Xavier Game Thread

Kick off to the new Big East season

Guy looks like Bar League player, but is a credible college player. Keep him off boards guys!

@StJohnsBBall: Xavier C Matt Stainbrook is this week's @bigeastconf Player of the Week. #SJUBB's D-Harrison was last week's. Tues. showdown on @FOXSports1!

Guy looks like Bar League player, but is a credible college player. Keep him off boards guys!

@StJohnsBBall: Xavier C Matt Stainbrook is this week's @bigeastconf Player of the Week. #SJUBB's D-Harrison was last week's. Tues. showdown on @FOXSports1!

He's a lock for a couple of easy put backs with our guys trying to block every interior shot from the weak side. 

Is Semaj definitely better than Rysheed?  Looking forward to this matchup

Stainbrook can be a problem for us. Fronting him will be important.  Maybe even help defending him at times.  He's big and good on offense and the boards.  We will use some zone looks this game.  Our shot blocking will be a problem for guys like Stainbrook if we can keep him from backing down Obekpa and getting easy buckets.  I think we will see some zone looks to get in their passing lanes and prevent dribble penetration as well as denying the post. 

While they have a few guys that can shoot, their biggest damage is done inside by Stainbrook, Christon and on the boards.  Need to rebound well in this one.

Maybe, God's Gift should get some minutes to lean on him and keep others out of foul trouble.

I enjoy the excitement of blocks by Chris, Karr & Dom and some come at momentum changing times. That said, too often they occur as a result of weak side help after a blow by. (Often case on other teams) I just hope sooner than later we get better at preventing penetration and play better on ball  defense.  Without that, IMO the number of blocks becomes "fools gold".  Not to single out Karr, but he made some timely & important blocks at the end of Columbia game. Prior to that, however, he struggled guarding his man. Confident he and others will get better at that. Sheed ironically IMO is one of best on ball defenders on the team.

I enjoy the excitement of blocks by Chris, Karr & Dom and some come at momentum changing times. That said, too often they occur as a result of weak side help after a blow by. (Often case on other teams) I just hope sooner than later we get better at preventing penetration and play better on ball  defense.  Without that, IMO the number of blocks becomes "fools gold".  Not to single out Karr, but he made some timely & important blocks at the end of Columbia game. Prior to that, however, he struggled guarding his man. Confident he and others will get better at that. Sheed ironically IMO is one of best on ball defenders on the team.

agree
Sampson - I read on hear that some were considering a his defense a liability . Sat 5 rows behind the bench vs Youngstown . Watched him closely. I thought he plays good defense. Probably takes to many chances, but I don't think he does that vs better teams.

Interesting critique of Xavier from an insider;

@rumbleSBN: Pre-Xavier Q and A with @BannersParkway. #sjubb opens Big East play tomorrow at noon. http://t.co/iuYyRi7pKu

Interesting critique of Xavier from an insider;

@rumbleSBN: Pre-Xavier Q and A with @BannersParkway. #sjubb opens Big East play tomorrow at noon. http://t.co/iuYyRi7pKu

"Stain Train" sounds like a really bad (or good---depending on your taste) porn movie.

Quote from: paultzman on December 30, 2013, 11:18:53 AM

I enjoy the excitement of blocks by Chris, Karr & Dom and some come at momentum changing times. That said, too often they occur as a result of weak side help after a blow by. (Often case on other teams) I just hope sooner than later we get better at preventing penetration and play better on ball  defense.  Without that, IMO the number of blocks becomes "fools gold".  Not to single out Karr, but he made some timely & important blocks at the end of Columbia game. Prior to that, however, he struggled guarding his man. Confident he and others will get better at that. Sheed ironically IMO is one of best on ball defenders on the team.

agree
Sampson - I read on hear that some were considering a his defense a liability . Sat 5 rows behind the bench vs Youngstown . Watched him closely. I thought he plays good defense. Probably takes to many chances, but I don't think he does that vs better teams.

I am one who believes Sampson is a defensive liability. He routinely gets beat off the dribble by guys that have no business going by him, he has no clue how to close out properly and he doesn't box out worth a damn. He should be an elite rebounder with his size and athleticism but he's not even close to being one. The only time he's useful on the defensive end is when he's protecting the rim from the help side against a driver

the 1-3-1 matchup zone i think will be critical tomorrow. 

Vegas has us +4.5 fwiw

I don't know much abut Xavier, so this is an educated guess but if they shoot it from deep as well as the stats indicate, I highly doubt we'll be playing much zone. IMHO we'll play man, sell out to deny the three, take our chances that they don't shoot a high percentage from two and try to keep them off the O boards. Rebounding will definitely be the key.

I don't know much abut Xavier, so this is an educated guess but if they shoot it from deep as well as the stats indicate, I highly doubt we'll be playing much zone. IMHO we'll play man, sell out to deny the three, take our chances that they don't shoot a high percentage from two and try to keep them off the O boards. Rebounding will definitely be the key.

They are not that type of team.  They thrive off penetration and kick-outs.  They aren't a type of team that ball reverses and jacks up shots.  Their 3pt shooting is good, but really created by ball penetration into the middle.  I do think we will see some zone for that reason.

@HolyLandofHoops: These are awesome! Everyone should've done this for today. "@darrenrovell: Back of new St John's basketball uniforms http://t.co/J0fdnKUbfx”

@darrenrovell: St. John's will debut these new Under Armour uniforms tonight http://t.co/CVS1Sz059x

two things - can someone post a picture of the new uniforms, I can't view Twitter at work..

Also, is the game being streamed online anywhere..?

@RogRubin: The St. John's game at Xavier is a sellout at Cintas Center (10,250). There's buzz about the game in Cincy: a sellout during intersession.

Why???

StJohnsBasketball ‏@StJohnsBBall
#SJUBB Starters: F Sampson, F Sanchez, C Achiuwa, G Harrison, G Greene IV. First time this season with this lineup.

Why???

StJohnsBasketball ‏@StJohnsBBall
#SJUBB Starters: F Sampson, F Sanchez, C Achiuwa, G Harrison, G Greene IV. First time this season with this lineup.

Anybody else concerned that Sheed isn't starting?

Quote from: Redstormy80 on December 31, 2013, 11:55:52 AM

Why???

StJohnsBasketball ‏@StJohnsBBall
#SJUBB Starters: F Sampson, F Sanchez, C Achiuwa, G Harrison, G Greene IV. First time this season with this lineup.

Anybody else concerned that Sheed isn't starting?

Must've had a bad few days of practice...