NCAA Tournament Game Thread: Xavier v Kennesaw St. (3/17/2023)

[HenryMuto]

Come on Nunge hit the FT's

[HenryMuto]

I am sick over the missed FT's lately

[American X]

Get the two score lead so Boum can ice it at the line. Bricking free throws does not help.

[GoMuskies]

Kill me

[HenryMuto]

GRAB THE FN REBOUND 2 of our guys battle and knock it out FAWK

[HenryMuto]

Another miss on rebound of a missed FT unreal and it cost us another 2 pts

That is 4 pts we gave up on rebound missed FTs that FN hurt

[Strange Brew]

It’s ok.

Get points here.

[HenryMuto]

They have 10 OFF rebounds we have 3 that last one was beyond a killer

[Blue Blooded-05]

Offensive rebound off a missed 1-1 followed by a low percentage shot with no one underneath the basket to rebound. Unbelievable.

[GoMuskies]

Missing FTs and not getting rebounds on missed FTs. Key ingredients is getting fucking beat.

Please don't run a play for Jones.

[HenryMuto]

Unreal they dribble off their foot and score

[HenryMuto]

OMFG BOUM are u FN kidding me how do you miss that

[Strange Brew]

How do you miss that Boum

[GoMuskies]

Sick for Boum. Sick for us!

[X-band '01]

Relax. They got this.

Kennesaw looks a little too juiced right now for their own good.

[HenryMuto]

I wish we had the last shot here. That Boum missed layup is hard to understand no one was around him at all you can't ever miss that but especially in a tie game with 1 min left.

[American X]

Call the Bluiett to O'Mara for the winning basket.

Do not run it down for a bad three.

[GoMuskies]

Call the Bluiett to O'Mara for the winning basket.

That would be Colby to Jerome?

[HenryMuto]

Please god hit these FT's Colby then no 3s

[GoMuskies]

Please hit the FTs. Please hit the FTs.

[HenryMuto]

We just can't hit 2 FT's now we can't allow anything

[GoMuskies]

Fuck my developing heart condition.

[Blue Blooded-05]

If we lose this we’ve certainly had our chances. C’mon X!!!!!!

[HenryMuto]

Just a made FT man just could made the damn FT

[GreatWhiteNorth]

I don’t think we deserve to win this one, but please do.

[Xville]

How did I know Colby would miss at least one

[American X]

Fuck my developing heart condition.

My heart already leapt out of my chest into the corned beef. I can't tell what is what.

[HenryMuto]

Yesssssssssssssss

[X-band '01]

It's not always the first shot that kills you, it's the second shot.

Never mind. Ice this fucker now.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Nunge my boy!!!!!!!

[Xville]

Hell yeah nunge!!!

[American X]

Luck of the fucking Irish and every other nationality that shot did not go in or foul called or goaltend called.

[HenryMuto]

If Boum misses the 1st FT he should miss the 2nd but if he makes the 1st then you try to make the 2nd

[GreatWhiteNorth]

What a block by Nunge.

[X-band '01]

My heart already leapt out of my chest into the corned beef. I can't tell what is what.

Corned beef on a Lenten Friday?

Sinner

[HenryMuto]

So do you foul up 3 when there are just 2.6 left ? We don't want 3 FT's on a catch and shoot.

Only way you can foul is if it is on the catch. Maybe just plow through the guy on the catch if they throw it half court plus.

[Blue Blooded-05]

“Sean Miller is a believer in fouling”

Uhhhh… not his entire career. That was 16 years ago today, btw

[American X]

Corned beef on a Lenten Friday?

Sinner

Bishop gave a dispensation. I had bacon this morning too.

[Xavgrad08]

XU played horribly and still won. Win and advance.

[X-band '01]

Oopsies.

On to Round 2!

[HenryMuto]

That's it we did it what a comeback win!!!!!!!!

I never once conceded this game as over like a few others in here.

Sucks for those who didn't watch the end if they followed through with that.

[Xville]

Never a doubt lol

[noteggs]

Just win and move on!

Don’t have to worry about NET anymore!

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Last 2.0 big help with Pick The Score!

[xavbball]

Survive and advance. Let’s go X!

[xu82]

SURVIVE!

And

ADVANCE!!!

[xavierj]

Wow can’t believe they won! Huge block by Jack. Avoided a really bad weekend for me.

[CP05XU08CU13]

Lord almighty! Almost had a heart attack! Let's go X!

[Xville]

Lord almighty! Almost had a heart attack! Let's go X!

I had three

[bjf123]

I’m done. Going back to work. This is ridiculous


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Y’all are welcome. Apparently, they just needed me to stop watching. No clue how we pulled that out.


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[Blue Blooded-05]

Wow. I mean, just wow.

Tip of the cap, Kennesaw State. I never heard of you before Sunday. I’ll never forget you now.

Survive and advance

[smileyy]

Love the honesty by Sean Miller: "I have no idea how we came back"

[GoMuskies]

I'm sending my cardiologist bill to Xavier.

[American X]

I have a heart like a truck......that just got pancaked by a semi.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

X is really short on players. I thought Cam Craft is ready to play, at least a bit.

[HenryMuto]

Survive and advance has never been more true !!!!!!!!!!!!

[bjf123]

Bishop gave a dispensation. I had bacon this morning too.

It was probably only for corned beef. You’re going to hell. [emoji41]


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[HenryMuto]

How about Kunkel hitting that monster 3 down 1 right after Boum and Kunkel came out of that timeout yelling at each other.

[American X]

It was probably only for corned beef. You’re going to hell. [emoji41]

I'll see you and Xavier's first half defense there (but let me see a Final Four first).

[xudash]

It was probably only for corned beef. You’re going to hell. [emoji41]


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That's funny. Good one.

[XUGRAD80]

Survive and advance

[xu82]

Last 2.0 big help with Pick The Score!

Yes, THAT is what counts! 😂

[bobbiemcgee]

Back to normal breAthing

[chico]

Love the honesty by Sean Miller: "I have no idea how we came back"

Saying what we all were thinking.

Cannot believe they came back.

[xudash]

XU played horribly and still won. Win and advance.

By definition, I have to agree with you.

But I would love some of your collective thoughts on the optics behind that. From where I sat, we looked TENTATIVE. They were confident for 30 minutes. They acted like they belonged there. We looked like they made us play their game.

Once we finally got it under 10 with about 9:00 to go, we appeared to dial it up a notch and they began to sense where they were on the stage.

Would love your thoughts on whether or not we were tentative, or was it about their athleticism, gusto and energy that put us on our heels, or both.

One thing I do believe, once you get past a Cinderella that happens to be playing for the moon since it's the first time they've ever been on the big stage, things may begin to settle down just a little as it becomes warfare between major programs.

Either way, we have to fix whatever caused the early crapfest in this contest.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

X offence was OFF 2 games in a row. I hope that was not because they were tired or no support from the bench. We are damn lucky to win this one. X better recovers or it does not look good for the remaining game(s).

[KabeX]

I think we all know by now that those % predictions are next to worthless
OK now I think we can put this one to bed and stop looking at that stupid stat (it used to drive me nuts as well).

[paulxu]

Xavier always seems to do better in the NCAA tournament as a double digit seed and always seems to fail with a really high seed.



I never once conceded this game as over like a few others in here.



?

[chico]

By definition, I have to agree with you.

But I would love some of your collective thoughts on the optics behind that. From where I sat, we looked TENTATIVE. They were confident for 30 minutes. They acted like they belonged there. We looked like they made us play their game.

Once we finally got it under 10 with about 9:00 to go, we appeared to dial it up a notch and they began to sense where they were on the stage.

Would love your thoughts on whether or not we were tentative, or was it about their athleticism, gusto and energy that put us on our heels, or both.

One thing I do believe, once you get past a Cinderella that happens to be playing for the moon since it's the first time they've ever been on the big stage, things may begin to settle down just a little as it becomes warfare between major programs.

Either way, we have to fix whatever caused the early crapfest in this contest.

I tend to agree with you. We can't forget, though, that it's the first tournament for most of our guys. that probably played a part in getting so far behind - they tensed up knowing where they were but found their footing just in time to pull it out.

[X-band '01]

This was the Great Escape that never happened in 2018. This was also a carbon copy of the end of the DePaul game in the BET.

[muskiefan82]

Jerome hunter. Thank you

[KabeX]

Thank my wife… she came down to watch when we were down 13 and since then we have been on a 14-0 run.
Thank you Mrs. X That's the same time I quit watching so I'd like a little cred there too!

[HenryMuto]

OK now I think we can put this one to bed and stop looking at that stupid stat (it used to drive me nuts as well).

Well someone has to win and someone has to lose so not sure how you can assume it is stupid stat.

Games have ups and downs and I am pretty sure when we were down 13 pts and we had like 10% chance to win you felt like we had 10% chance to win.

The games play out like they play out the site gives the odds per each minute I mean it is what it is.

Xavier was 90% to win to being with that seemed reasonable.

I bet if you went through every game and there are 10 games with a team 90%+ to win that 9 of the 10 will usually win.

[xukeith]

How about Kunkel hitting that monster 3 down 1 right after Boum and Kunkel came out of that timeout yelling at each other.

That was pretty cold shooting by Kunkel.

[bobbiemcgee]

Jerome hunter. Thank you

7pt avg sinks 24 - amazing

[xukeith]

Claude 1 point 4 turnovers. Love this kid.

[xu82]

Jerome hunter. Thank you

Amen!!!

He kept us in it while very little else was working.

[X-band '01]

Iowa State/Pittsburgh game now delayed because of an offcenter rim. It couldn't handle the greatness of earlier.

[KabeX]

[QUOTE=X-band '01;758055]Corned beef on a Lenten Friday?

I understand the Archbishop of NY gave a special dispensation, cardinal/papal decree or whatever you call it that you're allowed to have corned beef on St Paddy's day despite it being a Lenten Friday, and not have a big black mark on your sinful record. Unfortunately there was no reference to chicken wings.

[Strange Brew]

I'm team Boum v Kunkel. Lol

Me too. That’s passion.

[kellernr]

Thank you Mrs. X That's the same time I quit watching so I'd like a little cred there too!I sent my wife out of the room after the 1st half.

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[N67ER]

That was pretty cold shooting by Kunkel.

Somebody needs to find out and report the reason for words between Kunkel and Boum. I hope it was started by Kunkel telling Boum to ‘give me the damned ball, I got this’ and Boum disagreeing. Neither player is shy about taking big shots.

[KabeX]

Well someone has to win and someone has to lose so not sure how you can assume it is stupid stat.

Games have ups and downs and I am pretty sure when we were down 13 pts and we had like 10% chance to win you felt like we had 10% chance to win.

The games play out like they play out the site gives the odds per each minute I mean it is what it is.

Xavier was 90% to win to being with that seemed reasonable.

I bet if you went through every game and there are 10 games with a team 90%+ to win that 9 of the 10 will usually win.
It's all in good fun Henry. We can all breath now thankfully

[KabeX]

I sent my wife out of the room after the 1st half.

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You either married well and/or want to stay married - my wife can't stand watching X games with me. She even encourages me to go out to a bar with friends to watch X. I mean, the sacrifices we make for the ones we love ...

[xavbball]

Jerome hunter. Thank you

They say good guards win tournament games. Well, I say Jerome Hunters win tournament games. Thank you, Jerome, for coming up big time today.

[Strange Brew]

I'm sending my cardiologist bill to Xavier.

Can you send me a referral?

[Strange Brew]

I'll see you and Xavier's first half defense there (but let me see a Final Four first).

Haha!

[SkyWalker]

I have a heart like a truck......that just got pancaked by a semi.

It's the corned beef and bacon!

[Strange Brew]

That was pretty cold shooting by Kunkel.

“Cold blooded”

Chapelle Show.

[SkyWalker]

I want to commend the effort by Kennesaw! Sure I was rooting for X but Kennesaw played a tough game in their first NCAA Tourney.

[Blue Blooded-05]

You either married well and/or want to stay married - my wife can't stand watching X games with me. She even encourages me to go out to a bar with friends to watch X. I mean, the sacrifices we make for the ones we love ...

Lol. My wife is the same. If I had a dollar for every time I heard “you’re scaring the dog!”

[JTG]

Lol. My wife is the same. If I had a dollar for every time I heard “you’re scaring the dog!”

Yep, heard it all You're scaring the dog, scaring the grandkids, Do you have to say F*ck constantly? She claims she's been outside and heard me yelling. I had a bad feeling about this game all morning, and it almost came to pass. Good thing is after a game like this, we usually come out on fire for the next one.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

The rise of Hunter following the injury to Freemantle. Now, I wish to have both.

[xu 89]

Had they lost the missed Boum layup was going to be a memory I would never forget. Good thing I can forget it now!

[xuwillie]

Had they lost the missed Boum layup was going to be a memory I would never forget. Good thing I can forget it now!

He was not good today, forced a lot of shots and couldn't play any D.

[Xavier]

He did have a handful of huge drives late in the game. But overal agree, I felt terrible for him. After sparking the return of X bball, All big East and honorable All American- he would only be remembered for his missed layup. Thank God X won

[bjf123]

You either married well and/or want to stay married - my wife can't stand watching X games with me. She even encourages me to go out to a bar with friends to watch X. I mean, the sacrifices we make for the ones we love ...

My wife, also an X alum (we met freshman year), is louder than I am watching games on TV. She’s the major extrovert vs. my major introvert.


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[X-band '01]

Watching the last Nunge block on replay - that was very close to the block that turned out to be a goaltending at Hinkle.

Multiple fronts where Xavier escaped a forest fire.

[Xavgrad08]

By definition, I have to agree with you.

But I would love some of your collective thoughts on the optics behind that. From where I sat, we looked TENTATIVE. They were confident for 30 minutes.

My Opinion: XU has been really good offensively for most of this year, but below average defensively. In the first half XU was bad at both. I do think XU was tentative. I think XU missed some good offensive looks in the first half. Shots that they usually make. XU just looked out of sorts for most of the first half. ( Turnovers, missed free throws etc). Not blocking out the foul shooter was a mental lapse that can't happen at this time of year.

XU offensively has three players that they really rely on. (Boum, Jones and Nunge.) All three guys were off in the first half. Souley played better in the second and was more assertive when XU needed it. XU can't win when all 3 have an off game. Jones was off offensively this game.

XU finished 2/12 from 3.Going into the game X was 39.5% from three. Hopefully, X doesn't shoot that poorly from 3 again. I felt like a lot of the looks were solid. Hitting from the outside would have opened things up a bit. Kennesaw State was also playing Zone at times which I don't think X looked comfortable going against at times. Boum& Hunter were a combined 15-15 from the foul line and the rest of XU stunk from the line. Props to Jerome for playing a really good game.

This was XU's first tournament win since 2018. I am optimistic XU will shoot better in the second round game. As Chuck Daly once said " Shooting makes up for a multitude of sins".

[X-band '01]

Pitt/Iowa State isn't exactly a glorious shooting exhibition, either.

[Smails]

What did I miss...was it a close one?

Good lord

[American X]

I still cannot believe:

- Hunter was not called for a foul on the last drive
- Nunge was not called for a goaltend
- Colby was not called for slapping the rebounder
- Kunkel was not called for a reach-in from 20 feet away, and
- Xavier finished that game with more points

Kennesaw State scouted the hell out of Xavier and executed. All credit to them. Keep an eye on that coach.

[xu82]

I still cannot believe:

- Hunter was not called for a foul on the last drive
- Nunge was not called for a goaltend
- Colby was not called for slapping the rebounder
- Kunkel was not called for a reach-in from 20 feet away, and
- Xavier finished that game with more points

Kennesaw State scouted the hell out of Xavier and executed. All credit to them. Keep an eye on that coach.

I totally agree.

I feel for their fans who are going to see the natural “coach poaching” process take place. KSU is nearby, and I might have gone to some games, but I had heard NOTHING about them until now.

[American X]

What did I miss...was it a close one?

Good lord

We had to use a defibrillator on GoMuskies, so pretty normal.

[Strange Brew]

I want to commend the effort by Kennesaw! Sure I was rooting for X but Kennesaw played a tough game in their first NCAA Tourney.

No doubt. They’ll be back.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Iowa St. is going down. X will face Pitt the next round.

[XUBob]

I still cannot believe:

- Hunter was not called for a foul on the last drive
- Nunge was not called for a goaltend
- Colby was not called for slapping the rebounder
- Kunkel was not called for a reach-in from 20 feet away, and
- Xavier finished that game with more points

Kennesaw State scouted the hell out of Xavier and executed. All credit to them. Keep an eye on that coach.

With the way the game was being called I’m not surprised at all that none of those things were called. Physical let them play game. Even the announcers mentioned their point guard making football plays. Weather you liked the refs or not they were consistent, that’s all you can ask.

[X-band '01]

This will also be the first time Xavier has faced a school 3 different times in the NCAA Tournament.

A win against Pitt would also be the first time the Musketeers have beaten a school twice.

[GoMuskies]

This will also be the first time Xavier has faced a school 3 different times in the NCAA Tournament.

A win against Pitt would also be the first time the Musketeers have beaten a school twice.

And then they'll go repeat it all with Texas.

[Three Point Pete]

I want to commend the effort by Kennesaw! Sure I was rooting for X but Kennesaw played a tough game in their first NCAA Tourney.I would like to see game KSU vs. DePaul!

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[xu 89]

I still cannot believe:

- Hunter was not called for a foul on the last drive
- Nunge was not called for a goaltend
- Colby was not called for slapping the rebounder
- Kunkel was not called for a reach-in from 20 feet away, and
- Xavier finished that game with more points

Kennesaw State scouted the hell out of Xavier and executed. All credit to them. Keep an eye on that coach.

When Colby went down he was fouled on a moving screen…it all evened out.

[Strange Brew]

I still cannot believe:

- Hunter was not called for a foul on the last drive
- Nunge was not called for a goaltend
- Colby was not called for slapping the rebounder
- Kunkel was not called for a reach-in from 20 feet away, and
- Xavier finished that game with more points

Kennesaw State scouted the hell out of Xavier and executed. All credit to them. Keep an eye on that coach.

Well, you’re used to BE officials..

It’s St. Paddy’s Day!

Let’s go X!

[Strange Brew]

With the way the game was being called I’m not surprised at all that none of those things were called. Physical let them play game. Even the announcers mentioned their point guard making football plays. Weather you liked the refs or not they were consistent, that’s all you can ask.

Well said.

[noteggs]

During my days at X, I vividly remember the 1989 first round game against Michigan. There are some parallels to today’s game.

- we were a 14 seed vs them being a 3
- we were up at halftime
- had the lead at under nine minute mark.
- ended up losing by 5.

Now only if we can take the same path to the title as Michigan did!

[Strange Brew]

And then they'll go repeat it all with Texas.

:)

[paulxu]

I'm working hard on not thinking what we could do coming up with Hunter AND Freemantle.

[Strange Brew]

I'm working hard on not thinking what we could do coming up with Hunter AND Freemantle.

Free is out.

Next up is Pitt.

[Blue Blooded-05]

During my days at X, I vividly remember the 1989 first round game against Michigan. There are some parallels to today’s game.

- we were a 14 seed vs them being a 3
- we were up at halftime
- had the lead at under nine minute mark.
- ended up losing by 5.

Now only if we can take the same path to the title as Michigan did!

This game reminded me of the opening round in 2008 vs Georgia. We were the 3 seed. Played asleep in the first half. Trailed the whole game and I believe we were down double digits in the 2nd half. Made a furious comeback. Dante Jackson hit the go ahead three. Only difference is we won that one by double digits.

[bobbiemcgee]

Too much Sanogo for Pitino.

[xavierj]

I still cannot believe:

- Hunter was not called for a foul on the last drive
- Nunge was not called for a goaltend
- Colby was not called for slapping the rebounder
- Kunkel was not called for a reach-in from 20 feet away, and
- Xavier finished that game with more points

Kennesaw State scouted the hell out of Xavier and executed. All credit to them. Keep an eye on that coach.

Not sure if it was correct but during the game they said this was Kennesaw’s first ever winning season. Went 1-28 a few years ago with many of the same guys that played today.

[BillikenMusketeer]

Sorry if I missed it, any insight into the Kunkel-Boum scuffle?

[SkyWalker]

Who is Sean rooting for in our next game? His team or alma mater? LOL

[Strange Brew]

Sorry if I missed it, any insight into the Kunkel-Boum scuffle?

Rewatched the last 10. They got past it while sitting on stools during a TO.

[paulxu]

Really proud of the guys to come back from 13 down in a NCAA tournament game.

Lock down defense. Great showing of heart and effort.

[xavierj]

Sorry if I missed it, any insight into the Kunkel-Boum scuffle?

Adam was mad Souley got beat again and didn’t stay in front of his man. Not a good look but get the frustration. That happens but not usually during the middle of a game. Happened with NC state too during a timeout today.

[smileyy]

This game reminded me of the opening round in 2008 vs Georgia. We were the 3 seed. Played asleep in the first half. Trailed the whole game and I believe we were down double digits in the 2nd half. Made a furious comeback. Dante Jackson hit the go ahead three. Only difference is we won that one by double digits.

I was having some of the same thoughts.

[Strange Brew]

Adam was mad Souley got beat again and didn’t stay in front of his man. Not a good look but get the frustration. That happens but not usually during the middle of a game. Happened with NC state too during a timeout today.

It was a good look.

It’s about time the guys on the court cared more than the spectators.

[xu82]

I was having some of the same thoughts.

I don’t know what happened, but I’m glad we have Sean to work it out.

[BandAid]

Who is Sean rooting for in our next game? His team or alma mater? LOL

NCAA tournament against Pitt was Sean's last game at X in his first tenure. Fun little coincidence.

[Strange Brew]

NCAA tournament against Pitt was Sean's last game at X in his first tenure. Fun little coincidence.

Brown’s foot….

[stammina0721]

I just know this X team has zero tournament experience. We are starting from scratch in that regard. Glad we got the W and expect the guys to be much more loose on Sunday

[stammina0721]

I was working the second half of the game. Does anyone know how I can rewatch the game? I have all the services but I'm not seeing anyone showing full replays. Any info for replays would be helpful.

[Muskie in dayton]

It was a good look.

It’s about time the guys on the court cared more than the spectators.
A+

[Masterofreality]

Brown’s foot….

I was in Boston at the TD Garden.

More like Derrick Brown’s TOE!! :-(

[paulxu]

I was working the second half of the game. Does anyone know how I can rewatch the game? I have all the services but I'm not seeing anyone showing full replays. Any info for replays would be helpful.

If you have YouTube they auto tape your favorites if it's set up.

[zanesxu]

Not sure this has been shared elsewhere...
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/columnists/jason-williams/2023/03/17/ncaa-tournament-how-coachs-halftime-speech-ignites-xavier-musketeers/70021056007/

“Coach got into us at halftime,” senior guard Adam Kunkel said. “We manned up. No more of this.”
What do you mean Miller “got into” you?
“He said we were ‘soft,’ ” Kunkel told me. “He called us one of the softest teams he’s ever coached in the NCAA Tournament.”
“It ignited us,” Jones said of Miller’s fiery words.

We didn't play our best yesterday, but winning programs, teams, and coaches win without their best. We did that. Miller pressed the right buttons with this team yesterday. Plenty of examples of other coaches who didn't.

[waggy]

This team has needed tough love.

[GoMuskies]

First ten minutes of the second half they proved his point. Second 10 minutes they decided to refute it. Thank God.

[UCGRAD4X]

Sorry if I missed it, any insight into the Kunkel-Boum scuffle?

I admire the kid's passion. He obviously cares a great deal about the team, the school, basically playing the game well and the right way....and winning. He may not be the most talented player on the team but he sure has heart. He displayed that on Senior Night. He is definitely going to leave it on the court every game. I think he expects his teammates to do the same.

Props to Kunk.

[American X]

We have learned this lesson many times, which is difficult if not impossible to remember when you down 13 to a 14 seed, that you have to trust Sean Miller over 40 minutes. On numerous occurrences mid-contest the outcome looks decided, but by the final buzzer Coach has orchestrated a victory over the full course of the game.

[paulxu]

Adam was mad Souley got beat again and didn’t stay in front of his man.


“He said we were ‘soft,’ ” Kunkel told me. “He called us one of the softest teams he’s ever coached in the NCAA Tournament.”

I think these 2 things are related.

[zanesxu]

Sorry if I missed it, any insight into the Kunkel-Boum scuffle?

fwiw... (know it's from behind paywall, but it's march, so what the hell)
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2023/03/17/a-heated-argument-and-a-career-night-help-xavier-survive-kennesaw-st-xx/70022499007/

"It was just a miscommunication," Boum began. "I was trying to tell him something. He was trying to tell me something."
Next to him, Kunkel interjected, "It was just love of the game. We're both passionate."
The two were able to put it behind them quickly.
"After that, we was good," Boum said.
Kunkel added, "In the huddle, we even talked about it. It was next play, let's go."
Boum went on to say that after the heated discussion, "We picked it up even more."
Kunkel said, "You gotta have people get mad. After that, we started going on a run."
"We could have laid down, down 13 in the second half but these guys are relentless," Kunkel said. "We're gonna keep fighting no matter what."

[Masterofreality]

What have we talked about for years? That Xavier was a Milquetoast team!
Adam Baum asked Kunk what ignited the second half comeback? Kunk said that Sean "Got into them at halftime calling them Soft. Said they were the softest team he had ever coached in the NCAA Tournament."
I guess our eyes over the last 4 years weren't lying!

Edit: Sorry I did not see the earlier similar posts.

[American X]

“Coach got into us at halftime,” senior guard Adam Kunkel said. “We manned up. No more of this.”
What do you mean Miller “got into” you?
“He said we were ‘soft,’ ” Kunkel told me. “He called us one of the softest teams he’s ever coached in the NCAA Tournament.”
“It ignited us,” Jones said of Miller’s fiery words.

This program could use a dose of C.J. Anderson or Tu Holloway.

[Xavier]

What have we talked about for years? That Xavier was a Milquetoast team!
Adam Baum asked Kunk what ignited the second half comeback? Kunk said that Sean "Got into them at halftime calling them Soft. Said they were the softest team he had ever coached in the NCAA Tournament."
I guess our eyes over the last 4 years weren't lying!

Edit: Sorry I did not see the earlier similar posts.

I find it a little funny people keep referring to that as a wake up call/big speech at halftime in which the team responded to. They came out of half and turned a 7 point deficit to a 13 point deficit. Having said that, it’s still a true statement. They were soft

[Xville]

I find it a little funny people keep referring to that as a wake up call/big speech at halftime in which the team responded to. They came out of half and turned a 7 point deficit to a 13 point deficit. Having said that, it’s still a true statement. They were soft

Yeah..: their response was quite shitty until about 9 minutes left. They are soft, we know they are soft. We have seen it all year. Kunkel is about the only player on the team with real fire. We need an influx of guys with some balls.

With all that said, x is a good team it’s just a very finesse team that doesn’t like to get dirty and during the tourney, you gotta get dirty at times.

[UCGRAD4X]

I've been saying this for some time and it's obviously no secret. Contested rebounds, 50/50 balls, loose balls.... even when we have a hand (or even two) on the ball, we rarely seem to end up with it.

Some call it "girly" hands but I have another more derogatory term that begins with a p, ends with a y and a uss in the middle.

A little ��would go a long way.

[X-band '01]

Plusminussy?

[paulxu]

Pussnbooty?

[Three Point Pete]

Pleasetellussalready!

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[noteggs]

Yeah I’m not good at reading between the lines

[UCGRAD4X]

Do I need to bring NUTS in on this?

[xudash]

I am not picking on him. This is about total respect for him. In my opinion, while they all need to step it up, Colby Jones from here on in needs to play with some level of controlled rage.

If anyone is at the rim, attempting a layup, it has to go in.

And no more fluffy hands on rebounds; secure the ball.

Truly, every damn possession from here on in if they want to make it to the F4.

[UCGRAD4X]

I am not picking on him. This is about total respect for him. In my opinion, while they all need to step it up, Colby Jones from here on in needs to play with some level of controlled rage.

If anyone is at the rim, attempting a layup, it has to go in.

And no more fluffy hands on rebounds; secure the ball.

Truly, every damn possession from here on in if they want to make it to the F4.

Fluffy - that's what I was trying to say.

[Cincypunk.org]

Rewatching this game and the Hunter spin thru the lane layup and accompanying free throw then an insane Jones spin move jumped from the corner around the 9 minute mark to us from down 13 to down 8 like that. Both plays were huge for this team.

Damn Hunter played amazing! Let’s fucking go!