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

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.

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

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

Personal Opinion of Jamie Ramsey

*Summary, only read if you do not know about the situation.*
Almost everyone that's a Reds fan and even some that aren't read or heard about the Twitter ordeal including Jamie Ramsey (@JamieBlog on Twitter) and (www.BetterOffRed.com). and @DaRedsWinPOW on Twitter got in an argument on Twitter. At first, it looked like nothing, just disagreeing about Tommy Johns Surgery. Eventually, DaRedsWinPOW called Ramsey a "Long-haired que*r" and a "Dusty Dick Rider." Ramsey then sent a DM to the other account, wanting to beat him up.

Jamie Ramsey is fantastic as the Reds  Media Relations and he is my inspiration for what I do. (Twitter,Blog) He is the best Reds fan I know. I have met him numerous times at RedsFest, and I should say he is a great person. I understand he made a mistake, and I do not condone this action, but I am "backing him up."

Now, I know making a blog post about it isn't helping to put it in the past, but let's do that now. Let's worry and support the Reds, and forget all this. Everybody makes mistakes, and Jamie Ramsey doesn't often.

Why are the Reds taking such a long time for Votto to get back?

The Reds are taking their jolly good time getting Votto back

the last time Joey Votto played in a game was July 15th, 2012. He went 2 for 3 with a double as the Reds won against the Cardinals 4-2. After that game, the Reds were on a 6 game winning streak. 

The next day, the Reds and Votto agreed on knee surgery, which would put him out 3-4 weeks. As of August 8th, he still is not back. You could say the Reds are taking their time, which they are. Due to Votto's injury, his projected HR is only 21, which is lower for Joey. He is also only projected to play in 127 games. Since Votto has been gone, the Reds record is 16-6, with the game on the 8th being played right now. So there is no need to rush Votto back.

Certain Reds players have stepped in the former MVP's absence. Some players being Scott Rolen, Ryan Ludwick and Xavier Paul. Ludwick has increased his average almost 40 points in the past few months, while Rolen having clutch hits and getting on base. Xavier Paul was called up when Votto went on the disabled list, and he has proved that he deserves to stay up. Paul's average is .375/.423 OBP (9 for 24). He also has 2 doubles and 3 RBI's in 24 AB's. He mainly lives in the PH role, but has starts from time to time. 

So, get healthy Votto, we are rocking and rolling without you.

Latos takes the game into own hand, Rivalry brewing

Something may or may not happen during tonight's game.

Mat Latos hit a 2-R HR during yesterdays game. Yes the pitcher. Latos slammed a 2-R shot to left field to extend the Reds lead to 3-0, which would hold the rest of the game. 

In the 9th inning, when Aroldis Chapman was pitching, and Andrew McCutchen was batting, Chapman beamed McCutchemn with a 101 MPH fastball on the shoulder. McCutchen starred down Chapman, walking slowly to first. Chapman and the Reds would win soon after 3-0. 

Post game, McCutchen said quote: "*expletive* them. *expletive* them" speaking of the Reds. Numerous fans between the 2 teams  have been bickering in person or social media such as Twitter. We will see how the Pirates respond, if they do, on the, in my opinion, unintentional hit-by-pitch. We will have to see, if the Pirates decided to hit somebody, who it is since Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips are out of the line-up due to injury. We will have to see. 

I couldn't find any pictures of Chapman hitting Andrew, so here's a video and the picture before the hit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSS20zemaPE