Butler Game thread 01/14/2017

[joeabe]

Check out the team shooting %, then check out our bigs shooting %. You tell me who should be shooting more and who should be shooting less?? I think we have a few players with an over inflated value of themselves and it's not good for team chemistry. Looks to me like some our 3 point experts are also allergic to playing defense!! It is obvious to me the games have become a showcase for talent rather than putting emphasis on team play....I believe Coach Mack is having a difficult time coaching a few of these guys....I see his facial expression as the ill advised 3"s are launched from way away from the basket early in the shot clock

[muncie6569]

For some reasonable perspective: we just came very close to beating the number 12 team in the country on their own court, where they recently beat Nova who at the time I believe was number one in the country. The sky is not falling. We have good team that will only get better. But I do find all the naysayers rather humorous.

[slysyl]

All losses are bad, but three of our losses were to top twelve teams on the road; Colorado is the only real bad loss. We still have an opportunity to get revenge on Butler, and Villanova , at home. Don't get to pissed at the coach you may not like what that brings about. We still have a lot of games to play.

[Thor in 204]

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.

I think mental toughness and basketball IQ and passion about being part of a team are recruitable talents. Being dedicated to fundamentals is a kind of psychological talent. They, of course can be developed and improved and cultivated. Butler recruits these talents very well, and develops them well. I think the same about Villanova.

[Thor in 204]

Check out the team shooting %, then check out our bigs shooting %. You tell me who should be shooting more and who should be shooting less?? I think we have a few players with an over inflated value of themselves and it's not good for team chemistry. Looks to me like some our 3 point experts are also allergic to playing defense!! It is obvious to me the games have become a showcase for talent rather than putting emphasis on team play....I believe Coach Mack is having a difficult time coaching a few of these guys....I see his facial expression as the ill advised 3"s are launched from way away from the basket early in the shot clock

joeabe, I agree with you. I think there is too much emphasis on "star power" in the program as a whole, in the league PR, and among fans. I think this puts a kind of pressure on players that is not helpful.
Also, I have a hunch that Trevon Blueitt is playing to the pro scouts too much and it's taking away from his full engagement with team play.

[commish118]

Just listened to Chris's post game. Man, is he frustrated! Seems they are not executing on the coaching in practice, or the coaching during the game. Maybe he needs to shake them up a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnIaqAsnSxU

[commish118]

I do think Chris is too patient with these guys. He was very frustrated with Ed's play in the first half. Pull him out and sit him for 4 minutes, and tell him to pick up his game or he will be sitting again! He was frustrated with the way the team came out in the second half, especially the turnovers. JP had two of them on back to back plays. Pull him out for 4 minutes! He was frustrated with the defense, and not getting the ball into the low post. Pull guys out and tell them if they don't start playing better, someone else will be playing.

I know we are trying to win the game and we want our best players on the floor. Chris needs to tell them that our best players are the ones who listen and keep working. If your best players aren't doing what they are supposed to do, you are going to lose anyway. I would rather lose with hard working team players on the court, then lose with all conference players who are not listening on the court.

[joeabe]

Team chemistry in baskets is imperative for a chance at victory vs top notch teams(Big East)! Hey, like you all I am all in on this team as well as our alma mater....I simply stated what is obvious to me and I admit I know very little vs CM about hoops....just a fan with a key board!! It seems like we open the game as a team but when we get to choppy waters we turn to long 3's , very little offense and never feeding the post. Also feel the perimeter players do not have confidence in our bigs. Winning basketball teams have a QB, usually the point guard commanding the attention of the others and willing the team on ..they have a certain toughness about them. I believe before the BE tournament Mr Sumner will be there!!!!! Coach Mack is facing a challenge with this team but I feel certain he will right the ship....Go X!! We start with Creighton tomorrow on our turf....Let them get a little taste of good ole Xavier basketball

[X-lucidity]

Fortunately, I had to leave at halftime yesterday from watching to take my daughter to her own b-ball tourney game. So all I saw was a very solid first half where we looked to be the superior team. In fact, with just a few bounces of the ball in our favor, we could have been up easily 10 to 12. After the Nova fiasco, I will take that.... The Big East this season will obviously be quite the gauntlet. All these past two games have done is make tomorrow a critical "must". We are at home, so let's see if the young men respond. I am concerned about a few negative trends, as are most on this board, but confident I saw enough improvement yesterday to calm my ass down a bit.
It's a L-O-N-G season. I do not wear rose colored glasses, that said, I am confident this staff & team have the work ethic to fight their way out of this.

[thecoach]

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.

This team has nowhere near the talent or depth needed on the front line to reach a final four. Hence the need to jack up 3's.