kyxu
03-27-2010, 03:47 PM
Pullen, #2 K-State claw last in double-OT thriller, 101-96
(cont.)
Despite the season-ending loss, and the heartbreaking nature of such a defeat, the Musketeers should take pride in being the first Xavier team to win more than 20 games without at least two seniors on its roster. Xavier coach Chris Mack also becomes the first rookie coach in Xavier history to reach the Sweet 16, and also program’s winningest head coach in his first year at such a position.
Popular opinion seems to be that the Musketeers will lose more than one starter from this season’s roster, with many believing Crawford will throw his hat into the ring for the 2010 NBA Draft. Coming in to Xavier with plenty of hype after transferring from Indiana University, Crawford lived up such billing, putting up more points than any Xavier sophomore in program history. He also averaged more points in the NCAA Tournament than any Musketeer ever, putting up 87 points in just three games, including a career-high 32 points in the final game of the season. His 32 points against Kansas State are the highest scoring output for a Musketeer in an NCAA Tournament game.
And as with the conclusion of any season, the Musketeer program will say farewell to yet another senior who embodies the Xavier program in Jason Love. Love has deservedly completed his Xavier career as the winningest Musketeer in program history, also owning more NCAA Tournament victories (8) than any other player to ever suit up on Victory Parkway. In addition, Love’s individual evolution as a basketball player will continue to be used as a model for success of any Xavier player willing to buy into the system and personally challenge himself to be the best player he can be.
(cont.)
Despite the season-ending loss, and the heartbreaking nature of such a defeat, the Musketeers should take pride in being the first Xavier team to win more than 20 games without at least two seniors on its roster. Xavier coach Chris Mack also becomes the first rookie coach in Xavier history to reach the Sweet 16, and also program’s winningest head coach in his first year at such a position.
Popular opinion seems to be that the Musketeers will lose more than one starter from this season’s roster, with many believing Crawford will throw his hat into the ring for the 2010 NBA Draft. Coming in to Xavier with plenty of hype after transferring from Indiana University, Crawford lived up such billing, putting up more points than any Xavier sophomore in program history. He also averaged more points in the NCAA Tournament than any Musketeer ever, putting up 87 points in just three games, including a career-high 32 points in the final game of the season. His 32 points against Kansas State are the highest scoring output for a Musketeer in an NCAA Tournament game.
And as with the conclusion of any season, the Musketeer program will say farewell to yet another senior who embodies the Xavier program in Jason Love. Love has deservedly completed his Xavier career as the winningest Musketeer in program history, also owning more NCAA Tournament victories (8) than any other player to ever suit up on Victory Parkway. In addition, Love’s individual evolution as a basketball player will continue to be used as a model for success of any Xavier player willing to buy into the system and personally challenge himself to be the best player he can be.