Butler Game thread 01/14/2017

[commish118]

Clearly, we have the better talent. But 16 turnovers to there 9; they out rebounded us 28-26; and the biggie, we go 28/39 at the FT line, and they go 33-38. They played a much smarter game. You can't win on the road playing like this. What is even worse for us, from the FT line Ed was 12/13. The rest of the team was 16/26.

[X4LIFE]

Well another loss. If X is going to be a contender they have to win road games against the top teams in this league. What can you say? Find a way to win. Win ugly. Win tough. Win by out working your opponent. This team, it appears thinks they can win on talent alone. Hopefully they learned a lesson these past two road games.

[commish118]

Just disappointed. I thought this team had grown up and was ready for this tough stretch of games. They have a LONG way to go and they better start growing up fast.

The last two games also made something abundantly clear: we have no floor leader(s). There is no one talking to other players, patting them on the butt, motivating them, getting them into the game. At times this team looks very sheepish, and the only herding is coming from the bench.

[muskieman]

21 second chance point is the difference

[Anti-Homer]

In games this year against teams that have a credible chance of making the NCAA tourney, X has lost the 2nd half in 6 of 7 games. I even included WF, who has the least chance of making the tourney. However, I wanted to make sure we didn't get shut out; showing my X bias with that one. Wonder what occurs which accounts for this between the 1st and 2nd halves?

[Anti-Homer]

This is a tough league. No shame in losing to two top 15 teams at their place. However, the manner is what's most disappointing. No reason to revisit Villanova.

Against Butler, X went away from what got them the lead by starting off the 2nd half with outside jumpers (3 by Tre), while Butler drove the lane and scored at a high clip (I believe they scored 54 points in the 2nd half, though 6 were on free throws at the end).

X also put their 2nd best player on Chrab., which led to the 4th foul, and ultimately he fouled out.

MB was playing another outstanding game, yet he sat some key minutes so we could knock the rust of MD, who was very ineffective offensively and defensively for 2 games in a row now. I understand getting him minutes, but perhaps playing him 5-6 min. in the 1st half, instead of playing him in crunch time may have been more prudent.

X's record against top 50 teams this year not good. If they have aspirations to stay below the dreaded 8-9 line, winning the next three is almost mandatory (especially considering that one is against bottom feeding G-town).

[Go Go Golston]

This team's identity like so many before it is now formed. Fans will just have to deal with it from game to game. When they make shots, the turnovers and missed free throws and no lock down defender don't glare so much. On a day like today...well. People talk all the time about "closing out games". You've got to do all three to close 'em out.
I honestly believe that Brad Stevens created the "Butler Way". Hard nosed overachievers that are fundamentally sound and come out of high school as good free throw shooters. They recruit those kind of kids. Alex Barlow is a perfect example. And he was a walk on.
I really don't know what the Xavier way is now. It used to be the little engine that could with a chip on your shoulder. Xavier is and has been a turnover machine for many seasons and typically is near the bottom of the league in assist to turnover ratio and near the top in turnovers committed. But during that stretch we were awed by the acrobatics of Jordan Crawford, Semaj Christon and now Edmond Sumner. Can't we just have a solid point guard who distributes the ball well, runs the show and makes his free throws? Do you really believe QG is that guy?
I know our record against Butler in the modern BE era is good, but I like they way they play way better than the way Xavier plays.
CM said something funny in his post game comments. "That's who Butler is. They make free throws and don't turn the ball over." Well dah. How bout teaching your kids to do that coach.

[skyhops]

Just not a very cerebral team. Up three and JP throws two sloppy passes that lead to four points, game over. Butler and others teams are patient and we shoot early in the clock and play poor defense. We are heading for 5/6 place in big east

[muncie6569]

I disagree with most of the posters today. We played a top 15 team on the road and ran it to the wire. We were not expected to win this game. We are curving up and per usual by March (Myles will be integrated into the team and role players will also be playing better) and we will be clicking like X always does by the dance. Every year this board has the same whining in mid January and by season end it's all "I told you we'd be ok " lol fans are the same every where every Year. We will be fine. Trust in Mack

[commish118]

I said this was a Final Four team before the season started. I still believe that. It is just obvious that they have a lot more work to do after witnessing these last two games. I just thought they would be further along at this point in the season. Long way to go, but a long hill to climb.