Xavier BET Game Thread

[GoldenEagles03]

Mate, they are two percentage points away from each other.

Stevens went 1-10 today. Calm down rofl.

Adrien was at 39.6% for the season and 41.9% in Conference.

Nigel at 35.7% for the season and 38.6% in Conference.

But ok.

[#UnleashThePortal]

Adrien was at 39.6% for the season and 41.9% in Conference.

Nigel at 35.7% for the season and 38.6% in Conference.

But ok.

I'd suggest waiting for the latest game to update the stats. Guess whos absolutely not shootingg 39.6% anymore.

[GoldenEagles03]

I'd suggest waiting for the latest game to update the stats. Guess whos absolutely not shootingg 39.6% anymore.

Nigel was 2-9, so it's not like the ranges are going to change too much.

[Johnny B]

Is there a link to the post game presses ?

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I can't say I was looking forward to the possibility of playing UConn again. When a team pulls a huge upset over a clearly superior opponent, the probability of coming back in a couple of days and beating them again is lower than the probability of beating them the first time.

I'll bet right now they won't be 3 for 21 on three-point shots tomorrow.

They were never going to win the game. Doesn't mean I don't want the opportunity.

[burger]

Hopefully this was the last game we will ever see Hamilton in a Marquette uniform.

We lost this game with the 9 and 8 point runs by Xavier when Hamilton was in the game....

That is like giving Xavier a 17 point spread....

A Xavier player in the first half came down one on three....James....Chase....and Hamilton....Hamilton moves away from the "contest" and let Chase and James go for the "contest"....And James got one of his first half fouls.....Hamilton minimum should have done the "contest" and maybe taken the foul....He is supposed to be the RIM Protector.....So he cost MU 5 to 10 minutes of "non-James" in the first half besides his oomplete incompetence when on the floor......

That is on Shaka.....

[The Sultan]

We lost this game with the 9 and 8 point runs by Xavier when Hamilton was in the game....

That is like giving Xavier a 17 point spread....

This did not happen. Hamilton played four minutes. He was -1 in the first half and -4 in the second.

Shaka has a lot to be blamed for, particularly depth-wise, but playing Hamilton and Tre spot minutes wasn't the problem. Missing a lot of shots was the problem.

[Jay Bee]

Shaka has a lot to be blamed for, particularly depth-wise, but playing Hamilton and Tre spot minutes wasn't the problem. Missing a lot of shots was the problem.

#FakeNews #Lies

Our eFG% was 50.0%, with few turnovers and a good day (for us) on the o-boards. We scored 1.14 ppp.

Problem was our defense gave up 1.16. You could make an ugly montage of 18 (and Tre) giving up baskets last night. Ooofta.

[MarquetteMike1977]

Our Daughter told us Last Year Marquette Beat Xavier in the Big East Tournament 89 to 87
This Year Marquette Lost to Xavier in the Big East Tournament 89 to 87. Exact same Score reversed.

[94Warrior]

We lost this game with the 9 and 8 point runs by Xavier when Hamilton was in the game....

That is like giving Xavier a 17 point spread....

A Xavier player in the first half came down one on three....James....Chase....and Hamilton....Hamilton moves away from the "contest" and let Chase and James go for the "contest"....And James got one of his first half fouls.....Hamilton minimum should have done the "contest" and maybe taken the foul....He is supposed to be the RIM Protector.....So he cost MU 5 to 10 minutes of "non-James" in the first half besides his oomplete incompetence when on the floor......

That is on Shaka.....

Tre Norman was especially bad defensively.  He gave up 3 uncontested layups in less than 2 mins.  His offense wasn't much better. 

For all the things I like about Shaka, taking 40 3s in any game, with this roster, should never happen. 

I just made my season ticket deposit for next year.  So, there's that.

[UncleOliver]

This did not happen. Hamilton played four minutes. He was -1 in the first half and -4 in the second.

Shaka has a lot to be blamed for, particularly depth-wise, but playing Hamilton and Tre spot minutes wasn't the problem. Missing a lot of shots was the problem.

In what universe is -5 in four minutes acceptable? Marauette lost by two points and was -5 in four minutes. Do the math. He was targeted the moment he came in the game with his No. 1 vulnerability, a back cut. Next time down the floor, his man easily blew past him for a layup. The momentum instantly shifted from Marquette to Xavier. Period.

[The Sultan]

In what universe is -5 in four minutes acceptable? Marauette lost by two points and was -5 in four minutes. Do the math. He was targeted the moment he came in the game with his No. 1 vulnerability, a back cut. Next time down the floor, his man easily blew past him for a layup. The momentum instantly shifted from Marquette to Xavier. Period.

I am not suggesting that Hamilton is good. I am saying that Marquette did not give up big runs as soon as Hamilton entered the game. Burger said it more than once, and it is completely inaccurate.

And I will place more blame on others who were on the floor longer.

[Hards Alumni]

I am not suggesting that Hamilton is good. I am saying that Marquette did not give up big runs as soon as Hamilton entered the game. Burger said it more than once, and it is completely inaccurate.

And I will place more blame on others who were on the floor longer.

What?  When he came in in the 2nd half, the team immediately gave up like 8 points, and 6 of them were Cade out of position.

[The Sultan]

What?  When he came in in the 2nd half, the team immediately gave up like 8 points, and 6 of them were Cade out of position.

Nope.

The only time 18 played in the second half was he checked in at 15:07 and Marquette was up 48-47. He checked out at 13:37 and they were down 51-48.

[BM1090]

Nope.

The only time 18 played in the second half was he checked in at 15:07 and Marquette was up 48-47. He checked out at 13:37 and they were down 51-48.

This is accurate, both baskets were him getting beat though.

[Billy Hoyle]

What?  When he came in in the 2nd half, the team immediately gave up like 8 points, and 6 of them were Cade out of position.

in 4:22 of playing time his +/- was -6.

[The Sultan]

This is accurate, both baskets were him getting beat though.

Correct. But there is no need to exaggerate. People are piling on a guy who played 4:22 (thanks Billy) is pretty ridiculous.

[BM1090]

Yep. Our freshmen backcourt playing like freshmen and poor shooting were much bigger factors.

[wadesworld]

Our defense was excellent when Caedin wasn't on the floor.

Wait, nope.

[Hards Alumni]

Correct. But there is no need to exaggerate. People are piling on a guy who played 4:22 (thanks Billy) is pretty ridiculous.

Sorry, he immediately gave up 4 points in a minute and a half, but it felt like about 10 seconds of defense and over a minute of offense.

He's just not there yet.

[The Sultan]

Sorry, he immediately gave up 4 points in a minute and a half, but it felt like about 10 seconds of defense and over a minute of offense.

Thank you for admitting you were wrong.

He's just not there yet.

Never claimed otherwise.

[Hards Alumni]

Thank you for admitting you were wrong.

I'm about the only one around here.

[JoanofArcMascot]

This did not happen. Hamilton played four minutes. He was -1 in the first half and -4 in the second.

Shaka has a lot to be blamed for, particularly depth-wise, but playing Hamilton and Tre spot minutes wasn't the problem. Missing a lot of shots was the problem.

In what universe is a -5 in four minutes of action not a problem? They attacked him immediately when he to my shock was sent back into the game. First they burned him on a backdoor cut, which he has surrendered more than any player I can recall at any level, and next by driving him. Two defensive possessions, four quick points. That shifted the momentum from Marquette to Xavier. Period! A -5 in four minutes and they lost by two points. Do the math.
Aside from that, a lot of positives in the game. *Owens was excellent on defense and might be able to help at the other end if there were more motion in the offense. Doesn't seem well-suited for a role where he stands on the perimeter and showcases his weakness: 3-point shooting.
*Phillips made his first two 2-pointers of the season and buried two 3s. He has a chance to be a star, looks as if he has grown taller, has broad shoulders, can block shots, might even be able to develop into a stretch 4. If not, a good 3 or a sixth man as early as next season, playing both spots.
*As with almost every freshman guard in the history of college basketball, James and Stevens play better against man-to-man than zone. Over time, talented guards learn how to exploit zones and by their junior seasons nobody zones them anymore.
Parham had a terrific second half of the season and a good final game. He's the offensive genius Shaka advertised him as when he recruited him.
*Routinely blown out early in the season, the team definitely improved, perhaps mostly because Hamilton's minutes were reduced. All coaches, even Al, have blindspots. Marquette was -5 with Bill Neary on the floor in the national title game and +13 with him on the bench. Rewatch the game and chart it. I did. None of Neary's passes advanced the ball, he was neither quick enough, long enough, nor instinctive enough to be a good defender and he was a below average rebounder and a horrible shooter. If he hadn't played at all that season I wonder if Marquette might have gone undefeated.
Clearly, Shaka's blind spot is Hamilton. Shaka has said he's like a son to him and Hamilton said that Shaka's like a father. We all have seen youth basketball coaches favor their sons, hold them to a different standard, and it appears that is happening here in major college basketball.
If Hamilton's on the team next year, which appears likely, can we trust that Shaka will not try to prove he's right and everyone else is wrong by giving him endless chances? The answer to that, more than anything, determines whether Marquette has a shot at returning to the tournament. That and two key additions from the portal are the keys.
*The portal: Jones will graduate, at which point he can either become a graduate assistant coach at Marquette or continue his playing career at a school where he could get playing time. His choice. That would open a second portal spot.
A quick, strong post defender who rebounds well, plays great help defense, blocks shots, runs the floor well and can catch James' passes and finish with dunks is a must for one spot.
The other spot? That depends on whether Shaka thinks Nash Walker can defend well enough to justify playing him. Multiple players have raved about his vision on Shaka's radio show. They mention that even before his shooting and he's obviously a great shooter. If he can't defend well enough to get on the court, then landing a shooter in the portal a must. If Shaka thinks Walker can defend well enough, then he could have the luxury of using the second portal spot on the best available player, as long as he can play some point. Offensively, Stevens, Norman and maybe even Walker could play the point when James rests. Defensively, all three are better suited to defending a shooting guard.
*So, playing time for James, Parham, Stevens, Pearson, Portal 1, Portal 2, Phillips, Owens and the best of Egbuonu, Walker, Norman, Clark, Militec. Redshirt: Ethan Johnston.
Can make it back to the tournament if Shaka hits on two portal picks and has the discipline not to give Hamilton any minutes. Any minutes he gets are taken from Clark, who has a way higher ceiling and deserves more chances to show he can play. We already know Hamilton's ceiling.   

[Hards Alumni]

i ain't reading all that.
im happy for you tho,
or sorry that happened

[Pakuni]

Nope.

The only time 18 played in the second half was he checked in at 15:07 and Marquette was up 48-47. He checked out at 13:37 and they were down 51-48.

It's an exaggeration, but reveals the truth of the matter ... playing Caedin typically hurts the team on the scoreboard. That's what the "it's no big deal if he plays five minutes" crowd seems to be missing. Those five minutes almost always create a scoring deficit, and we're not good enough to just be giving away points.