Why Xavier's program is better than ND

[xujigga]

http://www.blueandgold.com/content/?aid=8723

Interesting article on why Notre Dame is no longer a powerhouse in basketball. Makes you realize what Xavier has been able to do over the past 10-20 years is quite remarkable.

[xsteve1]

It will always be a struggle at ND until they lower the academic standards for athletics. They have a lot of MAC level players in their program trying to compete in the Big East.

[DC Muskie]

When exactly was ND a power in basketball?

[Masterofreality]

Excuses, Excuses.

I love the way Not-re Dame in their haughty arrogance always has themselves put up on a pedestal when they are discussing their failings.

OMG. They might have to recruit "those kinds of players" and may have to become more involved with AAU than the High School Principals and coaches. Hey, I hate the AAU structure and what it has become, but guess what? Kids who play AAU are also students too who can handle college course work. They can get a "real education" at a lot of other places than your overhyped place.

Face it, ND. You are not what you used to be in the minds of kids. People aren't just going to go to South Bend just because you are the Fighting Irish who used to be good a couple of decades ago.

And enough about your self-touted academic advantage and alumni network. I know plenty of kids who slaved to go to ND, got in, took out gigantic student loans, graduated and now have a mountain of debt and are working at some menial job. How'd that "alumni network" work out for them? What I described here happens everywhere- and that is the point. ND is no different anymore than everywhere- except for their puffed out hubris- and their ridiculous NBC TV contract.

[xuwin]

When exactly was ND a power in basketball?

Good point. They're riding their conference affiliation just like UC is. What's the highest that they have finished in the Big East?

[Xman95]

Excuses, Excuses.

I love the way Not-re Dame in their haughty arrogance always has themselves put up on a pedestal when they are discussing their failings.

OMG. They might have to recruit "those kinds of players" and may have to become more involved with AAU than the High School Principals and coaches. Hey, I hate the AAU structure and what it has become, but guess what? Kids who play AAU are also students too who can handle college course work. They can get a "real education" at a lot of other places than your overhyped place.

Face it, ND. You are not what you used to be in the minds of kids. People aren't just going to go to South Bend just because you are the Fighting Irish who used to be good a couple of decades ago.

And enough about your self-touted academic advantage and alumni network. I know plenty of kids who slaved to go to ND, got in, took out gigantic student loans, graduated and now have a mountain of debt and are working at some menial job. How'd that "alumni network" work out for them? What I described here happens everywhere- and that is the point. ND is no different anymore than everywhere- except for their puffed out hubris- and their ridiculous NBC TV contract.

Well stated, MOR. The "academic standards" argument just doesn't hold up. There are many schools that have been successful, especially in hoops, despite tough standards. X seems to have high standards, Stanford is demanding academically and has had success, Duke is a great school and has one of the best programs in the country. There are more, but those are quick examples.

ND hasn't been anything special in basketball or football lately. It's not because of academic standards, but because of the fact that today's kids just don't care about what that school used to be. Do you really think a 17-year-old football player cares about Knute or Lou? The kids playing basketball don't care about beating UCLA 100 years ago. They just know Digger Phelps is a jackass with a highliter that matches his tie. Of course most of them don't realize he used to coach at ND. ND wants to keep living in its glory days, but the rest of the world moved on a long time ago.

[Emp]

ND is no different anymore than everywhere- except for their puffed out hubris- and their ridiculous NBC TV contract.

MOR, I don't do the rep thing, but "hubris" is le mot juste in any discussion of Notra Dame. I once had the occasion to be at a small social affair with the famous Theodore Hesburgh, aka Ted the Head. He was talking to my wife and mid delivery, burped loudly and rather emphatically, more like a bark, right in her face. He didn't blush or pause, just kept right on going. Views askance by those in the conversational group did not deter him. After the circle broke up, several standing in the discussion were abuzz with the arrogance of it.

"Our sh*t doesn't stink" seems to be the prevailing attitude.

However, Bray's performance is wafting odiferous and fecund enough that even the smelling-impaired Irish faithful are having to hold their collective noses.

[Masterofreality]

....wafting odiferous and fecund.....

Well, I do the rep thing and putting wafting, odiferous and fecund in a 4 word phrase that has meaning is worth big reps!!

[golfitup]

I still don't really know what to think of Notre Dame. They seem arrogant, but that's a gripe against us as well isn't it? I really think it helps that we are in a city and not some outpost like South Bend.

And yes, Xavier has passed Notre Dame as a program.

[X-band '01]

I see no reason to compare ourselves to Notre Dame - the best they've done in the last decade is 1 Sweet 16 appearance and maybe 1 or 2 other NCAA wins, even if 1 of them was against X back in 2001.

[SixFig]

Better chance to win a National Championship:

XU Basketball

ND Football

Discuss

[American X]

puffed out hubris

You would recognize it.

[Masterofreality]

You would recognize it.

In my mirror, daily. :p