So Proud

[Titanxman04]

Three and a half to play. However this ends up, I am so proud of the fight, effort, and season this team has had.

[LadyMuskie]

Absolutely! Proud of my team. Proud of my University. Xavier Forever!

[nuts4xu]

Great effort by this Xavier team, very proud of the way the guys played tonight.

[Titanxman04]

Want to say that we just played our hearts out. Several posters on this board didn't even think we would make the tournament. Well we did. We made a great run in NY. We made a run in Jacksonville. We gave a top 5 team all they could handle.

We are returning SO MUCH talent. How can you not be excited about that?

Let's go X! Thank you seniors. Thank you Mack. Thank you underclassmen.

[Porkopolis]

This team went on one heck of a tear to end the season. I'm very proud of these guys.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Want to say that we just played our hearts out. Several posters on this board didn't even think we would make the tournament. Well we did. We made a great run in NY. We made a run in Jacksonville. We gave a top 5 team all they could handle.

We are returning SO MUCH talent. How can you not be excited about that?

Let's go X! Thank you seniors. Thank you Mack. Thank you underclassmen.

Hear, Hear.

Cant be too upset. It sucks, we had our opportunity, just couldnt get it done. We went toe to toe with a team though that is one of only 1-3 that people think can beat UK.

Congrats on a great season to Matt, Dee, Coach Mack, and the rest of the team.

Proud of the season and looking forward to next year already.

Go X!

[X Factor]

The improvement this team made on defense was nothing short of remarkable this year. The 1-3-1 zone was a great change and now Mack has that in his arsenal next year.

We definitely get longer next year with Makinde, Sumner and Gates.

Damn, I hate the offseason.

Thanks for everything boys!!! This team should be very proud!!

[XfansinKy]

I probably don't need another drink but my last shot of Ky bourbon tonight goes as a toast to coach Mack and his players.

[markchal]

This team left it all on the floor and really showed it's toughness down the stretch over these last few weeks.

[Caveat]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.

I hope tonight leaves a strong desire to get back next season and take the big step required to advance onward

[X Factor]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.

I hope tonight leaves a strong desire to get back next season and take the big step required to advance onward

Horrible post. I hope that's the beer or whiskey talking cause it couldn't be farther from the truth.

[Xavgrad08]

We went to the Sweet Sixteen and battled one of the best teams in the Tournament. I consider this season a success. Congrats to the players and coaches. Good luck to Dee and Matt in their futures.

[xsteve1]

I think Mack is evolving as a coach. Really impressed with what he did down the stretch.

[LadyMuskie]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.

I hope tonight leaves a strong desire to get back next season and take the big step required to advance onward

This post is dumb. You should reconsider it and then delete it before too many more people read it.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Horrible post. I hope that's the beer or whiskey talking cause it couldn't be farther from the truth.


We went to the Sweet Sixteen and battled one of the best teams in the Tournament. I consider this season a success. Congrats to the players and coaches. Good luck to Dee and Matt in their futures.


I think Mack is evolving as a coach. Really impressed with what he did down the stretch.

Yes to all these!

[Caveat]

Horrible post. I hope that's the beer or whiskey talking cause it couldn't be farther from the truth.

What? Do you want Jalen Reynolds spending all summer with his "head held high" and proud? Or do you want him angry that a game got away from them and with a desire to come back stronger?

I stand by what I said. Tonight was disappointing. No excuses -- work hard this offseason and be ready next year when the opportunity to take the next step presents itself.

[D-West & PO-Z]

What? Do you want Jalen Reynolds spending all summer with his "head held high" and proud? Or do you want him angry that a game got away from them and with a desire to come back stronger?

It can be both my friend. You dont have to downgrade the season in order for players to be working hard and want more next year.

[xavierj]

Yes to all these!

The good thing is. Xavier is in great position. The future is bright and they will eventually win it all. It's all part of the process. It's been a long process but it will happen.

[drudy23]

At the end of the day, we likely ended where we should have ended. Just didn't have the overall athleticism of a team like Arizona and the rest of the field that will be in the Elite 8.

That's the reason you hold your head high when you walk off the court. It hurts, but sometimes the other team is better. You play your ass off and let the chips fall...they did that.

[D-West & PO-Z]

At the end of the day, we likely ended where we should have ended. Just didn't have the overall athleticism of a team like Arizona and the rest of the field that will be in the Elite 8.

Yeah agree. We probably couldnt win more than 3/10 against Zona. We had a shot but couldnt get it done.

[Musketeer_15]

Couldn't be anymore proud of this team or the coaching staff, they all made it one of the best runs we have seen. We were so close to beating one of the three best teams in the tournament thanks to the heart of our two seniors and the best coach in Xavier history. Days like today are the reason why I am proud to be a Musketeer! Let's hope next season brings as much, if not more, excitement than this season did. Thank you Dee and Stainbrook for all that you brought!!

[gladdenguy]

When its all said and done I don't think I have been more proud of a team than I am of this one. Dee Davis went out like an absolute warrior. Chris Mack did a hell of a job coaching this team at the end of the year. The improvement defensively was outstanding. If we shoot better we win that game. The defense, the big men play, the point guard play was all there. Like Peter Gillen used to say....making shots makes the game a whole lot easier.

Nonetheless, another sweet 16 and they left it all on the floor tonight. What an unbelievable ending to a great season.

Thank you Dee, Matt, and Chris Mack and staff. You have made every Xavier fan proud. The future is bright.

[SemajParlor]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.

I hope tonight leaves a strong desire to get back next season and take the big step required to advance onward

And the award for douche of the year goes to…...

[American X]

When its all said and done I don't think I have been more proud of a team than I am of this one. Dee Davis went out like an absolute warrior. Chris Mack did a hell of a job coaching this team at the end of the year. The improvement defensively was outstanding. If we shoot better we win that game. The defense, the big men play, the point guard play was all there. Like Peter Gillen used to say....making shots makes the game a whole lot easier.

Nonetheless, another sweet 16 and they left it all on the floor tonight. What an unbelievable ending to a great season.

Thank you Dee, Matt, and Chris Mack and staff. You have made every Xavier fan proud. The future is bright.


This is your best post on this board. I concur with every letter.

[SemajParlor]

What? Do you want Jalen Reynolds spending all summer with his "head held high" and proud? Or do you want him angry that a game got away from them and with a desire to come back stronger?

I stand by what I said. Tonight was disappointing. No excuses -- work hard this offseason and be ready next year when the opportunity to take the next step presents itself.

Hey you-- shut up. You're stupid.

[Thor in 204]

I think Mack is evolving as a coach. Really impressed with what he did down the stretch.

I agree.

[profson]

What? Do you want Jalen Reynolds spending all summer with his "head held high" and proud? Or do you want him angry that a game got away from them and with a desire to come back stronger?

I stand by what I said. Tonight was disappointing. No excuses -- work hard this offseason and be ready next year when the opportunity to take the next step presents itself.

The problem is your choice of words. Had you said "disappointing result", "disappointing we did not hit the 3s" or "disappointing we could not close it out" ,you would have little reaction, but you said "disappointed with their play tonight", implying they played poorly. The reality, which all but you can see, is we played one of the best games of the year against a top 5 team that Kenpom ranks near the top in both defense and offense and had a rebound differential of +9.8. No one can deny that Arizona far outstrips Xavier in size, talent and athleticism. Xavier was never ranked during the entire season yet played admirably against a team that many think should have been a #1 seed. Disappointed with the result, sure, disappointed with the play, no, never.

[profson]

Hey you-- shut up. You're stupid.

x2

[Strange Brew]

This is your best post on this board. I concur with every letter.

Dammit, can't rep you for the avatar.

[X-Fan]

So Proud!

It's incredible it see guys like Dee blossom over his 4 years and especially down the stretch this year. Matt as well. This team took longer than we thought they would to "click" but with some smart coaching, they managed to really hit their stride the last month.

Tremendous improvement from Myles, and Jalen. Really excited about Trevon & JP, not to mention, can't wait to see London, Sumner, and Gates next year.

Sucks that it's over, sucks that X ran out of gas tonight, sucks that it's the offseason...but I am already PUMPED for next year!

Great job guys!

[blobfan]

I'm so proud of how they pulled things together to end the season. The last few games were fun to watch. Could they have done a few things better? Is there room for improvement during the off-season? Of course. But nothing to be ashamed of. They fought hard and made people pay attention.

[markchal]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.



Soooo...you looked at a team with 7 new players and thought "National Title or Bust!" ?? It was a season that exceeded the expectations of most, the team played their asses off in the last two weeks and kicked things into another gear, and we made yet another Sweet 16. And they battled till the buzzer against the second-best team in this tournament (in my opinion). It should absolutely be a source of pride and motivation to get back there and beyond.

Did your dad never hug you as a kid or something? It's OK to feel good about this team, they represented the school well.

[DC Muskie]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.

I hope tonight leaves a strong desire to get back next season and take the big step required to advance onward

I get what you are saying. I don't doubt they are disappointed with the way the game went down at the end, and have zero doubt they left last night with a greater desire to get back next season and make a deeper run.

And we will be here supporting them, right now and in the future.

[Titanxman04]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.

I hope tonight leaves a strong desire to get back next season and take the big step required to advance onward

Bad! Bad post! Coming on here and infiltrating this board and thread with such a negative post. So stupid (The post, not you Caveat, of course)! I mean, here we are, posting about how hard that team worked in the final part of the season, the runs they made, etc... I was so proud of the effort tonight even though me and everyone else on this board was disappointed with the ending, and then you, POST, comes on here and tries to shit on it all. Bad post! (Again, Caveat, not you...just that stupid, negative, little post).

I mean, c'mon! Here we are, coming off a very tough loss where we gave a top 5 team everything they could handle... And you, post (again, not Caveat), sneaks on and says something so stupid and negative! Geez, its like this post didn't know that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all... But here it is on this thread of mine (ours, as so many others have mentioned how proud they are of this team), and it just says something so negative and jerk-like that you would think it's just looking for attention (that stupid post).

Caveat, we ought to talk to the administrators and find out how that post snuck into your account and posted itself.

[NY44]

Take a look around the Sweet 16. There is no one like us there. Gonzaga is the closest, and they don't have the continued success that we have. In the one and done climate, we should be damn proud that we are THE ONLY small, private, non-power conference (sorry Big East) school to have continued tournament success. From funding to recruiting there's no one who can do what X does with what it has.

[xufan02]

Tip off the cap to Mack, his staff, and everyone that got us this far. Dee and Matt went out swinging, proud of those guys. I'm hopefully for a drama free offseason with some big success on the recruiting front.

[XU 87]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.

I hope tonight leaves a strong desire to get back next season and take the big step required to advance onward

As Pete Gillen once said after a close loss- "We're not into moral victories." But I am disappointed in the outcome, not the effort. X played well. Arizona played a little better. Close games come down to making a shot or two. X missed a few and Arizona made a few, including free throws.

[Masterofreality]

Proud of everything...including how our staff showed flexibility during the year. A lot of lessons were learned by this young group and there will be less of a baseline learning curve next year.

I got my shades on.....Brightness is all around.

[Caveat]

I get what you are saying. I don't doubt they are disappointed with the way the game went down at the end, and have zero doubt they left last night with a greater desire to get back next season and make a deeper run.

And we will be here supporting them, right now and in the future.

That's exactly what I'm saying. The team should be disappointed with how the game went down last night. They were probably 2 or 3 made buckets from winning the game and advancing to the Elite 8. That should gnaw at them all summer, and that's a good thing -- this is Xavier, the new flagship of the Big East. This is a program that should hold itself to the highest standards and achieve at the highest level.

I want Jalen, Myles, JP, Remy, Tre, and all the others to use this as motivation all summer long. They had a hell of a year (along w/ Dee & Matt), but it's time to take the next step. Now they know what it takes. Go get better and come back angry and hungry in the fall.

I'll be waiting and ready to support them as always.

[xeus]

I'm not a big fan of starting an "I'm So Proud" thread with 3:30 left on the clock. Premature appreciation.

[XUPhilly04]

Having our guys play a blue chip program like Arizona will pay dividends down the road. Our guys should have the confidence to believe they can compete with any team in the country.

[Xville]

I don't see anything wrong with congratulating and being appreciative of the season and our seniors for stepping up big the last couple of weeks, yet still not be satisfied with the way things turned out.

Am I happy with another sweet 16 berth? Absolutely, but we have been there done that several times over now...it is time to take the next step. I'm not saying that well this year sucked because we only made the sweet 16...heck most programs would kill to have the track record we have had for the last 15 plus years. all I'm saying is that the program should not be satisfied with getting this far anymore...its time to take the next proverbial step....which I think is coming in the next 2-3 years. I'm really excited for the near future.

[Dmartin]

I am a proud parent of a sophomore at Xavier. I am here on the West Coast, San Diego. In the past two years I have become a huge X fan and log in almost everyday to read what the real X fans (real meaning students or ex students) are saying. I am a WSU alum. That's in Washington State Univ. I grew up in the late 70's early 80's watching Pac 10 basketball when it was good, but it was never as good as what X has in the B.E. (my opinion)

I love this team! Coach and even like your fans and this board! You guys are great! Oh and what a ride, I got to where I couldn't watch an X game and would tape every game and then watch the ones that we won. Last night was no different but I couldn't resist checking on the score now and then and even though our offense fell a little flat I am going to watch it tonight and relish in our great defense and competitiveness.
We have a lot of basketball fans at work here in San Diego, and I even got them all to root for Xavier and realize what a great basketball tradition Xavier has! Xavier certainly has been flying under the radar here on the west coast but not any longer! Much like SDSU but with much better basketball history and tradition and with a much better team!

I am excited for next year and years to come! I love this team!

[XU '11]

I don't see anything wrong with congratulating and being appreciative of the season and our seniors for stepping up big the last couple of weeks, yet still not be satisfied with the way things turned out.

Am I happy with another sweet 16 berth? Absolutely, but we have been there done that several times over now...it is time to take the next step. I'm not saying that well this year sucked because we only made the sweet 16...heck most programs would kill to have the track record we have had for the last 15 plus years. all I'm saying is that the program should not be satisfied with getting this far anymore...its time to take the next proverbial step....which I think is coming in the next 2-3 years. I'm really excited for the near future.

We need to bebe better in the regular season. Kudos to Mack for turning it on in March. However, the most realistic way to take that next step is to get a 1 or 2 seed. Making runs out of the lower seeds is exciting but not the recipe for consistent success because sometimes (maybe even often) you run into a top 5 team before you get to the Elite 8.

Now, I know this team was young and I'm not necessarily saying it should've happened this season, but that's the way to do it in the future.

[xuwin]

What? Do you want Jalen Reynolds spending all summer with his "head held high" and proud? Or do you want him angry that a game got away from them and with a desire to come back stronger?

I stand by what I said. Tonight was disappointing. No excuses -- work hard this off season and be ready next year when the opportunity to take the next step presents itself.

With your approach everybody should spend the off season being miserable but one team when the tournament is over. If your team was West Virginia maybe your point would have been valid.

[UCGRAD4X]

What? Do you want Jalen Reynolds spending all summer with his "head held high" and proud? Or do you want him angry that a game got away from them and with a desire to come back stronger?

I'm not going to get on you (been done) except to say, I'm not sure we want Jalen angry any more that he already gets.

Let's enjoy this!

Yes, it will be time to get to work soon enough and they should be determined to "keep moving forward" which I think this season indicated. I think a positive step forward is a success and something to be proud of.

When I think of all of the advantages other (esp. larger / public) universities have, it makes me proud to have Xavier in that conversation. Our seniors are somewhat of a microcosm of that…what players that are not as "physically gifted" can accomplish. Do I want and expect more, yup!

Somewhat disappointed, but proud none-the-less.

Xavier Marches on - and the best is yet to come.

[xuwin]

Bad! Bad post! Coming on here and infiltrating this board and thread with such a negative post. So stupid (The post, not you Caveat, of course)! I mean, here we are, posting about how hard that team worked in the final part of the season, the runs they made, etc... I was so proud of the effort tonight even though me and everyone else on this board was disappointed with the ending, and then you, POST, comes on here and tries to shit on it all. Bad post! (Again, Caveat, not you...just that stupid, negative, little post).

I mean, c'mon! Here we are, coming off a very tough loss where we gave a top 5 team everything they could handle... And you, post (again, not Caveat), sneaks on and says something so stupid and negative! Geez, its like this post didn't know that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all... But here it is on this thread of mine (ours, as so many others have mentioned how proud they are of this team), and it just says something so negative and jerk-like that you would think it's just looking for attention (that stupid post).

Caveat, we ought to talk to the administrators and find out how that post snuck into your account and posted itself.

Exactly. His post is also telling the 2 seniors that he thinks their college careers ended in failure because they won't have the opportunity to look forward to next year.

[Drew's Crew]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.

I hope tonight leaves a strong desire to get back next season and take the big step required to advance onward

Actually they shouldn't be disappointed with their play. Maybe the outcome, but they played well. Anyone who knows anything about basketball will tell you they played well last night.

Should we be satisfied? Well, of course not. Should we be proud of the game we played? Sure. They played hard and they played well.

Confidence is incredibly important in athletics, shitting all over someone's confidence after they played hard and played well is just stupid. It's obvious by this post that you don't coach youth athletics. And if you do, you seriously need to reexamine how to handle falling short of your goals.

[Wheelhouse]

Sorry, but "Good Effort," is A-10 talk. The team played hard, but they should be disappointed with their play tonight. They were in position to win the game and they couldn't make shots down the stretch. It happens -- but it shouldn't be a source of pride or satisfaction. This is a Big East team now with higher goals than the Sweet 16.

I hope tonight leaves a strong desire to get back next season and take the big step required to advance onward

You blow.

[Titanxman04]

I'm not a big fan of starting an "I'm So Proud" thread with 3:30 left on the clock. Premature appreciation.

My pride was there. I was pumped with how we were playing and handling the team. The game was still in doubt and I was just thrilled with the effort. Some shots didn't fall. Thats ok. Point is if we were winning and ended up going to the Elite Eight, I still wanted this thread started.

[Xavier_Musketeers]

I hate the off-season. Nothing to look forward to, the board starts to die down, and we have to lose our seniors. I was very happy with the season, if someone would've told me after that home loss to Creighton that we would be in the Sweet 16 almost beating Arizona I would think they were nuts. I wish the best for Matt and Dee and I hope we are in the same position next year hopefully further.

[markchal]

I certainly understand some of the "we need bigger goals than the Sweet 16" talk, but you have to keep in mind that this was very much a rebuilding/reloading year. We had 7 new faces and the loss of some of our top players. I know the goal is a Final Four most years, but if you look at this team getting to the Sweet 16 this year and think "not good enough", I can't help you. I'm very pleased with how the last 3 weeks have unfolded.

[muskiefan82]

I am completely satisfied with the way this season ended.

Come on guys! X went to the Sweet 16 with a team NOBODY gave a chance to back in February. X has been to 5 - Count 'em FIVE - Sweet 16's in the last 8 seasons. It took 8 seasons for me to experience the first Sweet 16 back in 90 and another 14 seasons to do it again. Now look at us!! Seriously!! I am stoked about the trajectory again. X is not overmatched by anyone anymore. There are no upset victories anymore - only opportunities to beat other premier programs.

X is now who we wanted to become back in the early 80's. Two goals remain. The Final Four and a National Championship. This should be the goal of every team from this point forward, but it should NEVER take away from what is accomplished as only 4 teams every year put enough together to make it there. When we do, it will be Epic. Bet on it.