Just a brutal loss because it's not like they just didn't show up. They played well enough to win, but just couldn't overcome the hot shooting. Even with that, they had their chances.
Would have been nice to foul at the end of the first half. I know it is easy to say now, but it is a lesson to learn. Every single play in these games is important, and that was a significant play. Overall, I don't think the coaching lost the game. Maybe they could have switched some minutes up. But Capel and this staff let these kids play through just about anything. It is just the style.
This is the rollercoaster ride of Xavier. A ton of minutes in three years and here we are still. He makes some amazing plays that no one else can, but he does that both ways. It just is what it is at this point. I had no problem with the last play. Justin gave it up because driving from 30 feet is just not his game yet. Despite how good he is. Xavier was the guy there. The defense was expecting a drive to the rim I am sure, so you can't ask for a better shot than that. Just didn't go. With how the Northwestern and first Syracuse game went, you had to figure that the luck would run out. It is just so hard to come back like that. There is zero margin for error in frantic comeback attempts like that.
Just feels like they need to find a way to get Nike more minutes. He fits athletically, and he does not force the issue. Would love to see him get more of a chance.
Credit to Karim, as that was his best offensive performance thus far. Just too bad it was in a losing effort.
Now it gets tough. The difference between 5-1 and 4-2 heading into Carolina is huge. At 5-1, feels like you are playing with house money. At 4-2, it feels a lot different. This is a program that has not been able to finish recently. In single games and seasons. It is crucial that this group keeps pushing forward because you have to wonder if/when doubt creeps in.
This team played some really good stretches on the defensive end in the first half. A few of them were elite. When they get into trouble, guys are just lunging and diving, taking unnecessary risks. It may look like great effort and hustle, but I think it is an area that they need to clean up. They have the personnel to be a good defensive team when they stay sound. It requires discipline and experience. There are just a few breakdowns each game that prevent them from being a really good defensive team.
Time to see where this team is at in a quick turnaround against a quality team. North Carolina isn't a great team, but they go four deep up front and have some athleticism in the back court.
Would have been nice to foul at the end of the first half. I know it is easy to say now, but it is a lesson to learn. Every single play in these games is important, and that was a significant play. Overall, I don't think the coaching lost the game. Maybe they could have switched some minutes up. But Capel and this staff let these kids play through just about anything. It is just the style.
This is the rollercoaster ride of Xavier. A ton of minutes in three years and here we are still. He makes some amazing plays that no one else can, but he does that both ways. It just is what it is at this point. I had no problem with the last play. Justin gave it up because driving from 30 feet is just not his game yet. Despite how good he is. Xavier was the guy there. The defense was expecting a drive to the rim I am sure, so you can't ask for a better shot than that. Just didn't go. With how the Northwestern and first Syracuse game went, you had to figure that the luck would run out. It is just so hard to come back like that. There is zero margin for error in frantic comeback attempts like that.
Just feels like they need to find a way to get Nike more minutes. He fits athletically, and he does not force the issue. Would love to see him get more of a chance.
Credit to Karim, as that was his best offensive performance thus far. Just too bad it was in a losing effort.
Now it gets tough. The difference between 5-1 and 4-2 heading into Carolina is huge. At 5-1, feels like you are playing with house money. At 4-2, it feels a lot different. This is a program that has not been able to finish recently. In single games and seasons. It is crucial that this group keeps pushing forward because you have to wonder if/when doubt creeps in.
This team played some really good stretches on the defensive end in the first half. A few of them were elite. When they get into trouble, guys are just lunging and diving, taking unnecessary risks. It may look like great effort and hustle, but I think it is an area that they need to clean up. They have the personnel to be a good defensive team when they stay sound. It requires discipline and experience. There are just a few breakdowns each game that prevent them from being a really good defensive team.
Time to see where this team is at in a quick turnaround against a quality team. North Carolina isn't a great team, but they go four deep up front and have some athleticism in the back court.
