Road Win!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Congrats Muskies on your first Big East road win! A huge one at that against a top 25 team and a top 15 RPI team. On the road!

[X-band '01]

Tonight's menu - Hoya roadkill

[Xavgrad08]

Huge win. Remy played great defense. Myles Davis was awesome. Stainbook did a nice job on Smith. X was really good at executing out of timeouts tonight. We have another big opportunity vs Seton Hall on Saturday.

[blobfan]

Is it too much to ask for another road win?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Stain was amazing on Smith. Just seeing Reynolds get dominated by him made it that much more evident.

[XfansinKy]

Myles is reminding me of Tu.

[xu82]

You expect a young team to struggle on defense. You hope they improve throughout the year. Hmm, maybe this is going ok....

[XfansinKy]

I agree 100%

[X Factor]

Those 2 threes Myles buried in the first half were awesome! A deep corner three and then pulling up on the fast break - nuthin' but net!!

Some nice, strong drives to the basket were just another example of the evolution of Myles Davis. He is the heart of this team.

[XU 87]

All is well.

[Kahns Krazy]

Most impressed tonight by the movement off the ball. Passes were with intent all night. Showed resilience every time GTown threatened.

Great showing on the road tonight. Fire Chris Mack!

[gladdenguy]

So nice to see a roadkill. Props to CMack for getting it done and using his timeouts well tonight and playing solid defense. I knew Chris had it in him.
Big, big win for the ole resume. I might not sleep tonight.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Myles is our toughest player in my mind. Comes up huge when we needs him. Mentally tough and definitely starting to emulate Tu like characteristics.

[IVANHOE]

great TEAM win today. Really hit on all factors and showed some toughness when hoyas went on a couple mini runs.

[nasdadjr]

All is definitely not well but this is definitely two steps in the right direction. Great win tonight let's get another at Seton hall and get some top 25 votes

[D-West & PO-Z]

All is definitely not well but this is definitely two steps in the right direction. Great win tonight let's get another at Seton hall and get some top 25 votes

Shut up buzzkill, go to MM.

[blobfan]

All is definitely not well but this is definitely two steps in the right direction. Great win tonight let's get another at Seton hall and get some top 25 votes

Could you at least wait until tomorrow to piss on our parade?

[xudash]

Most impressed tonight by the movement off the ball. Passes were with intent all night. Showed resilience every time GTown threatened.

Great showing on the road tonight. Fire Chris Mack!

Having them prepared to play all 40 minutes.

Calling timeouts absolutely when necessary.

Getting them to respond when G'town tried to comeback by executing plays out of the timeouts.

Yep. Fire Chris Mack!

[chico]

All is well.

Yes it is. Remain calm.

<--------

[xukeith]

Myles is reminding me of Tu.

Signs of Tu. I will wait until Myles is a senior.

[xukeith]

Per warrennolan.com

Updated X rpi is #25.

[xubrew]

Most impressive win since joining the Big East!!

GREAT WIN!!!

[Kahns Krazy]

Live RPI shows us as the 5th BE team in the top 25 RPI. Man it's nice to be in a conference that is solid top to bottom and wins in the OOC.

[XU 87]

That Chris Mack can really coach.

[Kahns Krazy]

Fire Chris Mack!

[xu82]

that chris mack can really coach.

amen!

[xuwin]

Great job by Dee, Remy, Trevon & Myles bringing the ball up against the press. I don't think they turned it over one time breaking the press.

[LadyMuskie]

All is definitely not well but this is definitely two steps in the right direction. Great win tonight let's get another at Seton hall and get some top 25 votes

You have problems. You should seek professional help for them.

[XUOWNSUC]

I credit Japer & DC Muskie for this win - way to bring it home!

[X-Fan]

Signs of Tu. I will wait until Myles is a senior.
Why wait? Tu did big things as a Soph as well!

Myles was on a mission tonight. First time I csn remember him really asserting himself in all parts of his game. Did you see him confidently bring the ball up countless times under pressure? How about the D? He did it all tonight.

This should go under Tweets Ya Gotta Love, but did you guys notice the change in Myles hair? After last game Draymond Green tweeted:
@Money23Green: Aye somebody tell the kid from Xaevier to just let it go!!!!! Kid hairline done!!!!

Myles game him crap for misspelling Xavier, but Green told him he's gotta give up on the receding hairline. It was funny conversation. Looks like Myles took his advise! Mans game!

[RealDeal]

I miss the A10.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I dont think I have ever been so nervous with a 9 point lead with less than 2mins left in a game. Just felt like we might do something to blow it. Great toughness.

[RealDeal]

In all seriousness, we kicked their ass.

[Kahns Krazy]

It is hard to hold a lead on the road. I was nervous too.

[Xavier]

This is likely the best win Xavier could get the rest of the regular season. Bigger than a home win over Nova, IMO.

[xu82]

I dont think I have ever been so nervous with a 9 point lead with less than 2mins left in a game. Just felt like we might do something to blow it. Great toughness.

I admit to feeling the same way. That may not be entirely a Xavier thing, it could be Bills contamination.

[xu82]

This is likely the best win Xavier could get the rest of the regular season. Bigger than a home win over Nova, IMO.

I'll take both and let the Committee decide. (I'm a greedy bastard.)

[xdude]

Awesome. Bring it on...

[xudash]

You have problems. You should seek professional help for them.

I no longer have problems - with him. Off to ignore he went.

[xudash]

I miss the A10.

Love it!

The funny thing is that the poor bastards we left behind cannot begin to comprehend this thing.

[XUFan09]

This is likely the best win Xavier could get the rest of the regular season. Bigger than a home win over Nova, IMO.

You're right, actually. This is the equivalent of a top 10, maybe even top 5, win on a neutral court, while a potential win over Villanova would "only" be borderline top 25. Beating Villanova at home would actually be similar to beating Seton Hall or St. John's on the road.

[gladdenguy]

I credit Japer & DC Muskie for this win - way to bring it home!

Don't forget PMI. That boy brought a crew tonight and got it done. Even MOR might have been present and he more than anybody deserves a road win after going to Nova and Providence.

[Emp]

I was there. It was epic. No luck, well coached, Dee Davis and Matt Stainbrook are such good passers. I'm am so relieved to see Blueitt and Myles make threes. We are now fully blooded members of the BigEast.

[Masterofreality]

Roll call of known posters- BMoreX, DC Muskie, PMI (the Heel), Japer, Emp and Yours Truly.

Truly a Tour De Force of quality. No wonder the team performed well.

[Strange Brew]

This is likely the best win Xavier could get the rest of the regular season. Bigger than a home win over Nova, IMO.

hUge, no doubt.

[XUOHTX]

Dat Defense

[PMI]

What a great win tonight fellas. I was admittedly very nervous all night but I'm do glad to get the W. X was awesome, Myles was a stud let's go Muskies!!!

[kyxu]

From Myles' three in transition to the very end, my nipples were fully erect.

[Masterofreality]

Damn good turnout of X fans there last night.

Although we were so spread out all over the place you really couldn't tell how many, but the pre game get together was well attended.

By the way, Congressman Boehner had the X contingent team and staff up to his office yesterday. Very cool, Congressman.

[Kahns Krazy]

You're right, actually. This is the equivalent of a top 10, maybe even top 5, win on a neutral court, while a potential win over Villanova would "only" be borderline top 25. Beating Villanova at home would actually be similar to beating Seton Hall or St. John's on the road.

Uh, let's not get carried away. Nova is not "borderline" top 25.

The only reason that this win is potentially more valuable than a home win over Nova is that we were missing a road win. If we beat UC on the road, I'd rather have the home win against Nova in the final week of the regular season than a road win at GTown in January.

What I really want is all three, and we got the first one already.

Run the table and we're a 2 seed.

[Masterofreality]

We were actually talking about this last night.

What was Xavier's best true road win ever? Three come to mind for me-

1) 2003 DWest's senior year where we played St. Joes in the last game of the year and won a tough one.
2) 2004- The win at Temple in February when we were down by 17 at one point.
3) 2010- JLove, Tu and Jordan Crawford go into the swamp and beat Florida.

Remember, this is road wins on the other guy's court- not tournament neutral wins.

[markchal]

Didn't we have a shootout win or two on UC's floor when they were No. 1 or were those all at home?

[XU 87]

2007ish- Miller's team goes down and beats a good LSU team by double digits in February.

1996- XU beats #1 UC.

1978ish- XU beats top 20 Tennessee in Tennessee's holiday tournament. (and beat top 20 USC the game before that in said tournament).

for our younger posters, it used to be the top 20, not the top 25.

[GoMuskies]

1996- XU beats #1 UC.


This is the answer by a very wide margin.

[pimpinthebox]

1996- XU beats #1 UC.


This is the answer by a very wide margin.

Agreed. Not even close. Great game. Great shot by Lenny. Great result. Great call by Andy Mac.

[X-Fan]

We were actually talking about this last night.

What was Xavier's best true road win ever? Three come to mind for me-

1) 2003 DWest's senior year where we played St. Joes in the last game of the year and won a tough one.
2) 2004- The win at Temple in February when we were down by 17 at one point.
3) 2010- JLove, Tu and Jordan Crawford go into the swamp and beat Florida.

Remember, this is road wins on the other guy's court- not tournament neutral wins.


2007ish- Miller's team goes down and beats a good LSU team by double digits in February.

1996- XU beats #1 UC.

1978ish- XU beats top 20 Tennessee in Tennessee's holiday tournament. (and beat top 20 USC the game before that in said tournament).

for our younger posters, it used to be the top 20, not the top 25.




1996- XU beats #1 UC.
This is the answer by a very wide margin.
Glad GoMuskies pointed that out. For some reason when I think of road wins I didn't even think of the UC series. Maybe it's because it's all about the rivalry. One of the best moments of my fandom. I still get goosebumps just talking about that game. Posey's breakout game, Lenny with the Dagger!

In any case, besides the 96 win at #1 UC, the only other ranked Roadkill that I can think of that hasn't been mentioned was X beating #19 Vandy at Vandy in 2011. One of the most badazz wins of all time. Tu and Cheeks doing BAD things!

[Kahns Krazy]

UC. Dogpile. #1.

[X-man]

I no longer have problems - with him. Off to ignore he went.

I forgot about "Ignore". Thanks for reminding me of that glorious option. Nasdadjr is now officially on "Ignore". Please don't anybody quote that troll.

[XUFan09]

Uh, let's not get carried away. Nova is not "borderline" top 25.

The only reason that this win is potentially more valuable than a home win over Nova is that we were missing a road win. If we beat UC on the road, I'd rather have the home win against Nova in the final week of the regular season than a road win at GTown in January.

What I really want is all three, and we got the first one already.

Run the table and we're a 2 seed.

I'm not getting carried away. The venue makes a big difference. Beating projected RPI 26th Georgetown on the road is significantly better than beating projected RPI 8th Villanova at home. You can basically flip their RPIs based on the venue. Actually, if Xavier were to beat Villanova in the conference tournament, that would be about on par with beating Georgetown on the road. Or, if Xavier win @St. John's/@Seton Hall and vs. Villanova, those would be equivalent wins. The Committee gives a lot of credit for winning on the road and isn't a big fan of homecourt heroes.

I agree that if we run the table we're a 2 seed. Even without running the table, though, this team could still be a protected seed. One can hope...

[Masterofreality]

Didn't we have a shootout win or two on UC's floor when they were No. 1 or were those all at home?

I just expect to beat SucKS. :laugh:

I probably should have said - "Road win outside of the city of Cincinnati". That, to me, us a "true" road win- hotels, travel, hassles.

[mid major]

I know it was a neutral site but in Nov of 2008 we went to Puerto Rico and defeated Virgina Tech, Missouri and Memphis.

[Milhouse]

I think last night might've been Mack's best road win.

I believe its only his second ranked win vs a Road team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9gzv2iuXBA

That was a great comeback game.

[XU 87]

I know it was a neutral site but in Nov of 2008 we went to Puerto Rico and defeated Virgina Tech, Missouri and Memphis.

That was pretty cool, including Dante's half court shot to beat Va. Tech.

[xeus]

1996- XU beats #1 UC.

That happened on my 25th birthday. Will never forget it.

[XU 87]

That happened on my 25th birthday. Will never forget it.

I don't care about your birthday.

[XU Cowbell Kid]

Roll call of known posters- BMoreX, DC Muskie, PMI (the Heel), Japer, Emp and Yours Truly.

Truly a Tour De Force of quality. No wonder the team performed well.

Were any of you sitting directly behind a tarp with a bulldog on it? I was sitting there for part of the first half, and I was thinking the group next to me was an XH type of crowd.

[Masterofreality]

Were any of you sitting directly behind a tarp with a bulldog on it? I was sitting there for part of the first half, and I was thinking the group next to me was an XH type of crowd.

Nah.

We were over to your right in the second level above XU's bench.

Of course, DC Muskie, the Duke of the District, was up in the posh Players Club sipping Champagne and munching on Chateaubriand sliders while cheering. He did mingle with the common folk at the Iron Horse after the game, however. He's good that way.

Emp was in his own world.

[Emp]

Other great road wins..

.the David West + Kevin Frye road win at Richmond, coming from 17 down in front of a hostile student section, then grabbing crotches on the way out. Frey is reputed to have blackened eyes in the post game corridor.

Xavier down by 8 with 50 seconds left at Marquette, MU shooting 1and1' Kevin oNeil high giving his bench......Jamie Gladden hits a 3' we steal the ball twice and score to force overtime, and win. The "et tu, DiUlio?" Game.

[xu82]

Kevin Frey. Wow. That's the kind of scrappy player every team needs at least one of.

[Kahns Krazy]

I'm not getting carried away. The venue makes a big difference. Beating projected RPI 26th Georgetown on the road is significantly better than beating projected RPI 8th Villanova at home. You can basically flip their RPIs based on the venue. Actually, if Xavier were to beat Villanova in the conference tournament, that would be about on par with beating Georgetown on the road. Or, if Xavier win @St. John's/@Seton Hall and vs. Villanova, those would be equivalent wins. The Committee gives a lot of credit for winning on the road and isn't a big fan of homecourt heroes.

I agree that if we run the table we're a 2 seed. Even without running the table, though, this team could still be a protected seed. One can hope...

That's not how the math works. Beating GTown on the road and losing to Nova at home is actually slightly worse in our RPI calc than losing to GTown on the road and beating Nova at home because of our record outside of those games. I get that the committee is looking for road wins, but they will not downplay a win over a big team because it was at home.

[LA Muskie]

That's not how the math works. Beating GTown on the road and losing to Nova at home is actually slightly worse in our RPI calc than losing to GTown on the road and beating Nova at home because of our record outside of those games. I get that the committee is looking for road wins, but they will not downplay a win over a big team because it was at home.
I don't think the bold part is accurate. The RPI calculation may not downplay a big win at home (or, more accurately, the RPI calculation may punish a home loss more), but the human element -- the Committee -- would definitely favor a road win at Georgetown over a home win against 'Nova.

But better yet, win both.

[XUFan09]

I don't think the bold part is accurate. The RPI calculation may not downplay a big win at home (or, more accurately, the RPI calculation may punish a home loss more), but the human element -- the Committee -- would definitely favor a road win at Georgetown over a home win against 'Nova.

But better yet, win both.
Yup, exactly. The Committee gives a lot more weight to road wins and a lot less weight to home wins. Unfairly so? Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that their deliberation is what we have to worry about.

[XU 87]

Nah.

We were over to your right in the second level above XU's bench.

Of course, DC Muskie, the Duke of the District, was up in the posh Players Club sipping Champagne and munching on Chateaubriand sliders while cheering. He did mingle with the common folk at the Iron Horse after the game, however. He's good that way.

Emp was in his own world.

I knew it. I just knew it! DC is the bluest of blue bloods. I bet he ordered a brandy at the Iron Horse, and then complained that his snifter wasn't made of crystal.

[Masterofreality]

I knew it. I just knew it! DC is the bluest of blue bloods. I bet he ordered a brandy at the Iron Horse, and then complained that his snifter wasn't made of crystal.

And with the Nationals signing Scherzer, DC made sure that all knew that he is a Nats season ticket holder. He all but guaranteed a fall classic in the Nations Capital. :biggrin:

[PMI]

And with the Nationals signing Scherzer, DC made sure that all knew that he is a Nats season ticket holder. He all but guaranteed a fall classic in the Nations Capital. :biggrin:

Nats better get it done this year because there is no way we are going to be able to bring everyone back in 2016. DC sports are in good shape right now though... with one obvious exception.

<-----

[CinciX12]

I stayed away all season until I had something positive to say. That, dear friends was impressive beyond words. 40 complete minutes finally.

[CinciX12]

Yup, exactly. The Committee gives a lot more weight to road wins and a lot less weight to home wins. Unfairly so? Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that their deliberation is what we have to worry about.

I agree completely. But couldn't Nova be so good this year that the rule doesn't apply?

[LA Muskie]

I agree completely. But couldn't Nova be so good this year that the rule doesn't apply?
Theoretically possible, but I don't think 'Nova is considered in that class of team. I think about the only team that would apply to this year is Kentucky.

Bear in mind that home losses to teams like 'Nova aren't considered "bad losses" by the committee. Not by any stretch. But that's not the topic. The question is which has a greater effect on a team's selection/seeding: a road win at a place like Georgetown or a home loss to a team like 'Nova. Recent committee decisions say it's the former.

[GoMuskies]

I think about the only team that would apply to this year is Kentucky.


Add Virginia to that list. Any team that plays in the ACC and gets to January 31 undefeated takes a backseat to no one.

[XUFan09]

I agree completely. But couldn't Nova be so good this year that the rule doesn't apply?
Like LA said, it's theoretically possible. They'd have to be a great road team, which the loss to Seton Hall and the beatdown from Georgetown do not indicate. I'd probably put Virginia with Kentucky on that level where the venue weight is diminished some.

[LA Muskie]

Add Virginia to that list. Any team that plays in the ACC and gets to January 31 undefeated takes a backseat to no one.
I thought about Virginia. And I don't disagree that perhaps they should be in that category. But I don't think they actually would be. Probably because of their lack of reputation and history. They are undefeated yet have ZERO #1 coaches' votes and only ONE #1 AP vote (I'm guessing based in VA) despite having a marginally better strength of schedule and having far fewer close games than UK (their only real "close" game was their 2OT at Miami, although their game against Rutgers was brutally ugly...).

Also, bear in mind that while they have gotten through January undefeated in the ACC so far, their only real opponent of consequence was Notre Dame (great road win for them, though). In the next 10 days they play Duke, @ UNC, and Louisville. I don't see them coming out of those 3 undefeated. If they do, they also have games at NC State, Syracuse, and Louisville to close out the season (all of which are brutal on the road, even if the first two aren't having stellar seasons).

But if Virginia is still undefeated (or even a 1 loss team) come selection time, I tend to agree that a home win over them should trump the vast majority of road wins and put them up there with Kentucky.

[PMI]

I think part of the reason UVA lacks the #1 votes is simply because Kentucky started the season #1 and hasn't lost. The rankings work fairly scientifically for the most part, if you lose you fall and if you win you rise as (if someone right ahead of you lost) and it usually doesn't even really matter who it is you play for that. Kentucky entered the season with the reputation of having one of the most stacked teams ever, and it hasn't lost yet, so there's not much of a chance that anyone could take many, if any, of their first place votes. I've watched Virginia play once in person and a few times on TV this year. They are outstanding. They play the pack line defense as well as or better than I've ever seen it played and they can give any team in the nation (maybe save UK) matchup problems. Whether or not the committee views what win as what, I don't know, but I can tell you that beating UVA on any floor would be a hell of an accomplishment for any team. The thing is, even if UVA has a big time off night offensively, which has happened a couple times, their defense is so good that they still find ways to win. Bennet is an excellent coach and they have some steel balls in of their own in their lineup. I would not want to be anywhere near them in the bracket.

[LA Muskie]

I think part of the reason UVA lacks the #1 votes is simply because Kentucky started the season #1 and hasn't lost. The rankings work fairly scientifically for the most part, if you lose you fall and if you win you rise as (if someone right ahead of you lost) and it usually doesn't even really matter who it is you play for that. Kentucky entered the season with the reputation of having one of the most stacked teams ever, and it hasn't lost yet, so there's not much of a chance that anyone could take many, if any, of their first place votes. I've watched Virginia play once in person and a few times on TV this year. They are outstanding. They play the pack line defense as well as or better than I've ever seen it played and they can give any team in the nation (maybe save UK) matchup problems. Whether or not the committee views what win as what, I don't know, but I can tell you that beating UVA on any floor would be a hell of an accomplishment for any team. The thing is, even if UVA has a big time off night offensively, which has happened a couple times, their defense is so good that they still find ways to win. Bennet is an excellent coach and they have some steel balls in of their own in their lineup. I would not want to be anywhere near them in the bracket.
I agree with all of this. Especially their defense. It's flat-out ridiculous. I don't care who you are playing (save, perhaps, the Sisters of the Poor) -- when you are holding teams to 26 (Rutgers), 27 (Harvard) and 28 (Georgia Tech) you are playing defense nearly perfectly.

[XU '11]

I agree with all of this. Especially their defense. It's flat-out ridiculous. I don't care who you are playing (save, perhaps, the Sisters of the Poor) -- when you are holding teams to 26 (Rutgers), 27 (Harvard) and 28 (Georgia Tech) you are playing defense nearly perfectly.

Part of that is their ridiculously slow tempo.

KenPom actually rates Kentucky's defense better.

[PMI]

Part of that is their ridiculously slow tempo.

KenPom actually rates Kentucky's defense better.

True, part of it is their slow tempo, but they still have pretty much perfected the pack line. Kentucky is one of the most talented defensive basketball teams you will ever see. They have ridiculous length and athleticism. Definitely clearly the two best defenses in the country, which is why it's not shocking that they're 1 and 2.

[XUFan09]

Looking at the per-possession numbers is interesting. By that metric, you have the following:

1) Kentucky
...
...
...
2) Virginia
...
...
3) San Diego State
...
...
Everyone else


Too bad for SDSU, their offense sucks. Kentucky's offense is about on par with ours, while Virginia's is the first after the elite group.

[Retire33]

Kevin Frey. Wow. That's the kind of scrappy player every team needs at least one of.

I personally believe JP has a lot of Kevin in him. Will not be shocked if he gets punched in face at some point in his career.

[LA Muskie]

I personally believe JP has a lot of Kevin in him. Will not be shocked if he gets punched in face at some point in his career.
I would be much more surprised if he's NOT clocked at some point in his career.

[LA Muskie]

I thought about Virginia. And I don't disagree that perhaps they should be in that category. But I don't think they actually would be. Probably because of their lack of reputation and history. They are undefeated yet have ZERO #1 coaches' votes and only ONE #1 AP vote (I'm guessing based in VA) despite having a marginally better strength of schedule and having far fewer close games than UK (their only real "close" game was their 2OT at Miami, although their game against Rutgers was brutally ugly...).

Also, bear in mind that while they have gotten through January undefeated in the ACC so far, their only real opponent of consequence was Notre Dame (great road win for them, though). In the next 10 days they play Duke, @ UNC, and Louisville. I don't see them coming out of those 3 undefeated. If they do, they also have games at NC State, Syracuse, and Louisville to close out the season (all of which are brutal on the road, even if the first two aren't having stellar seasons).

But if Virginia is still undefeated (or even a 1 loss team) come selection time, I tend to agree that a home win over them should trump the vast majority of road wins and put them up there with Kentucky.
Tough loss for Virginia. Again, this is a really rough 10-day stretch for them. They could very well go from undefeated to a 3-loss team in about a week.

[DC Muskie]

Tough loss for Virginia. Again, this is a really rough 10-day stretch for them. They could very well go from undefeated to a 3-loss team in about a week.

And because Va Tech vs Syracuse in football is more important, they won't have the chance to play them again unless they meet in the tournament.

Which is of course, fine with me, it makes my college basketball watching experience that more enjoyable.

[LA Muskie]

And because Va Tech vs Syracuse in football is more important, they won't have the chance to play them again unless they meet in the tournament.

Which is of course, fine with me, it makes my college basketball watching experience that more enjoyable.
Yes -- I am a HUGE fan of the Big East round-robin. I hope it never changes. That said, it is a road win for Duke. So while VA loses the opportunity to get revenge, it's not like they had to take it on the chin at Cameron without a chance for redemption at home.

[JAPER]

I credit Japer & DC Muskie for this win - way to bring it home!

Thanks XUOWNSUC. We had a blast at the game. Do your part this week and get out the broom for our home games this week. SWEEP!!!