Semaj - Time To Cement His Legacy

[mistabeecee41]

Selection Sunday is in a month.

I've read comments about how disappointing it would be if Semaj never played an NCAA tournament game. He's talked about as one of the most talented players to ever put on an X uniform. In his 2nd, and possibly last year - it's time for him to carry this team like some of the other greats have done. I get it. His supporting cast isn't as good as some of the other great players we've had. That's not an excuse. This is his team. If you want to be considered one of the greats and carry on the Xavier Tradition, you do what a great does.

In January, he had one of the best individual months we've seen out of a Xavier player - EVER. 23 points per game on 60% from the field. In February, he's been fallen back down to earth. He doesn't seem to be playing with that "I'm going to carry this team" mentality that we'll need to see out of him. Jordan Crawford only played one season in a Xavier uniform and he doesn't necessarily do things "The Xavier Way", so I don't think he gets as much credit as he deserves. He absolutely, positively took over basketball games in February and March. Semaj needs to do the same from this point out.

It's go time. Play like you're a senior and this is your last chance. Carry this team to the finish line.

[drudy23]

The success of this team has nothing to do with Semaj "taking over". We're at our best with a balanced attack. In addition to that strength, we have a player who can take over IF WE NEED HIM TO.

Simply throwing it all on his shoulders is dumb...and will actually not make us better. Everyone else needs to step up and play how they're capable. If we do that, we could be a Sweet 16, Elite 8 team (Elite 8 may be a stretch). If we don't, we don't play in the tourney.

For this team, the whole is definitely better than the sum of its parts.

[vee4xu]

Another "L" word thread about a 19 or 20 year old kid. As I mentioned in another "L" word thread. The only legacy a kid that age has is when he took his first step or shit his last diaper. It's a team sport and X has guys like Dee Davis, Martin and Philmore who have been here longer and should be the team leaders. Semaj has been consistently good all year, but can't do it alone night in and night out. Right now his favorite saying should be "no man is an island."

[XU2011]

In addition to that strength, we have a player who can take over IF WE NEED HIM TO.



He can? I wish he would have during the Seton Hall game. Or Marquette game. Or Providence game.

He is a pheonmenal player. But he does not have a take-over the game, will his team to a win capability that Tu or Crawford had.

[xu82]

More than one guy taking over..... we need everyone taking care of the ball! (Some a bit more than others.)
With that said, if he can pull off some Herculean feat I will not complain.

[xumuskies08]

Another "L" word thread about a 19 or 20 year old kid. As I mentioned in another "L" word thread. The only legacy a kid that age has is when he took his first step or shit his last diaper. It's a team sport and X has guys like Dee Davis, Martin and Philmore who have been here longer and should be the team leaders. Semaj has been consistently good all year, but can't do it alone night in and night out. Right now his favorite saying should be "no man is an island."

http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/314921_700b.jpg

[NY44]

Semaj taking over is exactly what we DON'T need. When Semaj tries to take over a game he fails to. It just turns into him taking a lot of forced drives and contested shots. He is talented enough for some of those shots to fall, but it won't lead to wins.

Here's a stat for you: In Big East play, Semaj has taken 14 or more FGs 4 times, each time was a loss.

[vee4xu]

http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/314921_700b.jpg

Ha! It didn't take long at all for someone to take the bait, so to speak.

[gladdenguy]

Unless something drastically changes (which would be a huge NCAA tournament) Semaj will be back next year.

[Cheesehead]

I do agree that when X has 3-4 players in double figures, it's a better team than when Semaj goes for 25 and no one else helps. Having said I wouldn't mind him going Lionel Chalmers on the Big Easts's ass.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Unless something drastically changes (which would be a huge NCAA tournament) Semaj will be back next year.

Whatcha talkin' about, Willis? This entire year, I've not even considered the possibility of Semaj coming back next year....but then you post this....wow. What in the world will they do with scholarship issues if he comes back?

[GoMuskies]

Whatcha talkin' about, Willis? This entire year, I've not even considered the possibility of Semaj coming back next year....but then you post this....wow. What in the world will they do with scholarship issues if he comes back?

I've got some ideas about how I'd like that to work...but posting such would break forum rules.

[Norman Dale]

I have wondered about the same thing, if Semaj comes back and everyone else stays and we're oversigned by 2, could we have 2 of our incoming signees end up at a prep school for a year?

[kyxu]

I have wondered about the same thing, if Semaj comes back and everyone else stays and we're oversigned by 2, could we have 2 of our incoming signees end up at a prep school for a year?

Theoretically, yes, but good luck selling that to the incoming signees.

[kyxu]

Whatcha talkin' about, Willis? This entire year, I've not even considered the possibility of Semaj coming back next year....but then you post this....wow. What in the world will they do with scholarship issues if he comes back?

GG is a good guy, but anyone who speaks like they have any idea what Semaj is doing next season is fooling themselves.

[gladdenguy]

Oh yeah. That is not something I know or have inside information on. He is still 19th on the board to the Bulls on NBADraft.net.
I just have a feeling if Xavier is not in the NCAA tourney or a one and done I think he takes a chance on a junior year with the talent that will be around him next year. Also, I think he is much more capable of turning some heads with another year.

That is to say Semaj will talk to his camp at the end of the year and if he is a sure fire 1st round draft pick then you have to go. I just have a feeling Maj laces them up with Xavier next year unless he tears it up down the stretch (ala Jordan Crawford).

[markchal]

Another "L" word thread about a 19 or 20 year old kid. As I mentioned in another "L" word thread. The only legacy a kid that age has is when he took his first step or shit his last diaper. It's a team sport and X has guys like Dee Davis, Martin and Philmore who have been here longer and should be the team leaders. Semaj has been consistently good all year, but can't do it alone night in and night out. Right now his favorite saying should be "no man is an island."

The idea that a college player can have no legacy at the program he played at is absurd. David West left no legacy as a Musketeer? Burrell? Crawford? That's beyond ridiculous.