Xavier shoots free throws like my 40 year old men's league
Truth.When the going gets tough, Marcus Foster forces a shot
Really pretty surprised CU won with Mo being out the last 30 minutes.
Some big minutes by Zierden at the point. Statistically nothing to speak of but his experience brought some calm to the team in the half-court. He's not great defensively but I think that gets overblown a little with him at times. It's REALLY hard to prevent a guy who wants to take the ball to the lane from doing so without fouling anymore.
Ronnie Harrell also had some nice minutes as well. Again, statistically not huge but he did some nice things and was disruptive on defense at times. 4 boards, a steal and a bucket and no turnovers.
Toby Hegner is the unsung hero of this team. 12 points and 4 boards tonight. Hit a huge 3 in the 2nd half.
Foster was awful. I can see where a hard ass coach would have some serious problems getting along with this guy. 7-20...never met a shot he didn't like. Takes some seriously awful shots and couldn't finish in the lane today. Zero rebounds today. That's unforgivable on a day where they needed every little thing to get the job done. With a body like his there's no reason he's the worst rebounder on the team. But, with regard to his offense, I imagine Mac accepts the fact that Marcus is going to put up a few crazy shots now and then...you can't promote #letitfly and then get mad when you leading scorer does.
I hate complaining about refs when my team loses. It's too easy. Often a major free throw disparity is more about one team being much more aggressive than the other. So I'm glad CU won so I can b-tch about these refs. They sucked. There wasn't a big disparity between the teams in how many shots they took inside the 3 line. CU was taking it to the hoop as much or close to as much as X. But X got a call on just about EVERY drive in the 2nd half. CU got nearly none. X made 16-29 from the line while CU made 11-12. That X lost the game because they sucked from the line was poetic justice. Late in the game they called a turnover on Huff that CLEARLY went off the X player...under 2 minutes. CLEAR review situation. Nothing. Awful game by that crew.
So...CU is saying ligaments look good. Potential meniscus issue. I'm no doctor but that wouldn't be good but potentially better than an ACL which would be a season ender.
CHi is absolutely correct. Not that it's going out on a limb but CU's ceiling is much lower without Mo. Without him they are a good team. With him it's nowhere near a stretch to say this team can make a final 4. Davion Mintz is going to grow up fast either way because Mo is going to be out at least a few games under the best case I'd think. Marquette, @G'Town and Depaul are the next 14 days....i mean if you told me....pick the 14 day stretch where you'd want to be without your best player this would be it. Fingers crossed.
A meniscus would be about the best case scenario, but it would still set him back weeks. I know they said his ligaments are intact, but I'll wait for the MRI.
One important thing is that his game is athleticism. While Watson at 75% is still a very good player and the best option at the point for the Jays, his explosive athleticism is his game. He can beat any defender at any time off the dribble. If he was 6 foot 5, he would be a slam dunk NBA lottery pick.
He needs to be 100%. My best hope is back for the Big East tourney. Creighton is going to really vulnerable without him.
Torn ACL. Done for the season. Feel terrible for Mo. He was having an all conference season and potential for making some all america lists.
This really ends any hope for CU having the "dream season". They literally have no chance for a final 4 without him. As I said before...he was the straw that stirred their drink. Totally different team without him. They are still a good team. A tourney team. But not what they could have been. SUCH a downer.
Will be interesting how they fare the rest of the way. Zierden seems like he would slow the offense down too much or else they have to use a freshman PG that I'm not sure has hardly played this year. Either way I'd say they'll be lucky to go .500 down the stretch.