Musketeer Madness

...they can't keep living on the edge like this. Yes, the last two games have been very exciting, but if X keeps giving up 12-14 pt. first half leads, they're going to get burned at some point.

I don't know why we go into these funks, and it's not just how the other team is playing. It's our offense grinding to a halt and our defense going into panic mode (as Larkin put it today).

Sometimes we look like a Final Four team, and sometimes we look like Illinois-Chicago. The talent is there, but we need to be playing more consistently, especially at this time in the season.

Everyone relax. We played the second best team in a conference that will send 4+ teams to the NCAA tournament. I thought we actually played pretty well today, but St. Joe's is just that good. They were a very good team, who does not miss open shots. Every game will be a battle from here on out, so don't expect many 20+ point wins for the rest of the way.

BIggest win of the year becasue Xavier came from behind against a really, really good team. Great atmosphere. Two big time teams slugging it out.

Mr.Natural, a funk? what game were you watching? Xavier scored when they needed to....remember this St. Joes team just blew out NOva ...

Mr. Neutral wrote:...they can't keep living on the edge like this. Yes, the last two games have been very exciting, but if X keeps giving up 12-14 pt. first half leads, they're going to get burned at some point.

I don't know why we go into these funks, and it's not just how the other team is playing. It's our offense grinding to a halt and our defense going into panic mode (as Larkin put it today).

Sometimes we look like a Final Four team, and sometimes we look like Illinois-Chicago. The talent is there, but we need to be playing more consistently, especially at this time in the season.

OMG, Moose.

First of all, Byron did not say that the defense went "into panic mode." What he actually said was that the offense "could not go into panic mode after falling behind."

Secondly, give St. Joes credit. Phil Martelli is a master. He made incredible adjustments in the second half to Xavier's defensive pressure, just as Rick Majerus did on Thursday. That is no knock on Sean, because he adjusted back, but that is what great coaches do. It is fascinating for me to watch the chess match that is the battle of coaches. St. Joes has some incredible weapons and I believe that they are playing right now like an NCAA team. I believe that they would not have lost at Duquesne if Nivens was playing. Calathes and Ferguson cause incredible matchup problems and Nivens is a beast. They deserve the second A-10 bid.

Again, just as always, XU-St. Joes is the best matchup year in and year out. This game was not going to be a blowout and quit taking the negative. This is a huge win over a very, very tough team. Accept and celebrate.

What funk are you talking about? We're 20-4 overall and 8-1 in conference!!

Could they have played better in the second half against SLU and today against the Hawks? Yes, but SLU took UD to overtime, they beat URI and UMass at home, and St. Joe's is a very good team.

The guys got it done today. At this point in the season, who gives a crap about style points. It's a win!

Teams need games like this in order to prepare for the tournament. Being able to win late is crucial to a long run in the dance, and its good for the team to be in games like this during the season.

Guys, of course there was a funk in the 2nd half. If you didn't see that, then you missed about 18 minutes of the game. The 2nd half was probably the worst half I've seen either Lavender or Burrell play all season. Maybe ever. But we overcame, with the senior leadership of Duncan and the clutch shooting of BJ Raymond.

No team plays a perfect game, and our 2nd half was FAR from perfect. But this was a great win, and we should be absolutely thrilled. No need to dwell on our problems. Enjoy the win.

Always have to find something negative don't you Mr.N.Why not give ST.Joe's some credit.They're not going to just lie down and let us run over them like UD did.Yes they gave up a big lead but when they fell behind they didn't fall apart.I take that away from this game not that they blew a lead!

bluegrass wrote:Always have to find something negative don't you Mr.N.Why not give ST.Joe's some credit.They're not going to just lie down and let us run over them like UD did.Yes they gave up a big lead but when they fell behind they didn't fall apart.I take that away from this game not that they blew a lead!

Look, we all know that Mr. N. is a "half empty" kind of guy. But to be fair to him, the 2nd half wasn't just about St. Joe's being a very good team or Martelli being a great coach. Our senior guards were out of control throughout the 2nd half in a way I've never seen either of them play all season (and at least for Drew, ever). Coach will fix it, and I would bet we won't see that ever again (they being seniors and all).

It was an exciting win and an outstanding win. I don't think Mr. N. or anyone else intends to detract from that. We should all be thrilled that we came out of the week with 2 Ws after playing a tough road game (in a location we've never won in during A-10 play) and probably our toughest conference foe at home. I don't know that anyone -- fans, staff, or players -- should be thrilled with all 80 minutes of those games, but we came out with Ws and it's time to move on to the next one. After cherishing this one for a few more hours, of course...

LA Muskie wrote: No team plays a perfect game, and our 2nd half was FAR from perfect. But this was a great win, and we should be absolutely thrilled. No need to dwell on our problems. Enjoy the win.

Agree 100%.
I can just hear Mr.N at Christmas as a kid-"But mom,I didn't get everything I wanted !"