Scouting Report:
Xavier is a difficult team to trust the numbers on since their PG is out and have an interim coach. One thing I'm sure about is they will play faster than Virginia, but I dont expect them to try to run us off the floor. Without Scruggs they only play 7 guys if you count Hunter getting 8min/game in the NIT.
Key Players
Nunge is a stretch the floor 7 footer making 36.6% from 3 while being excellent around the basket as well and great at getting defenders in foul trouble
Freemantle is their backup PF and C who is more of a traditional big man but will shoot from 3 if left open. He plays about half their minutes and will play in a double big lineup
Colby Jones is a 3/4 slasher/garbage man that contributes on the glass and by getting to the free throw line
Nate Johnson is a 2/3 shooter that can be white hot or stone cold depending on the night. He has multiple 7-11 from 3 shooting games this year
Adam Kunkel - is a guard/wing that is having a good shooting season if you over commit to Johnson, Kunkel can make you pay
Dwon Odom - PG and a bit of an unknown. Similar to Posley his first year, he was playing some at the 2 and then would take over PG duties when Scruggs went out but is now full time PG. He is not a threat from the outside but has a nice mid range and around the basket game. Not the guy we want to send to the line as he is their best FT shooter
I cant say I have watch much Xavier basketball this year to know what they like to run. Judging by the players numbers I expect to see pick and pop actions for Nunge or dribble hand offs with him and Johnson/Kunkel. I anticipate we see the matchup zone from the Bonnies at times and see Shoon/AKC guard Freemantle at times when they play the double big lineup. This would mean we switch on Nunge and could give up a mismatch if Lofton or Holmes end up on him but would allow us to defend the perimeter better.
On the other end of the floor, I dont expect us to get a lot of Shoon lobs or for there to be many second chance points. I think Adaway and Holmes will need to have big games as X seems to struggle with guards getting to the basket and athletic wings. In their losses Xavier tends to give up a lot of 3s so that could be something to watch for early.