Shootout game thread and then some

[connecticut72]

X Man I stand corrected. I was looking at points from turnovers. My bad.

[X-man]

X Man I stand corrected. I was looking at points from turnovers. My bad.

Glad it's not dyslexia.

[pdxmuskie]

12 turnovers is not that bad but I have a feeling most were in the 2nd half. X played sloppy in the 2nd half, specifically Jones. His stats for the game were good but he and others had several unforced turnovers. There were several moments where X almost had a turnover but somehow recovered. We also benefited from several bad calls. It is great X walked away with a win but this was an ugly sloppy game by both teams. UC also had several unforced turnovers.

Freemantle had a nice game. Not pleased he took the 3 but loved that it went in. Shocked Hunter took a 3 and hope he is finished with that experiment. Liked seeing Edwards get a chance to contribute but didn't love him jacking up a 3. He may have that skill and we may eventually want him taking that shot but probably not the game to hoist a 3 early in the shot clock.

X will need to be better when league play starts. The Big East is down this year but half the conference will be on par or better than UC. Defensive intensity needs to be better. Offensive execution needs to be more precise. Nova is certainly better than their record given the injuries. X almost beat Gonzaga without Kunkel and gave Duke a game while losing Kunkel late. Yes it is a rivalry game which changes expectations but losing a big lead in the 2nd half isn't excused by the rivalry status. Getting down early because of emotions or going back and forth because both teams are amped up are excusable rivalry outcomes. Playing sloppy and lazy in the 2nd half is just sloppy and lazy.

[Anti-Homer]

Everyone knows I'm the most objective poster on the Board, despite being a Moderator. However, this is no rivalry, as the results more often than not have mirrored a buyout game. Even with the previous regime's results included, and the 90s, when Huggin's team resembled the guys in OZ and were number one twice (disregarding the fact that Wingfield was ineligible in every high school in the country except for the one Huggs miraculously found; I think he's a NASA engineer now).

This is their Super Bowl and has been for some time. During Cronin's years, X was one of the 2-3 good wins on their paper (can't even call it a resume). Therein lies the danger. We may as well play Miami or NKU (ouch, inadvertent jab). However, UC's NET is 152 now. We have to beat them by 171 or our Net will suffer. As in all rivalry games, I will not be surprised if UC prevails. They have two really nice players in Nolley and DeJulius, and others who are undisciplined but have the potential to get hot (Davenport).

UC has some good recruits coming next year courtesy of the $100k plus package ($80k to attend, and a new car), courtesy of their NIL, which we help subsidize. Let's face it: Why would they come otherwise? It's the same question we ask about GTown. However, I don't blame them. We've been subsidizing the University since Muskieman started his number's racket in Elmwood Place decades ago.

X has better players and a significant advantage in coaching. Nevertheless, this is what makes college basketball great, along with the male cheerleaders. Oops, did I say male? Pay no attention; I meant female. Not that there's anything wrong with it. Final: X 78-73.

Well,

My prediction was right, as I have now correctly picked the winner of the Shootout in 57 of the last 58 games. I am embarrassed by how far I was off I was on the margin, however. I said X would win by 5, but it was only 3. In my simulation, Boum had the ball up 3 with 17 seconds (which he did) and made both free throws for a five point lead, He missed one. Up 4, I had DeJulius missing a 3-pointer from the wing. Again, my apologies for failing as the SME of this Board.

UC has a cute team. They beat Miami, so I expect a fierce 4 against 5 seed CBI game - rematch for them in 12 weeks. Wes Miller just got a raise. No words.....No words.