Winning on the road in conference against ranked teams

[panda]

My gripe about lack of execution in close game situations does not apply yesterday.

I did not get the feeling of significant missed opportunity that I did from the Purdue, msst, Wisconsin and PC games.

The last few minutes were two very high quality teams going back and forth punch for punch.

If I were to point at missed opportunity, it would be the amount of second chance buckets gave up. Otherwise I thought we showed great fight against an elite team on the road. No shame in how we lost.

[MuggsyB]

I don't think our offense was the problem late yesterday. After the under 4:00 TO

1. Chase Ross dunk
2. TK missed 3, Joplin turnover
3. Joplin made 2
4. Oso made 2
5. OMax missed layup
6. Joplin two made FTs
7. OMax layup after TK missed 3

So we had 10 points in seven possessions. (Not counting the one at the very end.) The problem is that Xavier only had one empty possession after the turnover. We couldn't stop them from scoring.

What about the other possessions during the 2nd half?  The fact remains we did not play well for most of the 2H.  We made a total of two outside shots that I counted, both by Joplin.  The game was lost when we led 61-58 and proceeded to have about 10 straight possessions where we couldn't score. 

[MU82]

Mildly disappointed that Joplin didn't know where his feet were on the second jumper he made. We really could have used that extra point.

[MU82]

Colby Jones seems to always fly under the radar but he's quietly having a very nice season for Xavier. He's worked hard to become a much better shooter (.440 from 3 this season, by far a career high), he's always been a good defender, he's a willing rebounder, he averages 5.5 assists. Nice size for a guy who would play 2 at the next level -- and I do think he's got a chance to play at the next level.

He'd fit Shaka's system perfectly. Too bad he's on the enemy!

[Miss Katie’s]

Mildly disappointed that Joplin didn't know where his feet were on the second jumper he made. We really could have used that extra point.

+1

I said the same thing.  Unfortunate. 

[CountryRoads]

Colby Jones seems to always fly under the radar but he's quietly having a very nice season for Xavier. He's worked hard to become a much better shooter (.440 from 3 this season, by far a career high), he's always been a good defender, he's a willing rebounder, he averages 5.5 assists. Nice size for a guy who would play 2 at the next level -- and I do think he's got a chance to play at the next level.

He'd fit Shaka's system perfectly. Too bad he's on the enemy!

He's starting to show up in the mock drafts. Sports Illustrated has him in the first round (#28) and a few of the other big ones have him mid second round. Definitely one of the better big east prospects at the moment.

[The Sultan]

What about the other possessions during the 2nd half?  The fact remains we did not play well for most of the 2H.  We made a total of two outside shots that I counted, both by Joplin.  The game was lost when we led 61-58 and proceeded to have about 10 straight possessions where we couldn't score. 

I guess if you choose to redefine late and close how you want, you get to make whatever point you want too!

[1SE]

If this team could string 2 halves together we could win a NC

[TSmith34, Inc.]

There was a lot of body/chest contact that could have been called either way.

I've become convinced that a chest bump is no longer a foul in college basketball. If it were, Sean Jones would foul out in 2 minutes. They didn't call it at Providence, they didn't call it against Nunge, they don't call it against Jones.

[brewcity77]

What about the other possessions during the 2nd half?  The fact remains we did not play well for most of the 2H.  We made a total of two outside shots that I counted, both by Joplin.  The game was lost when we led 61-58 and proceeded to have about 10 straight possessions where we couldn't score.

We were tied with under a minute on the road against a team that will be top-10 when rankings refresh today. I think you need more measured expectations. We're not going 21-0 the rest of the way, and that's okay.

[tower912]

Yes, like Purdue and Providence.  Close losses to really good teams in their gyms.    Micro, irksome.   Macro, meh.   No real damage.     Most teams lose road games to ranked teams.

[1SE]

We were tied with under a minute on the road against a team that will be top-10 when rankings refresh today. I think you need more measured expectations. We're not going 21-0 the rest of the way, and that's okay.

No, but I'm with Mugsy on this one (and I think this is another  lose.game failure) - we were in a position to realistically win this one late and we didn't. I agree there wasn't anything particularly egregious- but the point is that, yet again, the victory was there for the taking and we didn't close.

It is a HUGE testament to Shaka that we have been in position late (more or.less) to.win every game this season - but there are no moral victories (or even computer victories) in March when it's win or go home time. We haven't shown that killer.instintct yet. Let's hope.we.find it soon.

[JakeBarnes]

Yes, like Purdue and Providence.  Close losses to really good teams in their gyms.    Micro, irksome.   Macro, meh.   No real damage.     Most teams lose road games to ranked teams.

The fact that our Kenpom didn't budge is a pretty good indicator that it was a meh in the scheme of things. Hold serve at home, win road games against the lower half of the conference. Try and steal one of two of Uconn and Creighton on the road.

[The Sultan]

No, but I'm with Mugsy on this one (and I think this is another  lose.game failure) - we were in a position to realistically win this one late and we didn't. I agree there wasn't anything particularly egregious- but the point is that, yet again, the victory was there for the taking and we didn't close.

It is a HUGE testament to Shaka that we have been in position late (more or.less) to.win every game this season - but there are no moral victories (or even computer victories) in March when it's win or go home time. We haven't shown that killer.instintct yet. Let's hope.we.find it soon.

<sigh>

Less than a week ago we erased an 11 point deficit against the #6 team in the country. A game that was within about 4-6 points for most of the second half.

But sure. But we don't have a "killer instinct."

[MU82]

No killer instinct. Shaka fails his first test (again).

[Miss Katie’s]

I apologize if I missed it, but is Shaka's post game presser posted somewhere?

[PJDunn]

It is much to positive and balanced. No place for that on scoop.

[MU82]

He's starting to show up in the mock drafts. Sports Illustrated has him in the first round (#28) and a few of the other big ones have him mid second round. Definitely one of the better big east prospects at the moment.

Thanks for that info. I really like him as a player and I wouldn't be surprised to see him drafted as a 3 & D guy.

[Newsdreams]

Yes, like Purdue and Providence.  Close losses to really good teams in their gyms.    Micro, irksome.   Macro, meh.   No real damage.     Most teams lose road games to ranked teams.

We lack the win close game skill, very concerning...

[Viper]

Sucks but not a loss that's gonna hurt the resume at the end of the day.

Sure woulda been nice to have though...

And unnatural carnal knowledge Sean Miller

Miller is a $cumbag

[Viper]

Mildly disappointed that Joplin didn't know where his feet were on the second jumper he made. We really could have used that extra point.

I assume you are being sarcastic? ...or those 3 missed free throws. Or giving up 17 offensive rebounds.

[The Sultan]

I assume you are being sarcastic? ...or those 3 missed free throws. Or giving up 17 offensive rebounds.

They were 8/11 from the FT line. Do you expect perfection?

[wisblue]

Mildly disappointed that Joplin didn't know where his feet were on the second jumper he made. We really could have used that extra point.

It's more important for a player to be balanced when taking a shot rather than focusing on whether their feet are on the line or an inch behind it. When he takes a pass and "gets the puppies organized" to take a quick shot he can't be looking to see where his toes are. And on the sideline there isn't that much room between the three point line and the step back to go OB.

Bottom line, I can't blame a player for where his toes are on a shot like that. I'd rather he make the 2 because he's balanced than miss because of making sure he's behind the line.

[MU82]

Every coach at every level of basketball emphasizes taking efficient shots over inefficient ones. Just about the least efficient shot is the jumper with one's feet on the 3-point line -- it's got about the same relatively low chance of going in as a 3, but it's only worth as much as a very-high-percentage dunk.

In practice, I'll bet knowing where one's feet are relative to the arc line is something Shaka and his assistants have talked about and will continue to talk about.

Again, I said I was "mildly disappointed." I wasn't outraged. I wasn't screaming at the TV. I said, "If we're gonna take what's essentially a 3-pointer, we need 3 points from it if it goes in."

Ask Kevin Durant if he wasn't more than mildly disappointed with himself for the not-quite-3 he hit against the Bucks two years ago in the playoffs. The puppies were organized fine ... but the Nets ended up watching from home as Milwaukee won the NBA title.

[wadesworld]

It was basically a desperation heave in a situation where a 3 pointer wasn't needed at that time.  Same with KD's shot.