Creighton Game thread

[pdxmuskie]

Not sure if Lucid - X was referring to my post but Muskieman definitely had thoughts. I am specifically referencing the first half. The Xavier defense was non existent. They played much better defensively in the second half. Creighton also hit some great, well defended shots throughout the game. Props to them on those plays just as I love it when Xavier makes those against other teams assuming we didn't settle for a tough shot early in the shot clock.

I love the upgrade to Miller but it was probably a mistake to keep Claude in when the game came down to FTs. It is a tough call given Kunkel's foul trouble plus the fact that Claude was playing some legit D. Only so many timeouts so maybe he tried to sub but the whistle didn't blow? I suspect Kunkel would have made the FT to extend the lead.

Love having Boum in the lineup to close out games. Painful to see the failed inbounds that could have had a horrific impact. Luckily X stepped up the D and got the win.

[Jesseandrippers]

Not sure if Lucid - X was referring to my post but Muskieman definitely had thoughts. I am specifically referencing the first half. The Xavier defense was non existent. They played much better defensively in the second half. Creighton also hit some great, well defended shots throughout the game. Props to them on those plays just as I love it when Xavier makes those against other teams assuming we didn't settle for a tough shot early in the shot clock.

I love the upgrade to Miller but it was probably a mistake to keep Claude in when the game came down to FTs. It is a tough call given Kunkel's foul trouble plus the fact that Claude was playing some legit D. Only so many timeouts so maybe he tried to sub but the whistle didn't blow? I suspect Kunkel would have made the FT to extend the lead.

Love having Boum in the lineup to close out games. Painful to see the failed inbounds that could have had a horrific impact. Luckily X stepped up the D and got the win.

Sounds like Lucid’s wife gave him some ‘shrooms she grew in the basement. Dont sweat it.

[xaviermuskie2003]

Very good basketball game.

Travis' boys continue to get it done.

[longliveskip]

Very good basketball game.

Travis' boys continue to get it done.

do you think he lies awake at night wondering "why/how could i not get these dudes to play like this?"

i'm guessing not. if he's awake at night it's because his wife is smokin' hot.

Hayes (NIT run) and Miller have both figured out how to win with these dudes. decent recruiter. maybe just not head coach material.

[connecticut72]

For my own sanity let me clarify my positions on our defense. I realize with our personnel we will never play D like UVA and yes I am thankful we can score to offset that liability, but it is going bite us at some point. We are going to have a poor shooting night. We cannot continue to outscore teams to win. I hope it does not happen in the NCAA's or in the Big East tourney and we are one and done. I am sure Miller is doing all he can to address the issue. I would like to see him get more creative on D. For example, some zone, zone press, or perhaps 1/2 court 1-3-1. Some of that worked well in the past with this personnel. But please do not question my love of Xavier because I make some constructive criticism at times. This has been a fun year so far but we have a long way to go. Lot's of tough games on the road. Go X!!!

[skyhops]

I agree with you our defense was terrible especially in the first half, but unfortunately we are not deep and skilled defensively thanks to Steele. I’ll take the win over probably the most talented team in the BE. You luckily we have Boum.

[edgecliff hall]

Very good post Mr. CT 72.

[muskieman]

Not sure if Lucid - X was referring to my post but Muskieman definitely had thoughts. I am specifically referencing the first half. The Xavier defense was non existent. They played much better defensively in the second half. Creighton also hit some great, well defended shots throughout the game. Props to them on those plays just as I love it when Xavier makes those against other teams assuming we didn't settle for a tough shot early in the shot clock.

I love the upgrade to Miller but it was probably a mistake to keep Claude in when the game came down to FTs. It is a tough call given Kunkel's foul trouble plus the fact that Claude was playing some legit D. Only so many timeouts so maybe he tried to sub but the whistle didn't blow? I suspect Kunkel would have made the FT to extend the lead.

Love having Boum in the lineup to close out games. Painful to see the failed inbounds that could have had a horrific impact. Luckily X stepped up the D and got the win.

I agree with D in the first half, but no one was playing great D including CU. Greg McD was outcoached by Sean much as Travis did at home. CU has had problems in Cintas, and I hope it continues when X hits their house this year.
I was wondering why he didn't play Adam on O and Des on D. Adam would have been terrible to be in there on D because they were testing him after they thought he had 4 when he really had 3 fouls. I agree with you on the legit D Des was playing, and he did make his first foul shot I guess that Sean was looking for someone that was long and big enough not to get pushed around. If we go by foul shooting, it was Zach and Colby that missed the front ends.

Souley gets my vote for the man that X needs in every game because if he is not scoring he is assisting and playing D, I just wish we had him for another year or his clone.

[olsingledigit]

Very good basketball game.

Travis' boys continue to get it done.

Yep, shows what some good coaching can do with the same talent.

[X-lucidity]

No 'Shrooms Jessie. Just let me ask any or all, did any of you believe we were Final Four material prior to the start of the season? If honest, that would be a firm "no". So to say, "sooner or later our lack of solid D will come back to bite us" well duh... Of course it may and will cause us to lose, and that loss may be a crucial match up in the 2nd rd of the NCAA. So be it. We are all fans of a team that has not made the freaking dance in 4 years. Yet some are complaining that we do not have a lock down defensive unit?!?! OK, I agree. I have agreed. I have watched and coached enough Jr High ball to understand the value of D. My point is many of you have succumbed to the "ever increasing expectation" dilemma. I suggest, next time someone blows by Adam or Zach for an easy bucket, or Jack is late on a hedge recovery, remember that we are tracking to finish top three in the BE YTD and currently poised to get in the dance likely with better than a 6th seed. Most D-1 teams have warts. maybe Kansas, Purdue and Houston this season don't, but they are the very rare exceptions this year. Our warts are subpar D overall skills and a lack of depth. However, we have on the plus side a top notch coach, experienced players, versatility on offense and one of the best PG's in the country. That dog will hunt. So let's go hunting until, at some point, our defensive shortcomings and/or our lack of depth finally nips us during the big dance. Hopefully after a joyous deep run. To take the attitude that anything short of a National Championship in Sean's first year is a failure is a killjoy.....