Reviewing Xavier

[XUFan09]

During the all-access game it seemed like Steele was overcoaching during timeouts, drawing up plays all the time. Almost seemed panicked or unprepared. Mac just talked and the players gave their thoughts.

It's only overcoaching if the players are savvy enough to do good things by themselves. These guys weren't. He had to repeatedly call plays and actions so that they could do something semi-effective on offense.

[Xudash]

X this year had too many redundant pieces. A lot of athletic, tough guys who didn't have high basketball IQs and who couldn't shoot. A lot of people wanted them to play fast-paced on offense, but frankly, I didn't trust their decision-making in that regard and a fast pace on offense would lead to fast breaks the other way rather than a grind-it-out halfcourt defense. The team still generally got more good looks than their opponents, but so many of their opponents were better at putting the ball in the hoop. Miss an open layup on one end, give up a contested three on the other end. Rinse. Repeat.

The junior class was supposed to have two shooters, neither of which worked out, and the sophomore class was a nightmare recruiting year when they were after shooters and high-IQ guys in that class but whiffed repeatedly. The freshman class had a couple of okay IQ guys who could shoot it, but Tandy, the one who really helped in shooting, was out of of practice for a month at the beginning of the season and thus behind developmentally the whole season. Basically, this team had a bunch of dudes that I'd love to have on my team... but not all at the same time. Next year with the 2020 guys will do a lot to balance the roster out. They are high IQ guys, one who can really shoot it and the other two who aren't supposed to be terrible in that regard.

Exactly. I mentioned Odom and CJ Wilcher in my earlier post and failed to mention the third stud recruit in the class: Colby Jones.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2020/03/17/meet-xavier-basketball-signee-colby-jones-who-joins-xu-next-season/5058232002/

[OmahaGuy]

I didn't list him in my review as I didn't believe he was a significant player. But Dontarius James transferring means that Xavier's 2018 recruiting class is now all gone per Xavier beat writer Shannon Russell.

[XUFan09]

I didn't list him in my review as I didn't believe he was a significant player. But Dontarius James transferring means that Xavier's 2018 recruiting class is now all gone per Xavier beat writer Shannon Russell.

Yep. I wish X was able to snag a sit-out transfer last year for class balance, because at best, James was likely a bench player as a senior if he stayed. If the NCAA is able to meet to vote on the one-time transfer rule, maybe they can get an immediately eligible rising junior this offseason.

[gtmoBlue]

Always want to hear your POV Xuperman. Gumby's take is spot on, Xudash's take is well thought out, and "oh niner" (XUfan09) adds significant value to the discussions. However, there is always room for fans with Xpertise to chime in with
their perspective. Let's hear your 2 cents.

Gumby writes a great post. But, like Fieldhouseflyer, FlyerFanatic, ChicagoJayfan, and Mr. Marsh, their post are more thesis' than posts. Any Xavier discussion is not complete without
inputs from you and my boy the DudeAnon. Your inputs are more akin to a dissertation: The bulk of the information in a dissertation is attributed to you. Keep posting.

[Xuperman]

Always want to hear your POV Xuperman. Gumby's take is spot on, Xudash's take is well thought out, and "oh niner" (XUfan09) adds significant value to the discussions. However, there is always room for fans with Xpertise to chime in with
their perspective. Let's hear your 2 cents.

Hey GTMO, I can bring you up to speed on X in a fairly succinct manor....there's still a POST-MACK hangover.

A surprising number of locals are foolishly preparing their torches and pitchforks with an eye on Travis Steele (ala Lavall Jordan last year and your own Coach McD in the past).

The impact of Steele/staff's recruiting prowess is just beginning and I am predicting that a new "Nova" style dominance will engulf the BEast and college BBall as a whole.

Just staying true to form for your amusement in these dark days of the CROVID-19.

[Wizard of Westroads]

During the all-access game it seemed like Steele was overcoaching during timeouts, drawing up plays all the time. Almost seemed panicked or unprepared. Mac just talked and the players gave their thoughts.

It's only overcoaching if the players are savvy enough to do good things by themselves. These guys weren't. He had to repeatedly call plays and actions so that they could do something semi-effective on offense.

Good to have an X perspective on it. I also thought he talked too much in huddles, players looked like their eyes were glazed over.

[Novachap]

Always want to hear your POV Xuperman. Gumby's take is spot on, Xudash's take is well thought out, and "oh niner" (XUfan09) adds significant value to the discussions. However, there is always room for fans with Xpertise to chime in with
their perspective. Let's hear your 2 cents.

Hey GTMO, I can bring you up to speed on X in a fairly succinct manor....there's still a POST-MACK hangover.

A surprising number of locals are foolishly preparing their torches and pitchforks with an eye on Travis Steele (ala Lavall Jordan last year and your own Coach McD in the past).

The impact of Steele/staff's recruiting prowess is just beginning and I am predicting that a new "Nova" style dominance will engulf the BEast and college BBall as a whole.

Just staying true to form for your amusement in these dark days of the CROVID-19.

There's my man XUP!!!!

[XUFan09]

During the all-access game it seemed like Steele was overcoaching during timeouts, drawing up plays all the time. Almost seemed panicked or unprepared. Mac just talked and the players gave their thoughts.

It's only overcoaching if the players are savvy enough to do good things by themselves. These guys weren't. He had to repeatedly call plays and actions so that they could do something semi-effective on offense.

Good to have an X perspective on it. I also thought he talked too much in huddles, players looked like their eyes were glazed over.

Yeah, it made it rough. Marshall and Scruggs just aren't high IQ guys who you can rely on to freestyle and make good decisions. Goodin's decision-making when no longer surrounded by shooters was suspect the past two years (which also coincided with the time he's been a dad, so his head likely wasn't totally in it). More importantly, Goodin really dropped off over the course of this season, when he has been the one guy who can really make the offense move well. Then, these three have fairly redundant rather than complimentary skillsets.

[Xuperman]

The impact of Steele/staff's recruiting prowess is just beginning and I am predicting that a new "Nova" style dominance will engulf the BEast and college BBall as a whole.

Just staying true to form for your amusement in these dark days of the CROVID-19.

There's my man XUP!!!!

No doubt...never too early to crank up the hyperbole machine!

Seriously though, it's blatantly obvious that Coach Steele is building toward a Jay Wright style approach based on our incoming trio of recruits. All 3 are multi-tooled playmakers with elite scoring ability. All 3 are known to be very effective defenders as well. Not to mention that they all have solid reputations of possessing extremely high BBall IQs.......sound familiar?

BTW, I think all 3 graduated at the top of their class....which is nice.