Xavier

College athlete, everyone | Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports The kings of almost winning almost won again. Xavier will look back on this game and see yet another chance that they let go begging. If there were a column for almost winning Q1 games, Xavier’s resume would look pretty good. There isn’t, though, and instead Xavier is just 7-8, 1-3 in the Big East, and steaming … [Read more...] about Xavier 75-80 UConn: Another one gets away

I think I remember this dunk missing. | Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports The Muskies have some interesting potential lineups available if they’re willing to get weird with it. There are some things we know about Xavier. One of them is that they’re not very good at scoring in the half court. The offense is currently 77th in the country in adjusted efficiency according to … [Read more...] about Should Xavier go small?

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?

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

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