Zags game thread

[skyhops]

Jones was terrible on defense. You cannot go under the screen. This team seems to wilt under pressure and this game no different

[yellow20xd]

Damn... I'm disappointed... They let another one slip away... Yes they should of beaten Duke... Damn... Dan

[muskieman]

Down 10 and 13 and X bounced back without Kunkle. Kyky played some good D on Strawther in the first half, but Strawther burned X in the second half. Claude played decent, and it will pay off down the road. Hunter didn't put up numbers, but he played defense and made the only shot he took on a tip-in. His minutes allowed Miller to have Jack and Zack some rest. Colby and Jack were the lead scorers and with Souley's 10 maybe if they had a few more double-digit scorers, the outcome would have been different as the Zags had all five starters in double digits. When this team gets it together, I like their chances in the Big East.

I am disappointed but no time to cry in my beer. Time to come home and start a winning streak

[Jesseandrippers]

If X takes anything away from this game maybe they watch how Gonzaga defends the three

If I may add. They should also gain some confidence that they can compete against excellent teams. They are improving, this is part of that journey.

[pdxmuskie]

It was good to see Xavier show some fight after a horrific start. There was a stretch where the team seemed to lose faith in one another and played as individuals. It allowed the Zags to build a big lead. Boum unfortunately missed a couple shots he typically makes during the awful start. Free holding the back of his head on that rebound was beyond stupid. I did not see if he got hit but another spectator believes he was hit with a forearm. It may have hurt or he may have been hoping for a technical for an intentional elbow but either way it was not severe enough to put the possession at risk. The ball getting poked away from him and resulting in a 3 for the Zags was a huge swing when X was gaining momentum.

Beyond that, Free played well. Generally the team played well but missed opportunities combined with some mistakes like Colby going under the screen leading to 3 made 3s cost X the game. Adam was missed and he likely would have been enough to change the outcome of the game.

X needs another big to step up. Hunter gave X good minutes the last couple games. He might be the answer against some teams but he doesn't have the bulk or the height to matchup with everyone. Miles will have to step in against those teams but he is a big step down from Nunge.

X has 3 good losses. Unfortunately they were all winnable games. Bigs disappointed in 2 of those games and the guards didn't get it done in the 3rd.

[skyhops]

There really isn’t a good loss. There are good wins measured by quadrant wins. You can’t go 0-3 against IU at home, Gonzaga and Duke on a neutral court. West Virginia will probably be much of the same. Need to play a complete game and guard the perimeter properly.

[kyzrex]

There really isn’t a good loss. There are good wins measured by quadrant wins. You can’t go 0-3 against IU at home, Gonzaga and Duke on a neutral court. West Virginia will probably be much of the same. Need to play a complete game and guard the perimeter properly.

Why can’t there be such a thing as a good loss? Why can’t they go 0-3?

The objective at this point in the season should be to get better…period. How much did those victories in November and December help X over the last 4 years? They didn’t help a bit. X still was sitting home in March (unless you count the NIT) and never got beyond the 1st round of BE tourney any of those years. They folded like a cheap suit every time in must win games. If losing to the teams they have in November results in them winning those close games in 2023, I’m Ok with it. They have to learn to walk before they can run. Patience.

[skyhops]

You need a quad one win and we did not take advantage of that, however I do trust Miller. He was concerned like me about defense and especially the lack of effort rebounding. I don't think he likes moral victorys while losing. Moral victories and coach speak is four the last four seasons, but I want to finally make the tourney.

[muskieman]

I want the team to be ready in Feb and March so if it takes a tough schedule that makes the team better so be it.

We all want the same thing and hope every game is a victory...some get pissed if the team doesn't win and some if they don't win by a certain amount. I want a win every time but am realistic enough to know that will not happen, and I laugh when I see posts saying we should roll this or that team...like Duke of the Zags. When Sean starts recruiting only the top 50 kids, I might be more critical, but I trust Sean to give us all he can, and that is proven to be a lot.

I believe Sean is seeing improvement but was realistic to point out how the team was fractured in their game against Duke. Yes, Duke lost the next game badly, but they had the fight of their life against X even though X was not hitting on all cylinders and they played a team in Purdue that is big and physical. PU's 7'plus big man fouled out the two starting seven-footers and as he said they are young and don't know how to be physical without fouling. If X had a big man like PU's they might have won that game too.

We have a four-game stretch before the conference let's see if we can win them all or at least 3 of the 4. What I find interesting is the same complaints that some are putting forth here are the complaints you had about Travis...

[X-lucidity]

I would submit both sides of this debate are correct. Many positives in the Zag's game to take away. The "fight", the "effort" Taking a late decent lead. Yes, 3-Pt D was horrid, but that can be worked on. At some point, you have to also tip your hat to the Zag's. Open or not, to hit 4 straight 3's in crunch time is just flat out balls. 'Hops is also correct - you can't keep hanging your hat on style points. Next 3 weeks we can either turn these experiences into gold or continue to sputter in Shoulda-woulda-coulda land. In Sean I trust.
(another positive was I thought Hunter played well for the most part playing his assigned role) Also agree we either have to get more from Miles or Edwards needs to be given a chance.