Winning on the road in conference against ranked teams

[JakeBarnes]

Sometimes the ball doesn't go in or roll the way to benefit you. High percentage shots that normally fall didn't. Too many second chance points. Balls that went through our legs.

[Lennys Tap]

Like UCONN, Xavier has 2 big men who are Big East ready. We have one and a work in progress.

That, and the fact that X was a little quicker to the loose balls was the razor thin difference.

Not a bad loss, let’s bounce back Wednesday!

[PointWarrior]

Good game - not much to be unhappy about -  X won so many free balls it was crazy.  Maybe Shaka (and Jop) figuring out Jop's driving to the hoop is no bueno..

[CountryRoads]

It’s a net neutral effect because we already beat St John’s on the road.

That’s good for marquette. That game could sneak into Q1 with that result.

[brewcity77]

Tough game. That was the two best teams in the Big East duking it out and we turned it into a 60 second game at the end which they won. We got plenty of looks that we just didn't knock down. Disappointing, but those are the breaks.

[NickelDimer]

You win some, you lose some. 

Onto Providence

This is all there is to say. This will be a series split. Anything else would be pretty surprising.

[Shooter McGavin]

Marquette was right there.  Kolek made up for slightly off games from Omax and Kam.  Ultimately, Xavier made plays down the stretch and deserved to win.  They’re a tough, well-coached team.

Agreed on Kam especially. Had some wide open looks from three that usually go in.  Tough one. 

Rebound better and it’s a win.  Oh well.

[Elonsmusk]

As disappointed as I've been after an MU loss in a LONG time.  Some odd substitutions and rotations.  Some missed easy looks.  The quote "50/50" balls largely started out favoring Xavier 65% - meaning they had a distinct advantage toward securing the 50/50 ball based on the carom. 

Pretty disappointing to lose 2 road games against X and Providence when Kolek absolutely goes off.  On the positive that bodes well for us going forward.  Really surprised how Kam started off so hot, and then just couldn't get it going in the 2nd half.  OMax had a subpar day.  And I'd say Shaka had a subpar game too.

[nyg]

Give X some credit.  Nunge and Freemantle were great, even with Freemantle sitting for awhile. Combined 26pts and 21 bounds. 

Boum outstanding in second half and you can see why Colby Jones is on many NBA mock first round picks.  Jones had 13 points, 8 bounds, 5 assists and two blocks.  Very good team with only one guy on the bench, but with a coach who knows how to adjust. See Kolek's second half with Jones pressuring him. 

For MU to lose in basically a one possession game, considering how they played offensively was a miracle.

They were out hustled for numerous loose balls and X had many going off feet, legs, arms into their hands.

MU shot 1 for 12 from three in second half and missed nine two footers.  All in second half
MU was destroyed on the boards and combined with above, ballgame. 
Let's get back at them at home.  Have to win the BE home games. 

[CountryRoads]

Tough game. That was the two best teams in the Big East duking it out and we turned it into a 60 second game at the end which they won. We got plenty of looks that we just didn't knock down. Disappointing, but those are the breaks.

Agree, one stop away from really having a good chance at bringing that one home.

[MUBurrow]

Like UCONN, Xavier has 2 big men who are Big East ready. We have one and a work in progress.

Not a bad loss, let’s bounce back Wednesday!

Agree with these Lenny.  Given the relative size similarity, its too bad that Shaka doesn't feel he can use OMax in a similar way as Oso.  That would give us another option to throw players at other teams' bigs, make them run, draw them outside in the PnR.  Given his size and skill, OMax finding his consistent role I think will be the largest determining factor in how far this team goes in March.

[MuggsyB]

This was the kind of game you have to take as the road team.  And we had plenty of opportunities.  Unfortunately, in the 2nd half, we made very few open shots and missed a bunch at the rim. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Agree with these Lenny.  Given the relative size similarity, its too bad that Shaka doesn't feel he can use OMax in a similar way as Oso.  That would give us another option to throw players at other teams' bigs, make them run, draw them outside in the PnR.  Given his size and skill, OMax finding his consistent role I think will be the largest determining factor in how far this team goes in March.

OMax is a better perimeter defender than an interior one.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Agree, one stop away from really having a good chance at bringing that one home.

It was a good defensive possession too. Got them to take a contested fall away midrange with Marquette tallest guy in the floor contesting.

Kid just made a shot

[tower912]

Shocking about UConn.  Did not see that coming.

[MUBurrow]

OMax is a better perimeter defender than an interior one.

That's fair. I suppose shifting him down low could take his matchup advantages and make them disadvantages. Part of my thinking was that the game seemed too fast for him today, and I wonder if anchoring him on a matchup vs a 5 for 20 possessions a game or so might help him find his bearings a bit. 

[mugrad_89]

This was the first time in quite a while where we played better in the first half vs the second half.

[Herman Cain]

We played a tough team , with a great coach at their loud on campus facility. Took it to the last minute and they won. I would have preferred we won, but overall we played well against a strong opponent .

Let’s go and conquer Cooley & Company.

[Shooter McGavin]

This was the first time in quite a while where we played better in the first half vs the second half.

Yep.  We looked worn down in the second half. 

[Goose]

I am as disappointed as all of you, but give me a high quality game, played at high level and a meaningful game on January 15 for the next decade. That was a very good college game and it was tough task going into the game.

On a side note, we were at Goolsby’s for the watch party and great to see a big turnout. IMO, another example of the program building a brand.

[Judge Smails]

X is really good. Looking forward to getting the W when X comes to Milwaukee. Jop had two missed 3s where he didn’t follow his shot and likely would’ve gotten the rebound if he did - little things like that can be a big difference in close games like this.

[Dickthedribbler]

Got a feeling we're going to see X twice more this year----Fiserv and MSG.

[mileskishnish72]

We lost the half-time adjustment game today. They more or less shut down the Kolek drives. No one else showed any signs of wanting to step up. Too bad Kam had such an early flight to MKE.

Despite the fact that this team has outdone itself on exceeding expectations the boards are going to wear us down.

[GoldenEagles03]

OMax finish 4-9 with 10 points.

Kam finish 5-14 with 12 points.

Kam went ice cold and it was noticable.

[Shooter McGavin]

Could Gold have been used more this game?  He blocked a couple of shots early on and seem to disrupt them a little with his length.  Maybe it was a mirage.

  I do wish they’d hit him more with a pass on the pick and pop.  His theee point shot is a good one.