Notes: A pair of 3-0 teams will take the court in the first semifinal of the O'Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off Invitational. Xavier defeated Missouri, 75-71, yesterday and Virgina Tech beat Fairfield, 74-57, to set up the matchup. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), in which VT claims membership, holds an undefeated, 29-0 record through the first two weeks of the college basketball season. The Musketeers will be looking to blemish that record this afternoon. Tip-off in just about 18 minutes!
UPDATE 1:26 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time): The Musketeers have hit the floor! Two minutes to introductions.
UPDATE 1:32 p.m.: Virginia Tech won the tip, fighting for an offensive rebound but have had to work deep into the shot clock on this first possession. It's safe to say, this is a harder defense than the Hokies faced against Fairfield.
UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: Just like yesterday, Derrick Brown got the Musketeers on the board first, this time with a jumper from the baseline. He is going to be tough to guard in the post this season.
UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: Already at the first media timeout. VT looks like a team that will like to push the tempo, taking a three-pointer early in a possession to take a 7-4 lead. I won't divulge which team, but a gentleman wearing an undisclosed NBA team logo on his polo just said that Xavier doesn't "have the horses" to make a run this year. While the Musketeers are young, it's hard to miss the talent at all five positions. I would have to respectively disagree with him.
UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: Kenny Frease has shown why he was the Musketeers' top-rated recruit coming in, grabbing defensive boards in traffic on consecutive possessions. As he figures out which moves are going to work on the offensive end at the highest level of college basketball he is going to be a force.
UPDATE 1:49 p.m.: One of the things Coach Sean Miller mentioned in his post game press conference yesterday was the way Missouri challenges rebounds even after a player has brought them down. It didn't pop out at me during yesterday's game, but looking for it today, I see what he meant. The Hokies, like most teams, are more concerned about getting back on defense then trying to poke away the ball after a rebound. That's allowed the Musketeers to get into their offense much more comfortably this time around.
UPDATE 1:56 p.m.: Jamel McLean continues to shoot a high percentage because he is extremely active on the offensive boards. Very few players have his ability to score off the rebound like he does, whether it's a put-back dunk or tip-in.
UPDATE 2:05 p.m.: For all the talk of the tough Xavier defense, Virginia Tech plays a very similar style. Both teams play tough man-to-man and limit penetration, forcing teams to run through their offense. Right now VT is having slightly more success at that right now, holding a four-point lead, 21-17 with about four minutes to play.
UPDATE 2:08 p.m.: A slashing cutter just scored a layup, forcing Coach Miller to call a timeout. One of the things he has had to deal with this season is finding the right combination of players. With a lot of new faces and a tremendous amount of talent, that's a challenge at this early juncture.
UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: That's the Kenny Frease we have been waiting for! After strugging through the first 18 minutes of the half, Frease scored on back-to-back possessions. Making a quick move to the inside, he got a friendly roll the first time, which seemed to build his confidence. The next time down the floor, the Musketeers immediately found him on the block, where he turned to the baseline and banked a hook shot off the glass for two. Two-point game in favor of the Hokies, as we head into halftime.
UPDATE: 2:32 p.m.: The second half will begin shortly. Blogging will resume shortly after I try to snag a few pictures as the Musketeers will be attacking the basket nearest me. For those of you that can, be sure to check out the game on ESPNU!
UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: After tying the game on the first possession thanks to a nice move inside by Jason Love, the Musketeers trail 34-28 at the first media timeout. Back-to-back three-points by the Hokies offset a trey by Derrick Brown, who has continued to expand his game.
UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: The Hokies matched their largest lead of the game at eight points, but a strong bucket by McLean inside has pulled the Musketeers within six. On the other end, tough defense by Terrell Holloway kept VT from getting into its offense and forced a timeout by the Hokies. He may be one of the best on-ball defenders on the team.
UPDATE 2:58 p.m.: A pair of free throws by Frease after he was fouled grabbing an offensive rebound pulled the Musketeers within three, but five straight points from the Hokies have ballooned the margin back to eight. VT has shown range throughout the game, while the Musketeers have struggled with their jump shooting today.
UPDATE 3:02 p.m.: C.J. Anderson just converted a three-point play to pull Xavier within seven, 46-39. As one of the senior leaders on this team he was calling for the ball and made the best of the opportunity....AND HE DID IT AGAIN! Fighting for an offensive rebound, Anderson took it to the basket with authority, drawing a foul and making the basket. He missed the free throw, but it's a five-point game, 46-41. And now the Musketeers are in a zone.
UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: Coach Miller has lit a fire under these Musketeers. The zone has forced a turnover and toughness on the offensive glass has B.J. Raymond as the line with two free throw chances. He makes the first and...makes the second. Three-point game with eight minutes to play as the XU faithful chants D-FENSE!
UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: The Hokies scored on the other end and XU missed a jumper, giving the ball back to VT. They drew a questionable foul call inside and will go the line for two with a five-point advantage, 48-43, with 7:14 on the clock. The intenity in this arena, although sparsely populated, has gone up a notch.
UPDATE 3:14 p.m.: The Musketeers just can't seem to get over the hump. Every time they pull within three or four points, the ball either rims out or the Hokies hit a big shot. This time around, XU wound the shot clock nearly all the way down and missed the shot and VT went down to the other end and hit a three to give the Hokies a seven-point lead, 52-45.
UPDATE 3:17 p.m.: A three-pointer by Brown pulls the Musketeers within four and a moving pick by the Hokies gives the ball back to XU. Is there a doctor in the house? In a low scoring affair like this (52-48 with 3:45 to play), it's easy to draw comparison to a late-season tournament game. That's one of the benefits Coach Miller said there is to playing in a tournament like this: a field of competition that presents a tough challenge throughout.
UPDATE 3:26 p.m.: Alright, there is 1:17 left and it's a tie ball game. You will have to check GoXavier.com to get the final! Thanks for all the "tuned in" this blog and be sure to keep checking GoXavier.com for all the lastest news on Xavier athletics.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Xavier vs. Missouri Live Blog
Notes: Virginia Tech plays Fairfield in the opening game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The winner of the Xavier-Missouri game will take on the winner of the VT-Fairfield contest at 2:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time tomorrow while the two teams that lose will play at 11:30 a.m. AST. (Atlantic Standard time is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time)
UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: Virginia Tech just defeated Fairfield 74-57 and will play at 2:00 p.m. (AST) tomorrow against the winner of the Xavier/Missouri game. As a point of reference, the times on the updates will be in Eastern Standard Time, for two reasons: 1) That's where all you loyal fans are getting these updates and 2) Because that's the time my computer is set on and I don't want to mess up the math. Xavier's game will start in about half an hour.
UPDATE 1:07 p.m.: The Musketeers have
taken the court and are warming up for their game with the Missouri Tigers. The picture to the right shows the team huddle.
UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: The starters for each team:
Xavier
Brown
Raymond
Anderson
Jackson
Love
Missouri
Carroll
Tiller
Lyons
Taylor
Lawrence
The teams have returned to the locker rooms and should return just before tip-off, which is just about nine minutes away.
UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: The Musketeers just returned the court with just over three and a half minutes before introductions to a standing ovation from a solid group of Xavier supporters. It's possible they made more noise for the Musketeers just now than either teams' fans did during the Virginia Tech/Fairfield game.
UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: Ladies and gentleman, we have tip-off. The Musketeers won it but were stopped on the first possession. Game on.
UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: Derrick Brown opens the scoring with a three-pointer, showing an improved stroke from long range this season.
UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: Early foul tally is Xavier 4 - Missouri 0, much to the disappointment of the Xavier faithful.
UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: Heading into the first media timeout, the game is tied at 5-5. Missouri scored 103 points in its last game against Chattanooga and 86 points in its opener against Prarie View A&M, but it's safe to say the Tigers haven't faced a defense at the level of XU's.
UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: First foul on Missouri comes on a turn to the inside from the post by freshman Kenny Frease. His size is unmistakable, but it's Frease's skill level that has been most impressive so far.
UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: Frease just picked up his second foul with 13:51 to play in the first half. He'll be replaced by Jason Love as the Musketeers go big with Love, Brown and sophomore Jamel McLean all on the floor.
UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: After showing he can hit the three earlier, Brown fakes the trey and takes it to the basket, drawing a foul to take us into the second media timeout with the Tigers in front, 14-12.
UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: Freshman Brad Redford just nailed a three-pointer with a hand in his face. For anyone who has seen Redford shoot, the sight of nothing but net is quite familiar.
UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: Stop me if you've heard this one before...McLean just grabbed a rebound and slammed home a put-back dunk in the same motion. It's like deja-vu all over again.
UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: Nice hustle play by B.J. Raymond takes us to the under-eight minute media timeout. After a defensive rebound, the Tigers turned their transition offense into high gear, but Raymond got back and planted his feet to draw a charge call. The team foul tally is now at Xavier 8 - Missouri 7.
UPDATE 2:03 p.m.: Drive and dish by Raymond give McLean an easy dunk to pull the Musketeers within one, 25-24, but the Tigers scored on their next possession to push the lead back to three.
UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: Jackson ties the game up at 29 with a three-pointer after the Musketeers show tremendous ball movement against the half-court trap of the Tigers.
UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: After trailing by as many as five, XU is back in front by two after a pair of free throws from Raymond. Rebounding has been the key for the Musketeers, who have kept the Tigers off the offensive glass for the most part.
UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: Another three-pointer for Brown puts the Musketeers up three, 35-32, with under 15 seconds to play, and Missouri calls a timeout to set up the assumed last play of the half. Brown has shown he can stretch the defense in this game and that should help him get to the basket in the second half.
UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: Head coach Sean Miller is showing why he belongs among the NCAA elite coaches. Coming out of the timeout, Xavier played a zone for the first time in the game and forced a missed shot by the Tigers to end the half. Musketeers take a 35-32 lead into the break. The pace of the game is benefiting Xavier right now, with stingy half-court and good transition defense keeping the score low. We'll be back with some half time stats.
UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: Although XU is holding onto a three-point lead, it doesn't take much imagination to assume Coach Miller is discussing the Musketeers' 12 first-half turnovers in the locker room right now. As he talked about during yesterday's interview (which can be seen on the men's basketball team page), the Missouri pressure defense has caused turnovers on the other side of the 10-second line. But, also as Coach Miller predicted, the front court is leading the way for XU. Brown leads all scorers with nine points and McLean has added six off the bench.
UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: While there's still a half to play, Xavier has done a good job of containing the Tigers' front court duo of Demarre Carroll and Leo Lyons, who came into the game averaging 43 points per game combined. Carroll has two points while Lyons is tied for the team lead with eight points thus far. The Musketeers have held the Tigers to 31.3 percent shooting and have dominated the boards, 24-15.
UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Same starters for both teams as we get ready to begin the second half. Missouri starts with the ball and draws a foul underneath to get things back underway.
UPDATE 2:36 p.m.: Critical third foul called on Lyons of the Tigers puts him on the bench early in the second half after the Musketeers draw a charge.
UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Jackson draws a foul while trying to break the press, also drawing a sarcastic cheer from the crowd who apparently felt the call was long overdue.
UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: For the first minute and a half of the second stanza it looked like the pace would pick up, but some fouls have slowed things down a bit....As I type that there is a frantic exchange on both ends that results in the Tigers tying the game at 41-41. It would be so much easier if you could all read my thoughts.
UPDATE 2:47 p.m.: Even though he may not record the block each time, Frease has shown a tremendous ability to alter shots on defense. Not many players are used to driving and seeing someone of his stature waiting for them. I'd be scared, too.
UPDATE 2:51 p.m.: A three-pointer by Missouri's Kim English has given the Tigers a four-point lead, 47-44. After the bucket, the full-court pressure forced a Musketeers timeout with 29 seconds on the shot clock and the ball still in the backcourt. The timeout should help XU reset its offense and break the momentum Missouri has started to grab.
UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: Raymond was just rewarded for being fundamentally sound. After closing in on a driver, Raymond intercepted a skip pass almost on accident as it hit his outstretched arm and fell into is lap, as it were. He was then fouled in transition, giving him a one-and-one coming out of the media timeout trailing, 49-45.
UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: The Xavier rebounding advantage once again pays dividends as Brown pulls down an offensive board and finds Redford open for his second three-pointer of the night, giving the Musketeers a 50-49 lead.
UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: In the last minute of action, Raymond has gone 2-of-4 at the charity stripe, something Coach Miller would not approve of, but he has made up for it by grabbing two key rebounds, including one off his own miss. That may same him a lap or two when the Musketeers make it back to Cincinnati.
UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: Sloppy play has turned a Xavier advantage into a five-point Missouri lead. Turnovers on three straight possessions and an offensive rebound by the Tigers forced Coach Miller to call a timeout and regroup his troops.
UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Raymond put it on the floor again and was able to draw a foul heading into the media timeout. With both teams in the double bonus, he will go to the line to shoot a pair with Xavier trailing by five, 59-54.
UPDATE 3:20 p.m.: Brown's ankle looks to be healing quite nicely. After taking a pass from Terrell Holloway, Brown was looking for the flush but settled for a pair of free throws to pull the Musketeers within three, 63-60, and prompting a timeout by the Tigers.
UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: With the Tigers holding onto a three-point advantage, they have three players with four fouls, including their top two scorers: Lyons and Carroll.
UPDATE 3:27 p.m.: As if on cue, Holloway drives to the basket and draws the foul on J.T. Tiller of the Tigers, their leading scorer in the game with 16 points, who has now fouled out. He's been one of their top threats from outside.
UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: Puerto Rico, we know drama. With 3:34 to play, Missouri is clinging to a three-point lead. For a moment it looked like the Musketeers would pull within one when Holloway drove the lane and tried to dish to an open Frease, but the pass went off his hands and out of bounds for the turnover. If Xavier is going to pull this one out, they are going to need to find a way to stop the Tigers without fouling, a tough task in the last few minutes.
UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: Raymond has fouled out. He went just 1-of-7 from the field but hit 8-of-10 from the charity stripe to finish with 11 points.
UPDATE 3:37 p.m.: Raymond's understudy, Jackson just pulled the Musketeers with a clutch three-pointer from the wing. Time was winding down on the shot clock, but the sophomore guard showed he was not afraid of the big shot.
UPDATE 3:38 p.m.: On the other hand, Jackson picks up his fifth foul on what could have been called a charge on Carroll, which would have been HIS fifth foul. They haven't called many charges yet. He missed both free throws, however, and Holloway drove the basket and drew a foul on the line. Coach Miller calls him and Redford two of the best free throw shooting freshman in the country.
UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: And for good reason. He hits both to give Xavier a one-point lead. The Musketeer defense made the play when it counts, forcing a turnover as they look to wind out the clock...missed shot by Holloway...rebound going the other way for the Tigers...English tries the three...NO GOOD...rebound grabbed by Anderson. He gets the ball to Holloway who is fouled, sending the freshman to the line with a chance to ice the game. Now that is free-thought blogging.
UPDATE 3:43 p.m.: Free throw one...good.
UPDATE 3:44 p.m.: Free throw two...good. And in a tactic that is widely underutilized, Coach Miller calls for the foul with a three-point lead and less than ten seconds to play. It pays off as the Tigers miss the first of two free throws. They hit the second and call a timeout, while Coach Miller subs in Redford, his other freshman free throw specialist.
UPDATE 3:46 p.m.: Xavier get the ball into Holloway, who will step the line for two more free throws. First one is...good. Second free throw is...going to have to wait as Missouri calls a timeout.
FINAL: As Holloway hits his second free throw and the Tigers miss a last-second three, the Musketeers claim a 75-71 victory in their opening game at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. I am not from New York, nor do I claim to know New Yorkers, but I do know that Terrell Holloway is not afraid of the big stage. The freshman finished with 11 points and iced the game with astounding poise under pressure at the free throw line. We will see if he is able to springboard off that to start his freshman season.
UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: Virginia Tech just defeated Fairfield 74-57 and will play at 2:00 p.m. (AST) tomorrow against the winner of the Xavier/Missouri game. As a point of reference, the times on the updates will be in Eastern Standard Time, for two reasons: 1) That's where all you loyal fans are getting these updates and 2) Because that's the time my computer is set on and I don't want to mess up the math. Xavier's game will start in about half an hour.
UPDATE 1:07 p.m.: The Musketeers have
taken the court and are warming up for their game with the Missouri Tigers. The picture to the right shows the team huddle.UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: The starters for each team:
Xavier
Brown
Raymond
Anderson
Jackson
Love
Missouri
Carroll
Tiller
Lyons
Taylor
Lawrence
The teams have returned to the locker rooms and should return just before tip-off, which is just about nine minutes away.
UPDATE 1:21 p.m.: The Musketeers just returned the court with just over three and a half minutes before introductions to a standing ovation from a solid group of Xavier supporters. It's possible they made more noise for the Musketeers just now than either teams' fans did during the Virginia Tech/Fairfield game.
UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: Ladies and gentleman, we have tip-off. The Musketeers won it but were stopped on the first possession. Game on.
UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: Derrick Brown opens the scoring with a three-pointer, showing an improved stroke from long range this season.
UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: Early foul tally is Xavier 4 - Missouri 0, much to the disappointment of the Xavier faithful.
UPDATE 1:35 p.m.: Heading into the first media timeout, the game is tied at 5-5. Missouri scored 103 points in its last game against Chattanooga and 86 points in its opener against Prarie View A&M, but it's safe to say the Tigers haven't faced a defense at the level of XU's.
UPDATE 1:39 p.m.: First foul on Missouri comes on a turn to the inside from the post by freshman Kenny Frease. His size is unmistakable, but it's Frease's skill level that has been most impressive so far.
UPDATE 1:42 p.m.: Frease just picked up his second foul with 13:51 to play in the first half. He'll be replaced by Jason Love as the Musketeers go big with Love, Brown and sophomore Jamel McLean all on the floor.
UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: After showing he can hit the three earlier, Brown fakes the trey and takes it to the basket, drawing a foul to take us into the second media timeout with the Tigers in front, 14-12.
UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: Freshman Brad Redford just nailed a three-pointer with a hand in his face. For anyone who has seen Redford shoot, the sight of nothing but net is quite familiar.
UPDATE 1:53 p.m.: Stop me if you've heard this one before...McLean just grabbed a rebound and slammed home a put-back dunk in the same motion. It's like deja-vu all over again.
UPDATE 1:57 p.m.: Nice hustle play by B.J. Raymond takes us to the under-eight minute media timeout. After a defensive rebound, the Tigers turned their transition offense into high gear, but Raymond got back and planted his feet to draw a charge call. The team foul tally is now at Xavier 8 - Missouri 7.
UPDATE 2:03 p.m.: Drive and dish by Raymond give McLean an easy dunk to pull the Musketeers within one, 25-24, but the Tigers scored on their next possession to push the lead back to three.
UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: Jackson ties the game up at 29 with a three-pointer after the Musketeers show tremendous ball movement against the half-court trap of the Tigers.
UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: After trailing by as many as five, XU is back in front by two after a pair of free throws from Raymond. Rebounding has been the key for the Musketeers, who have kept the Tigers off the offensive glass for the most part.
UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: Another three-pointer for Brown puts the Musketeers up three, 35-32, with under 15 seconds to play, and Missouri calls a timeout to set up the assumed last play of the half. Brown has shown he can stretch the defense in this game and that should help him get to the basket in the second half.
UPDATE 2:19 p.m.: Head coach Sean Miller is showing why he belongs among the NCAA elite coaches. Coming out of the timeout, Xavier played a zone for the first time in the game and forced a missed shot by the Tigers to end the half. Musketeers take a 35-32 lead into the break. The pace of the game is benefiting Xavier right now, with stingy half-court and good transition defense keeping the score low. We'll be back with some half time stats.
UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: Although XU is holding onto a three-point lead, it doesn't take much imagination to assume Coach Miller is discussing the Musketeers' 12 first-half turnovers in the locker room right now. As he talked about during yesterday's interview (which can be seen on the men's basketball team page), the Missouri pressure defense has caused turnovers on the other side of the 10-second line. But, also as Coach Miller predicted, the front court is leading the way for XU. Brown leads all scorers with nine points and McLean has added six off the bench.
UPDATE 2:28 p.m.: While there's still a half to play, Xavier has done a good job of containing the Tigers' front court duo of Demarre Carroll and Leo Lyons, who came into the game averaging 43 points per game combined. Carroll has two points while Lyons is tied for the team lead with eight points thus far. The Musketeers have held the Tigers to 31.3 percent shooting and have dominated the boards, 24-15.
UPDATE 2:35 p.m.: Same starters for both teams as we get ready to begin the second half. Missouri starts with the ball and draws a foul underneath to get things back underway.
UPDATE 2:36 p.m.: Critical third foul called on Lyons of the Tigers puts him on the bench early in the second half after the Musketeers draw a charge.
UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Jackson draws a foul while trying to break the press, also drawing a sarcastic cheer from the crowd who apparently felt the call was long overdue.
UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: For the first minute and a half of the second stanza it looked like the pace would pick up, but some fouls have slowed things down a bit....As I type that there is a frantic exchange on both ends that results in the Tigers tying the game at 41-41. It would be so much easier if you could all read my thoughts.
UPDATE 2:47 p.m.: Even though he may not record the block each time, Frease has shown a tremendous ability to alter shots on defense. Not many players are used to driving and seeing someone of his stature waiting for them. I'd be scared, too.
UPDATE 2:51 p.m.: A three-pointer by Missouri's Kim English has given the Tigers a four-point lead, 47-44. After the bucket, the full-court pressure forced a Musketeers timeout with 29 seconds on the shot clock and the ball still in the backcourt. The timeout should help XU reset its offense and break the momentum Missouri has started to grab.
UPDATE 2:56 p.m.: Raymond was just rewarded for being fundamentally sound. After closing in on a driver, Raymond intercepted a skip pass almost on accident as it hit his outstretched arm and fell into is lap, as it were. He was then fouled in transition, giving him a one-and-one coming out of the media timeout trailing, 49-45.
UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: The Xavier rebounding advantage once again pays dividends as Brown pulls down an offensive board and finds Redford open for his second three-pointer of the night, giving the Musketeers a 50-49 lead.
UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: In the last minute of action, Raymond has gone 2-of-4 at the charity stripe, something Coach Miller would not approve of, but he has made up for it by grabbing two key rebounds, including one off his own miss. That may same him a lap or two when the Musketeers make it back to Cincinnati.
UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: Sloppy play has turned a Xavier advantage into a five-point Missouri lead. Turnovers on three straight possessions and an offensive rebound by the Tigers forced Coach Miller to call a timeout and regroup his troops.
UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Raymond put it on the floor again and was able to draw a foul heading into the media timeout. With both teams in the double bonus, he will go to the line to shoot a pair with Xavier trailing by five, 59-54.
UPDATE 3:20 p.m.: Brown's ankle looks to be healing quite nicely. After taking a pass from Terrell Holloway, Brown was looking for the flush but settled for a pair of free throws to pull the Musketeers within three, 63-60, and prompting a timeout by the Tigers.
UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: With the Tigers holding onto a three-point advantage, they have three players with four fouls, including their top two scorers: Lyons and Carroll.
UPDATE 3:27 p.m.: As if on cue, Holloway drives to the basket and draws the foul on J.T. Tiller of the Tigers, their leading scorer in the game with 16 points, who has now fouled out. He's been one of their top threats from outside.
UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: Puerto Rico, we know drama. With 3:34 to play, Missouri is clinging to a three-point lead. For a moment it looked like the Musketeers would pull within one when Holloway drove the lane and tried to dish to an open Frease, but the pass went off his hands and out of bounds for the turnover. If Xavier is going to pull this one out, they are going to need to find a way to stop the Tigers without fouling, a tough task in the last few minutes.
UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: Raymond has fouled out. He went just 1-of-7 from the field but hit 8-of-10 from the charity stripe to finish with 11 points.
UPDATE 3:37 p.m.: Raymond's understudy, Jackson just pulled the Musketeers with a clutch three-pointer from the wing. Time was winding down on the shot clock, but the sophomore guard showed he was not afraid of the big shot.
UPDATE 3:38 p.m.: On the other hand, Jackson picks up his fifth foul on what could have been called a charge on Carroll, which would have been HIS fifth foul. They haven't called many charges yet. He missed both free throws, however, and Holloway drove the basket and drew a foul on the line. Coach Miller calls him and Redford two of the best free throw shooting freshman in the country.
UPDATE 3:41 p.m.: And for good reason. He hits both to give Xavier a one-point lead. The Musketeer defense made the play when it counts, forcing a turnover as they look to wind out the clock...missed shot by Holloway...rebound going the other way for the Tigers...English tries the three...NO GOOD...rebound grabbed by Anderson. He gets the ball to Holloway who is fouled, sending the freshman to the line with a chance to ice the game. Now that is free-thought blogging.
UPDATE 3:43 p.m.: Free throw one...good.
UPDATE 3:44 p.m.: Free throw two...good. And in a tactic that is widely underutilized, Coach Miller calls for the foul with a three-point lead and less than ten seconds to play. It pays off as the Tigers miss the first of two free throws. They hit the second and call a timeout, while Coach Miller subs in Redford, his other freshman free throw specialist.
UPDATE 3:46 p.m.: Xavier get the ball into Holloway, who will step the line for two more free throws. First one is...good. Second free throw is...going to have to wait as Missouri calls a timeout.
FINAL: As Holloway hits his second free throw and the Tigers miss a last-second three, the Musketeers claim a 75-71 victory in their opening game at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. I am not from New York, nor do I claim to know New Yorkers, but I do know that Terrell Holloway is not afraid of the big stage. The freshman finished with 11 points and iced the game with astounding poise under pressure at the free throw line. We will see if he is able to springboard off that to start his freshman season.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Pictures from Wednesday's Practice
The Musketeers practiced at Guillermo Angulo Coliseum on Wednesday in preparation for the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, which begins on Thursday for Xavier against Missouri.
Head Coach Sean Miller addresses the team.
Half-court drills.
(From left to right): C.J. Anderson, Brad Redford, and Terrell Holloway (52) run through a drill as B.J. Raymond (11) looks on.
The Musketeers run through their offense in half-court drills.
Head Coach Sean Miller addresses the team.
Half-court drills.
(From left to right): C.J. Anderson, Brad Redford, and Terrell Holloway (52) run through a drill as B.J. Raymond (11) looks on.
The Musketeers run through their offense in half-court drills.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Xavier vs. Toledo Live Blog
UPDATE 7:42: Toodle-EE-Do got off to a quick start and led 4-3 at the 18:20 mark but the Musketeers regrouped with a 7-0 run.
UPDATE 7:58: One of the refs just whistled Dante Jackson for a carry. I wonder how they determine when to call that one. Meanwhile, Toldedo has cut the lead to three with 10:10 to go. Seven turnovers in the early going for XU.
UPDATE 8:06: Toledo's Justin Anyijong just went on his very own 7-o run to knot the game up but Jamel McLean answered with a couple of dunks to energize the crowd and, more importantly, reclaim the lead for XU.
UPDATE 8:22: Great finish to the half for the Musketeers. It was tied at 15 and the next thing you know Xaiver is going into the half with 36-19 lead. Not bad.
UPDATE 8:48: Toledo cut the Musketeer lead to 15 after a jumper by Tyrone Kent and a three from Anthony Byrd but XU answered the with a three of its own by BJ Raymond. With the lead back out to 18, 42-24, the Rockets called for a timeout. Out of the break, the Rockets immediatly turned the ball over - the Xavier "D" is too much!
UPDATE 9:04: Over a two-minute span neither team was hitting from the floor, with only one field goal going in for the Rockets. All seven of Xavier's points during this stretch came from the line, including a perfect 4-f0r-4 from Terrell Holloway.
UPDATE 9:07: And what a jinx that was... Holloway missed his next free throw... and then was called for a foul.
UPDATE 9:16: BJ Raymond just committed a cardinal sin... fouled a very hot-handed Tryone Kent as he made a three for the Rockets. Kent made his free throw. But... BJ answered right back with a three of his own. Musketeers still in control, 64-47.
UPDATE 9:30: Kent continues to light up Cintas as he hit back-to-back 3's for the Rockets... he now has 29 points. But with 3:16 left seems like his effort may be for naught. XU leads, 73-56.
UPDATE 9:35: Now the question is: Will Kent break a record tonight? Two more 3's and he's now got 35... he finally missed a shot with just over a minute remaining.
UPDATE 9:40: Confirmed, Kent has broken Delonte West's record for most points scored by an opponent's player in Cintas Center. West scored 33 on Jan. 17, 2004 when he was playing for the then-No. 1 ranked Saint Joseph's Hawks. Kent scored only five points in the first half - and 32 in the second for a new record 37 points.
In the end, Xavier comes out on top, 65-81.
UPDATE 7:58: One of the refs just whistled Dante Jackson for a carry. I wonder how they determine when to call that one. Meanwhile, Toldedo has cut the lead to three with 10:10 to go. Seven turnovers in the early going for XU.
UPDATE 8:06: Toledo's Justin Anyijong just went on his very own 7-o run to knot the game up but Jamel McLean answered with a couple of dunks to energize the crowd and, more importantly, reclaim the lead for XU.
UPDATE 8:22: Great finish to the half for the Musketeers. It was tied at 15 and the next thing you know Xaiver is going into the half with 36-19 lead. Not bad.
UPDATE 8:48: Toledo cut the Musketeer lead to 15 after a jumper by Tyrone Kent and a three from Anthony Byrd but XU answered the with a three of its own by BJ Raymond. With the lead back out to 18, 42-24, the Rockets called for a timeout. Out of the break, the Rockets immediatly turned the ball over - the Xavier "D" is too much!
UPDATE 9:04: Over a two-minute span neither team was hitting from the floor, with only one field goal going in for the Rockets. All seven of Xavier's points during this stretch came from the line, including a perfect 4-f0r-4 from Terrell Holloway.
UPDATE 9:07: And what a jinx that was... Holloway missed his next free throw... and then was called for a foul.
UPDATE 9:16: BJ Raymond just committed a cardinal sin... fouled a very hot-handed Tryone Kent as he made a three for the Rockets. Kent made his free throw. But... BJ answered right back with a three of his own. Musketeers still in control, 64-47.
UPDATE 9:30: Kent continues to light up Cintas as he hit back-to-back 3's for the Rockets... he now has 29 points. But with 3:16 left seems like his effort may be for naught. XU leads, 73-56.
UPDATE 9:35: Now the question is: Will Kent break a record tonight? Two more 3's and he's now got 35... he finally missed a shot with just over a minute remaining.
UPDATE 9:40: Confirmed, Kent has broken Delonte West's record for most points scored by an opponent's player in Cintas Center. West scored 33 on Jan. 17, 2004 when he was playing for the then-No. 1 ranked Saint Joseph's Hawks. Kent scored only five points in the first half - and 32 in the second for a new record 37 points.
In the end, Xavier comes out on top, 65-81.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Xavier vs. IPFW Live Blog
Xavier
Brown
Raymond
Anderson
Jackson
Love
IPFW
Daniels
Botts
Carson
Yearby
Mocevic
UPDATE 7:36: Full house here at Cintas Center for the Musketeers' 2008-09 season opener. The new intro video put together by technicallyl savvy Chris Schaaf really got the crowd fired up.
UPDATE 7:40: Anderson gets XU its first field goal of the night ... IPFW has turned the ball over three times in the first two minutes.
UPDATE 7:45: Big time play there by Frease ... he took a rebound away from a Don made a strong move and dunked it with one hand. Gotta love that.
UPDATE 7:54: The McCallister's Trivia Question is pretty unbelieveable ... Xavier men's basketball has graduated every senior since 1986. That's a lot of guys.
UPDATE 8:10: Xavier is really suffocating the Dons .... IPFW is shooting just 14.3 percent from the floor and has turned the ball over nine times. It's not like IPFW is missing a bunch of open shots, XU is contesting everything.
UDPATE 8:51: Well this one is all over but the cheering ... Xavier leads by 27 with under 14-minutes to go. If IPFW comes back this post will be the worst jinx of all time.
Brown
Raymond
Anderson
Jackson
Love
IPFW
Daniels
Botts
Carson
Yearby
Mocevic
UPDATE 7:36: Full house here at Cintas Center for the Musketeers' 2008-09 season opener. The new intro video put together by technicallyl savvy Chris Schaaf really got the crowd fired up.
UPDATE 7:40: Anderson gets XU its first field goal of the night ... IPFW has turned the ball over three times in the first two minutes.
UPDATE 7:45: Big time play there by Frease ... he took a rebound away from a Don made a strong move and dunked it with one hand. Gotta love that.
UPDATE 7:54: The McCallister's Trivia Question is pretty unbelieveable ... Xavier men's basketball has graduated every senior since 1986. That's a lot of guys.
UPDATE 8:10: Xavier is really suffocating the Dons .... IPFW is shooting just 14.3 percent from the floor and has turned the ball over nine times. It's not like IPFW is missing a bunch of open shots, XU is contesting everything.
UDPATE 8:51: Well this one is all over but the cheering ... Xavier leads by 27 with under 14-minutes to go. If IPFW comes back this post will be the worst jinx of all time.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Xavier vs. Findlay Live Blog
Xavier
G - Jackson
G - Raymond
C - Love
F - Brown
F - Anderson
Findlay
G - Parker
G - Lewis
C - Bostic
F - Roberts
F - Evans
Notes: Tonight's game will be the only exhibition contest of the season for Xavier. Findlay comes into tonight's showdown ranked No. 1 in Division II ... XU also played a closed scrimmage against Akron last Saturday but that can't be publicized any further, even in the blogosphere.
UPDATE 7:04: Pretty good crowd tonight and a good student turnout. I will guess the attendance number is somewhere in the neighborhood of 7,000.
UPDATE 7:06: Derrick Brown wins the tip ... you have to think he will win most of those this year.
UPDATE 7:08: XU has a bit of a beef/height advantage tonight and early rebound numbers exhibit that ... 4-0 Xavier.
UPDATE 7:13: First look at the highly-touted Terrell Holloway and Kenny Frease. The big fella get called for an illegal screen as he one of Findlay's players has a bruised kidney now.
UPDATE 7:21: A fast break dunk by Jamel McLean caps a 14-3 Xavier run and brings the crowd to its feet. The new guys look good in the early goings.
UPDATE 7:32: Kenny Frease just slammed it home, but was immediately called for a technical foul. Frease laughed it off, but Dante Jackson and B.J. Raymond had a few words to offer. The crowd didn't care, they loved the dunk, cheering "KENNY FREASE... KENNY FREASE."
UPDATE 7:46: Findlay is as good as advertised and plays an aggressive brand. The Oilers are 7-of-9 from the free throw line while Xavier is only 1-of-4. A big part of XU's game over the last couple year has been making more free throws than its opponent attempts and Findlay is making that tough. On a side note, does anyone know why Findlay's mascot is an Oiler?
UPDATE 8:05: Xavier leads 37-23 at the break. I thought this would be a good time to remind you about this year's halftime lineup, which was discussed on The X Blog here. Oh how I wish Red Panda was riding around on her unicycle right now.
UPDATE 8:19: A little attitude on this Findlay team. After a thunderous backdoor dunk, Josh Bostic got in Frease's face and got a little verbal. The official immediately lit him up with a technical. Just adding to the flavor.
UPDATE 8:35: B.J. Raymond just hit two straight three-pointers, making a calming motion with his hands and saying "I got it." XU leads 55-39 with 11 minutes left to play, so it sure looks like it.
UPDATE 8:43: Brad Redford checked in and buried two free throws then drained a 3-pointer from about three feet behind the line.
UPDATE 8:52: Tight sneakers now after Morgan Lewis has scored five straight points, cutting the Xavier lead to three points with under five-minutes to go.
UPDATE 9:18: This blogger thought that desperation 3-pointer had a chance and it did draw some iron. Lots of turnovers for XU but there is plenty of time to get that tightened up. Thanks for reading.
G - Jackson
G - Raymond
C - Love
F - Brown
F - Anderson
Findlay
G - Parker
G - Lewis
C - Bostic
F - Roberts
F - Evans
Notes: Tonight's game will be the only exhibition contest of the season for Xavier. Findlay comes into tonight's showdown ranked No. 1 in Division II ... XU also played a closed scrimmage against Akron last Saturday but that can't be publicized any further, even in the blogosphere.
UPDATE 7:04: Pretty good crowd tonight and a good student turnout. I will guess the attendance number is somewhere in the neighborhood of 7,000.
UPDATE 7:06: Derrick Brown wins the tip ... you have to think he will win most of those this year.
UPDATE 7:08: XU has a bit of a beef/height advantage tonight and early rebound numbers exhibit that ... 4-0 Xavier.
UPDATE 7:13: First look at the highly-touted Terrell Holloway and Kenny Frease. The big fella get called for an illegal screen as he one of Findlay's players has a bruised kidney now.
UPDATE 7:21: A fast break dunk by Jamel McLean caps a 14-3 Xavier run and brings the crowd to its feet. The new guys look good in the early goings.
UPDATE 7:32: Kenny Frease just slammed it home, but was immediately called for a technical foul. Frease laughed it off, but Dante Jackson and B.J. Raymond had a few words to offer. The crowd didn't care, they loved the dunk, cheering "KENNY FREASE... KENNY FREASE."
UPDATE 7:46: Findlay is as good as advertised and plays an aggressive brand. The Oilers are 7-of-9 from the free throw line while Xavier is only 1-of-4. A big part of XU's game over the last couple year has been making more free throws than its opponent attempts and Findlay is making that tough. On a side note, does anyone know why Findlay's mascot is an Oiler?
UPDATE 8:05: Xavier leads 37-23 at the break. I thought this would be a good time to remind you about this year's halftime lineup, which was discussed on The X Blog here. Oh how I wish Red Panda was riding around on her unicycle right now.
UPDATE 8:19: A little attitude on this Findlay team. After a thunderous backdoor dunk, Josh Bostic got in Frease's face and got a little verbal. The official immediately lit him up with a technical. Just adding to the flavor.
UPDATE 8:35: B.J. Raymond just hit two straight three-pointers, making a calming motion with his hands and saying "I got it." XU leads 55-39 with 11 minutes left to play, so it sure looks like it.
UPDATE 8:43: Brad Redford checked in and buried two free throws then drained a 3-pointer from about three feet behind the line.
UPDATE 8:52: Tight sneakers now after Morgan Lewis has scored five straight points, cutting the Xavier lead to three points with under five-minutes to go.
UPDATE 9:18: This blogger thought that desperation 3-pointer had a chance and it did draw some iron. Lots of turnovers for XU but there is plenty of time to get that tightened up. Thanks for reading.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
FSN's Men's Basketball Season Preview Schedule
As many of you probably know, FSN will be producing a pregame show before each of its XU men's basketball broadcasts. FSN also put together a season preview and it will air at the following times ...
November 9 at 4 p.m.
November 10 at 8 p.m.
November 11 at 12 p.m.
November 12 at 3 p.m.
November 13 at 9 p.m.
November 9 at 4 p.m.
November 10 at 8 p.m.
November 11 at 12 p.m.
November 12 at 3 p.m.
November 13 at 9 p.m.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Vote for Cintas Center as the Nation's "Toughest Place to Play"
For the first time ever, EA SPORTS will be naming one NCAA school's home venue the "Toughest Place to Play" in college basketball. We are told that Cintas Center has received a lot of votes and is currently in the top five.
Just when you thought you were done with elections ...
VOTE HERE
Just when you thought you were done with elections ...
VOTE HERE
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sean Miller Upcoming Appearances On TV/Radio
Xavier men's basketball coach Sean Miller will be in studio with Paul Daugherty for WLW's SportsTalk on Wednesday night from 8-9 p.m. Miller will be a guest on WKRC-TV's "The Sports Authority" on Sunday night, November 9.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Some WBB News This Afternoon
In between watching college football and cleaning up after any Halloween-related mess, keep an eye out for the first edition of this season's AP women's basketball poll. It may just be of particular interest for Xavier fans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
