Regardless, i'm proud of coach Mack and this team

[wkrq59]

As I watched the final seconds tick off Thursday night and the 2013-14 regular season come to a less than exalting finish with a loss to Villanova in Cintas, I was moved by one thought, "I'm damned proud of those guys. They did one fine job of representing me and my alma mater under less than desirable circumstances. They were down a very important player, who was sitting on the bench in a suit and bow tie. But they fought until the last second of the last minute and were classy at the end."
I suppose to some, 20-11, 10-8 in their first year in the Big East, is unacceptable. Nothing but perfefction will be tolerated, blame must be placed, heads must roll. Shame must be known from the top of the pramid to the last walk-on. Nobody gets a pass. To those who say anything even close to that, I say "Fie on you and your relatives, and the horse you rode in on." And I offer the traditional single-digit salute.
As I think about it, and look at the faces and actions of Isaiah Philmore and Erik Stenger, and as I see Isaiah diving on the floor and making sometimes super efforts, I start to applaud, until those watcing the TV with me give me the WTF looks only family can offer with love, of course. The faces of Stenger and Philmore show the pain. As do the countenances of Semaj, Jalen, Dee, Justin, James, Brandon and Myles.
Yes, I saw the frustration and the pain. But I also recalled the start of the season and the preseason. The seventh place finish predicted for these young men who still have a second and third season to play. I remember the highs of the early start and the lows of that three-game loss in the Bahamas. Then an eight-game winning streak, an absolutely humiliating pounding of arch-rival UC and the early success in the Big East. The disappointments against Seton Hall and the joys of sweeps of Butler, DePaul and St. John's . The euphoria after the victory over Creighton and the sour taste of the next two defeats that ended the first 30.
Today, however, as I look at the names of the "Magnificent Nine" who started and finished the game against Nova, the seemingly controlled anger of the Big Guy in the Bow Tie on the bench, I could only smile at the enjoyment and satisfaction they gave us during those regular season games.
And the smile grew even broader as I thought of the games to come during this and future years. And I said again to myself, "No way is there any room for bitterness and the pathological need to blame, only praise and pride. Go Muskies.


:jumpforjoy::wave::drinks:

[throwbackmuskie]

Well said. To improve from last year to this year, and playing in a tougher league, well done!

[Masterofreality]

And looky here...

As I watched Senior Night last night, there were only 2 Seniors who were semi- significant contributors honored and only 3 total seniors who will be leaving us.

We are LOADED next year folks. Get your popcorn ready.

[sgarcia]

And looky here...

As I watched Senior Night last night, there were only 2 Seniors who were semi- significant contributors honored and only 3 total seniors who will be leaving us.

We are LOADED next year folks. Get your popcorn ready.

If Semaj leaves we are deep doggy doo next year but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it in a few months.

[Milhouse]

Probably still a tournament team without Maj.

With him....something special.

[Titanxman04]

Probably still a tournament team without Maj.

With him....something special.

Its crazy to look back on a few teams recently and to think what would happen if those guys stuck around.

Brown stays and plays with Crawford.

Crawford stays and gets another year with Tu.

If Semaj stays, then he gets to play with Bluiett and Macura.

[Masterofreality]

If Semaj leaves we are deep doggy doo next year but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it in a few months.

We'll be fine either way. Need more shooters, tho....

[XU-XHI]

If Semaj leaves we are deep doggy doo next year but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it in a few months.

Remy Abell, not quite so deep now is it.

[xudash]

As I watched the final seconds tick off Thursday night and the 2013-14 regular season come to a less than exalting finish with a loss to Villanova in Cintas, I was moved by one thought, "I'm damned proud of those guys. They did one fine job of representing me and my alma mater under less than desirable circumstances. They were down a very important player, who was sitting on the bench in a suit and bow tie. But they fought until the last second of the last minute and were classy at the end."
I suppose to some, 20-11, 10-8 in their first year in the Big East, is unacceptable. Nothing but perfefction will be tolerated, blame must be placed, heads must roll. Shame must be known from the top of the pramid to the last walk-on. Nobody gets a pass. To those who say anything even close to that, I say "Fie on you and your relatives, and the horse you rode in on." And I offer the traditional single-digit salute.
As I think about it, and look at the faces and actions of Isaiah Philmore and Erik Stenger, and as I see Isaiah diving on the floor and making sometimes super efforts, I start to applaud, until those watcing the TV with me give me the WTF looks only family can offer with love, of course. The faces of Stenger and Philmore show the pain. As do the countenances of Semaj, Jalen, Dee, Justin, James, Brandon and Myles.
Yes, I saw the frustration and the pain. But I also recalled the start of the season and the preseason. The seventh place finish predicted for these young men who still have a second and third season to play. I remember the highs of the early start and the lows of that three-game loss in the Bahamas. Then an eight-game winning streak, an absolutely humiliating pounding of arch-rival UC and the early success in the Big East. The disappointments against Seton Hall and the joys of sweeps of Butler, DePaul and St. John's . The euphoria after the victory over Creighton and the sour taste of the next two defeats that ended the first 30.
Today, however, as I look at the names of the "Magnificent Nine" who started and finished the game against Nova, the seemingly controlled anger of the Big Guy in the Bow Tie on the bench, I could only smile at the enjoyment and satisfaction they gave us during those regular season games.
And the smile grew even broader as I thought of the games to come during this and future years. And I said again to myself, "No way is there any room for bitterness and the pathological need to blame, only praise and pride. Go Muskies.


:jumpforjoy::wave::drinks:

Back to what q wrote.

There is an old adage that goes: "It's hell at the top." The Big East may not be the absolute pinnacle of basketball conferences, but it isn't far removed from there and it's certainly respectable in its own right.

So, Xavier steps into this conference and in its first year it will end up in either the 3rd or 4th seeded position, versus a pre-season expectation for 7th.

We're all nervous about the Tournament and our inclusion in it, but the program continues to position itself for advancement. I don't see any other way to look at it. We're not finished with this season. We certainly have a lot to look forward to moving forward.

Oh, the other adage: "That's why they pay us the big bucks." Welcome beyond the A10 Xavier.

[gladdenguy]

I have no idea what is going through the mind of Semaj. The kid has had to play pretty much 3 straight 40 minute games in 6 days. He has fought and clawed and besides Reynolds he is one of the players who shows the most heart. As I saw Philmore drop a perfect bullet pass from Semaj I just don't know what he thinks. Down the stretch missing free throws has to be some due to how tired his legs are when he steps to the line but I realize he still has to hit those shots. When he sees Myles "mental case" Davis airball a 3-ball try at the end of the game and shoot about 2 for his last 300 I wonder what goes through his head. When he sees Dee Davis play like a turd 4 out of every 5 games I wonder what he thinks. Why would he want to stay another year when he can grab a paycheck and fulfill financial duties for his family? On the other hand, there will be more talent with Remy and maybe some freshman who can actually contribute as opposed to duds like Brandon Randolph and Myles Davis.

I don't know. I love Semaj. I'm gonna miss him like crazy. I'm also gonna miss the fact that he could have played with Dez Wells and been in the tournament for 2 straight years.....instead he will not play in one NCAA tournament game in 2 years.

Nonetheless, it was a pleasure to watch the young man whatever he decides to do. I was selfish and didn't want Crawford or DBrown to leave because Xavier would have been so much better with them. In this case, I understand if Semaj leaves. I know Xavier will be better with him but it has been a tough 2 years....especially with the recent success of the program before he arrived. I just hope he loves his team so much that he comes back. If somehow he does stay his team will have a chance to be real special like this year's Villanova squad.

[BTR MUSKIE]

This team ended up about where I thought they would.The loss at home to SH was the one bad loss this year.Obviously there were other games they played poorly in.This is a year where just making the tournament will be good enough for me.Agree if Semaj comes back ,next year could be special.I look for Jalen to become a major contributor and hopefully Bluiett steps right in.I'm hoping he's another Sato.No doubt the Big East is more of grind than the A10.Mack commented after the game that Georgetown would have been in the top 3 if they were in the A10.

[GoMuskies]

.Mack commented after the game that Georgetown would have been in the top 3 if they were in the A10.

You don't say? We should have a thread about that.

[Xavier]

Its crazy to look back on a few teams recently and to think what would happen if those guys stuck around.

Brown stays and plays with Crawford.

Crawford stays and gets another year with Tu.

If Semaj stays, then he gets to play with Bluiett and Macura.

Exactly. I would love for semaj to stay. He seems to love Xavier, at least through twitter. I don't think he stays...but am hopeful.

[xubrew]

As I watched the final seconds tick off Thursday night and the 2013-14 regular season come to a less than exalting finish with a loss to Villanova in Cintas, I was moved by one thought, "I'm damned proud of those guys. They did one fine job of representing me and my alma mater under less than desirable circumstances. They were down a very important player, who was sitting on the bench in a suit and bow tie. But they fought until the last second of the last minute and were classy at the end."
I suppose to some, 20-11, 10-8 in their first year in the Big East, is unacceptable. Nothing but perfefction will be tolerated, blame must be placed, heads must roll. Shame must be known from the top of the pramid to the last walk-on. Nobody gets a pass. To those who say anything even close to that, I say "Fie on you and your relatives, and the horse you rode in on." And I offer the traditional single-digit salute.
As I think about it, and look at the faces and actions of Isaiah Philmore and Erik Stenger, and as I see Isaiah diving on the floor and making sometimes super efforts, I start to applaud, until those watcing the TV with me give me the WTF looks only family can offer with love, of course. The faces of Stenger and Philmore show the pain. As do the countenances of Semaj, Jalen, Dee, Justin, James, Brandon and Myles.
Yes, I saw the frustration and the pain. But I also recalled the start of the season and the preseason. The seventh place finish predicted for these young men who still have a second and third season to play. I remember the highs of the early start and the lows of that three-game loss in the Bahamas. Then an eight-game winning streak, an absolutely humiliating pounding of arch-rival UC and the early success in the Big East. The disappointments against Seton Hall and the joys of sweeps of Butler, DePaul and St. John's . The euphoria after the victory over Creighton and the sour taste of the next two defeats that ended the first 30.
Today, however, as I look at the names of the "Magnificent Nine" who started and finished the game against Nova, the seemingly controlled anger of the Big Guy in the Bow Tie on the bench, I could only smile at the enjoyment and satisfaction they gave us during those regular season games.
And the smile grew even broader as I thought of the games to come during this and future years. And I said again to myself, "No way is there any room for bitterness and the pathological need to blame, only praise and pride. Go Muskies.


:jumpforjoy::wave::drinks:

Nice post Mr. Q.

Really good teams are generally schizophrenic before they're good. Look at last year's Virginia team, and look at them now. I mean....if people think we're up and down, go back and look at Virginia's wins and losses from a year ago.

It's a part of the growing pains, which can be great, but can also be painful. I think it's okay to be frustrated, and to say you're frustrated, but it's still a team that I think everyone should be proud of.

[blobfan]

Thanks Q. I do share your optimism.

[xsteve1]

Excellent post Q. I also agree with your thoughts about never playing UD again that you posted on MM.

[Xcited]

Great post Q! I really enjoy your perspective and thoughts on the team. I rarely post myself but throughout the season i check the board every day and your posts always reflect a well balanced and thoughtful perspective. You seem to have a good insight into the game and I suspect your positions reflect that of a good majority of X fans.

[XU2011]

I'm going to get push back for this but I don't care....

This is March 8th. The Xavier program I used to know, we would be talking about the NCAA tourney, seeding and matchups. Instead we are talking about next year, the ifs and buts.... Our coach has taken to public whining like Cronin when all he had to do was beat lowly Seton Hall in Cintas after a week off and we would be in the tournament. Instead he whines about how tough the BE is and whines about Fox's scheduling.

This board makes me think I am reading a Dayton or UC board. As someone else pointed out, we have 2 guys in our program that have ever won an NCAA game. When was the last time that happened? We are about to miss the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year for only the 2nd time in my lifetime... And people seem to be just fine with that because we "might" be loaded NEXT YEAR if Semaj stays. I hope this once proud program gets back to talking about the NCAA in March and not next year. And it won't be easy... I don't care how much talent you have, when you have 2 guys who have ever won or even played in an NCAA game, that's an issue. And just sad.

[Milhouse]

I'm going to get push back for this but I don't care....

This is March 8th. The Xavier program I used to know, we would be talking about the NCAA tourney, seeding and matchups. Instead we are talking about next year, the ifs and buts.... Our coach has taken to public whining like Cronin when all he had to do was beat lowly Seton Hall in Cintas after a week off and we would be in the tournament. Instead he whines about how tough the BE is and whines about Fox's scheduling.

This board makes me think I am reading a Dayton or UC board. As someone else pointed out, we have 2 guys in our program that have ever won an NCAA game. When was the last time that happened? We are about to miss the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year for only the 2nd time in my lifetime... And people seem to be just fine with that because we "might" be loaded NEXT YEAR if Semaj stays. I hope this once proud program gets back to talking about the NCAA in March and not next year. And it won't be easy... I don't care how much talent you have, when you have 2 guys who have ever won or even played in an NCAA game, that's an issue. And just sad.

When you have two guys that haven't won in the ncaa or even played a game it's a major issue?

Well shit someone better tell Bill Self and Coach K that!!!! They are gonna be in real trouble !

God. I swear after losses this board gets unreadable. I really need to start that ignore feature.

[Masterofreality]

What? No one that I know of, well, maybe a couple, have given up on this year, but it doesn't mean that you can't make a comment about next year.

[RealDeal]

I'm going to get push back for this but I don't care....

This is March 8th. The Xavier program I used to know, we would be talking about the NCAA tourney, seeding and matchups. Instead we are talking about next year, the ifs and buts.... Our coach has taken to public whining like Cronin when all he had to do was beat lowly Seton Hall in Cintas after a week off and we would be in the tournament. Instead he whines about how tough the BE is and whines about Fox's scheduling.

This board makes me think I am reading a Dayton or UC board. As someone else pointed out, we have 2 guys in our program that have ever won an NCAA game. When was the last time that happened? We are about to miss the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year for only the 2nd time in my lifetime... And people seem to be just fine with that because we "might" be loaded NEXT YEAR if Semaj stays. I hope this once proud program gets back to talking about the NCAA in March and not next year. And it won't be easy... I don't care how much talent you have, when you have 2 guys who have ever won or even played in an NCAA game, that's an issue. And just sad.

You squeal like a stuck pig.

[xavierj]

I'm going to get push back for this but I don't care....

This is March 8th. The Xavier program I used to know, we would be talking about the NCAA tourney, seeding and matchups. Instead we are talking about next year, the ifs and buts.... Our coach has taken to public whining like Cronin when all he had to do was beat lowly Seton Hall in Cintas after a week off and we would be in the tournament. Instead he whines about how tough the BE is and whines about Fox's scheduling.

This board makes me think I am reading a Dayton or UC board. As someone else pointed out, we have 2 guys in our program that have ever won an NCAA game. When was the last time that happened? We are about to miss the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year for only the 2nd time in my lifetime... And people seem to be just fine with that because we "might" be loaded NEXT YEAR if Semaj stays. I hope this once proud program gets back to talking about the NCAA in March and not next year. And it won't be easy... I don't care how much talent you have, when you have 2 guys who have ever won or even played in an NCAA game, that's an issue. And just sad.

If the coach has Dez Wells this year they probably have 5 or 6 more wins and the coach looks great. Having to let your best player go set them back two years. Can you imagine Semaj and Dez running the floor together? That would be nice.

[XUGRAD80]

This is March 8th. We are about to miss the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year for only the 2nd time in my lifetime

A....they don't select the tourney teams until the end of NEXT week
B....what will you complain about after they DO make the tourney?
C...."lifetime"? If this is true, then you don't have a "lifetime"....all you have is a childhood. You kids with no sense of the history of this school and program give me headaches. You have no idea just how far this program has come in MY "lifetime", and act like X has some divine right to be at the top of their conference and automatically go to the NCAA tourney EVERY year.
D... Reality check time....there are more than a dozen schools in our old conference that would love to be where X is sitting right now, and there are a couple of hundred other college basketball teams that would join that group. 20 wins against a top 20 schedule IS something to be proud of..especially when it is done with a group of STUDENT-ATHLETES that any X alumni should be proud of.

[Masterofreality]

If the coach has Dez Wells this year they probably have 5 or 6 more wins and the coach looks great. Having to let your best player go set them back two years. Can you imagine Semaj and Dez running the floor together? That would be nice.

JMart's been doing a pretty good job.

[vee4xu]

A....they don't select the tourney teams until the end of NEXT week
B....what will you complain about after they DO make the tourney?
C...."lifetime"? If this is true, then you don't have a "lifetime"....all you have is a childhood. You kids with no sense of the history of this school and program give me headaches. You have no idea just how far this program has come in MY "lifetime", and act like X has some divine right to be at the top of their conference and automatically go to the NCAA tourney EVERY year.
D... Reality check time....there are more than a dozen schools in our old conference that would love to be where X is sitting right now, and there are a couple of hundred other college basketball teams that would join that group. 20 wins against a top 20 schedule IS something to be proud of..especially when it is done with a group of STUDENT-ATHLETES that any X alumni should be proud of.

Ditto all from a member of the Class of 1978.

[Masterofreality]

A....they don't select the tourney teams until the end of NEXT week
B....what will you complain about after they DO make the tourney?
C...."lifetime"? If this is true, then you don't have a "lifetime"....all you have is a childhood. You kids with no sense of the history of this school and program give me headaches. You have no idea just how far this program has come in MY "lifetime", and act like X has some divine right to be at the top of their conference and automatically go to the NCAA tourney EVERY year.
D... Reality check time....there are more than a dozen schools in our old conference that would love to be where X is sitting right now, and there are a couple of hundred other college basketball teams that would join that group. 20 wins against a top 20 schedule IS something to be proud of..especially when it is done with a group of STUDENT-ATHLETES that any X alumni should be proud of.


Ditto all from a member of the Class of 1978.

Double ditto from the 1968-1972 Dark Ages of 10-16, 5-21, 9-17, 12-14.

[Retire33]

A....they don't select the tourney teams until the end of NEXT week
B....what will you complain about after they DO make the tourney?
C...."lifetime"? If this is true, then you don't have a "lifetime"....all you have is a childhood. You kids with no sense of the history of this school and program give me headaches. You have no idea just how far this program has come in MY "lifetime", and act like X has some divine right to be at the top of their conference and automatically go to the NCAA tourney EVERY year.
D... Reality check time....there are more than a dozen schools in our old conference that would love to be where X is sitting right now, and there are a couple of hundred other college basketball teams that would join that group. 20 wins against a top 20 schedule IS something to be proud of..especially when it is done with a group of STUDENT-ATHLETES that any X alumni should be proud of.


Ditto all from a member of the Class of 1978.


Double ditto from the 1968-1972 Dark Ages of 10-16, 5-21, 9-17, 12-14.

I would believe most that are from the Schmidt and Gardens era would all be inboard with these "lifetime" opinions. I may only be in my early Thirties but I know all to well how different times were as recent as 2001.

[Juice]

I'm going to get push back for this but I don't care....

This is March 8th. The Xavier program I used to know, we would be talking about the NCAA tourney, seeding and matchups. Instead we are talking about next year, the ifs and buts.... Our coach has taken to public whining like Cronin when all he had to do was beat lowly Seton Hall in Cintas after a week off and we would be in the tournament. Instead he whines about how tough the BE is and whines about Fox's scheduling.

This board makes me think I am reading a Dayton or UC board. As someone else pointed out, we have 2 guys in our program that have ever won an NCAA game. When was the last time that happened? We are about to miss the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year for only the 2nd time in my lifetime... And people seem to be just fine with that because we "might" be loaded NEXT YEAR if Semaj stays. I hope this once proud program gets back to talking about the NCAA in March and not next year. And it won't be easy... I don't care how much talent you have, when you have 2 guys who have ever won or even played in an NCAA game, that's an issue. And just sad.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtkST5-ZFHw

[gladdenguy]

JMart's been doing a pretty good job.

First of all, let's not compare Justin Martin and Dez Wells. Let's simply not go there. Dez is so much more consistent and better it's not worth talking about. Justin has been considerably better this year but he's still inconsistent and not on Dez's level whatsoever.
Next, Dez could play the 2 and have both JMart and Dez on the floor and slide Semaj to the one and for heaven sakes get the inconsistent Dee Davis off the floor some.

And with Dez the only guys who wouldn't have played in a tourney game would be the new ones this year....who would be no less than a 7 seed with Mr. Wells.

[Masterofreality]

First of all, let's not compare Justin Martin and Dez Wells. Let's simply not go there. Dez is so much more consistent and better it's not worth talking about. Justin has been considerably better this year but he's still inconsistent and not on Dez's level whatsoever.
Next, Dez could play the 2 and have both JMart and Dez on the floor and slide Semaj to the one and for heaven sakes get the inconsistent Dee Davis off the floor some.

And with Dez the only guys who wouldn't have played in a tourney game would be the new ones this year....who would be no less than a 7 seed with Mr. Wells.

Really now? Uh....

Since January 1 both JMart and Dez are averaging exactly 14.2 ppg. JMart is averaging 6 RPG vs Dez 3.6. Dez is averaging 2.4 turnovers a game vs JMart's 2. Dez does have 2.5 assists per game vs JMart's 1. JMart is hitting 38% from 3 land. Dez is shooting 31%. They both have had 3 non double figure scoring games. So consistency is a wash with almost equal stats in comparable conferences.

Oh, JMart also scored 17 vs SucKS..arguably our biggest game of the year and his defense has been superb.

Get off your unhealthy obsession with Dez. JMart has been playing great and don't go overboard thinking that Dez would have done so much better. It would have helped the depth, but not necessarily the overall results.

[profson]

Really now? Uh....

Since January 1 both JMart and Dez are averaging exactly 14.2 ppg. JMart is averaging 6 RPG vs Dez 3.6. Dez is averaging 2.4 turnovers a game vs JMart's 2. Dez does have 2.5 assists per game vs JMart's 1. JMart is hitting 38% from 3 land. Dez is shooting 31%. They both have had 3 non double figure scoring games. So consistency is a wash with almost equal stats in comparable conferences.

Oh, JMart also scored 17 vs SucKS..arguably our biggest game of the year and his defense has been superb.

Get off your unhealthy obsession with Dez. JMart has been playing great and don't go overboard thinking that Dez would have done so much better. It would have helped the depth, but not necessarily the overall results.

No doubt this is only a fantasy and not worth spending too many brain cells on, but have you considered that on this team Dez would be a 2 and not a 3 so he would be taking many of Dee's and Myles' minutes instead of Justin's? Dez is a swing man and played the 3 for XU only because Tu and Lyons had to be accommodated in the back court. And of course Semaj is a PG.

The basic configuration would have been Semaj, Dez, Justin. Significant uptick in athleticism, size and firepower. No problem with big BE guards. When one of them sits, Dee comes in, or Myles if you need the threat from 3. Right now if any of Justin, Dee or Semaj sits, including for foul trouble, Mack is reduced to freshmen Randolph or Myles. Avoids situations in which we have to play Myles in spite of the defensive negatives. If we go small you have Dee, Dez, Semaj, Justin, much better than now. Another aspect -- that group allows us to press.

[Masterofreality]

No doubt this is only a fantasy and not worth spending too many brain cells on, but have you considered that on this team Dez would be a 2 and not a 3 so he would be taking many of Dee's and Myles' minutes instead of Justin's? Dez is a swing man and played the 3 for XU only because Tu and Lyons had to be accommodated in the back court. And of course Semaj is a PG.

The basic configuration would have been Semaj, Dez, Justin. Significant uptick in athleticism, size and firepower. No problem with big BE guards. When one of them sits, Dee comes in, or Myles if you need the threat from 3. Right now if any of Justin, Dee or Semaj sits, including for foul trouble, Mack is reduced to freshmen Randolph or Myles. Avoids situations in which we have to play Myles in spite of the defensive negatives. If we go small you have Dee, Dez, Semaj, Justin, much better than now. Another aspect -- that group allows us to press.

Yes, I considered it. Semaj will be a PG at the next level, but he is better off the ball right now. When Dee Davis is out of the lineup, you can see how Xavier struggles to score many times because the defense can focus on the guy with the ball. Dee facilitates the offense better and Semaj is better driving at angles because he draws more fouls and guys have to slide over as opposed to having him drive from up top.

Again, from a depth standpoint, we would be better off given Myles' recent struggles, but it is also very possible that JMart would not have become what he is now if he had to come off the bench all year.

In any event, speculating on what might have been is just that...speculation. All I know is - in answer to GG's stament that JMart and Dez can't be compared- that statement is patently false based on actual performance results. JMart compares very favorably.m

[Fireball]

So, we all realize that every single prognostication service for the NCAA tournament has us IN the bracket, right? There seems to be a ton of doom, gloom, and strife about a team that exceeded what most in the national media thought they would do and is probably going to be in the tournament.

I know we're all used to favored seeds and having things locked up by now, but how you can be anything but optimistic about the future, both this year and beyond, I have no idea.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[The_Mack_Pack]

Just a couple weeks ago everyone was saying how they'd rather be a 10 or 11 seed than an 8/9 seed. Well part of being that kind of seed is sweating out Selection Sunday.

[xu82]

I'm not thinking JMart or Dez, I'd love to see JMart AND Dez. Sadly, that was not to be...

[XU2011]

So, we all realize that every single prognostication service for the NCAA tournament has us IN the bracket, right? There seems to be a ton of doom, gloom, and strife about a team that exceeded what most in the national media thought they would do and is probably going to be in the tournament.

I know we're all used to favored seeds and having things locked up by now, but how you can be anything but optimistic about the future, both this year and beyond, I have no idea.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I wasn't aware of that.

Jeff Borzello said we "have work to do" in the BE tournament and Jerry Palm said we would need to win the Big East.

Obviously, Palm is smoking something to say that (I think if we win in the quarterfinals vs Marquette/St John's we'll be good), but are squarely on the bubble. Finishing the season 0-3 and one of those a sub 150 loss, would probably put us on the wrong side.

[JimCoker]

Can anybody review the recruiting classes of Coach Mack for me? I recall Jay Canty and Jordan Latham from the first one, then maybe Griffen McKenzie and Justin Martin in year 2, but I can't flesh these out. Who were the others?

[Xavier]

Can anybody review the recruiting classes of Coach Mack for me? I recall Jay Canty and Jordan Latham from the first one, then maybe Griffen McKenzie and Justin Martin in year 2, but I can't flesh these out. Who were the others?

Semaj and Dez, and I think you need to consider Stainbrook. A guy that basically got kicked off Eastern Michigan. Mack brought him in and he is huge for X, can't wait to see him next year.

[Juice]

Can anybody review the recruiting classes of Coach Mack for me? I recall Jay Canty and Jordan Latham from the first one, then maybe Griffen McKenzie and Justin Martin in year 2, but I can't flesh these out. Who were the others?

You can change the year and look at each recruiting class back to 2002. http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=8&toinid=352&yr=2002

[xu82]

You can change the year and look at each recruiting class back to 2002. http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=8&toinid=352&yr=2002

Geez, I really miss some of those guys! It also makes it abundantly clear that how many stars you come in with has little to do with how much success you have. (Except for next years class, of course)

[JimCoker]

Outstanding, Juice, thanks.

[BandAid]

You can change the year and look at each recruiting class back to 2002. http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=8&toinid=352&yr=2002

Latham was a 4 star? Uff da...

Also, I forgot about Vezenkov - man I wish he would've been on this team.

[xu82]

Also, I forgot about Vezenkov - man I wish he would've been on this team.

Yeah, we'd need to find yet another scholarship. Ouch. But you can never have too much talent. Let's hope we stay on a roll and pick the right guys!

[KC4X]

Semaj and Dez, and I think you need to consider Stainbrook. A guy that basically got kicked off Eastern Michigan. Mack brought him in and he is huge for X, can't wait to see him next year.

Matt came from Western Michigan. I agree wholeheartedly with your point, though.

[xu82]

Semaj and Dez, and I think you need to consider Stainbrook. A guy that basically got kicked off Eastern Michigan. Mack brought him in and he is huge for X, can't wait to see him next year.

Well, he's less huge than he used to be as a person, which makes him more huge as a player. Admire the commitment! Get well soon and look forward to next year as well.

[UCGRAD4X]

Don't recall that in 09 we didn't have any recruits - just no scolly's available? Just don't remember (but then again I don't remember my children's names half the time either…sooooo…there's that.)