Lets Talk Matchups

[Thegreatone]

(PG) Cash vs Holloway

Advantage: Holloway

Reason: Cashmere Wright has been damn solid this year. He hasn't turned the ball over and has shot very well at over 40 percent from the 3 point line. However, Holloway has been very impressive this year. Averaging over 20 ppg this year is tops of all players in the game. If there is a weakness it is shooting from deep. Shoots below 30 percent. Holloway has the uncanny ability to get to the paint and to the line.

(SG) Dion vs Lyons

Advantage: Dion Dixon

Reason: Lyons is a good athlete that has the ability to score. He seems to be very inconsistent however. He could be a wild care in the game. If Lyons hits 3's and scores the ball it will really help X's chances. I think most would agree Dion has the edge though. He has been rock solid this year. He is shooting just around 40 percent from deep. He is UC best player at getting to the paint and getting on the line. Will probably match up against Holloway on defense.

(SF) Rashad vs Dante Jackson

Advantage: Jackson

Reason: Rashad Bishop has been playing better this year. He is hitting about 40 percent of his 3 point shot and is UC's best defender. I would give the rebounding edge to Bishop as well. So why Jackson? Jackson seems to always play well in this game. I fully expect him to bring it. Bishop has been T'd up the last 2 shootouts and feel he could be bothered by the intensity.

(PF) Ibrihima Thomas vs Mclean

Advantage: Thomas

Reason: I don't think this is a big advantage because I see them as very similar players. Thomas just has 3 or 4 inches of height. Both rebound very well and provide some length. I don't think either are great on offense. But both can make the scrap points.

(C) Yancy Gates vs Frease

Advantage: Gates

Reason: Defense. Yancy has been very good defensively this year guarding the goal. His jump shot is much much improved. Kenny Frease has made huge improvements as well. He has laid a couple eggs but for the most part has been very impressive. Looks more comfortable this year. I have watched Kenny play this year and the reason I give Yancy the edge is because of the rebounding. I have seen X really struggle stopping other teams big men and keeping them off the boards.

Bench:

Xavier - Their key reserves are Andrew Taylor, Jeff Robinson, Kevin Feeny, Griffen McKenzie.

Taylor has started this year. To be completely honest he will be able to provide some breathers and be a good hustle guy but won't be able to do much offensively and will struggle to guard our bigs. Jeff Robinson is a solid reserve. McKenzie will be a non factor. He can shoot a little bit but isn't a very good athlete and will be unable to guard Yancy or Thomas. He might be able to stay with Jackson but that would still be a stretch.

Cincinnati - Our key reserves are Sean Kilpatrick, Justin Jackson, Larry Davis, Darnell Wilks and Jaquon Parker.

All average 10 minutes or more a game. Kilpatrick and Davis both shoot above 40 percent from 3. Larry has been a huge spark plug this year. He is scoring the ball well and playing very good on D. Larry will be guarding Holloway off and on to make sure he is being worked the entire game. Justin Jackson will be used in the press to cause havoc and will but I don't see him getting a ton of minutes.

Advantage: Huge in UC's favor

What do you guys think?

 

[ralph1950]

The only X player who would start for UC is TU Holloway. UC has the better basketball players and athletes. X will resort to dirty tactics, Chris Mack was a dirty player who once threw a basketball intentionally into a Dayton players face. There is a saying that a team reflects the personality of it's coach. Chris Mack is a jerk, Mick Cronin is a classy guy.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

The only X player who would start for UC is TU Holloway. UC has the better basketball players and athletes. X will resort to dirty tactics, Chris Mack was a dirty player who once threw a basketball intentionally into a Dayton players face. There is a saying that a team reflects the personality of it's coach. Chris Mack is a jerk, Mick Cronin is a classy guy.

Your shits getting old. Stop posting stupid ass shit. No one cares about Chris Mack throwing a ball at someones face. No one cares that X player close lined a guy.


Id throw, larry, dion, cash, all at Holloway. He will play 40 minutes and we need fresh guyes coming at him all game. Stopping him will have alot to do with yancy and thomas remaining straight up when he drives.

Keeping Yancy out of foul trouble is very important imo.

 

[MDW79]

Agree on everything other than the Bishop-Jackson match-up. I think at best (meaning Jackson actually can make a few shots) it's a PUSH.

Definitely think all the others are correct. Even if they're able to match up somehow, I think their lack of depth will kill them. We've been crushing people with our bench play (I still want it shortened) and I expect us to just wear them down.

 

[ralph1950]

Your shits getting old. Stop posting stupid ass shit. No one cares about Chris Mack throwing a ball at someones face. No one cares that X player close lined a guy.


Id throw, larry, dion, cash, all at Holloway. He will play 40 minutes and we need fresh guyes coming at him all game. Stopping him will have alot to do with yancy and thomas remaining straight up when he drives.

Keeping Yancy out of foul trouble is very important imo.

How dirty X plays is a big factor. You going to feel the same way if an X player clothes lines Cash Wright and he is lost for the season or if Lurch dirts up on Yancy and Yancy gets ejected for retaliating.

 

[JasonS]

Agree on everything other than the Bishop-Jackson match-up. I think at best (meaning Jackson actually can make a few shots) it's a PUSH.

Definitely think all the others are correct. Even if they're able to match up somehow, I think their lack of depth will kill them. We've been crushing people with our bench play (I still want it shortened) and I expect us to just wear them down.

Mick did shorten it a bit against Seton Hall. I don't recall seeing much of Parker. Seemed like the bench was Wilks, SK, and Larry for the most part. Biggie only played at the end due to foul trouble. Jackson played a little also. If the rotation stays around 8-9, I think that will work out well for the team. I don't care who the 8-9 are as long as they are effective.

 

[MDW79]

Mick did shorten it a bit against Seton Hall. I don't recall seeing much of Parker. Seemed like the bench was Wilks, SK, and Larry for the most part. Biggie only played at the end due to foul trouble. Jackson played a little also. If the rotation stays around 8-9, I think that will work out well for the team. I don't care who the 8-9 are as long as they are effective.

This is probably an entirely different discussion, but I'm not a fan of when Dixon runs point for an extended period. It seems when we try to go big, it's mainly to keep Wilks in at times. I know what Mick said about Cash getting iso'd, but there was a stretch where I was screaming to get Cash back in there, and move Dixon back over. I've been more than happy with Wilks and Davis' play thus far, but I think we may be getting a little too sub happy in trying to get them so many minutes.

We'll see, it's working i have no complaints. I just wonder how it will shake out later in BE play. (Does Davis' minutes eat into Killa's rhythm? Does Wilks, on the floor with Dixon running point cause more TO's?, etc.)

 

[TheLivingLegend]

How dirty X plays is a big factor. You going to feel the same way if an X player clothes lines Cash Wright and he is lost for the season or if Lurch dirts up on Yancy and Yancy gets ejected for retaliating.

Ill live with physical play. Advantage us.

 

[CDS86]

Anyone see the matchup "column" on the Enquirer's site written by the XU blogger? Good for a rofl if you have the stomach.

 

[nparker1]

I question the matchup of Thomas vs McLean. If Thomas continues his strong play as of late, he should take the matchup. However, McLean is a very solid and fundamentally sound big man. It will be a good matchup to watch.

 

[swg]

Not bad analysis.

I would like to see UC pound it inside and get them in foul trouble.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Not bad analysis.

I would like to see UC pound it inside and get them in foul trouble.

I think they definately need to make this a halfcourt game and try to utilize Gates inside as much as possible. Unfortunately in our half court sets Gates spends all his time on the perimeter setting screens. He's rarely set up down low and I'll never understand that. Anyone can set a screen, why bring your big man out to do it?

 

[swg]

I would sit Gates up high and have him try to get by a slow Frease.

 

[JasonS]

I would sit Gates up high and have him try to get by a slow Frease.

Run a high post offense like when Kenyon was here. Get him the ball at the free throw line and clear out. 1 on 1. I like this idea. Good call swg.

 

[Daniel Drake]

Freeze has been playing better lately. Hopefully Dixon and others driving to the hoop can get him in foul trouble.

 

[psax889906]

I think they definately need to make this a halfcourt game and try to utilize Gates inside as much as possible.

Why make it a half court game when 5 guys for X average 30+ minutes a game? They will be exhausted with 10:00 to go in the 2nd half if UC presses them all game and picks their spots to run in transition. I say unleash the hounds.

 

[DontMissHim]

Not bad analysis.

I would like to see UC pound it inside and get them in foul trouble.

Get Xaviers big in foul trouble- win the game. The team is head and shoulders better with Frease on the court. He has gotten into foul trouble a lot- in fact the past 2-3 games he has been coming off bench so he stays out of early foul trouble.

 

[bearcat jeff]

These are the things I think this game will be determined by:

1) Yancy Gates needs to come motivated. He needs to play smart and use his quickness and athleticism to score close to the basket. He also needs to keep his feet on head fakes defensively.

2) Thomas needs to rebound. Period. He must play tough on the boards and finish close.

3) Prevent penetration. When the Bearcats get up their perimeter D lacks at times. 40 minutes of good on the ball defense. The guards defensive play will be big. look for a lot of rotation defensively to wear Tu/Lyons down. They will play some sit down defense in this game.

4) Move the ball. Take good shots, especially when shooting behind the arc.

5) Keep Xavier off the foul line. I think that Cincinnati will win this game. If Xavier wins the free throw battle they'll stay close. Then anything can happen when you have Holloway.

I'm going on record predicting a Bearcat win in this game. Not because I'm a Bearcat fan, but because I think Cincinnati is a better team this season playing at home. Xavier will be very motivated, especially if Cincinnati is ranked. This is typically an intense game and I think that's a factor. Intensity and emotion wear on you physically. The UC bench gives them an edge.The Bearcats are hungary and want to prove a point. I think you will see a strong 40 minute effort. If UC gets up by double digits late it could get ugly. However, I think it'll be a back and forth game with UC taking control in the last 10 minutes and wins by 6-8 points. I'll say Cincinnati wins 68-62.

 

[swg]

I see UC winning this game. They are rolling, while X is reeling.

 

[ucswais]

We can have all the advantages in the world in this matchup, but someone has to contain Tu. If he is beating our press, penetrating our defense, and scoring 25 points, not much else will matter.

If I had to simplify this game, I'd say Tu either goes off and carries X or they lose. The problem we have is, he is very capable of doing that and I'm not entirely convinced Cash can/will do anything about it. Maybe he can, he just hasn't really proven yet that he can shut down a really good guard.

Like everyone else, I'd like to see the Cats win by pounding it inside, but I can also see Dixon and SK having big days off the dribble. If Yancy or Thomas aren't having success inside, we need to be able to score other ways as well. I like our offense in this regard. Plan A can be to score inside, but if they shut that down we can score pretty well off the bounce or with jump shots. Our offense needs to be efficient against X though because they won't be playing all zone and missing box outs constantly like a lot of our recent opponents.