@Xavier, Tue., Jan. 7 , 6:30p, FS-1

[paultzman]

 

[vegasman2000]

Here are some bright sports: we are #13 in the country on D. We have 11 ten point runs and have only let up 3. We have a bunch of easily winnable games coming up. Despite the last two games we are still #26 overall and a top 50 offense at EvanMiya.

All five of our best players are in the top 17 players in the BE also.

 

[joe49]

The biggest anomaly on this team, and which has affected offensive momentum, has been the play of Kadary Richmond. Aside from his demeanor, which has been the same since I watched him over 6 years ago at South Shore, he has been having the worst total game performances in over 5 years of college.
Pitino is justified in calling him out on not giving 100% from start to finish in some games.
If you watched him in the Rutgers scrimmage......THAT is the real KD.
It would be nice if he steps up against X.

 

[SJUWillRockNYC]

Is this game really a "Win or It's Over" game for some here?

Not over, but a L and we'll start getting the feeling of last year, they're good but not good enough to make the Tournament.

Think the is right there with UConn and Marquette, they just need to execute and hit their shots.

 

[joe49]

Based on Richie's game does he belong on the court at crunch time? He's a target just to foul. who's our best guard to be at the point? Thanks.

 

[SJUDave]

 

[NCJohnnie]

Be interesting to see where that winds up. I'd have made Xavier a 1.5 point favorite.

 

[Jack Williams]

Based on Richie's game does he belong on the court at crunch time? He's a target just to foul. who's our best guard to be at the point? Thanks.

Richie had a pretty good crunch time last game but yes I bet opposing coaches will take note of Hack-A-Richie working other than one lucky bounce free throw dropping through. Could be an issue

 

[espken]

Safe Travels

 

[SJUDave]

Be interesting to see where that winds up. I'd have made Xavier a 1.5 point favorite.

Similar to what happened with Creighton game I believe.

St. John's has now opened as a favorite in three straight road games. The CU game flipped to them favored at start of game.

 

[Rocket]

Similar to what happened with Creighton game I believe.

St. John's has now opened as a favorite in three straight road games. The CU game flipped to them favored at start of game.

This game is clearly going to be one of those "box of chocolates" games.
In fact, most of our games should be sponsored by Godiva !

 

[Silly Donovan]

I do think that’s roughly the formula. I feel like I’m usually one of the more optimistic people on this board about this team, but I actually think we lose tomorrow. They’re going to be desperate and they’re very talented + are an athletic team.

The psychological thing is that we have six of our best chances at NCAA resume wins in February and our margin of error smaller. I’m not sure I agree that splitting with Nova or Georgetown is good enough. We have to get sweeps against some quality teams.

I think this conversation is completely different if we beat Baylor or Georgia. Right now we’re just a team with “quality losses” and a nice win on the road against a non-NCAA team + a win at home against a bubble team from the Mountain West

I bet that while hopeful, 95 % of the board expects a loss tomorrow at Xavier but if people were to express this they would be labeled, negative, hoping the team will lose etc. etc.

Heck I’m hoping like hell they win this game but given Xavier’s circumstances, an away game and the way this team is playing lately, there’s a pretty small window for success here.

 

[Silly Donovan]

Safe Travels

Let’s hope the shooting is warmer than the outside temps.

 

[paultzman]

Tough to win at Cintas and another game probably decided in last three or four minutes. Can this experienced group finally close a nail biter out or squander another momentum building opportunity? We’re due, but “We are ……..”

 

[Mean Gene]

I bet that while hopeful, 95 % of the board expects a loss tomorrow at Xavier but if people were to express this they would be labeled, negative, hoping the team will lose etc. etc.

Heck I’m hoping like hell they win this game but given Xavier’s circumstances, an away game and the way this team is playing lately, there’s a pretty small window for success here.

I hope like crazy that they win tomorrow. But, push comes to shove I have say I don’t think they’re winning this game. They haven’t shown me that they’re capable of coming up big in spot like this.

 

[NCJohnnie]

Truth be told I felt more confident going into the Creighton game which I thought we'd win. Tomorrow night for me is a crap shoot. Hope we're practicing shooting craps today.

 

[lycidas]

We are a very good defensive team, and defense travels. Not going to shoot 1-21 again, so things are looking up!
Xavier has their own problems. (If they’re “desperate” it’s because they haven’t played very well, including at home.)
We get this one tomorrow and this board has to wait a game or two for its next meltdown.

 

[paultzman]

Scouting report: Xavier Musketeers return to Cintas Center to host Rick Pitino, St. John's

Xavier is 8-1 at Cintas Center this season heading into Tuesday's Big East tilt against St. John's.

www.cincinnati.com

 

[Silly Donovan]

On a positive note, a win in this game at this point in the season can put this team on a positive trajectory going forward. I think these kids need to see a big win for themselves. The Creighton game would have provided that so here’s another opportunity.

 

[espken]

Old adage still applies. Don’t get too high after a win and too low after a loss. So far so good as we’ve yet to lose 2 in a row.