Game Thread: Xavier v. Wake Forest (11/16/2024)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.2119251198.0655/st,small,507x507-pad,600x600,f8f8f8.jpg

CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 3-0, host the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons, 4-0, in the return of the Skip Prosser Classic on Saturday at noon at Cintas Center. The two teams have not met since the 2019-20 season.

Wake is third among "others receiving votes" in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll and Xavier is fourth.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (3-0, 0-0 BIG EAST)
WAKE FOREST (4-0, 0-0 ACC)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2024 AT 12:00 NOON ET
AT THE CINTAS, CENTER, IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV/Stream: FS1 with Chris Vosters and Nick Bahe on the call.
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 available on the Varsity Network and on Sirius XM.

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

[Xville]

Really curious what this line is going to be. I’d guess x -3.5 but I could see it being as high as 7

[Xuperman]

The first test to see if our frontcourt can compete defensively. Reid is a load. Maybe ZFree can foul him out.

[waggy]

They haven't shot well from 3 but the expectation was that they would. Hopefully they don't wake up against us.

[American X]

Requiescat In Pace George 'Skip' Prosser. (https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2024/11/15/skip-prosser-legacy-xavier-university-mens-basketball-wake-forest-chris-mack-pat-kelsey/76305905007/)

I love the return the Skip Prosser Classic. Not necessarily every year, but I would like to play Wake Forest periodically to keep the tribute alive and perpetuate his memory.

[UCGRAD4X]

Requiescat In Pace George 'Skip' Prosser. (https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2024/11/15/skip-prosser-legacy-xavier-university-mens-basketball-wake-forest-chris-mack-pat-kelsey/76305905007/)

I love the return the Skip Prosser Classic. Not necessarily every year, but I would like to play Wake Forest periodically to keep the tribute alive and perpetuate his memory.

Absolutely. They need to install a Guinness tap in the Duff for this game.

[flatspat]

Line is X-6

[xu82]

Marquette plays at 10 am. That sucks! Anything for money, I guess.

[X-band '01]

Marquette just won at Maryland last night. Must be another Marquette team with a morning tip.

[waggy]

Marquette just won at Maryland last night. Must be another Marquette team with a morning tip.

Spoiler

[drudy23]

Time to start putting the pieces together against decent teams. Starts today.

[GoMuskies]

Didn't see the first half but love the score!

[xukeith]

Looked pretty solid. X was sloppy with the ball hence 6 tos. Defense looked good too at times.

[MHettel]

Swain has a very questionable handle. Noticed it so far this year, and multiple blunders today

[GoMuskies]

Beginning of the second half is absolute trash. Luckily for the team i have to stop watching and leave soon.

[HenryMuto]

Forgot this game was on today. Nice to see Freemantle and Hunter back on the court again after losing them last year.

This would be a nice win if we can hang on.

[MHettel]

Very sloppy. Terrible refs both ways.

[Xville]

Not the most exciting game, but really have loved the defense. It’s nice to see this team can win a rock fight against a quality opponent

[MHettel]

Not the most exciting game, but really have loved the defense. It’s nice to see this team can win a rock fight against a quality opponent

We’ve caused a lot of turnovers so far this year. Tons of steals

[MHettel]

Swain has a very questionable handle. Noticed it so far this year, and multiple blunders today

I’m gonna double down on this.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Nice win.

[Three Point Pete]

Byron might not agree, but Zach's behind the back dribble and flush is the play of the game.

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[American X]

https://y.yarn.co/704b7305-6515-4d66-a1e0-42bdcee8305a_text.gif

[bjf123]

Byron might not agree, but Zach's behind the back dribble and flush is the play of the game.

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Agreed! Props to the big man. Might make the ESPN Top 10.


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[XUGRAD80]

Welcome to the Top 25 Xavier! Big win. The team is hungry and they are going to be fighting and clawing all year. Depth, defense, excellent free throw shooting, and a willingness by everyone to play hard all the time. I like what I’m seeing!

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Yes, X should be ranked next week.

[X-band '01]

It's incredible what shooting free throws at over an 80% clip can do for this team. If they were missing freebies like last year, this would have been a 1 or 2-possession game late in the ballgame. Instead, they had a bigger cushion at the end of the game.

Wake was also not good when Xavier was able to speed up the tempo during the game. They like playing a slower tempo ala Virginia and Villanova.

[bjf123]

Good to see everyone who got on the floor scoring. Couple of nice 3s from Jerome. This team should be fun to watch.


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[MHettel]

We’ve caused a lot of turnovers so far this year. Tons of steals

Follow up on this.

in 2022-23, we averaged 6.4 steals per game.
2023-24 was 6.9
This year so far it's been 9.8.

Almost 3 additional steals.

Similar for opponent TOs.

2022-23: 11.4
2023-24: 11.7
This year: 13.5

The percentage of turnovers that were the result of a steal is VERY high. We have alot of active hands swiping at the ball and guys are jumping the passing lanes. I think our interior defense is pretty weak, and we need to protect Free from foul problems. Taking chances on the perimeter is a good way to disrupt the opponents half court offense.

Solid Surprise that this team is excelling at steals. The individual players kind of were all "ok" at that stat in their history. Obvious coaching emphasis and gameplan.

[Xavier]

Good points Hett, definitely more active. Thought they also did a really good job bringing the timely double when wake had ball in the paint. I was also pleasantly surprised with the rebounding overall. I didn’t think we’d out rebound them. Was definitely good to see a strong defensive effort after the first couple games.

[XUGRAD80]

Many of those steals were the result of off the ball defensive rotation by the players. This is great to see as it shows that TEAM defense is being taught, not just one on one defense. Considering how many new players they have, and how early it is in the season, I expect that aspect to do nothing but get better as the season goes on. X has an abundance of players with multiple years of experience, and it shows in how quickly they seem to have picked up Sean’s system.

[xu82]

Didn’t the announcers say Wake is known for turning it over?

I’m not sure if we were special, but we WERE fun to watch. I’m more encouraged for the season.

[Xville]

Was really pleased with the defense, best d I have seen from x against a good opponent in a long time. If that continues it could be a special season. Before today I could see 3 losses in non-con, I’m optimistic that maybe they just have one. Encouraging.

[drudy23]

We’re better than SC, we’re better than Michigan, we’re better than VT, and we’re better than TCU. Doesn’t mean we will win them all but we certainly could.

UC will be a war. How cool would it be for both teams to be undefeated.

[American X]

Seems that everyone in the rotation is a plus contributor. Not sure that I want to see any minutes shifted one way or another. At least looking back at this game, maybe have Maddox & Green spell Conwell & McKnight for a few more minutes. Green needs the development this season and beyond. Hunter is clearly a work in progress, so whatever minutes he can manage. Hugley is solid out there, but I do not need to see him shoot a three with so many other great shooters around him.

[Section 200]

Very fun game yesterday - love getting an early 10 point lead. Jerome's two 3s were huge to build the margin. Felt like a Big East game with the tough play and generally light whistle. Everyone seems to be bought in - team is light years ahead of last year.

[Three Point Pete]

Considering how awful Wake played: gave up 27 points on TO, and 19 points on foul shots. Xavier had all those opportunities to charge down the court in transition after turnovers, I think our 40% FG should have been higher. Not outstanding firepower.

Or, it could be argued that Xavier had great defense to force TO and hold them to 60 points.

I am still thinking about this!

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[xukeith]

Considering how awful Wake played: gave up 27 points on TO, and 19 points on foul shots. Xavier had all those opportunities to charge down the court in transition after turnovers, I think our 40% FG should have been higher. Not outstanding firepower.

Or, it could be argued that Xavier had great defense to force TO and hold them to 60 points.

I am still thinking about this!

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Perhaps there should be a new thread for this discovery of a good defense.

Most observers stated the reason X's defense was so good, everyone was moving and in rotation.
X's length from Hunter, Swain and maybe Foster deflected and created steals.
Will this defense repeat this Siena game?
Could the top 3 in BE withstand this newly discovered force of a blizzard?

[waggy]

Wake is playing a 2 guard at point.

[Xville]

We’re better than SC, we’re better than Michigan, we’re better than VT, and we’re better than TCU. Doesn’t mean we will win them all but we certainly could.

UC will be a war. How cool would it be for both teams to be undefeated.

Should be the case, never know as both teams will have to win in true road environments beforehand but would be nice to have a top 10-15 matchup.

[Xville]

Is it just me or is Ryan Conwell just an absolute stud? The guy just seems to get 15-20 very quietly and easily, while also doing a lot of the little things that don't necessarily show up on the stat line (deflections, tough d etc). He makes his free throws and just never forces anything. He's an absolute joy to watch, and someone for young kids to model their game after.

[drudy23]

Is it just me or is Ryan Conwell just an absolute stud? The guy just seems to get 15-20 very quietly and easily, while also doing a lot of the little things that don't necessarily show up on the stat line (deflections, tough d etc). He makes his free throws and just never forces anything. He's an absolute joy to watch, and someone for young kids to model their game after.

Smooth.

There's going to be a game where he gets 35+

Really hope he can stick around next year too - potential BE POY and All American list guy.

[X-man]

Smooth.

There's going to be a game where he gets 35+

Really hope he can stick around next year too - potential BE POY and All American list guy.

I attended the Sean Miller show last night at the Dilly Deli. Sean spoke glowingly about Ryan as well as many others on the team, both about their offense and defense. And he also is very high on the two commitments for next year.

[Xville]

Does Hugley have one year left after this or is this it for him? I assume Traore will be back, but it'd be nice to have both those guys next year.

[Xavier]

Keep forgetting he has another year. Not a bad piece to build around next NIL season.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Conwell has next year, Hugley has next year, Traore has 2 because this was an injury year. I believe Foster/Maddox/Mcknight are all gone.

[Xville]

Conwell has next year, Hugley has next year, Traore has 2 because this was an injury year. I believe Foster/Maddox/Mcknight are all gone.

Got it, thank you. It's hard to keep up with where everyone actually is with all the injuries and this is the last covid year.

It will be nice to have both of those frontcourt guys back with Hunter and Free exhausting their eligibility.

[Three Point Pete]

Conwell has next year, Hugley has next year, Traore has 2 because this was an injury year. I believe Foster/Maddox/Mcknight are all gone.Anderson is now a red shirt, next year he should be back. I hope Swain will be back.

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