Not a Misprint, Folks

[X-band '01]

St. Bonaventure 63, GW 60

How costly is that loss to the Flyers now? GW falls into a 3-way tie for 1st place with X and Temple.

[cinskyline]

I saw that. The Bonnies were actually up by 20 at halftime.

The Dayton loss was so silly. It's not like the Flyers shot lights out. If we even put forth a little bit of effort, we win easily. Hopefully, this is a wakeup call for the team, because our safety net is now gone.

[Bigbluebrotha]

So, I'm watching some ESPN and notice that the Bonnies had GW down by 23 in the first half.

Here's some of the account from the Bonnies' Web site:

[IThe Brown and White's first ever win over a nationally ranked opponent also established the school's all-time win mark at the Division I level with 17 triumphs on the season. Including this season, the Bonnies had only reached 16 wins on four different occasions.

With the win, Bona improves to 17-9 (5-6) with its sixth victory of the season on Bob Lanier Court. Two members of the Brown and White were born in the same year as the Bonnies' last victory over the Colonials on February 23, 1989. None of the current players on the Bona bench were older than five during the school's last win over the perennial Atlantic 10 powerhouse.[/I]

That states what an impact win it was for the Bonnies!

There are two ways to view this unforseeable event. The first, as you've noted, is that XU absolutely blew one Thursday at Dayton.

The second is that our ladies have been granted an undeniable free pass and have been given new life and the opportunity to secure the regular season title.

When you sift through it all, this really convolutes the league bids to the NCAA. There was a chance, and minor at that, this league would get three to the big show. Now, I think it's only two and GW definitely has one.

Our ladies have to realize it's now officially GO TIME. If they want to solidfy themselves as a team to be dealt with this season and in the future, it's time to mature and win out.

I didn't feel good about this upcoming road trip or the St. Bonnie adventure to close the season because I thought our ladies would've beaten Dayton twice by then and handled Charlotte.

Now, next week's trip and the foray to Olean for the finale looks tougher than ever. It was a classic invite to let-down town and now that invite is bigger, brighter and shinier than ever!

I think X is more talented than its competition moving forward. Our ladies have to prove it now or it's another journey through the WNIT.

I wrote in my earlier message that it's time for our ladies to prove how good they are - and - even more so, it really is time to move to the next level in light of today's upset.

I think the team should make one of those 30-foot Thank You cards and send it to Jim and the Bonnies!

Here's an official challenge to Amber to play like the all-star that she is for the entire 40 minutes. No more 0 for 7 halves (although you're getting mugged) - no more 5 to 10 minute spurts of stardom - go all out, all the time! Finish this thing strong and in first place. Amber, you have Big T down low and the ability to create. You also have a capable suppoting cast. They might not always hit for you from the outside, but they will get you ball, or at least create opportunities for you or Big T inside. Do it, be the A-10 Player of the Year or help BIG T become the A-10 Player of the Year and bring it home. The 49ers now are OFFICIALLY STEP ONE!

I think I blew a blood vessle, so, if this is my last post, I hope it makes an impact!

LET'S GO X! LET'S GO X! LET'S GO X!

[spongebob]

Good work as usual BBB. Step one accomplished. Charlotte goes down 71-62. Keep the foot on the gas the next two weeks.

[XU 87]

I went to a women's game earlier this year- the Liberty loss. I left not particulalry impressed by the coaching. Granted, it was one game and it was a loss.

What do you who watch a bunch of games think of the bench coaching?

[xu_fan]

Like any situation there are times I wonder what in the heck he's doing, but I always remind myself that I'm not a coach and I don't know everything. When you think about coaching there are soooo many behind the scences things that we don't know about. So for example say I question him taking Ta'Shia out at a pivitol time. Well who knows, but I'm sure there is a reason. I always remind myself that I am in the stands for a reason and he is down there for a reason. He learned from Muffet McGraw and she's a proven coach so I trust Kevin. I think he is a great bench coach and COACH in general. I am very appreciative for what we have. That's just my opinion.

[Bigbluebrotha]

I agree that McGuff is pretty good as I've written in the past and that he's smart, passionate and intense. A couple of times today he jumped off the bench to get on Special Jennings about defense. I like that he brings the players aside and address the mistakes when they're made with personal instruction. That endears a player to a coach, and, I think, increases that coach's credibility with a team.

I think this team is playing better overall than it did when it started the season. The perimeter shooting obviously is an issue. I thought McGuff would come up with something new / different to account for the outside deficiency, but that hasn't happened. I heard an interview with Bob Valvano, Jim Valvano's brother, on the radio recently. Bob mentioned he called his brother after a loss where Bob tried a ton of adjustments that didn't work. Jim's answer was the adjustments didn't work because Bob wasn't adjusting to what his team did well. I think that comment applies to the Xavier ladies and McGuff's approach. Stay the course and eventually the players will respond. In terms of the perimeter shooting, I hope it's soon.

I like to listen to McGuff's pregame comments on the Web cast and today he said his team simply lacked concentration at Dayton. I think part of that falls on the staff, but they can only teach and preach to a certain level. The team has to take responsibility for itself at some point. Floor and lockerroom leadership has always been a question with the recent teams. I don't know who fills that role at present. Tudy Reed seems to be a quiet kid as does Jerry Taylor. I think Tashia has the personality to get in people's grills. I noticed a close-up shot from the GW game where Tashia looked over at Amber and looked to have said "Amber, Amber, c'mon, let's go." That's promising.

Time will tell. The nice part for this team is that all the players return next year and it adds another post player in Dee Dee Jernigan. Moe will be a junior and hopefully her confidence and contributions grow. Remember, Michele Miller didn't have a great first two years, but her last two were pretty solid.

Enough of that for now, still work to be done and an NCAA Tournament bid to secure. On to the Bronx!