Game Thread: Xavier v. TCU (12/5/2024)

[bleedXblue]

13 was his season high for attempts. He's still averaging about 44% overall, but did not have a good percentage of shots against either South Carolina or SC State either. Would like to see him be more of a facilitator the next couple of games because you know everyone else is going to key in on him.

I know Dayvion is 10-for-23 overall, but there was a 4-for-4 outlier against IU-Indy in there. Otherwise he's shooting at about a 33% clip.

He's pretty one dimensional. Dont get me wrong. Hes our best shooter. It would be nice to see a little more variety in his game including setting guys up for better, higher percentage shots.

[XUBison]

Sean did not forget how to coach. We have a talent problem. $3 million? We are not big, we’re not long, we are not athletic. I was at the Fort Myers games, and this could not have been more evident. We have essentially turned the roster over each of the last two years. I don’t see a single NBA player on this roster. That’s not gonna get it done.

[waggy]

We have a talent problem.

I agree. As I watch other games, X just doesn't look as good. There is no way a top 30 team struggles to put away 6 or 7 cupcakes.

Wasn't it floated a year or so ago that Graham Ike was $200K? Seems like a bargain now.

[xukeith]

Looks like X needs to develop some system or identity that works and can be relied upon night in and night out for winning.
Opponents are quickly realizing X is easy to guard and there is not much of a threat from X shooting lights out in BE play.
X has to get better . Maddox improved off the bench Thursday. Hoe that continues with Hunter also giving 8-10 points an 5-7 rebounds.
Sean Miller and X coaches had to of known that this year's team is guardable and limited.
Maybe Freemantle can improve his shooting and pull defenders out to chase him. Surely Swain should drive on his man and get fouled or layup a ton of shots.
Conwell has been given the green light at anytime to shoot a three. He can be more picky and hoipefully find some wide open players not being guarded.
Hugely? Maybe January will be his coming to reality month.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Not sure I agree we have as big a talent limitation as above comments indicate. First, NBA level talent is not a requirement to fielding a solid team. It helps for sure but there are plenty of championship teams that have none on their roster. And there were plenty of talent laden teams that didn't win championships.

Second, many of the players on our roster excelled at prior schools. You may argue that excelling at the lower levels at which Toledo, Furman or Indiana State compete, is not sufficient evidence of being able to excel in the Big East. I say, maybe, but plenty of talented players emerge out of these schools every year and do well at higher levels. Souly came from UTEP. Olivari played at Rice. Lots more examples many of us can identify.

So, I don't subscribe to the argument that our lousy play reflects lack of talent. Our lousy play reflects just that.......lousy play. Our guys have been intimidated, they have made stupid mistakes, and they have failed to take advantage of opportunities. The problem is how they have performed not their innate level of skill. Some of the responsibility for this lies with Miller but most of it rests on the players themselves. At TCU, Hunter missed a critical free throw and incurred a dumb foul down the stretch. McKnight disappeared for spans and Conwell, as noted, took multiple poor shots. That's not a talent issue. That's just dumb ass basketball.

[Xville]

Completely disagree there is a talent problem. Swain is a draft pick unless every nba scout is wrong. Everyone wanted conwell. Major teams wanted
Maddox. Free is a 1st team be selection. Dayvion was an absolute stud last year. I don’t understand what some of you all are talking about.

Are we small? Yes. But there isn’t a talent problem.

[xukeith]

Completely disagree there is a talent problem. Swain is a draft pick unless every nba scout is wrong. Everyone wanted conwell. Major teams wanted
Maddox. Free is a 1st team be selection. Dayvion was an absolute stud last year. I don’t understand what some of you all are talking about.

Are we small? Yes. But there isn’t a talent problem.

Is it chemistry? Might there not be an alpha dog to lead this team? Is it lack of reps playing as a unit? URI's Miller is doing a great job this season with his patchwork of transfers. Is it the pressure defenses? Lack of depth? What can be fixed so X can win more often and not get pounded by BE or UC?

[Xville]

Is it chemistry? Might there not be an alpha dog to lead this team? Is it lack of reps playing as a unit? URI's Miller is doing a great job this season with his patchwork of transfers. Is it the pressure defenses? Lack of depth? What can be fixed so X can win more often and not get pounded by BE or UC?

I think guys having to play out of position is one issue. I think chemistry could be an issue or maybe the puzzles aren’t fitting together right now. I do think not having a real 5 is an issue.

Outside of that, I honestly think it’s coaching at this point. I love miller, but right now, he’s not pushing the right buttons for whatever reason. I’d like to see a lineup change, a change in defense. Some damn motion on offense instead of just doing the stupid weave thing and then jacking up a three offense we are running. The players need to execute better, and the coaches need to do a better job.

[xudash]

Completely disagree there is a talent problem. Swain is a draft pick unless every nba scout is wrong. Everyone wanted conwell. Major teams wanted
Maddox. Free is a 1st team be selection. Dayvion was an absolute stud last year. I don’t understand what some of you all are talking about.

Are we small? Yes. But there isn’t a talent problem.

I’m glad you posted this.

We are nowhere near where we are supposed to be, but I did not see that as being the issue.

[Xavier]

In general it’s been rough, but I actually thought the offense finally looked good in the 2nd half. Thought the ball movement was much faster, and it in general a lot more movement from everyone. Caused open looks and put up 40+ in the half against a top 40 Defense. I’m choosing to hold a small amount of hope that despite the loss, they found a litttle something in that 2nd half to fix the half court offense.

I know I’m generally more optimistic though. Thought there was a couple good things from the game. Swain slightly more aggressive attacking the paint, Maddox play, and overall offense in the 2nd. Admittedly I get brought back down rather quickly knowing Santa Clara beat tcu by 17. Yikes