Hope that many people here had the chance to watch the SH-Nova game last night. It was a good one. I hope the Xavier players were watching it.
Nova won by 2, even though they shot a lower overall %, got out rebounded by 2, committed 2 more fouls than SH, and had less assists. Where they did outperform SH was in turnovers and free throws. They had 5 less turnovers and made 7 more free throws. They shot 75% from the line as they went 15-20. They also only gave up FOUR offensive rebounds.
I don’t think I saw Nova play with a low post offensive set the whole game. I don’t remember them throwing the ball down to a player in the low post even one time. Instead they forced the larger SH players to come out on the perimeter and guard the Nova players. The Nova players then drove the ball into the lane and either made it the rim for a layup, or got fouled and went to the line, or passed it to an open player. Neither team was credited with a blocked shot for the whole game. That indicates to me that the Nova players were under control and didn’t force shots against the much larger SH front line.
SH did try to take advantage of their size inside a few times, but their 7’2” center only had 2 points for the whole game and only played 19 minutes. He simply couldn’t guard any of the Nova players away from the basket, and by not trying to take him down low they also prevented him from getting ANY rebounds. He was a total non-factor.
I would expect X to follow a similar pattern when they play SH next time. The difference is, the Nova players are more experienced and simply seem to be better one on one players than the Xavier players. I’m not sure that is as much about pure talent as it is about their experience level and confidence. I would also think that when X plays Nova, we will see a similar game. X needs to improve defensively as individuals, and some of that is just going to be experience on the part of the freshman and transfers.
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01-20-2021, 06:12 AM #281
Last edited by XUGRAD80; 01-20-2021 at 06:15 AM.
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01-20-2021, 07:37 AM #282
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While I agree with some of this in terms of experience etc, the talent gap between Nova and X right now is pretty extraordinary. Of the 7 that are in Nova's rotation, 5 of them are top 57 recruits, another is a mcdonald all-american top 15 guy. The only one that isn't among those 6 is Gillespie and he is as steady a pg as they come.
Compare that with X's 4 transfers in the rotation, 2 top 50 guys, 3 top 100 guys. Now I know, straight up talent isn't everything, but Villanova (as you noted) is also better experienced, better coached (not a knock on steele but i mean Wright is one of the best in the game), and doesn't make many mistakes at all.
X probably will play the way again that you described , and maybe they will shoot lights out (like they did against Oklahoma), and win, but I just don't think X has the personnel yet to play the way that Steele wants them to play.
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01-20-2021, 09:05 AM #283
No disagreement, but a question.....
is the talent difference a matter of just being naturally better athletes? OR..is it they have developed better skills, are more experienced, and are better coached? (I agree with your assessment of Wright. He is a surefire HOF'er)
I'm hoping it is the latter and that with time the Xavier players will be able to play at that same level of expertise, and do it on a consistent basis not just once in awhile. (Oklahoma) I mean 'c'mon, Gillespie shot 8-8 in his free throws, that takes dedication and practice, not great physical talent. He basically won the game for them by doing that. X has had players in the past that performed at that level and they weren't always top 50 recruits. So I'm hoping that either Free or one/two of the freshman develop into that player over the next year or two.
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01-20-2021, 10:15 AM #284
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I think both. There are parts of X's current roster that is just not going to be at the level that Steele needs to play the game he wants to play right now. Carter is one of them. Carter does a lot of little things well and is a good defender, but he is not a good shooter, and quite frankly is pretty awful on the offensive end. I bet Steele would love to have a good stretch four to go along with Free, but the roster is limited in that aspect. I think Steele has adjusted in that aspect, from what I can tell, since the Seton Hall game and started to pound the ball inside a bit when shots aren't falling, and I think Steele has recognized a few gaps in the roster.
I'm rambling a bit, but I'll just sum it up as currently the roster is obviously less talented, less skilled and less experienced than Nova, which of course most teams are. I think Steele (and think he has done this a bit) needs to adjust his gameplan to reflect that a bit, in not going straight to the Nova gameplan that I think he wanted to at the beginning of the year.
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01-20-2021, 12:11 PM #285
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kind of crazy....of the 45 games that were scheduled tonight....16 of them were postponed. Brutal
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01-20-2021, 12:18 PM #286
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01-20-2021, 12:42 PM #287
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Winthrop Kelseys now 14-0
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01-20-2021, 12:45 PM #288
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01-20-2021, 12:54 PM #289
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After a hot start, including 14 against both Auburn & Kansas and 20 against VCU where he went 12-23 from 3 in those 3 games, Bishop has cooled off over the past five games where he's 10/31 from the field including 3/18 from 3.
Season Totals
GS/G Min PTs/Reb/Ast/TO FG%/3%/FT%
11/9 29 8.5/2.7/1.5/3.3 35.6%/31.0%/64.7%
But he's playing in the A10 and in his hometown so good for him and best of luck.Last edited by SM#24; 01-20-2021 at 01:08 PM.
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01-20-2021, 01:53 PM #290
I guess I’m more thinking about the younger players than someone like Carter or even Scruggs. I really think that with time and hard work that they can be just as good as anyone on the Nova roster. I expect Nova to continue to get top recruits for as long as Wright is there, but I hope that Xavier can get some to, and that with hard work and experience they will compete just fine. Steele wasn’t left with much to work with, but I’m happy with the first two recruiting classes.
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