Since an exhibition loss doesn't rely in opposition to a staff's report, what's the largest danger in a preseason defeat?
"I feel we get just a little carried away with exhibition video games for the concern of individuals roasting us on Twitter," o mentioned after his Musketeers pulled out a 76-70 win over Kent State at Cintas Heart Oct. 23. "That's what social media does. It places all people on edge as a result of we don't wanna get crapped on on a regular basis by all people."
r averted any social media overreactions by holding off e Friday night time in a story of two halves. Xavier led, 37-28, on the intermission in a first-half efficiency that − regardless of a sluggish night time offensively − appeared like how a Huge East staff ought to deal with a mid-major opponent.
The second half was a unique story as Kent State took the lead on two events earlier than a 10-4 Xavier run offered sufficient cushion for the Musketeers to finish a 3-0 month of exhibition play.
What was the distinction?
"There was a second within the second half with just a little little bit of egocentric basketball, just a little little bit of effort lapses… I believed it was nice for our guys to see," Pitino mentioned. "There was just a little second within the second half the place we had been enjoying the flawed means. We corrected it, realized from it and pulled away."
There's not one class on the field rating one might level at to indicate Xavier's selfishness. The Musketeers did rating 22 factors within the paint within the first half however relied closely on the 3-point shot (32 makes an attempt). Xavier bought 4 3-pointers every from Jovan Milicevic and Ruben Dominguez, together with some well timed triples down the stretch. Xavier's starters mixed for 61 factors and 29 rebounds. Level guard Tru Washington and middle Mike Nwoko had been additionally in double figures whereas Filip Borovicanin flirted with a triple-double (8 factors, 10 assists, 9 rebounds).
On the glass, Xavier was outrebounded, 42-37, and gave up 12 second-chance alternatives. Kent State had a pair of 9-0 spurts within the first 12 minutes of the second half. The primary tied the sport at 37-37 instantly out of the locker room, the second gave the Golden Flashes their largest lead of the night time (56-52) with 8:01 remaining.
"They're exhibition video games. I believed there have been lots of positives," Pitino mentioned. "I believed in the present day was actually, actually good. It revealed how, after we don't play the best means, how unhealthy we make ourselves look."
This text initially appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: s