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Xavier_Musketeers
12-21-2014, 10:30 PM
I know it's early, but I am nervous right now. We should have beaten LBSU and Auburn, those are two bad losses. The schedule is only going to get harder: Nova twice, St. John's twice (They are pretty good this year), at Georgetown, at Creighton, and I don't know about the Crosstown Shootout, I mean UC isn't very good this year, but that's going to be a big crowd and might be tough for us.

waggy
12-21-2014, 10:38 PM
hahahaha


Thanks for the laugh. Seriously.

drudy23
12-21-2014, 11:27 PM
Don't know why people think we're so comfortable at this point. Lot of season left, but not a lot of good wins, and a couple bad losses.

toledodan
12-21-2014, 11:44 PM
xavier making the tournament had nothing to do with the non con. it's going to be decided during big east play. the team will continue to get better. three loses by a total of 8 points i think. there will be plenty of chances for quality wins as the season continues. too soon to panic.

boozehound
12-22-2014, 12:12 AM
Don't know why people think we're so comfortable at this point. Lot of season left, but not a lot of good wins, and a couple bad losses.

Who is saying we are comfortable right now?

XUOWNSUC
12-22-2014, 12:17 AM
No way we make the tourney playing defense as poorly as we have...

drudy23
12-22-2014, 12:18 AM
The second poster who said "thanks for the laugh"....it's a legit question at this point.

XUMIOH12
12-22-2014, 12:21 AM
There are still at least 21 games left to play.....

drudy23
12-22-2014, 12:24 AM
And we have zero quality wins, and multiple bad losses. These games matter.

10-8 in the league isn't going to get it done.

XUMIOH12
12-22-2014, 12:43 AM
I think we need 12 conference wins. Then still have games against FGCU, Cincinnati, BE tourney first round, and have to win at least 2 of those 3 games.

waggy
12-22-2014, 12:45 AM
Technically speaking we might not have any "bad losses" yet. And the team appears easily talented enough to make the tourney.

So I have no fear that the team won't make the tourney. That doesn't mean they are playing nearly as well as they could.

gladdenguy
12-22-2014, 12:57 AM
No. I don't think this team makes the tournament. Can't win on the road for the last 2 years and counting. They play terrible defense this year. They lack toughness. They have a coach that continues to not get it done. There is a lot to overcome. And this year the Big East is much better than last year. If this Xavier team wins 11 games in conference it's a miracle.

10-8 is not going to be good enough. They should beat FGCU but won't beat sUCks at sUCks. 11 would probably be enough but picking 11 games they would win is very difficult.

Depaul (H)
Providence (H)
Creighton (H)
Marquette (H)

Those should all be wins. I could see them losing every other game. Of course they could win 7 or more games other than those 4 but it might not be many more. Unless there are major changes I would say somewhere around 6-12 or 7-11 seems about right.

XUFan09
12-22-2014, 01:09 AM
Auburn is the only team that projects to be a bad loss at this moment, per RPI Forecast, so anyone stating "multiple bad losses" as a fact is just wrong. Now, if you wanted to say that Xavier could end up having as many as three bad losses in the first 11 games, that would be true as a possibility, but to be balanced you would also have to mention that they could end up with no bad losses.

Edit: I forgot to give the caveat that I don't disagree with a person being concerned about this team. I just think we should properly use the data we're given. That data includes a #29 ranking in Kenpom, a #30 ranking in Sagarin, and most likely only one bad loss. It also includes a defense not ranked in the top 100 of Kenpom's adjusted efficiency and Stephen F. Austin as the only win with a decent likelihood of being in the top 50 of RPI.

bleedXblue
12-22-2014, 07:53 AM
I don't see it.

1. Defense has a long way to go
2. Lack of a go to guard at crunch time
3. Toughness seems to be an issue

casualfan
12-22-2014, 08:37 AM
Don't know why people think we're so comfortable at this point. Lot of season left, but not a lot of good wins, and a couple bad losses.

The same reason people thought we were comfortable last year until we got put in one of the play-in games. They're not looking at the facts.

casualfan
12-22-2014, 08:42 AM
Auburn is the only team that projects to be a bad loss at this moment, per RPI Forecast, so anyone stating "multiple bad losses" as a fact is just wrong. Now, if you wanted to say that Xavier could end up having as many as three bad losses in the first 11 games, that would be true as a possibility, but to be balanced you would also have to mention that they could end up with no bad losses.

Edit: I forgot to give the caveat that I don't disagree with a person being concerned about this team. I just think we should properly use the data we're given. That data includes a #29 ranking in Kenpom, a #30 ranking in Sagarin, and most likely only one bad loss. It also includes a defense not ranked in the top 100 of Kenpom's adjusted efficiency and Stephen F. Austin as the only win with a decent likelihood of being in the top 50 of RPI.

That's fine and all, but the schedule doesn't include any particularly good wins either to this point.

That's why this schedule is a travesty. There is absolutely no room for error. You are exactly right, none of our losses (even Auburn) are viewed as bad losses in a vacuum. The problem is that we're not exactly countering them with any really good wins. Right now, Long Beach at home is projected to be our best OOC win and we turned around and lost to them on a neutral court. You don't give a team much credit for beating someone at home when that same team then beats them on a neutral floor.

After that, it's Alabama.

We're likely to not have an OOC win over a tourney team.

Now, there are opportunities for big wins in conference, but we're going to have to get some big ones on the road. This can't be a 9-9 or 10-8 conference team where we split road/home games with most everyone and lose both games to 'Nova and beat Depaul twice.

That just ain't going to get it done IMHO.

I was screaming saying we were in danger last year and everyone kept preaching patience. "We'll be fine. Have you seen where we rank in Kenpom? We'll be safely in".

Well I'll be damned if it didn't take one of the weakest bubbles in recent memory to let us sneak in the back door.

I think over the past 10-15 years of success we've had and just assuming we'd be in the tournament that to a certain degree people have forgot it isn't a birth right to make it. You have to actually beat some good teams along the way and prove you belong.

boozehound
12-22-2014, 08:43 AM
Tough to say with this team. I think they are definitely better than last year's team, which (sort of) made the tournament. The offense is very good. The defense is pretty bad, but I think that has the potential to get better. I don't see anything major wrong with this team that isn't correctable. I'm not even really disappointed at this point. I expected a slow start with all the new faces. People keep saying 'we aren't young', but I don't necessarily agree. We may not technically be 'young' but we are inexperienced. Davis and Stainbrook are the only 2 players on the team that have played a significant role in previous Xavier teams. I also think that BleedXBlue has a good point about the lack of a 'go to' guard. Abell showed that he may become that guy, but no one has emerged yet. I think we will get better, I just hope it happens fast enough to make the dance. Mack has had some good defensive teams, so I don't think coaching is necessarily the issue.

casualfan
12-22-2014, 08:52 AM
Tough to say with this team. I think they are definitely better than last year's team, which (sort of) made the tournament. The offense is very good. The defense is pretty bad, but I think that has the potential to get better. I don't see anything major wrong with this team that isn't correctable. I'm not even really disappointed at this point. I expected a slow start with all the new faces. People keep saying 'we aren't young', but I don't necessarily agree. We may not technically be 'young' but we are inexperienced. Davis and Stainbrook are the only 2 players on the team that have played a significant role in previous Xavier teams. I also think that BleedXBlue has a good point about the lack of a 'go to' guard. Abell showed that he may become that guy, but no one has emerged yet. I think we will get better, I just hope it happens fast enough to make the dance. Mack has had some good defensive teams, so I don't think coaching is necessarily the issue.

We start a 5th year senior, a senior, a 4th year junior, a junior, and a freshman.

That is not inexperience IMHO.

bleedXblue
12-22-2014, 09:00 AM
We start a 5th year senior, a senior, a 4th year junior, a junior, and a freshman.

That is not inexperience IMHO.

The youth more comes off the bench....and even there our first two guys are 3rd year sophomores who played a pretty good amount last year. We're 11 games in ...not counting the time in Brazil.

Milhouse
12-22-2014, 09:09 AM
The youth more comes off the bench....and even there our first two guys are 3rd year sophomores who played a pretty good amount last year. We're 11 games in ...not counting the time in Brazil.

the 3rd year sophomore/redshirt sophomore comment is misleading though.

Jalen and Myles didn't get to practice with the team their freshmen year. They didnt play any sort of organized bball at all as freshmen. This hurt their development a lot. I think clearly you can see that now as both are finally comfortable in X's system this year

casualfan
12-22-2014, 09:13 AM
the 3rd year sophomore/redshirt sophomore comment is misleading though.

Jalen and Myles didn't get to practice with the team their freshmen year. They didnt play any sort of organized bball at all as freshmen. This hurt their development a lot. I think clearly you can see that now as both are finally comfortable in X's system this year

Regardless, the point remains: we are not young/inexperienced/whatever you want to call it.

In our top 7 players there is one guy who is new to the system this year. And he was a top 50 recruit. There are a lot of teams who would kill for that "inexperience"

casualfan
12-22-2014, 09:16 AM
That's fine and all, but the schedule doesn't include any particularly good wins either to this point.

That's why this schedule is a travesty. There is absolutely no room for error. You are exactly right, none of our losses (even Auburn) are viewed as bad losses in a vacuum. The problem is that we're not exactly countering them with any really good wins. Right now, Long Beach at home is projected to be our best OOC win and we turned around and lost to them on a neutral court. You don't give a team much credit for beating someone at home when that same team then beats them on a neutral floor.

After that, it's Alabama.

We're likely to not have an OOC win over a tourney team.

Now, there are opportunities for big wins in conference, but we're going to have to get some big ones on the road. This can't be a 9-9 or 10-8 conference team where we split road/home games with most everyone and lose both games to 'Nova and beat Depaul twice.

That just ain't going to get it done IMHO.

I was screaming saying we were in danger last year and everyone kept preaching patience. "We'll be fine. Have you seen where we rank in Kenpom? We'll be safely in".

Well I'll be damned if it didn't take one of the weakest bubbles in recent memory to let us sneak in the back door.

I think over the past 10-15 years of success we've had and just assuming we'd be in the tournament that to a certain degree people have forgot it isn't a birth right to make it. You have to actually beat some good teams along the way and prove you belong.

One last point to follow this up. As soon as I got done writing this I read this on one of my favorite blogs about Oklahoma State:

Oklahoma State is loved by the computers (even after this loss they're 23rd in Pomeroy and 34th in the Sagarin PREDICTOR), but it's come against a cupcake schedule and they have yet to beat a likely RPI Top 50 opponent. As always, take computer ratings generated primarily from games against cupcakes with a big grain of salt. (http://basketballpredictions.blogspot.com/)

I think that paragraph applies to us pretty accurately right now.

boozehound
12-22-2014, 09:26 AM
Regardless, the point remains: we are not young/inexperienced/whatever you want to call it.

In our top 7 players there is one guy who is new to the system this year. And he was a top 50 recruit. There are a lot of teams who would kill for that "inexperience"

We also have one guard with experience playing a key role on a Xavier team - and that guard is Dee Davis. Beyond Davis you start to get into a couple of true Freshmen (Blueitt and Macura), a sophmore who really didn't contribute much last year (Myles Davis), and a transfer who was a role player at IU (Abell). If Dee Davis was a stud player and leader like Tu Holloway it probably would mask a lot of that, but he isn't, so it is an issue. As the guards get more comfortable in their new roles I expect the team to get much better.

XUOHTX
12-22-2014, 09:28 AM
This non-con was not set up to do us any favors either way. It's all about the conference. We must take care of business.

XURunner85
12-22-2014, 09:37 AM
OMG, the sky is falling!! The sky is falling!!!. After 11 games we are 8 and 3 and should be 9 and 3 after next Sunday's game. Not beat uc?? Gladdenguy, you really need counseling by a professional. Have you seen uc play? Yes we should have won Saturday. And we never should have let UTEP nor LBS beat us in the Wooden. Yes the Big East is better this year, and I do expect us to win 10, 11 or 12 games. I do expect BlledXBlue and Gladdenguy to not show up to any more homes games, because why go if you know we aren't going to be any good and get in the NCAA tourney. Heck why even play any more games, lets just call season over. Banquet to be next week. OMG, the sky is falling!!! the sky is falling!!! Lets wait until mid February before we say we are or are not going to make the tourney. I stand behind my team and believe in them. OMG, 11games in and already saying we won't make the tourney. Geez. You both owe me beers for ticking me off on a Monday morning.

casualfan
12-22-2014, 09:47 AM
We also have one guard with experience playing a key role on a Xavier team - and that guard is Dee Davis. Beyond Davis you start to get into a couple of true Freshmen (Blueitt and Macura), a sophmore who really didn't contribute much last year (Myles Davis), and a transfer who was a role player at IU (Abell). If Dee Davis was a stud player and leader like Tu Holloway it probably would mask a lot of that, but he isn't, so it is an issue. As the guards get more comfortable in their new roles I expect the team to get much better.

So because Mack took a transfer instead of developing a high school kid that's somehow an excuse? Gimme a break.

Abell is in his 4th year of college basketball and had a full year to get acquainted with "the Xavier way". He's also been one of our better players.

Within the guards we have a senior, a 4th year junior, and two sophomores.

People can complain about having an inexperienced team all they want, but it just isn't true.

The elephant in the room is that this team just isn't good defensively and I don't think they have the personnel to get much better.

When three of your better players (Bluiett, Myles, and Stain) are god awful defensively it's just very tough.

Xavier
12-22-2014, 09:52 AM
Well I'll be damned if it didn't take one of the weakest bubbles in recent memory to let us sneak in the back door.



Every year for the past 5 years people have been saying things like "the bubble is extremely weak" "weakest bubble in recent memory". Fact is- the bubble is always weak. I don't buy your argument that we got in because it was the weakest bubble in recent memory.

As for this years team...uphill battle for sure. Winning on the road has been a key factor to making the tournament/seeding. 10-8 in conference won't get it done. Thats the problem with such a mediocre OOC.

bleedXblue
12-22-2014, 09:52 AM
OMG, the sky is falling!! The sky is falling!!!. After 11 games we are 8 and 3 and should be 9 and 3 after next Sunday's game. Not beat uc?? Gladdenguy, you really need counseling by a professional. Have you seen uc play? Yes we should have won Saturday. And we never should have let UTEP nor LBS beat us in the Wooden. Yes the Big East is better this year, and I do expect us to win 10, 11 or 12 games. I do expect BlledXBlue and Gladdenguy to not show up to any more homes games, because why go if you know we aren't going to be any good and get in the NCAA tourney. Heck why even play any more games, lets just call season over. Banquet to be next week. OMG, the sky is falling!!! the sky is falling!!! Lets wait until mid February before we say we are or are not going to make the tourney. I stand behind my team and believe in them. OMG, 11games in and already saying we won't make the tourney. Geez. You both owe me beers for ticking me off on a Monday morning.

I didn't say the sky is falling.

If things were that bad, I'd be predicting a 15 win season.

And now since you lumped me in with the always pessimistic GladdenGuy, you owe me a beer.

XfansinKy
12-22-2014, 09:53 AM
I just thought with our returning guys mixing in with an absolutely loaded group coming in, we wouldn't be having this type of a thread again for a long time. Gotta rattle off some kind of winning streak no matter who the opponent is our where at.

Xavier
12-22-2014, 09:54 AM
Abell is in his 4th year of college basketball and had a full year to get acquainted with "the Xavier way". He's also been one of our better players.

.

I remember people thought the same thing about Crawford. It takes some adjusting after sitting out a year.

casualfan
12-22-2014, 10:00 AM
Every year for the past 5 years people have been saying things like "the bubble is extremely weak" "weakest bubble in recent memory". Fact is- the bubble is always weak. I don't buy your argument that we got in because it was the weakest bubble in recent memory.

As for this years team...uphill battle for sure. Winning on the road has been a key factor to making the tournament/seeding. 10-8 in conference won't get it done. Thats the problem with such a mediocre OOC.

They keep saying it because it is true. More and more team's are booking their OOC like we are and as a result the bubble keeps weakening.

Regardless of whether the bubble was weak or not, there is no denying we were one of the last four teams in so we narrowly made it.

XU2011
12-22-2014, 10:01 AM
xavier making the tournament had nothing to do with the non con. it's going to be decided during big east play. the team will continue to get better. three loses by a total of 8 points i think. there will be plenty of chances for quality wins as the season continues. too soon to panic.

Nothing to do with the non con? 2 bad losses and no really good wins.

That leaves incredibly little room for error. Not sure what would make anyone believe this has the mental toughness to win anywhere in the BE on the road

XU2011
12-22-2014, 10:06 AM
Technically speaking we might not have any "bad losses" yet. And the team appears easily talented enough to make the tourney.

So I have no fear that the team won't make the tourney. That doesn't mean they are playing nearly as well as they could.

You have no fear a team that has zero quality wins and 2 bad losses won't make the tournament? I wish I lived in your fantasy land

This board becomes more like UDpride by the day. Making excuse after excuse, low expectations, living in the past, thinking the program/team is a whole lot better/more accomplished than it is

ammtd34
12-22-2014, 10:14 AM
This board becomes more like UDpride by the day.

What is inherently different between this board and UD Pride?

XU2011
12-22-2014, 10:17 AM
Not sure. The types of posts are getting more similar with every passing week

paulxu
12-22-2014, 10:29 AM
Thank God for Mizzu.

Else I'd have to endure another "will this team win a road game" thread like last year.

waggy
12-22-2014, 10:36 AM
You have no fear a team that has zero quality wins and 2 bad losses won't make the tournament? I wish I lived in your fantasy land

This board becomes more like UDpride by the day. Making excuse after excuse, low expectations, living in the past, thinking the program/team is a whole lot better/more accomplished than it is

There's a thread somewhere around titled neg repping forum jackholes back to the stoneage is cathartic. Your ass is on the list...

THRILLHOUSE
12-22-2014, 10:38 AM
I think X will make it. Not comfortably so, might even be in Dayton again, but in the end I think they will get in. Of course not much room for error, can't afford a bad road loss like Depaul or Marquette.

RealDeal
12-22-2014, 10:49 AM
People are still bitching about barely getting in last year? Hilarious.

Moronic, but hilarious.

XU2011
12-22-2014, 10:53 AM
I've slowly come to the realization over the last year, I just need to re-adjust my expectations for a Chris Mack led Xavier program.

Making the tournament more often than not. Winning a game every 5 years. Maybe going on a second weekend run every 10 years.

We should expect very highly rated recruiting classes but then usually find ourselves on the bubble. Have coaches talk about how good we are, how much talent we have, how we SHOULD BE ranked and competing for BE championships, after they beat us (see Floyd and Pearl).

I think it's sad, but I will survive.

Anyway, on a sidenote, I've read like 5 or 6 different posts this morning on here mentioninghow bad UC is. And how we should beat them. Right now, we are gonna get our ass kicked. UC has a great win over San Deigo St. And their only losses are to Ole Miss (neutral), AT Nebraska by 1 point in 2OT and at home to VCU without their coach. Plus they and UConn are gonna run through the AAC. If I had to bet my bottom dollar on who would make the tournament this year, given what has transpired so far and looking at the schedule, you'd be a fool not to say UC

ammtd34
12-22-2014, 10:56 AM
I've slowly come to the realization over the last year, I just need to re-adjust my expectations for a Chris Mack led Xavier program.

Making the tournament more often than not. Winning a game every 5 years. Maybe going on a second weekend run every 10 years.

We should expect very highly rated recruiting classes but then usually find ourselves on the bubble. Have coaches talk about how good we are, how much talent we have, how we SHOULD BE ranked and competing for BE championships, after they beat us (see Floyd and Pearl).

I think it's sad, but I will survive.

Anyway, on a sidenote, I've read like 5 or 6 different posts this morning on here mentioninghow bad UC is. And how we should beat them. Right now, we are gonna get our ass kicked. UC has a great win over San Deigo St. And their only losses are to Ole Miss (neutral), AT Nebraska by 1 point in 2OT and at home to VCU without their coach. Plus they and UConn are gonna run through the AAC. If I had to bet my bottom dollar on who would make the tournament this year, given what has transpired so far and looking at the schedule, you'd be a fool not to say UC

They've also scored 70 points in regulation one time this year.

D-West & PO-Z
12-22-2014, 10:59 AM
I've slowly come to the realization over the last year, I just need to re-adjust my expectations for a Chris Mack led Xavier program.

Making the tournament more often than not. Winning a game every 5 years. Maybe going on a second weekend run every 10 years.

We should expect very highly rated recruiting classes but then usually find ourselves on the bubble. Have coaches talk about how good we are, how much talent we have, how we SHOULD BE ranked and competing for BE championships, after they beat us (see Floyd and Pearl).

I think it's sad, but I will survive.



This is just sooooooo dramatic.

XU2011
12-22-2014, 11:01 AM
They've also scored 70 points in regulation one time this year.

And we've held our opponents to under 70 in less than half our games this year

X-man
12-22-2014, 11:05 AM
I've slowly come to the realization over the last year, I just need to re-adjust my expectations for a Chris Mack led Xavier program.

Making the tournament more often than not. Winning a game every 5 years. Maybe going on a second weekend run every 10 years.

We should expect very highly rated recruiting classes but then usually find ourselves on the bubble. Have coaches talk about how good we are, how much talent we have, how we SHOULD BE ranked and competing for BE championships, after they beat us (see Floyd and Pearl).

I think it's sad, but I will survive.

Anyway, on a sidenote, I've read like 5 or 6 different posts this morning on here mentioninghow bad UC is. And how we should beat them. Right now, we are gonna get our ass kicked. UC has a great win over San Deigo St. And their only losses are to Ole Miss (neutral), AT Nebraska by 1 point in 2OT and at home to VCU without their coach. Plus they and UConn are gonna run through the AAC. If I had to bet my bottom dollar on who would make the tournament this year, given what has transpired so far and looking at the schedule, you'd be a fool not to say UC

Put some money up or STF up!

waggy
12-22-2014, 11:14 AM
How big of loser do you have to be spend time on a team board pretending to be a concerned fan? Grab a mirror and contemplate it douche!

xubrew
12-22-2014, 11:17 AM
I know it's early, but I am nervous right now. We should have beaten LBSU and Auburn, those are two bad losses. The schedule is only going to get harder: Nova twice, St. John's twice (They are pretty good this year), at Georgetown, at Creighton, and I don't know about the Crosstown Shootout, I mean UC isn't very good this year, but that's going to be a big crowd and might be tough for us.

Yes, we will make the Big East Tournament. All the teams do.

paulxu
12-22-2014, 11:17 AM
It's too early to know if we'll make the tournament or not.
We are #6 in the country in FG % and assists. #14 in points scored.
Obviously, and no one denies this, we have work to do on defense.
Let's wait just a little.

IVANHOE
12-22-2014, 11:20 AM
I've slowly come to the realization over the last year, I just need to re-adjust my expectations for a Chris Mack led Xavier program.

Making the tournament more often than not. Winning a game every 5 years. Maybe going on a second weekend run every 10 years.

We should expect very highly rated recruiting classes but then usually find ourselves on the bubble. Have coaches talk about how good we are, how much talent we have, how we SHOULD BE ranked and competing for BE championships, after they beat us (see Floyd and Pearl).




I have no issue with this based on recent history of program.

IVANHOE
12-22-2014, 11:22 AM
How big of loser do you have to be spend time on a team board pretending to be a concerned fan? Grab a mirror and contemplate it douche!

Seems concerned to me. his post is factual. Instead of name calling, start a conversation and negate what he said.

Smails
12-22-2014, 11:27 AM
This is just sooooooo dramatic.

This...it's not oftern that you can actually hear someone whining through a keyboard.

XU2011- now that you've lowered your expectations can we expect you bitch less about Mack? That would be a christmas treat for all to enjoy!

waggy
12-22-2014, 11:27 AM
Seems concerned to me. his post is factual. Instead of name calling, start a conversation and negate what he said.


Defending trolls now? Not surprised.

Kahns Krazy
12-22-2014, 11:28 AM
Don't know why people think we're so comfortable at this point. Lot of season left, but not a lot of good wins, and a couple bad losses.

I don't think it's a matter of being comfortable, I think it's just premature. If we win out, we are a 1 seed, if we lose out, we have our worst season in history. Way too much basketball to be played to talk about the tournament yet.

paulxu
12-22-2014, 11:36 AM
I've slowly come to the realization over the last year, I just need to re-adjust my expectations for a Chris Mack led Xavier program.

Making the tournament more often than not. Winning a game every 5 years. Maybe going on a second weekend run every 10 years.


Just curious. What team do you really follow?
Chris Mack led teams:

NCAA more often than not? Well, 4 out of 5 years is in fact more often than not, I'll give you that.

Winning a game every 5 years? He's 4-4 in his only 5 years as a head coach.

Second weekend every 10 years? 2 out of 5 years is probably a little more than every 10 years.

I'm beginning to think Waggy may be right (and we generally don't agree on much).

Smails
12-22-2014, 11:36 AM
Seems concerned to me. his post is factual. Instead of name calling, start a conversation and negate what he said.

How is it factual when he says Mack coached teams will only make a weekend run every 10 years? Has Mack been the head coach that long? He's a whining one-trick pony. I know I'm name calling but I couldn't give less of a shit.

Kahns Krazy
12-22-2014, 11:42 AM
You have no fear a team that has zero quality wins and 2 bad losses won't make the tournament? I wish I lived in your fantasy land

This board becomes more like UDpride by the day. Making excuse after excuse, low expectations, living in the past, thinking the program/team is a whole lot better/more accomplished than it is

This is so absurd. Of course a team with zero quality wins does not make the tournament. Fortunately, the tournament doesn't start for 2 1/2 months.

Comparing our program to UD's is even more absurd.

Certainly dropping a winnable game on Saturday raises some concerns, but where you're taking this discussion is just silly.

drudy23
12-22-2014, 12:13 PM
Here's the truth:

We have plenty of opportunity to make the tournament still. However, based on current performance on the road, there's no reason to believe we're going to all of a sudden become a killer on the road. That means we're looking to be in the 9-9 / 10-8 / 11-7 range. Based on what we've done (and haven't done) to this point, 9-9 and 10-8 likely won't get it done. 11-7 might, 12-6 should. It's certainly a fair opinion to be unsure of getting there based on what they've shown us so far.

Yes, this team is far better than last year; however, the Big East is also better, and all road games are going to be a grind. They need to find some road toughness and find it fast...if not, we'll all be sweating on March 15th.

XU2011
12-22-2014, 12:13 PM
Again, I'll say I am more concerned with what Mack has done the last 3 years:

2013: no post season
2014: loss in play in game
2015: NIT (very, very little room for error left for NCAA)

than him coaching Crawford and Holloway to a Sweet 16 5 years ago, or beating a Lehigh team to go to S16 3 years ago.

Not saying he doesn't get credit for that- he certainly does- just observing the momentum of this programs results on the floor over the last 3 years. It isn't positive momentum to say the least

RealDeal
12-22-2014, 12:24 PM
Again, I'll say I am more concerned with what Mack has done the last 3 years:

2013: no post season
2014: loss in play in game
2015: NIT (very, very little room for error left for NCAA)




That's the last 2 years. Not saying you're an idiot, but honestly I'm not saying you're not an idiot either.

Kahns Krazy
12-22-2014, 12:30 PM
Did we accept an NIT bid that I am not aware of? Seems a little early to write the season off.

boozehound
12-22-2014, 12:36 PM
This is just sooooooo dramatic.

No kidding. Conference play hasn't even started yet and we are already going to suck for the next decade. He is probably listening to the Cure right now in a darkened room.

boozehound
12-22-2014, 12:39 PM
So because Mack took a transfer instead of developing a high school kid that's somehow an excuse? Gimme a break.

Abell is in his 4th year of college basketball and had a full year to get acquainted with "the Xavier way". He's also been one of our better players.

Within the guards we have a senior, a 4th year junior, and two sophomores.

People can complain about having an inexperienced team all they want, but it just isn't true.

The elephant in the room is that this team just isn't good defensively and I don't think they have the personnel to get much better.

When three of your better players (Bluiett, Myles, and Stain) are god awful defensively it's just very tough.

I guess it's a good thing that they are all really good offensively. Ultimately you win games by scoring more than the opponent. We don't need to be a Top 20 defensive team if we are a top 20 scoring team. Defense does need to get better, but I'm not writing anybody off. What is the point of following the team if you are going to write off the entire season at the first sign of adversity?

I seem to remember a team about 10 years ago that started out pretty rough and ended up doing something pretty special.

X-Fan
12-22-2014, 12:41 PM
If you are asking me to guess if I think we'll make the tournament, then yes. I feel this way because I believe the team will improve on defense. There have been a number of possessions where the guys play good D for 95% of the shot clock and then give up a basket. Once they start to fill in the last 5%, and the offense continues to improve, watch out.

Am I happy with the meltdowns in their three losses? Of course not. Do I think it's fixable? Yes.

For some to discount the youth on this team, you are simply not paying attention to what Coach Mack is trying to do. We start a Freshman and a Transfer. Our first few guys off the bench are either Sophomores (who didn't play much last year), and Freshmen. There are growing pains on D, and that is what X is dealing with right now.

Also, I think Coach Mack is going to reel in his rotations very soon. There are some lineups that just do not work well together. I'm sure Coach sees that, and was only forcing it to prepare for Big East play.

I'd be more worried if we didn't have offensive options. The D isn't good, but that is something that can be improved.

boozehound
12-22-2014, 12:53 PM
It just occurred to me that there are like 5 people throwing full-on temper tantrums in this thread to the point of hilarity. I wish I could have a camera crew follow these people around for a week so we can see how they deal with disappointment in other areas of their lives. I'll bet we would see some pretty spectacular over-reacting. Probably a few hissy fits as well.

Smails
12-22-2014, 12:57 PM
Again, I'll say I am more concerned with what Mack has done the last 3 years:

2013: no post season
2014: loss in play in game
2015: NIT (very, very little room for error left for NCAA)

than him coaching Crawford and Holloway to a Sweet 16 5 years ago, or beating a Lehigh team to go to S16 3 years ago.



So NOW it's not only about how far you make it but who you beat...does the fact that we beat Lehigh somehow lessen the accomplishemnt?

ALSO- This has been covered: 2014 we lost in the first round. There is no such thing as a play in game and there hasn't been for a couple years. Don't let the facts get in the way of your whining.

xdude
12-22-2014, 01:13 PM
It just occurred to me that there are like 5 people throwing full-on temper tantrums in this thread to the point of hilarity. I wish I could have a camera crew follow these people around for a week so we can see how they deal with disappointment in other areas of their lives. I'll bet we would see some pretty spectacular over-reacting. Probably a few hissy fits as well.

It's the most remarkable thing about human existence. Yes, we live in a world full of facts, and yes, we see what we want to see...

Very Tao

ammtd34
12-22-2014, 01:14 PM
So NOW it's not only about how far you make it but who you beat...does the fact that we beat Lehigh somehow lessen the accomplishemnt?
.

I've never understood that either. It's not like Lehigh got a bye to play Xavier and we lucked out. They beat Duke. Fair and square.

boozehound
12-22-2014, 01:40 PM
I've never understood that either. It's not like Lehigh got a bye to play Xavier and we lucked out. They beat Duke. Fair and square.

Could you imagine how some of the people on this board would have handled that if they had been Duke fans? I don't want to be anywhere near this place if we ever fall victim to a 2/15 upset!

xukeith
12-22-2014, 01:47 PM
BE record? Better hope 12-13 wins in conferenceor no NCAA.

ArizonaXUGrad
12-22-2014, 02:01 PM
I think 11-7 with wins in our remaining non-conference puts us leaning in but on the bubble. I think 12-6 with a win or two in the BE tourney puts us in.

markchal
12-22-2014, 02:15 PM
I don't know why some people laugh off the question or the disappointment of the last few years. I'm also a little worried about next years front court, given the inconsistent play from those not named Stainbrook.

But, it's tough to join the sky is falling crowd too, because of the talented young players we have. Also, you only get 30 or so X games a year, you might as well try to enjoy them. It's a fun team to watch when they are playing well.

drudy23
12-22-2014, 02:18 PM
This team has talent...a very wise poster back when we started out looking awesome said "we'll know more about this team when we hit some adversity, which we will" (or something like that). Well, I guess we'll see about that. We have the ability to win the conference...we also have the ability to go 9-9. This is exactly where coaching and player attitudes matter. We shall see.

bleedXblue
12-22-2014, 02:32 PM
I don't know why some people laugh off the question or the disappointment of the last few years. I'm also a little worried about next years front court, given the inconsistent play from those not named Stainbrook.

But, it's tough to join the sky is falling crowd too, because of the talented young players we have. Also, you only get 30 or so X games a year, you might as well try to enjoy them. It's a fun team to watch when they are playing well.

Agreed!

I sure hope we're saving a scholly for a 5th year transfer or stud JUCO who can give us some experience and presence down low. Lord knows we have enough talent at the 1-2.

Wouldn't mind a really physical 3 if we cant find a 4 or 5. A Justin Cage type player.

drudy23
12-22-2014, 02:36 PM
Torraye Braggs would make this team a legit Final Four threat. Is he available?

muskienick
12-22-2014, 02:50 PM
Not sure. The types of posts are getting more similar with every passing week

We have become Musketeer Madness 2.0.

XU2011
12-22-2014, 05:02 PM
Agreed!

I sure hope we're saving a scholly for a 5th year transfer or stud JUCO who can give us some experience and presence down low. Lord knows we have enough talent at the 1-2.

Wouldn't mind a really physical 3 if we cant find a 4 or 5. A Justin Cage type player.

That's why I was so confused (and remain to be) about the Larry Austin signing. We sure as hell didn't need another PG this year and he'll be behind Randolph and Sumner next year again... and again his junior year.

markchal
12-22-2014, 05:30 PM
Sumner is a combo guard, so maybe if he's seeing PT at both positions, they wanted a pure PG to replace Dee when he leaves. But still, not quite sure how he fits in. Puzzling, but these things sort themselves out in time.

XUFan09
12-22-2014, 05:53 PM
Long-term, I think they liked Austin more than any of their true point guard options in the 2015 class (a week class for PGs), and they needed a true point in one of those classes.

Xville
12-23-2014, 10:49 AM
To the original question, I don't see it, at least not the way this team has played so far this year. If we can't beat Utep, Lbsu, and Auburn away from Cintas, it is hard to see this team winning away games in conference outside of DePaul. I see another 10-8 finish at this point, and that probably won't get it done this year, though who knows.

I'm not saying that this team can't get better. They certainly can, and I hope that they do. However, I question the toughness of this team...the toughness both physical and mental that it takes to win on the road. It seems like the teams that we have had that are tough both mentally and physically have those upperclassmen leaders that have the "we are not losing this f'ing game" mentality. Stain is a solid player, but I don't think he has that kind of attitude...Davis is an inconsistent player who can be really good at times, though I don't see that kind of attitude coming from him either.

I think it is too early to tell if these younger guys have that kind of attitude, but someone is going to have to step up and grab the bull by the horns so to speak. That is what is going to have to change for us to win on the road, i just don't ever see it coming from the two seniors that we have. Again, I am not saying they aren't talented or they aren't good players, but they just don't have the kind of never say die attitude it takes to win big games away from Cintas...Cage, Burrell, Tu, Love etc.

94GRAD
12-23-2014, 11:07 AM
Here's the bottom line question, do you think there are 36 teams that get invited to the tourney before us? My answer is NO!!!

drudy23
12-23-2014, 11:14 AM
Here's the bottom line question, do you think there are 36 teams that get invited to the tourney before us? My answer is NO!!!

Doesn't really matter what you or the rest of us think.

94GRAD
12-23-2014, 11:18 AM
What was the point of the question if it doesn't matter what anyone thinks?

drudy23
12-23-2014, 11:31 AM
Because none of us are on the committee...so yes, our opinion means ZERO when it comes to picking at-large teams.

94GRAD
12-23-2014, 11:38 AM
Because none of us are on the committee...so yes, our opinion means ZERO when it comes to picking at-large teams.

All I was doing was answering the thread question. Thanks for your concern Buzz Killington

paulxu
12-23-2014, 11:48 AM
Every Christmas needs a Grinch.

XUFan09
12-23-2014, 11:49 AM
Because none of us are on the committee...so yes, our opinion means ZERO when it comes to picking at-large teams.
I don't get comments like this. "I post regularly on a message board, but then sometimes I'll say how the basketball powers-that-be don't care about message board opinions, as if that's some kind of revelation." And internal to the forum, clearly people's opinions do matter on this subject, as seen by the number of replies in this thread.

xukeith
12-23-2014, 12:14 PM
All X needs to do is go 11-7 in conference. (Gulp!) Then NCAA will inviting. Dayton again?

D-West & PO-Z
12-23-2014, 12:20 PM
If we beat FGCU and UC and go 11-7 in conference I think we are in comfortably. Obviously its hard to predict how other teams will do and it depends on maybe where our 11 wins and 7 losses come from but in general I think we would be in without sweating it.

Just my sense from looking at college basketball scores this year, there are a lot of teams who have tournament aspirations who have lost to teams they shouldnt have. I dont think we are alone. Still sucks but we arent unique.

PMI
12-23-2014, 01:00 PM
Because none of us are on the committee...so yes, our opinion means ZERO when it comes to picking at-large teams.

Guess we should close the thread then. And the whole board for that matter. On second thought, if it's alright with everyone, I am going to share an opinion anyway. I think it's way, way too early to be prognosticating on our tournament chances. Speculation is fine and can be fun (or depressing around here) but it's impossible for us to know anything yet. That said, I think that if we do find ourselves stuck on the bubble after the Big East tournament is over, the scheduling gaffe of going to California is going to be the thing that most screwed us by far. Losing at Auburn sucks, but we shouldn't ever be in a position where a 2OT road loss by a point can break us. Auburn is not good, but they had a better roster (and frankly played better) than they had shown perviously in the season. To act like the program is in shambles because we lost that game is ridiculous.

Which brings me to my next point. It's amazing to me how many whiny bitches come out of the woodworks whenever we lose a game. It isn't just since Mack's taken over. Many of the same idiots who miss Sean Miller and Thad Matta were the same people hammering them when they were losing games "they weren't supposed to." Matta was 10-9 and the allegedly the dumbest sonofabitch in college sports, and then Lionel Chalmers found a superman cape and a few months later Matta gets a dream job. People are so short-sighted it's unbelievable. Everything that you guys bitch about with this team, all the stupid hyperbole and terminology you don't even understand, is the same shit you (or others like you) were bitching about 5 years ago, and 10 years ago, and on and on. The 2004 team had no toughness... until they did. The 2008 team was a perfect example of why Sean Miller could never reach the level we were at under Matta after we lost to Miami (OH)... until they exceeded it.

I do think we are going to make the tournament this year, not that we are anywhere close to when we should be thinking about it yet. I look at our team in comparison to the other Big East teams and I like us. We aren't perfect but we are pretty good and we are going to grow stronger. I don't think we are going to go 1-8 on the road like some of you. I think we will go 4-5 on the road and 8-1 at home, roughly. I think we will be a tough out in New York. I think Chris Mack is fully capable of putting a good team in the tournament because... well, I've seen him do it. What's funny is that literally every single one of the other coaches in our league have drawn enormous criticism from their fan bases for the EXACT same things I keep reading about Mack. Does anyone know how many times I've heard "Jay Wright can recruit but he's a garbage in-game coach" over the years? John Thompson III get hammered here for the same thing. Does it ever occur to anyone that these guys might actually sort of know what they're doing, but they just happen to be in a business that is highly competitive and hounded closely by irrational fans, all of whom are infinitely wiser than they are after a loss? The narrative is tiring. We suffer losses that we are apparently not supposed to lose every single year. The Auburn game sucked and it infuriated me, but it was not some milestone turning point in Xavier history.

drudy23
12-23-2014, 02:03 PM
You can have an opinion...but let's not get caught up in it being right. In terms of selecting teams for the tournament, none of our opinions mean jacksh*t.

That is an indisputable fact.

waggy
12-23-2014, 02:06 PM
Damn Drudy, I hope Santa brings you a new pair of shorts.

PMI
12-23-2014, 02:29 PM
You can have an opinion...but let's not get caught up in it being right. In terms of selecting teams for the tournament, none of our opinions mean jacksh*t.

That is an indisputable fact.

Thanks for pointing that out to everyone. For a second there I thought I was in Indianapolis chairing the committee. Seriously, what is your purpose here? When it comes down to it, nobody's opinion on anything means anything. Is this even real life?

Just leave it to the beacon of light with the shorts fetish to point out the only thing that actually goes without saying...

Xville
12-23-2014, 02:31 PM
deep breaths everyone...the holidays will soon be over and we can go back to our regularly scheduled programming...i think everyone on here including myself needs a drink...or ten.

drudy23
12-23-2014, 02:35 PM
Thanks for pointing that out to everyone. For a second there I thought I was in Indianapolis chairing the committee. Seriously, what is your purpose here? When it comes down to it, nobody's opinion on anything means anything. Is this even real life?

Just leave it to the beacon of light with the shorts fetish to point out the only thing that actually goes without saying...

You're welcome.

drudy23
12-23-2014, 02:38 PM
[QUOTE=PMI;473727] For a second there I thought I was in Indianapolis chairing the committee. QUOTE]

And you're talking to me about real life? I was certain that was you on TV.

PMI
12-23-2014, 02:39 PM
deep breaths everyone...the holidays will soon be over and we can go back to our regularly scheduled programming...i think everyone on here including myself needs a drink...or ten.

I wish more people on this board would drink heavily, or at least do something to actually try to cope with losses. Whenever there's a thread getting heated in the offseason, about politics or gay sex or burgers or whatever, you always get one or two of the snide, "Man, the season can't get here soon enough." When I see the way this board melts down after a disappointing loss, or moreover, the types who resurface after such, I kind of miss the petty offseason debates.

drudy23
12-23-2014, 02:42 PM
There are gay sex threads?

Isn't it ironic how you melt down from people melting down? Something's not quite right there. Another one of the "have to have it both ways" guys. It's ok if YOU do it, but we're all idiots because of it. You fit right in.

XUFan09
12-23-2014, 02:46 PM
You can have an opinion...but let's not get caught up in it being right. In terms of selecting teams for the tournament, none of our opinions mean jacksh*t.

That is an indisputable fact.
Obvious comment is obvious.

drudy23
12-23-2014, 02:47 PM
Obvious comment is obvious.

Didn't say it wasn't obvious...just said it was true.

Still trying to figure out what you're arguing. You should have just replied "you're right".

D-West & PO-Z
12-23-2014, 02:56 PM
Thanks for pointing that out to everyone. For a second there I thought I was in Indianapolis chairing the committee. Seriously, what is your purpose here? When it comes down to it, nobody's opinion on anything means anything. Is this even real life?

Just leave it to the beacon of light with the shorts fetish to point out the only thing that actually goes without saying...

Seriously. :sign-wtf:

PMI
12-23-2014, 02:57 PM
There are gay sex threads?

Isn't it ironic how you melt down from people melting down? Something's not quite right there. Another one of the "have to have it both ways" guys. It's ok if YOU do it, but we're all idiots because of it. You fit right in.

Haha. Since you struggle with noticing the obvious unless it's literally spelled out for you, I'm pointing out how stupid people sound when they make extreme, shortsighted rants after losses. Happens every year after almost every loss. I also find it fascinating that losing brings about ten times the traffic to this board than winning does. Makes me wonder.

To clarify, this is my opinion. Whatever floats your boat. Not that opinions matter. But it is important to point them out for those here who mistake message board posters as committee members, and posts as facts.

D-West & PO-Z
12-23-2014, 02:58 PM
Didn't say it wasn't obvious...just said it was true.

Still trying to figure out what you're arguing. You should have just replied "you're right".

The sky is blue!

bleedXblue
12-23-2014, 03:01 PM
This is about as f'd up stupid as I've seen this board in a long time.

Pull it together folks.

Some of you have me really worried.

PMI
12-23-2014, 03:09 PM
This is about as f'd up stupid as I've seen this board in a long time.

Pull it together folks.

Some of you have me really worried.

And just on cue... the token high horse interruption post! Must be a Festivus miracle!

XU2011
12-23-2014, 03:32 PM
I'm not saying that this team can't get better. They certainly can, and I hope that they do. However, I question the toughness of this team...the toughness both physical and mental that it takes to win on the road. It seems like the teams that we have had that are tough both mentally and physically have those upperclassmen leaders that have the "we are not losing this f'ing game" mentality. Stain is a solid player, but I don't think he has that kind of attitude...Davis is an inconsistent player who can be really good at times, though I don't see that kind of attitude coming from him either.

I think it is too early to tell if these younger guys have that kind of attitude, but someone is going to have to step up and grab the bull by the horns so to speak. That is what is going to have to change for us to win on the road, i just don't ever see it coming from the two seniors that we have. Again, I am not saying they aren't talented or they aren't good players, but they just don't have the kind of never say die attitude it takes to win big games away from Cintas...Cage, Burrell, Tu, Love etc.

That's a great point. There isn't a vocal, emotional, upperclassmen leader on that team.

A lot of that has to do with teams taking on the personality of their coach. Certainly Stainbrook isn't that guy. The most emotional you see him, is his reactions to calls that go against him. Dee has spurts of showing some emotional leadership.

I'd say the guy that probably is the most vocal, shows the most leadership on the floor is Myles Davis, and he's only a sophomore and isn't a starter.

D-West & PO-Z
12-23-2014, 03:48 PM
I think the Ray Lewis, hootin and hollerin vocal leadership can be overrated at times. People seem to only associate good leader with what they see on TV with regards to guys yelling and being very vocal. I dont think that is at all a necessity to having a successful team.

Anyone think Peyton Manning isnt the obvious leader of the Broncos? He isnt doing that.

XUOHTX
12-23-2014, 03:57 PM
Back to the original question:

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/400x/53267221.jpg

94GRAD
12-23-2014, 04:11 PM
I think the Ray Rice, hootin and hollerin vocal leadership can be overrated at times. People seem to only associate good leader with what they see on TV with regards to guys yelling and being very vocal. I dont think that is at all a necessity to having a successful team.

Anyone think Peyton Manning isnt the obvious leader of the Broncos? He isnt doing that.

Ray Rice or Ray Lewis?

D-West & PO-Z
12-23-2014, 04:20 PM
Ray Rice or Ray Lewis?

Ha, Lewis, thank you.

Xville
12-23-2014, 04:33 PM
I think the Ray Lewis, hootin and hollerin vocal leadership can be overrated at times. People seem to only associate good leader with what they see on TV with regards to guys yelling and being very vocal. I dont think that is at all a necessity to having a successful team.

Anyone think Peyton Manning isnt the obvious leader of the Broncos? He isnt doing that.

who said anything about hootin and hollerin? I'm talking about guys who had steel f'ing balls and wasn't going to let their team lose...guys who say get on my back, we are taking this one. That is leadership...and that is what i am not seeing from the seniors on this team, it could happen, but i don't see it in their personalities. Every competitor wants to win, but there is a difference between the mentality of "we aren't losing this game, period" and the rest. I guess that is what they call the "it" factor.

One particular game I remember is when Tu was a senior in 2012 and we were playing Dayton at home. Tu had that look in his eyes you could just tell there was no way in hell he was going to let the team lose. He scored 32 and Xavier won in overtime.

xu82
12-23-2014, 05:11 PM
Ray Rice or Ray Lewis?

Ray Rice leads differently - with a left hook I believe.

And how did Ray Lewis ever rehabilitate his image after the old double homicide thing or whatever it was?

toledodan
12-23-2014, 05:16 PM
Nothing to do with the non con? 2 bad losses and no really good wins.

That leaves incredibly little room for error. Not sure what would make anyone believe this has the mental toughness to win anywhere in the BE on the road

if you think any of our non con games were going to put us in the tournament than you are mistaken. even if we went undefeated it wouldn't have given us maybe 1 game swing going into big east play. would we be ranked? sure but that still doesn't change that our non con wasn't quality. this team will continue to get better. defense is still a problem but i blame the constant subbing of players for some of that. i think once we get into conference play the bench will shorten and players will have a more defined role. there are plenty of resume building wins in the big east season and conference tourny to get us where we need to be. if we can't win enough there than we didn't belong anyways.

XfansinKy
12-23-2014, 05:21 PM
who said anything about hootin and hollerin? I'm talking about guys who had steel f'ing balls and wasn't going to let their team lose...guys who say get on my back, we are taking this one. That is leadership...and that is what i am not seeing from the seniors on this team, it could happen, but i don't see it in their personalities. Every competitor wants to win, but there is a difference between the mentality of "we aren't losing this game, period" and the rest. I guess that is what they call the "it" factor.

One particular game I remember is when Tu was a senior in 2012 and we were playing Dayton at home. Tu had that look in his eyes you could just tell there was no way in hell he was going to let the team lose. He scored 32 and Xavier won in overtime.
Tu was the coach too.

XUFan09
12-23-2014, 05:36 PM
This is about as f'd up stupid as I've seen this board in a long time.

Pull it together folks.

Some of you have me really worried.
As PMI said, this is the high-horse post disruptive to dialogue. Before that, you responded to someone's opinion that we'll make the tourney with the blatantly obvious "Well, our opinions don't matter," also disruptive to dialogue. Instead of actually discussing your own opinions with others, you turn to the rhetorical devices of a jackass.

PMI
12-23-2014, 05:50 PM
I think Dee and Stainbrook can be fine leaders on this team. Hell, I have seen each of them step up big in the past and lead this team when needed. Dee did it two games ago at Mizzou. I thought Stain carried us through the Marquette game for large stretches on a bad knee in New York last year. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples. I don't know if either of them are going to break a water fountain or go on a tirade in the locker room this year, but I think teams have won without that before. I think this team deserves more than a third of its season to figure these things out. There are a lot of moving parts to this operation right now, all kinds of different lineups and adjustments, foul and injury trouble. I think we've already seen encouraging signs in favor of the answers to all our questions. We just need to turn it into consistency and, ultimately, enough wins.

I'll go back, again, to the 2004 team, that everyone said, nearly 20 games in, had no leadership among the coaches or players. Nobody stepped up to lead post-David West. The program was falling apart. I'm not suggesting we will turn into the hottest team in the nation and that Dee or Stainbrook will be the hottest players in the nation. I'm suggesting that the premature sky is falling bit has turned out to look foolish in hindsight more often than not with this program in recent memory. Let's see the damn thing pan out. If it doesn't go well, we'll all be pissed off at the lost season. Might as well enjoy Christmas and an impending clean conference slate until our 10 game losing streak that it seems is inevitably coming. Hell, if worst comes to worst, at least we'll all be dead someday and this whole thing will be over. Seriously, maybe it's just me being a tortured DC fan, but I just really don't see the point in investing so much of your care into a team if you can lament the losses with all your heart but can't enjoy the wins and appreciate the whole process.

XUFan09
12-23-2014, 06:05 PM
If we're talking about "toughness" (frankly, an exaggerated concept that even makes its way into coach speak), then I don't know how you can't mention Remy in this past game. Maybe someone did and I didn't see it, but he was clearly presenting that ideal at key moments in the game. The last possession sucked but that kind of play also happened with Tu sometimes and was itself an example of the same fearlessness and determination. I just wish he had passed to Bluiett.

XU2011
12-23-2014, 06:35 PM
if you think any of our non con games were going to put us in the tournament than you are mistaken. even if we went undefeated it wouldn't have given us maybe 1 game swing going into big east play. would we be ranked? sure but that still doesn't change that our non con wasn't quality. this team will continue to get better. defense is still a problem but i blame the constant subbing of players for some of that. i think once we get into conference play the bench will shorten and players will have a more defined role. there are plenty of resume building wins in the big east season and conference tourny to get us where we need to be. if we can't win enough there than we didn't belong anyways.

No. If we went undefeated in the non-conference and even went 9-9 in Big East play, we'd be in the tournament, very comfortably.

Given our non-con, 9-9 or 10-8 in BE play isn't going to get us in.

bleedXblue
12-23-2014, 07:21 PM
As PMI said, this is the high-horse post disruptive to dialogue. Before that, you responded to someone's opinion that we'll make the tourney with the blatantly obvious "Well, our opinions don't matter," also disruptive to dialogue. Instead of actually discussing your own opinions with others, you turn to the rhetorical devices of a jackass.

You clearly have me confused with another poster.

Gets the facts straight before you start throwing insults around.

Who's moderating this board?

Can we get the 12 year olds grounded to their rooms for a few hours?

XUFan09
12-23-2014, 07:29 PM
You clearly have me confused with another poster.

Gets the facts straight before you start throwing insults around.

Who's moderating this board?

Can we get the 12 year olds grounded to their rooms for a few hours?
My mistake, as I meant to say "drudy," not "you," for the second part. The first part still applies, as I was referencing the same sort of crap that you guys are both doing in the end.

bleedXblue
12-23-2014, 07:52 PM
My mistake, as I meant to say "drudy," not "you," for the second part. The first part still applies, as I was referencing the same sort of crap that you guys are both doing in the end.

I'm not sure what exactly you're referencing and how that gets me lumped in with another poster?

The ridiculous back and forth bickering drivel by you and a few others has sabotaged an otherwise worthy thread.

toledodan
12-23-2014, 08:54 PM
No. If we went undefeated in the non-conference and even went 9-9 in Big East play, we'd be in the tournament, very comfortably.

Given our non-con, 9-9 or 10-8 in BE play isn't going to get us in.

using your logic we should have just scheduled sisters of the poor non con and go 9-9 in the big east and be comfortably in. once again our non con isn't going to keep us out. we have three loses none at home and auburn just got healthy.

drudy23
12-23-2014, 09:26 PM
Disruptive to dialogue? LOL

XU2011
12-23-2014, 09:52 PM
we have three loses none at home and auburn just got healthy.

Auburn is losing at home right now with 3 mins left to a 2-8 Texas Southern.

PMI
12-23-2014, 09:57 PM
I'm not sure what exactly you're referencing and how that gets me lumped in with another poster?

The ridiculous back and forth bickering drivel by you and a few others has sabotaged an otherwise worthy thread.

Yet your constant bitching about it is really keeping us track! The "bickering" that's bothering you so much, you're obviously taking way too seriously. A few harmless jabs in an otherwise legitimate discussion? Deal with it. It's not like we couldn't otherwise spend that time ripping on you for dropping the "we need another Justin Cage" cliche, which is one of this board's patented, eye-roller pet-peeves. You would think you'd be in a better mood after the Bengals clinched, even though you've made about as many positive comments about them (zero?) as you have Xavier here lately!

And before you get you're panties in a bunch, relax guy, I'm just talking some shit. Merry Christmas!

toledodan
12-23-2014, 10:34 PM
Auburn is losing at home right now with 3 mins left to a 2-8 Texas Southern.

auburn won, i'm sure that upsets you. nova was losing at home at half to NJIT. maybe they should cancel their season??

xubrew
12-24-2014, 01:09 PM
You have to make a strong case for yourself if you want to make the NCAA Tournament. Xavier really hasn't yet, but neither has Ohio State. If the season ends, and Ohio State has no wins away from home and their best win on the season is High Point or Marquette, they're not going either. Lots of teams are in that boat right now.

We've lost three games to teams we arguably should have beaten (maybe not even arguably), but it was by a combined total of eight points. Two of them are also probably better than what many are giving them credit for. Long Beach and UTEP aren't great, but they're not bad either.

We'll get our chances in the Big East. If we get out there and win 13 or so, then asking whether or not we'll make the tournament will be kind of like asking whether it will warm up in July. If we lose 13, then the opposite will be true. It sounds so obvious to say this, but you cannot definitively say either way right now. I personally think it's fun watching people try, though.

toledodan
12-24-2014, 02:09 PM
You have to make a strong case for yourself if you want to make the NCAA Tournament. Xavier really hasn't yet, but neither has Ohio State. If the season ends, and Ohio State has no wins away from home and their best win on the season is High Point or Marquette, they're not going either. Lots of teams are in that boat right now.

We've lost three games to teams we arguably should have beaten (maybe not even arguably), but it was by a combined total of eight points. Two of them are also probably better than what many are giving them credit for. Long Beach and UTEP aren't great, but they're not bad either.

We'll get our chances in the Big East. If we get out there and win 13 or so, then asking whether or not we'll make the tournament will be kind of like asking whether it will warm up in July. If we lose 13, then the opposite will be true. It sounds so obvious to say this, but you cannot definitively say either way right now. I personally think it's fun watching people try, though.

my thoughts as well. you're better at explaining though lol.

usfldan
12-24-2014, 03:08 PM
Auburn is losing at home right now with 3 mins left to a 2-8 Texas Southern.

Texas Southern had also just won at Michigan State the game before playing Auburn.

xu82
12-24-2014, 06:15 PM
Texas Southern had also just won at Michigan State the game before playing Auburn.

Wow, that's more than just a little noteworthy.

X-man
12-25-2014, 07:38 AM
Texas Southern had also just won at Michigan State the game before playing Auburn.

That's the kind of detail that "our friend" XU2011 conveniently left out of his "reporting".

gladdenguy
12-25-2014, 10:04 PM
I'm ready for another game. This team sucks and that loss to Auburn was terrible.
Also, Runner, I will buy you as many beers as you can drink at Danas for 3 hours before a Xavier game if they get 11 wins in conference........and I will be real happy about it.

Merry Christmas. Hopefully everybody was treated better than Xavier fans watching that implosion in Auburn last Saturday.
At least the Bengals played great Monday. Week was much better because of the men in stripes.

xu82
12-25-2014, 10:40 PM
I'm ready for another game. This team sucks and that loss to Auburn was terrible.
Also, Runner, I will buy you as many beers as you can drink at Danas for 3 hours before a Xavier game if they get 11 wins in conference........and I will be real happy about it.

Merry Christmas. Hopefully everybody was treated better than Xavier fans watching that implosion in Auburn last Saturday.
At least the Bengals played great Monday. Week was much better because of the men in stripes.

The tree hour challenge reminds me of a silly sophomore year challenge which can now be a silly holliday tale. The girls challenged the guys to a beer drinking contest. There were 10 of them and 10 of us, I believe. Each side had a keg and had to finish it and get each and every member to Danas to have one additional beer after the keg was dead to complete the victory. Ten large, experienced male drinkers got off to a strong start. We raced ahead despite a few minor setbacks, like rugby players puking still cold beer. No biggie. With a very safe lead, we started to cruise a bit until we realized we had somehow fallen behind. Way behind. The girls poured drinks down the sink and rushed off to Danas to complete the victory. They were giddy! We were still (shockingly) sober enough to realize they had switched kegs in the shower. That was their plan. They left for Danas while we remained in their suite to finish the second keg they had barely touched. The plan failed because there was no wager to be lost and they had not planned for 10 guys who basically knocked out 2 kegs to remain in their suite for hours and find ways to amuse themselves. It was not a pretty sight, but it was memorable. Sometimes the winner is the biggest loser.

OH, and again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

PS - the Auburn fans were very loud, but also extremely polite from my experience.

xukeith
12-26-2014, 02:06 PM
I'm ready for another game. This team sucks and that loss to Auburn was terrible.
Also, Runner, I will buy you as many beers as you can drink at Danas for 3 hours before a Xavier game if they get 11 wins in conference........and I will be real happy about it.

Merry Christmas. Hopefully everybody was treated better than Xavier fans watching that implosion in Auburn last Saturday.
At least the Bengals played great Monday. Week was much better because of the men in stripes.

Need 12 for NCAA's

waggy
12-26-2014, 02:42 PM
I haven't looked at in a while, but my guess is that the BE will get at least 5, and possibly 6.

XU2011
12-27-2014, 12:47 PM
The Big East has had a really good OOC. But outside of Villanova at the top and DePaul at the bottom, there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of difference #2-9. There is no way the BE gets 6 bids with only 10 teams if teams 2-9 are beating up on each other every night.

Xavier
12-27-2014, 01:47 PM
I'd be surprised at 6 unless two are in the play-in games. I think 5 is a pretty safe bet.

XfansinKy
12-27-2014, 01:48 PM
Just my two cents. If one of our guys steps up to be a lockdown defender whether the rest of the team does or not, X should get in cruising. The thing is, so much of man to man depends on switching and communication, I don't know if its possible to step up and be that guy.

mid major
12-28-2014, 08:44 PM
I have some concerns and in no order. We don't have any urgency after halftime. I don't see how we've led at halftime in every game and have also tanked in most of the games after halftime. Every BE team with the exception of us, DePaul and Marquette has some kind of signature win. I don't see us sweeping SJU this year. This team has shown me nothing to indicate we can win on the road. The UC game will loom large and as much as I think it's a winnable game we can also lose badly. We ended up in the "play-in game" due to Providence jumping us in the BE pecking order by winning the BE tournament. I don't know how many BE teams will make it; I just hope we are one of those teams.

XUOHTX
12-29-2014, 09:41 AM
I have some concerns and in no order. We don't have any urgency after halftime. I don't see how we've led at halftime in every game and have also tanked in most of the games after halftime. Every BE team with the exception of us, DePaul and Marquette has some kind of signature win. I don't see us sweeping SJU this year. This team has shown me nothing to indicate we can win on the road. The UC game will loom large and as much as I think it's a winnable game we can also lose badly. We ended up in the "play-in game" due to Providence jumping us in the BE pecking order by winning the BE tournament. I don't know how many BE teams will make it; I just hope we are one of those teams.

Word.

xukeith
12-29-2014, 05:28 PM
http://www.rpiforecast.com/teams/Xavier.html
Looks like 19 wins will solidify it! Go X! 10 more wins(hope for 20 more!)

xudash
12-29-2014, 05:54 PM
http://www.rpiforecast.com/teams/Xavier.html
Looks like 19 wins will solidify it! Go X! 10 more wins(hope for 20 more!)

Wow! Thanks for the data.

Masterofreality
12-29-2014, 07:15 PM
It would be advisable to win.....at home....Wednesday night/Thursday morning....vs Georgetown.

bigdiggins
01-03-2015, 04:22 PM
No.

GoMuskies
01-03-2015, 04:24 PM
No.

Just because we lost on the road to the first place team in the Big East?

Xavier
01-03-2015, 04:35 PM
Still think 11 wins in big East (and a win against UC) will get them in...but that loss could mean that would be play in game.

XfansinKy
01-03-2015, 04:40 PM
4 losses to 4 inferior teams and programs. I don't know. As a huge X fan...I am tired

XU2011
01-03-2015, 04:47 PM
Just because we lost on the road to the first place team in the Big East?

No because we lost to a team with a 235 RPI

GoMuskies
01-03-2015, 04:52 PM
No because we lost to a team with a 235 RPI

Well, we certainly helped them on that score, didn't we?

D-West & PO-Z
01-03-2015, 05:02 PM
They are our only bad loss from an RPI stand point. All other losses are in the top 95 of RPI. No that it isnt frustrating to lose to them and todays loss was horrible but long way to go.

waggy
01-03-2015, 05:06 PM
I remember one year X got beat on their home floor by 700 points, to Duquesne.

LadyMuskie
01-03-2015, 05:13 PM
I remember one year X got beat on their home floor by 700 points, to Duquesne.

Does this team have a Lionel Chalmers?

XfansinKy
01-03-2015, 05:30 PM
Can't beat Depaul. I would say at this point we are kinda like a beer commercial with coach Mora. Tournament!? Tournament!? Your talking about the tournament!?

Xavier_Musketeers
01-03-2015, 05:45 PM
We at least have to win here against Seton Hall and at Butler, but then we play at Nova and if somehow we can pull of the upset there and win those three straight we should be alright. I expect Seton Hall to be ranked and Nova should still be in the top 10.

markchal
01-03-2015, 05:48 PM
I think some people are pretty naive with their cavalier attitude of these losses. We had a paper-thin non-con and still dropped three games and we just lost to the only truly bad team in the conference. If we can't beat them on the road, who exactly can we beat? To make the tournament, we're going to have to see a level of play that we haven't seen since before the brawl. It's possible, but looking very unlikely. I wish something would change but we are what we are, tough at home and woeful on the road.

drudy23
01-03-2015, 05:52 PM
I think some people are pretty naive with their cavalier attitude of these losses. We had a paper-thin non-con and still dropped three games and we just lost to the only truly bad team in the conference. If we can't beat them on the road, who exactly can we beat? To make the tournament, we're going to have to see a level of play that we haven't seen since before the brawl. It's possible, but looking very unlikely. I wish something would change but we are what we are, tough at home and woeful on the road.

Ding ding ding.

DC Muskie
01-03-2015, 06:16 PM
I think some people are pretty naive with their cavalier attitude of these losses. We had a paper-thin non-con and still dropped three games and we just lost to the only truly bad team in the conference. If we can't beat them on the road, who exactly can we beat? To make the tournament, we're going to have to see a level of play that we haven't seen since before the brawl. It's possible, but looking very unlikely. I wish something would change but we are what we are, tough at home and woeful on the road.

This season is far from over, but really I agree with this. We have seen this team do extremely well in scoring and sharing the ball, but it is negated by the terrible defense. I could stomach this loss if this was an anomaly.

But we had extra practice and a soft noncon schedule. We set this season up perfectly to integrate six new players into the system, and right now it has failed miserably. We continue to suffer on tournament games, we continue to play poor second half defense, and we continue to struggle away from home.

You're exactly right it, doesn't lend itself to some miraculous turnaround. You work out the defense with those extra practices and soft noncon schedule, not now.

We have shown we are capable of scoring as a unit. We are spreading the scoring around. But we simply do not have the defensive mentality to be so cavalier regarding the losses we have continue to experience the past two seasons.

Bmuskie
01-03-2015, 06:20 PM
No we don't. You don;t lose to a team with that horrid of an RPI and hope to ever get in the tournament. Best we can hope for is NIT.

paulxu
01-03-2015, 06:33 PM
I'm never calling it quits until it's over. And it's not over yet.
But I am at a loss at the defense on the road vs home.
Georgetown scores 73 pts/game. We held them to 53. The team (and building) were fired up all the way through.
Today looked sometimes lackluster. Maybe it wasn't. Just looked like it.
Maybe would have liked to see somebody else take their 6'10 guy when he stepped out for the 3's. Stain was having trouble with that.
But we just looked out of sorts on both offense and defense for some reason.

D-West & PO-Z
01-03-2015, 06:46 PM
No we don't. You don;t lose to a team with that horrid of an RPI and hope to ever get in the tournament. Best we can hope for is NIT.

So now we are at the point where we are hoping for NIT? Thats the best case scenario you can imagine?

94GRAD
01-03-2015, 07:00 PM
I'm never calling it quits until it's over. And it's not over yet.
But I am at a loss at the defense on the road vs home.
Georgetown scores 73 pts/game. We held them to 53. The team (and building) were fired up all the way through.
Today looked sometimes lackluster. Maybe it wasn't. Just looked like it.
Maybe would have liked to see somebody else take their 6'10 guy when he stepped out for the 3's. Stain was having trouble with that.
But we just looked out of sorts on both offense and defense for some reason.

Was it over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor?

paulxu
01-03-2015, 07:09 PM
Was it over when the German's bombed Pearl Harbor?

Road trip!!!!!!!!!

er...maybe not a good idea. (Unless Fawn's roommate is there.)

Xavier_Musketeers
01-03-2015, 07:25 PM
No matter how bad we do the rest of the season, we still have a chance to win the Big East Tournament.

XfansinKy
01-03-2015, 07:35 PM
No matter how bad we do the rest of the season, we still have a chance to win the Big East Tournament.
While that is technically true, there is no reason to think we deserve a tournament bid unless its held at Cintas. Its just the truth. Doesn't mean I want it to be.

Kahns Krazy
01-03-2015, 07:51 PM
At this point we need to win out, win the Big East tournament, then win the whole NCAA tournament just to get an NIT bid we are so bad. Fire Mack, hire another coach and fire him. Tear down the Cintas. Hire Mick Cronin. Invite Dayton down to show us how to win games. Stop selling beer. Get rid of the band. Remove all the chairs and replace them with benches.

LadyMuskie
01-03-2015, 07:52 PM
At this point we need to win out, win the Big East tournament, then win the whole NCAA tournament just to get an NIT bid we are so bad. Fire Mack, hire another coach and fire him. Tear down the Cintas. Hire Mick Cronin. Invite Dayton down to show us how to win games. Stop selling beer. Get rid of the band. Remove all the chairs and replace them with benches.

Woah, there. Some of these suggestions are just ridiculous. Stop selling beer? Please. Let's not lose our minds!!

Strange Brew
01-03-2015, 08:18 PM
NM, Lady made my point in her previous post. Reps to her!

Dang, the rep police won't let me. Someone hook her up on my behalf.

mohr5150
01-03-2015, 08:34 PM
Think about this league for just a second. After two games, Seton Hall and DaPaul are 2-0. I think everyone here can agree that DePaul will not finish ahead of us. We are tied with almost everyone else at 1-1 St. John's is 0-2. Marquette lost to DePaul just three days ago and beat Providence. The opportunities are there for us be just fine. This loss sucked big time, but the season is so far from over. We have to start valuing the ball. Too many of our possessions end in turnovers or bad shots early in the shot clock. We have to start our now 16-game conference schedule with a win on Wednesday. If we win that game, we will be tied either for first or second. Our conference will get at least five teams in the tourney. Finish in the top five, and we will be okay.

gladdenguy
01-03-2015, 09:31 PM
Might go from 10-3 to 10-7 in 4 games.

And Runner said this team was gonna win 11 conference games!!!! HA!!!

gladdenguy
01-03-2015, 09:37 PM
At this point we need to win out, win the Big East tournament, then win the whole NCAA tournament just to get an NIT bid we are so bad. Fire Mack, hire another coach and fire him. Tear down the Cintas. Hire Mick Cronin. Invite Dayton down to show us how to win games. Stop selling beer. Get rid of the band. Remove all the chairs and replace them with benches.

Let's jump for joy and kiss Macks ass because he has gone 5-17 over the last 2 years away from Cintas. Can't win a close game. And sh!ts down his leg in close games.
Woooooooohoooooooo
Raises for Mack and all assistants as well as the d-bag president of the university.
Let's get fired up!!!!! More losing and back to mediocre where getting into the tournament is AWESOME!!!!!!!

drudy23
01-03-2015, 11:22 PM
There's no doubt we win on Wednesday. We look like a Top 25 team at home. We have the talent. This team can be very very good. Being THIS different at home and on the road is just mind boggling honestly. What can you point to besides coaching and leadership for this difference in performance?

Bmuskie
01-04-2015, 01:17 AM
So now we are at the point where we are hoping for NIT? Thats the best case scenario you can imagine?

Yes

UCGRAD4X
01-04-2015, 08:17 AM
At this point we need to win out, win the Big East tournament, then win the whole NCAA tournament just to get an NIT bid we are so bad. Fire Mack, hire another coach and fire him. Tear down the Cintas. Hire Mick Cronin. Invite Dayton down to show us how to win games. Stop selling beer. Get rid of the band. Remove all the chairs and replace them with benches.

You forgot about the official colors?

Change them to Green and Orange?

OTRMUSKIE
01-04-2015, 09:00 AM
A10 was so fun wasn't it guys? I miss those days :( Now Dayton is having all the fun beating up on the Fordhams and Duquesnes of the world. Hell they are winning with not one player over 6'6. I guess Metallica was right! Wonder how we do in the A-10 this year.

D-West & PO-Z
01-04-2015, 10:50 AM
Yes

You're funny

xubrew
01-04-2015, 04:10 PM
At this point we need to win out, win the Big East tournament, then win the whole NCAA tournament just to get an NIT bid we are so bad. Fire Mack, hire another coach and fire him. Tear down the Cintas. Hire Mick Cronin. Invite Dayton down to show us how to win games. Stop selling beer. Get rid of the band. Remove all the chairs and replace them with benches.

You're forgetting that it is the regular season champion and not the tournament champion that gets the automatic bid to the NIT. So, doing all that won't necessarily guarantee X a spot in the NIT.

casualfan
01-05-2015, 11:24 AM
From the FWIW department Lunardi currently has us playing USC in one of the play-in games. (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology)

bleedXblue
01-05-2015, 11:38 AM
From the FWIW department Lunardi currently has us playing USC in one of the play-in games. (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology)

It's funny how focused we've been on just making the tourney this year. Will we get in...won't we?

I yearn for the days where we were focused on winning league championships and playing for a seeding.

I guess we were spoiled for several years.

casualfan
01-05-2015, 12:27 PM
It's funny how focused we've been on just making the tourney this year. Will we get in...won't we?

I yearn for the days where we were focused on winning league championships and playing for a seeding.

I guess we were spoiled for several years.

And right on queue Jerry Palm has us in the first four out. (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology)

boozehound
01-05-2015, 12:45 PM
It's funny how focused we've been on just making the tourney this year. Will we get in...won't we?

I yearn for the days where we were focused on winning league championships and playing for a seeding.

I guess we were spoiled for several years.

We absolutely were spoiled for several years. I want to be spoiled again, but I also realize that it isn't likely to be a reality over a longer period of time. We had a very improbable run for a program with our size and resources. We used to like to talk about how we were in the company of teams like Michigan State and Duke in terms of Elite 8's and Sweet 16's in a period of time. That was great, but we aren't Duke or Michigan State and we shouldn't expect to keep pace with programs like that over the longer term. We can HOPE to keep pace, but we shouldn't expect it. Many of us seem to expect us to match that success on a year-over-year basis in perpetuity, which leads to frustration.

The last 3 years have sucked, no doubt about it. I'm starting to see the light at the end of that tunnel, but we aren't there yet. I think this season will be a period of transition for us, while young talent develops the leadership ability necessary to get us back to comfortably making the tournament and winning games on a regular basis.

I do have some concerns about player development and coaching under Mack, but not enough that I don't believe he is the right guy at this point. Next year is the year that I will have high expectations from this team.

THRILLHOUSE
01-05-2015, 12:56 PM
I think X might end up being this years version of 2013/14 SMU. Good wins at home, but the combo of weak OOC schedule and very little quality road wins could end up doing us in. Saturday at Butler is a big game, not just for Big East standing purposes, but definitely need a quality road win. (or really just any road win at this point)

bleedXblue
01-05-2015, 01:42 PM
We absolutely were spoiled for several years. I want to be spoiled again, but I also realize that it isn't likely to be a reality over a longer period of time. We had a very improbable run for a program with our size and resources. We used to like to talk about how we were in the company of teams like Michigan State and Duke in terms of Elite 8's and Sweet 16's in a period of time. That was great, but we aren't Duke or Michigan State and we shouldn't expect to keep pace with programs like that over the longer term. We can HOPE to keep pace, but we shouldn't expect it. Many of us seem to expect us to match that success on a year-over-year basis in perpetuity, which leads to frustration.

The last 3 years have sucked, no doubt about it. I'm starting to see the light at the end of that tunnel, but we aren't there yet. I think this season will be a period of transition for us, while young talent develops the leadership ability necessary to get us back to comfortably making the tournament and winning games on a regular basis.

I do have some concerns about player development and coaching under Mack, but not enough that I don't believe he is the right guy at this point. Next year is the year that I will have high expectations from this team.

Well said. I agree with almost every point. I'm not giving up on this year yet...... I do think next year is really important for this program. I don't see how we can't recruit a JUCO or 5th year transfer to help in the post. I think our guard play will be really solid provided Sumner is 100% healthy. Both Macura and Bluiett will have a full year under their belts. Other than Jalen in the post, we are going to be seriously challenged. Farr is not a post player and O'Mara looks ok but may need another year.

BMoreX
01-05-2015, 01:45 PM
Who gave us two votes in the polls?

Xville
01-05-2015, 01:48 PM
Who gave us two votes in the polls?

oliver purnell and chris mack? Just kidding...regardless Xavier has a chance to beat its second ranked team of the year on Wednesday...what a weird team this is...possibly beat two ranked teams and lose to depaul, utep and lbsu. I know its difficult to win on the road but i mean come on.

Xville
01-05-2015, 02:08 PM
From the FWIW department Lunardi currently has us playing USC in one of the play-in games. (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology)

Lunardi also has 7 teams in from the Big East. This league is good but that isn't happening...it certainly isn't getting the most of any conference. Again, I love this conference, but 7 out of 10 is a little ridiculous.

waggy
01-05-2015, 02:32 PM
We absolutely were spoiled for several years. I want to be spoiled again, but I also realize that it isn't likely to be a reality over a longer period of time. We had a very improbable run for a program with our size and resources. We used to like to talk about how we were in the company of teams like Michigan State and Duke in terms of Elite 8's and Sweet 16's in a period of time. That was great, but we aren't Duke or Michigan State and we shouldn't expect to keep pace with programs like that over the longer term. We can HOPE to keep pace, but we shouldn't expect it. Many of us seem to expect us to match that success on a year-over-year basis in perpetuity, which leads to frustration.




This isn't football though. At basketball X can be just as successful as any program. The two basic building blocks are a nice arena, and a passionate fan base. When X started they didn't even have the first item. Fortunately they had a usable arena not too far away though.

drudy23
01-05-2015, 02:44 PM
This isn't football though. At basketball X can be just as successful as any program. The two basic building blocks are a nice arena, and a passionate fan base. When X started they didn't even have the first item. Fortunately they had a usable arena not too far away though.

No doubt...our aspirations can be mini-Duke. Why not?

XfansinKy
01-05-2015, 02:49 PM
Well said. I agree with almost every point. I'm not giving up on this year yet...... I do think next year is really important for this program. I don't see how we can't recruit a JUCO or 5th year transfer to help in the post. I think our guard play will be really solid provided Sumner is 100% healthy. Both Macura and Bluiett will have a full year under their belts. Other than Jalen in the post, we are going to be seriously challenged. Farr is not a post player and O'Mara looks ok but may need another year.
I may be too optimistic but it hurts to hear that we are expecting too much. I guess I started getting spoiled when Tyrone Hill, Walker, and big Derreck Strong set high expectations.

XU2011
01-05-2015, 02:54 PM
This isn't football though. At basketball X can be just as successful as any program. The two basic building blocks are a nice arena, and a passionate fan base. When X started they didn't even have the first item. Fortunately they had a usable arena not too far away though.

Problem is if the last 2 years (and so far this year) become the norm for Chris Mack led Xavier basketball, you start to lose the second part (a passionate fanbase) pretty quickly. Once attendance and financial support start slipping, you have a hard time keeping the first part (a nice arena) updated and state-of-the-art, which high level recruits expect.

waggy
01-05-2015, 02:55 PM
Fox didn't invest in these programs and set up events like the B1G challenge to get loser talk.

waggy
01-05-2015, 02:56 PM
Problem is if the last 2 years (and so far this year) become the norm for Chris Mack led Xavier basketball, you start to lose the second part (a passionate fanbase) pretty quickly. Once attendance and financial support start slipping, you have a hard time keeping the first part (a nice arena) updated and state-of-the-art, which high level recruits expect.

I know we are so dooooooomed. It's all falling apart.... Oooooh noooooo....

Fireball
01-05-2015, 02:57 PM
Lunardi also has 7 teams in from the Big East. This league is good but that isn't happening...it certainly isn't getting the most of any conference. Again, I love this conference, but 7 out of 10 is a little ridiculous.

So wait...we lost to DePaul and Auburn and we're not automatically out of the tournament? I guess Lunardi doesn't read the right threads on this board, because I thought we were packing it in for the season.

Plenty of time left to improve our seeding, but they're got to play better defense, especially on the road. I really hope that Trevon's 2nd half was evidence of being out of his slump, though. We really need him.

XU2011
01-05-2015, 03:47 PM
So wait...we lost to DePaul and Auburn and we're not automatically out of the tournament? I guess Lunardi doesn't read the right threads on this board, because I thought we were packing it in for the season.

Plenty of time left to improve our seeding, but they're got to play better defense, especially on the road. I really hope that Trevon's 2nd half was evidence of being out of his slump, though. We really need him.

You do realize, Lundardi doesn't project what the field WILL BE, but rather, if the season ended today what the field would be.

It's more of the thinking if we can't beat Auburn on the road, DePaul on the road (in a pro-Xavier environment) or Long Beach St in an empty neutral site gym, there's nothing to suggest we could beat any of the remaining BE teams on the road in a true road game/hostile environment.

By the way, Lundardi has us in the play-in game, and Palm doesn't have us in at all. If the play-in game and if we win an 11 seed is your expectations for the program, than we are right where we should be!

Xavier_Musketeers
01-06-2015, 08:44 AM
We need to win this game against Seton Hall that would be our second ranked team we beat, I think we would be okay if we win as long as we don't lose another terrible game like that

boozehound
01-06-2015, 09:08 AM
Well said. I agree with almost every point. I'm not giving up on this year yet...... I do think next year is really important for this program. I don't see how we can't recruit a JUCO or 5th year transfer to help in the post. I think our guard play will be really solid provided Sumner is 100% healthy. Both Macura and Bluiett will have a full year under their belts. Other than Jalen in the post, we are going to be seriously challenged. Farr is not a post player and O'Mara looks ok but may need another year.

Thank you. 'm actually more worried about guard play next year - specifically the point. Hopefully Randolph can develop into a good PG and leader, because I don't want to be relying on Sumner after having sat out a year to be our primary PG. I think that between O'Mara, Reynolds, and Farr that we will be OK in the front court.

This year isn't over yet, and we have a lot of opportunities to win big games if we get things figured out. If we go on a run nobody will give a crap about Depaul and Auburn come Selection Sunday. We need to start with a win over a ranked Seton Hall team tomorrow.


This isn't football though. At basketball X can be just as successful as any program. The two basic building blocks are a nice arena, and a passionate fan base. When X started they didn't even have the first item. Fortunately they had a usable arena not too far away though.

Even Duke has 50% higher undergraduate enrollment than Xavier does, and they are definitely an outlier in terms of school size to program strength. They also have a hall of fame coach that has been there for many years. We can definitely do better than we are right now, and Mack has made some significant mistakes that have set this program back, but I would argue that our inability to retain coaches has been our biggest achilles heel. The transition from Miller to Mack set us back in a number of ways. Hopefully Mack can deliver the goods long term, because he is probably our best chance at retaining a coach long term due to his ties to the area. We lost two very good coaches in a span of about 6 years.


I may be too optimistic but it hurts to hear that we are expecting too much. I guess I started getting spoiled when Tyrone Hill, Walker, and big Derreck Strong set high expectations.

I'm with you on the frustration. I became a fan when I attended Xavier from 2000-2004, so I've grown accustomed to winning. I miss it. I'm also trying to keep a realistic perspective to avoid going negative half way through the season because it doesn't do me any good, and I want to enjoy this season.

nuts4xu
01-06-2015, 09:14 AM
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/a6/a62a93f93010826d4e3a662fe93e68677cc9c4eefa491f0bd4 910b6801792f08.jpg

bleedXblue
01-06-2015, 09:19 AM
boozehound Thank you. I'm actually more worried about guard play next year - specifically the point. Hopefully Randolph can develop into a good PG and leader, because I don't want to be relying on Sumner after having sat out a year to be our primary PG. I think that between O'Mara, Reynolds, and Farr that we will be OK in the front court.[/B]

I think next year we will need more of a floor leader than anything. Between Randolph, Austin and Sumner I'm confident that we'll be ok there. Myles can also play some PG as well.

I'm sticking to hoping like hell Mack is looking at JUCO or 5th year guys for a true center or another PF that can play in the POST.

Fireball
01-06-2015, 10:12 AM
You do realize, Lundardi doesn't project what the field WILL BE, but rather, if the season ended today what the field would be.

It's more of the thinking if we can't beat Auburn on the road, DePaul on the road (in a pro-Xavier environment) or Long Beach St in an empty neutral site gym, there's nothing to suggest we could beat any of the remaining BE teams on the road in a true road game/hostile environment.

By the way, Lundardi has us in the play-in game, and Palm doesn't have us in at all. If the play-in game and if we win an 11 seed is your expectations for the program, than we are right where we should be!

I'm not saying we're in. I'm not saying we're out. I'm merely mocking those of you who declared the season over after the Auburn loss, and then again after the DePaul loss.

But both of the major tournament prognosticators have Xavier either in or nearly in the tournament, which means that there is plenty of opportunity for the team to play itself into a better position. Am I worried about our road struggles? Absolutely. Am I confident that our team will figure it out and get some key road wins by the end of the year? Yes again.

Season's not over, kids. We're not in that bad a position and there's at least 17 games to make it better.

Xville
01-06-2015, 10:32 AM
this may be for a different thread but people are mentioning next year, so this may be as good a place as any. We have two open scholarships for next year right? I can assume that Tim is probably not getting a scholarship next year. We have one slot filled with Gates, and the other is open correct? Is Mack intentionally keeping that one open for the prospect of a JC or fifth year senior, or is it just a matter of waiting for a recruit to make up their mind?

Kahns Krazy
01-06-2015, 10:34 AM
The season is over. This has been covered.

bleedXblue
01-06-2015, 10:39 AM
this may be for a different thread but people are mentioning next year, so this may be as good a place as any. We have two open scholarships for next year right? I can assume that Tim is probably not getting a scholarship next year. We have one slot filled with Gates, and the other is open correct? Is Mack intentionally keeping that one open for the prospect of a JC or fifth year senior, or is it just a matter of waiting for a recruit to make up their mind?

We have one spot open as of now.

nuts4xu
01-06-2015, 12:11 PM
http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2346858/jim-mora-playoffs.0.jpeg

Tournament? Tournament? I'm just trying to win a damn game...

DoubleD86
01-06-2015, 04:27 PM
Just for some numbers (as of 1/6/2015 at 4:28PM EST):
Aggregate, projected as a 10 seed right now - http://www.bracketmatrix.com/
Current RPI - 53
Expected RPI - 32.5
Final Record of 18-13 - Expected RPI of 48.3
Final Record of 19-12 - Expected RPI of 38.3
Final Record of 20-11 - Expected RPI of 30.2
Final Record of 21-10 - Expected RPI of 23.6
(stats above via http://www.rpiforecast.com/teams/Xavier.html)

The season is in no way over. There is still plenty of chance to make the tournament. The team will obviously need to improve on results away from Cintas, but I personally think this team will improve on Defense (as they have been) and overall as the season goes. I'm guessing we make the NCAA.

drudy23
01-06-2015, 04:31 PM
Just for some numbers (as of 1/6/2015 at 4:28PM EST):
Aggregate, projected as a 10 seed right now - http://www.bracketmatrix.com/
Current RPI - 53
Expected RPI - 32.5
Final Record of 18-13 - Expected RPI of 48.3
Final Record of 19-12 - Expected RPI of 38.3
Final Record of 20-11 - Expected RPI of 30.2
Final Record of 21-10 - Expected RPI of 23.6
(stats above via http://www.rpiforecast.com/teams/Xavier.html)

The season is in no way over. There is still plenty of chance to make the tournament. The team will obviously need to improve on results away from Cintas, but I personally think this team will improve on Defense (as they have been) and overall as the season goes. I'm guessing we make the NCAA.

Really? That's actually very surprising.

XU2011
01-06-2015, 04:56 PM
The season is in no way over. There is still plenty of chance to make the tournament. The team will obviously need to improve on results away from Cintas, but I personally think this team will improve on Defense (as they have been) and overall as the season goes. I'm guessing we make the NCAA.

Nobody has arguing our results to-date would exclude us from the tournament. We have several decent to very good wins. And our losses (outside of DePaul) really aren't too terrible at this point.

I think what people are saying is, given the results so far... the inability to beat DePaul in a pro-Xavier arena, the inability to win at Auburn and the inability to beat Long Beach St in an empty gym... all of which were close games down the stretch....... what reasonable person would conclude that it is likely we could beat a Georgetown or Marquette or Seton Hall or Cincinnati in very hostile environments. There is no evidence that would suggest that other than hopes and wishes as Xavier fans. If we can't win away from Cintas, we aren't making the tournament.

xufan2434
01-06-2015, 05:32 PM
Nobody has arguing our results to-date would exclude us from the tournament. We have several decent to very good wins. And our losses (outside of DePaul) really aren't too terrible at this point.

I think what people are saying is, given the results so far... the inability to beat DePaul in a pro-Xavier arena, the inability to win at Auburn and the inability to beat Long Beach St in an empty gym... all of which were close games down the stretch....... what reasonable person would conclude that it is likely we could beat a Georgetown or Marquette or Seton Hall or Cincinnati in very hostile environments. There is no evidence that would suggest that other than hopes and wishes as Xavier fans. If we can't win away from Cintas, we aren't making the tournament.

Spot on... Unless this team figures something out soon on how to steal a couple games on the road, it isn't going to matter. The next couple games are against very good teams and huge in terms of answering this question. Playing @ Butler and Villanova seems miserable right now based on the road so far this year.

xubrew
01-07-2015, 12:51 PM
Bracketology is a phenomenon.

If it favors their team, fans agree with it. If it doesn't, then fans think the person doing it is stupid.

People get so wrapped up in it because they seem to think it is actual insight into what the committee will do. It's not. In most cases it is just an outsider making guesses. I also think that most "bracketologists" seem to be heavily influenced by each other.

Whenever the actual committee does not match the bracketology, which happens a lot, bracketologists rant and rave about how the committee got it wrong. The thought that perhaps the committee got it right and the bracketologists got it wrong never seems to enter their mind.

You know who you never see doing bracketology?? Former committee members. You know why?? They'll be the first ones to tell you that there isn't a scientific or quantitative way to predict what a committee will do, or what their reasons are for doing it.

I'm sure many of you have been on some sort of committee at some point in your life. Hiring committees, planning committees, rules committees, entertainment committees, or whatever. Not even the people on the committee know how it's going to go. But, because it is COLLEGE athletics, and colleges do everything by committee, this system will never change. The procedures for selecting and seeding the teams are pretty much the same whether it's div3 volleyball or div1 men's basketball.

waggy
01-07-2015, 12:55 PM
Former committee members don't do "bracketology" because they have lives.

DoubleD86
01-07-2015, 01:54 PM
Nobody has arguing our results to-date would exclude us from the tournament. We have several decent to very good wins. And our losses (outside of DePaul) really aren't too terrible at this point.

I think what people are saying is, given the results so far... the inability to beat DePaul in a pro-Xavier arena, the inability to win at Auburn and the inability to beat Long Beach St in an empty gym... all of which were close games down the stretch....... what reasonable person would conclude that it is likely we could beat a Georgetown or Marquette or Seton Hall or Cincinnati in very hostile environments. There is no evidence that would suggest that other than hopes and wishes as Xavier fans. If we can't win away from Cintas, we aren't making the tournament.

I understand what you are saying, but some have suggested that the losses to DePaul and Auburn are going to keep us out or that we aren't close to getting in as of now. My point is if we do what is rather likely (using the numbers before, our highest percentage liklihood is to end up 20-11 and 19-22 wins comprises over 50% of our liklihoods) we should have a decent chance to make the tournament.

Additionally, I think there is clear room for improvement and we have already seen some improvement that suggests the 20 win barrier is not a crazy hope for the fans. If nothing else changes but Bluiett gets back to being a part of the offense then this team should be able to hit that. I personally expect more improvement than just that one instance.

xubrew
01-07-2015, 01:59 PM
Former committee members don't do "bracketology" because they have lives.

That's debatable.

Kahns Krazy
01-08-2015, 11:05 AM
I can't believe we wasted that game last night on a season that is already over. Stupid.

D-West & PO-Z
01-08-2015, 11:24 AM
I can't believe we wasted that game last night on a season that is already over. Stupid.

Me neither.

PMI
01-08-2015, 12:05 PM
I can't believe we wasted that game last night on a season that is already over. Stupid.

Very sneaky of us...

xuwin
01-08-2015, 12:29 PM
Nobody has arguing our results to-date would exclude us from the tournament. We have several decent to very good wins. And our losses (outside of DePaul) really aren't too terrible at this point.

I think what people are saying is, given the results so far... the inability to beat DePaul in a pro-Xavier arena, the inability to win at Auburn and the inability to beat Long Beach St in an empty gym... all of which were close games down the stretch....... what reasonable person would conclude that it is likely we could beat a Georgetown or Marquette or Seton Hall or Cincinnati in very hostile environments. There is no evidence that would suggest that other than hopes and wishes as Xavier fans. If we can't win away from Cintas, we aren't making the tournament.

I think Xavier plays better in hostile environments than they do in empty arenas at neutral sites. Most of the teams that Xavier plays in the pre season tournaments are used to playing in empty arenas. Even hostile crowds are invigorating .

xubrew
01-08-2015, 12:41 PM
I think Xavier plays better in hostile environments than they do in empty arenas at neutral sites. Most of the teams that Xavier plays in the pre season tournaments are used to playing in empty arenas. Even hostile crowds are invigorating .

UTEP and Long Beach are normally packed and loud.

XU2011
01-08-2015, 12:42 PM
I think Xavier plays better in hostile environments than they do in empty arenas at neutral sites. Most of the teams that Xavier plays in the pre season tournaments are used to playing in empty arenas. Even hostile crowds are invigorating .

Auburn was the most hostile environment Xavier has played in all year.

gladdenguy
01-08-2015, 01:02 PM
I can't believe we wasted that game last night on a season that is already over. Stupid.


Me neither.

These comments should be made after they win a road game. Just an FYI.
It was over after Depaul. Its on for the time being until the Butler game.

paulxu
01-08-2015, 01:10 PM
I think Xavier plays better in hostile environments than they do in empty arenas at neutral sites.

I never thought of Cintas being a hostile environment for us. But based on some of the comments in some of the threads here, I could see it.

pimpinthebox
01-08-2015, 01:28 PM
These comments should be made after they win a road game. Just an FYI.
It was over after Depaul. Its on for the time being until the Butler game.

Come on, GG. It's posts like this why I stopped posting consistently in the first place. Without having read every post on the board, I can only assume it's you that proclaimed the season over after DePaul. Knowing (and loving) you the way that I do, I'm not surprised in the least. As I always tell you, we will be fine. Until last night (when DePaul jumped inside the top RPI 150 thus dropping Creighton out of the top 100), every one of our remaining games except one was against top 100 RPI teams - with five of those teams in the top 50. Add the tilt versus UC and that's a lot of opportunity. Yes, we need to win a few of those on the road, but those will come. That's a ton of quality wins that the committee cannot ignore - home or road. Finish above 500 in this conference and we are so in.

As Aaron Rodgers once said, "R-E-L-A-X".

gladdenguy
01-08-2015, 01:37 PM
Come on, GG. It's posts like this why I stopped posting consistently in the first place. Without having read every post on the board, I can only assume it's you that proclaimed the season over after DePaul. Knowing (and loving) you the way that I do, I'm not surprised in the least. As I always tell you, we will be fine. Until last night (when DePaul jumped inside the top RPI 150 thus dropping Creighton out of the top 100), every one of our remaining games except one was against top 100 RPI teams - with five of those teams in the top 50. Add the tilt versus UC and that's a lot of opportunity. Yes, we need to win a few of those on the road, but those will come. That's a ton of quality wins that the committee cannot ignore - home or road. Finish above 500 in this conference and we are so in.

As Aaron Rodgers once said, "R-E-L-A-X".

I don't know if I said it was over but I did say NIT until we win on the road.
If they don't beat UC I wouldn't rely on 10-8 getting in.

Kahns Krazy
01-08-2015, 01:43 PM
Please. This season is over. Why bother reading or posting or watching anything about it. We are going to lose by 112 points at Butler. I wouldn't be surprised if Fox offers us $10 million to leave the conference before the end of the year so we quit dragging it down. We wasted a decent game last night, but as Gladdenguy pointed out, it's worthless at home. I wonder if we can accept an early CBI bid?

casualfan
01-08-2015, 01:45 PM
I don't know if I said it was over but I did say NIT until we win on the road.
If they don't beat UC I wouldn't rely on 10-8 getting in.

FWIW the blog I read says their projections have us needing 11-7 in the league.

Anything less and they think we'll be sweating it out on selection sunday.

Kahns Krazy
01-08-2015, 01:57 PM
I heard a guy at the bus stop say we need 12-6 in the league. He said he was going to Fuddruckers later, so I'm pretty sure he's right. Then I saw him hop onto the bus off one foot.

PMI
01-08-2015, 02:11 PM
I heard a guy at the bus stop say we need 12-6 in the league. He said he was going to Fuddruckers later, so I'm pretty sure he's right. Then I saw him hop onto the bus off one foot.

Shit I know exactly who that guy is. He's related to Johnny Wolf, but denies it, citing that someone broke into his office and got on his computer to spread that rumor.

GoMuskies
01-08-2015, 02:27 PM
I heard a guy at the bus stop say we need 12-6 in the league. He said he was going to Fuddruckers later, so I'm pretty sure he's right. Then I saw him hop onto the bus off one foot.

Interesting. I was not there, so I did not hear.

mid major
01-08-2015, 02:43 PM
Ray Rice or Ray Lewis?

If we are talking about vocals and being vocal then we must be talking about Ray Conniff.

XUFan09
01-08-2015, 03:35 PM
FWIW the blog I read says their projections have us needing 11-7 in the league.

Anything less and they think we'll be sweating it out on selection sunday.

As this team has a lot more opportunities for good wins in conference than last year's 10-8 team, I was curious about comparing resumes. Obviously, last year's team was a borderline tournament team, so equal resumes would not be enough to avoid worrying. This year's resume would have to be pretty clearly better to avoid Sunday night anxiety. My analysis started as just a longer forum post, but a blog post is a friendlier format for that kind of thing, so I used my old blog (that I don't regularly update because I don't have time).

https://fromstaaktomack.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/comparing-2014-and-2015-tournament-resumes-on-182015/

94GRAD
01-08-2015, 03:45 PM
I heard a guy at the bus stop say we need 12-6 in the league. He said he was going to Fuddruckers later, so I'm pretty sure he's right. Then I saw him hop onto the bus off one foot.

You could have just said Snipe

X-band '01
01-08-2015, 08:02 PM
The guy at the bus stop is much less long-winded than Snipe.

LadyMuskie
01-08-2015, 09:04 PM
Please. This season is over. Why bother reading or posting or watching anything about it. We are going to lose by 112 points at Butler. I wouldn't be surprised if Fox offers us $10 million to leave the conference before the end of the year so we quit dragging it down. We wasted a decent game last night, but as Gladdenguy pointed out, it's worthless at home. I wonder if we can accept an early CBI bid?

You think we're going to get a CBI bid. Bwahahaha! Don't you know we're so bad we can't even pay to play.

MADXSTER
01-08-2015, 10:38 PM
Time to start hating on Butler

RedsX11
01-09-2015, 05:13 PM
Does anyone ever worry that we don't get a whole lot of new members on this site because a lot of us are freaking assholes?

Yeah the original question was a dumb one to worry about before Christmas, but man, we just jump down people's throats.

GoMuskies
01-09-2015, 05:18 PM
Does anyone ever worry that we don't get a whole lot of new members on this site because a lot of us are freaking assholes?


Good job DC and MOR. Now look what you've done. You've scared away potential new members.

waggy
01-09-2015, 05:32 PM
Maybe the new members are assholes.

paulxu
01-09-2015, 05:50 PM
Throat jumping down is a time-honored tradition.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/FF0H8V5HvVAXmH-mjXIDwaaKag3uOKO1DQQ08lg6gLAYaSi4WVlzeXGOcZ2GSNSEm Lo_iYVWjkex1--sQNqlrSvZspAuhQ=s426

crolfes12
01-12-2015, 08:53 PM
Latest predictions today:

ESPN: 9 seed
http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12154140/latest-update-joe-lunardi-bracket-math-college-basketball

CBS: 11 seed
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/bracketology

LadyMuskie
01-12-2015, 09:19 PM
Does anyone ever worry that we don't get a whole lot of new members on this site because a lot of us are freaking assholes?

Yeah the original question was a dumb one to worry about before Christmas, but man, we just jump down people's throats.

Is it me, or did you not start posting until XU2011 was banned?

And, really, to be clear, you're way too new to be one of us freaking a-holes on here. It takes way more than 31 posts to get to freaking a-hole level. A-hole level, maybe. But, not freaking a-hole. So, using "we" is way misplaced. But, welcome! Enjoy your time here!

LA Muskie
01-12-2015, 09:24 PM
I don't watch remotely as much basketball as Brew, and for the life of me I can't figure out how all of those metrics work (particularly how they work in our favor this year). All I know is that if the season ended TODAY, I'd have a really hard time justifying a tourney bid. A REALLY hard time. As in I just can't imagine it happening.

But again, maybe we're not unusual in that regard. Maybe there are a lot of teams in the middle, in which case maybe those metrics get us over the hump. I have no idea.

My point -- if I have one -- is that we need to turn the volume up several notches for me to feel comfortable about meaningful post-season play. I'm not saying we can't. To the contrary, I THINK we can. I certainly HOPE we can. There's really no reason we shouldn't be able to. We have the talent.

Xavier
01-12-2015, 10:22 PM
I think x would easily be in if season ended today. How many other bubble teams have two top 25 wins?

X-man
01-13-2015, 06:03 AM
Is it me, or did you not start posting until XU2011 was banned?

And, really, to be clear, you're way too new to be one of us freaking a-holes on here. It takes way more than 31 posts to get to freaking a-hole level. A-hole level, maybe. But, not freaking a-hole. So, using "we" is way misplaced. But, welcome! Enjoy your time here!

If not an a-hole, certainly a troll. And of course our new "friend" is just our old "friend" with a new name. Here's a bit of advice, "friend": spirited debate among people with differing opinions is what messageboards are designed to foster; having trolls come and in pretend to be fans while posting negative garbage that is not part of that honest debate is not welcome. Change your moniker to "uc2011" or "ud2011" and you won't get banned. Stop pretending to be a fan of the Muskies who is "worried" about the current Muskie struggles.

Kahns Krazy
01-13-2015, 09:21 AM
This thread is more over than the season.

nuts4xu
01-13-2015, 12:10 PM
Does anyone ever worry that we don't get a whole lot of new members on this site because a lot of us are freaking assholes?



I don't know what you are talking about when you say "jump down people's throats". Do you think I jumped down your throat? Are you f**king talking about me? Did you call me an asshole? Well maybe you're the f**king asshole! I may drop something slimy down a broad's throat, but I haven't jumped down any one's f**king throat on this board ever.

That has to be the biggest pile of bullshit I have ever read on this site. You and all the whiny ass new f**kers can post or not, quite frankly I don't give a crap. In fact, I have a pocket full of craps I am not going to give about any of you newby little assholes.

Worry about not getting new members? Eh...f**K em. No really, f**k em right in their pussy!!

ForTUitous
01-13-2015, 12:55 PM
Does anyone know if a team has made the tournament (as an at large) without winning a road conference game?

Xavier
01-15-2015, 01:43 PM
Lunardi's new bracket (came out today) still has Xavier in as a 10 seed. (I know-its if the season ended today, not a projection)

drudy23
01-15-2015, 01:48 PM
I honestly can't see it (if the season ended today). No way this team, currently, is a tournament team. We don't deserve it.

xu82
01-15-2015, 01:56 PM
Which tournament?

BMoreX
01-15-2015, 02:01 PM
We have a better Kenpom ranking than two 5 seeds in Lunardi's bracket.

I've never seen anything like that before.

Xavier
01-15-2015, 02:10 PM
I honestly can't see it (if the season ended today). No way this team, currently, is a tournament team. We don't deserve it.

If the season ended today I could see it--because of two top 25 wins.

casualfan
01-15-2015, 02:15 PM
We have a better Kenpom ranking than two 5 seeds in Lunardi's bracket.

I've never seen anything like that before.

Check SMU last year.

GoMuskies
01-15-2015, 02:17 PM
If the season ended today I could see it--because of two top 25 wins.

Is Seton Hall still a top 25 win? They've been struggling.

casualfan
01-15-2015, 02:55 PM
Is Seton Hall still a top 25 win? They've been struggling.

It depends on how you defined top 25, but since the committee groups them by rpi yes they are.

Georgetown, who i assume others are counting as the second, is not. they are 37th in the rpi.

xufan2434
01-15-2015, 03:04 PM
Just thank the Lord that the Big East got good Non-conference wins so that when everyone beats each other up, it doesn't knock everyone out like it used to in the A-10