Rankings 2017-18

[xuinmd]

x to 11th nbc poll

[X Factor]

X is 9th in ESPN's Power Rankings. Also, says Big East is the best conference so far.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/21470858/power-rankings-big-east-best-conference-country

[Masterofreality]

I love this league.

So glad they didn't rush to expand with two "personality" schools. They are both stuck in the quagmire of the A-10, where they're part of the problem.

[THRILLHOUSE]

#15 in the AP.

http://collegebasketball.ap.org/poll

[STL_XUfan]

#15 in the AP.

http://collegebasketball.ap.org/poll

Seems low, but we are going to get plenty of chances over the next two weeks to turn some heads.

[whopper]

I would like to see us sneak up on people than be a focus and then get the "overrated" chant. Great analysis and no one looks like a pushover even depaul

[sirthought]

#15 is great. There are a lot of programs swimming in the hype pool right now. Xavier included. Just continue to win and it'll sort things out. The rankings mean little, but being in the Top 25 is getting us all the attention we need.

[X-band '01]

Xavier fell to #21 in the AP and #20 in the Coaches poll this week. Here are other notable teams:

Villanova - #4 AP/Coaches
Cincinnati - #11 AP/#9 Coaches
Baylor - #16 AP/Coaches
Arizona State - #20 AP/#21 Coaches
Creighton - #25 AP/#23 Coaches
Seton Hall - NR AP/#25 Coaches

As expected, Arizona completely fell out of the Top 25 after their Atlantis disaster. Providence received 9 points in the AP poll (#35 overall) and 13 points in the coaches poll (#35 overall). Butler got 8 points in the coaches poll (#38 overall).

[xu82]

Plenty of opportunity to make some noise!

[GoMuskies]

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

They're also ranked 13 and 14 in the new polls.

[nuts4xu]

That seems about right to me. I'll take it!

[GIMMFD]

Looks like we can't lose again this season so we'll be ranked top 5... RAISE YOUR SWORD

[Masterofreality]

And SuckS despite getting pole axed and playing zero competition until X only drops to 17.

Florida will kill their sorry asses and then they have an excellent chance to get pole axed again by UCLA.

I don’t give a crap whether the Borecats being good helps X. I want those cretins to lose EVERY GAME!!! I want YTG to choke on his own garbage words. I want them to burn in the hell of their trash conference.

F-em. Really. F- em.

[Backyard Champ]

Wish UC beats Florida. Only because we beat them, if we lost to them, I'd like them to lose out. Now that we've won, I'd rather have them win games.

[bleedXblue]

Wish UC beats Florida. Only because we beat them, if we lost to them, I'd like them to lose out. Now that we've won, I'd rather have them win games.

While some get this, you never openly admit it. EVER!

[bjf123]

While some get this, you never openly admit it. EVER!

I’m all for whatever helps our RPI and SOS.


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[xu82]

While some get this, you never openly admit it. EVER!

My love for Xavier trumps my hate for UC....and even Dayton! There, I said it and I feel free! (But also more than a little dirty...) I’ll want what’s best for X every time, even if it makes me feel ill.

[D-West & PO-Z]

And SuckS despite getting pole axed and playing zero competition until X only drops to 17.

Florida will kill their sorry asses and then they have an excellent chance to get pole axed again by UCLA.

I don’t give a crap whether the Borecats being good helps X. I want those cretins to lose EVERY GAME!!! I want YTG to choke on his own garbage words. I want them to burn in the hell of their trash conference.

F-em. Really. F- em.

Agree, I'd much rather see UC lose every game then ever hope they win to help our resume. In our league now we dont need the help. Even if we did I'd still root for them to lose.

[GIMMFD]

None of this talk of UC doing well will matter when we don't lose another game along the way and win a National Championship, sheesh you guys need more faith. ;)

[chico]

And SuckS despite getting pole axed and playing zero competition until X only drops to 17.

Florida will kill their sorry asses and then they have an excellent chance to get pole axed again by UCLA.

I don’t give a crap whether the Borecats being good helps X. I want those cretins to lose EVERY GAME!!! I want YTG to choke on his own garbage words. I want them to burn in the hell of their trash conference.

F-em. Really. F- em.

My Man MOR! I'll take UC losing the rest of their games and Cronin going back to living in a hole, to the small incremental gain we get to our RPI from them doing well. Way back when, when we were a bubble team and in the A-10 I could see wanting UC to do well to help us. But those days are long gone. Let them and their angry little elf fall on their faces.

More likely than not, though, they'll do okay and sneak in the NCAA where they'll take their usual first weekend exit and their fans will be stuck with Moanin' Cronin for another year.

[bpo]

Florida did not look good last night losing to an unranked FSU. They are coming off a tough early schedule, but they looked so far from the team that was giving Duke problems for a majority of the game. FSU's length on D gave them some issues. It'll be interesting to see what Gator team shows up, and what Kittycat team shows up on Saturday.

[GetUp5]

We're starting to sound really butt hurt about UC. Who cares? If they win or lose, doesn't matter to me. We kicked their ass, now we move on. #13 is about right.

[Masterofreality]

Butt hurt? What?

It’s a rivalry dude. We kicked their f-ing asses. This is what a rivalry looks like.

Zero credit to the other side. Period.

[bobbiemcgee]

Beat the Buffs, we're top 10.

[X Factor]

Where do you think X will be ranked tomorrow?

[Juice]

Where do you think X will be ranked tomorrow?

We should be in the top 10 but they may not move us over the blue bloods based on reputation and not actual results so far this season.

I agree with this top 5:

BarstoolReags‏
@BarstoolReags
Nova/Michigan State/Duke/Arizona State/Xavier with Miami as 5b

[GoMuskies]

Why Dook over ASU?

[Juice]

Why Dook over ASU?

My guess is that Reags views Duke's wins over Florida, Michigan State, and Texas (and 1 loss) > than ASU's wins over X and Kansas. I honestly can't argue with you because ASU's SOS is slightly better and they have other wins over quality opponents KSU, SDSU, and St. Johns.

[MuskieXU]

Ill guess 10. Jump Florida, Kansas, Gonzaga, and Notre Dame but get jumped by ASU

[GoMuskies]

Seth Davis has us #10.

[STL_XUfan]

The small sample size of voter's who have released their ballots seem to have us between 8-10. Seems about right.

[FIGHTING MUSKETEER]

The small sample size of voter's who have released their ballots seem to have us between 8-10. Seems about right.

Yep. For those interested, this is what I found.

Luke DeCock, 10
Jon Wilner, 9
Rick Bozich, 8
Jerry Carino, 9
Brant Wilkerson, 9
Gary Parrish, 15 (I dont understand his voting. Last week he had us 14).
Mark Berman, 11

[GoMuskies]

Luke DeCock, 10


How did this guy get through grade school?

[bleedXblue]

Yep. For those interested, this is what I found.

Luke DeCock, 10
Jon Wilner, 9
Rick Bozich, 8
Jerry Carino, 9
Brant Wilkerson, 9
Gary Parrish, 15 (I dont understand his voting. Last week he had us 14).
Mark Berman, 11

Parrish is a fuc^&ng moron

[FIGHTING MUSKETEER]

How did this guy get through grade school?

I know. I double checked the spelling. I guess his parents wanted him to be the only person than could say to a stranger to look at his cock without getting arrested.

[MuskieXU]

I actually really enjoy Parrish podcast but I’m fairly certain he hasn’t watched an X game all year.

[paulxu]

I know. I double checked the spelling. I guess his parents wanted him to be the only person than could say to a stranger to look at his cock without getting arrested.

He's happy they didn't name him Richard.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Yep. For those interested, this is what I found.

Gary Parrish, 15 (I dont understand his voting. Last week he had us 14).


Parrish moved X back up to 14 this morning. Still too low in my opinion, and for whatever reason he's been low on X all season.

[GoMuskies]

I've still got some questions about Xavier, myself, but they all relate to how good X is outside the friendly confines of Cintas Center. Beating a bad Wisconsin team and a worse GW team while getting run out of the gym by the only decent (and as it turns out, MUCH better than decent) team we've played away from home doesn't tell us much yet.

But it's also true of most teams at this point.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Katz has X at #5. (not an AP voter though.)

http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2017-12-11/andy-katzs-power-36-whos-ncaa-tournament-dec-11

[GoMuskies]

Xavier is #10 in the AP poll. No sneaking up on anyone from the top 10!

https://collegebasketball.ap.org/poll

[xavierj]

Kentucky LOL. Who is their best win? Vermont, UIC, ETSU or Troy?

[X-man]

We are #9 in the new Coaches Poll.

[GoMuskies]

Creighton snuck into the Coaches' poll giving the little ole Big East fully 16% of that particular top 25.

[X Factor]

Miami at #6 is pretty suspect. They have the #323 ranked SOS.

[xukeith]

It is good pub but seriously in coaches poll GEORGETOWN got 7 votes. Now that is seriously crazy.
More bulletin material for Northern Iowa. Please don't let this go to XU's head.

[FIGHTING MUSKETEER]

I am trying not to laugh. Georgetown got 2 votes in today's Coaches' Poll. I knew that their victories this past week at home over Howard and North Carolina were going to catapult them into top 25 consideration. I guess someone forgot to read the A&T in North Carolina A&T. Wow, wow, wow.

[xukeith]

I can't get link to ESPN's rating poll. every time I click on it on the site, I get Andy Katz's story about ASU rise to #1 and small story about why each team is where they are.
I used to look at each staffer's votes. Any ideas?

[GIMMFD]

We are #9 in the new Coaches Poll.

It'll be way more fun when we're number 1 after curb stomping the rest of the competition we face... ONWARDS!!

[THRILLHOUSE]

I can't get link to ESPN's rating poll. every time I click on it on the site, I get Andy Katz's story about ASU rise to #1 and small story about why each team is where they are.
I used to look at each staffer's votes. Any ideas?

It's Jeff Borzello that does the write up for the ESPN rankings now (Katz was a part of the ESPN Layoffs and now writes for ncaa.com). I think Borzello also might just do the power rankings himself, and they don't have all the ESPN college bball reporters vote on it like they did in the past.

[xuwin]

I've still got some questions about Xavier, myself, but they all relate to how good X is outside the friendly confines of Cintas Center. Beating a bad Wisconsin team and a worse GW team while getting run out of the gym by the only decent (and as it turns out, MUCH better than decent) team we've played away from home doesn't tell us much yet.

But it's also true of most teams at this point.

Wisconsin was not a bad team when Xavier played them. They have been decimated with injuries since.

[GoMuskies]

I appreciate that we can now be so ho hum about Xavier moving up to #8 /#9 in the latest polls.

[Lloyd Braun]

If we all stay ho hum we can still sneak up on everyone!

[paulxu]

I appreciate that we can now be so ho hum about Xavier moving up to #8 /#9 in the latest polls.

I for one am excited. After years of wandering in the proverbial wilderness, I like the place we've come to.

Who was the Xavier player (a few years back) that was asked if he was surprised to be ranked...and his answer was essentially "we expect to be ranked."?

[kmcrawfo]

I for one am excited. After years of wandering in the proverbial wilderness, I like the place we've come to.

Who was the Xavier player (a few years back) that was asked if he was surprised to be ranked...and his answer was essentially "we expect to be ranked."?

Jason Love , I think

[GIMMFD]

I appreciate that we can now be so ho hum about Xavier moving up to #8 /#9 in the latest polls.

"If you ain't first, you're last." - Ricky Bobby

[Masterofreality]

I appreciate that we can now be so ho hum about Xavier moving up to #8 /#9 in the latest polls.

Rankings hell.

We used to go apoplectic over having a newspaper article or mention about us. #XavierOfOhio

[GoMuskies]

After tonight's mess, KenPom has downgraded us to #17.

[xumuskies08]

Offensive rating fell 4 spots. Defense went up at least


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[paulxu]

Meaningless numbers that put a smile on my face 2 days before Christmas:

RPI December 23, 2017

#1 Duke
#2 Xavier
#3 North Carolina

[xudash]

Meaningless numbers that put a smile on my face 2 days before Christmas:

RPI December 23, 2017

#1 Duke
#2 Xavier
#3 North Carolina

As you noted above, we are now far removed from the proverbial wilderness.

[bleedXblue]

UK and UNC losses will move us up a few spots.

[muskienick]

Meaningless numbers that put a smile on my face 2 days before Christmas:

RPI December 23, 2017

#1 Duke
#2 Xavier
#3 North Carolina
Paul,

I think of you and Dash when I see things like your posting (above). We were there (at least I think you two may have been there) during the "DARK AGES" of XU basketball. Certainly, the 8,500 - 9,000 more people who are now loyal Muskie fans as compared to the 1,500 people who "flocked" to Schmidt in the 60's and 70's to root on the Muskies to defeat the likes of Wheeling Jesuit and Villa Madonna simply could not imagine Xavier Basketball at the level it is today. (Thanks to the far-sighted leaders back in the day who had the guts to push for Xavier helping to form the MCC, to move games off-campus to the Cincinnati Gardens, to achieve membership to the A-10, to invest in the "Jewel of the XU Campus" the Cintas Center, to hire a series of fantastic coaching geniuses, and to put the Musketeers in a position to be in one of the 2-3 greatest College Basketball Conferences in America!

It has been a very long (but exceedingly enjoyable) process to be there every step of the way. While we paid our AFO dues; made good on our donation payments at the Blue, Silver, or Gold level throughout the Gardens years; and paid our seat licenses to support the building and improvement of the Cintas Center, we witnessed the evolution of an ever-improving college basketball giant during our lifetimes. While neither you nor I particularly enjoyed the 3-23 year of the Dick Campbell-led Muskies or the dominance that the Borecats and Flyers had over us for so many years, we were able to see the tables turned on those two programs and an overall remaking of an also-ran into the nationally recognized great basketball program that the Xavier Musketeers have become.

Yes, it's very early in the season --- we haven't even played one Conference game yet. But to see the following three teams' RPI's listed like this:
#1 - Duke
#2 - Xavier
#3 - North Carolina
IT freaking blows my mind with pride.

Now let's go forth and stay healthy, win out on our home floor, and lose no more than 2 games away from Cintas (defeating Villanova twice)!!!
Being the Big East, anything can happen in the league Tournament. But we have both the coaches, players, and fans capable of parlaying both the League and Conference Tourney into a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. By that time, Naji, Paul, and Elias will have matured and become quality options in lengthening the bench to create a more refreshed, healthy, and effective team overall.

GO MUSKIES!!!

[xudash]

Well done Nick. Great post.

May this team STAY HEALTHY.

May this team stay focused.

May this team enter the NCAAT Hot and hungry, and have that pinch of luck that they may need somewhere along the way.

The more layers of success the program achieves, the bigger the smile I have from recollecting the days of Bob Staak's pep rallies in the Armory.

As you noted so well, what a journey it's been.

[bobbiemcgee]

Couldn't agree more Nick, as someone from the Steve Thomas era myself. Saw that the pathetic A-10 has dropped to 11th on conf. rpi. Thank you for the BE Yahweh!

[Juice]

I assume we jump UNC and UK in the upcoming rankings?

[X Factor]

#6 Miami lost tonight to New Mexico St.

X could be ranked 5 or 6 next week

[Juice]

#6 Miami lost tonight to New Mexico St.

X could be ranked 5 or 6 next week

X should jump them too. Miami's SOS is absolute shit, UC-esque.

[paulxu]

Nick, Dash and Bobbie...thanks for the memories.
In Cincinnati for 2 days to see daughter and grandkids.
Stopped in my usual haunts (although BJ had taken the day off!).

Just being in Dana's and looking at the walls, reminded me of the days of rolling out of bed at noon in Elet, stumbling down the stairs and into the side door at Schmidt for a Sat afternoon game with about 200 (at best it seemed) other crazy Muskies. Dark days...but the beginning of a great love affair with XU basketball.

Win or lose, I'm enjoying the hell out of the ride.

[bleedXblue]

Spoiled fan here. Graduated in 1990. I've pretty much only known Xavier basketball as a winning program and have enjoyed the ride too. I respect the hell out of the guys that rooted for this program through the tougher times.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Me as well, I am class of 1998. I had one losing season my sophomore year. The rest were all winners. Those guys from the lean years who kept things going were tough.


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[XUGRAD80]

I will tell you “youngins” this.....

Xavier’s rise has happened so slowly, and been such a steady rise, that it is good for us to sometimes take the time to look at where we were back then, just to realize how far and how high we have risen. It hasn’t quite been 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, but you must pardon some of us if we feel that we know what Moses was feeling when he gazed upon the promised land. I know that I for one will cry tears of pure joy when Xavier finally makes it across the border. I truly believe that those of us that remember the dark ages will feel the most joy and the most sincere sense of accomplishment that is possible when that happens. But it has not yet happened. Xavier has been in the same situation as it is right now in the recent past....great record, high rpi, lots of potential and promise....but has yet to cross over. I pray that 2018 may be year of the Muskie and that all of our dreams may come true.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

[gladdenguy]

#6 in the AP poll this week

[xuinmd]

Were any of you guys around when we set a ncaa record by hanging 13 effigies of the basketball coach?

[paulxu]

I know that was a thing in the 50's.
I think Ratterman killed it before I got there.
He was, however, unable to kill our beer consumption.

[vee4xu]

I know that was a thing in the 50's.
I think Ratterman killed it before I got there.
He was, however, unable to kill our beer consumption.

Ha. You are right about the inability to kill beer consumption. During my tenure in the mid to late '70s, when Tay Baker roamed the sideline, beer consumption is the only issue that would have risen to a level that we nearly completely apathetic students would have taken to the streets to defend. Everything else was just, well, it was just not beer consumption and thus had no meaning.

[xuinmd]

I know that was a thing in the 50's.
I think Ratterman killed it before I got there.
He was, however, unable to kill our beer consumption.

Nope, I assure you Pat the Rat did not kill it. It was well reported in the local press. I admit to being one of the culprits Lastly, it is a shame that Steve's #10 was never retired.

[bobbiemcgee]

I know that was a thing in the 50's.
I think Ratterman killed it before I got there.
He was, however, unable to kill our beer consumption.

I remember George Ratterman waking up next to a stripper. Then the good times stopped in "Sin City".

[paulxu]

Lastly, it is a shame that Steve's #10 was never retired.

True

[Nigel Tufnel]

Didn't see this posted...X #5 in the Coaches Poll.

[GIMMFD]

Didn't see this posted...X #5 in the Coaches Poll.

Man we really are moving up big time, what's our highest ranking ever? This has to be close right?

[Lloyd Braun]

Man we really are moving up big time, what's our highest ranking ever? This has to be close right?

5

[Xupergirl]

I say we are going up to 5. With Villanova and Michigan state in the top it will be hard to go farther up. Arizona state won’t be there for long.

[OTRMUSKIE]

How in the hell is X behind sUCks in http://kenpom.com Somebody way smarter then me please explain how that’s even possible?

[xumuskies08]

Because our defense isn’t that good.


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[Juice]

Because our defense isn’t that good.


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And some of last year's stats are still factored in.

[Bill Kirvin]

And some of last year's stats are still factored in.

To answer your question- I do believe we made it to #3 in 1960-61 season or it could of been 1961-62- not sure of year.

[WCWIII]

To answer your question- I do believe we made it to #3 in 1960-61 season or it could of been 1961-62- not sure of year.

Would like to learn more about our first NCAA appearance in 1961. I've never seen anything written up about it. Perhaps in a new thread.

[MuskieXU]

Would like to learn more about our first NCAA appearance in 1961. I've never seen anything written up about it. Perhaps in a new thread.

I’d recommend reading “Xavier Tales” by Michael Perry. It’s a really good book on XU history starting with the late 50s. You can get it for under 10 on Amazon.

[WCWIII]

I’d recommend reading “Xavier Tales” by Michael Perry. It’s a really good book on XU history starting with the late 50s. You can get it for under 10 on Amazon.

Agreed it is a great book, but I don't see a story of that first NCAA.

[Grizzx12]

How in the hell is X behind sUCks in http://kenpom.com Somebody way smarter then me please explain how that’s even possible?

If (15) seems dumb, our friends at Arizona St. are (21)

[XUFan09]

If (15) seems dumb, our friends at Arizona St. are (21)Because they don't play defense. For example, they scored 1.35 points per possession against Kansas State, yet Kansas State almost tied the game at the buzzer. That's crazy.

ASU has an amazing offensive barrage, but because they don't play defense effectively, they are more vulnerable than one would expect otherwise. Frankly, they are a weird team because there is such a massive disparity between offense and defense, so it will be interesting to see how the metrics match up with results. That disparity might be screwing with the metrics. Both Kenpom and Sagarin project 4 conference losses in a weak Pac12 based off ASU's efficiency ratings, so we can get an idea from that.

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[bleedXblue]

How in the hell is X behind sUCks in http://kenpom.com Somebody way smarter then me please explain how that’s even possible?

I don't pay attention to KenPom. For this exact reason. Utterly flawed IMHO.

[XUFan09]

How in the hell is X behind sUCks in http://kenpom.com Somebody way smarter then me please explain how that’s even possible?

To answer this question, first you have to remember that this is a small sample size. At minimum, a good sample should be around 30. Conveniently, a college basketball season has about 30 games; inconveniently, we are a little under halfway there. Because of the issue of sample size, some things are magnified more than they will be by the end of the season:

- There is still a bit of a preseason weight that will disappear in the next few weeks. This has X ranked #26.

- X got beat down by ASU on a neutral court, and that isn't helped by ASU being ranked #20.

- They laid an egg and barely beat East Tennessee State at home.

- They had injury issues and barely beat Marshall at home.

- Their wins against highly rated opponents both were at home.

Laying an egg against an opponent, having injury issues, getting your ass kicked in a game...All are common things in college basketball that usually happen over the course of a season. However, it's magnified for X because it's all happened in the first 14 games. That's gonna depress their ratings relative to a lot of the top teams for whom at least one of these things (and frequently two of these things) hasn't happened yet.

In addition, there are some things to recognize about Xavier specifically. First off, Mario Mercurio plays the RPI game very well, so he tries to schedule teams who will have inflated RPIs relative to their actual ability. So, they are not going to look as good with Kenpom, Sagarin, etc, and thus margins of victory don't look as good. Second, Xavier over the last few years led by Bluiett/Macura has always been a highly confident team, to the point that they get lackadaisical with leads. This season, we have games like George Washington, Cincinnati, and Marshall as great examples of that. X still won, but the score became more "respectable" for the opponent by the end, as X didn't keep their foot down on the gas. Also, Ken Pomeroy has noted the importance of closers, especially guys who can draw fouls and make their free throws, for mitigating some efficiency weaknesses. Essentially, teams like this (e.g. Tu Holloway's 2011 team) are significantly more likely to win close games than the average team. This year's team is another good example of that. So, overall you can expect efficiency rankings to undervalue this Xavier team a bit.

That all describes why X probably has a worse ranking than expected. However, what about UC's rather gaudy ranking? Pomeroy has noted that teams who play a lot of inferior opponents tend to have inflated rankings. I'm guessing this is because the talent discrepancy is so significant that you don't see as many bad results as you would expect. For example, Georgetown is great at getting to the line and grabbing offensive rebounds , statistically speaking, which really helps their efficiency ratings, but they have probably overpowered all the weak frontcourts they've faced. Also, it seems like slow, defensive-minded teams often have inflated records, possibly because they are able to maintain that defensive efficiency better for 40 minutes (Some UVA teams, for example). The weak set of opponents and the slow, defensive-minded style both describe UC very well, and though they are still really good, they aren't #9-in-the-country good.

In conclusion, statistics are nice, but it really helps to understand their intricacies and limitations if one really wants to use them.

[bobbiemcgee]

#5 Texas A&M gets hammered by 'Bama.

[Lloyd Braun]

Stay tuned for ASU @ Arizona ...

[Nigel Tufnel]

Does X jump Nova? I don't think they should. Butler went 15/22 from 3. That's insane...and Nova still made it respectable. If we think Tyrique has made a big jump from last year (except today), then how about Bridges? Dear Lord...he was good last year...but he's hitting 3's like Jenkins and driving and dunking like Hart. Goodness.

I digress...if ASU wins tonight, then X lost to the new No. 1 and Nova lost to an unranked Butler team. Does that cause X to jump to No. 4?

ASU wins...ASU, MSU, Duke, X, Nova?

ASU loses...MSU, Duke, Nova, ASU, X?

Thoughts?

[bobbiemcgee]

Does X jump Nova? I don't think they should. Butler went 15/22 from 3. That's insane...and Nova still made it respectable. If we think Tyrique has made a big jump from last year (except today), then how about Bridges? Dear Lord...he was good last year...but he's hitting 3's like Jenkins and driving and dunking like Hart. Goodness.

I digress...if ASU wins tonight, then X lost to the new No. 1 and Nova lost to an unranked Butler team. Does that cause X to jump to No. 4?

ASU wins...ASU, MSU, Duke, X, Nova?

ASU loses...MSU, Duke, Nova, ASU, X?

Thoughts?

https://twitter.com/CBSSports/status/947234826448449536

[XUFan09]

X dropped only one spot in Kenpom, probably because they weren't supposed to beat DePaul by that little (maybe 15? I forgot to check before the game). It didn't exactly help their quest to move up in the ratings, though. Arizona and ASU play tonight, so we could see X shift a little after that game. Or, it could just be Arizona and ASU switching spots above and below X.

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[bleedXblue]

Does X jump Nova? I don't think they should. Butler went 15/22 from 3. That's insane...and Nova still made it respectable. If we think Tyrique has made a big jump from last year (except today), then how about Bridges? Dear Lord...he was good last year...but he's hitting 3's like Jenkins and driving and dunking like Hart. Goodness.

I digress...if ASU wins tonight, then X lost to the new No. 1 and Nova lost to an unranked Butler team. Does that cause X to jump to No. 4?

ASU wins...ASU, MSU, Duke, X, Nova?

ASU loses...MSU, Duke, Nova, ASU, X?

Thoughts?

We jump Nova I think, but not sure we really deserve it........

If ASU loses, I think we come in around 3-4 in both polls. Texas A&M got clobbered today.

[X Factor]

We jump Nova I think, but not sure we really deserve it........

If ASU loses, I think we come in around 3-4 in both polls. Texas A&M got clobbered today.

I don't think we jump Nova. I think they fall to 4, and X moves up to 5. If ASU loses tonight, Nova might fall to 3 and X could move up to 4.

[letskeepitreal]

My opinion at this point
ASU or MSU
MSU or Duke
Duke or Villanova
Villanova or ASU
Xavier

[THRILLHOUSE]

We jump Nova I think, but not sure we really deserve it........

If ASU loses, I think we come in around 3-4 in both polls. Texas A&M got clobbered today.

I'm not even sure if X really deserves to be above ASU. If I were a voter I'd probably have Nova at 3, ASU at 4 and X at 5. But could definitely see the reverse happen, which I'm totally cool with.

[bobbiemcgee]

ASU loses. No unbeatens.

[Xupergirl]

ASU just lost to Arizona. Duke beat Florida state and MSU killed Cleveland st. Even though Villanova lost to butler they will most likely stay in the top 5

[letskeepitreal]

Yeah I think it’s

Duke as they had a better win
MSU because of soft opponent
Villanova
ASU
Xavier

[GoMuskies]

Oklahoma might jump very near the top 5 as well.

[MarvAlbert]

I get that the team is in a lull/funk/whatever. 3 teams ranked ahead of them losing is a worst case scenario to me. At some point very soon (probably January 10th), X is gonna have their asses handed to them in a very demoralizing way. Although, maybe that is exactly what they need. As a fan, I just wish I was actually feeling good about X probably getting its highest ranking ever.

[THRILLHOUSE]

I think it will be 1. MSU 2. Duke 3. Nova 4. ASU 5. X. But any arrangement of those 5 wouldn't shock me since so many voters don't watch the games and just look at box scores. Maybe Nova gets punished more for giving up 101 to an unranked team.

And I agree with Go, the Sooners will probably get a good jump since they won on the road and everyone has Trae Young fever.

[OTRMUSKIE]

It will be 1. Mich State 2.Duke 3.X 4. West Virg 5. Nova. X beat Marquette at Marquette which is a good win. To be able to come back and win 3 games like they have tells me this team is sick. However the fun is over and the real test begins Tuesday. No more falling behind 14 in the second half comebacks. If they do fall behind like that they arnt coming back.

[Xuperman]

Suddenly the problem for X is Baylor got absolutely drilled by TTU and might fall out of the top 25. That would leave UC as our lone ranked non con win. Not a problem for the teams currently ahead of us and a few that are on our tails. A&M will drop precipitously and I could see one of the hot B12 teams jumping our Muskies, maybe both....X is winning but so are they , in more impressive fashion.

[UCGRAD4X]

I think it will be 1. MSU 2. Duke 3. Nova 4. ASU 5. X. But any arrangement of those 5 wouldn't shock me since so many voters don't watch the games and just look at box scores.

I have not seen all of the top 5 teams play (so I have a lot of room to talk)... but Xavier does not look or play like a top 5 team, not since the Cincy win. Those early big wins and margins of victory, and the mere fact that they just keep on winning, are carrying them. I'm not so sure all of the voters even look at the box scores, just the W.

[bleedXblue]

I have not seen all of the top 5 teams play (so I have a lot of room to talk)... but Xavier does not look or play like a top 5 team, not since the Cincy win. Those early big wins and margins of victory, and the mere fact that they just keep on winning, are carrying them. I'm not so sure all of the voters even look at the box scores, just the W.

The "poll" voters for the most part just look at the W's and L's for the week and that's about it. Do we deserve to be "top 5", I don't think so either.....but we will be.

[paulxu]

We seem to be the only team in the country with 14 wins. Maybe that'll help.

[Xavier]

Outside of UC our best wins haven’t been doing so great. (@wisconsin, Baylor. @Northern Iowa, who lost at home to southern Illinois). Still, I think X moves up to #5

[Xuperman]

It will be 1. Mich State 2.Duke 3.X 4. West Virg 5. Nova.

This is deranged. Would love to hear an argument for X at three........for that matter anyone to justify how we jump ASU.

[xuwin]

It will be 1. Mich State 2.Duke 3.X 4. West Virg 5. Nova. X beat Marquette at Marquette which is a good win. To be able to come back and win 3 games like they have tells me this team is sick. However the fun is over and the real test begins Tuesday. No more falling behind 14 in the second half comebacks. If they do fall behind like that they arnt coming back.

No way ASU drops out of the top 5. They played Arizona even before a sold out crowd at Arizona.

[Irishjohn68]

Moving on up!:biggrin:

[Xupergirl]

1. MSU 2.Duke 3.Xavier 4.ASU 5.Villanova
MSU has another game today that they will win.

[GoMuskies]

Dook
MSU
Nova
Arizona State
Oklahoma
Xavier

At least if I had a vote. Actually, I can't come up with any logical reason for Xavier to be ahead of either Arizona State or Oklahoma.

[bleedXblue]

Dook
MSU
Nova
Arizona State
Oklahoma
Xavier

At least if I had a vote. Actually, I can't come up with any logical reason for Xavier to be ahead of either Arizona State or Oklahoma.

Agreed, but the people that vote for the most part aren't logical in their reasoning or thought they just look at your record, place in the poll the previous week and what you did the previous week..... I don't see us any worse than 4-5

[xukeith]

This is all good but these rankings are only for TV and online articles.

NCAA committee only looks at rpi and kenpom for Tier 1, 2, 3 ,4 records.

X is NOT a top 10 team.

Best win was at Northern Iowa.
Looked best playing UC.
They are winning but team is in a funk.

[94GRAD]

This is all good but these rankings are only for TV and online articles.

NCAA committee only looks at rpi and kenpom for Tier 1, 2, 3 ,4 records.

X is NOT a top 10 team.

Best win was at Northern Iowa.
Looked best playing UC.
They are winning but team is in a funk.

Not sure if you watch any other basketball, but we are DEFINITELY a top 10 team if not top 5!!!

[Tardy Turtle]

BLAH BLAH BLAH they're awful BLAH BLAH BLAH

https://ohmy.disney.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Eeyore_3.jpg

[xukeith]

Seriously, I want X to be undefeated but look at X's best wins this year: at No. Iowa, Home : UC and Baylor.

Reason X moves up opinion polls is teams ahead get upset. Look at the roster of UNC, TCU, Oklahoma, Duke, Villanova, etc.
X has very good talent and maybe 1 NBA player on it's team.
Other teams are much more stocked with McDonald's All Americans. Does that mean X has no chance? No way! In a one game tourney, X can beat ANYBODY. But the resume and eye test over the past 3-4 games showcases XU's mindset and opponents' guarding stategy.
I really I am shocked these next 14 days if X can hold home court advantage and steal wins at Top 25 teams.
Next 4 games, if X goes 5-0 or 4-1 I will hail from the skies of XU being a top 5 team definitely.
Tomorrow X will be in AP, USA today and ESPN Power rankings as 3rd or 4th.

[xu82]

https://ohmy.disney.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Eeyore_3.jpg

That was worth repeating. We may not finish a solid 3 or 4, but seriously.....

[xukeith]

0 top 50 wins so far in 2017.

22242224

[Xavier]

Seriously, I want X to be undefeated but look at X's best wins this year: at No. Iowa, Home : UC and Baylor.

Reason X moves up opinion polls is teams ahead get upset. Look at the roster of UNC, TCU, Oklahoma, Duke, Villanova, etc.
X has very good talent and maybe 1 NBA player on it's team.
.

Gates? I bet Tre gets drafted and could see Marshal or Scruggs also.(Too early to tell, but big advantage with the size) Gates will certainly be drafted though, agreed.

[XUFan09]

This is all good but these rankings are only for TV and online articles.

NCAA committee only looks at rpi and kenpom for Tier 1, 2, 3 ,4 records.

X is NOT a top 10 team.

Best win was at Northern Iowa.
Looked best playing UC.
They are winning but team is in a funk.

First off, the Committee looks at far more than what you listed. Their one-page team sheets just give SOS and records versus the different tiers, but the Committee members look at a lot more (not to mention watching A LOT of the games).

Second, since you seem to be invoking projected tournament seeding to assert that X is definitely not a top 10 team, then it's worth mentioning that the Bracket Matrix projects X as #10 on the S-curve. The Bracket Matrix composite is consistently one of the best predictors of tournament seedings, and I would wager a far better predictor than you, Keith.

This team is in a funk, but that doesn't stop you from being wrong about other things.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[OTRMUSKIE]

Best thread of 2017 right here!!!

[OTRMUSKIE]

#2 in RPI, #10 SOS 14-1 ranked 5th in the #2 conference. Best win of year IMO was Marquette. I’m a little concerned by close games against lesser comp but unless you forget, this is Xavier and all we do is WIN WIN WIN no matter what.

[XUFan09]

#2 in RPI, #10 SOS 14-1 ranked 5th in the #2 conference. Best win of year IMO was Marquette. I’m a little concerned by close games against lesser comp but unless you forget, this is Xavier and all we do is WIN WIN WIN no matter what.

Yeah, Marquette might be the best win, though it's hard to tell at this point. Regardless, by current RPI Forecast, X has three Tier 1 wins in UC, @UNI, and @Marquette. That puts them 3-1 against Tier 1. Then, X has two Tier 2 wins in @Wisconsin and Baylor to add some flavor to that resume. With an expected non-conference SOS of #27, that's already a good resume only two games into conference play.

[XUGRAD80]

The problem that many seem to have is that they have this mental picture of what a “top 10” team should look like. X doesn’t look like what they think a top 10 team should look like. But the reality is that X is not competing against what they view as what a top 10 team should look like, they are competing against what the other teams actually ARE. Truth is that there are NO great teams out there this year, and certainly not 10 great teams. Even though X has some deficiencies they are still a top 10 team because they have no more than anyone else. Every team has deficiencies and problems. They are competing against the great teams of the past, they are competing against the teams of THIS year. And THIS year, against THESE teams, they are as good as anyone else RIGHT NOW. But last time I checked, the tourney doesn’t start for TWO MONTHS. Enjoy where they are right now, and let’s wait and see how they end up. Lots of season left. Just enjoy the show.

[American X]

The problem that many seem to have is that they have this mental picture of what a “top 10” team should look like. X doesn’t look like what they think a top 10 team should look like. But the reality is that X is not competing against what they view as what a top 10 team should look like, they are competing against what the other teams actually ARE. Truth is that there are NO great teams out there this year, and certainly not 10 great teams. Even though X has some deficiencies they are still a top 10 team because they have no more than anyone else. Every team has deficiencies and problems. They are competing against the great teams of the past, they are competing against the teams of THIS year. And THIS year, against THESE teams, they are as good as anyone else RIGHT NOW. But last time I checked, the tourney doesn’t start for TWO MONTHS. Enjoy where they are right now, and let’s wait and see how they end up. Lots of season left. Just enjoy the show.

I approve of this message.

Savor every moment of this season.

[chico]

This is all good but these rankings are only for TV and online articles.

NCAA committee only looks at rpi and kenpom for Tier 1, 2, 3 ,4 records.

X is NOT a top 10 team.

Best win was at Northern Iowa.
Looked best playing UC.
They are winning but team is in a funk.

If we're not a top 10 team, but yet still winning when in a funk, then what the hell are we?

Good teams win. Great teams win when they're not at their best. If you think this team is in a funk with the record we have, then we actually are one of the best teams in the country, because if it's just a funk we're in, we're much better than we're currently playing.

Your post makes no sense.

[bleedXblue]

If we're not a top 10 team, but yet still winning when in a funk, then what the hell are we?

Good teams win. Great teams win when they're not at their best. If you think this team is in a funk with the record we have, then we actually are one of the best teams in the country, because if it's just a funk we're in, we're much better than we're currently playing.

Your post makes no sense.

Don't ever try to figure our Keith. He's the black cloud of this board.

[UCGRAD4X]

Don't ever try to figure our Keith. He's the black cloud of this board.

I tend not to be one of the naysayers - more of a Pollyanna than anything (never predicting Xavier to EVER lose a game)...

but...


I think I understand a little bit of that dark cloud. I understand how many are tired of being 'the little engine that could(n't)'. Sure we're thought of and ranked very highly, and with good reason, as many here have illuminated here.

However, until Xavier makes a MINIMUM of a Final Four (perhaps a final/NC), we're always going to have the perception of a very nice and successful program, but...not...quite....there. The talented younger brother always in the shadow of big brother. As long as programs like Butler with their final appearances, UC with their FF and NC - not matter how long ago and under what circumstances - and other (especially hated) programs have that over us, it all feels so...incomplete.

We all love the Musketeers and want the same thing for them. I think there is a duality of sorts within all of us. We want to root for the great successes, but sometimes feel like we've been here before. So close, but not quite. We ALL want more!

The conundrum seems to be able to enjoy the ride, and we have enjoyed some great rides, and at the same time, having that niggling feeling - hoping that it won't end in disappointment (which is a bit sad because it always does for every team except one).

Whether the Xavier Basketball glass is half full or empty, whether we are dark clouds or the pollyannas (I suspect, both to some degree) really dictates how we enjoy the season.

I say, enjoy the ride.

Happy New Year!
All For One!
Pollyanna

[drudy23]

X at its best is without a doubt a top 10 team. They are indeed capable of winning the national title this year. None of that means anything however.

[XU 87]

This is all good but these rankings are only for TV and online articles.



Rankings generally (but not always) reflect how successful a team has been at that point in the season when the rankings come out. X has one loss this season. By any definition, that is very successful season so far, and which is why X will be ranked in the top 5.

[SemajParlor]

Not really sure what some are watching. Having a senior NPOY candidate backed with about 7 big time players doesn't come often guys.

[Michigan Muskie]

#5 in AP. Didn't leapfrog ASU (4) or Nova (3.)

[X Factor]

Not saying MSU isn't a good team, because they are very talented, but according to KenPom, their SOS is #253. Also, their SOS in the RPI is #115. Better, but still not great.

[bleedXblue]

Not saying MSU isn't a good team, because they are very talented, but according to KenPom, their SOS is #253. Also, their SOS in the RPI is #115. Better, but still not great.

They beat Dook and that is all that matters....to many

[X Factor]

The beat Dook and that is all that matters....to many

They lost to Duke, but beat UNC. Still, almost the same thing.

[bleedXblue]

They lost to Duke, but beat UNC. Still, almost the same thing.

yep, correct my bad

[OTRMUSKIE]

You’re right this isn’t a top 10 team this is a top 5 team and they are every bit of one too. 14-1.

[xumuskies08]

Graham Couch is a joke. How he has an AP vote is beyond me. He’s got Xavier at #15. No TCU, no Kentucky, no Texas Tech. His reasoning is that those teams haven’t played a true road game yet. The results of games literally don’t matter when he submits his picks. What a clown.

I get wanting to encourage teams to play more road games. I get that rankings are mostly meaningless, but if you’re not even trying to rank the best teams why even vote?

http://collegepolltracker.com/basketball/pollster/graham-couch/2017/week-9

[bobbiemcgee]

Mack:

And Part II of the Chris Mack presser transcript:
One of the guards you haven’t faced is Paul Jorgensen, a transfer from GW. What do you see from him this far?
CM: He’s an aggressive, attacking, very confident guard. It’s ironic – I think he has the same type of confidence issue as Kerem (Kanter) did. Early on in the year, Jorgensen wasn’t playing as well, wasn’t playing as aggressive. And now you watch him against (Villanova) and he’s pulling up from 30 feet in transition with every bit of ounce of confidence knowing the ball is going in. We’re playing a guy that is on a roll, that’s playing extremely confident, and he’s good off the dribble. He’s not just a catch-and-shoot perimeter player. He makes other guys better as well. So like a lot of their perimeter guys, we have our hands full tomorrow night.
Do you consider it one of the bigger games of the year when you play Butler?
CM: No, I think they’re all big. The fact that they’re 90 miles away and we compete in recruiting…we’ve had some ultra-competitive games for so many years that sure, I think the fan bases get excited for this game. Every game in the conference counts the same. We win tomorrow night, we lose tomorrow night, it goes in the same column and it counts the same. Both programs are really familiar with each other. The players, some of them have been battling each other for four years now. You’ve got (Tyler) Wideman and (Kelan) Martin and those guys that have seen Trevon and Sean and J.P. It’s a great rivalry. It’s one we’re excited to play in.
Xavier is among one of the best free-throw shooting teams in the country. Tom (Eiser) has a state in the notes that the team is shooting 94.4 percent from the line in the last 2 mins of games. It helps to have the ball in your best shooters’ hands, but have you done anything else to improve FT shooting this season?
CM: Nope, not a whole lot. Guys have gotten older. Who knows – maybe the run we had a year ago, you play in some pressure-packed environments and big-time situations. I’d like to think that when you have experiences like that, it helps grow your confidence. You still have to make them, the ones that are to play out. So it’s been great so far that we’ve been able to close games and we’ve been in some close ones, so we have to hope that that trend continues and we keep working the way that we are in practice at our concentration level and our routine.
No. 5 ties Xavier’s highest-ever ranking. Do you care at all?
CM: It might help recruiting. Other than that, not really. I feel like – I try to be really honest with our team. I tell them all the time my job is to ‘give you reality as I see it and be honest with you.[B] And I don’t think over the last two weeks that we’ve played like a Top 5 team.’ I think we’re more than capable of doing that. I don’t necessarily worry about what our ranking is or what it should be or when you’re not ranked that you should be. It’s all irrelevant. The games matter. And hopefully we’re a better version of ourselves tomorrow night against a very good Butler team.

-Shannon Twitter

[xukeith]

Mack:

And Part II of the Chris Mack presser transcript:
One of the guards you haven’t faced is Paul Jorgensen, a transfer from GW. What do you see from him this far?
CM: He’s an aggressive, attacking, very confident guard. It’s ironic – I think he has the same type of confidence issue as Kerem (Kanter) did. Early on in the year, Jorgensen wasn’t playing as well, wasn’t playing as aggressive. And now you watch him against (Villanova) and he’s pulling up from 30 feet in transition with every bit of ounce of confidence knowing the ball is going in. We’re playing a guy that is on a roll, that’s playing extremely confident, and he’s good off the dribble. He’s not just a catch-and-shoot perimeter player. He makes other guys better as well. So like a lot of their perimeter guys, we have our hands full tomorrow night.
Do you consider it one of the bigger games of the year when you play Butler?
CM: No, I think they’re all big. The fact that they’re 90 miles away and we compete in recruiting…we’ve had some ultra-competitive games for so many years that sure, I think the fan bases get excited for this game. Every game in the conference counts the same. We win tomorrow night, we lose tomorrow night, it goes in the same column and it counts the same. Both programs are really familiar with each other. The players, some of them have been battling each other for four years now. You’ve got (Tyler) Wideman and (Kelan) Martin and those guys that have seen Trevon and Sean and J.P. It’s a great rivalry. It’s one we’re excited to play in.
Xavier is among one of the best free-throw shooting teams in the country. Tom (Eiser) has a state in the notes that the team is shooting 94.4 percent from the line in the last 2 mins of games. It helps to have the ball in your best shooters’ hands, but have you done anything else to improve FT shooting this season?
CM: Nope, not a whole lot. Guys have gotten older. Who knows – maybe the run we had a year ago, you play in some pressure-packed environments and big-time situations. I’d like to think that when you have experiences like that, it helps grow your confidence. You still have to make them, the ones that are to play out. So it’s been great so far that we’ve been able to close games and we’ve been in some close ones, so we have to hope that that trend continues and we keep working the way that we are in practice at our concentration level and our routine.
No. 5 ties Xavier’s highest-ever ranking. Do you care at all?
CM: It might help recruiting. Other than that, not really. I feel like – I try to be really honest with our team. I tell them all the time my job is to ‘give you reality as I see it and be honest with you.[B] And I don’t think over the last two weeks that we’ve played like a Top 5 team.’ I think we’re more than capable of doing that. I don’t necessarily worry about what our ranking is or what it should be or when you’re not ranked that you should be. It’s all irrelevant. The games matter. And hopefully we’re a better version of ourselves tomorrow night against a very good Butler team.

-Shannon Twitter

I agree 100%.
X can play together and have that spark needed in March and look extremely awesome(Top 6).

Right now X wins but not impressively.
I'll take one day at a time and hope for a win tomorrow night.
I'll care more about rankings at around February 15.

[xukeith]

A lot of these voters are a little crazy:

http://collegepolltracker.com/basketball/pollster/david-cloninger/2017/week-9

He has us #2 and his list of others is wild.

[XUGRAD80]

I think y’all need to get used to the idea that every game the rest of the year is going to be a dog fight. Unless X finds someone that is just having an off night, there aren’t going to be an easy wins. The BE is just to even and talented from top to bottom. But you know something, the same is going to be true for most any other team in the top 20. Parity is the key word. There are no really outstanding and great teams this year, but there are plenty of really good and pretty good teams, especially in the BE.

[drudy23]

I hear "parity" every year for the last 10 years and it's completely overused. There's still 5-10 programs that can legitimately win the title. It's always that way. Parity is fake news.

Yes, we will have some dog fights this year, but we're 1 of the top 2 teams in this conference this year, and we're one of the 10 that can win 6 in March. That hasn't always been the case. It is this year.

[X Factor]

I think y’all need to get used to the idea that every game the rest of the year is going to be a dog fight. Unless X finds someone that is just having an off night, there aren’t going to be an easy wins. The BE is just to even and talented from top to bottom. But you know something, the same is going to be true for most any other team in the top 20. Parity is the key word. There are no really outstanding and great teams this year, but there are plenty of really good and pretty good teams, especially in the BE.

Yeah, the BE is an excellent conference, but if Xavier plays to their potential, there will be some blowouts. Nova crushed DePaul on the road. Creighton spanked Providence last night.

If X keeps playing like they did against DePaul, then yes, every game is going to be a dogfight and X will be on the losing end of a few of them.

Let's start a streak of high quality games tomorrow against Butler!

[Juice]

I think y’all need to get used to the idea that every game the rest of the year is going to be a dog fight. Unless X finds someone that is just having an off night, there aren’t going to be an easy wins. The BE is just to even and talented from top to bottom. But you know something, the same is going to be true for most any other team in the top 20. Parity is the key word. There are no really outstanding and great teams this year, but there are plenty of really good and pretty good teams, especially in the BE.

Every Big East team is in the KenPom top 100.

[paulxu]

A lot of these voters are a little crazy:

We're all a "little" crazy here in South Carolina.

[X-band '01]

I think y’all need to get used to the idea that every game the rest of the year is going to be a dog fight.

I know Butler is the epitome of class in this league, but they can't play every single Big East game themselves.

[Lloyd Braun]

https://amp.ncaa.com/amp/news/basketball-men/article/2018-01-01/andy-katzs-power-36-whos-ncaa-tournament-jan-2

#2 here...

[xu koop scoop]

The ONLY RANKING I care about currently is where we Rank in the Big East Standings. It is Conference season and we have never won a BE Regular Season Title. Lots of MCC & A10 Titles. The BE Title means more to me than where we end up in the National Polls. Enjoy these next 16 conference games and getting to play each opponent home and away - which is the #1 reason I like our current conference so much.

[Michigan Muskie]

#4 in coaches poll.

[GoMuskies]

#4 in coaches poll.

That's absurd. I like it!!!!

[chico]

More absurdity. Number 1 seed? It is from Bleacher Report, so that may explain things, but I'll take it.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2751842-new-year-projections-for-the-2018-ncaa-tournament-bracket?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

[GoMuskies]

So when does Xavier hit #1? January 15 after winning at Villanova? Or do we have to wait until January 22 after we've won at both 'Nova AND Seton Hall?

[xukeith]

Xavier needs some top 50 rpi wins. SOS looks great.

Need to only have 4-5 losses for #1 seed.
14-4 in BE with NO losses to Marquette, SJU, DePaul or Georgetown will secure X a #1 seed with wins over every other BE team.

[XUFan09]

If X wins on Saturday, they can hold onto their top 5 spot, and maybe something great will happen like Duke losing Saturday at NC State (not likely, but with a rivalry game, things can get interesting).

As for Kenpom rankings, X went from +20.82 to +20.73 after tonight, basically winning by the expected margin based on their ranking of #15. X is a better team than their Kenpom ranking, but it seems to be a fair assessment of X's win probability. Essentially, they let lesser teams hang around when they should finish them off, increasing the risk of a loss. Hopefully, that killer instinct can start to extend beyond the last couple minutes of a game, so they can put away teams earlier once they have built a lead.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[STL_XUfan]

The only ranking that matters, the College Basketball Imperialism Map:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/7nsekl/college_basketball_imperialism_map_january_2_2018/

https://i.imgur.com/7PFN0FJ.jpg

[MarvAlbert]

Happy to see that I live in a Xavier county

[GoMuskies]

It's interesting that Kansas has been able to remain so high in KenPom. They beat Kentucky in a basketball abomination back in mid-November, but since then every good team they've played (plus Washington) has beaten them, and all the losses have been on home or semi-home courts. They certainly are getting the advantage of beating the shit out of overmatched teams in that rating system.

Also, Sagarin, which I tend to prefer over KenPom, rates KU even higher. It places KU #4 in its predictor ratings. Kind of hard to believe given some of their results. It's not like they're getting nipped by one point on half court shots at the buzzer on the road. They're getting handled at home.

It will be interesting to watch that play out. I might actually find some value in KU lines since the perception of KU for once might actually be worse than their actual strength.

[XUFan09]

As X is not good at throttling bad teams but can soundly beat good teams, KU seems to be the opposite. Some teams just seemed design to destroy inferior opponents (e.g. UK every year), but it doesn't always translate to worthwhile. opponents. As a consequence, Ken Pomeroy emphasizes the importance of competitive games for strengthening the algorithm's reliability as a predictor, and I bet Jeff Sagarin would agree. These games just prove to be better data points, but all the buy games limits the number. KU so far has only played five competitive opponents (and lost to one non-competitive one).

The need for competitive games in the data is also why dominant teams in mid-major conferences seem overrated. I asked Pomeroy about this, and he said he's noticed these teams underperforming predicted margins pretty regularly in the tournament, when they are facing multiple competitive teams.

By the way, X has played only 6-7 competitive opponents so far, but they project to add another 12 or so before the BET.

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[GoMuskies]

The need for competitive games in the data is also why dominant teams in mid-major conferences seem overrated. I asked Pomeroy about this, and he said he's noticed these teams underperforming predicted margins pretty regularly in the tournament, when they are facing multiple competitive teams.


I think this is horseshit. Here's a guy who has this great statistical model, but he thinks maybe mid-majors might be overrated in his model because he "notices" they sometimes underperform in the Tournament. A guy like Pomeroy should present some real data if he's going to make that sort of assertion.

[xukeith]

The only ranking that matters, the College Basketball Imperialism Map:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/7nsekl/college_basketball_imperialism_map_january_2_2018/

https://i.imgur.com/7PFN0FJ.jpg

much different today.

[X-band '01]

The only ranking that matters, the College Basketball Imperialism Map:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/7nsekl/college_basketball_imperialism_map_january_2_2018/

https://i.imgur.com/7PFN0FJ.jpg

Raise your hands if you expected to see IUPUI and Norfolk State with a lot of territory.

[XUFan09]

I think this is horseshit. Here's a guy who has this great statistical model, but he thinks maybe mid-majors might be overrated in his model because he "notices" they sometimes underperform in the Tournament. A guy like Pomeroy should present some real data if he's going to make that sort of assertion.

Don't be disingenuous and underplay it. I said "notices," but it should be common sense that since I am talking about a notable (and obsessive) statistical analyst, it means something different from if I was talking about a causal fan glancing at some stats. In this case, it means that he has been closely following how the tournament results compare with his predictive model and caught some trends that he hopes to address in the future. Also, when coding this type of model and validating it against new data, it's not that hard to add a couple words to the code so one can get a whole lot of information about this sort of stuff when one is interested in tracking it.

Pomeroy makes a lot of assertions and talks about a lot of statistical trends. Because of that, there's not enough time to provide detailed data with proper explanations for everything. He's brought up the issue with dominant mid-majors recently because he is trying to determine how to resolve it without applying something as crude and unfair as a conference label in the model. We probably won't see him present the full data and analysis until he's made the relevant change to the model and thus has explained why he did so. For example, he did so recently when he made a change from efficiency ratio to efficiency difference in regards to margin of victory.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, sticking with horseshit here. I'd like to know who all these dominant mid-majors underperforming in the Tournament are. Gonzaga and Wichita State are pretty well the only two dominant mid-majors in recent years, and neither has underperformed in the Tournament.

[XUFan09]

Yeah, sticking with horseshit here. I'd like to know who all these dominant mid-majors underperforming in the Tournament are. Gonzaga and Wichita State are pretty well the only two dominant mid-majors in recent years, and neither has underperformed in the Tournament.

Older Xavier teams could contribute a lot of years of data to that too. UC in the AAC in some of their years, VCU in the A10 in some past years, Butler when they were in the Horizon. Those are just off the top of my head, and there are some other teams in mid-major conferences who had one or two great years before dropping off (e.g. St. Joe's). There's a solid amount of data to draw from all of that. Gonzaga and Wichita State are just the two clear examples right now.

Also, I said it before, but when I said "underperform," I said "underperforming predicted margins." That's a very specific meaning for "underperform." You seem to construe it to mean something like fall short in the tournament when it explicitly does not mean that in this context. So, if you're protesting that, you're fighting against a strawman.

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[GoMuskies]

No, those teams are clearly not underperforming margin in the Tournament. And most of the teams you mentioned weren't mid-majors (such as, you know, Xavier).

[XUFan09]

No, those teams are clearly not underperforming margin in the Tournament. And most of the teams you mentioned weren't mid-majors (such as, you know, Xavier).Xavier was a dominant team in a mid-major conference. I didn't call any of these teams a mid-major. And how do you know that these kinds of teams are not underperforming margins in the Tournament? We are only talking a few points ON AVERAGE. Individual data points are not noticeable. No one is really gonna remember that your Shockers won a game by 6 instead of the predicted 8.7 points. It's about an average over a number of games. It's small but potentially significant.

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[GoMuskies]

I promise you those teams were not underperforming margin. And LOL at the A-10 being a mid-major league.

[XUFan09]

I promise you those teams were not underperforming margin. And LOL at the A-10 being a mid-major league.Lol you promise? Yeah, okay.

And yes, the A10 was/is a mid-major league. One of the best mid-major leagues out there, sometimes better than a major conference when it is down, but just a step below as a norm with too many bad teams.

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[GoMuskies]

Yeah, no. If he's lumping the A-10 and the AAC in with the MVC, CAA and WCC, perhaps that's where his issue lies. The A-10 has never been a mid-major league. They do kind of look like one this year.

[XUFan09]

The A-10 has never been a mid-major league.

Wishful thinking.

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[GoMuskies]

Wishful thinking.

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Not really. It's pretty clear unless you have a pretty bastardized definition of mid major.

[XUFan09]

Not really. It's pretty clear unless you have a pretty bastardized definition of mid major.My only issue with the mid-major label is it is too broad of a category, so conferences like the A10 I always specify as "one of the best mid-major conferences."

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[GoMuskies]

They're major conferences. Generally multi-bid leagues that usually get at least one high seed. Certainly short of the power conferences (otherwise, why would we switch), but certainly a cut above the generally one or two bid (often double-digit seed) mid-major leagues.

If someone doesn't make a distinction between the AAC and a league like the Horizon or MVC, I can't really take them seriously (Not saying that's you).

[XUFan09]

They're major conferences. Generally multi-bid leagues that usually get at least one high seed. Certainly short of the power conferences (otherwise, why would we switch), but certainly a cut above the generally one or two bid (often double-digit seed) mid-major leagues.

If someone doesn't make a distinction between the AAC and a league like the Horizon or MVC, I can't really take them seriously (Not saying that's you).

I treat major and power as identical adjectives in this context, so it's a nomenclature issue.

Essentially, there are two tiers of worthwhile mid-major conferences, and the rest I view as low-major. Really, I think the mid-major label is overused; a majority of conferences just aren't good. The AAC and A10 belong to the higher tier of mid-major, and the MVC used to belong there. They generally get multiple bids. The MWC and MVC are the second tier where they can have a decent number of top 100 teams and they might get multiple bids in a good year, but too often they are a one-bid league. The Horizon used to fall here but they have plummeted, and the MVC has been so neutered that they might not belong here either.

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[LA Muskie]

Are we really still having the mid-major argument??? (If so, I'm with you '09...)

[Lloyd Braun]

If OSU beats MSU today it could have been #1 v #2 this week... oh well.

[letskeepitreal]

Looks like MSU going down so we’re likely playing #1 Nova on Wednesday. Can we actually pull out a road win against a number 1?

[GoMuskies]

I think Xavier drops to about #8 this week. Definitely falling behind WV and UVA. Probably Wichita State, too, and I can definitely see Xavier falling harder than Oklahoma.

[vee4xu]

What I am going to be interested to see is how far X drops after losing on the road to Providence, compared Michigan State losing at OSU. And, MSU got drilled, while X had a close game, save having to foul at the end of the game, thus widening the spread of a pretty close game throughout. To me these are comparable situations inasmuch as both are top 5 teams losing to unranked, but very good conference opponents on the road. I would further argue that Providence is a better team than OSU, given that they spent time in this year's Top 25.

[BMoreX]

What I am going to be interested to see is how far X drops after losing on the road to Providence, compared Michigan State losing at OSU. And, MSU got drilled, while X had a close game, save having to foul at the end of the game, thus widening the spread of a pretty close game throughout. To me these are comparable situations inasmuch as both are top 5 teams losing to unranked, but very good conference opponents on the road. I would further argue that Providence is a better team than OSU, given that they spent time in this year's Top 25.

Don’t forget Duke.

[Xville]

Even more frustrating that this team lost on Saturday now...could have very easily been 1 vs 2 on Wednesday.

[Xupergirl]

One thing is for sure... this will be interesting rankings that will be hard to predict. Virginia and West Virginia are heading to the top 5

[XUFan09]

One thing is for sure... this will be interesting rankings that will be hard to predict. Virginia and West Virginia are heading to the top 5Yep. I bet Michigan State and Duke only drop to 2 and 3, but WVU beating a ranked team (even at home) is enticing and might give them a boost. Arizona State suffered a borderline bad loss, but they've also been a media darling and the game went into OT, so they'll be hard to predict. It wouldn't surprise me if they stayed ahead of X. If I were to vote, I would do the following:

1. Villanova
2. Michigan State
3. Virginia
4. West Virginia
5. Xavier
6. Duke
7. Arizona State
8. Purdue
9. Texas Tech
10. Kansas

Michigan State is really hard to judge because of their lack of road games and an abysmal slate of games from December 9 to 31. I feel like they're worthy of #2, but we'll learn soon enough. If people think X's defense is an issue, it's a work-in-progress while Duke and Arizona State's defenses are simply bad. For the last two spots, I considered UNC, Wichita State, Oklahoma, and (gasp!) Cincinnati. They all are worthy of being ranked, but they still didn't really impress me and neither did Kansas or Texas Tech. In general, looking through all these teams really makes clear how flawed most of them are.

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[GoMuskies]

Kansas lost at home this week. They're falling.

[XUFan09]

Kansas lost at home this week. They're falling.And they also won at TCU. I'm not predicting the rankings with that top 10, because the way the aggregate rankings work is stupid. For example, Oklahoma should not be noticeably penalized for losing at WVU, but I think they were slightly overranked at #7 in the first place. Kansas will probably fall because they dared to lose to a really good team, albeit at home, but that makes them no different from a lot of these teams. They are probably the 9th or 10th best team, unless a couple of those I included below them prove worthy of passing them or Kansas falls off.

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[GoMuskies]

I'll take the over on Kansas as a top ten team. Not impressed.

[MarvAlbert]

Seth Davis' AP ballot (https://twitter.com/SethDavisHoops/status/950207456453517312)

I'm surprisingly okay with this. It probably drops Duke too much, but it's always nice see a team that always gets the benefit of the doubt not get it.

[XUFan09]

I'll take the over on Kansas as a top ten team. Not impressed.Like I said before, I'm not that impressed with anyone outside the top 8. But again, I'm not betting on a poll putting them in the top 10. I'm saying that I would put them at #10, but with a lot of trepidation, as I think they're in the same category as five other rather unimpressive teams.

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[XUFan09]

Seth Davis' AP ballot (https://twitter.com/SethDavisHoops/status/950207456453517312)

I'm surprisingly okay with this. It probably drops Duke too much, but it's always nice see a team that always gets the benefit of the doubt not get it.I think Oklahoma is way too high. They're probably getting a boost from him because of Trae Young. They're good but not that good. The Duke ranking does seem a bit low (my initial instinct is #6), but they and ASU are hard to rank. Excellent offenses, terrible defenses. I put Duke at #6 but considered dropping them further to maybe #10. I just have some faith in that elite offense. I don't think they and ASU are top 5 teams, though.

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[GoMuskies]

I buy Oklahoma that high, but Seton Hall?!?

[XUFan09]

I buy Oklahoma that high, but Seton Hall?!?Yeah, I'd put them in the teens.

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[GoMuskies]

Georgetown is JUST hanging in there at #100 in KenPom. So for at least one more night we have 10 top 100 teams in the Big East.

[XUFan09]

Georgetown is JUST hanging in there at #100 in KenPom. So for at least one more night we have 10 top 100 teams in the Big East.Definitely helped by DePaul's dismantling of St. John's. They were #109 going into that game, now #95. What a terribly inconsistent team. They played like a top 50 squad when they went up double digits on X and nearly won and when they beat up SJU on the road, but then they also couldn't protect home court against freaking Georgetown.

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[GoMuskies]

Xavier took a little plunge to #10 in the AP poll. Seems a bit extreme for a loss to Provi, but given our body of recent work I don't have a real issue with it. Probably closer to correct than #5.

Also, I never thought I'd see the day where Wichita State got ranked ahead of Dook with an identical record. LOL

[Xuperman]

We get yet another shot at an AP #1 and have fared pretty well in previous opportunities. A win would obviously be huge but realistically just want to put them on notice and make them sweat out a W. What is remarkable about this new AP poll is that we have 3 RANKED opponents in the next 4!! That makes Saturday's game critical going forward. Lose that one and it could get a bit sketch for the rest of January.... .Go X!!

[X-band '01]

Xavier took a little plunge to #10 in the AP poll. Seems a bit extreme for a loss to Provi, but given our body of recent work I don't have a real issue with it. Probably closer to correct than #5.

Also, I never thought I'd see the day where Wichita State got ranked ahead of Dook with an identical record. LOL

#11 Sun Devils fell 7 spots for losing at Colorado (despite winning at Utah). 9 of their final 15 games are at home in the Pac-12.

[XUFan09]

#11 Sun Devils fell 7 spots for losing at Colorado (despite winning at Utah). 9 of their final 15 games are at home in the Pac-12.Yeah, the Sun Devils suffered a Tier 2 loss (not great) and followed it up with a Tier 1 win (really good). Xavier notched a Tier 2 win and suffered a Tier 1 loss. Neither of these were great weeks, but they weren't bad either. The drops are pretty egregious. It seems like it is in part a belated reward to Purdue and Texas Tech, and then Wichita State moved up for a Tier 2 win and somehow avoiding a loss to Kenpom #310 South Florida.

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[THRILLHOUSE]

Graham Couch needs his voting privileges revoked. Holy hell what a ballot:

http://collegepolltracker.com/basketball/pollster/graham-couch/2017/week-10

[GoMuskies]

I don't think too many people are thinking in tiers when looking at teams' results.

[GoMuskies]

#10 in both polls. That seems fine. Beat Villanova and let the good times roll.

[X-band '01]

There a couple of pollsters (Zach Osterman, Indy Star and Kevin Doughty, Roanoke Times) that have UC above Xavier for some reason.

[GetUp5]

Graham Couch needs his voting privileges revoked. Holy hell what a ballot:

http://collegepolltracker.com/basketball/pollster/graham-couch/2017/week-10

Seriously... Florida at 8?! Did he go there or something? There's no case for them at #8.

30th in KenPom.. Since their string of losing 4 out of 5 they've beaten James Madison, Incarnate Word, Vandy, @ Texas AM (A&M without Gilder/Hogg) and @ Missouri..

[GoMuskies]

There a couple of pollsters (Zach Osterman, Indy Star and Kevin Doughty, Roanoke Times) that have UC above Xavier for some reason.

Perhaps they're big believers in KenPom.

I don't think Xavier would be favored over UC on a neutral court if they played tomorrow, so I don't have a huge problem with that.

[XUFan09]

I don't think too many people are thinking in tiers when looking at teams' results.No, they're likely not thinking in those specific terms. The thing is, though, tiers are just a technical framework for how pollsters should be thinking: who you beat/lost to AND where the game was played. A lot of pollsters only care about the first part if it's a ranked team or a team at least receiving votes. These are the ones that mostly move teams up and down only based on whether they won or lost. Then, of the pollsters who do care about the actual opponents week-to-week, a lot of them don't really consider the venue unless it's something like Oklahoma losing at West Virginia.

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[XUFan09]

Graham Couch needs his voting privileges revoked. Holy hell what a ballot:

http://collegepolltracker.com/basketball/pollster/graham-couch/2017/week-10Xavier at #14 isn't even close to the worst thing he got wrong.

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[GoMuskies]

tiers are just a technical framework for how pollsters should be thinking:

Well, it's a technical framework for how YOU think pollsters should be thinking. For better or worse.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Xavier at #14 isn't even close to the worst thing he got wrong.

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Yeah. While I'd have X higher, I can see someone making an argument for #14. A couple of other voters have us 14, and two more have us at 15.

But I can't at all understand Duke at #2 and Florida at #8, and only having UVA at #11 and Purdue at #16.

[XUFan09]

Well, it's a technical framework for how YOU think pollsters should be thinking. For better or worse.Beating a team on the road is harder than beating that same team on a neutral court is harder than beating that same team at home. That's just a simple fact. Logically, since we are judging teams based on how they perform, the level of difficulty of their wins and losses matters. For example, winning AT Marquette was a really good win. If X wins the return game, it's nothing special, but losing the game would be a moderately bad mark.

Or were you disagreeing with the part about who they beat/lost to? Because that's just common sense.

I didn't even get into margins of victory, which are indicative of how good a team is. Even more in depth would be knowing how victory margins were reached, as winning by 10 by controlling the whole game is different from winning by 10 because of free throws at the end. That's just an attention to detail that I don't expect from pollsters from week to week, though it would be nice.

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[XUFan09]

Yeah. While I'd have X higher, I can see someone making an argument for #14. A couple of other voters have us 14, and two more have us at 15.

But I can't at all understand Duke at #2 and Florida at #8, and only having UVA at #11 and Purdue at #16.

Yep, exactly.

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[GoMuskies]

Or were you disagreeing with the part about who they beat/lost to? Because that's just common sense.

I wasn't really disagreeing with you at all. Just pointing out that the framework you posted is just your opinion on how the pollsters should view things, and the pollsters obviously have various different views. None of you are "right", really. That's why the polls are what they are.

[XUFan09]

I wasn't really disagreeing with you at all. Just pointing out that the framework you posted is just your opinion on how the pollsters should view things, and the pollsters obviously have various different views. None of you are "right", really. That's why the polls are what they are.I don't know if that is necessarily true that pollsters vary much from that opinion. Just in execution I don't think a lot of them follow through. So many seem to watch certain teams a lot and make votes for other teams based on the one or two times they actually saw a team play and the hearsay they pick up. The other stuff is theoretically part of it still, but the weight of the haphazard games watched has an impact.

Edit: But fair point, all the same.

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[GIMMFD]

I'm okay with the drop to 10, seems a little steep but we need to get back to playing good basketball, I hope we take down Nova, but man we are not good against them ever.

[Olsingledigit]

There a couple of pollsters (Zach Osterman, Indy Star and Kevin Doughty, Roanoke Times) that have UC above Xavier for some reason.

The Indy Star hates us.

[Nigel Tufnel]

The Indy Star hates us.

I'll bite. Why?

[paulxu]

I'll bite. Why?

39-20

[skyking]

39-20

Cute answer.

[X-band '01]

Osterman writes for Indiana, not Butler.

David Woods is the Butler writer, but I don't think he's on the AP panel.

[XUFan09]

IU fans don't seem to like Xavier. In the post-Sampson fiasco, Xavier engaged in (gasp!) negative recruiting, which some IU fans seemed to resent. The resentment was worsened by X out-performing them recently while seeming like a little upstart...IU fans think very highly of themselves and their program.

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[GoMuskies]

Villanova is apparently so fucking good that Xavier's KenPom actually went UP from #21 to #20 after that flaming pile Xavier left in Philly last night.

[94GRAD]

Villanova is apparently so fucking good that Xavier's KenPom actually went UP from #21 to #20 after that flaming pile Xavier left in Philly last night.

Last years losses are coming off. I believe Jan 22nd is the day last years games stop counting.

[XUFan09]

Also, more recently Kenpom has de-emphasized blowout margins, so losing by 24 isn't that much worse than the predicted 10-point margin.

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[GoMuskies]

Today moved the KenPom needle for us. Up to #17.

[xukeith]

Today moved the KenPom needle for us. Up to #17.

X covered and beat a team ranked higher in kenpom ratings

[bleedXblue]

X covered and beat a team ranked higher in kenpom ratings

the fact that UC is at 8, lost to us by a wide margin and has beaten a bunch of cream puffs, shatters the validity of KenPom

Shamfoddery I say......

[xudash]

the fact that UC is at 8, lost to us by a wide margin and has beaten a bunch of cream puffs, shatters the validity of KenPom

Shamfoddery I say......

"Shamfoddery" is right up there with "Trickeration".

Well done and DILLY, DILLY.

[XUFan09]

the fact that UC is at 8, lost to us by a wide margin and has beaten a bunch of cream puffs, shatters the validity of KenPom

Shamfoddery I say......This post is a great example of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. You're acting like UC being ranked 8th "shatters the validity of Kenpom" when they are truly somewhere around 15th in the country. So drastically different from 8th!

This part is directed to everyone else: statistical data has to be considered in proper context. Wanting stats to perfectly explain a situation is a very shallow way of thinking. For example, an example that all X fans will appreciate is Tu Holloway's three-point shooting. He never shot over 35% in a season, suggesting that he was a mediocre shooter. Because we see those stats in the context of watching him for four years, though, we all know that Tu took a lot of tough threes. That would obviously lower his percentage, and though Tu wasn't an elite shooter, he was definitely a good shooter.

For Kenpom, I've mentioned some of this before but here is some info that gives better context to the rankings:
- Because UC plays a bunch of cupcakes, Kenpom probably does overrate them (Pomeroy has suggested this himself). They can overwhelm a lot of opponents with superior talent, though this UC team did also blow out UCLA on the road and SMU at home.
- What Kenpom is ranking isn't the "power" of the team or how good they are but instead their win probability based on margins of victory, which is a little different. UC is really good at using their defense to maximize their win probability.
- X is a better team than their Kenpom ranking because they get lackadaisical with leads and over-confident against inferior opponents. Just look at the DePaul and ETSU games. Or, consider the fact that X controlled most of the Butler game but let them get it down to 6 with enough time to complete a comeback. They don't maximize the margin in individual games, so of course they are going to do worse in a ranking based on win probability.

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[XUFan09]

Today moved the KenPom needle for us. Up to #17.Nice jump on the defensive side. I think they were 68th before in defensive efficiency, and they moved to 55th. Even though it was at home, holding a top 20 offense to 0.90 points per possession is really impressive. They were really locked in on that side of the ball. Scoring on the other side so they could set up their half-court defense probably helped.

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[Xupergirl]

Any guesses on what we will be ranked?

[XUFan09]

Any guesses on what we will be ranked?Blown out on the road by the #1 team. Blew out the #25 team at home. I don't envy voters deciding how to rank Xavier.

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[Lloyd Braun]

Sounds like a wash. Stay the same? Most everyone else lost too.

[XUFan09]

Sounds like a wash. Stay the same? Most everyone else lost too.Others losing could really help X. Blowout or not, Xavier lost to the #1 team in the country on the road, not to some unranked team.

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[Lloyd Braun]

Kansas didn’t lose in either home game and they are Kansas so they may jump us. Would UC jump us from 14? It would confirm the uselessness of the polls that’s for sure.

[Xavier]

I’d guess drop one or two. I’d be surprised at a 13 ranking.

[XUFan09]

Kansas didn’t lose in either home game and they are Kansas so they may jump us. Would UC jump us from 14? It would confirm the uselessness of the polls that’s for sure.Man, if that last shot from KSU had gone in...

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[GoMuskies]

I say we drop to #12.

[XUFan09]

I say we drop to #12.Yeah, some of the shakeups don't help X this week. Michigan State and WVU are too far above X currently. It's nice that ASU lost to an unranked team, though, as they are right behind X.

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[Juice]

Any guesses on what we will be ranked?

We should stay around the same spot but we will drop.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier slipped to #11. One spot ahead of, well, you know.

https://www.landof10.com/big-ten/ap-top-25-college-basketball-rankings-week-11

[X-band '01]

Dropping Seton Hall 6 spots seems a little harsh for the loss at Marquette, even in a blowout loss.

[GoMuskies]

The Coaches' Poll reverses #11 and #12. Boo!!!!!