Butler game thread

[Kevin Reilly]

Skyhops.... Hugley makes 300,000 ? Wow crazy. Here I thought Claude asking for 500,000 was nuts. Shows how out of touch I am with the N.I.L. money. Hope we have enough for the 7 foot German dude. Here is a question I think most of the board would agree on. Who has a better chance at the NBA Claude or Swain. I think neither but I would guess most board members would say Swain?

[Anti-Homer]

Maddox came in and played very well ( 8 points and 5 rebounds ). McKnight played very well too setting the pace with 8 points and 3 assists. We are driving to the basket and we are so much better when we do that. I think we took too many three point shots (5-14) but we are getting to the basket and the offense is looking good.

KR, I disagree. Your math ain’t mathin. For the year X shoots 38% from 3, and about 49% from 2. As long as they are good shoots, and the right guys are taking them (anyone but Swain, and Free limiting his number) I’m good with the strategy.

[Anti-Homer]

Anti-Homer your man Swain had another good game. In part because it seems the entire team is playing much tougher on the ball defense and Swain is jumping the passing lanes and finishing with a dunk on the other end. Six steals is amazing however I am not sure that is NBA defense. I remember both Brooks and Telfort scoring over Swain. As far as a shooting pattern Swain is shooting 18% from the three point line over 56 career games. It's pretty evident he can't shoot too well. I agree Maddox should be playing at least 25 minutes a game. Very happy about the turn around with the team buying into playing team defense. Our defense will take us as far as we go. I believe we have to win out (4 games )and win at least two games in the Big East Tournament to be guaranteed a NCAA bid. We might make it if we win 5 of the next 6 games . Love the way Miller has turned things around. Go X.

What? Swain had two guys who average 16 points a game score over him? Next thing you’ll tell me is that 4 ppg Hugley and Freemantle scored 30 points against the best defender in cbb in Kalk. As far as his offense goes, I remember him hitting a a couple of threes early last year, and people were touting his 3-point prowess.

I said back then as I do now: he is not a good 3-point shooter, and should be very economical (<1 game) and he is. He only reluctantly takes wide open threes, unlike Goodin and Claude, who shot 6X as many, despite their percentages being just a few percentage points higher. Swain shows great Bball IQ and unselfishness. Also, though his percentage is low, it is an 8-point gain from last year. That’s the only thing keeping him out of the League.

As far as Miller turning things around, let’s wait until they start beating teams not fighting for CBI and NIT inclusion Great Xs and Os guy, but his in game management leaves something to be desired.

[Anti-Homer]

Maddox came in and played very well ( 8 points and 5 rebounds ). McKnight played very well too setting the pace with 8 points and 3 assists. We are driving to the basket and we are so much better when we do that. I think we took too many three point shots (5-14) but we are getting to the basket and the offense is looking good.

Most of the three were good looks but we were not hitting. Zach was 0-4 and Maddox 1-4.

Agreed. I would prefer Free cuts his volume a bit and takes the lion’s share from the top of the key, where he has his greatest accuracy. The 3-point wing shot ain't his friend.

[Anti-Homer]

Olsingledigit you are right in that most of the three point shots were good looks. I think besides Foster and Maddox the team is struggling with the three point shooting. I believe that is because of the amount of effort we are expanding on playing tough defense. Freemantle is shooting 30% from the three point line and Swain 23% from the three. I am a big Freemantle fan but the majority of his three point shots are wide open and straight at the basket which are the easiest one's to make.. Neither one should take a three the rest of the year.LOL

He actually takes a fair number from the wing, w/o much success.

[Anti-Homer]

Free shooting 3’s at this point of season is never a good idea especially since we are the worst offensive rebounding team in the Big East.

Free is gonna get about 2-3 wide open looks a game. sometimes more if teams are smart because they really should just let him have it. but if can make a couple a game, say go 2-4, then that's bonus. I don't know why any player on any team would EVER come out and guard Swain at the 3 line. just LET HIM HAVE IT. seriously. don't even contest. just DARE him to take them. it's beyond me when guys come all the way out on him when he squares up.

Free is gonna get about 2-3 wide open looks a game. sometimes more if teams are smart because they really should just let him have it. but if can make a couple a game, say go 2-4, then that's bonus. I don't know why any player on any team would EVER come out and guard Swain at the 3 line. just LET HIM HAVE IT. seriously. don't even contest. just DARE him to take them. it's beyond me when guys come all the way out on him when he squares up.

Any team that scouts X will concede any shot 15 and out to Swain, bc he can't shoot, and is lethal going to the rim. They know that and still can't stop him without help. That's why scouts are licking their chops.

[Anti-Homer]

Skyhops.... Hugley makes 300,000 ? Wow crazy. Here I thought Claude asking for 500,000 was nuts. Shows how out of touch I am with the N.I.L. money. Hope we have enough for the 7 foot German dude. Here is a question I think most of the board would agree on. Who has a better chance at the NBA Claude or Swain. I think neither but I would guess most board members would say Swain?

Claude is the better college player at this point, but I don't know if he has a home in the NBA. If he does, it definitely isn't at point. He has a 1.2/1 A/TO ratio and is a defensive dribber. He has improved his 3 point shooting to 35%, and gets to the lane and scores in bunches, but lacks explosiveness and superior athleticism. He also won't be able to overpower guys like he does now. I root for him and hopes he makes it, but he has G League written all over him.

Swain will be there after next year. Hopefully, it is coming from Xavier, and not another school like Arkansas.