SHOOTOUT GAME THREAD with matchups

[muskieman]

Matchup: Cincinnati Bearcats vs Xavier Musketeers Xavier has won five of the last six and nine of the last 12 in the rivalry. The Bearcats won last years game but have not won at Cintas Center since beating Thad Matta's Musketeers in 2001. UC's SOS 131 Xavier 61

Date/Time: December 5, 2025, 7:30 PM EST

Venue: Cintas Center

Broadcast: TNT / truTV announcer Brian Anderson, Robbie Hummel and Lauren Jbara

Coaches: Wes Miller (UC) and Richard Pitino

Halftime: Red Panda

Recent Games: Xavier won 96-74 at Cintas Monday over undersized St.Francis(PA).
UC beat Traleton State from Texas 76-58 in Clifton also on Monday. TS trailed by 2 at the half. The Texans top scorer(22PPG) DNP-illness. TS rotation was cut from 10 players to 6 because of illness

Guards
UC: Kerr Kriisa & Day Day Thomas

Strengths: Elite perimeter shooting, spacing the floor, quick release.

Weaknesses: Can be streaky; rely heavily on outside shots.

Xavier: Roddie Anderson III & All Wright

Strengths: Anderson is a dynamic scorer who can attack off the dribble; Wright adds perimeter balance. in last game Anderson went 5-of-9 from deep

Weaknesses: Turnover risk if pressured; less consistent from deep compared to UC’s guards.

Edge: UC’s guards bring more proven shooting, but Xavier’s backcourt has explosive scoring potential. UC averages 15 TOs Xavier 9.7

Forwards
UC: Baba Miller & Shon Abaev Miller is back from injury in UC's last game also back 6-7 sub Jalen Celestine.

Strengths: Miller anchors the paint with rebounding and rim protection; Abaev adds energy and versatility.

Weaknesses: Limited offensive polish; Miller can struggle against physical bigs.

Xavier: Tre Carroll & Filip Borovicanin

Strengths: Carroll is a reliable scorer inside; Borovicanin contributes rebounding and passing.

Weaknesses: Carroll can be neutralized by strong defenders; Borovicanin’s offense is streaky.

Edge: Xavier’s forwards provide more consistent scoring, while UC’s bring defensive toughness.

Centers / Interior Presence
UC: Rotational depth (Miller sliding inside)

Strengths: Athleticism, rim protection.
Weaknesses: Lack of a true dominant post scorer.

Xavier: Jovan Milicevic and on occassion Robinson and Pape N'Diaye

Strengths: Milicevic leading scorer earlier in the season, capable of inside buckets.
Weaknesses: Recent shooting slump; can be taken out of rhythm.

Edge: Slight to Xavier if Milicevic regains form, otherwise UC’s athleticism balances it.

Overall Matchup
UC: Guard‑driven, perimeter shooting, spacing.
Xavier: Balanced attack, stronger frontcourt scoring, depth off the bench. Isaiah Walker local guy good D. Long arms- speed-

Key Battle: UC’s three‑point shooting vs Xavier’s interior scoring and rebounding.

X‑Factor: Roddie Anderson III’s scoring bursts vs Kerr Kriisa’s perimeter shooting consistency
The Bearcats average 10 made threes per game on 28 attempts, showing they rely heavily on perimeter shooting. Cincinnati’s balanced offense (strong inside play plus decent perimeter shooting) has kept them competitive, but their three-point accuracy isn’t a defining strength
Xavier aerages 38.4% from the three with

Coaches: Wes Miller seems to find ways to screw up Richard Pitino his first shootout so let's see if his years of coaching is a difference

[swilson1949]

I'm not sure the battle is between UC's outside shooting versus XU's interior scoring. Per barttorvik.com, the Muskies are #333 nationally in 2-point % but #35 from outside. The Bearcats are elite at defending in the paint (#12) but only #224 in 3-point shooting % (on high volume; #27 in 3-point rate).

[muskieman]

I'm not sure the battle is between UC's outside shooting versus XU's interior scoring. Per barttorvik.com, the Muskies are #333 nationally in 2-point % but #35 from outside. The Bearcats are elite at defending in the paint (#12) but only #224 in 3-point shooting % (on high volume; #27 in 3-point rate).

That is the reason. If X is able to shoot inside, they will have the advantage because the offense will be more balanced. Likewise, if UC's streaky 3-point shooting gets hot, they will have the advantage. It is expected that the inside game of UC and the outside game of X will be there and possibly neutralize each other.

I believe that is why X took the ball inside in the last game to see and give confidence to the players, Richard thinks should be more effective driving the ball and getting fouled

[muskieman]

Announcers have been named. See first post

[yellow20xd]

Just win baby... Dan

[Anti-Homer]

Live from the Cintas Center, coming to you from the Moderator’s Suite, and I’ve got to get this out fast. The distinguished guest I’ve been assigned to entertain (the General Manager of four Dollar Stores in Southwest Ohio, thanks for that, OSD) will be here at 4:30, and I am taping a segment with Dave Portnoy and BarStool Sports at 4:00, so here it goes.

Fun Facts

• X is 16–7 in the last 23 Shootouts.
• X has graduated 100% of seniors since the Wright Brothers built their airplane.
• Meanwhile, Clifton Comm posted a 0.0% graduation rate during the Bob “Otis Campbell” Huggins, 15-year era. Quite a feat for the program with the most felonies east of the Rockies, earning the nickname UNLV East.
• Unfortunately, when the courageous Nancy Zimpher finally pulled the plug on Huggins, 18 public defenders and 32 probation officers were laid off. Huggins didn’t help himself by reportedly sleeping with the wives of two influential board members, but that story is for another day.
• Clif Comm hasn’t won at Cintas since 2001, the year the iPod debuted. Caitlin Clark wasn’t even born yet, and Mman only owned two houses in the Hamptons. He’s up to seven now.
• X beat UC twice when they were ranked No. 1 back in the ‘90s (courtesy of competing in a God-awful conference).

Game Analysis

UC blew their wad assembling a $10M+ roster and clearly has the bigger, stronger, and more athletic team. They also have the depth edge, especially inside.
Xavier has much better shooting, better ball security this year, and most importantly, a massive coaching advantage.

I expect UC to extend their defensive pressure well beyond the arc, forcing X to attack inside the 3-point line and shoot in that dreaded 8–18 foot zone where they’ve struggled. UC’s rim protector will make the lane a war zone. Offensively, UC will pound the ball inside, exploit their size/physicality, and try to put Milicevic in foul trouble.

Xavier, on the other hand, will try to run at every opportunity and should launch at least 27 threes. Look for X to give help down low on D, and mix in some zone. My prediction is Moore will be the unsung hero tonight.

I’ve adjusted my projected score/winner but can't declare a winner, because the betting houses bombarded me after my early-week prediction, pleading for me to refrain, as it apparently shifted the lines. So, without angering Vegas further, I’ll simply say: Final: 74–71.

A more detailed breakdown will be available to premium members.

Go X!

[connecticut72]

We must win to keep our credibility. It will not be easy but let’s go X!!!!

[connecticut72]

Great first half. Terrific jiob by Pitino. Team defense as good as I have seen @ X since Matta but it will
Be a nail bitter.

[Kevin Reilly]

Good first half for the Muskies. Carroll played with confidence and carried us. Holding our own on the boards so far .Milicevic was invisible as were Moore and Wright. Robinson had 5 rebounds and competed. If he ever learns to box out he will be a good player. Loved N'Diaye's three minutes . Would like to see him get more of a chance. If Wright keeps running under screens get Panoam in. The game is there to be taken. Go X

[Kevin Reilly]

We need N'Diaye or Robinson for size. The zone is hurting us. We need to move the ball much faster and have Carroll at the foul line.We need to finish strong. Wright is not doing much.