NCAA Tournament - Xavier vs. Arizona Game Thread

[markchal]

Matt Stainbrook is a f**king warrior.

We havent been this one dimensional all season. He's getting tired, someone please STEP UP and help him carry.

[xsteve1]

I'm going to bed...someone let me know what happens.

Okay.

[Masterofreality]

Not a good lineup in there right now.

[drudy23]

He does have big shoulders...carry us home Stain.

[drudy23]

The light may have finally come on for Jalen.

[Wheelhouse]

We came to play tonight.

[markchal]

The light may have finally come on for Jalen.

If I had a nickel for every time we said that.

Stop bailing them out with fouls and lets play some solid D and get some stops.

[nasdadjr]

I ran out of beer now gotta make homemade margarita let's go x

[paulxu]

I hate sloppy passes. Just hate em.

[Blue Blooded-05]

There's been a Myles Davis sighting!!!!

Who's feeling this!!

[drudy23]

Holy crap...I'm getting nervous.

[markchal]

jesus Jalen come on

[xsteve1]

Man we should've had that board.

[Masterofreality]

Good officiating there. Like Reggie said, they resolved it themselves.

A crappy ref would have called a double T. Oh, wait....

[markchal]

would've been so huge. We just can't get momentum, they keep getting these lucky bounces and breaks that are keeping us from stringing anything together.

[LadyMuskie]

jesus Jalen come on

Jalen stayed cool. He was getting jobbed under the basket and it was on purpose to make him lose his shit. Arizona can only win by playing dirty.

[XU Cowbell Kid]

That layup by Dee was smoooooooooooth

[KabeX]

Don't know about you guys but I am enjoying this second half,

[drudy23]

Does Jalen keep his head for the rest of this game? They better be in his ear every timeout.

[markchal]

Jalen stayed cool. He was getting jobbed under the basket and it was on purpose to make him lose his shit. Arizona can only win by playing dirty.

he gave a two handed shove we can't afford any dumb Ts.

[markchal]

I hate when he forces shots because he's playing mad too.

Much calmer next time down the floor, drew a good foul.

[xavierj]

he gave a two handed shove we can't afford any dumb Ts.

He's playing like a man though. No pussies allowed.

[X Factor]

This is going to be longest 7 min ever!

Just keep grinding X!!

[drudy23]

This is going to be longest 7 min ever!

Just keep grinding X!!

You ain't kiddin

[xavierj]

I hate when he forces shots because he's playing mad too.

Much calmer next time down the floor, drew a good foul.

That was not a bad shot.

[KabeX]

We are Xavier. And we play pussy free.


He's playing like a man though. No pussies allowed.

[xsteve1]

The BE really needs this.

[xavierj]

Have to rebound

[nasdadjr]

That's is great TO. Arizona could have gone on run there

[KabeX]

Just thinking the same thing. So I got another beer.


This is going to be longest 7 min ever!

Just keep grinding X!!

[XU Cowbell Kid]

Inconsistent whistles! Yay.

[paulxu]

Our defensive rebounding has not been good.

I think I just heard Snipe yell Cheater!

[drudy23]

No scoring drought...no scoring drought...no scoring drought.

TAKE CARE OF THE BALL!!!!

[paulxu]

Shades of Duke game quick fouls.

[xsteve1]

That lazy turnover really hurt.

[markchal]

we're done. Just looks like we're starting to wilt and getting tired and just not playing smart. Big momentum point here.

[paulxu]

I'd rather see Myles take a 3.

[drudy23]

Need a stop here!!!

[BandAid]

refs are boning us right now

[mistabeecee41]

Not a good time for one of our draughts.

[paulxu]

I don't think I like these announcers. They just assume Arizona will win.

[XU Cowbell Kid]

Based on the three fouls on Stain, there should have been 10 fouls on Zona that last possession.

[markchal]

need something special, we're running on fumes now...gonna need some luck

[markchal]

fuuuuuuuk

[XU Cowbell Kid]

McConnell's shot looks so horrible. Kinda like Paul Pierce. You think "No way that goes in" and then it goes in.

[paulxu]

Somebody from X has to make a 3. That simple.
It's been that way the whole game.
We made a lot last game. Miller worked to take it away.
He's been successful so far. Need to get some.

[xsteve1]

Zona with 6 3's to our 2. That 3 by MCconnell really hurt.

[LadyMuskie]

I don't think I like these announcers. They just assume Arizona will win.

Based on some of those b.s. calls, maybe they know something we don't.

[nasdadjr]

F ing threes are the difference we need two more to win

[drudy23]

Need to find that extra push...everything you got.

[KabeX]

Down 4 under 4 at the line. It is still winning time.

[xavierj]

Have to make these And dee up and rebound

[markchal]

we cannot keep putting them at the line. We're letting this slip away. I think we're just out of gas.

[drudy23]

gotta get some stops...theyre getting points every time down.

[blobfan]

We can still win this!!!

[xsteve1]

Just cant get a stop.

[drudy23]

Huge rebound miss.

[mistabeecee41]

Use a time out there to get myles back in there chris. Game.

[markchal]

come on...forced by stain on one end, and we just gave up on that offensive rebound. We are officially done in this one.

Great effort, great end to the season.

[X Factor]

Well.damn

[Blue Blooded-05]

This is slipping away

[drudy23]

Slow bleed

[blobfan]

come on...forced by stain on one end, and we just gave up on that offensive rebound. We are officially done in this one.

Great effort, great end to the season.

Way to think positive here. Maybe you need to go to bed.

[xsteve1]

Good effort but were exhausted.

[drudy23]

JP and Trevon get attacked every time they touch it on offense. They know they have no chance of getting around them.

They both need to go to quickness camp.

[BMoreX]

Damn.

[paulxu]

That's our ball.

[mistabeecee41]

Masterplan. Give the ball to a struggling freshmen.

[Masterofreality]

A missed assignment on Trevon defensively. He is giving us nothing tonight, but he'll carry this with him and get better.

[xavierj]

Just ran out of gas

[markchal]

Way to think positive here. Maybe you need to go to bed.

You think crossing my fingers will help us get a stop?

It's pretty clear to see we're out of gas. It's a 15-4 arizona run where we are missing free throws, turning it over and even giving us some offensive boards that we don't usually give up.

[nasdadjr]

Good run by our guys we just don't have the experience to win

[paulxu]

Dee moves too slow when we are down with little time.
(But I appreciate his time with the X men)

[drudy23]

You could feel the drought coming.

[drudy23]

A missed assignment on Trevon defensively. He is giving us nothing tonight, but he'll carry this with him and get better.

He better get stronger and quicker while he's at it.

[Masterofreality]

No field goals in 7 minutes, and we're now giving up second chance baskets.

[markchal]

Dee moves too slow when we are down with little time.
(But I appreciate his time with the X men)

totally agree. We have no sense of urgency.

But major props to Dee, he came to play today (minus a few more TOs than usual), and gave us the only scoring punch we had outside of the bigs. Great couple of weeks for Dee.

[X Factor]

Came down to just making shots and we shot.poorly from outside. Heck of an effort for not.playing too good. Arizona plays tough D

[nasdadjr]

I love the fact that Trevon jp Austin Reynolds and company can get this exposure and this experience as freshman and sophomores. This bodes well for xavier basketball future. I'm calling it now final four within next three years

[paulxu]

Where has that play been the whole game?

[Masterofreality]

Not done yet!!

[drudy23]

We're winning this game.

[X Factor]

We're winning this game.

Believe!

[Porkopolis]

If we're going to lose at least we are going down fighting. Still time to claw back.

[markchal]

I love the fact that Trevon jp Austin Reynolds and company can get this exposure and this experience as freshman and sophomores. This bodes well for xavier basketball future. I'm calling it now final four within next three years

really wish Tre and Jp hadn't basically no-showed in the tourney. Tre was our leading scorer and outside of one timely 3 v. Ga St., he was a total non-factor. BUt you're right, the experience will be massive for him. I just wish our frosh could've given this team the bump that Doellman/Cage gave as frosh in that 2004 run.

[Masterofreality]

Where has that play been the whole game?

It's been there but the bigs haven't looked to kick out...except to Trevon who keeps shooting it short.

[blobfan]

You think crossing my fingers will help us get a stop?

It's pretty clear to see we're out of gas. It's a 15-4 arizona run where we are missing free throws, turning it over and even giving us some offensive boards that we don't usually give up.

I don't think you've had a single positive thing to say the entire game, even when we were up, even after good shots. If you don't like this team go to the AZ board.

[Masterofreality]

That was a looooooooooooooonnnnnnng 5 seconds!

[nasdadjr]

How is that not 5

[BandAid]

That's longest 5 seconds I've ever seen

[markchal]

I don't think you've had a single positive thing to say the entire game, even when we were up, even after good shots. If you don't like this team go to the AZ board.

that's bullshit, I've had plenty of positive things to say about our guys this game.

[Masterofreality]

Good call. Not 5 seconds.

[paulxu]

X ball

[paulxu]

Can I get a 3 here anyway?

[drudy23]

Stupid ass shot

[paulxu]

Not a great shot selection.

[markchal]

we just miss a go-to guy like Crawford or Tu to get us a score when we need it there

[drudy23]

If Jalen gets a T here, Mack should pull a Rick Barnes.

[paulxu]

Sure. Let's get a horseshit T.
Why didn't Matt get the foul at halfcourt?

[markchal]

If Jalen gets a T here, Mack should pull a Rick Barnes.

Vegas would love that with as close as we're getting to the line.

[XU Cowbell Kid]

Sure. Let's get a horseshit T.
Why didn't Matt get the foul at halfcourt?

Cuz these refs suck.

EDIT: not why we are down right now though.

[Xville]

We need a sg and a sf that can get to the rack...maybe jp and tre can be those guys one day but right now they can't beat their man off the dribble.

[drudy23]

we need a sg and a sf that can get to the rack...maybe jp and tre can be those guys one day but right now they can't beat their man off the dribble.

sloooooooooooooooow

[paulxu]

Wrong game to go crappy on our 3's. Couldn't afford it.

[nasdadjr]

Well great game by our x men just lost to a senior and junior laden team. When Jalen is a senior Trevon jp Austin will be juniors we may ne a 1 or 2 seed in 2 years

[markchal]

proud of how this team fought though. Just bitter pill to swallow now since we had the lead with like 8-10 minutes left and I think we could've taken this team. Just not our day from outside

Really proud of how Dee and Stain went out though.

[xsteve1]

Offense abandoned us down the stretch.

[markchal]

This run is something pretty brutal. Sean Miller teams just don't miss many FTs.

[paulxu]

Thanks for the great year Muskies.

We can win these games. We'll be back next year.

Special thanks to Matt and Dee. Warriors.

[blobfan]

Sad that I won't see Stain on this team again but so proud of how they finished. This is really going to help us as our players mature.

[XMuskieFTW]

This is never easy

[X Factor]

Need to get better on the wing next year.

[markchal]

We will probably go what next year? Austin, Myles, Abell, Blueitt, Jalen?

[nuts4xu]

Wilbur can still eat a big ol bag of dicks!

[drudy23]

Trevon needs to grow up in the off-season...get in the weight room and grow some killer instinct. We need his points.

[KabeX]

I will miss Dee Davis. Freakin warrior.
I will miss the Big Stain. Uber Warrior.

Xavier Nation put on those shades. The future is indeed bright.

[X Factor]

Go Badgers...

[xudash]

Proud of them.

[drudy23]

Dee and Stain went out like they should have...they left it all out there. Can't ask for anything else. They can leave with their heads held high.

[Masterofreality]

Well, we leave with our heads held high.

We do need to get our freshmen better, but the saying always is that the biggest jump that players make is from freshman to sophomore. We'll need that in spades- especially Trevon Bluiett. He MUST get stronger and more tough minded with a chip.

Next November can't come soon enough!

[Porkopolis]

Proud of this team. The seniors went out in style. Time for the underclassmen to pick up the torch and lead us to the next level.

[Masterofreality]

I will miss Dee Davis. Freakin warrior.
I will miss the Big Stain. Uber Warrior.

Xavier Nation put on those shades. The future is indeed bright.

This.

[xavierj]

We will probably go what next year? Austin, Myles, Abell, Blueitt, Jalen?

Sumner and London will be players. Xavier will be loaded.

[Blue Blooded-05]

Gave em a helluva fight... Proud to be a Xavier Musketeer!

Thank you Stain and Dee!

[xsteve1]

X has some huge shoes to fill with Dee and Stain. Those two played their hearts out.

[Masterofreality]

We will probably go what next year? Austin, Myles, Abell, Blueitt, Jalen?

Farr will start. Myles off the bench.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Congrats to Dee, Matt, and Mack and the rest of the team. Great season, got as far as I think we could go. Cant wait til next year!

[xavierj]

Well, we leave with our heads held high.

We do need to get our freshmen better, but the saying always is that the biggest jump that players make is from freshman to sophomore. We'll need that in spades- especially Trevon Bluiett. He MUST get stronger and more tough minded with a chip.

Next November can't come soon enough!

Where was Dee after his freshman year? The young guys will be fine.

[drudy23]

We needed Tre in this game...you can't disappear in the biggest games of the year. Has to grow some killer instinct.

[D-West & PO-Z]

We needed Tre in this game...you can't disappear in the biggest games of the year. Has to grow some killer instinct.

He'll be ok, just didnt have it this tourney. So much talent though.

[BandAid]

That Ron Hunter guy knows what he's talking about

[X Factor]

We needed Tre in this game...you can't disappear in the biggest games of the year. Has to grow some killer instinct.

Yep, he had a rough NCAA tournament. You know he probably feels like crap. Hopefully he gets in the gym and weight room this offseason and has a great sophmore year.

[X Factor]

That Ron Hunter guy knows what he's talking about

He is schooling Seth Davis in the studio.

[GoMuskies]

Farr will start.

I'm not sure how excited I can be about a team that has Farr as a starter.

[drudy23]

Damn...we're done.

[LadyMuskie]

This is great experience for our freshmen. They didn't have a great night, but next year when we're back in the Sweet Sixteen they'll be more poised and the shots will fall.

[azgreg]

Thanks for the game guys. good luck next year.

[xsteve1]

Bluiett has a big summer ahead. He really needs to elevate his game. If he makes 3's tonight X wins.

[profson]

We need a sg and a sf that can get to the rack...maybe jp and tre can be those guys one day but right now they can't beat their man off the dribble.

The biggest issue with this team -- which I enjoyed very much -- was limited speed at a lot of positions. This hurt us on defense against a lot of teams, but also on offense at critical moments as you imply. We were spoiled by Tu, Lyons, J Craw, Dez and Semaj, all of whom could attack off the dribble. That was missing this year.

[blobfan]

So, 7 1/2 months to go?

[Xavier_Musketeers]

So proud of everyone on that team. We played our hearts out and almost had it. Losing by 8 is nothing to be sad about especially playing against a title contender. Really gonna miss Dee and Stain, best of luck to them in their futures.

[xsteve1]

X needs a Final 4 in the next 5 years. Program has been too good for too long not to have one.

[D-West & PO-Z]

X needs a Final 4 in the next 5 years. Program has been too good for too long not to have one.

Yeah, next year might be an adjustment without Dee and Matt but it will be interesting to see how we progress as the season goes on. Two years from now given all eligible guys are still at X, watch out. Might be our year.

[X Factor]

X needs a Final 4 in the next 5 years. Program has been too good for too long not to have one.

I don't know. Tell that to Arizona. How long has Sean been there and they haven't been to a Final Four. Sometimes I don't think people realize just how tough it is to get to the Final Four.

There are A LOT of programs that been good to very good that are still trying to get there.

X will get there. It will happen, but it's tough.

[LadyMuskie]

I want a Final Four as much as anyone, but as I tried to explain to Little LM tonight how special it is to be one of only 16 teams in the entire nation still playing ball, it really hit me how incredibly special this is. All of these teams who make it to the second weekend, are really good, battle tested, elite teams, and we're consistently one of them. I don't think not reaching the Final Four within a certain timeline defines X or our success. We will get there.

[Caveat]

X needs a Final 4 in the next 5 years. Program has been too good for too long not to have one.

It definitely needs to become the new goal.

Part of that is already happening though -- namely, recruiting guys who can compete at the level required to beat the teams necessary to do that.

[XUOWNSUC]

That Ron Hunter guy knows what he's talking about

No shit. That guy is awesome in studio.

[blobfan]

I love that we made the pundits respect us. They counted us out the last game cause they wanted to run the Cinderella story but we made them sit up. They wanted to talk about AZ as a juggernaut likely headed to the final, but we made them respect our game. I really love that.

[GoMuskies]

Go Wisconsin!

[drudy23]

Go Anyone Other Than Kentucky

[Thor in 204]

The biggest issue with this team -- which I enjoyed very much -- was limited speed at a lot of positions. This hurt us on defense against a lot of teams, but also on offense at critical moments as you imply. We were spoiled by Tu, Lyons, J Craw, Dez and Semaj, all of whom could attack off the dribble. That was missing this year.

Agree, but I think this team's offense had better ball movement and maybe more assists than any X team in my memory.

[LadyMuskie]

That little scuffle between Jalen and whoever from Arizona was over shoes! Who knew shoes caused guys so many problems? Here I thought it was just us ladies.

[Xville]

Proud of the guys...I didn't expect us to win...Arizona has a crap ton of talent and we hung with them, we are going to get to the final four in the next three years I can feel it! With all that said please #anyonebutkentucky

[DC Muskie]

Man, what an effort. Proud of guys, the staff, the mascots (They don't get enough love) and the fans.

Well done everyone. Now let's go out and win the Big East next year!

#Let'sGoX!

[X-Fan]

The biggest issue with this team -- which I enjoyed very much -- was limited speed at a lot of positions. This hurt us on defense against a lot of teams, but also on offense at critical moments as you imply. We were spoiled by Tu, Lyons, J Craw, Dez and Semaj, all of whom could attack off the dribble. That was missing this year.
I agree. Not even just the driving/slashing aspect, but overall size in general. IMO, X suffered their long scoring droughts because our guards struggled to get a good look without multiple screens, or catching the ball feet behind the 3 pt line. The lack of size and extra effort to get open really seemed to fatigue our guards late in the game. Love our current guards, but some extra size st the 1 & 2 is really needed.

So, 7 1/2 months to go?
I hear ya! CANNOT wait for next years team! Myles, Tre, JP, Jalen, Remy, Sean, and Farr make a solid core...and all will really benefit from the experience they gained this year. Add in Sumner, London, and Gates...yeah buddy! I like what I sae from Larry, but I wouldn't mind a 5th yr transfer PG (especially if Brandon leaves).

The future is bright my friends!

Go X!!!!

[Titanxman04]

I agree. Not even just the driving/slashing aspect, but overall size in general. IMO, X suffered their long scoring droughts because our guards struggled to get a good look without multiple screens, or catching the ball feet behind the 3 pt line. The lack of size and extra effort to get open really seemed to fatigue our guards late in the game. Love our current guards, but some extra size st the 1 & 2 is really needed.

I hear ya! CANNOT wait for next years team! Myles, Tre, JP, Jalen, Remy, Sean, and Farr make a solid core...and all will really benefit from the experience they gained this year. Add in Sumner, London, and Gates...yeah buddy! I like what I sae from Larry, but I wouldn't mind a 5th yr transfer PG (especially if Brandon leaves).

The future is bright my friends!

Go X!!!!

This. Absolutely this. We got a GREAT run in New York and in the tournament for what we were. An incredibly young team with such talent and ability... Bringing in three players next year (two redshirts) to add into that equation?!? Jalen has two more years, we have seen good things from O'Mara and Austin. Farr has accepted his role and has excelled in it for the most part...

C'mon, this team will be a GREAT team. Perhaps some bumps in the road early as we're still fairly young, but I have high hopes for a Sweet 16 or Elite 8 in the next two years.

[Xville]

I am excited to see what Sumner and London can bring to the table next year. I hope that Sumner's health issues are past him, because we could really use him. I am excited for this team to get a little bit longer and a little bit more athletic...we really need someone though to be that slasher, get to the rim and draw a foul kind of guard that we were missing this year...I was hoping that was going to be Abel, and it still may be...otherwise maybe Sumner can be that guy.

[Titanxman04]

I am excited to see what Sumner and London can bring to the table next year. I hope that Sumner's health issues are past him, because we could really use him. I am excited for this team to get a little bit longer and a little bit more athletic...we really need someone though to be that slasher, get to the rim and draw a foul kind of guard that we were missing this year...I was hoping that was going to be Abel, and it still may be...otherwise maybe Sumner can be that guy.

Thats the thing. We are adding some serious length and athleticism this next year. I caution us all to understand that they will still be freshmen and mistakes are going to be made. London and Sumner will need time to catch up to the pace of it all. However, I feel that as he season wears on next year, our defense will be better than what it was before. Furthermore, we will have the ability to block more shots, get more steals, and be able to rise above the trees on the offensive end and get buckets inside from our guards, not just our bigs.

Thats if potential can be reached. Hard to tell however, as the off-season isn't even 12 hours old and again, we're talking about incoming freshmen.

[X-band '01]

Looks like Trevon had the same growing pains that Myles did last year in March. It would have been great to have him as another reliable option to keep Arizona from keying in on Stain and the two Davises.

In the end, they just didn't have enough gas in the Buick for the final 5 minutes. Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of last night, and certainly had a better feeling about the game last night as compared to Xavier's last Sweet 16 appearance against Baylor.

[Masterofreality]

Just to wrap the game up, and this is just fact.

Xavier won, or held their own in the court in 4 of the 5 positions. The position that cost us the game was the Stanley Johnson- Trevon Bluiett/JP Macura matchup. All of those guys are freshmen. Arizona's freshman performed, ours did not.

Consider:
Points. Rebounds. FG Att. FG Made. 3pt FG's Att 3 Pt FG Made FT's
Trevon Bluiett/JP Macura. 4. 1. 10. 2. 7. Zero. 0-0
Stanley Johnson. 12. 6. 10. 4. 5. 2 2-2

Bottom line. Our frosh had that "deer in the headlights" look all through the Tournament- Trevon more than JP. It seems like every 3 point shot that Trevon took but one in the entire tournament was short- which is a full indicator of nervousness, not confidence. Johnson performed like a player.

Coaches always say that the most development that a player makes in his career is from Freshman to Sophomore year. I have confidence that our guys will come back better and stronger next year, but it doesn't stop the glare of why we couldn't move on last night.

Trevon and JP- Get after it this off season!

All of that said, however, it doesn't lessen the fact that I am proud of this group of players, the Coaching staff, the support folks, including Senior Manager Pat Carroll- one of my favorite kids ever and my school in General. Yes, we've had a few dark days, but those are in the rear view mirror. Can't wait for November!!

[paulxu]

Someday when my head clears, I'm going to watch the replay to check these impressions.
I think the difference in the game was a two-edge sword.
Miller was willing to give up Stain's points...in return for contesting most of our 3's with tight outside defense.
After shooting 43% and 53% in our last two games, we were held to 17%. There were a few air balls, many not quite in rhythm shots as well.

So my hat's off to Miller for that well coached game plan.
Mack countered with what was working (Stain) and we hung tough until the last 8 minutes.
We went the last 9 minutes with one field goal. That hurts to even type as we were so in this game.

Thanks again for the great year Muskies. You made us all very proud.
I'd like a long tall guard to balance our height in the paint, and hope Sumner can be the one.
And a special thanks to Mack. We've got a very good coach, despite what some might think.

There's a lot of bourbon to be drunk between now and November. What a great ride it's been.
345 other schools in the country wish they could be the Muskies today.

[Wheelhouse]

I was too drained to post after the game last night, but what a great effort. I thought we were right there but just couldn't pull it out in the end. Kudos to Arizona for stepping up their defense in the last 5 minutes. And hats off to Stain and Dee. Tremendous play down the stretch of the season.

[X-Fan]

Just to wrap the game up, and this is just fact.

Xavier won, or held their own in the court in 4 of the 5 positions. The position that cost us the game was the Stanley Johnson- Trevon Bluiett/JP Macura matchup. All of those guys are freshmen. Arizona's freshman performed, ours did not.

Consider:
Points. Rebounds. FG Att. FG Made. 3pt FG's Att 3 Pt FG Made FT's
Trevon Bluiett/JP Macura. 4. 1. 10. 2. 7. Zero. 0-0
Stanley Johnson. 12. 6. 10. 4. 5. 2 2-2

Bottom line. Our frosh had that "deer in the headlights" look all through the Tournament- Trevon more than JP. It seems like every 3 point shot that Trevon took but one in the entire tournament was short- which is a full indicator of nervousness, not confidence. Johnson performed like a player.

Coaches always say that the most development that a player makes in his career is from Freshman to Sophomore year. I have confidence that our guys will come back better and stronger next year, but it doesn't stop the glare of why we couldn't move on last night.

Trevon and JP- Get after it this off season!

All of that said, however, it doesn't lessen the fact that I am proud of this group of players, the Coaching staff, the support folks, including Senior Manager Pat Carroll- one of my favorite kids ever and my school in General. Yes, we've had a few dark days, but those are in the rear view mirror. Can't wait for November!!
Great points! I don't think any of us are trying to "beat up" on Tre. It's just what happens to most freshmen. Tre needs to hang out with Myles Davis this off-season, because if he takes the same HUGE step forward WATCH OUT!

I see HUGE things coming from both Trevon and JP next year. I am so freaking "high" on these kids. They have the skill set, and then some. Just need some physical development, practice, and confidence. I am just giddy thinking about teams trying to stop Tre, JP, Myles, Remy, Sumner, Austin, and Gates next year! Then they can also deal with Jalen, Farr, Sean, and London. Giddy I tell you!!!!

Go X!!!!

[Masterofreality]

I have total confidence that Trevon Bluiett will learn and grow from this. He WILL be a stud and a team leader. This tourney will motivate him for a long long time.

Get IT TRE!!!!

[UCGRAD4X]

Just to wrap the game up, and this is just fact.

Xavier won, or held their own in the court in 4 of the 5 positions. The position that cost us the game was the Stanley Johnson- Trevon Bluiett/JP Macura matchup. All of those guys are freshmen. Arizona's freshman performed, ours did not.

Consider:
Points. Rebounds. FG Att. FG Made. 3pt FG's Att 3 Pt FG Made FT's
Trevon Bluiett/JP Macura. 4. 1. 10. 2. 7. Zero. 0-0
Stanley Johnson. 12. 6. 10. 4. 5. 2 2-2

Bottom line. Our frosh had that "deer in the headlights" look all through the Tournament- Trevon more than JP. It seems like every 3 point shot that Trevon took but one in the entire tournament was short- which is a full indicator of nervousness, not confidence. Johnson performed like a player.

Coaches always say that the most development that a player makes in his career is from Freshman to Sophomore year. I have confidence that our guys will come back better and stronger next year, but it doesn't stop the glare of why we couldn't move on last night.

Trevon and JP- Get after it this off season!

All of that said, however, it doesn't lessen the fact that I am proud of this group of players, the Coaching staff, the support folks, including Senior Manager Pat Carroll- one of my favorite kids ever and my school in General. Yes, we've had a few dark days, but those are in the rear view mirror. Can't wait for November!!

Gotta say, the only real disappointment (besides the outcome, of course) was the play of our freshmen.

That being said; It is difficult to count on freshmen. They do deserve credit for helping get to this point from their earlier contributions.

It is a lot longer season (not to mention being a college student…which they need to be at Xavier…not to say they don't at AU, but…)
Trevon hit the proverbial wall a long time ago. JP wore down a bit (not nearly the # of minutes as Tre) I chalk it more up to playing in this kind of atmosphere.

[xukeith]

I want a Final Four as much as anyone, but as I tried to explain to Little LM tonight how special it is to be one of only 16 teams in the entire nation still playing ball, it really hit me how incredibly special this is. All of these teams who make it to the second weekend, are really good, battle tested, elite teams, and we're consistently one of them. I don't think not reaching the Final Four within a certain timeline defines X or our success. We will get there.

when Jalen committed didn't he promise a final 4?