Talking Xavier with Shannon Russell

The Crosstown Shootout is a mere 2 days away. I’m pumped already. To get everyone else on my level, it’s time to dive into Xavier head first. What better way to do that than to talk to someone who has covered Xavier for years? That’s what I did it. Shannon Russell covers Xavier for the Enquirer/Cincinnati.com. She’s worked there for a decade. She is very good at her job, which makes reading about Xavier a fun thing. I did just put Xavier and fun in the same sentence. Shannon is quite informative on twitter, where you can find her @slrussell

Shannon was good enough to answer questions about Tu Holloway, Mark Lyons, the transfers, her favorite Shootout memories and more. She answered the questions yesterday afternoon, before the Butler game. So if something seems dated *coughDezWellsQuestioncough*, remember that. Questions in bold, Shannon’s answers in normal type. 

Tu Holloway has been incredible at taking over the last two games. Do you think he’s better than he’s been the past couple of seasons?

Holloway has made clutch plays an art form and has been spot-on down the stretch this year. He was the player XU wanted to take the last shot a year ago and his poise and accuracy make him the natural go-to this year.

Did you have any doubt at all he was A) going take the three 3s that won game against Purdue and B) that he was making all 3 of them? Especially the last one.

You can always get a sense when Holloway is going to take over the game – when the team needs him most – so I figured he’d be pulling out all the stops to bring XU back from its deficit. I had no idea he was going to bury three straight threes, though. They were impressive. (ED: To say the least. PS, we all knew those last two 3s were going down)

Is there anyone in America you would want with the ball besides Holloway late in a game?

No.

Mark Lyons has had a fantastic start to the season. What’s the biggest part of his game that you’ve seen mature from last season?

His poise. Lyons has always been one of the fastest players on the team, if not the fastest player, but last season he often lost control on fast breaks and couldn’t convert baskets. This year he has improved that  and limited his turnovers. He says he’s just feeling more comfortable playing his game this year.

Kenny Frease has been a turnover machine this season, averaging nearly 4 a game. He only had three games last season of 4 turnovers and he’s already at 4 in 5 games. What’s been the change?

He’s had some trouble handling post traps. Coaches want him to play with more poise, play taller and bigger, and see over double-teams rather than around them. Chris Mack said Frease would benefit from the staff “putting players in better positions so he has more outlets and a little bit easier time of making a simple decision.”

The whole Xavier team has had turnover issues as well, namely in the first half of the last 2 games, and as a result have fallen in deep holes. Then, the Muskies just stop turning it over in the second half. Is Xavier just a very slow starting team, or are there bigger problems there?

It’s early in the season and there are a lot of newcomers, so it’ll just take a little time for the team to find their stride. They’re working on limiting turnovers via film watching and practice. They’re also cognizant of the need to play well at games’ starts.

Travis Taylor and Andre Walker have been nice additions as transfers. Can you talk a little bit about what they add to Xavier?

Tayor has been a great asset as a rebounder and Walker is a glue-guy whose undergrad career at Vanderbilt is evident in his know-how and execution on the court. Walker is also an excellent defender who’s able to guard pretty much any player on an opposing team.

Dez Wells was spectacular to watch in the first couple of games, but has soon cooled off (See I told you, dated Q). Are we going to see much of him in the Shootout?

I’d imagine so. He’s just a freshman so big games and quieter ones are to be expected as he grows comfortable with the team. But he’s a talented slasher with a promising future.

Is this the most talented Xavier team you have covered?

Yes.

What’s been your favorite Shootout game or moment?

The 2009 double-overtime game is tough to beat. It was exciting from start to finish.

Obviously Xavier has a game against Butler, but assuming the Musketeers win and no one gets hurt, what type of game are you expecting on Saturday afternoon?

I’d think it would be an intense, physical match-up where every possession counts. 

Thanks a lot to Shannon. She did a nice job. I respect the fact she didn’t just say “Xavier is going to win, no one on that team can cover Tu,” because that’s what I would have done if the shoe was on the other foot. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it now, it’s cool when people you respect and who’s work you admire are nice. I don’t know what Shannon has going on, but taking the time, on game day, to talk to a Cincinnati Bearcats blog she probably has never heard of is very nice. Thanks again, Shannon. 

Beat Xavier.