The Good-
Mamu is back! ...well not 100% back but looking very good. One of the few Pirates to show lots of energy and effort. Very encouraging to see his progress.
Ja Ro has become a significant player we can count on for effort, toughness and energy...and he's hitting his shots and even hitting his free throws.
Q- as always it seems. Filled some of the scoring gap from the slumping Powell.
The crowd. Despite the terrible effort they (we) did their (our) best to push the team.
The Bad-
Romaro Gill's hypnosis must have worn off and he's no longer Ralph Sampson but the Juco center from Vincennes again. Ty Jones took his lunch from him again and as the Iron Sheik would say "made him humble!"
Was virtually a replay of the game he had versus Ro last year.
If you don't remember check the stats, very similar domination.
Crazy thing is Ro played well AT Xavier this year. Just perplexing.
Nelson- been saying this all year...and I won't say this on the free board, the kid is just not that good. I think point guard will be a major hole to fill next year. IMHO I do not see Nelson as a point leading a top tier Big East team.
Cale- he's a sweetheart of a kid and seems to try hard but at this point I just don't think he's gonna be what we were all hoping he was gonna be. I expect to see him lose his starting job once Mamu is completely back.
The Ugly-
The effort. Getting out-rebounded the way we did was embarrassing and unacceptable.Xavier came into this game a dead team walking. Losing a gut wrenching double OT game late Wed and having to travel here 2-6 in conference tired and demoralized. We gave them second chance time and again getting beat to lose balls and giving up soft baskets. Bad show!
The Scary-
Q's injury! Everybody who covers or follows the Pirates focuses on Powell but Q is the glue that holds this team together. His tenacious defense often shutting down the opposition's best player, his much improved ability to dish, his scoring, and of course his leadership.
There's no one to replace Q and unfortunately there's no competent backup to fill in if he goes down even for a short time...rewind to the MSU and Oregon meltdowns. If we lose Q our dream season is essentially over. Praying for Q's health. For us and for him, love the guy! Heart of a lion and a terrific kid.
Myles Powell is no longer Myles Powell. Sorry but there's real reason to be concerned. Since the concussion he's a shell of the player he was. This can't be attributed to defenses keying on him. They were doing that before, MSU did it with a hall of fame coach and he still scored 37 pts on a cranky ankle. He's a step and a half slow. Remember even back to the Georgetown game with McClung buzzing around the court he looked 150% the speed of Powell who used to be that quick.
At first it almost looked like he had the flu or mono. I think people weren't admitting it because they don't want it to be.
For example the Providence game..people would say he only took 6 shots, they were keying on him, he's such a great teammate finding others on the team to distribute to, etc.,etc. A healthy Myles Powell runs around and fights to get open and doesn't stand around watching the action.
That's what was happening. Myles has missed more bunnies the several games than he has the last 2 years. Used to be automatic from the line...no more. Not even mentioning his shooting from 3...the air ball today...that's not a right or healthy Myles Powell.
We can still make a Sweet 16 with a less than 100% Powell, but not missing Q. Praying he gets back. For us and for him...love the guy! Amazing kid and ambassador for SHU. Our all-time great. A healthy Powell and we have a legit shot at a Final 4 or dare I say...
Mamu is back! ...well not 100% back but looking very good. One of the few Pirates to show lots of energy and effort. Very encouraging to see his progress.
Ja Ro has become a significant player we can count on for effort, toughness and energy...and he's hitting his shots and even hitting his free throws.
Q- as always it seems. Filled some of the scoring gap from the slumping Powell.
The crowd. Despite the terrible effort they (we) did their (our) best to push the team.
The Bad-
Romaro Gill's hypnosis must have worn off and he's no longer Ralph Sampson but the Juco center from Vincennes again. Ty Jones took his lunch from him again and as the Iron Sheik would say "made him humble!"
Was virtually a replay of the game he had versus Ro last year.
If you don't remember check the stats, very similar domination.
Crazy thing is Ro played well AT Xavier this year. Just perplexing.
Nelson- been saying this all year...and I won't say this on the free board, the kid is just not that good. I think point guard will be a major hole to fill next year. IMHO I do not see Nelson as a point leading a top tier Big East team.
Cale- he's a sweetheart of a kid and seems to try hard but at this point I just don't think he's gonna be what we were all hoping he was gonna be. I expect to see him lose his starting job once Mamu is completely back.
The Ugly-
The effort. Getting out-rebounded the way we did was embarrassing and unacceptable.Xavier came into this game a dead team walking. Losing a gut wrenching double OT game late Wed and having to travel here 2-6 in conference tired and demoralized. We gave them second chance time and again getting beat to lose balls and giving up soft baskets. Bad show!
The Scary-
Q's injury! Everybody who covers or follows the Pirates focuses on Powell but Q is the glue that holds this team together. His tenacious defense often shutting down the opposition's best player, his much improved ability to dish, his scoring, and of course his leadership.
There's no one to replace Q and unfortunately there's no competent backup to fill in if he goes down even for a short time...rewind to the MSU and Oregon meltdowns. If we lose Q our dream season is essentially over. Praying for Q's health. For us and for him, love the guy! Heart of a lion and a terrific kid.
Myles Powell is no longer Myles Powell. Sorry but there's real reason to be concerned. Since the concussion he's a shell of the player he was. This can't be attributed to defenses keying on him. They were doing that before, MSU did it with a hall of fame coach and he still scored 37 pts on a cranky ankle. He's a step and a half slow. Remember even back to the Georgetown game with McClung buzzing around the court he looked 150% the speed of Powell who used to be that quick.
At first it almost looked like he had the flu or mono. I think people weren't admitting it because they don't want it to be.
For example the Providence game..people would say he only took 6 shots, they were keying on him, he's such a great teammate finding others on the team to distribute to, etc.,etc. A healthy Myles Powell runs around and fights to get open and doesn't stand around watching the action.
That's what was happening. Myles has missed more bunnies the several games than he has the last 2 years. Used to be automatic from the line...no more. Not even mentioning his shooting from 3...the air ball today...that's not a right or healthy Myles Powell.
We can still make a Sweet 16 with a less than 100% Powell, but not missing Q. Praying he gets back. For us and for him...love the guy! Amazing kid and ambassador for SHU. Our all-time great. A healthy Powell and we have a legit shot at a Final 4 or dare I say...
