Fri 11/29 BE Game Thread (6 Games)

[XUFan09]

4-3 is my prediction.

Worried about Xavier. They barely beat Tennessee at home. Going to be hard to win on a neutral court.

They were down two starters for that game. This time they're down the last guy in the regular rotation, and the big question is how Semaj will be after his cramps last night. I'm also wondering how fatigue will affect these teams. Xavier just played a brutal overtime game, and Tennesee only has a 13-hour turnaround.

[stever20]

Looking at it the game I think I'd be worried about is the Marquette one. GW has kind of come out of no where. Don't know if anyone knows really how good they are.

Normally I'd say San Diego St- but given they're playing our best team- hopefully no issue there at all

[TheHall]

Lines:

Butler : +11
Xavier: -1.5
Nova: +5
Marq: -2
CU: -4.5
SJU: -2
Prov: -17

Was thinking Marq would be more like a 6-7 pt. favorite at least, and Nova would be a 7 pt. dog, and CU would be 6+ pts after yesterday's performance. Interesting that odds makers expect closer games. I think Ok St. will be a very tough matchup for Butler. Hope I am wrong.

Thx..updated OP.

[Lavinwood]

The SJ game will go 1 of 2 ways.

1) We keep playing the way we have been i.e. come out sleeping, get into a quick 10 pt hole, fight back just in time for halftime where we get even. Come out stronger in the 2nd half, get a bit of a lead, then hold off a push by PSU at the end and the game comes down to FT's.

2) We forget PSU is not a mid major and our athletic abilities are not in another league now and promptly lose by 20 to PSU.

Hopefully this is a team that also plays UP to the competition too. I know in the past few years we looked totally lost against Northeastern then went out and beat teams like #15 Cincy, so hopefully the crap play is behind us and the sense of urgency is there.

[GumbyDamnit!]

Looking at it the game I think I'd be worried about is the Marquette one. GW has kind of come out of no where. Don't know if anyone knows really how good they are.

Normally I'd say San Diego St- but given they're playing our best team- hopefully no issue there at all

I'm not sure how GW is getting this much respect. They are basically a middle of the road A10 team that didn't do much of anything last year. I will tell you that they have a Nova transfer at the PF position--Isaiah Armwood--who is a very good defender, and can do a few things offensively. Gardner is the better player IMO but he def provides some athleticism for them down low. And their Sr. guard Creek seems to be having a very good start to the year. Prediction: Marq by double digits (10-12)

[Lavinwood]

Looking at it the game I think I'd be worried about is the Marquette one. GW has kind of come out of no where. Don't know if anyone knows really how good they are.

Normally I'd say San Diego St- but given they're playing our best team- hopefully no issue there at all

I'm not sure how GW is getting this much respect. They are basically a middle of the road A10 team that didn't do much of anything last year. I will tell you that they have a Nova transfer at the PF position--Isaiah Armwood--who is a very good defender, and can do a few things offensively. Gardner is the better player IMO but he def provides some athleticism for them down low. And their Sr. guard Creek seems to be having a very good start to the year. Prediction: Marq by double digits (10-12)

GW is one of those teams that seems to be good every once in a while. They are a mid major, yes and no doubt Marquette should still win but GW can be dangerous every so often. It would be really nice for SJ to win the tournament with GT and PSU in the way, but I won't hold my breath at all. I have learned to not have any expectations for the Johnnies.

[Lavinwood]

PC off to a great start…this is an easy win already just using my eyes. 14-4 and growing. Watching PC I see 4-5 guys who can score. It makes me realize that the problem with SJ is that we have 1-2 MAYBE 3 guys who can score at all. We need more offensive studs.

[stever20]

PC off to a great start…this is an easy win already just using my eyes. 14-4 and growing. Watching PC I see 4-5 guys who can score. It makes me realize that the problem with SJ is that we have 1-2 MAYBE 3 guys who can score at all. We need more offensive studs.

yup- complete mismatch here for PC.

[Bluejay]

Looking at it the game I think I'd be worried about is the Marquette one. GW has kind of come out of no where. Don't know if anyone knows really how good they are.

Normally I'd say San Diego St- but given they're playing our best team- hopefully no issue there at all

I'm not sure how GW is getting this much respect. They are basically a middle of the road A10 team that didn't do much of anything last year. I will tell you that they have a Nova transfer at the PF position--Isaiah Armwood--who is a very good defender, and can do a few things offensively. Gardner is the better player IMO but he def provides some athleticism for them down low. And their Sr. guard Creek seems to be having a very good start to the year. Prediction: Marq by double digits (10-12)

GW is one of those teams that seems to be good every once in a while. They are a mid major, yes and no doubt Marquette should still win but GW can be dangerous every so often. It would be really nice for SJ to win the tournament with GT and PSU in the way, but I won't hold my breath at all. I have learned to not have any expectations for the Johnnies.

If SJU can lock up Frazier, beating Penn St should be pretty easy. PSU is expected to finish close to the cellar of the Big Ten.

[Lavinwood]

Some perspective though: PSU has been getting noticeably better recently with its basketball program. Another thing: we don't EVER beat people easily lol doesn't matter if you are D-2 or average D-1. The last time we really dominated or seemed in control all game was over 1 yr ago vs. South Carolina (and even then one of their best players got hurt early). These are the cardiac Johnnies. We are not Nova, PC, or Creighton. Our offense is probably the worst or 2nd to worst in the conference. We are shooting about 17% from 3 ALL YEAR so far! That's so low that some guys can probably hit that percentage blindfolded. We are DEAD LAST in the NCAA in 3 point percentage. No one is worse than us. Thus, we need to start charging into the paint and shoving it down their throats. If we have a wide open 3 then sure take it. But we need to get inside the paint so badly. Look for more of the same from us today: terrible shooting and not enough penetration.

Why am I so sure? Because we are consistently bad this year as far as I've seen thus far. And because Lavin is our coach and the problem is that he really isn't a coach. I dare the Johnnies to prove me wrong, but I doubt they will because I know this team too well.