Xavier

[wadesworld]

Biggest game of the year on Wednesday.  How do we get the season sweep on Xavier?

Compete on the boards/control Gaston, make Macura put the ball on the ground, don't let Jones dunk all over you, and play team defense on Blueitt.

[Windyplayer]

Biggest game of the year on Wednesday.  How do we get the season sweep on Xavier?

Compete on the boards/control Gaston, make Macura put the ball on the ground, don't let Jones dunk all over you, and play team defense on Blueitt.

Get a double digit lead early and break this team once and for all.

[muguru]

I have a feeling they are going to shut Markus down(probably see Bluiett on him) so someone else is going to have to step up.

[geagles10]

This is going to be a way tougher win that it was going to be at Providence. Yes Xavier has been loosing but still a solid team with individual talent as well.  I have a bad feeling about this one....

[Silkk the Shaka]

Biggest game of the year on Wednesday.  How do we get the season sweep on Xavier?

Compete on the boards/control Gaston, make Macura put the ball on the ground, don't let Jones dunk all over you, and play team defense on Blueitt.

Hope the floor is dry. If it is, we got this.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

X is going to be very hungry.  They see their season slipping away.  We're going to need to play well.

[Herman Cain]

Battle hard on every possession.

[GoldenDieners32]

I feel like we say every game is the biggest game of the year. But i do agree need this win would be huge if we could win

[Vander Blue Man Group]

 

[GooooMarquette]

X is going to be very hungry.  They see their season slipping away.  We're going to need to play well.

Probably what they're saying about us on the X board....

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Probably what they're saying about us on the X board....

Some similarities for sure, but we haven't lost 5 straight after losing our PG....

[bilsu]

It will be a very interesting game. MU really did not play well, when they beat them in Milwaukee. MU shot 36 threes, which shows they were just throwing up shots instead of competing. Howard made 9 threes and the rest of the team made 4. Howard does not have to be as good as he was in that game, but the rest of the team needs to be much better. The other thing that I thought was unusual about the Milwaukee game was the number of times an MU guard ended up with the rebound when the ball squirted out from the battle for the rebound underneath the board. It seemed like everyone of Xavier players were aggressively going after the rebound and we ended up with at least three fast breaks when the ball bounced out.

[wadesworld]

Some similarities for sure, but we haven't lost 5 straight after losing our PG....

They actually won their first 3 games without Sumner, including at Creighton.  Their first loss in this streak was at Nova where Bluiett got hurt, and then he missed the next 2 after that.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

They actually won their first 3 games without Sumner, including at Creighton.  Their first loss in this streak was at Nova where Bluiett got hurt, and then he missed the next 2 after that.

Not really what I meant, but yah.  They've lost 5 straight games, without their point guard.

[StillWarriors]

Keys to the game will be preventing Bluiett from going off and holding our own against Gaston inside. Even before Sumner went out this X team was winning but not fully clicking; the Sumner/Bluiett combo was able to pull out some games. They really miss the inside presence Farr and Reynolds gave them last year. Gaston's been stepping up, but is still up and down. We can get this game.

[wadesworld]

Not really what I meant, but yah.  They've lost 5 straight games, without their point guard.

Gotcha misread.  Thought you meant that since losing their PG they had lost 5 straight games.

[Goose]

The boys are going to need their A game, IMO. Tough place to win and X has back against the wall as well. I believe it will need to be their best, or nearly best, to pull this one out. Will be interesting to see how hey respond after Saturday's loss. Saturday might end being very tough to put in the rear view mirror.

[Lennys Tap]

We are very fortunate to get Creighton twice without Watson and Xavier twice without Sumner (and once without Blueitt). If we can't get to 10-8 or at least 9-9 under those circumstances we don't deserve the NCAAs.

That said, I'm very worried about Xavier - think they'll come out hungry.

[amen426]

Xaviers offense seemed to have found its groove a bit vs. Butler, so they'll definitely be a more effective team on the offensive end on Wednesday.

But, even though our eFg didn't really reflect it - I thought we had our way with their 1-3-1 zone. We were able to Howard & Rowsey 22 looks from 3.

Sumner was the main reason we lost two games last year vs. X (by 8 each time)

Last year, they played in 34 games and had only 2 games with an opponent TOV% 11.0 or less. Both of those were against Marquette.

This year, they've played in 22 games with Sumner. Opponents had a TOV% off 11.0 or less in only 1 game.

Since Sumner went down? 6 of their 8 games have been at 11% or less. They only won one of those games.. by 2 vs. Seton Hall.

Last year- they had only 4 games with a DRTg of 111 or higher. This year, they already have 8 - 5 of which have come without Sumner.

This just isn't the same defense without Sumner.

[Herman Cain]

This game will have a tournament like feel to it. After having been through that environment at Providence, we may be better prepared to close things out at the end.

[Knight Commission]

He is wrong.  The best way to win is to hold the opponent to fewer points.

We need to play D, especially against X.

[Windyplayer]

This game will have a tournament like feel to it. After having been through that environment at Providence, we may be better prepared to close things out at the end.

What's frustrating is that you don't often find yourself in that position on the road. Hopefully, we do again on Wednesday.

[KampusFoods]

I feel like we say every game is the biggest game of the year. But i do agree need this win would be huge if we could win

Really I hadn't noticed anyone doing that

[Newsdreams]

It will be a very interesting game. MU really did not play well, when they beat them in Milwaukee. MU shot 36 threes, which shows they were just throwing up shots instead of competing. Howard made 9 threes and the rest of the team made 4. Howard does not have to be as good as he was in that game, but the rest of the team needs to be much better. The other thing that I thought was unusual about the Milwaukee game was the number of times an MU guard ended up with the rebound when the ball squirted out from the battle for the rebound underneath the board. It seemed like everyone of Xavier players were aggressively going after the rebound and we ended up with at least three fast breaks when the ball bounced out.

I don't know being at the game felt we played one of our best 40 minutes of the season. Sure Markus carried us on the offense but that is our game one of ghe oustide shooters can carry our offense. Sometimes Rowsey others KR.

[4everwarriors]

Play like yo hair's on fire, hey?

[Dr. Blackheart]

Play like yo hair's on fire, hey?

Malek "The Firestarter" Harris plays for Xavier now?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

My personal keys:

1. In your face, man defense. Gates and Bernard are only threats from downtown. Macura is not good at putting it on the floor so limiting his threes has to be a priority as well. Bluiett is a fantastic inside out player but is more dangerous from beyond the arc. Take away the threes. If they score twos, just outrun them with threes.

2. I would have Markus/Rowsey be prepared to help double Bluiett all night. If we hold him under 20, I think we win this game. Goodin will play damn near the entire game but he is not much of a threat to score. I'd let him take open jumpshots all night if it means slowing down Bluiett.

3. Fischer/Heldt need to handle Gaston, O'Mara, and Jones on their own. Can't afford to double the post with X's shooters. Gotta hope for friendly refs because X lives on the boards. It'll be tough with them on the bench.

4. Make the extra pass. X's signature defense is the 1-3-1. You beat that with passing and threes, particularly in the corner. If we stick the game plan, we should have open looks all night.

Suggested Defensive assignments:

Goodin - Markus/Rowsey
Macura- Duane/JJJ
Bluiett- Cheatham/Katin
Gates- Hauser
Gaston/Jones/Omara- Fischer/Heldt
Bernard- Whoever the worst defender on the floor happens to be

Can't say this enough. Bluiett is the key. I'm confident in our matchups at every other position. Gotta hope one of HC and Katin are locked in. If we hold him under 20, we win. If he scores more than that, we still have a chance depending on how our offense is doing.

[bilsu]

I don't know being at the game felt we played one of our best 40 minutes of the season. Sure Markus carried us on the offense but that is our game one of ghe oustide shooters can carry our offense. Sometimes Rowsey others KR.

We scored 22 points in the first 5 minutes, which was same amount we scored in the next 15 minutes. Xavier got the lead down to 12 at half. Had Howard not gone off, we would of lost that game in the second half like too many other games we gave away. Xavier started badly and Howard kept us from losing.

[mileskishnish72]

I think we are 0-for-Cintas, so doubt with this group that that situation will change. If it happens, then I would want to see Jajuan at the point for Creighton, just to show MU Fan in NY how his idea would work.

[nyg]

Maybe Fischer and Heldt can be held to only three fouls apiece as opposed to five. 

Agree with TAMU, Cheatham has to have a defensive game of his life against Bluiett.  Duane played against Macura last time and they were barking at each other the whole game. 

[Windyplayer]

KH on Bluiett would be a blood bath.

[warriorchick]

He is wrong.  The best way to win is to hold the opponent to fewer points.

We need to play D, especially against X.

He is not wrong.  If you hold the opponent to fewer points, doesn't that mean you are scoring more points than they are?

Even if you hold them to 0 points, you do have to score some of your own.

[muwarrior69]

Maybe Fischer and Heldt can be held to only three fouls apiece as opposed to five. 

Agree with TAMU, Cheatham has to have a defensive game of his life against Bluiett.  Duane played against Macura last time and they were barking at each other the whole game.

Well if the court is slippery they can change the rule and no one fouls out.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

KH on Bluiett would be a blood bath.

Who do you suggest? TB would shoot over Rowsey/Markus/Duane. Heldt/Fischer/Hauser are too slow. JJJ would be no better plus I like him on the TO prone Macura. Cheatham and Reinhardt are the only two with the size and speed to guard him. It's gonna be ugly, that's why I did we need to double with Markus and Rowsey.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

We scored 22 points in the first 5 minutes, which was same amount we scored in the next 15 minutes. Xavier got the lead down to 12 at half. Had Howard not gone off, we would of lost that game in the second half like too many other games we gave away. Xavier started badly and Howard kept us from losing.

You're a rain cloud. Always.

[Newsdreams]

We scored 22 points in the first 5 minutes, which was same amount we scored in the next 15 minutes. Xavier got the lead down to 12 at half. Had Howard not gone off, we would of lost that game in the second half like too many other games we gave away. Xavier started badly and Howard kept us from losing.

Like I'm trying to say if one or two of our shooters is on that is it. Down to "only" 12 will take that every game and when teams are up as much as we were they tend to relax a bit and Xavier was undermanned but not a terrible team.

[brewcity77]

We scored 22 points in the first 5 minutes, which was same amount we scored in the next 15 minutes. Xavier got the lead down to 12 at half. Had Howard not gone off, we would of lost that game in the second half like too many other games we gave away. Xavier started badly and Howard kept us from losing.

We beat them by 22 and the margin never fell into single digits. That was one of our most complete and in control performances of these season. Asserting otherwise is just looking for something to complain about.

[real chili 83]

This will be a very difficult game tonight.  X does not want to lose their 6th straight on senior night.  This would be a very, very nice road win. 

[ducs]

Fischer gets the start and has a big game playing more then 12 mins.

[GGGG]

We scored 22 points in the first 5 minutes, which was same amount we scored in the next 15 minutes. Xavier got the lead down to 12 at half. Had Howard not gone off, we would of lost that game in the second half like too many other games we gave away. Xavier started badly and Howard kept us from losing.

[geagles10]

This will be a very difficult game tonight.  X does not want to lose their 6th straight on senior night.  This would be a very, very nice road win.

The Providence game was the easier of the two in my opinion for sure.  We needed that one to get the last 2/3.  Playing at Xavier, 8 pm game, senior night, is likely to be a blow out with them raining threes.  I don't think people are giving Xavier enough credit even with the last 5 losses. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The Providence game was the easier of the two in my opinion for sure.  We needed that one to get the last 2/3.  Playing at Xavier, 8 pm game, senior night, is likely to be a blow out with them raining threes.  I don't think people are giving Xavier enough credit even with the last 5 losses.

Funny enough, I think people give them too much credit. We are better team than them without Sumner. It's on the road (and senior night) so we might lose. But their depth really hurts them and their offense is pretty much relying on Blueitt to go off every night. Xavier actually has a very limited ability to shoot the three ball. Gates/Bernard are one dimensional players, Macura isn't close to accurate from deep, Goodin can't hit the ocean from the beach. The only one is Blueitt and interestingly, they are 1-3 in games where Blueitt hits 4 or more three pointers (with the 1 being Depaul). No idea why that is.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Nailed it. It just another raining day, guess I'll just stay inside.

[GoldenDieners32]

We just need howard to stay out of foul trouble tonight and we'll be fine. We got it

[GoldenZebra]

Xavier in a blowout

[GoldenDieners32]

XavierMarquette in a blowout

You had a spelling error

[GoldenZebra]

You had a spelling error

I wish. Just tempering my expectations. MU has a lot going against themselves right now, and to play on the road, senior night, against a team that has lost 5 in a row (while that would be a good sign at some point they will win, and it will probably be against Marquette), it doesn't bode well....

[GoldenDieners32]

I wish. Just tempering my expectations. MU has a lot going against themselves right now, and to play on the road, senior night, against a team that has lost 5 in a row (while that would be a good sign at some point they will win, and it will probably be against Marquette), it doesn't bode well....

You're right but i believe in the boys we got it

[geagles10]

Crazy that the game is 9 PM Cincinnati time.  How often does that happen, even for ET team home games?

[DarkWarrior]

Xavier having lost 5 in row either means they are stoked to score a win and will play out of their minds good or it simply means they are not very good right now. If we play tough and score early with consistency, we will win this one. And yes Howard and Fisher need to avoid bad fouls that take them out of the game. Our Warriors should be every bit as motivated as Xavier. We have a lot to play for tonight! and I still believe in WOJO.

GO WARRIORS!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

My personal keys:

1. In your face, man defense. Gates and Bernard are only threats from downtown. Macura is not good at putting it on the floor so limiting his threes has to be a priority as well. Bluiett is a fantastic inside out player but is more dangerous from beyond the arc. Take away the threes. If they score twos, just outrun them with threes.

2. I would have Markus/Rowsey be prepared to help double Bluiett all night. If we hold him under 20, I think we win this game. Goodin will play damn near the entire game but he is not much of a threat to score. I'd let him take open jumpshots all night if it means slowing down Bluiett.

3. Fischer/Heldt need to handle Gaston, O'Mara, and Jones on their own. Can't afford to double the post with X's shooters. Gotta hope for friendly refs because X lives on the boards. It'll be tough with them on the bench.

4. Make the extra pass. X's signature defense is the 1-3-1. You beat that with passing and threes, particularly in the corner. If we stick the game plan, we should have open looks all night.

Suggested Defensive assignments:

Goodin - Markus/Rowsey
Macura- Duane/JJJ
Bluiett- Cheatham/Katin
Gates- Hauser
Gaston/Jones/Omara- Fischer/Heldt
Bernard- Whoever the worst defender on the floor happens to be

Can't say this enough. Bluiett is the key. I'm confident in our matchups at every other position. Gotta hope one of HC and Katin are locked in. If we hold him under 20, we win. If he scores more than that, we still have a chance depending on how our offense is doing.

You know, I'm real tired of Wojo taking my advice and then not even giving me credit in postgame 

[GGGG]

You know, I'm real tired of Wojo taking my advice and then not even giving me credit in postgame 

#mindgames

[rocky_warrior]

You know, I'm real tired of Wojo taking my advice and then not even giving me credit in postgame 

Well, we're all just really happy you dropped the "How to beat MU" threads.  Jerk.

[warriorchick]

Well, we're all just really happy you dropped the "How to beat MU" threads.  Jerk.

And I am happy you didn't allow CeeMackXXX  to sign up as a user.

[geagles10]

https://youtu.be/HEnalV1aRBk

This pressor is very entertaining haha

[jsglow]

https://youtu.be/HEnalV1aRBk

This pressor is very entertaining haha

Wow, he really sold the team down the river.  That was pretty harsh.  I can imagine that Xscoop is in FULL meltdown by now.