xavier no longer listed for old spice tournament in orlando?

[toledodan]

i was getting ready to put my depoit down and they were no longer listed. i called the xavier ticket office and their understanding was the it wasn't going to work out. they think the team will be playing in another tournament.

[BMoreX]

This was supposed to be for this coming season right?

[LadyMuskie]

I hope by "another tournament" they mean "not really another tournament, we're taking a year off from those because we don't do so well in them".

[toledodan]

yes. they were listed for the old spice tournament in orlando during thanksgiving. no longer listed now and xavier ticket office comfirmed they were not playing.

[toledodan]

I hope by "another tournament" they mean "not really another tournament, we're taking a year off from those because we don't do so well in them".

no kidding lol

[xu82]

Well, at least Orlando wasn't likely to cause passport problems, so that would have been some improvement.

[waggy]

If the administration is attempting to shift the focus of the potential traveling fanbase to the BE tourney, then this is something I can get behind. But not participating because you traditionally play poorly is loser talk.

[XU88]

I'm not positive but I vaguely remember Mack saying something about trying to arrange a summer exhibition foreign trip. Not sure they can do both?

[LadyMuskie]

Helpful foreign travel tip #1: Everyone needs a passport regardless of age or sex!

[TUclutch]

Helpful foreign travel tip #1: Everyone needs a passport regardless of age or sex!

Heard from a friend they are doing the eurotip. Should be interesting.

[X-band '01]

I'm not positive but I vaguely remember Mack saying something about trying to arrange a summer exhibition foreign trip. Not sure they can do both?

They could not do both a foreign trip and an exempt tournament in the same year.

I thought they were going to do another tournament instead of Old Spice, but it might be a nice change of pace for a foreign trip and some additional off-season practice that comes with such a trip.

[Masterofreality]

This has been in the offing for a while now.

Mario had been advising that we should not be putting deposits down for that trip as far back as January. This is one reason behind my poll a few weeks ago about Thanksgiving tournaments. Hopefully we can replace those Orlando games with a Conference Challenge and another quality game.

There will be a Euro trip.

[THRILLHOUSE]

About a month or so ago someone asked Mario Mercurio on twitter if it would be safe to book a trip to Orlando. Mario responded that they should hold off on doing so but couldn't give any more info than that.

The euro trip could be a reason for that. Also possible they had to back out due to another Big East team being in this tourney? I know the NCAA made an exception for this season, but maybe they wouldn't for next season.

[RoadWarrior]

The reason XU is not in the Old Spice Classic is because Marquette is also in the field. XU would need to file a waiver to not play a conference opponent, which is a pain. It is easier to be placed in a different tourney.

[Masterofreality]

The reason XU is not in the Old Spice Classic is because Marquette is also in the field. XU would need to file a waiver to not play a conference opponent, which is a pain. It is easier to be placed in a different tourney.

Anything on that rumored Conference Challenge, Road? PAC 12 would sort of make sense. Or evn Big 12. Fox properties.

[paulxu]

But not participating because you traditionally pay poorly is loser talk.

All casinos pay poorly. They didn't build those towers from players winning.

[XMuskieFTW]

The reason XU is not in the Old Spice Classic is because Marquette is also in the field. XU would need to file a waiver to not play a conference opponent, which is a pain. It is easier to be placed in a different tourney.

I don't think Xavier would back out of a tournament where they could play high profile opponents because of a little paperwork.

[Juice]

I don't think Xavier would back out of a tournament where they could play high profile opponents because of a little paperwork.

Considering they've filed the paperwork before

[Lamont Sanford]

I wonder if they are choosing to do the Eurotrip thing is because it allows the coaching staff to work with the team for several weeks over the Summer before they head overseas. With five incoming Freshmen due in July and one eligible transfer (Abell), there are a lot of new faces that could use a trip to Europe to bond and start to learn the system sooner.

I recall Prosser taking the team to Ireland back in the day, but I think he was actually hoping to make it more educational.

[XMuskieFTW]

I mean if we can get more official practices and exhibitions before the season to help players develop then it's definitely the right choice. Any idea when in the summer these trips usually take place? Was trying to go to Europe sometime this summer and wasn't sure where. May have to let Xavier decide for me :D

[SM#24]

I heard at the BE tourney that Orlando was going to be replaced with Anaheim.

[KingCole]

It looks like it will be the Wooden Legacy tournament in Anaheim. A link is below. When you click on event news it has each of the teams listed and Xavier is on there. The field will be a let down compared to the Old Spice with Long Beach St., Princeton, San Diego, San Jose St, UTEP, Washington and Western Michigan.


http://espnevents.com/wooden-legacy/?utm_source=redirects&utm_medium=thewoodenlegacy.com&utm_campaign=301_Redirects

[GoMuskies]

That truly is a horrible field.

[danaandvictory]

ESPN scrubbed that, but this UTEP blog seems to confirm.

http://www.minerrush.com/2014/3/19/5526728/utep-to-play-in-2014-wooden-legacy

[BMoreX]

That field sucks.

[mistabeecee41]

Great. If we play in that, we better have a nice string of competitive non-conference games.

[hoyahooligan]

They could not do both a foreign trip and an exempt tournament in the same year.

I thought they were going to do another tournament instead of Old Spice, but it might be a nice change of pace for a foreign trip and some additional off-season practice that comes with such a trip.

Why couldn't they? Financial reasons? There's certainly no rule against it. Georgetown played in the Maui invitational the same year we went to China for a foreign trip.

[BMoreX]

Here's why I don't like this field:

If this is true, Xavier is probably the favorite to win the tournament. I don't know the other teams, but that would be my guess.

So, anything other than three wins is going to be considered a massive disappointment. And a bad loss ala USC could really hurt the RPI. I would rather go to Old spice level event (I know we can't because of Marquette) where there is less pressure to win all three.

[Masterofreality]

Why couldn't they? Financial reasons? There's certainly no rule against it. Georgetown played in the Maui invitational the same year we went to China for a foreign trip.

Not financial. Obviously we're playing in Anaheim.

Couldn't have 2 BE teams in Orlando.

[Kahns Krazy]

If the administration is attempting to shift the focus of the potential traveling fanbase to the BE tourney, then this is something I can get behind. But not participating because you traditionally play poorly is loser talk.

I don't think New York in early March is the same as Florida in November for a lot of people, but maybe that's what they are selling. When I go somewhere for 5 days to watch a total of 6 hours of basketball, I'm sure looking at what else there is to do.

[danaandvictory]

Xavier's final Pomeroy rating this year (55 - woof) was a good 40-45 spots ahead of everyone else in the field.

[Masterofreality]

Here's why I don't like this field:

If this is true, Xavier is probably the favorite to win the tournament. I don't know the other teams, but that would be my guess.

So, anything other than three wins is going to be considered a massive disappointment. And a bad loss ala USC could really hurt the RPI. I would rather go to Old spice level event (I know we can't because of Marquette) where there is less pressure to win all three.

You know what?

Nothing against you BMore, but I'm over this kind of thinking.

If we're good enough we will win. If not we'll lose.

It's strictly up to us to be good enough to win.

[xavierj]

Xavier's final Pomeroy rating this year (55 - woof) was a good 40-45 spots ahead of everyone else in the field.

Yeah but they play next years teams not this year. Western Michigan returns some talent, UTEP returns a ton, San Diego returns everyone, Long Beach returns 4 starters and Washigton returns quite a bit as well. This will be decent teams and not total drains on the SOS. Not great names but won't be terrible teams.

[danaandvictory]

Yeah but they play next years teams not this year. Western Michigan returns some talent, UTEP returns a ton, San Diego returns everyone, Long Beach returns 4 starters and Washigton returns quite a bit as well. This will be decent teams and not total drains on the SOS. Not great names but won't be terrible teams.

I have no idea what any of those teams return, I was making an observation based on their performance this year. Nor did I say the tournament field sucked. That was someone else.

[BMoreX]

You know what?

Nothing against you BMore, but I'm over this kind of thinking.

If we're good enough we will win. If not we'll lose.

It's strictly up to us to be good enough to win.

Fair enough. But as you know, we have not done well in these events in the past 3-4 years.

If you go to an exempt with this field, you HAVE to win. No exceptions, no excuses. Maybe that is just me, but that's a lot of pressure.

[BMoreX]

Yeah but they play next years teams not this year. Western Michigan returns some talent, UTEP returns a ton, San Diego returns everyone, Long Beach returns 4 starters and Washigton returns quite a bit as well. This will be decent teams and not total drains on the SOS. Not great names but won't be terrible teams.

That was me. I'm on my phone so I haven't done any research into how those seven teams looks next year. I was just going on name recognition.

But that is definitely good to hear.

[vee4xu]

You know what?

Nothing against you BMore, but I'm over this kind of thinking.

If we're good enough we will win. If not we'll lose.

It's strictly up to us to be good enough to win.

I'm with you MOR. Seems that X can't win among some of the faithful. Play in a tough pre-season tourney and take some losses, then some say why play in a tourney at all when you can get some schlocky buy in games at Cintas that are no brainer winners. On the other hand, play in a lesser profile pre-season tourney and suddenly the argument shifts to, why are we playing in such a low level tourney where the pressure to win against lower tier competition is higher. You are right when you say if X is good enough, they will win no matter who, where and when they play. Except for one time at the Paradise Jam, thanks to Dante's half court miracle, X has scuffled in these things. So, it will be what it will be, but they need to play in some kind of tournament instead of playing Presbyterian and four directional schools in Cintas.

[hoyahooligan]

Not financial. Obviously we're playing in Anaheim.

Couldn't have 2 BE teams in Orlando.


Right. The person I was quoting stated they couldn't do a foreign trip and an exempt tournament in the same year. Obviously their post was posted before the Anaheim news. You clearly are playing in an exempt tourney. My point is you could still do a foreign trip and used Georgetown as an example to show it can be done.

[casualfan]

Does anyone know what our OOC schedule looks like for next year?

I assume the shootout will happen, but other than that what do we have lined up?

Alabama? Wake? Tennessee?

Two of our better OOC games this year came in the B4A even though we lost those games.

Hopefully we can book a few more high profile OOC opponents as that field is incredibly week.

[vee4xu]

I would hold off on the Shootout, CF. New AD's at both schools, coaches can't see eye to eye on where to play and current arrangement over. Seems like a good time to call it a day for the series for a few years.

[casualfan]

I would hold off on the Shootout, CF. New AD's at both schools, coaches can't see eye to eye on where to play and current arrangement over. Seems like a good time to call it a day for the series for a few years.

Which would further my concern about the OOC schedule...

[Masterofreality]

I would hold off on the Shootout, CF. New AD's at both schools, coaches can't see eye to eye on where to play and current arrangement over. Seems like a good time to call it a day for the series for a few years.

AAAAAAAAAAnd, since the Jaundiced Leprechaun is going to have an absolutely Horriffic Team next year who will not be able to throw the ball in the ocean from the beach, I expect that they will try to pull some PR move to try to blame a non-continuation on Xavier.

wing embarrassed by 40 is even more galling than being embarrassed by 17....or 23....or....

[Xu Red Dogg]

After taking in information on all 3 boards about this topic, here are my thoughts.

-Not a sexy field but MUCH better than the 4 low major home game "Honus Wagner Classics" we've seen other schools play in.
-Xavier has struggled in these tournaments over the last few years. With such an influx of new players next year, is the hope to give those guys a foundation of success in these events by winning a dialed down field?
-If Semaj is gone, this IS the type of field you want to see next November. The Old Spice field would not be.
-SOS has never been an issue for X. Some people were up in arms about this past year's schedule, suggesting it was not hard enough. At year's end our SOS was 24.

I think this event, in the grand scheme of X's non-conference schedule, will not be something that turns it upside down. I'm sure it will be balanced out once Chris gets a feel for Semaj's plan, and other uncertainties that might be looming.

[MADXSTER]

Xavier did not back out of the tournament. Marquette or some other Big East team was in the same tournament and rules state that only one team per conference may play in the tournament. Last year they gave an exemption because of the late conference changes.

[XMuskieFTW]

Xavier did not back out of the tournament. Marquette or some other Big East team was in the same tournament and rules state that only one team per conference may play in the tournament. Last year they gave an exemption because of the late conference changes.

My question is first of all why did we get left out and not Marquette, which one of us was in this tourney first, and why were we both ever in it if this was going to happen. It doesn't add up. You have to figure a big program would know a basic rule like this.

[casualfan]

My question is first of all why did we get left out and not Marquette, which one of us was in this tourney first, and why were we both ever in it if this was going to happen. It doesn't add up. You have to figure a big program would know a basic rule like this.

We were in different conferences when the teams got booked...

[casualfan]

The fact that no one has responded to the question about OOC games for next year is a little concerning.

Anyone got anything on that front?

[The_Mack_Pack]

Alabama at home and @Wake Forest. I'm sure everyone already knew about those two though.. I'd guess we'll add another road game against a power conference team or a neutral court matchup with a big name team.

[casualfan]

Alabama at home and @Wake Forest. I'm sure everyone already knew about those two though.. I'd guess we'll add another road game against a power conference team or a neutral court matchup with a big name team.

Yeah, that's an extremely weak slate. I hope there are some we don't know about.

[waggy]

The fact that no one has responded to the question about OOC games for next year is a little concerning.

Anyone got anything on that front?


Or maybe no one is all that worried about it right now given the current season is yet to even play out.

[casualfan]

Or maybe no one is all that worried about it right now given the current season is yet to even play out.

Well forgive me for looking ahead to next season in a thread that was started about next season.

[Xu Red Dogg]

We also have that yearly game vs. our crosstown rival.

[waggy]

Well forgive me for looking ahead to next season in a thread that was started about next season.

I forgive you Man!

[The_Mack_Pack]

We also have that yearly game vs. our crosstown rival.

Looking at what that team returns, that game could be an RPI drag.

[casualfan]

Looking at what that team returns, that game could be an RPI drag.

I disagree.

Despite the general sentiment around here about Mick I actually think he's a pretty decent coach. They have young talent and will be at least decent.

I'd bet they'll be better than most if not all of the teams we're playing in Anaheim.

[The_Mack_Pack]

I disagree.

Despite the general sentiment around here about Mick I actually think he's a pretty decent coach. They have young talent and will be at least decent.

I'd bet they'll be better than most if not all of the teams we're playing in Anaheim.

From what I've seen, the teams in Anaheim will be teams that, for the most part, will be decent neutral court wins if Xavier can beat them. I'd rather have some RPI 75-90 neutral court wins than lose 2 or 3 games again. UC will be in a conference that will be a total drag to their own RPI next season on top of never scheduling well OOC could make them a poor RPI team. As long as their a top 100 team it's not too bad though, which I'm sure they will be.

[X-band '01]

My question is first of all why did we get left out and not Marquette, which one of us was in this tourney first, and why were we both ever in it if this was going to happen. It doesn't add up. You have to figure a big program would know a basic rule like this.

The tournaments are booked years in advance, but given the conference carousel last year, they had temporary waivers in place. Xavier was still in the A-10 when it was originally posted that they were going to Orlando.

But as I've seen from HoyaHooligan's post about teams being allowed to play in a tournament AND a foreign trip in the same year, rules do change from time to time.

[casualfan]

From what I've seen, the teams in Anaheim will be teams that, for the most part, will be decent neutral court wins if Xavier can beat them. I'd rather have some RPI 75-90 neutral court wins than lose 2 or 3 games again. UC will be in a conference that will be a total drag to their own RPI next season on top of never scheduling well OOC could make them a poor RPI team. As long as their a top 100 team it's not too bad though, which I'm sure they will be.

They play SD State, NC State, VCU, Nebraska and us OOC.

They also get UCONN, Memphis, and what will likely be a top 10-15 SMU team twice.

Playing them is not going to be a drag on our RPI.

[Juice]

They play SD State, NC State, VCU, Nebraska and us OOC.

They also get UCONN, Memphis, and what will likely be a top 10-15 SMU team twice.

Playing them is not going to be a drag on our RPI.

You're going top 10-15 with SMU next year? Ok.

[casualfan]

You're going top 10-15 with SMU next year? Ok.


We'll see, but I think they're going to be very, very good.

I watched them a lot this year and it was a tale of two teams. They were unbelievable when Nic Moore was in the game, but when he would leave they were terrible. They had no backup point guard.

Next year they bring in the #1 player in the country. He is a PG.

They also bring everyone back from a team that just missed the tourney and they have a hall of fame coach.

I actually think they have a chance to be better than that, but we'll see.

[Masterofreality]

I disagree.

Despite the general sentiment around here about Mick I actually think he's a pretty decent coach.

Decent and good are completely different levels.

[xavierj]

Decent and good are completely different levels.

Lance McAlister thinks they should build a statue for him since the facilities are like a 3rd country. What kind of facilities does he think Butler and witchita state are working with?

[GoMuskies]

Lance McAlister thinks they should build a statue for him since the facilities are like a 3rd country. What kind of facilities does he think Butler and witchita state are working with?

Charles Koch Arena is a lot nicer than Fifth Third or Hinkle.

[Masterofreality]

Lance McAlister thinks they should build a statue for him since the facilities are like a 3rd country. What kind of facilities does he think Butler and witchita state are working with?

Or Stephen F Austin, or Mercer.

Never heard of a 13,000 seat arena being dissed as the cause of incompetence. Lots of places would be happy to relocate Shoemaker Center.

[sirthought]

This whole tourney change is simple...Matt Stainbrook needed to show Western Michigan what they let go of. Revenge is gonna be sweet!

[Retire33]

This whole tourney change is simple...Matt Stainbrook needed to show Western Michigan what they let go of. Revenge is gonna be sweet!

Or giving Randolph a chance to play close to his father once in his career.

[hoyahooligan]

I don't buy the "had to switch tournaments due to two teams from the same conference" Hoyas and Butler are both in Atlantis next year and that hasn't changed to my knowledge. It seems like it has to be voluntary on Xavier's part.

[Masterofreality]

I don't buy the "had to switch tournaments due to two teams from the same conference" Hoyas and Butler are both in Atlantis next year and that hasn't changed to my knowledge. It seems like it has to be voluntary on Xavier's part.

Could be, but whatever.

Xavier can be really good next year, but we have a LOT of new parts to mesh in.

[BMoreX]

@slrussell: #Xavier is flip-flopping its exempt events for the next two years and will play in the Wooden Legacy Nov. 27, 28 & 30 in Fullerton, Calif.

[Cheesehead]

This does not bother in any way.

[nuts4xu]

This release states they are flip flopping events "primarily" to accommodate the NCAA rule against teams in the same conference playing in the same tournaments. FYI.

http://www.goxavier.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/032414aaa.html

[The_Mack_Pack]

If Xavier is doing this then other teams are probably doing the same. There might be a chance that the Wooden Legacy can grab a couple other big name teams before the field is finalized.

[drudy23]

I'm guessing UCLA is a guarantee?

[casualfan]

I'm guessing UCLA is a guarantee?

Here is the field another poster mentioned being able to find earlier in the thread:

Long Beach St., Princeton, San Diego, San Jose St, UTEP, Washington and Western Michigan.

Having said that I can't find the link he used on the Wooden site so maybe that list is wrong.

[GoMuskies]

Long Beach St., Princeton, San Diego, San Jose St, UTEP, Washington and Western Michigan.


"That is a fantastic field!"

-No one

[Muskie]

"That is a fantastic field!"

-No one
Are you telling me Western Michigan wouldn't win the AAC?

[pimpinthebox]

About a month or so ago someone asked Mario Mercurio on twitter if it would be safe to book a trip to Orlando. Mario responded that they should hold off on doing so but couldn't give any more info than that.

The euro trip could be a reason for that. Also possible they had to back out due to another Big East team being in this tourney? I know the NCAA made an exception for this season, but maybe they wouldn't for next season.

That was me. Mario is a solid dude. Still planning on going to one of the Disneys (World or Land). To say that I'm not impressed with the Anaheim field would be a gross understatement. Sure wish it was Marquette moving to another tourney and not X.

[nuts4xu]

That was me. Mario is a solid dude. Still planning on going to one of the Disneys (World or Land). To say that I'm not impressed with the Anaheim field would be a gross understatement. Sure wish it was Marquette moving to another tourney and not X.

They are still planning to play in the Old Spice Classic in 2015, if you want to hold out for a better field.

[LA Muskie]

That was me. Mario is a solid dude. Still planning on going to one of the Disneys (World or Land). To say that I'm not impressed with the Anaheim field would be a gross understatement. Sure wish it was Marquette moving to another tourney and not X.
To be clear, this is not in the same tournament that was held at the Anaheim Convention Center (adjacent to Disneyland) in 2012. It's being hosted at Cal State Fullerton. That said, Fullterton is still near Anaheim (a city over) and you would want to stay in Anaheim, so it's still plenty convenient to Disneyland.

[Masterofreality]

Ok. Here"s the Wooden field as per Shannon:

"WOODEN LEGACY: SB Nation recently published a list of exempt event fields for men’s basketball, including the Wooden Legacy in California Nov. 27, 28 and 30. Xavier will join Long Beach State, Princeton, San Diego, San Jose State, UTEP, Washington and Western Michigan in the 2014 tournament. ⬛"

[Xaveriana]

Not the strongest field. It would be embarrassing to not take home the trophy.

[xubrew]

Not the strongest field. It would be embarrassing to not take home the trophy.

It's definitely not the strongest field, but it's better than it first appears. Long Beach should be decent this year. They had a strong finish and have most of their good players back.

UTEP has a several good players back as well. They were inconsistent last year, but they also had a lot of young players and should be better this year.

Western Michigan won the MAC, and has most of their team back.

San Diego and Washington will likely be decent.

And San Jose State....okay, they suck.

Most of the teams in this field look like they're going to be good, but also appear to be under the radar. It may lack star power, but it's not a weak field. I say that as someone who was critical of our schedule a year ago. It has the kinds of teams in it that good teams don't like to play, because it has good teams from weaker leagues that are under the radar.

[Masterofreality]

Well, we have a young team with 6 new faces and lose 2 of our leading scorers. We'll be good, but will take some time.

Glad we're not flying into the fire this early.

[GoMuskies]

It's definitely not the strongest field, but it's better than it first appears. Long Beach should be decent this year. They had a strong finish and have most of their good players back.

UTEP has a several good players back as well. They were inconsistent last year, but they also had a lot of young players and should be better this year.

Western Michigan won the MAC, and has most of their team back.

San Diego and Washington will likely be decent.

And San Jose State....okay, they suck.

Most of the teams in this field look like they're going to be good, but also appear to be under the radar. It may lack star power, but it's not a weak field. I say that as someone who was critical of our schedule a year ago. It has the kinds of teams in it that good teams don't like to play, because it has good teams from weaker leagues that are under the radar.

So instead of losing to high profile, actual good teams in Orlando, we're going to Anaheim to lose to under the radar teams that most people are going to think are no good. Brilliant.

[muskienick]

So instead of losing to high profile, actual good teams in Orlando, we're going to Anaheim to lose to under the radar teams that most people are going to think are no good. Brilliant.

GM, I assume you made that determination with your crystal balls!

[Masterofreality]

So instead of losing to high profile, actual good teams in Orlando, we're going to Anaheim to lose to under the radar teams that most people are going to think are no good. Brilliant.

No choice. Marquette was in Orlando first. Had to fit in a field somewhere.

[XU2011]

No choice. Marquette was in Orlando first. Had to fit in a field somewhere.

Yes, we did have a choice.

This tournament will not be good unless we go 3-0.

[paulxu]

No casinos, no passports...what's not to like?

[DC Muskie]

It's definitely not the strongest field, but it's better than it first appears. Long Beach should be decent this year. They had a strong finish and have most of their good players back.

UTEP has a several good players back as well. They were inconsistent last year, but they also had a lot of young players and should be better this year.

Western Michigan won the MAC, and has most of their team back.

San Diego and Washington will likely be decent.

And San Jose State....okay, they suck.

Most of the teams in this field look like they're going to be good, but also appear to be under the radar. It may lack star power, but it's not a weak field. I say that as someone who was critical of our schedule a year ago. It has the kinds of teams in it that good teams don't like to play, because it has good teams from weaker leagues that are under the radar.

Wow. That is some impressive spin.

This is a tournament we should win.

[Masterofreality]

Yes, we did have a choice.

This tournament will not be good unless we go 3-0.

We did not have a choice to stay in Orlando.

[casualfan]

We did not have a choice to stay in Orlando.

They had a choice to apply for an exception and chose not to do it.

Georgetown and Butler are both in the Battle for Atlantis...

[Masterofreality]

They had a choice to apply for an exception and chose not to do it.

Georgetown and Butler are both in the Battle for Atlantis...

Not according to Mario. Xavier already had an exception this year in the Bahamas. Neither Georgetown or Butler had an exception last year. Those exceptions aren't granted easily.

[LA Muskie]

Not according to Mario. Xavier already had an exception this year in the Bahamas. Neither Georgetown or Butler had an exception last year. Those exceptions aren't granted easily.

MOR, I love ya but that's not what Mario said. We could have applied for the waiver and we likely would have gotten it. We chose to switch, and used the waiver issue as soft cover. I say soft because even Mario admitted that we probably would have gotten it if we applied.

[xavierj]

MOR, I love ya but that's not what Mario said. We could have applied for the waiver and we likely would have gotten it. We chose to switch, and used the waiver issue as soft cover. I say soft because even Mario admitted that we probably would have gotten it if we applied.

I don't know why people have a problem with this tournament. It will be better than peoplethink and Xavier will be young. So no big deal.

[LA Muskie]

I don't know why people have a problem with this tournament. It will be better than peoplethink and Xavier will be young. So no big deal.

I think it's a lineup that has far more downside risk than upside benefit. But at least it's in my back yard.

[casualfan]

MOR, I love ya but that's not what Mario said. We could have applied for the waiver and we likely would have gotten it. We chose to switch, and used the waiver issue as soft cover. I say soft because even Mario admitted that we probably would have gotten it if we applied.

Correct.

[xubrew]

Wow. That is some impressive spin.

This is a tournament we should win.

I wasn't actually trying to spin anything. I think the teams in it are better than what people realize. I'm not saying they're top 25 teams, but I do think several of them are good enough to end up getting inside the bubble.

[xubrew]

I don't know why people have a problem with this tournament. It will be better than people think and Xavier will be young. So no big deal.

I think that's the problem people have with it. They don't think the teams will be as good as they'll probably end up being.

[LA Muskie]

I think that's the problem people have with it. They don't think the teams will be as good as they'll probably end up being.

Actually I don't think they're all that bad on paper. But perception will be different than the paper.

[xubrew]

Actually I don't think they're all that bad on paper. But perception will be different than the paper.

I get that, but it doesn't bother me that much. As the season progresses, what's on paper typically shapes the perception. I'd rather be in Orlando, but I'm fine with this. I think we'll actually get some credit if we pick up wins away from home against teams like UTEP, Western Michigan and Washington.

[XU2011]

I get that, but it doesn't bother me that much. As the season progresses, what's on paper typically shapes the perception. I'd rather be in Orlando, but I'm fine with this. I think we'll actually get some credit if we pick up wins away from home against teams like UTEP, Western Michigan and Washington.

Ok and that may be true. But the key part is "if we pick up wins". Really, you can't believe the potential upside of some of these wins outweighs or even comes close to the potential downside/risk. Most of the teams are actually good enough to beat us, but you can't believe the perception next March of a neutral loss to Western Michigan or San Diego or Long Beach St is going to be anything but bad.

It wouldn't be THAT big of a concern if our OOC (and likely Big East) was not so incredibly weak. Right now, it looks like we might have 2 opportunities for Top 25 wins? Maybe 2 or 3 more for Top 50 wins. Then throw this in as our exempt event- not good at all and leaves no room for error.

[xubrew]

Honestly, I don't know. When you look at a lot of the selections and seedings this past year, the committee is almost saying that it almost doesn't matter who you play and beat away from home, as long as you do it, and they don't seem to punish teams that much from losing away from home. BYU was a #10.

And, it depends on how good those teams turn out to be. I'm not that big on San Diego or Long Beach. I think both will be better than they were this past year, and Long Beach may be the best team in the Big West, but I don't think they're at-large caliber. So, yeah, losing to them would hurt, but beating them means beating a team away from home.

Western Michigan may turn out to be really thought his year. I like both them and Ohio, and wouldn't be surprised if both ended up in a position to make the field without needing to win the MAC Tournament.

But, yes, we do have to pick up the wins. A lot of people are saying this is a weak field, and I agree with you. A lot of these teams will be good enough to beat us.