UC Smack Talk (or the lack thereof)

[XUOHTX]

My cousin is a die hard UC fan. We typically go back and forth pretty good all year and in the offseason. This year, however, he just keeps telling me that X is going to dismantle the kittens and its a guaranteed win for us.

Now, I think this is just a tactic, but it got me wondering. What, if anything, is everyone else hearing from UC fans this year? Are they looking forward to upsetting a top 15 team on the road, or are they sheepish?

[xufan2434]

My cousin is a die hard UC fan. We typically go back and forth pretty good all year and in the offseason. This year, however, he just keeps telling me that X is going to dismantle the kittens and its a guaranteed win for us.

Now, I think this is just a tactic, but it got me wondering. What, if anything, is everyone else hearing from UC fans this year? Are they looking forward to upsetting a top 15 team on the road, or are they sheepish?

Moved out of the city a year ago, so don't interact with their kind as much as I used to.. But for the most part the people I talk to are looking forward to a good game. I think most realize they might be in trouble and any kind of confidence they would have had might have been erased by the Butler loss at home

[xubrew]

Everyone that I've talked to that follows UC thinks X is going to kill them, and it's not a tactic. I'm actually kind of surprised, because UC is actually pretty good.

[Masterofreality]

Even the biggest SucKS fans hate the Jaundiced Leprechaun and think that CMack will coach rings around him.

The last 2 years were the years that all the Borecat honks thought was their year to wipe the floor with us. We won both games. Now we are strong as Vidalia onions and playing at home. The fact that YTG plays only cuppy cakes early on gives them no confidence either.

I know we won't be flat, but I never underestimate any opponent. Never. Step on their throats, as Byron Larkin likes to say.

[redhawkmuskie]

UC has quite a bit of talent this year. With that being said, the Butler loss was demoralizing for them and they haven't played to their potential as of late. I also don't believe Cronin has ever won at Cintas so perhaps that weighs on his psyche and trickles down to his team. Unless they come out red-hot (Dee Davis last year :flex:) I don't see how they win this one especially at the 'tas. Go Muskies!

[xu82]

Does UC have fans?

My brother-in-law went there. I'm pretty sure he's unaware of the upcoming game.

[paulxu]

I also don't believe Cronin has ever won at Cintas so perhaps that weighs on his psyche and trickles down to his team.

No problemo. Dubya's got his back. (maybe some students need to drag some of the signs out of storage)

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1162346!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/gallery_1200/george-w-bush-germany.jpg

[xudash]

UC has quite a bit of talent this year. With that being said, the Butler loss was demoralizing for them and they haven't played to their potential as of late. I also don't believe Cronin has ever won at Cintas so perhaps that weighs on his psyche and trickles down to his team. Unless they come out red-hot (Dee Davis last year :flex:) I don't see how they win this one especially at the 'tas. Go Muskies!

I doubt we let them come out red-hot.

It would seem that, if we can get up on them early in the first half and retain a nice lead into half-time, YTG will take it from there. He'll go into the locker room and wreck their confidence by playing the "tough" card until he faints. They'll end up losing all confidence, losing the game by 17.

[kyxu]

Everyone that I've talked to that follows UC thinks X is going to kill them, and it's not a tactic. I'm actually kind of surprised, because UC is actually pretty good.

Yeah, I think this is the best UC team in quite awhile. I think X wins at home, but it's not going to be a cakewalk.

[Xavier]

Most UC fans I know are optimistic but know Xavier is the better team.

[GoMuskies]

UC is trying to sneak up on us.

[bleedXblue]

They had 6,000 fans at the game yesterday. For an alumni base as large as UC's that's embarrassing. I wonder what the average UC fan really feels about the program. The Huggins hangover is no longer a valid excuse. They've been winning under Cronin for an extended stretch. I just don't get it.

On to the game. I think many UC fans are downplaying this game as a tactic. If you've been following this game for the last 10-15 years you know anyone can win this game. You better show up and play hard or you'll get steamrolled.

[drudy23]

It will be a war...it always is.

[GIMMFD]

I would really love to stomp them into the ground, however I don't see it happening, I think it'll be a close one, they're a talented team that can actually match us on the boards, this comes down to Jalen's foul situations, and just making smart decisions. Who know's what happens when you infuse that type of emotion and energy into a game, however, it's at home, it's going to be loud. I have full faith in X to win this one.

[MADXSTER]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nda_OSWeyn8

[D-West & PO-Z]

I honestly dont have any reasonably close friends who are UC fans. I dont really even know too many people who support UC basketball or would consider themselves fans. Growing up I knew tons and I was always the odd one out in school when it came to being an XU fan. When I was still working in cincy I had some work acquaintances who I would go back and forth with a little bit but they were more causal UC fans.

[MADXSTER]

1829

[D-West & PO-Z]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nda_OSWeyn8

Ah, this never gets old. Love it.

[xeus]

I'm surprised how confident we seem as fans. If the history of this series has taught us anything, it's that we throw records out the window and prepare for battle. (See Nov 26, 1996 and Dec 19, 1999, among others.) While I'd love to see a throat-stomping, humiliating, ass-whipping blowout, I'm prepared for a 40 minute war.

FUCK UC. LET'S GO X!

[Masterofreality]

I'm surprised how confident we seem as fans. If the history of this series has taught us anything, it's that we throw records out the window and prepare for battle. (See Nov 26, 1996 and Dec 19, 1999, among others.) While I'd love to see a throat-stomping, humiliating, ass-whipping blowout, I'm prepared for a 40 minute war.

FUCK UC. LET'S GO X!

And better we all- and especially the team- be prepared for this.

[Xavier_Musketeers]

No matter the outcome of the game all i will hear from UC fans is how many national championships has Xavier Won? Or We are still leading the series

[bleedXblue]

No matter the outcome of the game all i will hear from UC fans is how many national championships has Xavier Won? Or We are still leading the series

That's exactly where we want them. Living in the past.

[PM Thor]

There is exactly ZERO smack talk going on around my neck of the woods. I don't think their fans even care anymore, heck I don't even really know anyone who follows UC basketball closely anymore.

[xeus]

No matter the outcome of the game all i will hear from UC fans is how many national championships has Xavier Won? Or We are still leading the series

I love this one. 1962 was a LONG time ago. It's the equivalent of MOR reminding us he was once a handsome, athletic young man.

[redhawkmuskie]

Don't understand their pride in that regard. National Championships are great but you know who won it the year after? Loyola Chicago. Needless to say, it was an era filled with powerhouses. Not to mention the NCAA and NIT were wrestling for the more prestigious championship. Seems a bit watered down to me.

[Titanxman04]

No UC fans in NW Ohio. However, there are a number of dayton ones. It's been fun.

[drudy23]

There is definitely significantly less interest in their program, both locally and nationally. They just aren't feared anymore, and that has a lot to do with Cronin not being a very recognizable coach. Part of his toughness mantra just doesn't translate when you're 5'7" and look like a leprechaun. He wants it to so bad though...it's like a chihuahua barking at you.

I said this years ago. The worst thing that happened to UC was the 2-3 year run under Brian Kelly. It was fool's gold. They came to expect that was going to be their reality, and their fans completely abandoned their basketball program (plus the love affair with Huggins happened right before that). Now, both are stuck in purgatory, with no real chance to elevate their profile as they can't afford top tier programs in both sports until they get into a major conference (and even if that happens, they still have an uphill battle).

[gladdenguy]

Most of my die hard sUCks friends think Xavier is gonna win. I see it as a tactic.
I hate this game every year. They will be jacked after that Butler loss. It will probably come down to the last possession and take years off my life. If X wins at least I might gain some back from laughter and happiness after the game.
Frightened level = 10/10

[redhawkmuskie]

They will not be getting invited into any major conference. When they decided to renovate Nippert this year everyone thought it was possibly the major conference powers that be telling them they need more capacity/ticket revenue to be considered for a major conference bid. Yet they go on to upgrade the luxury boxes and add minimal seating. Why? That decision seems nonsensical given that most money these days comes from football ala ticket sales. Laughably, it seems like they are digging themselves into a hole or they are just one senseless bunch down in Clifton.

[drudy23]

It's the Shootout...the game is great because it's super competitive. Desire and pride can go a long way, that's why inferior teams can pull this game out with heart and passion. It speaks to the true nature of competitiveness and toughness in basketball. That's also which makes it that much sweeter when you beat them, because you know it hurts them even more in that context.

[oddblob]

Most of my die hard sUCks friends think Xavier is gonna win. I see it as a tactic.
I hate this game every year. They will be jacked after that Butler loss. It will probably come down to the last possession and take years off my life. If X wins at least I might gain some back from laughter and happiness after the game.
Frightened level = 10/10

pull yourself together man

[bleedXblue]

Part of me wonders if Mack is kind of hoping for us to struggle a bit tomorrow night.........an opportunity for him to get this team focused for the task at hand.

[redhawkmuskie]

Given the infamous brawl, I would think the officiating in this game will be tight. Reynolds will especially be given no leeway. Although we risk limited minutes for him, I think a lot of fouls actually favors us. We have more depth in general and we are used to playing small in the case that Farr and Reynolds both get into foul trouble. Bluiett is unstoppable right now and they don't have a viable option to guard him. I trust Mack has a sophisticated game plan which account for numerous variables.

[drudy23]

Cronin, at this very second, is devising ways to get Jalen a T. And it will probably work.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think Jalen will be fine. I want his energy and swagger and I dont mind him getting some good hard fouls but I dont think they will bait him into a T. I have faith in Mack preparing him well.

[Kahns Krazy]

I honestly believe what you are seeing is the cumulative impact of Mick Cronin as a coach. He has proven to be a reasonably adequate coach in terms of winning games, but I think he is horrible ambassador for a program. He's a terrible match for a fan base that loved Bob Huggins. There really isn't anything likable about a Mick Cronin program.

Combine that with the fact that programs at all levels of sport are needing to continually upgrade their facilities and experience to just retain fans, and that UC plays is the most out of date, hard to park near, crappy facility in the area. It's not hard to see why they aren't competing for the discretionary spending dollars of their former fan base.

There just isn't any compelling reason to be a UC fan.

Having said that, I think this game will be a very competitive game. UC has some real talent this year.

[LadyMuskie]

I honestly believe what you are seeing is the cumulative impact of Mick Cronin as a coach. He has proven to be a reasonably adequate coach in terms of winning games, but I think he is horrible ambassador for a program. He's a terrible match for a fan base that loved Bob Huggins. There really isn't anything likable about a Mick Cronin program.

Combine that with the fact that programs at all levels of sport are needing to continually upgrade their facilities and experience to just retain fans, and that UC plays is the most out of date, hard to park near, crappy facility in the area. It's not hard to see why they aren't competing for the discretionary spending dollars of their former fan base.

There just isn't any compelling reason to be a UC fan.

Having said that, I think this game will be a very competitive game. UC has some real talent this year.

Couldn't agree more. Cronin is just an unlikable human being with the very worst kind of personality and no charm or charisma. Huggins, while a vile and reprehensible specimen, was at least charismatic and was detrimental mostly (albeit not entirely) to himself. Cronin would throw his mother under the bus. Huggins was the Darth Vader to our Luke Skywalker). Cronin is more like evil Jar Jar Binks. I used this analogy for Brew's benefit because i know how much he loves Star Wars.

[bobbiemcgee]

I don't care who you are
That's funny right there

[XUOHTX]

It seems most of you are hearing the same thing I am.

What is weird is we have been the underdog in this game many times and I don't ever remember our fans being timid and "expecting" to lose.

[OTRMUSKIE]

My opinion is this game was so big in the late 80's and 90's and a lot of us were young then and took this very serious, like our world would implode if X lost. Then Huggins got fired and the rivalry just wasn't the same. The new generation of X fans and UC fans never got to appreciate what this game really meant to us.

[X Factor]

Part of me wonders if Mack is kind of hoping for us to struggle a bit tomorrow night.........an opportunity for him to get this team focused for the task at hand.

Our second five would all start for Wright State. I struggle to picture X struggling with WSU tonight.

Who knows though...if the guys aren't focused, I guess it's possible.

[bleedXblue]

our second five would all start for wright state. I struggle to picture x struggling with wsu tonight.

Who knows though...if the guys aren't focused, i guess it's possible.

nku

[paulxu]

I would pay some serious dinero to have been young in the 80's or 90's.

[SpectorJersey]

Another issue with UC is Mick has recruited basically the same player for every position while he has been there. Big physical players who are challenged offensively. I think he has tried to change that a bit here lately but they were hard to watch for a few years. Outside of Kilpatrick a few years ago, a lot of their players would have a hard time scoring 10 points in a empty gym if they couldn't dunk. With the change in rules, recruiting a bunch of physical guards who cant score isnt going to help bc they will foul out.

I think we are seeing the results of Mack really going after guys who could score in our 2014 class. Sure Trevon and JP are sub par defenders, but I would rather take a guy who can already score and teach them defense. The Semaj Christon years were harder to watch bc we really couldnt score very well from outside.

[OH.X.MI]

I'm in a grad program at UC that's mostly made up of regional university alums. Miami grads were talking more smack about the game earlier this season than uc gads are right now, and the Miami folks didn't even know Miami had a basketball team.

[Milhouse]

UC came out the gates and looked impressive....but they put up 90+ on kenpom 300+ teams. Then came better competition (150 and under) and they struggled to hit 70...

Meanwhile X was hanging 80-90+ on top 50 teams Michigan, Dayton, & USC...I think we're more battle tested at this point and those fans know it. The one road game they played was at BGSU...that won't compare to this at all.

If you look at bearcat banter I'm amazed at the kind of respect we're getting there. I dont know that UC fans have ever openly said we're good BEFORE the shootout. Usually it takes us beating them to admit that.

I felt like last saturday you could feel the buzz of the shootout looming. Our student section has never seen a crosstown in Cintas. This gonna be good.

[xuwin]

Another issue with UC is Mick has recruited basically the same player for every position while he has been there. Big physical players who are challenged offensively. I think he has tried to change that a bit here lately but they were hard to watch for a few years. Outside of Kilpatrick a few years ago, a lot of their players would have a hard time scoring 10 points in a empty gym if they couldn't dunk. With the change in rules, recruiting a bunch of physical guards who cant score isnt going to help bc they will foul out.

I think we are seeing the results of Mack really going after guys who could score in our 2014 class. Sure Trevon and JP are sub par defenders, but I would rather take a guy who can already score and teach them defense. The Semaj Christon years were harder to watch bc we really couldnt score very well from outside.

Trevon and JP are sub par defenders relative to what? They are both sophomores.

[Lamont Sanford]

I'm surprised how confident we seem as fans. If the history of this series has taught us anything, it's that we throw records out the window and prepare for battle. (See Nov 26, 1996 and Dec 19, 1999, among others.) While I'd love to see a throat-stomping, humiliating, ass-whipping blowout, I'm prepared for a 40 minute war.

FUCK UC. LET'S GO X!

What xeus said. This is gonna be a war. They are better (offensively) than years past and much deeper too. Their defense is as good as always. We need to play our game...take it to the rack, find the open shooter, hit the glass hard, hit open shots, keep our composure. Mack will have the fellas ready.

I'm worried about gladdenguy.

[XUFan09]

My opinion is this game was so big in the late 80's and 90's and a lot of us were young then and took this very serious, like our world would implode if X lost. Then Huggins got fired and the rivalry just wasn't the same. The new generation of X fans and UC fans never got to appreciate what this game really meant to us.

Screw that. I came to Xavier just after Huggins was gone, and I hate UC. This is the biggest game on the schedule, even though it's not technically the highest RPI opponent, because of the pride associated with it.

[Olsingledigit]

Don't understand their pride in that regard. National Championships are great but you know who won it the year after? Loyola Chicago. Needless to say, it was an era filled with powerhouses. Not to mention the NCAA and NIT were wrestling for the more prestigious championship. Seems a bit watered down to me.

I understand your concept but that Loyola team was a very good team with a lot of talent. And the NCAA was the top dog tournament in 1963. Do you even know who won the NIT that year? Providence (I had to look it up). Current other BE members Marquette, Villanova, and DePaul were also among the 12 participants. LaSalle, Fordham and St. Louis were also participants.

[xubrew]

Couldn't agree more. Cronin is just an unlikable human being with the very worst kind of personality and no charm or charisma. Huggins, while a vile and reprehensible specimen, was at least charismatic and was detrimental mostly (albeit not entirely) to himself. Cronin would throw his mother under the bus. Huggins was the Darth Vader to our Luke Skywalker). Cronin is more like evil Jar Jar Binks. I used this analogy for Brew's benefit because i know how much he loves Star Wars.

It needs to stop. It really needs to stop.

[xubrew]

I understand your concept but that Loyola team was a very good team with a lot of talent. And the NCAA was the top dog tournament in 1963. Do you even know who won the NIT that year? Providence (I had to look it up). Current other BE members Marquette, Villanova, and DePaul were also among the 12 participants. LaSalle, Fordham and St. Louis were also participants.

All true, but the shelf life of an NCAA Championship has expired after fifty years. Loyola is no longer a championship caliber program. They're a logn way away from being a Missouri Valley championship caliber program. They'd look kind of silly thumbing their noses at Wichita State and Northern Iowa about how they're the bigger program because of their national title back in 1963.

As an aside, I do think that team is underrated. I know that Texas Western started five black players, but Loyola started four black players and they had that historic game against a Mississippi State team that had to sneak out of Mississippi to play the game in the NCAA Tournament that year. It is a very proud moment for them, as it should be. But, it does not define their present program. Neither does UC's national title.

[Masterofreality]

All true, but the shelf life of an NCAA Championship has expired after fifty years. Loyola is no longer a championship caliber program. They're a logn way away from being a Missouri Valley championship caliber program. They'd look kind of silly thumbing their noses at Wichita State and Northern Iowa about how they're the bigger program because of their national title back in 1963.

As an aside, I do think that team is underrated. I know that Texas Western started five black players, but Loyola started four black players and they had that historic game against a Mississippi State team that had to sneak out of Mississippi to play the game in the NCAA Tournament that year. It is a very proud moment for them, as it should be. But, it does not define their present program. Neither does UC's national title.

This....1000%. And I 'm a Loyola grad's Dad..and supporter.

[Masterofreality]

Couldn't agree more. Cronin is just an unlikable human being with the very worst kind of personality and no charm or charisma. Huggins, while a vile and reprehensible specimen, was at least charismatic and was detrimental mostly (albeit not entirely) to himself. Cronin would throw his mother under the bus. Huggins was the Darth Vader to our Luke Skywalker). Cronin is more like evil Jar Jar Binks. I used this analogy for Brew's benefit because i know how much he loves Star Wars.

I've been buried alive by the crushing weight of 1,000 World Wide Web censors, so public reps for this epicity!!!!

[Masterofreality]

I love this one. 1962 was a LONG time ago. It's the equivalent of MOR reminding us he was once a handsome, athletic young man.

Those days are long past- except on the golf course where I will kick anybody on this board's ass!! By the way, you look exactly like your father did, when he attended X with me. I'm sure your dad has aged much more gradually and gracefully than I. :biggrin:

[sweet16]

Those days are long past- except on the golf course where I will kick anybody on this board's ass!!

This ranks right up there with MOR's proclamation years ago on MM that he donated more to XU than anybody else on the board. I loved one of the responses which read "it's probably never a good idea to play I got the biggest dick in a room full of strangers". Funny stuff!

[Masterofreality]

This ranks right up there with MOR's proclamation years ago on MM that he donated more to XU than anybody else on the board. I loved one of the responses which read "it's probably never a good idea to play I got the biggest dick in a room full of strangers". Funny stuff!

Never ever said that ass wipe.

Nice series of red dots. Please continue with your lunacy. :tonguewag:

[chico]

This ranks right up there with MOR's proclamation years ago on MM that he donated more to XU than anybody else on the board. I loved one of the responses which read "it's probably never a good idea to play I got the biggest dick in a room full of strangers". Funny stuff!

This, my friends, is what a senile, bitter old man sounds like.

As for UC, I agree that this stems from Mick Cronin. Their fan base has simply become apathetic. Imagine how hard it must be to cheer for your team knowing that guy's in charge. They actually have some talent, but there doesn't to seem to be any real enthusiasm from the UC fan base. It's because Cronin sucks any joy out of being a fan. The little boy tantrums, the Napoleon complex, the constant whining, knowing your coach can't ride the adult rides at Kings Island. It has to take a toll.

[xeus]

Nice series of red dots. Please continue with your lunacy. :tonguewag:

You are talking to the guy who has the most negative reputation on the board. Even more than LH, which is impressive.

[xudash]

I've been buried alive by the crushing weight of 1,000 World Wide Web censors, so public reps for this epicity!!!!

I don't get sent to the dictionary often, but damn. Well done.

[Cheesehead]

I think UC fans are not as into their hoops program because they are a football school now.....oh wait....

[muskiefan82]

I think, as some posters noted earlier, that even if UC is good it is hard to get behind Cronin. Even the diehard UC fans I know will acknowledge that he is a dweeb with an inferiority complex and a high dose of insecurity. He just doesn't make himself supportable. The team ,yes, but him, no. I think many UC fans expect X to drub them this weekend BECAUSE of Cronin.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

UC actually has a very good team right now. They should have beat Butler at home and got Nebraska and GW in their holiday tournament. Both of those teams can play. This game will be tight. I think XU should/will score on their exceptional defense, I think the game will be won or lost on UC's offense/XU defense. This will be just like last year.

UC has a couple guys who can shoot if they get hot and bust the 1-3-1. Caupain can drive in the lane as well.

[Milhouse]

Yeah they have some good players. I actually wouldve thought they'd be better considering they returned 5 starters. This would be the best win we've had so far I'd say, a win @michigan may count for more though. I also think UC is a team that will pretty much be top 20-30 the majority of the year.

[MuskieXU]

This was supposed to be the best team so far under Cronin. They were supposed to be significantly better on offense and improved on defense. Well now were about a fourth of the way through the season and they look pretty much the same as last year. I have to say, this is the most confident I've been going into the shootout in a long time. I think we're better than them across the board and unless we go cold and UC gets hot I think we win easy. It makes me a little nervous to say that but thats how I feel.

[redhawkmuskie]

Who starts? I see no reason to change our lineup. Abell should also be on Caupain the entire game unless someone else gets hot and becomes Dee Davis of last year's game. Speaking of, who will step up this year like Dee did last year? My money is on.... you guessed it BIG GAME JAMES! Farr has been such an asset to us and embodies the traditional Xavier player who came in with a ton of question marks and worked his way into a legitimate player worthy of starter's minutes. His importance to this team will only grow as the season progresses.

[MuskieXU]

Who starts? I see no reason to change our lineup. Abell should also be on Caupain the entire game unless someone else gets hot and becomes Dee Davis of last year's game. Speaking of, who will step up this year like Dee did last year? My money is on.... you guessed it BIG GAME JAMES! Farr has been such an asset to us and embodies the traditional Xavier player who came in with a ton of question marks and worked his way into a legitimate player worthy of starter's minutes. His importance to this team will only grow as the season progresses.

Farr or Abell are my guesses as well. Would be really nice to see Remy channel his inner Dee Davis and knock down some big 3s after starting slow so far this year.

[DoubleD86]

FWIW, for the stat nerds, UC is the highest KenPom rated team Xavier will have played so far. UC comes in at 20, ahead of #32 Michigan, #42 USC and #43 Dayton. KenPom predicts a 6 point win for Xavier and gives the Muskies a 72% win percentage.

[nuts4xu]

It will be a war...it always is.

--Pete Gillen before every shootout he ever coached in.

https://cbssacramento.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/pete-gillen.jpg?w=640&h=360&crop=1

[Milhouse]

FWIW, for the stat nerds, UC is the highest KenPom rated team Xavier will have played so far. UC comes in at 20, ahead of #32 Michigan, #42 USC and #43 Dayton. KenPom predicts a 6 point win for Xavier and gives the Muskies a 72% win percentage.

And for what it's worth.

At #11 Xavier is the HIGHEST rated team UC has on the scheudle as of 12.8.15

Now that could change of course and Iowa State is very close as well.

But just a nice feather to all the bearcat fans that believe this is our superbowl...turns out with life in the AAC it could be their superbowl.:eek:

[kyxu]

It will be a war...it always is.

Except when it isn't.


I'm surprised how confident we seem as fans. If the history of this series has taught us anything, it's that we throw records out the window and prepare for battle. (See Nov 26, 1996 and Dec 19, 1999, among others.) While I'd love to see a throat-stomping, humiliating, ass-whipping blowout, I'm prepared for a 40 minute war.

Last season was the first close game in this series in five years. The four games prior to that were alternating blowouts.

And though I am cautiously optimistic (not overconfident) in Saturday's outcome, surprises in this series typically favor Xavier. We seem to have a monopoly on the "upset" in the Shootout. I do recall the vastly superior 2007-08 Xavier team had a supreme battle on its hands, but thwarted the Cats in the end. Some of you old asses can probably remember a true upset of Xavier, but the above is the closest to memory I can conjure.

[xufan2434]

Who starts? I see no reason to change our lineup. Abell should also be on Caupain the entire game unless someone else gets hot and becomes Dee Davis of last year's game. Speaking of, who will step up this year like Dee did last year? My money is on.... you guessed it BIG GAME JAMES! Farr has been such an asset to us and embodies the traditional Xavier player who came in with a ton of question marks and worked his way into a legitimate player worthy of starter's minutes. His importance to this team will only grow as the season progresses.

Biggest matchup or most important one I would see is at the 4 spot. Bluiett vs Clark is going to be a battle. Trevon has really improved this year in rebounding and guarding in the post. Gary can become a monster though so really important Trevon doesn't get in foul trouble. I like our offensive matchups though against them. I expect Myles to build on his big game from last year and really step up as a leader

[deepX]

I assume you have seen UC's tag line:

Bearcat Athletics. Proud member of the AAC! (and as close as we could get to the ACC)

[Smails]

Okay, call me crazy or screwed head or whatever, but I think this game is going to be brutal. The UC team I saw play Butler looked worlds better offensively than any team Mick has ever had. Clark is a big time match-up problem for us if Blueitt has to guard him. He's a much better post player than Blueitt is a post defender and Ellis can match Jaylen's athleticism and short fuse.. Oh there will be T's, bank on it. UC actually has a couple players who can knock down shots too. It will not be easy and if it is, I will gladly own it.

Now those will be the last complimentary things I say about the fecal matter residing in Clifton..as they can all collectively get fucked.

[redhawkmuskie]

Biggest matchup or most important one I would see is at the 4 spot. Bluiett vs Clark is going to be a battle. Trevon has really improved this year in rebounding and guarding in the post. Gary can become a monster though so really important Trevon doesn't get in foul trouble. I like our offensive matchups though against them. I expect Myles to build on his big game from last year and really step up as a leader

If Tre can force his hand and Clark and keep him outside the deep post when he catches the ball I think he will hold his own. Offensively I don't see Clark stopping Tre. He can't guard Bluiett on the perimeter and Clark isn't agile enough to guard him off the bounce. I really hope Cronin puts Shaq Thomas on Bluiett, that would be a gift. I am also curious to see how much 1-3-1 Mack decides to use during this game.

[XUFan09]

Except when it isn't.



Last season was the first close game in this series in five years. The four games prior to that were alternating blowouts.

And though I am cautiously optimistic (not overconfident) in Saturday's outcome, surprises in this series typically favor Xavier. We seem to have a monopoly on the "upset" in the Shootout. I do recall the vastly superior 2007-08 Xavier team had a supreme battle on its hands, but thwarted the Cats in the end. Some of you old asses can probably remember a true upset of Xavier, but the above is the closest to memory I can conjure.
Xavier was upset in 2006-2007 by UC. Xavier had a good team that year, whereas that UC squad embodied sUCks.

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[Masterofreality]

Except when it isn't.

And though I am cautiously optimistic (not overconfident) in Saturday's outcome, surprises in this series typically favor Xavier. We seem to have a monopoly on the "upset" in the Shootout. I do recall the vastly superior 2007-08 Xavier team had a supreme battle on its hands, but thwarted the Cats in the end. Some of you old asses can probably remember a true upset of Xavier, but the above is the closest to memory I can conjure.

The last true upset that SucKS pulled was in the January 1987 game at Riverfront Coliseum when a Tony Yates team with a losing record beat XU coached by Pete Gillen 75-73. The Borecats wound up 12-16 and XU went on to the NCAA and beat Missouri in the first round.

[XUFan09]

The last true upset that SucKS pulled was in the January 1987 game at Riverfront Coliseum when a Tony Yates team with a losing record beat XU coached by Pete Gillen 75-73. The Borecats wound up 12-16 and XU went on to the NCAA and beat Missouri in the first round.
MOR, that 2007 UC team was ranked #144 and had an 11-19 record, whereas Xavier was #35. That's a gap of over 100 teams. If that's not a true upset, I don't know what is.

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[Masterofreality]

MOR, that 2007 UC team was ranked #144 and had an 11-19 record, whereas Xavier was #35. That's a gap of over 100 teams. If that's not a true upset, I don't know what is.

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Oh, yeah '09, I had totally forgotten about that game and, probably forced myself to forget. I believe that was in the 2006-2007 year and was YTG's first year. Sean Miller was our coach. No F-ing way should SucKS been able to win that game, but we stunk the joint out. I was extremely pissed after that game. Just a disgrace from all respects. I believe even Conor Barwin punked us.

[UCGRAD4X]

--Pete Gillen before every shootout he ever coached in.

https://cbssacramento.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/pete-gillen.jpg?w=640&h=360&crop=1

Joe bag-o-donuts, bleeding at the eyes!

[kyxu]

Xavier was upset in 2006-2007 by UC. Xavier had a good team that year, whereas that UC squad embodied sUCks.

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Ah, yes. Good catch. I obviously blocked that one out of my memory.

[XUFan09]

Oh, yeah '09, I had totally forgotten about that game and, probably forced myself to forget. I believe that was in the 2006-2007 year and was YTG's first year. Sean Miller was our coach. No F-ing way should SucKS been able to win that game, but we stunk the joint out. I was extremely pissed after that game. Just a disgrace from all respects. I believe even Conor Barwin punked us.
That game was miserable. That team was really good and featured my favorite Xavier player of all time, Justin Doellman, but they had a few inexplicable losses, which is why they fell to the 9 seed.

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[waggy]

Cole never came on like everyone expected. Didn't he get hurt?

[XUFan09]

Cole never came on like everyone expected. Didn't he get hurt?
I think it was his sophomore year, a knee injury. When my friends and I played the NCAA Basketball 2005 game, he was a beast. He was the only real player who wasn't eventually replaced by a five-star recruit.

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[Masterofreality]

Cole never came on like everyone expected. Didn't he get hurt?

Congratulations to Waggy on entering the 10,000 Post Club. You have wasted much time and thousands of brain cells!

[waggy]

Just a little more fuckoffery and I'll be homeless.

[bjf123]

On paper, we should win the game without much trouble. However, you can throw everything out the window for the Shootout. I'll be nervous until the final buzzer sounds and we move to 10-0.


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[xukeith]

[QUOTE=bjf123;523280]On paper, we should win the game without much trouble. However, you can throw everything out the window for the Shootout. I'll be nervous until the final buzzer sounds and we move to 10-0

Agree. All records out the window. I suspect it is a close game until 5 minute mark

[MADXSTER]

I think it was his sophomore year, a knee injury. When my friends and I played the NCAA Basketball 2005 game, he was a beast. He was the only real player who wasn't eventually replaced by a five-star recruit.

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I'm pretty sure it was one knee twice or both knees at different times

[bjf123]

What's the over / under on number of minutes until someone gets T'd up?


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[Masterofreality]

I think it was his sophomore year, a knee injury. When my friends and I played the NCAA Basketball 2005 game, he was a beast. He was the only real player who wasn't eventually replaced by a five-star recruit.

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Somehow the NCAA did nit give him an extra year. Hell, they give guys 6 years for less now. BCole got screwed.

[XU '11]

On paper, we should win the game without much trouble. However, you can throw everything out the window for the Shootout. I'll be nervous until the final buzzer sounds and we move to 10-0.


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Xavier is 7-0 in the Shootout when in the AP top 25. The upsets only go one way in this rivalry.

[drudy23]

Have we had the PDoc "the Shootout doesn't seem to have the same energy this year" article yet?

[Juice]

Have we had the PDoc "the Shootout doesn't seem to have the same energy this year" article yet?

I assume that will be out Friday morning. "With two ranked teams, this town should be electric. It's not, the brawl killed the rivalry." - Daugherty

[X Factor]

Xavier is 7-0 in the Shootout when in the AP top 25. The upsets only go one way in this rivalry.

Good tidbit right there.

[XUMIOH12]

i dont have a good feeling about this game, but then again, i almost never do

[paulxu]

Mick said he was never coming back to our campus. So maybe one of his assistants will coach the kitties.

[X-band '01]

--Pete Gillen before every shootout he ever coached in.

https://cbssacramento.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/pete-gillen.jpg?w=640&h=360&crop=1

I hate them. They're muthahfuckahs!

[Milhouse]

Mick said he was never coming back to our campus. So maybe one of his assistants will coach the kitties.

"Yeah......I'm going to need you to come in on Saturday"
-Bohn

[Emp]

Ive hated UC since 1964. It was our Super Bowl, before there was a Super Bowl. Huggins only intensified the hate. It seems to me, just a fading impression, that the team and fans were so emotionally invested, there were many seasons where we would be in a funk after the Shootout.

Since we've dominated and Huggs is gone, I can't work up as much real bile. Mick is goofy but only mildly irritating to me. It will never be just another game on the schedule, but this season we have much bigger fish to fry, it's diverting my usual emotional focus.

I'm hoping we win easy and continue marshaling strength for the BE sched.

[GIMMFD]

Ive hated UC since 1964. It was our Super Bowl, before there was a Super Bowl. Huggins only intensified the hate. It seems to me, just a fading impression, that the team and fans were so emotionally invested, there were many seasons where we would be in a funk after the Shootout.

Since we've dominated and Huggs is gone, I can't work up as much real bile. Mick is goofy but only mildly irritating to me. It will never be just another game on the schedule, but this season we have much bigger fish to fry, it's diverting my usual emotional focus.

I'm hoping we win easy and continue marshaling strength for the BE sched.

I think it's because Huggins is actually a good coach, and Cronin is well.. an idiot.

[markchal]

I too have a bad feeling about this game, because UC has nothing to lose. The shootout has a history of the mid-major team upsetting the higher ranked squad.

Of course, I felt the same way about Dayton.

[kyxu]

I too have a bad feeling about this game, because UC has nothing to lose. The shootout has a history of the mid-major team upsetting the higher ranked squad.

Of course, I felt the same way about Dayton.

At this point in the season, they have just as much to lose as we do. This is a big OOC game for both teams, looking to add a big win to their resume.

In fact, I would argue that UC has more to lose in this game, as they do not have as many opportunities for big wins in the AAC.

[Muskeagle]

I don't know....just feels like a trap game between WSU and Auburn.

[Juice]

I too have a bad feeling about this game, because UC has nothing to lose. The shootout has a history of the mid-major team upsetting the higher ranked squad.

Of course, I felt the same way about Dayton.

X is 7-0 when ranked in the AP top 25 as cited by XU'11.

[kyxu]

I don't know....just feels like a trap game between WSU and Auburn.

How is UC a "trap" game? A trap game is typically a game you overlook while looking ahead to a bigger game. You really think the team is looking ahead to Auburn?

[markchal]

How is UC a "trap" game? A trap game is typically a game you overlook while looking ahead to a bigger game. You really think the team is looking ahead to Auburn?

Pretty sure that is sarcastic.

[Muskeagle]

Pretty sure that is sarcastic.

Thanks, Markchal. I guess I forgot to use my sarcasm font again.

[xufan2434]

I don't know....just feels like a trap game between WSU and Auburn.

This made me laugh

[D-West & PO-Z]

This made me laugh

Samesies.

[Masterofreality]

I don't know....just feels like a trap game between WSU and Auburn.

:spaz::crazy::crazy::yahoo: Hilarious! Reps!

[xeus]

Samesies.

Please don't ever say that again.

[Masterofreality]

I think it's because Huggins is actually a good coach, and Cronin is well.. an idiot.

Yep. Ol' Bobby Coif coached a great second half last night.

Not you GIMMFD, but my disdain for Thuggasaurus is well documented.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Please don't ever say that again.

Literally one of my favorite words/movie references ever.

Sorry, but you are out of luck.

[Muskeagle]

Literally one of my favorite words/movie references ever.

Sorry, but you are out of luck.

Don't know if this is your allusion...but this is pretty funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgfQ9o2-9BM

[kyxu]

Pretty sure that is sarcastic.

My bad.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Don't know if this is your allusion...but this is pretty funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgfQ9o2-9BM

Ha, I was not, but that is pretty funny.

I was referring to Superbad.

[bjf123]

i dont have a good feeling about this game, but then again, i almost never do

Have to say I agree.


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[GIMMFD]

Yep. Ol' Bobby Coif coached a great second half last night.

Not you GIMMFD, but my disdain for Thuggasaurus is well documented.

Haha I can't blame you, I do think that's more with everybody on WVU being ice-cold in the second half. You can't coach shots to go down, and UVA did a good job forcing them into taking jumpshots. PS Jalen > Devin Williams, James Farr > Devin Williams.

[American X]

I don't know....just feels like a trap game between WSU and Auburn.

Hilarious.

[Masterofreality]

Never Forget-1847

[XUMIOH12]

Haha I can't blame you, I do think that's more with everybody on WVU being ice-cold in the second half. You can't coach shots to go down, and UVA did a good job forcing them into taking jumpshots. PS Jalen > Devin Williams, James Farr > Devin Williams.

Devin Williams is a really good player. I would love to have him on this team.