MU @ Xavier game thread

[Zog from Margo]

Some players play better coming off bench.  Ross has been starting last three games and I still don't think he has a made field goal.

He made one tonight. He hasn't shot the 3 well since having flu. He plays D though. Ideally, Jop would be a 6th man. He's can give a boost off the bench on O and wouldn't be on the floor with Kam so often, which hurts the D.

[nyg]

He had one today. Got to the line and played some solid defense.

Going to be a big summer for him.

He did, but that was it on offense.  But long arms on defense and athletic. I like him off bench, maybe he does also.  We will find out soon how it plays out.

Joplin had horrific day, with four points, zero rebounds, 0 for 5 from three and 3 fouls. Got burned twice on defense and analyst Hummel told him he has to be a bit better. After picking up third foul early in second, he sat most of second half.  Played only 19 minutes. When he is on from three, game changer and going to need few consistent games in a row.  Not a good, two bad, good, etc.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

He did, but that was it on offense.  But long arms on defense and athletic. I like him off bench, maybe he does also.  We will find out soon how it plays out.

Joplin had horrific day, with four points, zero rebounds, 0 for 5 from three and 3 fouls. Got burned twice on defense and analyst Hummel told him he has to be a bit better. After picking up third foul early in second, he sat most of second half.  Played only 19 minutes. When he is on from three, game changer and going to need few consistent games in a row.  Not a good, two bad, good, etc.

Felt like it was one of those days where Jop's struggles on offense affected his defense.  I expect him to bounce back - we need him. 

[mileskishnish72]

I hope one of the frosh is an absolute beast and Jop is the BE 6th man award winner next year.

[PointWarrior]

He made one tonight. He hasn't shot the 3 well since having flu. He plays D though. Ideally, Jop would be a 6th man. He's can give a boost off the bench on O and wouldn't be on the floor with Kam so often, which hurts the D.

any of our frosh coming in better than Ross or Jop?   if not, can Shaka actually go after a portal guy?

[Uncle Rico]

any of our frosh coming in better than Ross or Jop?   if not, can Shaka actually go after a portal guy?

No.  They're going to stink

[mugrad_89]

No.  They're going to stink

Hopefully Shaka comes to his senses and releases them from their NLI's.

[GoldenEagles03]

Missed shots will happen but rough game for Jop defensively.

Ya. Olivari missed a 3 in the 2nd half and got the rebound and blew right by Jop.

He did hit a huge game tying shot in the lane though.

[Uncle Rico]

Hopefully Shaka comes to his senses and releases them from their NLI's.

And urges Jolp and Chase to transfer

[Newsdreams]

Thank you for the entertainment, too bad MU lost the FT battle, this is a loss.

[Newsdreams]

Rico, I don't think I'll owe Goose a dinner on Ben G in the Association. Kam? I'll wager dinner he will be a pro!!

Boy you keep being lost, sad...

[rocket surgeon]

3 refs and Val Ackerman should be fired after that game.  If the BEAST wants to put a good product on the court and on the TV, they cannot hire clowns like that to officiate.  It has happened far too often.  The best "basketball" conference needs to have professional refs.

  oh, these refs were "professional" all right.  tim donaghy still has some alumni out there

[MUfan12]

Refs were bad both ways last night. I just wish there was some semblance of consistency with the amount of contact that's allowed.

[HutchwasClutch]

Refs were bad both ways last night. I just wish there was some semblance of consistency with the amount of contact that's allowed.

Yes, both teams had a few legitimate gripes. 

[cheebs09]

Refs were bad both ways last night. I just wish there was some semblance of consistency with the amount of contact that's allowed.

Yeah, it's going to be interesting how we adjust in the NCAA. I remember one stretch where each team got mauled going to the basket without a call.

[Scoop Snoop]

Yeah, it's going to be interesting how we adjust in the NCAA. I remember one stretch where each team got mauled going to the basket without a call.

At the risk of mistakenly being accused of defending the refs... isn't it more difficult to see a foul in those scenarios? Should a ref charge a player with a foul based upon "I'm pretty sure that he fouled, even though I did not have a clear view"?

[Dr. Blackheart]

Yeah, it's going to be interesting how we adjust in the NCAA. I remember one stretch where each team got mauled going to the basket without a call.

UConn v Providence had the Three Mouseketeers: Clougherty, Driscoll and Breeding. It started with the Providence Bully Ball crap that they were letting go again but Hurley went ballistic, earning a well-deserved T.  All of a sudden the game turned around. 

I get what Sultan has been saying about how bad college officiating has been for years. Yet, the game has changed tremendously, but the way officiating is deployed hasn't changed much. There is sports betting money and NIL involved now, and the independent contractor, old boys network needs to be turned on its ears as their mediocre performance has been put under the spotlight now. The NCAA needs to stop stuffing all the money in their own pockets and invest in officiating.

I was actually hopeful when G League officials started working NCAA games early in the season, but that went away when their season started. And we were back to the same old retreads doing retread things. In the end, I agree with Sultan that the NCAA won't do much: They'll eff up a one car funeral.

[The Sultan]

Yep. The NCAA, or its conferences, need to figure out how to employ these guys full time during the year. The model is broken.

[tower912]

I celebrate the rights of all scoopers to mourn the MU victory in the manner they so choose.

[Uncle Rico]

Yep. The NCAA, or its conferences, need to figure out how to employ these guys full time during the year. The model is broken.

Develop referee schools/camps/whatever.  Plenty of current players would like to remain in the sport.  Would it work?  I don't know but it's worth exploring