Seton Hall Game thread 02/14/2018

[Anti-Homer]

Tim Brando sucks.
Can't even Goodin's name right - called him Gordon.
I guess he still upset that X won the game at Creighton.

Hate how these tools always mess Xavier's players names wrong!

Cut Tim some slack. He has only done about 20 games on X over the last couple of years.

[Anti-Homer]

Mack has got to get Macura shots. Can't score when he doesn't shoot!

Do you have some kind of prop bet with JP getting at least 16 points or something? They’re up by 20 against a very solid team. Right now, the only ones who should get set plays called for them are Bluiett & the bigs. JP has had ample opportunities to get shots off. To his credit, he isn’t forcing them, and is playing the role of facilitator, which he does very well.

[Anti-Homer]

Talking bad about Macura's defense. I don't think its that bad! Just not getting any offense from him!

It’s bad, as is Tre’s. They are what they are on defense: liabilities. JP is a very good help defender though. Tre…..he sure as hell can shoot.

[Anti-Homer]

im Not sure if it’s defense or if it’s the lack of killer instinct. Every time X gets a big lead against a decent team they play tentative. Play aggressive on defense like they did against Butler at the end of the game at home. They have to learn to step on their opponents throat and not let up. They’ve had that problem in past seasons. The difference in this years team from years past is poise on offense. They don’t panic. They rely on each other. And they play together.

I’m in favor of X simply tackling any SH player who crosses half court. We can’t stop anybody. Horrendous defense all year. SH scored 40 points by the 10-minute mark. I don’t think it is possible to hit 40 points in 10 minutes on one of those “pop a shots” at Chucky Cheese. I think the over under if X played one of those wheelchair teams would be about 187, with them scoring 80 points. Thank God X is one of, if not the best offensive team in the country. I told CM at Quatmans the other day not to listen to those subliminal tapes by Paul Westhead (forward written by Coach Wojo) on how to teach defense. Sadly, he didn’t follow my advice.

[Anti-Homer]

Not overly concerned with the 2nd half sloppy play last night. These are kids at heart and normal for guys this age getting a bit bored after halftime and turning their collective consciousness to the big Sat date with that evil empire from Philly. You hate to see it happen - and wish Mack could prevent it, but human nature takes over. X looked sharp in the 1st half which was great to see as SH did need that game badly. So, now we are "on to Nova" officially... Kanter was off last night but I am not worried about him all that much. Naji continues to come on strong although a couple of times each game he will make one too many blind spin moves attacking the rim and loses the ball. I can deal with that from this talented Frosh. Scruggs - no worries there - love his progress. JP, a couple more dumb telegraphed passes, which irks me from a Senior but a decent game. Sean, solid. T-Jones, got to knock some rust off which was terrific. Tre was God-like. Q - just another solid game and continues to show his recent increased 3 % is not a fluke.
That brings us to the Kaiser...............................................
WTF Gates..?? I will tell you this, he makes or breaks us as a legit Final Four contender. (or for beating Nova Saturday for that matter)
There is simply no way, not even for Virginia, to throttle X if Gates can hit at about 35% from the arc. He is too tall, (except for the freakish Sanogo) & has a quick release. With our post offensive threats, slashing guards that can also shoot it better, plus JP and Tre, opposing D's must sag off Kaiser a bit. X's run late last year coincided with Kaiser coming out of his long slump. So here he goes yet again.
I'm sure he is trying, and I like the kid, but come on KG.
OK, I am done ranting. We are just sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo freaking close to clicking on all cylinders. The kind of cylinders normally reserved for NC or Duke or Kans-ass in their peak seasons. We are so close I can taste it... Can't wait for Saturday.

X-Luc,

KG is shooting almost 40% from 3 point land. His attempts and minutes played have diminished, largely because of Marshall's emergence. However, I still have all the confidence in him to hit a 3 when needed. His D also continues to be stellar.