Duquesne and LaSalle

[xu_fan]

Two more losses this week to add to our ever growing list. This year has been extremely disappointing. Under no circumstance did I think LaSalle would even be a close game at the beginning of the year. I hate to say this but I'm questioning the heart of this team. The talent level is simply better than a lot of other A-10 teams yet we are struggling.

I don't understand how after half a season the turn overs are still so horrible. They are losing the majority of these games because they can't keep the ball. Then according to someone of twitter they had a "good game" today!!!! Are you kidding me???? I don't care how many points you had, or rebounds, or anything... 21 turnovers...

Most of these players heads are not in the right spot. I think they've all but given up for this year... I hope Amy has some trick up her sleeve because it if this will be the worst year in Xavier Women's Basketball history from which I can remember. Even in Melanie's last year they won about 11 games.

It's just been a mess and I have no idea how they can fix it... I have noticed that they get into a habit of falling behind, catching up, but then not having the energy at the end to finish it off. I guess that is somewhat expected when you only have 2 bench players. Someone needs to step up on this team and take some leadership.

Quite honestly, it's been embarrassing.

[X-band '01]

Holmes is still suspended - it's no wonder this team gets tired when you're down to 7 healthy players.

[coasterville95]

Yes, the womens team has been a real disappointment. We knew it would be a struggle losing staff to graduations and transfers. The suspension and rumored player resignation can't help.

It's just painful watching what was such a great team last year have such a total blowout season.

[XU Family]

Totally agree this team needs to stay the road and step it up, but let's review what has happened since last season.

1. Loss of two 6'5" post players to WNBA.
2. Loss of 4 senior starters.
3. New group of coaches with great backgrounds trying to develop a new team with a winning system.
4. Only 1 player this year has any real floor experience as a starter.
4. Other players sat the bench most of last year when team could have probably used them to get further in tournament and gain a bit of experience.
5. No real recruiitng class came in this year. The only one that showed, quits in middle of season and leaves team already trying to make it with just a few bench players. Thanks McGuff... (at 10 roster players out of a possible 15)
6. Katie Rutan quits and goes to Maryland. Too hard to help the team in a rebuilding year? (at 9 roster players)
7. Point guard transfer tears her ACL. Down another player due to bad luck. (at 8 roster players for season)
8. Crouch is back due to her love of the game. Doing her best to contribute. Keep it up Crouch. (at 9 roster players)
9. Sounds like Lynette went a little to far. Great player that hopefully is learning what she needs to do with the time off. Team could use her. (at 8 roster players with few subs)

My point is that Waugh and this team have been through more than any team I know of in such a short period of time. Yes they have to work through it and play with a lot of heart for 40 minutes, but they need us all to support them as they do. Many of us BELIEVE in Waugh and this nucleus of young women, so let's reach down deep and stand behind them. Time, consistent good attitude and hard work will get them through...

GO XU!

[cinskyline]

Maybe the talent level isn't as good as we think?

Latisha Walker must be pretty bad if she's not even getting 1 minute with the team having depth problems. Ashley Wanninger has gotten a ton of playing time and really hasn't done much of anything. Everyone else has been very inconsistent.

Wasn't Holmes suspended last year by McGuff for a couple of games? If so, I wouldn't be surprised to see her transfer after this year. I have a feeling that there have been ongoing issues with Holmes and Coach Waugh has finally had enough. Especially since she's now missed 4 games (and counting). At any rate, Lynette has really let the team down.

Complicating matters is that Waugh herself is a rookie head coach. Sean Miller wasn't a very good coach either in his first year. Just saying..

This will probably end up being the worst season for Xavier women's basketball since the 1980's under Laurie Massa. Those were very forgettable years.

I have a feeling the roster is going to look drastically different next year -- it may very well be another rebuilding year as Waugh installs the kind of system that she wants and starts building with players that she wants also.

[ohiobballfan]

Thanks XU Family for describing in detail all the hardships this team has encountered this season. Cannot imagine how the coaches and team can stay focused or motivated. They are continuing to work hard and do their best and that's all we can ask of them. This has to be terribly hard for Amy who has only been a part of all the winning teams over the years here at X. No one is more frustrated than this team and coaches with not winning. We will rebuild but it takes time and they need the support of the X fans. Go X!

[Bigbluebrotha]

Nice to read that some are still posting here. That means at least some still care.

This season is a huge disappointment, but under the circumstances I sympathize with all involved.

The beatable teams seem to be Fordham and Rhode Island. There's a very real chance right now this team won't make the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

Either this coaching staff in unable to motivate this team, this team has no leadership on the floor or in the lockerroom or, worse yet, it has little pride in its performance.

Talent wise, I'm confident this team is better than three and the season, but the numbers prove me wrong.

I listened to the two games and even our man Mike Schmaltz seems frustrated.

What's the deal with the turnovers? It's mid January, take care of the ball!

Here's hoping Tyeasha Moss "Seniors Up" and starts chewin' some internal tail and takes this thing by the reigns to get it back on the right trail.

This is embarrassing. I think the team's slogan this year is "Tradition Never Graduates." If it didn't graduate, it's on injury reserve or it transferred because these performances are not up Xavier standard.

Whew, I'm better now. My face has gone from UC red to Xavier blue. Now I think it's gray.

Hope it gets better quick.

I realize the situation stinks, but anyone think Waugh wasn't the right hire?

[cinskyline]

I realize the situation stinks, but anyone think Waugh wasn't the right hire?

I've wondered that myself. I won't know the answer to that until next year.

[XU-PA]

all of it,,, coaching change, players leaving, injuries etc etc etc, happens.
It it all part of sports, and it's what makes sport so interesting.
To me, I watch the progress this team is making and it increase my appreciation for players like,,
Hawkes, she got almost no p.t. last year, thrust into a starting role this year, and has flourished.
Holmes, before the suspension, same as Hawkes, we saw little glints of what she could do offensively last year, a slasher, a shooter, a producer, hope she gets right and gets back on the floor.
Mossy, the lone returning "star" and despite a few bumps of late in the scoring column, she has been exactly what we hoped.
Amber Gray, wow, where do I start? A stroke, an unreal recovery, the move from UT to XU, an also ran role last year and now, the starting lineup, team leader, everything we dreamed from her.
Pachko, she did this in her first venture at college, it didn't work and she's doing it again, home town girl brought her show back to Cincinnati and his flat out doing it on the court.

even from the balance, Wanninger, Johnson and now Crouch are producing as hoped.

Now, the record, not what we hoped for, but given how those intangibles, injuries and players taking the exit door early, it's not surprising.

The key here for me, is being a fan and loving this group for what they are, they are representatives of us as alumni of XU. I love them for what they do and the effort they put forth day in and day out. Kudos to the players, and power to the coaches, keep up the fight!

[tmac03]

I don't pretend to know a lot about the women's program, but I do have a connection to Liz Stratman's family. The most I can say is that the doubts about whether Waugh has control of the team are well-founded; from what I have heard (albeit only one side of the story), the inmates are running the asylum, and that played a large part in Liz leaving.

Sorry, I know this likely come off as the typical cryptic post from someone claiming inside knowledge without being willing to give details or their source up. I wish the best for Coach Waugh and hope the team can turn it around.