2016-2017 Xavier Regular Season

[paulxu]

OK, it's almost time to get this show on the road. Seems like forever since last March. Pumped.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwjFZ1Uxwic&feature=youtu.be

[Lamont Sanford]

One thing we can ALL agree on...it's finally back! See you guys at the 'tas on Saturday!

[Muskie]

If you're trying to avoid the Wisconsin Highlights, you can skip to 1:06 or so.

[mid major]

Edit and delete the Wisconsin highlights and put in the Dayton highlights.

[paulxu]

I just noticed that we play 3 straight games on the road in February.
Haven't done that in the preceding 3 years in the BE. Wonder how that happened?

[XUMIOH12]

I just noticed that we play 3 straight games on the road in February.
Haven't done that in the preceding 3 years in the BE. Wonder how that happened?

maybe has something to do with the UC game in late january? had to keep those days open and resulted in a 3 game road stretch later in the schedule.

[paulxu]

If I'm reading this right, it's a projection that we'd be a 3 seed...and play in Greenville :)

Then would meet Go's team. I can dream.

http://m.espn.com/ncb/bracketology?iteration=126&region=4&year=2017

[THRILLHOUSE]

If I'm reading this right, it's a projection that we'd be a 3 seed...and play in Greenville :)

Then would meet Go's team. I can dream.

http://m.espn.com/ncb/bracketology?iteration=126®ion=4&year=2017

You aren't reading it correctly. He has X playing in Indianapolis.

[paulxu]

You aren't reading it correctly. He has X playing in Indianapolis.

I think my browser is screwing up those pages big time. I only see 3 cities listed for games, where there should be 4.
Oh well, busted dreams.

Edit: well, maybe they only need 3 cities. I may need more bourbon.

[Wheelhouse]

Wow, mad props to the program for highlighting that Wisconsin loss and owning it. While it made me physically ill to watch it, I love that attitude. It happened, it's over, we'll learn from it and it will only make us stronger this year.

[bobbiemcgee]

Mack said he hasn't seen it until now-lol

[paulxu]

Fun to see news stories about the team, where they are shown as (7)Xavier.

Good to have a single digit in front off your name!

[paulxu]

So, "grub tub."

http://www.goxavier.com/news/2016/11/8/mens-basketball-xavier-announces-whats-new-and-enhanced-for-the-2016-17-basketball-season.aspx

[paulxu]

Do I need to adjust my Bilas thinking since he picked Chris Mack to be Coach of the Year?

[xu82]

Do I need to adjust my Bilas thinking since he picked Chris Mack to be Coach of the Year?

Ooooh, that's a tough one....

[X-ceptional]

Hadn't seen it yet, so figure this is the best place to post it for now... two X men on the preseason Naismith Watchlist released on the 9th.

Congrats Tre and Ed... let's keep it going through the season!


2017 Naismith Watchlist Announced (http://naismithtrophy.com/2017-naismith-watchlist-announced/)

[Muskie]

So, "grub tub."

http://www.goxavier.com/news/2016/11/8/mens-basketball-xavier-announces-whats-new-and-enhanced-for-the-2016-17-basketball-season.aspx

I meant to ask this. What is a Grub Tub? Is it a bucket?

[paulxu]

http://www.foodtravelist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Grub-Tub-NRA-2016.jpg

[X-ceptional]

Wow... what a sight to behold.

Although, I think The Onion's option may be even more favorable. I mean, I resent the implication that I would only want to have one free hand available while stuffing my face.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw_1CIwwEIA

[Muskie]

http://www.foodtravelist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Grub-Tub-NRA-2016.jpg

What a monstrosity.

[paulxu]

What a monstrosity.

If the goal is to be able to carry everything in one hand, it seems you would be drinking your beer through a straw.

[X-ceptional]

AP Poll 11/21 is out... back into the top 10, coming in at 9 just behind the Lexus, and in front of Louisville.

http://collegebasketball.ap.org/poll

[X-band '01]

One of the voters from Louisville had Xavier #17 (tied for lowest); another voter had Xavier as high as #3. Votes are going to be all over the place early in the season.

Scott Wolf is likely to be a favorite for Gary Parrish's Poll Attacks this week - he has Rutgers #25 in his poll this week.

[bleedXblue]

I love the polls.....

UK is not the #1 team.

It is Villanova. Defending National Champs with a ton of talent returning. F^&k UK.

Gonzaga as usual is too high.

Michigan State with two losses and a homer job yesterday do not deserve to be in.

I know its just the polls....but man does it gets frustrating to see the same BS year after year.

[STL_XUfan]

I love the polls.....

UK is not the #1 team.

It is Villanova. Defending National Champs with a ton of talent returning. F^&k UK.

Gonzaga as usual is too high.

Michigan State with two losses and a homer job yesterday do not deserve to be in.

I know its just the polls....but man does it gets frustrating to see the same BS year after year.

I mean at this point in the season, we might as well throw spaghetti against the wall to determine the correct order. However, unlike college football, we are going to get a large enough sample size that it will mostly work itself out (with a few notable exceptions, like 2005-06 GW).

[paulxu]

Here's how I know I'm spoiled.
X opens the season polls at #7. Slides down then back up to 9th.
We are (per LiveRPI) the #3 RPI team in the country. Our OOC SOS is 13th.
We're one of 2 teams (with Nova) to have 5 wins.
For comparison, UNC at #4 has an OOC SOS of 166th.

Until we lose I would think we would stay at #7. Oh well, spoiled I say.

[paulxu]

Xavier, Creighton, and Villanova.

#1, #2, and #3 RPI.

Nice.

[xu82]

Xavier, Creighton, and Villanova.

#1, #2, and #3 RPI.

Nice.

Who else should we invite to the Final Four?

[muskiefan82]

Who else should we invite to the Final Four?

Butler?

[muskienick]

Butler?

I would give my atrophied left testicle sometime in my remaining few years here on earth for us to share the Final Four with three of our Big East partners!

[xu82]

I would give my atrophied left testicle sometime in my remaining few years here on earth for us to share the Final Four with three of our Big East partners!


Who would you give it to? More importantly, who would want it? I'll pass, personally.

[bobbiemcgee]

bring your woolies to CO....winter has finally shown up. I'll be in sect. 11 row 14. Pre-game @ Harpo's.

[Masterofreality]

I'll be sitting behind someone's bench. Hopefully Xavier's. Maybe Colorado's. Maybe in Joe Sunderman's lap.

All up to my cousin.:lol:

[paulxu]

Season is turning into an interesting grind.
Maybe we were overrated, depending on a Myles being present and Gates at full potential.
Hard to measure going in the impact of Reynolds/Farr no longer around.

But what I like is the conference we're playing in. Will it make it harder to reach NCAA's/get a good seed. Yes!
And isn't that what we've always wanted? To play in a better conference, to be respected as part of a strong one.

I'm dying with every turnover, clearly one of our biggest challenges. We just don't value the ball, make good passes, play with maximum focus all the time.
Unlike some other problems...this one can be corrected. Yesterday is a perfect example. 15 TO's. We dug our own hole to climb out of; and barely did. Instead of leading the game smartly at the end, we had a nail biter.

This season is going to be a bumpy ride. We've created an expectation that might be hard to live up to every year.
Time to crank it up a notch.

[Masterofreality]

Don't overlook Eastern Washington!!!

[94GRAD]

Don't overlook Eastern Washington!!!

They are a 7 point dog to NKU tonight

[X-band '01]

By tonight, you mean a 1 PM matinee. Eastern's only 2 losses were at Northwestern and at Texas. They're the best team so far in the Big Sky (same conference as the Weber State team that Xavier beat last season).

[Masterofreality]

They are a 7 point dog to NKU tonight

#RespectTheOpponent

Creighton almost did not yesterday.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Players and coaches yes.

Fans, doesnt matter a bit.

[X-band '01]

They are a 7 point dog to NKU tonight

7 points weren't nearly enough. Eastern Washington came into today's game averaging over 80 points a game, yet NKU held them under 50 in a 70-48 spanking.

[Wheelhouse]

Season is turning into an interesting grind.
Maybe we were overrated, depending on a Myles being present and Gates at full potential.
Hard to measure going in the impact of Reynolds/Farr no longer around.

But what I like is the conference we're playing in. Will it make it harder to reach NCAA's/get a good seed. Yes!
And isn't that what we've always wanted? To play in a better conference, to be respected as part of a strong one.

I'm dying with every turnover, clearly one of our biggest challenges. We just don't value the ball, make good passes, play with maximum focus all the time.
Unlike some other problems...this one can be corrected. Yesterday is a perfect example. 15 TO's. We dug our own hole to climb out of; and barely did. Instead of leading the game smartly at the end, we had a nail biter.

This season is going to be a bumpy ride. We've created an expectation that might be hard to live up to every year.
Time to crank it up a notch.

It really has been an interesting season so far. I think we probably were a bit overrated at the start. We're really not playing all that well right now but we're 9-2, so hey, I'll take it. Myles coming back should certainly help settle things down, especially closing out games with him at the free throw line. I think one of our biggest issues is our bigs, which makes sense coming off a season in which we had Farr and Reynolds dominating most games. Tough to replicate that. Gaston has been a nice addition and I love the energy he brings but he misses a ton of bunnies. O'Mara is limited to say the least. I hope Jones can continue to improve as the season goes on. If he can stay out of foul trouble he can be a force. Bluiett has been really good and JP is doing JP things. To me, Sumner has been a disappointment. He's not playing badly, but he's certainly not playing like the NBA lottery pick that he was projected to be before the season started.

Watching this year's team keeps giving me the nagging feeling that last year was our year because that team was so damn good. With all that said, we still have a ton of potential and I wouldn't be shocked if the team continues to improve and is playing their best ball at the end of the season. We have a history of doing that. Myles coming back, Gates hopefully rounding into form, the two freshman gaining experience - all will hopefully have us hitting on all cylinders in March.

[paulxu]

A moment in a season; 10:15 Wednesday 12/16/16

The Big East is #1 in the RPI
Xavier is #3 in the RPI
4 of the top 11 teams in the RPI are from the Big East

And we're worried about how we are doing? OK, we can worry. Just don't think back to about 4 years ago.

[Xville]

A moment in a season; 10:15 Wednesday 12/16/16

The Big East is #1 in the RPI
Xavier is #3 in the RPI
4 of the top 11 teams in the RPI are from the Big East

And we're worried about how we are doing? OK, we can worry. Just don't think back to about 4 years ago.

Though i will say the big east is very strong snd the rpi reflects that, the fact that xavier is #3 in the rpi is ridiculous im sorry. Just shows how worthless the rpi should be when it comes to picking teams for the tourney and seeding. Whats our best win? Clemson? Followed by who? Wake? Rpi is stupid.

[Xuperman]

Agreed but having Florida at 5 is more ridiculous. Seems to weigh heavy on who you play not whether you win or not. Try RPIforcast for a MUCH more realistic measure. Awesome site. If you click on a team, you get loads of cool info and predictions!!!

[X-band '01]

To be fair to Florida, their RPI didn't have a true home game until last night. Because they were renovating the O-Dome, they started their season playing neutral-court games in Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami along with their Advocare Classic in Orlando.

[paulxu]

Spoilsports.

[XUFan09]

RPI requires a larger sample size than half a season to make sense. Xavier is currently projected as #14, with most outcomes putting them between #7 and #23.

[American X]

CBS Sports: 10 ranked teams with the most to prove on their NCAA Tournament resumes (http://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/10-ranked-teams-with-the-most-to-prove-on-their-ncaa-tournament-resumes/)

No. 17 Xavier (10-2)

The Musketeers have a gaudy RPI thanks in large part to having played only one game against a team below 200 in those rankings. However, they got beat pretty soundly at Baylor and lost at Colorado. Xavier's best wins are over middle-of-the-pack ACC teams Wake Forest and Clemson. Those wins look better now than they likely will as those teams go through the rigors of conference play. Xavier will play Georgetown, Villanova and Butler on the road before the middle of January, so we will find out soon if the Musketeers are for real.

[xufan2434]

CBS Sports: 10 ranked teams with the most to prove on their NCAA Tournament resumes (http://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/10-ranked-teams-with-the-most-to-prove-on-their-ncaa-tournament-resumes/)

No. 17 Xavier (10-2)

The Musketeers have a gaudy RPI thanks in large part to having played only one game against a team below 200 in those rankings. However, they got beat pretty soundly at Baylor and lost at Colorado. Xavier's best wins are over middle-of-the-pack ACC teams Wake Forest and Clemson. Those wins look better now than they likely will as those teams go through the rigors of conference play. Xavier will play Georgetown, Villanova and Butler on the road before the middle of January, so we will find out soon if the Musketeers are for real.

Nothing really new there. Kind of deals with the argument many were having yesterday about what state this team is in right now. Didn't have any signature wins, but didn't have any "bad" losses. Plenty of em to pick up the next couple weeks though. Starts tonight!

[xufan2434]

Bracketology:

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

I would take this draw in a heart beat..

[muskiefan82]

Bracketology:

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

I would take this draw in a heart beat..

Northwestern is in this field right now. We'll see.

[XU 87]

X is now #4 in RPI.

Creighton is 3.

Villanova at 1.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/rankings/rpi/index1

[muskiefan82]

The Villanova at Creighton matchup this weekend is must see TV

[letskeepitreal]

4 seed seems about right. Don't like being in the same bracket as Baylor but to advance any #4 will have to get by a #1 so there are no easy roads I guess. Lets just see how this plays out in March.

[paulxu]

Picked up one spot.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/year/2017/week/9/seasontype/2

[American X]

A top three finish in the Big East and a Sweet Sixteen would still constitute a stellar season.

Remember, both Xavier and Villanova still only have one conference loss, so we are basically exactly the same.

Now let's go put Butler in a headlock and give them noogies.

[paulxu]

Our RPI actually went up 2 spots with the loss to Nova.

Thank you BE conference.

[paulxu]

Crazy season so far. People are jumping off tall buildings, while others are convinced all is OK.
I'm of mixed emotions for sure. Not what I thought it would be, but still a lot of time left.

Watching a little bit of yesterday's game, I liked that Gates seems to be developing.
Not content to catch on the outside and immediately pass. Saw him put the ball on the floor toward the hoop, and at least pull a second defender to set up a great bounce pass...which the big dribbled away instead of going up (ugh).

For some reason I like the lineup of Sumner, JP, Bluiett, Gates and Gaston. Need to have JP focus as a functioning 2, but that lineup gives us a lot of opportunities.

Oh well, after waiting so long for the season to start, I'm going to enjoy the ride, not matter how bumpy.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

This team will peak in March.

Onward.

[fellahmuskie]

It took about 4 days, but I'm back on the track. Can't wait for Georgetown on Sunday. Hopefully the team did not need as long to recover from Monday...

The team continues to show flashes of great play, but it seems like the turnovers and free-throw shooting always kill our momentum. Can't do much about free throws, but eliminating turnovers is going to be huge.

We've got a great opportunity over the next 7 days to flip the switch on the season. Time for the team to get it done.

[American X]

Beat UC & go to the Sweet Sixteen and I'll mark this down as a stellar season, regardless of whatever drama swirled around it.

Let's do one of those things tonight.

[XUMIOH12]

Beat UC & go to the Sweet Sixteen and I'll mark this down as a stellar season, regardless of whatever drama swirled around it.

Let's do one of those things tonight.

go to the Sweet Sixteen tonight?

[American X]

go to the Sweet Sixteen tonight?

Would that be an offer you could refuse?

[paulxu]

Is this glass half full? Or half empty?

https://forums.egullet.org/uploads/1235046274/gallery_1_295_35940.jpg

At the beginning of the season, after waiting for 7 months, I was ready to sip.
The future looked bright.
Myles, Ed and Tre back to pick up where they left off.
Gates growing into his role, and JP, well...being JP. O'Mara holding his own.
Bernard and Gaston transferring in to shore up the offense. Bright freshmen prospects in Goodin and Jones.

Then the roof started to give way. Down went Myles, then Ed; and now Tre is hurting.
What looked like a deep March run in November, is starting to look rather difficult, at best, in February.
Is the glass half empty?

Then I remembered some things I shouldn't forget, and do often when trouble occurs.
We play in the #3 conference in the country...not the #7.
Our RPI is 14 with the 3rd toughest SOS.
We are on national TV almost every game we play, sometimes on the regular Fox channel.
Our program has become much more well known in the BE than ever before.
We are recruiting at a higher level, and next year's class looks really good.
It's possible we may even have Tre and Ed back, which would make for our deepest team ever.

I've been spoiled by the last 3 1/2 years of full on, national coverage and the resulting expectations.
We've been very fortunate to reach this point where I can wonder about my glass...due to those who came before and laid out the path.

So...since I'm responsible for sipping on that glass of Makers Mark, I can tell you for sure...it's half full.
And I'm going to finish it as the season winds down...wherever we go.

Slainte

[whopper]

All true and great perspective. The Wisconsin loss was devastating last year but with their play this year it does not look as bad. This year the wins have been very close and the losses have been pretty much over in the last 2 minutes so you can't look at a ball bounce changing anything. Enjoy the ride and be thankful for the Big East. As a UConn alumni with 2 girls at Xavier I remember knowing who was on or who was incoming for Providence, Georgetown, Villanova etc and discussing it as I do now at age 60. The strange thing to me is how does Josh Hart and Jenkins play 4 years at Villanova..what a great advantage to them as Hart reminds me so much of Dennis Johnson and I think will have a similar pro career. Blewitt and Sumner have a good chance of getting a good look at the next level but are not a pro ready as the Villanova guys

[paulxu]

Hah! Last night my glass got re-filled. Still drinking.....Slainte!

https://images-mm.s3.amazonaws.com/Makers_Mark_Jigger1_POP.jpg

[paulxu]

Time to finish the glass.

It's been a hell of a ride. Down both starting guards, and another Elite 8 (one for Mack).

Thank you Team 95; for a hell of a ride, for moments of joy and ecstasy.
Will forever remember the comebacks, the refusal to give in.

You beat as an 11 seed, a 6, a 3, and a 2. That is spectacular performance.

In the end there wasn't enough in the tank. We were running on fumes.
I wish they were talking about you tonight during breaks. But the Zags earned their #1 seeding.

Thank you again. It was a great ride. Hold your heads high...you never gave up. Bury the urn with pride.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Time to finish the glass.

It's been a hell of a ride. Down both starting guards, and another Elite 8 (one for Mack).

Thank you Team 95; for a hell of a ride, for moments of joy and ecstasy.
Will forever remember the comebacks, the refusal to give in.

You beat as an 11 seed, a 6, a 3, and a 2. That is spectacular performance.

In the end there wasn't enough in the tank. We were running on fumes.
I wish they were talking about you tonight during breaks. But the Zags earned their #1 seeding.

Thank you again. It was a great ride. Hold your heads high...you never gave up. Bury the urn with pride.

Reps Paul!

It was a hell of a ride. Some high highs and low lows all in one season. This team showed some unbelievable resiliency and heart.

A lot of different guys on this team will be remembered so fondly in X history.

Congrats Muskies!

[American X]

Time to finish the glass.

It's been a hell of a ride. Down both starting guards, and another Elite 8 (one for Mack).

Thank you Team 95; for a hell of a ride, for moments of joy and ecstasy.
Will forever remember the comebacks, the refusal to give in.

You beat as an 11 seed, a 6, a 3, and a 2. That is spectacular performance.

In the end there wasn't enough in the tank. We were running on fumes.
I wish they were talking about you tonight during breaks. But the Zags earned their #1 seeding.

Thank you again. It was a great ride. Hold your heads high...you never gave up. Bury the urn with pride.

Great take, Paul. Elite level posting. Something amazing just happened with our program which will not fully sink in for a while.