The turning-point came...

[Biggernlife]

I think all the points mentioned prior are all valid. I do however feel like the biggest point wasn't yet addressed. So I will do so. NAJI MARSHALL ! Not having his health and getting even hurt again (different injury, I believe) left us without another great defender, stud driver to the rim , and somewhat of a spark plug in our line up. When he makes a play we usually see an infectious response in our offense. Naji couldn't motivate with his health issues and we became less dimensional. Couple that with foul trouble , poor foul shooting and t/o's we became toast.

Others may disagree, but Naji not in the game hurt us. Just my take..........Biggernlife

[muskieman]

I think all the points mentioned prior are all valid. I do however feel like the biggest point wasn't yet addressed. So I will do so. NAJI MARSHALL ! Not having his health and getting even hurt again (different injury, I believe) left us without another great defender, stud driver to the rim , and somewhat of a spark plug in our line up. When he makes a play we usually see an infectious response in our offense. Naji couldn't motivate with his health issues and we became less dimensional. Couple that with foul trouble , poor foul shooting and t/o's we became toast.

Others may disagree, but Naji not in the game hurt us. Just my take..........Biggernlife

GOOD POINT Biggernlife, I believe I make that remark and to add to that Naji was one of our top 2 rebounders and FSU got too many second chance points when he was not in there.

[bluegrass]

I think all the points mentioned prior are all valid. I do however feel like the biggest point wasn't yet addressed. So I will do so. NAJI MARSHALL ! Not having his health and getting even hurt again (different injury, I believe) left us without another great defender, stud driver to the rim , and somewhat of a spark plug in our line up. When he makes a play we usually see an infectious response in our offense. Naji couldn't motivate with his health issues and we became less dimensional. Couple that with foul trouble , poor foul shooting and t/o's we became toast.

Others may disagree, but Naji not in the game hurt us. Just my take..........Biggernlife

No body has really talked about his absence but I think it was big.You never know how his presence would have changed things.

[Shadow]

No body has really talked about his absence but I think it was big.You never know how his presence would have changed things.

Mack did
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkqehqMUr8M
skip to 18:24 for Mack

[Pierre Dracot]

All the points are valid--a basketball game has many facets. Yet, Xavier more than held things together until the bogus calls were made on Macura, causing him to spend time on the bench and then be disqualified.

The turning point was clear and palpable--in two stages: first, when Macura spent time on the bench due to fouls, and second, when he was disqualified.

I hope, at least, the officials responsible for this don't work another tournament game.

[oldhoopster2]

I mentioned the loss of Naji earlier in this string. He was missed big time. He not only defends well but attacks the glass at both ends. He may have been able to stop some of the late penetration and the offensive put backs and even get some of his own. Agree it was a big part of the loss along with those other game and coaching mistakes mentioned.

[tacitus]

All the points are valid--a basketball game has many facets. Yet, Xavier more than held things together until the bogus calls were made on Macura, causing him to spend time on the bench and then be disqualified.

The turning point was clear and palpable--in two stages: first, when Macura spent time on the bench due to fouls, and second, when he was disqualified.

I hope, at least, the officials responsible for this don't work another tournament game.

Agreed!

Correct calls on those three crucial plays for Macura = we hold off their late run and win by 5-10 points.
That plus healthy Naji = their run is short-lived or non-existent and we win by 10-20 points, also because the extra option on offense frees up Bluiett to hit a couple jumpers.

We were on the verge of blowing them out despite all the other factors until Macura's first phanton foul in the second half. His second contributed to their run, and his third gave them the opportunity to win the game.

Again... they had to actually score to win, and they did. If the tables were turned, we would be more than content to move on. Doesn't help me much though. I won't recover until late November.