Travis Discussion

[xavierj]

Free throw shooting. Regressed. Three point shooting. Regressed. Turnover rate. Regressed. All facts.
Points, increased. Rebounds increased. But his minutes/useage to create those numbers are also way up.
A) He’s playing 11 more minutes a game, B) His useage rate has been increased by almost 7%
But his Offensive Rating has dropped by 2.5 points and his Net Rating has dropped by 3.4 points from 13.6 to 10.2.

Look. I’m not trying to disrespect Free. But the fact is that in a true comparison between he and Champagnie, who’s stats and ratings across every category have gone up this season, Champagnie wins as Most Improved player.

And, as I said numerous times, I love Free, but there are areas where he HAS regressed, but I don’t blame him totally either. I believe he’s been thrown into a role by Steele that is a bit too burdensome for a Sophomore. You can argue that it happened out of necessity because of injuries to others or other factors, and I’ll listen to that argument. The Steele strategy certainly has not helped the team record whereas Mike Anderson’s strategy with Julian, has.

Bottom line. In overall play, Free has “marginally” improved, but there is important regression in critical categories.
By all measures and metrics in matter of fact, Champagnie is the leagues Most Improved Player. I’m glad Free got some recognition, but as we all know in this and in life, awards don’t always reflect what’s real.

MOR you are trying too hard. Try to support the guys without looking for something to be disgruntled about. There is a lot to be concerned about with the team but worrying about a sophomore who has had a great year by all accounts is a little over the top. Could the guy from St John’s have been the sole winner? Sure he had a great year but at the end of the day so did Zach. He wasn’t perfect but he was pretty damn good at times. Probably asked to do too much out of necessity, but excited he is at Xavier. Hopefully he kicks ass in New York. If Zach was perfect in all areas he would probably be leaving after this year but he isn’t and has a lot to work on. That’s a good thing

[Masterofreality]

MOR you are trying too hard. Try to support the guys without looking for something to be disgruntled about. There is a lot to be concerned about with the team but worrying about a sophomore who has had a great year by all accounts is a little over the top. Could the guy from St John’s have been the sole winner? Sure he had a great year but at the end of the day so did Zach. He wasn’t perfect but he was pretty damn good at times. Probably asked to do too much out of necessity, but excited he is at Xavier. Hopefully he kicks ass in New York. If Zach was perfect in all areas he would probably be leaving after this year but he isn’t and has a lot to work on. That’s a good thing

Not trying too hard, or even trying at all. Just pointing out facts. Just like if Clifton Community College fans were fawning all over Sean Kilpatrick as a better college player than Tu Holloway. We’d be calling BS on that in volume.
Again, I love Free and glad he’s here, Glad he got a piece of hardware that will wind up in his basement some day, but whether it’s Xavier or a rival school, you gotta go with the facts and not fanboy fawning.

All I know is that Xavier needs to win Basketball games. And this coach had better stop with the Participation Trophy salesman talk and produce. Message Board fodder aside, that’s what counts.

[xavierj]

Not trying too hard, or even trying at all. Just pointing out facts. Just like if Clifton Community College fans were fawning all over Sean Kilpatrick as a better college player than Tu Holloway. We’d be calling BS on that in volume.
Again, I love Free and glad he’s here, Glad he got a piece of hardware that will wind up in his basement some day, but whether it’s Xavier or a rival school, you gotta go with the facts and not fanboy fawning.

All I know is that Xavier needs to win Basketball games. And this coach had better stop with the Participation Trophy salesman talk and produce. Message Board fodder aside, that’s what counts.

Yep and hopefully going forward this team can make shots. That is really going to determine if they win or lose. The shots they are taking are good looks. Players need to finish at the rim and make some damn freaking wide open looks. Coaches can’t do anything other than design plays to get them open looks and play the guys who are capable.

[Dblue]

Not trying too hard, or even trying at all. Just pointing out facts. Just like if Clifton Community College fans were fawning all over Sean Kilpatrick as a better college player than Tu Holloway. We’d be calling BS on that in volume.
Again, I love Free and glad he’s here, Glad he got a piece of hardware that will wind up in his basement some day, but whether it’s Xavier or a rival school, you gotta go with the facts and not fanboy fawning.

All I know is that Xavier needs to win Basketball games. And this coach had better stop with the Participation Trophy salesman talk and produce. Message Board fodder aside, that’s what counts.

You can find numbers to tell any story you want. The list of statistics mentioned earlier left Champagnie's regression in field goal percentage. Zach better than doubled two statistical categories, Champagnie didn't. This is why there is a vote by the coaches that have to scout and scheme against the players.

It doesn't take a fanboy to realize both players in their own way are deserving of considerations in the award. I don't understand a fan to argue against a tie in voting in defense of the player not on their team.

To each their own I guess!

[boozehound]

You can find numbers to tell any story you want. The list of statistics mentioned earlier left Champagnie's regression in field goal percentage. Zach better than doubled two statistical categories, Champagnie didn't. This is why there is a vote by the coaches that have to scout and scheme against the players.

It doesn't take a fanboy to realize both players in their own way are deserving of considerations in the award. I don't understand a fan to argue against a tie in voting in defense of the player not on their team.

To each their own I guess!

Also, again, this board didn't vote on the Most Improved Player. Opposing coaches did.

This whole discussion is downright bizarre. We have had a lot of absurd debates on this board, but this one is a hall of famer.

[SM#24]

but it just feels like Xavier got thrown a bone by the league

Why would the league coaches do that ? What is their motivation ?
Why pick out Xavier to receive a bone ?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Why the hell would the league be "throwing Xavier a bone" that makes literally zero sense. Xavier already had Free and Scruggs on 2nd team all conference and Jones on all freshman team. The idea that the BE coaches thought, "man you know what, we really feel bad Xavier didn't have a better season, let's throw them a bone and give Freemantle an aware he doesnt really deserve" is absurd.

What a strange argument.

[xu82]

Why the hell would the league be "throwing Xavier a bone" that makes literally zero sense. Xavier already had Free and Scruggs on 2nd team all conference and Jones on all freshman team. The idea that the BE coaches thought, "man you know what, we really feel bad Xavier didn't have a better season, let's throw them a bone and give Freemantle an aware he doesnt really deserve" is absurd.

What a strange argument.

Sometimes people just get blinded by their agenda, I guess.....

[boozehound]

Why the hell would the league be "throwing Xavier a bone" that makes literally zero sense. Xavier already had Free and Scruggs on 2nd team all conference and Jones on all freshman team. The idea that the BE coaches thought, "man you know what, we really feel bad Xavier didn't have a better season, let's throw them a bone and give Freemantle an aware he doesnt really deserve" is absurd.

What a strange argument.

Strange is definitely the correct word to describe it.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I want to be the first to welcome Pat Kelsey to Xavier. Welcome home and I hope you can keep the talent that we do have. I look forward to you bringing winning basketball back to Xavier. To coach Steele! YOU FN SUCK.