Butler County Steak Fry Re-cap

[Cheesehead]

First of all Mack introduced his staff and gave special kudos to Mario for his 14 years at XU. Murray should really help them in east coast. Called Travis Steele one of the best youngest asst. coaches in the country and told Travis that he was glad he didn’t get HC job in off season as he is important to the program.

Gates: more of a three, can play stretch 4. Needs to put some weight on. Won’t wow you in any one area but does a lot of things well: shooting, passing, rebounding. High ceiling.

London: huge wingspan, can block or alter a lot of shots. Added 20 pounds to frame. Dedicated to diet and weightroom. Can play multiple positions and will pose matchup problem for other teams.

Sumner: also dedicated to weight room and has added 15-20 pounds. Will see time at the 1 and the 2. Will also pose match up problems to his size.

Reynolds: expecting breakout monster year from Jalen. Still working on his emotions. Jalen came from rough area and takes things personally. Heart of gold and wants to win badly. Always wanted to some to X, mom took out loan when Jalen was ruled ineligible. Could have gone to another school after the academy and many schools were after him but Jalen stuck w/ X. Wouldn’t trade him for the world. Feels like Jalen got a bad rap last year and officials bought into his reputation.

O’Mara: very hard worker. Staff pleased w/ progress and he expects him to contribute this year.

Myles and Remy emerging as team leaders, They make sure other guys play open gym. Myles always working on his shot in gym. Myles hitting weight room hard too. Will see time at 1 and 2. Very confident in Myles and Remy being leaders.

Gaston: could be very “special” player for XU for his one season.

Collectively talked about Trevon and JP. Now, they fully understand college D-1 level b-ball. Longer season, mental toughness etc. Ups and downs as freshmen is normal and confident that both will be ready to build on last season.

Mack is very happy with current roster and ok w/ being at 13. Loves work ethic and guys are very dedicated. Said this season has makings to be special. Villanova still team to beat in Big East and Xavier needs to get that next level.

[Cheesehead]

Also forget to add heavy emphasis on Sister Fleming and the 96 seniors in a row that have graduated. They replayed NBC today show piece on her. He also mentioned that Brandon Cole, Justin Cage and Jason Love we're all on campus this past week and loves when former players come back and tell current players how important X was to them in so many ways. Love is taking 2 summer school classes and working on his masters. Love is paying his own way and on break from his European season.

[bobbiemcgee]

Thx for the summary, Cheese. Nicely done. Been looking forward to this preview from Coach.

Question: Did Mack say anything about Sumner's health? Is he 100% to play?

[waggy]

I'd rep you more than once if I could.

[paulxu]

Thanks Cheese! Appreciate the effort for us out-of-towners.

[xukeith]

Larry Davis info?
Start at 1?

[Cheesehead]

Thx for the summary, Cheese. Nicely done. Been looking forward to this preview from Coach.

Question: Did Mack say anything about Sumner's health? Is he 100% to play?

Said he is good to go.

[Cheesehead]

Larry Davis info?
Start at 1?

Did not say that but it was also not brought up. A lot of the info was off of direct questions. I think it's Larry at the 1 but it sounds like Sumner will see time there as well. My guess is practice will determine this.

[Cheesehead]

Also, Mack said he won't answer any questions about when will X play UD again on schedule. He said he doesn't make the schedule and referred all UD questions to Mario. He does not seem to like UD at all.

[Milhouse]

Great point about Jalen, that also rings true for Myles. Both paid their own way when ruled ineligible, with their parents taking out Loans. Not every kid would do that, they bleed Xavier Blue more than anyone on the team as far as I'm concerned. We are lucky to have them both.

[xudash]

Also, Mack said he won't answer any questions about when will X play UD again on schedule. He said he doesn't make the schedule and referred all UD questions to Mario. He does not seem to like UD at all.

A great coach and a highly intelligent human being.

[Olsingledigit]

A great coach and a highly intelligent human being.

Why should he? They haven't treated X well and certainly did not treat Mack's wife well.

[Olsingledigit]

We mistakenly left a hat on the table after the Steak Fry. We were at one of the tables closest to where you came into the room. It was meant for a friend who was unable to attend the Steak Fry and we had made arrangements to get one in advance. Even though we came back to the room within a couple of minutes, someone had scooped it up. If you have it, please send me an email and let me know how we might make arrangements to get it back. Thanks, in advance.

Email: Jim@alerdingconsulting.com

[Cheesehead]

We mistakenly left a hat on the table after the Steak Fry. We were at one of the tables closest to where you came into the room. It was meant for a friend who was unable to attend the Steak Fry and we had made arrangements to get one in advance. Even though we came back to the room within a couple of minutes, someone had scooped it up. If you have it, please send me an email and let me know how we might make arrangements to get it back. Thanks, in advance.

Email: Jim@alerdingconsulting.com

Only took my allotted hat. Sorry to hear that. You might email alumni office and see if they have any left over.

[LA Muskie]

Did not say that but it was also not brought up. A lot of the info was off of direct questions. I think it's Larry at the 1 but it sounds like Sumner will see time there as well. My guess is practice will determine this.

Word on the street is that Myles is currently the most likely starter at the 1, but that we will play at least 3 guys regularly at the 1 (Myles, Larry and Sumner) and we are likely to play a lot of different combinations that could include two those in the court at the same time.

[Olsingledigit]

Word on the street is that Myles is currently the most likely starter at the 1, but that we will play at least 3 guys regularly at the 1 (Myles, Larry and Sumner) and we are likely to play a lot of different combinations that could include two those in the court at the same time.

Actually PG by committee might. Not be so bad. Confuses the opposition and gives us lots of flexibility. Also you can go to the guy who is hot.

[bobbiemcgee]

I thought I saw a little "Semaj" in Sumner in his brief appearance. Could be wrong. I think he is the PG very soon. 6'6' 183. Wow. Makinde and Jalen with those huge wingspans. Methinks many balls going in the opposite direction when X plays D.

[xu82]

And don't forget JP all long and pesky at the top of that zone. Is it game time yet? Experience with a true PG an issue, but this looks like fun! Is Sumner really 6'6" now? Hope he can still play PG, I think. Who knows what mismatches we can create...

[Emp]

Jalen grew up in a tough area? He went to three decent suburban high schools west of Detroit. Then there was that hard time he did at Hargrave. Not buying it, Coach. Jalen can shed the rep by getting some more self control, stop appealing to refs on every close play, and shedding just a bit of the attitude. The basketball skills are there, let them do the talking.

And do not let him room with Macura on the road.

[Masterofreality]

Also forget to add heavy emphasis on Sister Fleming and the 96 seniors in a row that have graduated. They replayed NBC today show piece on her. He also mentioned that Brandon Cole, Justin Cage and Jason Love we're all on campus this past week and loves when former players come back and tell current players how important X was to them in so many ways. Love is taking 2 summer school classes and working on his masters. Love is paying his own way and on break from his European season.

The Internet Gestapo has squashed me on reps, so publics on the post Cheese.

[Masterofreality]

Jalen grew up in a tough area? He went to three decent suburban high schools west of Detroit. Then there was that hard time he did at Hargrave. Not buying it, Coach. Jalen can shed the rep by getting some more self control, stop appealing to refs on every close play, and shedding just a bit of the attitude. The basketball skills are there, let them do the talking.

And do not let him room with Macura on the road.

Uh, Lebron James grew up in a tough area, but also went to Akron St. Vincent/St. Mary's. Luckily they both had "mentor family" that helped them through. In Jalen's case one of the notables was Michael Allie, his Coach at Livonia Stevenson. In Lebron's case, there were a couple, but Dru Joyce, his coach at St. V was notable.

C'mon Emp. You're better than that.

[Cheesehead]

The Internet Gestapo has squashed me on reps, so publics on the post Cheese.

No problem. Glad to share Mack's info. I have gone past 3 years and I can tell you the enthusiasm he was showing for this team was noticeable (IMO). Also, don't want to neglect the Lady Musketeers and Brian Neal. The turnaround last year was noticeable. I like him a lot and I think he has the program going in right direction.

[SC in DC]

No love for Farr??

[Emp]

Uh, Lebron James grew up in a tough area, but also went to Akron St. Vincent/St. Mary's. Luckily they both had "mentor family" that helped them through. In Jalen's case one of the notables was Michael Allie, his Coach at Livonia Stevenson. In Lebron's case, there were a couple, but Dru Joyce, his coach at St. V was notable.

C'mon Emp. You're better than that.

Uh, you're comparing Lebron and Jalen? Allie to Joyce? Lebron has never been a problem child, background or not. Jalen has been suspended for failing to take directions from theXavier staff, and his on court shenanigans are of record. Who needs a reality check here?

This team will be very good if it plays basketball and removes the distractions. It starts with Jalen growing up. He's miles and years from any alleged tough background, and it's timE to stop making apologies for him.

You've forgotten more than I never knew about Xavier players, MOR, so scold away if you must, but I don't think I'm off base at all on this point.

[Cheesehead]

No love for Farr??

Did not come up much but a lot of this info was from direct questions. I wouldn't read anything into it.

[xu82]

If Jalen can't get his attitude right for the sake of the team, maybe he can do it for more personal reasons. Being known as an out of control hot-head does not enhance his NBA prospects. Remove as many negative aspects of evaluation as possible, because if you don't it could cost big time. You don't want to lose your shot at the league because a stupid T or shove at the wrong time tipped the scale on a close call come draft day.