Xavier

[downtown85]

Can anyone find a link to a preseason scouting report on this team?

Just looking at their stats on yahoo:  http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/xaa/stats

--They start 3 guards and 2 forwards. 

-- Jordan Crawford (a guard who transfered from Indiana) has been having a great season so far(granted it has been against cupcakes).  He has 21 ppg average in 26 mpg for the first 3 games. 

-- Jason Love (their 6-9, 255lb forward) has almost 12 rebounds and 13 ppg in 23 mpg.

The seem to be a guard oriented team who can push the ball and hit the perimiter shot.  However, they have some beef upfront in Love, McLean, and Frease. 

I don't think we match up well with their guards or their bigs (since we don't have any).  However, If Zar and Butler can stretch the defense without getting into foul trouble themselves, Xavier may have some problems with those two. 

Tough but interesting matchup.  I'd say Xavier wins by 9.

[NavinRJohnson]

We've reached the point in the season (playing real competition)where our PG situation in particular will start to become a problem. We're gonna get whupped.

[tower912]

I am hoping that (A) we don't get rolled and (B) nobody else gets hurt.    If we are competitive and injury free, I will take it. 

[StillWarriors]

As long as we aren't getting killed, it should be a fun game to watch. X always plays an exciting style of ball and is quick and aggressive. Even with a new coach, I would expect more of the same. That is a phenomenal program given the size of the school, which I believe is only a few thousand. Yes, their conf isn't the best, but they've earned their respect in March.

I think X relies on several young guys like we do, but I think they probably have a bit more overall talent at this stage. Looking forward to it.

[rocky_warrior]

We've reached the point in the season (playing real competition)where our PG situation in particular will start to become a problem. We're gonna get whupped.

I guess we've have reached the point where you'll be proven either right or wrong.  I still content the the only PG "situation" we have is that we have at least 3, but basically 4 guys (with Buycks) that can protect the ball, dribble, shoot, and pass.

If we lose on Wed, and it's because of poor play from Acker, Cubes, DJO, and Buycks, I'll make sure to acknowledge your pessimism toward the quatro specifically.

But  think you're wrong

[StillAWarrior]

Just because I was curious, I checked the box scores and saw that the combo of Cubillan and Acker have averaged:

5.75 Rebounds
8.25 Assists
2.75 Turnovers  (that's 3:1)
18.5 Points

I know, I know, weak schedule, not Big East, etc.  I was just curious about these numbers and I thought I'd share them.

Edited to add:  Before someone else points it out, I also should add that these combined numbers are coming in a combined 48.75 minutes per game.  Yes, I know that 48.75 is more than 40.

[NavinRJohnson]

But  think you're wrong

I would love to be wrong, but I will be surprised if most don't agree with me  a few games into the BE season.

[downtown85]

Just because I was curious, I checked the box scores and saw that the combo of Cubillan and Acker have averaged:

5.75 Rebounds
8.25 Assists
2.75 Turnovers  (that's 3:1)
18.5 Points

I know, I know, weak schedule, not Big East, etc.  I was just curious about these numbers and I thought I'd share them.

Edited to add:  Before someone else points it out, I also should add that these combined numbers are coming in a combined 48.75 minutes per game.  Yes, I know that 48.75 is more than 40.

If those two can put up those numbers on a per minute basis against good competition, I'm there with you.  I have a feeling they won't and DJO and Buycks will start to see more and more minutes and Cubes and Ack will see fewer and fewer.  At least I am hoping. 

[damuts222]

While I believe that this year will be a learning year with all of the younger players that we have I don't believe that we will be beaten up badly in as many games as many others think. That being said, we haven't played any teams in which we can truly measure our team and Xavier will be a measuring stick of sorts.

  In the case that I am wrong I hope that the younger players that are not used to losing will learn quickly from the losses (especially in conference play). Regardless I will actually have time to watch the entire game tomorrow which will prove give me a better look see.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I would love to be wrong, but I will be surprised if most don't agree with me  a few games into the BE season.

a few games into the Big East Season we're more than likely to be 0-4 given the brutal opening 4 games of conference play.  Pretty easy to predict we'll all be disappointed, don't you think?  Wanna make a bolder prediction, like maybe the sun is going to come up tomorrow morning?

[rocky_warrior]

a few games into the Big East Season we're more than likely to be 0-4 given the brutal opening 4 games of conference play.  Pretty easy to predict we'll all be disappointed, don't you think?  Wanna make a bolder prediction, like maybe the sun is going to come up tomorrow morning?

Good point.  Those 4 games aren't really a good measuring stick for a young team.  Unless you win all of them, in which case it's a GREAT measuring stick

I'm hoping we win 2 of the 4.  Expect to win 1 of the 4.  And wouldn't be too surprised to lose all 4.

Unfortunately, I'm a homer and will still be disappointed after every loss, even if it doesn't surprise me.

[jtsanto]

Here is the thing..we all have to relax about this team. I think that there is a chance to beat X but then get rolled by Michigan. I think that we have to see how a couple of the Juco's pan out during real games. I still see this team as a possible NIT team, but it will be tough. Let's all take a deep breath and enjoy watching Buzz turn this program back into a winner

[NavinRJohnson]

a few games into the Big East Season we're more than likely to be 0-4 given the brutal opening 4 games of conference play.  Pretty easy to predict we'll all be disappointed, don't you think?  Wanna make a bolder prediction, like maybe the sun is going to come up tomorrow morning?

Hey...Great job. How's this? 18 games into the BE season most will agree that PG was a huge problem for Marquette this year. Any other questions?

[buckchuckler]

I mean, I just hope that MU shows up.  This game is so scary that I wouldn't be surprised if MU just doesn't forfeit the game.  Wow, Xavier, how can we even be in the same gym as them. 

Cmon are you guys for real?  I hope you can avoid soiling yourselves out of fear when we play Nova, Cuse, Ville, ETC.  This is ridiculous.

[muhoosier260]

Any other questions?

Overreact much?

[tower912]

Buckchuckler, the problem is that nobody knows exactly what we have yet.   We have dominated some really bad teams.    This is MU's first real test, after which we will have a clearer idea of where the team is.    So, I repeat, I hope we don't get rolled and I hope nobody gets hurt.    If we can be competitive against a good team on a neutral floor, everyone will breathe a bit easier.   

[damuts222]

Buckchuckler, the problem is that nobody knows exactly what we have yet.   We have dominated some really bad teams.    This is MU's first real test, after which we will have a clearer idea of where the team is.    So, I repeat, I hope we don't get rolled and I hope nobody gets hurt.    If we can be competitive against a good team on a neutral floor, everyone will breathe a bit easier.  

+1

What's with the overreactions this team is young and we should be excited to watch them grow throughout the season, expectations aren't that high this season therefore lets enjoy that for the first time in a while and hope we can upset a couple teams, we don't have anything to lose given the expectations.

[NavinRJohnson]

Overreact much?

Om occasion, yes. Of course the one you pointed out didn't happen to be one of them.

[XavierNation12]

Xavier is a team that at this point in the season has relied heavily on their ability to run and get out in transition, we have yet to be tested in a half court game. We have probably one of the quickest guards I have seen in quite some time in the R-Freshman Mark Lyons. And Jordan Crawford for the beginning of the season against poor opponents has been nothing short of spectacular. Over 20 ppg, 3 apg, and 0 to's in the last 2 games.

As far as our advantage down low, you guys can knock on Frease all you'd like, but I'm kinda surprised I even had to read that some of you think he is our best big guy. Comparing him to Jason Love is laughable, and you will see Love for the majority of the game at the 5 spot. Jason is a tremendous player and if he stays out of foul trouble will have a monster game.

I'm excited for the game, and have always had a huge amount of respect for Marquette basketball. That being said, I expect around a 15 point win for Xavier, mainly because of our offensive ability.

Anything you want answered about Xavier though, I'll try my best.

[avid1010]

Xavier is a team that at this point in the season has relied heavily on their ability to run and get out in transition, we have yet to be tested in a half court game. We have probably one of the quickest guards I have seen in quite some time in the R-Freshman Mark Lyons. And Jordan Crawford for the beginning of the season against poor opponents has been nothing short of spectacular. Over 20 ppg, 3 apg, and 0 to's in the last 2 games.

As far as our advantage down low, you guys can knock on Frease all you'd like, but I'm kinda surprised I even had to read that some of you think he is our best big guy. Comparing him to Jason Love is laughable, and you will see Love for the majority of the game at the 5 spot. Jason is a tremendous player and if he stays out of foul trouble will have a monster game.

I'm excited for the game, and have always had a huge amount of respect for Marquette basketball. That being said, I expect around a 15 point win for Xavier, mainly because of our offensive ability.

Anything you want answered about Xavier though, I'll try my best.

The line is 5.5, so if you're confident with 15 you could make some money. 

[XavierNation12]

The line is 5.5, so if you're confident with 15 you could make some money. 

Xavier is an extremely underrated basketball team, by everyone. The perception is that when Miller left, the team would simply fall apart. Anyone that knows or follows Xavier basketball knows there is no chance of that ever happening.

[Daniel]

Xavier is a very solid team with a great inside/outside game.  We will have a tough time going up against their experience and talent.  I'm hoping that we hang tough in the game and make it a good one.

[Pakuni]

Hey...Great job. How's this? 18 games into the BE season most will agree that PG was a huge problem for Marquette this year. Any other questions?

What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

Oh ... and, can I have a raise?

[mviale]

I predict a breakout game for Yous

[4everwarriors]

I predict a breakout game for Yous

Huh? Why is everyone trying to be the next MUAvenue?