RE: Xavier Game

[Steve Ray]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ALACOMBE [mailto:address@hidden
> Subject: [UC Basketball] Xavier Game
>
> Xavier is perimeter oriented
> team and if they are guarded they will not be able to
> make as many as they normally do.

I couldn't disagree more.  In the halfcourt, Xavier is a throw it inside
team all the way.  Sato's open looks almost all come off of West passing out
of double teams or Chalmers drawing defenders with dribble penetration.
Given UC's dearth of interior defenders, Xavier will be looking to pound it
inside all night long, with Sato and Chalmers picking up easy looks off the
two-man game.

> West looks like he is going to cry several
> times a game and I would like to see UC get in his head.

Have you guys only seen West play one time?  I've seen West dismantle MUCH
more physical interior defenders than UC can offer, starting with the UD
interior guys that had their way with the Bearcats and ending with the old
Temple 600# frontcourt (Rolison, Lyde).  Jamal Davis & company frustrated
West by denying him the ball, not by beating him up.   I just don't see this
Bearcats team being anywhere near as effective against West.  Look for a
dominating performance out of West in his final shootout.  Like him or not,
crybaby or not, West is MILES better than any interior player on the
Bearcats.

IMO, the biggest key to this game is ball security.  The Bearcats are going
to need every possession they can get against the a more skilled/experienced
Xavier squad.  They cannot thow the ball around and expect to win this game.
In the halfcourt, the defensives keys are going to be whether Barker can
shut down Chalmers penetration and whether Stokes can keep Sato from getting
open looks and of the boards.  Play West straight up with Max or versus
Kareem with Max coming from the help side.  Either way, let West get his,
just don't let the other guys feed off of his dominance.