Xavier vs Stanford-- Elite 8 Game Thread (3-29-10)

[cinskyline]

#3 Xavier vs #1 Stanford -- Elite Eight -- Sacramento, CA (Arco Arena)

ESPN -- 9:00 PM

Lineups:

Xavier :logo:

F Amber Harris (6'5") 16.0 ppg, 8.9 rpg
F April Phillips (6'0") 8.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg
C Ta'Shia Phillips (6'6") 14.2 ppg, 11.8 rpg
G Special Jennings (5'6") 8.5 ppg, 4.5 apg
G Tyeasha Moss (5'9") 8.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg


Stanford

F Kayla Pedersen (6'4") 15.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg
F Nnemkadi Ogwumike (6'2") 18.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg
C Jayne Appel (6'4") 13.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg
G Rosalyn Gold-Onwude (5'10") 7.3 ppg, 34% 3 PT FG
G Jeanette Pohlen (6'0") 9.6 ppg, 37% 3 PT FG


This is for a first ever trip to the Final Four!! Let's go X!!!!

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Stanford might be one of the best teams in women's college basketball history, if it wasn't for UConn....

1 loss all year and by only 12 to UConn. They are just ridiculously good.

With that said, Xavier has a shot if they play like they did in that 2nd half vs Gonzaga. Get pumped!

[picknroll]

Good luck tonight, ladies. May the force be with you! :basketball:

:logo:

[muskiefan82]

May the basketball Gods that ripped my heart out Thursday night, put it back tonight.

Go Lady Muskies!!!

[picknroll]

May the basketball Gods that ripped my heart out Thursday night, put it back tonight.

Go Lady Muskies!!!

"He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul". May God restoreth my basketball soul with a Lady Muskies win tonight!

:sword:

[coasterville95]

I spotted a Magic 8 Ball in somebody elses office today. I decided to ask the Magic 8 Ball, and it said our winning was decidedly so. There you have it, I mean you can't ask for any better predictions than the Magic 8 Ball, right? Right?

[XULucho27]

#3 Xavier vs #1 Stanford -- Elite Eight -- Sacramento, CA (Arco Arena)

ESPN -- 9:00 PM

Lineups:

Xavier :logo:

F Amber Harris (6'5") 16.0 ppg, 8.9 rpg
F April Phillips (6'0") 8.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg
C Ta'Shia Phillips (6'6") 14.2 ppg, 11.8 rpg
G Special Jennings (5'6") 8.5 ppg, 4.5 apg
G Tyeasha Moss (5'9") 8.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg


Stanford

F Kayla Pedersen (6'4") 15.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg
F Nnemkadi Ogwumike (6'2") 18.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg
C Jayne Appel (6'4") 13.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg
G Rosalyn Gold-Onwude (5'10") 7.3 ppg, 34% 3 PT FG
G Jeanette Pohlen (6'0") 9.6 ppg, 37% 3 PT FG


This is for a first ever trip to the Final Four!! Let's go X!!!!

Wow, Stanford's front court size and scoring is just astounding, they nearly all average a double double! That said I hope we can pull this one out, I'll be watching on ESPN! Go :logo:

[X-band '01]

Both teams have the size to counter each other - they keep saying (on both sides) how it will be a breath of fresh air that they're not having to chase smaller players around on the floor. Guard play is still going to be important, and Xavier won't have as deep a bench in the event that Ta'Shia and Amber get into foul trouble early.

Amber getting into foul trouble early would be more disastrous - she's willing to pull the trigger from behind the arc a few times a game and has shown in the tournament she can hit 1 or 2 a game. Much like Josh Duncan did a few years back for the men, she'll be a matchup nightmare for Stanford if she gets hot.

[GoMuskies]

Stanford is a 17 point favorite tonight.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Stanford is a 17 point favorite tonight.

Doesn't surprise me...They are an unbelievable team. We have to be at our best for 40 minutes if we want to stay in the game. But the pressure is all on them. They are expected to play UConn again in the finals.

Its important we go in there swinging from the start and not be afraid. The minute a UConn or Stanford see fear, its all over.

Like I said before, if UConn wasn't UConn this year, Stanford might be considered one of the greatest teams in the last 10 years - they are that good. But X has a shot if they play like they did against Gonzaga that second half.

Shock the world X!

[picknroll]

I spotted a Magic 8 Ball in somebody elses office today. I decided to ask the Magic 8 Ball, and it said our winning was decidedly so. There you have it, I mean you can't ask for any better predictions than the Magic 8 Ball, right? Right?

Thanks for the prediction, C-ville. Yes, we have one of those magic 8-balls in our grandkids' toy box. But my wife and I also use it to predict our possibilities for sex on any given evening, week, month or year. :p Hey, just sayin....

[GoMuskies]

Xavier was a 2.5 point dog against Gonzaga and beat that spread by 20 points. Hopefully they do the same tonight!

[Masterofreality]

GO LADY MUSKIES!!

I'm pumped for this.

[XU-PA]

GO LADY MUSKIES!!

I'm pumped for this.

Glad you could join us MOR

[picknroll]

Xavier was a 2.5 point dog against Gonzaga and beat that spread by 20 points. Hopefully they do the same tonight!

A 17 point dog tonight - even more reason to go get 'em, girls! :mad:

[xu_fan]

I think what I am looking forward to most is where our team sits on a national level. I def am remaining hope that we can win this game, but I'm pretty sure we are the only ones. Earlier in the year we discussed whether our girls could play with UConn and this is as close of a game to tell us that as were gonna get. I am excited for the opportunity and no matter the outcome I am so proud of our girls!

[Masterofreality]

Glad you could join us MOR

I don't always post here, but, trust me, I follow them.

Looking forward to a good game tonight, but once again, X gets a bit jobbed. Having to play in Sacra-tomato with Stanford only 2 hours away rather than Dayton and a 3 seed rather than a 2.

[Porkopolis]

I don't always post here, but, trust me, I follow them.

Looking forward to a good game tonight, but once again, X gets a bit jobbed. Having to play in Sacra-tomato with Stanford only 2 hours away rather than Dayton and a 3 seed rather than a 2.

Xavier's seeding was pretty ridiculous. Tonight we get the chance to prove it. Go Muskies!

[Snipe]

Once I figured out you could drink while watching the games I became a huge fan.

SMELL THE GLOVE!!!

[DoubleD86]

This Baylor-Duke game needs to end, I am ready for the victory heard around the world!

[X-band '01]

2-2 in the opening 2 minutes.

[bourbonman]

Time to change to the game

[X-band '01]

8-8 at the first media TO - Amber and April Phillips each have a foul so far for X.

[X-band '01]

9-8 Stanford; April Phillips now has 2 fouls. Dee Dee and Katie Rutan will see their first action.

[X-band '01]

Make it 11-8.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Gotta stop fouling. April and Amber now have 2

[DoubleD86]

This Stanford team has size...

Gotta pick it up some girls! Let's Go!

[X-band '01]

Dammit - 2nd on Amber with Stanford leading 13-10. The Cardinal have not picked up a foul yet.

[X-band '01]

17-12 Stanford at the under-12 media TO.

[xu_fan]

I didn't realize Stanford didnt foul. :rolleyes:

[X-band '01]

Moss from 3 - nice ice-breaker.

[X-band '01]

Now a 7-0 foul discrepancy - Ta'Shia now has her 1st foul.

19-15 Stanford.

[DoubleD86]

Whoa, a Stanford foul!

Edit: And a quick second one

[MuskieFN]

Whoa, a Stanford foul!


That's more money out of that official's paycheck.

[X-band '01]

Yes they do xufan - Ogwumike and Appel each have a foul now.

[DoubleD86]

Can't keep missing these layups, but playing great defense so far.

[X-band '01]

2nd on Appel - Xavier starting to get aggressive in the paint.

[X-band '01]

19-16 Stanford; Amber will now play with 2 fouls as April leaves.

[DoubleD86]

19-18 Stanford at the under 8 TO, XU ball.

[X-band '01]

19-18 Stanford with 7:22 to go. Xavier keeps playing this well defensively and Stanford may have trouble playing in a tight game. The Muskies certainly don't lack experience of late winning close ones.

[X-band '01]

Yeesh - now Ta'Shia has 2 fouls. That's everyone in the Xavier frontcourt.

[X-band '01]

24-20 Stanford following a pair of FTs by Jernigan.

[X-band '01]

24-22 Stanford; April hits a pair of FTs.

[xubball93]

Let's see if TP can get some touches. She hasn't attempted a shot yet...

[XU-PA]

Gotta like where we are, considering the foul imbalance.
2 point game at the under 4 TO

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Lets go D!!!!

[X-band '01]

It's critical that Xavier not allow a Stanford run in the final 4 minutes; they've played well in the last 4 minutes while picking up only 1 foul.

[DoubleD86]

Third on April, not good....

But this defense is great so far, gotta keep that up!

[X-band '01]

Not looking good - Dee Dee has 2 fouls and April now 3.

[xubball93]

damn, that's like the 4th layup we've missed

[DoubleD86]

Apparently last second shots are a problem for us on this end too...

[X-band '01]

Not a bad ending to the 1st half with the foul trouble - Stanford's ahead at this point because of their rebounding and foul shooting.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Relatively Good half. I thought we could have done better offensively but to hold Stanford to this low score at the half is incredible.

Stanford is shooting under 25% from the field and has only 7 FG. Odds are they aren't gonna shoot that bad the 2nd half.

Gotta get Ta'shia involved. LETS GO X

[XU-PA]

If we hold them to similar shooting in the second half, I like our chances.
Amber gets her touch back, Katie gets an open look, and T touches are the keys.
With April in foul trouble, I'll put my money on Dee Dee, the straw the stirs the drink tonight!

It's close, and that's good!

[xu_fan]

I feel good right where we're at. We need to make sure the first 4 minutes of the second half are solid. That will be important!!!!

[GoMuskies]

I've seen one and a half Xavier games now, and I think I know more about our team than these announcers, too. It's as though they expected a blowout and didn't bother to do any research on Xavier.

Oh, well. Entertaining first half. Harris and the Phillipses picked up some ridiculous ticky tack fouls, but the foul trouble isn't that huge an issue yet. They're just going to have to play through it anyway. No way McGuff can afford to sit any of the three for long stretches. If they foul out, they foul out, but it's they chance he'll have to take.

[XU-PA]

xufan, you saw the first 2 games, doesn't the officiating feel similar? not sure it was as far out of balance, but I recall our ladies not getting the benefit on drives in the lane, and Amber and T getting no respect on moves to the glass.

Then in the 2nd half things started to balance out

[X-band '01]

28-26 Stanford; each team hits a jumper to start the 2nd half.

[X-band '01]

Needed a TO there; Stanford begins the 2nd half 3-4 from the field and now lead 32-26.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Needed a TO there; Stanford begins the 2nd half 3-4 from the field and now lead 32-26.

There is no way they are shooting under 25% again for a half with all their weapons. Our offense needs to become extremely efficient. On D, we just need to keep playing physical and limit their 2nd chance opportunities.

Bend but don't break. This is a key stretch X.

[X-band '01]

Ta'Shia is off the schneid with that stickback.

[X-band '01]

Back-to-back shots by Xavier; now 32-30 Stanford.

[X-band '01]

Not a good foul on Ta'Shia on that sequence.

[X-band '01]

Amber going right at Appel after her 3rd foul - now 34-32 Stanford.

And Amber now picks up her 3rd foul.

[GoMuskies]

That was a horseshit call on Amber.

[X-band '01]

Xavier seems to play their best whenever Stanford extends the lead - but X now on a 6-0 run.

39-38 Stanford.

[X-band '01]

X now over the hump with a 40-39 lead.

[DoubleD86]

The female announcer just called Dee Dee "April Jennings." Not even close...

41-40 Stanford at the under 12 TO, XU will be at the line for two foul shots.

[X-band '01]

Stanford retakes the lead 41-40, but Amber will have 2 FT attempts following a media TO.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

This is incredible! Cmon X!

[DoubleD86]

4 on Appel, that's big!

[X-band '01]

Pederson now has 2 quick fouls for Stanford this half.

[Fireball]

Missing too many shots right at the rim.

[GoMuskies]

They're not giving Rutan anything.

[DoubleD86]

We can not get our shots to fall...

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

We're getting our chances just not taking advantage

We're shooting horrible from 3 yet only down 1

[X-band '01]

Neither team can buy an outside shot.

[X-band '01]

This is the ideal rest time for Harris going into the media TO.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Crap thats 4 on Ta'shia

[X-band '01]

Now Ta'Shia has her 4th foul; how long will she be resting (if at all)?

[GoMuskies]

Phillips did it, too. Damn.

[golfitup]

Good to see BCS school officiating bias carries over to women's basketball as well....

[GoMuskies]

Officiating in women's basketball is brutal. It makes me appreciate the officiating in men's basketball.

[GuyFawkes38]

I think we run the ball too much. Sean Miller's more deliberate style worked for us.

I'm sorry. I'm still in mens basketball mode.

[xsteve1]

X had their opportunities but haven't scored in 4 minutes.

[X-band '01]

Xavier seems to wait for a Stanford spurt before scoring.

44-42 Stanford

[GoMuskies]

Amber Harris does not suck.

[DoubleD86]

Can't make a freaking three at all, and now a dumb over the back for Ta'shia's 5th

[X-band '01]

F***. That's not the way to commit #5.

[GoMuskies]

Ballgame probably. Two wide open looks.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Not looking good. None of our 3's going in at all

[MuskieFN]

The 5th against Tashia was an awful, awful call.

[golfitup]

uh oh...

[DoubleD86]

1 for 11 from three is just bad, and most of them have been good looks.

It will be tough to pull back in it without the ability to shoot and no Ta'shia for put backs.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Need stops.

[X-band '01]

And now Stanford calling a TO - looks like they're going to go for the kill on this possession.

Xavier HAS to find an offensive rhythm with either Amber, April, or Dee Dee down low. The guards just cannot hit right now.

[joebba]

Have the game on in the background. Not looking good esp. with T'Shia fouling out. They are giving them a game though.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

1/14 DD. Eventually one has to go in.

Take over Amber

[DoubleD86]

Nice take by Special...hit this free throw

[X-band '01]

Again, Xavier just will not die - Special has an and-1 opportunity coming up.

[GoMuskies]

Damn, this team doesn't quit.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Nice Special!

[DoubleD86]

5 on Appel, very big!

[MuskieFN]

Wow. Right back in it.

[GoMuskies]

That's an awful call on Appel, too.

[X-band '01]

Jayne Appel fouls out now while battling April for a rebound.

Fair and balanced? We'll see.

[XU-PA]

Stayin alive!!!!

[X-band '01]

49-45 Stanford at the final media TO.

[MuskieFN]

That's an awful call on Appel, too.


Yeah. Would like to see a replay.

[DoubleD86]

Awful, awful call.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Dumb foul

Luckly they missed the free throw

[GoMuskies]

And now a brutal one on Dee Dee.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Alright lets score. We've gotten plenty of opportunities to take this game. No turnovers

[GoMuskies]

Wow!!! Great comeback.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Big!!!!

[X-band '01]

That's big coming off of a missed front end.

And a travel on Stanford!

[GoMuskies]

Time for a three to finally fall.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Stanford has got to be nervous. They've only been in this position 1 time all year. All but 1 of their wins they've won by double digits

[GoMuskies]

Again, announcers giving zero credit to Xavier. It's just Stanford trying to give it to Xavier.

[X-band '01]

Xavier has only 1 TO remaining, but they need this one to set up a potential game-tying score.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Amber!!!

[DoubleD86]

And 1!

[GoMuskies]

Holy shit!!!

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

April phillips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And 1!!!!

[X-band '01]

That's big on April - now a 3-point opportunity coming!!!!

[XU-PA]

holy crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! April!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jakeXU]

Big FT coming for a chance at a 3 point lead!!! Come on April!!! This team doesn't quit!

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Cmon D!

[X-band '01]

53-51 Xavier; under a minute to go.

Hoo boy.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Wow wow wow wow wow wow!!!!

Hit these Special!

[jakeXU]

c'mon SPECIAL! make these!!

[DoubleD86]

What a steal, come on Special!

LET'S GO X!

[joebba]

Down to the wire. Holy crap! The women may beat the men to the Final Four!

[GoMuskies]

Got a real shot now.

[Retire33]

Big time Steal!

[X-band '01]

There we go - but Xavier is going to have to hit FTs to ice this one.

Come ooooooonnnnnnnn Special.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

One shot! Draw it up for Amber!

Damn those free throws would have given some serious breathing room

[DoubleD86]

Damn, gotta hit those free throws....

Last shot time, let's get a big one and take home the win!

[Retire33]

One possession for San Antonio...give yourself enough time for a put back

[GoMuskies]

Dammit!!!! One shot for the win though. Amazing opportunity.

[X-band '01]

Oy - but Xavier will have the final shot following a TO.

[XU-PA]

last shot, dee dee ,,,, or amber?

[jakeXU]

Get it to Amber for the win!!!

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

You have got to be kidding me!

[X-band '01]

This would be a helluva time to free up Katie from the outside if she gets open.

[xavierj]

who is the assistant in the white pants? she is getting it done.

[GoMuskies]

Ouch.

[DoubleD86]

Oh my goodness, two chances....

[jakeXU]

chokin....ugh

[X-band '01]

Crap - 2 near misses down low.

[mohr5150]

you've gotta be freakin' joking me...did that just happen?

[MuskieFN]

Oh. Dear. God.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

How does that happen? Twice????

[GoMuskies]

who is the assistant in the white pants? she is getting it done.

Nicole Like?

[xavierj]

wow that sucks.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Stanford has plenty of time too.

[mohr5150]

Wow...what a freakin' choke job down the stretch. Two bunnies missed and the front end of the 1-1. I mean, those were bunnies like no other bunnies

[DoubleD86]

Either one of those probably sends them to the Final Four.

Come on DEFENSE!

[X-band '01]

Now it's time for a defensive stop - NO FOULS.

[golfitup]

I am in disbelief at the moment. WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

I dont like this position for them at all

[DoubleD86]

Wow, heartbreak.....

[GoMuskies]

That's not good defense.

[joebba]

Crap D on that one Jeez!

[X-band '01]

That better not count.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

I won't call this a choke job because on paper they should have never been in the game...

But they had this game signed sealed and delivered

[XU-PA]

shit

[golfitup]

And I thought the men's loss was heartbreaking.... Holy shit....

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

That shot is good. Those tenths of a second they added on did it for her

[mohr5150]

That was the worst choke job I have ever seen in my life.

[DoubleD86]

How the ****.....

That is all I can say.

[GuyFawkes38]

And I thought the men's loss was heartbreaking.... Holy shit....

yeah, this sort of puts things in perspective.

[xavierj]

I guess the women are as snake bitten as the men. wow they should have won that one.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

That is Tyus Edney esc

That will be replayed for eternity of NCAA women's basketball tourney history

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Amber missed 2 free throws, April missed 1, Special missed a front end, and the 2 missed layups. All in the last 3 minutes

As tough as it was to watch, Stanford is as good as they come and X held more than their own the whole game. What a team. What a game. I feel bad for them

[DoubleD86]

Please come back amber, i want a final four next year!

[marchonxavier]

i hate to say it, but it seems the basketball gods just don't want to see xavier men or women in the final four. What have we done to deserve this?:mad:

[X-band '01]

Figures the radio feed gets knocked off, but it looks like it's going to be good.

Is the name Xavier cursed when it comes to San Antonio?

[xudash]

How do you miss that?

Really, how do you miss that shot - twice?

And then they let them just stroll down the floor.

It's Thursday all over again.

[BlueGuy]

Missing those two bunnies, and the D on that last play was unreal. How can defenders just be standing around like that? Unreal!

[SlimKibbles]

And I thought the men's loss was heartbreaking.... Holy shit....

Yeah. Unbelievable.

[Porkopolis]

Wow. Heartbreak City. Does any school in the country come up with more creative ways to bow out of the tournament year in and year out in both men's and women's hoops? Congrats to the ladies on a fine season, but that one will sting for a long time.

[DoubleD86]

How can defenders just be standing around like that? Unreal!

I understand what you are saying, but also the worst thing you can do there is foul.

[joebba]

Ugh they had them by the ..... uh something ... just could not capitalize on the opportunities to put it away. This is a lot more disheartening than the men's loss a few days ago.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Wow. Heartbreak City. Does any school in the country come up with more creative ways to bow out of the tournament year in and year out in both men's and women's hoops? Congrats to the ladies on a fine season, but that one will sting for a long time.

They will replay this one forever unfortunately

[xsteve1]

i hate to say it, but it seems the basketball gods just don't want to see xavier men or women in the final four. What have we done to deserve this?:mad:

Agree, this school just has no luck. wow!

[bjf123]

That just plain sucks.

[DoubleD86]

I can not believe those missed opportunities....it is going to be a LONG offseason with the way these two seasons ended.

[mohr5150]

I just cannot believe what I just saw. In all my time watching basketball, I have never seen a player miss two bunnies in a row like that. I can't believe I watched that. I mean, really? Did I just see someone miss two point blank layups with no one around her? I mean, for real? That is maddening, and I'm sure that young lady will relive those two layups for the rest of her life. That was unreal.

[xsteve1]

[QUOTE=DoubleD86;192219]I understand what you are saying, but also the worst thing you can do there is foul.[/QUOTE

Terrible defensive plan by McGuff. Make them beat ya on a 3 not a layup. Should've had Jennings pressure the ball and everyone else back.

[xavierj]

on another note just saw this Griner character interviewed on ESPN. Has anyone checked to see if she really is a women? I think there needs to be an investigation just to be fair.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

on another note just saw this Griner character interviewed on ESPN. Has anyone checked to see if she really is a women? I think there needs to be an investigation just to be fair.

She definitely could be a Caster Semenya

[aramis]

Outplayed 'em down the stretch. Early foul calls killed us.

Can't they get better announcers for a final 8?

[rhyno2110]

Man oh man, somebody put my out of my pain... PLEASE!!! Has their been a more disheartening season in both mens and womens in any year ever? How will DD every recover from that? I mean, I feel like crying for her for the rest of my life. She had a great game, and that will be the one play people blame the loss for.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Did that just happen??

Did Tyus Edney have a sex change and put on a Stanford uni?

[X-band '01]

FT shooting killed Xavier, but make no mistake they couldn't have played better defense than they did tonight. Couldn't be more proud of their effort as a whole tonight.

[DoubleD86]

Terrible defensive plan by McGuff. Make them beat ya on a 3 not a layup. Should've had Jennings pressure the ball and everyone else back.

I agree with this part, I am just saying in the defense they were in, I can understand the lack of hard help defense.

[bjf123]

I know I feel lousy after watching the game end like that. I can't imagine what the team is going through. Amber needs to come back so we can reach the Final Four next year.

[Newswired]

Both commentators were horrid. I cannot recall a more biased pair on television. They acted likely Stanford was handing the game away. How uninformed! They clearly knew nothing about this Musketeer team.

The Women's tournament deserves better.

[DoubleD86]

FT shooting killed Xavier, but make no mistake they couldn't have played better defense than they did tonight. Couldn't be more proud of their effort as a whole tonight.

Agree completely. What a game by this team. Stanford has one loss to UConn, and one sub 10 point victory. It took a, for lack of a better term, choke job by us and a layup released with .1 seconds left to beat us. As the announcer said at the end of the game, this Xavier team is big time. I am so proud of the way the team played, and I think everyone else saw how good they can be. Add in the fact that we did it without Katie shooting, without Ta'shia scoring, and poor FT and 3PT shooting and it really was an impressive feat! Also, I know Dee Dee will never forget those shots, but she should keep her head up high. If it weren't for her, X would have never been in the game at the end.

And once again, PLEASE COME BACK AMBER!

[MuskieFN]

I agree with this part, I am just saying in the defense they were in, I can understand the lack of hard help defense.


I have no problem with whatever he drew up. His play call out of the TO with the ball put them in perfect position for two shots to win it. On defense, use the pressure seems like the correct call.

[DoubleD86]

Man, this is such a painful way to lose...

[xsteve1]

I understand what you are saying, but also the worst thing you can do there is foul.


I have no problem with whatever he drew up. His play call out of the TO with the ball put them in perfect position for two shots to win it. On defense, use the pressure seems like the correct call.

Still think X should've played for the last shot and not give Stanford any time to win or tie at the buzzer.

[XU-PA]

The last offensive set for XU, superb set, it worked but the ball did not co-operate. Bug pat on the back to the staff for that one.

Stanfords last set, 5 seconds, they spread the court perfectly, XU had to play soft d on that to avoid the foul, it was one of those spots where you just had to let it fall and hope for the best.

It was a game of tenths of seconds, and of millimeters. XU missed by one of each.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Man, this is such a painful way to lose...

It sucks, but when you think about it, whoever gets to play UConn in the championship will get destroyed anyways

[AviatorX]

Wow. You have to make those, no other way to put it.

[MuskieFN]

I feel bad for Dee Dee. Poor kid.

[HomerCecil]

Heck of an effort and what a horrible way for the ladies to lose. Hopefully the announcers on ESPN and the people on the Rebkell boards will stop talking about how we're "overrated."

This was about as painful as one of the first Xavier women's games I ever watched: I believe it was 1999, when they lost to UConn in the second round after leading almost all of the game.

This team made such great strides from being a good team the past few years to a great team this year. I hate for them that they don't get to take the next step to the Final Four, but I think they can get there next year. Oh, and along those lines, Amber, please come back! The WNBA salaries aren't NBA salaries!

[KC4X]

...Also, I know Dee Dee will never forget those shots, but she should keep her head up high. If it weren't for her, X would have never been in the game at the end.

And once again, PLEASE COME BACK AMBER!


Quote for emphasis. Dee Dee had a great year along with the whole team. They should all be proud!

[MuskieFN]

We need a "Please come back, Amber" on Facebook to go with the JC one.

[Bmuskie]

I am so heartbroken for the Xavier players and at the same time so Angry! How does De De not make those lay-ups? Why were 0.4 seconds added to the clock? It didn't look like she signaled the timeout until maybe 4.1 seconds definitely not 4.4 I've watched the last shot 5 times now and the release is so close. So close that the ball appears on her fingers with the clock showing 0.00 but the light is not on. When the light goes on the ball is out of her hand. Which do you go by the clock or the light? This game has made me sick. I feel so terrible for these girls.

[Porkopolis]

I am so heartbroken for the Xavier players and at the same time so Angry! How does De De not make those lay-ups? Why were 0.4 seconds added to the clock? It didn't look like she signaled the timeout until maybe 4.1 seconds definitely not 4.4 I've watched the last shot 5 times now and the release is so close. So close that the ball appears on her fingers with the clock showing 0.00 but the light is not on. When the light goes on the ball is out of her hand. Which do you go by the clock or the light? This game has made me sick. I feel so terrible for these girls.

The ball was clearly out of her hands when the clock went zeroes. There were a lot of things wrong with the officiating (against both sides), but that wasn't one of them.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Has any girl left college early for the WNBA?

[Lloyd Braun]

Found out why they lost:

"• Former Xavier men's basketball coach Sean Miller attended Monday's game. Miller led Xavier to four NCAA tournament berths during five seasons, including the Elite Eight in 2008 and the Sweet 16 last year. Miller is now the coach at Arizona."

[XU-PA]

Has any girl left college early for the WNBA?


There is a rule in place with the WNBA, a player can't go to the WNBA until 4 years have passed since high school. E Prince,oOne of the Rutgers women left after just 3 years and went to Europe to play. I think her plan is to return to the WNBA next year.

In Amber's case, she would not be leaving early, since this is her 4th year at Xavier. She red shirted last year with the ACL injury. She will also graduate this year.

SO she an go, and I read somewhere that someone predicted her a top draft pick, like #2 overall. Had to pass that up. My hope (and who the hell am I) is that she stays, put her and T back in the front court, Mossy and Rutan coming back with some more experience, we could use a little more from Megan Askew and Courtney Townsend, and Coach apparently has a very talented recruiting class. Who knows what lies in store next year?

Perhaps we can get a rematch with the Cardinal next year, they will be just as strong, all they lose is Appell and she was really a non factor.

[Perma Fro]

Found out why they lost:

"• Former Xavier men's basketball coach Sean Miller attended Monday's game. Miller led Xavier to four NCAA tournament berths during five seasons, including the Elite Eight in 2008 and the Sweet 16 last year. Miller is now the coach at Arizona."

He's a witch!!!

[Titanxman04]

I don't see any reason to criticize any one player on XU's team. They played great basketball against one of the top teams in the country. They gave them fits and stuck with them the whole way, and had a chance to win it in the end.

When it comes down to a game this close, a missed free throw here or there throughout the game had just as much of an effect as did those missed lay-ups. While we'll always point to those two missed shots at the end as reason as to why we could have won it or at least forced over-time, it certainly isn't the sole reason for the loss.

No doubt, Xavier Nation would have loved a Final Four birth, but I'm still proud of our ladies, just as I am for our men. We are an elite basketball program, as if there was any doubt before tonight. Our years of hanging those banners will come. This just wasn't our year unfortunately.

Sure, Dee Dee needed to make those, and 9 times out of 10, she would. Just that one time happened twice in a row. I feel for her. She has to be the sickest person in the country today, but she'll get over it, move on, and I have no doubt that she'll work just that much harder in the future.

Go X. Go Lady Muskies. You made at least one Xavier fan very proud of you. Next season starts today. Go get it.
:sword:

[xubball93]

I hope Dee Dee is on suicide watch. I think she made that same play, cutting down the lane under the duress of defense, and scored earlier in the second half. So damn close!

I think Amber is gone. She is to graduate this spring, why should she stay if she can go top 10 1st round to the WNBA? Bums me out, I'm afraid we'll lose Crawford too. My God, he and Tutu were fantastic together!

[cinskyline]

I think Amber is gone. She is to graduate this spring, why should she stay if she can go top 10 1st round to the WNBA? Bums me out, I'm afraid we'll lose Crawford too. My God, he and Tutu were fantastic together!

At the beginning of the year, I was certain that this was Amber's final year...but now I'm not so certain. I've heard some stuff that might make me think otherwise.... also don't discount the fact that Ta'Shia is still here for another year, and both really want to get Xavier to a Final Four...

As far as Crawford goes, I also think he's as good as gone.

[spongebob]

I don't see any reason to criticize any one player on XU's team. They played great basketball against one of the top teams in the country. They gave them fits and stuck with them the whole way, and had a chance to win it in the end.

When it comes down to a game this close, a missed free throw here or there throughout the game had just as much of an effect as did those missed lay-ups. While we'll always point to those two missed shots at the end as reason as to why we could have won it or at least forced over-time, it certainly isn't the sole reason for the loss.

No doubt, Xavier Nation would have loved a Final Four birth, but I'm still proud of our ladies, just as I am for our men. We are an elite basketball program, as if there was any doubt before tonight. Our years of hanging those banners will come. This just wasn't our year unfortunately.

Sure, Dee Dee needed to make those, and 9 times out of 10, she would. Just that one time happened twice in a row. I feel for her. She has to be the sickest person in the country today, but she'll get over it, move on, and I have no doubt that she'll work just that much harder in the future.

Go X. Go Lady Muskies. You made at least one Xavier fan very proud of you. Next season starts today. Go get it.
:sword:

Make that 2. Well said.

[GoMuskies]

I think Amber is gone. She is to graduate this spring, why should she stay if she can go top 10 1st round to the WNBA? Bums me out, I'm afraid we'll lose Crawford too. My God, he and Tutu were fantastic together!

It's not quite as clearcut a decision in women's basketball, though. The money is just not really there.

[XU-PA]

You are right "go"
If Amber really wants the $$$ she'll go overseas, could have done that after her soph year. I've heard it's a 50/50 thing right now. Certain she wants to get that recognition that comes with a high pick.
With that said, imagine what it could be like next year, her and T battling for All American status, battling for POY status, wooden awards, and together fighting for a national title.

[Masterofreality]

I just feel so bad for DD. What a horriffic way to end.

The gals played great and, again, well enough to win.

Someday, all things will break right in Xavier Nation.

Someday.............

[The_Mack_Pack]

Xavier basketball is cursed.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier basketball is cursed.


There are about 315 other Division I programs that wish they could be so cursed.

[ford]

I'm sorry to say this, but I was so utterly embarrassed last night at the end of the game. I am not a regular follower of the women's game and admit I don't watch a lot of games, but I have to say I enjoyed watching Ambar and Jernigan and a couple other play, really seemed skilled and athletic.

BUT (and I know it's "sexist" or whatever).......the two missed layups at the end is EXACTLY why women's basketball will never reach mainstream popularity!!!

I was willing to let a few of the earlier airballs and horrible bricks go (like I said I also saw some really nice plays). But the fact is you would never see such an embarrassing display as those two wide open missed layups in the men's game. NEVER. Not even on a high school level I don't think.

I was on the edge of my seat actually getting sucked into the game and cheering for X, but then this happened and I realized why I don't watch women's basketball. I honestly want someone to tell me how supporters of the women's game reasonably expect it to get equal respect/exposure/support, etc. as then Men's game when you have such horribly bad shots like this (and they're not that uncommon).

Do real women's bball fans just accept the fact that it's not close to as good as the men's game, or is there something I'm missing in terms of how to view/appreciate/justify the sport? Honestly, not trying to be a d**k, it's hard to watch and appreciate for me.

[XU 87]

Women's basketball will never be as popular or as skilled as men's. But people watch it because they like to watch competition. And that game yesterday was competitive, despite a few poor plays (and there were some very good plays as well).

I coached a third grade basketball team. A few parents from our school, whose kids weren't even on my team, showed up to watch our tournament game. I presume they just liked to watch some competition, no matter the skill level.

[XU-PA]

I'm sorry to say this, but I was so utterly embarrassed last night at the end of the game. I am not a regular follower of the women's game and admit I don't watch a lot of games, but I have to say I enjoyed watching Ambar and Jernigan and a couple other play, really seemed skilled and athletic.

BUT (and I know it's "sexist" or whatever).......the two missed layups at the end is EXACTLY why women's basketball will never reach mainstream popularity!!!

I was willing to let a few of the earlier airballs and horrible bricks go (like I said I also saw some really nice plays). But the fact is you would never see such an embarrassing display as those two wide open missed layups in the men's game. NEVER. Not even on a high school level I don't think.

I was on the edge of my seat actually getting sucked into the game and cheering for X, but then this happened and I realized why I don't watch women's basketball. I honestly want someone to tell me how supporters of the women's game reasonably expect it to get equal respect/exposure/support, etc. as then Men's game when you have such horribly bad shots like this (and they're not that uncommon).

Do real women's bball fans just accept the fact that it's not close to as good as the men's game, or is there something I'm missing in terms of how to view/appreciate/justify the sport? Honestly, not trying to be a d**k, it's hard to watch and appreciate for me.

respectfully, you are being a dick. I am a diehard basketball fan. I love Xavier. I watch the men play, I watch the women play. The reason I love Xavier basketball and the game in general is that on a good day you see 10 people on the court putting their asses on the line, performing to the peak of their ability and effort. Jim McKay, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, For every missed layup in a womens game there is a missed dunk on the mens side, or a travel, or a kick out of bounds, or an idiot punching someone that leads to a T, or maybe just a missed free throw. This is not about how a woman missed a layup. It's about a group of basketball players that put their asses out there for the fans. Dee Dee Jernigan has toured the country in her college career, and decided to settle at XU, I am damn glad she did because she represents what it great about this game. She did it, knowing that she could have been the hero, or she could end up the goat to have her misses shown over and over and over again. She has the guts that I didn't have, and you didn't have either. She represents men and all of Xavier University and she did it damn well, as did the rest of the team.
Women are not better than men, men are not better than women. It's all about the effort.

Remember this, she helped get her team there, she helped pout them a millimeter and a tenth of a second away from the spot that no Xavier team, male or feamle, has ever been.

Thank you Dee Dee for your effort, your heart and your guts. Same goes for every member of that team, we owe each and every one of you a debt we can never repay.

[GoMuskies]

I'm sorry to say this, but I was so utterly embarrassed last night at the end of the game. I am not a regular follower of the women's game and admit I don't watch a lot of games, but I have to say I enjoyed watching Ambar and Jernigan and a couple other play, really seemed skilled and athletic.

BUT (and I know it's "sexist" or whatever).......the two missed layups at the end is EXACTLY why women's basketball will never reach mainstream popularity!!!

I was willing to let a few of the earlier airballs and horrible bricks go (like I said I also saw some really nice plays). But the fact is you would never see such an embarrassing display as those two wide open missed layups in the men's game. NEVER. Not even on a high school level I don't think.

I was on the edge of my seat actually getting sucked into the game and cheering for X, but then this happened and I realized why I don't watch women's basketball. I honestly want someone to tell me how supporters of the women's game reasonably expect it to get equal respect/exposure/support, etc. as then Men's game when you have such horribly bad shots like this (and they're not that uncommon).

Do real women's bball fans just accept the fact that it's not close to as good as the men's game, or is there something I'm missing in terms of how to view/appreciate/justify the sport? Honestly, not trying to be a d**k, it's hard to watch and appreciate for me.

I'm not a huge women's basketball fan, but I think there's a pretty simple analogy: you are posting on a Xavier board, so you must enjoy men's college basketball. Now, college basketball is clearly an inferior product to the NBA, right? I mean, the Nets would beat this year's national champs by 50 points (at least). So how do you bring yourself to support the inferior college product?

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Regardless, I feel for Dee Dee. Its gotta be a horrible horrible feeling. Unfortunately, the video will never go away. It's now into Bill Buckner territory looking around at the national media's take on what happened last night.

She is not solely to blame of course (in last 2 minutes - Amber's two missed FT, Special missed a 1/1, and not playing D at all on the last possession), but unfortunately the media will always associate her with that.

[spongebob]

respectfully, you are being a dick. I am a diehard basketball fan. I love Xavier. I watch the men play, I watch the women play. The reason I love Xavier basketball and the game in general is that on a good day you see 10 people on the court putting their asses on the line, performing to the peak of their ability and effort. Jim McKay, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, For every missed layup in a womens game there is a missed dunk on the mens side, or a travel, or a kick out of bounds, or an idiot punching someone that leads to a T, or maybe just a missed free throw. This is not about how a woman missed a layup. It's about a group of basketball players that put their asses out there for the fans. Dee Dee Jernigan has toured the country in her college career, and decided to settle at XU, I am damn glad she did because she represents what it great about this game. She did it, knowing that she could have been the hero, or she could end up the goat to have her misses shown over and over and over again. She has the guts that I didn't have, and you didn't have either. She represents men and all of Xavier University and she did it damn well, as did the rest of the team.
Women are not better than men, men are not better than women. It's all about the effort.

Remember this, she helped get her team there, she helped pout them a millimeter and a tenth of a second away from the spot that no Xavier team, male or feamle, has ever been.

Thank you Dee Dee for your effort, your heart and your guts. Same goes for every member of that team, we owe each and every one of you a debt we can never repay.

I'll second that.

[rhyno2110]

But the fact is you would never see such an embarrassing display as those two wide open missed layups in the men's game. NEVER.

Not true. I remember a Michigan State Center missing a wide open layup to win a game in the NCAA Tournament a few years back. I can't recall what year, or who missed it, but I know it happened.

Women's basketball is definetly gaining popularity.

[Xavierphotographer]

I shot these women all year and can say that womens basketball is as great if not better than mens if you really like how the sport is supposed to played. It just amasses me that one game can get this many views and responces. all year there has been only a handful on the womens board and now this game has had over 3,000 views. Great job ladies and I think and hope there will be a lot more in the seats to watch a great and very well coached team!!

[xubball93]

Not true. I remember a Michigan State Center missing a wide open layup to win a game in the NCAA Tournament a few years back. I can't recall what year, or who missed it, but I know it happened.

Women's basketball is definetly gaining popularity.

How about the kid from Memphis a few years ago who missed (3?) free throws with no time left that would have won Memphis the CUSA tourney?

[D-West & PO-Z]

How about the kid from Memphis a few years ago who missed (3?) free throws with no time left that would have won Memphis the CUSA tourney?

He missed 2. They were down 2, he made the first and missed the next two. Darius Washington was his name I believe.

[JimmyTwoTimes37]

Here's Mo Egger's take on it:

"I don't watch a lot of women's basketball...it's just not very entertaining. Still though, XU played for the right to go to the Final Four, they're a local team, I'm a sports guy, so I watch. And it's a pretty compelling game....XU comes from down seven with about five to go to twice take the lead. Late in the game, they get the ball to a player under the basket, WIDE OPEN, and she misses. XU gets the board, they get the ball to the same player, against WIDE OPEN. She misses again. And cries.

Stanford gets the ball, kid goes length of the floor, Danny Ainge-style, and lays it in, barely beating the buzzer. Stanford wins, XU loses an absolute heartbreaker.

Valiant effort by the Xavier women, and obviously the end of a really, really good season, but the story of how that season ended cannot be told without making mention of Dee Dee Jernigan. She's the XU player who missed the two layups.

Dee Dee Jernigan choked.

Happens. Show me a high-level athlete, and I'll show you someone who at some point, in their athletic career, at some level, choked.

Here's the problem....I'm a bad guy if I say that Dee Jernigan choked.

If Jason Love misses a dunk that would've potentially put his team in the Final Four, we can call him a choker. If Lance Stephenson misses a wide open layup that might've sent his team to the next round, no one is concerned with his feelings, we're concerned with the basket he missed. If John Wall clangs the free throws that were the difference between going home and moving on, we talk about them, and him, for days.

With the women's game, we can't. You know this is true.

Need proof? Here's copy from the 5:40am sports that I read on 700WLW...

....XU had a chance to win it late....Dee Dee Jernigan missed two open layups in the closing seconds that could have sent the Lady Muskies to the Final Four.....

Nothing malicious there, no finger-pointing, just in inescapable fact about the game that must be mentioned. Within minutes, I get this email....

Is it really vital to your sportscast to keep mentioning the name of the young lady that missed the 2 layup shots last night? I'm sure shes feels bad enough without having her name mentioned over and over again on a 50000 watt radio station. Give the kid a break. Can't you just say that Xavier missed two layups with 12 seconds left. Again give her a break!

If Jason Love misses that, do I leave his name out? No. If another man misses that? No. Why am I leaving Dee Dee's name out then?

First off, let's cut Dee Dee some slack. She knows she blew it. She has amazingly supportive teammates, coaches, and friends who I'm sure have and will support her. She's also a highly-accomplished athlete. You don't play D-1 hoops, either gender, without possessing the ability to bounce back from adversity, losses, or even a chokejob.

More important, we're told all the time that women's basketball should be put on par with the men. It's our fault that UConn's amazing program isn't appreciated more. The fact that TV ratings for women's games are miniscule isn't because we find the sport hard to watch, it's because we're sexist. Yet when the sport is talked about, and the games are covered, we have to put kid gloves on when we talk about the athletes. I can talk about, even make fun of, the men's player who misses the layup, but we've got to shelter the woman who missed it.

Until I can do the same with both, I'll never take the sport as seriously as I do the men's."

[AviatorX]

He missed 2. They were down 2, he made the first and missed the next two. Darius Washington was his name I believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-cqlbqJFWM

[D-West & PO-Z]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-cqlbqJFWM

You can't see it in this video but I have seen it in others and heard it talked about, but Washington, after making the first, looks over to the bench and either makes a comment or gesture as to say game over I am making all of these. Tough break. He left college early too to enter the draft. Can't remember if it was after that season (his freshman year), or the next, but he never held on in the NBA.

[XU-PA]

Here's Mo Egger's take on it:

"I don't watch a lot of women's basketball...it's just not very entertaining. Still though, XU played for the right to go to the Final Four, they're a local team, I'm a sports guy, so I watch. And it's a pretty compelling game....XU comes from down seven with about five to go to twice take the lead. Late in the game, they get the ball to a player under the basket, WIDE OPEN, and she misses. XU gets the board, they get the ball to the same player, against WIDE OPEN. She misses again. And cries.

Stanford gets the ball, kid goes length of the floor, Danny Ainge-style, and lays it in, barely beating the buzzer. Stanford wins, XU loses an absolute heartbreaker.

Valiant effort by the Xavier women, and obviously the end of a really, really good season, but the story of how that season ended cannot be told without making mention of Dee Dee Jernigan. She's the XU player who missed the two layups.

Dee Dee Jernigan choked.

Happens. Show me a high-level athlete, and I'll show you someone who at some point, in their athletic career, at some level, choked.

Here's the problem....I'm a bad guy if I say that Dee Jernigan choked.

If Jason Love misses a dunk that would've potentially put his team in the Final Four, we can call him a choker. If Lance Stephenson misses a wide open layup that might've sent his team to the next round, no one is concerned with his feelings, we're concerned with the basket he missed. If John Wall clangs the free throws that were the difference between going home and moving on, we talk about them, and him, for days.

With the women's game, we can't. You know this is true.

Need proof? Here's copy from the 5:40am sports that I read on 700WLW...

....XU had a chance to win it late....Dee Dee Jernigan missed two open layups in the closing seconds that could have sent the Lady Muskies to the Final Four.....

Nothing malicious there, no finger-pointing, just in inescapable fact about the game that must be mentioned. Within minutes, I get this email....

Is it really vital to your sportscast to keep mentioning the name of the young lady that missed the 2 layup shots last night? I'm sure shes feels bad enough without having her name mentioned over and over again on a 50000 watt radio station. Give the kid a break. Can't you just say that Xavier missed two layups with 12 seconds left. Again give her a break!

If Jason Love misses that, do I leave his name out? No. If another man misses that? No. Why am I leaving Dee Dee's name out then?

First off, let's cut Dee Dee some slack. She knows she blew it. She has amazingly supportive teammates, coaches, and friends who I'm sure have and will support her. She's also a highly-accomplished athlete. You don't play D-1 hoops, either gender, without possessing the ability to bounce back from adversity, losses, or even a chokejob.

More important, we're told all the time that women's basketball should be put on par with the men. It's our fault that UConn's amazing program isn't appreciated more. The fact that TV ratings for women's games are miniscule isn't because we find the sport hard to watch, it's because we're sexist. Yet when the sport is talked about, and the games are covered, we have to put kid gloves on when we talk about the athletes. I can talk about, even make fun of, the men's player who misses the layup, but we've got to shelter the woman who missed it.

Until I can do the same with both, I'll never take the sport as seriously as I do the men's."

first I'll claim ignorance, I've been out of Cincy for 6 years, not sure who the hell Mo Eggers is or why I should care what he thinks.
BUT,,,,,outside of an emailer, who said the world should lay off what actually happened? Did someone say that the media should stop reporting what happened? Personally it makes my stomach churn when I see the play, and it's played over and over and over, but that's because I'm a Xavier fan.
My argument is with people who have their head up their asses and are ripping on womens athletics because someone missed a layup. If someone says hey she choked, yea that's one way to describe it.
There are people who have said and will say that they think the womens game is inferior. it's not the same as D-1 mens college ball, but neither is D-2 or D-3 or high school or grade school or AAU ball, but we watch those because it is competitive and the players put it all out there.
Was it really one e-mail that prompted your rant Mo? One? A little sensitive?
Mo Eggers can talk about anything he wants, take off the gloves, make fun of anyone he wants because someone must be paying him to talk or write, but if Mo Eggers doesn't take the womens game as seriously as the mens then he is an asshole.

[Tardy Turtle]

Was it really one e-mail that prompted your rant Mo? One? A little sensitive?


Mo Eggers can talk about anything he wants, take off the gloves, make fun of anyone he wants because someone must be paying him to talk or write, but if Mo Eggers doesn't take the womens game as seriously as the mens then he is an asshole.

http://loudounlady.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/pot-kettle-black.jpg

[spongebob]

First off, Mo Eggers is an uninformed blow hard and my guess is that his watching the elite 8 game was his first XU womens game. Secondly, if he was calling out Jason Love, Dante, or any of the other XU men as a choker, or demeaning the program or game in general, as he is obviously doing here, you guys would be just as riled. Thirdly, no one, including XUPA, said he couldn't express his views and report the news. the question is, do you do things in a classy manner, or in a moronic Howard Stern like attention grabbing smug manner. You can decide for yourselves where Mo falls. Last but not least, he's a UD guy. Nuff said there.

[X-band '01]

First off, Mo Eggers is an uninformed blow hard and my guess is that his watching the elite 8 game was his first XU womens game. Secondly, if he was calling out Jason Love, Dante, or any of the other XU men as a choker, or demeaning the program or game in general, as he is obviously doing here, you guys would be just as riled. Thirdly, no one, including XUPA, said he couldn't express his views and report the news. the question is, do you do things in a classy manner, or in a moronic Howard Stern like attention grabbing smug manner. You can decide for yourselves where Mo falls. Last but not least, he's a UD and UC guy. Nuff said there.


Fixed your post SpongeBob.

[XU-PA]

I feel so dirty, I unknowingly violated one of the many credos in life, that's not to give a big rats ass what any UD or UC fan says or thinks. Should have known, wlw.

I'll be showering off.

Time to get back to life, that is preparing for next season! Let's Go X!! Let's Go X!! Let's Go X!!

[spongebob]

Fixed your post SpongeBob.

You are correct indeed. Thanks.

[DoubleD86]

First off, Mo Eggers is an uninformed blow hard and my guess is that his watching the elite 8 game was his first XU womens game. Secondly, if he was calling out Jason Love, Dante, or any of the other XU men as a choker, or demeaning the program or game in general, as he is obviously doing here, you guys would be just as riled. Thirdly, no one, including XUPA, said he couldn't express his views and report the news. the question is, do you do things in a classy manner, or in a moronic Howard Stern like attention grabbing smug manner. You can decide for yourselves where Mo falls. Last but not least, he's a UD guy. Nuff said there.

I could not disagree with this post anymore. First off, being a UC or UD fan does not automatically disqualify one's opinion. Second off, it has been stated NUMEROUS times on this board that, although he is a UC/UD fan, Mo has given very fair and accurate reporting for the Xavier program. He defended Tutu after the Butler game, claiming it is wrong to judge 20 year olds in the heat of battle for an action like Tutu made. Mo has constantly been touted as the fair and worthy-of-listening personality in this city, even on this board. I know we seem to have a rule here that states the minute you say something bad about Xavier means you are uninformed and a bad sports personality, but that is just not true on Mo. Go back and read his blog, 90% of what he says about Xavier is positive or neutral/objective.

Now for his point, I completely agree. Keep in mind, I AM A FAN OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL. Not a diehard and I only watch when its a team I care about, but I was at every home game of my (undergrad) D3 women's team for four years and was at multiple XU women's games this year. I appreciate the game on the women's side and enjoy the competition. However, I do understand those who do not enjoy it. Furthermore, I completely agree with Mo that you can not treat a female athlete the same as a male athlete. When talking about the game with a friend, we were both very cautious to be too critical, and it seems as if you must walk on eggshells when discussing female athletics. Case in point, the email Mo got. Now if he had said Dee Dee choked, I would be willing to bet he would have gotten multiple responses angry at him for that (see: this thread). However, if Jason Love had missed those layups to miss out on XU's first Final Four, and during his analysis of it claimed Jason choked, no one would get upset. We would all be saying it, and it would be fair.

Right or wrong, there is a sense that we must be gentler on the female athletes, that we can not be as critical or as blunt in our assessments. For Mo, that is an aspect that makes it hard for him to enjoy women's basketball. That is his prerogative. Everyone has the right to enjoy and not enjoy what they want and his is far from an ignorant or sexist reason not to. He did not say he doesn't enjoy it because female athletes are inferior, or that its not quality basketball. He is paid to analyze and give his opinion about sports, that is the way he approaches sports, therefore it is understandable that a sport where he has to be so politically correct about his analysis would turn him off.

It gets very tiring seeing every sports personality across the country be labeled good or bad based (almost solely) off of how positive or negative his/her latest comment about X was.

[XU-PA]

DD, my anger is that he states how he will cast off womens sports, won't treat them as equal to men because of his perception that he has to dance lightly.

I've never had to dance lightly, and if you've seen the coverage this half minute of basketball has recieved so far people are not dancing lightly. I've seen Dee Dee take the blame, Amber take the blame, whole team take the blame, coach take the blame, it's open season on X.
And that's ok, it's sport these people get paid to toss out opinions and to get people to tune in or stay tuned in.

Egger's attitude boil's down to this statement "Until I can do the same with both, I'll never take the sport as seriously as I do the men's."
So is he letting one email stop him from doing what everyone else does? Or is he using the one email as an excuse to spout a tired old sexist attitude?
Time for people who cover sport to do just that, cover it, don't ignore it because of an internal bias.
Egger is showing why he is now and will remain a small time pundit.

[DoubleD86]

DD, my anger is that he states how he will cast off womens sports, won't treat them as equal to men because of his perception that he has to dance lightly.

I've never had to dance lightly, and if you've seen the coverage this half minute of basketball has recieved so far people are not dancing lightly. I've seen Dee Dee take the blame, Amber take the blame, whole team take the blame, coach take the blame, it's open season on X.
And that's ok, it's sport these people get paid to toss out opinions and to get people to tune in or stay tuned in.

Egger's attitude boil's down to this statement "Until I can do the same with both, I'll never take the sport as seriously as I do the men's."
So is he letting one email stop him from doing what everyone else does? Or is he using the one email as an excuse to spout a tired old sexist attitude?
Time for people who cover sport to do just that, cover it, don't ignore it because of an internal bias.
Egger is showing why he is now and will remain a small time pundit.

Maybe you are correct, but I see an entirely different culture around the WBB sport. Yes, you can speak frankly about the team, but you have earned that by being such a good fan. However, without "earning" that ability, it does seem different. The people on ESPN talking about the game from the Women's perspective have earned that. However, maybe it was just me but when normal Sportscenter showed it, it came off different than if that had been a male missing a shot like that. It seems like if you have not "earned" the right, you have to be careful not too come off to harsh or too critical. Even more so, in the normal sports community, those feelings seem to be even more magnified. After all, Mo's audience is Jo Schmo sports fan.

Again, I like the sport and follow the Xavier team. However, that does not mean everyone is in to it. The only thing that bothers me (and I have friends who are like this) is when people dismiss it because it is not men's basketball. They are top notch athletes and very good at what they do. However, I am also a lot like Mo. My approach to most sports is almost always more analytical than emotional. I love to dissect, analyze, and examine the intricate aspects of the games I watch. From that perspective though, I have always seemed a little more guarded in how I talk and what I say about female sports. I do feel as if people see it as an insult to be critical of female athletes in the same way we are about men. Do I think it is right, absolutely not, but I feel that sense anytime I try to talk about female sports or see female sports being discussed. Because of that, I can not blame Mo for his feelings. He is one of the most prevalent sports voices in the city. Lots of people listen to him. He believes (and I agree) that if he had come at that story as he would had it been a men's game, he would have had a bigger backlash than if it was a men's game. In fact, he experienced that while being cautious in how he approached it. First the email, and then the response to his blog post.

I just can not find blame in his stance. He does not diminish the sport or the athletes. He diminishes the manner in which people seem comfortable with analysis and critique towards the sport. For someone who is quite blunt in his feelings and analysis of the sports he follows, I can see this being a problem for Mo. Read his blog, he is quite realistic and blunt towards the UC and UD programs. However, if he were to say those same things towards a female program, I truly believe he would be labeled a sexist and a dick.

Edit: Also, he does not swear off women's sports, but women's basketball.

Double Edit: According to Lance McAllister's Twitter: "Xavier University star Amber Harris announced officially Wednesday that she will return to XU for the 2010-11 college basketball season"

GREAT NEWS!

[xu_fan]

This is obviously just a short response to everything that is being said but to me it is mostly an emotional response. I first started coming to Xavier Women's B-ball games about 10 years ago when I got a free ticket. It was a gradual process to get where I am now. I've had season tickets for the last 3 years. I personally believe that no matter what the sport is if you take the time to watch them, follow them, go to road games, read about them, etc, etc. you will become a fan. I never envisioned that I would be such a die hard fan for women's college basketball, and after investing a little time and money I follow the women's team at X more than I do the men's. Incredible. 10 years ago I would have never said that was possible. The men's game and women's game is very very different, but I'll tell you what I find both equally entertaining. The crazy thing is I have absolutely NO affiliation with Xavier University at all. None! And the only reason I consider myself a member of Xavier Nation is that free ticket to a women's game I got 10 years ago.

[XU-PA]

the only reason I consider myself a member of Xavier Nation is that free ticket to a women's game I got 10 years ago.

Best money you ever spent right?/ Now you know why the marketing dept does what it does. Kid days, giveaways etc.

You are a true fan, and I'm sure you see the huge difference between mens and womens basketball. It's not about who can jump higher, who can dunk, who is a more prolific 3 point shooter etc etc. It's all about the effort that is put on the floor. That's why I watch all of it. from the high school level on up, boys girls men women pro amateur. It's a great game because of the effort the players put into it.

[xu_fan]

Best money you ever spent right?/ Now you know why the marketing dept does what it does. Kid days, giveaways etc.

You are a true fan, and I'm sure you see the huge difference between mens and womens basketball. It's not about who can jump higher, who can dunk, who is a more prolific 3 point shooter etc etc. It's all about the effort that is put on the floor. That's why I watch all of it. from the high school level on up, boys girls men women pro amateur. It's a great game because of the effort the players put into it.


Could not agree more XU-PA! Honestly, basketball season is my favorite time of year by far. I could probably watch dogs and cats play against each other. I just love the sport.