Banners On The Parkway - Xavier v. Seton HallYour only remaining free source for Xavier Musketeers newshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47177/banners-fave.png2016-01-23T23:13:08-05:00http://www.bannersontheparkway.com/rss/stream/105821972016-01-23T23:13:08-05:002016-01-23T23:13:08-05:00Xavier 84-76 Seton Hall: Recap
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<img alt="James Farr turned the Cintas Center into buffet today." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7eUTuehCMtdYFtmetlfKDnowhgM=/0x0:4333x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48627981/usa-today-9072697.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>James Farr turned the Cintas Center into buffet today. | Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Xavier once again stopped the losing streak at one by outlasting Seton Hall with a relentless attack down low.</p> <p>Coming off their first home loss of the season, Xavier needed someone to answer the bell underneath the basket where what had been the team's strongest point was turning into an area of concern. For today at least, James Farr put those nerves at ease with one of the most dominant performances by a Xavier big the Cintas Center has ever seen. In doing so, Xavier moved back into a tie for second place in the Big East, and reminded the world that they are competing for a top seed come Selection Sunday.</p>
<p>Things started pretty slowly for X again in this one, with Seton Hall grabbing the early momentum and leading by 5 after 4 minutes. It would take a 10-3 run for Xavier to establish their first lead as the offense that had sputtered against Georgetown took its time to get going today as well.</p>
<p>One early positive sign was the foul trouble of the reigning Big East Freshman of the Year Angel Delgado who, although unlikely to defend that particular title, was a major part of the Seton Hall gameplan with his rebounding abilities at both ends of the court. Xavier already had a deeper group of bigs with whom Seton Hall was sure to have their hands full, but having their best interior scorer and offensive rebounder in foul trouble all afternoon made it a much taller task for the Pirates.</p>
<p>Seton Hall's plan to beat Xavier clearly centered around keeping Farr and Reynolds from beating them in the post, but from the 10 minute mark, when the Pirates led 16-14, to the 7:21 mark, Sophomore Sean O'Mara would give Seton Hall the fits they were expecting out of the pair of more heralded bigs on Xavier's roster. He would get it started by tying the game with a lay in before taking Xavier back in front with a titanic dunk off of a Larry Austin feed.</p>
<p>At the other end he would block a shot and claim the rebound before getting another block to begin a fast break from Myles Davis's timely three pointer to put Xavier back up by 2. He ended the stretch with another board, setting up a pair of James Farr free throws to extend the lead. All in all, it was a passage of play when Reynolds was in foul trouble, Farr needed a breather, and O'Mara stepped in and grabbed the game by the neck when Xavier needed a run.</p>
<p>After Xavier pushed the lead to 6 with 5 minutes left, Desi Rodriguez, who was the only Pirate to display a competent understanding of how to beat a 1-3-1 zone, would fuel a 10-3 run with 8 points of his own to put Seton Hall back up 1 in the span of just 2 and a half minutes.</p>
<p>After another particularly timely three from Myles Davis, Xavier would lead by two with 14 second left when JP Macura would make another scrappy play in a season where that is becoming his defining trait, and free up Edmond Sumner for the highlight reel dunk and a 4 point Xavier lead at half time. It was at times a struggle on the offensive end in the first half, but Farr had 10 points, Delgado had foul trouble, and Xavier had the momentum going into the break, despite 0 points from their leading scorer.</p>
<p>Xavier was the first team to punch out of the break, rattling off 5 points in their first pair of trips down the court through Sumner and Farr, but the first four minute war would belong to Seton Hall, who cut the Musketeers lead all the way to a single point at the 15:57 mark. Over the next minute and a half, little would change as the Pirates refused to go quietly and Farr pour home a couple of baskets to keep them at bay. Xavier was working on surviving the Pirates best shot in the second half, while trying to muster up one of their own to get the Cintas crowd back into the game.</p>
<p>At exactly 14 minutes, Angel Delgado picked up his third foul and headed to the bench. Over the next 5:30, Xavier would use their dominance of the low post through O'Mara and Reynolds, plus 7 points from the lively again Trevon Bluiett to effectively salt the game away, going on a 15-3 run to run their lead out to a game-high 15. Even when Delgado re-entered in the midst of Xavier grabbing the momentum there was little to be done.</p>
<p>The Musketeers turned the screws on defense, leading to turnovers and poor shot selection as during the game's defining stretch, Seton Hall would go away from Rodriguez, who went 10-11 from inside the arc on the day, and Isaiah Whitehead would go 0-3 with 2 turnovers. Xavier, meanwhile, got some of the production they were missing in the first half from Reynolds and Bluiett and took the game over.</p>
<p>Despite not scoring in the game's deciding run, Farr was pivotal for Xavier down the stretch, as his 5-6 from the line helped keep Seton Hall from cutting the lead back to single digits. First a three from Khadeen Carrington cut it to 11 before Farr answered from the line. Next Whitehead would connect from three to cut it to 10 before Edmond Sumner would get a three point play to keep X's lead comfortable at the under-4.</p>
<p>The final response needed was when Carrington cut it back to 10 with a three with 3 minutes remaining. Sumner would drive from the left wing and fire a pass from the middle of the lane to the left block, where Farr was waiting to hit a little jumper and cap off a magnificent performance. Seton Hall would get the last 4 points of the game, but Xavier's depth and unselfishness paid off in the second half, as the ball found the hot hand time and time again and X pulled away for another Big East win.</p>
https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2016/1/23/10821256/xavier-84-76-seton-hall-recapBryan D2016-01-23T22:56:18-05:002016-01-23T22:56:18-05:00Xavier v. Seton Hall: players' postgame presser<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lo1TqocBRRo" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>James, Ed, and Tre answer questions. Video credit to GoXavier.com and/or Cliff Jenkins/Xavier.</p></p></div>
https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2016/1/23/10821378/xavier-v-seton-hall-players-postgame-presserJoel D2016-01-23T22:30:52-05:002016-01-23T22:30:52-05:00Xavier v. Seton Hall: coach's postgame presser<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nvs0iL59S-k" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Coach Mack seems pleased with the team's effort today. I was pleased with the result. Coach Mack and I disagree on Kevin Willard's coaching prowess. Video credit to GoXavier.com and/or Cliff Jenkins/Xavier.</p></p></div>
https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2016/1/23/10821320/xavier-v-seton-hall-coachs-postgame-presserJoel D2016-01-23T22:14:52-05:002016-01-23T22:14:52-05:00Xavier v. Seton Hall: Coach Mack's postgame radio interview<iframe width="100%" height="450" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/243444224&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;visual=true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Coach Mack sits down with Byron and Joe to talk about today's win over Seton Hall.</p></p></div>
https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2016/1/23/10821284/xavier-v-seton-hall-coach-macks-postgame-radio-interviewJoel D2016-01-23T08:00:02-05:002016-01-23T08:00:02-05:00The Seton Hall fan's guide to Xavier basketball
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SsNO7EyGyzMZalHbpj_AHhT-KNU=/0x421:3456x2725/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48623735/usa-today-9067274.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Bounce back game or the beginning of a skid? Your guess is as good as mine!</p> <p>Hello Pirates fans. Do you feel like Kevin Willard is making it up as he goes along? We kind of get that impression from the outside looking in, but maybe that's just an illusion. Anyway, we're not here to talk about that; we're here to pull back the curtain on what Xavier does so you'll have some idea what to expect when the ball goes up. Let's get started, yes?</p>
<h3>Xavier personnel</h3>
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<th align="center">NO.</th> <th align="center">NAME</th> <th align="center">YR.</th> <th align="center">POS.</th> <th align="center">HT.</th> <th align="center">WT.</th> <th align="center">PPG</th> <th align="center">RPG</th> <th align="center">APG</th> <th align="center">FG%</th> <th align="center">3P%</th> <th align="center">FT%</th> <th align="center">NOTES</th>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">STARTERS</td>
<td align="center"></td>
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<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center"><span>Edmond Sumner</span></td>
<td align="center">Fr.</td>
<td align="center">G</td>
<td align="center">6'6"</td>
<td align="center">183</td>
<td align="center">11.2</td>
<td align="center">3.1</td>
<td align="center">3.3</td>
<td align="center">.422</td>
<td align="center">.381</td>
<td align="center">.682</td>
<td align="center">Injured against Nova, Ed has been back for a couple of games now. A dynamic guard who can really slice through defenses, he's got as much potential as anyone on the roster. Can shoot if left open. Really clogs passing lanes on defense.</td>
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<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center"><span>Myles Davis</span></td>
<td align="center">Jr.</td>
<td align="center">G</td>
<td align="center">6'2"</td>
<td align="center">188</td>
<td align="center">11.1</td>
<td align="center">3.4</td>
<td align="center">3.5</td>
<td align="center">.405</td>
<td align="center">.405</td>
<td align="center">.900</td>
<td align="center">Best shooter on the team and their emotional leader. Not afraid of the big moment on the offensive end. Can slide over and run the point, but at his best when he's off the ball.</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center"><span>Remy Abell</span></td>
<td align="center">Sr.</td>
<td align="center">G</td>
<td align="center">6'4"</td>
<td align="center">197</td>
<td align="center">6.7</td>
<td align="center">1.7</td>
<td align="center">2.1</td>
<td align="center">.398</td>
<td align="center">.350</td>
<td align="center">.744</td>
<td align="center">At his most effective when he lets open shots come to him. Doesn't need to score much to help the team. Very good on-ball defender.</td>
</tr>
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<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center"><span>Trevon Bluiett</span></td>
<td align="center">So.</td>
<td align="center">G/F</td>
<td align="center">6'6"</td>
<td align="center">208</td>
<td align="center">15.4</td>
<td align="center">6.9</td>
<td align="center">2.3</td>
<td align="center">.410</td>
<td align="center">.391</td>
<td align="center">.814</td>
<td align="center">Versatile scorer who can get a lot of baskets without forcing his way into the game. Has a really quick release. Can knock down jumpers from anywhere, including the mid-range. Has worked hard to improve defense and rebounding.</td>
</tr>
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<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center"><span>Jalen Reynolds</span></td>
<td align="center">Jr.</td>
<td align="center">F</td>
<td align="center">6'10"</td>
<td align="center">238</td>
<td align="center">9.6</td>
<td align="center">6.6</td>
<td align="center">0.7</td>
<td align="center">.524</td>
<td align="center">.400</td>
<td align="center">.656</td>
<td align="center">Disruptive defensive force in the middle of the 1-3-1 zone. At his best with Farr also on the court. His production has been disappointing to a fanbase that was hoping he'd break out.</td>
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<td align="center">RESERVES</td>
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<td align="center">Larry Austin Jr.</td>
<td align="center">So.</td>
<td align="center">G</td>
<td align="center">6'2"</td>
<td align="center">179</td>
<td align="center">1.8</td>
<td align="center">1.1</td>
<td align="center">1.2</td>
<td align="center">.367</td>
<td align="center">.000</td>
<td align="center">.647</td>
<td align="center">Has the tools to be a good 10-12 minute guard off the bench, but tends to press too much and end up making bad decisions with the ball. Will have trouble getting minutes with Ed back.</td>
</tr>
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<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center"><span>James Farr</span></td>
<td align="center">Sr.</td>
<td align="center">F/C</td>
<td align="center">6'10"</td>
<td align="center">244</td>
<td align="center">10.1</td>
<td align="center">8.8</td>
<td align="center">0.4</td>
<td align="center">.541</td>
<td align="center">.000</td>
<td align="center">.778</td>
<td align="center">The best rebounder in college basketball. Has developed scoring moves to both hands on the post. Very effective in protecting the rim. Has been in and out of the starting lineup</td>
</tr>
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<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">Makindé London</td>
<td align="center">Fr.</td>
<td align="center">F</td>
<td align="center">6'10"</td>
<td align="center">220</td>
<td align="center">1.4</td>
<td align="center">1.2</td>
<td align="center">0.5</td>
<td align="center">.294</td>
<td align="center">.333</td>
<td align="center">.500</td>
<td align="center">Athletic but whip thin. Good shot blocker as help defender. Good range on his jumper. Has been in and out with injuries.</td>
</tr>
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<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center"><span>Kaiser Gates</span></td>
<td align="center">Fr.</td>
<td align="center">F</td>
<td align="center">6'8"</td>
<td align="center">217</td>
<td align="center">3.4</td>
<td align="center">2.5</td>
<td align="center">0.2</td>
<td align="center">.382</td>
<td align="center">.304</td>
<td align="center">.700</td>
<td align="center">Stretch four. Streaky shooter, as is often the case with guys who don't get big minutes, but his confidence is growing. Has been a revelation on the defensive end in terms of being able to move his feet and guard the perimeter.</td>
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<td align="center">54</td>
<td align="center"><span>Sean O'Mara</span></td>
<td align="center">So.</td>
<td align="center">F/C</td>
<td align="center">6'10"</td>
<td align="center">247</td>
<td align="center">3.7</td>
<td align="center">2.2</td>
<td align="center">0.4</td>
<td align="center">.583</td>
<td align="center">.000</td>
<td align="center">.656</td>
<td align="center">Plays below the rim but with exceptional feel. Hasn't been able to show his potential because he's blocked by Farr and Reynolds right now. Bully on the defensive glass.</td>
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<td align="center">55</td>
<td align="center"><span>J.P. Macura</span></td>
<td align="center">So.</td>
<td align="center">G</td>
<td align="center">6'5"</td>
<td align="center">203</td>
<td align="center">8.6</td>
<td align="center">2.5</td>
<td align="center">2.1</td>
<td align="center">.464</td>
<td align="center">.306</td>
<td align="center">.787</td>
<td align="center">Will be getting YMCA buckets when he's 50. Flies to the offensive glass, scores in weird ways from all over inside the arc. Opponents and opposing fans hate him for what I'm going to call an overabundance of confidence.</td>
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</table>
<p> </p>
<h3>Xavier strategy</h3>
<p>Xavier's defense is more or less a bellwether for the whole experience. In two Big East losses, the Muskies have allowed 1.31 points per possession. In four Big East wins, they've allowed just .92 PPP. Obviously that's a pretty big difference. Xavier plays mostly man, but they'll mix in a 1-3-1 zone about a third of the time. Both defenses count on good defensive rebounding to make up for the fact that opponents will get clean looks from deep.</p>
<p>Things get a little more predictable at the offensive end, where Xavier goes about 8 deep in terms of guys who are capable of dropping a double-digit scoring night any given time out. The whole thing keys off the explosive penetration of <span>Edmond Sumner</span> and the veteran savvy of <span>Myles Davis</span> and <span>Trevon Bluiett</span>. X will run the ball through the post and around the perimeter, passing up good shots to get better ones. This team shares the ball well, and when it's working it can be beautiful to behold.</p>
<h3>Other things to consider</h3>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>We were kind of hoping to knock off Georgetown in the mid-week fixture, but it didn't happen. X is 1-0 this year coming off of a loss.</span></li>
<li><span><span>James Farr</span> is one of the few people in the nation who can match Delgado's motor and physicality on the glass; I'm looking forward to watching them go at each other.</span></li>
<li><span>Coach Mack has not appreciably tightened the rotation in conference play. Expect to see 9 or 10 Muskies get some burn.</span></li>
</ul>
https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2016/1/23/10818074/the-seton-hall-fans-guide-to-xavier-basketballJoel D2016-01-22T12:56:31-05:002016-01-22T12:56:31-05:00Xavier v. Seton Hall: Preview, matchups, and keys
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<img alt="Kevin Willard presides over a team that And 1 would love" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Z6xAzTHFTlFs4rQsSyDJLLWd_DM=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48619743/usa-today-9060340.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Willard presides over a team that And 1 would love | Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Xavier tries to rebound from only their second loss of the season by taking on a Seton Hall team that very nearly beat Villanova.</p> <p><span>Xavier comes into this contest having won 4 of 5 and 16 of 18. You would think that would be cause for unfettered optimism among Xavier fans, but it is somehow overshadowed by the fact that Xavier comes in on a one-game losing streak and the sky is falling in. Tre Campbell (of all people) dismantled Xavier's defense with a scalding shooting performance, and the Muskies were never quite able to climb back into the game against Georgetown. It has been almost exactly 11 months since X lost consecutive games; they're going to have to get it together against Seton Hall if they want to keep that streak alive. </span></p>
<p><span> Seton Hall is just .500 in Big East play, but they've already played Nova twice and boast a road win over Providence. They took Villanova to the wire in their midweek fixture, ultimately losing by one when a buzzer-beating heave went begging. This is a team that is still trying to figure out exactly who it is, but they have the firepower to play with just about anyone.</span></p>
<h3>Team Fingerprint:</h3>
<p>Seton Hall makes their bones on defense. They currently rank 33rd in the nation in defensive efficiency and force teams into an average possession length of 17.7 seconds. That's in the top third in the nation in long defensive possessions. The Pirates force possessions to go that long by getting after shooters. Teams shoot 32% behind the arc and only 44% inside the arc against them, and Seton Hall swats 11% of the shots that do start to make their way rimward. It gets better though, the Pirates also turns teams over on 20% of defensive possessions. About the only way they can be had is on the offensive glass, where all that other stuff leaves them surrendering a 31.3% offensive rebounding rate.</p>
<p>On offense the Pirates either get an offensive rebound or try to get to the line. They shoot 33% from deep, where they don't attempt many, and only 48% inside the arc. They get to the line a lot, but only convert 66% of their chances their. The fact they are in the top 100 in offensive efficiency is down solely to their ability to get on the offensive glass.They play fast, turn the ball over, and don't shoot very well at all. At least on paper, this is an offense destined to struggle against Xavier.</p>
<h3>Starters:</h3>
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<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="center"></th> <th align="center">Starting matchups</th> <th align="center"></th>
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<td align="center">Isaiah Whitehead</td>
<td align="center">Point Guard</td>
<td align="center">Edmond Sumner</td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">Sophomore</td>
<td align="center">Class</td>
<td align="center">Freshman</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">6'4", 210</td>
<td align="center">Measurements</td>
<td align="center">6'6", 183</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">15.4/2.8/4.5</td>
<td align="center">Game Line</td>
<td align="center">11.2/3.1/3.3</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">.358/.310/.741</td>
<td align="center">Shooting Line</td>
<td align="center">.422/.381/.682</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center"></td>
<td align="center">Whitehead was a hugely heralded recruit for Seton Hall, and he generally plays like he's the best thing that has even happened to the Pirates. He's not. His usage rate and shots% are both comfortably in the top 30 in the nation despite his having an ORtg under 100 and an EFG% of 41.8%. He's that guy at an open gym who frustrates his teammates by dominating the ball despite not getting very much out of it.</td>
<td align="center"></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">Khadeen Carrington</td>
<td align="center">Shooting Guard</td>
<td align="center">Myles Davis</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">Sophomore</td>
<td align="center">Class</td>
<td align="center">Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">6'3", 180</td>
<td align="center">Measurements</td>
<td align="center">6'2", 188</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">14.7/2.9/2.4</td>
<td align="center">Game Line</td>
<td align="center">10.8/3.4/3.6</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">.433/.347/.774</td>
<td align="center">Shooting Line</td>
<td align="center">.396/.392/.935</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center"></td>
<td align="center">Carrington is a much more efficient player than Whitehead. He's serviceable but not prolific from deep, but he is excellent in scoring at the rim and getting to the line. He also does well in creating turnovers on the defensive end.</td>
<td align="center"></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">Desi Rodriguez</td>
<td align="center">Small Forward</td>
<td align="center">Remy Abell</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">Sophomore</td>
<td align="center">Class</td>
<td align="center">Senior</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">6'6", 215</td>
<td align="center">Measurements</td>
<td align="center">6'4", 185</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">11.8/4.6/1.2</td>
<td align="center">Game Line</td>
<td align="center">7.8/1.5/2.3</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">.500/.408/.677</td>
<td align="center">Shooting Line</td>
<td align="center">.450/.382/.744</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center"></td>
<td align="center">Rodriguez is the team's most efficient offensive player. He's a catch and shoot guy from beyond the arc, but he is aggressive going to the rim and can really, really get up. He's also a hellacious defender whose steal% is in the top 50 in the country.</td>
<td align="center"></td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">Ismael Sanogo</td>
<td align="center">Power Forward</td>
<td align="center">Trevon Bluiett</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">Sophomore</td>
<td align="center">Class</td>
<td align="center">Sophomore</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">6'8", 210</td>
<td align="center">Measurements</td>
<td align="center">6'6", 215</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">4.7/7.5/1.5</td>
<td align="center">Game Line</td>
<td align="center">15.3/6.7/2.1</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">.477/.000/.529</td>
<td align="center">Shooting Line</td>
<td align="center">.413/.392/.806</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center"></td>
<td align="center">Sanogo is not a good offensive player, but he at least has the good sense not to look for his own shot. What he is is an excellent rebounder at both ends and a very good defender in terms of both blocks and steals. A third of his made baskets on the year are stickbacks.</td>
<td align="center"></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">Angel Delgado</td>
<td align="center">Center</td>
<td align="center">Jalen Reynolds</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">Sophomore</td>
<td align="center">Class</td>
<td align="center">Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">6'9", 245</td>
<td align="center">Measurements</td>
<td align="center">6'10", 238</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">9.3/9.5/1.0</td>
<td align="center">Game Line</td>
<td align="center">9.6/6.7/0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center">.548/.000/.536</td>
<td align="center">Shooting Line</td>
<td align="center">.517/.500/.661</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="center"></td>
<td align="center">Delgado is a very stout lad and an absolute monster on the glass at both ends. His solid shooting from the floor comes almost entirely at the rim, but it is let down by his mediocrity at the free throw line. He's a pretty good rim protector, but most of his defensive value comes on the glass. Like all of the Hall's big men, his touches are determined by the whim of Isaiah Whitehead.</td>
<td align="center"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Reserves:</h3>
<p>Former UMass guard Derrick Gordon gets good minutes off the bench for the Pirates. The 6'3" senior goes for 8.7/3.6/1.8 on .425/.250/.651 shooting and is an excellent on-ball defender. Freshman combo forward Michael Nzei plays the three and four and is a really effective offensive rebounder. He gets 4.9/3.4/0.3 on .712/.000/.577 shooting; 46 of his 52 shot attempts have come at the rim. He has flashed potential as a rim protector in limited minutes this year. Other than those two, Seton Hall doesn't get consistent production from anyone off the bench.</p>
<h3>Three Keys:</h3>
<p><b>- Keep the Pirates off the offensive glass:</b> Seton Hall doesn't shoot the ball well and they play relatively quickly. Basically, they try to get the ball near the rim and then go get it. In theory, that plays into Xavier's hands as the Musketeers like to force difficult shots and then suffocate the glass. Do that here and Xavier takes a huge step towards a win.</p>
<p><b>- Knock down early threes:</b> Seton Hall wants to challenge shots inside and make possessions drag out. Xavier likes to shoot from outside and shoot in the first 16 seconds of the shot clock. If Myles or Trevon get rolling early, the Pirates defense can be unzipped from the inside out. It will be interesting to see if Edmond Sumner is looking to find his shot early rather than run at the larger Whitehead on the way to rim.</p>
<p><b>- Play some defense:</b> Xavier was wretched offensively on Tuesday, but it was the defensive lapses that cost the the game. The 1-3-1 rotated slowly or sloppily, and shooters worked open in the man to man. DSR especially had his way with Sumner in the half court. You can bet Whitehead will also be working to get his shots off, though the likelihood of his making 4-9 from behind the arc is remote. Coach Mack probably will not abide another defensive showing like the last one we saw.</p>
https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2016/1/22/10815060/xavier-v-seton-hall-preview-matchups-and-keys-to-the-gameBrad DJoel D