XAVIER vs SETON HALL

[TUclutch]

Game over

Actually, my tv says there is 2:38 left

[xudash]

Does Trevon have some kind of compensation agreement on this game with Vegas?

[D-West & PO-Z]

WHATTT!!!!??? Foul!!!????? BS!!

[xsteve1]

Just can't get a stop and when Hall misses they get rebounds. While missing 3's is big the horrible defensive effort is why they lost.

[XU Cowbell Kid]

WHATTT!!!!??? Foul!!!????? BS!!

This is what I'm talking about. The refs assume the foul will happen = lots of unnecessary whistles.

[nasdadjr]

Completely outhustled and outworked the last 5 minutes. Absolutely mentally weak

[BandAid]

refs have taken over the game.

[LadyMuskie]

Completely outhustled and outworked the last 5 minutes. Absolutely mentally weak

This is unhelpful right now. You don't have to share every thought that enters your head.

[spursy]

What a joke.

[nasdadjr]

This game isn't lost with the refs we got way more damn calls. This game was lost because we have a mentally weak team that can't hit a damn three or make one stop and lets freshman outhustle and out work them all game long

[Xville]

Not tough enough today can't give up that many points and expect to win...I'll still take the 1-1 road trip.

[mistabeecee41]

What a meltdown by everybody in that last "war".

[XMuskieFTW]

Completely outhustled and outworked the last 5 minutes. Absolutely mentally weak

You make this board less enjoyable

[BandAid]

what are we on? 10 straight fouls committed on us?

[xunorm]

Block/ charge decided the game... Whitehead proceeded to kill us down the stretch

[D-West & PO-Z]

This game isn't lost with the refs we got way more damn calls. This game was lost because we have a mentally weak team that can't hit a damn three or make one stop and lets freshman outhustle and out work them all game long

I think we found our next sacrificial lamb, not that it necessarily helps.

[xsteve1]

Why was X favored in this game on the road?

[Masterofreality]

We'll probably shoot 14-15 against Creighton from 3.

[paulxu]

They played tough most of the game. Some lapses, and lackadaisical passes.
But the lack of 3's is the total difference in this game.

[SlimKibbles]

Whitehead has been going down way too easy all game.

[TUclutch]

I think we found our next sacrificial lamb, not that it necessarily helps.

If Nasdadjr makes it to next game Ill be shocked

[paulxu]

I got an idea: 2 stops, 2 3's and lets play OT.

[D-West & PO-Z]

It sucks but I will take the 1-1 road trip too. 3 of the next 4 at home.

[spursy]

Raftery made this game close to unwatchable.

[Retire33]

This game is all about missing wide open jumpers


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[American X]

Absolutely mentally weak

You are mentally weak. Go away.

[xsteve1]

They played tough most of the game. Some lapses, and lackadaisical passes.
But the lack of 3's is the total difference in this game.

Regardless this weak defensive effort is why they lost. X still scored 80.

[Xavier]

X just couldn't hit anything. Really wanted this W so we could start playing for more than just to make the tournament.

[BandAid]

Raftery made this game close to unwatchable.

He certainly seemed a little partial. Maybe getting an award at halftime had an affect

[TUclutch]

Raftery made this game close to unwatchable.

This. I think he has been terrible evry game I watch that he has announced

[Masterofreality]

Raftery made this game close to unwatchable.

Turn down the sound and listen to Joe and Byron on IHeart radio.

[X-Fan]

It would be nice if the Refs would consistently suck for both sides. Remy gets mugged and no call. Whitehead the flop artist.

[spursy]

Turn down the sound and listen to Joe and Byron on IHeart radio.
I wish but I can never get them in sync.

[XUBob]

Lots of things went wrong--- but in reality you have to hit a shot once in a while and X didn't.

[Xavgrad08]

I am still very concerned about our defense. We could not get stops down the stretch today when we needed them.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Remy did not get mugged on that last drive he had earlier. That was good D.

[TUclutch]

It would be nice if the Refs would consistently suck for both sides. Remy gets mugged and no call. Whitehead the flop artist.

If you're talkin about Remy's drive before stain fouled out I disagree. Clean block

[danaandvictory]

We are going to end up shooting 85% from 2 and 5% from 3.

[LadyMuskie]

Turn down the sound and listen to Joe and Byron on IHeart radio.

Yep. Even when I can't get the tv and radio to match up, it's still better to listen to Joe and Byron than the tv announcers.

[OTRMUSKIE]

BS loss and this was on the players. Poor passing by Myles Davis and a total BS call on Whitehead. He charged and should have fouled out. He won the game for them down the stretch. If the ref wasnt a pussy and called him for his 5th foul then X might have won. Suck Feton Hall, and their bandwagon ass fans.

[Xville]

Lots of things went wrong--- but in reality you have to hit a shot once in a while and X didn't.

True...so many wide open threes that just didn't go in...oh well

[D-West & PO-Z]

If you're talkin about Remy's drive before stain fouled out I disagree. Clean block

Yeah definitely clean.

[xsteve1]

Same theme in every road loss.

[Xavier]

Think this game was really important- show the Gtown wasn't a fluke or just a great matchup for X. Really wanted this one and the D was just- bad. Again.

[BandAid]

Seton Hall lasts 12 points have been from the stripe. We only fouled them intentionally once.

[nasdadjr]

So your telling me that giving up almost 90 again, not getting any defensive stops and with the game tied and you have the ball you can't even inbound the ball is not a sign of a mentally weak team. I'm just calling it how I see it calling a spade a spade. This team played tough against Georgetown but decided to defensively take this game off. When you can't play the same way from game to game that is almost the definition of mental weakness.

[paulxu]

Raftery coached at Seton Hall.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I dont think losing this game hurts much at all. It sucks we couldnt get it but if you tell me we can go 1-1 I'd take the win a GT. I also think our schedule sets up nicely the rest of the way, especially the next 4 games. I think this team is in good shape.

[Masterofreality]

I wish but I can never get them in sync.

Sure you can. pause one of them

[X Factor]

Just can't win giving up 90 points!!!!!!!!

[XU 87]

Completely outhustled and outworked the last 5 minutes. Absolutely mentally weak

Shut up.

[GuyFawkes38]

Ugh. Could not make a 3.

Tough loss. But I think we played tough today. Have a good feeling about the rest of the year.

[TUclutch]

So your telling me that giving up almost 90 again, not getting any defensive stops and with the game tied and you have the ball you can't even inbound the ball is not a sign of a mentally weak team. I'm just calling it how I see it calling a spade a spade. This team played tough against Georgetown but decided to defensively take this game off. When you can't play the same way from game to game that is almost the definition of mental weakness.

The giving up 90 was the officiating. EVerything else, while frustrating, is called playing the Big East on the road. Its almost comical how some XU fans expect 6-3 at worst on the road. This isn't the A10. Im happy with 5-4 on the road. it's gonna be tough to get that this year, btu still. Some XU fans expect to much on the road

[Masterofreality]

My Gawd. 1-19 from 3? That is just ridiculous.

[vee4xu]

So, I can understand why folks are not happy about losing, but no one should be surprised. Xavier just gave up as many points to Seton Hall in the second half as they gave up to Georgetown in an entire game. Once again, the recurring theme of giving up gobs of points in the second half on the road. This is who Xavier is this year. Do I like it, no. Do I realize it isn't going to change, yes.

[BMoreX]

Played really well for 35 minutes.

Just aren't going to win many, if any, games shooting 1-18 from beyond the arc.

Sucks, but it is what it is. Would've liked to get another road win but it's not a bad loss.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Played really well for 35 minutes.

Just aren't going to win many, if any, games shooting 1-18 from beyond the arc.

Sucks, but it is what it is. Would've liked to get another road win but it's not a bad loss.

Not a bad loss at all.

[xsteve1]

The giving up 90 was the officiating. EVerything else, while frustrating, is called playing the Big East on the road. Its almost comical how some XU fans expect 6-3 at worst on the road. This isn't the A10. Im happy with 5-4 on the road. it's gonna be tough to get that this year, btu still. Some XU fans expect to much on the road

While somewhat true Seton Hall was getting to the rim at will.

[XU 87]

I'm more concerned about the bad defense. Once again we mismatches, not stopping penetration dribble, guys out of position, and failure to guard three point shots.

Gave up 52 points in second half.

[DC Muskie]

That is one bitch flopping team.

Can't win when you go 1-18.

[xsteve1]

So, I can understand why folks are not happy about losing, but no one should be surprised. Xavier just gave up as many points to Seton Hall in the second half as they gave up to Georgetown in an entire game. Once again, the recurring theme of giving up gobs of points in the second half on the road. This is who Xavier is this year. Do I like it, no. Do I realize it isn't going to change, yes.

Yep.

[Xavier]

So, I can understand why folks are not happy about losing, but no one should be surprised. Xavier just gave up as many points to Seton Hall in the second half as they gave up to Georgetown in an entire game. Once again, the recurring theme of giving up gobs of points in the second half on the road. This is who Xavier is this year. Do I like it, no. Do I realize it isn't going to change, yes.

I was just hoping the Gtown game would translate and change the road defense around. I guess I am not surprised but disappointed they couldn't continue that.

[BandAid]

While somewhat true Seton Hall was getting to the rim at will.

Hmmm...I wonder if our help defense, Stain and Jalen, weren't as aggressive because of...


...fouls

[BMoreX]

16.7% from three last four games

[DC Muskie]

The giving up 90 was the officiating. EVerything else, while frustrating, is called playing the Big East on the road. Its almost comical how some XU fans expect 6-3 at worst on the road. This isn't the A10. Im happy with 5-4 on the road. it's gonna be tough to get that this year, btu still. Some XU fans expect to much on the road

Um...5-4?

You can't be serious.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Hmmm...I wonder if our help defense, Stain and Jalen, weren't as aggressive because of...


...fouls

My question is why the hell did Farr barely play in the 2nd half? He was probably having his best game.

4/6 for 8 points 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.

[DC Muskie]

So, I can understand why folks are not happy about losing, but no one should be surprised. Xavier just gave up as many points to Seton Hall in the second half as they gave up to Georgetown in an entire game. Once again, the recurring theme of giving up gobs of points in the second half on the road. This is who Xavier is this year. Do I like it, no. Do I realize it isn't going to change, yes.

Plus we couldn't connect from deep. That's really a problem.

[Retire33]

Plus we couldn't connect from deep. That's really a problem.

Been a problem for the entire Conference slate

[TUclutch]

Um...5-4?

You can't be serious.

On the road? Dead serious. If we can go 7-2 or 8-1 at home and 5-4 or 6-3 on the road I am completely happy. That puts them between 12-6 and 14-4. If you honestly expect more than that consistently, you're kidding yourself. Anything more than that is icing on the cake.

[BandAid]

My question is why the hell did Farr barely play in the 2nd half? He was probably having his best game.

4/6 for 8 points 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Fair question. Was he pulled after he jacked up that 3? I don't recall him playing after that. I didn't care for that shot, but I don't think that justifies pulling him for the rest of the game if we need him

[RoseyMuskie]

74% from two. 5% from three.

[nasdadjr]

yeah um 5-4 on the road isn't happening I'll be surprised if we get 3-6 or even 2-9 with how we play D on the road. Guess like always I'll be pissed off about this game for a whole ten minutes then move on to something else and tune back in next game like always.

[Masterofreality]

Not a bad loss, but definitely a missed opportunity.

Trevon Bluiett has a lot to learn. Maybe it's one of these deals where the staff just has to have him in there to learn, but I would have preferred Jimmy Farr, who was playing well, in there for most of the last 10 minutes.

The schedule is in our favor now, comparatively. We truly, can go on an 8 game run, but we need to get much more from Macura and Bluiett.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Fair question. Was he pulled after he jacked up that 3? I don't recall him playing after that. I didn't care for that shot, but I don't think that justifies pulling him for the rest of the game if we need him

He came out after a foul. Thought it was his 3rd but he never came back in, looked it up and he only had 2 fouls.

[Wheelhouse]

Pretty sure he meant there's no way X's road record will be anywhere near as good as 5-4.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Um...5-4?

You can't be serious.

He is right X is 5-4 now 5-5. Our tough games on the road are over. I know St. Johns, Marquette and Creighton will be plenty tough but if X can't win two out of three then they really don't belong in the dance. That Whitehead flop just pisses me off but it is what it is and I think X is in position to actually have a chance to win out. Very favorable schedule rest of the way. Will it happen? This blue cool aide drinking guy says HELL TO THE YEAH! probably not though :(

[xsteve1]

Um...5-4?

You can't be serious.

Wouldn't that mean we'd have to win 3 of our final 4 road games. No way is that happening.

[OTRMUSKIE]

He didn't mean big east play did he? Mea culpa

[DC Muskie]

On the road? Dead serious. If we can go 7-2 or 8-1 at home and 5-4 or 6-3 on the road I am completely happy. That puts them between 12-6 and 14-4. If you honestly expect more than that consistently, you're kidding yourself. Anything more than that is icing on the cake.

Well we have 9 total road games. So far we've played 6.

We are 1-5.

I'll hang up and listen to explain how we get to 5 more road wins.

[TUclutch]

I don't mean this yer. i mean in a normal year I expect 5-4. If you read my post I said that will not happen this yr. I was simply talking about expectations by some fans for road records in general. NOT this season particularly. You understand now?

[XU 87]

. Guess like always I'll be pissed off .

Believe me, we all know that.

[X-Fan]

Ugh. Could not make a 3.

Tough loss. But I think we played tough today. Have a good feeling about the rest of the year.
Totally agree. It wasn't so much the D in the 2nd Half as it was bad shots on offense, turnovers, and fouling. SH probably made a majority of their points in the 2nd half from the line.

I thought the guys did a good job hanging in there. The key for them going forward is focus on what they are good at. When Matt is on like he was today, get him the ball. Take better shots.

Life on the road is very difficult. I'm nit going to get bent out of shape over this loss. I continue to see improvement. The guys are creeping closer and closer to playing a complete game. They'll get it together, and hopefully be at their best the end of the season and at Tourney time.

[RealDeal]

He is right X is 5-4 now 5-5. Our tough games on the road are over. I know St. Johns, Marquette and Creighton will be plenty tough but if X can't win two out of three then they really don't belong in the dance. That Whitehead flop just pisses me off but it is what it is and I think X is in position to actually have a chance to win out. Very favorable schedule rest of the way. Will it happen? This blue cool aide drinking guy says HELL TO THE YEAH! probably not though :(

OTR where ya been? After Xavier's biggest win of the year at GT you were nowhere to be found, nice to see you back after a loss. Keep truckin!

[Wheelhouse]

Tough loss. It doesn't hurt us much but a win would have been big. The refs were awful, but they were awful both ways. Xavier got plenty of suspect calls that went in their favor. Just couldn't get stops in the last four minutes. Seton Hall's athleticism was really on display down the stretch.

[xufan2020]

You realize the atrocious free throw amounts that seton hall received? Xavier held them to 45% shooting. Couldn't get stops? More like couldn't hit a three. XU played tough (not mentally weak) and did you honestly thing Seton Hall would lose THREE straight home games?? It wasn't a bad loss.

[DC Muskie]

I don't mean this yer. i mean in a normal year I expect 5-4. If you read my post I said that will not happen this yr. I was simply talking about expectations by some fans for road records in general. NOT this season particularly. You understand now?

So you think there's a huge difference between going 6-3 and 5-4.

6-3 is completely unfathomable to you. You'd be happy with 5 wins.

Okay.

[Masterofreality]

We were OUTSCORED by 24 points from the 3 point line. 27 points to 3. We also has 11 turnovers to their 7 and they out rebounded us by 3.

Bottom line.

[xsteve1]

I don't mean this yer. i mean in a normal year I expect 5-4. If you read my post I said that will not happen this yr. I was simply talking about expectations by some fans for road records in general. NOT this season particularly. You understand now?

I'd take .500 on the road every year.

[DC Muskie]

We didn't turn the ball over, but when we did, it was terrible times.

Tough loss for sure. We've got to pick up some more road wins.

[BandAid]

There are a few reasons Xavier lost in no particular order.

1. Defense

2. 3-Point Shooting. We shot 5%. They shot 37.5%. If we hit just three more three-pointers, for a measly 21% for the game, we cover the scoring gap. We missed at least three wide-ass open 3s.

3. The Timing of Fouls and/or Bad Officiating. I thought the officiating sucked the entire game, but in crunch time, between 3:30-1:30 left in the game (and before teams began to foul intentionally), Xavier committed 6 fouls (for 10 points), Seton Hall committed 0.

I think that if one of those things change, we win this game.

[TUclutch]

So you think there's a huge difference between going 6-3 and 5-4.

6-3 is completely unfathomable to you. You'd be happy with 5 wins.

Okay.

Dude you are having trouble comprehending things. Some fans almost act like 6-3 MINIMUM on the road should be expected. Im saying 5-4 is what should be the goal, maybe 6-3 depending on the year, matchups, injuries etc. If there is a fan who isn't happy with 5-4 on the road in most years, you're expecting way to much. That was my point. Not sure why you're having so much difficulty seeing that.

[DC Muskie]

I'd take .500 on the road every year.


At minimum I'd accept us at .500. I don't think it's a huge expectation for this program to go 6-3 on the road each year.

[xsteve1]

At minimum I'd accept us at .500. I don't think it's a huge expectation for this program to go 6-3 on the road each year.

But with what we've seen the last 3 years it's hard to even expect .500. Agree X as a program should expect better than. 500.

[TUclutch]

At minimum I'd accept us at .500. I don't think it's a huge expectation for this program to go 6-3 on the road each year.

5-4 should be expected and accepted by fans. Some years depending on matchups, injuries, etc we might be 4-5 or might be 6-3. The world shouldn't end at 4-5 and 6-3 shouldnt be expected consistently like some seem to think

[DC Muskie]

Dude you are having trouble comprehending things. Some fans almost act like 6-3 MINIMUM on the road should be expected. Im saying 5-4 is what should be the goal, maybe 6-3 depending on the year, matchups, injuries etc.

Dude, I don't have problems comprehending things. You said it would be tough to get 5-4 on the road this year. I wanted to hear you explain how that would happen since we have already lost 5. Then you said not this, that's it's unrealistic to have this team expect to win 6 games on the road.

I don't see much of a difference in one game. Why you think it's a terrible for fans to expect that, when you are suggesting 5-4 is much better is really beyond comprehension.

[DC Muskie]

5-4 should be expected and accepted by fans. Some years depending on matchups, injuries, etc we might be 4-5 or might be 6-3. The world shouldn't end at 4-5 and 6-3 shouldnt be expected consistently like some seem to think


Okay so you basically don't ever want to win the league.

Got it.

I simply differ.

[TUclutch]

Dude, I don't have problems comprehending things. You said it would be tough to get 5-4 on the road this year. I wanted to hear you explain how that would happen since we have already lost 5. Then you said not this, that's it's unrealistic to have this team expect to win 6 games on the road.

I don't see much of a difference in one game. Why you think it's a terrible for fans to expect that, when you are suggesting 5-4 is much better is really beyond comprehension.

No, im saying that some fans expect 6-3 at minimum is unrealistic. Again, you're skipping some words I type. If you expect and accept that 6-3 on the road is an extremely good year thats fine. But expecting 6-3 at minimum every year is absurd

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah I think the years we do any better than 5-4 on the road in the Big East will be phenomenal years. I think this because I expect us to protect home court and go at least 7-2 and possibly 9-0 most years. If we are only losing 3 road games we are going to pretty much be 15-3/13-5 at worst. Thats a lot to ask year in and year out.

[TUclutch]

Okay so you basically don't ever want to win the league.

Got it.

I simply differ.

You love putting words in peoples posts huh.

[TUclutch]

Yeah I think the years we do any better than 5-4 on the road in the Big East will be phenomenal years. I think this because I expect us to protect home court and go at least 7-2 and possibly 9-0 most years. If we are only losing 3 road games we are going to pretty much be 15-3/13-5 at worst. Thats a lot to ask year in and year out.

That's what Im saying. I dont get what the issue is.

[markchal]

I am concerned about how this team plays in close games. We had a lead with 4 to play and just fell apart. We don't have that go-to player yet that can carry us when the intensity ramps up and you need a guy like that to make things happen in March. I think our record is like 1-6 in games decided by 10pts or less?

We've definitely played much better on the road the last 3 games, we just can't get over the hump in tight games.

[DC Muskie]

You love putting words in peoples posts huh.

Nope. I just don't see how we ever win the league losing 6 conference games a year.

Maybe I misunderstood and you think that can happen.

[TUclutch]

Nope. I just don't see how we ever win the league losing 6 conference games a year.

Maybe I misunderstood and you think that can happen.

Jesus. I said they should be between 12-6 and 14-4. Again, you misread. You should work on that

[DC Muskie]

Yeah I think the years we do any better than 5-4 on the road in the Big East will be phenomenal years. I think this because I expect us to protect home court and go at least 7-2 and possibly 9-0 most years. If we are only losing 3 road games we are going to pretty much be 15-3/13-5 at worst. Thats a lot to ask year in and year out.

What's the problem with having a problem that only loses 3 games a year on the road?

Is that impossible?

I think only losing 1 or 2 games is really pretty.

We lose 5 road games and we are sitting around wonder if we are dancing.

[XU 87]

At minimum I'd accept us at .500. I don't think it's a huge expectation for this program to go 6-3 on the road each year.
I would love to go 6-3 on the road every year. But to "expect" that every year is not reasonable.

[DC Muskie]

I would love to go 6-3 on the road every year. But to "expect" that every year is not reasonable.

I disagree.

[DC Muskie]

Jesus. I said they should be between 12-6 and 14-4. Again, you misread. You should work on that

I don't think you know what you are saying. You should work on that.

[TUclutch]

I don't think you know what you are saying. You should work on that.

No i do. You can go back and look and see that I said between 12-6 and 14-4. You might've missed it. I never said they would win the BE at 12-6 but you tried to say I did.

Im not the only one who thinks your expectations are too high either.

[DC Muskie]

The giving up 90 was the officiating. EVerything else, while frustrating, is called playing the Big East on the road. Its almost comical how some XU fans expect 6-3 at worst on the road. This isn't the A10. Im happy with 5-4 on the road. it's gonna be tough to get that this year, btu still. Some XU fans expect to much on the road

Yeah, I'm the moron.

[DC Muskie]

No i do. You can go back and look and see that I said between 12-6 and 14-4. You might've missed it. I never said they would win the BE at 12-6 but you tried to say I did.

Im not the only one who thinks your expectations are too high either.

I'm also someone who understands you don't win a conference with six losses in the season.

[TUclutch]

Yeah, I'm the moron.

Because I counted one too few road games. Relax. The main point was made and you still missed it. THATS my point. You're the fan I am talking about. Expecting 6-3 every year is having too high of expectations. Quit being a douche and swinging everything and putting words in my post. That one sentence was the one thing I said that wasn't right. Simply missed one road game. The point is still the same though

[TUclutch]

I'm also someone who understands you don't win a conference with six losses in the season.

Where did I say they would win with 6 losses? I never did. Once again, I said they should be between 12-6 and 14-4. You're ignoring that. Im done arguing with you because you really aren't a smart guy. Have fun taking parts of posts and making the rest up in your mind

[vee4xu]

One more thing, then I have other stuff to do today. This game isn't about 1-19 from 3-pt range. Xavier scored over 80 points going 1-19 and that should be plenty enough to win. This game was about defending and is the same old story. Defend properly, get the 50-50 balls and limit offensive rebounds and X wins going only 1-19 from 3-pt range.

[DC Muskie]

Where did I say they would win with 6 losses? I never did. Once again, I said they should be between 12-6 and 14-4. You're ignoring that. Im done arguing with you because you really aren't a smart guy. Have fun taking parts of posts and making the rest up in your mind

Okay, see ya.

I'll again reiterate that having 6 losses on the conference is not going to win. I would like to expect us to win this league at some point. Rather than having it be dominated by Nova and Georgetown. I'm not sure if you agree with that idea, and I certainly don't want to put words in your mouth and apparently dumb it down. You who thinks it will be tough to go 5-4 on the road this year and all.

Next season we enter our third year of trying to meet your expectations of only losing 4 games on the road. Let's hope that happens.

[DC Muskie]

Because I counted one too few road games. Relax. The main point was made and you still missed it. THATS my point. You're the fan I am talking about. Expecting 6-3 every year is having too high of expectations. Quit being a douche and swinging everything and putting words in my post. That one sentence was the one thing I said that wasn't right. Simply missed one road game. The point is still the same though

Dude, I'm not some unrealistic fan. Not in the least. I merely pointed out your math was wrong and you flipped out, so stop being a docuhe.

I'd like to win this league. If that makes me unrealistic in your mind, I'll sleep well at night.

[DC Muskie]

One more thing, then I have other stuff to do today. This game isn't about 1-19 from 3-pt range. Xavier scored over 80 points going 1-19 and that should be plenty enough to win. This game was about defending and is the same old story. Defend properly, get the 50-50 balls and limit offensive rebounds and X wins going only 1-19 from 3-pt range.

Exactly it's tough to win when you miss that much. I thought our defense at the end wasn't that good. But like our friend in Baltimore said, we played pretty well for like 35 minutes.

It's a tough loss. And each loss makes that DePaul game tougher to take.

I think St. John's and Marquette are going to be really tough for this team to beat on the road.

[XU 87]

If X goes 5-4 on the road and 9-0 at home, I suspect most years they will be first or second in the league.

DePaul is beating Nova by 4 right now.

[danaandvictory]

I guess my expectation is that Xavier should make the NCAA Tournament. And we're probably on pace for that even with today's loss. That seems like a pretty low bar for a program that publicly aspires to be a national power.

[DC Muskie]

If X goes 5-4 on the road and 9-0 at home, I suspect most years they will be first or second in the league.

Without a doubt. Going 9-0 should also indicate that going 6-3 on the road is something unrealistic.

Look it's pretty simple math. If we are a .500 team at home, it's pretty unrealistic to be a .500 on the road.

If we are undefeated at home then losing three road games is something you can deal with.

Going 9-0 or 8-1, going around .500 is not the end of the world, but it makes it tough to win a conference title.

[DC Muskie]

That seems like a pretty low bar for a program that publicly aspires to be a national power.

Maybe that's unrealistic.

[X-man]

I missed all nasdadjr's "analysis" of the Georgetown game. Can we just ban the troll?

[XU3232]

Whitehead wasn't even supposed to be back this game. He plays and goes off. Pisses me off.

1-19 from 3 point range is unreal... So many wide open looks too.

[XU Cowbell Kid]

I want to preface this by saying I don't think this is the reason we lost. I was just curious how this game compared to other games this season in terms of fouls. Here are some interesting things I found.

63 foul shots on 50 fouls in today's game between the two teams. Seton Hall scored 25 points from the line.

Compare this to last game against Seton Hall - 24 foul shots on 29 fouls combined. Seton Hall scored 5 points from the line.

The only time this season when we have given up more points from the charity stripe was when we played Butler. They scored 32 of their 88 points from the line.

[DC Muskie]

I want to preface this by saying I don't think this is the reason we lost. I was just curious how this game compared to other games this season in terms of fouls. Here are some interesting things I found.

63 foul shots on 50 fouls in today's game between the two teams. Seton Hall scored 25 points from the line.

Compare this to last game against Seton Hall - 24 foul shots on 29 fouls combined. Seton Hall scored 5 points from the line.

The only time this season when we have given up more points from the charity stripe was when we played Butler. They scored 32 of their 88 points from the line.

My only thought about the officiating is, why do they feel the need to call technicals so quickly? Let alone give out double technicals?

Has anyone seen a game where things weren't really out of control and yet 6 techs were given out equally?

I don't understand it.

[Blue Blobs Bro]

Wouldn't that mean we'd have to win 3 of our final 4 road games. No way is that happening.

Why the hell not

[DC Muskie]

Whitehead wasn't even supposed to be back this game. He plays and goes off. Pisses me off.

1-19 from 3 point range is unreal... So many wide open looks too.

Whitehead is a really good player. He shouldn't have to flop his ass all over the court like some bitch.

[DC Muskie]

Why the hell not

It's certainly going to be tough, that's for sure. Would have loved to pick up the win today or at least the game in Providence.

Of course I would like to stop playing games at noon. This program is terrible at noon games.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Okay, see ya.

I'll again reiterate that having 6 losses on the conference is not going to win. I would like to expect us to win this league at some point. Rather than having it be dominated by Nova and Georgetown. I'm not sure if you agree with that idea, and I certainly don't want to put words in your mouth and apparently dumb it down. You who thinks it will be tough to go 5-4 on the road this year and all.

Next season we enter our third year of trying to meet your expectations of only losing 4 games on the road. Let's hope that happens.

No one ever said we would never be 6-3 or better on the road, its just not going to be a yearly occurrence and shouldnt expect to be. Do you expect to win the Big East every year?

[LA Muskie]

Just finished watching the game. Tough loss. Until the last 5 mins I thought we had it. Just couldn't get a stop on D and couldn't hit shots those last 5. Story of 2 halves for Trevon -- he really struggled in the 2nd.

[DC Muskie]

No one ever said we would never be 6-3 or better on the road, its just not going to be a yearly occurrence and shouldnt expect to be. Do you expect to win the Big East every year?

Yes, at least in contention.

Is that a bad thing? Do you think Nova or Gtown think differently? Do you think Marquette with the talent they are bringing in thinks different?

It's not like I'm expecting us to win the regular season and conference titles. But I think this program should be in contention every year. It should be a rare occurrence where I don't have it.

Just an aside, when's the last time we were ranked or at least a conversation nationally that didn't involve us being one of the last teams entering the tournament?

[LA Muskie]

Of course it's fair to expect that we will be in contention every year. What fun would it to be a fan if it was otherwise??? It may not ultimately happen because, as they say, shit happens. Probably won't in fact. But it's certainly fair to expect it -- especially if, by that, one means "reasonably hopes for" it.

[XU3232]

Whitehead is a really good player. He shouldn't have to flop his ass all over the court like some bitch.

Agreed. That was ridiculous.

[GoMuskies]

Well that sucked a lot. Man we're bad on the road.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yes, at least in contention.

Is that a bad thing? Do you think Nova or Gtown think differently? Do you think Marquette with the talent they are bringing in thinks different?

It's not like I'm expecting us to win the regular season and conference titles. But I think this program should be in contention every year. It should be a rare occurrence where I don't have it.

Just an aside, when's the last time we were ranked or at least a conversation nationally that didn't involve us being one of the last teams entering the tournament?

Definitely agree, I expect to be in contention pretty much every year as well. But I think 5-4 keeps us in contention pretty much every year and when we break through and go 6-3 or better on the road will be the years we win it.

[BlueGuy]

Well that sucked a lot. Man we're bad on the road.

Indeed. However, I think we are seeing some improvement at times in the defensive end of the floor. We've also shown some intensity on the road for two games in a row. Much improved from our road games earlier in the season.

[DC Muskie]

Of course it's fair to expect that we will be in contention every year. What fun would it to be a fan if it was otherwise??? It may not ultimately happen because, as they say, shit happens. Probably won't in fact. But it's certainly fair to expect it -- especially if, by that, one means "reasonably hopes for" it.

Exactly. I don't think it's unreasonable to contend in this league every year. We are not that far off, but yet still off.

Look at this season. Overall in the season we are 11-0 at home. But we are 3-8 on the road. Of the teams above us, only Nova & Providence have better home records. But on the other end, our 8 road losses put us with DePaul, Marquette, St. Johns and Creighton.

We pick up two wins at Butler, Providence, Seton Hall or Nova; this looks entirely different. I don't think any fan would say we shouldn't expect us to at least split those games.

Right now my hope, and not my expectation is to at least try and win at Nova in my lifetime.

[DC Muskie]

Definitely agree, I expect to be in contention pretty much every year as well. But I think 5-4 keeps us in contention pretty much every year and when we break through and go 6-3 or better on the road will be the years we win it.

Yeah, I mean all I'm saying is 5-4 at minimum. 6-3 and we have a humming program. 4-5 and it was an okay like last year. We possibly could end up 1-8 or 2-7 this season. That's terrible, in my opinion.

That is never an expectation of mine and think this program is moving in the right direction. As Go says, we are a bad road team. I expect us to get better. Next season let's get up to 5-4 and start humming.

[GoMuskies]

To be fair, we do have the three worst teams in the Big East remaining on the road (depending on what you consider DePaul). We win 2 or 3 of those, and we salvage what could have been an absolute disaster of a season on the road (the 1-8 or 2-7 you mentioned).

[DC Muskie]

To be fair, we do have the three worst teams in the Big East remaining on the road (depending on what you consider DePaul). We win 2 or 3 of those, and we salvage what could have been an absolute disaster of a season on the road (the 1-8 or 2-7 you mentioned).

Yeah but that's going to be tough. Look at Butler and Providence today on the road against those teams. I don't have a lot of faith we can get it, but I feel better about it now then I did at the beginning of the month.

[danaandvictory]

Just an aside, when's the last time we were ranked or at least a conversation nationally that didn't involve us being one of the last teams entering the tournament?

We were ranked for a few weeks after the brawl in 2011/12 but fell out toot suite. That team absolutely imploded and was lucky to make the tournament (obviously once there they partially redeemed themselves).

The last time X came into March comfortably in the tournament was 2011. Overachieving team, raced through the A-10, promptly got destroyed by Marquette.

[DC Muskie]

Nova and Butler both win on the road. That's 8 and 6 road wins respectfully for the overall season.

[xsteve1]

Indeed. However, I think we are seeing some improvement at times in the defensive end of the floor. We've also shown some intensity on the road for two games in a row. Much improved from our road games earlier in the season.

I wish I felt as good as you about our defense,

[DC Muskie]

I wish I felt as good as you about our defense,

I think you can see an improvement on the defensive side of the ball. I think today we had a lapse at the end of the game. But we lost today because we shot 0-8,000,000,000,000,001 from the 3 point line.

[LA Muskie]

I agree DC. With the caveat that we *really* struggled to get stops at the end of the game today.

[xsteve1]

I agree DC. With the caveat that we *really* struggled to get stops at the end of the game today.

Maybe a little better but Seton Hall got plenty of easy looks throughout the game. Seton Hall's defense was terrible as well.

[LA Muskie]

Maybe a little better but Seton Hall got plenty of easy looks throughout the game. Seton Hall's defense was terrible as well.

I disagree. Except for a few obvious stretches I thought our defense was pretty solid. We had a few lapses but those are inevitable. SH hit some tough, contested shots. Sometimes you've just gotta tip your cap.

We didn't lose this game because of defense or lack of effort. It all came down to not making open shots (particularly 3's) when it mattered.

[XfansinKy]

I disagree. Except for a few obvious stretches I thought our defense was pretty solid. We had a few lapses but those are inevitable. SH hit some tough, contested shots. Sometimes you've just gotta tip your cap.

We didn't lose this game because of defense or lack of effort. It all came down to not making open shots (particularly 3's) when it mattered.
But they scored 90 points

[DC Muskie]

But they scored 90 points

25 points from the line.

[XU 87]

I disagree. Except for a few obvious stretches I thought our defense was pretty solid. We had a few lapses but those are inevitable. SH hit some tough, contested shots. Sometimes you've just gotta tip your cap.

We didn't lose this game because of defense or lack of effort. It all came down to not making open shots (particularly 3's) when it mattered.

I don't think there was lack of effort (except for the short stretch at the end of the first half), but I thought the defense was pretty lousy, particularly the first 10 minutes of the second half when they kept getting great looks from the three, which a lot of teams seem to get.

[XU 87]

25 points from the line.

I think some of that was fouling at the end and some of that was our guys fouling their guys who were going to the basket.

[xsteve1]

25 points from the line.

Too much fouling is a defensive problem as well. Guys out of position not moving their feet etc.

[LA Muskie]

I don't think there was lack of effort (except for the short stretch at the end of the first half), but I thought the defense was pretty lousy, particularly the first 10 minutes of the second half when they kept getting great looks from the three, which a lot of teams seem to get.

I'd have to go back and look but I don't recall very many uncontested 3's. And I remember fewer that they actually made. Most of their made 3's seemed well defended for the most part.

[XUFan09]

But they scored 90 points
And Xavier scored 82 points somehow while going 1-19 from three. It was a fairly high-possession game, and the refs were calling everything and then some. For both teams, that leads to a lot more points at the line than normal. Besides that, defenses have to be more cautious and less physical, especially the players in foul trouble, making scoring easier.

[XUFan09]

I agree DC. With the caveat that we *really* struggled to get stops at the end of the game today.
Agreed, that was really frustrating. I think there might have been two stops in the last five minutes.

The defense was far from perfect, but a top 50 offense scoring 1.20 points per possession at home in those circumstances is not outlandish.

[XfansinKy]

When defense gives up over fifty points in a half, I don't know how that equates to any kind of defense. I don't pretend to have the answer either because the effort seems to be there. It also doesn't help to have a small point guard who can't score ten points per game in a league as physically strong as the Big East. Our bigs can play with anyone. College basketball is a guards game run by the point. This is the result.

[XUFan09]

I'd have to go back and look but I don't recall very many uncontested 3's. And I remember fewer that they actually made. Most of their made 3's seemed well defended for the most part.
Mobley made an open three early on, maybe the second possession of the game (not sure who was supposed to be guarding him), and Macura's man hit an open three on two or three occasions. I don't think any of the other threes were open.

[DC Muskie]

When defense gives up over fifty points in a half, I don't know how that equates to any kind of defense. I don't pretend to have the answer either because the effort seems to be there. It also doesn't help to have a small point guard who can't score ten points per game in a league as physically strong as the Big East. Our bigs can play with anyone. College basketball is a guards game run by the point. This is the result.

Sumner will help with that next year right? 6-5.

[xu82]

Sumner will help with that next year right? 6-5.

I love Dee and all he brings to the table, but things will look much different when you go from Dee to a 6'5" PG. I hope Sumner can approach his defense and savvy. Could be very bumpy and make many wish they could have back what they bitched about.

[XfansinKy]

Sumner will help with that next year right? 6-5.
Yes I heard he already has the best handle on the team. I hope he is eating a Big Mac on the way to the weight room right now. Randolph is a strong kid too. I thought he played really good today. He missed a shot n got pulled for the entire game.

[Masterofreality]

Here is my biggest and really only problem about today....other than the 1-19.

Desi Rodriiguez went off for 16 points...almost all of them on Trevon Bluiett, and James Farr, who was having a really solid game, barely played in the second half. This isn't a second guess. I pointed it out halfway through the second half.

Another whiff by the staff on matchups to me.

[DC Muskie]

Yes I heard he already has the best handle on the team. I hope he is eating a Big Mac on the way to the weight room right now. Randolph is a strong kid too. I thought he played really good today. He missed a shot n got pulled for the entire game.

See I didn't think Brandon was all that strong. I'm not sure why he wasn't given the turnover to Bluiett when SH put their press on.

I do think he's more than capable of being good.

[Xavier_Musketeers]

I couldn't watch the game today, how did we do overall? I know we lost, but did we fight hard and play a respectable game?

[XfansinKy]

I couldn't watch the game today, how did we do overall? I know we lost, but did we fight hard and play a respectable game?
Fought hard. Had the lead some. Little bit of a choke at the end though. Should've won. No shame in the effort. Can't blame Mack. Need a big time PG and X is back.

[profson]

From my view in the 6th row we were the better team (I thought the opposite at the Providence game), so this one hurt. They had no answer for us underneath.
MOR is right as to Rodriguez. An intractable problem is we have no answer for a strong athletic 3 of the 6'6'' variety who can drive. Blueitt can't stay in front of them and Macura is hopeless.
The other disappointment was a number of lazy passes leading to scores on the other end.

[xsteve1]

49 points from Seton Hall freshmen today. They're going to be hard to handle the next couple years even with Whitehead leaving.

[xu82]

I couldn't watch the game today, how did we do overall? I know we lost, but did we fight hard and play a respectable game?

Oh, and it's worth mentioning we were something like 1-19 on threes. That's not hyperbole, that's an abysmal fact. I wish I was kidding. It happens I guess, but you'd think we could do better than that. I mean, the ball has to come down somewhere! Why can't it be in the hole once in a while?

[profson]

On the debate as to next year's PG, I would be shocked if it is Sumner. There is nothing I saw at the beginning of the year that tells me that he is even a PG at this point, and certainly not, as a reserve frosh, being someone who can play with the discipline needed to run the team. I see him as bringing energy off the bench (like Macura this year), being a handful in transition, having some assists of the ooh and aah variety, but possibly picking up fouls easily and having too many TOs.

[xudash]

Back from an early birthday party and I have been drinking, so I have to imagine that my following thoughts are prescient:

Firstly, the most important observation I have is that, notwithstanding problems and officiating along the way, this was a game at the four minute mark of the second half.

Captain obvious observation: our three point shooting killed us.

Bluiett, who otherwise put up good numbers, killed us at around that four minute mark, due to him essentially turning the ball over during two straight trips down the court. If I recall correctly, that was followed by yet another missed three point attempt, which was followed by yet another Seton Hall basket, putting them up by three possessions around the three-minute mark.

We had two inbound plays late in the game which were catastrophic. We were lazy with them and they ended up producing to Seton Hall scores as a result of poor execution on our end.

Overall, I certainly was hoping for a win, but now we move on, and still with plenty of opportunity to position ourselves for at least a reasonable NCAA tournament bid..

[DC Muskie]

Overall, I certainly was hoping for a win, but now we move on, and still with plenty of opportunity to position ourselves for at least a reasonable NCAA tournament bid..

Barring a bad loss at home, Creighton or St. John's we will fluctuate between 8 & 9. Just a guess.

[DC Muskie]

By the way, the refs in the UVA and Duke managed to call a flagrant foul, not a tech, and wait for it...not a double tech.

[xu82]

By the way, the refs in the UVA and Duke managed to call a flagrant foul, not a tech, and wait for it...not a double tech.

NOT a double tech? Is that allowed? It takes two to tango.... or one to offer up his head to get elbowed, at least.

[DC Muskie]

NOT a double tech? Is that allowed? It takes two to tango.... or one to offer up his head to get elbowed, at least.

I'm not kidding, I have never seen a game where there was 6 techs, equally given and no one was thrown out.

Oh and the teams combined to score 117 points.

[XfansinKy]

By the way, the refs in the UVA and Duke managed to call a flagrant foul, not a tech, and wait for it...not a double tech.
Those guys know how to play a little D.

[DC Muskie]

We were ranked for a few weeks after the brawl in 2011/12 but fell out toot suite. That team absolutely imploded and was lucky to make the tournament (obviously once there they partially redeemed themselves).

The last time X came into March comfortably in the tournament was 2011. Overachieving team, raced through the A-10, promptly got destroyed by Marquette.

Reps. This is depressing all around.

I was also very sick for that Marquette game. Watching it did not make me feel better.

[xu82]

I'm not kidding, I have never seen a game where there was 6 techs, equally given and no one was thrown out.

Oh and the teams combined to score 117 points.

Yet not a single Tech free throw. The one on Jalen was silly. He was holding, which resulted in a retaliation technical foul. They just didn't know how to handle it. The refs weren't the reason we lost (see 1 for 19), but they were a mess.

[DC Muskie]

Yet not a single Tech free throw. The one on Jalen was silly. He was holding, which resulted in a retaliation technical foul. They just didn't know how to handle it. The refs weren't the reason we lost (see 1 for 19), but they were a mess.

It's been that way for us this season. I'm not sure that happens in other games.

[profson]

I disagree.

You are seriously disengaged from reality when you say 5-4 on the road in conference is a "minimum" and you "expect" at least 6-3 each year.
Last year only Villanova and Creighton were 5-4 or better and Creighton, one of the best teams in the country, was exactly 5-4. Since Creighton will not meet your standards this year, only one team, Villanova, has that possibility and it has been a top 10 team both years. To summarize, your minimum standard to be met each year can only be met by one team over two years.
It may be fun to make grand statements but when they bear no relation to reasonableness you lose credibility and set yourself up to be very unhappy.

[LA Muskie]

The refs were an abomination, but it was mostly universal. They seemed to be anticipating something that really wasn't there (unless there was some pre-game jawing we don't know about). The Macura double tech in both directions was absurd. The one with Reynolds should have just been a foul on the SH kid (maybe...MAYBE...a flagrant or a T). The Myles one was similar; at most a T on the SH kid (dead ball situation), but I could have lived with a no-call. That stuff happens all the time; the vast majority of refs know how to calm things down without making it a bigger deal than it needs to be (and affecting the outcome of the game by increasing personal foul totals).

[Classof1985]

I disagree. Except for a few obvious stretches I thought our defense was pretty solid. We had a few lapses but those are inevitable. SH hit some tough, contested shots. Sometimes you've just gotta tip your cap.

We didn't lose this game because of defense or lack of effort. It all came down to not making open shots (particularly 3's) when it mattered.

Seton Hall shot 46% from the field and 38% from three. The Hall got 11 offensive rebounds. I am not sure how that equates to solid defense.

In Xavier's losses this season, they have allowed the opposition to shoot 46% from the field. Defense continues to be a problem, especially with no superior rim protector to erase mistakes.

Poor defense and poor three-point shooting have been lethal this year. In it he eight losses, Xavier's 3-point % has been about 26%.

[xsteve1]

In UC's last 2 years in the Big East they went 5-4 in 2012 and 4-5 in 2013. X needs to do better on the road. 5-4 should be the minimum goal each year.

[DC Muskie]

You are seriously disengaged from reality when you say 5-4 on the road in conference is a "minimum" and you "expect" at least 6-3 each year.
Last year only Villanova and Creighton were 5-4 or better and Creighton, one of the best teams in the country, was exactly 5-4. Since Creighton will not meet your standards this year, only one team, Villanova, has that possibility and it has been a top 10 team both years. To summarize, your minimum standard to be met each year can only be met by one team over two years.
It may be fun to make grand statements but when they bear no relation to reasonableness you lose credibility and set yourself up to be very unhappy.

It's really not hard to do the math prof. I merely expect us to contend. In order to contend you cannot fall under 6 losses in conference play. In fact the past two seasons, no one who won the regular season in the top 7 RPI conferences had more than 5 losses. And there were only two teams that won their conferences with 5 losses.

When you have more than five losses, you do not win the conference. I know it may seem crazy, but I'd like to see the program win this conference. I know it's shocking. You just proved my point. Do you think Nova is sitting around going, "oh hey, what a treat, we won at least 6 games on the road, and looky there, we won the regular season title!" Followed by "Oh man we look like we are going to do it again!"

So when you automatically place 5 loses from being on the road (4-5) you end up not winning the conference, as I pointed out. And since I have stated that I would like to win, and certainly think we should contend, it makes absolute sense, as you so accurately supported, that you cannot do that spotting yourself five losses on the road.

It really begs the question, do you expect us to finish 11-7, 12-6, or would you expect us to finish 13-5, 14-4 or better? 14-4 puts us in contention, so at minimum, I would expect us not to lose more than 4 games on the road. While you are worrying about my "credibility," I'm afraid you may have inadvertently made me very, very credible.

So thank you.

But I will finish with this question. Should I have, as a fan of Xavier, have expectations to finish around 4th, or 5th, or 6th, or should I have the expectation of finishing 1st, or 2nd? Should I be more like Seton Hall or can I be more like Nova?

[DC Muskie]

In UC's last 2 years in the Big East they went 5-4 in 2012 and 4-5 in 2013. X needs to do better on the road. 5-4 should be the minimum goal each year.

Unless of course, you don't think we should contend in the conference.

People are acting like I am expecting undefeated seasons. I merely saying spot us three wins on the road and go out and earn three more. We should be that type of program. We were in the MCC. We were in the A10.

Instead we will enter next season with the possibility of being under .500 on the road. That puts us out of contention. And somehow people find that acceptable?

We need to win more games than we lose on the road. I can't believe this is even debated.

[xu82]

this is so much more fun after a win....

[waggy]

Are we out of contention?

[DC Muskie]

Are we out of contention?

Out of the regular season title, yes.

[waggy]

I contend we are still in contention.

[xu82]

Are we out of contention?

Certainly not. We are just out of irrational exuberance.

[LadyMuskie]

I sincerely hope the team doesn't have the attitude of "we shouldn't expect to win more than this many games". If the team is going into games thinking "this one isn't winnable" or "we shouldn't expect to win more than we have because we play in the Big East" it may explain a lot of our losses. Wasn't it Miller who grabbed the Final Four banner and hung it in the locker room? His expectations were that a team that played in the A10, a league none of us can now stomach, would make it to the final weekend of the tournament. Now suddenly we shouldn't expect to do all that well because we're in a different league - playing teams we called overrated on this board just a few seasons ago? I hope Mack doesn't share the sentiment that expectations should be lowered.

I expect Xavier to win every game. Realistically I understand the environment in which we play, but that doesn't mean we can't expect the best from Xavier.

And, when you really think about it, many of our losses this season were winnable had we played better. It's not that the other team destroyed us, it's that we destroyed ourselves by not playing up to our potential or deciding to take a vacation from either our offense or our defense. Expecting more wins is not unrealistic.

[DC Muskie]

I contend we are still in contention.

Not for the regular season title we are not.

[Masterofreality]

No way that I'm content with the defense. Both Trevon and JP continue to get torched- Trevon by another frosh- we continue to help onto guys where no help is needed and leave other guys open. One time Dee sluffed off Whitehead to help leaving Whitehead wide ass open for a 3 which he promptly nailed.

As I said before Jimmy Farr, who could have at least kept Rodriguez from getting near the rim was barely used in the second half. Trevon and JP are showing no signs of defensive improvement. Can any of these freshmen guard anybody? If none of these 6 freshmen can guard in this system, and we don't know that for sure yet, thenCMack had better change the system or it will be a very long next 3 1/2 years.

[waggy]

Not for the regular season title we are not.

We are still in contention for 2nd. And we weren't in contention for 1st, well, ever.

So we are still in contention.

Stop arguing with me.

[DC Muskie]

I sincerely hope the team doesn't have the attitude of "we shouldn't expect to win more than this many games". If the team is going into games thinking "this one isn't winnable" or "we shouldn't expect to win more than we have because we play in the Big East" it may explain a lot of our losses. Wasn't it Miller who grabbed the Final Four banner and hung it in the locker room? His expectations were that a team that played in the A10, a league none of us can now stomach, would make it to the final weekend of the tournament. Now suddenly we shouldn't expect to do all that well because we're in a different league - playing teams we called overrated on this board just a few seasons ago? I hope Mack doesn't share the sentiment that expectations should be lowered.

I expect Xavier to win every game. Realistically I understand the environment in which we play, but that doesn't mean we can't expect the best from Xavier.

Seriously. All of us complain after a road loss, just think of this.

We win at DePaul, we pull out a win today, and win last Saturday in overtime in Providence, along with our Georgetown road win and we are sitting at four road wins. That makes the road games at St. John's and Creighton and even Marquette that much doable, and even going 1-3 puts at 5-4.

Combine that with our home schedule, we are right there in contention. It makes the Nova game huge for other reasons. It's for the title.

Now it's just to make sure we get into the dance.

[DC Muskie]

We are still in contention for 2nd. And we weren't in contention for 1st, well, ever.

So we are still in contention.

Stop arguing with me.

Not when we are staring 1-7 on the road we aren't.

I mean seriously for us to finish 2nd two things have to happen:

We go 7-0 to finish.

Or five teams have to finish below .500.

Which of those two are likely. And we only play two of those teams. Taking out Nova since they will most likely win the title.

[waggy]

We are still in contention.

[DC Muskie]

We are still in contention.

We are not.

[waggy]

We could finish 3rd.

[GoMuskies]

We are still in contention.

So is DePaul then.

[LadyMuskie]

So is DePaul then.

Oh dear God. Not this again!

[DC Muskie]

We could finish 3rd.

We could. We have to finish with winning all of our remaining road games. That puts us where we were last year.

I'd rather finish third by slipping, then playing our asses off to get there.

[waggy]

So is DePaul then.


I really don't know what this has to do with the discussion.

[xu82]

We are not in contention for last, I'm pleased to say...
(We need to get on a damn run!!!)

[vee4xu]

We can lament these conference losses all we want. The ones we can potentially hate on Selection Sunday will be Long Beach, UTEP and Auburn.

[GoMuskies]

I really don't know what this has to do with the discussion.

It means we're not really in contention.

[LadyMuskie]

We can lament these conference losses all we want. The ones we can potentially hate on Selection Sunday will be Long Beach, UTEP and Auburn.

So, are you saying you expect us to go undefeated in our non-conference schedule?

[DC Muskie]

We can lament these conference losses all we want. The ones we can potentially hate on Selection Sunday will be Long Beach, UTEP and Auburn.

I would just hate to see our program now in the BE make the tournament as a 8th - 12th seed. That will be depressing really.

[waggy]

It might not be a conference issue. It's not like we lit the A10 up the last year there.

Thank God the BE came calling.

[LadyMuskie]

It might not be a conference issue. It's not like we lit the A10 up the last year there.

Thank God the BE came calling.

Woah! What are you insinuating?

[vee4xu]

So, are you saying you expect us to go undefeated in our non-conference schedule?

Nope. Not at all. Saying that no loss in BE is worse than those three OOC losses. Any of those losses are worse than any BE road loss. If X fails to make the NCAA tourney they can look back to those three games.

[DC Muskie]

It might not be a conference issue. It's not like we lit the A10 up the last year there.

Yes and that was unpleasant if I remember correctly.

It used to be those types of seasons were rare, and we usually dominated the A10. That's why the BE came calling.

Now that we are here, finishing 3rd just not be something we are happy with on a regular basis.

[waggy]

Woah! What are you insinuating?


Well I'm not suggesting the BE isn't good. Cause it is very good. So it's not just one thing.

[DC Muskie]

Nope. Not at all. Saying that no loss in BE is worse than those three OOC losses. Any of those losses are worse than any BE road loss. If X fails to make the NCAA tourney they can look back to those three games.

We had plenty of opportunities to correct those mistakes.

Also I want to add to my expectations, of at least making the championship game of a tournament that is played over Thanksgiving. At least once in the next three years.

[vee4xu]

I would just hate to see our program now in the BE make the tournament as a 8th - 12th seed. That will be depressing really.

I see your point, but X might actually be more competitive as a BE 10 Seed than an A-10 5 seed. That lower half of the A-10 had RPIs in the 190-300 range. X would beat Fordham and go down 5 RPI spots.

[vee4xu]

We had plenty of opportunities to correct those mistakes.

Also I want to add to my expectations, of at least making the championship game of a tournament that is played over Thanksgiving. At least once in the next three years.
I don't disagree.

[LadyMuskie]

Also I want to add to my expectations, of at least making the championship game of a tournament that is played over Thanksgiving. At least once in the next three years.

Now this might be crazy talk. There is just about zero historical evidence of late to suggest we can win one, let alone all of the games necessary to play in the championship game of a Thanksgiving tournament. We can climb mountains, but not to the moon, my friend.

[xsteve1]

We had plenty of opportunities to correct those mistakes.

Also I want to add to my expectations, of at least making the championship game of a tournament that is played over Thanksgiving. At least once in the next three years.

How about playing for a BE championship in Garden in the next 3 years? Winning 1 game in NYC this year is going to be extremely tough.

[DC Muskie]

I see your point, but X might actually be more competitive as a BE 10 Seed than an A-10 5 seed. That lower half of the A-10 had RPIs in the 190-300 range. X would beat Fordham and go down 5 RPI spots.

Yeah but we play tougher teams in the first round when we are the higher seeds.

This season Palm has us a 9th seed playing SMU. As a 5th seed, we play teams like Wofford, Western Kentucky or a play in team.

I'd rather be a really competitive BE team in the 5th seed.

[DC Muskie]

Now this might be crazy talk. There is just about zero historical evidence of late to suggest we can win one, let alone all of the games necessary to play in the championship game of a Thanksgiving tournament. We can climb mountains, but not to the moon, my friend.

Can you imagine if all of these games were played at noon? I would just give up.

[DC Muskie]

How about playing for a BE championship in Garden in the next 3 years? Winning 1 game in NYC this year is going to be extremely tough.

I have to take baby steps.

16-21 has to improve.

[xu82]

Obviously, I'd love to be a higher seed and get an easy game or two. I'm also glad that we're getting some experience playing against better teams to prepare us for tournament play. At this point, I just want to know we will be IN. I'll get greedy later.

[DC Muskie]

Obviously, I'd love to be a higher seed and get an easy game or two. I'm also glad that we're getting some experience playing against better teams to prepare us for tournament play. At this point, I just want to know we will be IN. I'll get greedy later.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. We should expect at minimum to get into the tournament, we've been doing that for years.

I want us at the point where we make deep runs into the tournament.

Remember when getting to the Sweet 16 was a fairly regular occurrence? I want to get back to that, not slip to "just getting in."

[LadyMuskie]

Can you imagine if all of these games were played at noon? I would just give up.

Honestly, we all would. Noon games are our kryptonite.

[GoMuskies]

The greatest game in the history of Xavier basketball was a noon game. So there's hope.

[LadyMuskie]

This is exactly what I'm talking about. We should expect at minimum to get into the tournament, we've been doing that for years.

I want us at the point where we make deep runs into the tournament.

Remember when getting to the Sweet 16 was a fairly regular occurrence? I want to get back to that, not slip to "just getting in."

I agree. And to be honest, last year we just barely made it in and then we embarrassed ourselves in the friggin play-in game. That was a massacre. If we just barely make it in again this year, I sincerely hope we have a sizable chip on our shoulder and show it. I cannot take another tournament game like last year's.

[DC Muskie]

The greatest game in the history of Xavier basketball was a noon game. So there's hope.

I should have repped you on that one.

[LadyMuskie]

The greatest game in the history of Xavier basketball was a noon game. So there's hope.

Yeah, but it was an A10 game. So, you know, that's gross to us now.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, but it was an A10 game. So, you know, that's gross to us now.

Good point. St. Joe's wasn't actually any good looking back wearing Big East glasses.

[LadyMuskie]

Good point. St. Joe's wasn't actually any good looking back wearing Big East glasses.

St. Joe's in 2003-2004 could not have won the Big East in 2014-2015! Or something like that.

Edit: I just realized I'm two posts away from 3500 posts on this board. What am I doing with my life?

[xu82]

The greatest game in the history of Xavier basketball was a noon game. So there's hope.

I love a good nooner. Maybe it's just me. I guess things have to go right but....

I had the rest of the day to do, well, pretty much nothing. But if it had been nice out...

[profson]

In UC's last 2 years in the Big East they went 5-4 in 2012 and 4-5 in 2013. X needs to do better on the road. 5-4 should be the minimum goal each year.

Apples and oranges. That conference and this one just share a name. That one had several very good teams and a bunch of crappy ones, plus no round robin.
We can agree that to be successful we need a number of road wins.

[GoMuskies]

Edit: I just realized I'm two posts away from 3500 posts on this board. What am I doing with my life?

No kidding. You are clearly wasting your life by not posting more.

[xu82]

Edit: I just realized I'm two posts away from 3500 posts on this board. What am I doing with my life?

YOU? I am posting while watching 10 year olds cook on Chopped. Something has gone terribly wrong on this end.

[Masterofreality]

Since this is a GAME thread, one last reiteration on, you know....THE GAME.

From the 12:36 Mark to the 6:05 Mark in the second half, Desi Rodriguez scored 11 points, had a steal, an offensive rebound and another rebound. Trevon Blueitt, who was guarding him, had one point, no rebounds and a foul. Rodriguez also made the go ahead layup basket to put Seton Hall ahead 72-71.

Trevon Blueitt got torched, JP Macura gave no assistance, and yet no James Farr who never saw the court after the 16:00 Mark. After the game, on his post game radio comments, CMack said, "James should have played more". Well, WTF? What is the staff looking at? If I can see a matchup where we are getting killed while the game is going on, why can't they?

It's not all on The Head Coach. It's also on the assistants-especially the "Defensive Coordinator " to see this and make strong suggestions.

It is stuff like this that are not always obvious, especially in competitive conferences, where games are won and lost. Look, Jimmy Farr may have gotten toasted as well, who knows, but his added length would have bothered Rodriguez who scored all of his points on free throws or shots close to the basket.

[XUOWNSUC]

Did anybody else see Myles get kicked by Gibbs right before their double technical?

[vee4xu]

Yesterday, DePaul was leading Villanova 37-31 at halftime in Chicago. In the second half Villanova held DePaul to 18 point. Yep, less than one point per minute, while scoring 37 themselves. Final score: Villanova 68 DePaul 55.

That folks is how to take care of business in a road conference game.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Since this is a GAME thread, one last reiteration on, you know....THE GAME.

From the 12:36 Mark to the 6:05 Mark in the second half, Desi Rodriguez scored 11 points, had a steal, an offensive rebound and another rebound. Trevon Blueitt, who was guarding him, had one point, no rebounds and a foul. Rodriguez also made the go ahead layup basket to put Seton Hall ahead 72-71.

Trevon Blueitt got torched, JP Macura gave no assistance, and yet no James Farr who never saw the court after the 16:00 Mark. After the game, on his post game radio comments, CMack said, "James should have played more". Well, WTF? What is the staff looking at? If I can see a matchup where we are getting killed while the game is going on, why can't they?

It's not all on The Head Coach. It's also on the assistants-especially the "Defensive Coordinator " to see this and make strong suggestions.

It is stuff like this that are not always obvious, especially in competitive conferences, where games are won and lost. Look, Jimmy Farr may have gotten toasted as well, who knows, but his added length would have bothered Rodriguez who scored all of his points on free throws or shots close to the basket.

Yeah thats a bizzare comment by Mack, I almost wish he would have made up a reason Farr didnt play more. I said on this board probably 5 different times in the second half while the game was going on that I didnt understand why Farr wasnt playing anymore.

4/6 for 8 points 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in limited minutes.

[Masterofreality]

Anybody else wonder why Jalen Reynolds, who scored 17 points, only played 15 minutes? James Farr who was playing fine, only olayed 14 minutes. Trevon Blueitt who was most assuredly not having a good game either offensively or defensively played 27 minutes.

I'm sorry, but the more I review this game and think about it, the more pissed I get. Can't this staff figure out what goes on in the game flow and use what works more, or are they so into "formula" and who "practices" the best that they are blinded to what the hell is in front of them?

If a guy is not playing well, no matter who it is, and another guy is, enough with this "development" garbage. Put the guys on the court who are playing the best. Look at what is going on and make on the fly adjustments. We need to win basketball games and have no more margin for error. We blew that in winnable games like Auburn, DePaul and Providence (should've gone to zone earlier).

One more thing about "formula". Anybody notice that Sterling Gibbs picked up his second foul in the first half with over 9 minutes to go and was NOT pulled? He wound up playing 37 minutes. Dee Davis got two fouls in the first half and right away is pulled. That eventually resulted in a horrible 1 minute stretch where Seton Hall outscored us 8-0 and took a halftime lead after we were leading 33-28. Big swing in the game. STOP WITH THE FORMULA and work with the game!!!

[LA Muskie]

Since this is a GAME thread, one last reiteration on, you know....THE GAME.

From the 12:36 Mark to the 6:05 Mark in the second half, Desi Rodriguez scored 11 points, had a steal, an offensive rebound and another rebound. Trevon Blueitt, who was guarding him, had one point, no rebounds and a foul. Rodriguez also made the go ahead layup basket to put Seton Hall ahead 72-71.

Trevon Blueitt got torched, JP Macura gave no assistance, and yet no James Farr who never saw the court after the 16:00 Mark. After the game, on his post game radio comments, CMack said, "James should have played more". Well, WTF? What is the staff looking at? If I can see a matchup where we are getting killed while the game is going on, why can't they?

It's not all on The Head Coach. It's also on the assistants-especially the "Defensive Coordinator " to see this and make strong suggestions.

It is stuff like this that are not always obvious, especially in competitive conferences, where games are won and lost. Look, Jimmy Farr may have gotten toasted as well, who knows, but his added length would have bothered Rodriguez who scored all of his points on free throws or shots close to the basket.

I thought Farr played a hell of a game and wondered the same thing. I think the problem is Mack wanted to go 4-1 which left Farr as the odd man out. Especially since he probably wanted to keep Trevon's scoring on the floor (even though, as you point out, Trevon contributed very little in the 2nd half).

[LA Muskie]

Anybody else wonder why Jalen Reynolds, who scored 17 points, only played 15 minutes? James Farr who was playing fine, only olayed 14 minutes. Trevon Blueitt who was most assuredly not having a good game either offensively or defensively played 27 minutes.

I'm sorry, but the more I review this game and think about it, the more pissed I get. Can't this staff figure out what goes on in the game flow and use what works more, or are they so into "formula" and who "practices" the best that they are blinded to what the hell is in front of them?

If a guy is not playing well, no matter who it is, and another guy is, enough with this "development" garbage. Put the guys on the court who are playing the best. Look at what is going on and make on the fly adjustments. We need to win basketball games and have no more margin for error. We blew that in winnable games like Auburn, DePaul and Providence (should've gone to zone earlier).

Playing the 4-1 lineup (which worked well the two previous games) only leaves one spot for our 3 bigs.

I agree Trevon had a horrible 2nd half. But remember he carried us in the 1st with 14 pts. I'm guessing Mack thought he needed his offensive potential on the court in the 2nd even if it never materialized.

[LA Muskie]

Did anybody else see Myles get kicked by Gibbs right before their double technical?

In real time I didn't see it so much as a kick as them getting tangled and Gibbs stepping over him. That scenario plays out in some way in most every game.

But maybe it was more than that. I haven't gone back to look at the tape.

[xsteve1]

I thought Farr played a hell of a game and wondered the same thing. I think the problem is Mack wanted to go 4-1 which left Farr as the odd man out. Especially since he probably wanted to keep Trevon's scoring on the floor (even though, as you point out, Trevon contributed very little in the 2nd half).

Agree that was about as well as he can play. Was blocking shots making short jumpers defending pretty well and rebounding. He should have gotten more minutes

[paulxu]

Anybody else wonder why Jalen Reynolds, who scored 17 points, only played 15 minutes? James Farr who was playing fine, only olayed 14 minutes. Trevon Blueitt who was most assuredly not having a good game either offensively or defensively played 27 minutes.


MOR, I haven't studied a replay to try and analyze every play. But Bluiett from one standpoint was having a pretty good game, at least in the first half.
He went 5 for 6 in the first, and maybe the expectation was that he would provide points and better FT opportunities. (he took 9 FT's while Reynolds and Farr together in the same minutes had 2).
I agree that those 2 might have made a difference, but guess I would defer to Mack still on player utilization. What surprises me most of all is that in the second half they were only able (or he was only able) to get him 2 shots during the entire time, and he went 1-1. Maybe he should have put it up more often based on how he did in the first half.

Whatever is right, 6-8 and 19 points is a pretty good game I would think.

[LA Muskie]

MOR, I haven't studied a replay to try and analyze every play. But Bluiett from one standpoint was having a pretty good game, at least in the first half.
He went 5 for 6 in the first, and maybe the expectation was that he would provide points and better FT opportunities. (he took 9 FT's while Reynolds and Farr together in the same minutes had 2).
I agree that those 2 might have made a difference, but guess I would defer to Mack still on player utilization. What surprises me most of all is that in the second half they were only able (or he was only able) to get him 2 shots during the entire time, and he went 1-1. Maybe he should have put it up more often based on how he did in the first half.

Whatever is right, 6-8 and 19 points is a pretty good game I would think.

Trevon had a very good half. As MOR pointed out, he was bad -- offensively and defensively -- in the 2nd half.

I haven't gone back to see what they were but Seton Hall obviously made a halftime adjustment to contain him. It worked. If he's not scoring, and when he's playing defense like he did in the 2nd half yesterday, he's a net negative.

I don't know why we need to "defer" to Mack on a message board. What's there to discuss if that's the case? Regardless, even Mack said Farr should have played more. I take that as a self-criticism on his part. (That's about as close as he gets.)

I don't blame yesterday's outcome on coaching. But I agree things could have been different if we found a bit more PT for Farr and Reynolds, both of whom were also very active defensively and on the boards.

[XUOWNSUC]

In real time I didn't see it so much as a kick as them getting tangled and Gibbs stepping over him. That scenario plays out in some way in most every game.

But maybe it was more than that. I haven't gone back to look at the tape.

Slow down the replay after the commercial break. You'll see what I mean. I first thought it was just a tangled up thing too. I think it is around the 9:37 mark in the 2nd half.

[kyxu]

I guess I feel a little better about this Xavier team now than I did maybe a week ago for the simple reason that we know they are capable of winning a road game. But that's about it.

As many suspected, the "corner-turning" talk after the Georgetown win was a little premature. This team still has issues with perimeter defense, but our perimeter shooting over the last few games, even at home, has not been good. Over the last five games, we've had just one (against GTown) where we shot north of 40%. Against Providence and DePaul, our 3PT% was in the freaking teens. Then we get that 5% stinker yesterday.

I think we can and will make the tournament; how long we'll be there is another story. First round exits used to be a rarity with this program.

[XUFan09]

Nope. Not at all. Saying that no loss in BE is worse than those three OOC losses. Any of those losses are worse than any BE road loss. If X fails to make the NCAA tourney they can look back to those three games.

This just isn't true. Auburn will be a bad loss, but UTEP and LBSU are projected to be top 100 teams. It sucks that we lost those games, but the latter two aren't even bad losses, as they are decent teams. Projected RPI ranks of these three games and our weaker conference opponents:

73 - Long Beach State (N)
85 - UTEP (N)
134 - Marquette
163 - DePaul
168 - Creighton
170 - Auburn

Due to the wide variance between neutral and road games, facing Marquette on the road might be considered a tougher game than facing UTEP on a neutral floor and about on par with facing Long Beach St. on a neutral floor. That's the only overlap between the weaker Big East teams and these two teams. Auburn is projected to be the worse loss, but Creighton and DePaul are in the same range.

I just wish everyone in the fanbase would get over this misconception that LBSU and UTEP were bad losses. They hurt our top 100 record, but they are not in the "bad loss" category.

[vee4xu]

This just isn't true. Auburn will be a bad loss, but UTEP and LBSU are projected to be top 100 teams. It sucks that we lost those games, but the latter two aren't even bad losses, as they are decent teams. Projected RPI ranks of these three games and our weaker conference opponents:

73 - Long Beach State (N)
85 - UTEP (N)
134 - Marquette
163 - DePaul
168 - Creighton
170 - Auburn

Due to the wide variance between neutral and road games, facing Marquette on the road might be considered a tougher game than facing UTEP on a neutral floor and about on par with facing Long Beach St. on a neutral floor. That's the only overlap between the weaker Big East teams and these two teams. Auburn is projected to be the worse loss, but Creighton and DePaul are in the same range.

I just wish everyone in the fanbase would get over this misconception that LBSU and UTEP were bad losses. They hurt our top 100 record, but they are not in the "bad loss" category.

Research will almost always trump raw emotion. Certainly the case here. Thanks, 09 for the info.

[X-Fan]

Yes, X lost. Like everyone I'm not happy about that. However, for a road game I thought they played pretty decent. They showed resilience. In fact , coming back from decent deficits in both halves to take the lead, and having the lead with less than 4 minutes to go. Stinks that they let the game get away, but that's part of the growing pains.

I'll say this, their play on the road FEELS better than earlier in the year. I think they are paying with more confidence. While it's frustrating to see Trevon and JP struggle, I have NO issues with the minutes they are getting. It will pay HUGE dividends later this season and definitely next season/beyond. Myles looked horrible at this time last year, now look at him.

As a fan, unlike the end of the last two seasons, I'm finally into games again. IMO, this last GTown win was the first sign X can compete at a high level since the 11-12 season. Keep the faith my fellow Muskies. I have a good feeling about these guys.

[Masterofreality]

This just isn't true. Auburn will be a bad loss, but UTEP and LBSU are projected to be top 100 teams. It sucks that we lost those games, but the latter two aren't even bad losses, as they are decent teams. Projected RPI ranks of these three games and our weaker conference opponents:

73 - Long Beach State (N)
85 - UTEP (N)
134 - Marquette
163 - DePaul
168 - Creighton
170 - Auburn

Due to the wide variance between neutral and road games, facing Marquette on the road might be considered a tougher game than facing UTEP on a neutral floor and about on par with facing Long Beach St. on a neutral floor. That's the only overlap between the weaker Big East teams and these two teams. Auburn is projected to be the worse loss, but Creighton and DePaul are in the same range.

I just wish everyone in the fanbase would get over this misconception that LBSU and UTEP were bad losses. They hurt our top 100 record, but they are not in the "bad loss" category.

Agree 100% with this. No way I put the UTEP or LBSU games in with Auburn, Depaul.

We had better NOT lose to Marquette or Creighton.

[Masterofreality]

Trevon had a very good half. As MOR pointed out, he was bad -- offensively and defensively -- in the 2nd half.

I haven't gone back to see what they were but Seton Hall obviously made a halftime adjustment to contain him. It worked. . If he's not scoring, and when he's playing defense like he did in the 2nd half yesterday, he's a net negative.

I don't know why we need to "defer" to Mack on a message board. What's there to discuss if that's the case? Regardless, even Mack said Farr should have played more. I take that as a self-criticism on his part. (That's about as close as he gets.)

I don't blame yesterday's outcome on coaching. But I agree things could have been different if we found a bit more PT for Farr and Reynolds, both of whom were also very active defensively and on the boards.

From what I could tell, they isolated Rodriguez on Bluiett, which they did not do in the first half. Blueitt was mostly on Moblely. Rodriguez ate Trvon's lunch, however and Xavier didn't adjust back.

Kevin Willard is a helluva coach.

[Juice]

This just isn't true. Auburn will be a bad loss, but UTEP and LBSU are projected to be top 100 teams. It sucks that we lost those games, but the latter two aren't even bad losses, as they are decent teams. Projected RPI ranks of these three games and our weaker conference opponents:

73 - Long Beach State (N)
85 - UTEP (N)
134 - Marquette
163 - DePaul
168 - Creighton
170 - Auburn

Due to the wide variance between neutral and road games, facing Marquette on the road might be considered a tougher game than facing UTEP on a neutral floor and about on par with facing Long Beach St. on a neutral floor. That's the only overlap between the weaker Big East teams and these two teams. Auburn is projected to be the worse loss, but Creighton and DePaul are in the same range.

I just wish everyone in the fanbase would get over this misconception that LBSU and UTEP were bad losses. They hurt our top 100 record, but they are not in the "bad loss" category.

People are just lazy and can't look up the RPI/Ken Pom numbers. They see that those teams aren't in a big conference and assume they suck. Long story short, people are morons.

They also don't realize that the Stephen F. Austin win is pretty good.