UC @ XU Official GAME Discussion

[Thegreatone]

What does UC have to do to win the game? Will X go man to man or zone? I think zone gives us more problems than man to man but Xavier traditionally is a man to man team like us.

When Cash needs a break from running point and gaurding Holloway who gaurds Tu? Gynn? I guess in short spurts I am ok with it.

 

[ralph1950]

I do think X will win the game. I believe Mick is using the OOC to prepare for the Big East, the Cats you see now will not be the Cats you see when the Big East schedule starts. The game will probably go according to its usual script, XU will shoot about 28 free throws, UC will shoot about 12.

XU 68 UC 52.

 

[Thegreatone]

A huge factor last year was UC not following and the refs not calling fouls on us when Tu went crashing down the lane. Have to have that again.

 

[Btown Bearcat]

Ya well have to play great d atleast as good as second half at UG. And ovly. Well have to knock down our 3's as well. Whats the spread as of now anyway

 

[BearcatMick]

Just need to stick with Micks brilliant gameplan from last year and we should cruise.

Its really simple but our guys need to be focused. Do not let them or environment get inside our heads

 

[UCBearcats]

This is usually a close game, I can't remember the last time I saw XU beat UC by a landslide. I fear that it may happen this year. Based on what I've seen from this team so far this season I can't see a way that we beat XU or even keep the game close.

If Chris Mack is smart he will run a zone the entire game. Up to this point in the season we simply aren't a good team and as much as I hate to say it Xavier appears to be a good team.

If we play the way we played against UGA on Friday night we're going to get stomped. I put blind faith in the team before the UGA game and predicted we'd blow them out and Yancy would show up big.

XU - 64 / UC - 48

 

[BearcatAlum1]

This is usually a close game, I can't remember the last time I saw XU beat UC by a landslide. I fear that it may happen this year. Based on what I've seen from this team so far this season I can't see a way that we beat XU or even keep the game close.

If Chris Mack is smart he will run a zone the entire game. Up to this point in the season we simply aren't a good team and as much as I hate to say it Xavier appears to be a good team.

If we play the way we played against UGA on Friday night we're going to get stomped. I put blind faith in the team before the UGA game and predicted we'd blow them out and Yancy would show up big.

XU - 64 / UC - 48

1. I think Eggsavier scores in the 55-63 points range, so I agree with Eggs getting close to 64.

2. Our guards are bigger and strong than Eggsavier's guards. Dixon is a "big" 2 guard. Cash has about 2 inches on both Holloway and Lyons. We have the chance to influence many of their shots.

3. Zone may hurt or help us. We've shown the ability to knock down some 3s, and we have streaky shooters (Dixon, Killa and Cash). I would think a man-to-man defense is the best way to disrupt our offense and really make us work for shots.

I did see a great sense of urgency and effort in the UGA game. Yes, we played TERRIBLE for the first 20 minutes, but it was not from effort...just execution and sloppy turnovers.

 

[Thegreatone]

Will the enviroment help or hurt us?

They have very emotional gaurds. In previous years I would say they were too emotional.

Tu was throwing elbows and getting into with everyone. I think he got a T last year.

They seem to have that in check this year. SHowing incrediable mental toughness in 2 huge comebacks.

 

[DontMissHim]

I really expected Dez to be a huge player for Xavier this year (after his first 3 or 4 games) but it is clear when he went up against better competition, he is still a Freshman. He has not been able to defend very well- if X goes man to man SK (I think he is UC's 3?) can do work on him...I wouldn't be shocked to see Martin get more time this game as he is little taller and faster. (Martin got a lot more time last game...but, it could have been because X was down so much and they needed more shooters on the court)

Xavier was 4th in the country in rebounding (as of this past week). X will have to limit UC to one-and-done shots. That will be key.

Great1- I also question how the environment will affect UC. It could help or hurt, who knows. Also--is the 8 days off for UC a good thing or a bad thing? It will give the coaches a lot more time to break X down but will the players be rusty at all? or just well rested?

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Cincinnati's chance to win this game unfortunately lies with the officials. If they allow to the UC guards to be physical with Lyons and Holloway, Cincinnati has a good chance to win. Cashmere Wright cannot cover either one man up so they are going to have to be physical with them. The front court will also need to be physical with Xavier's guys and will need to hammer them on the boards to win. If they cannot be physical and a lot of ticky tack fouls are called, Xavier will live at the foul line and blow UC out.

 

[Thegreatone]

I really expected Dez to be a huge player for Xavier this year (after his first 3 or 4 games) but it is clear when he went up against better competition, he is still a Freshman. He has not been able to defend very well- if X goes man to man SK (I think he is UC's 3?) can do work on him...I wouldn't be shocked to see Martin get more time this game as he is little taller and faster. (Martin got a lot more time last game...but, it could have been because X was down so much and they needed more shooters on the court)

Xavier was 4th in the country in rebounding (as of this past week). X will have to limit UC to one-and-done shots. That will be key.

Great1- I also question how the environment will affect UC. It could help or hurt, who knows. Also--is the 8 days off for UC a good thing or a bad thing? It will give the coaches a lot more time to break X down but will the players be rusty at all? or just well rested?

I am terrified of Xaviers ability to rebound. Marshall killed us on the boards. X is much better than Marshall.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I am not worried in the least about this team coming out motivated to play. I am worried about execution and attention to detail.

Xavier's rebounding is inflated but impressive. Purdue starts 3 guards and Vandy is soft. They do get good position and crash the boards. However, "If" Cincinnati's bigs come to play I believe UC can win the battle down low. The guards have to match the X guards intensity in crashing the boards from the perimeter. Rebounding will be about effort in this game and Xavier has shown greater heart in the games I've watched, but I truly believe if UC can win the battle in the post they can win this game.

Cash has to show up to play and perform. He has to get out of his head and just let it go. Don't worry about a turnover, don't worry about a miss. Just play and let your natural ability take over.

I agree with BA1 that the size and strength of our guards could cause problems on the perimeter. X moves the ball well and the guards cannot over shift when the ball moves. Stay in front of Holloway and help. Frustrate him and you've seen the results.

Lastly don't let a bench player beat you!! If UC allows the X bench to score big they are done. Flip side, someone off the UC bench has to come up big. It could be Gaines rebounding, Sanders scoring, or Guyn steals but the bench has to contribute for UC to have a chance.

Statistically Xavier is better by a wide margin offensively nationally: Points UC 267th/X 83rd, Reb UC130th/X 10th, Assists UC 267th/X 103rd, FG% UC 163rd/X 49th. On paper it looks bad but this game isn't played on paper.

My heart will always pick the Bearcats. I can't cheer for Xavier even when they are in the tournament and the Cats aren't. I hate them more than a Bengals fan hates the Steelers. My head says Xavier by 12-14 by something in the 67-55 range. But my hatred for X and my heart is going to pick the Bearcats to upset an overconfident X team bent on revenge that will play too emotionally. Yancy and Mbodji are the difference, UC wins 64-60 and regains national respect.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Cash and Dion win or lose this game for us.

 

[BearcatMick]

Mick will have a great gameplan for saturday. Like living legend said, how will we respond in that environment is the key.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Cash and Dion win or lose this game for us.

Agree most of the time with you, and I agree Cash is a big key, but I believe the bigs win or lose this one. Do they rebound and block shots and win on the block.

Of course we have to have perimeter scoring. I'm hoping both hit a couple shots early for confidence.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Agree most of the time with you, and I agree Cash is a big key, but I believe the bigs win or lose this one. Do they rebound and block shots and win on the block.

Of course we have to have perimeter scoring. I'm hoping both hit a couple shots early for confidence.

Rebounding is key, no doubt.

I just feel like if Cash and Dion can lockdown their guard play, they are limited

 

[Kingsley Court]

Rebounding is key, no doubt.

I just feel like if Cash and Dion can lockdown their guard play, they are limited

The problem with that is, that's a huge IF. Also, this years X team is a lot different than last years. Last year, if you could shut down Tu, you could win the game. This year Lyons is a lot better than he was last year, and we have a bench. What I'm saying is, it will be difficult to stop both Lyons and Tu.

As a Xavier fan, I'm a little concerned with X's free throw shooting this year. It has been awful, and in a rivalry game you can kill a team if you hit free throws.

I've seen people suggest X go a zone against UC, I'm pretty sure Mack has stated he hates to play the zone, so I doubt we see much of it. Personally, I believe this game will come down to if UC can make shots or not. They have shown ability to hit some timely three's, but how consistent are they?


This game screams of a UC upset though, Xavier coming in top 10(maybe) and it's rival, UC coming in with a pair of surprising losses. I think the biggest reason it won't happen, is because of last years thumping Xavier took. Most of the team was in that building, they will want revenge.

 

[DontMissHim]

I am a bit surprised you guys don't think Gates is the key to the game. Especially with the way he dominated last year. I know you have to stop Xavier guards first- but I think he has to play like he did last year for UC to win. If the plan is to out play Xaviers back court- I don't think UC has a good chance. The game plan should be get Gates the ball.

 

[Thegreatone]

Xaviers bench is the biggest thing that scares me. Our benches have flopped in one year.

 

[bearcat jeff]

The problem with that is, that's a huge IF. Also, this years X team is a lot different than last years. Last year, if you could shut down Tu, you could win the game. This year Lyons is a lot better than he was last year, and we have a bench. What I'm saying is, it will be difficult to stop both Lyons and Tu.

As a Xavier fan, I'm a little concerned with X's free throw shooting this year. It has been awful, and in a rivalry game you can kill a team if you hit free throws.

I've seen people suggest X go a zone against UC, I'm pretty sure Mack has stated he hates to play the zone, so I doubt we see much of it. Personally, I believe this game will come down to if UC can make shots or not. They have shown ability to hit some timely three's, but how consistent are they?


This game screams of a UC upset though, Xavier coming in top 10(maybe) and it's rival, UC coming in with a pair of surprising losses. I think the biggest reason it won't happen, is because of last years thumping Xavier took. Most of the team was in that building, they will want revenge.

I can see them coming into this game way overconfident and set on revenge instead of playing. I agree it has the making of an upset. There have been some things fall the nameless schools way this season. I also think their schedule is overrated to this point. One off night from outside they lose.