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

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFF VS.https://i.etsystatic.com/23898732/r/il/c18153/3623982407/il_340x270.3623982407_e9nc.jpg


CINCINNATI--- The No. 3 Seed Xavier University Musketeers, 25-9, open NCAA Tournament action on Friday afternoon at 12:40 p.m. against the No. 14 Seed Kennesaw State University Owls, 26-8, at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.

Xavier is hoping for success like it had the last time it was a No. 3 Seed. XU advanced to the 2008 Elite Eight as a No. 3 Seed behind head coach Sean Miller in his first stint with the Musketeers. This is Miller's fifth NCAA Tournament in six years as the XU head coach.

THE MATCHUP

NO. 3 SEED XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (25-9)
NO. 14 SEED KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY OWLS (26-8)
NCAA TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023 AT 12:40 P.M. ET AT GREENSBORO COLISEUM

TV, RADIO & LIVE STATS

Television: TruTV with play by-play from Ian Eagle and analysis from Jim Spanarkel. Evan Washburn is the sideline reporter.
National Radio: Westwood One with Bill Rosinski and Austin Croshere.
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 202 and 965 on the SXM App.


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

[94GRAD]

Xavier fan sections are 110 and 111

[paulxu]

Updated information.

[American X]

I am primarily looking for our players to not get exhausted, not get injured, and not lose on a last second shot because of an idiotic turnover. Besides that, have fun out there.

[GoMuskies]

Today is the day of the game.

[HenryMuto]

Hoping for a good day today

[bobbiemcgee]

Good start please.

[American X]

Five fracking year wait for this day.

[KabeX]

Happy St. Paddy's Day and welcome home Xavier Nation!!

[KabeX]

1825 Days in the barren desert. Today we return from the barren steel lined wasteland to the Oasis of all that is good. The fruits of victory shall taste so sweet that we shall never, ever be away so long ever again.

TODAY WE HAVE ARRIVED! TODAY WE RIDE!!

[xavbball]

Need to match KSU's intensity at the start. Can't play the game based on the seed line and expect to win. Let's Go X!

[KabeX]

Need to match KSU's intensity at the start. Can't play the game based on the seed line and expect to win. Let's Go X!
100%. This has to be a "seedless" tournament all the way.

[xu82]

Need to match KSU's intensity at the start. Can't play the game based on the seed line and expect to win. Let's Go X!

Hopefully yesterday’s upsets were adequate warning that nothing is given. They need to TAKE the W.

[HenryMuto]

I will never understand how a guy gets a foul called on them when they are just standing there arms up and not moving.

Just like that foul on Nunge just now he was standing there arms up not moving and gets a foul called on him.

[noteggs]

Big Rome!!

[Blue Blooded-05]

NCAA Tournament 4-minute wars: 1-0

[Strange Brew]

NCAA Tournament 4-minute wars: 1-0

Jack and Boum picked up a foul though…

[Three Point Pete]

Just proves the old saying, "basketball is stamina and endurance. " Looks like a different team from the BET final game. They are well rested and energetic today.

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[GoMuskies]

If we happened to get a big lead, is Craft available to play some? Just to limit some minutes for others.

[chico]

Send it in Jerome!

[GoMuskies]

I don't like KSU getting comfortable.

[Xville]

Great to see our shit d has showed up.

[Strange Brew]

6 straight buckets make the d look bad. Weathered a big a flurry while Jack got some rest.

[GoMuskies]

The neutral fans were ready to bring the house down for KS if the tying three had gone down. Need to keep them out of it.

[X-band '01]

If we happened to get a big lead, is Craft available to play some? Just to limit some minutes for others.

Also keep in mind TV timeouts in the NCAA Tournament take something like 30 minutes each to get through. Playing 7 isn't the worst thing in the world now.

[GoMuskies]

Also keep in mind TV timeouts in the NCAA Tournament take something like 30 minutes each to get through. Playing 7 isn't the worst thing in the world now.

Yeah, not particularly worried and just want to win no matter the margin. Just wondering if there was an option to get some guys extra rest if the situation permitted.

[HenryMuto]

Jones should taken that open 3 could been up 9 now only 3

[HenryMuto]

Can't continue to give them wide open 3 looks game tied after having an early 9 point lead

[Xville]

Unless this team decides to defend, they will go home today. Kennesaw is way more athletic and will win a track meet easily.

[xu82]

This is not as fun as it was a few minutes ago. I’m going back to the basement.

[GoMuskies]

Not a good start for Nunge. Jones hasn't really even made an appearance yet. Let's get another run going.

[kellernr]

Jones needs to get going. This is like the DePaul game where he was non existent the 1st 20 minutes then went off in the 2nd half

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[boozehound]

Why can’t this team play defense?

[Strange Brew]

Jones needs to start playing.

[GoMuskies]

Why can’t this team play defense?

They play defense. Poorly.

[Strange Brew]

New game.

Let’s go X!

[Xavgrad08]

Claude going for steal and whiffing which leads to an open 3. Less than ideal.

[CP05XU08CU13]

Nunge leaving shots short again and Kunkel's inconsistency is killer. Colby Jones needs to start driving again. Does not look like the same team that beat Creighton by 22 in the Big East tourney!

[Xville]

Seriously defend like grade schoolers. Have no clue how to keep a man in front of them

[chico]

Really out of sync. Need to calm down and run some good sets

[Blue Blooded-05]

Lid on the basket

[Strange Brew]

Nice Kunk!

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Missing shots all over.

[HenryMuto]

That Boum 3 was in and out that was tough to take

[GoMuskies]

Kunkel saving our bacon. Nice D on the little by Nunge.

[bjf123]

Too many rushed shots. Slow down and run the offense!


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[Xville]

Nice d there by kunk!

[boozehound]

Colby needs to show up at some point today. The sooner the better.

[KabeX]

Most all teams make runs. Our turn now.

[HenryMuto]

Lucky Boum was not called for his 2nd foul there

[HenryMuto]

Phew thought for sure they were going to call that a charge

[HenryMuto]

Missing some FT's here

[bjf123]

Make the damned free throws!


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[HenryMuto]

JFC how do they get a layup like that with no one around on defense in the half court set

[HenryMuto]

JFC a 4 point play

[Strange Brew]

Nice call ref.

[chico]

What a bullshit call.

[Blue Blooded-05]

We have to lead the nation in opposing team 4-point plays

[boozehound]

The Xavier special makes another appearance: fouling a 3 point shooter.

[GoMuskies]

Glad Colby arrived.

[Xville]

Miller seriously needs to ask this team:

“ do you want to go home today?” Continue to play d like this and you will.

[Xavgrad08]

X needs to make foul shots.

[HenryMuto]

Silly foul on Jones there

[HenryMuto]

Air ball unreal

[GoMuskies]

No more threes for Jack.

[HenryMuto]

Damn

[Strange Brew]

Goal tend on the oop.

[GoMuskies]

Well, we're playing like shit. Hope that changes.

[Three Point Pete]

Well, we're playing like shit. Hope that changes.I think we'll see different 2nd half. Hopefully the numbers will turn and shots will drop.

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[HenryMuto]

Did not realize Jones has 2 fouls that one out front was stupid reach foul

[IM4X]

Gotta get Hunter more involved again. He is the hit hand. He is the one feeling it.

Numge had an open lane to the basket and took a 3 instead.

[SkyWalker]

Zero offense rebounds

[HenryMuto]

Was hoping for a 1st round easy win but looks like that isn't happening.

[noteggs]

Goal tend on the oop.

Thought the same

[IM4X]

Bad pass Colby.

[Strange Brew]

It’s over.

[HenryMuto]

That's 3 fouls on Jones

[GoMuskies]

Are our guys panicking?

[noteggs]

Not ideal

[Blue Blooded-05]

They are getting to the rim with way too much ease

[Strange Brew]

That's 3 fouls on Jones

Another Houdini game for Colby.

[Xville]

Just keep launching threes morons

[boozehound]

This is just terrible play right now on both sides of the ball for Xavier.

[KabeX]

My gawd. Kennesaw freaking state taking it to us. WTF

[HenryMuto]

Of course that goes in

[Xville]

What a joke.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

It’s tough to watch now.

[HenryMuto]

Jesus some bad bad passing

[XUBison]

We are going to give up 40+ to this team in the first half…

[GoMuskies]

Jesus Christ.

[bjf123]

Too early to say we’re toast?


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[HenryMuto]

Grab the rebound ? Damn he missed front end and gets it back and fouled

[noteggs]

What the hell is going on!

[GoMuskies]

Luckily you don't learn to box out the shooter in kindergarten.

[kellernr]

Who missed the shooter?

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[Xavgrad08]

No one boxes out the player shooting foul shots.

[Strange Brew]

Too early to say we’re toast?


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No, the last 10min have been trash.

[xavbball]

This team has first round upset written all over it.

[CP05XU08CU13]

This is pathetic. Need to have a will to win!

[HenryMuto]

2 points they should not have got plus Kunk got his 2nd foul

[boozehound]

Terrible defensive effort this half.

[Strange Brew]

Garbage.

[boozehound]

Just a perfect end to that half.

[GoMuskies]

Fucking fuck. Fuck

[HenryMuto]

Reminds me of the DePaul game. Heavy favorite was down 9 at the half there. So hoping for the same end result.

[bjf123]

WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!?!?!? Complete collapse.


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[Xville]

43 points to fucking kennesaw state. Miller should peel the fucking paint off the wall at half. Absolutely pathetic… sick of watching these guys play d especially Kunkel and boum. They are the worst perimeter defenders to put on a Xavier uniform in an extremely long time

[KabeX]

Can't get much worse. Check your shorts boys. Need some Tu Steel Balls Holloway attitude in the 2nd half.

[CP05XU08CU13]

Zero offensive rebounds! Sean better rip these guys a new one at halftime! Take the ball to hoop and quite launching crappy shots.

[noteggs]

Picked the wrong time to stop sniffing glue

[xavbball]

43 points to fucking kennesaw state. Miller should peel the fucking paint off the wall at half. Absolutely pathetic… sick of watching these guys play d especially Kunkel and boum. They are the worst perimeter defenders to put on a Xavier uniform in an extremely long time

Thank you. These guys can’t guard a lamppost.

[Blue Blooded-05]

This is not a fluke where a team shooting 30% from three all season suddenly shoots 60% against us. They are getting to the rim with ease. They are forcing us into bad shots and turnovers. They have us scouted us well.

[GoMuskies]

We're down starter Kyky Tandy. Wasn't aware!

[Xville]

Lol Clark Kellogg… trying to use not having Tandy as an excuse lol. Have another drink clark

[XUBison]

Is there a Scores in Greensboro?

[GoMuskies]

Is there a Scores in Greensboro?

No, but there IS a Centerfolds.

[Strange Brew]

Well, first 4 mins of the 2nd will tell us a lot.

[xuwillie]

Thank you. These guys can’t guard a lamppost.

Jones wasn’t any better. Got blown by on several occasions.

[XUGRAD80]

WTH is going on!!!!?

[xuwillie]

WTH is going on!!!!?

Same team that showed up against DePaul and butler. Not that surprising

[Xavgrad08]

X can’t have off games from Souley, Nunge and Jones. Need much better half of basketball from them.

[XU 23]

Clearly we are scared. Playing tight.

[GoMuskies]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

[chico]

These guys need to play like these next 20 minutes are their last because it's looking like that's going to be the case.

[Xville]

Has to start on the defensive end. Down 7, can’t outscore them. Play some actual d, and maybe they can win. If they don’t, they’ll get blown out.

[MauriceX]

After the hot start, Xavier finished the half 5 of 18 from the field (0 of 6 from 3). And while some weren't great, a lot of those weren't the shots of the F'd up variety. Things will even out on the offensive side. Even if they had gone 3 for 7 from 3 instead of 1 for 7, this would be a one point game.

The defense has to step it up, but at the same time, Keenesaw St. has hit a few really well guarded shots as well. (The 3 at the end of the shot clock immediately comes to mind)

Still a very winnable game, we just gotta make shots and get stops.

[xukeith]

X won 17 Big East games and now really struggles vs a team ranked 150 . I guess defense doesn’t travel for the X men.
Miller needs to step up and do some coaching magic.

[Strange Brew]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

This situation absolutely requires a really stupid and futile gesture..

[xu82]

This situation absolutely requires a really stupid and futile gesture..

I believe you are describing our first half?

[HenryMuto]

Was outscored 32-16 after 20-11 lead.

[Strange Brew]

Alright. Only down 7 and this team can score(s).

Let’s go X!

[Blue Blooded-05]

At least my stock portfolio is doing well today… oh, wait…

[HenryMuto]

Conflicting reports ESPN had shown Colby with 3 fouls now shows 2.
CBS shows 3 still.

[Strange Brew]

Conflicting reports ESPN had shown Colby with 3 fouls now shows 2.
CBS shows 3 still.

Thought he only had two.

[HenryMuto]

CBS fixed it Jones 2

[Strange Brew]

CBS fixed it Jones 2

Are we talking points or fouls?

[bjf123]

Zero offensive rebounds! Sean better rip these guys a new one at halftime! Take the ball to hoop and quite launching crappy shots.

When you’re launching quick brick 3s with no one in position, it’s tough to get any rebounds.


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[HenryMuto]

Thought he only had two.

I thought he had 3 because ESPN had shown 2 fouls for a while then he got another it showed 3 for rest of the half.

[HenryMuto]

Let's FN GO !

[HenryMuto]

JFC unforced turnover Kunkel steps out of bounds you got to be FN kidding me

[Xville]

My fucking gawd kunkel

[HenryMuto]

Jones blows the bunny my god

[HenryMuto]

Ever since they switched to zone it has been all downhill since

[Xville]

That’s ok boum don’t bother playing d it’s fine

[Strange Brew]

Make a shot Jones.

[HenryMuto]

Not the start to the 2nd half we were looking for

[boozehound]

When Colby plays like shit, he really plays like shit.

[Xville]

Going home. Feel bad for the fans that had to travel and pay for this nonsense

[HenryMuto]

Hunter misses that ???????????

We are fawked

[KabeX]

We're gonna get blown out

[noteggs]

You got to be kidding me!!!!!!

[Xville]

How about hacking rhe shit out of someone or trying to dunk the ball. I mean show you have some actual balls guys

[HenryMuto]

It looks like we have never played vs zone before

Down 13

[Strange Brew]

Embarrassing again.

[bjf123]

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


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[HenryMuto]

All that worrying I did about what seed we were going to get...................boy was I dumb

[GoMuskies]

All you can do is laugh.

[xu82]

Well, everybody will be talking about Xavier for 24 hours……

[HenryMuto]

I know it isn't but right now I sure feel like it was a wasted season.

[noteggs]

Getting out rebounded. And still don’t think we have an offensive board? Missing Zach

[xavbball]

All you can do is laugh.

Yep. It’s almost comical at this point. The 3 seed on its way to be blown out by the 14. I bet they will start showing the biggest point margins in the 3-14 matchups next.

[CP05XU08CU13]

This is the Marquette Big East Championship game all over again. Just looks like we are happy to be in the tournament, but have no intention of playing hard or attempting to win the ball game.

[KabeX]

Just can't watch this anymore. Might as well do something productive.

[IM4X]

This team is soft. Sourly getting handled. Colby needs to stop with this finesse shit. No one cares to run or even grabs rebound. Soft soft soft soft!!

[HenryMuto]

Opened the game at 90% to win now at 18%

[boozehound]

This is really, really, really embarrassing. Just a pathetic showing.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Last year I said I would rather finish 68th than 69th. Now I’m not so sure

[Xville]

I know it isn't but right now I sure feel like it was a wasted season.

If x loses this game, it was. But, we have miller and he will get his guys that want to attempt to play d.

[MauriceX]

Gotta love 11 seconds of game time with a foul between timeouts. :chokeout:

[Xavgrad08]

Need some shots to start falling. Team looks nervous/scared.

[GoMuskies]

Now would be a good time for a run.

To be clear, that run needs to be by Xavier.

[KabeX]

Opened the game at 90% to win now at 18%
I think we all know by now that those % predictions are next to worthless

[Blue Blooded-05]

If x loses this game, it was. But, we have miller and he will get his guys that want to attempt to play d.

Yeah but next year needs to be a transfer portal year. He can show what he did with Boum, but getting through the first weekend will go much further.

[HenryMuto]

Nunge for 3 is what we drew up out of the timeout ?

[GoMuskies]

Nunge needs to stop. Stop.

[xuwillie]

I usually don’t like coaches throwing kids under the bus but really hope Miller does.this is an embarrassment

[Strange Brew]

Opened the game at 90% to win now at 18%

Is 18% the shooting %?

[GoMuskies]

Boum is shitty so far. Sorry for stating obvious.

[Xville]

Oh look boum let someone else go by him

[Xville]

Yeah but next year needs to be a transfer portal year. He can show what he did with Boum, but getting through the first weekend will go much further.

Doesn’t matter. Louisville just won 4 games this year and has had two five stars commit in the last week. Show them the money, and with miller as coach and they will come

[HenryMuto]

Foul with 0.2 left on the clock then a near steal and they score unreal

[XUBison]

Well shucks, looks like we still don’t have our legs back from the big east tournament.

[HenryMuto]

Can't get a stop

[GoMuskies]

A stop would be novel.

[xu82]

I hope KSU has a short list of replacement coaches, because they will need it soon.

[Strange Brew]

Nice call on Hunter ref

[GoMuskies]

I hope KSU has a short list of replacement coaches, because they will need it soon.

You'd be fired up to hire a guy with a 45-73 record?

[xavbball]

Soft and no defense. Looking forward to Sean getting his players in here. I want to go back to being tough and physical.

[xu82]

Time for our shooting to come back to the mean. Let’s do a little overcompensating and hit everything!

[GoMuskies]

Time for our shooting to come back to the mean. Let’s do a little overcompensating and hit everything!

We need to get a stop before I'll get excited. No matter how well we shoot.

[xu82]

You'd be fired up to hire a guy with a 45-73 record?

Somebody will be. Did they win like ONE game a few years ago? They will love the trajectory.


.

[HenryMuto]

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.

[noteggs]

Can’t keep trading baskets at this point

[HenryMuto]

How is that a foul on Kunkel ?

[GoMuskies]

Can't remember the last stop.

[Xville]

My gawd hunter finish thru that

[HenryMuto]

Hunter the only 1 to show up so far

[noteggs]

Where we be without Hunter today

[Xville]

Can't remember the last stop.

Have they made one? Lol

[Strange Brew]

Can’t shoot today.

[HenryMuto]

In and out open 3 again for Boum this sucks

[Xville]

Lol nice d nunge. Team is a complete joke on d

[GoMuskies]

Where we be without Hunter today

Reminds me of that Marquette game when we sucked but Taylor had a career day.

[Strange Brew]

Lol nice d nunge. Team is a complete joke on d

What would you have Jack do there?

[Xville]

There ya go Jerome… can someone play some d, maybe?

[Xavgrad08]

Hunter has played well today. The rest of the team not so much.

[HenryMuto]

The time is now to make the run

[Xville]

What would you have Jack do there?

Welp being 7 feet, I wouldn’t come right up on him because he is going to blow by me like he just did. I’d have backed up and used my ridiculous length

[Strange Brew]

Let’s go X!

[CP05XU08CU13]

Need to essentially press the rest of the game and hope that Kennesaw State turns the ball over a bunch!!!

[Strange Brew]

Welp being 7 feet, I wouldn’t come right up on him because he is going to blow by me like he just did. I’d have backed up and used my ridiculous length

So he could shoot a 3?

[Xville]

Ok, they made a stop. Maybe time to get a tiny bit hopeful

[boozehound]

There is plenty of time for a come back, but defensive stops are going to have to happen at some point. Multiple stops. In a row.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Reminds me of that Marquette game when we sucked but Taylor had a career day.

I was just thinking that.

The time is now. Hope the guys are less nervous than I am right now

[GoMuskies]

Amazing what a couple of stops can do. One kill away from having a ballgame. Can we still use that stat?

[Xville]

So he could shoot a 3?

Hence the ridiculous length. 7 feet can close pretty quickly if a guy rises up to shoot a three. And yeah not that stressed out about a guy who doesn’t shoot a lot of threes and is under 30% career 3 p shooter

[xu82]

I was going to post how glad I was I didn’t drive 5+ hours to Greensboro to see this, when we get it back to single digits. Being there for a comeback would be something you’d never forget! I wish that memory on all of you, at home and in Greensboro!

[HenryMuto]

#14 seeds are 14.8% winners overall

22 out of 148

[Xville]

Ok here we go… come on!!!!!!

[X-band '01]

Welp, offensive rhythm is back online.

Defensive rhythm? Need to solidify.

[HenryMuto]

That end of first half where they got 2 points they should not have on the non FT block out then air ball to end the half really hurts would be down 4 or less right now.

[HenryMuto]

JFC we had our shot to cut into the lead down to 3 or 4 and that just FCKING happened

[Blue Blooded-05]

JFC Des

[HenryMuto]

down to 4 !!!!!!!!!!

[HenryMuto]

Boum a chance to cut it to 2 at the line LETS FN GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GoMuskies]

Ok, ok.

[Xville]

Alright…x finally woke the hell up

[HenryMuto]

Tie game !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Blue Blooded-05]

Lfg!!!!!!

[HenryMuto]

If that had gone in for that I would been sick.

We just CANT HIT A 3

[American X]

Boum had three Snickers or cocaine at half.

[xu82]

Tie game !!!!!!!!!!!!

You are almost a minute ahead of me!

[xu82]

Boum had three Snickers or cocaine at half.

Whatever it takes!!!

[HenryMuto]

DAMN IT need every FT now

[Xville]

Thank my wife… she came down to watch when we were down 13 and since then we have been on a 14-0 run.

[HenryMuto]

That is 4 fouls on Jones

[HenryMuto]

Please make ur FT's Colby this is a huge 1 AND 1

[X-band '01]

Game of attrition now. Jones has 4 fouls along with 2 Owl players.

[XUBison]

Gooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

[HenryMuto]

FAWK another FT miss

[HenryMuto]

Jones why why why ?????????????????

Didn't need that 1 on 4

[GoMuskies]

Colby is killing us.

[Strange Brew]

Jones why why why ?????????????????

Didn't need that 1 on 4

It’s over. Make the next play after these FTs.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Damn I wish Jones would have kicked to Boum there. Shake it off. We got this!!!!

[Strange Brew]

Let’s go X!

[Xville]

Winning time. Who wants it more

[GoMuskies]

Damn I wish Jones would have kicked to Boum there. Shake it off. We got this!!!!

I wish he'd have made his FTs, not airballed a wide open three and hit that Layup (or pulled the ball out).

[Xville]

What was that about with boum and kunkel I wonder?

[paulxu]

What the heck are Boum land Kunk fighting about?

[GoMuskies]

I'm team Boum v Kunkel. Lol