Musketeer Madness

X is 1-2 in league play, but have played the 2nd and 3rd best teams in the league. However, losing at home in the BE better be a rarity this year, or it's "Hello NIT" in consecutive years. With a NET of 52 and their best NET win against NIT bound TCU (Net 65), this is almost a must win. It's too early to panic, as X gets back on track tomorrow. Creighton is having another good year with a scarcity of Top 100 players relative to teams like Nova & X. They're both 12-4, but Creighton's NET is 20 points better due to one key difference: Unlike X, they didn't follow Mick Cronin's ooc schedule while at UC. Creighton played 3 teams with NET ratings of 3 (who they lost to by 30 pts - SD ST). 22 (MI), and 35 (Tx Tech), a pattern followed by most BE teams. Alas, X's best NET rating of an OOC opponent is 40 (Fla), followed by 65 (TCU). I'm a big fan of Mario, but if the OOC schedule doesn't improve significantly next year, that task may be better served by someone else. I think Val Ackerman may make the same suggestion.

Creighton's style bothers most teams including X, but though they are a much better three point shooting team, they aren't hovering around the 40% range as they usually do. They also have no answer for Jones, so hopefully X's game plan isn't chucking up 6 treys, 15 seconds into the shot clock in the first few minutes like the Johnnies. They also have no answer for Marshall. Creighton has very good players, but no super freak, long (with a superior skillset) or dominating athletes. Their sg Alexander is their best player, and I expect Marshall to guard him. Ballock is their best three point shooting team, but isn't lightning quick. Usually, it's dangerous to press good outside shooting teams, but Creighton lacks a dynamic pg, and X's quickness and length should disrupt where they start their sets, shave time, and creates turnovers. If X plays disciplined defense, and minimizes bad shots and turnovers (HUGE IF), they double Vegas' line of -3.5

As an aside, over/under on Steele's timeouts total tomorrow is 3.4.

Final score: X 75-67.

X has not been very good at covering the spread this year and I don't think Vegas has seen Xavier play much this year. Hopefully, Steele will call a timeout and Q will hit a 3.

50/50 chance for a win or loss......this is no easy game for a win. Another loss at home and it is probably a stay at home year ...no NIT .

I don't like to say it but I think this might be a Must Win game if you are thinking about dancing with the big boys come March.With (8) Road games left including Butler (beat the Friars last nite on the road) now 15-1 and Seton Hall. Hopefully the shots are falling (points in the paint) and they limit the 3's and leave some of their turnovers at the bakery ( the only place they are good) will give us a good chance for a W.

I agree the game is critical, but hardly definitive. I think X wins this game, but a loss just means they have to virtually hold serve the rest of their home games, and steal four or so wins on the road. The beauty is they have many Quad one games remaining, including two against a Top 5 NET team in Butler, who X has more talent than. However, Butler exemplifies team basketball, and executes at a much higher level. LaVall Jordan, the current front runner as Nat'l COY, followed closely by Anthony Grant and Gregg Marshall, is expertly managing this team, and they have multiple players who have developed from decent to very good players.

Frankly the warranted pessimism on this board is making my blood boil. OSD,if this continues, you'll have to moderate in my stead today, because I'm itching to hand out some "time outs."

Make sure Steele hands out some timeouts. I will not be in attendance

Nova scores five straight at beginning of first second half and Ewing calls a timeout.

To many close looks in first 5 minutes. Goodin shooting 3's, not so good.

Timeout?

i think it is called basketball for putting the ball in the basket and thus scoring. Xavier players need to learn how to score and maybe then they might win.

I still predict a win in spite of Steele and Q.