Meanwhile, Colonials just plain struggling
When Xavier and George Washington meet in tonight?s Atlantic 10 showdown at the Charles E. Smith Center in Washington, D.C., both coaches hope to correct ills that have plagued their teams.
The ability to play well for 40 minutes has eluded the Colonials during a 4-12 spiral, and the Musketeers have struggled with an inefficient defense in their last three games.
The latter problem has vexed XU coach Chris Mack. He isn?t sure if players are mired in the dog days of the season, or whether years of the same directives ? things like ?wall up? and ?high hands? ? have made the messages less imperative.
Recent numbers have reflected the slide. The Musketeers held four straight foes to an average of 57 points before allowing 87 points at Dayton, 73 to Saint Louis and 70 at Charlotte.
?Up until these last three games, we would stack up with any Xavier team in the last 20 years (defensively). But in these last three games, we?ve regressed. It?s disappointing,? Mack said.
Opponents have maximized their possessions in Xavier?s 1-2 stretch, capitalizing on the Muskies? defensive communication lapses and rebounding inconsistencies.
Here?s the twist: Despite having the A-10?s fifth-ranked scoring defense, the Muskies still lead the conference in field goal defense (39.2 percent) and 3-point field goal defense (29.6 percent).
?Honestly, it amazes me,? Mack said. ?I just can?t wrap my head around that because I still feel ? and I know ? that we?re not near the defensive team that we need to be if we want to compete for a championship.?
Rebounding has become a sore spot for a Musketeers team edging opponents by an average 2.2 boards. XU hasn?t won a rebounding battle since the Jan. 11 Duquesne game, which has limited its opportunities in transition and returned the ball to its opponents far too often.
Xavier?s last three foes have averaged 9.3 offensive rebounds and 10.7 second-chance points.
Rebounding, like defense, is entrenched in pride and desire, Mack said. Although players like Tu Holloway have willingly accepted the challenge, the team is only as strong as its weakest link.
?It?s not Player A or Player B. It?s a combination,? Mack said. ?It?s on a certain night, Kenny Frease. On a certain night, Mark Lyons. On a certain night, guys off the bench. That can?t be the case.?
First-year George Washington coach Mike Lonergan enters tonight?s game with his own frustrations, including the Colonials? inability to string together a complete effort on a regular basis.
?We?ve gotten off to awful starts and just found (ourselves) playing behind, going to halftime almost every game with a deficit,? Lonergan said. ?We just don?t have the depth and the talent to come back from that. It just takes up so much energy. We usually make a run and just never have enough left to win the game.?
The Colonials have lost two straight, hampered by ?lousy? defense at La Salle, Lonergan said, and a 44-24 rebounding disparity at Fordham.
GW remains in the A-10?s cellar in scoring offense (61.8 points per game) and made threes (4.4) despite the contributions of guards Tony Taylor and Lasan Kromah.
The team was dealt a blow when second-leading rebounder (4.7 boards) and third-leading scorer (8.8 points) David Pellom recently injured his left knee. Lonergan said Monday that he hoped the 6-foot-8 junior would be back in a week.
In the meantime, XU and GW will attempt to remedy their problems in a game that could go a long way in the jumbled A-10 standings.
Lonergan said the Colonials have their hands full.
?We?re going to have to play a great game with a lot more intensity to win,? Lonergan said.
When Xavier and George Washington meet in tonight?s Atlantic 10 showdown at the Charles E. Smith Center in Washington, D.C., both coaches hope to correct ills that have plagued their teams.
The ability to play well for 40 minutes has eluded the Colonials during a 4-12 spiral, and the Musketeers have struggled with an inefficient defense in their last three games.
The latter problem has vexed XU coach Chris Mack. He isn?t sure if players are mired in the dog days of the season, or whether years of the same directives ? things like ?wall up? and ?high hands? ? have made the messages less imperative.
Recent numbers have reflected the slide. The Musketeers held four straight foes to an average of 57 points before allowing 87 points at Dayton, 73 to Saint Louis and 70 at Charlotte.
?Up until these last three games, we would stack up with any Xavier team in the last 20 years (defensively). But in these last three games, we?ve regressed. It?s disappointing,? Mack said.
Opponents have maximized their possessions in Xavier?s 1-2 stretch, capitalizing on the Muskies? defensive communication lapses and rebounding inconsistencies.
Here?s the twist: Despite having the A-10?s fifth-ranked scoring defense, the Muskies still lead the conference in field goal defense (39.2 percent) and 3-point field goal defense (29.6 percent).
?Honestly, it amazes me,? Mack said. ?I just can?t wrap my head around that because I still feel ? and I know ? that we?re not near the defensive team that we need to be if we want to compete for a championship.?
Rebounding has become a sore spot for a Musketeers team edging opponents by an average 2.2 boards. XU hasn?t won a rebounding battle since the Jan. 11 Duquesne game, which has limited its opportunities in transition and returned the ball to its opponents far too often.
Xavier?s last three foes have averaged 9.3 offensive rebounds and 10.7 second-chance points.
Rebounding, like defense, is entrenched in pride and desire, Mack said. Although players like Tu Holloway have willingly accepted the challenge, the team is only as strong as its weakest link.
?It?s not Player A or Player B. It?s a combination,? Mack said. ?It?s on a certain night, Kenny Frease. On a certain night, Mark Lyons. On a certain night, guys off the bench. That can?t be the case.?
First-year George Washington coach Mike Lonergan enters tonight?s game with his own frustrations, including the Colonials? inability to string together a complete effort on a regular basis.
?We?ve gotten off to awful starts and just found (ourselves) playing behind, going to halftime almost every game with a deficit,? Lonergan said. ?We just don?t have the depth and the talent to come back from that. It just takes up so much energy. We usually make a run and just never have enough left to win the game.?
The Colonials have lost two straight, hampered by ?lousy? defense at La Salle, Lonergan said, and a 44-24 rebounding disparity at Fordham.
GW remains in the A-10?s cellar in scoring offense (61.8 points per game) and made threes (4.4) despite the contributions of guards Tony Taylor and Lasan Kromah.
The team was dealt a blow when second-leading rebounder (4.7 boards) and third-leading scorer (8.8 points) David Pellom recently injured his left knee. Lonergan said Monday that he hoped the 6-foot-8 junior would be back in a week.
In the meantime, XU and GW will attempt to remedy their problems in a game that could go a long way in the jumbled A-10 standings.
Lonergan said the Colonials have their hands full.
?We?re going to have to play a great game with a lot more intensity to win,? Lonergan said.
