X-crement

[Boozemon Barro]

Heldt is not a Big East player. He should get minimal minutes going forward and only be used for foul trouble or to send a message if the starters aren't playing hard. I really hope he isn't starting next game as it's a waste of minutes at the 5.

[MU82]

My thoughts from last night:

1. A very, very entertaining game. Great crowd and exciting environment.
2. Xavier has a helluva of a team. They are going to be a tough out in March.
3. We needed to play flawless to win and even then it would be tough. Seemed like Xavier had ability to put it in overdrive whenever it looked like MU had chance to pull away.
4. Seldom bitch about refs, but MU was on short end of the calls last night. One of the poorer ref games I have seen in a long time.
5. Had a great time, but still think there is a lot of heavy lifting to do before we can compete the Xavier's on a nightly basis.

Good observations, and I agree with most.

I will pick a nit at #3. We didn't need to play "flawless" to win this basketball game. If the leading scorer in the Big East had even an OK game, we win.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Good observations, and I agree with most.

I will pick a nit at #3. We didn't need to play "flawless" to win this basketball game. If the leading scorer in the Big East had even an OK game, we win.

Have to also credit the Xavier defense, which caused MH to force things and try to dominate possessions. Meanwhile, Sam, who was close a triple double, only had a usage rate of 12%. In all of MU's losses, Sam has been 20% or lower. With his efficiency, he needs to be in the mid 20s. Mack said post-game, they limited 2 of the Big 3 stars, so that was good enough.

End of the day, MU's Frosh kept the game close. X was giving them their looks and they took them.

[Dawson Rental]

Xavier really keyed on Sam.  Wouldn't help off of him at any cost.  Essentially the sole problem to Sam's game is that he struggles creating his own shot, and if our guards can't get him the ball, well...there ya go.

Not really, MU figured out that Cain was open in the corner.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Which is a second reason I struggle seeing him in the NBA.   6'7 and can't create his own shot.   And doesn't shoot as well as Korver.

Sam is 6'8" and creates his own shot often.  Just not enough in this game.

[We R Final Four]

Have to also credit the Xavier defense, which caused MH to force things and try to dominate possessions. Meanwhile, Sam, who was close a triple double, only had a usage rate of 12%. In all of MU's losses, Sam has been 20% or lower. With his efficiency, he needs to be in the mid 20s. Mack said post-game, they limited 2 of the Big 3 stars, so that was good enough.

End of the day, MU's Frosh kept the game close. X was giving them their looks and they took them.

Exactly. There is a reason Markus and Sam played below their season average.........X.

[79Warrior]

Xavier knows how to close out an opponent and win. MU still learnin’. Betta question is how good is ASU four years inta der new coach, ai na?

Ouch!

[dgies9156]

I think most of you are missing the most important point here.


We hung with a Top Ten team for close to 40 minutes, leading a significant portion of the time, even though two of our three best players were having off games. And it wasn't because Xavier was playing poorly, either.

How many of you would have predicted this last September?  Unless you are going to argue that Xavier is completely overrated, that means our team is the real deal.

Amen Sister Chick.

I wished we had made a few corrections and won. But we lost by 4 to the sixth ranked team in the nation. I see a vastly improved team that, while we still have a way to go, we are closer to where we want to be. Period.

[Benny B]

Exactly. There is a reason Markus and Sam played below their season average.........X.

There’s a real bad “must have been their X-factor” joke in there somewhere, but I’m not going to be the one to make that joke.

Because I hope I’m hoping it’s not actually a joke that their X-factor is X.  Because that would effectively put them on course to finish 18-1 (and a 2 seed) going forward.

So laugh it up.  Just get ready for G-Town.