Is there a reason we cant beat Xavier?

[Mu2323]

Looking across the boards all i see is negativity with most people sayings i hope the games is ever close. I think we will win this its to early in the season to say we cant beat anyone. Both Xavier and marquette have not played anyone.

[Peoples_Republic_Warrior]

we are absolutely capable of beating Xavier

[AZWarrior]

We must beat Xavier, for they are evil, and they must be destroyed.

[Mu2323]

This tournament will not only show how out team stands but how much of a leader Lazar can/will be for the team this year. If marquette wins they most likely will play michigan i believe rated 16 or around there. I am curious to see how lazar plays where there is a decent team playing him if he can step up like novak did vs uconn with the 40+ points

[Mu2323]

Sorry for the piss pour grammer.

[NavinRJohnson]

I'll give you two...wor

1. Maurice Acker
2. David Cubillan

Nothing against those guys necessarily, I assume they give it all they have and do everything that is asked of them, but they are the same reasons we are going to struggle in the Big East. They just aren't particularly good players, at an extremely important position. You can cover for them when you have MU's all-time leading scorer and an NBA player along side of them as we did at the end of last year, but those days are gone. We have freshmen along side of them, and our PG situation is about to be exposed big time.

[Mu2323]

Ya ill give you that, they havent played well at all. Where is the acker that filled in for james last year. We need him back!

[GOMU1104]

We can win our fair share of games, if we shoot like this:

FG: 50% (34-68)
3PT: 60% (12-20)
FT:  81%  (13-16)

[chapman]

Ya ill give you that, they havent played well at all. Where is the acker that filled in for james last year. We need him back!

Is this supposed to be teal?  I think they've played much better so far this year.  I don't know if it can continue, but I'm pleased.  The Acker that filled in for James last year was such a non-factor that having an NBA starter and an All-American in the lineup with him wasn't enough to make up for his lack of playmaking.  He's been much more effective at running the offense and hasn't been afraid to take the open shot or pull the trigger off a screen.  Cubillan went from a non-factor to someone who can knock down shots and rack up some solid assist totals. 

Combined: 18.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 8.3 apg, 3.75 spg.  And the defense hasn't been abysmal.  I don't think it can continue, but so far that kind of production from those two is nothing to complain about.

[Mu2323]

Yes that was teal... I was saying that to the post above me saying they arent good players

[MU gimp ONE]

Combined: 18.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 8.3 apg, 3.75 spg.  And the defense hasn't been abysmal.  I don't think it can continue, but so far that kind of production from those two is nothing to complain about.

I agree with chapman... everyone makes comments that cubes and acker equal one guard... well if i had a point guard averaging those numbers at this point of the season, i would be very happy.  why is everyone ragging on them, for splitting minutes, they are both doing their job and well.  what the big east holds, who knows... but for right now, lay off.  or continue to be d-bags and criticize the only players we have

[T-Bone]

If we get Kenny Frease a sack of sliders he'll be preoccupied with wolfing them down.  And once he pounds those down, his hands will have a grease build up that will result in 6 2nd half turnovers.

So far we've seen some really good things from this team.  We're not turning over the ball, as much as we've bitched about not having a point.  We're generally taking care of the ball (27th according to Pomeroy) and shooting really well.  

Granted all of this is against cupcakes.  However, these are good trends for the team overall.  I've seen every game except Grambling, and I think it's easy to lose the perspective of how this team is performing statistically in the chaos that is our offense.  

MU by 7 (homer call w/o the Frease plan, 16 with)

[NavinRJohnson]

what the big east holds, who knows... but for right now, lay off.  or continue to be d-bags and criticize the only players we have

Thing is, we do know what the Big East holds, big, athletic, talented point guards. I am not ragging on them or anything they have done thus far, I am simply stating what I would think would be the obvious to most, that those two guys are simply not suited to carry the load we need them to against quality competition. They are what they are. Not their fault, or a lack of effort. Just the reality of the situation.

[MR.HAYWARD]

I agree with many posters in that cubi and Acker have looked absolutely oustanding this year, passed it well, shot it well, not turned it over and our on the ball defense has been simply outstanding. 

But then again that it was a player on a BE team should do to that type of competiton.  It remains to be seen at what level they will perform against the likes of a Kemba Walker, Sosa, reynolds, jackson, etc.  I personally think they are going to do better than excpected as I think they have performed better than expected heretofore.  The one thing that helps obviously is Acker is a 5th year senior and cubes a 4th.  That will go a long way, also they are surrounded byt some darn good talent,  DJO and Buycks are not Jerel and Wes  but they aint far behind,  Buycks and Djo have played at a really hi level and Butler and LAzar are stars. 

[MUfan12]

If they defend like they did last night, they can win. So. Dakota hit a bunch of contested shots. I'm not worried about their ability to score, especially against man defense.

That said, I think MU keeps it competitive, but ends up losing by 8-12 points.

[MarquetteDano]

After watching the first four games, I think we will be okay on offense.  We have a deep team from an offensive standpoint.  We might struggle in stretches particularly if Lazar or Jimmy get into foul trouble but I am not as concerned there.

The key to this game will be our defense.  Xavier can score in all kinds of ways.  I just don't think the new guys have any idea what it is like to go against a good offense at this point.  We are just as small as last year but, outside of Butler and Cubillan, we don't put much pressure on the ball or the passing lanes.  That mitigated our lack of size.  We don't have that mitigation right now.  We seem to foul much more than we did last year which will probably get key players in foul trouble.

If we hold them under 70 points I really like our chances.  Unfortunately, I think they will score 80+ which will equal a loss.

[NCMUFan]

I have not seen Xavier play, but the jest of what they were saying on their message board is that they feel they can dominate us inside.  Taking Xavier out of their rhythm, limiting them to one shot and not getting into foul trouble will be critical.  I expect to see a lot of playing time for Coobey, DJO, Buycks, Lazar, Fulce, Butler, Maymon with some for Acker and Erik Williams. Can't see Yous in this one.