Incredible Defensive Effort

[XU80]

The difference in the game today was our defense. The pressure to fight through ball screens and not get cheap fouls frustrated Villanova. To shut down a team like Villanova ( I get it they are rebuilding too) for nine minutes is as good a defensive effort as I have seen Xavier play in many years. Holding Booth to two points in the second half and 33.9% shooting and 27.8% from three

In addition, we kept them off the offensive boards for the most part in the second half. Wow, I would not want to play this team in the BE tournament.

Great job fellas, you made us proud!!

[X-Expert]

X only chance of beating Nova and Marq is on D which is what they did today. X didn't even have many fast break points -just stand up D and challenge shots. They really closed well on the shooters and other than 1 possession in first half, X defensive rebounding was very strong. This team's D has improved all year.

[bluegrass]

4 games in a row holding teams under 70 points and under 65 in 3 of those. Took a while but the D that we hoped for all year is finally showing up