Creighton Game thread

[muskieman]

Unlike UConn's tailspin of losing 4-5 after their first loss at Cintas, Xavier goes to a red-hot Creighton team's home turf. Creighton since their loss to Xavier in Cintas 90-87 has reeled off three wins against Providence (73-67), Butler (73-52), and St Johns (104-76).

Against St Johns the Bluejays had their highest-scoring output of the season. Creighton led by 13 at halftime and by as many as 30 in the second half. Baylor Scheierman had a double-double with a team-high 17 points and 10 rebounds to go along with six assists to lead five Bluejays in double figures. Ryan Nembhard had 16 points and six assists, while Ryan Kalkbrenner added 16 points and five rebounds Arthur Kaluma chipped in 14 points and five rebounds, with Trey Alexander finishing with 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Probably one is not the toughest game this year. If X packed their offense and defense from the first half of the UConn game, I expect a W.

40 minutes of that kind of offense and Defense is all we are asking. They have a lot of talent which seems to be jelling. Creighton favored by 4 over/under 158

[muskieman]

let's go X

[Xavier2005]

based on the bad foul calls by the refs on Xavier early in the game......we know where they stand with Creighton $$$$$$$

[Xavier2005]

the CBS sports announcer(s) even said the refs made bad foul calls on Xavier...twice

[Kevin Reilly]

Two cheap fouls on Nunge. miller is livid with Boum's and Freemantle's defense. Give Edwards a chance.A LOT Of time left too have the two bigs in with two fouls

[muskieman]

Edwards gets some minutes and does nothing positive. No real aggression is shown from him when the two bigs have foul trouble. Man you got a chance and came up as a negative.

X getting beat on boards and Souley needs to exert himself. Zach has 10 and with AK are the only one showing any offense. Kyky sighting

[pdxmuskie]

The officials deflated Xavier with those bad calls. Nunge was a disaster when he returned to the game - just too scared to pick up a foul.

The defensive switches have been tragically bad. Xavier players pretending to pick up the guy to then leave them with an open lane or 3.

This is a good game for Miles to enter. He has the size to play against Creighton. The Creighton center is not that fast and athletic so he should be capable of defending him.

[pdxmuskie]

Hunter needs to take the space he is getting to dribble closer. Either the defense picks him up or he gets an open mid range. If they close out hard, he can probably drive around the defender.

3s not falling plus foul trouble on the bigs is a recipe for a loss.

Team is not moving the ball. They are playing too much 1 on 1 which is not the strength of this team. A few forced shots are not helping the FG%

It is shocking we are not down more. There is a chance for a comeback if the team comes out with energy in the 2nd. Neither big picked up their 3rd so they should be able to get after it on both ends.

[connecticut72]

First, let me state the obvious, fouls took us totally out out sync. We are not going to get back into this with offense and we all know that D is not our forte. Too bad about Edwards. Like MM said no aggression. Tough spot for him but we needed him to bang at that point.

[Anti-Homer]

Sean Miller channeling his best Patrick Ewing coaching impression today. Hopefully, in the 2nd half, he channels Jay Wright. Love Des, but he needs a shock collar around his neck that can be used when he shoots beyond three feet. I also just emailed SM Zones for Dummies, but he probably won't take heed, despite the fact that the lack of employment almost caused them the Conn game. The fact that others on this Board opined that the only reason not to do it solely referencing three-point shooting was a non-starter. That kind of thinking should prohibit you from being anything but the 3rd assistant coach for a 4th grade, YMCA team.

More insightful analysis coming after the game.