Game Thread: Xavier @ Dayton (Saturday 2/16/13)

[Swampy Meadows]

Originally Posted by paulxu

I sure hope your team plays better than that non-working link to Detroit.

Fixed the link for you upthread. here it is:

http://www.freep.com/article/2013021...U-blow-out-U-M

[bprichard]

While the UD crowd obviously brings its A game for the X game, the student section is generally pretty good (although there are some structural issues with the Red Scare that are sub-optimal). It's the rest of the geriatric crowd that's the problem. When the osteoporosis sets in, you don't really want to commit yourself to clapping too much, since the bones could just snap like twigs at any moment.

The other problem is just that there isn't enough student seating next to the court, but nothing is going to happen there, since that would have a deleterious effect on revenue, which makes that idea a non-starter.

[AdamtheFlyer]

The students have no-showed much of the season. Most of the noise has come from everyone else.

Bringing out CJ during the lull before tip that always comes with ESPN games was one hell of a decision. He lit the crowd on fire.

This game went about how I thought it would. Xavier lacks the firepower to beat a rival away from home this season.

Aside from bringing a double when Taylor dribbled, Dayton didn't do anything special on defense. Xavier has only one guy who can break down a defender, and as a freshman, Christon allowed himself to be funneled to where the defense wanted him. Semaj did a lot of good things, but his lack of an outside game hurts his efficiency. He got 17 points, but needed 28 looks (18 shots and 10 FTs) to do it.

I thought Philmore was the best performer for Xavier. Smooth game on offense, and could have done more but the guards weren't able to recognize when he was available.

I actually didn't think Dayton was all that great. They played well, but collectively, it wasn't above their expectations. The offense struggled at times, some due to Xavier, some due to simply not executing, but they did a good job of getting to the rim and to the line. The guards did a great job of getting Benson the ball where he could succeed. Like others have said, the game left me wondering why they can't play like this all the time. It wasn't like they ran out and shot 12/25 from three. They did nothing special, they simply played their game.

Loved Scott at the start, couldn't care less that he picked up 2 fouls in less than 90 seconds and played just 3 minutes all game. He set the tone that Dayton was going to be physical. That's his role this year, and he did it well. Robinson, Oliver, Benson, and even Gavrilovic followed suit.

Robinson and Pierre continue to impress. Both had several plays on both ends where you couldn't help but say "They're too strong for (insert other guy here)". To be saying that about freshmen is encouraging. As their skill levels improve, they will become very, very good players.

[Flyer75]

Ya, I agree with Adam when he says UD didn't play GREAT...we played like we have all year. We didn't shoot out of our minds, we're the best 3 point shooting team in the league. We shot about what we have all year from a regular shooting percentage, 3 point and FT (that was a bit above avg). We rebounded how we have all year, turned it over only about 2 less times then we have all year, ect, ect, ect. When a team has lost 7 games by 15 points, they're probably not as bad as everyone thinks they are but are there for a reason...not closing out games. If UD had even gone 3-4 in those 7 games and had entered yesterday with 16-17 wins, the whole "Superbowl game" talk would have been diminished.

[FlyingElvis]

I think we played better than normal in many ways. Our defense was definitely better than I have ever seen it, even without Price. We really moved the ball well in the first half on offense.

But, IMO, our "normal" has been underachieving because Archie wasn't pushing the right buttons or turning the right knobs.

[paulxu]

Originally Posted by Flyer75

Ya, I agree with Adam when he says UD didn't play GREAT...we played like we have all year.

Originally Posted by FlyingElvis

I think we played better than normal in many ways.

75, welcome back!

Despite our reservations concerning our own schools and their play as we wander through the conference, in play-to-date, Xavier is #1 in offensive % (46.4) and #1 in defense % (41.4).

Dayton is second in both catagories (46.0 and 42.9). You all get up for the big game at home, and the results were fairly in line with recent history there, and we didn't produce.

You shot 50%, instead of what we normally hold people to...41%.
We shot 39% instead of our league leading 46%.
Good D by Dayton, not so good D by Xavier. Also, we still need to play more team ball than street ball. We do a lot better that way.

[Chetburger]

Originally Posted by bprichard

The other problem is just that there isn't enough student seating next to the court, but nothing is going to happen there, since that would have a deleterious effect on revenue, which makes that idea a non-starter.

Not enough? The students have been AWOL all season except for about two games. Against SJU and Temple the student section was 75% empty.

UD doesnt need to add student section seats, they need to reduce them.

[bprichard]

Originally Posted by Chetburger

Not enough? The students have been AWOL all season except for about two games. Against SJU and Temple the student section was 75% empty.

UD doesnt need to add student section seats, they need to reduce them.

No, they need to get rid of the stupid system by which students need to attend other athletic events in order to get tickets for the basketball games. If that's not the only reason why student attendance is not as good as it should be, they need to address that. Relying on the sweater vests to get up for the average game (and not leave with five minutes left) is not going to work.

[hoch21]

I had a meeting with admin and whatever student wants to go can get tickets. It's those who attend other events get closer seating. I agree it sucks but if you as a student want to go you can get tickets no problem. It's the new student thinking these days, other things are more important.

[FlyingElvis]

Originally Posted by bprichard

No, they need to get rid of the stupid system by which students need to attend other athletic events in order to get tickets for the basketball games. If that's not the only reason why student attendance is not as good as it should be, they need to address that. Relying on the sweater vests to get up for the average game (and not leave with five minutes left) is not going to work.

Believe me, plenty of premium seating is available for students. I guess they just don't like taking a back seat to the kids who decide to go to a ton of sporting events. Or they just are not basketball fans to begin with. I'm not concerned about trying to lure students to games. If they don't have the desire to go, don't go. I think the university should find a way to sell off the student seating that is not used each year. There is an awful lof of demand among the locals.

[Kevin Waymire]

Stay classy, UD.

http://m.daytondailynews.com/news/sp...-saturd/nWRZd/

[Muskeagle]

Originally Posted by Kevin Waymire

Stay classy, UD.

http://m.daytondailynews.com/news/sp...-saturd/nWRZd/

Obviously, Sh%tty behavior from a few idiots. At least the school handled it properly. This is what sometimes makes me want to stop being a sports fan. I love the game. I love the rivalry--but this kind of stuff is far too commonplace. To assume that it is unique to UD or indicative of UD fans, is silly.

[bprichard]

Originally Posted by Muskeagle

Obviously, Sh%tty behavior from a few idiots. At least the school handled it properly. This is what sometimes makes me want to stop being a sports fan. I love the game. I love the rivalry--but this kind of stuff is far too commonplace. To assume that it is unique to UD or indicative of UD fans, is silly.

Yup, stupid reprehensible behavior, and I'm glad they were ejected. I hope they ban them from future games as well. Christi Mack deserves better than that, but it shouldn't be taken for more than it is, a few jackasses behaving poorly.

[Flyer75]

Embarrassing and juvenile. Glad they got the boot. As much as I despise Xavier, no place for that in the rivalry.

[College Hoops]

That kind of conduct is inexcusable. I'm glad the mental midgets were kicked out of the arena. As far as I am concerned they should be barred from attending any athletic event or concert on campus for the remainder of the school year. Being old fashioned, I'd send a letter to their parents telling them what transpired and that they would be allowed to attend events next year after they had gone to Cincy and apologized face to face to Christi. This is coming from a UD alum.