Maryland

[muskieman]

Shooting slump or not Trimble has played in a tough league and is battle tested. Slump or not he will be a factor and X needs to address that factor without letting others to be the heroes. X has a good path but they must play like it is the BE and know each game is a war for both sides. I hope that Malcom and Gaston have a nice long run the first time in the dance.

[Xavier2005]

Obviously rooting for a Xavier win. Hoping for a Xavier win. But X has one good/great win in the last 10 games played. 3-7 in last 10 games played and 2 of the 3 wins versus DePaul....a poor team at best. Maryland versus X is a coin toss. Either team can win this game. Should be a close game score wise. The team that plays the smartest, with great defense, and low turnovers wins. I think the score may be around 70 points for each team.

[oldhoopster2]

Can X continue its Orlando winning streak?

[webxu]

Obviously rooting for a Xavier win. Hoping for a Xavier win. But X has one good/great win in the last 10 games played. 3-7 in last 10 games played and 2 of the 3 wins versus DePaul....a poor team at best. Maryland versus X is a coin toss. Either team can win this game. Should be a close game score wise. The team that plays the smartest, with great defense, and low turnovers wins. I think the score may be around 70 points for each team.

You do realize for at least 5 of those 7 losses Tre was either not playing, nor 100%. Id say he is pretty close to 100% now and hence the uptick in our play. Not to mention road games, minus tre and with the exception of Marquette we competed and stayed within striking distance for most the game. the BE tourney showing is more what I expect on Thursday.

[PaulHickey]

You do realize for at least 5 of those 7 losses Tre was either not playing, nor 100%. Id say he is pretty close to 100% now and hence the uptick in our play. Not to mention road games, minus tre and with the exception of Marquette we competed and stayed within striking distance for most the game. the BE tourney showing is more what I expect on Thursday.

My thoughts exactly. I think Xavier comes into this game with a bit of momentum. I also like how we size up with Maryland. Still a toss-up, and we could lay an egg. However, Ice Mack usually has them clicking on all cylinders come this time of year.

Go Xavier!

[X-Expert]

You do realize for at least 5 of those 7 losses Tre was either not playing, nor 100%. Id say he is pretty close to 100% now and hence the uptick in our play. Not to mention road games, minus tre and with the exception of Marquette we competed and stayed within striking distance for most the game. the BE tourney showing is more what I expect on Thursday.

My thoughts exactly. I think Xavier comes into this game with a bit of momentum. I also like how we size up with Maryland. Still a toss-up, and we could lay an egg. However, Ice Mack usually has them clicking on all cylinders come this time of year.

Go Xavier!

I would agree that X played themselves into the tourney against Butler so I would think their confidence is high. However, my worry is that even in their last three games, they only had one complete game (Butler). They were bad vs DePaul in first half and their defense was woeful in second half against Creighton. While NOVA is elite, they showed how to completely shut down a team like Creighton. X has to limit Maryland to few second chance points. While I hated their 1-3-1, the 2-3 has been better but need to rebound better out of the zone. I expect to see it a lot. With Melo being their biggest threat, it would be great if X could run Goodin on him when they play man. Bluitt, Macura, and Goodin have to stay out of foul trouble. 12-14 points from their bigs will be big and X can't survive off games by Macura or Bluitt or they lose. That being said, game will come down to last 4 minutes. Hope X can pull it out. Final score, X 66-63.

[Xavier2005]

Any close game that comes down to the last 3 to 4 minutes is generally won where???? At the free throw line.

[X-lucidity]

My fellow Xavier Nation, no need to get too far into the weeds here. This game is easy to analyze:
- X must run their offense and make sure to allow our better shooters to take most shots. (then not have a horrific shooting day)
- X should have a fair amount of success working the ball into the post for shots, must hit a few.
- X should control the boards, I say "should". That advantage must play out.
- as previously mentioned. X must protect Q from silly foul trouble.
- X must control MU's known stud, Melo, and not let him "go off" - he can score 15 to 18pts, which is tolerable.
- X must not let MU's two frosh shooters get hot.
- X if MU's frosh or Melo does get hot, then Kaiser Gates must actually show the "F" up tomorrow and give us SOMETHING on offense.

There. Now not much we can do about any of that but sit back and wait another 31 hours. This game is so simple to dissect you can rest assured Mack & staff are all over it. Time for our experienced group to take it to this youthful Maryland group early and keep them rattled.
Prediction:
XU 71
MU 66
Fingers crossed.

[xu koop scoop]

Maryland's center is out & Sumner is out. Is that an even loss for both squads.

[Anti-Homer]

Maryland's center is out & Sumner is out. Is that an even loss for both squads.

No,

Sumner is better, but even w/o him, I think it is a toss up. Let Melo get his 15, and control their 6'7" shooter. Gates is going to have to man up on D when he guards him. X should once again have a decided advantage inside. Feed the bigs!

X 69 MD 67.