SJ Game Thread

[Anti-Homer]

This should be a win for X, especially considering their 2nd best player and scorer, Herron, will be out. X has a bad record against Quad one teams (2-8), but only have one bad -not horrible loss against Wake. Fortunately, every game remaining is a resume building opportunity, including tonight. Johns just beat Providence, which was a good thing, since they now are tenuously in Quad One territory. Barring a meltdown, the game at Providence and the rest remaining will be Quad One opp. as well.

Despite playing a horrendous game offensively in their first meeting, including chucking up 27 threes (0-11 collectively from Q-6, James-3, Carter-2) X won because they’re simply bigger and better. Also, Tandy saved them with his BE coming out party with 4 treys, and X out-rebounded SJ by 10 (it would have been more, but clanking 18 threes gives the other team plenty of opportunities). X even gave up 14 offensive rebounds, and still won. It was due a combination of playing good defense, and SJ missing a lot of defended and open shots (fg/3’s/f.t. -- 35/6/2). Both teams shot poorly from the line. X even almost tripled the number of turnovers they had from 19-7.

SJ plays with a 3 guard lineup, and often with a wing (G-F) as their four. Their only true post player is a 6’9” skinny sophomore who averages 20 min. and 5 points a game. Johns will press because that’s how they play, and have seen tape of how poorly X executes the break at times. I suspect they will also have to play a lot of zone, which they did at Cintas. Even so, they’ll still be unable to stop Jones. I really hope they don’t go with the 3 bigs lineup again, but know they will. Two is fine, as long as they aren’t exposed by smaller, quicker players like we saw in four games against Creigton and Marquette, and also against Butler, to a lesser extent.

Kyky needs to be in as much as possible, so they don’t have 5 guys in the paint. I would love this lineup:

Scruggs, Kyky, Moore, Marshall, Ty.

I know it won’t happen, but if X would only play two bigs, then put Carter or Free in over Moore. It’s hard to choose, because Carter is usually a plus defensively, and a minus offensively. Free is the opposite. Final score: X 74, Johns 69.

[Anti-Homer]

Heron is also SJ's best three point (only he and Figueroa shoot it well) and foul shooter, and was part of SJ's three headed monster. Big loss. Scruggs will have to guard Dunn with X's big lineup, and I worry about him getting into foul trouble again. Dunn is a horrible three point shooter, but gets to the line the most, where he also shoots a high percentage. X needs to defend him like teams defend Goodin.

[muskieman]

1st TV time out and Jones as 6 rebounds

[ChitownSteve]

“Naji driving with the ball” Guess the result ... no surprise ... turnover.

[Anti-Homer]

“Naji driving with the ball” Guess the result ... no surprise ... turnover.

He's playing out of control and flinging dumb shots already. Just got bailed out with a foul called though he traveled.

[muskieman]

“Naji driving with the ball” Guess the result ... no surprise ... turnover.

and the second nonsurprise he has been to the line twice and 2-4

[muskieman]

the ref should have called O goaltending on that net touch

[ChitownSteve]

Should have called a goaltend, but I believe that is why Naji got the call and shot the FT’s. An even up call that went X’s way.

[Anti-Homer]

Carter is a mess offensively.

[Anti-Homer]

Have I mentioned that I hate the 3 big lineup? It makes it real easy to collapse on Jones when two other defenders are in close proximity.