Banners On The Parkway - Big East Tournament: Xavier v. MarquetteYour only remaining free source for Xavier Musketeers newshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47177/banners-fave.png2014-03-14T00:40:30-04:00http://www.bannersontheparkway.com/rss/stream/52700372014-03-14T00:40:30-04:002014-03-14T00:40:30-04:00Big East Tournament: Xavier v. Marquette Breakdown
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<img alt="Sources in the program tell me Jalen works out." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/a5yvUKngs4c0U0P-AgQLGhBKznM=/0x227:2736x2051/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30026667/20140313_mta_sn5_218.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sources in the program tell me Jalen works out. | Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A big win likely seals Xavier's place in the NCAA tournament field.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?id=400544172">What happened: Xavier 68 - Marquette 65</a></p>
<p>Xavier did the definition of just enough to win this game, but that's all they needed. The most important call of the game was made by Coach Mack with Xavier down 21-16 and 6:56 left in the first half. Semaj had just picked up his second foul, and common basketball procedure dictated that he would get 6:56 of rest, plus half time, to protect him from getting a third foul. Instead, Coach Mack kept running him out there, and Xavier finished the half on a 15-6 that included six points and an assist from Semaj to go into the half up 31-29. All credit to Semaj for performing, but Coach Mack stuck his neck out by choosing to keep Semaj in the game.</p>
<p>Semaj was not at his best today - he had 5 of Xavier's 10 turnovers - but he was definitely the live wire that kept the team going through the game. He ended up with 18/1/5 on 6-13/1-2/5-8 shooting and was getting up and down the court all game. Christon's ability to get the ball where it needed to go on offense was impressive, and he never tried to take over the game just with scoring. Two of his turnovers came on charge calls - neither of which was a very good one; his passing game was on point tonight.</p>
<p>The big story - which I have buried here in the third paragraph, just like they taught me not to do in my journalism classes - was Matt Stainbrook. Stainbrook was out because of his knee injury as of about noon today, but he mustered up the requisite fortitude to suit up and grab some minutes. He went for 8/0/1 on 2-3/0-0/4-5 shooting, but that barely scratches the surface of his contributions. His first offensive touch was his assist, as he kicked out to an open <span>Dee Davis</span> for three. Xavier was reeling a bit early, and Stainbrook helped steady the ship until the Muskies could get up through the gears. In the biggest game of the year, Xavier's biggest player came up massive for them.</p>
<p>Despite all those great stories, it was actually Justin Martin - known as "The Imp" around these parts - who led the way in scoring with 19/4/0 with 0 turnovers on 5-10/3-6/6-6 shooting. I've never seen a more placid human being in my whole life, but I guess JMart doesn't flex 'em because he knows he's got 'em. He is developing into the languid scorer that Xavier fans envisioned when he signed, and his length and shooting ability made him difficult to guard tonight. If he continues to show up like this, Xavier is going to be a tough out the rest of the way.</p>
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<p><span>Jalen Reynolds</span> got the start tonight in Stainbrook's place and went for 6/3/0 with 2 blocks and a pair of massive dunks. He also forced <span>Davante Gardner</span> to catch the ball well outside of the lane, which in turn made it difficult for Marquette's big man to get easy baskets. <span>Isaiah Philmore</span> showed up to the tune of 10/6/2 on 4-7/0-1/2-4 shooting, and he was active on the offensive end to the extent that his movement was making buckets for him and his teammates. Finally, your friend and mine Dee Davis had 7/1/3 with FIVE STEALS and 0 turnovers. What a dude that Dee Davis is.</p>
<p><b><u>Odds and ends:</u></b><br>-<span>Jake Thomas</span> was 1-2 from behind the arc for Marquette.</p>
<p>-Xavier had only 10 turnovers while forcing 15.</p>
<p>-Marquette had 6 offensive boards but only 2 second-chance points.</p>
<p>-The Muskies had 11 assists on 23 made baskets, which is not good.</p>
<p><b><u>Dad's take:</u></b><br>-"We are not very good in a zone."<br>-"We are soft inside on D."<br>-"Good to see Stainbrook out there."<br>-"Dee looks composed."<br>-"Have to stop Burton."<br>-"I believe Reynolds was trying to send a sublte message to their large man there."<br>-"Two on Semaj is bad news."<br>-"JMart is playing well, staying involved."<br>-At the under-4: "I think I would take Semaj out at this point. Of course, I wouldn't have sent him back in so soon. Gutsy."<br>-"Makes the shot. Mack is a genius."</p>
<p>Second half:<br>-"Bad, bad call on Semaj."<br>-"Tense."<br>-"Gardner apparently doesn't know Staintrain only goes left. How does that happen?"<br>-"When JMart gets settled, he can shoot."<br>-"Having to play Myles with Semaj on the bench is killing us."<br>-"Need to be active to be successful in the zone."<br>-"Wow, Reynolds!"<br>-"I'm glad this is so relaxing; helps relieve my stress."<br>-"Staintrain was the difference. Not pretty, but I'll take it."</p>
<p>That's it from me. Bryan picked up the Bubble Watch tomorrow and Brad will be on a little later in the day with the preview of tomorrow's game against Creighton. Get some rest, Muskie fans. I will see you tomorrow night.</p>
<p><b><u>Tweet of the Game:</u></b></p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/BannersParkway">@BannersParkway</a> no mention of the newest 1,000 point club member in the breakdown?</p>
— Drew (@DruciferDecrees) <a href="https://twitter.com/DruciferDecrees/statuses/444342761777811456">March 14, 2014</a>
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<p>You wanted it Drew, and you made it happen. Semaj Christon joined Byron Larkin as the only Musketeers to make the 1,000 point club in their sophomore season.
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
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https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2014/3/14/5507392/big-east-tournament-xavier-v-marquette-boxscore-breakdownJoel D2014-03-13T21:10:04-04:002014-03-13T21:10:04-04:00Big East Tournament: Xavier v. Marquette
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<img alt="Could use big games these two guys." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kiwFYzTIum27ds6hnCvchCU8-AI=/0x1111:2667x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30009647/20140301_jla_sv4_326.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Could use big games these two guys. | Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/">Xavier Musketeers</a> (20-11, 10-8)</strong></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://statsheet.com/mcb" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; color: #999; font-size: 11px;">College Basketball Stats</a><br><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://statsheet.com/charts/chartlets/2014/03/13/mcb_teams_xavier_832442.js"></script> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>v.</strong></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.anonymouseagle.com/">Marquette Golden Eagles</a> (17-14, 9-9)</strong></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://statsheet.com/mcb" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; color: #999; font-size: 11px;">NCAA Basketball Stats</a><br><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://statsheet.com/charts/chartlets/2014/03/13/mcb_teams_marquette_265780.js"></script> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.iheart.com/live/55KRC-1709/">Radio (55 KRC)</a> - TV (FOX Sports One) - Preview (linked below)</div>
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https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2014/3/13/5506188/big-east-tournament-xavier-v-marquette-live-chatJoel D2014-03-13T16:00:01-04:002014-03-13T16:00:01-04:00Xavier is the big draw now. Here We Go
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<img alt="The party has started, and our boys are the big game." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NuzWbAZuOwX_kgz92YN36oN4puQ=/0x145:3132x2233/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29958919/20140429_rnb_sv4_015.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The party has started, and our boys are the big game. | Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Everything has led to this. Xavier walks onto the court at Madison Square Garden tomorrow to play their first game in the Big East tournament.</p> <p>It is, as I type this first sentence, well after midnight here in frigidly cold northeast Ohio. Temple and UCF are in double overtime, slugging it out for the chance to lose to Cincinnati tomorrow in the second round of the American tournament. Senior Isaiah Sykes of UCF has 34 points already as he fights desperately to extend his collegiate career. Just moments ago, Forrest Robinson of DePaul buried back to back threes after making only 18 all year as the Blue Demons shocked a Georgetown team that shuffled meekly into the sunset.</p>
<p>So the majors have started their tournaments in style. Don't get me wrong, the low and mid major tournaments are great to watch. Teams like American knock off Boston University to make the dance while Wichita State starts a minor dynasty over in the MVC. Those stories are nice, but the big boys are the ones that people tune in for. The Big East, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 will serve up plenty of drama as teams play their way into the tournament as other teams play their way off the bubble.</p>
<p>And now, that mad scramble includes Xavier. The Musketeers have worked since Bob Staak to land themselves in the middle of the national scene and now they are there. The 9:30 tipoff tomorrow, the one that everyone will be tweeting about, texting about, and talking about at work the next day as the reason they are so tired will be your very own Xavier Musketeers. Yes, someone is going to foul up the pronunciation, someone is going to act like Justin Martin always exist, and someone on Twitter is going to decide that Xavier is still a mid-major.</p>
<p>Ignore all that. These are your boys hitting Madison Square Garden tomorrow night. Put your blue on and wear it proudly. If watching those jerseys walk across that floor tomorrow doesn't get your pulse going, nothing will. Xavier is the national power now, Xavier is the big draw game, Xavier is the high major. We made it, now here we go.</p>
https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2014/3/13/5503292/xavier-is-the-big-draw-now-here-we-goBrad D2014-03-13T10:30:01-04:002014-03-13T10:30:01-04:00Big East Tournament Preview: Xavier v. Marquette
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<img alt="Get ready for a lot of this." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i3rZUPwbBm8JvgO5O0G12ycSaDs=/0x0:2822x1881/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29933117/20140227_mta_sh5_138.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Get ready for a lot of this. | Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A season's worth of work comes down to this, for now. Xavier split the season series with Marquette, but this one really counts.</p> <p>When Xavier first took the floor on November 8th to face Gardner-Webb, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/big-east-basketball-tournament">Big East tournament</a> seemed a long way off, with Madison Square Garden hanging like a mirage afar off. At that point, Xavier was picked to finish seventh in their new conference and the Golden Eagles of Marquette were nationally ranked in both media polls. As the season wore on though, things began to change. Xavier stormed out of the gate, stumbled briefly, but then ripped off seven more wins in a row. Marquette staggered into Big East play looking like a shell of the team that were projected to be.</p>
<p>The third Big East game for each team was a meeting at the Cintas Center. Xavier took an eight point lead in the first half but, well, tell me if this sounds familiar "Xavier ended up needing a hero because Marquette did something they hadn't all year, buried outside shots. The Golden Eagles entered the game shooting 30.5% from behind the arc and proceeded to knock down 11-27 from deep. <span>Jake Thomas</span> served notice by making two threes in the first two minutes on his way to going 5-11 for the game."</p>
<p>Marquette bombed their way back into the game before eventually tying it with only five minutes to play. Thankfully, <span>Semaj Christon</span> took the game over, canning two straight three pointers on his own on the way to pouring in 28 points and icing the game for the Musketeers. The game ended oddly, with both teams applying a full court press in the final seconds for reasons best known to the coaches.</p>
<p>By the time the second game between the teams rolled around, it was Xavier that was struggling and Marquette that was trying to fight its way back into the Big East picture. Jake Thomas went 6-10 from deep, taking only one obligatory field goal that wasn't a three, and torched Xavier for 18 points. For the game, the Golden Eagles were 9-18 from deep. At that point teams were scoring 35.1% of their points against the Musketeers from behind the arc, a number that is both terribly alarming and the entire story of that game, all in one.</p>
<p>Justin Martin went for 20/7/1 for the Musketeers in that contest, but it wasn't enough as Xavier allowed 81 points to a team that had just lost to Butler. <span>Davante Gardner</span> went for 16, but it was Jake Thomas who was again the story, draining six of the ten three pointers he attempted. Xavier committed 19 turnovers and 20 fouls and just in general played a dreadful game to lose. That left both teams at 7-5 and trailing the leaders in the conference.</p>
<p>By season's end, Xavier had sewn up the third spot and Marquette had sputtered their way into sixth. That leaves us with these two teams that split the season series facing each other in the quarterfinals. Marquette needs a Big East tournament championship to make the big dance, while Xavier needs at least one more win. By sometime around midnight on Thursday night, someone's fate will be sealed.</p>
<p><b><u>Three Questions:</u></b></p>
<p><b>- Seriously, Jake Thomas? </b>Thomas offensive efficiency rating for the year is 109. Against Xavier he has a 138 and a 175, has scored 18 points in each game, and is shooting 52.3% from deep against the Musketeers despite shooting only 38% on the year. In short, Xavier has done a terrible job on Jake Thomas. Part of that comes down to gameplanning, Thomas has taken double digit three point attempts in only four games this year, two of those have come against the Musketeers. Coach Mack said that Thomas takes shots that he doesn't normally take when facing Xavier. That's also part of the issue, in that Thomas has taken only 35 two point attempts all year. All he ever does is shoot from deep. If Thomas gets off 10 or more threes in the flow of offense, Xavier is in deep trouble.</p>
<p><b>- Who will guard Davante Gardner? </b>Gardner is Marquette's best player, has a higher usage rate than anyone but Deonte Burton, is relentless on the glass on both ends, gets fouled a ton and shoots 78% from the line. In short, stopping Gardner is no easy ask. With <span>Matt Stainbrook</span> now out, that leaves some combination of <span>Jalen Reynolds</span>, <span>Isaiah Philmore</span>, <span>Erik Stenger</span>, and <span>James Farr</span> to guard Gardner. Farr <strike>couldn't guard me</strike> struggles defensively, so that probably rules him out. Stenger is too light to be a consistent fix, but his activity will definitely earn him some time on the big man. That leaves Philmore and Reynolds. Reynolds is still averaging eight fouls per 40 minutes and Gardner is 47th in the nation in drawing fouls. That would seem to make Philmore the only choice, but Jalen is much quicker and much longer. It's going to be a balancing act all game long.</p>
<p><b>- Who has something left in the tank? </b>Both teams enter this game having lost their last one. Xavier played valiantly but was profligate against Nova and went down 77-70. Marquette lost in double overtime to St. John's and lost their chance at a better seed in the Big East. The Golden Eagles have to win because as soon as they lose, they head to the NIT or worse. Xavier needs to win to feel a little bit better about their tenuous stance on the bubble and give their big man Matt Stainbrook a reason to keep desperately trying to rehab his MCL injury.</p>
<p><b><u>Keys to the game:</u></b></p>
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</p>
<ul>
<li><span><b>Stop Jake Thomas: </b>That's utterly absurd to type, but it has to happen. </span></li>
<li><span><b>Extend the packline: </b>Davante Gardner is probably going to get his, but he's not winning this game completely on his own. If Xavier pushes out just that extra foot that they have recently and forces Marquette inside, this game becomes much more manageable.</span></li>
<li><span><b>Get bench production: </b>James Farr has totally vanished, Myles Davis has a .361/.360/.667 shooting line, and Brandon Randolph has managed double digit minutes just three times in the last 12 games. Jalen Reynolds is starting now, so someone from this group needs to actually do something.</span></li>
<li><span><b>Step up the pace: </b>Marquette is slow because their bigs like to play that way. With the exception of Isaiah Philmore, who is still far more mobile than Chris Otule, Xavier has no one to slow them down now. Only DePaul has scored more than 75 points against Marquette this year and lost.</span></li>
</ul>
https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2014/3/13/5500242/big-east-tournament-preview-xavier-v-marquetteBrad D