Xavier-Butler 1/4/14 - Water Fountain Game

[RomainSato10]

I think Butler is hands down X's new rival and I like the rivalry. I've been to a handful of X/Butler games at Hinkle and enjoy it more than other rival game bc I have a lot of respect for their program. In the past, our former A10 rival up in Dayton, I never really enjoyed it. Mostly bc they are a mid level team and a L to them (which was rare as of late) was maddening. UD would beat X at home, and then lay an egg the following game leaving you scratching your head. Plus, UD has some major envy over X while Butler is comfortable in their own shoes.

I think X wins this game, Butler really doesnt have the depth to go on the road to win this. Should be a close low scoring game. Butler reminds me of X last year, a little short handed but playing well enough with what they have to be dangerous. They'll win some big ones at home thats for sure. Butler really has no answer for Semaj and Stainbrook, although Marshall/Woods are a tough assignment for Philmore and Martin, I think they can get the job done. Looks like Miller was the right coach, he needs to get his recruiting going a bit but that will come, hard to hit home runs in 2014 in a short turn around. 2015 is big for him. No program benefited more from Stevens leaving than X thats for sure (Bluiett/Macura).

Some X fans need to let go of that 09 game. I was there, I was not happy but X has been on the right side of many close games. It was a rather odd game, and minus the clock I think the biggest BS was Howard mauling Jason Love to the ground, thats a a foul. X recruited Howard hard and will he was an effective player, with the new foul rules he might last 5 mins a game. Chippy kid. X still went to S16 that year, and what fans should be most mad about was Kenny being too fat and slow to guard Kansas State allowing them to beat us and miss out on a revenge game vs Butler in the regional final.

Good rivalry and good games to come, I think X will develop a rivalry with MU and Creighton, although I think most teams will end up not liking Creighton bc its such a tough place to play.

[Chalmers0]

I really hate Butler.

I've really hated Butler since the whole ending to that game a few years back that has already been referenced (btw, I'm fairly confident Tu Holloway was the water fountain abuser, but I could be wrong). I've also hated them because they have had a very similar blueprint to their "mid-major" success, including sharing a coach in Thad Matta (Brandon Miller was also previously on staff at Xavier), yet Butler has been to two final 4's and Xavier has not even though Xavier has probably been a more consistent staple in the tourney and sweet 16. So yes, absolutely part of the hatred is jealousy. Despite being from Ohio and having a bunch of friends who went to Dayton or UC, I may care more about beating Butler, which some X fans will strongly disagree with (and rightfully so).

I have to say it felt great to land the commitments of Bluiett and Macura because they were great recruits but it felt about 10 times better knowing that they were two of the biggest priority recruits for Butler, especially Bluiett living just miles from campus. And looking at 2015 and on targets it looks like we will have plenty more battles going forward that is going to continue to make this a really fun rivalry.

As for today's game, I think Xavier matches up GREAT with Butler. But then again, I always think Butler matches up relatively poorly (like against Nova) yet it doesn't really seem to matter most of the time due to great coaching/how they play. I think I've seen somewhere that Kam Woods may guard Semaj, which will be very interesting to see how his length can affect him. Also very interested to see who can try to slow down Stainbrook in the paint as well as how Philmore can guard Khyle Marshall. Semaj will probably get most of the time on Dunham but if he's not in it will be interesting to see who guards him. Our other good perimeter defenders, Randolph and Dee, are definitely going to be too small.

Either way, I expect a great competitive game, a great atmosphere (I believe Cintas is sold out again) and hopefully a Xavier win.

[Bulldog_Muskie]

I actually think it would be funny if they played for a water fountain, similar to a football rivalry game.

Can we get a fund going for some sort of bronzed water fountain?

[XUFan09]

Against high-major teams, I think Butler benefits from the way they play. Lots of smart cuts and passes, good jump shooting from all positions, less of a tendency to take it to the rim, all with a bruising smart yet not athletic defense. Low-major and mid-major teams are used to Butler's style of play, because it's more similar to theirs, so they are better prepared and can hang in the game with them. High-major teams don't see that style as much, as they tend to have and play against more athletic, impact players. When high-major teams face that playstyle in their buy games, the talent and skillset disparity is so enormous that it's not even a really good learning experience about how to face that kind of offense and defense. What makes Butler different is that they take that playstyle of bad teams but they infuse it with talented players with great skillsets. It's a unique combination.

[gmoser1210]

What happened to Stainbrook that he has the bandage above his eye?

[milksteak]

Against high-major teams, I think Butler benefits from the way they play. Lots of smart cuts and passes, good jump shooting from all positions, less of a tendency to take it to the rim, all with a bruising smart yet not athletic defense. Low-major and mid-major teams are used to Butler's style of play, because it's more similar to theirs, so they are better prepared and can hang in the game with them. High-major teams don't see that style as much, as they tend to have and play against more athletic, impact players. When high-major teams face that playstyle in their buy games, the talent and skillset disparity is so enormous that it's not even a really good learning experience about how to face that kind of offense and defense. What makes Butler different is that they take that playstyle of bad teams but they infuse it with talented players with great skillsets. It's a unique combination.

weird. Butler has two less points in the paint.

[bmorex]

Butler shooting out of their minds. 61% field, 4-7 from 3.

[bmorex]

I will say this, after Stevens left and Jones got hurt, I was staunchly in favor of Butler finishing in 8th or lower.

They've proven me wrong, so let me eat crow here.

[bmorex]

Big win. Time for Marquette next Thurs.

[X Factor]

X by 11.

2 for 2. Picked X by 10 over SJU and nailed it again today.

Butler impressed me today. They are as tough as ever and just play good basketball. A hot first half of shooting gave them a big boost.

Semaj Christon has been great lately. Last 2 games he's had 16 assists and ZERO turnovers.