Pre-Season OOC Early Predictions

[MADXSTER]

1) Pick the games that Xavier will win.
2) Which will be the toughest game?

[D-West & PO-Z]

1. All of them plus all the rest.
2. None of them.
-------------------------------------------
But seriously...... I think we will lose 1 in Orlando just hard to say which, Michigan will be tough on the road, Crosstown Shootout is always a toss up.

I would be disappointed if we went worse than 8-3. I think we could do better and could do worse. How long does it take to get the PG spot solidified?

I wont begin to guess which ones we lose or which we win but I will predict 8-3 OOC schedule.

[XMuskieFTW]

11-1! Just because.

2nd/3rd round of tourney and at Michigan will be most difficult.

[xubrew]

I'm not that big on UC this year. I am big on us. Outside of Notre Dame, and possibly Wichita, there isn't anyone in the Orlando bracket that we shouldn't expect to beat. Michigan (who should be good if they can stay healthy), will be tough too, especially on the road. Other than that we shouldn't lose to anyone. I know that Auburn is going to be a lot better, and Wake won't suck as much, but Auburn still won't be as good as we are, and we're at home, and Wake, while sucking less, will still suck.

[fellahmuskie]

I would be thrilled with a two-loss OOC campaign. Most nervous about the tourney. So much to gain there, but we have such a bad track record. Hopefully this is the year the team banishes its holiday tournament demons.

[MADXSTER]

I would be thrilled with a two-loss OOC campaign. Most nervous about the tourney. So much to gain there, but we have such a bad track record. Hopefully this is the year the team banishes its holiday tournament demons.

That was my thought as well. Hopefully X can get over the hump on the Holiday Tourney.

[Xville]

Until we do well in an early season tourney, I am not going to expect us to do well....with that said i think we go 1-2 there and then a loss at Michigan. 9-3.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I meant 9-3, I just cant count.

[X-Fan]

Realistically X will probably go 10-2 (losing at Michigan and once in Orlando).

However, in the poll I have X beating Michigan. Michigan will be good, but the game is early in the season. They have guys coming off injury, and I think X has a clear advantage down low.

Top to bottom, I think this years Xavier team will be X's most talented team since the 07-08 team.

There's a really good mix of experience (Jalon, Remy, Farr, Myles), shooters (Myles, JP, Trevon, Remy), inside play (Jalon, Farr, Sean), and upside (Larry, Sumner, London, Gates) that will make this team really tough to beat.

If Sumner is the star we think he'll be, and Myles takes that next level step many of us are expecting...WATCH OUT!

Go X!!!!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Michigan will absolutely be a brutal game. One the road, Michigan has a legit PG/SG combo in Walton and LeVert and Dawkins can play. We win if we don't turn it over too much and shoot well. Bielein will toss out a ton of zone.

[XUMIOH12]

My guess is 9-3, which would be a solid OOC.

[GoMuskies]

I went with 10-2 "aided" by a loss to Alabama in Orlando. That will make it easier to get to 2-1 down there. At Michigan is the other loss. Losing to anyone else in the non-con would be a disappointment.

[xufan02]

I live in Michigan and follow the team a bit. Zak Irvin who arguably is their second best player is out 6-8 weeks with a back issue. He will likely be knocking off the dust by the Xavier game. Also, Michigan has 0 post talent. Jalen, Farr, and O'mara will have a field day. It is a home game for Jalen and Sumner, they will be locked in.

[paulxu]

Haters. 12-0.

[XUMIOH12]

Aside from Michigan, Cincinnati, (hopefully) the winners side in Orlando, we should win every other OOC game

[XUMIOH12]

and even those games we should have a pretty good chance at winning

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think 10-2 or better would be awesome and exciting, 9-3 satisfactory, anything 8-4 or worse would be a big disappointment.

[xubrew]

Cincinnati has one decent post player, one adequate post player, and.....that's about it.

Granted, they have a history of always being better than what most prognosticators predict, but I don't see it with this year's team. Not at all.

[Always Learning]

12-0
Why not, we're better than everyone on the OCC schedule.
The. 12-6 and second place ('Nova wins BE regular season)
and then 2-1 In BE tourney for 26-7 and third seed I. Dance.

Of course the Fire Chris crowd will be screaming seven times,
Eight if we don't win it all.

[Musketeer]

40-0!!! Why bother predicting any losses.

[XUMIOH12]

40-0!!! Why bother predicting any losses.

I like the optimism

[XUFan09]

Loss at Michigan, where some will be upset at the team "letting the game get away at the end," while others will praise the team "for giving a good fight in a hostile environment."

After beating Alabama, the team will lose a good one to Wichita State, rounded out by a win in the third-place game.

I don't think UC will be that good, but the Shootout is always intense, and that intensity more often that not leads to a home team win.

[xu82]

I meant 9-3, I just cant count.

Math isn't for everyone.

[gladdenguy]

11-1 being optimistic and 9-3 being pessimistic. Anything below 9 wins would be very disappointing. Winning 10, 11, or 12 would be awesome.

(Thinking out loud)
Losing to anybody besides Michigan, Wichita St., or UC would be bad.

As much as I hate the UC game every year....with the game being at Cintas it should be a win.

That leaves Michigan and Wichita St. This team could definitely win one of those 2.

I'm gonna go with a final vote of 10-2.

[waggy]

OK, what'd you do with the real Gladdenguy..?

[xu82]

OK, what'd you do with the real Gladdenguy..?

Aliens, no doubt.

[waggy]

Aliens, no doubt.


Yeah, aliens named Harbaugh.

[XUFan09]

As much as I hate the UC game every year....with the game being at Cintas it should be a win.



Ah, you're right; it's at Xavier this time. I got mixed up. So now I'm guessing 10-2. Probably should play it safe and guess 9-3 still to account for "losing that game they shouldn't have," but the team could also win a game it shouldn't have, so it balances out.

[X-Fan]

Ah, you're right; it's at Xavier this time. I got mixed up. So now I'm guessing 10-2. Probably should play it safe and guess 9-3 still to account for "losing that game they shouldn't have," but the team could also win a game it shouldn't have, so it balances out.

Also, X owns UC (winning 11 of the last 16 games) and this city...so there's that.

[gladdenguy]

Yeah, aliens named Harbaugh.

Ha. That is definitely a true statement.

Harbaugh has made my Saturdays enjoyable again. I love him more than any other human being in sports throughout my entire life because it will only get better as he goes on. Proof that coaching in college is enormous.......actually more than enormous.

And I never thought anybody would beat out Barry Larkin or Charles Woodson.

I can't pick a player for Xavier until that player would carry us to the final four. There have been so many I've loved. I guess Lionel Chalmers or Josh Duncan/Drew Lavender/Derrick Brown could have been that guy as well.

Just remember the 2015 Wolverine motto. "Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Michigan Defense covers the rest."

[kyxu]

Also, X owns UC (winning 11 of the last 16 games) and this city...so there's that.

Also crazy to think that UC has not won at Xavier since 2001, which was when the DMX-led Bearcats smacked around Xavier in Matta's first season.

During that period, we have won three times on UC's campus.

[GoMuskies]

Also crazy to think that UC has not won at Xavier since 2001, which was when the DMX-led Bearcats smacked around Xavier in Matta's first season.


Yes, but only because West got hurt. I'm sure we'd have found a way to win if West had stayed healthy.

(This is going to remain my story no matter what contrary facts exist and are presented)

[muskiefan82]

Yes, but only because West got hurt. I'm sure we'd have found a way to win if West had stayed healthy.

(This is going to remain my story no matter what contrary facts exist and are presented)

I will support you. Facts be damned!!

[xufan2434]

Cincinnati has one decent post player, one adequate post player, and.....that's about it.

Granted, they have a history of always being better than what most prognosticators predict, but I don't see it with this year's team. Not at all.

LOL.. I think X is definitely the better team, but you're crazy if you don't think Gary Clark is going to be really good this year.

[Xavier]

I don't even know who Gary Clark is.

[casualfan]

I don't even know who Gary Clark is.

Did you not watch the game last year? He was the best front court player in that game.

[SC in DC]

Wake at Wake is no picnic. They are getting better. 9-3 (Mich, W.St. and Wake.)

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Clark is a damn good player and will have a break out year. Things for UC hinge on how good Thomas plays. Good news, that guy usually stinks against us. Octavious Ellis is a knucklehead, but he is not he is also good. I just don't know beyond those guys if anyone is that fantastic. Cobb can get streaky and Kevin Johnson has shown flashes of great guard play but he is inconsistent.


Did you not watch the game last year? He was the best front court player in that game.

[casualfan]

Clark is a damn good player and will have a break out year. Things for UC hinge on how good Thomas plays. Good news, that guy usually stinks against us. Octavious Ellis is a knucklehead, but he is not he is also good. I just don't know beyond those guys if anyone is that fantastic. Cobb can get streaky and Kevin Johnson has shown flashes of great guard play but he is inconsistent.

I agree with most of what you said, but you forgot their best player...

The team I am most curious to see in the OOC schedule is Michigan. There are a lot of people really high on them, but i just don't see it.

[American X]

I don't even know who Gary Clark is.

Texas country music legend whose songs are frequently covered by other artists. Not the greatest singer, so I kind of prefer when Jerry Jeff Walker or the Highwaymen are doing on of his songs.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJA4TGOAn98

[OH.X.MI]

Texas country music legend whose songs are frequently covered by other artists. Not the greatest singer, so I kind of prefer when Jerry Jeff Walker or the Highwaymen are doing on of his songs.

Could also be the great blues-rock musician, Gary Clark Jr.? I saw that dude in concert a few years ago, great show. Didn't know he was playing for uc now.


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

[bleedXblue]

Clark is a damn good player and will have a break out year. Things for UC hinge on how good Thomas plays. Good news, that guy usually stinks against us. Octavious Ellis is a knucklehead, but he is not he is also good. I just don't know beyond those guys if anyone is that fantastic. Cobb can get streaky and Kevin Johnson has shown flashes of great guard play but he is inconsistent.

UC is going to be just fine. They've stolen a page from our playbook. Recruit good players and keep them for 3-4 years. It's starting to pay off. They have good depth and yes Clark is going to be a star. I see them easily winning 20 games and back in the tourney.

[XUFan09]

UC is going to be just fine. They've stolen a page from our playbook. Recruit good players and keep them for 3-4 years.

I didn't know Xavier managed to get the trademark on that very common method. ;)

[XfansinKy]

Villanova already beat Northwood 97-60 if I'm not mistaken.

[XUMIOH12]

Villanova already beat Northwood 97-60 if I'm not mistaken.

That was last year, and was against the Northwood in FL.

[justinhub2003]

Cincinnati has one decent post player, one adequate post player, and.....that's about it.

Granted, they have a history of always being better than what most prognosticators predict, but I don't see it with this year's team. Not at all.

Really?

ESPN just ranked Ellis the 67 best player in Basketball, 20 something spots ahead of reynolds.

Add in that Clark, Ellis, & Deberry all dominated Reynolds and Stainbook in the post last year (check the stats). I don't really understand your logic.

Reynolds biggest issue will be staying out of foul trouble as he average less minutes a game than a guy like Ellis and yet average 1.5 more fouls a game.

[Milhouse]

Really?

ESPN just ranked Ellis the 67 best player in Basketball, 20 something spots ahead of reynolds.

Add in that Clark, Ellis, & Deberry all dominated Reynolds and Stainbook in the post last year (check the stats). I don't really understand your logic.

Reynolds biggest issue will be staying out of foul trouble as he average less minutes a game than a guy like Ellis and yet average 1.5 more fouls a game.

Actually if we want to talk about domination in last years shoot out it begins and ends with one Darwin Davis (check the stats).

Despite playing around 50% of available minutes he still had an ORTG of 115.0. Ellis played 71% of Available minutes and had an ORTG of 106.7.

In less gametime Reynolds affects the game greater than Ellis does in more playing time.

If reynolds can stay on the floor its not even a question who the better player is...I think you probably align to this as you agree his biggest issue is foul trouble.

[Xville]

Really?

ESPN just ranked Ellis the 67 best player in Basketball, 20 something spots ahead of reynolds.

Add in that Clark, Ellis, & Deberry all dominated Reynolds and Stainbook in the post last year (check the stats). I don't really understand your logic.

Reynolds biggest issue will be staying out of foul trouble as he average less minutes a game than a guy like Ellis and yet average 1.5 more fouls a game.

As we all know, ESPN is never wrong about anything. :no:

[xubrew]

I have to admit that I think I was way wrong about Cincinnati. I've gone from thinking that they'd be nothing more than also rans to thinking they'll be very safely inside the bubble.

[casualfan]

I have to admit that I think I was way wrong about Cincinnati. I've gone from thinking that they'd be nothing more than also rans to thinking they'll be very safely inside the bubble.

I watched them yesterday since x didn't have a stream available. Evans is really good. They look like a top 15 or 20 team to me.

Bellarine is a top 5 D2 school that they were hammering by 30 most of the game.

[X-man]

I watched them yesterday since I am actually a uc fan. Evans is really good. They look like a top 15 or 20 team to me.

Bellarine is a top 5 D2 school that they were hammering by 30 most of the game.

Fixed that for you.

[Xavier]

I watched them yesterday since x didn't have a stream available. Evans is really good. They look like a top 15 or 20 team to me.

Bellarine is a top 5 D2 school that they were hammering by 30 most of the game.

Meh, I am never overly concerned with UC. They will always be the same team with Mick at the helm: A bunch of athletes who play hard D and attack the boards with little BBALL IQ and poor offense. Still, that recipe will consistently make the tournament, especially with that schedule.

[MADXSTER]

Hats off to the 34 people who picked Xavier to win the Michigan game on the road. 100% of those who voted have predicted Xavier to win the NKU game.

[bobbiemcgee]

Dayum....we could run the table OOC............yes?

[MADXSTER]

The biggest concerns regarding the OOC schedule have come and gone. According to the pre-season poll taken here at XavierHoops Wichita St/USC game was the biggest concern. Then the Michigan game. Then the third game in Orlando.

With 5 games remaining in the OOC, the biggest concern appears to be Wake Forest at 84%. So yes, Xavier could very well run the OOC table. (knock on wood)

[xu82]

I thought I was just being a silly homer when I voted..... but maybe not!

[UCGRAD4X]

It is interesting that we were generally far less concerned about the final Orlando game against TBD than WSU/USC preceding it. Perhaps we somehow knew it would be the melon-humpers? Spooky.

[D-West & PO-Z]

It is interesting that we were generally far less concerned about the final Orlando game against TBD than WSU/USC preceding it. Perhaps we somehow knew it would be the melon-humpers? Spooky.

My guess is a majority of people who voted thought we would lose the second round game and be playing our third game for 3rd place.

Not me, I'm 7-0! :biggrin:

[paulxu]

TBD always has a good RPI, and strong OOC schedule.

[bobbiemcgee]

bump 8-0

[paulxu]

I refuse to jinx post #14.

[bobbiemcgee]

10-0

[bobbiemcgee]

Best start ever in school history!!!! 11-0

[D-West & PO-Z]

Best start ever in school history!!!! 11-0

I'm 11-0 right with them. My blind homer faith pulling through.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Congrats to those of us who went 12-0 along with the Muskies!!!! :biggrin:

[paulxu]

See post #14 of this thread.

[Always Learning]

1) Pick the games that Xavier will win.
2) Which will be the toughest game?

PaulXU and I said in this poll, 12-0

Where's our trophies. We KNOW the game!

This has been a wonderful ride !

[X-Fan]

Realistically X will probably go 10-2 (losing at Michigan and once in Orlando).

However, in the poll I have X beating Michigan. Michigan will be good, but the game is early in the season. They have guys coming off injury, and I think X has a clear advantage down low.

Top to bottom, I think this years Xavier team will be X's most talented team since the 07-08 team.

There's a really good mix of experience (Jalen, Remy, Farr, Myles), shooters (Myles, JP, Trevon, Remy), inside play (Jalen, Farr, Sean), and upside (Larry, Sumner, London, Gates) that will make this team really tough to beat.

If Sumner is the star we think he'll be, and Myles takes that next level step many of us are expecting...WATCH OUT!

Go X!!!!


PaulXU and I said in this poll, 12-0

Where's our trophies. We KNOW the game!

This has been a wonderful ride !

Well done fellas! In my slight defense I had them 11-1. Just SO hard to predict perfection! Had I known that Ed was going to be putting people on posters I surely would have picked them 12-0! LOL!

Go X!!!!

[UCGRAD4X]

Well done fellas! In my slight defense I had them 11-1. Just SO hard to predict perfection! Had I known that Ed was going to be putting people on posters I surely would have picked them 12-0! LOL!

Go X!!!!

Proud to say I was also one of the 12-0 predictors!

Probably more delusional fan more than expert prognosticator (ya think?)...but I'll take it.

[muskiefan82]

I normally predict an undefeated season every year. I did not do that this year. Since I am almost always wrong, this is working out as a strategy.

[xu82]

I normally predict an undefeated season every year. I did not do that this year. Since I am almost always wrong, this is working out as a strategy.

Keep it up! We can use your fallibility as our secret weapon!

[bobbiemcgee]

PaulXU and I said in this poll, 12-0

Where's our trophies. We KNOW the game!

This has been a wonderful ride !


Up in Dayton with our Blackburn-McCafferty trophy:

2/18/2012 Cincinnati, OH Xavier 86 Dayton 83 Dayton 83-72
3/9/2012 Atlantic City, NJ (Atlantic 10 Tournament) Xavier 70 Dayton 69 Dayton 83-73
1/30/2013 Cincinnati, OH Xavier 66 Dayton 61 Dayton 83-74
2/16/2013 Dayton, OH Dayton 70 Xavier 59 Dayton 84-74
11/29/2015 Lake Buena Vista, FL Xavier 90 Dayton 61 Dayton 84-75

[MADXSTER]

There are some threads that are just nice to go back and revisit... This is one of them.