Game Thread: Xavier v St Mary's (11/19/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_photo/public/2022-12/_mbb_111708_019.jpeg?h=a7d708aa&itok=a_aTPgyQ


LAS VEGAS --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 2-2, and the Saint Mary's College Gaels, 2-2, are looking to bounce back from Friday losses here at the Continental Tire Main Event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Xavier fell to Washington and Saint Mary's lost to San Diego State. XU and SMC face off at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT in Las Vegas) on Sunday.

Freshman Lazar Djokovic, who sat out the first three games with a hand injury, saw his first game action as a Musketeer vs. Washington.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (2-2, 0-0 BIG EAST)
SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE GAELS (2-2, 0-0 WCC)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2023 AT 7:30 P.M. ET (4:30 P.M. PT)
AT T-MOBILE ARENA IN LAS VEGAS, NEV.

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: ESPN+ with play-by-play from Roxy Bernstein and analysis from Sean Farnham.
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 is also on the Varsity Network and on SXM.


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

[noteggs]

Thanks Paul!

ESPN+? What the hell!!! Now I know how sUCks felt the last several years for a lot of their games. At least it’s only one game tho

[xukeith]

Darn ESPN + I do not have. $12 looks like the cost .

[XUBob]

Don’t have ESPN + either, any way to stream the game elsewhere?

[X-band '01]

Pretty sure a nice little place called Dana's can help out.

[xu82]

ESPN+?

I’m not getting any more streaming services.

Looks like I’ll be watching the Bills game at 4:30 (while holding my nose).

[X-band '01]

Just for shits and giggles, I noticed that the last meeting between both teams was back in the last season of the Cincinnati Gardens. Saint Mary's must have been awful that year - Xavier cleared the bench and had 4 players in double figures (led by David West). They beat the Gaels in Moraga the year before when they still had Big Continent on their roster.

[UCGRAD4X]

I see ESPN+ on my fire tv and it shows a shit ton of games but not X?

[UCGRAD4X]

apparently, fire gives access to the privilege of paying $11.

f*in bezos

[Xville]

For some reason, I think x is winning this one. One thing at Mary’s is not going to do is out athletic x which is good. Just hold on to the damn ball tonight and make free throws and x wins

[xu82]

So what is up with this game I can’t see?

[X-band '01]

Clearly what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

[xu82]

Clearly what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Well done, sir!

And apparently true in this case.

[bleedXblue]

I'm paying the $10 bucks and cancelling tomorrow.....

[xu82]

I just hate the hassle of that game that viewing sports has become. It eventually makes you care less, IMO.

[bobbiemcgee]

Guess I'll go old school...radio

[atljar]

Game video stream. Use at your own risk / moral compass

https://strfi5h.blogspot.com/2023/11/019291.html

[noteggs]

I'm paying the $10 bucks and cancelling tomorrow.....

Bit the bullet as well

[xukeith]

Ciani starts . Abou might of had 2 fouls warming up

[Xville]

Was hoping for a lineup change but not that

[X-band '01]

It's a good sign early on that the Gaels are not good at getting back in transition. Randy Bennett already burning a TO and getting upset after a 2nd fast break layup by X.

[bobbiemcgee]

9-0 run 9-5

[X-band '01]

So they drew up a play to elbow Olivari that was borderline flagrant?

[bobbiemcgee]

So they drew up a pl elbow Olivari that was borderline flagrant?

Same shitty refs who called 44 fouls friday

[noteggs]

Good pieces just need them to start to fit

[Xuperman]

People love to comment on Coach Miller "coughing"...?
It is actually...him constantly clearing his throat. His voice is his instrument. He is an ELITE in game motivator.

[Xville]

Oli looking more comfortable out there

[noteggs]

Would like see free throws made though

[xukeith]

X shoud be up 10

[X-band '01]

Same shitty refs who called 44 fouls friday

So naturally they're working the 3rd place game. Best officials get to work the nightcap.

[bigdiggins]

Can we send Ousmane back?

[xukeith]

2 fouls on Claude. damn

[Xville]

Our offense is making my eyes bleed right now. Would it kill ousmane to throw it back out?

[xukeith]

What is the O/U on ft shooting for Ciani? .500?

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I was begging Miller to get Abou out of the game. If I'm St. Mary's, I want Abou to be our first offensive option every time down the floor. Gawd, he has been awful offensively.

[IM4X]

People talking about all of the talent on this team.

I know some of them are young, but I am just not seeing the talent level others are.

[bleedXblue]

Can we send Ousmane back?

agreed way to much from him especially on the offensive end

[Three Point Pete]

Finally McKinght

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[Xville]

Oli!

[IM4X]

Ousmane missed several easy inside shots and making bad turnovers. Our supposed “shooters” continue to not look like shooters at all. Ugh.

[bleedXblue]

People talking about all of the talent on this team.

I know some of them are young, but I am just not seeing the talent level others are.

I think its hard to see at times. This is a YOUNG team. Have 5 frosh playing.........

[IM4X]

Continue to struggle to defend and not foul in the paint.

[Jehoya]

Game video stream. Use at your own risk / moral compass

https://strfi5h.blogspot.com/2023/11/019291.html

Thank you! That worked after me trying to find a steam for the last 40 minutes, I owe you 76 beers at Dana’s!

[X-band '01]

Our offense is making my eyes bleed right now. Would it kill ousmane to throw it back out?

Both teams look like they've been blinded by the lights in Vegas.

[xukeith]

Game video stream. Use at your own risk / moral compass

https://strfi5h.blogspot.com/2023/11/019291.html

poster of the day

[GoMuskies]

Low key glad to have avoided San Diego State.

[Xville]

Alright let’s have a last good minute and be up 9-11

[Xville]

Two things:

1. Win this next half and x is 3-2. Petty Kuchma where we all thought they’d be.

2. Feeling pretty good about my under bet lol

P.S.

How was st Mary’s ranked and picked to win the wcc?

[xukeith]

Maybe X is secretly being coached by defensive wizard Mick Cronin.

[X-band '01]

Did Xavier shut out the Gaels for 5:45 or did Saint Mary's literally shoot blindfolded?

[Three Point Pete]

X shoud be up 10Good call, Keith

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[IM4X]

I think it’s t’s not hard to see at times. This is a YOUNG team. Have 5 frosh playing.........

Yeah, I get the freshman struggles. I don’t get the numerous poor decisions and bad shots by the veteran transfers

[X-band '01]

I know we don't like to focus on kill stats as much anymore, but Xavier did get 6 kills in the first half thanks to the Gaels' long scoring droughts.

[muskiefan82]

Did Xavier shut out the Gaels for 5:45 or did Saint Mary's literally shoot blindfolded?

A little bit of both

[xukeith]

I know we don't like to focus on kill stats as much anymore, but Xavier did get 6 kills in the first half thanks to the Gaels' long scoring droughts.

did anybody bark?

[paulxu]

That's a really low scoring half. (I can't see the game, only looking at ESPN's box score)

But we seem to be playing some really good defense to hold them to 18 pts in the half.

[Xville]

Yeah, I get the freshman struggles. I don’t get the numerous poor decisions and bad shots by the veteran transfers

Just speaking for myself, but the freshmen and Claude is where I see all the talent. The problem is, it’s extremely young talent and not kentucky freshmen talent yet. I think Claude, djokovic and swain are all nba players when all is said and done. I think green has the potential to be one of the best point guards at x ever. McKnight and olivari are clunky right now but I think in a month or so they will figure it out.

It’s very difficult to see all of this right now I admit, but there are glances here and there wheee I’m like whoa

[X-band '01]

did anybody bark?

MHettel and MOR

[xukeith]

4 frosh. 4 turnovers

[Xville]

Abou!!

[xukeith]

Amazing what happens when a change in lineup occurs. Win win for all.

[IM4X]

Okay now these veteran transfers are stepping up.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Just started watching in the 2nd half, but our boys look relaxed tonight.

[noteggs]

Just speaking for myself, but the freshmen and Claude is where I see all the talent. The problem is, it’s extremely young talent and not kentucky freshmen talent yet. I think Claude, djokovic and swain are all nba players when all is said and done. I think green has the potential to be one of the best point guards at x ever. McKnight and olivari are clunky right now but I think in a month or so they will figure it out.

It’s very difficult to see all of this right now I admit, but there are glances here and there wheee I’m like whoa

Well said

[xukeith]

Would St. Mary's finish ahead of Seton Hall, Georgetown, and DePaul?

[Xville]

The rout is on, don’t let up!

[noteggs]

Grab a damn rebound

[xukeith]

X 7 fouls this half SM- 1.

Here we go again...

[IM4X]

Grab a damn rebound

Bothering the heck out of me too. Just standing around when the ball comes off the rim and sometimes X bigs are nowhere near the basket when the ball hits the rim.

[Three Point Pete]

We need more Nemo

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[xukeith]

Ciani great footwork.

[Xville]

Olivari and McKnight know where the weight room is, which is nice

[IM4X]

Waaaaaaay too many offensive rebounds by SM. Good Lord:

[muskiefan82]

X's rebounding is killing me

[IM4X]

We need to hire Tyrone Hill as an assistant to teach our bigs how to box out and get a dang rebound.

[bobbiemcgee]

That's a really low scoring half. (I can't see the game, only looking at ESPN's box score)

But we seem to be playing some really good defense to hold them to 18 pts in the half.

The Dana link works

[bobbiemcgee]

Game video stream. Use at your own risk / moral compass

https://strfi5h.blogspot.com/2023/11/019291.html

This

[Xville]

Free throws geez

[muskiefan82]

Free throws geez

Truth. It's ugly.

[noteggs]

You mean 7-15 is not good?

[IM4X]

Did I miss something? Is Swain hurt?

Why is he not playing any minutes?

[xukeith]

X needs to also improve from ft line. only 7 for 15 (47%)

[X-band '01]

Tell me again why Saint Mary's was picked to win the WCC?

[Blue Blooded-05]

While I like being up 14, I feel like we should be winning by 34

[bobbiemcgee]

My pick the score is screwed.

[X-band '01]

Dayvion McKnight - Good Night

[Xville]

A very comfortable win AND still a lot to work on. I like it.

[xukeith]

Nice seeing McKnight look much more assertive and have a nice all round game for a starting pg.

[xukeith]

Did I miss something? Is Swain hurt?

Why is he not playing any minutes?

Swain played. He just wasn't the hot hand tonight.

[muskiefan82]

A win. Lots to work on. Still learning. I'll take it. Happy Thanksgiving all!

[Three Point Pete]

I like it when Abou finishes a game.

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[xukeith]

20 offensive rebounds might haunt this team. Nice job with turnovers (8).
McKnight had best game as a Muskie.
Olivari finally made 3's.
Green improved.
Abou off teh bench is an improvement.

[noteggs]

Not sure Des guarded Mahaney the whole game, but did an outstanding job!

[Blue Blooded-05]

I am pretty stunned at how bad St Mary’s was. We should have beat them by 30. That might be the worst team we play all year.

[IM4X]

SM looks like they were a bit overrated in those preseason predictions.

X definitely took a step forward when it comes to team chemistry.

Rebounding needs to get MUCH better… particularly on the defensive end .

Team kept getting a little better as the game progressed which is promising sign.

Green took a step forward as did a number of other players.

Either that was not a very good SM team, or they just had an off game. They were as sloppy tonight as we were against Washington.

[IM4X]

Swain played. He just wasn't the hot hand tonight.

Thanks KEITH for letting me know. I didn’t see him playing at all in the game.

Apparently, he played before I started watching and he never played again or he did play again and I stepped away when Sean subbed him in.

[Xville]

Thanks KEITH for letting me know. I didn’t see him playing at all in the game.

Apparently, he played before I started watching and he never played again or he did play again and I stepped away when Sean subbed him in.

Guessing that miller has his 8-9 rotation now and with djokovic healthy, that leaves swain at probably 8-9. With that said, I’m guessing we are looking at 8-10 mins a game from him most nights.

[noteggs]

Good game overall. Minus giving up 20 offensive rebounds.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Nice seeing McKnight look much more assertive and have a nice all round game for a starting pg.

I'll take more McKnight, more Green, less Olivari and less Abou. Olivari made a couple of threes early but took some bad shots in second half. And, he has not proven to be reliable from the free throw line...yet this year. I thought he was supposed to be a knock down free throw shooter. Abou is often a liability at the offensive end and he also cannot hit free throws.

I like the Euros but we are not good defensively up front. We are not strong enough up front and not capable perimeter shooters in our back line. We need substantial improvement to compete in the Big East.

Still, I'll take the "W".

[Olsingledigit]

I'll take more McKnight, more Green, less Olivari and less Abou. Olivari made a couple of threes early but took some bad shots in second half. And, he has not proven to be reliable from the free throw line...yet this year. I thought he was supposed to be a knock down free throw shooter. Abou is often a liability at the offensive end and he also cannot hit free throws.

I like the Euros but we are not good defensively up front. We are not strong enough up front and not capable perimeter shooters in our back line. We need substantial improvement to compete in the Big East.

Still, I'll take the "W".

In the post game show Sean said Olivari is a 90% ft shooter and needs to get back to that.

[drudy23]

Good bounce back win. Time to start stacking wins with a stretch at home.

[Three Point Pete]

I want to see tough aggressive play at the start of 2nd half. Seems like great 1st half closes are wasted away.

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[stammina0721]

To be honest this may be the most fun I've had watching Xavier basketball this early in the season since we won at Michigan. This team was competitive with Purdue and should have beat Washington. They are fun to watch and this team is gonna mess people up come March.

[Xuperman]

Time to start stacking wins with a stretch at home.

And we can all start rooting for SMC to do the same. We desperately need something good resume wise.

[MHettel]

MHettel and MOR

True dat

[Masterofreality]

did anybody bark?


MHettel and MOR

Actually, we were sitting right behind the bench and the managers and the players were barking when it was time!

[MHettel]

Just took a deeper look at the rebound issues we had. Sure we gave up 20 ORebs, but we only gave up 49 points. On first shot attempts, we held them to 13 of 52 shooting (25%). Lots of OREB opportunities if you play that kind of defense. I think we gave up 5 second chance buckets and just a handful of Free Throws.

Not sure if it was a fluke, but it seemed like the half court defense was effective. If playing that kind of halfcourt d results in a few extra OREBS, the. I’ll take that trade.

Could just be some cold shooting, but maybe the d is making the O work very hard for shots….