Chris Mack Show TONIGHT (Tuesday) 12/2

[Masterofreality]

Yep, tonight at 7.

Should be interesting listening. 55KRC.

[vee4xu]

I didn't listen. Anyone who did willing to give us the 3/8, 5/8?

[Frambo]

We went to it tonight. Chris mentioned that they need to make changes to address the number of 3's we give up. Also mentioned the bigs have trouble hedging....hope this leads to NEVER seeing the 25' hedge again and more pressure on the wings defensively. He did a great job explaining how the ball screens affect the team defensively.

[X Factor]

I don't care what anyone says, Mack is a damn good coach. He is recruiting at higher level than arguably any Xavier coach has previously. This team will improve and before it's over, I believe will be a team no one wants to play.

[RealDeal]

Blueitt hurt his finger Friday, it really impacted his shot in both games.

Austin isn't running the point well enough in practice yet.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I don't care what anyone says, Mack is a damn good coach. He is recruiting at higher level than arguably any Xavier coach has previously. This team will improve and before it's over, I believe will be a team no one wants to play.

I'm with you. I think Mack knows basketball. I'm going to hold off any kind of judgment until mid-January. Maybe we're wrong...we'll see.

[vee4xu]

Coach Mack is both a good recruiter and coach. He's also a great ambassador for X. The thing that makes good coaches great is their ability to communicate a vision of the team and have that translate into wins. This is where I think Coach Mack has to improve. I think he will. I see 'Bama won last night. That'll be a big test for X on Sat. Hopefully, the Tide will be distracted by their football team playing in the SEC Championship game. ;-)

[xu82]

It's quite common for us to question our coach. It's also common for us to panic after every season fearing someone will steal him away. I am "pro Mack" and think he'll develop these guys into a solid team over time.

[xudash]

Finally, a thread worth reading.

[gladdenguy]

I love Chris Mack because he is a great recruiter and a great representative of Xavier. However, and I've seen it with Brady Hoke (who is a great guy and a father figure to his players), you need to produce on the basketball court as well. Why Edmond Sumner had more minutes than Brandon Randolph Sunday is beyond me (5 to 4 and Dee Davis playing 33 minutes) and if he continues that pack line defense with our slow bigs (Farr and Stainbrook) and foul happy Reynolds he is going to be hovering with .500 and a first round conference tourney loss just like 2 years ago. And this year there is no administration to blame. The Auburn and Missouri games are huge. Lose both of those and the Big East record is going to have to be phenomenal.....which is not happening this year.

[casualfan]

I love Chris Mack because he is a great recruiter and a great representative of Xavier. However, and I've seen it with Brady Hoke (who is a great guy and a father figure to his players), you need to produce on the basketball court as well. Why Edmond Sumner had more minutes than Brandon Randolph Sunday is beyond me (5 to 4 and Dee Davis playing 33 minutes) and if he continues that pack line defense with our slow bigs (Farr and Stainbrook) and foul happy Reynolds he is going to be hovering with .500 and a first round conference tourney loss just like 2 years ago. And this year there is no administration to blame. The Auburn and Missouri games are huge. Lose both of those and the Big East record is going to have to be phenomenal.....which is not happening this year.

Missouri is terrrible. If we lose that game something went drastically wrong.

[smileyy]

Glad to hear Blueitt was hurt as a reason he couldn't dominate like he did previously. Hope that heals quickly.

[bleedXblue]

I still have faith that Mack can get it done.

He is going to have to make some adjustments AND more importantly start getting more out of players like Reynolds.

I think the talent is there.......the coach has to find a way to bring it out.

[xufan2434]

After having a couple days to take it all in, the result in the tournament isn't as bad as I thought. UTEP is a pretty solid team and the way the AAC is looking, they will be a top 3 team. LBSU is a quality opponent and its hard to beat a team twice like that in such a short span. Same thing happened with Tennessee.

Its easy to forget how many new faces are playing important roles and how early it is. I do believe Mack is a good coach and can be frustrating at times. But he needs more time to figure out how to get the most out of each piece on the team. I'm not as worried about the offense because I think Remy is going to emerge even more, and Jalen has yet to explode. The defense though does concern me greatly solely because these problems aren't new. It was the same thing last year. Hopefully he actually changes something.

[Masterofreality]

After having a couple days to take it all in, the result in the tournament isn't as bad as I thought. UTEP is a pretty solid team and the way the AAC is looking, they will be a top 3 team..

Not trolling, but UTEP is in Conference USA..which they will probably win.

[Smooth]

Coach Mack is both a good recruiter and coach. He's also a great ambassador for X. The thing that makes good coaches great is their ability to communicate a vision of the team and have that translate into wins. This is where I think Coach Mack has to improve. I think he will. I see 'Bama won last night. That'll be a big test for X on Sat. Hopefully, the Tide will be distracted by their football team playing in the SEC Championship game. ;-)

If he is such a great ambassador he should find another picture from his playing days at X and provide it to the media. If I was a recruit I would cross X off my list as soon as I saw that picture they always show during the game.

[danaandvictory]

It's quite common for us to question our coach. It's also common for us to panic after every season fearing someone will steal him away.

Regardless of whether Mack is a great coach or not, losing him last summer (and the 6-man incoming class) would have been a complete disaster. Even those who are/were agnostic (or even negative) about Mack had to concede that.

[STL_XUfan]

Missouri is terrrible. If we lose that game something went drastically wrong.

As a Mizzou fan, I fully support this statement.

[gladdenguy]

Missouri is terrrible. If we lose that game something went drastically wrong.

Exactly my point. And Auburn is not good either (lost by 30 to Colorado and 18 at home to Tulsa and scored 35 total points in that game). Losing to both Auburn and Missouri would be doom and gloom. We still have to play Alabama, IUPUI, FGCU, and sUCks. With the way we played on Friday and Sunday any of those 4 games could be losses as well (maybe not IUPUI).
Going 2-1 in that garbage tournament should have been the worst case scenario. I need Saturday now.

[Milhouse]

Regardless of whether Mack is a great coach or not, losing him last summer (and the 6-man incoming class) would have been a complete disaster. Even those who are/were agnostic (or even negative) about Mack had to concede that.

I feel like this was the issue more at hand than anything...

[Madfan]

Glad to hear Blueitt was hurt as a reason he couldn't dominate like he did previously. Hope that heals quickly.

Dee was in the hospital yesterday getting IV's after getting sick in California. Some kind of virus. I just don't like the west coast-it seems to be nothing but bad luck.

[xu82]

I feel like this was the issue more at hand than anything...

I'd certainly agree with that after last season. We were coming off a fairly disappointing season but had a great class coming in. Other seasons we did well and feared we would lose our coach. Sadly, that's the position we are in and want to be in. We want to do well, and coaches that do well get attention and offers.

[casualfan]

As a Mizzou fan, I fully support this statement.


Yeah, not to bang on your squad. I really like their new coach. Just don't think this is their year.

[xudash]

Regardless of whether Mack is a great coach or not, losing him last summer (and the 6-man incoming class) would have been a complete disaster. Even those who are/were agnostic (or even negative) about Mack had to concede that.

This.

In one of the articles I read about this crappy trip we just made, Mack was quoted as saying that LBSU wanted it more in the second half. Here's my point: whether you believe we have a lot of youth or not, we have a new team finding its way in a new season. Sure, in our opinion, they should have won that tournament. But perhaps we'll begin to see marked improvement as we move forward, especially on defense, as a result of them getting slapped in the face in competition, and due to the coaching adjustments Mack will now pursue.

That was a long plane ride home. I can't imagine it was all that enjoyable. These guys are high-level athletes, so losing can't possibly go unnoticed by them. Now I'm reading Dee was sick and Trevon had a bad thumb. Perhaps that's another consideration for around here: there are things going on that we simply don't know about.

I'm not typing this for the sake of making excuses. The difference between what we saw out of these guys in the Cintas Center versus how they farted themselves up out there is pronounced.

Yet each game will tell us a lot, right? Let's beat Alabama this Saturday at home, and then IUPUI. Let's go on the road and win at Mizzou and Auburn.

Let's put Anaheim firmly in the rear view mirror as a speck.

I AM glad Chris Mack is at the helm. We will be 9 - 2 going into December 21st.

[kyxu]

This.

In one of the articles I read about this crappy trip we just made, Mack was quoted as saying that LBSU wanted it more in the second half. Here's my point: whether you believe we have a lot of youth or not, we have a new team finding its way in a new season. Sure, in our opinion, they should have won that tournament. But perhaps we'll begin to see marked improvement as we move forward, especially on defense, as a result of them getting slapped in the face in competition, and due to the coaching adjustments Mack will now pursue.

That was a long plane ride home. I can't imagine it was all that enjoyable. These guys are high-level athletes, so losing can't possibly go unnoticed by them. Now I'm reading Dee was sick and Trevon had a bad thumb. Perhaps that's another consideration for around here: there are things going on that we simply don't know about.

I'm not typing this for the sake of making excuses. The difference between what we saw out of these guys in the Cintas Center versus how they farted themselves up out there is pronounced.

Yet each game will tell us a lot, right? Let's beat Alabama this Saturday at home, and then IUPUI. Let's go on the road and win at Mizzou and Auburn.

Let's put Anaheim firmly in the rear view mirror as a speck.

I AM glad Chris Mack is at the helm. We will be 9 - 2 going into December 21st.

There's a lot of hyperbole with the "toughness" and "wanting to win" narratives, but one thing about these teams, specifically Mack's recent teams, is whether they know how to win. There was a decent amount of carryover from the halcyon Miller teams to Mack's early teams where there were guys who had been there before, and knew what it took to answer another team's best and win games. When games were close and became hotly contested, you knew Xavier would find a way to win.

Winning in March really builds this type of knowledge and experience, and the only guy on this team who has experienced any type of success with Xavier is Dee Davis. No one else (with the exception of Remy) has really won much on the college level. Hopefully, this is something that can be rekindled within this program.

[XU 87]

Regardless of whether Mack is a great coach or not, losing him last summer (and the 6-man incoming class) would have been a complete disaster. Even those who are/were agnostic (or even negative) about Mack had to concede that.

I'll add to that. If X lost a coach who is from Cincinnati, has family is still in Cincinnati, his wife is from Louisville and her family is still there, and the coach is an alum, to the likes of Cal-Berkely, I think we would have given the appearance that we are a small time program that is simply a stepping stone for coaches.

[bigdiggins]

Dee was sick, Trevon had a hurt thumb...starting to sound like Dayton around here. Who else had food poisoning or the flu?

[xu82]

I'll add to that. If X lost a coach who is from Cincinnati, has family is still in Cincinnati, his wife is from Louisville and her family is still there, and the coach is an alum, to the likes of Cal-Berkely, I think we would have given the appearance that we are a small time program that is simply a stepping stone for coaches.

These are very good points too. If there was EVER a coach we should have an advantage in retaining, Mack would appear to be that guy. Or so you'd hope...

[PMI]

Lot of interesting thoughts here. I will say, I don't always have that feeling I used to with a couple minutes left in a close game, where I am very confident we will find a way to pull it out. But when I re-watch games and break it down, I usually conclude that I don't think it's the in-game coaching that is the problem. I don't think it's really possible for any of us to tell whether Mack lacks some intangible quality that causes his teams to be tough down the stretch, or hit big shots, or whatever. I think, like kyxu said, that's a lot of hyperbole, and it kind of takes the attention away from the actual content we can analyze.

To me, one thing is very clear with this team over the past three years now. We have not and do not have the ideal personnel to run a high level pack line defense. I went to the UVA-MD game last night, and Virginia's pack line runs like a thing of beauty. Maryland was heavily frustrated on every single half court possession they had. They had to rely on tough contested shots, transition scoring, and free throws for almost every one of their points. It put so much pressure on them early and often and it, in turn, allowed Virginia a lot of nice transition opportunities when Maryland was forced to put up a bad shot. It was night and day better than what we've seen out of our defense in a long time, and I think it comes down to the personnel. I think Remy (who should be getting far more minutes IMO) is a pretty good fit for the system, but guys like Stain, Farr, and Dee are not as much. Basically, most of our more experienced guys, while they bring a lot to the table, might be better suited in a different defense. I'm not really sure what kind, but I hope Mack has some tricks up his sleeve. Giving up 40% from three is not acceptable, and I don't expect it to change much if we continue defending the way we are with the lineups we use. We will be able to outscore most teams we play at home, but we need a new answer on defense I think.

[XU 87]

Outscoring teams is not a real good recipe for winning on the road.

Since you're on Scout, you know how they talk about Dee being a good on the ball defender (and he is). However, the Pac Line requires the guards to fight through screens. With Dee being so small, I suspect he struggles with that aspect.

[GoMuskies]

Outscoring teams is not a real good recipe for winning on the road.


It's hard to win without doing this.

[Masterofreality]

Outscoring teams is not a real good recipe for winning on the road.


It's hard to win without doing this.

And that is why Go has 16,257 posts with another one being typed right now....He is the Master of detailing the Obvious. :laugh:

[MADXSTER]

Playing 3 games in 4 days will never be a good for a player of Stain's size. Just sayin

[waggy]

Drew Lavender wasn't exactly big.

Made up for it in quickness I suppose.

[XU 87]

Drew Lavender wasn't exactly big.

Made up for it in quickness I suppose.

Drew made up for his lack of size with superior quickness and ball handling. He was usually the quickest and fastest guy on the court. He also had a quick jump shot and could hit that tear drop in the lane. There were reasons he was a McD All American in high school.

Dee is quick and can handle the ball but I wouldn't call him super quick or a super ball handler. His shot takes a long time to get released and he's not real good at hitting the runner in the lane.

[XU 87]

It's hard to win without doing this.

Aw, you knew what I meant, jerk. :)

Or as another poster would say- "you took that out of context."

[LA Muskie]

I'll add to that. If X lost a coach who is from Cincinnati, has family is still in Cincinnati, his wife is from Louisville and her family is still there, and the coach is an alum, to the likes of Cal-Berkely, I think we would have given the appearance that we are a small time program that is simply a stepping stone for coaches.
Yes and no. For the most part, EVERY job is viewed as a stepping stone to a coach's dream job(s), whatever it or they may be. That doesn't make those jobs any less desirable, though. Quite the opposite in fact. Those jobs are attractive because, ultimately, they give coaches the support and opportunities to succeed.

[danaandvictory]

I used to care about the coaching churn. I don't any more.

As long as Xavier is winning, I don't care how long the coaches stay. The money realities of college sports now make it pretty much impossible for X to compete financially with any school with bigtime football. If we're going to be a stepping stone, embrace it and keep bringing in the brightest coaching talent possible.

That said, last offseason because of the particular issues with the talent level and the personnel in the program (some of which are on Mack and some of which were beyond his control), it was absolutely imperative to keep the coaching staff intact. If Chris leaves after this year, we should be fine just as long as Greg Christopher is anywhere near as good a judge of young coaching talent as Bobinski was.

[xu82]

Drew Lavender wasn't exactly big.

Made up for it in quickness I suppose.

My son's high school team had a rallying cry one year: "We may be small, but we're slow!" And they were right. The next year he played soccer in the spring season - much better.

[PMI]

Outscoring teams is not a real good recipe for winning on the road.

Since you're on Scout, you know how they talk about Dee being a good on the ball defender (and he is). However, the Pac Line requires the guards to fight through screens. With Dee being so small, I suspect he struggles with that aspect.

I agree on all counts. I'm concerned about our defense and would be even if we were the best offense in the nation. As for Dee, I think he's a much better on-ball defender than a lot of fans give him credit for, but as you alluded to, his size limits him. Getting knocked around off screens, lacking the length to close out and challenge shots on bigger guards, etc., cause him to be exploitable even when he's playing the best defense he's capable of. Frankly, the Drew had the same kinds of issues on the defensive end, but it was covered up much better because guys like Burrell, Brown, Raymond, etc. had the length and athleticism to thrive in the system. That's why I want to see more Remy. I don't know what the numbers say, but I feel like the team is better when he's on the floor right now. He's a great slasher and finisher and he's athletic enough to be our bets defensive guard. I'd like to see his role expand. I love Sumner and JP and think they have awesome futures both this year and beyond, but as of now, they are major defensive liabilities.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I agree on all counts. I'm concerned about our defense and would be even if we were the best offense in the nation. As for Dee, I think he's a much better on-ball defender than a lot of fans give him credit for, but as you alluded to, his size limits him. Getting knocked around off screens, lacking the length to close out and challenge shots on bigger guards, etc., cause him to be exploitable even when he's playing the best defense he's capable of. Frankly, the Drew had the same kinds of issues on the defensive end, but it was covered up much better because guys like Burrell, Brown, Raymond, etc. had the length and athleticism to thrive in the system. That's why I want to see more Remy. I don't know what the numbers say, but I feel like the team is better when he's on the floor right now. He's a great slasher and finisher and he's athletic enough to be our bets defensive guard. I'd like to see his role expand. I love Sumner and JP and think they have awesome futures both this year and beyond, but as of now, they are major defensive liabilities.

This is what I have been saying for the last two games as well. I think Remy needs to play more. I think he does a great job getting to the rim.

[Masterofreality]

This is what I have been saying for the last two games as well. I think Remy needs to play more. I think he does a great job getting to the rim.

Part of the issue with Remy is that he was billed as a "lockdown" defender. I don't know if he has been somewhat confused on the rotations, slow on the close outs or just his man shooting hot, but the staff hasn't been overly pleased with his defense so far. If they were, he would have played more than 19 and 17 minutes in the last 2 games. This from a direct source.

He is a huge key to this team. I hope that everything improves.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Part of the issue with Remy is that he was billed as a "lockdown" defender. I don't know if he has been somewhat confused on the rotations, slow on the close outs or just his man shooting hot, but the staff hasn't been overly pleased with his defense so far. If they were, he would have played more than 19 and 17 minutes in the last 2 games. This from a direct source.

He is a huge key to this team. I hope that everything improves.

Interesting. I'll have to keep an eye on him defensively Saturday.

[xu82]

Interesting. I'll have to keep an eye on him defensively Saturday.

Very interesting indeed. He did get a year of practice with the team, correct? I'm surprised if he hasn't caught on or bought in by now. But who knows what's behind the curtain? Certainly not me.

[Masterofreality]

Very interesting indeed. He did get a year of practice with the team, correct? I'm surprised if he hasn't caught on or bought in by now. But who knows what's behind the curtain? Certainly not me.

Let me just say this, there is no attitude problem. Remy is a great kid and not a distraction.

They'll figure it out.

[PMI]

Part of the issue with Remy is that he was billed as a "lockdown" defender. I don't know if he has been somewhat confused on the rotations, slow on the close outs or just his man shooting hot, but the staff hasn't been overly pleased with his defense so far. If they were, he would have played more than 19 and 17 minutes in the last 2 games. This from a direct source.

He is a huge key to this team. I hope that everything improves.

Confused on the rotations makes sense to me, but still, I don't think he's been nearly as much of a defensive liability as JP or Edmund this year. While he doesn't bring a great shooting stroke, I think he does bring something fairly unique to the team offensively with his athleticism in transition and in getting to the rim in general, and his finishing. I would really like to see him emerge as one of the top 4-5 in minutes personally.

[xu82]

Let me just say this, there is no attitude problem. Remy is a great kid and not a distraction.

They'll figure it out.

Good news. He's so physically gifted the rest should come in time. Practice time is not game time, as much as you'd like to match the intensity. They'd all benefit from more intensity, it appears. I'm still a believer.

[danaandvictory]

Interesting. I'll have to keep an eye on him defensively Saturday.

He has all the tools to be an excellent defender but his instincts from HS and then at IU do not mesh with the disciplined approach required by the packline. He will get better but that system will never be an ideal fit for a player of his ilk.

[xu82]

He has all the tools to be an excellent defender but his instincts from HS and then at IU do not mesh with the disciplined approach required by the packline. He will get better but that system will never be an ideal fit for a player of his ilk.

I'm not disagreeing at all, but I'm afraid I just don't understand your point. If he has the physical gifts, why should the system be an issue. Just get after it! It's not like he's a 7" stiff who can't come out to 19 feet.

[danaandvictory]

I'm not disagreeing at all, but I'm afraid I just don't understand your point. If he has the physical gifts, why should the system be an issue. Just get after it! It's not like he's a 7" stiff who can't come out to 19 feet.

Because his instincts are to jump passing lanes and pressure his man off the ball. It takes a long time to drum that out of your head and learn to stay home.

[bleedXblue]

I think a lot of the issues are Mack not placing a high enough emphasis on defense first. And as a coach I can see how he got somewhat lulled into this because the offense was humming along and we had a lot of guys contributing. He was trying to get players on the floor that were producing (JP) and trying to get Sumner minutes because he sees the potential.

Hopefully, we'll see a different mindset moving forward.

Just don't crucify Mack if all of a sudden we're having issues scoring but playing better D.

It's a very fine balance between the two. It's why Mack makes the big bucks. Figure it out.

[bleedXblue]

Also, if teams are going to defend the perimeter and not allow Farr and Stain to pass from the post, we need way more movement and ball screens. I saw 3-4 opportunities for back door cuts against LBSU for easy baskets but several guys just stood on the perimeter and made themselves really easy to guard.

[Juice]

I think a lot of the issues are Mack not placing a high enough emphasis on defense first. And as a coach I can see how he got somewhat lulled into this because the offense was humming along and we had a lot of guys contributing. He was trying to get players on the floor that were producing (JP) and trying to get Sumner minutes because he sees the potential.

Hopefully, we'll see a different mindset moving forward.

Just don't crucify Mack if all of a sudden we're having issues scoring but playing better D.

It's a very fine balance between the two. It's why Mack makes the big bucks. Figure it out.

A lot of these guys are never going to be good defenders. Some will be average or suitable defensive players, but never good.

[bleedXblue]

A lot of these guys are never going to be good defenders. Some will be average or suitable defensive players, but never good.


And, who specifically isn't going to EVER be a good defender?

[Juice]

And, who specifically isn't going to EVER be a good defender?

Blueitt and Macura will probably never be good defenders. They may become average defenders but I never see them as becoming good defenders.

[ammtd34]

I'd add Farr and Stainbrook, too. It doesn't mean they're bad players, they just have to make up for it elsewhere.

[Juice]

I'd add Farr and Stainbrook, too. It doesn't mean they're bad players, they just have to make up for it elsewhere.

I'd agree. I was referring more towards young guys because we have already have seen Stainbrook and Farr in enough action to establish that. I will say that Farr does seem to have improved his shot blocking.

[bleedXblue]

Blueitt and Macura will probably never be good defenders. They may become average defenders but I never see them as becoming good defenders.

Wow, 7 games into their freshman year and you're writing them off (defensively). I'm going to give the kids a chance to learn and grow. I think they both will be much better than they are right now. Time will tell.

[Juice]

Wow, 7 games into their freshman year and you're writing them off (defensively). I'm going to give the kids a chance to learn and grow. I think they both will be much better than they are right now. Time will tell.

It's not about learning the defense, I think it's about their athleticism, foot speed, etc. and the position they play. I don't think any amount of learning or effort will get them to the point of being good on the defensive end.

[sgarcia]

And, who specifically isn't going to EVER be a good defender?

Myles Davis

[RealDeal]

And, who specifically isn't going to EVER be a good defender?

Me. I'm a foul machine.

[XUFan09]

Myles Davis
Yep, he's a good example of a smart defender that's physically limited. B.J. Raymond had much better length and size for the wing, but he's another example within that type. His lack of lateral quickness had to be hidden within the packline. The freshmen will learn, and Remy will improve like every transfer seeing his first game time in over a year, but this will never be a good defensive squad. Hopefully it will just become respectable.

[xuwin]

Because his instincts are to jump passing lanes and pressure his man off the ball. It takes a long time to drum that out of your head and learn to stay home.

If he was a freshman I would agree, but, this is his 2nd year of exposure to the pack line defense. On defense I think you are only as strong as your weakest link and right now our weak link is youth and inexperience. You can't put it on one guy. I think the defense is getting better but they have to maintain the intensity for the duration of the shot clock. It's frustrating to see great defensive intensity and then see them give up an open 3 pointer with 2 sec left on the clock. Xavier has the tallest group of guards that they've ever had and should be able to challenge the 3 point shots better and not allow the opponents to square up and shoot over them.

[XU 87]

Maybe the staff needs to focus on recruits who can play pack line defense.

[MADXSTER]

A lot of these guys are never going to be good defenders. Some will be average or suitable defensive players, but never good.

So average is less than good. So if you are average that would mean you are not good....correct. I guess great is out of the question. IMO by senior year some of these guys will be good defenders. Not great but good. Meaning above average.

[PMI]

How are we going to define what's good or average or whatever? To me the bottom line is this. Do we have the personnel to be an elite defensive team? No. But I guarantee that the staff isn't using the same excuse that some of the fans here are, ie. "Eh, we'll never be a good defensive team so let's just hope to be OK and make a lot of shots." That's ridiculous. Every single player can improve upon his defensive effort, intensity and focus that we saw in Anaheim. Every single one. No, they can't learn to jump four more inches on close outs, or shoot off the screen three times faster, but everyone can play within the system better, and it's up to our coaches to figure that out, or figure out a system (or elements of this system) that can better suit our personnel. I know a lot of people take this notion that we are who we are a bit too literally, but hell, we've seen stretched this year where the defense played properly and had good possessions. We need more of that, and less guys getting caught out of position, falling asleep on close outs, etc. We have guys whose offense we need who we still have to hide on defense a bit, but there's no reason our team defense should be as bad as it was in California. There's no reason we should be giving up 40% from three. These are areas that should be and need to be significantly better, without any excuses.

[drudy23]

Said it once, will say it again...

this team reaching its potential starts and ends on the defensive end. We're good enough o reach the tourney with an average defense, but we can make some real noise if we get some things on D figured out. Who on this team is going to commit to it and be the one that sacrifices his O for the betterment of the team?

[PMI]

Said it once, will say it again...

this team reaching its potential starts and ends on the defensive end. We're good enough o reach the tourney with an average defense, but we can make some real noise if we get some things on D figured out. Who on this team is going to commit to it and be the one that sacrifices his O for the betterment of the team?

I think Remy needs to be (and will be) the one to raise his game on that end. He's the best potential defensive guard we have in terms of length and athleticism. I think Myles will give great, intense effort but still be limited (kind of like the Raymond comparison someone made in that regard) and the same goes for Dee. How quickly Bluiett and Sumner can develop will be key too. Sumner has a solid defensive upside to me but he is understandably lost right now. JP is going to be below average on defense all year I think. The key among the forward to me is Jalen. I personally thought he'd be further along overall right now, but if we can just get him to reach his potential on defense without fouling too much, we would be so much better. It's a lot to ask though.

[wkrq59]

Ok, I don't know if I'm back yet but in the past two days since I even felt like Xavier basketball which is rare for me I have just about lost controll of a bodily function I thought I had regained. after reading XH and MM I have to ask WTF is happening? Has Chris been discovered as Jack the Ripper? Is the record not 6-2? Has Xavier dropped basketball??WTF?
I got to watch my second game of the season Saturday. That wasn't a chopped liver team coached by Anthony Grant. Was it? I watched the first game of the tourney. Was happy. Good show. Second game ..kaka happens. Saturday superb. After a much tougher battle than I figured, I am never again picky. But wwhy thee bitching? Why is Chris suddenly needing defense? Maybe I am just too damned old...I'll just say this. I enjoy posting and sharing but the sh!t is getting a little ripe and ancient. Chris Mack is the coach. He is the boss. Anybody but the AD and Fr. Grahamis welcome to their contrary opinion. Those two will make the decisions. To those who hate Chris and always will..I'll pray for you. Anything else is just futile. Look, this is potentially one the best ever Xavier teams. Never forget 76-53 and 64-47. Go Muskies

[smileyy]

Wow, 7 games into their freshman year and you're writing them off (defensively). I'm going to give the kids a chance to learn and grow. I think they both will be much better than they are right now. Time will tell.

I wonder if anyone can dig up posts talking about how Stanley Burrell will never be a good defender.

[XU 87]

Ok, I don't know if I'm back yet but in the past two days since I even felt like Xavier basketball which is rare for me I have just about lost controll of a bodily function I thought I had regained. after reading XH and MM I have to ask WTF is happening? Has Chris been discovered as Jack the Ripper? Is the record not 6-2? Has Xavier dropped basketball??WTF?
I got to watch my second game of the season Saturday. That wasn't a chopped liver team coached by Anthony Grant. Was it? I watched the first game of the tourney. Was happy. Good show. Second game ..kaka happens. Saturday superb. After a much tougher battle than I figured, I am never again picky. But wwhy thee bitching? Why is Chris suddenly needing defense? Maybe I am just too damned old...I'll just say this. I enjoy posting and sharing but the sh!t is getting a little ripe and ancient. Chris Mack is the coach. He is the boss. Anybody but the AD and Fr. Grahamis welcome to their contrary opinion. Those two will make the decisions. To those who hate Chris and always will..I'll pray for you. Anything else is just futile. Look, this is potentially one the best ever Xavier teams. Never forget 76-53 and 64-47. Go Muskies






Hi Q. Welcome back.

[MADXSTER]

Agree Q. I hate coming to this site after a loss and reading the meltdown with fans. Common sense be damned. Posters give their OOC predictions with a couple of losses and then go off the deep end once Xavier has a loss. Sometimes shit happens. Sometimes there is going to be an off night. Lighten up people.

[xu82]

Ok, I don't know if I'm back yet but in the past two days since I even felt like Xavier basketball which is rare for me I have just about lost controll of a bodily function I thought I had regained. after reading XH and MM I have to ask WTF is happening? Has Chris been discovered as Jack the Ripper? Is the record not 6-2? Has Xavier dropped basketball??WTF?
I got to watch my second game of the season Saturday. That wasn't a chopped liver team coached by Anthony Grant. Was it? I watched the first game of the tourney. Was happy. Good show. Second game ..kaka happens. Saturday superb. After a much tougher battle than I figured, I am never again picky. But wwhy thee bitching? Why is Chris suddenly needing defense? Maybe I am just too damned old...I'll just say this. I enjoy posting and sharing but the sh!t is getting a little ripe and ancient. Chris Mack is the coach. He is the boss. Anybody but the AD and Fr. Grahamis welcome to their contrary opinion. Those two will make the decisions. To those who hate Chris and always will..I'll pray for you. Anything else is just futile. Look, this is potentially one the best ever Xavier teams. Never forget 76-53 and 64-47. Go Muskies






Welcome back Q, and your voice of reason is needed as well!