Monday, December 30, 2013

Xavier speeds by Wake Forest 68-53, looks forward to St. Johns (St. Johns Prediction and preview)


Saturday took on the Wake Forest Deacons at the Cintas. I attended, so I was looking forward to the game very much. To start the game, the Musketeers and the Deacons were trading the lead, leap frogging back in forth.

Xavier was very impressive, riding Stainbrook mainly with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Christon contributed with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and so did James Farr (13/7/0), Dee Davis (7/2/7), and Isiah Philmore (4/9/0). Xavier had momentum and un-doubtful control the entire time.

If winning 5 games straight doesn't excite you enough, Xavier is one of 10 teams to have a strength of schedule of 50 or better and have 10 or more wins... Can you name the rest?

Answers: Syracuse, Villanova, Kentucky, Oregon, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Colorado, UMass, and of course, Xavier.

Xavier takes on St. Johns at the Cintas Center for the first Big East game of the season. St. Johns is 9-3 on the season, losing to Penn State, Syracuse and Wisconsin. Solid losses for the team, but Penn State is not. Xavier has been playing great, while St. Johns is on a 3 game win streak, but beating weak teams.

prediction: Xavier defeats St. Johns 63-55

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Xavier edges by Alabama 77-74, the Bengals take on the Vikings


Coming into the game, the Crimson Tide were picked to win by 4.5 points. Both teams were basically even, and Xavier was searching for their first win on the road.

The big men Philmore and Stainbrook both collected a solid 17 points a piece, and also adding 18 boards. Xavier did a good job of getting Releford out early with 2 fouls late in the first half, but he still put up 17 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the Musketeers.

XU shot 79% from the free throw line, which is unfortunately an improvement. Semaj only scored 9, but Xavier proves two games in a row that they can win games with a team effort with Semaj struggling or just not leading like usual.

The Bengals are playing for it all right now, with the entire season coming down to the last two weeks of the regular season. Adrian Peterson is back for the Vikings, but early the Bengals are playing solid, with Dalton throwing a rope to AJ Green for 6 points.

After 1 quarter, the Bengals lead the Vikings 14-7, with Cincinnati driving.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Xavier at Alabama preview and prediciton

A week after crushing the University of Cincinnati in the Crosstown Classic, Xavier takes a road trip to Alabama in a solid road test. I'm big on stats, so here are some side by side comparisons between the teams.


Xavier                                                                                                                                           Alabama
   8-3                                                                          W-L                                                                5-5
  73.8                                                                       Avg Points                                                     73.9
  63.5                                                                   Avg Points Allowed                                               65.9
   8-1                                                                      Home Record                                                      5-1
   0-2                                                                        Road Record                                                      0-3
   W3                                                                        Current Streak                                                    L1



The stats are pretty even, besides the win loss column which is a lie. They loss to (11) Wichita State by 5 points and (6) Duke by only 10. They had a couple heart breakers, losing to Drexel by 2 in 3OT and USF by 2 as well. They beat teams they're suppose to and keep it close to the one's they're not suppose too. 

Releford averages 17 pts, leading 'Bama and Chrison leads XU with 15.5. Xavier lead the rebound and assist category though, with Stainbrook leading with 8.5 and Dee Davis with 4.2 assists. 

It will be a tough game for the Musketeers, especially looking for their first road win for the season. It is a needed win though, with the upcoming games against Wake Forest, St. John's, Butler and Marquette, all with winning records. Xavier needs to make a statement here, and I believe it's possible.

PREDICTION: Xavier defeats Alabam 71-66

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Xavier dominates Cincinnati 64-47, Justin Martin and James Farr shine.

Justin Martin lays one in over a UC defender, giving himself a season high 17-points.


When I walked into the stadium, decked out in Xavier gear, University of Cincinnati fans expected a big UC win. They were cheering, yelling and shoving XU fans before the game even started. They got a rude awakening. 

What surprised me in the game was Xavier shooting 11-16 from the three point line. They realized that they're three game was on and took advantage of a non-motivated UC defense. I was also surprised Semaj Christon only scored 8 points, and also how well Xavier performed when Christon was on the bench early with two fouls. Last shocker was Myles Davis only inputting 1-1 from three point range, which is surprising based on how many were shot and made.

Last thing I noticed was that it was probably 70%-80% UC fans, but for most to all of the game, the small Xavier sections were louder and way more into the game, but winning 64-47 makes that easier.

NEXT GAMES:

8-3 Xavier at 5-4 Alabama on 12/21 7:00
7-2 Cincinnati vs 10-0 Pittsburgh on 12/17 7:00, on ESPN.

Here are the highlights, in case you missed it or want to re-live it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4INzKRLgGo