Xavier @ North Carolina

[cinskyline]

It's halftime.

40-37 Xavier ahead.

The refs are trying desperately to give the game to NC.

21 FT attempts for NC and 7 for X in the 1st half.

X seems to be playing really hard, outrebounding NC by 10 so far. Too many Xavier turnovers though (13).

Keep our fingers crossed in the second half.

[Stonebreaker]

WOW. Go Muskie Women!

[XURunner85]

Xavier 67
Carolina 73

Better than I thought they would do against Carolina....just think if Amber was healthy...

[Bigbluebrotha]

Listened in to the game and I must write that when a team outrebounds a team by 20, yet has a clear deficit in free throw opportunities, not that XU shoots that well anyway, it's a bit of a hose job.

McGuff got t'd in the second half, frustrated probably, but it was a six point swing.

Great effort, tough calls, equals a seven point loss.

Nice work ladies, on to Louisville.

[Cheesehead]

Gee, a Xavier team getting hosed against an ACC team? Nope, don't believe it. Oh wait a minute...

[XU-PA]

All in all, one fantastic performance by XU.
Turnovers quite high, 3 point shooting quite low.
BUT!!!!
Within striking distance to one of the top programs in the country, one of the top teams in the polls. The Musketeers and Coach McG have certainly arrived. We outrebounded them on both ends of the floor, out shot them and out hustled them. Call this a morale builder!
T-Phil is absolutely 100% the real deal. 23 pts, 25 boards, and 3 blocks?? That is insane!!!!! And she did this against one of the top post players in the country.
Tudy and JT very tough shooting night, 8-30 combined, but the still combined for a total of 25 points and only 5 turnovers.

38 trips to the free throw line for NC?? That's an awful lot. XU held NC to 27% shooting in the 1st half and 33% overall, but when you get that many freebies!!!!!!!!! Didn't see it so can't say how bad the officials were.

But the real difference appears to be the bench, ours came up a bit short.
The XU starters outpaced NC's top 5 59-58, but we only got 8 points from the bench on 4-15 shooting.

[Bigbluebrotha]

PA -

Agree, my first post was a bit bitter, I think. The bench might have been a bit short in this one, but overall everyone played really well for XU. Nice to have players who have started a ton of games coming in to spell starters. Coach McGuff is mixing and matching the personnel well and how 'bout Brittany Moore getting four big points right before the half!

It's just sad that a solid effort was wasted. I know coach is passioniate and one can only take so much hosification, but I think his t really hurt. I think there were about seven minutes left and he was probably right, but a small Carolina lead turned into a big one due to the t.

However, what's done is done and it's on to Louisville. XU owes the Cards one from last year and it should be another good contest.

[spongebob]

http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/111908aaa.html#


http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1302228.html


Links above to the stories and photos on the UNC website and local paper, for anyone interested.

I think any adverse effect relating to the T is overblown. UNC had been on a 10-0 run just prior to the T and had possession. Play by play shows XU down 5 at the time. It went to 9 with the FT's and an inbounds basket following. Since UNC had possession anyway, it's just a 2 point swing, the only difference being the FT's awarded. XU came right back with a basket, and ultimately got it back to a 2pt deficit with 5 minutes left. With that said, I think one could make the argument that it might have actually been somewhat inspirational in getting them back on track.

I would look toward TO's and foul discrepency as bigger factors in the ultimate outcome.

[Bigbluebrotha]

Turnovers were a definite factor, no doubt, especially with 21 UNC points off those tos.

I just think the t was untimely as the ladies had already had a let a lead slip away and in effect the deficit was doubled at that time, so I don't know how much inspiration you can really draw from that t.

I guess I'm just a little frustrated that the ladies played probably their best game in the last three seasons vs. UNC and weren't rewarded. The free throw attempts have a lot to do with that is well, but I really don't like to complain about officiating, no matter how POOR it is!

[xu_fan]

I just woke up after a LLLLOOOONNNGGGG drive last night home from Chapel Hill.. I was joined in the stands with 2 other Muskie Fans who cheered our little hearts out. I literally have one thing to say and that is.....

Neutral Court/Home Court = Xavier Win.

Worst officiating I've seen in years. You know if Kevin McG goes crazy than something just isn't right. I'm personally glad he fought for the woman. The play was with about 7-8 min left and the shot clock was down to about 2 or 3 and april phillips had the ball at the top of the key. She shot a three pointer and was hit on both arms by two tar heels... It was very obviously. By that point Coach was already so heated he ran about half way out on the court. It was Bobby Knight type stuff... I was pretty pumped. Im lucky I didn't get jumped on the way out although the UNC fans sitting close to us were very nice.

I never like to make excuses but truly the officiating was awful.
As far as the bench, they didn't score much but really they didn't play much either. It seemed like Dee Dee played a lot, but other than that it was mostly the starting five. It seemed that way anyways I haven't actually looked at the box score yet. T Phillips dominated the game. She was the best player on the court in my opinion.

HMMMM can't think of much else to say. Overall really good Xavier effort. Wish we could have got the W but I'm just that much more excited for this season to start.

GO X!!!!!

[X-band '01]

However, what's done is done and it's on to Louisville. XU owes the Cards one from last year and it should be another good contest.

They've lost something like 4 straight to Louisville, but if Wednesday's performance was any indicator of how far the team has come, they should be able to get the win Saturday. Defending Angel McCoughtry is going to be a huge chore, though.