WH

Niner fans are right, C-Burger. Charlotte was controlled and disciplined in their first three games. And that's somewhat surprising given the team's youth. You have to accept some bad spells, and a long trip to Alaska might encourage one, especially in the first game.

Major coaches nothing like Lutz. He coaches with a distinctly Big 10 style. Pound the ball inside, hit the boards, defend and avoid an up-and-down game unless you have the numbers.

antboy

Actually, the shot selection by Charlotte was quicker than usual, but I didn't think it was bad compared to the Lutz years, which usually involved contested 3's early in the shot clock. I say this because most of the shots were open shots, but the team lacks more than one outside shooter (freshman pg Ingram is about it). So it's either have a poor jumpshooter shoot an open jumper, or drive into a packed in defense. Neither option is great. You could put this on Major for not recruiting one or two more outside shooters, though the incoming freshman Lester was expected to help with this before he got ruled ineligible. That was probably a blow for a team so lacking in 3 pt shooters.

That combined with an awful game for sg Williams, who has definitely looked better this year, and Mayfield, who looks out of sorts so far, makes for an ugly offensive game. But the defense was actually pretty good, much improved over last year and better than most years Lutz was coaching. TSU had one guy Staff, who was about 6-7, who started hitting 3's with a hand in his face, but otherwise this high-scoring team got shut down. That's how Charlotte is going to have to win this year, playing defense that makes it look ugly.

WH

Charlotte has the least outside-shooting ability I have seen in years - at least in the A-10. That will cost some games, but I do like the overall makeup of this team. Good inside game and attack mentality. They will have to get a lot better on defense, though, because that's their calling card for wins.

Shrug

I have been impressed with their commitment to defense if not always the execution. It doesn't seem like Majors will suffer any players not guarding. Take the win and suffer through the film session later.

WH

I don't think the Xavier loss to Pacific was a surprise at all. Pacific supposedly had a pretty good team coming back, according to the Blue Ribbon writeup, and A-10 teams have always had a hard time traveling to California for regular-season games against West Coast teams. That's why I predicted a loss in the noncon slate.

This is the first game we really saw the old Jeff Robinson - inconsistent effort and production. He needs to be consistent. Xavier got beat up pretty good inside.

The X backcourt was also inconsistent and that has to be expected. Davis is small, Redford is small and on the slower side, and Criston is a frosh (but wow, what a good one). Pacific generally contained them when it counted most.

Justin Martin is the wild card to me. Xavier will be a much better team if he can score regularly and occasionally slide into the 2-guard spot.

DistrictBaller

Pacific is up 16 on St. Mary's with 5 minutes to go in the game.

That wasn't a bad team X lost to. You guys should be fine. I really do think the X-men will take care of business against Drexel.

__________________
"We will wreak havoc on our opponent's psyche and plan of attack."
- VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart

Ninerballin

Chiming in albeit a little late, the game yesterday was a testament to the youth in our primary ball handlers. The turnover problems should and will get better. However, Major's teams play nothing like Lutz's teams. First of all, you see players on this team actually shot fake the 3 pointer and look for a drive to the basket.

Granted, it might be due to the fact that we really don't have a consistent outside threat (I think the coaches are hoping Benkovic develops into one), but this team will live at the rim. I do think that going to the basket wins more games in the long run. Yes, any team can win a game if they get hot behind the arc, but look at NBA teams, look at Kentucky's team last year, consistent attack mentality, getting to the rim, drawing fouls, rebounding effectively will win games.

Sucks for Fordham they couldn't get Joel Wright to suit up, he would've been a big help to that team.