It was a big win, so why not keep talking about it?
This discussion started the day of the game and went (only during breaks and lunches!) as all of us worked Sunday. Here’s a few more thoughts from Xavier’s massive bubble win.
Bryan: That’s 5 in a row for a team that didn’t look like even a bubble team sitting at 9-7 after getting run out of their own building. Today, the building was rocking, the team was locked in, and the uniforms were absolutely gorgeous.
Xavier’s guards were on a different planet than Creighton’s today. McKnight was electric in the first half and deferred more in the second, Foster only shot 3 times but had 3 boards, 5 assists, a block, a steal, and no turnovers, and Conwell and Maddox were both red hot throughout the game. They also shut down Ashworth and Neal, who combined for 19 points on 7/21 from the floor. I think the backcourt set the time today by emphatically answering the bell and making Creighton play at their pace.
Brad: When we went up 22 and then promptly trimmed that to eight I was thinking about the pod and talking about being terrified with big leads. I think the guards were instrumental, like you said. They didn’t wilt in this one, they just bounced off the mat throwing haymakers.
And, man, Zach Freemantle. What a game.
Bryan: I thought it was weird how much Creighton let him take over before they switched Kalkbrenner onto him. I didn’t think the strategy of letting him get scalding hot before attempting to stop him would work and sure enough it didn’t. 8-8 inside the arc. That is insane.
Joel: I felt like we had a really good defensive game plan. The Guards were phenomenal in putting Ashworth et al under pressure to keep them from feeding Kalkbrenner where he wanted it. Hugley and Hunter were excellent in their combined 19 first half minutes; Big John didn’t even attempt a shot, but his ability to put a big body in Kalkbrenner’s way was pivotal. Hunter’s energy kept things ticking over while Swain struggled to find his feet and Freemantle rested on the bench.
Whatever hack wrote the recap didn’t make much mention of it, but 6 turnovers all game is staggering. I know Creighton doesn’t force many of them, but posting a team TO% of 9.1% is incredible. We did a great job of not committing unforced errors, especially in the first half.
Braydan: Big John seemed like a larger version of Jerome today. The dude just fought in the paint and was daring the refs to call him for the assaults he was committing.
I think Conwell showed he can score in more ways than just shooting from deep today. He was able to get to the rim when the offense stalled out a few times and then hit a big three after Creighton had cut the lead to 8. I’ve criticized him for looking one dimensional on offense at time, but he flashed a lot more of his game today.
If I were an opposing coach, I’d be tempted to leave Dante Maddox wide open for catch-and-shoot threes. He’s automatic when he dribbles into one off of a ball screen, and it doesn’t seem to matter if his defender chases, cheats under, or taps him on the head.
Bryan: A week from now the hay will be in the barn as far as the regular season goes. Both Butler and Providence will be pretty keen to play spoiler so these last two games are far from a foregone conclusion, but if Xavier gets the job done this week how will you feel heading into MSG with a Q1 game awaiting?
Braydan: At this point, I think you gotta feel pretty good. No one on the bubble got a win as good as we did yesterday, and several teams took losses. I think that first game at MSG would be a chance for us to lock a bid up.
Brad: We only moved up three spots in the NET, which is a little surprising to me given the big bumps we got in the other metrics. Win the next two and that number might creep up a little more. I’m not fully ready to talk BET yet. At Butler worries me.
Bryan: I do think Hinkle will probably be pretty packed with people hoping to celebrate Xavier’s downfall. X hasn’t won there since 2022 when Kunk dropped 25 on them.
With all that being said, if the team that just hammered Creighton shows up, they are more than capable of snapping the losing streak in that venue