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Post by yankeefriar on Jan 26, 2016 10:38:41 GMT -5
espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/page/word160126/xavier-musketeers-providence-friars-best-challenge-villanovaAndy Katz: Providence. The Friars have one of the best players in the country in Kris Dunn. They've got a physical presence in Ben Bentil, and they possess another potential big-time scoring option in Rodney Bullock. Providence beat Villanova in Philadelphia. Xavier did not. C.L. Brown: Providence. Beating the Wildcats in Philadelphia was a huge statement. And the Friars essentially have the best player on the floor every time they suit up with Dunn. Villanova had no answers for Dunn and his 14 assists, so even when he's not scoring, he makes everyone else better. Eamonn Brennan: As hard as it is to say so from this vantage, staring down the back end of a recent Friars win at Villanova (and XU's home loss to Georgetown), I'm going to stick with Xavier. Let's not forget Providence already owns home losses to Marquette and Seton Hall. Or that as great as Dunn and Bentil have been, this team can frequently fail to keep pace on the offensive end. Or that Xavier is deeper and more balanced on both ends of the floor. If we're talking about the better team, I might -- might -- say Providence. If we're talking about the rigors of keeping up with the Wildcats for the next 11 games, surviving injuries and minimizing weaknesses as a team over the long haul, I'd lean, if barely, toward the Musketeers.
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Post by thewalk on Jan 26, 2016 10:42:32 GMT -5
One thing that wasnt pointed out during the nova win was how spent our guys were the last 5 minutes, specifically dunn and Bentil. led to several offensive rebounds for nova...I'm not sure if there's an answer...
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Post by yankeefriar on Jan 26, 2016 10:50:06 GMT -5
Dunn and Bentil were shot. Probably had something to do with Ben missing 2 out of his last 4 free-throws.
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pcdad
Friar Fanatic
Posts: 3,707
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Post by pcdad on Jan 26, 2016 11:18:54 GMT -5
.. and Junior missing his free throws.
Yeah, Friars are thin when someone sits or when the season's grind takes its toll on energy or knicks up the players some. But they do have a game freshman in Edwards and Lindsey is able tio contribute and often does despite his mis-steps and near makes on the three. Also, don't overlook Cartwright's emergence and greater confidence in his play and ability to pass and score. Like Junior he can no longer be ignored as a threat. Frees up others to score.
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Post by thewalk on Jan 26, 2016 11:29:39 GMT -5
pcdad - near makes for Lindsey? Which game was this? Ed gave Jalen a shot in the second half and he missed a rebound opportunity at which point ed had seen enough. I suppose he'll get similar opportunities but the kid gloves have been taken off. Play tough or you don't play.
Xavier's given up 10+ threes in both losses. I think we'd all prefer ben and Rodney on the interior. Don't see how we do this without ryan or jalen having a big night.
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Post by dex on Jan 26, 2016 11:59:18 GMT -5
Yesterday I pointed to a key time-out Cooley called because the boys were gassed. He usually doesn't do that for some odd reason because he probably thinks it's giving in to fatigue. I disagree wit Cooley completely. The breather not only refreshed physically but also mentally and theoretically can avoid a key mistake. I noticed in a couple of games lately that Dunn had huge turnovers in the final minute...jkust say'n.
Tonight is even more im portant, not only because we were spent at Nova and then the bus ride, but Xavier generally punishes their opponent physically on the boards and penetration offensively by their fullbacks. I despise The Chooch.
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pcdad
Friar Fanatic
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Post by pcdad on Jan 26, 2016 11:59:37 GMT -5
I was being kind. "near makes" rather than "misses".... Look forward to Lindsey arriving anytime this season would be a bonus.
He's had some moments. Be fair.
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Post by connfriar on Jan 26, 2016 13:01:46 GMT -5
Very tough matchup tonight...dialing in to get my gut feeling but I think I'll have lunch first...that way, I can blame a bad call on gas...
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Post by thewalk on Jan 26, 2016 13:36:45 GMT -5
I truly believe a 2 seed a legit threat with that guy....
Cooley usually saves the TOs but they looked extra gassed on Sunday. As a fan you can't help but appreciate the effort. Fazekas had minimal impact on the game but just watching him bust his a$$ to get open on the baseline was impressive. I believe Dunn's had an under two minute TO off the dribble in every game since marq with the exception of SHU.
Lindsey got to the line for the first time in 5 games against nova. his goal should be 5 Fts a game. He's been rotten since we stepped up in weight class.
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Post by wtm97 on Jan 26, 2016 13:53:43 GMT -5
Ok I give, CHOOCH?
*
Look we are 17-3 and ranked 10th - we all know our limitations and weaknesses six ways to Sunday but tonight we have that chance and we can win this game...
I am not driving down 40 miles to sit there and quiver and worry.
Let's play ball and see what happens.
AND if we do win it could be Lindsey - in fact it could be anybody who steps up to help - lets just win.
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Post by pembroke04 on Jan 26, 2016 13:57:08 GMT -5
pcdad - near makes for Lindsey? Which game was this? Ed gave Jalen a shot in the second half and he missed a rebound opportunity at which point ed had seen enough. I suppose he'll get similar opportunities but the kid gloves have been taken off. Play tough or you don't play. Xavier's given up 10+ threes in both losses. I think we'd all prefer ben and Rodney on the interior. Don't see how we do this without ryan or jalen having a big night. Not me. If Ben can establish the 3 ball, that'll open things up for him and our PG. |
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Post by pembroke04 on Jan 26, 2016 14:01:09 GMT -5
I truly believe a 2 seed a legit threat with that guy.... If "that guy" is PC, you once said we were a top 15 team with before we entered the top 25. If that guy is Bullock and we're talking about him getting his game back on track, then yes, why couldn't this be a two seed? |
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Post by thewalk on Jan 26, 2016 14:18:43 GMT -5
that guy is PC and after seeing the advantage of having a legit big to cover up m2m warts compared to what the rest of the conf and country bring to the table, I honestly think we'd have a shot. That weakness is bigger than our outside shooting imo b/c as nova knows, relying on that for a 6 game stretch is risky. having a 7 footer block shots and start fast breaks would put this team on a different lever, never mind the added depth and roster flexibility of adding one guy to the middle.
If that guy is Bullock and we're talking about him getting his game back on track, then yes, why couldn't this be a two seed?...b/c imo I don't think we're good enough. been wrong before.
You'd rather have bentil on the outside? Shooting 26% from 3for the season and 16% inn BE games....you be dumb
Pembroke - do you watch the games?
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pcdad
Friar Fanatic
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Post by pcdad on Jan 26, 2016 16:17:29 GMT -5
Saw a few minutes last night of Lavin interviewing retired coaches and Lavin asked who was the toughest to guard (Big Dog Glenn Robinson one coach answered), some footage of his Purdue play, man among boys. Maybe a bit later Lavin asked who was hardest opponent (can't recall exact question). Then one coach said who had Ewing for a visit and knew he was not interested said Ewing; they showed some footage of Patrick Ewing at Georgetown defending the rim. While I saw him live on several occasions at MSG, I had forgotten just how intimidating he was at Georgetown. Having that sort of 7 footer this season would be something (not that PC was our Ewing...maybe our young Alcindor though) [nod and wink to Walk].
Play on Friars! You are the talk of the town, the Big East, and the country is taking notice.
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Post by friar71 on Jan 26, 2016 17:28:26 GMT -5
that guy is PC and after seeing the advantage of having a legit big to cover up m2m warts compared to what the rest of the conf and country bring to the table, I honestly think we'd have a shot. That weakness is bigger than our outside shooting imo b/c as nova knows, relying on that for a 6 game stretch is risky. having a 7 footer block shots and start fast breaks would put this team on a different lever, never mind the added depth and roster flexibility of adding one guy to the middle. If that guy is Bullock and we're talking about him getting his game back on track, then yes, why couldn't this be a two seed?...b/c imo I don't think we're good enough. been wrong before. You'd rather have bentil on the outside? Shooting 26% from 3for the season and 16% inn BE games....you be dumb Pembroke - do you watch the games? Yes at times but as I have posted before more as a decoy than a shooter. I would like to see him move to the perimeter at ti mes to spread the floor and let Dunn take his man to the hoop w/o encountering Bentil and his cover in the lane taking space. But I don't want to see Bentil shooting more than 1-2 3 pt shots per game and solely to make sure his man is forced to go out and cover him. His 3 late against Nova was a big shot but his BE long distance shooting is really bad. |
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