Depaul game thread

[muskieman]

DePaul has 14 O Reb to X's six and Steele is oblivious to the obvious adjustment.

make that 15 O rebounds. Their big men are killing the inside game. Free caught looking on the ball fake.

[XavierBob]

Trying to stay positive but man I’ve seen this movie too many times, nuff said.

[pdxmuskie]

There should be no doubt that Nunge should be the starter. Please make the adjustment.

[Anti-Homer]

I'd put Hunter in for Free and go man. Getting killed on the glass and easy looks in the paint while in zone.

[Anti-Homer]

Scruggs again.

[Jesseandrippers]

Lucky. Will take it and run though.

[muskieman]

In the bag, no doubt the D came through and In JACK we trust but JAck you should have made that one FT. Great call from Travis on the Nunge trap that led to a TO and Nunge score

[Anti-Homer]

Though X accommodated nicely with horrendous D, and staying in the zone way too long, DePaul has talent. Kudos to Nunge, Jones, Kunkel, and Hunter. Steele's undying loyalty to Free is going to cost X down the road. Very good player in certain matchups, but tonight wasn't one of them. His D is always suspect, but often his offense and rebounding makes up for some of it. Tonight, it wasn't even close.

Win and move on.

[pdxmuskie]

Free is generally not good against long and athletic defenders. He struggles offensively and is completely lost defensively. He is a starter simply because he will return next year. Travis might be worried about his psychological response to coming off the bench or is hoping more playing time will make him better.

It would be very stupid for Travis to limit current year success given that he has a quality team. All metrics point to Nunge being the better player so that is the only logical reason I can come up with.

[Anti-Homer]

Free is generally not good against long and athletic defenders. He struggles offensively and is completely lost defensively. He is a starter simply because he will return next year. Travis might be worried about his psychological response to coming off the bench or is hoping more playing time will make him better.

It would be very stupid for Travis to limit current year success given that he has a quality team. All metrics point to Nunge being the better player so that is the only logical reason I can come up with.

I'm less concerned with who starts, than I am with who plays based on performance and matchups. The zone (worked for the first few possessions) and Free losing his man consistently was mind boggling. I don't think he came out the whole 2nd half, and he wasn't even good on offense or rebounding. Hunter is a good defender and rebounder, and should have been in over Free. I think Miles should have gotten minutes too. Their bigs bullied X all game, and their offensive rebounds and number of shots in the paint should have compelled an adjustment. Thankfully, x won in spite of it. Hopefully, the light goes on when Steele watches the game film. The 5W bulb stayed off most of the game.