A Razors Edge Season

[Masterofreality]

(Collective Sigh of Relief!)

Xavier's season this year captures in a nutshell what is so captivating about College Basketball..and also what is so, frustrating, fraughful, frightful and fantastic as well. As I sat back and recollected last night after we barely, BARELY made the Dance, I could not recall a season that seemed to always be on the edge. Snippet seconds of action that could have made or broken the entire fragile construct. Matt Stainbrook's missed bunny at the end of the Iowa game in Atlantis that could have changed that entire trip and season commentary, Semaj having to make TWO frees to tie BG and send the game to OT, escaping against Evansville, Myles Davis hitting a huge 3 against GTown to cap a ridiculous comeback, Dee Davis hitting corner 3's under the gun that solidified games against St. Johns on the road and Creighton at home, JMart's 19 points Isaih Philmore battling his ass off against multiple bigger inside guys, and Stain's desire to win the Marquette game at MSG that saved the year. An entire season is made up of big moments, moments that if reversed, change an entire season, program and people's lives, and Xavier had more than it's share this year. Is this the norm when you get to the Big Time, in a Big Time league with Big Time players and expectations? Maybe. We'll see.

All I know is that any fan that A) Takes any game for granted, B) Takes making the NCAA Tournament for granted, and C) Criticizes the young men that bust their ass for Xavier University is way off base. Second guess strategy? Fair Game. Be disappointed in a particular game's effort? OK. But never question these player's and coaches' commitment and work ethic.

This was not the most talented group of Xavier players this year. We have definite shooting issues-especially when you watch other Big East Teams. We miss free throws, they don't mostly. We have a hard time making wide ass open 3's, they don't mostly. We have a hard time covering the arc, etc. What we do well, however, is grind, work, sweat and not give up. We rebound well...and that is the evidence of effort.

I have been tense all year long because I never knew from game to game- hell, even from half to half- what was going to happen. The cliff was always right beside us. Even in the old MCC it was never like that..only when you got to conference tournament when Juan Bidd made his visit. This thing this year, though was something else.

So, these guys navigated the precipice, and like an Indiana Jones movie, somehow by the skin of their teeth, came out prevailing. We have made the Promised Land. We are playing the worst rated at-large team. If we're good enough, we will win. And if we do win, the same thing all over. That's all that it is anymore.

But Damn. What a f$&#%ing ride! Whenever this thing ends, can next year start, errr, the NEXT WEEK? My heart needs a few days off.

[xudash]

Xavier's season this year captures in a nutshell what is so captivating about College Basketball..and also what is so, frustrating, fraughful, frightful and fantastic as well. As I sat back and recollected last night after we barely, BARELY made the Dance, I could not recall a season that seemed to always be on the edge. Snippet seconds of action that could have made or broken the entire fragile construct. Matt Stainbrook's missed bunny at the end of the Iowa game in Atlantis that could have changed that entire trip and season commentary, Semaj having to make TWO frees to tie BG and send the game to OT, escaping against Evansville, Myles Davis hitting a huge 3 against GTown to cap a ridiculous comeback, Dee Davis hitting corner 3's under the gun that solidified games against St. Johns on the road and Creighton at home, JMart's 19 points and Stain's desire to win the Marquette game at MSG that saved the year. An entire season is made up of big moments, moments that if reversed, change an entire season, program and people's lives, and Xavier had more than it's share this year. Is this the norm when you get to the Big Time, in a Big Time league with Big Time players and expectations? Maybe. We'll see.

All I know is that any fan that A) Takes any game for granted, B) Takes making the NCAA Tournament for granted, and C) Criticizes the young men that bust their ass for Xavier University is way off base. Second guess strategy? Fair Game. Be disappointed in a particular game's effort? OK. But never question these player's and coaches' commitment and work ethic.

This was not the most talented group of Xavier players this year. We have definite shooting issues-especially when you watch other Big East Teams. We miss free throws, they don't mostly. We have a hard time making wide ass open 3's, they don't mostly. We have a hard time covering the arc, etc. What we do well, however, is grind, work, sweat and not give up. We rebound well...and that is the evidence of effort.

I have been tense all year long because I never knew from game to game- hell, even from half to half- what was going to happen. The cliff was always right beside us. Even in the old MCC it was never like that..only when you got to conference tournament when Juan Bidd made his visit. This thing this year, though was something else.

So, these guys navigated the precipice, and like an Indiana Jones movie, somehow by the skin of their teeth, came out prevailing. We have made the Promised Land. We are playing the worst rated at-large team. If we're good enough, we will win. And if we do win, the same thing all over. That's all that it is anymore.

But Damn. What a f$&#%ing ride! Whenever this thing ends, can next year start, errr, the NEXT WEEK? My heart needs a few days off.

Public reps where the private ones are otherwise temporarily not allowed.

BTW, I love everything you wrote, but your third paragraph really caught my attention. That "what we do well" thing struck me. I wonder if that has something to do with good coaching.

[Fireball]

Public reps, since I need to spread it around before I give any more to MOR.

I agree 100% with this post. I've read a lot of posts this year about how unacceptable it would be for Xavier to miss the NCAA tournament for a second straight year, and I've hated reading them. By all accounts, we've had a pretty good season, and have exceeded national expectations for the team, and we're still a borderline NCAA bid. Making the tournament isn't easy, folks...even with the expanded 68-team tournament. To get from where we were at the beginning of last year, where the team was completely decimated, to where we are now, is one hell of an accomplishment.

Those guys did an awesome job to get where they are, and regardless of what happens on Tuesday night, I'm proud of those guys and Coach Mack. It could have been a longer hiatus from the tournament, and they turned it around in one year. I'm very proud to be a Musketeer.

[Caveat]

The good news -- beyond what happens in Tuesday's game -- is that Xavier is back on an upward swing.

Even setting aside the Semaj NBA thing, a lot of players showed great improvement over the course of the year. Justin Martin, Jalen Reynolds and Dee Davis all took huge steps forward, and Matt Stainbrook has been a rock in the middle of it all.

Add in a great recruiting class, and there's plenty of reason to be bullish on the future of Xavier basketball.

[bobbiemcgee]

Here's to playing every game like the UC game. Last time I could relax and enjoy my beer during a game.

[xudash]

The good news -- beyond what happens in Tuesday's game -- is that Xavier is back on an upward swing.

Even setting aside the Semaj NBA thing, a lot of players showed great improvement over the course of the year. Justin Martin, Jalen Reynolds and Dee Davis all took huge steps forward, and Matt Stainbrook has been a rock in the middle of it all.

Add in a great recruiting class, and there's plenty of reason to be bullish on the future of Xavier basketball.

This is what I love about Xavier's program. In the context of running a program at a high level, Xavier is back on an upward swing after MISSING THE TOURNAMENT ONCE AFTER BEING IN IT SEVEN STRAIGHT YEARS. We had a one year hiccup, and now we're back on an upward swing. That's kinda nice.

[X-man]

Xavier's season this year captures in a nutshell what is so captivating about College Basketball..and also what is so, frustrating, fraughful, frightful and fantastic as well. As I sat back and recollected last night after we barely, BARELY made the Dance, I could not recall a season that seemed to always be on the edge. Snippet seconds of action that could have made or broken the entire fragile construct. Matt Stainbrook's missed bunny at the end of the Iowa game in Atlantis that could have changed that entire trip and season commentary, Semaj having to make TWO frees to tie BG and send the game to OT, escaping against Evansville, Myles Davis hitting a huge 3 against GTown to cap a ridiculous comeback, Dee Davis hitting corner 3's under the gun that solidified games against St. Johns on the road and Creighton at home, JMart's 19 points and Stain's desire to win the Marquette game at MSG that saved the year. An entire season is made up of big moments, moments that if reversed, change an entire season, program and people's lives, and Xavier had more than it's share this year. Is this the norm when you get to the Big Time, in a Big Time league with Big Time players and expectations? Maybe. We'll see.

All I know is that any fan that A) Takes any game for granted, B) Takes making the NCAA Tournament for granted, and C) Criticizes the young men that bust their ass for Xavier University is way off base. Second guess strategy? Fair Game. Be disappointed in a particular game's effort? OK. But never question these player's and coaches' commitment and work ethic.

This was not the most talented group of Xavier players this year. We have definite shooting issues-especially when you watch other Big East Teams. We miss free throws, they don't mostly. We have a hard time making wide ass open 3's, they don't mostly. We have a hard time covering the arc, etc. What we do well, however, is grind, work, sweat and not give up. We rebound well...and that is the evidence of effort.

I have been tense all year long because I never knew from game to game- hell, even from half to half- what was going to happen. The cliff was always right beside us. Even in the old MCC it was never like that..only when you got to conference tournament when Juan Bidd made his visit. This thing this year, though was something else.

So, these guys navigated the precipice, and like an Indiana Jones movie, somehow by the skin of their teeth, came out prevailing. We have made the Promised Land. We are playing the worst rated at-large team. If we're good enough, we will win. And if we do win, the same thing all over. That's all that it is anymore.

But Damn. What a f$&#%ing ride! Whenever this thing ends, can next year start, errr, the NEXT WEEK? My heart needs a few days off.

Well said, my man, well said. We may disagree on the climate change issue, but we sure as hell agree about the Muskies. And this season has been a battle, no question about it, but one that has been worth supporting. I tried to rep you, but wasn't allowed. So public reps are in order.

[Masterofreality]

This season felt like the sword of Damocles was going to fall at any moment. We got to the other side of the high wire.

Any more cliches I can use?

[RealDeal]

This season felt like the sword of Damocles was going to fall at any moment. We got to the other side of the high wire.

Any more cliches I can use?

It ain't over till it's over.

[casualfan]

It ain't over till it's over.

Agreed.

[james notsirhc 0]

When you have lemons, make lemonade

[xudash]

It ain't over till the fat lady takes a major dump. Oh wait, that may not be exactly right.

[paulxu]

Snatching vict...

[KabeX]

This season felt like the sword of Damocles was going to fall at any moment. We got to the other side of the high wire.

Any more cliches I can use?

"It is what it is"

"You are what your records says you are"

"Climb that proverbial mountain"

and my personal favorite:

"When opportunity knocks, kick in the freakin door!"


oh and one more of course and it's B Lark classic:

"When you have your hands on your opponents throat then only reason to let up is to get a better grip"

[mistabeecee41]

Spot on. With this season being such a roller coaster, it seems almost everyone one of our conferences games we either had a double digit lead or deficit in the 2nd half. Shows how "razors edge" this year really was. The exceptions being Marquette at MSG (missed a 3 in the last minute to tie) and PC (Semaj's steal late in the game sealed that one). Don't think any games came down to a "last possession" kind of situation.

It will be interesting to see how we would handle a situation like this on the big stage.

[X-man]

This season felt like the sword of Damocles was going to fall at any moment. We got to the other side of the high wire.

Any more cliches I can use?

Season on the brink???

[Masterofreality]

Season on the brink???

You know, you could make a case for the statement that the season started out on the brink when the pre-season polls came out picking us 7th in the league. That, I guess, created some doubt, although beating Tennessee slaved it a bit. Then the Bahamas put me back in the "brink" mode. The close shaves against BG and Evansville cemented it.

But, in another of those little snippets of highlights, Brandon Randolph hits a huge corner 3 vs the Borecats after they made a run and Semaj hits 2 daggers. Positivity somewhat restored, yet guarded.

That being said, however. Ruling the 513, finishing 3rd in a new league, 21 wins and the Dance. I would have signed up for that in September.

[xu82]

It ain't over till the fat lady takes a major dump. Oh wait, that may not be exactly right.

No, actually, I think you are correct.... if the Fat Lady takes a major dump, the show is surely over.

[X-Fan]

That being said, however. Ruling the 513, finishing 3rd in a new league, 21 wins and the Dance. I would have signed up for that in September.
This.

It's funny how a program and a fan base with high expectations can view the success of a season. Back in '95/'96 X joined the A10, struggled to be .500, didn't make the Tourney, and went through a lot of growing pains. They were young, and everyone knew big things were ahead of them.

The same can be said about this years team...plus they had 21 wins, finished 3rd in the conference, and made they NCAA Tourney. Very impressive.

[SemajParlor]

Watched every single play this year and had an opportunity to travel on the road to see them. (Providence, St Johns, Big East tournament etc.)

Throughout it all, gotta say I can't remember a time where I thought they were not giving it 110% percent. That's awesome. Let's do this thing.

[Snipe]

A season is a lifetime.

[james notsirhc 0]

By the hair on my chiney, chin, chin

[Masterofreality]

Watched every single play this year and had an opportunity to travel on the road to see them. (Providence, St Johns, Big East tournament etc.)

Throughout it all, gotta say I can't remember a time where I thought they were not giving it 110% percent. That's awesome. Let's do this thing.

Only game that still sticks with me was the home loss to Seton Hall. They were coming off a week break and everyone was healthy and not tired. There was NO energy in that building that day. Still can't figure that one out.

Other than that, I agree. We have a bunch of grinders on this team. And, Hell Yeah Let's do this thing!