Let's Get the Magic Back

[LA Muskie]

I like the vast majority of the regular posters on this board, and even when I disagree with some of you I respect your insight and opinions. So please take this post in the spirit in which it is intended -- which is to foster continued discourse and discussion about Xavier University in general, and basketball in particular. The point of my post is this:

THIS BOARD HAS BECOME FAR TOO NEGATIVE AND INSULTING

I used to enjoy logging in and seeing what folks were saying. It used to be fun. Now, it seems like work. Oftentimes I look at the thread headings and just don't have the energy to click on them; it's obvious that the thread will be filled with complaints and arguments -- most of which inevitably will devolve into personal attacks.

And then there are the occasions when a fan from another school tries to join a discussion. The responses in those instances are often downright inappropriate. This is basketball, not international conflict. Sport is about competition, not hatred. We expect our players to act with sportsmanship; it would be nice to see folks on the board act the same way. Anonymity doesn't have to reduce us all to the lowest common denominator.

I'm not saying that we should all pretend that everything is perfect in Xavierdom. We all know that's not true. Nor do we have to sing the praises of our rivals. But it would be really nice to focus on the positive every once in a while. To not blow the negative out of proportion. And to treat one another with class and respect -- whether that be with other Xavier fans, or those from other schools.

I used to frequent another board. It got to the point where it just wasn't fun anymore. It was too negative. I wouldn't say this board is there yet, but it's getting close. Let's please not let that happen.

This board used to be a fun and relaxing outlet from my daily life. I could feel connected to my college (one of the greatest experiences of my life) and I got to discuss one of my favorite pass-times -- being a Xavier basketball fan. It's honestly not like that any more much of the time. And that disappoints me because there's no reason it can't be. Let's focus on being a happier, more congenial bunch. Let's get the magic back.

[Muskie]

Agreed!

[GoMuskies]

Shut up a**hole!

Just kidding. Fair goal, but it's probably not going to be a particular happy place so long as the team is playing poorly.

[bourbonman]

Agreed. I came here to avoid the drama on another board.

[anXUfan]

Couldn't agree more.

[xuinmd]

agree

[xudash]

Not that anyone would have noticed, but I haven't posted for a while - by what I believe are active standards - because of what you've identified here.

And I was perfectly content to keep it that way until I read your post. I agree with you completely.

The long view on Xavier basketball is very bright:

- Membership in the Big East.
- The money and exposure that comes with that via a deep pockets, strategic media partner like Fox.
- A Top 10 recruiting class with a developing pipeline of recruits behind that.
- A solid young coach who also happens to be an alumnus with deep roots in Cincinnati.
- Continued full administrative support with a sharp new AD at the helm.

We'll see how things work out for this season. There are things to be concerned about, yet, as just one example, Xavier was within inches of beating Iowa in the Bahamas. It proved to be a major set back for this bunch that they dropped that game in OT, because they couldn't at least take care of USC when they should have before leaving the island. So they come home and bumble their way through a couple of unconvincing wins. If the glass is half empty, they were bumbling wins. If the glass is half full, they showed enough character and gumption, as they continue to find a way to play better and play together, by pulling out wins in those contests. Xavier teams tend to get better over the course of a season, and that includes Xavier teams coached by Chris Mack. In the face of last year's circumstances, 17-14 wasn't all that bad, and could have itself been a little better with a break here or there.

We don't have much margin for error from here on in, but let's see what happens. At the end of the day, I would think that most knowledgeable Xavier basketball fans would never write-off a season in December with the team standing at 7-3.

Attendance? It concerns me, because we're not used to seeing the place with a bunch of empty seats. Yet there hasn't been a college game I've watched yet this year (haven't watched Duke or Kansas at home) where I haven't seen gobs of empty seats. I channel surfed my way to Ohio State v. Bryant early this week and, well, there were THOUSANDS of empty seats for the #3 (AP) ranked team in the nation. I'll be watching and concerning myself with Cintas Center attendance when the conference schedule cranks up.

We are fans - fanatics - so we react as we react by definition to every great dunk or every needless turnover. We want Xavier to be the best. We can get lost in the here and now with bad and good results. That's okay; that's the nature of the beast. But a little context, a little humor and some amount of faith in the future will go a long way in helping to maintain a little perspective and civility around here.

[Xaveriana]

The only solution is to shutdown this board until people can behave. :-)

Board is a refection of four things:
1) State of the team (we expect more; upperclass disappointment)
2) State of the program (no more the little team that could; reached a major goal (Big East) only thing left is Final Four or beyond)
3) State of the internet/world (attack from the shadows)
4) State of Cincinnati sports (what have you done for me lately)

I think the biggest issue with XH is we have run out of interesting topics. Scan the list...boring.

"XH Makes Me Mad!!!"
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2698/4255064211_0b7836e2e6_o.jpg

[nuts4xu]

http://scooppost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/333491.jpg

[Backyard Champ]

I check this board out daily, even though I don't post frequently. I have noticed that there just isn't a whole lot of discussion going on any more. I used to be able to come to this board and there would be a lot of different, active threads. I came here to find out everything I need to know about the opponent, what they were good at and who we needed to stop. There used to be a lot of chatter going on, however that has died down. This trend seemed to start last year, and has continued this year. Maybe it was a like of excitement about the team?

There are people and threads that get heated, but I haven't noticed it nearly as much as some of you have. I do think we should treat opposing fans coming to this board better. It is always great to get their insight, it's a shame some posters will call them out any time they have something negative to say about our team.

I realize this isn't the place, and I don't want to contradict what I said about not seeing a ton of name calling, but the Xavier popes twitter handle is embarrassing. I think it's attitudes like they have that has this board heading the wrong path.

[ammtd34]

I do think we should treat opposing fans coming to this board better. It is always great to get their insight, it's a shame some posters will call them out any time they have something negative to say about our team.

I realize this isn't the place, and I don't want to contradict what I said about not seeing a ton of name calling, but the Xavier popes twitter handle is embarrassing. I think it's attitudes like they have that has this board heading the wrong path.


I think they're treated ok, all things considered. Don't go on an opposing team's message board and act like a dick and you won't be run off. Shaqtus from St. Louis is a good example.

[X-band '01]

Now he's known as EpicFailGuy over on the A-10 board. I'm sure we'll see him back if and when SLU gets their golden ticket into the Big East.

Burrcats has also been a good sport over his this week.

[casualfan]

I do think we should treat opposing fans coming to this board better. It is always great to get their insight, it's a shame some posters will call them out any time they have something negative to say about our team.
.

Case in point the UC fan who posted a nice comment in another thread and the only response he got was some jackass who highlights a portion of a sentence to make a sexual reference.

[XULucho27]

Case in point the UC fan who posted a nice comment in another thread and the only response he got was some jackass who highlights a portion of a sentence to make a sexual reference.

C'mon bud, that was all in jest. I'm nothing but polite the majority of the time.

I love this site. I've enjoyed posting since 2010. I tend to stay out of the smack forum for this very reason; namely, I don't enjoy arguing or going back and forth on a message board over incredibly trivial stuff (in the big scheme of things at least). Don't take me too seriously, buddy. Just an immature joke ahead of a big rivalry game. :)

[XUOHTX]

I agree with the OP to a certain degree. There has been a lack of chatter lately. But we can't just ban all negativity. This should be a place where you can vent as a fan and others can try to bring you off the ledge. As long as we don't get into personal attacks and any negativity is limited to team performance, I don't see a problem with it.

Also, this is bound to happen after one of the worst years we have had in a decade and a slow start to this year.

[GoMuskies]

Opposing fans who visit generally get what they deserve. If they're a UC fan and in their first post they call Xavier "Little Brother", they usually don't fare well. If they're a Butler fan, and they call Tu a punk and/or a thug, they'll probably light up with red dots. If they start out in a respectful tone void of trash talking, they will probably do fine, even if they do end up utilizing a bit of tame trash talk eventually.

At the end of the day, it's a Xavier board. Don't come in as an opposing fan, shit on the floor and then complain about the place stinking.

[Muskie]

A big issue we've had is that some people have come on with agendas against the administration and brawl this reflection that. For a time this permeated the threads no matter what the topic. I hope that has subsided.

Second. There are clearly posters here who feel the need to feed off each other at the expense of the topics.

Two very difficult things to moderate fairly.

Finally. We need more people starting topics. And we need those topics not to be detailed by one and two.

[Muskie]

Case in point the UC fan who posted a nice comment in another thread and the only response he got was some jackass who highlights a portion of a sentence to make a sexual reference.

If you see stuff like that please report it. We can take care of that nonsense. Although I probably would have just moved it to the smack forum.

[vee4xu]

Things run their course and everything has its day. Chat boards are no different. All things eventually fall into a routine. It's like a courtship and a marriage. The courtship is fun, new and exciting. The marriage can be arduous, but the work really starts when things become routine, mundane. The old saying is, "if familiarity doesn't breed content, it may take to shine off of admiration." By cyberstandards, XH is an old married couple. We say things that may hurt, but we have enough history to forgive and move on. What we have to do is come here knowing that it isn't always going to be the exciting place it was in 2008 (for me anyway) an accept that eventually we all show the real us. XH is now the real us. I love it and plan on hanging around.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Agree with Dash and the BOOBS post.

In the wake of the Atlantis fiasco I chose to focus on the Big East season and whatever it's going to bring.

It's going to be marvelously challenging and exciting.

Great moments, performances, rivalries, and memories to come.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: ONWARD!

Beat UC!

Cheers and beers!

[OTRMUSKIE]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/889525/cronin2_medium.gif

[paulxu]

I think it's all Snipe's fault...whatever "it" is. I haven't figured it out yet.

Anyway, he's given up on getting into Go's 10,000 club. MOR is almost there, and DC is right behind.
Wonder what happens then?

I need a damn good round of Smell the Glove. How about tomorrow night?

[Masterofreality]

I've got nothing to say...

Just wanted to get one post closer to 1,000.

[xudash]

I've got nothing to say...

Just wanted to get one post closer to 1,000.

You may have missed a ZERO.

[vee4xu]

You may have missed a ZERO.

Too many beers and not wearing cheap bifocals causes that to happen.

[CinciX12]

I solemnly swear to be nothing but positive the day that the team can shoot over 65% from the free throw line.

[xubrew]

I"m admittedly more of a pessimist than an optimist. I know that about myself. If I'm not a full blown pessimist, then I'm not the kind of person that always works to put a positive spin on something unless I have to. Rarely do I say anything with the sole intention of bashing the program. I really just say what I think. I'm not a hard person to figure out. If I say I'm cold, it means I'm cold. If I say I'm hungry, it means I'm hungry. If I say that I think the Big East is underperforming and hasn't won enough notable games, it means that I think the Big East is underperforming and hasn't won enough notable games. There is no ulterior motive or agenda to make people look bad or feel bad.

I'm a frequent visitor on rival teams boards. Granted, it''s largely because I know people who are long time posters and/or owners, but I don't think this place is any different. Some people like hearing your point of view. Others bash you and your team. Just like this place.

I guess I really don't see what's different. The team hasn't been as good the last two seasons as what it had typically been for the previous 10+ seasons, so peoples' takes have understandably changed. I do think that if we win tonight, it will completely change the complexion of everything. Of the three losses down in Atlantis, two fall under the category of "missed opportunity" as opposed to "bad loss." Our profile isn't that bad, and if we win tonight, it will suddenly have a quality win on it. A win tonight could really kickstart things and bring some of the magic back that LA is talking about.