Game Thread: Xavier v Winthrop (12/16/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://images.footballfanatics.com/winthrop-eagles/winthrop-8-custom-plush-mascot_ss10_p-100179468+u-iojdnfcihrju8ynglabr+v-cfbax8cc0kysxo3pkxjg.jpg?_hv=2&w=600
CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 5-5, close out the non-conference portion of the schedule vs. the Winthrop University Eagles, 8-3, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the return of the Skip Prosser Classic. Winthrop's third-year head coach is Mark Prosser, son of the former Xavier and Wake head coach.
Xavier is coming off a win over crosstown rival Cincinnati, while Winthrop enters this game having won four straight games and seven of their last eight games.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (5-5, 0-0 BIG EAST)
WINTHROP UNIVERSITY EAGLES (8-3, 0-0 BIG SOUTH)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2023 AT 7:30 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 Brian Butch.
Xavier Radio: 55KRC with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer Byron Larkin ('88). 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)

[American X]

So in what zany way are we going to lose this guarantee game???

[paulxu]

So in what zany way are we going to lose this guarantee game???

I hope that's a reverse jinx.

[drudy23]

UC reversal theory - we play like X again:

X - 85
W - 63

[American X]

https://imgs.search.brave.com/3gTHuBJuOVDPVVu-j60wlPPPC7OUXL2_7t6I4bSCMVY/rs:fit:500:0:0/g:ce/aHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9k/LndwLmNkbi5hd3Mu/d2Z1LmVkdS9zaXRl/cy80NDYvMjAyMi8w/OC8yMDA3MDgwMS5w/cm9zc2VyLmFyY2hp/dmUuanBn

Requiescat In Pace, Coach Prosser

[bjf123]

I’ve developed a head cold and probably shouldn’t be sitting with 10,000 of my closest friends. I’ve got 2 tickets in Section 105 on the aisle and a parking pass for lot R3. $50 or best offer.


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[bjf123]

At this late time, they’re free to a good home. PM me.


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[UCGRAD4X]

Having a pregame Guinness in honor of Professor Prosser.



https://imgs.search.brave.com/3gTHuBJuOVDPVVu-j60wlPPPC7OUXL2_7t6I4bSCMVY/rs:fit:500:0:0/g:ce/aHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9k/LndwLmNkbi5hd3Mu/d2Z1LmVkdS9zaXRl/cy80NDYvMjAyMi8w/OC8yMDA3MDgwMS5w/cm9zc2VyLmFyY2hp/dmUuanBn

Requiescat In Pace, Coach Prosser

[Three Point Pete]

A better 2nd half start. Need to keep working in the paint.

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[Xville]

Why is this team again struggling in a buy game? They just play to their competition or what? Should be winning by 20

[xu82]

Why am I not getting the scoreboard? Anyone else?

[Xville]

Why am I not getting the scoreboard? Anyone else?

Announcers said some tech difficulties

[Xville]

Kind of an ugly win, but I’ll take the cover and the win. Time for the be

[Three Point Pete]

Gytis and Sasa looked better, Abou seems to be ready for BE

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[XUGRAD80]

It wasn’t pretty, but it’s a win.

[UCGRAD4X]

Did I miss something at the game or did they do absolutely nothing to honor Skip today?

[X-band '01]

Announcers said some tech difficulties

Technical difficulties extended to the postgame; Sean Miller never was able to make his typical postgame call. Part of me initially thought he would be chewing out the team after the win, although this wouldn't have been the game to do so.

[noteggs]

Did I miss something at the game or did they do absolutely nothing to honor Skip today?

No announced recognition but they did have the skip classic logo on the court. Maybe it was his son’s choice? Guessing

[noteggs]

Overall, thought it was a decent defensive effort minus first 5 minutes especially in the paint.

[xudash]

Open observation to our electronic tavern here from one with ZERO formal hoops playing experience:

I don't know if it's about being soft or about their "technique" or just what they're used to overseas, but the Euro's do not take the ball to the basket with authority when they are in close proximity to the basket. It just seems there is a little too much finesse action going on with them. They otherwise - and Abou does this, too - don't fake or quickly check their position - check behind them - when they go up sometimes, leading to them getting blocked at the rim.

Jack and Jerome, in particular, always seemed to have a better feel down low in the traffic. They knew what they needed to do to get the ball through the cylinder at point blank range, and that sometimes meant making a fake from time to time before going up. It just seems these guys are too obvious and advertise it.

Otherwise, missing dunks has to stop and stop quickly. Just not forgivable.

Happy for the win. Winthrop is to be commended. Parity in college basketball certainly appears real, at least more so than it's been in the past.

Perhaps the Euro's need to have a little more espresso before games to juice themselves up a little more. A little too much plodding along at times and the down low stuff that takes place without more authority on their parts is not a good formula for BE Conference play.

I really like these guys. I just want them to get better and succeed.

Thoughts?

[American X]

When the announcer said 'Sasa Ciani', my kids heard 'Saucy Johnny' and kept yelling it when he was on screen.

[UCGRAD4X]

They were finally getting the little lob under the basket from being blocked every damn time, but they still missed at the rim.

[Xuperman]

Open observation to our electronic tavern here from one with ZERO formal hoops playing experience:

I don't know if it's about being soft or about their "technique" or just what they're used to overseas, but the Euro's do not take the ball to the basket with authority when they are in close proximity to the basket. It just seems there is a little too much finesse action going on with them. They otherwise - and Abou does this, too - don't fake or quickly check their position - check behind them - when they go up sometimes, leading to them getting blocked at the rim.

Jack and Jerome, in particular, always seemed to have a better feel down low in the traffic. They knew what they needed to do to get the ball through the cylinder at point blank range, and that sometimes meant making a fake from time to time before going up. It just seems these guys are too obvious and advertise it.

Otherwise, missing dunks has to stop and stop quickly. Just not forgivable.

Happy for the win. Winthrop is to be commended. Parity in college basketball certainly appears real, at least more so than it's been in the past.

Perhaps the Euro's need to have a little more espresso before games to juice themselves up a little more. A little too much plodding along at times and the down low stuff that takes place without more authority on their parts is not a good formula for BE Conference play.

I really like these guys. I just want them to get better and succeed.

Thoughts?

Well Dash,
If Coach Miller is seeing what you're seeing, and feels a correction is necessary, it will happen. Sean Miller is one of the top "teachers" of the game out there. He is an elite communicator and motivator.

If they stick around long enough, Coach WILL develop the 2 young Euros into All Conference type players.

[UCGRAD4X]

No announced recognition but they did have the skip classic logo on the court. Maybe it was his son’s choice? Guessing

I'm just worried that folks coming up will forget who he was. Just looking at the record books do not express nearly enough what Skip meant to this team and its fans.

[XUGRAD80]

Open observation to our electronic tavern here from one with ZERO formal hoops playing experience:

I don't know if it's about being soft or about their "technique" or just what they're used to overseas, but the Euro's do not take the ball to the basket with authority when they are in close proximity to the basket. It just seems there is a little too much finesse action going on with them. They otherwise - and Abou does this, too - don't fake or quickly check their position - check behind them - when they go up sometimes, leading to them getting blocked at the rim.

Jack and Jerome, in particular, always seemed to have a better feel down low in the traffic. They knew what they needed to do to get the ball through the cylinder at point blank range, and that sometimes meant making a fake from time to time before going up. It just seems these guys are too obvious and advertise it.

Otherwise, missing dunks has to stop and stop quickly. Just not forgivable.

Happy for the win. Winthrop is to be commended. Parity in college basketball certainly appears real, at least more so than it's been in the past.

Perhaps the Euro's need to have a little more espresso before games to juice themselves up a little more. A little too much plodding along at times and the down low stuff that takes place without more authority on their parts is not a good formula for BE Conference play.

I really like these guys. I just want them to get better and succeed.

Thoughts?

Jack and Jerome were/are both experienced players with a couple of years of playing and developing at the major college level. The Euros on the team have none of that. They are still getting used to the speed of the college game compared to the pace of play they have experienced playing in the past. Trouble is, it’s going to go up to another level next week. I expect them to continue to struggle with that until they get a few conference games under their belts. It may well take another year or so before we see significant improvements.

[bobbiemcgee]

Our ft defense was good. They were 10th in nation

[MHettel]

Saw somewhere a comment about the Euros being a little reluctant to really go strong to the rim when the get the ball inside.

Wondering if the slightly different rules in Europe result in more of exactly what we are seeing out of these guys. I think the goal tending rules are different (way more lax) and I think the width of the lane and the charge circle are maybe a bit different as well. Maybe the combination of those slight rule nuances results in it being just a little harder t score inside ( or get an OREB) and as such the euros (all euros) just have figured out that there are other (more effective) ways to score in that position.

It would probably be unnoticeable if we had just one Euro guy in there. But we have 3 in the rotation and plenty of time when there are 2 on the court together.

Have we seen all 3 guys together? I’d actually kind of like to see that.you never know. Didn’t the Red wings do that with Federov when he first came into the league? They had an all-Russian line that the rest of the league had never seen