In Reply to: Is Xavier Booker in Cronin's doghouse like he was in Izzo's? posted by Michael.Walter.Cronin on January 07, 2026 at 15:26:26
and Xavier isn't contributing positively on defense. As ej (and others) have been saying, we have to have some defense or we can't win. And our centers haven't contributed positively. Jamerson at least tries. Really that's not enough - we need effective play - but you have to start somewhere. Cronin told Ben Bolch after the game last night when asked about Xavier he has to play defense. He knows that.
I don't think not giving someone minutes means he's in the coach's doghouse. You have to earn minutes. You do that by showing in practice that you're focused and working to do what the coach asks you to do. Then next step you show you are progressing when you get any minutes in games. We don't need a center to play outside the other team's bigs and hope to defend or rebound by reaching out to see if they can maybe grab the ball.
Maybe it's hoping to light a fire under the young man. Maybe it's just a recognition that you have to go with the players who give you the best chance to win. I don't all that a dog house but I'm glad to see him doing it.