NC State v Xavier (Tuesday March 18, 2014) NCAA Game Thread

[drudy23]

I have a feeling we're going to get homered.

[oddblob]

sigh.

yep. never closin the gap.

[drudy23]

Dee Davis needs to graduate.

[oddblob]

just awful, semaj

[xsteve1]

X is done now.

[drudy23]

So I guess we gave up? Last 3 possessions were pathetic.

[LadyMuskie]

The last two years of Xavier Basketball have been incredibly frustrating. It's not just that we're not as good as we have been. It's the way we're losing games. Just so frustrating.

[waggy]

I have a feeling we're going to get homered.


X killing themselves.

[XMuskieFTW]

I liked it better when Stainbrook was in and got the ball down low

[oddblob]

X is done now.

and should be, by all accounts. incredibly irritating season.

[mistabeecee41]

we were down 6 at halftime when TJ warren had 7 points and people thought we were in a good spot...

yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[LadyMuskie]

On the bright side, chances improve that Semaj returns.

[xsteve1]

Same way all year. I guess you have to press now. Because X can't get stops.

[GuyFawkes38]

NC State is the better team. Again, subpar recruiting has caught up with us the past couple years.

[XfansinKy]

Shew get close ten AAU ball n one on one stuff again. Its not over tho

[Xavgrad08]

I can handle a loss, but I though we would show more toughness.

[mohr5150]

What a horrible performance by Semaj Christon.

[waggy]

Clean block, but they did kinda run him over.

[Mecklenburg]

That should've been a foul on either Freeman or Anya. I try to be objective, but there was a lot of body contact.

[LadyMuskie]

I can handle a loss, bu I though we would show more toughness.

This has been the refrain from so many Xavier fans this year.

[mistabeecee41]

What a horrible performance by Semaj Christon.

yep. his draft stock (which wasn't even that high to begin with) is plummeting.

[oddblob]

semaj just looks like a frustrated headcase right now. zero leadership being exhibited.

[xsteve1]

No bench, Martin is gassed chasing Warren. I guess making the tourney was a least a step in the right direction.

[X Factor]

Xavier has some of the worst fans in the country

[xudash]

The last two years of Xavier Basketball have been incredibly frustrating. It's not just that we're not as good as we have been. It's the way we're losing games. Just so frustrating.

They play stupidly. It's frustrating to watch, especially when execution shouldn't be an issue at this time of year.

[blobfan]

semaj just looks like a frustrated headcase right now. zero leadership being exhibited.

Same look the rest of us are wearing.

[paulxu]

I'm crazy. I'm not giving up yet.

[paulxu]

Although it would be nice to see your basic box out.

[xsteve1]

Offensive rebounds again after cutting the lead.

[LadyMuskie]

They play stupidly. It's frustrating to watch, especially when execution shouldn't be an issue at this time of year.

I agree. We show no improvement over the course of the season. I don't understand.

[mistabeecee41]

please pull zeke after that embarassing boxout attempt.

[blobfan]

I'm crazy. I'm not giving up yet.

I hope the team is with you. I'm sure the lop-sided commentary isn't helping my mood.

[MuskieFN]

I can handle a loss, but I though we would show more toughness.


This has been the refrain from so many Xavier fans this year.

The other team can show toughness too. It's not a zero sum equation.

[xu82]

Xavier has some of the worst fans in the country

and some of the best

[oddblob]

id love to see a stat for how many times we've closed it to 2 and then totally shat the bed this season

[paulxu]

Well damn. I thought we might have figured out how to get back on transition.
Apparently not.

[GoMuskies]

Awful performance. But still not over.

[XMuskieFTW]

This really sucks

[LadyMuskie]

The other team can show toughness too. It's not a zero sum equation.

Just because the other team shows toughness doesn't mean we can't. This NC State team is beatable. Seton Hall was beatable. USC - beatable. We don't get beat so much as we lose. There's a difference. For an example, see the Creighton game at MSG.

[XU3232]

Philmores last game.. Way to go out with a bang.

[RealDeal]

Anya fouls a lot.

[sgarcia]

Need to shoot and make 3's at this point. We won't get back in it with 2's.

[xsteve1]

I think somebody has a better chance to win the billion than X coming back. Painful performance. TJ Warren is just unstoppable.

[X Factor]

It's simple - we have no one who can take pressure off Semaj by lighting it up from three. NO ONE. We are a 2 point shooting team. This isn't 1980. You have to be able to make threes.

[paulxu]

If we cut this to 4, I want Mack to call a TO so they don't immediately take it back to 10.

[mohr5150]

I'm not going to be upset seeing Philmore leave. He has been a huge disappointment.

[Mecklenburg]

Neither team is hitting 3 pointers this game

[xu82]

Need to shoot and make 3's at this point. We won't get back in it with 2's.

Probably won't matter without stops. Need to force turnovers rather than give them up.

[MuskieFN]

Just because the other team shows toughness doesn't mean we can't. This NC State team is beatable. Seton Hall was beatable. USC - beatable. We don't get beat so much as we lose. There's a difference. For an example, see the Creighton game at MSG.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Getting no lift from anyone outside of Stainbrook and Christon isn't a function of heart or toughness. It's talent, IMHO.

[waggy]

Matt Freakin Stainbrook!

[GoMuskies]

Stain came to play. No one else.

[paulxu]

Do these guys ever miss?

[GoMuskies]

Fuck this. We just watched that rebound.

[oddblob]

how did no one get that board??

[X Factor]

Nice block out Philmore!!!

[xu82]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Getting no lift from anyone outside of Stainbrook and Christon isn't a function of heart or toughness. It's talent, IMHO.

To be fair I think it's a combination of talent and time to develop.

[oddblob]

... and myles is back.

[bleedXblue]

Do these guys ever miss?

has a little to do with macks inability to coach defense horrible

[mistabeecee41]

Philmore seriously WATCHES every rebound.

[LadyMuskie]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Getting no lift from anyone outside of Stainbrook and Christon isn't a function of heart or toughness. It's talent, IMHO.

If we don't have talent, then the Big East sucks as a conference. For a no talent team to place 3rd does not bode well for the future of the Big East.

[waggy]

Okay that was not a good shot. Hard to complain about Matt though.

[xsteve1]

just a pathetic performance.

[mohr5150]

Get Philmore out of the fucking game. He's watching this game like I am.

[GoMuskies]

If we came in third, the Big East really sucks this year.

[Xavier]

NC State is bad. Where the F have we gotten better all year. This is horrible.

[MuskieFN]

To be fair I think it's a combination of talent and time to develop.

Oh, I totally agree. I think the underclassmen can be good players. I'm wondering about confidence, of Farr and Myles Davis in particular.

[X Factor]

Philmore seriously WATCHES every rebound.

That's why he's 6'8 and averages less than 5 rebounds

[mistabeecee41]

semaj is throwing a temper tantrum whenever someone else misses a shot.

[xu82]

I look forward to another season with Matt!

[GoMuskies]

I look forward to another season with Matt!

And Semaj too after tonight.

[waggy]

I look forward to another season with Matt!

As long as he keeps the weight off.

[bleedXblue]

Inconsistent. Careless. Undisciplined. I can go on and on. Extremely disappointed

[drudy23]

Philmore seriously WATCHES every rebound.

He was pathetic tonight...first and only NCAA game and he plays like a scared little girl.

[BandAid]

This is supremely disappointing. This team is much better than they have shown tonight.

[oddblob]

This is supremely disappointing. This team is much better than they have shown tonight.

im not at all sure this is true.

[GoMuskies]

This team is much better than they have shown tonight.

When?

[xsteve1]

out coached. outplayed, embarrassing.

[paulxu]

I don't like that little punk guard of theirs. But he knows how to hit a cutter.
We could take a lesson there.

[mistabeecee41]

Stain was an absolute warrior.
J-Mart struggled with his shot but busted his ass and made life tough for Warren.
Jalen has 7 boards in limited minutes.

Awful performances by everybody else.

[drudy23]

U can't expect JMart to guard a 25 PPG scorer and give you 15-20 on offense. D Davis, M Davis, and I Philmore should be castrated for their girly performances tonight. Pathetic.

[mohr5150]

So we replace one awful senior with a worse senior. I guess Mack needed to get his boy in the game to get abused.

[XMuskieFTW]

The worst part is NC State isn't even that good. We've just been that bad...

[paulxu]

We did break the 0-fer behind the arc to be at 1-10.

[xsteve1]

X is a pretty good team at home but you take them away from Cintas and they suck. Probably not even a top 150 team away from home.

[GuyFawkes38]

Well, for my psyche, I'd rather be blown out by a superior team than lose by a nail biter.

It's simple. We need more talent.

[MuskieFN]

If we don't have talent, then the Big East sucks as a conference. For a no talent team to place 3rd does not bode well for the future of the Big East.

I don't think I said they had no talent. As I replied further down, I think confidence is way down for a number of guys.

[bleedXblue]

Stain was an absolute warrior.
J-Mart struggled with his shot but busted his ass and made life tough for Warren.

Awful performances by everybody else.

Agreed.......I think we may have an issue with leadership and establishing what it means to wear the Xavier jersey.

[xu82]

And Semaj too after tonight.

Yeah, that too, but Matt mostly. He played within himself. I hope they all learn to do that.

[xudash]

This game will soon be forgotten.

[drudy23]

Agreed.......I think we may have an issue with leadership and establishing what it means to wear the Xavier jersey.

It certainly doesn't come from Philmore...certainly didn't go out like our other Seniors have...and I don't mean with a win.

Perhaps he should have watch tape of the Hammer before this one.

[sgarcia]

It's like we didn't even make the tourney. That's what I'll take away from this season.

[GoMuskies]

This game will soon be forgotten.

I will try to forget the last two years.

[xsteve1]

This might be the worst performance of the year,

[X Factor]

Philmore is such a wuss

[XfansinKy]

IP has been pushed around.

[Masterofreality]

Not good enough. Not enough shooters, not enough athletes. Period.

We did as well as we could do.

[mohr5150]

I would have no problems with a couple of the guys on this roster thinking of going elsewhere next year. Unfortunately, one I'd love to consider it has already sat out a year.

[GoMuskies]

This might be the worst performance of the year,

You missed the USC game?

[mistabeecee41]

I remember holding back tears when Sean subbed out Stan against UCLA and he had tears coming down my face. Not going to have any kind of similiar feeling if Zeke gets subbed out.

[xu82]

This game will soon be forgotten.

Not soon enough.

[waggy]

The dancing bear! Cracks me up.

[xavierj]

Philmore is such a pussy. Didn't show up.

[wolfsmack]

Goodnight fellas, we led the whole way and it was never close. This without Warren playing well. can't believe the predictions on here.
Our teams aren't close. Good luck next year

[paulxu]

Thank you Matt.

You never quit.

[oddblob]

hilariously awful showing.


worse than id even imagined, actually.

[X Factor]

Awesome awareness by Martin. Just steps out of bounds.

[MaurerHigh]

We are going to be so good next year!

[GoMuskies]

Goodnight fellas, we led the whole way and it was never close. This without Warren playing well. can't believe the predictions on here.
Our teams aren't close. Good luck next year

Go fuck yourself.

[drudy23]

pathetic display...hope their beds are comfy.

FUCK - I hate march without us in it.

[xsteve1]

We are going to be so good next year!

Bluiett better be really good.

[bleedXblue]

Goodnight fellas, we led the whole way and it was never close. This without Warren playing well. can't believe the predictions on here.
Our teams aren't close. Good luck next year

f you douche bag

who the hell doesnt support their team and think they're gonna win the game

ahole

[vee4xu]

Goodnight fellas, we led the whole way and it was never close. This without Warren playing well. can't believe the predictions on here.
Our teams aren't close. Good luck next year

Huh, dude shows up and posts his first post when he knows his team is going to win. What a coward. And what a misnomer for his screen name.

[wolfsmack]

Go fuck yourself.
The worst team in the ACC would punk you guys

[xsteve1]

Glad I didn't spend $200 to watch this crap.

[MuskieFN]

Goodnight fellas, we led the whole way and it was never close.

That's correct. With the execption of the first 30 minutes.

[X Factor]

Myles!!! Worst shooting shooter ever!

[drudy23]

1 for fucking 24

[xsteve1]

The worst team in the ACC would punk you guys

X beat Wake. You guys actually suck, X just isn't what they used to be. Also enjoy Warren because you will be in the basement next year w/o him.

[BandAid]

Bluiett better be really good.

I'm looking forward to Abell. He'll give Dee the opportunity to come off the bench.

[Xavgrad08]

Myles Davis should try shooting underhand. It can't be any worse.

[LadyMuskie]

Chances are Wolfsmack is a dayton fan, or butler fan, or UC fan. Ignore the inbred moron. Eventually his mom will say "lights out" and he'll have to turn off his computer.

[X Factor]

The worst team in the ACC would punk you guys

We beat Wake Forrest.

[Masterofreality]

Interesting. Not even any playing time for Brandon Randolph after Dee Davis fouls out.

And NOW Semaj makes a 3.

[wolfsmack]

Sorry but there was a lot of disrespect here pregame

[MaurerHigh]

Bluiett better be really good.

Well that plus there's no way Semaj leaves after he wet the bed tonight...

[LadyMuskie]

Myles Davis should try shooting underhand. It can't be any worse.

This is hilarious.

[xu82]

Bluiett better be really good.

I think Macura will get his points, too.

[Michigan Muskie]

Poor Myles. Hope his psyche can survive this. At this point, he couldn't sink a marble in the grand canyon.

[Mecklenburg]

Please don't let "wolfsmack" make you think our whole fanbase is like that. We just played better in this particular game.

[waggy]

Sorry but there was a lot of disrespect here pregame

Liar.

[drudy23]

With this team, it's evident within the first 5-10 minutes how it's going to unfold. We've seen tonight 5-6 times this year...mirror image.

[ncWOLFsu]

If Wolfsmack is truly a pack fan, sorry he's being an ass. I didn't notice any disrespect here, just some fans expecting their team to win. Lewis really played a strong game leading our offense. I don't think we could have gotten this lead without his play.

[vee4xu]

Sorry but there was a lot of disrespect here pregame

What the hell did you expect? An NC State loveliest? You certainly are no genius. For NC State's sake I hope you didn't go there.

[X Factor]

Martin and Zeke run to check on an opponent.

[GoMuskies]

Semaj with the capper.

[bleedXblue]

Sorry but there was a lot of disrespect here pregame

you're on a xavier message board you f ing moron

Please explain to me the disrespect

were a pretty straight up board.

Go to bed, its past your bed time

[LadyMuskie]

Please don't let "wolfsmack" make you think our whole fanbase is like that. We just played better in this particular game.

I don't think Wolfsmack is one of yours. I have a feeling he belongs to a certain sewer-y city just north of Cincinnati. His barbs reek of dayton.

[GoMuskies]

This is the biggest NCAA Tournament win for Dayton since 1984.

[xsteve1]

Losing to a Mark Gottfried coached team like that. Most embarrassing loss in X tourney history.

[sgarcia]

And as usual the team that shouldn't have made the tournament per the experts wins.

[vee4xu]

This is the biggest NCAA Tournament win for Dayton since 1984.

Nicely played, sir.

[paulxu]

Man this will be a long off season.

I wasn't ready for it to start yet.

[MuskieFN]

And Mark Gottfired with the Xavier mispronunciation. Terrific evening.

It's just one night.

[drudy23]

And Gottfried calls us Eggsavier...perfect.

[xsteve1]

Man this will be a long off season.

I wasn't ready for it to start yet.

Paul do yourself a favor and stay away from the A10 board.

[vee4xu]

I am not sure what the heck is going on in that locker room and on the practice courts over the past two years, but something is DEFINITELY not right!!!!

[BandAid]

Silver linings?

ummm...now I don't have to watch the rest of the tournament...maybe I can take the lady on a date...that sounds effin awful

[GoMuskies]

Go Wichita, I guess. Cold comfort.

[coasterville95]

:bash::bash:

Ok, I'm going off the grid tonight, let the raw emotions settle first.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

This is painful, that is all. SC might be back next year.

[X Factor]

I am not sure what the heck is going on in that locker room and on the practice courts over the past two years, but something is DEFINITELY not right!!!!

It's called talent

[Xville]

In a way I'm glad this season is finally over. Last year we were incredibly short on talent but at least the team played hard and acted like hey gave a shit most of the time. This years version is my least favorite Xavier team I have ever seen. They aren't disciplined, they try about 50 percent of the time, and it is the worst defensive Xavier team I have ever seen.

I'm telling you if dee Davis is our starting pg he t year, don't expect this team to be any better...sorry to all you dee Davis apologists but the guy is just not very good....he is extremely limited on the offensive side of the ball and I am not just talking about scoring. We need more from a point guard

[xu82]

Silver linings?

ummm...now I don't have to watch the rest of the tournament...maybe I can take the lady on a date...that sounds effin awful

I hope she doesn't check the board!

[xsteve1]

There's no Cage's, Burrell's or Holloway's in this program any longer. God I miss those guys.

[LadyMuskie]

I am not sure what the heck is going on in that locker room and on the practice courts over the past two years, but something is DEFINITELY not right!!!!

Yep.

[BandAid]

That really was the worst I've seen the guys play this year (I didn't see the USC or home Seton Hall game). They completely folded down the stretch

[xu82]

There's no Cage's, Burrell's or Holloway's in this program any longer. God I miss those guys.

We just aren't sure who the next guys are yet. They will appear.

[drudy23]

Sick of hearing about "next year's talent.

[BandAid]

There's no Cage's, Burrell's or Holloway's in this program any longer. God I miss those guys.
I got money on Jalen - he just isn't experienced enough yet

[Jesuit4Life]

PLEASE take this and learn from it.

Safe travels to everyone driving back.

[xu82]

Bring on the draft.

[mohr5150]

Our upper classes have very little talent. We graduated an average at best four last year in Taylor and are losing two of the least talented players in the program's recent history. We also lost one of our most talented recruits to stupidity. We will be fine.


I am not sure what the heck is going on in that locker room and on the practice courts over the past two years, but something is DEFINITELY not right!!!!

[vee4xu]

Sick of hearing about "next year's talent.


Ditto here. Seems more like next year's disappointment.

[xu82]

I got money on Jalen - he just isn't experienced enough yet

Yes, Jalen has the fire you need, and has so much potential!

[xavierj]

I was really happy with Justin Martin this year and Matt as well. Semaj may bebthe most talented Xavier player ever and he has a huge upside, which is crazy but he needs to learn to play within himself, control his frustrations and learn a floater or a mid range pull up jumper. The charge to the basket at a million miles an hour hoping for a foul just isn't working. He can also learn to pass much better off the dribble drive but it would also help if his teammates could make a freaking shot.

[bleedXblue]

I can't remember a time in the last 10 years where I felt more this disillusioned with a Xavier team. Inconsistent play. Boneheaded turnovers. Lack of leadership. Zero togetherness. I just cant put my finger on it, but somethings gotta change next year around the culture of Chris Mack teams. They dont play like a team. I see a bunch of individuals out there not playing for a common purpose. It almost looks like you have 5 guys on the floor all with different ideas on how they think they can help the team win. 1 assist in the first half ? How many dispicable turnovers did we have on simply lazy, careless passes. Where is the focus? We had more guys regress this year, than guys that actually took some signifcant steps forward. Not feeling really good about next year either. Mack may be able to recruit and he may be able to coach some, but can he bring his guys together and get them on the same page? I think its his single biggest weakness as a coach.

[mistabeecee41]

Our upper classes have very little talent. We graduated an average at best four last year in Taylor and are losing two of the least talented players in the program's recent history. We also lost one of our most talented recruits to stupidity. We will be fine.

You can't win with Jeff Robinson's and Isiah Philmore's playing starters minutes.

[GoMuskies]

Here's your four years ago recruiting class:


Griffin McKenzie
(Moeller HS)
Cincinnati, OH 6-8/210 09/02/2009
Xavier
SF 20 Justin Martin
(Mountain State Academy)
Beckley, WV 6-6/190 08/23/2009
Xavier
SG 20 Jay Canty
(Oak Ridge Military Academy)
Oak Ridge, NC 6-5/175 08/10/2009
Xavier
PF 20 Jordan Latham
(Baltimore City College)
Baltimore, MD 6-8/210 06/11/2009
Xavier

[drudy23]

You can't win with Jeff Robinson's and Isiah Philmore's playing starters minutes.

Especially playing a Big East conference and Big 6 non-conference schedule...we need a talent upgrade asap.

[X4LIFE]

I'm beginning to question Mack...why? No player development/improvement. Not one player (IMHO) has improved over the course of the season. Has Davis gotten any better? Semaj? reynolds? All coaches get out coached at some point. But, good coaches and assistants develop players.

[mohr5150]

I don't know who this Robinson character is. I vaguely remember someone with a similar name play awfully last year.

[xavierj]

Sick of hearing about "next year's talent.

Well that is about all we have now.

Semaj
Remy
Blueitt
Matt
Reynolds
That should be a solid lineup.

[Xville]

Well that is about all we have now.

Semaj
Remy
Blueitt
Matt
Reynolds
That should be a solid lineup.

I really hope that Mack realizes that Davis can't be the starting pg and this is the starting five. Hopefully blueitt and rely are that good

[mohr5150]

I'm beginning to question Mack...why? No player development/improvement. Not one player (IMHO) has improved over the course of the season. Has Davis gotten any better? Semaj? reynolds? All coaches get out coached at some point. But, good coaches and assistants develop players.

Martin got much better. Stainbrook is a different person here than at Western Michigan. Reynolds was much, much better by the end of the year. Semaj is better, just not tonight.

[blobfan]

Yup. Going to be a loooog off-season.

[markchal]

Well that is about all we have now.

Semaj
Remy
Blueitt
Matt
Reynolds
That should be a solid lineup.

Martin?

[BandAid]

Well that is about all we have now.

Semaj
Remy
Blueitt
Matt
Reynolds
That should be a solid lineup.

I'd be dumbstruck if Bluiett overtakes Martin

What's better to consider is the bench: Dee, Bluiett - any one else going to be serviceable (particularly down low)?

[xavierj]

I'm beginning to question Mack...why? No player development/improvement. Not one player (IMHO) has improved over the course of the season. Has Davis gotten any better? Semaj? reynolds? All coaches get out coached at some point. But, good coaches and assistants develop players.

Justin Martin? Yes
Jalen? I think so. Other than that not much but Dee and Phillmore are what they are. Very average role players who had to start. Next year will tell. That is a big year for Mack. If he doesn't get something done next year then he will need to be questioned. Dez Wells sure could have helped this year.

[xavierj]

I'd be dumbstruck if Bluiett overtakes Martin

What's better to consider is the bench: Dee, Bluiett - any one else going to be serviceable (particularly down low)?

Correct. Martin will start and Blueitt will probably come off the bench. Don't know how I forgot Justin.

[xsteve1]

Same script all year. Total lack of toughness that guys, like BJ, CJ and Cage brought. I hope it's better next year and I think Mack is a solid coach but not sure if he is the guy that can take X to that next level.

[mohr5150]

Here's your four years ago recruiting class:


Griffin McKenzie
(Moeller HS)
Cincinnati, OH 6-8/210 09/02/2009
Xavier
SF 20 Justin Martin
(Mountain State Academy)
Beckley, WV 6-6/190 08/23/2009
Xavier
SG 20 Jay Canty
(Oak Ridge Military Academy)
Oak Ridge, NC 6-5/175 08/10/2009
Xavier
PF 20 Jordan Latham
(Baltimore City College)
Baltimore, MD 6-8/210 06/11/2009
Xavier

The next year was Dez and Dee. So, in two years, we got Martin and Dee Davis. Then we had Reynolds and Davis having to sit out. A lot of bad luck.

[drudy23]

I really hope D Davis doesn't get the "senior" treatment with his minutes.

[X-ROX]

Sick of hearing about "next year's talent.

I Agree. That was a sad showing. For being a Big East team, that was the softest play I think I've seen this season. IN THE BIG DANCE !?!? Embarassing....Stainbrook was the lone stud tonight..... Sad

[BandAid]

I don't know who this Robinson character is. I vaguely remember someone with a similar name play awfully last year.

I honestly forgot he was on the team. When people were talking about a disappointing senior leaving I thought they were referring to Trav. I was like...wait - Trav was good!

[drudy23]

I honestly forgot he was on the team. When people were talking about a disappointing senior leaving I thought they were referring to Trav. I was like...wait - Trav was good!

Trav was good for 1/2 of one year.

[BandAid]

Trav was good for 1/2 of one year.

But it was the second half of the year! (It's amazing how that plays into one's memory)

[X4LIFE]

Justin Martin? Yes
Jalen? I think so. Other than that not much but Dee and Phillmore are what they are. Very average role players who had to start. Next year will tell. That is a big year for Mack. If he doesn't get something done next year then he will need to be questioned. Dez Wells sure could have helped this year.

Wells would have been a huge asset this year. Honestly, it just seems like we go through this every year. It's disappointing and frustrating. I think the team did well considering where they were projected to finish. But, a better showing tonight and a win vs St Louis would have made this season.

[American X]

I'm beginning to question Mack...why? No player development/improvement. Not one player (IMHO) has improved over the course of the season. Has Davis gotten any better? Semaj? reynolds? All coaches get out coached at some point. But, good coaches and assistants develop players.

Justin Martin went from should never play again to indispensable. If you want to rail against Mack there is fertile ground, but let's refrain from absolutes in the face of blatant contrary evidence.

[The_Mack_Pack]

I'm beginning to question Mack...why? No player development/improvement. Not one player (IMHO) has improved over the course of the season. Has Davis gotten any better? Semaj? reynolds? All coaches get out coached at some point. But, good coaches and assistants develop players.

Semaj is a better player this season than last season. JMArt is indescribably better. Reynolds clearly improved from the beginning of the season. Regarding Dee, if any coach could turn him into a reliable consistent player I'd be shocked.. Players have clearly improved under Mack.

[xavbball]

I'm beginning to question Mack...why? No player development/improvement. Not one player (IMHO) has improved over the course of the season. Has Davis gotten any better? Semaj? reynolds? All coaches get out coached at some point. But, good coaches and assistants develop players. I agree that Mack has to get some blame here -- this team lacks toughness and that's one thing a coach has to instill. But let's not forget we were picked to place 7th in the BE this year. Turns out we finished 3rd and made it to the first round of the tournament. If there is a lack of talent on this team like many on here are saying, then you have to give some credit to Mack. Yes, this is Xavier and we should expect more, but let's give Mack the benefit of the doubt for now. We are suppose to have an upperclassman stud on this team named Dez Wells, but of course things outside of Mack's doing f**ked that up.

[SemajParlor]

Nothing says lack of player development like losing 100 pounds.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

It's a terrible way to end a season. We just do not have consistent 3-pt threat this year. Maybe we just need more talent in this team. Next year, with the return of our most productive players and the incoming of the good-looking recruits, we should be a much better team. It sure is going to be a long off-season.

[xumuskies08]

Two actual game-related thoughts I have this afternoon...

I really hope the good Dee Davis shows up tonight. He'll be needed. A couple rainbow threes and a low turnover game from him would make me very happy.

Also, is tonight the night Myles and/or Farr break out of their slumps and contribute something? X can't go 6 deep like they have been recently.

That's a big fat NOPE on both of my hopes. Bad Dee showed up, Myles went 0-fer again, and Farr played all of like 2 minutes.

[xumuskies08]

Just got home...that sucked. Everybody save for Stain had one of their worst performances of the entire season.

I'll probably have some better, more though out analysis tomorrow, but for right now all I can think is that tonight sucked.

[theleague]

That was the most embarrassing game I've ever been to, and it had nothing to do with the team. I sat in section 313 row L, think seat 7, and I've never sat with more idiotic and totally retarded basketball fans. Two minutes in the game and I had already heard why every player and coach is terrible...and it was the entire game....every possession. By the first media timeout they were literally questioning why Semaj was in the game. At one point saying we were losing because we were too old....like 22 year olds have bad knees. The complaining was non stop and just totally Gayton. We lost because we can't shoot, bad turnovers and average defense, please stop. And to the dude next to me, who I should have beat the shit out of, go fuck yourself and thanks for ruining a great evening.

[IM4X]

I'm beginning to question Mack...why? No player development/improvement. Not one player (IMHO) has improved over the course of the season. Has Davis gotten any better? Semaj? reynolds? All coaches get out coached at some point. But, good coaches and assistants develop players.




Same script all year. Total lack of toughness that guys, like BJ, CJ and Cage brought. I hope it's better next year and I think Mack is a solid coach but not sure if he is the guy that can take X to that next level.

I don't think anyone on this board would dispute that this team has not playing their best ball lately and indeed have regressed. We've all seen sparks of a talented team who have proven they can beat good teams (like Creighton and UC) when they play great defense, hustle their tails off, space themselves well, box out, don't force shots or use poor judgement causing numerous turnovers. At times our players show they have chemistry and play well together and at times not so much. Also, we all can remember games early on where we felt good because a number of different players were coming off the bench to help give the team a lift. We all thought we'd be in great shape because we looked to have a deep bench with talent. Then, as we played more games, we started getting much less productivity form our bench and many people on the board again started saying we have no talent. So what does this all mean? It suggests X does in fact have some talent but not the drive or work ethic to do what is necessary to consistently play at the top of their potential... Like, say Creighton and Villanova do. Those teams play like they "WANT iT" every game. Let's also remember that our players came in with more stars next to their name when they were recruited than the Creighton players did. Mack must take some blame for his team not being better now than they were earlier in the season. He has to own that, and I don't believe I have ever seen him own up to his part in the team's shortcomings. He prefers to speaks in terms of what the players needed to do better. Personally, I find that a little troubling. I for one would love to hear him point out where he feels he could have done better as a coach preparing them or specific adjustments he should have made. Yes, the players must take some blame too. But beating up on players for not living up to their potential or for supposedly not being talented enough. Especially when that player just put up 20+ points in the previous game. It just feels like the wrong place for us to be directing our anger and frustrations. Ultimately, the buck stops with the coach who needs to prove his worth by recruiting well (check for Mack) and by getting his team playing better and better throughout season (no check for Mack). I don't by any means suggest Mack isn't the right guy for the job, just that he hasn't yet proven (as xsteve1 points out) "that he can take X to that next level."

I look forward to seeing what the new recruits bring. No question, we will have more talent next year (even if Semaj leaves). I think Macura might be the surprise of the bunch (i.e the one who people will find much better than they had expected). But most of all, I look forward to seeing if Mack can keep getting better as a coach- the way all of his predecessors showed they were capable of doing during their Tenure at Xavier.

[xumuskies08]

Skimmed through the game and have a few thoughts.

That JMart missed 3 in transition was the turning point. It would've given X the lead, but instead, JMart gets beat down the floor by Warren for an easy bucket.

I think I saw that call where you go unforced out of bounds and then are the first to touch the ball once all year, and then it happened twice last night. Players run out of bounds on the baseline all the time and you almost never see that call. I just wish they'd be more consistent with it.

Again on the subject of refs, I remember 3 different X players got hit in the face last night and not once did the refs go to the monitor. I don't know if any of them would've been called flagrant, but at least take a look.

Myles Davis, man, I just don't know. I focused on him during warmups and he was hitting a lot of his shots. Confidence is a strange thing. Finishing the season 1 for his last 23 or 24 or whatever it is is crazy.

The bench was a HUGE disappointment down the stretch. Aside from Jalen, Mack had almost literally no one he could turn to. Tough to win NCAA tournament games when you're only getting production from 6 players.

[XUFan09]

My post-game write-up (http://fromstaaktomack.wordpress.com/2014/03/19/xaviers-season-ends-with-a-loss-to-nc-state/).

Agreed that Martin's missed three-pointer was the turning point.

[mistabeecee41]

My post-game write-up (http://fromstaaktomack.wordpress.com/2014/03/19/xaviers-season-ends-with-a-loss-to-nc-state/).

Agreed that Martin's missed three-pointer was the turning point.

Agreed, all went downhill from there. Tough to call it a turning point considering it was in the first 10 minutes of the game, but that bonehead Dee oop attempt was killer as well. Warren had just picked up his 2nd foul, down 1, on the break and it happened. Instead of being up 1, with momentum and a team on their heels with their stud in foul trouble, they were up 4. We never were able to capitalize on Warrens early fouls.

[XUFan09]

Agreed, all went downhill from there. Tough to call it a turning point considering it was in the first 10 minutes of the game, but that bonehead Dee oop attempt was killer as well. Warren had just picked up his 2nd foul, down 1, on the break and it happened. Instead of being up 1, with momentum and a team on their heels with their stud in foul trouble, they were up 4. We never were able to capitalize on Warrens early fouls.

I was referring to his 3 in the second half when Xavier was down 2. It would have given them the lead and all the momentum. Instead it was a long rebound that turned into a fast break the other way.

[mistabeecee41]

I was referring to his 3 in the second half when Xavier was down 2. It would have given them the lead and all the momentum. Instead it was a long rebound that turned into a fast break the other way.

should have clarified - was referring to Dee's play as a potential turning point in addition to J-Mart's brick. Which, from on TV, looked as if it was going to be nothing but net.

[XUFan09]

I couldn't watch the first half because of class, so I couldn't comment on that. And yes, Martin's 3 looked dead-on. It made the ensuing breakaway all the more brutal.

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