Game Thread: Xavier v Oakland (11/27/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/86/Oakland_Golden_Grizzlies_logo.svg/640px-Oakland_Golden_Grizzlies_logo.svg.png


INCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 4-2, bring a two-game winning streak into a Monday night game vs. the visiting Oakland University Grizzlies, 3-3. Game time is 6:30 p.m. at Cintas Center.

Xavier is playing the second game of a season-long six-game homestand.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (4-2, 0-0 BIG EAST)
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY GRIZZLIES (3-3, 0-0 HORIZON)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2023 AT 6:30 P.M. ET
AT CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Matt Schumacker and analysis from Stephen Bardo.
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).

[bjf123]

Oaklanad? [emoji2369]


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[noteggs]

They spell it differently in Michigan.

[Three Point Pete]

Oaklanad? [emoji2369]


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkSo you remember it's on Adams Road?

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[paulxu]

Only moderators can correct mistakes in thread titles. Sorry about that.

[X-band '01]

Is this the first time this year LaVall Jordan will not be broadcasting from the Cintas Center?

[bjf123]

Only moderators can correct mistakes in thread titles. Sorry about that.

No worries. You’re not the first and won’t be the last!


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[noteggs]

Only moderators can correct mistakes in thread titles. Sorry about that.

Hell, if I had a dollar for every time I misspelled or was grammatically incorrect, I’d be a rich man!

Had Michigan on my mind because spent the last four days there. Like all states, it just feels different…

[xu82]

They have a very frightening looking mascot. We may be in trouble.

[paulxu]

Thanks to some moderator!

[XUGRAD80]

Rocket Watts, one of Oaklands starting guards, was once almost a Xavier player. He was ranked 39th in the country his senior year and it came down to Michigan State and X. He choose MSU and played there for 2 years before transferring to Miss St and then to Oakland. Not a great shooter but very quick in transition and like to shot a floater from the lane.

[GoMuskies]

Jordan Crawford is a big Rocket Watts guys.

[GoMuskies]

Illinois was tied 48 all with Oakland before going on a 16-5 run to close the game out. Ohio State beat Oakland by 6 in a game that was tight all the way. So it should be an interesting game.

[XUGRAD80]

Oakland plays a matchup zone, like Bryant did. X needs to push the ball and not allow them to set it up. When they do have a chance to set it up, X needs to give the ball to their bigs and allow them to take advantage of their size difference. Don’t fall in love with the 3.

[paulxu]

The Oakland coach is a dead ringer for a Huggy Bear brother.

[Xville]

Feel like the over is going to be safe. Questioning why x was favored by 15 based on earlier results from Oakland.

[paulxu]

We are playing a little sloppy.

[noteggs]

Defense looks a little soft

[Smooth]

5 TO's before the 12 timeout

[noteggs]

Love inside the huddle with Sean

[Three Point Pete]

Des is off his usual game, but still makes the tough shots!

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[noteggs]

Oakland shooting 61%. Not ideal

[GoMuskies]

I see Trey Green the shooter we were all counting on has shown up tonight.

[Strange Brew]

Illinois was tied 48 all with Oakland before going on a 16-5 run to close the game out. Ohio State beat Oakland by 6 in a game that was tight all the way. So it should be an interesting game.

They don’t suck. :)

[Xville]

O good d bad. Looks like last year. Come on boys!

[Xville]

Making free throws! I like that :)

[Strange Brew]

Making free throws! I like that :)

It’s not a horrible thing to do. :)

[Xville]

Alright. Interior d needs to be a whole lot better in the 2nd half like it was that last play. Plenty to work on, on that side of the ball.

[noteggs]

Townsend is eating our defense alive

Edit: he reached his season average in the first

[Strange Brew]

Alright. Interior d needs to be a whole lot better in the 2nd half like it was that last play. Plenty to work on, on that side of the ball.

That would be a good thing.

And the O could drive the ball to the basket and not try to be a bunch of Steph’s. There’s only one person who can do that.

[Three Point Pete]

Gettig creamed in the paint. Swain too small. Need to have Abou stick on Townsend. I like the drives by McKnight and Claude.

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[Strange Brew]

Gettig creamed in the paint. Swain too small. Need to have Abou stick on Townsend. I like the drives by McKnight and Claude.

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That would help however our only big body athlete keeps getting BS fouls called on him.

Next solution.

And nobody gives a shit about what Packer has to say.

[Xville]

Time for a 10-0 run here. Let’s go!

[Strange Brew]

Let’s go X!

[Xville]

D is so so bad

[Strange Brew]

Xavier as a University is soft as baby shit.

These kids would piss themselves when they saw Donny at the “Woods”

[Xville]

When can we trade for Graham Ike?

[Caveat]

1. This team has no idea how to play against a zone.

2. There is a distinct lack of “hoss” on this team — and they’re getting absolutely bullied down low.

[Xville]

Unable to play interior d without fouling tonight. Frustrating

[Xville]

Claude getting wide open 3 looks and none of them have been close

[Strange Brew]

Well, heck boys and girls.

Now I know why AMX walked.

[bjf123]

1. This team has no idea how to play against a zone.

2. There is a distinct lack of “hoss” on this team — and they’re getting absolutely bullied down low.

^^This^^

Their 1-3-1 is confusing the hell out of our offense.


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[noteggs]

Weird fouls on both sides. But that on Green defending Watts was very strange

[Xville]

I don’t see anything wrong with the offense. Giving up probably 80+ is a problem. This after giving up 50 plus in the second half last game.

[Strange Brew]

Oh, fuck Greg Crampy.

[Xville]

Hell yeah swain!

[Strange Brew]

Not done yet..

[Xville]

This x team needs to get a lot tougher. I know that’s cliche to say, but geesh

[Strange Brew]

This x team needs to get a lot tougher. I know that’s cliche to say, but geesh

No shit.

This is garbage and it starting with jackass Graham.

Is Mario still on the bench?

[paulxu]

Got to figure out how to stop points in the paint.

[Caveat]

This x team needs to get a lot tougher. I know that’s cliche to say, but geesh

Getting dominated by a dude in a buy game is probably a sign that you need to hit the weights a little more.

[noteggs]

12-4 run. Fuck

[XUGRAD80]

Well sh#$. All I can say is that this just another step in the journey.

[Xville]

Swain doesn’t box out, and Oakland makes x pay.

If ousmane doesn’t figure out how to play without fouling, x is going to have a lot of trouble moving forward.

[xu82]

Better to be good in March than in November.


But you have to be good enough in November.

[paulxu]

Very disappointing when we were 15 pt favorites.

On to the next one. (Good try Swain)

[Strange Brew]

Oh, so close. Guess it’s back to being “nice” little Xavier.

Right Paul?

[Xville]

The team will grow from this. Unlike Steele coached teams, it’ll look better in a month or two

[GoMuskies]

I really like Greg Kampe, so I'm happy for him.

I think I'll leave it at that for tonight.

[xu82]

The team will grow from this. Unlike Steele coached teams, it’ll look better in a month or two

Absolutely! THAT is the key. We just saw the clay before it has been fully worked.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I vastly under-estimated Oakland. Thought it was a bunny for Xavier but turns out Grizzlies have some talent and came to play. I don't view this as a bad loss for X. They played pretty well. Finally made some free throws. Defensive effort was there. Outside shooting left a little to be desired. Team played hard to the end. I hate to see a home loss but lots this team can take away from tonight.

Overall, this is the type of game this young Muskie team needed. I view this loss as better preparation for Houston than the easy win I thought was in the bag for Xavier.

[Strange Brew]

I really like Greg Kampe, so I'm happy for him.

I think I'll leave it at that for tonight.

Yeah, good win. He deserves it.

[Xville]

Houston could get real ugly, but hopefully this loss prevents that.

[Three Point Pete]

^^This^^

Their 1-3-1 is confusing the hell out of our offense.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkYep, and chucking 23 treys is not a good answer. Need to fake shots, and drive, trusting teammates to move to the boards. When they did this in 2nd half, ending up with 21 second chance points.
Townsend just was too much tonight.

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[paulxu]

Very disappointing when we were 15 pt favorites.

On to the next one. (Good try Swain)

[drudy23]

We're going to need to get some wins vs. the heavy-weights on our schedule. Have to get a couple of them plus UC.

Is Townsend a transfer from a power school? I'd be surprised if he's Oakland home grown. That dude can play. Watts came from Michigan St.

[Strange Brew]

Very disappointing when we were 15 pt favorites.

On to the next one. (Good try Swain)

So sorry for your loss Spartansburg. :)

[Xavier]

. I don't view this as a bad loss for X. They played pretty well. Finally made some free throws. Defensive effort was there.

It’s a bad loss. They hadn’t had a loss this bad since Depaul (2015) and at home since Wofford (2012). Though it depends on expectations, I guess. Maybe it’s a wake up call for the rest of the season. Also the FT numbers may look better but when it mattered most they missed the front end of back to back 1 and 1s.

I think the Purdue performance changed my initial expectations. It shouldn’t have.

[drudy23]

It's definitely a bad loss.

And I thought Des improved his jumper? Brick city.

[GoMuskies]

Is Townsend a transfer from a power school? I'd be surprised if he's Oakland home grown.

Homegrown third year junior from Oxford, MI.

[drudy23]

Homegrown third year junior from Oxford, MI.

Wow - they found a diamond in the rough. Reminded me a little of a poor man's DWest.

Could play the power game and also had a silky little fade-away with touch. We were his Waleskowski.

[Xavier]

It's definitely a bad loss.

And I thought Des improved his jumper? Brick city.

He’s put in a tough spot. Goes from 8th man to being team leader. He’s having a hell of a sophomore year outside of the expectations of leading this team

[GoMuskies]

Wow - they found a diamond in the rough.

As a freshman he outscored Olivari 25-2 in an Oakland win over Rice.

He might actually be a fourth year Covid junior.

[Xville]

We're going to need to get some wins vs. the heavy-weights on our schedule. Have to get a couple of them plus UC.

Is Townsend a transfer from a power school? I'd be surprised if he's Oakland home grown. That dude can play. Watts came from Michigan St.

He is homegrown. He’d look good in an x jersey next year.

[drudy23]

He’d look good in an x jersey next year.

Sure would.

[Xville]

When is x going to get some guys in the frontcourt that have seen a weight room? It’s been a really long time. Is Reynolds the last one? It’s frustrating. Nevermind I’m an idiot, I forgot jones but seems like it’s been a decade.

[drudy23]

I was thinking we could have used Freemantle tonight but then I remembered he can't guard me.

[drudy23]

When is x going to get some guys in the frontcourt that have seen a weight room? It’s been a really long time. Is Reynolds the last one? It’s frustrating.

It's a great point. Mack sought out true power forwards. Not saying he was better, but he definitely recruited that type of player.

Steele didn't have a clue how to build a team, and completely whiffed on those type of guys. Hoping Sean can target some. Most coaches are in love with these new age stretch 4s. Even Villanova, in their best years, had enforcers down low even with all those shooters. You need beef in the Big East.

I miss Tyrique.

[Caveat]

When is x going to get some guys in the frontcourt that have seen a weight room? It’s been a really long time. Is Reynolds the last one? It’s frustrating.

It’s infuriating that this continues to be a holdover from the Steele era.

Go get a few gym rats.

[Blue Blooded-05]

He is homegrown. He’d look good in an x jersey next year.

Take it easy. His stat line was bonkers, but remember Jason Carter was offered a scholarship based on one good game vs X.

Didn’t get to see the game tonight. Doesn’t appear I missed much. It is going to be an up and down year. Wouldn’t surprise me if we put together a solid showing vs Houston before laying an egg vs Delaware.

[drudy23]

Take it easy. His stat line was bonkers, but remember Jason Carter was offered a scholarship based on one good game vs X.



You should apologize to Townsend for that comparison.

[xukeith]

Oakland played very well. Smart .

They abused Lazar multiple times because he can't guard a cold.
Not shocked but disappointed .

Green, Ciani, Lazar, and Swain all need about 10-20 pounds of more muscle.
Forget about Houston, BE frontlines will be licking their chops when they see "Frosh of the week" Lazar getting the ball in the paint.

X will have some good wins, some crummy losses .

Tonight was a poor loss.

[Xville]

Take it easy. His stat line was bonkers, but remember Jason Carter was offered a scholarship based on one good game vs X.

Didn’t get to see the game tonight. Doesn’t appear I missed much. It is going to be an up and down year. Wouldn’t surprise me if we put together a solid showing vs Houston before laying an egg vs Delaware.

So you didn’t watch the game and make a comment like that?

The guy had 19/10 against Illinois and 17/9 against Ohio state. Jason Carter got offered (no offense to Carter) because Steele is an idiot.

[bjf123]

It's definitely a bad loss.

And I thought Des improved his jumper? Brick city.

Agree that it’s a bad loss from an overall program perspective. Sean will also use it as a good teaching opportunity.

In the post game interview on the radio, he said Des has lost confidence in his shot and they’ll need to work on that.


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[drudy23]

Steele is an idiot.

This.

[drudy23]

Agree that it’s a bad loss from an overall program perspective. Sean will also use it as a good teaching opportunity.

In the post game interview on the radio, he said Des has lost confidence in his shot and they’ll need to work on that.


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He also said something very interesting and refreshing in the post-game presser as well.

He said the staff had been thinking of implementing the post trap since the summer and never did. Sean took the blame for the loss because of it. Completely owned it. And then he said "we didn't put it in, and he gave us our medicine." Coach accountability is important to get better as well.

Own the mistake, move on, get better for it. Something completely lost on the Tin Man (yes, I'm still bitter).

I expect us to be much better against Houston, mainly because Sean is an excellent coach. We may not win, but we'll be better.

[Xavgrad08]

X needs to improve the interior defense, or conference play will not be kind. I thought X played timid the last 4 minutes. Kudos to Oakland as they played well and are well coached.

[xukeith]

I thought X was going to win when Claude and crew started driving into the zone and either made a layup or got fouled and made 2 from stripe.
Last 4 minute war, Oakland delivered and X wilted. Pressure was too big for these X men. Miller made mistakes. Frosh felt less and less confident.

I do think Swain did have a very solid game.
Lazar was just too weak and had no confidence in any defense or offense.

What is the solution to our post defense other than Abou ?

X will be better but there will be these lumpy losses.

[Strange Brew]

You should apologize to Townsend for that comparison.

Why?

[drudy23]

Why?

Because Jason Carter doesn’t belong in the same breath as him.

This wasn’t a fluke game like Big Deli. The dude is legit.

[X-band '01]

Oakland played very well. Smart .

They abused Lazar multiple times because he can't guard a cold.
Not shocked but disappointed .

Green, Ciani, Lazar, and Swain all need about 10-20 pounds of more muscle.
Forget about Houston, BE frontlines will be licking their chops when they see "Frosh of the week" Lazar getting the ball in the paint.

X will have some good wins, some crummy losses .

Tonight was a poor loss.

Definitely not a shining moment for either Ciani or Djokovic tonight. Ousmane was halfway decent. When he was on the floor that is - he only played about 16 minutes and Miller was saying postgame that they really needed him for about 25 minutes.

Overall, Xavier shot decent from the foul line but missed at the worst possible times. 2 1-and-1s were missed along with a free throw in the closing seconds. Oakland deserved to win, but Xavier has a long way to go defensively. A loooooooooong way.

[IM4X]

Agree that it’s a bad loss from an overall program perspective. Sean will also use it as a good teaching opportunity.

In the post game interview on the radio, he said Des has lost confidence in his shot and they’ll need to work on that.

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I get that this is a new group of guys Sean is coaching, but an X team should never lose to Oakland at Cintas (even if that Oakland team is better than expected). While X had some good moments in the game, they still were too clumsy and too soft. Sean knows it. He’ll no doubt get this team playing harder and smarter, but I am still not convinced there is enough high level talent on this team or enough players willing to leave it all out on the court to win more BE games than they lose.

Where is that X player who refuses to let X lose. Last year, five or more guys on the team were capable of being that guy. Sean had talked about needing McNight or Claude to step up and be that guy. Neither is consistently stepping up enough. The defensive rebounding continues to be a glaring weak spot. It’s not been good all year. Players are either out of position or they’re being our hustled doe rebounds. Claude’s man blew right past him to get an offensive rebound and in the process was fouled. That shit should never happen.

With so many new players on the team, I get that there will be a number of teachable moments. What I don’t get is seeing the ball get stolen or even go out of bounds because one of our players decided to throw a lazy pass. What I also don’t get is seeing X players allow so many second shots because they simply refuse to block out. Those things are inexcusable.

These guys are still FAR from playing well together. They’re moving the ball around okay, but they don’t look comfortable doing it.

[XUBison]

…Lazar was just too weak and had no confidence in any defense or offense…

Byron was not impressed with Lazar tonight. Seemed downright annoyed.

[xukeith]

Byron was not impressed with Lazar tonight. Seemed downright annoyed.

I guess Lazar is still figuring it out.

"it" might be successfully boxing out, standing strong defensively . He has a great upside but that comes with learning, building muscle, and losses .

[xukeith]

Maybe former assistant coach Ben Johnson weighed Colby Jones vs Trey Townsend in his deep south recruting 4-5 years ago.

[XUGRAD80]

It does seem that the foreign players are struggling with the physical nature of the college game. As it seems that the frontline is almost all foreign players, Xavier as a team is struggling with that too. Part of the learning curve. But I also wonder if any of them had ever seen the inside of a weight room before getting to X?

Personally, I’m not going to worry about wins and loses and just concentrate on seeing if the team improves week to week. As long as they continue to improve I’ll be OK. I expect them to improve as the year moves along and be a very good team the 2nd half of the year. It’s still only NOVEMBER! I’m not treating this as a normal year and am more looking at what they can become next year and the years after that. Still a super young (as far as college experience in the US and experience playing together) team that will grow together as time goes on. If others want to live and die on each game, more power to them them.

[murray87]

Stat sheet said we only committed 10 turnovers but it felt like 30. Several mind-numbingly dumb passes that led directly to Oakland buckets.

Ciani is a big load for a freshman so hoping he gains the confidence to get his rear end into the paint and demand the ball for a quick turn around.

[bleedXblue]

1. Lazar has not impressed me whatsoever. He almost looks disinterested. He has a very long way to go in order to be a guy who we can count on for consistent production. Maybe he lost and thinking too much......dont know.
2. Post play is becoming a glaring weakness. We don't have a physicality needed to guard and bang and the only guy that looks somewhat ready cant stay on the floor. Just wait until we play guys like Nova and Providence. Geesh.
3. Sean might have coached one of his worst games last night. The fact we didnt at least attempt zone for a few possessions was an absolute head scratcher. What about double teaming Thompson in the post? I saw Green do it one time. That was it.

Friday could be very, very ugly.

[D-West & PO-Z]

All I have to say is:

Not great, Bob!

[Xville]

I don’t want to bag on the guy much but where did it come from that lazar was the second best player in practice? From what I have seen so far, he really shouldn’t even be seeing the floor. Maybe it’s because practices haven’t been all that physical and so he looks a lot better there.

[bleedXblue]

I guess Lazar is still figuring it out.

"it" might be successfully boxing out, standing strong defensively . He has a great upside but that comes with learning, building muscle, and losses .

See my note above.......he has a lot of growing to do in order to be counted on consistently

[waggy]

When your most experienced returning player is just a sophomore this is to be expected. They’ve actually done pretty well considering that.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

When your most experienced returning player is just a sophomore this is to be expected. They’ve actually done pretty well considering that.

Yes. Disappointing loss but expectations of some on this board may be higher than warranted.

[waggy]

Yes. Disappointing loss but expectations of some on this board may be higher than warranted.

Flip side is that they also have 3 experienced transfers. Those guys have to produce. Maybe you'd like to see a little more scoring punch from McNight, but he's been okay. Really Abou is the guy who has been the biggest problem. His fouling issue is something the staff is going to have to solve. They already have their fingers in enough dikes, but it is what it is.

[American X]

Trey Townsend is still picking Desmond Claude out of his teeth.

The ball movement this game and last game looked better, but maybe our guys are just not that good at finishing the shots.

Locking down Saint Mary's then letting Oakland have open gym on our floor is baffling.

Place some blame on the coaches with Xavier looking lost against the zone. It looked like they had no idea it was coming and no prep.

[xukeith]

This year's success depends a lot on what X can get consistently out of Ousmane, Gytis, Claude, McKnight and Olivari. Those 5 know the grind and will not be blown away with a strong wind unlike Lazar, Swain, Green, etc.

Although the frosh are shaky and slight of build, they do show some promise.
Just gaining muscle and experience will amp up their confidence and make them even more gifted.
Green has a nice stroke but he needs to develop consistent drives, free throw opportunities, all while being a passing guard too.

Ciani is solid and steady but not comfortable with post moves on offense. He will improve.

Not sure if Ousmane can be a night in night out non-fouling machine. He does bang, and rebound well. It counts for something.

Hope Miller and coaches can also learn from this recent embarrassment and improve vs Houston.
I am guessing Houston line will be X + 14.

[bleedXblue]

This year's success depends a lot on what X can get consistently out of Ousmane, Gytis, Claude, McKnight and Olivari. Those 5 know the grind and will not be blown away with a strong wind unlike Lazar, Swain, Green, etc.

Although the frosh are shaky and slight of build, they do show some promise.
Just gaining muscle and experience will amp up their confidence and make them even more gifted.
Green has a nice stroke but he needs to develop consistent drives, free throw opportunities, all while being a passing guard too.

Ciani is solid and steady but not comfortable with post moves on offense. He will improve.

Not sure if Ousmane can be a night in night out non-fouling machine. He does bang, and rebound well. It counts for something.

Hope Miller and coaches can also learn from this recent embarrassment and improve vs Houston.
I am guessing Houston line will be X + 14.

14? Cmon now. I see it at 9 or so.

[GoMuskies]

At home? I think the line will be more like 7 or 8.

[Xville]

At home? I think the line will be more like 7 or 8.

I’m thinking 5-6. Algorithms really like x right now. Sagarin shows I think 5 on a neutral court. Kinda wild

[xukeith]

Just listened to Sean Miller show recording from Dilly Bistro.
It was very entertaining despite such a disappointing loss.
Miller has some great stories, and perspective. He swears he will never lose a game like that ever again.

Lots of chatter about Abou and how he committed 7 fouls last night. It is hard to imagine any player in Miller's mind that yells, slaps and smacks opponents chests more than Abou.