The Saint Xavier men’s basketball have started the new year on a positive note winning three out of their first four games.
So far it has been an up-and-down season for Coach O’Malley’s team, as indicated by their 12-8 record. The Cougars play well at home amassing a 9-5 record. It’s a different story on the road where they are only 3-3. One of the Cougars new year’s resolution may have been getting off to a strong start because that’s exactly what the team has done.
What is especially encouraging about the current run the Cougars are on is that of their last three victories, two of them have come on the road.
Another encouraging sign is that they’re battling back stronger when down in the game. In their last game against the University of Saint Francis (Ill.)
Saint Xavier found themselves down by double-digits, but were able to get back into the game thanks to some timely three-point shots.
For a little more insight in how the season is going so far Saint Xavier, we talked to Sean Anderson who broadcasts the game for WXAV radio 83.3.
He said, “The men’s team is extremely talented. You see it in spurts and for some full games, but it seems a lack of effort is the biggest downfall.”
Again, this goes back to the roller-coaster season the team is having. There are some games where you see the talent and potential and others where if things aren’t going their way, the team shuts down a bit and their play becomes erratic.
He continued, “It is really not on one player. It is just more on the players to bring their game on a more consistent basis. Lately we have seen that out of them. I’ve said on the broadcast after the loss to Governors State that the team needed to have a strong to perfect January from that point, and so far it seems that has been the message from the coaching staff.”
Similar to the women’s team, the men’s team also have their version of Kara Krolicki. In this case, it’s in Quinn Niego. Niego is at, or near, the top of all the offensive categories for Coach O’Malley. Those include total points, scoring average, and rebounds. Niego is one of the centerpieces for Saint Xavier, but it would be a disservice to not mention those around him.
This group of players seem to finally be playing like a team and their performances are an example of that and so was their latest victory.
The Cougars went on the road and faced off against Olivet Nazarene University. They won in convincing fashion by a score of 98-79.
Once again, the usual suspects led the game for Saint Xavier. Quinn Niego was the Cougars’ top scorer with 24 points. Sophomore, Jack Brody, and junior, Tyler Diehl, scored 17 points each.
Saint Xavier shot 75% from three-point land (15-of-20). When a team has that high of a percentage, chances are that whoever that team is will come out on top. This time was no exception.
As Sean said, their early struggles was not down to simply one player and the same can be said for their run this month. Everyone on the team has stepped up their game. Jared Jones, Jack Brody, and Tyler Diehl are putting in strong performances. The team as a whole look more consistent and it’s showing based on their results.
As opposed to the women’s team, the expectations for the remainder of the season are up in the air. If they’re able to maintain a level of consistency, there is no reason to believe that the team can’t make a deep run in the CCAC and NAIA tournaments.
It’s also not out of the realm of possibility that they fall into a lull again and slip up early in the competition. But they’ve gotten off to a promising start in the new year and hopefully it continues.
Upcoming Schedule
1/24 vs Saint Ambrose University at 7:00pm
1/27 @ Holy Cross College at 2:00pm
1/31 @ Calumet College of St. Joseph at 5:00pm
2/3 vs Trinity International University (Ill.) at 3:00pm
Ernesto Hernandez
Sports Editor