Game Thread: Xavier v Providence College (2/21/2024)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/scream-mask-picture-id459392477?k=20&m=459392477&s=170667a&w=0&h=Opv4ceQW59Bhm9WFXxhf3Mk4YhqJ73gMSFsxTzBTMc4=


CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 13-12 overall and 7-7 in the BIG EAST Conference, return home on Wednesday night to host the Providence College Friars, 17-9 overall and 8-7 in the BIG EAST. Xavier is looking to snap a two-game losing streak, while Providence will be trying to extend a two-game winning streak. XU has been off since Feb. 14.

This game features the top two scorers in the BIG EAST Conference in Providence's Devin Carter at 19.2 ppg. and Xavier's Quincy Olivari at 19.1 ppg.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (13-12, 7-7 BIG EAST)
PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS (17-9, 8-7 BIG EAST)
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21, 2024 AT 8:00 P.M. ET
CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: CBS Sports Network with play-by-play from Andrew Catalon and analysis from Steve Lappas. CBS Sports Network is available on many providers in the Cincinnati market including Charter Spectrum, DISH (Satellite), DirecTV (Satellite), DirecTV Stream, fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. The game will not be available to altafiber customers; for more information, contact altafiber.
Xavier Radio: 55KRC-AM with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer
Joe Sunderman ('79) 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)

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I got here first, Drudy..................."Just Win".

Listening to Miller's radio show last night, I'm watching three things.

1. The overall team energy. Miller blamed the performance at Seton Hall on the schedule. Too many games in too little time and having to play the fifth toughest schedule in the country. He said that practice over the weekend and on Monday was much more spirited and he predicted a more energetic effort on Weds. For me, iron sharpens iron. I believe a tough schedule, in general, makes a team stronger. Miller didn't entirely convince me that he wasn't making excuses for the team. I assume he believes what he believes but even if not, his approach is more constructive than going full-on Pitino who went low and personal attacking the skills of guys he recruited.

2. Where do Gytis and Abou begin the game, on the floor or on the bench? I though Miller was very generous with both blaming their poor performances, for the most part, on being tired.

3. Related to above, do we see more Sasa and Katchi? Miller gave Katchi a lot of praise comparing him to Jason Love. I saw what others saw. A young player who while inexperienced, is more athletic than the guys above him in the rotation. I hope we see more significant minutes for both. I also want to see if Lazaar gets off the bench. He did not against Seton Hall. In response to a caller's question about allowing Swain and Lazar to shoot threes, Miller gave the qualified "yellow" light to Swain but not to Lazar. Lazar seems to be one of those guys that doesn't have Miller's permission to launch yet he has done so in multiple games this year. When interviewed earlier this year, Lazar said he came to X because he thought Miller could make him into an NBA prospect. And Miller appears to be giving him the same coaching that he gave Hunter. It worked for Hunter. If Lazar chooses not to listen to Miller, I don't see him getting minutes. So that's an interesting subplot going forward.

[Xville]

I want to see a different lineup in the frontcourt starting. I don't really care what it is, but I don't want to see Abou/Gytis starting. We have seen it, and for the most part it hasn't worked. I like the option of either going bigger/more athletic with Abou/Nzeh starting together with Ciani as first off the bench, or going small with Swain at the 4.

It will be really frustrating to me if we see Gytis/Abou rolled out there together again.

[drudy23]

Win please.

[Xville]

X -4.5. Get it done. F it.. win 6 straight

[Strange Brew]

You know what?

We’re all Musketeers.

That means we weren’t wanted by the “blue bloods”, the “Elite”. Well so what.

Same holds for Lenny Brown and Gary Lumpkin. Brian Grant and David West. The list goes on…

I’ve seen PC and it’s not X.

So, Let’s go X!

It’s almost March and “winning time” (thank you BJ Raymond) after all!

[Three Point Pete]

After an embarrassing loss, Xavier has a quality bounce back victory. Hopefully, this continues tonight. Providence and Xavier both see this as an "absolutely must win" game, so I am expecting a classic!

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[XUMIOH12]

Win please.

Please, give us a little hope with a win haha

[flatspat]

Please, give us a little hope with a win haha

Officials for tonight Ayers Gaffney and Hall

[Smooth]

The game will not be available to altafiber customers; for more information, contact altafiber.

You can go to CBS Sports and choose watch CBS Sports Network and choose your provider. altafiber is at the bottom and not Alphabetical (at least it was last week) and it will let you watch even though altafiber doesn't carry CBSSportsNetwork.

[bjf123]

Ciani starting over Ousmane. Interesting….


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[noteggs]

What’s the chances of this SoCon game goes into OT?

[MHettel]

What’s the chances of this SoCon game goes into OT?

So fucking annoying

[MHettel]

Nice offense by Abou. Identifying the mismatch with the 6’3” guard and backing him down and then getting blocked by the 6’3” guard.

Ouch

[noteggs]

We are so weak inside. Obviously

[noteggs]

Think Sean is a lil’ upset at Ciani

[Blue Blooded-05]

Miller was fired up over that missed rebound. He sure isn’t coaching like a guy who is announcing he’s leaving for O$U after the game.

[Three Point Pete]

Time to sit Ousmane

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[Xville]

Time to sit Ousmane

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Yep I have seen about enough of him this year

[Xville]

All in all a good half. X looks pretty good when they shoot 50% from 3

[noteggs]

Thoughts on how that was a foul on Ciani?

[American X]

Ciani fouling from laying down position has to be a first. Can't say the Euros do not bring something unique to the floor.

[xuwillie]

Claude is so hard to watch

[American X]

I am glad that I have never said a bad word about Abou Ousmane.

[Xville]

Claude is so hard to watch

Honestly outside of olivari I’m kind of sick of watching this team. It’s just all very meh

[MHettel]

Honestly outside of olivari I’m kind of sick of watching this team. It’s just all very meh

That took awhile

[GoMuskies]

Hot take: we're not real good.

[XUBison]

We are such a mixed bag.

[Xville]

Ousmane may have some points tonight but overall he hasn’t been good tonight. He’s given up as much as he’s scored

[GoMuskies]

I DO enjoy the Dayton/GM score that regularly scrolls across the bottom of the broadcast. Not much else is particularly fun to watch.

[Xville]

Green didn’t even attempt to box out there.

[HenryMuto]

50% from field and 46% from 3 and only up 2

[Xville]

50% from field and 46% from 3 and only up 2

D has been an issue for weeks now. Thought maybe it’d get fixed with the week off….nope

[XUBison]

Maybe it’s the CBSSN feed, but the crowd seems flat.

[GoMuskies]

Olivari needs to hit a shot.

[Xville]

Really gonna lose to another team at home?

[xukeith]

Olivari looks extremely uncomfortable shooting 2's.

[GoMuskies]

You know who never had a losing season at Xavier? Travis Steele.

[xukeith]

X looks horrible when not in transition. Providence is clearly the team with better weapons.

[KabeX]

Pissin this one away. Well if that happens, no need to worry about the bubble. Ugh,

[Xville]

Depressing. Please for the love don’t accept an nit invite

[XUBison]

We’ve gone from suck to blow.

[KabeX]

D has been an issue for weeks now. Thought maybe it’d get fixed with the week off….nope

Need more athleticism (God I had that word) and more FREAKIN ENERGY!

[Xville]

Gytis is completely worthless on the court. I really don’t understand why he plays

[KabeX]

Still winnable but man we can't get stops

[GoMuskies]

Gytis is completely worthless on the court. I really don’t understand why he plays

He's got our only bucket in forever.

[GoMuskies]

How about a miracle?

[xukeith]

Make X shoot jumpshots. Easy scout.

[XUBison]

Gytis is completely worthless on the court. I really don’t understand why he plays

Because otherwise Lazar might have to play.

[Xville]

This is a mean tease

[xukeith]

Because otherwise Lazar might have to play.

Or that transfer from IU. Griffen something

[Xville]

Because otherwise Lazar might have to play.

Either go small with swain or go big with two bigs. I’d at least try it.

[Xville]

Ha wow

[GoMuskies]

Jesus Christ

[Xville]

Even bigger tease. Don’t understand that call for claude.

Gonna be under 500 Sunday night. I know providence is a decent team but that’s an abomination of a loss. A week off and that’s what you come up with? Pure crap

[GoMuskies]

This team is awful.

[KabeX]

Transfer Portal. That is all.

[paulxu]

If we shot 80% from the FT line like our opponents, we'd have won this game.

[GoMuskies]

Transfer Portal. That is all.

We want one or two guys to stay.

[xukeith]

This team is awful.

X is a easy opponent. Stop transition buckets, force X to play 5 on 5. X clearly is lost. Smoke and mirrors stopped working Miller.

Play Nzeh, Lazar, Green and Ciani each 10 more minutes.

[Xavier]

Claude’s two misses at end of nova game was probably what earned him that look….????

[drudy23]

Turn out the lights.

[paulxu]

Ousmane with a double/double was interesting.

[XUBison]

Sean better not bolt without cleaning up the hot steamer he dumped on us.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Yet another disappointing performance. I think I'll puke and then go to bed.

[Xville]

Ousmane with a double/double was interesting.

Who cares. He gave up just as much as he got

[Xville]

X is a easy opponent. Stop transition buckets, force X to play 5 on 5. X clearly is lost. Smoke and mirrors stopped working Miller.

Play Nzeh, Lazar, Green and Ciani each 10 more minutes.

Offense hasn’t been the issue for a few weeks. It’s been the d, it’s been atrocious lately.. way too easy to score on. Gave up close to 50 in the 2nd half to a team that doesn’t have a whole lot of offensive firepower. In fact they are 130 in o kenpom

[XUBison]

Who cares. He gave up just as much as he got

I liked you better when you were heralding our tourney chances. ;)

[ArizonaXUGrad]

It’s 4 wins in 4 days, currently only plus 1 over my 6-14 prediction. I don’t see many wins left to be honest. DePaul is terrible and Georgetown is a toss up at this point. They win those two and dump the rest and it’s a halfway ok job. They just don’t have the front court horses to last a full season.

[Xville]

I liked you better when you were heralding our tourney chances. ;)

After that abomination, can’t be positive anymore. At this point just want the season over and get to the portal. Don’t accept a stupid nit invite. Portal is way more important

[Three Point Pete]

X is a .500 team, 1-12 against ranked opponents, average, not awful. We got 2 chances for wins against a ranked opponent and a shot for a winning season. Let's get er done!

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[GoMuskies]

No, we're staring down 9th in the Big East. We're pretty shitty.

[XU 87]

Who cares. He gave up just as much as he got

The guy has a double/double and this is all you can say?

[X-band '01]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q-mIM3a44o

[D-West & PO-Z]

Our worst season since 2013. Even in the Steel era we weren't out of the tourney until March.

However, we have Sean now and in Miller I Trust for the future.

[D-West & PO-Z]

UC lost, maybe they can host us in a Crosstown NIT?

[OTRMUSKIE]

Bad season for sure but there is 5 games left all you got to do is win all 5 and then two in beast and you’re in! Oh well, we got the Reds at least.

[MHettel]

Bad season for sure but there is 5 games left all you got to do is win all 5 and then two in beast and you’re in! Oh well, we got the Reds at least.

Agree! That’s the enthusiasm! Let’s just do a 7 game win streak!

Somebody call Miller and tell him we got a plan!

[muskieindent]

I want to see a different lineup in the frontcourt starting. I don't really care what it is, but I don't want to see Abou/Gytis starting. We have seen it, and for the most part it hasn't worked. I like the option of either going bigger/more athletic with Abou/Nzeh starting together with Ciani as first off the bench, or going small with Swain at the 4.

It will be really frustrating to me if we see Gytis/Abou rolled out there together again.

Well it was Ciani and Gytis.How'd that work out? Not good. Hell Nzeh can't be any worse.Lets play him just to see what he can do.

[bleedXblue]

3 reliable guys night in and night out with very little productivity coming from anyone else. Our worst group of post players that I can recall in over 30+ years of watching X bball. Disappointed that Swain and Green haven't developed more. Especially Swain. Hes had the oppty and he is showing a very limited offensive game. he has a long way to go.

[A Fan]

Well said.

[chico]

If this was posted elsewhere I'm sorry but this is Miller going off on the BS tech he got.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsaWDVWmfus

[D-West & PO-Z]

Well it was Ciani and Gytis.How'd that work out? Not good. Hell Nzeh can't be any worse.Lets play him just to see what he can do.

Don't you think if that was truly the case Miller would be playing him more? Clearly Miller thinks it can get worse.

Maybe things change with the tourney bubble popped. We will see.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

3 reliable guys night in and night out with very little productivity coming from anyone else. Our worst group of post players that I can recall in over 30+ years of watching X bball. Disappointed that Swain and Green haven't developed more. Especially Swain. Hes had the oppty and he is showing a very limited offensive game. he has a long way to go.

Sums up my thoughts quite efficiently.

[UCGRAD4X]

Earlier in the year, I would see Swain go from "wow, that kid has some serious skills" kind of play to a "that was a stupid freshman move" the next. I was ok because I knew (assumed) the first kind would become more and the latter less little by little as the year wore on. It seems to have gone the other way.

The one caveat to consider at this point, is the freshman brick wall that creeps up this time of year, mentally and physically. Not atypical.

[atljar]

Earlier in the year, I would see Swain go from "wow, that kid has some serious skills" kind of play to a "that was a stupid freshman move" the next. I was ok because I knew (assumed) the first kind would become more and the latter less little by little as the year wore on. It seems to have gone the other way.

The one caveat to consider at this point, is the freshman brick wall that creeps up this time of year, mentally and physically. Not atypical.

I think he's hit his freshman wall. I honestly think his ceiling possibility is higher than anyone else on the team, just needs to develop

[chico]

It's been a disappointing season for sure, but this year gets an asterisk because of the injury situation. Take roughly 70 minutes away from Ousmane, Gytis and Ciani and give them to Free and Hunter and we're talking seeding right now instead of next year. Maybe you can fault Miller for not having the foresight to get better depth, but nobody expected our only two returning starters to go down for the season in July.

[xukeith]

It's been a disappointing season for sure, but this year gets an asterisk because of the injury situation. Take roughly 70 minutes away from Ousmane, Gytis and Ciani and give them to Free and Hunter and we're talking seeding right now instead of next year. Maybe you can fault Miller for not having the foresight to get better depth, but nobody expected our only two returning starters to go down for the season in July.

I hope this year's struggle has driven Miller crazy and he wants redemption for next season. I imagine if each frosh and transfer puts in a solid foundation of muscle gain, practice with teammates, and developing into talented players, X might be good (above 0.500 in BE play) .

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I hope this year's struggle has driven Miller crazy and he wants redemption for next season. I imaging if each frosh and transfer puts in a solid foundation of muscle gain, practice with teammates, and developing into talented players, X might be good (above 0.500 in BE play) .

Yes, but I don't think we can get to the top of the B.E. without roster changes. Will Free and Hunter be back? If they come back, will they be as good as they were two years earlier or will their skills be diminished? Will they make it back at all? We cannot win with Gytis and Abou. They can become solid back-ups, maybe 10-15 minutes per game each. But they will not become what we need because they don't have the level of talent that is needed to win the conference. If we cannot predict Free and Hunter with certainty, we must recruit a solid "4" and a solid "5". We cannot find out next September that we need new talent.

And I'm voting Craft, Lazar and Ducharme off the island so that we have room on the roster for inbound transfers. Craft and Lazar, I feel, are outbound without the need for encouragement anyway. Ducharme I don't know but he will, I think, leave with four years of eligibility.

We need to replace Quincy in the backcourt and Swain and Green need a restoration of confidence. Watching their body language last night spoke volumes. They both have lost confidence.

Finally, defense. We need defensive talent. Hopefully we can obtain that with new inbound transfers.

Not sure if there is something going on internally. I'm not close to the team and I just don't know. But, we have, so far, gone in the opposite direction of the improvement Miller predicted. That seems odd given Miller's experience and track record. I don't understand.

[xukeith]

I do not know where this magical starting center is in this upcoming transfer portal.
In the history of X basketball, I do not know any transfer other than Stainbook that started and was producing 10 + points a game.
Possibly X could get top center prospects and develop them into top BE post players.

I love Swain but his offensive game has worsened over the season. Same with Green. Wasn't a strength of this team supposed to be depth?

I hope X can score a big starting transfer with 2 years or eligibility. Like others have posted X needs another 3 point threat in the Boum, Johnson, Olivari mold.
I hope at least 1 of the Freemantle/Hunter package can come in and at least play 20-30 minutes a game.

[Xville]

I do not know where this magical starting center is in this upcoming transfer portal.
In the history of X basketball, I do not know any transfer other than Stainbook that started and was producing 10 + points a game.
Possibly X could get top center prospects and develop them into top BE post players.

I love Swain but his offensive game has worsened over the season. Same with Green. Wasn't a strength of this team supposed to be depth?

I hope X can score a big starting transfer with 2 years or eligibility. Like others have posted X needs another 3 point threat in the Boum, Johnson, Olivari mold.
I hope at least 1 of the Freemantle/Hunter package can come in and at least play 20-30 minutes a game.

We have had a few just in recent history:

Kanter
Nunge
Hankey Mcspankey

There are several others. I agree that in this day and age, it may be difficult to get those guys, but they will be available.

[JTG]

I do not know where this magical starting center is in this upcoming transfer portal.
In the history of X basketball, I do not know any transfer other than Stainbook that started and was producing 10 + points a game.
Possibly X could get top center prospects and develop them into top BE post players.

I love Swain but his offensive game has worsened over the season. Same with Green. Wasn't a strength of this team supposed to be depth?

I hope X can score a big starting transfer with 2 years or eligibility. Like others have posted X needs another 3 point threat in the Boum, Johnson, Olivari mold.
I hope at least 1 of the Freemantle/Hunter package can come in and at least play 20-30 minutes a game.

Did you forget about Nunge already?

[Blue Blooded-05]

I do not know where this magical starting center is in this upcoming transfer portal.
In the history of X basketball, I do not know any transfer other than Stainbook that started and was producing 10 + points a game.

Jamel McLean - more of a PF, but he averaged 10 & 8 as a senior and switched to center at times
Brian Thornton
Anthony Myles
CJ Anderson - while not a center, played well above his height

[Xavier]

XUKeith clearly forget a bunch of these guys to make his point…..but throwing CJ Anderson in that capable starting center transfer mix is a bit much..

[XUBison]

If this was posted elsewhere I'm sorry but this is Miller going off on the BS tech he got.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsaWDVWmfus

I saw this last night. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, other than that he was pissed. Some of the rhetoric seemed… Odd.

[Xville]

I saw this last night. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, other than that he was pissed. Some of the rhetoric seemed… Odd.

I agree it was the first time I have heard miller speak where I was thinking wtf? Probably just pissed off at his team so he had to direct it at somewhere instead of throwing his guys under the bus.

[paulxu]

If this was posted elsewhere I'm sorry but this is Miller going off on the BS tech he got.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsaWDVWmfus

I'd hate to lose this guy to another school.

[drudy23]

Sean has been pretty calm so far, but you can see some of the frustration starting to get to him. I'm thinking he also thinks some guys should be contributing much more at this point. It has to be frustrating.

Bottom line - we need better frontcourt players, and that's been pretty obvious from the jump.

Everything points to average. You can't hide from your record. If we didn't have Q, we're likely looking at a team well below .500. That's a pretty scary proposition for a program like X.

[X-band '01]

If this was posted elsewhere I'm sorry but this is Miller going off on the BS tech he got.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsaWDVWmfus

I don't know why Ohio State is interested in lower-tiered coaches.

[XUBison]

I don't know why Ohio State is interested in lower-tiered coaches.

Right? So weird. Sort of felt like he was projecting something. I suppose he was just being self-deprecating to make his point.

[GoMuskies]

Who's in the top tier? Hurley and Pitino? Surely English isn't, which made what Sean said a bit odd.

[MHettel]

Who's in the top tier? Hurley and Pitino? Surely English isn't, which made what Sean said a bit odd.

I was very confused last night when I watched it. But a little drunk too.

Then watching it again today, I assumed it would make a lot more sense. But it was just weird.

[X-band '01]

Who's in the top tier? Hurley and Pitino? Surely English isn't, which made what Sean said a bit odd.

It would also imply that Thad Matta and Shaka Smart are in that tier when you go by Final Four appearances.

Maybe just a little gamesmanship for Sunday?

[MHettel]

It would also imply that Thad Matta and Shaka Smart are in that tier when you go by Final Four appearances.

Maybe just a little gamesmanship for Sunday?

We will be lucky if it’s not a 20 pt game at half. Doubtful that Sean is stoking the situation.

Really confused by what Sean said, why he said it, and how it will matter to this post season.

Mike leach made more sense a lot of the time

[xukeith]

We will be lucky if it’s not a 20 pt game at half. Doubtful that Sean is stoking the situation.

Really confused by what Sean said, why he said it, and how it will matter to this post season.

Mike leach made more sense a lot of the time

I cannot imagine Miller believing he is being picked on by refs.
He is no newcomer to coaching basketball. I guess he was mad he got a T.
But it sounded like a conspiracy theory or an agenda spun by other BE coaches.

[Blue Blooded-05]

My take, for what (little) it’s worth…

Miller is bringing back the “they don’t respect us” team identity. It has been part of Xavier’s identity for decades and he used it to great success in his first stint. For a variety of reasons, we seem to have lost it in recent years.

Nothing brings people together like a shared enemy.

[webxu]

XUKeith clearly forget a bunch of these guys to make his point…..but throwing CJ Anderson in that capable starting center transfer mix is a bit much..

I would take him at center this year...

[Xavier]

You guys seem to be reading too much into it. Just seemed frustrated he gets Td up for something that simple while other guys in the league get away with murder (Hurley/Shaka). I don’t think it was in regard to English.

[bleedXblue]

Sean has been pretty calm so far, but you can see some of the frustration starting to get to him. I'm thinking he also thinks some guys should be contributing much more at this point. It has to be frustrating.

Bottom line - we need better frontcourt players, and that's been pretty obvious from the jump.

Everything points to average. You can't hide from your record. If we didn't have Q, we're likely looking at a team well below .500. That's a pretty scary proposition for a program like X.

mostly bc the recruiting the last 2-3 years has not been good chalk some of that up to a coaching change.......

[Xville]

mostly bc the recruiting the last 2-3 years has not been good chalk some of that up to a coaching change.......

I dunno if we get Swain if he doesn't decommit, but losing Ward kind of sucked. As a soph, he has turned into a good role player for LSU and shooting almost 44% from 3.

[drudy23]

I was in the house at the Purdue game back in November. I remember thinking that Gytis was going to be a valuable contributor as he played well on the road against the #1 team in the country. Well...