BUTLER Game thread

[Kevin Reilly]

Horrible first half. We all know we are not a good defensive team but that was unacceptable. The lack of effort on both ends was brutal. At some point I think you have to lay some of the blame on the coach. Pitino brought these guys in. The lack of defense is crazy. A lot of these guys don't have any sense of urgency. We play with very little toughness or physicality. Tough to see a Xavier team compete like that

[Kevin Reilly]

Chitownsteve. all valid points.

[muskieman]

Well, X continues to lack shot clock awareness, their best player thinks he can dribble up court, no overall of grit (e.g.rarely see anyone dive on the floor for a loose ball or tie up an opponent), misses close in shots and fails to provide weak side defensive help.

Oh, and do the players listen and execute after time outs?

All we see on Twitter (X) is Xavier players dunking the ball, and with all the missed layups, you might get the idea to dunk one or two of them.

[Kevin Reilly]

Well Pitino must have coached ( yelled ) at halftime... the defensive effort is there so far in the second half. Hope we can keep the effort up.

[muskieman]

How could they say it was Butler ball. Anderson had it knocked out by Butler player.

[Kevin Reilly]

Much better defense. Damn a couple three pointers in and out. Not sure what Wright was doing with that matador defense on Ajayi last dunk. Got to hang in there and take a charge. Playing with the right effort but may be getting tired.

[muskieman]

Couple possession down the end might be the killer. I can't believe how many times this year we have had multipler foul outs Filip, I can't believe you took that shot when you only have one made shot.

[Kevin Reilly]

Well they at least played hard the second half. We managed to fudge it up at the end like we seem to do a lot. Carroll was great again and Moore played well offensively in the second half. We put a lot of effort getting back into the game and that might have resulted in tired legs at the end of the game. Wright had a mindless unnecessary foul with 20 seconds to go and you don't want Filip taking the last shot. He has really struggled with his shot the last couple of games. I guess it is what it is. We don't have the players to make the big play down the stretch.

[ChitownSteve]

Well they at least played hard the second half. We managed to fudge it up at the end like we seem to do a lot. Carroll was great again and Moore played well offensively in the second half. We put a lot of effort getting back into the game and that might have resulted in tired legs at the end of the game. Wright had a mindless unnecessary foul with 20 seconds to go and you don't want Filip taking the last shot. He has really struggled with his shot the last couple of games. I guess it is what it is. We don't have the players to make the big play down the stretch.

Agree with the remarks and compliments to the Team for making it an interesting game in the 2nd Half.

Unfortunately, all too often this season the Musketeers have had one good half and one bad half.

[skyhops]

Filip is the worst shooting Euro ever. Cant win win you don’t have a PG or a rim protecting big. Getting down to Butler 18 in first half is awful. Richard has not had a good month.