Marquette game thread

[kyzrex]

These "projects and suspects" played Marquette to a one point margin. I noticed it said XAVIER on their shirts.

Edwards played 5 min. had 1 rebound and 2 points
Tandy played 25 min. had 1 rebound,.2 asst., and 2 points
Miles and Tucker were DNP

No way for us fans to know exactly how many points they surrendered by playing lousy defense, but I can remember at least a few times where both Edwards and Tandy were beat easily for baskets. I’m sure that the coaches can chart those things after reviewing the film.

The way I’d put it is that desperate having to play 4 on 5 for much of the game, the Xavier starters somehow came up only 1 point short to Marquette. Those other players just aren’t BE caliper players. I’m sure they are fine young men and excellent students, real credits to Xavier University, but as high quality college BB players they leave a lot to be desired.

[Kevin Reilly]

I know I am in the minority ButI I don't understand the Edwards shade. He played 5 minutes against Marquette and got 1 rebound and 1 assist and 2 points. In the Butler game he played 8 minutes and got 3 rebounds and 1 block. He barely gets a chance. He sure isn't any worse than Nunge and Freemantle on defense. He blocks out. He is physical. He doesn't get backed down easily. He is not soft. He hasn't played enough to get any confidence. I doubt Marquette would have got 15 offensive rebounds if Edwards was in there. He is nowhere near the offensive player that Nunge and Freemantle are but he is not soft. Tandy on the other hand offers all most nothing. Slow feet . Miles is not much of a help either. I think if Edwards got 15-20 minutes a night he would produce. Hard to show anything in 5 minutes. I say give the kid a chance.

[kyzrex]

Of the 4 mentioned, Edwards has the best chance of developing into a quality player. But he’s not there yet, and this is not the time in a season where I would be playing players in order to help them develop for future seasons. Unless there are circumstances that force them to be played…injuries or foul trouble….you have to play the players that can help you win now. This team is fighting for a league championship for this year. It is fighting for seeding in this years NCAA tournament. As we have seen in the past, those chances don’t come every year and when they come it’s important to take advantage of it. Edwards does play hard, but he is often out of position on both offense and defense. slow getting to where he needs to be at the right time. He has a lot to learn. At this point in his career he is not a quality BE player in my opinion. He might get there before he graduates, but I don’t think that any of the other players ever will.

[X-lucidity]

I would concur with that Kyzrex. As for Tandy, when he does get his opportunities, ( which he is bound to get the rest of this season due to injuries and foul trouble), - for goodness sakes he needs to look to score once in awhile. vs Marquette he never even thought about taking a single shot the entire 2nd half. He’s done a complete 180 since very early in the season. Now maybe he is scared crapless that one missed shot gets him pulled. Or possibly he knows we have better options and is trying to be a team player. Heck, either explanation I can understand and commend him for. However, you simply cannot put tape out there to be scouted that shows you only have to defend 4 when Kyky is on the floor. There has to be a happy medium. I can’t believe I am saying this now after watching him hunt for shots and force too many early in his career, but dang it Kyky, look to score it now and then! If we need you to give some minutes, you’re certainly capable on the offensive end more than the defensive end anyway. All hands on deck young man..

[Kevin Reilly]

Kyzrex. I agree with most of what you say about Edwards. He has a way to go. I know we have to play our best players. However is there anyone in the country who plays the pick and roll worse than Boum and Nunge? I think not. They seem to not call out the screens. Boum gets blocked off every screen and Nunge is 6-7 feet back caught in no-mans land every time. He doesn't step out to force the guard to go wider out. Lately Nunge seems tired to me. He can't seem to get his legs solid under him. He is fumbling the ball and can't seem to hold his ground. Maybe because he is worn down. Freemantle is not much on defense either. Both are good offensive players but sub par defensively.