Xavier

[jacobkdoyle]

They are 16-10. They have lost 3 out of 5, just like us. I'd be surprised (not sure if that's the right word anymore when talking about this team) if we lost 2 straight home games. Last time we were coming off of a rough loss, we won @SMU. I just need to see the effort. I'm willing to start there for now. I wonder if we'll shake up the starting lineup. I think we should. And I think we should play man defense in this one. Xavier is a good passing and shooting team and they're going to kill us if we are late on our rotations in zone. No matter how upsetting the game was yesterday, we still have greater things to play for. And it starts again on Wednesday. Another gut check type game. If we can't get up for this one, then I will officially launch the "The Sky is Falling" thread! No score prediction bc I've looked awfully silly on those lately.

 

[Bulldog01]

I'll seriously start this line up against X

DeBerry
Ellis
Clark
Cobb
Caupain

 

[cincrulz11]

I'm worried about what we do with Stainbrook. He's too powerful for Ellis and if we double him he's a really good passer.


Xavier can shoot the 3 sometimes. They are extremely hot and cold and have only shot 29.6% from 3 in conference play, but they tend to shoot really hot against us.


Reynolds is likely to try to start something and we can't react to it. He has 7 technicals on the season and does a lot of punk things after the play. We have to be above it.

 

[Mcginnjw]

I'll seriously start this line up against X

DeBerry
Ellis
Clark
Cobb
Caupain

What happens when Deberry and Ellis pick up quick fouls?

 

[TheLivingLegend]

UC is not a good team right now... I am mot expecting much.

 

[TNBearcat3]

Guys, X isn't that good right now either. I would argue that they have some L's that are on par with ours if not worse. I think we can frustrate them with our athleticism. They suck defensively, we suck offensively. Something has to give. One thing is for sure, you never know in this game.

 

[BCM]

I promise to do my part and beat down anyone in the student section sporting XU wear, better yet I'll intercept them in the concourse and burn their ticket so they can't get in

 

[UCalum08]

I promise to do my part and beat down anyone in the student section sporting XU wear, better yet I'll intercept them in the concourse and burn their ticket so they can't get in

That's what I am talking about!!!

 

[MTBU225]

I'm worried about what we do with Stainbrook. He's too powerful for Ellis and if we double him he's a really good passer.


Xavier can shoot the 3 sometimes. They are extremely hot and cold and have only shot 29.6% from 3 in conference play, but they tend to shoot really hot against us.


Reynolds is likely to try to start something and we can't react to it. He has 7 technicals on the season and does a lot of punk things after the play. We have to be above it.

I think Deberry is our obvious matchup with Stainbrook if Ellis can't handle him.

My two biggest concerns for this game are:
1. Larry Davis not making adjustments as needed on defense. Aka against VCU (I know it was his first game...), but still he kept playing a zone for a long long time even after they kept nailing 3's. If XU gets hot from 3 we need to leave the zone and play man or it could turn ugly if our offense is off. Hopefully if we play man though we move our feet on defense and not let them blow by us....

2. Is anybody else worried about Ellis's temper? He has done a very good job remaining composed this year but there have been a couple times he's made me nervous. The second SMU game he was getting very frustrated, and the play when he "tweaked his knee", when he fell he kinda kicked out awkwardly when he went to the ground and then held his knee (looked like his kick out was a purposeful move". Then he got up and limped away and started to fall and the ref tried to help him and he almost shoved the ref which would be an ejection..... I'm just worried X will try to nettle him. Hope he keeps his cool and his teammates are there to keep him composed.

That being said I hope we whoop them and end this slump!!

 

[BCM]

Yeah I'm hoping something really bad doesn't happen during or at the end of this game, although it is nearing the end of the season so ESPN won't be able to harp on it for very long if it does.

 

[TNBearcat3]

I think Ellis is just a naturally emotional guy. He's matured since his first time here, and I don't think he would mess this 2nd chance up. He seems very thankful for being back and I don't think he takes it lightly. With that said with this game and rivalry anything is possible good or bad. You just never know, I hope we beat them by about 50 and the only thing that is hurt is the XU ego.

 

[Bulldog01]

What happens when Deberry and Ellis pick up quick fouls?

Worry bout that when happens. How many times have they fouled out this year? Clark is same size if not bigger than both JJ and rubles. I think he'll do fine if not better at the 5

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

Yeah I'm hoping something really bad doesn't happen during or at the end of this game, although it is nearing the end of the season so ESPN won't be able to harp on it for very long if it does.

I thought they were stupid to start a fight when we had Yancy, but with DeBerry? Stainbrook would lose his head and not have to drive for Uber any more

 

[bearcat jeff]

I would start Deberry and Clark and bring Ellis off the bench because he can play the 4 or 5. You can't have all three in at the same time because you're simply too thin on the front line right now.

I'd consider starting Morman at the 2. I think he's earned some playing time and he's aggressive toward the basket. Don't know what has happened to his ft shooting though.

This game will be very hard played and if we lose the rebounding battle again we will lose the game. Rebounds and turnovers will decide this. I think it'll be a great game. Just not sure this team has what it takes to win a rivalry game in their hearts right now, but I can't go against the Cats and for X. I think UC wins 66-62.

 

[BCM]

I thought they were stupid to start a fight when we had Yancy, but with DeBerry? Stainbrook would lose his head and not have to drive for Uber any more

Oh my god I love it, maybe he'll dunk him through the rim

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

I've got my money on UC to win this one and next year's. I cannot wait until Wednesday. I HATE that other school taking up space in our majestic city. Just looking at Chris Mack makes me uncomfortable. I am sick and tired of hearing X fans bragging about being in the "Big East" and how we aren't in a real conference any more. We need to start taking back this series and consistently winning it. Andddd maybe letting DeBerry throw a few Gronks out there

 

[Bearcat22]

I would start Deberry and Clark and bring Ellis off the bench because he can play the 4 or 5. You can't have all three in at the same time because you're simply too thin on the front line right now.

I'd consider starting Morman at the 2. I think he's earned some playing time and he's aggressive toward the basket. Don't know what has happened to his ft shooting though.

This game will be very hard played and if we lose the rebounding battle again we will lose the game. Rebounds and turnovers will decide this. I think it'll be a great game. Just not sure this team has what it takes to win a rivalry game in their hearts right now, but I can't go against the Cats and for X. I think UC wins 66-62.

I like the idea of Ellis off the bench for the reason you mentioned of being able to sub in at the 4 or 5. He could quickly spell either in the event Clark or DeBerry picks up a quick foul. One thing to watch is Deberry's minutes since stamina wise he's good in stretches but needs rest. DeBerry's strength could hopefully help wear Stainbrook out, like a boxer landing body blows early and seeing the results later in the fight.

Caupain, Cobb, and Johnson (or some combination of them) need to step up and create chances. X doesn't defend the 3 point line well. It would be a nice game for Cobb to get hot.

X always has some unexpected player have the game of his life against us. We need that for the Cats this year and maybe Sanders or Shaq can deliver it.

 

[jacobkdoyle]

I like the idea of Ellis off the bench for the reason you mentioned of being able to sub in at the 4 or 5. He could quickly spell either in the event Clark or DeBerry picks up a quick foul. One thing to watch is Deberry's minutes since stamina wise he's good in stretches but needs rest. DeBerry's strength could hopefully help wear Stainbrook out, like a boxer landing body blows early and seeing the results later in the fight.

Caupain, Cobb, and Johnson (or some combination of them) need to step up and create chances. X doesn't defend the 3 point line well. It would be a nice game for Cobb to get hot.

X always has some unexpected player have the game of his life against us. We need that for the Cats this year and maybe Sanders or Shaq can deliver it.

I could see JP Macura going 15-15 from 3. He's averaging 6 ppg and under 30% from 3. He's my candidate to be the random guy who has the game of his life. It obviously wouldn't make any sense if that happened, but that's the point, right?

 

[Bearcat22]

I could see JP Macura going 15-15 from 3. He's averaging 6 ppg and under 30% from 3. He's my candidate to be the random guy who has the game of his life. It obviously wouldn't make any sense if that happened, but that's the point, right?

I was thinking that exact same person.

 

[handwaver]

realistic

I don't think UC has a prayer. Cats are playing like absolute crap - Xavier has struggled lately too, but they have more weapons....UC might stop a few, but not all.

The key stats are these: They have turned the ball over 303 times, while scoring 1988 pts.

The Cats have turned the ball over 331 times, while scoring 1543 pt.

X Assist/TO = 447/303
UC = 288/331

If, by some miracle, UC can handle the ball & limit the gifts, they might have a shot, but I don't hold out much hope.

Sorry to be such a downer, but this team has crapped on every flowering of optimism I've had this year. I'm starting to expect failure as a defense mechanism against the pain of dashed hopes.

The one ray of sunshine I have is from a negative incident. I wonder (and this is based on no knowledge whatsoever), if Moore's suspension will rally the team. Or, perhaps a problem has been removed that will have a positive bounce. He might be a wonderful young man - I have no idea - his teammates might love him, again, no idea. Just from observing his demeanor, as others have posted, he seems removed, distant, sulking half the time. That does not foster team chemistry or provide the fire and sense of shared purpose that winning requires.

I hope I'm an idiot with this prediction, and if so, will gladly be called such (and embrace it), but I predict X 72 - 54