The Missing Piece

[pdxmuskie]

Xavier could certainly benefit from improved play from Miles or another big to keep Nunge fresh or have another option when he is having an off night. Hunter is showing great energy and making some positive plays making him a solid option for resting Free.

Kunk being unavailable showed a real depth issue at guard. He is playing fantastic this year as is Boum. Tandy had good moments, but he was an obvious drop in production. He is showing maturity by not forcing shots and is playing hard on the defensive end. Claude is playing well, very well for a freshman but he is lacking in experience and needs time to develop.

None of the guards are lock down defenders. None are elite at keeping defenders on their heels. Kunk, Boum and even Claude are solid at this but not elite.

I don't know if X would have been able to get Boum if Odom stayed but he is the missing piece. I'm not saying Odom is a good replacement for Boum but that if X had both, this team likely would have at least 1 and probably 2 additional wins. Odom is a better defender than our existing guards. He is better at getting to the rim. He can't shoot but he knows that and plays accordingly. He is a scoring machine at his new program but that isn't what prompted this post. I was in process of posting this prior to seeing his stats.

I bring up Odom because he was on the team and X simply needed to retain him. Obviously, it is what it is and can't be changed but curious if others have similar thoughts? I don't see coaching as the problem but open to discuss that if others see things differently.

[X-Expert]

Xavier could certainly benefit from improved play from Miles or another big to keep Nunge fresh or have another option when he is having an off night. Hunter is showing great energy and making some positive plays making him a solid option for resting Free.

Kunk being unavailable showed a real depth issue at guard. He is playing fantastic this year as is Boum. Tandy had good moments, but he was an obvious drop in production. He is showing maturity by not forcing shots and is playing hard on the defensive end. Claude is playing well, very well for a freshman but he is lacking in experience and needs time to develop.

None of the guards are lock down defenders. None are elite at keeping defenders on their heels. Kunk, Boum and even Claude are solid at this but not elite.

I don't know if X would have been able to get Boum if Odom stayed but he is the missing piece. I'm not saying Odom is a good replacement for Boum but that if X had both, this team likely would have at least 1 and probably 2 additional wins. Odom is a better defender than our existing guards. He is better at getting to the rim. He can't shoot but he knows that and plays accordingly. He is a scoring machine at his new program but that isn't what prompted this post. I was in process of posting this prior to seeing his stats.

I bring up Odom because he was on the team and X simply needed to retain him. Obviously, it is what it is and can't be changed but curious if others have similar thoughts? I don't see coaching as the problem but open to discuss that if others see things differently.

agree for the most part. Kunkel definitely having his best year thus far in a Xavier uniform. Far cry from his shooting his first 2 years. This was what i was hoping to see from day 1 but coming from a low major, it is understandable. Boum has been excellent and Kyky has had his moments but his D has been decent. Would like to see Kraft gain some confidence and hit shots. He doesnt seem to look for shots at this point. I completely agree that they need development from another big. I like Miles but having someone who is a minimal offensive threat makes it difficult on the others on the floor. Edwards seems to have offensive skills but cant get on the court, Time will tell. On paper, this should be a very good team. Definitely have talent.

[connecticut72]

I agree with your comments. Odom would have helped. He was a big factor in the NIT but we need a stud shooter like Bluett who I believe is more like the missing piece. Just think what this team could be if we had him with our big guys. Miles has not impressed me. He seems very awkward. I liked what Edwards showed us in the NIT but for some reason he must be in Sean's dog house. No one seems to know the problem . Let's go X

[muskieman]

Odom is thriving at GS as the top scorer with 19 ppg and Assists (although his assist to tos is 1-1) while playing 35.1 MPG with the next closest player playing in 7 games is 27 MPG. Good for him but against lesser competition than he faced last year. Another stat that I found interesting is he has taken only six (6) three-pointers but is 0-6

I think Kam could be a missing part right now. His ability to rebound and score makes him a possibility but I wish he was a little more filled out.

[26+6=1]

A little perspective here: This year's team, with a new coach, seems far more organized and squared away.
We seem, once more, to be confident at the start of games and that is refreshing. It is hoped that this coming March will be all that many expect, but the progress the team has shown so far seems to be excellent.
Go X!

26+6=1

[pdxmuskie]

I'm shocked Odom took 6 3s this year.

Craft had a nice game the other day. His shot looks good. He seems uncertain with the ball in his hands while defended. I like his effort and his shot. I have doubts he will provide depth this year in close games but certainly hope I am wrong.

I like what I saw from Edwards but need to see him against quality big men. Miles is awkward. He seems to know what to do but the coordination isn't completely there. He is giving X some solid minutes but would be amazing if he can take another step forward by the middle of conference play.

I disagree a pure shooter is what this team is missing. The team is shooting 43% from 3 so shooting doesn't appear to be an issue. I'm not against having another shooter but defense seems to be the bigger issue. I love what I see from Claude. He has the size to be able to defend at a high level. He has solid quickness.

The close losses to good/great teams is a good sign that they are close to where they need to be. Let's hope X improves more than the competition and the ball breaks our way in future close games.

[Kevin Reilly]

I really liked Odum and am happy he is doing so well at Georgia State. He was tough and feisty and physically gifted. I loved seeing Edwards get in and do well. Craft is going to be a player too. Looks like Miller is really preaching defense which is what we need. When we play teams that are big and tough we need Edwards. I believe Odum would still have started if he had stayed. Kunkel is playing very well though. Miller is coaching this team up. LOL

[Jesseandrippers]

I really liked Odum and am happy he is doing so well at Georgia State. He was tough and feisty and physically gifted. I loved seeing Edwards get in and do well. Craft is going to be a player too. Looks like Miller is really preaching defense which is what we need. When we play teams that are big and tough we need Edwards. I believe Odum would still have started if he had stayed. Kunkel is playing very well though. Miller is coaching this team up. LOL

I also was sad to see Odom go. However, he is averging only 3 Assists vs 3 TO’s and has hit exactly zero 3’s. Dont think it solves our problem.

[finalfourorbust]

I don't think Odom would fit into Miller's system. Sean doesn't like guards that can't shoot and I much prefer having Boum, Jones and Kunkel handling the ball. All of them can penetrate, pass and shoot outside. Add Claude and Kraft and Odom's defense will be covered by tournament time by bigger guards that will be harder to shoot over. I think two bigs together is the biggest problem with the defense right now against good outside shooting teams and Sean will be using more small lineups to combat that.

[Timeless]

I take Boum over Odom everyday