Game Thread: Xavier v Seton Hall (12/23/2023)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://i.pinimg.com/736x/9a/e8/d5/9ae8d5333824b5b39584710fd27037cf.jpg


CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 6-6 overall and 0-1 in the BIG EAST Conference, host the Seton Hall University Pirates, 8-4 overall and 1-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in their final game of calendar year 2023. XU is looking to bounce back from a Wednesday road loss at St. John's, while Seton Hall is coming off a Wednesday home win over No. 5 UConn to open league play.

Xavier is 9-1 in BIG EAST Conference home openers at Cintas Center with its only loss being to Seton Hall in the 2018-19 season. The Musketeers defeated Seton Hall in their BIG EAST home opener last season and swept the season series.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (6-6, 0-1 BIG EAST)
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY PIRATES (8-4, 1-0 BIG EAST)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2023 AT 2 P.M. ET
AT CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Matt Schumacker and analysis from Dickey Simpkins.
Xavier Radio: 55KRC with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer
Byron Larkin ('88). XU broadcast is also on the Varsity Network and on SXM.

Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://Statbroadcast.com) and fan stats at GoXavier.com (http://GoXavier.com)

[GoMuskies]

Feels similar to the UC game in that we need a win or the season really looks like it's headed off the rails to an ugly place.

[Xville]

Feels similar to the UC game in that we need a win or the season really looks like it's headed off the rails to an ugly place.

Agreed,. Need to hold serve at home. This is going to be a hard nosed tough game and The euros really need to stand their ground better this game and grow a pair.

[drudy23]

Going to be a tough game. SH has 5-6 guys averaging close to double figures and they all have college basketball tenure. No easy games in the Big East.

What will happen if we lose to Georgetown?

[X-band '01]

Let's just worry about tomorrow first. Even last year's team struggled like hell to beat the Hall at Cintas. And that was before the Pirates fell off the cliff later in the year with injuries.

[Xville]

X favored tomorrow?! -3.5. That’s interesting

[paulxu]

That's nuts after they just beat the #5 team by 15.

[noteggs]

Just goes to show how important home games are in the BE. Think Creighton is the only one who has lost at home to date in BE play.

Us losing two buy games this year might not help this stat…still have hope though.

[Three Point Pete]

I think take the Hall and points and hope for the win.

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[Xville]

Happy festivus!!! I’ve got a lot of problems with you people and today you’re going to hear about it

[paulxu]

Happy festivus!!! I’ve got a lot of problems with you people and today you’re going to hear about it

:popcorn:

[X-band '01]

Roughly 2:00 will feature the Feats of Strength

[UCGRAD4X]

Happy festivus!!! I’ve got a lot of problems with you people and today you’re going to hear about it

I probably should go ahead and put you on ignore now.

I'm just too sensitive.

You gotta problem with that? :nudgewink:

[X-band '01]

I probably should go ahead and put you on ignore now. :nudgewink:

I just too sensitive.

"Quiet, you'll get yours in a minute"

[GIMMFD]

Kadari Richmond is nasty, we definitely need to limit him, but I'm absolutely frightened at what Bediako is going to do on the inside causing a ruckus if our bigs play like they did against St. John's, definitely a bit nervy about this one.

[GoMuskies]

FS2 to start.

[noteggs]

OT in Butler game. Sounds like FS2 is picking up game until other game is over

[GoMuskies]

If Seton Hall keeps missing wide open shots we're all set.

[noteggs]

Q is pretty good

[GIMMFD]

If Seton Hall keeps missing wide open shots we're all set.
Maybe if we also shoot better than 29% haha.


Q is pretty good
I can't believe he finished that and-1, what an athletic play with a soft touch off the glass, I love watching him play, he's a helluva scorer.

[GoMuskies]

We don't have no shot blockers. Fact check: true.

[GoMuskies]

This Bediako dude looks terrible so far.

[noteggs]

I would take Des out with 2 fouls

[GIMMFD]

This Bediako dude looks terrible so far.

Which is wild because he looked great against UConn, he was really making me nervous coming into it... it's also going to be so hard to watch this offense for a whole season.

[bjf123]

I would take Des out with 2 fouls

He’s only got 1 so far.


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[GoMuskies]

Xavier is playing okay, but Seton Hall has been a mess. I'm not complaining!

[noteggs]

He’s only got 1 so far.


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Thought he was whistled earlier. At least Dickey said so.

My bad should have known better than to listen to him

[GIMMFD]

I'm trying to figure out how the hell UConn lost by 15 to Seton Hall..

[GIMMFD]

Eat Quincy, good god I love his swagger and game.

[noteggs]

I'm trying to figure out how the hell UConn lost by 15 to Seton Hall..

Thinking exact same thing…but didn’t want to say it out loud

[GIMMFD]

Good news, we still suck coming out the half, but Quincy is still fun to watch.

[GoMuskies]

Q, Ousmane and McKnight are about all we've got today.

[GIMMFD]

I wish we could hit some shots, we should be blowing them out.

[xudash]

Defensive rebounds would be nice, too.

[noteggs]

Need to grab some defensive rebounds!

[xu82]

Every time I look up we are allowing them to get offensive rebounds.


I should stop looking up.

[noteggs]

Game of runs

[bjf123]

Tu Holloway is in the house today.


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[GoMuskies]

Game of runs

We're running.

[GIMMFD]

Tu Holloway is in the house today.


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Can't lose with his massive balls in the building, looking good, just gotta keep the momentum.

[GoMuskies]

17-2 run. Zero Euros during said run.

[noteggs]

Freshman growing up?

[GoMuskies]

Seems like it's going to be a really good sign if the Euro minutes are limited going forward.

[American X]

Tu Holloway is in the house today.

Honorary Steel Balls Award, obviously, to Quincy Olivari.

[GIMMFD]

So yeah again, how tf did UConn lose by 15 to this team???

[GoMuskies]

Green got a little too comfortable.

[American X]

Swain coast to coast was tasty, like Christmas party prime rib tasty.

[GoMuskies]

Swain is stealing Djokovic's minutes right now. And thank God.

[SkyWalker]

This may not be appropriate but no Euros, no problem.

[GIMMFD]

Please let us shoot like this for the rest of the season, that'd be nice. Opens things up so much more goodness.

[GoMuskies]

This may not be appropriate but no Euros, no problem.

Yeah, bring them in when Ousmane needs a break. And otherwise never.

Feels like we found something today to that effect. Provides hope for the rest of the year.

[xu82]

Why can’t they all be more like that???

[A Fan]

Why can’t they all be more like that???

Amen! Seton Hall delivered one of the biggest upsets of the season by knocking off reigning national champion and number 5 UConn 75-60 and comes to Cintas and gets beat by 20. Go figure! This is a team that will roller coast us through the season . Expect the lows and enjoy the highs.

[XUGRAD80]

Early 1/2 half, Holloway tells the SH players to drive through contact because X “has no shot blockers”! Immediately Os blocks a shot. He had 5 for the game and X had 8 as a team. He is not a very good coach.

[MuskieDad]

Two of the three euros are true freshman with really high upside. This year isnt going to be a special year so we definitely should continue to play and develop them. Remember when Tyrone Hill was a freshman? Sasa Ciani can be a monster by his jr year and miller has said Laz has a really high ceiling.

[GoMuskies]

Two of the three euros are true freshman with really high upside. This year isnt going to be a special year so we definitely should continue to play and develop them. Remember when Tyrone Hill was a freshman? Sasa Ciani can be a monster by his jr year and miller has said Laz has a really high ceiling.

They can play when Ousmane needs a break. But not Gytis.

[noteggs]

If you would have told me they’ll be 2-5 from the line and won by 20? Don’t think I’d believe you.

[xu82]

Early 1/2 half, Holloway tells the SH players to drive through contact because X “has no shot blockers”! Immediately Os blocks a shot. He had 5 for the game and X had 8 as a team. He is not a very good coach.

I do remember hearing that, and then it started to look like a swat-fest. I had not put the two together somehow. That’s funny.

[xukeith]

Why can't X play all games at Cintas?

[GoMuskies]

I m really trying to read too much into this game, because Seton Hall was absolutely atrocious today. But I' clinging to those last 13 or 14 minutes with the new lineup combination to hope beyond hope that Sean found something, and this team is about to go on a big run. A man can dream.

[paulxu]

This should improve our NET a little.

[UCGRAD4X]

Ousman is the man! Double - double with only one foul! We need one of the Euros to be close to the man.

Not to look at the negative after such a decisive win, but it seems as if out of times out are a problem for X. I love Miller but this seems to be problematic. Is it just me?

[Xville]

That was awesome. Big ups to olivari. He was signing stuff for 45 minutes after the game and still was signing stuff when we left. Awesome guy

[GoMuskies]

Olivari has been amazing. For a while I thought our problem was the transfers not being good enough. Turns out the problem has been everyone BUT the transfers. Hoping those guys can lead us on a run.

[bobbiemcgee]

50% vs 13% from 3 will do it

[Three Point Pete]

Amen! Seton Hall delivered one of the biggest upsets of the season by knocking off reigning national champion and number 5 UConn 75-60 and comes to Cintas and gets beat by 20. Go figure! This is a team that will roller coast us through the season .

I think we be less roller coasting, and more upward trending. Sean makes it very clear that our best basketball is in front of us, but we have get there. Today we started down the road to better basketball.
Xavier beat the the National Champs twice last year, so I see UConn is beatable.
Also, watching 3 St.John games this year they are a much better team than last year.

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[X-band '01]

So yeah again, how tf did UConn lose by 15 to this team???

Seton Hall took fucked up shots from the get-go in this game. They went scoreless for their first 6 or 7 possessions.

2nd half start looked like a normal crap-fest for Xavier, but Ousmane swatting away what should have been a Hall fast break and subsequent score by X irreversibly swung the momentum to the Musketeers. Xavier's fast break helped to negate the 2nd chance points they were giving away to Seton Hall. Even that started to get closer to even by the end of the game.

X was also giving out turnovers like candy canes on Wednesday night. Not the case at all today.

[Tim]

So we're giving Claude a pass because we won?

Absolutely stoked at our 3 transfers' and 2 frosh's progress.

[Xville]

The next three games are one of the hardest stretch of games anyone will have all season. If we win one I’ll be happy. The schedule eases up a bit after that, but expect plenty of questions about miller, Claude, nil, the transfer portal and whatever else the next few weeks from a few posters

[X-band '01]

True, but the next 2 games are staggered out. Next game is 11 days away which allows for an extended Christmas break for a change (which usually happens after a loss around here). Even after that, they get a full week between the game at Villanova and at home against UConn. It's going to feel more like fall practice 2.0 at times. I think there's only one other bye after the UConn game the rest of the way.

[drudy23]

19-1 here we come!

[Xuperman]

Ousman is the man! Double - double with only on foul!

McKnight's DD just as impressive. Watch him catch fire after that massive boost of confidence!!!

[American X]

Ducharme and Nzeh with back-to-back Club Trillions!

If a Euro cannot make free throws, can you return him?

Xavier should stop playing road games.

[xu82]

Ducharme and Nzeh with back-to-back Club Trillions!

If a Euro cannot make free throws, can you return him?

Xavier should stop playing road games.

That is why it’s important to keep your receipts.

[A Fan]

That is why it’s important to keep your receipts.
LOL..thanks for the Christmas Eve Laugh!

[Three Point Pete]

19-1 here we come!It wouldn't surprise me if we win more games than expected, but I hope we keep trending upwards. Already have seen some surprises in BE!


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[Xville]

It wouldn't surprise me if we win more games than expected, but I hope we keep trending upwards. Already have seen some surprises in BE!


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I think 500 is a certainty. I personally believe 13-7 is attainable but I think 10-10 is the floor. max , this team loses two conference games at home which will be negated by winning at DePaul and gtown.

[GIMMFD]

Seton Hall took fucked up shots from the get-go in this game. They went scoreless for their first 6 or 7 possessions.

2nd half start looked like a normal crap-fest for Xavier, but Ousmane swatting away what should have been a Hall fast break and subsequent score by X irreversibly swung the momentum to the Musketeers. Xavier's fast break helped to negate the 2nd chance points they were giving away to Seton Hall. Even that started to get closer to even by the end of the game.

X was also giving out turnovers like candy canes on Wednesday night. Not the case at all today.

This is true, all of it, I agree, but Seton Hall did not look good at all, I'm sure it was just a bad game, but I didn't think a bad UConn game would be losing by 15 to Seton Hall at their best, I'm glad we made some positive changes in the second half and showed a little growth. But for the love of god, I wish we could stop starting the second half in a brain haze and letting teams go on runs every game.


I think 500 is a certainty. I personally believe 13-7 is attainable but I think 10-10 is the floor. max , this team loses two conference games at home which will be negated by winning at DePaul and gtown.

I like the optimism here, I'm not sure, I'm still a bit confused by our team with it's ups and downs, when we put it together and play a good game, we can challenge almost anybody, when it's not going good, we are downright atrocious. I'd be pretty happy with 13-7, that'd be amazing, but with how they play on the road I'm not comfortable with an automatic DePaul and G'Town win at this moment unless we see them continue to trend upwards. Lots of positives in that second half against Hall though, really wanna see them build the momentum.

[xukeith]

Miller said X practiced against zone defense in preparation for SH showing zone.

If X played SJ again, how would X attack SJ's zone defense?

[Xuperman]

Ducharme and Nzeh with back-to-back Club Trillions!

That is disturbingly hilarious.