Season ended too soon - what happened?

[clevelandmuskie]

This was such an enjoyable season and I take nothing for granted in the NCAA Tourney. A friend of mine who is a Villanova alum summed it up after Villanova spanked us at home by saying Xavier is a really good program but until you crack the Final 4 you wont be considered among the best. I agree with this assessment - we haven't been able to push through and win the big game. When UNC went down yesterday afternoon, I thought this might be our year and was terribly disappointed in how we lost. I didn't think FSU played great but had these observations:

1) JP's 4th phantom foul was a killer - took 2 points away from us and gave them 2 , killed momentum and put JP on ice for 5 minutes
2) What happened to Kaiser Gates - he was a good shooter last year and has lost his confidence in his shot? Not to mention FSU seemed to get several critical rebounds where he was more spectator than defender.
3) When JP came back in with 4 minutes left, Goodin was confused where to go in the 1-3-1 zone and gave up an open 3 point shot, thankfully FSU missed it and then Gooden dribbled it out of bounds. Then with 20 seconds left he walked the ball up the court and was looking to Mack for the play - no sense of urgency or instinct. I was wondering what he was thinking as he didnt do much throughout the game?
4) Kanter scored well but with JP out he was double teamed and wouldnt pass to our shooters - someone had to be open. What was with the airball with 20 seconds left?
5) I have never seen Trevon so gun shy on shooting - they were playing tight D but there must have been some offensive sets to get him open - I didnt get it.
6) some blame goes to the officiating but thats life, horribly called game. Poor game by several XU players and FSU hit FTs and we didn't.
7) Good luck to all the seniors, I was more than just hoping this was our year!! Thanks for the great ride, it ended too soon.

[Anti-Homer]

This was such an enjoyable season and I take nothing for granted in the NCAA Tourney. A friend of mine who is a Villanova alum summed it up after Villanova spanked us at home by saying Xavier is a really good program but until you crack the Final 4 you wont be considered among the best. I agree with this assessment - we haven't been able to push through and win the big game. When UNC went down yesterday afternoon, I thought this might be our year and was terribly disappointed in how we lost. I didn't think FSU played great but had these observations:

1) JP's 4th phantom foul was a killer - took 2 points away from us and gave them 2 , killed momentum and put JP on ice for 5 minutes
2) What happened to Kaiser Gates - he was a good shooter last year and has lost his confidence in his shot? Not to mention FSU seemed to get several critical rebounds where he was more spectator than defender.
3) When JP came back in with 4 minutes left, Goodin was confused where to go in the 1-3-1 zone and gave up an open 3 point shot, thankfully FSU missed it and then Gooden dribbled it out of bounds. Then with 20 seconds left he walked the ball up the court and was looking to Mack for the play - no sense of urgency or instinct. I was wondering what he was thinking as he didnt do much throughout the game?
4) Kanter scored well but with JP out he was double teamed and wouldnt pass to our shooters - someone had to be open. What was with the airball with 20 seconds left?
5) I have never seen Trevon so gun shy on shooting - they were playing tight D but there must have been some offensive sets to get him open - I didnt get it.
6) some blame goes to the officiating but thats life, horribly called game. Poor game by several XU players and FSU hit FTs and we didn't.
7) Good luck to all the seniors, I was more than just hoping this was our year!! Thanks for the great ride, it ended too soon.

I agree re: Trevon not getting enough sets run to get him more shots, but have no problem with a wide open top of the key shot by Kantner.

[xu koop scoop]

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