Xavier 99-69 ODU: Lastly, basketball is enjoyable once more

If you learn us persistently (thanks), you’ll have observed we had an editorial distinction this week. On Monday, I argued that Xavier is most profitable after they make three pointers and aren’t proficient sufficient elsewhere to surrender on that. One of Joel’s keys to the sport, alternatively, was to assault Old Dominion’s pitiful inside offense.

Today, the Musketeers sided with me. They are, in some way, nonetheless shockingly unhealthy at making photographs from near the bucket. Plenty of occasions that might be the story of the sport. It wasn’t tonight, although, as a result of they launched a 3 level barrage.

The crew was 16-36 from behind the arc tonight. That is each a whole lot of makes an attempt and a whole lot of makes. The first went down with 15:06 to play within the first, the final with 3:46 to go within the sport. In between these occasions, Tre Carroll, Filip Borovicanin, All Wright, Roddie Anderson, and Jovan Milicevic all made threes. (Xavier additionally had three guys mix to go 0-8.) That was the story of the sport. ODU got here in with a horrible protection, they left ranked 295th.

If that makes it sound too simple, that’s as a result of it actually type of was. With 13:42 to play within the first half, X was up ten. Five minutes later they had been up 20. ODU made a 9-0 run that absolutely had each Xavier fan watching (from dwelling, apparently, given the banks of empty seats seen) considering that this one was going to show into one thing like the primary two video games had been: a morass of unhealthy photographs and mediocre protection. It didn’t. At the half the Musketeers led by 22.

Xavier solely received the second half by eight, however ODU by no means threatened to make it a sport. For the primary time within the Richard Pitino period, Xavier simply buried a crew. Yes, this can be a crew the Musketeers ought to bury. Yes, ODU could be very unhealthy. Yes, this was a purchase sport in the course of November. Tonight, although, Xavier did what they wanted to do. It was enjoyable to observe. Basketball like that is good.

Xavier must make threes

X received this sport regardless of going a frankly depressing 17-36 contained in the arc. Filip Borovicanin (9/5/7) performed like some extent ahead, however went 2-5 contained in the arc. Tre Carroll (20/7/5) and All Wright (20/1/4) had been each a really serviceable 4-6 from inside and had been 7-10 on the rim. The crew was in some way 2-5 on dunks. Right now, these guys are hapless contained in the arc. You can cowl all that, although, by chucking it from a budget seats.

Something is improper with Triple M

Malik Messina Moore (1/7/8) was one thing of a reverse Allan Houston tonight. He did every part aside from make photographs. He has not made a two level shot in his final 81 minutes of basketball. In that span his taking pictures line is 0-5/2-8/4-8. He regarded like an absolute offensive weapon for 2 video games. That’s what he was introduced her to be. Today he was helpful, however he wants to attain.

Xavier lastly rebounded the ball

The Musketeers grabbed 50% of their very own misses and 76% of ODU’s, which had been plentiful. X has been a foul rebounding crew this season, however they made a really apparent concerted effort to get on the glass tonight. Tre Carroll led the way in which by following each shot to the glass. It’s not fairly, however it works.