Pick your poison

[MADXSTER]

Poll

Which team would you not want Xavier to face in the NCAA tourney?

You can choose more than one.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Kansas and Kentucky have too much size for Xavier, the other teams Xavier matches up well with(Michigan State, Purdue) or they aren't that deep (Syracuse, OSU)

[XU05and07]

Kentucky cannot play in a half court set...slow them down and don't turn the ball over and they are beatable.

Kansas is another question.

[rhyno2110]

Kansas and Kentucky have too much size for Xavier, the other teams Xavier matches up well with(Michigan State, Purdue) or they aren't that deep (Syracuse, OSU)

That is way way way way way wrong. Syracuse is very deep. Look at this:

Name PPG
Wesley Johnson 16.0
Kris Joseph 11.3
Andy Rautins 10.7
Arinze Onuaku 10.3
Rick Jackson 9.3
Brandon Triche 9.0
Scoop Jardine 8.0
Mookie Jones 6.1

That looks pretty deep to me. And you don't need to be deep if you play zone defense all the time. That being said, Xavier would have major problems against this team. We BLOW when it comes to running a zone offense. All of those guys play a significant amount of minutes, except for Mookie, and he still averages a good amount of points.

[bourbonman]

Love to avoid older teams like Kansas, therefore my vote. While I may not like the results I would love to get Kentucky's youth. Might be painful, might be fun.

[vee4xu]

Ohio State. Heard a report by OSU's radio expert, Tony White, last week that said Matta is playing his starters between 37 and 39 minutes a game on average. What this means the report went on was that OSU is just one injury away from having to insert an inexperienced player into late season important games. Even without an injury White suggests that the five starters could be worn out enough by the end of the regular season and Big 10 tournament. Oh and beating Thad would be a bonus. Besides we owe them one.

[The_Mack_Pack]

That is way way way way way wrong. Syracuse is very deep. Look at this:

Name PPG
Wesley Johnson 16.0
Kris Joseph 11.3
Andy Rautins 10.7
Arinze Onuaku 10.3
Rick Jackson 9.3
Brandon Triche 9.0
Scoop Jardine 8.0
Mookie Jones 6.1

That looks pretty deep to me. And you don't need to be deep if you play zone defense all the time. That being said, Xavier would have major problems against this team. We BLOW when it comes to running a zone offense. All of those guys play a significant amount of minutes, except for Mookie, and he still averages a good amount of points.

Mookie Jones is hurt so they only play 7 guys, all 7 are very good but if they get a couple in foul trouble they will wear down.

[XU05and07]

Ohio State. Heard a report by OSU's radio expert, Tony White, last week that said Matta is playing his starters between 37 and 39 minutes a game on average. What this means the report went on was that OSU is just one injury away from having to insert an inexperienced player into late season important games. Even without an injury White suggests that the five starters could be worn out enough by the end of the regular season and Big 10 tournament. Oh and beating Thad would be a bonus. Besides we owe them one.

i agree...but the question is which team you don't want to play

[vee4xu]

I am an idiot. Thought this said which team would you want to play. That said, I no longer say OSU and change my vote to Kansas. Though if I had to choose a team to play I'd pick OSU.

[MADXSTER]

I am an idiot.

How can I save this quote?? hmmm

[BBC 08]

Purdue. Only because it is the same team we beat in 08 and they will be out for revenge.

[stophorseabuse]

I accidentally voted for OSU too. Looking at who I would want to play. When I saw pick your poison I figured we had to pick who we would play.

Anyhow, keep Kansas away from me. All the Big 10's would be fine. I don't want anymore of Duke either. Syracuse's zone is very good, no thanks there.

[gladdenguy]

I picked Kansas as I would not want to play them....I would however, love to play Ohio St out of that group.

[GoMuskies]

Syracuse. I'm afraid that zone would eat us up.

[XU05and07]

I would play any Big10 team...the conference style is a great match up for us...Purdue x2, Wisconsin, OSU (F* Cahill), Indiana, Illinois...all in the last 5 years

We did lose to Illinois in that time as well, but I like the track record

[Juice]

I picked Kansas because of their senior leadership. Sherron Collins at the point would scare me. He is experienced and talented and runs the show, which is a good recipe in the NCAA tournament. They also have Aldrich who is a good center and is someone who Kenny Frease should look at to model his game after. The wild card would be Xavier Henry. He has kind been disappointing this season but I don't think anyone on X could match up with his size and athleticism on the wing.

[muskiefan82]

I am a Xavier fan. I believe this team can beat anyone and if they could pull it off against Kansas...well, I think a headline of "Xavier too much for Xavier" would be interesting.


I picked other. I want nothing to do with Tennessee. That team - when it shows up or is not in jail - can be sick.

[Michigan Muskie]

Kansas. Xavier has never beaten Kansas. At least they've beaten Kentucky. (Twice out of 39 tries.)

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

I am an idiot. Thought this said which team would you want to play. That said, I no longer say OSU and change my vote to Kansas. Though if I had to choose a team to play I'd pick OSU.

That happened to me too...Doh!

[DoubleD86]

Without a doubt for me it is Kansas. First, I think they are the best team in the nation and that is never fun to play. Second, like many have said, their experience and age would be daunting. Thirdly, They match up incredibly well against us. Who are our three best players? Love (C), Crawford (SG), and Tutu (PG). Their three best? Collins (PG), Aldrich (C), and Henry (SF but could easily see a Crawford/Henry match up). Last piece, we have struggled against teams with good, athletic PF (granted, McLean has been playing MUCH better lately) but Morris for Kansas is a hell of a player (I think Markeif, the one who plays a lot).

The worst part is one of my best friends is a huge Kansas fan and if they knocked us out of the tournament I would hear about it..... A lot.

[XUglow]

Everyone looks beatable to me. Defense is huge in the tournament, so I will say Syracuse, because they can bring it on the defensive end.

[XmAn06]

I voted for Kansas and Other...

Couple other teams that worry me a little would be:

Kansas State - since they already spanked us once this year - though it was at their place

and

Texas - at first glance - I would worry about our ability to match up with Damion James - 6'7" G/F averaging a double-double (17.8 ppg & 10.8 rpg) & Dexter Pittman (6'10" 298lbs).

Admittedly, I've worried about our ability to match up with other teams in the past (i.e. Duke, Texas, Pitt) and we always seem to hold our own. So, I would be somewhat worried about facing the teams listed above, but I wouldn't be surprised to see us play well against them and/or beat them!

[ballyhoohoo]

Purdue. Only because it is the same team we beat in 08 and they will be out for revenge.

That was my resoning as well. The Baby boilers gave our experienced players a run. Although they are without Scott Martin (ND tranfser), the Baby Boilers have grown up nicely. Plus I am also a Purdue fan. I woul dno doubt root for Xavier if we play them again.

[DC Muskie]

Syracuse. I'm afraid that zone would eat us up.

Yes.

I picked Kansas because of their senior leadership. Sherron Collins at the point would scare me. He is experienced and talented and runs the show, which is a good recipe in the NCAA tournament. They also have Aldrich who is a good center and is someone who Kenny Frease should look at to model his game after. The wild card would be Xavier Henry. He has kind been disappointing this season but I don't think anyone on X could match up with his size and athleticism on the wing.

and Yes.

I would also add Duke.

[MADXSTER]

I was going to add North Carolina but BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[joebba]

Kentucky. I just hate Kentucky.

[Mrs. Garrett]

I picked Michigan State. My wife is an MSU alum and a clash with X could lead to divorce. She only watches during the NCAA tournament which I consider a major personality flaw.

[xumuskies08]

Kansas by far. The Jayhawks would be a match-up nightmare for Xavier. Cole Aldrich is the best true center in the country, and Collins is getting mention by some for POY. The biggest problems for Xavier, though would be coming off the bench. Kansas has Markieff Morris at 6'9" along with 7'0" Jeff Withey who is just getting into the swing of things after being hurt most of the season. They generally play 10 guys a night, even in close games! They are just too athletic for Xavier this season. In all honesty, Crawford would probably be the only guy from the current Xavier roster who would start for Kansas this season...they are THAT talented.

This coming from a guy who has seen Kansas play many times in person.

[PMI]

I picked Michigan State. My wife is an MSU alum and a clash with X could lead to divorce. She only watches during the NCAA tournament which I consider a major personality flaw.

Yea my mom and brother are MSU grads. I try to avoid rooting against them if I can. Plus I love Izzo.

[muskienick]

I hope we are playing one of these on the last day of the Tournament. If that is the case, I could not care less which one it is!