Game Thread: BE Championship, Xavier v Marquette (3/11/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFF VS.https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xeEAAMXQya1Q8vgG/s-l500.jpg

NEW YORK --- The No. 2 Seed Xavier University Musketeers, 25-8 overall, battle the No. 1 Seed Marquette University Golden Eagles, 27-6, tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the 2023 BIG EAST Tournament Championship game. XU is ranked No. 15 in both major polls, while Marquette checks in at No. 6. The two teams split the regular season meetings.

Xavier is playing in its second BIG EAST Tournament Championship game in its 10th year in the league. XU is looking for its first BIG EAST Tournament crown, although the Musketeers won 10 conference tournament titles combined while a member of the MCC and Atlantic 10. XU's last conference tourney championship was the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championship under head coach Sean Miller.

THE MATCHUP

NO. 2 SEED XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (25-8)
VS. NO. 1 SEED MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES (27-6)
BIG EAST TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2023 AT 6:30 P.M. ET AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: FOX, including FOX19 in Cincinnati, with play by-play from Gus Johnson and analysis from Jim Jackson. Kristina Pink is the sideline reporter.
National Radio: Westwood One with Scott Graham and Austin Croshere.
Xavier Radio: Simulcast on 700 WLW and 55KRC 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).

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

[paulxu]

Go get 'em Muskies!

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Perhaps I've missed it. But seems odd, given our short bench, that we haven't heard more about status of KyKy or Miles. MOR had earlier indicated that his sourcs said Craft is only going to play if we run out of bodies. Running out of bodies while perhaps unlikely is still in realm of possibility.

Anybody know anything?

[GoMuskies]

Kyky is still hurt and is out.

[Xavgrad08]

Per Adam Baum’s tweet on 3/9 Miles did not make the trip to NYC due to family reasons.No other reasons were disclosed, but he was not on the bench last night.

[xavierj]

Surprised Kyky didn’t make the trip to at least be on the bench with his team. As for tonight hope they break out the blue runningman unis.

[Masterofreality]

No status change. Dieonte & KyKy are not in NY.
Kraft is still emergency only. They really don’t want to risk a further knee issue.
We got 7…..Oh, “ELIJAH FOR THREE” is a thing!!

[SkyWalker]

Cut down the nets!

[Masterofreality]

Nugget from X Source on the court…: When they were shaking hands last night McDermott told Sean to “beat the shit out of Marquette”
Seems like he hates Shaka too.

[American X]

I just finished a huge family fight and cleaned up a potty training incident (basically the same thing). Then I chugged three beers and did shots with my IU niece. Let's go win a fucking championship.

[HenryMuto]

Let's win a Big East championship tonight !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go X!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xuperman]

Surely Coach Miller is not going to allow another ridiculous game of lefty drive circus shots from Kolek. When effective in doing that, his assist number could be elevated, but need to get in his head early that a big scoring night is not happening. Hoping to see Jones and Co. do the same on Joplin and strongly contest every shot he takes. Also, this would be really fun to see....If Oso gets loose, Miller puts Edwards in to throttle him a few times...let him struggle from the line. Just would love to see some serious physical payback for bruising us up in that 2011 NCAA tournament game.
:mrgreen:

[zippin']

I am freaking out! I haven't felt this kind of way about a basketball game in years!

[GoMuskies]

Sweet pregame show on Fox.

[American X]

This is the most pumped up I have been for a basketball game in five years. This is the way it is supposed to be. I love you guys. Let's bring home a banner to Victory Parkway.

[Xville]

This is the most pumped up I have been for a basketball game in five years. This is the way it is supposed to be. I love you guys. Let's bring home a banner to Victory Parkway.

A fuckking men

[Strange Brew]

This is the most pumped up I have been for a basketball game in five years. This is the way it is supposed to be. I love you guys. Let's bring home a banner to Victory Parkway.

Haven't been this pumped since you posted that pic from Fear and Loathing during one of the runs years ago.

[Strange Brew]

Sweet pregame show on Fox.

It was a pretty good ballgame. Rather watch baseball than listen to dudes yammer about what might happen.

Talk time is over. It's time to bring the hardware to Victory Pkwy.

[GoMuskies]

Looks like a great crowd in NYC for a couple of private, Catholic schools from Milwaukee and Cincinnati.

[GoMuskies]

Even the national anthem is fantastic!

[Xuperman]

It was a pretty good ballgame. Rather watch baseball than listen to dudes yammer about what might happen.

Talk time is over. It's time to bring the hardware to Victory Pkwy.

They only yammered about Shaka and Marquette!! That was weird.

[KabeX]

Lets fn go!

[zippin']

Even the national anthem is fantastic!

Kind of unfair they play Kolek's favorite song before every game

[Strange Brew]

Can't hold back now. Last game of the BE year.

[KabeX]

Not an optimal start

[GoMuskies]

Awful start. Come on fellas.

[Strange Brew]

Not an optimal start

Suboptimal.

Lid on the hoop.

[noteggs]

What the heck!

[Strange Brew]

Mitchell is a criminal

[Strange Brew]

I do not like Kolek.

[zippin']

Pretty much the worst start possible. Ugh.

[BillikenMusketeer]

Ice cold, getting looks but no dice

[GoMuskies]

Just a couple of jumpers and we'll be right back.

[Masterofreality]

Not a good start. Hope we're not tired.
Our energy isn’t great

[Strange Brew]

Pretty much the worst start possible. Ugh.

It's not how hard you can hit, it's how hard you can get hit and keep going..

Only 4 mins in and it's Rocky quote time!

[bjf123]

1-8 vs. 5-8 from the floor ain’t gonna cut it.


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[noteggs]

Obviously too soon to panic, but shots have to start falling. Right?

[Strange Brew]

I'm going to go with law of averages. To bring back an old one. :)

[GoMuskies]

If you're going to be down 10, this is the best time to do it. With lots of time to go.

[Strange Brew]

If you're going to be down 10, this is the best time to do it. With lots of time to go.

I like your style and moves.

[KabeX]

1-3-1. this should be interesting

[HenryMuto]

Boum, Nunge and Kunk already with 1 foul

[GoMuskies]

Claude for Tandy is a good trade from our last meeting.

[GoMuskies]

Probably shouldn't give them three chances.

[GoMuskies]

This is awful

[zippin']

Yikes.

[BillikenMusketeer]

Getting out of hand early, says capt obvious

[bjf123]

Starting out like the DePaul game. They can’t miss and we can’t hit anything.


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[KabeX]

Well let's see how they respond but at this point I would prefer an injury free game over anything

[kellernr]

And it's back to the team that showed up against DePaul. Difference is they won't be able to come back against Marquette

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[Strange Brew]

Just needed to see the ball go in the net.

Let's go X!

[GoMuskies]

Let's win a war and get back into this.

[Strange Brew]

Let's win a war and get back into this.

My kind of Muskie!

[American X]

So glad we got so excited. Got over that really quickly. Feel like the Bull getting hit by Nuke's fastball.

[Strange Brew]

So glad we got so excited. Got over that really quickly. Feel like the Bull getting hit by Nuke's fastball.

What? He got up and was fine.

I feel like Nuke after Crash told the batter the deuce was coming. Lesson learned.

[GoMuskies]

The "beauty" of college basketball. You can get last night's X or tonight's.

[KabeX]

So glad we got so excited. Got over that really quickly. Feel like the Bull getting hit by Nuke's fastball.
I think we all need to start breathing thru our eyes

[Strange Brew]

Listening to the announcers. There seems to be a narrative around MU and Shaka. :)

[GoMuskies]

What the fuck is Hunter doing?

[GoMuskies]

Listening to the announcers. There seems to be a narrative around MU and Shaka. :)

They're murdering us. Not sure what they're supposed to say that's positive for X.

[Xville]

Yikes is all I can say.

[Strange Brew]

They're murdering us. Not sure what they're supposed to say that's positive for X.

They're fun to watch? :)

[bjf123]

I hope we’re within 20 at halftime.


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[American X]

So loose with nothing to lose last night. So tight with the championship on the line tonight.

[GoMuskies]

They're fun to watch? :)

Not tonight! So far. So far.

[XUBison]

The "beauty" of college basketball. You can get last night's X or tonight's.

Legs catching up with us?

[noteggs]

Starting out like the DePaul game. They can’t miss and we can’t hit anything.


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Agree except we are not playing DePaul which is a bit of a problem…

[Strange Brew]

So loose with nothing to lose last night. So tight with the championship on the line tonight.

Been a while since X knew how to win.

[GoMuskies]

Jesus Christ. Were the older guys at Scores last night?

[GoMuskies]

Put in the mullet guy.

[Strange Brew]

Jesus Christ. Were the older guys at Scores last night?

You poisoned my team. Bud Kilmer.

[HenryMuto]

I guess I should been rooting for UCONN last night

[GoMuskies]

Des Claude is underage, so I guess the older guys couldn't take him to Scores. Explains why he's not playing like shit.

[Strange Brew]

All of you are Rock Stars. :)

Do we drop to a 13 after this and does Miller leave? :)

[Strange Brew]

Des Claude is underage, so I guess the older guys couldn't take him to Scores. Explains why he's not playing like shit.

Never been to Scores. Is it nice? :)

[GoMuskies]

Never been to Scores. Is it nice? :)

You'll have to ask Xavier's upperclassmen. I've not been.

[noteggs]

No turnovers for Marquette.

[Strange Brew]

No turnovers for Marquette.

Seen it and came back to beat it. Different sport, different level.

But it happens.

I'm saying there is a chance.

[Roach]

Marquette is completely embarrassing us, and Miller is being completely out-coached by Shaka Smart. Players were unprepared. No adjustments. Stick with the same defense that the opposing team is skewering, and continue throwing up contested shots. This is Miller’s Achilles heel - long scoring droughts with no adjustments. I don’t get it and I never will.

[GoMuskies]

Win the last 4 minutes and there's some hope.

[xu82]

What is Scores? And yes, I’m trying to distract from this ugliness.

[noteggs]

Don’t think I’ll get the “pick the score “ tonight. Well might be a cluster for all.

[Strange Brew]

What is Scores? And yes, I’m trying to distract from this ugliness.

Is that the place named after a network that used to be in Times Square?

[GoMuskies]

What is Scores? And yes, I’m trying to distract from this ugliness.

NYC titty bar.

[noteggs]

What is Scores? And yes, I’m trying to distract from this ugliness.

Wise decision!

[XUBison]

This reminds me of another X team Sean Miller lead into NYC… never mind, I think that was a bad dream of mine.

[xu82]

Miller is being completely out-coached by Shaka Smart right now. Players were unprepared. No adjustments. Stick with the same defense that the opposing team is skewering, and continue throwing up contested shots. This is Miller’s shortcoming - long scoring droughts with no adjustments. I don’t get it and I never will.

We have Bills fans who sound like this.

When your top 3 guys are 1-10 shooting, should Sean call a TO and tell them to make the shots instead?

Lots to fix, I trust Sean and these guys. Winning this would be great, but I’m more focused on the next tournament we’ve been missing for a while.

Have faith, we might not win but we will get our shit together to some degree. We can make it single digits at the half, which would be a positive.

[Strange Brew]

This reminds me of another X team Sean Miller lead into NYC… never mind, I think that was a bad dream of mine.

No matter what happens this team is dancing.

[GoMuskies]

This reminds me of another X team Sean Miller lead into NYC… never mind, I think that was a bad dream of mine.

Was he the oach when Miss State murdered us?

[Strange Brew]

Get it down to 12

[GoMuskies]

Edwards is so bad. Why would he think he should shoot?

[Strange Brew]

Edwards is so bad. Why would he think he should shoot?

Wish Free was healthy.

No points here.

[Roach]

How on earth can an off-balance turnaround in the lane by Cesare Edwards while double teamed be the best shot we can manage during a possession? I just don’t understand. Sean Miller just shat the bed in the biggest game of the year. I’m sorry, but that was completely pathetic.

[GoMuskies]

Brutal. Only down 15. Amazingly could be worse. Need an early second half run.

[GoMuskies]

So far 0 for 3 in making our Big East title game appearances interesting.

[hoopster68]

Are the guys tired? They look slower on both ends of the court.

[noteggs]

Brutal. Only down 15. Amazingly could be worse. Need an early second half run.

Yes Creighton part 2. Not last night but last year! Or was the year before? Last 4 have been foggy.

[IM4X]

Brutal indeed. Great seats at the game. Get to see the X players shooting airballs up and close.

I guess it could be worse: We need to drop about 10 threes in the second half and we’ll be fine.

[xu82]

Get a little momentum in the 2nd half, win or lose. Go back to being the team we watched most of the year. Peak in the next tournament.

[GoMuskies]

Just opened up an imperial porter that's 13.9%. I think I've had it for six months waiting for a good time to go to it. After that first half, it's time.

[XUBison]

Was he the oach when Miss State murdered us?

Sure, that’s the one.

[IM4X]

Miller must be having a serious talk with the guys they are not out yet.

Edit: they just came out now.

[KabeX]

Repeating my plea for an injury free 2nd half

[GoMuskies]

Let's get an early run. Make it interesting anyway.

[xu82]

Just opened up an imperial porter that's 13.9%. I think I've had it for six months waiting for a good time to go to it. After that first half, it's time.

I think your timing is impeccable.

[JTG]

If our shots aren't falling we're screwed, plain and simple. Marquette is playing like a swarm of bees on defense. Don't know what Miller can do. Refs are letting them play. Hunter and Nunge are getting mauled, and Kolek has been knocked around like a pinball. Reg season there would have been 10+ fouls on each team.

[GoMuskies]

Terrible second half start.

[Strange Brew]

Wonder how this will affect offensive efficiency.

Analytics are everything these days...

[GoMuskies]

Good night

[GoMuskies]

How are we shooting so terribly?!?

[Strange Brew]

How are we shooting so terribly?!?

Tired legs.

Is there a spreadsheet for that?

[GoMuskies]

Well, surely we can't play this shitty next week? Good to get this awful performance out of our system.

[CP05XU08CU13]

Does not instill a lot of confidence going into the NCAA tournament with a performance like this.

[Xville]

They look so horrible. Don’t even look like a Xavier team. Best game last night, worst game tonight

[KabeX]

I gotta tell you I really enjoyed last night

[American X]

I was not going to drink that much until I saw this score and that handle of bourbon.

[noteggs]

Ain’t our night. Not sure anyone has noticed

[GoMuskies]

I gotta tell you I really enjoyed last night

Yes. And I'm really drunk tonight. So there's that!

[Strange Brew]

Well, surely we can't play this shitty next week? Good to get this awful performance out of our system.

There you go. Welcome back! :)

Sometimes the ball bounces weird, can't spin a curveball or you just get beat. :)

I don't feel some realize how far the program fell since '18.

4 seed. No sweat tomorrow. 20+ wins and an 2 finish in the reg season and the tourney. Pinch me.

[KabeX]

Does not instill a lot of confidence going into the NCAA tournament with a performance like this.
They're absolutely gassed. 3 games in 3 days with 6 guys.

[GoMuskies]

I have a bottle of champagne chilled. It's going to survive the night. The bottles in the liquor cabinet are in trouble!

[xu82]

Terrible second half start.

But do we get any credit for consistency?

[American X]

They're absolutely gassed. 3 games in 3 days with 6 guys.

Hey! Cesare is at least half a guy!

[Strange Brew]

I was not going to drink that much until I saw this score and that handle of bourbon.

Good. It is the only appropriate response. And hit up Scores if you're in NYC. :)

[GoMuskies]

Mullet guy should get 10 minutes.

[BillikenMusketeer]

Edwards is a liability. Loves slapping the ball around

[Strange Brew]

Balls. Hunter. Keep fighting.

[American X]

This is how it felt to be Creighton last night, but worse.

[BillikenMusketeer]

Whoever plays X next week only needs to develop a defensive game plan off this game alone

[GoMuskies]

Tucker!!!!!

[KabeX]

Shut it down now. Cant have any injuries

[chico]

The team we play next week isn't going to have near the talent level as Marquette, and we'll have 5-6 days of rest. Marquette plays like they are tonight and they're in the final 4.

[Strange Brew]

Nice Des. That will pay off next week.

[GoMuskies]

Lol, maybe Tucker can foul out.

[Strange Brew]

This is how it felt to be Creighton last night, but worse.

Remember AMEX, the Muskies will be announced tomorrow as a high seed. This sucks and I acknowledge it however don't brood too much on it. St. Patty's Day is on Fri. :)

[Strange Brew]

Lol, maybe Tucker can foul out.

Trial by fire for Tucker. :)

[XUBison]

Did Gus just say Xavier is on the ropes? That is putting it kindly.

[bjf123]

On the ropes? This is close to a TKO!


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[Strange Brew]

They're absolutely gassed. 3 games in 3 days with 6 guys.

Correct take Tiger ( :) ). All is good. Burn this tape and focus on the poor bastards who have to play this team in the first round.

[American X]

So a shot for every Elijah Tucker score?

[GoMuskies]

On the ropes? This is close to a TKO!


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All the way from Tokyo!

[GoMuskies]

So a shot for every Elijah Tucker score?

So zero shots?

[XUGRAD80]

Before the tournament starts I said that I thought that it would be difficult for X to play and win 3 games in 3 days. I thought that their lack of depth, and lack of time between games would hurt them. Not just the physical strain, but also and possibly more important, the mental part of it. This team looks tired and a step slow both offensively and defensively.

[SkyWalker]

I know we're playing like crap but I'll give Marquette's defense a ton of credit. Every shot we have take has been tough.

[Strange Brew]

So a shot for every Elijah Tucker score?

There's a joke there I don't want to make. :)

[Strange Brew]

Kunkle.

Warrior.

It's Heeebron. :)

[IM4X]

Guys are spent from last night’s late game. Can’t hit the side of a barn. Sean should have shut it down a little earlier last night.

Not going full court press at this point is simply giving up.

I want a refund!

[BillikenMusketeer]

Sweet Jesus Edwards is terrible. The one time he gets a rebound (besides slapping at the ball) he gets his pocket picked

[GoMuskies]

Feels like Colby needs to come back for another year given his shitty performance tonight. ��

[Strange Brew]

Sean is smartly resting Jack. Hence, Tucker.

[Strange Brew]

Feels like Colby needs to come back for another year given his shitty performance tonight. ��

Does X offer a Masters in Analytics?

[GoMuskies]

I love Souley Boum. But good God has he been awful tonight.

[American X]

So zero shots?

More a concept than a rule, like Miller's offense. Feel free to improvise. God knows I have.

[IM4X]

Again. This team and this coach have pretty much giving up. No reason there is no pressing
unless the guys are all gassed.

[bjf123]

Maybe it’s time for a running clock?


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[Strange Brew]

I love Souley Boum. But good God has he been awful tonight.

He's tired. He doesn't stink at basketball. :)

[Strange Brew]

Maybe it’s time for a running clock?


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It would jive nicely with Running Man jerseys. Which I love and should be the standard Jersey.

[GoMuskies]

Tucker FTs. Shot coming?

[Strange Brew]

More a concept than a rule, like Miller's offense. Feel free to improvise. God knows I have.

Alright. :)

All is not lost. We ride again Thurs/Fir. :)

[GoMuskies]

Yes!!!

[Strange Brew]

Good news for the analytics guys.

Our defensive efficiency should improve. :)

[xu82]

Again. This team and this coach have pretty much giving up. No reason there is no pressing
unless the guys are all gassed.

That is the main problem, so I see no point in making it worse.

[American X]

Tucker! Drink!

If the mullet scores, we are doing Belfast Car Bombs.

[IM4X]

On a more positive note, two different X fans have won shooting competitions tonight at MSG.

[GoMuskies]

Colby is looking D League tonight after looking NBA all-star last night.

[Strange Brew]

Tucker! Drink!

If the mullet scores, we are doing Belfast Car Bombs.

I'm in.

[MHettel]

Marquette is lucky they didn’t have to play 3 games in 3 days.

[chico]

Marquette is lucky they didn’t have to play 3 games in 3 days.

And only play 6 1/2 guys.

[Strange Brew]

Marquette is lucky they didn’t have to play 3 games in 3 days.

That's not or why.

[GoMuskies]

5 threes away!

[Strange Brew]

Tucker! Drink!

If the mullet scores, we are doing Belfast Car Bombs.

I would love to see Sean put him in with the starts. Run anything needed to see him score. At this point, Jack is sitting (wisely) so why not punk Shaka.

[HenryMuto]

What a day a difference makes both for Boum and the entire team.

Just not our night.

[HenryMuto]

Marquette held to 38% from field, 29% from 3 would have taken that any day of the week but the offense of all things didn't show up today.

[noteggs]

Colby is looking D League tonight after looking NBA all-star last night.

Maybe? You sure the high octane beer is talking?

[IM4X]

Now he presses. Where was that Sean 7 minutes ago?

[GoMuskies]

Maybe? You sure the high octane beer is talking?

The high octane beer is definitely talking, but I don't think this observation is wrong.

[XUGRAD80]

Xavier WILL win a BE tourney, just not this one. But I do have faith that Sean will lead X to regular season and tournament championships in the future.

[American X]

Is Elijah Tucker still allowed to make threes? Then we are still in it.

[GoMuskies]

Losing by 9 would really help me. Losing by 7 would REALLY help.

[IM4X]

What a joke. Take the damn 3 and quit wasting time passing the ball around. Holy crap.

[Strange Brew]

Xavier WILL win a BE tourney, just not this one. But I do have faith that Sean will lead X to regular season and tournament championships in the future.

Yep. Didn't quit.

[IM4X]

I get our guys are tired form last night, but Sean went from best coached

game to worst in one night.

[Strange Brew]

Boum is pissed on the bench. Good. :)

[GoMuskies]

Boum is pissed on the bench. Good. :)

1 point. Yikes.

[Strange Brew]

Remember this X.

Shaka will get his. :)

[Strange Brew]

1 point. Yikes.

In the words of Nelly. Let it burn.

[Xville]

That really sucked. I just hope they get this out of their mind quickly. It sucked they were never in the game

[bjf123]

Boum is pissed on the bench. Good. :)

He should be! Hell, the whole team should be pissed and embarrassed.


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[GoMuskies]

Terrible, awful game tonight, but a hugely successful Big East Tournament.

[xu82]

Congrats to Marquette.

Use this as fuel to drive us forward.

[XUGRAD80]

I get our guys are tired form last night, but Sean went from best coached

game to worst in one night.

How was this a badly coached game? His players did not perform tonight. Pure and simple. Poor performance by players is not always on the coaches. He had them prepared, they just didn’t perform.

[KabeX]

Edwards outscores Souley. Pretty much all you need to know. Burn the tape and rest up.

[XUBison]

That really sucked. I just hope they get this out of their mind quickly. It sucked they were never in the game

Yep. Really bummed they didn’t at least make it a game. Was really looking forward to this one.

[KabeX]

How was this a badly coached game? His players did not perform tonight. Pure and simple. Poor performance by players is not always on the coaches. He had them prepared, they just didn’t perform.
Y I agree. I don't coaching lost this game.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

That really sucked. I just hope they get this out of their mind quickly. It sucked they were never in the game

Actually, for me, if they were destined not to win, I'd rather they suffer a humiliating beat-down they not easily forgot than suffer through a close loss. I hope the shitty feeling they all are experiencing right now, stays with them, festers and burns and we see a 180 degree different team next week.

[XUBob]

I am as disappointed as anyone else. If you told me in October X would be 25-9,second in the conference, get to the Big East final, probably no lower than a four seed I’d take. Tonight was painful but tomorrow starts a new season let’s see what happens.

[XUBison]

How was this a badly coached game? His players did not perform tonight. Pure and simple. Poor performance by players is not always on the coaches. He had them prepared, they just didn’t perform.

Absurd take. It is the coach’s job to have the players ready. He got outcoached. It happens.

[noteggs]

The high octane beer is definitely talking, but I don't think this observation is wrong.

Again maybe. He definitely has been a mystery at times. Sure scouts see this as well.

[bjf123]

Edwards outscores Souley. Pretty much all you need to know. Burn the tape and rest up.

^^^This^^^ Burn it, but remember the feeling so it doesn’t happen again.


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[Masterofreality]

Sean has gotten this group of 7 as far as he could to this point. Three tough games in 3 days was gonna be a challenge short handed. My only criticism was that so wish we would have played more zone to take some of the wear off in all 3 games but whatever.
For now, get home, get some rest and restart next week in the NCAA

[nickgyp]

I am sure X was tired tonight but Marquette’s defense was smothering tonight. As good a defense as I have seen in some time. X couldn’t get an open look. I cannot stand Marquette since the days of Fr. Diullio (sp) leaving Xavier for Marquette (but promising to keep the Warriors in the MCC but bolting with Dayton for the Great Midwest conference with UC (sorry, kids but I digress)) but Smart’s decision to press a thin Xavier team was was wise. I don’t blame coach Miller. There simply was no answer with Xavier’s short bench and likely, emotionally spent and fatigued squad. Fatigue may not be quite the problem in the NCAA tourney but swarming defenses that contest all shots will be.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Onward!

[Masterofreality]

Marquette’s Free Throw defense was amazing tonight. Xavier only shot 37% from the line. #HeavyLegs

[Tim]

Marquette’s Free Throw defense was amazing tonight. Xavier only shot 37% from the line. #HeavyLegs

I'm sure the same handful of posters will blame Miller for that too for not having them prepared.

[XUGRAD80]

Absurd take. It is the coach’s job to have the players ready. He got outcoached. It happens.

That’s total BS. It’s up to the players to play. It’s not like the players got surprised by MU running a totally new offense or defense. Your leading scorer scores 1 point and your 1st round draft pick is no factor, and it’s the coaches fault? It’s not like Miller was a genius yesterday either. Yesterday his players made shots and forced turnovers. Today they didn’t. End of story.

[xu82]

Marquette’s Free Throw defense was amazing tonight. Xavier only shot 37% from the line. #HeavyLegs

This is exactly how I see it. Move on to the Big Dance we have all missed so much.

[xu82]

That’s total BS. It’s up to the players to play. It’s not like the players got surprised by MU running a totally new offense or defense. Your leading scorer scores 1 point and your 1st round draft pick is no factor, and it’s the coaches fault? It’s not like Miller was a genius yesterday either. Yesterday his players made shots and forced turnovers. Today they didn’t. End of story.

I’m with you on this as well.

[XUBison]

That’s total BS. It’s up to the players to play. It’s not like the players got surprised by MU running a totally new offense or defense. Your leading scorer scores 1 point and your 1st round draft pick is no factor, and it’s the coaches fault? It’s not like Miller was a genius yesterday either. Yesterday his players made shots and forced turnovers. Today they didn’t. End of story.

Well, I guess we don’t even need Sean. Great, it will save the school a lot of money.

We didn’t just miss shots. Their defensive game plan was masterful, and we had no answers.

[XUBison]

I’m with you on this as well.

It’s okay to acknowledge the other coach did a better job tonight. I’m sure Sean would agree. Their players were better too. :)

[XUGRAD80]

Well, I guess we don’t even need Sean. Great, it will save the school a lot of money.

We didn’t just miss shots. Their defensive game plan was masterful, and we had no answers.

Another crap take. Sure they need a coach, but even if they had a staff of hall of fame coaches tonight it wouldn’t have made any difference. They were a step slow all night long. That’s not coaching, that’s fatigue caused by back to back to back games and no real depth. And none of that crap about he should have developed depth. You have to have something to develop, and he wasn’t left with virtually anyone worth developing, and then they ran into all the injuries. They had no answers because they weren’t physically able to blow by the defense like they did last night. And they weren’t able to hit shots because their legs were dead. I blame this loss squarely on fatigue, nothing more. The players didn’t perform like they are capable of because of them being worn out. It wasn’t because they weren’t prepared or because of anyone being out coached.the only thing that Shaka did better was to make sure his players had a longer period between games, and that he had a deeper bench to use during the tourney, including tonight, that kept his players fresher.

[xukeith]

Most of the BE season Marquette had an average defense. But vs X, their pressure was smothering. It really bothers tired players. Hoped there was one or two highlights.

Can opponents really game plan a strategy that takes Boum, Jones, and Nunge out? Or is specifically this Marquette athletic team that takes advantage of a week old veteran team?

[KabeX]

Well I'm personally very glad the Sean is our coach and I am very stoked about the success this program will achieve the rest of this season and beyond. I'm also glad it's not last year and we get to play in the important tournament.

[xukeith]

One other good thing about those Marquette: they play a lot of sophomores, juniors, and freshmen.

[JTG]

Most of the BE season Marquette had an average defense. But vs X, their pressure was smothering. It really bothers tired players. Hoped there was one or two highlights.

Can opponents really game plan a strategy that takes Boum, Jones, and Nunge out? Or is specifically this Marquette athletic team that takes advantage of a week old veteran team?

In no way am I blaming this on the refs, but Marquette can't play that swarming D if officials are calling the fouls they normally call. They started the game swarming us and when they saw there were going to be no calls, they just ramped it up. Couple that with us being exhausted and that's the result. It went both ways, we were fouling also, but were much less effective. We don't have the subs to try that.

[XUBison]

Another crap take. Sure they need a coach, but even if they had a staff of hall of fame coaches tonight it wouldn’t have made any difference. They were a step slow all night long. That’s not coaching, that’s fatigue caused by back to back to back games and no real depth. And none of that crap about he should have developed depth. You have to have something to develop, and he wasn’t left with virtually anyone worth developing, and then they ran into all the injuries. They had no answers because they weren’t physically able to blow by the defense like they did last night. And they weren’t able to hit shots because their legs were dead. I blame this loss squarely on fatigue, nothing more. The players didn’t perform like they are capable of because of them being worn out. It wasn’t because they weren’t prepared or because of anyone being out coached.the only thing that Shaka did better was to make sure his players had a longer period between games, and that he had a deeper bench to use during the tourney, including tonight, that kept his players fresher.

I’m sure Marquette fans are all talking tonight about how fortunate their coach was to have players with fresh legs.

You threw that same crap out time and time again in defense of aluminum, until coming around late last season. Sean is one of the best in the game— he doesn’t need your weak sauce defense of him. Btw, I never said anything about not developing depth. I do remember, however, you going on this past offseason about how suspect our roster was, the same one that just played for a BE championship and is poised to return to the NCAA as a four seed.

[xukeith]

We are not making this stuff up. X plays 6 1/2 players with any meaningful playing time. Miller and Smart both said in postgame that X was very tired and missed shots they normally make.

Marquette played very well. They were ready from jump. Their defense is much improved. In an ideal world, X could play on 4 days rest and probably play a game much closer like the game at MU or at Cintas.

Next year or the year after, I imagine X will have greater depth.
But meanwhile, X has a very good chance to get a top 4/5 seed and play a good opponent but X , this next game will be rested, and a lot healthier(Boum has a cold and couldn't practically breathe last night. Tonight he couldn't do anything as he was smothered and playing at 60% ) Tandy will be healthy. Craft will be better.

[Strange Brew]

Onward!

Damn right. Selection Show is tomorrow.

Been a while..

[XUBison]

In no way am I blaming this on the refs, but Marquette can't play that swarming D if officials are calling the fouls they normally call. They started the game swarming us and when they saw there were going to be no calls, they just ramped it up. Couple that with us being exhausted and that's the result. It went both ways, we were fouling also, but were much less effective. We don't have the subs to try that.

Maybe our legs were dead. I suggested as much in this very thread towards the end of the first half. But how many of these things did Nova win with no bench play? This is otherwise spot on. It was a very different game than the two prior meetings. A tightly called game probably would have at least let us hang around, but can’t blame the refs for letting them play in this environment. It will be interesting to see how Sean adapts if they run into similar game flow in the NCAAs.

[Strange Brew]

He should be! Hell, the whole team should be pissed and embarrassed.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Why do you think he was there....Sean.

Let it burn. Good lesson.

[paulxu]

Well, that was disappointing on a lot of levels. Sorry for the guys that they had to end their time at MSG that way.

It's been a great season, and I'm pumped about our chances in the NCAA tourney.

[CP05XU08CU13]

The team definitely looked winded tonight and were held to their lowest point total of the season. The lack of depth is definitely a problem, but second in the Big East is not bad considering where this team was last year. Miller has these guys on the right path, but needs to bring in some additional talent next year to creat some more depth. They need reinforcements when the starting five are exhausted or under the weather. Marquette was in a similar boat last year with Coach Smart, and they won the Big East this year. The difference Miller has made this year is astounding. It just goes to show what a decent coach can do for a program. Miller will use this loss to fuel this team for the NCAA tournament!

[Strange Brew]

I’d like to issue an apology to Usher. Hot in here is a great jam, Nelly.

[stammina0721]

It's amazing what people talk about. I had few issues with officiating. For the most part they let them play. It comes down to only having 7 players. It is what it is. Great thing is that won't be an issue anymore. Having a day of rest if we win will let X play at their best. Can't wait for next week

[OTRMUSKIE]

Officiating was great! Let them play. What wasn’t great was shooting percentage. Just too tired and not enough depth. Xavier definitely didn’t get out coached they just out injured Marquette. I like Shaka and Marquette is def a round of 32 or sweet 16 talent. Loved their fans and will be rooting for them. Once again these pre season trophies only mean something if you go far. Until you do all you have won is the Dayton International.

[Strange Brew]

It's amazing what people talk about. I had few issues with officiating. For the most part they let them play. It comes down to only having 7 players. It is what it is. Great thing is that won't be an issue anymore. Having a day of rest if we win will let X play at their best. Can't wait for next week

Believe it or not. That was a good old fashioned ass kicking.

That’s why Sean rested Boum and Jack

Next week matters. ;)

Sometimes the bear..

[IM4X]

How was this a badly coached game? His players did not perform tonight. Pure and simple. Poor performance by players is not always on the coaches. He had them prepared, they just didn’t perform.

I love Sean and again I get that his kids were a bit tired from their late game the prior night, but there were plenty of things he could have done to at least help keep them in the game/ close the gap when his team was struggling.

1. Press earlier in the game. He waited until about 4 minutes left in the game. When he did press it helped cut into the lead a little but it was too little too late at that point.

2. Call a few of his timeouts a little quicker. A few times he just let Marquette go on too long of a run.

3. Make sure his kids are dialed in from the start. I don’t know if you were at the game, but Shaka spent way more time in huddles with his players drawing up plays with his whiteboard while the X players were often already on the court just standing and just waiting for a few minutes the Marquette players come out to start or resume the game. Marquette’s players came out firs up, while Xavier’s players looked like they were in a fog- and again maybe they didn’t sleep well or have enough time in between games to recover and be ready to go.- but they have to be more mentally prepared than they were and that is partly on the coach.

Practice shooting 3s before the game and before the second half. X was atrocious from three - yet they barely took saw anyone shooting 3s during warmups.

When you are not making 3s or midrange jumpers, you have to get your players to attack the rim and try to draw fouls: The X players played with too much finesse in the paint. For the first half of the game they looked afraid to bang inside. More than a handful of times they had the ball in the paint with room to maneuver and even draw contact, yet they would pass it back out.

Keep alternating the defenses and keep drawing up new plays on offense. The X players were moving slowly and out of sync - sometimes they were not even moving. A complete contrast to the night before.

Again, I am certain that Sean was dealing with players who were still a little spent from the late game Friday and maybe even feeling physically a little weak
due to not enough rest, but there sure seemed by some missed opportunities by coach Miller to at least make the game more competitive.

I guess I am extra pissed because I showed up with my son and paid a lot of money to see a good game and I was rewarded with a pretty poor effort by the team and yes, even the coach. Sorry, I will not let him off the hook easily, just because he was brilliant Friday.

[IM4X]

That’s total BS. It’s up to the players to play. It’s not like the players got surprised by MU running a totally new offense or defense. Your leading scorer scores 1 point and your 1st round draft pick is no factor, and it’s the coaches fault? It’s not like Miller was a genius yesterday either. Yesterday his players made shots and forced turnovers. Today they didn’t. End of story.

Not the end of the story. Yes, the team played terribly. Yes, they had less than 24 hours to rest -which was a major contributing factor to the poor performance… but that is hardly the end of the story. Sean coached like he was exhausted too. He missed many opportunities to make this a closer game - even as poorly as his players preformed. His team was not just tired they were unprepared mentally too for what Shaka and the Golden Eagles threw at them. The team was outplayed and Sean was out coached in the game. It happens-in fact it did happen in this game (see my earlier post for more details).

Let me be clear: I am ecstatic that we have Sean as our coach. That said, he absolutely has to own his share of this horrible loss. I was at the game - He looked as apathetic at times as every player on our team not names Claude or Kunkel. Those two were the only ones who gave an above average effort.

Every X player and coach needs to own this mess and think about every specific area where they could have done something better - despite how tired they were. It is very possible X may find themselves a bit tired in one or more of their tournament games like they did in this game and they will need to have a something up their sleeve to help give that tired team -@likley not shooting well -some other type of edge (leading to more turnovers or opportunities at the line) - which can give the team opportunities to stay in that game and even prevail.

I am still surprised we saw no pressing until about 4 minutes left in the game. Pressing was a viable option to help turn things around, but it was introduced too late in the game. Anyway, I still love this coach and this team and I am excited that they have some time to get rested, to get physically and mentally prepared and locked in for this -even more important - one and done tournament.

[X Factor]

2. Call a few of his timeouts a little quicker. A few times he just let Marquette go on too long of a run.


Practice shooting 3s before the game and before the second half. X was atrocious from three - yet they barely took saw anyone shooting 3s during warmups.

Sorry, I will not let him off the hook easily, just because he was brilliant Friday.

Practice threes? Xavier is Top 3 in the NATION in 3-pt shooting. They had their worst offensive game of the year, and if you can't tell a large part of that was due to playing three games in three days with zero depth, I don't know what to tell you.

Sean called some quick timeouts, but he only has a limited amount of timeouts. Did you want him to burn them all in the first 10 minutes of the game?

We're all disappointed. I'm sure Sean and the team is even more so.

Marquette was definitely ready, and Xavier didn't match their intensity from the jump. It sucked, but Xavier is going to be a Top 4 seed next week and they'll be fresh and won't have to worry about back to back games. Could've REALLY used Zach last night, but that's out of Sean's control.

I doubt Sean is going to lose any sleep over you not letting him off the hook so easily.

[xukeith]

I think Sean knew it was going to be a struggle with Boum 75% and others winded. In postgame he sounded proud and chalking this loss up to not being as ready as Smart and disadvantaged.
As long as X has 24 hours between games, X should be able to play their best version of themselves.
Marquette was 1st for a reason. They are playing at an unbelievable level.

[xukeith]

Last season Villanova played 3 games in 3 days and only had 2 bench players.
Why didn't Villanova suck after 3 straight days?

Was Xavier tired also because they play ata faster tempo compared to the 2022 Nova team?

[XUGRAD80]

From the MU presser after the game….


“Coach, congratulations. You got off to a great run, 19-2 run. How important is it this time of year to get off to a run like that?

SHAKA SMART: It was huge. Third game in three days. You know, we felt like we did have somewhat of a depth advantage. You know, Xavier obviously missing Zach Freemantle.Our guys played with real force to start the game, and that kind of allowed us to have the aggressiveness advantage in the first couple rounds of the game. Then we just continued that. I think that set a tone early. You could tell they had some guys that you could see they were playing their third game in three nights. You know, Xavier's a phenomenal offensive team. So it was a combination. We were able to take them out of some things, and they also missed some shots they probably normally would make.But our guys just deserve a ton of credit. This is the best backcourt, along with Stevie Mitchell, that I've ever coached. Normally, and you've got a great backcourt, you always have a chance to win. That's what's happened for us all year long.”


Pretty much what we’ve been saying.

[X Factor]

Look, Xavier split with MU in the regular season, and could've easily won in Milwaukee had it not been for some crazy late game turnovers. MU knew Xavier was a threat to beat them, and to their credit, they played like it.

Xavier was tired, but MU was ready and played great. Xavier hasn't that poorly ALL year.

Xavier plays at a fast tempo and with 6.5 guys, three games in three days is hard against top competition.

Kansas got blown out by 20 points against Texas last night. Xavier beat St. Joe's by 30 in the A10 Tournament in '04, and St. Joe's came within 2 points of a Final Four.

Disappointed but not concerned heading into next week.

Can't believe some of you guys are that mad after what we suffered through the previous four years.

[Xville]

Bad game, guys didn’t look right from the tip, and I pretty much knew it wasn’t going to happen five minutes into the game. It happens.

But:

X is going dancing
Top 4 seed
X has one of the best coaches in the game and
He isn’t going anywhere

Lots to look forward to in the coming weeks and years!

[drudy23]

Well that sucked.

Get those boys a nap and a cold tub!!

Do or die starts now.

[JTG]

Last season Villanova played 3 games in 3 days and only had 2 bench players.
Why didn't Villanova suck after 3 straight days?

Was Xavier tired also because they play ata faster tempo compared to the 2022 Nova team?

Nova plays slow walking the ball up the court. They have long possessions, compared to X playing fast. A slow pace is very advantageous to a 7 man rotation.

[X-man]

I wonder if Soule was under the weather last night, rather than just totally exhausted. At the post-Creighton presser, he was coughing nonstop and looked like he was feeling terrible. Regardless, I am sure that 4-6 days to rest and recover will result in the mighty Muskies to once again “raise the sword”!!

[Double Down]

Where was Miles last night? I realize he has been ineffective all season but not to put him in the finals of the B E championship game tells me he wasn’t there or he’s no longer on the team. Any insight?

[Masterofreality]

I wonder if Soule was under the weather last night, rather than just totally exhausted. At the post-Creighton presser, he was coughing nonstop and looked like he was feeling terrible. Regardless, I am sure that 4-6 days to rest and recover will result in the mighty Muskies to once again “raise the sword”!!

Souley was fighting a bad cold besides being worn down from playing 39 mins a game.


Where was Miles last night? I realize he has been ineffective all season but not to put him in the finals of the B E championship game tells me he wasn’t there or he’s no longer on the team. Any insight?

Dionte did not make the trip at all due to Family Issues.

Let’s put this thread to bed and move on to the NCAA’s!!

[X-man]

Souley was fighting a bad cold besides being worn down from playing 39 mins a game.



Dionte did not make the trip at all due to Family Issues.

Let’s put this thread to bed and move on to the NCAA’s!!

As usual, MOR and I are completely alligned on this important issue.