Game Thread: Xavier vs Creighton (1/23/2024)

[paulxu]

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CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 10-8 overall and 4-3 in the BIG EAST Conference, visit the No. 17 Creighton University Bluejays, 14-5 overall and 5-3 in the BIG EAST, on Tuesday night for an 8:30 p.m. ET game. Xavier enters the game with a three-game winning streak, while Creighton is coming off a wild 97-94 triple overtime win at Seton Hall on Saturday.

Xavier is hoping to continue its recent success against Creighton. XU has won five of the last six meetings vs. CU, although the Bluejays won last year's game in Omaha.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (10-8, 4-3 BIG EAST)
NO. 17 CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY BLUEJAYS (14-5, 5-3 BIG EAST)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024 AT 8:30 P.M. ET (7:30 CT)
CHI HEALTH CENTER OMAHA IN OMAHA, NEB.

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Kevin Kugler and analysis from Nick Bahe.
Xavier Radio: 700 WLW-AM 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. (https://goxavier.com/)

[Xavier]

Enormous opportunity here. A loss doesn’t hurt, but at some point X will need to steal a game they aren’t suppose to win. A win does wonders for them.

I’m surprised to see X has won 5 of the last 6 against them. That’s impressive.

[Xville]

X +8. Give me some

[drudy23]

Win please.

[X-band '01]

2 things to look out for tonight:

1) Who will be Creighton's lock-down defender? Ryan Nembhard did a great job on Boum in the game in Omaha, but he's now starting for Gonzaga.

2) Can Xavier exploit Creighton's lack of a bench? If ever there was an opportunity for Trey Green and Dailyn Swain to break out, tonight would be one.

[waggy]

Tempo will be a large factor in this game. X needs to push, push, push.

[Xville]

Not having kaluma is a big thing for creighton. They didn’t replace him with anyone nearly as good. If Claude plays admirably against schweirman and abou holds his own against kalkbrenner, x can pull this out

[GIMMFD]

It's just so damn tough to play in Omaha, think we have a puncher's chance, but wouldn't bet on it. I'm not watching so we won't have any hiccups and an X victory should be guaranteed.

[Three Point Pete]

Swain gets the start!

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[Blue Blooded-05]

How great would it be if we could steal this one? Miller can coach circles around McDermott. Gotta figure out a way to keep Ousmane out of foul trouble.

[xuwillie]

Claude really has to stop shooting 3’s

[noteggs]

Foul before shot on Q?

[Xville]

Not loving our d right now. Creighton has gotten into the lane way too easily

[Blue Blooded-05]

Green and McKnight together is interesting. Reminds me of the Chalmers/Finn two PG lineups from long ago.

[Xville]

Wow des came to play today woooo

[Three Point Pete]

Abou has a left hand

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[Blue Blooded-05]

Abou knows he can pass the ball out of the post, right?

[Xville]

Awesome 4 minute war there. It’s been quiet but I like what Ciani has done on d so far tonight and grabbing key boards. Good stuff so far, hoping x caught creighton at a great time

[noteggs]

Keep it going boys!

[X-band '01]

Feels strange not seeing this game as part of Creighton's annual pink-out game.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Don't know if this team will make the dance but they sure are fun to watch these last couple of games. Loved the shot of Miller in the huddle. What a great coach. I marvel at how on point he is, how direct and candid is his communication. He makes his point but doesn't have to rip into a player to accomplish his objective.

[Xville]

Wow ashworth is a lil bitch

[X-band '01]

He just made a lot of friends at Cintas with that flop against Q.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

That was pretty damn dumb of Quincy. He should know better.

[Xville]

Now we are getting mcdermotted

[Xville]

Wow swain is incredible

[paulxu]

I don't like these Creighton guys for some reason.
I can admire UConn guys, and Nova's, etc. But these guys just rub you the wrong way,

[X-band '01]

For once Xavier won't be in a big halftime hole at Creighton.

[paulxu]

Good half boys!

[Xville]

I don't like these Creighton guys for some reason.
I can admire UConn guys, and Nova's, etc. But these guys just rub you the wrong way,

I agree.. they are punks, very butleresque imo, and I have never liked mcdermotts style

[X-band '01]

To a degree this must be how opposing fanbases must have felt going up against JP Macura. He certainly wore the black hat well.

[Three Point Pete]

2 TOs in the 1st half. And better defense on 3 balls. Keep fighting

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[D-West & PO-Z]

Had to start late, but caught up now. My first half thoughts:

- Big response after being down 7 in the first half.
-Lazar kinda stinks
-Des killing it, love the aggressiveness
-About can't guar Kalk, especially not letting him catch it that low.
-Going to need some solid mins from Ciani
-Swain's length is game changing, can't wait for him to really put it all together.

[X-band '01]

Here come the whistles....

[D-West & PO-Z]

8-0 on 2nd chance points is huge

[D-West & PO-Z]

I know Miller is probably nervous to help on Kalk leaving someone open from 3 but probably are going to need to at this point.

[Xville]

Swains confidence last two games has been incredible. Wow!

[GoMuskies]

This game is objectively awesome.

[X-band '01]

I certainly wouldn't be giving Alexander or Scheierman open looks. You'll just have to live with it if Ashworth or Miller tries to take a 3 that way.

[GoMuskies]

Djokovic is bad.

[Three Point Pete]

That guy can't buy a basket

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[Xville]

Djokovic is bad.

I feel bad for him because I think the shot is there but he has zero confidence right now. Unfortunately, I think that’s the only way he could contribute this year because he lacks everywhere else at this stage

[GoMuskies]

We have to win this game. HAVE to.

[X-band '01]

Yeah, if I'm Creighton and see him in the lineup, I'd triple dog dare him to hit one and double up on someone else until he hits a shot or two.

[Blue Blooded-05]

I think Miller brought Drew Lavender in this week to teach the tear drop

[noteggs]

Wow ashworth is a lil bitch

lol! Completely thought the same damn thing! Should be up for an academy.

[Xville]

Have to box out gentlemen

[bjf123]

Terrible sequence there.


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[X-band '01]

Yet it took 30 minutes for Creighton to finally get a second chance bucket. Definitely need a TO to regroup.

[Blue Blooded-05]

4 point possession. That hurt. Gotta regroup here

[Xville]

Gotta get q a shot or two

[Xville]

Just realized x only has 4 assists?!!

[xukeith]

I would take Jason Carter over Lazar.

[Xville]

Well that sequence really effing sucked.

[Xville]

Well yeah he was unhappy because the call was complete bullshit.

Mcdermotted

[Blue Blooded-05]

Everyone look at the refs!!!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Tough spot for a T there.

[Xville]

That’s not a foul, ref.

[GoMuskies]

These refs blow.

[Xville]

How the hell is that a foul on abou? wtf ref

[X-band '01]

Definitely a chickenshit call against Ousmane.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Is everyone looking at the refs yet??

[bjf123]

Getting royally homered here.


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[Xville]

Thank goodness for dayvion tonight

[Xville]

Getting royally homered here.


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Typical at creighton. Again not a foul on swain there. These refs are blind

[bjf123]

Ref show now.


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[Blue Blooded-05]

This is slipping away

[GoMuskies]

Missed opportunity

[Xville]

X really got homered here which is not surprising, but this was another opportunity that slipped away.

Creighton on a 16-6 run last four minutes

[xukeith]

X will beat these guys by 15 at Cintas

[Xville]

Creighton isn’t a top 20 team but the refs sure helped them look like one

[GoMuskies]

Claude sucked on offense.

[Blue Blooded-05]

This one hurts. We don’t feel like a 10-9 team

[xuwillie]

Claude sucked on offense.

Yep. When he starts shooting 3’s we tend to look like crap

[xukeith]

Claude sucked on offense.

he was tired from carrying X's offense in 1st half. CU took away his baseline area on defense.

[Section 200]

Does every visiting team get 2 technicals per game in Omaha? Still it was a 2 point game with 2 minutes to play - appreciate the fight in the team

[Xville]

This one hurts. We don’t feel like a 10-9 team

Definitely not and most likely gonna be a 10-10 team, but schedule opens up from there a bit. Record will look a whole lot better in a few weeks

[xukeith]

Ryan K is out of eligibility this year correct?

[Three Point Pete]

Not surprised, not disappointed, just about what I expected. Keep improving guys, we still have a lot of games to play.

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[X-band '01]

he was tired from carrying X's offense in 1st half. CU took away his baseline area on defense.

That and Scheierman flipped the switch in the 2nd half. Hard to answer 3s with teardrop 2s from McKnight indefinitely.

[noteggs]

Anyway way ref’s can call Baylor on that arm push off? Has gotten away with it all freaking year!

[Xville]

I love miller but honestly that t kinda killed us. Too late in the 2nd half to do that.

[American X]

Xavier is a good team right now, but not enough to win in Omaha.

Some of our featured players are smart with their shot selection and some are not as smart.

We will have a chance in every game on the schedule, maybe not a great chance but enough pieces are there for big wins.

[CP05XU08CU13]

Claude going cold in the second half killed Xavier. Needs to be more consistent. Definitely a ton of homer calls. We have no consistent 3-point threat so teams are willing to give Xavier those shots. We need another Brad Redford!

[Xavier]

Hurts. We were better team. We should beat them at home. They can’t guard our physical guards. Had like two 3 min stretches that killed us. We never look good with lazar on the floor. But McKnight and swain looked damn good

[Xville]

Q had the quietest 15 points I have ever seen

[Xavier]

I love miller but honestly that t kinda killed us. Too late in the 2nd half to do that.

Yep was a crucial time. Turned it into a 4 point swing. Shame it didn’t change anything from the refs, still got it back to 2 late.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I love miller but honestly that t kinda killed us. Too late in the 2nd half to do that.

Yeah not smart but likely didnt matter in the end. Creighton hit some tough shots and we went a little cold.

Refs blew.

X can beat them at home.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

The guys have fight but this just isn’t a tourney team. 4-4 now, chances to make a resume are disappearing. 12 left plus a tourney, I still believe it will take a tourney title to make it.

[Xville]

X will be 17-12 with a chance to be on the right side of the bubble the last week of the season. It will all come down to @butler, home Marquette

[Xavier]

If I didn’t know the record I’d say it looks like a classic dangerous 7 seed team. Especially lately. They definitely look the part, but will need to finish strong. Coming into today the team rankings site had it over a 50% they’d make tournament when compared to teams in past.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The guys have fight but this just isn’t a tourney team. 4-4 now, chances to make a resume are disappearing. 12 left plus a tourney, I still believe it will take a tourney title to make it.

The metrics that matter day otherwise.

Finish 18-13 in reg season, go 1-1 in BE tourney and I think they have a legit chance. Anything better than that and I'd feel really good.

Now finishing 8-5 (including tonight) is going to be tough but X can go on a run after UConn

[Xavier]

X will be 17-12 with a chance to be on the right side of the bubble the last week of the season. It will all come down to @butler, home Marquette

Agreed.

[Xville]

The metrics that matter day otherwise.

Finish 18-13 in reg season, go 1-1 in BE tourney and I think they have a legit chance. Anything better than that and I'd feel really good.

Now finishing 8-5 (including tonight) is going to be tough but X can go on a run after UConn

Agreed on all. I don’t think x loses on their home court the rest of the season.

Kenpom says 12-8 conf. record. There’s the 18, I’ll take it :)

[GoMuskies]

To be fair, I don't think we should be any more encouraged by a close loss at Creighton than we should have been discouraged by a narrow home win over the awful Hoyas.

[Xville]

To be fair, I don't think we should be any more encouraged by a close loss at Creighton than we should have been discouraged by a narrow home win over the awful Hoyas.

The game went how I thought it would. I think x is the better team but on the road is tough especially there. I wouldn’t say I’m encouraged by the close loss but not discouraged by it.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Great game but Creighton is the bigger team. If we had hunter and free we would be better. 18-13 reg season that’s the goal and we are still on track.

[XUBison]

The game went how I thought it would. I think x is the better team but on the road is tough especially there. I wouldn’t say I’m encouraged by the close loss but not discouraged by it.

We are better than Creighton? Based on what?

[Xuperman]

We are better than Creighton? Based on what?

Yeah, that question can not be answered in any way that makes sense.

The fact is, our team hasn't posted any conference wins that move the needle.....so far.

If Claude gets a bucket at the end in Philly....it's a whole different conversation. That game could end up costing us a tournament bid.

[X-band '01]

This game alone would not cause that. Losing games at home to Oakland and Delaware have done that.

[Xville]

We are better than Creighton? Based on what?

I think we got homered. I think we beat them at home and I think we win on a neutral court. X was the better team for most of the night until some very questionable calls and miller got the t.

We shall see but I believe x beats them at home.

[X-band '01]

Miller didn't help with his technical during the 2nd half, though. I get he was frustrated late in the 2nd half, but the call on Ousmane for his 4th foul would have better warranted a tech. And frankly, I wouldn't chalk up Scheierman and Alexander's play to strictly home cooking, either.

[JTG]

The guys have fight but this just isn’t a tourney team. 4-4 now, chances to make a resume are disappearing. 12 left plus a tourney, I still believe it will take a tourney title to make it.

No way. If we go 8-4 the rest of the way, one win in MSG should do it.

[XUGRAD80]

Could t watch the game but followed along on the play-by-play via ESPN app, so didn’t get to see any of it. Was able to listen to a little bit of the 1st half via iHeart and the internet. Just a quick observation from looking at the stats this morning….

Only 5, count them, 5 assists for the whole game. McKnight and Green, the 2 point guards had NONE! That is NOT Xavier BB. Maybe that was the Creighton defense, but at least some of that has to be on the Xavier players. That needs to improve big time on Sunday.

[xubrew]

This game alone would not cause that. Losing games at home to Oakland and Delaware have done that.

Exactly. If X doesn't lose those two games they're probably inside the bubble right now.

[Xavier]

Could t watch the game but followed along on the play-by-play via ESPN app, so didn’t get to see any of it. Was able to listen to a little bit of the 1st half via iHeart and the internet. Just a quick observation from looking at the stats this morning….

Only 5, count them, 5 assists for the whole game. McKnight and Green, the 2 point guards had NONE! That is NOT Xavier BB. Maybe that was the Creighton defense, but at least some of that has to be on the Xavier players. That needs to improve big time on Sunday.

I think a lot of that was how creighton plays defense. They basically play D wanting you to shoot the midrange shot or slightly closer. They’re big sags off the pick and roll so much because his length makes up for it, but our guards kinda thrive and want to get to that midrange shot. It’s why I think we will beat them in Cintas

[nickgyp]

FWIW: Never thought X was out of it even with the less than stellar play from our bigs. Claude’s first half performance was excellent but everyone knew others would need to step up. Olivari and McKnight did but who would have thought Dez would miss all his second half shots? Swain is a keeper but fouls, little from the bigs and Schierman going off ultimately did X in. This team is good enough to surprise some teams but with little margin for error. Can’t write them off but next weeks can be fun to watch.

[muskieindent]

Great first half by Dez then nothing in the second half.McKnight was great.He should shoot 3's more.Foul trouble really hurt us tonight Abou just can't guard a guy like Kulkbrenner.Glad to see Swain play so much.I gather it was just because Gytis had been sick but I'd like to see him play more. I thought this game was winnable but honestly I don't think we have a chance at UCONN. Thats life in the BE.Need to win our home games because road wins are few and far between

[Xville]

Great first half by Dez then nothing in the second half.McKnight was great.He should shoot 3's more.Foul trouble really hurt us tonight Abou just can't guard a guy like Kulkbrenner.Glad to see Swain play so much.I gather it was just because Gytis had been sick but I'd like to see him play more. I thought this game was winnable but honestly I don't think we have a chance at UCONN. Thats life in the BE.Need to win our home games because road wins are few and far between

Yeah last night was the one to get. UCONN is just better than X right now and with Clingan back in the fold, X doesn't match up anywhere. UCONN could have their C - game and X have their A and they could pull off a shocker of shocks, but not betting on it.

The nice thing though is that X didn't need either one this week. It would have been nice, but they just need to come out of it healthy and not embarrassed so the confidence doesn't go to shit.

After Sunday is the time to step on the gas...win those next four and X puts themselves in good shape

[ArizonaXUGrad]

No way. If we go 8-4 the rest of the way, one win in MSG should do it.

2 against Marquette, 1 each vs Nova/Uconn/St. Johns and road games against Butler and Seton Hall.

8-4 the rest of the is playing as good as this team can with zero let downs.

[xuwillie]

2 against Marquette, 1 each vs Nova/Uconn/St. Johns and road games against Butler and Seton Hall.

8-4 the rest of the is playing as good as this team can with zero let downs.

I can see us going 4-3 there

[Xville]

I can see us going 4-3 there

yep....add in 2 against depaul, 1 against gtown and home against creighton.

Yes the razor is thin for this team, but with Miller at the helm, and the team getting better and better, the probability is there.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Miller didn't help with his technical during the 2nd half, though. I get he was frustrated late in the 2nd half, but the call on Ousmane for his 4th foul would have better warranted a tech. And frankly, I wouldn't chalk up Scheierman and Alexander's play to strictly home cooking, either.

Agree. I don't think our guys folded just that Creighton's seniors made big plays down the stretch. It was a good game to watch. The boys responded well to an always tough Omaha crowd and stayed in it until the end. We have seen lots of improvement the last couple of games and, who knows, maybe we make a splash MSG at season end.

Creighton is a classy program with a great coach. Don't get the negative stuff from some posters. Don't feel the same about UConn. Yes, the Huskies are a better team but I don't think a Muskies win is out of the question.

[drudy23]

We let Creighton get to their comfort in the 2nd half. They kill you with lose ball, fast break, and second chance 3s, and that did us in.

We were great on Schiermann in the first half. Not so much in the 2nd.

[Xville]

We let Creighton get to their comfort in the 2nd half. They kill you with lose ball, fast break, and second chance 3s, and that did us in.

We were great on Schiermann in the first half. Not so much in the 2nd.

As miller said, a consistent problem this year has been giving up 2nd and 3rd chances. Did that in the last 1/4 of the game and that’s why x lost again.

[JTG]

I think we should have let Kalkbrenner have his and stopped their 3s. That would have let Ousmane play more, and if Creighton couldn't shoot 3s they would have tightened up. Also, if we're contesting the 3s we're in better position to rebound. Maybe we'll try that @ Cintas for the rematch.

[paulxu]

Perhaps we lost because there was no game day drop ?

[xukeith]

As miller said, a consistent problem this year has been giving up 2nd and 3rd chances. Did that in the last 1/4 of the game and that’s why x lost again.

Freemantle can definitely defensive rebound.

[xudash]

As miller said, a consistent problem this year has been giving up 2nd and 3rd chances. Did that in the last 1/4 of the game and that’s why x lost again.

I go with whatever Coach Miller says, but I will say it seemed like the one sequence where Creighton had 3 OB's and then had Schiermann hitting the 3 looked like the ball was magnetized for receipt by a Creighton player - - it seemed like the ball went off the rim directly to a Creighton player every time.

Kind of a "the way the ball bounces" thought process.

On that note, I'll go back to going with whatever Coach Miller says.

[Xavier]

^^ but if I remember correctly it started off a missed FT. You just have to get that board. The other two just had the bounce to creighton, agreed.