Butler game thread 2/2/22

[muskieman]

Why O why do you foul him, Colby

MM:

Not the first game Colby has fouled in that same situation this year and then Odom did it shortly thereafter. Kunkel fouled a fellow on a layup when X had a double digit lead.

Can someone on the bench take command of the situation and teach and express situational basketball? Can someone on the bench point out the mistake and/or ensure there are consequences?

a number of times tonight when things like this happened they sat so someone is pointing it out but some guys just get tight ..... On the Odom foul Colby also fouled.

[Anti-Homer]

Did Free play the whole game? I'll say before hearing the answer, if yes, great strategic move by Steele. If not......still great strategic move by Steele. I just do not recall seeing him sit. I was forced to look for loose change around the concession stands during game breaks per my duty as Jr Mod, so may have missed it.

AH:

Zach played 36 minutes and good to have him back tonight as a significant contributor.

While I dissed Kunkel on his unnecessary foul, handing props to him for snaring 7 Boards.

Thank you.

Zach played like a first team ALL BE player tonight. Good to have him back, and necessary if X will take it up a notch. One could see early on after coming back from his injury that despite his uncharacteristic low shooting percentage, He has definitely improved using his left, has better footwork, and seems quicker. Also has developed more low post moves. Shooting too many threes has been his biggest enemy on O (could be said about the majority of the team). His defense the last two games has been decent as well. I think he needs to reduce his treys by about 75%, because he isn't even coming close, and they have enough three point shooters. He is also as good as most in the league within 10 feet and it. A couple times tonight, he faked the three, and drove to the hole. That's what he should do 90% of the time.

I don't understand the lack of PT for Edwards, who Steele said has been as good as anyone in practice the last two weeks and is the most physical big on the team. We are going to be playing teams with talented bigs like SH, G& Town, Connecticut, so I suspect either he or Miles, who also has played precious few seconds the last two games, will be needed in these games. Also, when Nunge leaves the game, the other team's wings and guards convert at the rim at a much higher level. I'm sure Coach Steele will take note, being the metrics guru that he is.

Kunkel makes some head scratching plays, but then will hit a couple of key baskets to more than make up for it. He is the most unflappable player on the team, cut from the same cloth as JP and TU.

[Anti-Homer]

Why O why do you foul him, Colby

MM:

Not the first game Colby has fouled in that same situation this year and then Odom did it shortly thereafter. Kunkel fouled a fellow on a layup when X had a double digit lead.

Can someone on the bench take command of the situation and teach and express situational basketball? Can someone on the bench point out the mistake and/or ensure there are consequences?

Chitown, stop making sense! Next thing you'll say is if a guy in a close game turns it over or forces a very bad shot on three straight possessions in a close game, especially within the last five minutes, he should be pulled. Stop proposing these whacky tactics employed by the likes of Wright, Bennett, and Drew.

[Anti-Homer]

On cue: Watching Nova, Slater made a trey, came to the bench after getting a tech foul, and Wright had words with him and sat him down. Piggybacking on Chitown's message re: accountability.

[pdxmuskie]

Zach had a great game. It is not surprising as Butler is a favorable matchup for him. If you look at who he generally plays well against, it is teams without a long, athletic big. That is exactly what Butler has. The 2 3s he made were also good shots, not because he made them but because of the spacing given and because he was set. I'm not 100% sure of his stance in the first 3 but he rightfully didn't want to shoot that shot. When the defense dared him, he took his time and got it to drop. The 2nd, his right foot was forward in the proper shooting stance allowing him to again knock it down.

Zach didn't look to struggle physically from 3 like in prior games. My guess is it is related to being in a proper shooting stance.

There were too many stupid fouls by Xavier. While I absolutely despise getting beat on the defensive end, when it happens, you just let it go. Do not compound the error by fouling. There are some guys with long arms that can make a play on the ball after getting beat but you must be sure to either get the block or get enough of a foul to prevent the shot from going in while not getting a flagrant/intentional. The fouls today were just dumb.

Scruggs needs to make his FTs. He had a 5 to 1 adjusted assist to TO ratio. Yes that is a new statistic for most but the 1 I believe is appropriate. Every steal reduces your turnovers 1 to 1. 5 to 1 is good. I have never like the assist to TO ratio. Complete BS in my opinion. Make smart passes and stop dribbling into trouble. It happens but after 2 times, you should know what not to do. I am however ok with a player making up for offensive stupidity by getting the ball back so a steal offsets a turnover. Solid game other than the FT shooting.

Love the blocks by Nunge but he missed 1 that could have made the scoring difference bigger. He also could have caught 1 instead of just blocking it. The shot was so soft, just grab it. His 3 was also completely unnecessary.

This 3 point shooting has to stop. I didn't watch the first half close enough to know what happened there. The shot Johnson missed everything on was stupid. I believe he was touched on that shot but he would have missed regardless of whether the defender barely touched his forearm. There was no reason for shooting that contested shot. Why did he go from being a team oriented player that waited for open shots to a player that pulls up with defenders in his face? More importantly, why is this more a thing while he is shooting poorly. There is correlation between the forced shots and his percentage but he was also in a slump regardless of shot selection. Shot selection is just making it significantly worse.

[pdxmuskie]

AH, from what I've seen Edwards is not ready. He is also not the imposing presence to stop long athletic bigs at this stage. Miles should be getting minutes but not necessarily today. This was a great matchup for Zack and Miles wasn't needed. Miles should get minutes early in most games with long and athletic bigs. He has the size to matchup. He is not yet dependable offensively or defensively but playing time will help. Some games he plays well and others he struggles. When playing well, give him minutes and when he struggles, pull him. Either sit him the rest of the game or communicate what he did wrong and give him another chance. His length could be huge at some point this season but he needs game time.

I am not saying Edwards will not be a good player, just that I do not think he is the answer this season. If his number gets called this year, I hope I am very wrong.

[skyhops]

Skyhops Jr and I attended the game and Zach's energy and aggressive play was the difference. Listened to Travis' postgame and I agree with his frustration with the last five minutes of play. Xavier was getting schooled on dribble drives to the hoop (to the right side which is crazy) repeatedly with Jones getting getting burnt multiple times as well as Odom and Kunkel. Help side is never there with Free and Hunter and we continue to foul when out of position. This is Butler not exactly an offensive juggernaut. When up by 12/14 with four minutes left veterans like Johnson need to realize that an early 3 in the clock is not the answer nor is an out of control drive to the hoop. MM, please don't attack me on the comments since these were also Steele's comments. Nunge looked tired and off this game so probably not a good matchup. Once again we need to play a complete game, but happy for a when. Jones defense was alarming.

[skyhops]

I have to agree with AH regarding getting Edwards a few minutes per game considering our lack of depth on the front line. Sources say (including Travis) that Edwards has played well in practice and can provide depth. Miles has terrible hands and place defense with his hands, so I don't expect much from him.

[muskieman]

Skyhops Jr and I attended the game and Zach's energy and aggressive play was the difference. Listened to Travis' postgame and I agree with his frustration with the last five minutes of play. Xavier was getting schooled on dribble drives to the hoop (to the right side which is crazy) repeatedly with Jones getting getting burnt multiple times as well as Odom and Kunkel. Help side is never there with Free and Hunter and we continue to foul when out of position. This is Butler not exactly an offensive juggernaut. When up by 12/14 with four minutes left veterans like Johnson need to realize that an early 3 in the clock is not the answer nor is an out of control drive to the hoop. MM, please don't attack me on the comments since these were also Steele's comments. Nunge looked tired and off this game so probably not a good matchup. Once again we need to play a complete game, but happy for a when. Jones defense was alarming.

I agree, I said when Nate took that three, That's too early.
My only problem is your agreeing with Travis is starting to get a little sickening so stop your jock sniffing and Travis is the next Coach K rhetoric. Everyone saw how Travis' hand moved Jones and Odom to foul toward the end of the game and it should lead him to reconsider playing ZAK SWETYE and SPENCER CODY because they are on the bench and therefore they are better players.

I do believe that Jack looked tired and seeing him reach instead of moving his feet lead to his lack of D and his 5 blocks and 7 rebounds prove it. Maybe the multiple plus 25 minutes games are the culprit?

Lastly, were you part of the crowd that was crying for Zach not to take that three from the side that he made. I thought I heard you saying NoNoNoYesssssssssssss. I do think Zach has played better D the last couple games. I read last night that he has only played well against teams like Butler but I remember him being a dominant player against Seton Hall over his years at X as one example to refute those comments. The duo of Jack and Zach are very good.

I wish we had another duo of Miles and Ben or Miles and Edwards as a complement to Jack and Zach because it could really take this team to the NC game.

[skyhops]

I am usually one of the no/yes crowd whenever Hunter/Free shoots especially Free considering his percentage and there is typically no when under. The last two he was set and ryhthm.