Game Thread: Xavier v. DePaul (Big East Game #2) 12/30/17

[Muskie]

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/2752.png&h=150&w=150
v.http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/ncaa/500/305.png&h=150&w=150

Xavier Musketeers vs. DePaul Blue Demons

December 30, 2017
Game Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Cintas Center | Cincinnati, Ohio
TV: FS1
Radio:55KRC (https://www.iheart.com/live/55krc-1709/)
Live Stats (http://www.sidearmstats.com/xavier/mbball/)
Live Chat (http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=XavierHoops)

[paulxu]

I love me some Big East

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41YbQWNFa5L._SY355_.jpg

[Xupergirl]

Ready for another win?

[GoMuskies]

I love me some Big East

A little less tomorrow than most days, but yes.

[GIMMFD]

Will be traveling but will be keeping up on my phone, hopefully we curb stomp the living hell out of them.

[American X]

Looking for the freshmen to continue to develop. Scruggs looked more comfortable against Marquette. Hopefully Harden gets quality minutes.

[XUFan09]

Maybe Nigel knows this, but is there a record of X versus the spread when facing DePaul? I would wager that they lose against the spread because they go in cocky against an inferior opponent.

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[X Factor]

Saw X -14.5. I would take that all day! That's a gift.

[Lloyd Braun]

Maybe Nigel knows this, but is there a record of X versus the spread when facing DePaul? I would wager that they lose against the spread because they go in cocky against an inferior opponent.

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Xavier is 4-1 ATS at home against DePaul.

[Lloyd Braun]

Saw X -14.5. I would take that all day! That's a gift.

Currently at -14 and the O/U is up to 155. Hm.

[Lloyd Braun]

No Tre in starting lineup....shoulder treatment before game.

[xudash]

Why isn't Tre starting?

[letskeepitreal]

I thought I heard disciplinary reasons on FS1 but not certain.

[xu82]

I thought I heard disciplinary reasons on FS1 but not certain.

I thought I heard that too.

[X Factor]

I thought I heard that too.

Seriously Tre? You're a senior and All-American candidate, and you get benched for disciplinary reasons? Be a leader.

[drudy23]

Tre went home for Christmas and burnt a few.

No, I don't know that for a fact and I don't have sources.

[Xupergirl]

He was late to a meeting

[X Factor]

Seriously Tre? You're a senior and All-American candidate, and you get benched for disciplinary reasons? Be a leader.

Guys in FS1 studio are saying he was late for a meeting. I can live with that. That stuff happens.

[letskeepitreal]

I can live that. In the scheme of,things, pretty minor. Will give Naji an opportunity to shine.

[letskeepitreal]

I really hate these uniforms.

[UCGRAD4X]

Probably not out more than the first TV time out...maybe sooner - even first stop of play.

[UCGRAD4X]

JP needs to teach that Tear Drop to Q.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

How did that DePaul guy fouled twice in 1 second?

[UCGRAD4X]

Rims not friendly to X so far.

[Grizzx12]

JP playing well to start. Little bit of everything from him to start.

[Lloyd Braun]

Does Q make a lot of 3s in practice?

[X Factor]

Too much one on one to start.

[X Factor]

Sloppy, poor rebounding...

[mistabeecee41]

Can’t believe no TO was called during that war. A complete free for all.

[Grizzx12]

DePaul is getting after it. Seems like every other possession someone flys in for a rebound from nowhere or they don't quit on defense and collapse fast on the shots. Credit them so far for their hustle but I'd like to see us spread the floor more and work it in since we cant get anything to fall from outside

[X Factor]

Tyrique is the only guy who really goes after a rebound. Everyone else kind of just waits for the ball to come to them.

[UCGRAD4X]

definitely being out-hustled - no excuse for that - coach gotta fire em up!

NRG

[Xupergirl]

We should look better than this

[mistabeecee41]

This trend of “playing down to the level of your competition” is going to cost us at some point

[UCGRAD4X]

Got to finish!!!!!

[Grizzx12]

This trend of “playing down to the level of your competition” is going to cost us at some point

This has me a little concerned as of late. Not even necessarily to the level of our competition but we seem to allow our competition to dictate pace. UNI slowed us down, Marquette pushed the pace to their standard frantic. And this one is just looking like a mess so far

[X Factor]

Villanova just beat DePaul by 25 on the road...

We're making them look like a Top 15 team. Pathetic.

[xu82]

Waterbugs are our Kryptonite.

[X Factor]

At some point, Goodin and Scruggs are going to have start making some open threes. Teams are just going to let them shoot all day long.

[UCGRAD4X]

Waterbugs are our Kryptonite.

Gotta get out the RAID!

[mistabeecee41]

I mean we’re just not hitting shots, but Mack is getting demolished by Leiato right now. They’re gameplan is working perfectly while we look clueless

[xu82]

Gotta get out the RAID!

I’ve got a call in to Pest Control.

[kellernr]

Q needs to know wherenhes going with the pass before driving into the trees.

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[X Factor]

9 turnovers!

[X Factor]

I mean we’re just not hitting shots, but Mack is getting demolished by Leiato right now. They’re gameplan is working perfectly while we look clueless

Defense stinks too.

[X Factor]

Matador defense.

[X Factor]

They are literally just blowing by us like we're invisible.

[Lloyd Braun]

Not that the result would be significantly different but the rotation seems off with Tre coming off bench. Scruggs and Q in at the same time clogs the inside.

[kellernr]

Goodin is awful today

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[ArizonaXUGrad]

That was an awful 12 turnover half.


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[X Factor]

I knew we wouldn't' get a good look on that last possession.

[BandAid]

That was one ugly ass half of something. It wasn’t basketball.

[UCGRAD4X]

As much as I think Mack is a genius, he can not for the life of him get his team to finish a half with this hold the ball to the end.

It makes me cringe every time a player holds the ball out front. Just score and take your chances. JUST SCORE!!!

[bjf123]

Goodin is awful today

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So is everyone else. 12 turn overs, shooting less than 30% from the floor and less than 20% from 3 while your opponent is over 45% and 35% won’t cut it.


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[Xupergirl]

The demons are getting confident and we are fooling around

[GuyFawkes38]

Yeah, just awful point guard play that half. It’s our “X” factor.

[stammina0721]

This is not on Mack. This is on kids not taking an opponent seriously. There is absolutely no passing no sharing the ball. Everyone is just trying to chuck a three. Tyrique and Omara got zero looks inside. There have been no entry passes. It's the most selfish half of basketball ive ever seen.

[X Factor]

DePaul averages 6 threes a game. They have 5 in the first half. We're not a very good defensive team. That's why KenPom has us ranked way lower than the polls.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Another early Saturday afternoon game vs a mediocre opponent that X sleepwalked in the first half. Whatever these guys are up to on Friday nights they gotta knock it off.

[X Factor]

Trevon needs to step up. JP needs to step up. Goodin as the PG needs to step up.

[UCGRAD4X]

More turnovers than field goals is not a recipe for success. Not in this league.

[drudy23]

No rhythm...no energy.

Going to bite them eventually. Wake up.

[kellernr]

Trevon needs to step up. JP needs to step up. Goodin as the PG needs to step up.JP tries to do too much and Q telegraphs majority of his passes. And we can never have a lineup of Q, Scruggs and Omara. That leaves only 2 players that can shoot. I though Sean turned the corner this year and would be stronger around the rim but he is one of the weakest centers I've seen. Doesn't grab the rebound but tries to tip it to himself.

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[HenryMuto]

What the hell is going on out there.

[X Factor]

Is Goodin trying?

[stammina0721]

I've said this for 4 years. Trevon can not create his own shot. He is not fast enough. He thrives when this team moves the ball and he can hit set shots. If this team is not passing like today he won't be effective. If they do pass like we know they can he will put up 25. But for him to be effective we need to feed Omara and Jones. Work inside out

[X Factor]

We stink at playing defense.

[xu82]

So far the second half is worse than the first. I didn’t know that could be possible...

[Lloyd Braun]

Called timeout with a 5 on 4.

[UCGRAD4X]

This is a friggin disaster.

[X Factor]

I've said this for 4 years. Trevon can not create his own shot. He is not fast enough. He thrives when this team moves the ball and he can hit set shots. If this team is not passing like today he won't be effective. If they do pass like we know they can he will put up 25. But for him to be effective we need to feed Omara and Jones. Work inside out

This is 100% true.

[Xupergirl]

Terrible just terrible

[mistabeecee41]

We’re playing like dogshit but Chris is embarrassing himself. Let’s put JP on a tiny guard who can drive at will and Q on their tall shooter? Great idea

[X Factor]

Lose to DePaul at home and there goes a 2 or 3 seed.

[GuyFawkes38]

Goodin is shooting 2% from 3 for the year.

[bjf123]

I think the players took DePaul for granted. Keep this up and we get smoked.


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[letskeepitreal]

This is awful

[X Factor]

Goodin is shooting 2% from 3 for the year.

Hard to fathom a starting DI point guard on a Top 10 team shooting 2% from three.

[stammina0721]

This team should never shoot more than 10 threes in a half. We blow them out if we don't chuck a million outside shots in the first half

[xu82]

We need STOPS!!! This is painful....

[mistabeecee41]

This team should never shoot more than 10 threes in a half. We blow them out if we don't chuck a million outside shots in the first half

Their gameplan has been to double us in the post and make our poor shooters take shots.

Our gameplan has been to let our poor shooters take shots

[Xupergirl]

Hurts to watch

[X Factor]

You would think X would come out in the second half and play better. They actually came out and are playing worse!

[UCGRAD4X]

FINALLY! A finish and a foul.

[xu82]

Mack was right, right? The guy had NOT established himself in bounds. Why do they not even mention THAT? Hope the T fires them up! Now they steal a basket from us?

[drudy23]

Mack was right, right? The guy had NOT established himself in bounds. Why do they not even mention THAT?

I don't think the announcers have a clue what he was arguing...but yes, this is what he was arguing, and I'm pretty sure he's right.

You can't possess the ball without establishing yourself inbounds when coming from out of bounds.

[drudy23]

I think the refs realized they screwed up as we got 3 quick calls in a row.

[BMoreX]

Stop losing to ducking DePaul

[X Factor]

Little freshman PG for DePaul is outplaying our guards by a large margin.

[Xupergirl]

I’m only in 8th grade and I know big waste games are always wars, but this should have been easy. They need to pull it together.

[Xupergirl]

Big east not big waste. But right now I feel this is a big waste.

[X Factor]

They are doubling our bigs every time they catch it. Need to recognize and find an open man.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

1 TO now for 9 mins.


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[letskeepitreal]

Ok we are back. Go X. Making this a lot harder than it needed to be.

[Xupergirl]

Now they are getting serious

[UCGRAD4X]

Time to put this one away.

[xu82]

Tie game with 6:35 left is a very bad time to have to leave for a wedding.

[X Factor]

Thank God we're playing DePaul

[X Factor]

Trevon throws up junk...

and I'm tired of O'Mara "pushing" his shots. He has no control over the ball. He needs to wrap his hand around it and get more touch.

[mistabeecee41]

Trevon throws up junk...

Sean’s missed bunny was also a killer.

[X Factor]

Can't get a critical rebound!

[X Factor]

Airball Tre? What is going on?

[stammina0721]

Man I hate but love being right. Sparked by Kanter and Omara today down the stretch. Like I said work inside out

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Critical steal by JP.

[X Factor]

Len Elmore hates X.

[xu82]

Score? Some people I don’t even know are about to get married for a second time so I’m sitting in Atlanta traffic instead of watching the game!

[Xupergirl]

JP with the turnover though

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Critical block by JP.

[X Factor]

75-72 X. 9 seconds left.

[xu82]

75-72 x. 9 seconds left.

thanks!

[letskeepitreal]

We dodged a bullet today but a win is a win!

[X Factor]

77-72! Game over.

X needs to get it together against lesser opponents. That was not a good game.

[xu82]

I’ll watch the last 6 minutes when I get home - since we won.

[GoMuskies]

I could do without the heart attacks against shitty teams, but I like winning.

[GuyFawkes38]

To have ETSU and DePaul impose their will on us at home is humbling.

Macura was amazing. When the team tanks, he always rises above it.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Tough team, they play down at times and aren’t peaking now which is good. You have to love their grit. So far they find ways to win.


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[GreatWhiteNorth]

This shows that all the BE games are tough and we need to play each one at our top form. I am grateful that we did not lose this home game to the supposedly worst team in the BE. We escaped from the jaw of death today, thank God.

[whopper]

x is so solid but will never blow anyone out due to lack of explosiveness. Bleuitt is cold but doing other things, probably hurting NBA chances. I have never heard of face guarding being an automatic foul in basketball and have watched since willis come through the tunnel in 1970. Marshall a horrid game but is now out of his system. Scruggs contributing a bit and seems to be only guard who can keep a quick guard in front of him.. I love how O'Mara can be benched the whole game and make shots when needed. Kanter has amazing hands. They will live and die as a team and I am proud to be a fan.

[Xavier]

Man I hate but love being right. Sparked by Kanter and Omara today down the stretch. Like I said work inside out

That has been the game plan all year long..

[bjf123]

We dodged a bullet today but a win is a win!

Bullet? We dodged an Uzi on full auto!


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[XUGRAD80]

Never in doubt.....right?

I’m gonna need heart meds if they keep this up

[xudash]

Bullet? We dodged an Uzi on full auto!


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Which we kept reloading for them for the first 25 or so minutes.

And so we move forward.

[X Factor]

Hard to complain about 14-1, but we need to start playing better in the first half. Can't always rely on a big second half comeback. Turnovers are killing us in the first half. Trevon needs get going again.

[SkyWalker]

Happy Birthday Coach and congratulations on Win #200. On the post game radio show, Chris felt like he was 200 years old after this one. But a win is a win and it's better to be 14 and 1 than 13-and 2.

[bobbiemcgee]

After watching the replay, all I can say is "Happy Birthday" Chris!

[Blue Blooded-05]

Hard to complain about 14-1, but we need to start playing better in the first half. Can't always rely on a big second half comeback. Turnovers are killing us in the first half. Trevon needs get going again.

Agreed. Trevon is in a notable slump (for him) over the last 5 games:

2P, 3P
ETSU - 3/10, 4/12
Marshall - 2/7, 2/6
UNI - 0/2, 3/5
Marquette - 5/8, 1/8
DePaul - 2/6, 2/7
TOTAL - 12/33 (36%), 12/38 (32%)
Career - 348/710 (49%), 258/685 (38%)

Trevon is shooting significantly below his career averages. Not surprising we’ve struggled in these games. If he shot his career average today, we would have won by double digits.

On the positive side, he’s also shooting 90% from the free throw line and has developed a Tu-esque ability to get there.

Bottom line, we are an elite team when Trevon is playing at or above his averages. It is a long season and Trevon Bluiett will get back on track.

[smileyy]

That Goodin reverse dunk was something.

[powerofX]

That Goodin reverse dunk was something.

It was. Except I had 20 year old flash backs of Lloyd Price missing a 360!

[XUGRAD80]

That Goodin reverse dunk was something.

It’s a good thing he made it and didn’t just bang it off the rim. I appreciate his excitement and wanting to make a statement, but I think Mack (and myself) would just as soon have him just put it through straight forward without the mustard. Not complaining about the “show boating”, just know that’s not as high a % dunk as a regular dunk, and with the game that close it probsbly best just to take the highest % shot you can.

Kids got hops though!

[bjf123]

On the post game radio interview with Joe and Byron, Mack said he was not happy with Q’s 360. Too easy to mess up. I agree. As he was spinning, in my head I was screaming “no no no!”. I was thinking of JP’s missed dunk earlier in the game.

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[X Factor]

On the post game radio interview with Joe and Byron, Mack said he was not happy with Q’s 360. Too easy to mess up. I agree. As he was spinning, in my head I was screaming “no no no!”. I was thinking of JP’s missed dunk earlier in the game.

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I was fine with it. Q is 10 times more athletic than JP. He has a 40+ inch vertical. That was not hard for him. It wasn't a 360, it was a reverse.

[drudy23]

On the post game radio interview with Joe and Byron, Mack said he was not happy with Q’s 360. Too easy to mess up. I agree. As he was spinning, in my head I was screaming “no no no!”. I was thinking of JP’s missed dunk earlier in the game.

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It wasn't a 360.

[XUGRAD80]

In the post game, Mack said they would “talk” about it. :perfect10:

[mid major]

It was. Except I had 20 year old flash backs of Lloyd Price missing a 360!

So did I...at the Gardens vs Lamar Odom and Rhode Island.

[bleedXblue]

I know, I know hard to complain about 14-1. BUT, we are not a top 5 team right now. Do we have all the pieces and talent necessary.......yes. Better figure out the home court issues quickly..............

[XUGRAD80]

I know, I know hard to complain about 14-1. BUT, we are not a top 5 team right now. Do we have all the pieces and talent necessary.......yes. Better figure out the home court issues quickly..............

Sure X has questions right now, but.....

Show me a team that doesn’t have “issues” right now.

Villanova lost to Butler and gave up 100 points
Texas A & M is down 17 to Alabama with 6 mins. left
ASU....we will see

Lots of season left, enjoy it today, let the coaches worry about tomorrow

[JTG]

I think we're getting everyone's best shot. It comes with the territory. In a way it's sort of impressive that we can put the hammer down, and win .

[bjf123]

It wasn't a 360.

OK, it was a 180. Regardless, I would have preferred a straight on dunk at that point with the game still close.


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[powerofX]

I think we're getting everyone's best shot. It comes with the territory. In a way it's sort of impressive that we can put the hammer down, and win .

Agree with this. Plenty of times in past where we don’t play our b st and lose. For the most part, we have found ways to win

[bleedXblue]

We've played like shit the last 3 homes games. Thankfully we have enough talent and have been able to survive. Sure we've had some very good individual performances like JP's today.......but collectively we're showing up early and falling behind to teams that don't even belong on the same court with us.....sans Depaul which has some nice players and will give lots of teams in the BE headaches this year. Very thankful and happy to be 14-1. But, to gloss over how badly we've played recently is just ridiculous.

[Masterofreality]

I was at the game and told my Sonny-In-Law before the game that Wally Rutecki is one of the worst refs in college basketball....and he proved it again yesterday. Abjectly horrible in all respects. The guy who blows a call and then takes it out on CMack with a T. On THAT play, Rutecki missed the call because after JP’s layup, DePaul threw the ball inbounds to a guy who clearly had not established himself inbounds and X should have gotten the ball back. I think the other guys did a couple of make-ups though. On top of that, he waved off an easy inbounds Xavier basket after the other ref had given the ball under the basket because HE was confused which DePaul Player a foul was called on. The other refs weren’t confused but ol’ Wally was. Rutecki missed numerous traveling calls, made awful uncalled for foul calls among other stupid stuff. Ridiculous

How did a terrible A10 ref get work in the Big East? Only Satan knows.

[UCGRAD4X]

Agree with this. Plenty of times in past where we don’t play our b st and lose. For the most part, we have found ways to win

The one encouraging aspect to all of this (IMHO) is that Xavier used to be on the other end of the stick. How many times did X a decent lead on a higher ranked opponent, to just fall sort, or really get blown out in the end? The Texas tourney game comes to mind.

[STL_XUfan]

I was at the game and told my Sonny-In-Law before the game that Wally Rutecki is one of the worst refs in college basketball....and he proved it again yesterday. Abjectly horrible in all respects. The guy who blows a call and then takes it out on CMack with a T. On THAT play, Rutecki missed the call because after JP’s layup, DePaul threw the ball inbounds to a guy who clearly had not established himself inbounds and X should have gotten the ball back. I think the other guys did a couple of make-ups though. On top of that, he waved off an easy inbounds Xavier basket after the other ref had given the ball under the basket because HE was confused which DePaul Player a foul was called on. The other refs weren’t confused but ol’ Wally was. Rutecki missed numerous traveling calls, made awful uncalled for foul calls among other stupid stuff. Ridiculous

How did a terrible A10 ref get work in the Big East? Only Satan knows.

While the ref was wrong, Mack 100% earned that T. There is no universe where a coach can run out onto the floor during play and not get a T.

[Masterofreality]

One last point about yesterday- Karem Kanter’s passing is extremely underrated. His long pass to Tre Bluiett plus many other assists were outstanding yesterday

[xuwin]

Tie game with 6:35 left is a very bad time to have to leave for a wedding.

Forget it unless it's your own.

[xuwin]

I'm glad I don't read this thread during games. It is entertaining to read the day after though.

[Emp]

One last point about yesterday- Karem Kanter’s passing is extremely underrated. His long pass to Tre Bluiett plus many other assists were outstanding yesterday

This.

A sidearm 3/4 court bounce pass is a thing of rare beauty. Having a post player who can see and execute that play is a joy.

[mohr5150]

I was at the game and told my Sonny-In-Law before the game that Wally Rutecki is one of the worst refs in college basketball....and he proved it again yesterday. Abjectly horrible in all respects. The guy who blows a call and then takes it out on CMack with a T. On THAT play, Rutecki missed the call because after JP’s layup, DePaul threw the ball inbounds to a guy who clearly had not established himself inbounds and X should have gotten the ball back. I think the other guys did a couple of make-ups though. On top of that, he waved off an easy inbounds Xavier basket after the other ref had given the ball under the basket because HE was confused which DePaul Player a foul was called on. The other refs weren’t confused but ol’ Wally was. Rutecki missed numerous traveling calls, made awful uncalled for foul calls among other stupid stuff. Ridiculous

How did a terrible A10 ref get work in the Big East? Only Satan knows.

Wally sucks and I inform everyone and anyone around me when he calls one of our games how much he sucks. The guys standing behind me hadn't heard of him but were complaining about him before the T. I told them about him, and by the end of the game, they were screaming, "Wally, you suck!"

[X-band '01]

It was. Except I had 20 year old flash backs of Lloyd Price missing a 360!

That's why it was simply called a 359 back in the days of the Roundtable.

[mid major]

I was at the game and told my Sonny-In-Law before the game that Wally Rutecki is one of the worst refs in college basketball....and he proved it again yesterday. Abjectly horrible in all respects. The guy who blows a call and then takes it out on CMack with a T. On THAT play, Rutecki missed the call because after JP’s layup, DePaul threw the ball inbounds to a guy who clearly had not established himself inbounds and X should have gotten the ball back. I think the other guys did a couple of make-ups though. On top of that, he waved off an easy inbounds Xavier basket after the other ref had given the ball under the basket because HE was confused which DePaul Player a foul was called on. The other refs weren’t confused but ol’ Wally was. Rutecki missed numerous traveling calls, made awful uncalled for foul calls among other stupid stuff. Ridiculous

How did a terrible A10 ref get work in the Big East? Only Satan knows.
Oh, I thought I could forget about that Texas game. It all went downhill after halftime. That was a long walk from Dana's. I remember Gillen saying the players began to think too much.

[American X]

"Nice reverse dunk, Quentin. Don't ever f***ing do it again."

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kDnJdNOMgXc/Sr-CHT8zFuI/AAAAAAAABoM/3NuLYdEXBew/s400/majorleauge_brown.jpg