This shot? Not in the net. | Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports Things aren’t great for Xavier, but they may not be as bleak as you think. Let’s start with the very simple: Xavier needs to start winning games. Close losses to Purdue, Houston, and Villanova may be encouraging, but all they are doing is burnishing an NIT resume right now. X is 53rd in the NET, 41st in KenPom, and … [Read more...] about What’s in the NET today?
The gap between knowing and feeling
Carter Skaggs/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK What was in our heads in September is now before our eyes in January. It's not fun. Souley Boum, 16.4/4.3/4.3 Zach Freemantle, 15.2/8.1/2.9 Colby Jones, 15.0/5.7/4.4 Jack Nunge, 14.2/7.8/2.1 Adam Kunkel, 10.9/2.7/3.0 Jerome Hunter, 7.8/4.4/1.3 There were 7,425 minutes played for Xavier last season; the above players … [Read more...] about The gap between knowing and feeling
The dichotomy of Des Claude
This resulted in a missed layup | Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports Des Claude has been better than he was last year and not good enough for this team. Imagine, just for a moment, you are Des Claude. You’re a preternaturally gifted 6-6, 203 force of physical nature. You’re strong, fast, and all your connective tissue is still at least a decade from hurting when you wake up. … [Read more...] about The dichotomy of Des Claude
Xavier @ Villanova: Preview, matchups, and keys to the game
Poseidon may not be going the way of Atlantis after all | Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images Xavier is finally back on the hardwood with both a test and an opportunity. Remember back before Christmas? It seems like a long time ago now, given the craziness that accompanies the holidays, but it hasn’t been so long since Xavier was hammering Seton Hall. The Musketeers … [Read more...] about Xavier @ Villanova: Preview, matchups, and keys to the game
Xavier loses a huge chance at Villanova
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports Chances like this don’t come along often, and Xavier just threw one away. Sometimes games come down to one moment. Xavier held Villanova to one of their last 10 from the floor. The Musketeers fought their way back on the road against one of the top teams in the conference. They went stone cold, went down double digits, and fought all the way … [Read more...] about Xavier loses a huge chance at Villanova