Pilchard
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On Saturday, our Deacs return from exam week to play #28 Xavier led by 2nd-year coach Travis Steele.
This season: After missing out on the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2013, the Teers are off to strong 9-1 start this season. While their record is impressive, their schedule has been soft as they have only played 4 top 140 teams, going 3-1 in those game, with wins over #56 Missouri in OT, #52 UCONN in double OT and #49 Cincy by 7. Their loss was to #36 Florida by 5. Xavier's strength is on D (#15) as they can force TOs (#67), defend outside the arc (28% 3 PT D #29) and inside the paint (44% 2 PT D #55). The Xavier offense (#52) has been spotty as they have been poor behind the arc (28% #309) and from the line (67% #242). They do hit the offensive boards hard, rebounding 33% of their misses (#58), and the bulk of their points come inside (52% from 2). Xavier plays at a moderate pace -- #153.
The lineup: Xavier is big and experienced. All starters are juniors and seniors: 6-4 Paul Scruggs Sr., 6-4 Quentin Goodin Sr., 6-7 Naji Marshall Jr., 6-8 Jason Carter (Ohio transfer) Jr., 6-9 Tyrique Jones Sr. Off the bench, Xavier relies on 6-3 Sr. Bryce Moore (W Michigan transfer) and 6-9 Frosh Zach Freemantle. The 6-7 Marshall is Xavier's leading scorer and best player. Marshall is coming off a 31 point game against Cincy when he took 22 shots, including 11 3s. Jones (54% from 2), Marshall (58% from 2), Scruggs (68% from 2) all like to take it to the rack. Moore is their best 3 point shooter (36%), but the Xmen have had trouble scoring from deep all year.
The bottom line: KP projects a 72-69 Xavier win. Looks like the game will be close as Xavier has played 6 games against top 200 teams, and 5 of them have been decided by 7 or less. Both teams are offensively challenged and outside of WF's last two losses (against teams better than their rating IMO), WF has played decent defense this year. WF will need to defend inside the arc and keep Xavier off the glass (WF is #25 in defending against offensive boards), and keep Naji Marshall from going off. Xavier is poor FT shooting team, which could come into play in a close game. Got a feeling the Deacs play well on Saturday, and pull off the win as a slight home doggie.
This season: After missing out on the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2013, the Teers are off to strong 9-1 start this season. While their record is impressive, their schedule has been soft as they have only played 4 top 140 teams, going 3-1 in those game, with wins over #56 Missouri in OT, #52 UCONN in double OT and #49 Cincy by 7. Their loss was to #36 Florida by 5. Xavier's strength is on D (#15) as they can force TOs (#67), defend outside the arc (28% 3 PT D #29) and inside the paint (44% 2 PT D #55). The Xavier offense (#52) has been spotty as they have been poor behind the arc (28% #309) and from the line (67% #242). They do hit the offensive boards hard, rebounding 33% of their misses (#58), and the bulk of their points come inside (52% from 2). Xavier plays at a moderate pace -- #153.
The lineup: Xavier is big and experienced. All starters are juniors and seniors: 6-4 Paul Scruggs Sr., 6-4 Quentin Goodin Sr., 6-7 Naji Marshall Jr., 6-8 Jason Carter (Ohio transfer) Jr., 6-9 Tyrique Jones Sr. Off the bench, Xavier relies on 6-3 Sr. Bryce Moore (W Michigan transfer) and 6-9 Frosh Zach Freemantle. The 6-7 Marshall is Xavier's leading scorer and best player. Marshall is coming off a 31 point game against Cincy when he took 22 shots, including 11 3s. Jones (54% from 2), Marshall (58% from 2), Scruggs (68% from 2) all like to take it to the rack. Moore is their best 3 point shooter (36%), but the Xmen have had trouble scoring from deep all year.
The bottom line: KP projects a 72-69 Xavier win. Looks like the game will be close as Xavier has played 6 games against top 200 teams, and 5 of them have been decided by 7 or less. Both teams are offensively challenged and outside of WF's last two losses (against teams better than their rating IMO), WF has played decent defense this year. WF will need to defend inside the arc and keep Xavier off the glass (WF is #25 in defending against offensive boards), and keep Naji Marshall from going off. Xavier is poor FT shooting team, which could come into play in a close game. Got a feeling the Deacs play well on Saturday, and pull off the win as a slight home doggie.