Georgetown thread

[Kevin Reilly]

Well I was sticking up for McKnight before the game and I am a still a big McKnight fan but he had a rough game vs Georgetown and hasn't really seemed himself for at least 5-6 games. He seems to have lost his confidence in his mid range game. Skyhops called it and he was right. I also agree with Connecticut 72 that McKnight doesn't run hard to get the ball when the other team is pressing. Not sure why because he is by far our best ball handler. What I don't agree with is that we miss Green. He seems to have zero idea on how to play defense. To me it's very hard to make a case for playing him at this time and if he is pouting and sitting out on the team who needs him? He seems almost tiny out there. He also shoots to quickly and is picked on by the other team as soon as he gets in. Maybe McKnight is playing too many minutes and wears down at the end of games. I think there is plenty of blame to go around at the end of games. Freemantle who is our best player gets tired at the end of games too. I know this... Miller has this team playing hard and defending a lot better than earlier in the season. I think we are what our record is. About a 19-20 win team that might or might not make the tournament. Don't think we will make much noise even if we do get in. I believe the main problem is lack of depth and really not that talented of a squad and that's OK. We are all in with our team whether we are good or bad and we have had a fantastic run of good teams. Heck even Duke and Villanova have had some rough years. I know we have a great coach and it all starts there. I still believe in McKnight and we would be lost without him. Go X

[skyhops]

We have one true point guard and that is McKnight, so he has to play better. Shooting under 40% from field and 24% from 3 in BE play is just not going to get it done. When Miller is trying to get Swain to handle the ball more you know he is worried about McKnight. Green was limited, however he could spell McKnight and was one of the best shooters in the league probably best free throw shooter along with Ashworth. I don't expect us to win at Nova, Providence, or even Butler but to do so we have to have McKnight and bench to play well.

[muskieman]

We have one true point guard and that is McKnight, so he has to play better. Shooting under 40% from the field and 24% from 3 in BE play is just not going to get it done. When Miller is trying to get Swain to handle the ball more you know he is worried about McKnight. Green was limited, however he could spell McKnight and was one of the best shooters in the league probably best free throw shooter along with Ashworth. I don't expect us to win at Nova, Providence, or even Butler but to do so we have to have McKnight and bench to play well.

Green is history, so we don't know how well he would back up. After all, someone said Green played poor defense, and X has been playing better D in the last 10 games. He is smaller than Maddox and MKnight and was pushed around by all the bigger guards in the BE. Sure, he could shoot, but he was not always as consistent except for the foul line. Sean needs to find a way to support McKnight more. I notice that when Conwell and McKnight are being attacked, everyone else seems to freeze instead of coming to help.

I hope Foster's play in the GT game is a harbinger of an outbreak of the talent Sean saw in him. I hope that Foster, Swain, Freemantle can give Conwell the ability to get free instead of being the focus of the D and that will let Conwell become the 20+ point man he was earlier.

I think X can win at Butler, although I have felt that way for the last few years. I have seen the Butler crowd leave early when Butler starts to fall apart which I hope they do against X. I rate it about 55% for the win at Butler. I felt we could beat Provident earlier in the season, but it is 50-50 now. With a winning streak going into the Creighton game, a rabid home crowd, and a chance for revenge, X might just pull a big one out and have a chance to go 9 out of the last 10. That is my heart, but my head says 7-2 will probably be the record down the stretch.

[longliveskip]

been worried about McKnight for awhile. not sure what the issue is - mental, pressing, confidence, etc. not trying to spread rumors or make excuses but I thought I saw a post from him where i'm pretty sure it implied he's about to become a father. maybe that's affecting him some? I don't know and once again - not trying to spread things that aren't true.

Swain and Foster both elevating their games is really what this team needs to take the pressure off of Free and Conwell to be the "main" guys every night. Even Hugley playing better in spot minutes has given us a spark. Wish I knew what the issue with Fletcher was. you'd think he could give us 3-4 minutes a half each game but oh well.

however, the path in front of us to make the NCAA is there. we just have to take it. ANY road game in our league is going to be a brutal fight, no matter who it is. we have to be in "tournament" mode every game. it's that simple.