Jacksonville game 11/5

[Anti-Homer]

Good points by both of the last posts. It's not often where there could be three freshman that will contribute in Fremantle, KyKy, and Bishop. Instead it could be Harden and Kennedy, which for whatever reason just didn't work. Anyone that has played hoops or still does knows that a bad back takes some time, so I'll give Carter a break. MM was correct in that Marshall even for some of the criticism by AH and E-Xpert does play hard and hopefully his unselfishness continues. I still do not want Q to shoot 3's or run the second team offense.

Hops,

You must have eaten all those medicinal gummy bears in Muskienick's candy dish while reading my post. I was brought on as a moderator to dispense, insightful, objective opinions, and criticize or praise depending on the situation. Last night, Marshall deserved mostly praise. My post game comments were as follows:

"The good from tonight: Marshall played an outstanding game. Very James Posey like. The only negative from him was taking 4 treys, though one was an end of the shot clock three." I even put a caveat to the one faint criticism.

I agree with your comment on Q-s shooting, but still think he should start and be the number one pg. However, Steele needs to have a quick hook and bring in Tandy if he continues to be a brick layer. Amazing that he hasn't developed a pull up 8 footer in the lane, as most good pg.s do. The coaches should show him footage of how Burrell, Holloway, and Lavendar (tear drop) used to do it

[Anti-Homer]

It was also cute to play Schrand so many minutes. I'm sure he's a great kid, but child please. I guess an NIT appearance (though some responsibility has to go to Slim Shady in L'Ville for taking a year off of recruiting for X; however, L'Ville reaped benefits) was enough to feel cocky and play a walk on so many minutes early on, even starting him.

I'm disappointed in you AH. I thought you knew about all re: X basketball.
"Senior Leighton Schrand, who started at Xavier as a walk-on and has since earned a scholarship, got his first career start Wednesday night
Adam Baum"
link

I'm happy for him, but let's face it. The scholly was more of a homage to his work ethic, not because he can compete at a high level. Great kid, and I'm glad he got to play last night. With all due to respect, I hope the remainder of his minutes are allocated towards the end of game blow outs. I'd love for him to prove me wrong, and become a three point specialist, a la Brad Redford. However, ain't holding my breath for that to happen.

[Anti-Homer]

we know what this team is. we saw it last season. it won't change much this season, and i mean in regards to the shooting % from 3. if we shoot 33% from 3 as a team by the end of the season it will be because Q and Naji make a concerted effort to decide that taking that shot isn't their first option nor should it be the first option in the offense unless the ball has been thrown down on the block at least once. it's not like they NEVER need to shoot them at all. there's a difference between making 5 to 7 passes and having someone drive and kick it to you with 7 seconds on the shot clock when you're wide open and coming off one ball screen and jacking one up.

you can tell the two things that will be the staple of this team - defense and rebounding. those two things, and you can tell Steele has emphasized them the most, will keep us in games more than having to jack up ill-advised 3's and hope they go in will. and this team seems to have bought into it already. not saying Jacksonville is some great 'test' but you can see the difference on the defensive end, a little full court pressure at times, and when you have more bodies that can play, your "studs" aren't as tired and can actually apply the kind of defensive pressure you want as a coach, even at the 35th minute because they haven't actually played 35 minutes, so they have the energy to do that.

we will have games where we shoot 40% from 3. we will probably have more where we are 27-33% but hopefully those are games where we take less 3's and end up going like 4-13 instead of jacking up 23 of them.

either way, get Carter to 100% and get KyKy back and you're gonna see this team take off and be who they really can be.

gonna be a fun ride.

can't wait!

LETS GO X!

Good post, and I agree with your comments regarding Carter. I really think his ability to shoot from the outside and drive to the hole will create mismatches. He also brings a big out of the lane, creating lanes for the likes of Marshall, Goodin, and Scruggs. That's an element even X's best overall player (Hankins) couldn't bring last year.