ST JOHNS GAME THREAD

[muskieman]

St Johns has beaten Syracuse, Temple, and Nebraska and the only losses are Villanova and Iowa State. Their last game was the 21st against Nova. Joel Soriano seems to be the best player and a double-double guy and remember they have Posh Alexander whose game has fallen out slightly from his career numbers--- APPG 9.5 this year 11.9 for career, Assists career 4.9 this year 4.8 last year stat 5.5. He still is a Brooklyn guard, and we know how well those guys can play in big games!

As always don't look ahead to UConn and play better defense. In Sean we trust...or at least most of us do.

Until the 28th Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah Sameach

[skyhops]

I don’t see us being able to handle the pressure especially with Claude handling the ball. St Johns has had our number the last few games and are improved. Soriano will be a tough matchup as well. In Miller I trust but I don’t see us pulling out a road kill.

[X-lucidity]

While I share 'Hops concerns, I am hopeful. This will indeed be a bell-weather indication of just how much better Sean is as a coach than Steele. I watched us get boat-raced twice last year, (once in person) as Steele had no answers on dictating a slower tempo. It was embarrassing to say the least. I fear our core 7 may get gassed tonight as Coach Miller will be hesitant to sub much past our primary 7. Kyky? Good Lord. I would like to think he could contribute tonight. We could use his athleticism and potential added scoring, but can he stay in front of his man on D...? Kam, forget it it. No way he has the speed and agility to play in a climate like this sadly. Can Miles or Edwards combined give us a decent effort on defense for four to seven minutes to give Zach & Jack a blow? My take, Kunkle is the key tonight Xavier Nation. If he is hot, we can pull this tough roadie off....

[XU_2011]

This "All Access" thing on FS1 for this game is fascinating. Interesting to see in the huddle and the contrast in style between Sean and Mike Anderson.

Brings a smile to my face to see us have a coach again who brings the fire and demands excellence. Xavier basketball is back, baby!

[96Muskie NKY]

This all access broadcast is basketball porn. I can't help but think how hapless Steele would have looked all miked up in this game.

[muskieman]

Way to get the road kill guys. Beating St Johns in their house now time to take down UConn. After seeing UConn handle Nova it will be no small feat, but it can be done

Mike Anderson told his crew that Souley played 20 minutes and said he could keep it up in the second half...Mike you were wrong as Souley played all 40 minutes

[Sonoma Muskie]

The all access broadcast allows fans to see & understand the intense communication coaches have while instructing the players as to their duties & efforts during the intense battle of the game. It is very cerebral with regard to what the players must do to win.
To characterize it as “pornographic” reveals more about the writers mental preoccupation than anything whatsoever than the game of basketball. Counseling may be in order.

[gundun]

What a difference a coach makes. Last year when they cut the lead from 18 to 6, we would have had panic on the sidelines. Thanks Sean.

[pdxmuskie]

A tougher win than it needed to be but happy to get the win. Team got sloppy down the stretch. Some guys missed FTs and boxing out was completely absent.

In future years, Sean needs to address issues with not boxing out or getting back on D or just throwing sloppy passes. I'm not sure if the punishment should be running a certain number of miles or some other physical task but players need to learn early in the season to not make lazy mistakes.

Edwards gave X some good first half minutes. Hunter played great other than the offensive foul. Rough game for Claude but he got a big bucket when X needed it.

Hunter continues to be the difference maker against good teams. When he comes with energy, keeping the ball alive or securing the rebound himself, he is getting X extra possessions. His athleticism and length also gives the other team a different defensive look. He isn't going to score a ton and his FT shooting is questionable but he gets extended possessions. Generally gets his own buckets off the glass. Most importantly he gives Nunge and Free rest.

Not Boum's best game but his FTs secured the win and if he was anyone else we would be saying great game. He has given us so many amazing games that an average game felt somewhat disappointing.

Nunge was huge. Incredibly efficient and rebounded well.

This team is capable of going deep in the tournament. UCON looked great in Portland and hasn't lost yet but X shows the potential to be better than UCON. Too many lapses prevent this team from being truly great. Defensive breakdowns are consistent and is the primary reason to not have confidence in beating good teams. Sloppy offensive execution may however be what actually causes the losses. The team gets sloppy at times. Turning it over because of carelessness or excitement over building a lead and going for the big play. Winning with subpar defense is hard but add in carelessness on offense and beating good teams is extremely difficult. I don't see answers to the defensive issues so the team needs to figure out the turnovers. Many/most are not forced.

[muskieman]

What a difference a coach makes. Last year when they cut the lead from 18 to 6, we would have had panic on the sidelines. Thanks Sean.

Last year X didn't have a player the caliber of Souley, who made everyone around him better!