Undefeated and Untied, Your 4-0 Xavier Musketeers

[Snipe]

I enjoy watching this team play. We are deep and play 10 men, and I like all of them. I like the team work. I like the defense. I like the veterans. I like the youth movement.

People talk about our star studded recruiting class coming in next year, but we have a core of young players playing right now. The Farr & Reynolds big man combo played a combined 36 minutes, scored 13 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and blocked 4 collective shots. That is a lot of production from forwards off of your bench. You get the feeling that these guys are maturing right in front of your eyes. Randolph and Myles Davis are coming right along. You have 4 players right there, 3 frosh and a soph, that seem like they are all going to contribute more and more as the season goes on. At one point those four players were on the court with super soph Semaj, and it was one of the youngest lineups I can recall in recent history to be on the court. Big things could come from the youth movement.

Have to repeat the praise about Stainbrook. I continue to be impressed. He is quite a credible big man. Outside of Semaj he is the only other Muskie to start all 4 games, and I don't see that changing. As for the other 3 positions, it doesn't seem to matter who starts, because they are all going to play. This does not seem to be a selfish team. It looks like it could be quite an exciting season watching all of these young men growing together.

I am excited. I know it is early, but I am loving the early results.

Go Muskies.

[GIMMFD]

I agree completely, this is much different from when Tu Holloway and Mark Lyons took almost every shot, you never know who will score with this team, which is a huge incentive and has to drive opponents nuts. I'm looking forward to Battle 4 Atlantis, and seeing how good we really are, I am hoping we make it to the final, I want to see how we can match up against a big gun like Kansas (granted they get there too), I think we are deeper than most people think, these guys can score, and they are playing some good basketball. May be a pretty good season for the Muskies boys.

[X Factor]

Excellent post Snipe!

[X-man]

While I was surprised when they announced the starting line-up last night, I quickly forgot about who started and who subbed. In fact I didn't even realize that expected starter Philmore wasn't playing at all until late in the first half when one of my buds asked about him. That's how deep and talented this team is. And I agree with Snipe here: this team is not only fun to watch, but it will get much better as the season progresses and these young players get used to playing with each other. The Xavier basketball star is shining brightly in our new league, with our record-setting recruiting class for next year, and with the stable of young and talented players already here. It is amazing to be talking about our depth this season when you think that we bring in six new guys next year while losing only a couple of legit schollie players.

[throwbackmuskie]

Dee has been very impressive since coming back as well. He runs the team very well. Also impressed with Semaj's 8 assists, and he knocked down the FTs. Very unselfish team. Fun to watch for sure!

[blueblob06]

Like Snipe said, I LOVE how deep this team has been over the first 4 games. Think about how great we played WITHOUT Philmore, a starter. And how we beat Tenn without 2 starters, Dee and Martin. If we were missing 1 or 2 starters for a game last year or the year before, we were doomed.

[Titanxman04]

I was pleased with Dee last season, but I am THRILLED with his play this year already. He looks like the kid that we were expecting him to be when he was leading his HS team to a state championship. He was truly a floor general last night, distributing, taking what the defense gave him, and ensuring his teammates were involved. He pushed the ball when needed, and took control when there weren't numbers. Love watching him.

James Farr is by far and away the biggest surprise this season so far. He's been productive and clearly WANTS IT. I didn't think he'd see much time this year, and now I get excited everytime he's on the floor. Him and Reynolds on the floor just provides soooo much length at once. It's almost not fair.

Rabndolph coming in and playing as sharply as he has been is awesome as well. He pulled off some very nice shots and on top of that, moved the ball and got others involved as well. His maturity shows whenever he's int he game and I love that he's as confident as he is right now.

This team will be fun to watch this year.

[GoMuskies]

Dee was fantastic the first couple of games last year, too. If it holds this time, we're going to have a really good team.

[Titanxman04]

Dee was fantastic the first couple of games last year, too. If it holds this time, we're going to have a really good team.

Someone already mentioned it, but we are playing in mid-season form already. Which is scary when we turn it up.

[JTG]

I missed all but garbage time last night, is Miami that bad, or did we just play really well ? BTW, I have been in hotels for 2 of our first 4 games, and both were on tv. One I was in the Chicago area, and the other I was in Charlotte, and Fox 1 was on both hotels cable system. This is quite an upgrade from the past, where even in Ohio, some games would not be on.

[Juice]

I was pleased with Dee last season, but I am THRILLED with his play this year already. He looks like the kid that we were expecting him to be when he was leading his HS team to a state championship. He was truly a floor general last night, distributing, taking what the defense gave him, and ensuring his teammates were involved. He pushed the ball when needed, and took control when there weren't numbers. Love watching him.

James Farr is by far and away the biggest surprise this season so far. He's been productive and clearly WANTS IT. I didn't think he'd see much time this year, and now I get excited everytime he's on the floor. Him and Reynolds on the floor just provides soooo much length at once. It's almost not fair.

Rabndolph coming in and playing as sharply as he has been is awesome as well. He pulled off some very nice shots and on top of that, moved the ball and got others involved as well. His maturity shows whenever he's int he game and I love that he's as confident as he is right now.

This team will be fun to watch this year.

My assessment on Dee is that he was expected to do too much last year and was playing outside of himself/his abilities. Now he doesn't have to handle the ball as much or be relied on to score as much.

[Muskie1000]

I missed all but garbage time last night, is Miami that bad, or did we just play really well ? BTW, I have been in hotels for 2 of our first 4 games, and both were on tv. One I was in the Chicago area, and the other I was in Charlotte, and Fox 1 was on both hotels cable system. This is quite an upgrade from the past, where even in Ohio, some games would not be on.

We still have a lot of work to do because they do have a lot of young players. In my view, it seems like we always start off slowly but once we hit our stride we became unstoppable. They set up a zone, we hit 3's or we found a way into the middle. If they tried to key on anyone of our players, another player did step up. I was watching at one point and every single player on the floor was capable of scoring and we weren't didn't just have our starters out there. To me the best part of this team is that everyone plays together. I saw someone, can't remember who, miss a pretty easy shot and someone else came and grabbed the rebound and made the basket. Instead of the first player hanging his head about missing the basket, he was high fiving the other player and smiling.

[X-man]

We still have a lot of work to do because they do have a lot of young players. In my view, it seems like we always start off slowly but once we hit our stride we became unstoppable. They set up a zone, we hit 3's or we found a way into the middle. If they tried to key on anyone of our players, another player did step up. I was watching at one point and every single player on the floor was capable of scoring and we weren't didn't just have our starters out there. To me the best part of this team is that everyone plays together. I saw someone, can't remember who, miss a pretty easy shot and someone else came and grabbed the rebound and made the basket. Instead of the first player hanging his head about missing the basket, he was high fiving the other player and smiling.

That would be James Farr cleaning up a Jalen Reynolds miss. I was smiling too.

[RoseyMuskie]

Love the work ethic and turnaround James Farr has made. He serves as a reminder to wait and judge a player's ability until the season begins.

I know many, including myself, were already writing him off Xavier's team next year. Now I see him as a viable backup that can be a solid four year player at X.

Great work Jimmy!

[Milhouse]

Slow starts might be due to the competition. They came out with a fire under them against Tennessee.

[muskiefan82]

Miami is not good and Xavier beat them the way a good team should. I do have to wonder how bad Notre Dame is since Miami hung with them before losing by 12 and then let Indiana St. run over them. Might be a long year for ND in the ACC.

[Masterofreality]

Miami is not good and Xavier beat them the way a good team should. I do have to wonder how bad Notre Dame is since Miami hung with them before losing by 12 and then let Indiana St. run over them. Might be a long year for ND in the ACC.

But, like Memphis, ND was preseason ranked. SMH!

[Milhouse]

To make that ND loss even more shocking they've probably only lost 4-5 games at home in the last couple years. They had the longest streak in the nation at one point a few years back.

[kyxu]

That would be James Farr cleaning up a Jalen Reynolds miss. I was smiling too.

The opposite happened later in the game. Farr missed an easy one, and Jalen came in right behind him to finish.

[xufan2434]

Is it me or is Farr bigger this year as well? Maybe he's just moving out there but he looks like he added bulk as well. His improvements are only going to drive Reynolds to get better as well.

Don't overlook Iowa in that first game of Atlantis. They return all five starters and 10 of their top 11 scorers. They should have a couple upsets in the Big Ten this year.

[GIMMFD]

Don't overlook Iowa in that first game of Atlantis. They return all five starters and 10 of their top 11 scorers. They should have a couple upsets in the Big Ten this year.

I just saw on ESPN where they were like one of the top 10 most underrated teams, apparently they have some pretty good players, and every game has been a blow out for them (they haven't played much competition) and hit triple digits twice in this 4 game span. I didn't realize they would be that good!

[The_Mack_Pack]

Don't overlook Iowa in that first game of Atlantis. They return all five starters and 10 of their top 11 scorers. They should have a couple upsets in the Big Ten this year.

They'll have more than a couple good wins in the Big Ten IMO, I can see them finishing top four in a very good Big Ten. Iowa is vastly underrated.

[xu 89]

I really like what Randolph brings to this team as well. He is just so fast and doesn't dog on any plays.

[ChicagoX]

They'll have more than a couple good wins in the Big Ten IMO, I can see them finishing top four in a very good Big Ten. Iowa is vastly underrated.

I expect Iowa to be favored against X in the Bahamas. This will be a big test against a solid Big Ten squad who returns everyone from a team that advanced to the NIT Finals last season. Fran McCaffery is a great coach and has that team on the right track.

[GoMuskies]

Fran McCaffery is a great coach and has that team on the right track.

AND he really wanted the Xavier job when Mack got it instead. So he cannot be all bad.

[XU 87]

AND he really wanted the Xavier job when Mack got it instead. So he cannot be all bad.

I think McCaffery also interviewed for the job when Matta got it.

[Smails]

I expect Iowa to be favored against X in the Bahamas. This will be a big test against a solid Big Ten squad who returns everyone from a team that advanced to the NIT Finals last season. Fran McCaffery is a great coach and has that team on the right track.

This. They have a ton of experience and have played together in real games for much longer than our boys have. Plus many of our players will be travelling for the first time for a road game against big boy basketball players. Add a solid coach and XU better bring their A game if they want the W.

That being said..they're not Kansas, Duke or MSU. I fully expect a second round rematch the hilljacks from Knoxville.

[GoMuskies]

Iowa beat Abilene Christian by 62, so if we only beat them by 40 or 45, we're probably in for a long night against the Hawkeyes.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Iowa beat Abilene Christian by 62, so if we only beat them by 40 or 45, we're probably in for a long night against the Hawkeyes.

Seriously? I expect a game like Tennessee. One where both teams feel each other out and then go at it. Iowa is a tough squad but I expect XU to match that. Remember, experience counts for a lot in these tournaments. I like that XU plays talent and we go deep. Atlantis will be fun. I can't wait to see us against Iowa.

[GoMuskies]

Seriously?

Did I forget to write that in sarcasm font?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Did I forget to write that in sarcasm font?

Clearly, I am stupid. Hah.

[DC Muskie]

I am an embarrassing moment when I didn't realize Philmore wasn't in the game until the second half.

That's how into I am about this team's depth. It's like the old Miller teams of balanced scoring, which I love.

[profson]

Like the rest of us I am cheered that XU is 4-0 and is showing signs of being a good team. The current poll on placement at the Battle for Atlantis, however, shows irrational exuberance beyond the nature of fans to be positive about their team. Fully 25% think XU will beat (most likely configuration) Iowa, Tennessee and Kansas (!). More amazing no one thinks XU finishes below 4th, which means that by a margin of 28-0 the prediction is that XU beats Iowa. Are we not aware that Iowa returns all starters, has some strong additions (transfers and frosh), has height, goes 10 deep, is ranked 25 and (effectively) 26 in the two major polls, and will likely be favored by Vegas? Hey, I think XU can win, but 28-0?

[bigdiggins]

Like the rest of us I am cheered that XU is 4-0 and is showing signs of being a good team. The current poll on placement at the Battle for Atlantis, however, shows irrational exuberance beyond the nature of fans to be positive about their team. Fully 25% think XU will beat (most likely configuration) Iowa, Tennessee and Kansas (!). More amazing no one thinks XU finishes below 4th, which means that by a margin of 28-0 the prediction is that XU beats Iowa. Are we not aware that Iowa returns all starters, has some strong additions (transfers and frosh), has height, goes 10 deep, is ranked 25 and (effectively) 26 in the two major polls, and will likely be favored by Vegas? Hey, I think XU can win, but 28-0?

Iowa board has 28-0 that the Hawkeyes win.

[ammtd34]

The current poll on placement at the Battle for Atlantis, however, shows irrational exuberance beyond the nature of fans to be positive about their team.

What?

[Milhouse]

At the same time the Iowa team hasn't faced any real competition yet. We're young but had a great win/experience againt UT, and that was with 2 starters out.

[profson]

Iowa board has 28-0 that the Hawkeyes win.

No doubt. Proves the point that polls of this nature measure fan enthusiasm and bias more than reasoned analysis. Vegas and the so-called experts are likely to see this as a close one, which is more than we could have expected even two weeks ago.

If XU gets past Iowa, it will be interesting to see what the UT spread is. Positive elements for UT are neutral court, their bigs are likely to play better (perhaps with less foul trouble) and shooting from 3-pt range should improve. On the XU side, Dee and the continued emergence of Farr and Reynolds are promising. (Can't mention FT because both teams were bad.)

[GoMuskies]

Sagarin has us as a 0.13 point favorite on a neutral court over Iowa. I'm guessing the line will be pick 'em or someone will be a one point favorite.

[ammtd34]

I would probably bet my life savings that Tennessee wouldn't shoot better than 8-19 from 3 if we saw them again.

[GoMuskies]

If there were to be a spread on the game, Xavier would be a 35-36 point favorite over Abilene according to our good friend Jeff Sagarin.

Sagarin rates Xavier as the 20th best team in the nation according to his Predictor ratings. Unfortunately, old habits die hard, and he still lables us as Xavier-Ohio.

[XUFan09]

Like the rest of us I am cheered that XU is 4-0 and is showing signs of being a good team. The current poll on placement at the Battle for Atlantis, however, shows irrational exuberance beyond the nature of fans to be positive about their team. Fully 25% think XU will beat (most likely configuration) Iowa, Tennessee and Kansas (!). More amazing no one thinks XU finishes below 4th, which means that by a margin of 28-0 the prediction is that XU beats Iowa. Are we not aware that Iowa returns all starters, has some strong additions (transfers and frosh), has height, goes 10 deep, is ranked 25 and (effectively) 26 in the two major polls, and will likely be favored by Vegas? Hey, I think XU can win, but 28-0?

I think you're taking those polls too seriously, or rather, you think others are taking these polls seriously. There's no money on the line, so most people won't ever vote against their team, usually out of superstition, not bias.

As for sports bias in general, that's hardly revelatory lol.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[gladdenguy]

A top 50 kid coming out of Indianapolis and looking at the oh so recent final four banners at the dump Hinkle and he still picks Xavier. Priceless. Butler is such a bitch.

[Masterofreality]

A top 50 kid coming out of Indianapolis and looking at the oh so recent final four banners at the dump Hinkle and he still picks Xavier. Priceless. Butler is such a bitch.

Again, recruiting is all about long term relationships built by the coaches. Travis "Steal" and CMack were on TB since 8th grade. You have to have coaching stability and you gotta pay the man.

Thom Brennaman pointed out the other night that Xavier has not made a bad coaching hire in 30 plus years...and that he cannot remember any place else with the kind of turnover that X has had that has also always gotten it right.

We've been very smart, but incredibly fortunate. One bad hire kills a program. (Even Kentucky for a while with Gillespie)

[UCGRAD4X]

Again, recruiting is all about long term relationships built by the coaches. Travis "Steal" and CMack were on TB since 8th grade. You have to have coaching stability and you gotta pay the man.
Thom Brennaman pointed out the other night that Xavier has not made a bad coaching hire in 30 plus years...and that he cannot remember any place else with the kind of turnover that X has had that has also always gotten it right.
We've been very smart, but incredibly fortunate. One bad hire kills a program. (Even Kentucky for a while with Gillespie)

I thought this was an interesting comment as well. It does make one really appreciate the "Xavier Way" - which is what I attribute the string of high quality hires to. Luck enters into it as well, but I think the philosophy has informed coach and assistant hires.

Coaches, assistants, players and even ADs come and go - but the "Xavier Way" carries on through the ages.

[paulxu]

I didn't want to start a thread for this, but I found it a little unusual that Mack would call out a player so strongly in the press for lack of effort.
Would normally (I guess) think this would be in the locker room, and maybe just an off-hand comment to the press. I don't know. At any rate, with what's coming in next year, and needing scholarship space in some fashion, it's not good to see Richards slacking off. Hope he picks it up. We can use everybody this year.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131122/SPT0102/311220165/Xavier-s-Isaiah-Philmore-makes-his-return-to-practice?nclick_check=1

[MADXSTER]

Paul, I have no doubt that this has been in the locker room for quite a while. My guess is that it is just now getting out there because that's just the next step.

[blobfan]

Paul, I have no doubt that this has been in the locker room for quite a while. My guess is that it is just now getting out there because that's just the next step.

I imagine you are right. This is the first time I think Mack has called someone out this harshly but it's not the first time and X coach used this tactic. And it's worked in the past so maybe this will get Kamall motivate.