Providence game thread

[Xavier2005]

Very proud of the Xavier players. They played hard and never gave up. A great TEAM win.

[ChitownSteve]

Interesting stat:

Providence’s Total Bench Minutes - 20 (four players, top sub 13 minutes).
Xavier’s Total Bench Minutes - 37 (three players, top sub 29 minutes).

Looked at a few other recent games, clearly the substitution pattern also appears to have tightened by opponents.

While I do not disagree with those promoting increasing the playing time of those who are on X’s bench, looked at a recent games box scores and also watch/attend DePaul often. From my cursory review, subs are not as prevalent by other teams as we might suspect. Again, my thought is in alignment with playing more players, more often at this point. However, I am going to pay closer attention to the opponent’s minute distribution more closely. Possibly, Coach Miller may not be as much of an outlier as some of us may think.

Greater Box Score analysis ahead.

[pdxmuskie]

I would hope bench minutes and production is generally related to talent. Teams with deep talent, go deeper into the bench.

Playing 7 (fully healthy Xavier team) is not ideal but if it is based on roster ability then it is appropriate. There is some truth in giving players minutes to develop them but that is dependent on a lot of factors. It also doesn't mean an absence of minutes will prevent players from improving.

We have seen Tandy for years. He has given Xavier great moments. I hope he has a few more to give over the next month. He might be the difference between a win and a loss at some point this year. Miles played a bunch early this year and again had some moments but also showed a lack of fluidity to his game. I do think he could have played against Creighton based on matchup but that could be extremely incorrect. Edwards has shown flashes but he seems more like a 4 than a 5. Craft is mostly unknown. He looked good in a game or 2 but also looked scared in 1 or 2 others. He and Edwards both might develop into contributing players but they are not necessarily ready to contribute now.

Hopefully we can get 1 or 2 to step up each game until Free returns. Helping generate a win would be a huge contribution to the Xavier program and warrant appreciation from Xavier fans for years to come.

We all want more depth but it has to be based on what players are capable of bringing. Rankings are irrelevant. Production is all that matters.

[longliveskip]

Easy win, never in doubt.

The bench did not step up as hoped. They didn't make a bunch of mistakes but they also didn't bring a lift.

Boum is probably the worst defender I've ever seen. Game after game, he gets beat. He was a great offensive player but his shot selection continues to deteriorate. He is now a very good offensive player but no longer great. Some had him getting drafted, no idea if that has any basis in reality but he is destroying all hope of that by forcing bad shots from deep. He rarely takes bad shots when attacking the basket, with the exception of the Creighton game but he is forcing way too many deep shots.

Free was missed. Would have been easier with him.

Claude was huge stepping in for Hunter and making the FTs. Also had a nice 3 early in the game. His shots looks good, I suspect Miller is correct that he is a better shooter than his game stats indicate.

Hunter had a lot of great plays and a couple big mistakes. He also had horrible luck with 2 FTs rimming out and his 3 was also extremely close. Great effort and the win was not possible without him.

this simply just isn't true. he's not even the worst defender on our team and given the way we defend ball screens (it's different then in years past with hedging out and recovering)

as much as he is relied on for offense/scoring/ball-handling, it's going to take its toll on the other end at times, but it's not nearly as bad as what you're making it out to be.

[skyhops]

Boum is not the worst defender that title belongs to Adam Kunkle, who just could not guard Locke last night. I cannot believe that Miller had Kunkle on him for the last play instead of Hunter or Claude. Kunkle is just not big enough to get around screens and get pushed around. Boum does as well but does a better job and he can drop 20 on any night. With Free out it is time for Claude to get some more of Kunkle's minutes. Nothing against AK he is a good leader and shooter. Anyone who wants Edwards to get more minutes needs to rewatch last nights game. He played over six minutes and had no rebounds. Unfortunately, he just is not that skilled. I thought even Miles would have at least got a rebound and played better defense 9never thought i'd say that). I thought Nunge played well and he doesn't get much respect from the officials anymore. A win is a win.

[Michigan Musketeer]

No way would we have 18 wins without Boom. His play at the end & pressure FT’s has won several games. Does any one remember the Butler game last Yr. Good or great offensive players are not always great defenders.3 Pt shooters go hot & cold on the time. I will take (9) assist & 1 TO all the time. Great article by CBS on the recruitment of Boom

[X-man]

Boum is not the worst defender that title belongs to Adam Kunkle, who just could not guard Locke last night. I cannot believe that Miller had Kunkle on him for the last play instead of Hunter or Claude. Kunkle is just not big enough to get around screens and get pushed around. Boum does as well but does a better job and he can drop 20 on any night. With Free out it is time for Claude to get some more of Kunkle's minutes. Nothing against AK he is a good leader and shooter. Anyone who wants Edwards to get more minutes needs to rewatch last nights game. He played over six minutes and had no rebounds. Unfortunately, he just is not that skilled. I thought even Miles would have at least got a rebound and played better defense 9never thought i'd say that). I thought Nunge played well and he doesn't get much respect from the officials anymore. A win is a win.

It's Boum and Kunkel. Just sayin'.

[X-lucidity]

First off: Holy crap-olie, what a game, what a win!1 Team win, just kudos all around to every player and coach. I heard one of the two broadcasters, (can't recall if it was Rafferty), that not even Sean would know for a few games how the new rotation would look. Thought that was a fab point.
Secondly, as to 'Hops berating Kunkel's D. It is certainly true that AK is not a shut-down defender. Newsflash, at this level he never has been nor ever will be. That is not to yearn for him to improve. "Hops, I have read your takes for years and respect them and typically agree. I have said this repeatedly, many of our key players are not blessed with strong defensive traits. Let us face some harsh realities. Adam transferred here and we thought at best he could be sort of like a Brad Redford shooting threat and "zone-buster" so to speak. I believe he has FAR exceeded those initial expectations. But that is never going to change the fact that he brings with him a defensive skill set that would be far better suited for guarding in MAC or Horizon leagues for example. However, AK does bring above average offensive skills to the high major level. The ball pops when he is in the game. he either shoots it quickly, or drives or passes quickly. This greatly helps Coach Miller bring the fast paced open offense that he is striving for. I re-watched last night's game earlier this morning and I honed in a bit on Adam's D. He was busting his ass, and Prov was setting massive wicked off-ball screens to free Locke. Today's basketball allows those multiple off ball screens and they can be difficult to navigate as a defender. Even still, most of Locke's three pointers came off these late curl screens and he was only open for a split second. Most of these were shots that you would cringe if it was your team taking they were that quickly hoisted. Now Locke is just an assassin from deep, why Coach M had AK assigned is another story. But given what AK brings to the table physically on the D end, I thought he did as good as he could. Fortunately what he gives us shooting, spacing and especially his underrated ability to feed post players for assists more than makes up for it. Once again, yes I agree he is not a good defender. But the effort is off the charts and sometimes you have to tip your hat to an opponent that is making fairly tough shots consistently.

[skyhops]

I was not attacking AK personally just pointing out the obvious. FYI, everyone sets massive screens in BE and we have difficulties getting above high ball screens. Locke was 6/7 last night from 3. When playing top teams it will be difficult having AK and Boum in. Boum obviously brings more offensively and Claude is one of our best defenders.

[connecticut72]

Let's not forget Kunkel hit the three with a minute left to give us the 3 pt lead. I watched the game again and other than shaky free throw shooting by Hunter he was terrific. Tremendous defensive job on Hopkins. Jones really stepped up his game and Nunge was very good. Souley is the gift that keeps on giving. He missed his first FT since Jan. 11 enough said. I would also like to give a shout out to my man from Connecticut hitting those pressure FT's. and playing a smooth mistake free game. I also watched Edwards closely and even though he did get bullied around the hoop he can really run the floor. He is like a gazelle going up & down. Maybe there is hope there but not has a 5. Miller was great but he must not lose his time outs so early. Last night with a little over a minute left in regulations we had no time outs.That has happened more than once this year.