Xavier is one of the top 20 offensive teams in America...and have done it against one of the top 10-15 schedules in America. Now, they are horrific on the other end, but they are certainly capable of beating nearly anyone on a given night. They are also capable of losing to anyone on a given night.

 

I know you well enough to know that you have stats to support that position, but XU's problem is that they lack an elite scorer. Bluiett is their leading scorer, and he has scored only 2 points in 2 of their last 5 games. I think his only 2 points last night were those FT's late.

 

Stainbrook is strong down low against most competition -- but if he continues to search for contact down low, he'll continue to miss easy layups. He missed several bunnies last night because he's anticipating contact rather than finishing. He uses his body extremely well, but has absolutely no explosiveness.

Last night was my first Crosstown Shootout -- at least in person. Fun environment. Xavier controlled most of the game, but UC fought back and had a good look to win the game at the end. Whether or not the right person was taking the shot is a different story, but it was a wide open look.

 

I have no idea what XU was doing defensively at the end of the game. UC took the ball out of bounds at halfcourt, threw it in, and #11 (can't remember his name) simply took his man one on one to the basket for an easy "And 1" opportunity. XU had 3, maybe 4 guys, at halfcourt or in the backcourt. XU should've packed in their defense and forced UC to hit a shot. Way, way too easy & extremely poor coaching. Then, UC had a great look at the end but couldn't knock it down.

 

I'd like to see #2 Ellis, and #22 (DeBerry) for Cincinnati on the floor at the same time to see what they can do. I think that would've presented some matchup problems for the Muskies.

 

I like JP Macura's game, but he needs to get a lot stronger in a hurry for this type of game. On one possession in the 1st half, UC got 2 offensive rebounds & ultimately scored. Macura was on the floor when UC rebounded both. UC did a good job of making him defend the pick & roll with Stainbrook, too.

 

Both teams are limited in what they can do -- Xavier defensively, Cincinnati offensively.

 

Overall, it was an entertaining game. Hopefully they'll both make the tourney.

I know you well enough to know that you have stats to support that position, but XU's problem is that they lack an elite scorer. Bluiett is their leading scorer, and he has scored only 2 points in 2 of their last 5 games. I think his only 2 points last night were those FT's late.

 

Stainbrook is strong down low against most competition -- but if he continues to search for contact down low, he'll continue to miss easy layups. He missed several bunnies last night because he's anticipating contact rather than finishing. He uses his body extremely well, but has absolutely no explosiveness.

 

I have said to people for two years, in spite of Stainbrook's nonsensical "All Big East" selection pre-season, I H.A.T.E. his game and loathe his minutes on the court. He is slow, can't defend anyone, can't rebound out of his zone, has zero lift, and can't finish against true bigs except Josh Smith (who inexplicably, he owns). The aloofness, the goofiness, the UBER driver stuff...it all does nothing for me.

 

I'm not concerned, in general, about their lack of an elite scorer, but I think you could make the connection that it has reared its head in some close losses. I am a fan of balanced scoring, it is much tougher to defend in general, but I would like to see them use Myles more often as the guy at the end of shot clocks and end-game situations.

I have said to people for two years, in spite of Stainbrook's nonsensical "All Big East" selection pre-season, I H.A.T.E. his game and loathe his minutes on the court. He is slow, can't defend anyone, can't rebound out of his zone, has zero lift, and can't finish against true bigs except Josh Smith (who inexplicably, he owns). The aloofness, the goofiness, the UBER driver stuff...it all does nothing for me.

 

He almost single-handedly lost them the game last night. Not sure why they try to run the offense through him. He can't play in games against teams with the slightest hint of athleticism in the post.

I looked at the final play from every angle, and the shot they got was the best available with how X defended the action. Ideally Cobb gets it to Clark as he had Stainbrook sealed, but Dee Davis was closing hard and there wasn't an angle to make that pass. The only thing that would have maybe worked better is Cobb staying put on the shot fake and letting Davis fly into him for 3 free throws, but getting that call is 50/50 at best. Instead he was able to get a very clean look with his feet set and shoulders square, plus he got it on the rim with enough time for an offensive rebound. You have to credit Myles Davis there with a perfect block out on Shaq Thomas who was crashing the weak side for a tip in...

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I looked at the final play from every angle, and the shot they got was the best available with how X defended the action. Ideally Cobb gets it to Clark as he had Stainbrook sealed, but Dee Davis was closing hard and there wasn't an angle to make that pass. The only thing that would have maybe worked better is Cobb staying put on the shot fake and letting Davis fly into him for 3 free throws, but getting that call is 50/50 at best. Instead he was able to get a very clean look with his feet set and shoulders square, plus he got it on the rim with enough time for an offensive rebound. You have to credit Myles Davis there with a perfect block out on Shaq Thomas who was crashing the weak side for a tip in...

 

+1

Not sure why they try to run the offense through him.

 

That one is simple, Chris is fanatical about an inside / out approach to an offense (especially when you don't have guards that can necessarily take everyone off the bounce), and Stainbrook is an elite-level passing big man.

 

That said, he drives me nuts.

I looked at the final play from every angle, and the shot they got was the best available with how X defended the action. Ideally Cobb gets it to Clark as he had Stainbrook sealed, but Dee Davis was closing hard and there wasn't an angle to make that pass. The only thing that would have maybe worked better is Cobb staying put on the shot fake and letting Davis fly into him for 3 free throws, but getting that call is 50/50 at best. Instead he was able to get a very clean look with his feet set and shoulders square, plus he got it on the rim with enough time for an offensive rebound. You have to credit Myles Davis there with a perfect block out on Shaq Thomas who was crashing the weak side for a tip in...

 

Obviously you follow UC closer than I do, but I had NO problem at all with that shot. If you're on the floor at the end of the game, you have to be trusted to take (and hopefully make) that shot. It was a GREAT look, and you can't pass it up. Pump fake, two dribbles to the left, and pull up.

A) Ole Miss is very likely to be behind both of those on the S-curve come March, almost certainly will be behind Xavier (barring something unforeseen).

B) Ole Miss really needs that Georgia game, and they need A&M to hang on to a Top 50 RPI position.

C) Completely disagree with bad year for college hoops....this is A YEAR for college hoops. Nothing different. A couple of great teams. A lot of good teams. A ton of teams that can be great one night and awful the next. A lot of bad teams. A lot of horrible teams that 1,473 people will pay to see on a Saturday....maybe.

 

Xavier is one of the top 20 offensive teams in America...and have done it against one of the top 10-15 schedules in America. Now, they are horrific on the other end, but they are certainly capable of beating nearly anyone on a given night. They are also capable of losing to anyone on a given night. Them, Notre Dame, Iowa State....all really good offensive teams that can't stop anyone, and if they have a bad night from the floor, can get beat by David and his slingshot. However, those three will keep the great teams up at night because if they have a good offensive night, you better buckle your chin strap.

 

Ole Miss beat Cinci in to the ground earlier in the season so I would be shocked to see them fall behind them on any "curve" now. As for X they lost to Auburn who is HORRIBLE and Long Beach State. There is absolutely nothing special about Xavier.

I looked at the final play from every angle, and the shot they got was the best available with how X defended the action. Ideally Cobb gets it to Clark as he had Stainbrook sealed, but Dee Davis was closing hard and there wasn't an angle to make that pass. The only thing that would have maybe worked better is Cobb staying put on the shot fake and letting Davis fly into him for 3 free throws, but getting that call is 50/50 at best. Instead he was able to get a very clean look with his feet set and shoulders square, plus he got it on the rim with enough time for an offensive rebound. You have to credit Myles Davis there with a perfect block out on Shaq Thomas who was crashing the weak side for a tip in...

 

These guys all probably shoot far more 3's than really long two's in practice so I wasn't surprised he didn't step into a long two.

Obviously you follow UC closer than I do, but I had NO problem at all with that shot. If you're on the floor at the end of the game, you have to be trusted to take (and hopefully make) that shot. It was a GREAT look, and you can't pass it up. Pump fake, two dribbles to the left, and pull up.

 

Yup. Cobb is their best shooter and he got a clean look in rhythm. Sometimes they just don't go down...

These guys all probably shoot far more 3's than really long two's in practice so I wasn't surprised he didn't step into a long two.

 

 

Jalen Reynolds was closing from the free throw line. Take another dribble and an open three turns into a 6'0" guard trying to shoot over a big time 6''8" athlete fully extended...

That one is simple, Chris is fanatical about an inside / out approach to an offense (especially when you don't have guards that can necessarily take everyone off the bounce), and Stainbrook is an elite-level passing big man.

 

That said, he drives me nuts.

 

I just couldn't get my head around why Mack kept him on the floor last night. Reynolds and Farr should've gotten the majority of minutes.

To further back that up playing a lot of good teams and losing doesn't make you a good team. As best I can tell the two best wins for Xavier this year are Cinci and Georgetown. With horrible L's to Creighton, Long Beach St., and Auburn.

 

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Ole Miss beat Cinci in to the ground earlier in the season so I would be shocked to see them fall behind them on any "curve" now. As for X they lost to Auburn who is HORRIBLE and Long Beach State. There is absolutely nothing special about Xavier.

 

Really? You want to compare bad losses? Charleston Southern, TCU, and Western.