toward Thad. Maybe I did at one time, but time heals wounds. Ultimately, he was the coach who broke us through. Xavier was in a completely different place back then and 2005 was going to be a rebuilding year. He was only going to be a hot coaching commodity for a short period of time. Objectively, it is hard to say he made the wrong choice. Plus, he gave us Sean the first time, which lead to Sean the second time.

I wonder how many of the students even know he used to coach here. For perspective, the Xavier/Duke Elite-8 game was 3/28/04. Kam Craft was born 4/2/04.

[Strange Brew]

To those of us who remember the Thad Matta era... what degree of "welcome" do you think he'll get in his first game at Cintas in (presumably) 19 years?

Speaking personally... I have no ill will toward Thad. Maybe I did at one time, but time heals wounds. Ultimately, he was the coach who broke us through. Xavier was in a completely different place back then and 2005 was going to be a rebuilding year. He was only going to be a hot coaching commodity for a short period of time. Objectively, it is hard to say he made the wrong choice. Plus, he gave us Sean the first time, which lead to Sean the second time.

I wonder how many of the students even know he used to coach here. For perspective, the Xavier/Duke Elite-8 game was 3/28/04. Kam Craft was born 4/2/04.

Same here. It would be nice for the crowd to be welcoming of Thad. He did move the program to another stage during his tenure.

Edit: What Duke game? Was that our Final 5 appearance?

[GoMuskies]

We should boo the everloving shit out of Greg Oden, though.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Same here. It would be nice for the crowd to be welcoming of Thad. He did move the program to another stage during his tenure.

Edit: What Duke game? Was that our Final 5 appearance?

5... as in, not realizing Anthony Myles had 4 (going on 5) personal fouls. Ugh

[Strange Brew]

5... as in, not realizing Anthony Myles had 4 (going on 5) personal fouls. Ugh

Ahhhhhhh, the agony. So much pain. So much pain....

[Strange Brew]

We should boo the everloving shit out of Greg Oden, though.

Cahil....

[D-West & PO-Z]

To those of us who remember the Thad Matta era... what degree of "welcome" do you think he'll get in his first game at Cintas in (presumably) 19 years?

Speaking personally... I have no ill will toward Thad. Maybe I did at one time, but time heals wounds. Ultimately, he was the coach who broke us through. Xavier was in a completely different place back then and 2005 was going to be a rebuilding year. He was only going to be a hot coaching commodity for a short period of time. Objectively, it is hard to say he made the wrong choice. Plus, he gave us Sean the first time, which lead to Sean the second time.

I wonder how many of the students even know he used to coach here. For perspective, the Xavier/Duke Elite-8 game was 3/28/04. Kam Craft was born 4/2/04.

I think there will be some boos but they won't be overwhelming or anything like they were for Huggins this year.

Thad was the coach who left that I disliked the most because it seemed like he did it the slimiest way. But, you are correct, the ill will I did hold isn't nearly there as much now, if at all, and giving us Miller was a great parting gift.

[bjf123]

My wife will boo the hell out of Matta. We were at the Butler County Steak Fry when he categorically said he had not interviewed for the Ohio State job and was not a candidate for it. He was announced as their head coach the next day. She still holds that against him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[webxu]

I will be there.. i will boo. :stink:

[Xavier]

My interest in this game comes down to two things. Senior night and a proper send off for Kunkel and nunge (and hoping the brothers get time together). Second thing is if we see Freemantle and how it looks

[CoopDeVillle]

Did a little digging and a win tomorrow would only be the second time we've beaten every team during the regular season since joining the Big East. 2015-16 is the only time so far.

[bobbiemcgee]

Ahhhhhhh, the agony. So much pain. So much pain....

The 4th and 5th fouls were total bs and cost us the game.

[xukeith]

On paper, Matta is probably the best coach ever. He wins and wins a lot. Success with 3 Xavier squads and many deep runs by Ohio State

[X-band '01]

We should boo the everloving shit out of Greg Oden, though.

You should show more respect for your elders. Personally, I thought he already used his eligibility at Centenary and enjoyed a storied career with the Boston Celtics.

[IM4X]

Speaking personally... I have no ill will toward Thad… Ultimately, he was the coach who broke us through. Xavier was in a completely different place back then and 2005 was going to be a rebuilding year. He was only going to be a hot coaching commodity for a short period of time. Objectively, it is hard to say he made the wrong choice. Plus, he gave us Sean the first time, which lead to Sean the second time

Completely agree with your take. I am grateful that he was our coach. He is a very talented coach. He took over a sneaky-good little Eggs-avier of Ohio team that was good for knocking off a team or maybe two in the NCAA tournament and brought them to a whole other level of respect with the kind of success the teams he lead had (including the one that destroyed teams getting to the elite eight). He success at X is a big part of why sports fans all over the country now properly say “Xavier” (and corrected anyone who got it wrong).

It was an understandable decision for him to take the offer at a OSU which at the time was a much higher profile job that paid much more than the Xavier job. Plus, he knew X was going to be in good hands with Sean. Had we been in the Big East and he was getting paid what Sean is being paid, then it would have been a different story… but at that time, he knew he would have a much easier time landing top recruits at OSU and he proved again his talent there by taking teams there to a Final Four Multiple times.

[Masterofreality]

On paper, Matta is probably the best coach ever. He wins and wins a lot. Success with 3 Xavier squads and many deep runs by Ohio State

He’s done and tired now though. He took that job as a favor to his buddy Collier.
They have only 2 low rated recruits signed for next year.
I can’t see him staying past next year if that.

[xu82]

You should show more respect for your elders. Personally, I thought he already used his eligibility at Centenary and enjoyed a storied career with the Boston Celtics.

HA! That was quite a career in Boston, and all those rings! While at OSU he looked like he was being forced to be taking required minimum distributions from his IRA!

[GoMuskies]

X -12.5 seems light.

[Blue Blooded-05]

He success at X is a big part of why sports fans all over the country now properly say “Xavier” (and corrected anyone who got it wrong).

He helped, but as much as it pains me to say this, I think the crosstown brawl can be credited for ending egg-zavier. Only good thing that came out of that fiasco.

[X-band '01]

Oh yeah, one more Runningman game tomorrow night. Also nice of Fox/FS1 to have the old logo on the broadcasts for games like this; they don't even do that for Nova or Providence when they wear their old throwback jerseys.

[Section 200]

Completely agree with your take. I am grateful that he was our coach. He is a very talented coach. He took over a sneaky-good little Eggs-avier of Ohio team that was good for knocking off a team or maybe two in the NCAA tournament and brought them to a whole other level of respect with the kind of success the teams he lead had (including the one that destroyed teams getting to the elite eight). He success at X is a big part of why sports fans all over the country now properly say “Xavier” (and corrected anyone who got it wrong).

It was an understandable decision for him to take the offer at a OSU which at the time was a much higher profile job that paid much more than the Xavier job. Plus, he knew X was going to be in good hands with Sean. Had we been in the Big East and he was getting paid what Sean is being paid, then it would have been a different story… but at that time, he knew he would have a much easier time landing top recruits at OSU and he proved again his talent there by taking teams there to a Final Four Multiple times.

I think almost everyone agrees with this - it was the way he left that pissed everyone off. Brian Kelly was similar at UC. Coaches seem smarter now - they usually just stay out of sight & don't say anything. I guess coaches are better at PR now. Matta should have stayed far away from the Steak Fry.

[Xville]

X -12.5 seems light.

Apparently bettors felt the same.. up to 13.5

[Masterofreality]

I think almost everyone agrees with this - it was the way he left that pissed everyone off. Brian Kelly was similar at UC. Coaches seem smarter now - they usually just stay out of sight & don't say anything. I guess coaches are better at PR now. Matta should have stayed far away from the Steak Fry.

Marta showing up at the Steak Fry was the worst PR move in the history of College Basketball Coaching.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Apparently bettors felt the same.. up to 13.5

Got -12.5 on FD still but for -120.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Marta showing up at the Steak Fry was the worst PR move in the history of College Basketball Coaching.

I'll raise you Xavier putting Tu and Lyons in front of a microphone after the brawl.

Though Tu's comments were totally misconstrued, X should have never put those guys out there.

[American X]

Please put Butler in a headlock at the tip and give them noogies nonstop for two hours. You can even give them a few real punches to the head and kidneys when Val Ackerman is not looking.

I HATE these spoilers who have a garbage season then turn into the Celtics when Xavier comes to town. Have a real season or go back to A-10.

[bjf123]

Instead of the really big framed photos in prior years, this year’s seniors got swords. Very cool!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[American X]

Senior Night FACT: Jack Nunge and Adam Kunkel are National Champions.

[HenryMuto]

Show the damn game please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stupid Racing post game who cares !!!!!!!!!

[HenryMuto]

Good lord the game is on and we are watching commercials.

[xu82]

Show the damn game please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stupid Racing post game who cares !!!!!!!!!

AMEN on that!

[GoMuskies]

Fuck NASCAR

[American X]

Do you all want to have a Live Chat for the NASCAR race tomorrow?

[HenryMuto]

We better not lose this game to these chumps again. I want a 20+ point win.

[HenryMuto]

WTF Kunkel

[American X]

Cesare Edwards is a force in the post (shit you thought you would never type).

[HenryMuto]

Great to be up 8 but I hate the careless unforced turnovers we always have. Just had another.

[HenryMuto]

I just noticed we went 0-3 from the line while we were watching racing.............

[KabeX]

I just noticed we went 0-3 from the line while we were watching racing.............
I would prefer a boatrace. Now actually.

[HenryMuto]

The more Freemantle misses games the more I worry he is never coming back. Already past the expected time frame he would be coming back.

[HenryMuto]

Holy crap we just witnessed Boum missing a FT

[American X]

Jerome Hunter ate an entire bulldog for breakfast.

[KabeX]

Jerome Hunter ate an entire bulldog for breakfast.
I mean as long as he put some Franks Red Hot on it ...

[HenryMuto]

JFC only up 5 now

[HenryMuto]

There we go Kunkel with the 3 and now a foul on Butler

LETS FN GO I want to tear these Bulldogs apart !!!!!!!!!

[HenryMuto]

Should be up 15+ right now. This Butler team they have on the floor right now is hot garbage.

[HenryMuto]

Damn Matta looks like the Crypt Keeper

[HenryMuto]

You guys think it is easy to be a fan of multiple teams ? You sometimes go through multiple games where your emotions get rung through the ringer it makes for a hell of a long day.

[HenryMuto]

JFC what a flop

[KabeX]

Oh my. Butler Floppage.

[American X]

That was a Kenny Frease foul on Cesare. Foul is on him, just because...

Classy flop.

[HenryMuto]

We have a timeout so if we get the ball back with only a few seconds left we should call it instead of the clock running while we bring it up court or inbound it.

[HenryMuto]

Well we are up 10 I wanted to pound these SOB's into oblivion but I will settle for a 10 point lead.

[KabeX]

Well we are up 10 I wanted to pound these SOB's into oblivion but I will settle for a 10 point lead.

[KabeX]

Well we are up 10 I wanted to pound these SOB's into oblivion but I will settle for a 10 point lead.




Sorry - beers + fat fingers ... was trying to reply to your comment. Anyway - we're up 10 and not shooting well from 3. But they're even worse. Would rather have this halftime score than last time ... In Sean we trust.

[X Factor]

Cesare had a nice first half. He's got some moves. The drive and layup was really nice. BS third foul on him.

[X Factor]

What are we doing?

[HenryMuto]

Can't we just blow these Bulldog turds out ? GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[KabeX]

What are we doing?
Not playing any D apparently. Ugh.

[American X]

The ghost of Travis Steele is on both offenses.

[X Factor]

Butler sucks, but they always play us tough. Just can't get into any rhythm on offense.

[HenryMuto]

Nunge has to stay on the freaking court

[KabeX]

The ghost of Travis Steele is on both offenses.
But at least he was impressed with Colby Jones.

[HenryMuto]

Why does Xavier have so many problems with the worst teams in our league but swept UCONN, swept Providence and was 1 tip in away from sweeping Marquette........makes no FN sense.

[HenryMuto]

JFC bank shot

[HenryMuto]

FREE THROWS come on man

[HenryMuto]

Down to 3

[HenryMuto]

Unreal we are losing WTF

[KabeX]

Go the F inside!

[HenryMuto]

I don't even want to think about we could be swept by the garbage team

[xu82]

I doubt they went randomly down to Nunge to pick up that emotional fourth foul.

[HenryMuto]

Butler 9/12 from field 2nd half WTF

[HenryMuto]

Thank God Jones was trailing Hunter to pick up the loose change for the dunk.

LETS FN GO NOW

[HenryMuto]

How was there no call on Nunge getting decked ?

[HenryMuto]

Nice now make these FT's and extend this league we got 4 FT's coming and the ball

[HenryMuto]

OMFG Hunter misses both FTs and Nunge misses JFC we just gave up 3 points

[HenryMuto]

Had a shot to get a 7 or 8 point possession we get 1 point

[X Factor]

Mentally not in this one. Can't make free throws.

[HenryMuto]

We had a shot to go up from 9 to 10 pts and now up 2

[HenryMuto]

Kunkel with the sweet steal !!!!!!!!!!!!

[HenryMuto]

That sucked we were up 3 with 4 FT's and the ball and only went up 4. Should been up at least 6 or 7 at a minimum there. Could been up as much as 10.

[bjf123]

Make FTs and we’re up double digits.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[X Factor]

Butler sucks. Really can't stand them.

[American X]

Classy flagrants by Butler.

[HenryMuto]

Jones !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HenryMuto]

KUNKEL for 333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333

[HenryMuto]

Oh not the ankle again for Boum................let him rest and hope we can just close this out without him.

[xu82]

It’s time for Souley healing prayers!

[KabeX]

I think he's coming back into the game

[HenryMuto]

i think he's coming back into the game

nice!

[xu82]

He’s Gumby playing basketball!!!

[HenryMuto]

FiNISH THEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KabeX]

under 2 to go up 9. I still hate Butler! F I N I S H T H I S !!

[HenryMuto]

This shot clock not being on the TV is ticking me off

[KabeX]

This shot clock not being on the TV is ticking me off
I agree. Kept looking for it but couldn't find it. Thought it was just the (pre-emptive) victory beers ;)

[HenryMuto]

What a glorious day this has been

Xavier won
Kentucky won
Kansas lost
North Carolina lost (Wish Duke could have too but can't get everything)

Hey Tyler SUCK IT enjoy that NIT

[KabeX]

Missed it by a point (pick the score)! Couldn't care less. Buck Futler!!!!!

[HenryMuto]

I guess we have to root for Creighton now since UCONN would be #3 seed if Creighton lost and UCONN is winning big is this right ?

Go NOVA LETS FN GO make a comeback

[xudash]

Missed it by a point (pick the score)! Couldn't care less. Buck Futler!!!!!

The Butler Way (circa 2023) - pretending that it is about having class, and then being rather classless. Number 13 is a hack.

[HenryMuto]

Boum missed 2 FT's tonight I hope he got that out of his system

[IM4X]

The only game this season where I can remember he missed more than 1.

[HenryMuto]

So we are rooting for Creighton now ? UCONN would be #3 seed if Creighton lost right ?

[Xavier]

I know creighton is the 3 seed but I’d much rather it be Uconn. We just don’t match up well at all with Creighton

[X-band '01]

Creighton still has to get past Villanova. Not a gimme.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah, really wished Providence didn't shit the bed.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Matta got boo'ed a lot louder than I thought he would. I thought there would be a smattering but it was a lot more than that.

[Caveat]

That’s a perfect end to a great rebound season for Xavier basketball.

[American X]

Can we trade Butler to the Missouri Valley Conference for a team to be named later?

Butler could send an empty bus from Indianapolis, pick up five strangers along I-74, and they would play Xavier much closer than they should. Promise me they are on the other side of the Big East bracket and we do not have to smell them again this season.

[XUGRAD80]

It was nice of them to not pull a Providence in the last minute, and to just let X hold the ball until the time ran out.

[X-band '01]

Yeah - there was a near collapse by Marquette with a similar lead in the last minute yesterday. I was a little surprised that Matta called off the dogs early, but he sensed that the game was getting chippy and nothing was going to be gained with a potential fight blowing up at the end of the game.

[UCGRAD4X]

Anybody know where I can get me one of those awesome swords?

Zach should have hobbled out there just to get one.

[Masterofreality]

Screw Beaknose Matta forever. And ever. And ever.

[X-band '01]

I didn't even realize until looking at the postgame writeups that Manny Bates injured his shoulder and didn't return. Should have known something was up when Turnbull got into the game; he didn't sniff the floor at all up in Indy when Bates was racking up video game numbers.

They're going to have a hard time beating the Johnnies without him in their lineup on Wednesday.

[muskiefan82]

I didn't even realize until looking at the postgame writeups that Manny Bates injured his shoulder and didn't return. Should have known something was up when Turnbull got into the game; he didn't sniff the floor at all up in Indy when Bates was racking up video game numbers.

They're going to have a hard time beating the Johnnies without him in their lineup on Wednesday.

I saw a quote on Twitter that said something like "the refs didn't call Bates for a foul on Jones, but the basketball gods were watching"

[X-band '01]

Yep, that was Banners on the Parkway. No real need to say that, but the pearl-clutching from Butler fans was entirely predictable.

[xudash]

Yeah - there was a near collapse by Marquette with a similar lead in the last minute yesterday. I was a little surprised that Matta called off the dogs early, but he sensed that the game was getting chippy and nothing was going to be gained with a potential fight blowing up at the end of the game.

Just a nit, but that near Marquette "collapse" involved a swirling dervish 3 from the corner followed by a stumbling bumbling 3 plus 1.

But it was an amazing wreck to watch.