Georgetown - Xavier 2/21/18 Discussion

[DanMcQ]

Words for thought.

I expect a home win - will be there in person to witness it.

[FrazierFanatic]

We have proven that we can now play with (almost) any team in the Big East. Defend, rebound, value the ball and we will have a nice little 3-game win streak going.

[jwp91]

This W would be very nice.

[njhoya78]

[FrazierFanatic]

Part of me wishes we didn't have this break in our schedule just when we seem to be hitting our stride. Although I guess:

1. It gives Patrick some extra time to pound the recruiting trail;

2. It gives the players a little breather to get some schoolwork done, to heal up the little bumps and bruises, and to work on the deficiencies that still pop up every game; and

3. It gives Patrick a chance to work them in practice to keep the players from becoming even a little complacent after our string of better play against better teams.

[bamahoya11]

Feb 14, 2018 16:29:50 GMT -5 FrazierFanatic said:

Part of me wishes we didn't have this break in our schedule just when we seem to be hitting our stride. Although I guess:

1. It gives Patrick some extra time to pound the recruiting trail;

2. It gives the players a little breather to get some schoolwork done, to heal up the little bumps and bruises, and to work on the deficiencies that still pop up every game; and

3. It gives Patrick a chance to work them in practice to keep the players from becoming even a little complacent after our string of better play against better teams.

I used to hate having time off between games because I thought it messed with our rhythm, but I think it helps this team for a lot of reasons. First, I do think as you suggest one thing that Ewing has done really well is develop the team over time in practice. Although the Creighton game was a step forward, I thought our biggest progress came in the week after the Creighton game before we went to Xavier. We clawed into a game against Creighton, but we really out played Xavier. I think a week off here gives us a chance to get better. Second, our key players really can use the rest. So much is made over guard play that folks forget that we really have no depth behind Govan, Derrickson, and as he has improved, Pickett. We are asking for a lot out of them. I thought Jessie looked fresher pretty soon after a week off, and Derrickson has as well. I actually think this schedule sets up nicely for them.

And then finally, the week off gives fans a week to learn about this game. This game is our biggest home game in several years, with a chance to show what we have learned against a legitimate Final Four contender. I don't know that this weeknight 6:30 game would've drawn as much interest without a week to really think about it. I'm already trying to change up my schedule so I can be there.

[dchoya72]

Feb 14, 2018 16:29:50 GMT -5 FrazierFanatic said:

Part of me wishes we didn't have this break in our schedule just when we seem to be hitting our stride. Although I guess:

1. It gives Patrick some extra time to pound the recruiting trail;

2. It gives the players a little breather to get some schoolwork done, to heal up the little bumps and bruises, and to work on the deficiencies that still pop up every game; and

3. It gives Patrick a chance to work them in practice to keep the players from becoming even a little complacent after our string of better play against better teams.

I think you're correct! It also gives time for coaches to reinforce what they are doing right. The team is playing better together.

[vv83]

Xavier is so due for a loss. They have won a ton of close games this season. Even vs. Seton Hall last night - they could have blown a huge lead at home if Seton Hall was not coming apart at the seams. If Xavier beats Villanova (game is in cinci) on saturday, I think they will be completely primed for a loss against us on Wednesday. Of course, they also could easily beat us by 20 if we revert to our high turnover form.

On another note: does it seem like something is not quite right with Macura this year? From the stretches of Xavier games I have watched this year, He does not seem to be getting as many looks offensively, he is spending more time on the bench. His scoring is only down about 2 points per game, his shooting percentages are about the same, and he is down about 4 minutes of playing time per game. But in recent weeks, he just has not seemed to be as dynamic a player or had as much impact on games. He has always felt like the driving emotional force of that team, in an abrasive, in your face, punkish way. He has not even seemed quite as obnoxious in some of the games I have watched this year. maybe I am way off and have just seen a small sample size of Xavier games during stretches when Macura was simply not playing quite as well. But I think they need Macura in full "jerk" mode, flying around and making things happen (mostly good things, but also more than his share of bad things), to play at their best.

[drquigley]

Hate to say this but if Blueit plays like he did last night very few teams will beat Xavier. I think key to this game will be containing him.

[glidehoyas (Inactive)]

Feb 14, 2018 16:29:50 GMT -5 FrazierFanatic said:

Part of me wishes we didn't have this break in our schedule just when we seem to be hitting our stride. Although I guess:

1. It gives Patrick some extra time to pound the recruiting trail;

2. It gives the players a little breather to get some schoolwork done, to heal up the little bumps and bruises, and to work on the deficiencies that still pop up every game; and

3. It gives Patrick a chance to work them in practice to keep the players from becoming even a little complacent after our string of better play against better teams.

So true..

[glidehoyas (Inactive)]

Feb 15, 2018 8:26:01 GMT -5 vv83 said:

Xavier is so due for a loss. They have won a ton of close games this season. Even vs. Seton Hall last night - they could have blown a huge lead at home if Seton Hall was not coming apart at the seams. If Xavier beats Villanova (game is in cinci) on saturday, I think they will be completely primed for a loss against us on Wednesday. Of course, they also could easily beat us by 20 if we revert to our high turnover form.

On another note: does it seem like something is not quite right with Macura this year? From the stretches of Xavier games I have watched this year, He does not seem to be getting as many looks offensively, he is spending more time on the bench. His scoring is only down about 2 points per game, his shooting percentages are about the same, and he is down about 4 minutes of playing time per game. But in recent weeks, he just has not seemed to be as dynamic a player or had as much impact on games. He has always felt like the driving emotional force of that team, in an abrasive, in your face, punkish way. He has not even seemed quite as obnoxious in some of the games I have watched this year. maybe I am way off and have just seen a small sample size of Xavier games during stretches when Macura was simply not playing quite as well. But I think they need Macura in full "jerk" mode, flying around and making things happen (mostly good things, but also more than his share of bad things), to play at their best.

True...I think his coach told him to tone it down, but hey that's Mac he jaws at you. That's his game. But...

[saxagael]

Limiting out Bluiett is going to be key as is getting Kanter in foul trouble early. Having Kaleb on Bluiett seems like a good defensive option, where we go beyond Kaleb is a question mark, unless it is Derrickson, or Pickett have a breakthrough day on defense. A liberal use of Walker on Kanter to get him in foul trouble and get him flustered could also be good. Derrickson did a good job on Kanter last game.

[Nevada Hoya]

It seems as if the Hoyas have greatly improved since their embarrassment vs Nova. They haven't won all those games, but they have been in all those games. I hope their performance continues to grow and they can beat X.

[jester]

A lot needs to go right in this game for us to win, but for us as a fanbase to think it can be competitive says a lot about the general direction Hoyas are heading in, and after losing LJ Peak, Tre Campbell, Sodom, Copeland, Agau, a slew of BIg East losses early, our PG transfer in Dickerson struggling early, and a wait and see approach with Ewing, certainly many had very little hopes for an interesting Big East tournament. I think given our last seven games and how close they were, anything can happen.

[glidehoyas (Inactive)]

Feb 15, 2018 10:32:49 GMT -5 saxagael said:

Limiting out Bluiett is going to be key as is getting Kanter in foul trouble early. Having Kaleb on Bluiett seems like a good defensive option, where we go beyond Kaleb is a question mark, unless it is Derrickson, or Pickett have a breakthrough day on defense. A liberal use of Walker on Kanter to get him in foul trouble and get him flustered could also be good. Derrickson did a good job on Kanter last game.

Yes, indeed game strategy should be for our point guard to pound the ball into the post and to go at Kanter and get him into foul trouble early. This will also get the Hoyas into the bonus to get to the free throw line to win the first half. Same with the second half.

[veilside21]

Their strengths seems to be our weakness before but our strength specially the confidence of derrickson is something they need to figure out. we already know that bluiett is playing great but we have guards that can defend.

I also think that we fare better after we lost to an opponent like how we did against butler and seton hall, i expect that we grind this out like the last time but the output hopefully would be ours.

[mdtd]

If we can control Bluiett then we have a shot. We'd need to make sure another one of their players can't catch fire. Macura and Goodin work. Personally, I think we can handle Macura well, and perhaps Goodin. Off the bench, I'm really worried about a big game from Paul Scruggs. I think if Bluiett is off, we need to control Scruggs. Their bigs are good, but ours should outscore them offensively. If we rebound well and defend well, we can win this game. Getting the crowd involved is key. This is winnable, just not likely. If Blueitt and Scruggs have bad games, we can win this game. Just need to play smart and hit shots. Now, we need to take our season one game at a time. If the Hoyas look forward to a game, like NOVA, they will lose the games before. Now, if we win this game, we have post season play looking good. But, this is a key win. Now support these Hoyas and lets hope we pull of the upset! Hoya Saxa!

[ewingitrust]

Our game vs Xavier will be big whether Xavier wins or loses against Nova today. A win over a top 5 team will reverberate nationally, in recruiting circles as well in perception of the program.

[glidehoyas (Inactive)]

Off the record here. Tremont Waters does ot again. Hits the game winner vs. Mizzou. The thing about it he calls for the ball to win games. Cold blooded.

[glidehoyas (Inactive)]

One game at a time.