Kevin Reilly wrote: ↑Sun Apr 12, 2026 12:55 pm
Anti-homer I know you are a big Milicevic fan and the young man can shoot the three with the best of them. But I think it's fair to point out he and the team were terrible on defense. I think we finished 332 in defense. Yes Moore and Wright were terrible on defense and the the team never learned how to defend the pick and roll but Milicevic doesn't know how to hedge when there is a high pick. All players have strengths and weaknesses but Milicevic is slow, can't jump, has short arms and doesn't anticipate very well. I'm not sure he will defend any better at the power four position. We all see the game differently and I'm sure I am a little to high on Anderson. LOL Milicevic's defense was the worst I've seen on a Xavier big man since Freemantle's first two years
No question Milicevic was awful on D, but again, if X had Tyrique Jones guarding wings, he would have looked awful too. I expect him to be subpar even at the 4, but don't forget, th most prolific offensive player at X along with David West and J Crawford, Bluiett, was the worst defender in the previous decade. He just happened to be a top 5 shooter in cbb during his time.
I'm not suggesting Millicevic is as good a shooter as Bluiett, but he will be a top ten shooting big in cbb next year. However, with the depth pieces X is amassing (and they're still reaching out to starters at very position), Pitino will have a quick hook if he doesn't hold up to his own.
