Xavier/Temple Championship Discussion

[cinskyline]

10-5 Temple early.

It's early, but I really don't like the way this is going so far.

We look tired.

[cinskyline]

12-11 X with 11:23 in the 1st half

[cinskyline]

We are ice cold.

Ta'Shia with 2 fouls.

[cinskyline]

22-21 Temple -- 2:00 in the 1st half

[coasterville95]

2:00 left in the first, down 1 22-21

[cinskyline]

24-21 Temple at halftime

[cinskyline]

Ta'Shia with 1 pt and 2 fouls

Harris with 2 pts-- she needs to stop trying to make the impossible shot and pass it back out

X isn't doing a good job recognizing the hot hand-- Taylor. She needs more shots in the 2nd half

[XU-PA]

They're staying with it, but I think you're right snow, they look tired.

The GW win took it out of them physically or emotionally, or both.

Kind of like the team that gets that amazing buzzer beater shot to tie the game and send it into overtime, the shooter is mobbed on the floor, and then they can't hit a thing in the OT period.

Just what it looks like.
Of course it just might be that Temple is playing the best defense of the season, they are on a string, haven't lost since getting beat by X a month ago.

[HomerCecil]

I'm at work, but I feel like we're lucky to be down just 3 with Ta'Shia not being able to play most of the first half with the fouls.

Really want to win this.

[cinskyline]

Too many turnovers.

Terrible call by the ref on Ta'Shia.

[X-Fan]

Granted, this is the first X womens game I have watched this season, but is it me or is Xavier getting jobbed by the Refs? Temple is constantly slaping and grabing X players and no call. Then X does half as much and gets called for it. Temples guards are constantly reaching in and Temples Bigs are getting away with pushes and arm slaps. I could be biased though.

Also, WTF is with the analists saying that X MIGHT get an at-large bid if they lose. Their freaking RPI is 26th and they have wins over 3 top 25 programs. I'm getting pissed.

[cinskyline]

Temple is a nasty team to play because of their defense and because they are well known to throw elbows, etc., and the refs usually don't call it.

[xubball93]

The ladies took the lead with 4 minutes to go...go X

[Flexo]

X up 44-39 with 3 1/2 minutes to go. Dare I say pulling away?

[X-Fan]

X up 44-39 with 3 1/2 minutes to go. Dare I say pulling away?

Crap I just realized I'm watching the game on tape delay because of my DVR! I had to review some of the horrible calls (and no calls).

Go X!

[awayfan]

this game is intense

[cinskyline]

Why didn't Harris run the clock down? Bad, Bad Decision.

[X-Fan]

I was just thinking the same thing. I hope the ladies can pull this out.

Up 4 with 52 seconds to go.

[awayfan]

big steal...probably just sealed the win

[X-Fan]

Awsome Win!

Back 2 Back A10 Champs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[XU-PA]

WooHoo,, lots of celebrating tonight in Maine!!!!
I think T-Phil was getting the short end from the ref's but to her credit, and to Amber's they fought through it.
It was hard listening to the announcing team, while the pair does a great job, it seemed like they really really wanted to see a Temple win

That win showed more guts than even the GW win last nighyt.

Awesome, Superb, Fantastic, I wish I was in Philly.

Once again, propos to the XU fans on hand, certainly wildly outnumbered, but your spirit was great.

And let me be the first one to say I'd like to shoot the idiot Temple fan who spent the entire game yelling AMBER,AMBER. She stuck it down his throat!!!

[xuwin]

At least the announcers didn't say Eggsavior one time in two days.

[xeus]

Why didn't Harris run the clock down? Bad, Bad Decision.

Yeah, that was weird. Could have cut the time down significantly.

But ... great win!

[xuwin]

I agreed with the announcers that it was strange that McGuff had Harris (who is one of our worst free throw shooters) bringing the ball up the floor at the end instead of one of the guards who are not only better ball handlers but better free throw shooters.

[Muskie]

The women are front and center tonight and deservedly on the front of XH.

[X-band '01]

WooHoo,, lots of celebrating tonight in Maine!!!!
I think T-Phil was getting the short end from the ref's but to her credit, and to Amber's they fought through it.
It was hard listening to the announcing team, while the pair does a great job, it seemed like they really really wanted to see a Temple win


Lady Comfort got (in her mind, at least) the short end of the stick from the officials and she was clearly getting more and more emotionally distraught as the game went on. Both teams had putrid shooting nights, but Xavier as a team took their cue from Coach McGuff - they never flinched, they never panicked whenever they would turn it over or get forced into a bad shot by Temple.

Although the FT shooting wasn't as crisp as it was yesterday against GW, they hit all the clutch FTs needed to keep Temple at bay. It was great to see 2 defensive juggernauts going at it, and Xavier made sure that Temple couldn't gain an advantage on the perimeter this time around.

And if anyone from Philly wants to complain about Xavier's 2007 run, what do you have to say this year? Xavier took out #1 Temple in their hometown and #2 (#12 nationally) GW after humiliating the Hawks on their home floor in the quarters.

[cinskyline]

X did a terrific job on Ashley Morris. Her line: 4-20 FG with 8 TO's. X was also fortunate that Lindsay Kimmel was not on target either. Temple only shot 25% for the game and Xavier's defense should take credit for that.

Lady Comfort was annoying today. She complained about everything.

[STL_XUfan]

X did a terrific job on Ashley Morris. Her line: 4-20 FG with 8 TO's. X was also fortunate that Lindsay Kimmel was not on target either. Temple only shot 25% for the game and Xavier's defense should take credit for that.

Lady Comfort was annoying today. She complained about everything.

Not to sounds like Marteli but I am pretty sure Lady Comfort has been in College for 8 years now.

Great great win, if this team keeps playing well the sky is the limit. Too often in the season they turned in lack luster half-assed performances. Hopefully this diving for the ball, hitting the boards hard, and not giving up ever team will be the one appearing the NCAA tourny.

And not to forget, no one graduates! Three-peat?

[spongebob]

I agreed with the announcers that it was strange that McGuff had Harris (who is one of our worst free throw shooters) bringing the ball up the floor at the end instead of one of the guards who are not only better ball handlers but better free throw shooters.


Right or wrong, even as a Soph, she is probably looked upon as the leader of that team. I couldn't see it on Tv but my guess would be Temple was smart enough to deny Jerri the ball.

[spongebob]

WooHoo,, lots of celebrating tonight in Maine!!!!
I think T-Phil was getting the short end from the ref's but to her credit, and to Amber's they fought through it.
It was hard listening to the announcing team, while the pair does a great job, it seemed like they really really wanted to see a Temple win

That win showed more guts than even the GW win last nighyt.

Awesome, Superb, Fantastic, I wish I was in Philly.

Once again, propos to the XU fans on hand, certainly wildly outnumbered, but your spirit was great.

And let me be the first one to say I'd like to shoot the idiot Temple fan who spent the entire game yelling AMBER,AMBER. She stuck it down his throat!!!

Don't know if I can really say it any better than that PA. They showed some incredible toughness and fortitude and instead of merely absorbing the blows, punched back and got the KO. And X-Band is right on. They never flinched or panicked when things got tough, just battled through the adversity.

Hearty Congrats to the team and staff. Well done.

[X-Fan]

WooHoo,, lots of celebrating tonight in Maine!!!!
I think T-Phil was getting the short end from the ref's but to her credit, and to Amber's they fought through it.
It was hard listening to the announcing team, while the pair does a great job, it seemed like they really really wanted to see a Temple win

T-Phil was great and totally held the team together in the second half. I was very happy to see her get Tourney MVP.

I couldn't agree more about the announcers. Their bias was very obvious and annoying.

[XU-PA]

The comment by Staley about the best/hardest working team not winning was complete %*#$.
She should have said the team with the %*#$-iest guards was the team that lost.
Three guards started the game for Temple
Eaddy, Morris and Kimmel
The trio combined for 16 points, were 5-34 from the field had 8 assists and 8 turnovers.
Kimmel is a streak shooter who can't sustain a streak, and Morris is too small to be an impact (Ivory Latta she ain't). The only Owl worth %*#$ was Cotton. Not sure why Staley had her only consistent shooter on the floor for only 21 minutes. I see Temple out in the first round if they make it to the show.

This is outstanding guard play from a coach who is a,,,,,,,, guard??????
The bottom line in this game, through motivation and a season worth of work, Staley was outcoached.

Xavier's 2 starting guards, Special J and Jerri combined for 17 points and only 3 turnovers.

My question is, If Xavier has apparently turned out superior guards, who's the better coach.
Staley and her constant whinning, or our very own crime-dog Kevin McGuff??????

I think we know the answer now, "back to back"!!!!!

[XU-PA]

And while I'm ranting about Temple (it's supposed the snow today, nothing to do yet)

Her comments about the possibility of going to the NCAA,
From USA Today
"We will play in the postseason," Staley said, referring to the NCAA tourney.

and from Philly.com
"We've done everything the committee wants," Staley said. "They want you to play a tough schedule, beat some Top 25 teams, play well at the end of the season and get to your conference championship. We did all of those things and probably a little bit more. I don't think there are a lot of teams out there that can say they've done what we have."

Let's take a look.
Go to Teamrankings.com for a real eye opener
They have Temple with a 54 rpi, and their "power ranking" has them at #61
As for the tough schedule and beating "some" Top 25 teams??
in power ranking numbers Temple was 0-4 vs #1-25, 2-4 vs #26-50 and 3-4 vs #51-100, that's a combined 5 wins 12 losses vs the top 100.

in rpi, they were 1-4 vs #1-25, 1-5 vs #26-50 and 4-3 vs #51-100, thats 6 wins and 12 losses again against the teams they played who are in the top 100.

I think the committee is smart enough to know that Temple is actually a very good team for the NIT.

[XU-PA]

And one more thing.

Coach of the year,, Jabir?? Puh-lease!
He did what he did with a starting lineup of 5 seniors, 7 seniors in all on the roster.

Our crime dog did what he did with one returning starter in Amber Harris, the only other experience came from Jerri at the point. He deserves the award for the season's result, his recruiting ability and the position he put the team in for the future!

[spongebob]

Wow, PA, you're on a roll today!!:D:D I love it.

I have to admit I scratched my head a little too over the Jabir award. Suffice it to say that was probably clinched by their two W's over the A-10 tourney champs. I really think Coach M would have had a strong chance had they won or shared the regular season. Problem was, they finished right about where everyone thought in the preseason poll. Ud was picked to finish 8th in the preseason voting and finished 5th I think. I would have had to give strong consideration to the St. Bonnies coach. They seem to be on a bit of an uptick. I would bet Coach would tell us all that he'd rather have what he got(A-10 tourney champs, NCAA bound) than what Jabir got.

[HomerCecil]

I agree, but it does seem like often times COY goes to the coach whose team is picked to finish poorly but does better than expected in the standings. I wouldn't have been surprised if SBU's coach had won the award either.

McGuff doing what he did with such a young team is really impressive.

I do have to say that I think Jabir has done a great job. Wasn't it only two or three years ago when they only won 3 games?

[OX09]

Scruff McGuff! Scruff McGuff! Scruff McGuff!