XAVIER vs AUBURN

[THRILLHOUSE]

Ok. I usually don't say this but this game is all on Chris Mack.

Before the last horrific, unprepared play even happened, At NO time, when. Auburn was driving to the basket and scoring at will- especially when Dee D Avis had 3 fouls, did Xavier even consider playing a zone. Auburn should have been challenged to make shots and it would have preserved Dee's fouls. Instead Mack hard-headedly stayed with what wasn't working. An absolute joke.

Don't get me started about the substitution patterns.

And are you telling me that with 14 seconds to go, you don't have a play set up where your POINT GUARD handles the ball? And there wasn't one single pass? Really? There is NO end game play with that much time?

I hardly ever blame a coach, but that was all on the staff and on you, Coach.

I think the final possession fiasco is more on Remy than Mack. But otherwise I agree, Pearl out coached Mack, again.

[XU2011]

Last 3 years under Christopher Mack:

2013- Nothing
2014- Play-in game loss
2015- NIT???

This is sooo sad seeing how far this program has fallen from 3-4 years ago.

[waggy]

Auburn scored 48 points in the 2nd half. I don't know the fix, but just about anything would be better than that.

[Xville]

I guess the law of averages has caught up to the program. We had two outstanding coaches back to back...it was naive of us to all think they were just going to keep coming.

[IVANHOE]

Mack really knows how to coach up his team during the holidays. Seems some people on this site are finally seeing what a lot of us saw a long time ago. Most of those users have been kicked out for not supporting Mack on this site. Tread lightly. The xavier way is to always defend Mack.

[danaandvictory]

Unfortunately I feel like we're in the last few seasons of Prosser's tenure. Talented teams that can't seem to get over the hump.

[Masterofreality]

Coach Mack said that "we have an issue with foot speed" on those drives to the hoop. Well, Coach. Doesn't THAT cry out for a zone at times?

[waggy]

Mack really knows how to coach up his team during the holidays. Seems some people on this site are finally seeing what a lot of us saw a long time ago. Most of those users have been kicked out for not supporting Mack on this site. Tread lightly. The xavier way is to always defend Mack.


This is bullshit. You ONLY come around to post crap like this. Otherwise you're a no-show.

[mohr5150]

Merry F'ing Christmas, everyone! Another loss right before Christmas to a bad team. X sure knows how to deliver the Christmas poo to all of our stockings. The difference in the game, though, was a play that should have never been allowed. The supposed save from out of bounds by the Auburn player was after taking two steps out of bounds right in front of the geriatric ref who blew numerous calls tonight. You have to overcome that shit on the road, though, and our boys pissed down their legs in the second half.

[Masterofreality]

Let me make this clear...I still support Mack and am not taking the "told you that he was crap" approach after a loss. That's easy to do and some here are just hoping for the chance to do so. That's pretty cheap.

He's coached plenty of games where he and his staff's work won the game. Today was not one of those games.

[Xville]

Coach Mack said that "we have an issue with foot speed" on those drives to the hoop. Well, Coach. Doesn't THAT cry out for a zone at times?

That's some brilliant insight by mack there. I want to know how the hell he is going to fix it. I don't think he has a clue how

[gladdenguy]

This is bullshit. You ONLY come around to post crap like this. Otherwise you're a no-show.

Why should he post if he is not a positive Pete is what he is trying to say. He gets blasted if he criticizes Mack....who deservedly needs to be criticized because his teams play like soft puppies and that is a direct reflection on the coach.
Chris Mack is a good recruiter but a terrible coach. This is going to be the worst 3 year stretch in a long time for this program. That is bullshit.

[IVANHOE]

This is bullshit. You ONLY come around to post crap like this. Otherwise you're a no-show.

Yea. It's a message board. I choose to post what I want to discuss.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Didn't get to watch the game but is auburn really that bad? Didn't they get back three guys today with one being the NCAA point leader last year? I only listened to the game so I have no clue how good auburn is.

[waggy]

Why should he post if he is not a positive Pete is what he is trying to say. He gets blasted if he criticizes Mack....who deservedly needs to be criticized because his teams play like soft puppies and that is a direct reflection on the coach.
Chris Mack is a good recruiter but a terrible coach. This is going to be the worst 3 year stretch in a long time for this program. That is bullshit.


I don't blast him for criticizing Mack. I have problem with the fact that's ALL he does. Heck, even you liked Mack once upon a time.

[gladdenguy]

Next year is his make or break year after another year of not going to the tourney this year.

[xudash]

Let me make this clear...I still support Mack and am not taking the "told you that he was crap" approach after a loss. That's easy to do and some here are just hoping for the chance to do so. That's pretty cheap.

He's coached plenty of games where he and his staff's work won the game. Today was not one of those games.

I'm with you on this: I'm still in his camp, but this should have been a win, and without two OT's to get that.

I don't get the final possession, especially NEEDING TWO.

Auburn wanted it more than we wanted it, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT AT ALL.

[waggy]

Next year is his make or break year after another year of not going to the tourney this year.

You have more patience than me. I think there are a lot pieces right now. If you can't do anything this year, I don't see how it gets better next.

[IM4X]

Ok. I usually don't say this but this game is all on Chris Mack.

Before the last horrific, unprepared play even happened, At NO time, when. Auburn was driving to the basket and scoring at will- especially when Dee D Avis had 3 fouls, did Xavier even consider playing a zone. Auburn should have been challenged to make shots and it would have preserved Dee's fouls. Instead Mack hard-headedly stayed with what wasn't working. An absolute joke.

Don't get me started about the substitution patterns.

And are you telling me that with 14 seconds to go, you don't have a play set up where your POINT GUARD handles the ball? And there wasn't one single pass? Really? There is NO end game play with that much time?

I hardly ever blame a coach, but that was all on the staff and on you, Coach.

X has better players and a deeper bench than every team they've played this year. I give Mack credit for that... he has an eye for talent... But his teams blow big leads often, players who are struggling are left in too long, his players haven't been playing defense well as all, set plays are not what they once were. Those issues are all on the coach.

Is he going to blame the game on his players during g the Chris Mack show, saying that they need to play better. I sure hope not. I sure hope he points out that he failed the team after the team had a huge lead. That's what a good coach would do.

I would like to think of our coach as being at the elite level, but there are not any other elite level coaches I can think of who would have lost to such a bad who shot so poorly and lost to some of the other mediocre teams X lost to with this group of kids.

There was so much promise. There is so much potential with this team. No excuse for playing this bad.

[IVANHOE]

I'm with you on this: I'm still in his camp, but this should have been a win, and without two OT's to get that.

I don't get the final possession, especially NEEDING TWO.

Auburn wanted it more than we wanted it, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT AT ALL.

Auburn wanted it more. Teams mold in the form if their coach. Coach pearl is a fiery nasty guy. Everyone saw him on the sidelines. His players took his fire and played with it on the court with hustle and like you said, wanted it more. That's what teams need to do when they have less talent and pearl put them in the position to win the game with attitude.

[Xville]

What's scary to me is that I thought there was no way the team could be worse than last year...it's starting to look like that may be possible. If we don't make the tourney this year, that is unacceptable and Mack needs to go plain and simple.

[XfansinKy]

He's a great recruiter with an eye for talent? How many of his recruits are playing in the NBA?

[LA Muskie]

Gotta love a message board after a loss... It was disappointing. It highlighted many of our issues. It was on the road after finals. It sucks. But it's far from the end of the world. Now let's all go and enjoy some holiday cheer.

[OH.X.MI]

Auburn wanted it more. Teams mold in the form if their coach. Coach pearl is a fiery nasty guy. Everyone saw him on the sidelines. His players took his fire and played with it on the court with hustle and like you said, wanted it more. That's what teams need to do when they have less talent and pearl put them in the position to win the game with attitude.

I'm not buying that. Our boys wanted it. You don't make ice cold shots from the line like we did if you don't want it. Mack simply didn't make the in game adjustment needed or draw up right plays. I won't fault our team for effort, this is on coaching ability.

[Fireball]

Pardon me if I wait until at least getting into conference season before I declare the season over.

I'm not exactly thrilled by how our non-conference has gone, but as it sits, Auburn is our only bad loss. Both UTEP and Long Beach are in the top 100, and I wouldn't be surprised if they got into the top 100. With the players they have gotten back, that is a better team than they were the first 9 games.

There's plenty of opportunity to pick up big wins through the rest of the season, and I think the team will get much better as the season progresses. But we'll see...they haven't made it easy for themselves, but I don't think we're in that bad of a position.

[xudash]

Gotta love a message board after a loss... It was disappointing. It highlighted many of our issues. It was on the road after finals. It sucks. But it's far from the end of the world. Now let's all go and enjoy some holiday cheer.

Thank you.

[xudash]

Pardon me if I wait until at least getting into conference season before I declare the season over.

I'm not exactly thrilled by how our non-conference has gone, but as it sits, Auburn is our only bad loss. Both UTEP and Long Beach are in the top 100, and I wouldn't be surprised if they got into the top 100. With the players they have gotten back, that is a better team than they were the first 9 games.

There's plenty of opportunity to pick up big wins through the rest of the season, and I think the team will get much better as the season progresses. But we'll see...they haven't made it easy for themselves, but I don't think we're in that bad of a position.

And thank you.

[XfansinKy]

Gotta love a message board after a loss... It was disappointing. It highlighted many of our issues. It was on the road after finals. It sucks. But it's far from the end of the world. Now let's all go and enjoy some holiday cheer.
I think its more about the frequency of losses and how the losses are against non basketball power houses. I can't keep defending Mack in the face of logic. This is Xavier basketball now. Not what I grew up on.

[paulxu]

There's no point in me re-stating some of the points noted above, as most of them are noted more than once.

But it's way to damn early to give up on this season, or the coach. Surely there will be things learned from losses like these.
We're only 11 games in. There are 20 to go. I'm not ready to bail. I thought we had this. I was wrong. But there are some good notes.

Jalen: 7-9, 6 boards, 16 pts and only 2 fouls. That is a tremendous improvement and he may have finally learned the discipline necessary to be a big time contributor.

Remy: Nice game in relief of Dee. The one boner TO was costly, and not driving at the end was puzzling, but a good effort overall.

S'melo: Shooting a little off tonight, and his TO's were from laziness. But his rebounds and assists were much needed.

Losing both seniors to fouling out, and Dee's zero assists were the keys to our loss in my opinion.

Not ready to give up yet.

[Xavgrad08]

Second time this year we have taken a double digit lead into halftime and ended up with a loss. I am not ready to write this season off just yet. On paper the Auburn loss is really bad, but Auburn is getting some of there players back that they did not have earlier in the year. This is definitely a game Xavier should have won, and I agree it is frustrating to lose. However, I don't think we are that far off. We just have to find some way to improve defensively.

I think the rest of this year will be similar to last year. We will win a lot at home and struggle on the road, but I still think we fight are way into the tournament. Once you make the tournament anything can happen. The Big East currently has a lot of teams in the RPI top 50, so we have plenty of opportunities. Besides Villanova all of the teams look very beatable, unfortunately we look very beatable at times as well.There is still a lot of Basketball left to be played and we have a lot of talent.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier has only missed the Tournament once under Mack, right? Things aren't as good as we'd like them to be, but let's not get crazy. Mack's job is very, very safe. As it should be.

[IVANHOE]

I'm not buying that. Our boys wanted it. You don't make ice cold shots from the line like we did if you don't want it. Mack simply didn't make the in game adjustment needed or draw up right plays. I won't fault our team for effort, this is on coaching ability.

Not faulting our players. I agree with you. My point was that some of our players take the mold of Mack in 2H. Free throws were great. Turnovers weren't so great. And why is it that all Mack teams just have the biggest issue with inbounding the ball? Huge issue for me. I see it time and time again and it doesn't get fixed.

[Xavier_Musketeers]

1573
Trevon was literally wide open!

[Nahler]

Ok. I usually don't say this but this game is all on Chris Mack.

Before the last horrific, unprepared play even happened, At NO time, when. Auburn was driving to the basket and scoring at will- especially when Dee D Avis had 3 fouls, did Xavier even consider playing a zone. Auburn should have been challenged to make shots and it would have preserved Dee's fouls. Instead Mack hard-headedly stayed with what wasn't working. An absolute joke.

Don't get me started about the substitution patterns.

And are you telling me that with 14 seconds to go, you don't have a play set up where your POINT GUARD handles the ball? And there wasn't one single pass? Really? There is NO end game play with that much time?

I hardly ever blame a coach, but that was all on the staff and on you, Coach.

Completely agree on the play calling and defensive scheming (or lack thereof). Coach completely refuses to change up the defense when his guards are getting absolutely toasted on the perimeter with drives to the lane. When you play the pack-line 100% of the time, and almost never switch out of it, opposing coaches know what to prepare for. And there's a 5-year blueprint on how to beat it.

But the substitution patterns... Not sure I follow you here. It took awhile, but Mack FINALLY realized that Reynolds was out performing Farr. I don't think Farr saw a minute in the overtimes. Too many missed layups, maybe. Watch him start Farr next game and I'll eat my words.

I do have to give Mack some credit for whatever he did with Dee. I've been critical of both, primarily because it seems Dee always gets a free pass whenever he makes a bonehead play or 4 during the course of a game. That said, Dee's been playing much more reliable point guard lately.

As for the final abomination of a play, it looked like Remy was dead set on taking the shot no matter what was called. And yes, Trevon was open.

[D-West & PO-Z]

1573
Trevon was literally wide open!

Yeah I thought for sure he was going to go to Bluiett. Bad shot.

[Fireball]

And one more point, on what ended up being a HUGE play in the game, that non-call on the out of bounds save by Auburn was one of the WORST I have ever seen. Both feet out of bounds before he knocked the ball, when then bounced on the line AFTER he touched it, and it led to an Auburn fast-break bucket. Just unbelievable that could get missed....

[mohr5150]

Prosser's head was called for after a bad loss.
Matta's head was called for after a bad loss.
Miller's head was called for after a bad loss.
Mack's head will continue to be called for after bad losses.

It's just a Xavier tradition.

The not out of bounds call might have been one of the worst blown calls I have ever seen. How three monkeys in stripes on the court couldn't have seen that is beyond me. It didn't cost us the game, though. Lack of care for the ball and awful perimeter defense did that. These are the same things that have haunted us all season, even in wins.

[bjf123]

I say this every year. Just about every team in every conference will lose a game or two they have no business losing. They'll also win a game of two they have no business winning. This was that game for both teams.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[paulxu]

Will be interesting to watch the impact here when the loss is posted.

Massey had us at 32: http://masseyratings.com/rate.php?s=cb&sub=NCAA I

Team Rankings had us at 24: http://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/ranking/predictive-by-other

[mohr5150]

Hey, at least we didn't lose to a 1-8 team...at home. Fire Tom Izzo!

[xu82]

That hurt. Seasons are long.

[OH.X.MI]

Hey, at least we didn't lose to a 1-8 team...at home. Fire Tom Izzo!

My Dad's is a Spartan alum, he texted me "Izzo's gotta go" after the game. Like father like son I guess lol.

[GoMuskies]

Seasons are long.
Which, of course, can be a blessing or a curse.

[supernintendo]

Hey, at least we didn't lose to a 1-8 team...at home. Fire Tom Izzo!

When Mack has the resume of Tom Izzo then he can get the benefit of the doubt. X apologists are in part to thank for such mediocre basketball. Let's just continue to give Mack a pass. If not for an expanded tourney field, X would be working on 3 straight seasons without making it. All is well though, X has so many great wins to fall back on. Oh wait ...

[XUFan09]

And one more point, on what ended up being a HUGE play in the game, that non-call on the out of bounds save by Auburn was one of the WORST I have ever seen. Both feet out of bounds before he knocked the ball, when then bounced on the line AFTER he touched it, and it led to an Auburn fast-break bucket. Just unbelievable that could get missed....
You can watch Trevon's reaction to see how ridiculous it was. He didn't pursue because he was sure (correctly) that it was out, and then he gave the ref a WTF look when it wasn't called.

[xu82]

Which, of course, can be a blessing or a curse.

You make a fine point there! I'm hoping for the former, and expecting many ups and downs along the road. Certainly sloppy tonight. That place was half empty and still very loud. I don't know if it was acoustics or if they are just that way. If we make the layups and tip-ins early and go up 25 instead of 12 it takes the crowd out of it, and maybe the team. But that was not the only problem....

[Xavier]

Xavier has only missed the Tournament once under Mack, right? Things aren't as good as we'd like them to be, but let's not get crazy. Mack's job is very, very safe. As it should be.

Meh, I don't think losing in the play in game really counts.

[kyxu]

What's most dismaying is that in all three of our losses, we held a 2+ possession lead at the half. We led UTEP by 7 at one point in that game, LBSU by 10, and Auburn tonight by 14. Away from the Cintas Center, these kids don't really know how to win basketball games. They have the talent to get up on teams, but not the head to close a team out.

I agree, the season is a long one, but there is really nothing in this program's recent past that is all that reassuring that things will get better.

[TUclutch]

Not faulting our players. I agree with you. My point was that some of our players take the mold of Mack in 2H. Free throws were great. Turnovers weren't so great. And why is it that all Mack teams just have the biggest issue with inbounding the ball? Huge issue for me. I see it time and time again and it doesn't get fixed.

LMAO You're a joke. Inbounds plays are one of Mack's best areas as a coach. I didn't see much of an issue in this department this game

[xu82]

Other than Matt, I'd love to see our bigs really develop. Flashes? Definitely. But we're missing something there so far.

Edit: Bold on so far so as not to side with the dooms day folks

[supernintendo]

Other than Matt, I'd love to see our bigs really develop. Flashes? Definitely. But we're missing something there so far.

I think we've seen enough to realize that player development isn't Mack's strong suit. But then again, what is his strong suit? Benefiting from struggles/changes of other programs? (See IU & Butler)

[XU2011]

Why should he post if he is not a positive Pete is what he is trying to say. He gets blasted if he criticizes Mack....who deservedly needs to be criticized because his teams play like soft puppies and that is a direct reflection on the coach.
Chris Mack is a good recruiter but a terrible coach. This is going to be the worst 3 year stretch in a long time for this program. That is bullshit.

Yep, seeing as though it will take miraculous, out-of-character on the road play through the BE for this team to make the tournament, this will be the WORST 3 year stretch of Xavier basketball since 94-96 or pre-1986 (before I was alive) depending on how you want to look at it.

And this in years 4, 5 and 6 of Mack's tenure. Awesome.

[XU2011]

Gotta love a message board after a loss... It was disappointing. It highlighted many of our issues. It was on the road after finals. It sucks. But it's far from the end of the world. Now let's all go and enjoy some holiday cheer.

As I said, given how tough the BE appears to be this year, it's going to take some sort of miracle for us to make the NCAA.

Are you satisfied with the following results from years 4,5 and 6 of Mack's tenure:

Year 3: nothing
Year 4: loss in play-in game
Year 5: NIT?

As I mentioned before, this would be the worst 3 year stretch of Xavier basketball since 94-96. Are you even remotely satisfied with Mack's job performance? I truly hope not.

[XU2011]

Xavier has only missed the Tournament once under Mack, right? Things aren't as good as we'd like them to be, but let's not get crazy. Mack's job is very, very safe. As it should be.

See my post above.

I'm not sure leading Xavier on our worst stretch of basketball in decades results in your job being safe. If that's the case, we should all re-examine the expectations of our program.

[IM4X]

He's a great recruiter with an eye for talent? How many of his recruits are playing in the NBA?

One was just drafted last year... He has a top 25 recruiting class this year. Not many coaches can say that. I have to give credit where it is due, but he just isn't doing enough currently with what he now has.

[GoMuskies]

Yep, seeing as though it will take miraculous, out-of-character on the road play through the BE for this team to make the tournament, this will be the WORST 3 year stretch of Xavier basketball since 94-96 or pre-1986 (before I was alive) depending on how you want to look at it.

And this in years 4, 5 and 6 of Mack's tenure. Awesome.

99 through 01 was much worse. We had an excellent team in 95.

[GoMuskies]

See my post above.

I'm not sure leading Xavier on our worst stretch of basketball in decades results in your job being safe. If that's the case, we should all re-examine the expectations of our program.

Skip Prosser ' s job was safe, too, with substantially worse results. Mack doesn't get full credit for the two Sweet Sixteen in three years to start his Xavier tenure, but he does get a helluva lot of credit. Remember, there wasn't a single player on either of those teams that made a meaningful impact on the NBA (other than in Bill Simmons' s mailbag), so it's not like it was overwhelming talent that carried those teams so far.

We're Xavier. We have high expectations. But we shouldn't have unreasonable ones either.

[XU2011]

99 through 01 was much worse. We had an excellent team in 95.

99-01 we made 1 NCAA, 2 NIT's. 94-96 we made 1 NCAA, 1 NIT and 1 with no post season.

Regardless, that is the path Mack has us on. No post-season, loss in play-in game, and now likely NIT. Pathetic and sad.

[XU2011]

Skip Prosser ' s job was safe, too, with substantially worse results. Mack doesn't get full credit for the two Sweet Sixteen in three years to start his Xavier tenure, but he does get a helluva lot of credit. Remember, there wasn't a single player on either of those teams that made a meaningful impact on the NBA (other than in Bill Simmons' s mailbag), so it's not like it was overwhelming talent that carried those teams so far.

We're Xavier. We have high expectations. But we shouldn't have unreasonable ones either.

I'm not sure having higher expectations than

2013: no post-season
2014: loss in play-in game
2015: ??? probably NIT

is too high of an expectation. Do you?

You do realize we have ONE GUY on our basketball team who has ever won an NCAA game. Let that sink in to show you how badly this program has fallen. We've got one guy on our team who has ever won an NCAA game. Ever.

[GoMuskies]

The 95 team was far superior to anything we had from 99-01.

[GoMuskies]

I'm not sure having higher expectations than

2013: no post-season
2014: loss in play-in game
2015: ??? probably NIT

is too high of an expectation. Do you?

You do realize we have ONE GUY on our basketball team who has ever won an NCAA game. Let that sink in to show you how badly this program has fallen. We've got one guy on our team who has ever won an NCAA game. Ever.

We should do better than that most three year stretches. But we're sure as hell not a coach on the hot seat program for that sort of stretch either. Not when the coach has 2 Sweet Sixteen under his belt.

[xu82]

Regardless, that is the path Mack has us on. No post-season, loss in play-in game, and now likely NIT. Pathetic and sad.

To complain about the path we're on given the incoming talent is to ignore the obvious. Talent wins games. Does Kentucky have the best coach? I doubt it. But right now they are like Tiger Woods against the field.You have to prove it on the court, but Mack will get time to do that. We need to improve development of our big guys, but they know that. Jason Love wasn't a stud early on. I remain positive long term, despite the pain tonight caused.

[waggy]

If every Big East program brought X's same OOC resume into conference play, the conference would rightly be viewed as a paper tiger.

Cintas is a great advantage for any coach.

[xu82]

If every Big East program brought X's same OOC resume into conference play, the conference would rightly be viewed as a paper tiger.

Cintas is a great advantage for any coach.
Cintas certainly is a great advantage, but I thought the two losses prior to tonight were thought to be against decent programs. Having said that, if the students were not on break and attended tonight and the arena was full, I can't imagine how much louder it could have been.

[waggy]

UTEP and LBSU aren't crap, but you still have to beat them. If you don't, then the only conclusion you can come to is that they are better.

[xu82]

How often do people admit to having too much caffeine (a rare event) during the game and for the drive home so they balance that with a few too many adult beverages and find themselves posting about a huge disappointment at 2:00am?

[xu82]

Or maybe that was just assumed.

[Juice]

How often do people admit to having too much caffeine (a rare event) during the game and for the drive home so they balance that with a few too many adult beverages and find themselves posting about a huge disappointment at 2:00am?

You mean everyday life?

[xu82]

You mean everyday life?

andkn
m'ogm4869

[XUOWNSUC]

Merry F'ing Christmas, everyone! Another loss right before Christmas to a bad team. X sure knows how to deliver the Christmas poo to all of our stockings. The difference in the game, though, was a play that should have never been allowed. The supposed save from out of bounds by the Auburn player was after taking two steps out of bounds right in front of the geriatric ref who blew numerous calls tonight. You have to overcome that shit on the road, though, and our boys pissed down their legs in the second half.

Lol and the announcers made it the "Allstate Good Hands" play of the game. What the hell was the ref looking at?

[Michigan Muskie]

Always disappointing to blow a 2-touchdown lead, win or lose. Losing just makes it more disappointing. The second-half collapse was frustrating to watch. Some observations:

There were actually two incorrect out-of-bounds calls. One went in favor of X and the other led to an easy Auburn bucket. I thought the NCAA used instant replay to review plays like that, but I guess I thought wrong.

Before last night, I'd never heard the term "banking board" used. After last night, I've heard it 322 times.

X was downright nails from the line. Very impressive, and ultimately what kept them alive in this contest. Xavier's free throw defense was also quite stellar.

The difference in my confidence in the offense of Old Man Myles from the end of last season to the present isn't even measurable.

Is there any other team in the history of the NCAA who is less aware of a trailing defender when bringing the ball up the floor?

Bruce Pearl rubs me the wrong way, but sometimes I wish the head coaches of any of my favorite teams showed some emotion on the sidelines. (see: Lewis, Marvin; Mack, Chris; and any Reds manager since Sweet Lou.)

I would lose the rebounding battle, but given the opportunity to challenge James Farr to a contest played less than 4 feet from the basket, I believe I would sink more shots. Love his energy, effort and attitude, but the big man misses a lot of bunnies.

Farr was joined by a fine supporting cast of players who couldn't seem to finish at the hoop last night. X got to the line a lot, which was great, but I felt like there were numerous 'And-1' opportunities left on the floor.

Tough break for Stain ... he fouled out after committing only 3 actual fouls.

The final possession. Not sure what more can be said. Needing just one point to tie and a bucket to win, with the team shooting about 138% from the foul line, Remy hangs out about 25 feet from the basket for ten seconds then launches a contested three at the buzzer. It was like a perfect 180-degree polar opposite of the play I expected to see ... I think Remy channeled his inner George Costanza.

Frustrating loss, but watching this X team play is more entertaining than the past couple of years. Once these youngsters learn how to defend at the college level, X will be a tough team to beat.

[muskienick]

Some of you posters are totally whacked out. You are throwing in the towel after 11 games into the season while we stand 8-3. Furthermore, you seem to forget that 7 of our 13 scholarship players (6 of whom are freshmen) are eligible this year to wear the Xavier uniform for the first time. Two of those six freshmen are red-shirting and both of them have futures that appear to be VERY bright. Another of those freshmen, J.P. Macura, was held out of yesterday's game due to illness. (Does anybody doubt that J.P. would not have made at least a 2-point difference in that game?) You also seem to forget that we were supposed to finish 7th in the Big East last season (which certainly would have eliminated the Muskies from even an appearance in the preliminary round of the NCAA Tourney). We finished with the third-best record in the Big East and made the NCAA field of 68.

I still believe there is room for hope for a good season in 2014-2015 for the Muskies. In this era of 13 scholarship players maximum per Division 1 teams, the playing field has been leveled (except in places like Lexington where most of those 13 are 1-year McDonald All-Stars). With our improved recruiting thanks to our coaching staff, excellent facilites and fan base, and Big East affiliation, I see Xavier contending with the better programs in the nation for many years to come.

[sweet16]

Just wait till next year.

[Xville]

I am extremely frustrated. I know we are only 11 games in and there is plenty of time to turn this around. However, there is nothing in the recent past that tells me this team is going to be able to win much on the road. If they dont, we won't even get invited to a play in game. The sky is not falling for me, but until this team shows a killer instinct and Mack doesn't get completely out coached on the road, my concern for the direction of this program is valid.

[ButlerWantsTheDee]

Just wait till next year.

Gahh I've must have said that more times than "I'm going to the library" during my time at X.

I sat in the caf for 4 years drooling over our line up for next year "Tu and Mark in the lineup? Nothing can stop us....Well another year with Lyons...Good news is I hear Dez's mid range has improved...NBA scouts are all saying Semja will stay 3 years for sure"

Will say, really happy with Jalen, Jimmy Farr, Myles and Remi play this year, they've all really stepped it up. Stain is playing great and is our leader as expected.

Great off the bench sparks with J.P., Randolph and others.

Though our back court is weak when Dee is out, I never thought I'd say this, but he is pivotal to our success this year, backcourt is plainly weak.

Notes from Auburn Arena:
Place could have been really loud if it was at capacity. It was probably about 70% with at most 10 students.
I fell in love with Bruce Pearl...he would pump up the crowd and get them going when ever he wanted.
Yeah, a lot of bad calls but we were up 13? 14? at one point. No excuses.
Too many times did we come out of a timeout and not run execute an offensive set.
Lastly, they didn't sell beer...COE, Cintas over everything.

[Muskie]

Mack really knows how to coach up his team during the holidays. Seems some people on this site are finally seeing what a lot of us saw a long time ago. Most of those users have been kicked out for not supporting Mack on this site. Tread lightly. The xavier way is to always defend Mack.

I'd love to know who was banned for "not supporting Chris Mack". I suppose if someone couldn't post a coherent thought and used the F word every other sentence those guys were probably sent packing.

[XU-PA]

Thoughts.
Auburn Arena is a loud place, even 2/3 full. Hope our Cintas crowd can match that.

I was the guy with the flag, and the wife who is waaaaay too good looking for this old man, I waved, I cheered, I screamed, I'm hoarse and disappointed, I let us down, I should have done more.

Bruce Pearl is an angry animated man, I don't care for the finger in the chest screaming schtick. I would never work for him.

Wish JP had been in, wanted to cheer "The Scotsman!!!!!"

Jalen impressed me, stayed clean of fouls and in the game.

I hate it when teams don't double down on Stain, much of his game was taken away.

Remy is a beast, almost did it all. Got the feeling he might have been sick, 2nd half, at every dead ball he was chugging water.

Won't argue calls, I was in row 18, couldn't watch replays at home.

I'm not going to leap, or even get near the ledge, I love my Musketeers, from the head coach to the end of the bench.

Not sure if it's a tradition, or new, but the players didn't go immediately to the locker room, they went to the arena entrance and met with fans on the way out, that was cool.

I'm torn, EBay my Bruce Pearl bobblehead? Or sacrifice then in a pool of lighter fluid inside a pentagram of twigs from an old cemetery?

Bummed, but really got my money's worth.

[XU2011]

We should do better than that most three year stretches. But we're sure as hell not a coach on the hot seat program for that sort of stretch either. Not when the coach has 2 Sweet Sixteen under his belt.

"We should do better than that most 3 year stretches."

We haven't had this bad of a 3 year stretch in 20 years.

2 decades.

Yet you say our current coach shouldn't be on the hot seat, at all.

I hope Christopher doesn't settle for mediocrity like you do.

[JEHARDI]

Very tough loss, was at the game, great arena and environment even without the students. The place was loud, will be a tough place to play when the students are into a game. The officiating was horrendous on both sides and definitely benefitted the less skilled team in the 2nd half.
The defense clearly needs to get better but had Davis played more than 18 of a 50 minute game they likely win going away. Even with that had they forced the action and gone to the hoop on the last play, they likely force another OT at a minimum or win with 2 Ft's. The season is not over, they will continue to get better and a bid is still well within their reach.

[mohr5150]

I like our resume against every other Big East squad except for Vilanova. St. John's schedule, minus Syracuse, is weak. Creighton, Providence, and Seton Hall have all played fairly weak schedules or comparable to ours. Georgetown ' s schedule has been tough, but they haven't beaten any if the tough teams. Butler is coming back to earth. I think the Big East schedule will be very competitive and will get at least five of us in the tourney. Finish in the top half, go to the tourney. We will do that. I think we will win 7 of 8 at home and pull off a 4-4 away record to win 21 on the season (the shootout is a must win now). This season is far from lost. The teams we have beaten aren't slouches. Let's focus on beating Gulf Coast and move into Big East play with confidence.

[Muskie]

"We should do better than that most 3 year stretches."

We haven't had this bad of a 3 year stretch in 20 years.

2 decades.

Yet you say our current coach shouldn't be on the hot seat, at all.

I hope Christopher doesn't settle for mediocrity like you do.

Would you have had Thad Matta on the hot seat on this date back in 2003? Here was Xavier through 8 games that season (through Dec 20, 2003): They lost at Ball State, at Conseco Fieldhouse to Indiana, at Mississippi State. They beat the likes of Coppin St, Mercer, @Miami, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Oakland. They stood at 5-3.

My point? The Season ends in March. I care more about how this team is playing in February and March, not December 21.

[JEHARDI]

Would you have had Thad Matta on the hot seat on this date back in 2003? Xavier through 8 games that season (through Dec 20, 2003). The lost at Ball State, at Conseco Fieldhouse to Indiana, at Mississippi State. They beat the likes of Coppin St, Mercer, @Miami, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Oakland. They stood at 5-3

My point? The Season ends in March. I care more about how this team is playing in February and March, not December 21.
Amen!

[xeus]

We haven't had this bad of a 3 year stretch in 20 years.



Are you just arbitrarily selecting these time periods?

[xeus]

I hope Christopher doesn't settle for mediocrity like you do.

And I hope Christopher, Coach Mack, and the team don't sit around bitching about the teams from the past two seasons, like you do.

[bleedXblue]

Always disappointing to blow a 2-touchdown lead, win or lose. Losing just makes it more disappointing. The second-half collapse was frustrating to watch. Some observations:

There were actually two incorrect out-of-bounds calls. One went in favor of X and the other led to an easy Auburn bucket. I thought the NCAA used instant replay to review plays like that, but I guess I thought wrong.

Before last night, I'd never heard the term "banking board" used. After last night, I've heard it 322 times.

X was downright nails from the line. Very impressive, and ultimately what kept them alive in this contest. Xavier's free throw defense was also quite stellar.

The difference in my confidence in the offense of Old Man Myles from the end of last season to the present isn't even measurable.

Is there any other team in the history of the NCAA who is less aware of a trailing defender when bringing the ball up the floor?

Bruce Pearl rubs me the wrong way, but sometimes I wish the head coaches of any of my favorite teams showed some emotion on the sidelines. (see: Lewis, Marvin; Mack, Chris; and any Reds manager since Sweet Lou.)

I would lose the rebounding battle, but given the opportunity to challenge James Farr to a contest played less than 4 feet from the basket, I believe I would sink more shots. Love his energy, effort and attitude, but the big man misses a lot of bunnies.

Farr was joined by a fine supporting cast of players who couldn't seem to finish at the hoop last night. X got to the line a lot, which was great, but I felt like there were numerous 'And-1' opportunities left on the floor.

Tough break for Stain ... he fouled out after committing only 3 actual fouls.

The final possession. Not sure what more can be said. Needing just one point to tie and a bucket to win, with the team shooting about 138% from the foul line, Remy hangs out about 25 feet from the basket for ten seconds then launches a contested three at the buzzer. It was like a perfect 180-degree polar opposite of the play I expected to see ... I think Remy channeled his inner George Costanza.

Frustrating loss, but watching this X team play is more entertaining than the past couple of years. Once these youngsters learn how to defend at the college level, X will be a tough team to beat.

I'm not one to blame any loss of the refs, but........the two fouls called against Stain in post that both went for 3 point plays were horrible. With the Auburn player clearly lowering his shoulder and initiating contact, I'm not sure how the hell those are fouls.

Also, you can't let a team shoot 50% from the field and expect to win. Giving up multiple east baskets on penetration and lay ups in the second half is sinful. This team has not one shot blocker.

Good news is I still think we can get better. The bad news is once we get into conference play, things simply don't get any easier.

Not having Macura hurt some.

What Abell was thinking on the last play is beyond me. You gotta be smarter than that.

[Muskie]

Cinmeon Bowers had 10-12 fouls when he "fouled out". His post play consisted of lowering his shoulder and bull rushing the paint towards the hoop. This was followed up with celebration like he just won the Super Bowl, if the shot went in.

[X-band '01]

As good as Xavier is on set plays, they didn't have any timeouts to run one in the final seconds of double OT. Many coaches don't even call timeouts even if they have one in that situation for the simple reason of trying to catch the defense off guard.

I will say I didn't get to see much of regulation, so clearly I'm not going to be as upset as other posters are over the game. It could have gone either way.

Ah, f it. I blame Sean Miller for the recent tradition of Christmas hangovers on the board. Can we at least agree on that?

[XU2011]

Would you have had Thad Matta on the hot seat on this date back in 2003? Here was Xavier through 8 games that season (through Dec 20, 2003): They lost at Ball State, at Conseco Fieldhouse to Indiana, at Mississippi State. They beat the likes of Coppin St, Mercer, @Miami, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Oakland. They stood at 5-3.

My point? The Season ends in March. I care more about how this team is playing in February and March, not December 21.

Um, no. Xavier had made the NCAA the previous 2 seasons, including making it to the 2nd round the year before in 2002 and 2003.

Saying Mack should be on the hot seat isn't a result of just this year. It's the past 3 years. His 4th, 5th adn 6th year leading the program. This is his program. His guys.

And we've had:

2013: No post season
2014: Loss in play-in game
2015: ????? NIT

Plus, I would HOPE that everyone's expectations of the Xavier program in 2014 are a whole heck of a lot higher than in 2003.

[XU2011]

Are you just arbitrarily selecting these time periods?

Arbitrarily selecting what time period? The last 3 years? Then yes, I am arbitrarily selecting the most recent 3 years as a measuring stick for how we are doing under Mack. And this program hasn't had this bad of a stretch since 94-96 (94: NIT/95: NCAA 1st round/96: no post-season).

[xeus]

XU2011, I think you should write to Fr Graham and Greg Christopher and ask them to fire Coach Mack. Based on your remarkable analysis of his performance of the last three years, I expect they will have to agree with you.

In your letter, you should include your suggestions for the next head coach, and also any other insights you might have.

[xu82]

Cinmeon Bowers had 10-12 fouls when he "fouled out". His post play consisted of lowering his shoulder and bull rushing the paint towards the hoop. This was followed up with celebration like he just won the Super Bowl, if the shot went in.

Exactly! Which led to them shooting 50% because we quickly learned that instead of playing D they had to run out of the way. That changed everything in the second half. The first half they took bad 3's. The second half they lowered their shoulders and drove into the defender and got a free and one. That's the story line.

[RealDeal]

Ron Everhart?

[paulxu]

Arbitrarily selecting what time period? The last 3 years? Then yes, I am arbitrarily selecting the most recent 3 years as a measuring stick for how we are doing under Mack. And this program hasn't had this bad of a stretch since 94-96 (94: NIT/95: NCAA 1st round/96: no post-season).

I'm going to assume that you graduated from Xavier in 2011. Accordingly your perspective on Xavier basketball is predicated on very recent history/success. Thankfully you did not have to wander in the desert with some of us, until the advent of university commitment in coaches, resources and facilities to raise our program to the place it is today.

With those thoughts in mind, you might want to remember that seasons very often are a lifetime. Arbitrarily selecting 3 years, one of which is only 1/3 over, is way, way too short of a perspective. It's like saying look at the last 5 completed seasons...4 NCAA appearances with 2 Sweet 16's. There are literally hundreds of programs in D1 that would sacrifice goats for that record.

Let's just wait a little while before we step off the ledge, dragging our coach with us.

[D-West & PO-Z]

We lost this game because of our inability to play good defense in the second half and beyond but more importantly at the very end of the game. Every time we got a lead and they came down the floor, I knew they were going to score. I had no faith we could make a stop. That is frustrating.

And when Dee left we were pretty lost offensively. I know he didnt have any assists but it seemed like the offense was flowing much better when he was in.

[Masterofreality]

Exactly! Which led to them shooting 50% because we quickly learned that instead of playing D they had to run out of the way. That changed everything in the second half. The first half they took bad 3's. The second half they lowered their shoulders and drove into the defender and got a free and one. That's the story line.

Which means that Xavier should have adjusted back with a zone to stop the driving lanes- especially from the guards. Auburn never showed that they could knock down an outside shot consistently yet we continued to let mediocre guys like Canada, who was averaging 5 points going into this game, to go off and score 15. If we would have gone to some zone, it would have stopped their momentum and preserved some of Dee's fouls after he got his 3rd.

That and my earlier statement about sub patterns. Jalen Reynolds was playing great- 16 points, good defense and rebounding. Yet he only played 25 of the 50 game minutes despite the fact that he had only 2 fouls. Our best lineup out there was Stain, Reynolds, Myles/Trevon, Remy and Dee. We played a small lineup trying to stubbornly play man on man, but with only one big man out there, we gave up a couple of huge offensive rebounds and baskets that we would not have otherwise. Because Mack hard-headedly refuses to adjust back after Pearl adjusted his guys' thinking, we got beat.

Make no mistake. Our players showed great heart and mental toughness repeatedly making big shots (Randolph/Myles/Trevon) and making huge free throws. Again, this loss is squarely on Chris Mack and his staff for letting Pearl coach rings around them and not adjusting back.

There are somewhere between 31 and 36 games realistically in a season- about a month of work days. Everyone is due one bad day at work in a month.

Yesterday's was Chris Mack's. Let's hope it's the last.

[gladdenguy]

Keep stating the obvious XU2011. Homers will always be homers with the blue colored glasses. Mack has grown old with his team's soft play.
Hopefully Greg Christopher is taking note. Fr. Graham is an absolute moron and a baffoon so hopefully Greg Christopher makes the decisions.

[kyxu]

Which means that Xavier should have adjusted back with a zone to stop the driving lanes- especially from the guards. Auburn never showed that they could knock down an outside shot consistently yet we continued to let mediocre guys like Canada, who was averaging 5 points going into this game, to go off and score 15. If we would have gone to some zone, it would have stopped their momentum and preserved some of Dee's fouls after he got his 3rd.

The packline is engineered to stop dribble penetration. Zone still requires assignment basketball and discipline. If we're struggling to defend in the packline, not sure what playing zone would have done.

Xavier defenders were getting beat soundly off the bounce. No defensive scheme is going to mask the defender's failure to stay in front of his man.

[Muskie]

Keep stating the obvious XU2011. Homers will always be homers with the blue colored glasses. Mack has grown old with his team's soft play.
Hopefully Greg Christopher is taking note. Fr. Graham is an absolute moron and a baffoon so hopefully Greg Christopher makes the decisions.

Keep pushing that agenda GG, it never gets tired or old.

[Masterofreality]

The packline is engineered to stop dribble penetration. Zone still requires assignment basketball and discipline. If we're struggling to defend in the packline, not sure what playing zone would have done.

Xavier defenders were getting beat soundly off the bounce. No defensive scheme is going to mask the defender's failure to stay in front of his man.

I'm not even sure how much "pack-line" we're still playing. I know that we are still trying to play man to man. I'm not saying that they should have necessarily gone to zone exclusively, but for at least a few possessions to throw Auburn off. In a game like that, 3 possessions, 3 stops, makes all the difference, yet there was no effort to change up at all.

And a zone defensive scheme DOES help mask defenders not being able to stay in front of their men, because you are not necessarily ON one man. You try driving into the middle of a well played zone sometimes.

By the way, our RPI dropped to 73 with that loss. Not good.

[Muskie]

I'm not even sure how much "pack-line" we're still playing. I know that we are still trying to play man to man. I'm not saying that they should have necessarily gone to zone exclusively, but for at least a few possessions to throw Auburn off. In a game like that, 3 possessions, 3 stops, makes all the difference, yet there was no effort to change up at all.

And a zone defensive scheme DOES help mask defenders not being able to stay in front of their men, because you are not necessarily ON one man. You try driving into the middle of a well played zone sometimes.

By the way, our RPI dropped to 73 with that loss. Not good.

I'm no basketball scholar, but I'd have to agree. I have no idea how much true pack line we actually play now? Whatever we are doing needs to be broken down and the fundamentals reinforced in practice. If we have personnel that can't run that D, then we need a new approach (for stretches at least).

[XUOWNSUC]

Keep stating the obvious XU2011. Homers will always be homers with the blue colored glasses. Mack has grown old with his team's soft play.
Hopefully Greg Christopher is taking note. Fr. Graham is an absolute moron and a baffoon so hopefully Greg Christopher makes the decisions.


Keep pushing that agenda GG, it never gets tired or old.

Gladdenguy isn't the only one who thinks that way. I agree w/ GG.

[xeus]

Fr. Graham is an absolute moron and a baffoon

Good thing we have XU2011 and gladdenguy
to keep this program on track. (And gladdengay, I say this as a friend - buffoon is one of those words you really should spell correctly, if you are going to use it.)

[Masterofreality]

Good thing we have XU2011 and gladdenguy
to keep this program on track. (And gladdengay, I say this as a friend - buffoon is one of those words you really should spell correctly, if you are going to use it.)

Buffoon, Baffoon, Tomato, ToMAHto..


Let's call the whole thing off.:biggrin:

[xubrew]

Xavier is turning into a home court hero. They can beat top ten teams at home, but can't beat sub NIT teams on the road. We need to snap out of that.

[mistabeecee41]

missed the 2nd half and am for some reason currently watching the replay. why do i do this to myself?

granted, we're a young team, and we still have time to gel. We just can't lose to UTEP, LBSU and Auburn and expect to be an NCAA tournament team. Last year, our only BAD OOC loss was USC. We won 10 BE games and still barely made it.

Can this team even win 10 in an improve BE this year?

[SlimKibbles]

Xavier is turning into a home court hero. They can beat top ten teams at home, but can't beat sub NIT teams on the road. We need to snap out of that.

They just whipped Mizzou at their place last week. Auburn was a more hostile environment and program on the rise. They might not show much this season but in years to come they should. That building is about the size of Cintas and Pearl had that team, and crowd, fired up. I wish X had pulled off the win but I think (hope) it was a good road test in a hostile environment for the young guys and they'll build off of it. They've lost three games this season by a combined 8 points. I have faith they'll keep improving and win some conference games on the road.

[kyxu]

And a zone defensive scheme DOES help mask defenders not being able to stay in front of their men, because you are not necessarily ON one man. You try driving into the middle of a well played zone sometimes.

This team can't execute its base defense. What exactly gives you the impression they could play a zone "well"?

And if they can't stay in front of their man in a packline, do you really think our D could recover off ball reversal?

And even if they miss a shot, do you think we would be in a position to rebound? We do not rebound well out of the zone.

I agree a change is needed on D, but I think it goes beyond throwing in a zone every now and again.

[xu82]

Which means that Xavier should have adjusted back with a zone to stop the driving lanes- especially from the guards. Auburn never showed that they could knock down an outside shot consistently yet we continued to let mediocre guys like Canada, who was averaging 5 points going into this game, to go off and score 15. If we would have gone to some zone, it would have stopped their momentum and preserved some of Dee's fouls after he got his 3rd.

I won't argue against that for a second. Players and coaches have to adjust to how the game is being called.

[xubrew]

They just whipped Mizzou at their place last week. Auburn was a more hostile environment and program on the rise. They might not show much this season but in years to come they should. That building is about the size of Cintas and Pearl had that team, and crowd, fired up. I wish X had pulled off the win but I think (hope) it was a good road test in a hostile environment for the young guys and they'll build off of it. They've lost three games this season by a combined 8 points. I have faith they'll keep improving and win some conference games on the road.

I hope so. The flip side is that all the losses were by a combined total of eight points. So, you could look at it that way.

[xsteve1]

I would love to see Mack call a timeout when the opposition is making a run. It's something he rarely does. He loves to call timeouts after a made Xavier bucket to set up defense but with the way X plays defense that sure as heck doesn't work. Never understood why he let's his teams try to play through big runs by the opposition.

[XU2011]

Keep stating the obvious XU2011. Homers will always be homers with the blue colored glasses. Mack has grown old with his team's soft play.
Hopefully Greg Christopher is taking note. Fr. Graham is an absolute moron and a baffoon so hopefully Greg Christopher makes the decisions.

Well seeing as how Graham and Chadwick wanted to "take back the athletic department" after Bobinski leaving and that our program has been spectacularly mediocre since, I'm not sure what we can expect from Christopher.

I know Chadwick is the least respected administrator on campus and somehow involves himself in everything (including athletics), so good luck with that.

[XU2011]

They just whipped Mizzou at their place last week. Auburn was a more hostile environment and program on the rise. They might not show much this season but in years to come they should. That building is about the size of Cintas and Pearl had that team, and crowd, fired up. I wish X had pulled off the win but I think (hope) it was a good road test in a hostile environment for the young guys and they'll build off of it. They've lost three games this season by a combined 8 points. I have faith they'll keep improving and win some conference games on the road.

Program on the rise?

Where do you guys come up with this stuff?

Do you just say anything to make yourselves feel better about being 8-3 with THE WORST NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE IN RECENT MEMORY?

Auburn was 4-5 before last night. A losing record. They scored a whopping 35 points against Tulsa. They lost to Coastal Carolina AT HOME.

We can't play at neutral site games with NO crowd. We can't play at an arena with 7,500 people with NO STUDENTS. How in the heck are we going to go into Creighton, or Villanova, or Marquette, or Providence and expect to walk out with a W?

[coasterville95]

Looks like I picked the right game to go out to a Christmas party a and craft beer bottle share instead.

The bottle share was very enjoyable.

[drudy23]

On the road, this team is very, very average. It's almost weird how different they look from at home (definite tourney team) and on the road (definite team missing tourney). But then again, under Mack, this has been the case. For whatever reason, we never bring it on the road.

We're going to need a super strong conference slate to make the tourney, because we have some crap losses.

[xeus]

Well seeing as how Graham and Chadwick wanted to "take back the athletic department" after Bobinski leaving and that our program has been spectacularly mediocre since, I'm not sure what we can expect from Christopher.

I know Chadwick is the least respected administrator on campus and somehow involves himself in everything (including athletics), so good luck with that.

So you are unhappy with Graham, Christopher, Chadwick, and Mack. Anyone else? How about Mario, for assembling that dreadful OOC schedule? Hopefully the XU BoT can address your concerns ASAP so we can get this program moving forward again. I hate being mired in the muck of mediocrity, in the Big East conference, with an 8-3 record, and a Top 25 recruiting class.

[xu82]

We can't play at an arena with 7,500 people with NO STUDENTS.

No comment on any of the rest of it, but I will say again that place was oddly loud considering the empty seats and the lack of students. I'd love to see it packed for a good game, that must be something! Even little kids were into it. They start them young! Not an argument, just an observation.

[xubrew]

Program on the rise?

Where do you guys come up with this stuff?

Do you just say anything to make yourselves feel better about being 8-3 with THE WORST NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE IN RECENT MEMORY?

Auburn was 4-5 before last night. A losing record. They scored a whopping 35 points against Tulsa. They lost to Coastal Carolina AT HOME.

We can't play at neutral site games with NO crowd. We can't play at an arena with 7,500 people with NO STUDENTS. How in the heck are we going to go into Creighton, or Villanova, or Marquette, or Providence and expect to walk out with a W?

They have Bruce Pearl, and they have a pretty good recruiting class coming in next year. Most publications rank it in the top twenty.

I think it is very fair to say that Auburn's program is on the rise. But, to also be fair, they are still pretty bad right now.

[XU 87]

Well seeing as how Graham and Chadwick wanted to "take back the athletic department" after Bobinski leaving and that our program has been spectacularly mediocre since, I'm not sure what we can expect from Christopher.

I know Chadwick is the least respected administrator on campus and somehow involves himself in everything (including athletics), so good luck with that.

I agree. Graham's pack line defense is pathetic. And don't even get me going about Chadwick's offensive philosophies.

I'm still trying to figure how these two idiots managed to get last year's top 20 recruiting class. I guess as the saying goes- a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while.

[OH.X.MI]

Auburn was a more hostile environment and program on the rise. They might not show much this season but in years to come they should. That building is about the size of Cintas and Pearl had that team, and crowd, fired up.

Sigh, I heard Mack talk about the "hostile" environment with Joe and Byron after the game too. I sure hope we don't play in any other hostile away games like Auburn!!! I'm sure Nova and St. Johns are just going to welcome us with open arms....

[IVANHOE]

Sigh, I heard Mack talk about the "hostile" environment with Joe and Byron after the game too. I sure hope we don't play in any other hostile away games like Auburn!!! I'm sure Nova and St. Johns are just going to welcome us with open arms....

Hostile environment? Another lame excuse. Their student body was in Christmas break. Joke

[xubrew]

Sigh, I heard Mack talk about the "hostile" environment with Joe and Byron after the game too. I sure hope we don't play in any other hostile away games like Auburn!!! I'm sure Nova and St. Johns are just going to welcome us with open arms....

I wouldn't call it hostile at all, but it is an enthusiastic crowd. Auburn basketball games are becoming quite the party.

That said, they're still not any good. Coastal Carolina managed to win there. They even mounted a come back to do it, despite the "hostile" crowd.

[paulxu]

Will be interesting to watch the impact here when the loss is posted.

Massey had us at 32: http://masseyratings.com/rate.php?s=cb&sub=NCAA I

Team Rankings had us at 24: http://www.teamrankings.com/ncaa-basketball/ranking/predictive-by-other

45 and 26. Not too bad.

[xu2013]

If you think this is a top 50 team in the country you're crazy. Team is softer than charmin.

[Masterofreality]

This team can't execute its base defense. What exactly gives you the impression they could play a zone "well"?

And if they can't stay in front of their man in a packline, do you really think our D could recover off ball reversal?

And even if they miss a shot, do you think we would be in a position to rebound? We do not rebound well out of the zone.

I agree a change is needed on D, but I think it goes beyond throwing in a zone every now and again.

Well, let's see. There is zone and there is man-to-man. If you think there is a change needed on defense, and it's not zone, then pray tell what defense you have concocted? I'd really like to see it.

And how do you know this team doesn't rebound well out of a zone. We haven't played one this year yet.

And how do you know that Auburn would be able to effectively reverse the ball? Those are a lot of assumptions of a 4-5 team with a number of new players. We do know what we saw, and it was lousy. A lot of one-on-one breakdowns.

[SlimKibbles]

They have Bruce Pearl, and they have a pretty good recruiting class coming in next year. Most publications rank it in the top twenty.

I think it is very fair to say that Auburn's program is on the rise. But, to also be fair, they are still pretty bad right now.

Thank you. That's what I'm saying. I agree they aren't that great right now as well. But that building was fired up on Saturday which fueled the Tigers and X cracked. Saw Pearl throwing his arms up several times in that 2nd half asking the crowd to get louder and louder. And they did.

For the record, responding to a previous post, I'm not saying whatever shit I can to make me feel better. I think if you'd look at all of the factors involved instead of just "Auburn sucks and we should have won" you'll see there's a little more to it than that. Pearl, the crowd noise, young XU players, etc. X will learn from the experience and get stronger. Have some faith.

[SlimKibbles]

Sigh, I heard Mack talk about the "hostile" environment with Joe and Byron after the game too. I sure hope we don't play in any other hostile away games like Auburn!!! I'm sure Nova and St. Johns are just going to welcome us with open arms....

Throwing out the Mizzou game because that crowd wasn't into it, the crowd at Auburn was. Hostile, very loud, whatever the F you want to call it, with X having some many young guys, it was a factor. Arenas won't get any quieter going forward. X better adapt and learn to deal with it.

[supernintendo]

I understand some people will makes excuses for X regardless of how bad they look. But this is not a young team!! That's a weak, lazy, and false argument. There are 2 players in a 9 or 10 man rotation getting their first minutes in these situations. There SHOULD BE more than enough experience and leadership to make up for that.

[mohr5150]

Most of you jumping off the ledge are not accepting the fact that there were several players who played last night who hadn't played much if any this season. Did they suck vs Coastal Carolina? Yes. But they didn't have Reed or Mason when they played that game. And we didn't have J.P. And we had monkeys wearing stripes. Mason was the leading scorer IN THE COUNTRY last year. Don't you think the addition of him to any lineup may improve things just a bit? Auburn may not end up a tourney team, but it wouldn't surprise me if they finished in the top half of the SEC.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Most of you jumping off the ledge are not accepting the fact that there were several players who played last night who hadn't played much if any this season. Did they suck vs Coastal Carolina? Yes. But they didn't have Reed or Mason when they played that game. And we didn't have J.P. And we had monkeys wearing stripes. Mason was the leading scorer IN THE COUNTRY last year. Don't you think the addition of him to any lineup may improve things just a bit? Auburn may not end up a tourney team, but it wouldn't surprise me if they finished in the top half of the SEC.

This!

I really thnk if JP played we win the game. At least that's what I am telling myself to help me sleep at night.

[X-band '01]

Do you just say anything to make yourselves feel better about being 8-3 with THE WORST NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE IN RECENT MEMORY?


I take it you're not familiar with the non-conference schedules during the Gillen and Prosser eras.

[xu82]

I take it you're not familiar with the non-conference schedules during the Gillen and Prosser eras.

Recent memory only knows of things recent. Very recent apparently, but I guess that's all relative.

[waggy]

Any issues with "the schedule", aren't just about who you play and where, but also what you do against that schedule. How you perform is more and more dissected. The competition is stiffer. And the MCC is not the BE. Different era, different conference, different circumstances.

And I really don't think that squeaking into the tourney every year is where the program wants to be.

[muskienick]

Any issues with "the schedule", aren't just about who you play and where, but also what you do against that schedule. How you perform is more and more dissected. The competition is stiffer. And the MCC is not the BE. Different era, different conference, different circumstances.

And I really don't think that squeaking into the tourney every year is where the program wants to be.

In Mack's 5 years, we "squeaked" into the Tourney once and missed it once. We made two Sweet Sixteens and got to the Round of 32 on the other occasion if my memory serves me well. That's hardly "squeaking into the tourney every year"!!! Your hyperbole is very hyperbolic!

[MADXSTER]

Did anyone else notice that at the 7:37 mark of the game when the Auburn player took two steps out of bounds prior to touching the ball and tapping it back inbounds for a fast break two points. That's when I knew we were in trouble.

[xu82]

Did anyone else notice that at the 7:37 mark of the game when the Auburn player took two steps out of bounds prior to touching the ball and tapping it back inbounds for a fast break two points. That's when I knew we were in trouble.

I didn't record it, and at the game the only things replayed were things that benefited the home team. Shocking! It did help to get that wild crowd riled up though! Rowdy bunch. Still, make first half layups and tip ins to go up 25 and they'd be silent.

[coasterville95]

So to sum it up, after any loss - Coach Mack is a recruiter not a game coach, and everybody in the Xavier administration is out to kill the athletics department. Got that, thanks,

[paulxu]

Did anyone else notice that at the 7:37 mark of the game when the Auburn player took two steps out of bounds prior to touching the ball and tapping it back inbounds for a fast break two points. That's when I knew we were in trouble.

If you really want to get sick again, you can go to the 2:08 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psyzIyWj_tA

[xu82]

If you really want to get sick again, you can go to the 2:08 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psyzIyWj_tA

The 2:08 mark was just one more punch to the unpunchables. That was a highlight of lowlights.

[IM4X]

I would love to see Mack call a timeout when the opposition is making a run. It's something he rarely does. He loves to call timeouts after a made Xavier bucket to set up defense but with the way X plays defense that sure as heck doesn't work. Never understood why he let's his teams try to play through big runs by the opposition.



Bingo. It's something that drives me nuts about him. This practice / strategy makes absolutely no sense- on several occasions it has lead to big leads being turned into close games and completely shifting both the momentum of those games and the confidence of each team. I hate it. I have never seen it result in anything but negative results.

[Cincypunk.org]

Why didn't Sean O'Mara play?

[bleedXblue]

Bingo. It's something that drives me nuts about him. This practice / strategy makes absolutely no sense- on several occasions it has lead to big leads being turned into close games and completely shifting both the momentum of those games and the confidence of each team. I hate it. I have never seen it result in anything but negative results.

Its like he wants his team to "play through the adversity"....no coach, you call a timeout to stop to momentum and take the crowd out of the game as much as possible.

[Xavier]

Well, there are coaches who like to see the team play through adversity. (Popovich, Izzo has been known to do it). I think some coaches do like to see that, see how the team responds. In some circumstances I agree but usually I want to go with the TO.

[paulxu]

Its like he wants his team to "play through the adversity"....no coach, you call a timeout to stop to momentum and take the crowd out of the game as much as possible.

What game were you all watching?
Auburn never made 2 consecutive baskets that weren't followed by either a Xavier basket, a Xavier time out, or an official timeout.

[boozehound]

Some of you guys turn into maniacs after a loss. I'm glad I came into this season with low expectations. So far I'm fine with how things have played out. This year's recruiting class looks legit and Myles Davis is developing into a key player. We have the potential for a lot of young players to develop together into a special team. The only major disappointment for me at this point has been Reynolds. I expected him to contribute more than he has so far. He still doesn't have many (any?) legit post moves.

It's too bad that we have 3 losses, but they were all very close games and all away from Cintas. There is a lot of season left. It's far to early to throw in the towel.

[bleedXblue]

What game were you all watching?
Auburn never made 2 consecutive baskets that weren't followed by either a Xavier basket, a Xavier time out, or an official timeout.

I wasn't referencing only the Auburn game, but more of Mack's overall coaching style.

As far as the Auburn game specifically, I thought there were multiple opportunities to call a TO when it was obvious they were on a run and getting back into the game. Whether or not a TV timeout was called does little to stop that momentum IMHO.

[Muskie]

I wasn't referencing only the Auburn game, but more of Mack's overall coaching style.

As far as the Auburn game specifically, I thought there were multiple opportunities to call a TO when it was obvious they were on a run and getting back into the game. Whether or not a TV timeout was called does little to stop that momentum IMHO.

I support your general notion that Mack could use a time out every so often to help kill an opponent's run. I said that to my table Saturday night as we were watching.

[X-band '01]

Its like he wants his team to "play through the adversity"....no coach, you call a timeout to stop to momentum and take the crowd out of the game as much as possible.


Well, there are coaches who like to see the team play through adversity. (Popovich, Izzo has been known to do it). I think some coaches do like to see that, see how the team responds. In some circumstances I agree but usually I want to go with the TO.

Add Bruce Pearl to that list, especially in light of the fact that Pearl out-coached Mack in the eyes of many on here.

[casualfan]

Add Bruce Pearl to that list, especially in light of the fact that Pearl out-coached Mack in the eyes of many on here.

I get your point, but it is totally different coaching at home versus on the road in this regard, especially when dealing with a crowd like the one at Auburn that was very loud.

[paulxu]

I'm going to go away into a corner and try and figure out why a TV timeout is not as good as one you call yourself.
I'm thinking that if you use the TV timeout for the same thing you use your own time out, you probably are ahead of the game, because you saved your time out to use later if needed.
This could take some working out on my part.

As to the Auburn game, I found three things to be apparent at the end of the game.
We sorely missed Dee's ball handling ability; two Blueitt TO's were followed by layups.
We sorely missed Dee's normal, and team leading assists. I'm boggled he didn't have any.
Remy dribbling and launching a contested jumper at the end instead of passing to a wide open Blueitt was a missed opportunity.
(overall, lazy and intercepted passes were going on the whole game. That should be correctable.)

[XU2011]

Some of you guys turn into maniacs after a loss. I'm glad I came into this season with low expectations. So far I'm fine with how things have played out. This year's recruiting class looks legit and Myles Davis is developing into a key player. We have the potential for a lot of young players to develop together into a special team. The only major disappointment for me at this point has been Reynolds. I expected him to contribute more than he has so far. He still doesn't have many (any?) legit post moves.

It's too bad that we have 3 losses, but they were all very close games and all away from Cintas. There is a lot of season left. It's far to early to throw in the towel.

I guess when are all you guys expecting us to actually be "a special team" then?

Next year? No way. We lose Stainbrook and Dee. We aren't going to be a special team next year. Down low we are going to have Reynolds who is incredibly inconsistent and Farr who is just bad offensively. And then Omara, I guess. And we saw Sat night what happens with Dee. So in that position, we'll have Brandon and then 2 back ups playing for all intents and purposes, their first year of college basketball.

Im just missing where all this optimism for next year in this being a special team is coming from. If we can't do it with Stain and Dee good luck doing it with Omara and Larry Austin next year

[SlimKibbles]

Geez are you just assuming that NONE of the freshmen or sophomores are going to develop at all then? It's December. If none of those young guys develop the rest of the season or over the summer your concerns are valid. I like to think optimistically and believe that these guys will get better with experience. Hell even David West didn't set the A10 on fire his very first season. Give these guys some time to develop.

Every season there are folks saying a month plus into the season that the sky is falling. I have a couple of friends who do it every year. I've been watching this program for too long to ever think any of the negative crap that some fans think in December will consistently come to fruition. I don't f'ing get it.

[XU2011]

A special team to me is Sweet 16/Elite 8/Final 4 special.

Clearly, we will be a team on the bubble yet again. And I would say the NIT side of the bubble unless they somehow shock us all in BE road play. Not sure how one could confidently project going from a bubble/NIT team to a "special team" by replacing Stain with Omara and Dee with Sumner/Austin (both would really be in their first year playing). And yes, I do understand our guys would develop and improve, as everyone does throughout the summer

[D-West & PO-Z]

Geez are you just assuming that NONE of the freshmen or sophomores are going to develop at all then? It's December. If none of those young guys develop the rest of the season or over the summer your concerns are valid. I like to think optimistically and believe that these guys will get better with experience. Hell even David West didn't set the A10 on fire his very first season. Give these guys some time to develop.

Every season there are folks saying a month plus into the season that the sky is falling. I have a couple of friends who do it every year. I've been watching this program for too long to ever think any of the negative crap that some fans think in December will consistently come to fruition. I don't f'ing get it.

This, on both points.

We can go back to every December since this board started and see the same type of posts. I am frustrated, disappointed and that loss really sucks. Mack deserves blame, the players didnt get it done either but the doomsday scenarios get so old. We have posters already writing off next year!!!!! Unbelievable!

This year will come down to conference play, we have plenty of opportunities for solid wins. It wont be easy but if we hold serve at home we need to get about 3 road wins. If we cant get 3 road wins in conference then we just arent an NCAA tournament team this year and then lets talk doomsday then.

This whole the sky is falling act in December that happens all the time reminds me of the (insert freshman or sophomore's name here) sucks, he needs to transfer, we really missed on him argument, that we hear every year too. Always writing off highly recruited guys 10, 15 games, 1 year into their careers and then by their senior years we cant sing their praises enough.

[XU2011]

I think the difference between this and years past is we used to be in the A-10. It wasn't unrealistic to think we'd only have 2-4 conference losses and rack up a bunch of wins (some quality, although obviously not as many opportunities for that as in BE).

But now, we are in the BE. We aren't gonna go through conference play with only 3-4 losses. With how this program has performed on the road over the last 2-3 years, 10-8 will be tough. And given our shitty OOC, there is no way that gets us in.

[xubrew]

Most of you jumping off the ledge are not accepting the fact that there were several players who played last night who hadn't played much if any this season. Did they suck vs Coastal Carolina? Yes. But they didn't have Reed or Mason when they played that game. And we didn't have J.P. And we had monkeys wearing stripes. Mason was the leading scorer IN THE COUNTRY last year. Don't you think the addition of him to any lineup may improve things just a bit? Auburn may not end up a tourney team, but it wouldn't surprise me if they finished in the top half of the SEC.

This is a fair point, and Antoine Mason is a good player, but since we're trying to be as realistic as possible here, it's obvious that one of the reasons he was the nation's leading scorer is because Niagara literally had nothing else, and they went to him EVERY single time.

They're much better with him than without him. It's silly to argue otherwise. I just disagree with all the Auburn/SEC pundits who talk as if (and I'm not exaggerating) Mason is the difference between them making the NCAA Tournament or missing the NIT. He's not THAT good. His old team won just seven games. It's almost not fair to him to make those kinds of ridiculous speculations.

I realize you're not an SEC pundit, and I'm actually not disagreeing with your point. He is good, and he was the nation's leading scorer last year, but he alone isn't going to make Auburn a tournament team, and perhaps not even an NIT team. It's very hard to beat ranked teams on the road. It happens less than ten percent of the time. It's hard to beat tournament teams on the road. It's hard to beat NIT teams on the road, but if you're a tournament team, you need to win more than your share. It's even hard to beat non-NIT teams on the road, but it's also hard to make the tournament, and beating non-NIT teams on the road is what you're expected to do, even if they have a player like Antoine Mason.

[IVANHOE]

This!

I really thnk if JP played we win the game. At least that's what I am telling myself to help me sleep at night.

you think the 3rd player off our bench would have made a difference? Please explain... I do think that Reynolds and Macura are two of our toughest players, but still.

Even if your statement is true, it shouldn't have come to that. We really need to quit these excuses.

[xu82]

you think the 3rd player off our bench would have made a difference? Please explain... I do think that Reynolds and Macura are two of our toughest players, but still.

Even if your statement is true, it shouldn't have come to that. We really need to quit these excuses.

Hey, it helps him sleep. I have to play those games sometimes... I get it.

Besides, JP is a natural scorer, he's long and he's pesky on defense so it may even be true. Having said that, sure, it shouldn't have to come to that. I don't care much HOW we win, I just want the "W".

[NY44]

I wasn't able to watch the game, but I'm just combing through the stats. My biggest question for Mack is: What the hell are you doing with James Farr? I see no plan or consistency with his use of Farr. In the longest game of the year, Farr started but only played 12 minutes, his second lowest time played of the year (1st: SF Austin - 11 minutes). In a game where Stainbrook ended up fouling out, I see no reason not to get Farr at least 20 minutes.

Aside from that, I think he's just being used the wrong way, simply because he can hit the occasional 3. He hasn't been hitting them this year (5 for 22, 22.7%). Now seems like a good time to give up on having him be a big man shooter. Get him off the arc, and in the paint. Especially since he's probably our best rebounder. Stainbrook has more total and per game, but per minute, Farr grabs .33 and Stainbrook .28.

I don't think he's particularly gifted on offense or defense in the paint, but he's not helping us standing 20 feet from the basket or on the bench. You can never have too many rebounds.

[drudy23]

I agree...the James Farr perimeter experiment should be over. Get in the paint, big boy, we've got plenty of other guys to shoot the rock.

[Xavier]

A special team to me is Sweet 16/Elite 8/Final 4 special.



So Coach Mack has had two special teams in 5 years? Yet you think we should expect one special team (sweet 16+) once every 10 years now?

[xu82]

i agree...the james farr perimeter experiment should be over. Get in the paint, big boy, we've got plenty of other guys to shoot the rock.

amen!

[IM4X]

I'm going to go away into a corner and try and figure out why a TV timeout is not as good as one you call yourself.
I'm thinking that if you use the TV timeout for the same thing you use your own time out, you probably are ahead of the game, because you saved your time out to use later if needed.
This could take some working out on my part.

As to the Auburn game, I found three things to be apparent at the end of the game.
We sorely missed Dee's ball handling ability; two Blueitt TO's were followed by layups.
We sorely missed Dee's normal, and team leading assists. I'm boggled he didn't have any.
Remy dribbling and launching a contested jumper at the end instead of passing to a wide open Blueitt was a missed opportunity.
(overall, lazy and intercepted passes were going on the whole game. That should be correctable.)

The last point you posted was most troubling to me which begs the question, "Why can't or weren't many of these things corrected during the game?"

Or better yet, why do certain players keep making lazy passes throughout a game?

Why can't coach get through to them to fix it during the game? Lazy passes should not be tolerated. This is on the coach to fix. Lazy inbounding passes and lethargic movement by players to get open should never happen. If it happens once, it can be blamed on a player. If it is happening multiple times by multiple players (which was the case in this game and many others), then the coach is either not able to get through to them or not able to show them exactly how to do it. Either way it's on Mack to fix...And to fix instantly - not to wait until next practice to do so. That's one of the things I found apparent.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I wasn't able to watch the game, but I'm just combing through the stats. My biggest question for Mack is: What the hell are you doing with James Farr? I see no plan or consistency with his use of Farr. In the longest game of the year, Farr started but only played 12 minutes, his second lowest time played of the year (1st: SF Austin - 11 minutes). In a game where Stainbrook ended up fouling out, I see no reason not to get Farr at least 20 minutes.

Aside from that, I think he's just being used the wrong way, simply because he can hit the occasional 3. He hasn't been hitting them this year (5 for 22, 22.7%). Now seems like a good time to give up on having him be a big man shooter. Get him off the arc, and in the paint. Especially since he's probably our best rebounder. Stainbrook has more total and per game, but per minute, Farr grabs .33 and Stainbrook .28.

I don't think he's particularly gifted on offense or defense in the paint, but he's not helping us standing 20 feet from the basket or on the bench. You can never have too many rebounds.

Yeah Farr shooting outside needs to end.

As far as his minutes, he was having a poor offensive night and Mack went small to deal with them on defense (not that it helped.) I think that was why Farr didnt play much in the second half/OT's.

[boozehound]

I guess when are all you guys expecting us to actually be "a special team" then?

Next year? No way. We lose Stainbrook and Dee. We aren't going to be a special team next year. Down low we are going to have Reynolds who is incredibly inconsistent and Farr who is just bad offensively. And then Omara, I guess. And we saw Sat night what happens with Dee. So in that position, we'll have Brandon and then 2 back ups playing for all intents and purposes, their first year of college basketball.

Im just missing where all this optimism for next year in this being a special team is coming from. If we can't do it with Stain and Dee good luck doing it with Omara and Larry Austin next year

This is great. Pure comedy gold. Writing off next year before conference play even starts this year. I guess we should all just pack it in for the next few years and give up our tickets.

Losing Davis could very easily be offset by Randolph developing. We will also have Sumner and Austin both with a year in the system. Losing Stainbrook could be offset by Reynolds or Farr continuing to develop and with O'Mara getting another year under his belt. Another year could do wonders for guys like Blueitt and Macura. We don't know.

What is the point of being so negative?


you think the 3rd player off our bench would have made a difference? Please explain... I do think that Reynolds and Macura are two of our toughest players, but still.

Even if your statement is true, it shouldn't have come to that. We really need to quit these excuses.

We ended up going to overtime, and Macura has been known to score bunches of points fast. It isn't much of a stretch to say he could have made a difference, particularly with Dee Davis fouling out early. How is that difficult to understand?

It doesn't matter because guys don't play sometimes and you have to find a way to win, which we didn't do.

[IM4X]

I wasn't able to watch the game, but I'm just combing through the stats. My biggest question for Mack is: What the hell are you doing with James Farr? I see no plan or consistency with his use of Farr. In the longest game of the year, Farr started but only played 12 minutes, his second lowest time played of the year (1st: SF Austin - 11 minutes). In a game where Stainbrook ended up fouling out, I see no reason not to get Farr at least 20 minutes.

Aside from that, I think he's just being used the wrong way, simply because he can hit the occasional 3. He hasn't been hitting them this year (5 for 22, 22.7%). Now seems like a good time to give up on having him be a big man shooter. Get him off the arc, and in the paint. Especially since he's probably our best rebounder. Stainbrook has more total and per game, but per minute, Farr grabs .33 and Stainbrook .28.

I don't think he's particularly gifted on offense or defense in the paint, but he's not helping us standing 20 feet from the basket or on the bench. You can never have too many rebounds.


Thank you NY44... We have better 3 point shooters now this year-there is no more need for him to take a low percentage shot from behind the arch that leaves one less big man down low to rebound...The best way Farr can make us proud is to try and be a stud rebounder like Tyrone Hill was (and work on putbacks during practice).

[bleedXblue]

Thank you NY44... We have better 3 point shooters now this year-there is no more need for him to take a low percentage shot from behind the arch that leaves one less big man down low to rebound...The best way Farr can make us proud is to try and be a stud rebounder like Tyrone Hill was (and work on putbacks during practice).


Exactly.

Why did our coaches not figure this one out about 5 games ago?

I have no issue with Farr chucking one up late in the shot clock.

He should always pass first unless he can dunk or lay one in uncontested.

Otherwise we have better shooters and better options........

[boozehound]

Exactly.

Why did our coaches not figure this one out about 5 games ago?

I have no issue with Farr chucking one up late in the shot clock.

He should always pass first unless he can dunk or lay one in uncontested.

Otherwise we have better shooters and better options........

Farr remains an enigma to me. He is playing much better than last year in a lot of ways, so he definitely gets credit for that. I'm a little disappointed that Jalen hasn't taken over his spot in the starting rotation though. Jalen is a lot more athletic than Farr, although Farr seems to have a higher Basketball IQ. Neither Farr nor Reynolds has shown much of an arsenal of post moves, which I think is part of the problem for both and limits them to dunks and put-backs, or in Farr's case jacking up 3's. I guess that is part of what takes Big Men a long time to develop - they often haven't really needed any post moves in high school when they are 6'10"+ and they have to develop them in College. Some never do. Hopefully Farr (and Reynolds) don't fall into the category.

[X-man]

I think the difference between this and years past is we used to be in the A-10. It wasn't unrealistic to think we'd only have 2-4 conference losses and rack up a bunch of wins (some quality, although obviously not as many opportunities for that as in BE).

But now, we are in the BE. We aren't gonna go through conference play with only 3-4 losses. With how this program has performed on the road over the last 2-3 years, 10-8 will be tough. And given our shitty OOC, there is no way that gets us in.

Uh, just looking at last year, in fact we were 10-8 in the BE. WTF are you talking about? And when are you putting up some money on UC in the Shootout?

[paulxu]

WTF are you talking about? And when are you putting up some money on UC in the Shootout?

http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x4444849/man_lying_in_bathtub_under_water_holding_his_breat h_019792BL.jpg

[TUclutch]

Normally I would think having Macura would help. I'm not so sure this game. Who would have sat so he could play? Certainly not Abell or Bluiett. Most likely not Davis. Myles can't play the point, so Randolph wasn't going to come out much after Dee fouled out. That leaves the 5. Can't take Reynolds or Stain out for Macura.

[Xavier]

Normally I would think having Macura would help. I'm not so sure this game. Who would have sat so he could play? Certainly not Abell or Bluiett. Most likely not Davis. Myles can't play the point, so Randolph wasn't going to come out much after Dee fouled out. That leaves the 5. Can't take Reynolds or Stain out for Macura.

Well, at some point he could have given the guys a few minutes here and there which would make them more rested for OT. Not sure how an extra rotation guy who has been good all year wouldn't help in a 2OT game.

[bigdiggins]

In Defense of Farr shooting 3s he can't make a layup either.

[XU2011]

This is great. Pure comedy gold. Writing off next year before conference play even starts this year. I guess we should all just pack it in for the next few years and give up our tickets.

Losing Davis could very easily be offset by Randolph developing. We will also have Sumner and Austin both with a year in the system. Losing Stainbrook could be offset by Reynolds or Farr continuing to develop and with O'Mara getting another year under his belt. Another year could do wonders for guys like Blueitt and Macura. We don't know.

.

I am not writing off next year's team- at all. I prefer to only talk about this year because who knows what can happen between now and then.

I was responding to a post (and really, several posts over the past couple weeks) about how this could really be a special team next year.

I just don't see how a team goes from (likely) the bubble, to being a "really special team" by replacing their starting point guard and center with significantly less experienced individuals. It could happen, who knows. But I guess I am just sick of all the talk (from Xavier fans and from coaches who beat us) about all the talent we have, what a special group etc., yet it isn't yielding results on the floor.

[XU2011]

Uh, just looking at last year, in fact we were 10-8 in the BE. WTF are you talking about? And when are you putting up some money on UC in the Shootout?

Thanks for making my point. We were 10-8 last year in a significantly less talented league. We won a total of 3 road games: DePaul, St. John's and Butler. And we got invited to the play-in game at Dayton.

If we go 10-8 this year and only 3 road wins, given our OOC this year, I don't think we make it in.

[xu82]

In Defense of Farr shooting 3s he can't make a layup either.

But at least with layups he can pad his rebounding stats! So there is an upside...

[X-man]

Thanks for making my point. We were 10-8 last year in a significantly less talented league. We won a total of 3 road games: DePaul, St. John's and Butler. And we got invited to the play-in game at Dayton.

If we go 10-8 this year and only 3 road wins, given our OOC this year, I don't think we make it in.

Let me remind you what you said. You referenced our performance over the last 2-3 years as evidence that 10-8 will be tough. In fact, 10-8 was our record last season, our only BE season so far. In other words, your statement is contradicted by the facts. Thanks for making my point.

[XU2011]

What?

Maybe I'll say it one more time and you'll understand. Given this program's significant difficult winning road games in the last 2 years and that trend continuing into this season, I would imagine 10-8 will be pretty difficult to achieve in BE play.

Unfortunately, we are going to need to even BETTER than that this year given our crappy OOC play. I don't see any indication that will be the case in an even more talented BE this year

[Xavier]

I think the Big East got some well timed lucky wins this season. I don't think it's all that much better and think X will finish top 4.

[paulxu]

Good God. This thread is 11 pages long.

[GoMuskies]

Good God. This thread is 11 pages long.

43 for me. I'm glad I was driving Saturday night and didn't have to watch the game that caused this abortion of a thread.

[Xville]

I think the Big East got some well timed lucky wins this season. I don't think it's all that much better and think X will finish top 4.

I think every team except creighton and providence are better than they were last year.

[xu82]

I think every team except creighton and providence are better than they were last year.

So.... does that include X? Now we have to compute how much better. I could guess, but we'll have to play it out.

[X-man]

What?

Maybe I'll say it one more time and you'll understand. Given this program's significant difficult winning road games in the last 2 years and that trend continuing into this season, I would imagine 10-8 will be pretty difficult to achieve in BE play.

Unfortunately, we are going to need to even BETTER than that this year given our crappy OOC play. I don't see any indication that will be the case in an even more talented BE this year

And given that we were, in fact, 10-8 last season in the BE even "Given this program's significant difficult (sic) winning road games in the last two years and that trend continuing into this season", suggests that we can go 10-8 again this season (since you put such a premium on "trends"). I expect the team to do better than that in the league this year even though the league is arguably better because we are significantly improved over last season's team. And I am still waiting for you to put up some scratch on UC in the Shootout since you are so convinced that UC will win that game.

[X-band '01]

I'm now at the point where the pouting has become comedy gold.

[xeus]

43 for me. I'm glad I was driving Saturday night and didn't have to watch the game that caused this abortion of a thread.

You can change your settings so you get more posts per page.

[XUFan09]

I'm now at the point where the pouting has become comedy gold.

It's a great point at which to be!

[Masterofreality]

Good God. This thread is 11 pages long.

Don't you realize, Paul that a loss is Message Board Gold?

Muskie makes millions on every loss with all of the eyeballs the site gets...not that he's hoping for Armageddon or anything. :biggrin:

[Muskie]

Don't you realize, Paul that a loss is Message Board Gold?

Muskie makes millions on every loss with all of the eyeballs the site gets...not that he's hoping for Armageddon or anything. :biggrin:

If only that were the truth.

[gladdenguy]

So.... does that include X? Now we have to compute how much better. I could guess, but we'll have to play it out.

Marquette, Providence, and Creighton are not better than last year.
Villanova is right where they were last year (top 15) and Depaul is terrible again.
Butler, St. Johns, and Seton Hall are better than they were last year.

Georgetown and Xavier are both average basketball teams (bubble teams) just like last year.
At this point last year Xavier had one good win and some questionable losses. This year there are no good wins and some questionable losses.
I guess it depends how bad the bubble is and how bad the conference losses are.

[xu82]

I pointed out to a number of Auburn fans that their code of conduct as I read it online required them to be "polite and courteous at all times" with me. It amused them enough that I could have had free beer all night, if only they sold beer! Good thing, I had to drive home. Auburn rocks even without the students. It's sort of the opposite of LA, little else to do.