Streaming for Murray State Game

[Anti-Homer]

After seeing the initial recruits under Pitino this summer, I expressed great concern that this team was built for the bottom third of the Big East (BE). So far, my reputation as Nostradamus of the board remains intact. And before we resort to the tired excuse of a lack of NIL funding, let's acknowledge the facts: Xavier reportedly spent $3 million on four players, with two others receiving over $550,000. So far, the new X coaching staff's talent evaluation makes the Bengals’ scouting look like the Chiefs.

My fear is that the game against Murray State was just the appetizer to what will be a very long and challenging basketball season. I was particularly worried when Pitino's first two commits were Filip and Mill. This speaks to a lack of discernment in talent evaluation. Their stats last year were poor, and Filip's performance, in particular on Sat, suggests the stench of play from New Mexico has followed him.

I actually fault MMan for "punking" Pitino during our house hunting trips with him, when he told him that Xavier was in the MVC, not the BE. This obviously shaped his recruiting strategy. I recall when we picked up Walker, and many lauded it as a nice pickup, though I was underwhelmed. While one game doesn't define a player, playing only seven minutes with this current roster composition is concerning.

Speaking of which, Filip and Anderson took a combined 27 shots, the most on the team. What does this say about their judgment and Pitino's coaching? Given their three years in college basketball and consistently horrific shooting percentages and scoring production (or lack thereof), they should be compelled to exercise great discretion in shot selection. Unfortunately, they don't, and Pitino is complicit in allowing it. I suspect that since they inherited the lockers of JP and Tu, they assumed the associated skillsets would be magically transferred. Instead, they seem to have adopted Colbert's skillset.

As the "glass half full" voice on this board, I will still root for my alma mater regardless of the product on the court. However, I genuinely fear we are headed for a Steele Part Two era during Pitino's tenure. This trajectory will continue unless there are significant improvements in both recruiting (both transfers and high school players) and game management, the most egregious example being the decision to grant the team's two worst shooters Bluiett-type license to shoot. I hope to be wrong about my prediction, but sadly, my historical record signals that Mman and I will be spending many Saturdays antiquing this year.

Seacrest out.

[Strange Brew]

Well, pack it in. Shut it down and let’s go back to the dark ages of X Hoops.

You guys suck. I’m old enough to remember when West wasn’t a good recruit.

Let’s. Go. X!

[skyhops]

That seems a little harsh AH. Benedict Miller left us high and dry, and unfortunately, we had to overpay average players to fill the roster. I think Pitino was a good hire especially since administration was not going to hire back Mack. Not having Pozzato is a huge loss especially since we really have no scorers or shooters. Roddie Anderson makes Davion look like Tu Holloway. I'm assuming that Wright and Moore are the backup PG's from what I saw at the scrimmage and that is scary. We will miss having a shooter like Conwell, Olivari, Maddox etc.

I think Filip has potential and can be a solid scoring option, but I'm not sure about the other euro, who played almost 30 mins and didn't do much. If we are going to hang out hat on defense, we can't get outrebounded by Murray State. Robinson needs to stay on the floor and be aggressive. I'm not sure how much money we spent on Walker, but he looked lost out there. Murray State was built like Creighton and a pretty good team. We lost every scholarship player, so we are going to have to be patient. I do think that 8th in the BE might be too high after what I saw. Not having a scorer or a knock down shooter is going to hurt. You can do that at New Mexico, but not in the BE.

Skyhops out

[Lead Guitar]

I am willing to wait until the non-conference schedule is complete. By then our top recruit/transfer Possata and the kid from Alaska will be back. Unfortunately the offense against Murray had no inside out. I do not recall one pass to a big man inside that resulted in a basket or even an attempt. Mostly perimeter passing resulting in a late dribble drive or a last second 3 with no chance for an offensive rebound. Most did not appear to have the freedom to shoot. You need confidence and permission to shoot when open. Sure you will miss some, but you can’t be reluctant to shoot for fear of being taken out. I know it is early, but the Pitino/Huggins/Smart type of all over the court pressure defense is not there yet. Therefore no easy baskets that don’t require half court offense.

Having said that, I do see some potential in Wright and even Filip and Robinson. If the Italian and Carrol can be our one-two, the role players will make more of an impact.

Many on this board have been clamoring for the days of developing players (and getting to know their names). Many of these transfers have two or three years of eligibility. Hopefully they stay and develop and we have a bit of luck along the way!

[Anti-Homer]

That seems a little harsh AH. Benedict Miller left us high and dry, and unfortunately, we had to overpay average players to fill the roster. I think Pitino was a good hire especially since administration was not going to hire back Mack. Not having Pozzato is a huge loss especially since we really have no scorers or shooters. Roddie Anderson makes Davion look like Tu Holloway. I'm assuming that Wright and Moore are the backup PG's from what I saw at the scrimmage and that is scary. We will miss having a shooter like Conwell, Olivari, Maddox etc.

I think Filip has potential and can be a solid scoring option, but I'm not sure about the other euro, who played almost 30 mins and didn't do much. If we are going to hang out hat on defense, we can't get outrebounded by Murray State. Robinson needs to stay on the floor and be aggressive. I'm not sure how much money we spent on Walker, but he looked lost out there. Murray State was built like Creighton and a pretty good team. We lost every scholarship player, so we are going to have to be patient. I do think that 8th in the BE might be too high after what I saw. Not having a scorer or a knock down shooter is going to hurt. You can do that at New Mexico, but not in the BE.

Skyhops out

I am on record supporting the Pitino hire on paper, impressed by his work at both New Mexico and Minnesota. He inherited a difficult situation, and I concede that. However, I have been completely underwhelmed by his recruiting strategy, especially considering X spent north of $6 million on this roster. Also, the top 100 programs, particularly those with good football programs (fortunately, my friends who root for Dayton, Butler, and UC aren't burdened by this), overspent this year, since they knew guardrails were coming with the House Settlement.

As you noted, the roster lacks proven shooters, as well as multiple consistent scorers, a productive point guard, or a reliable low-post presence. It has more holes than Mman's excuses for not paying my Moderator expenses.

Pitino’s first three transfers, Filip, Mill, and Anderson, wouldn’t be big producers on a competitive MAC team. Having players of that caliber is fine once higher-priority guys are secured. It’s like taking a contested 27-foot fadeaway three-pointer: you can get that shot anytime. Similarly, X could have landed this caliber of players at any point before the transfer portal closed.

While players like Pozatto, Moore, Robinson, and Carroll provide a good supporting cast, none project as a top two scoring option on an upper-echelon Big East team. Watching the Murray State game made me scratch my head even more: our two worst shooters took a combined 27 shots, which, to me, points to a fundamental flaw in shot selection and coaching strategy.

I sincerely hope my prediction for this team is wrong, particularly since we’ve invited some top-notch guests (i.e., like the former gardener of Ira Joe Fisher) to watch games in the Moderator’s Suite this year. Time will tell.

[Kevin Reilly]

Anti-Homer if Xavier spent 6 million on this roster than either Pitino can't recruit or the other Big East Schools are spending a lot more than us. I have no reason to doubt you about the N.I.L. money but something doesn't add up. On paper this roster looks like the least talented roster in the last 30 years. I think most of us are shocked at the talent level on this years team. Looks like a long year. Hope I am wrong

[skyhops]

Xavier according to sources X spent around 3 million. Maybe Anti Homer got a hold of some of Muskiemans’s latin lettuce and Burger beer.

[Jesseandrippers]

Wait, did we just lose to Murray State?!?

In fairness they are a good team and have a new coach this year also. Expected to finish high in the Mo Valley.

“High in the Mo Valley”….you gotta be kidding me. We are in the Big East.

[skyhops]

Has anyone heard any info regarding the closed scrimmage vs Toledo? I heard AH took Toledo and the points as usual.

[Anti-Homer]

Xavier according to sources X spent around 3 million. Maybe Anti Homer got a hold of some of Muskiemans’s latin lettuce and Burger beer.

I think you're off a tad.......by about $3.2M.