Butler Game Thread 1/7/22

[muskieman]

𝙂𝘼𝙈𝙀𝘿𝘼𝙔 !

Xavier vs. Butler @ Hinkle Fieldhouse
8:30 P.M. EST
Television | FS1
Radio |700 wlw

TEAM STATS

# 22 Xavier 11-2 75.5 PPG 43.7 RPG 15.2 APG

Butler 8-5 62.8 PPG 35.2 RPG 12.1 APG

Injuries

Butler: Pierce Thomas G (Out), Bo Hodges G (Out).

Each player on Xavier’s roster ranks nationally in at least one KenPom-tracked stat

per Covers Over/Under analysis
Butler's offense is much worse than the defense. The Bulldogs are shooting a 47.9% effective field goal percentage while turning the ball over 21.6% of the time. It's also going to be extremely hard for Butler to win offensive rebounds against Xavier, as the Musketeers allow just 23 percent offensive rebounds this season.

The Bulldogs are also shooting just 31.7 percent from three and 48.2 percent from inside the arc this season. Both of those numbers, again, are below average.

[skyhops]

Time for Steele and Scruggs to step up. This is a must win game coming off a long break.

[muskieman]

It will be interesting to see if X has rust or they come out blazing. Will Free show signs that he is getting better? X need to protect the ball and make shots. Paul needs to play better than the last few games and play within himself

[Anti-Homer]

Good 1st half overall. Free is moving very fluidly and showing an array of moves offensively, which gives a team with many options even another, effective one. Unfortunately, the struggles with his defense continue. It won't hurt them tonight, but every BE team watching this will certainly see it. Pick and roll situations are not his friend.

[muskieman]

X playing tough 5 on 8 basketball

[Anti-Homer]

Steele has a blind spot when it comes Free's D. Game-changing, like Hunter with the three ball.

[Anti-Homer]

Free in, Nunge out, Butler scoring at will off of him, and Steele asleep at the wheel again.

[muskieman]

Steele has a blind spot when it comes Free's D. Game-changing, like Hunter with the three ball.

how is Hunter's shooting tonight? Certainly is the Kunkel night.

[muskieman]

Butler D only gives up 61 point average per game and X hangs 87 on them at their house, err I mean Barn

[Anti-Homer]

Steele has a blind spot when it comes Free's D. Game-changing, like Hunter with the three ball.

how is Hunter's shooting tonight? Certainly is the Kunkel night.

Well. One three hit the rim 27 times, and another shot was a brick that hit a dead spot. However, he didn't shoot more than three threes (still too many for him) and played good D. I don't think I would gloat about Hunter's shooting. He has had exactly two very efficient games this year offensively. Taking six shots when he makes four is perfect. BTW, his first trey bent a rim for the 8th time this year, already a BE record.