Louisville Fans

[Steve A]

I know... random.

As much as I promise myself I won't feed the trolls, sometimes I can't help myself. The arrogance, and possibly delusion, of Louisville fans in regards to Chris Mack is absolutely incredible to me. I got into it with an army of them on Twitter that just assume Chris is going there at the end of the season. And, of course that their program that consists of a recent prostitution scandal and $100,000 payments to player's families is a substantial step up from what he has right now.

It's been fun...

https://twitter.com/howardfineman/status/957350523937619968

[GoMuskies]

I think most Xavier fans have long assumed he'd take the Louisville job if offered. More recent events may change things, but I don't think it's a slam dunk either way at this point.

[Masterofreality]

I think most Xavier fans have long assumed he'd take the Louisville job if offered. More recent events may change things, but I don't think it's a slam dunk either way at this point.

Based upon what?

Nothing more than the fact that Christie is from Louisville? You do know that from Summit Hills to the Gene Snyder Freeway is about an hour and change? Christie can go home for lunch with her Mom whenever she wants. And is all the ish that you'd have to deal with at U of L worth an extra few hundred K a year? I don't think that Chris Mack gives a rat's ass about the extra bucks. If he did, he'd be at IU or Oh-ho-ho State or California by now.

The guy loves being at home at Xavier and getting to Louisville is easy. Why would he honestly leave a perfect situation for him?

And, yeah. Cardinal fans are arrogant.

[94GRAD]

Based upon what?

Nothing more than the fact that Christie is from Louisville? You do know that from Summit Hills to the Gene Snyder Freeway is about an hour and change? Christie can go home for lunch with her Mom whenever she wants. And is all the ish that you'd have to deal with at U of L worth an extra few hundred K a year? I don't think that Chris Mack gives a rat's ass about the extra bucks. If he did, he'd be at IU or Oh-ho-ho State or California by now.

The guy loves being at home at Xavier and getting to Louisville is easy. Why would he honestly leave a perfect situation for him?

And, yeah. Cardinal fans are arrogant.

If they offer him a 8 year 50mil contract, that would be tough to turn down.

[Masterofreality]

If they offer him a 8 year 50mil contract, that would be tough to turn down.

Same ol discussion Beej. How much money can you or your descendants spend? After taxes, of course. :-)

[skyking]

If someone is starting a pool, I'll bet "No".

[bleedXblue]

If they offer him a 8 year 50mil contract, that would be tough to turn down.

that aint happening

would be shocked to see that big of a number

IU and OSU just paid in the 3mil/year range for Holtman/Miller

[GIMMFD]

A lot of the Louisville fans are saying to give Padgett a chance... that might end up being a good thing for us honestly.

[Masterofreality]

A lot of the Louisville fans are saying to give Padgett a chance... that might end up being a good thing for us honestly.

The fact that UofL is 16-5 and haven't fallen off the table, plus he being homegrown, and by homegrown I don't mean being from Louisville, but being "raised" through the program after transferring in from Kansas, certainly mitigates in his favor.

[xeus]

Same ol discussion Beej. How much money can you or your descendants spend? After taxes, of course. :-)

It's not always about how much HE can spend, or how much his family "needs". Just one example of the hole in this logic is all the good he could do with that extra money through the Mack Family Foundation...
I know it's easier to think all that extra money shouldn't matter, but it does. Not saying Chris would leave purely for money, but it's myopic to pretend it isn't a factor for most people.
That said, my bet is that Chris won't be interested. I agree with you MOR that the "Christie is from Louisville" sound bite is tired. It's not like they'd be moving from California. Bottom line, I just don't see UL as a better job, except for the money. How much that matters is up to the Macks.

[Masterofreality]

It's not always about how much HE can spend, or how much his family "needs". Just one example of the hole in this logic is all the good he could do with that extra money through the Mack Family Foundation...
I know it's easier to think all that extra money shouldn't matter, but it does. Not saying Chris would leave purely for money, but it's myopic to pretend it isn't a factor for most people.
That said, my bet is that Chris won't be interested. I agree with you MOR that the "Christie is from Louisville" sound bite is tired. It's not like they'd be moving from California. Bottom line, I just don't see UL as a better job, except for the money. How much that matters is up to the Macks.

Good point Xeus, but....

The Mack Family Foundation is really centered around Cincinnati based charities and activities. He might get more $$ in salary, which he may or may not pass over to the Foundation, but I don't know if Louisville as a community will throw as much money in there. Maybe? Maybe not.

But at the end of the day, he didn't take more money to go to the other aforementioned schools- one of which, Indiana, was one of the ones that everybody was scared to death about. Chris know now that he CAN win a National Championship at Xavier. He's in a consistent Top 3 league and gets 4 to 5 star talent now. We'll see, but I really don't think the dollars are the final determining factor.

[STL_XUfan]

The fact that UofL is 16-5 and haven't fallen off the table,

This is the same reasoning that caused SLU to hire Jim Crews when he won with Majerus's players, only to see the wheels come off the truck once the last of Majerus's recruits moved on. In other words, I fully support Louisville offering Padgett a very lucrative iron clad long term contract that not even Papa John himself can afford to buy out.

[Juice]

Good point Xeus, but....

The Mack Family Foundation is really centered around Cincinnati based charities and activities. He might get more $$ in salary, which he may or may not pass over to the Foundation, but I don't know if Louisville as a community will throw as much money in there. Maybe? Maybe not.

But at the end of the day, he didn't take more money to go to the other aforementioned schools- one of which, Indiana, was one of the ones that everybody was scared to death about. Chris know now that he CAN win a National Championship at Xavier. He's in a consistent Top 3 league and gets 4 to 5 star talent now. We'll see, but I really don't think the dollars are the final determining factor.

Louisville is a top 3-5 job in the country. It's a state school with over 20k students with huge money being throw around. I'm sure his foundation would receive way more money with that backing than he would at Xavier. And can X win a national championship? Sure but those are strong words for a program that has never been to a final 4. And let's be honest, every elite 8 game we've been in have been beat downs. And how consistent is our 4-5 star talent considering we have a class coming with none of the three guys being close to being in the top 100.

Xavier is a great program and it's even more impressive considering how small a school X is. But if Chris left we could probably cite any of a million reasons which include it paying way more, better arena, being able to recruit and land 5 star players every year, and being able to consistently being in the discussion of winning a national championship. X can win one but so many things need to right for the team and the room for error is so thin compared to a place like Louisville.

[xudash]

UL is a bigger school. Bigger ends up being perceived as being better. More fans. Bigger facilities (usually). The bigger school fans have the numbers to shout down the fans from the smaller school.

UL is in the ACC.

UL has the Yum-Yum Center, or whatever it's called.

And it all stops there with me when it comes to UL, because I see UL as a dirty, sleazy school. There is no other way to view that school, given their hiring actions in both football and basketball, and given what has transpired in those programs. Outside of the UL fan base, I suspect most college fans see that school in exactly the same way. Hookers? Really!

Nonetheless, most logical fans, especially those who do not have a dog in the hunt, will view UL to be the bigger job when it comes to UL versus Xavier. That's fine. It is that way.

But there are a number of factors driving any decision that may come down the road with this situation.

First and foremost, whatever gap exists between both jobs still exists, but it certainly isn't as wide as it was 5 years ago.

The Xavier coach is a Xavier guy.

Xavier is in the Big East, and that is beyond huge.

The grand prize can be won from the Xavier platform, and that is beyond the last beyond huge.

And as MOR pointed out already, it's a short drive to the in-laws house.

Some of us appear to be overreacting to how much money UL might throw at their next coach.

Let's see where all this goes, knowing that we're now a BE school with a Xavier guy at the helm.

[XUFan09]

Louisville is a top 3-5 job in the country. It's a state school with over 20k students with huge money being throw around. I'm sure his foundation would receive way more money with that backing than he would at Xavier. And can X win a national championship? Sure but those are strong words for a program that has never been to a final 4. And let's be honest, every elite 8 game we've been in have been beat downs. And how consistent is our 4-5 star talent considering we have a class coming with none of the three guys being close to being in the top 100.

Xavier is a great program and it's even more impressive considering how small a school X is. But if Chris left we could probably cite any of a million reasons which include it paying way more, better arena, being able to recruit and land 5 star players every year, and being able to consistently being in the discussion of winning a national championship. X can win one but so many things need to right for the team and the room for error is so thin compared to a place like Louisville.

The 2004 Elite Eight game was close, but otherwise I agree with everything you said. There are good reasons for Mack to stay at X, but there are some really good reasons to go too.

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[letskeepitreal]

Although I think never say never regarding the money, I think with the current overhanging recent issues with Louisville’s program, it’s not likely Chris makes this move this year.

[AviatorX]

I'm not really sure it's up for debate as to whether Louisville is a better job than X. It clearly is.

[letskeepitreal]

You won’t get any argument from me that Louisville can be a better program than X. ACC, large public school and large venue with big dollars. Hopefullly the taint of improper recruiting scares him away.

[Juice]

The 2004 Elite Eight game was close, but otherwise I agree with everything you said. There are good reasons for Mack to stay at X, but there are some really good reasons to go too.

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I completely forgot about how close that game was and I was friggin there.

[XUFan09]

I completely forgot about how close that game was and I was friggin there.Selective amnesia. It helps the pain to go away.

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[markchal]

It's obviously a better job, I think he takes it if offered, and no one here could blame him for that. He'd likely more than double his salary. He'd leave his alma mater as the all-time winningest coach, having ushered us into the Big East, and having some of our best overall rosters. This job is his as long as he wants it, and that job security is rare in this line of work. He's also in his hometown, his kids are settled/etc.

But I could also see why that job would be appealing. Any coach at this high of a level is going to be a pretty competitive guy and moving up to Louisville is definitely a bigger challenge. Does anyone know if he has any aspirations to coach at the pro level someday? He's already cemented his legacy here, and I can see how it would be tempting to go to an even bigger program and try and accomplish the same on a bigger stage.

[JTG]

Two items to think about:
1. Why did we lose out on all of our main targets this year? Negative recruiting by all the schools we were recruiting against':hey you know Mack is leaving for Louisville.
2. Things blow up at MSU, Izzo gets the boot, and Mack can go to a much less messy situation.
I hope Mack stays. And I think he knows if he pulls off a National Championship this year they'll be a statue of him in front of Contas . He will be immortalized forever.

[xavierj]

Two items to think about:
1. Why did we lose out on all of our main targets this year? Negative recruiting by all the schools we were recruiting against':hey you know Mack is leaving for Louisville.
2. Things blow up at MSU, Izzo gets the boot, and Mack can go to a much less messy situation.
I hope Mack stays. And I think he knows if he pulls off a National Championship this year they'll be a statue of him in front of Contas . He will be immortalized forever.

Didn’t the Louisville stuff happen after Xavier lost out on the recruits? I am pretty sure the negative recruiting happens every year with Chris taking a new job.

[Juice]

Two items to think about:
1. Why did we lose out on all of our main targets this year? Negative recruiting by all the schools we were recruiting against':hey you know Mack is leaving for Louisville.
2. Things blow up at MSU, Izzo gets the boot, and Mack can go to a much less messy situation.
I hope Mack stays. And I think he knows if he pulls off a National Championship this year they'll be a statue of him in front of Contas . He will be immortalized forever.

Schools have been doing that for years with the IU, OSU, etc. jobs. We lost out on recruits to Rhode Island, Iowa State, Syracuse, Wake, Illinois. All schools in worse situations than X. They just weren't able to close and/or bad luck. Shit happens and it happened a lot this recruiting year.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I bet a million dollars Chris isn’t going to be an NBA coach.......ever! Padgett is doing a great job at Louisville and
Deserves a chance. I think they resign him. As far MSU, I would think they stay within the family. I don’t see Mack getting that job. However like it was mentioned above, we win a NC then everything changes. No matter what happens X will be fine. We have two coaches already in the making in Steele and Murray. So if Mack leaves it’s next man up. This is X people not VD.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I completely forgot about how close that game was and I was friggin there.

Ha, when I read you say that every elite 8 game has been a blowout I was agreeing in my head, also forgetting about 2004, and I was also there. Trying to forget the pain I guess.

[paulxu]

Ha, when I read you say that every elite 8 game has been a blowout I was agreeing in my head, also forgetting about 2004, and I was also there. Trying to forget the pain I guess.

Never forgive. Never forget.

[RoseyMuskie]

Two items to think about:
1. Why did we lose out on all of our main targets this year? Negative recruiting by all the schools we were recruiting against':hey you know Mack is leaving for Louisville.
2. Things blow up at MSU, Izzo gets the boot, and Mack can go to a much less messy situation.
I hope Mack stays. And I think he knows if he pulls off a National Championship this year they'll be a statue of him in front of Contas . He will be immortalized forever.

Regarding 1., I think it was more a case of X having less to promise having landed one the best classes in history this past year, while also having key contributors who are undercoassmen. Throw in the fickle nature of 17-18 years, and that accounts for the recruiting struggles.

Re. the topic at hand, like most things, the truth is between all of this.

[Xville]

I think if he is offered, there is a great chance he goes. At least would double his salary, stays in relatively the same geography, wife's family is there, and it's a top ten, maybe top 5 program. The infractions will go on for maybe 2-3 years in discussion etc and then no one will care or remember.

Oh and btw to the op...saying Louisville is not a step up from Xavier is really really stupid.

[Xavier]

This board has been debating if this is the best x team ever. It could be. But we all know next year will be a roller coaster. I think the timing is right for him to move on in that regard. I do think he loves Xavier and wants to be the coach to bring the final four and NC, but if he took the interview at Louisville it would be damn hard to turn down. You’re kidding yourself if you think that program is a notch or two above X. Biggest thing will be the sanctions but at the same time that buys the next coach a few years, too.

[throwbackmuskie]

Mack is not leaving, as I have said countless times in here.


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[BMoreX]

Let’s just win the championship this year so it won’t matter as much.

[XUGRAD80]

I would contend that the relationships that Mack has with the administration, both athletic and academic, at Xavier is probsbly more of a factor than the money. If Mack is enjoying his work, feels that he is appreciated, and feels that he is properly and adequately compensated for his work, why would he leave now? He has obviously been offered more money to go other places in the past, but that hasn’t swayed him. That would make me feel that money is not the biggest factor.

However, sometimes people just get bored with a job and want a change. Or want a new challenge. Going to a Loonyvilesucks or a MSU would certainly be a change and a challenge. But would it make him, his wife, and his family any happier? Only Mack can answer these questions.

[Masterofreality]

I'm not really sure it's up for debate as to whether Louisville is a better job than X. It clearly is.

Welp. Maybe it used to be. Other than money, what?

Xavier - Louisville- major conference? Check both
Xavier- Louisville- National TV contract? Check both
Xavier- Louisville- Charter flight road trips? Check both
Xavier - Louisville- Rich recruiting territory? Check Both
Xavier - Louisville- Chance to win a National Championship? Check both
Xavier - Louisville- National Championship in Conference in last 2 years? - Check both
Xavier- Louisville- Sold Out House every game- Check Both
Xavier- Louisville- Close by rival that is always in your kitchen trying to steal recruits? Check both, but I would argue with Pitino's Pay 'Em Plan gone and the old New York/East Coast ties severed, Kentucky will eat their lunch now.
Now:
Multiple scandals? - Check Louisville
Program in turmoil? - Check Louisville
Disgraced coach? - Check Louisvile
AD Fired? - Check Louisville
More money for salary? - Check Louisville
Big Booster Disgraced (and pictured drunk with fans?) - Check Louisville
Barely any regard for academics in your Athletic Program? - Check Louisville
Conference Tournament in MSG? - Check Xavier
Coaching in your hometown and home school? - Check Xavier
Less Pressure to win and more family time?- Check Xavier
No conflict with football stealing resources? - Check Xavier

So. Other than money, Louisville has all the BAD boxes checked. Can they comeback? Sure but these things are fluid and change. SucKS won a National Championship back before Loyola Chicago did, but would you trade their job for Xavier's? Tradition (Slick Rick, Denny Crum etc.) only counts for so much and the school's rep is trashed right now.

Bottom line as it always is. If it's only about money, Xavier will lose. If it's about quality of life, job security and like minded purpose, Xavier wins. Xavier won against Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio State this time, and who knows who else?

Look. I have a whole lot of relatives and friends that either went to or are connected with U of L. They are embarrassed to ish. Do they still want to win? Sure, but with the money and prostitutes scandals plus possible NCAA probation hanging around, their expectations, at least for the next 5 years aren't very high.
So, OTHER THAN MONEY, what's the better job right now given all the trash that you'd have to clean up? (Remember how long it took Crean at Indiana, and he still didn't survive)

[mirabilelectu]

Welp. Maybe it used to be. Other than money, what?

Xavier - Louisville- major conference? Check both
Xavier- Louisville- National TV contract? Check both
Xavier- Louisville- Charter flight road trips? Check both
Xavier - Louisville- Rich recruiting territory? Check Both
Xavier - Louisville- Chance to win a National Championship? Check both
Xavier - Louisville- National Championship in Conference in last 2 years? - Check both
Xavier- Louisville- Sold Out House every game- Check Both
Xavier- Louisville- Close by rival that is always in your kitchen trying to steal recruits? Check both, but I would argue with Pitino's Pay 'Em Plan gone and the old New York/East Coast ties severed, Kentucky will eat their lunch now.
Now:
Multiple scandals? - Check Louisville
Program in turmoil? - Check Louisville
Disgraced coach? - Check Louisvile
AD Fired? - Check Louisville
More money for salary? - Check Louisville
Big Booster Disgraced (and pictured drunk with fans?) - Check Louisville
Barely any regard for academics in your Athletic Program? - Check Louisville
Conference Tournament in MSG? - Check Xavier
Coaching in your hometown and home school? - Check Xavier
Less Pressure to win and more family time?- Check Xavier
No conflict with football stealing resources? - Check Xavier

So. Other than money, Louisville has all the BAD boxes checked. Can they comeback? Sure but these things are fluid and change. SucKS won a National Championship back before Loyola Chicago did, but would you trade their job for Xavier's? Tradition (Slick Rick, Denny Crum etc.) only counts for so much and the school's rep is trashed right now.

Bottom line as it always is. If it's only about money, Xavier will lose. If it's about quality of life, job security and like minded purpose, Xavier wins. Xavier won against Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio State this time, and who knows who else?

Look. I have a whole lot of relatives and friends that either went to or are connected with U of L. They are embarrassed to ish. Do they still want to win? Sure, but with the money and prostitutes scandals plus possible NCAA probation hanging around, their expectations, at least for the next 5 years aren't very high.
So, OTHER THAN MONEY, what's the better job right now given all the trash that you'd have to clean up? (Remember how long it took Crean at Indiana, and he still didn't survive)

I want Chris to stay as much as anyone, and I really think X has a good shot at keeping him. But we are fooling ourselves if we think the ACC isn't a step up from the BEAST. And, yea maybe it comes down to money, but acting like that isn't a big factor is kind of shortsighted, no? Also, the sanctions might give the new UL coach a few years of cushion, so IMO those pending sanctions are a toss up as far as their factoring into this decision.

[Lamont Sanford]

We're fooling ourselves if we think the NCAA is really going to properly sanction UofL like it should...see UNC.

I'd love to see UofL give the full-time job to Padgett as he's made chicken salad out of the chicken shit they gave him.

[Xville]

Welp. Maybe it used to be. Other than money, what?

Xavier - Louisville- major conference? Check both
Xavier- Louisville- National TV contract? Check both
Xavier- Louisville- Charter flight road trips? Check both
Xavier - Louisville- Rich recruiting territory? Check Both
Xavier - Louisville- Chance to win a National Championship? Check both
Xavier - Louisville- National Championship in Conference in last 2 years? - Check both
Xavier- Louisville- Sold Out House every game- Check Both
Xavier- Louisville- Close by rival that is always in your kitchen trying to steal recruits? Check both, but I would argue with Pitino's Pay 'Em Plan gone and the old New York/East Coast ties severed, Kentucky will eat their lunch now.
Now:
Multiple scandals? - Check Louisville
Program in turmoil? - Check Louisville
Disgraced coach? - Check Louisvile
AD Fired? - Check Louisville
More money for salary? - Check Louisville
Big Booster Disgraced (and pictured drunk with fans?) - Check Louisville
Barely any regard for academics in your Athletic Program? - Check Louisville
Conference Tournament in MSG? - Check Xavier
Coaching in your hometown and home school? - Check Xavier
Less Pressure to win and more family time?- Check Xavier
No conflict with football stealing resources? - Check Xavier

So. Other than money, Louisville has all the BAD boxes checked. Can they comeback? Sure but these things are fluid and change. SucKS won a National Championship back before Loyola Chicago did, but would you trade their job for Xavier's? Tradition (Slick Rick, Denny Crum etc.) only counts for so much and the school's rep is trashed right now.

Bottom line as it always is. If it's only about money, Xavier will lose. If it's about quality of life, job security and like minded purpose, Xavier wins. Xavier won against Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio State this time, and who knows who else?

Look. I have a whole lot of relatives and friends that either went to or are connected with U of L. They are embarrassed to ish. Do they still want to win? Sure, but with the money and prostitutes scandals plus possible NCAA probation hanging around, their expectations, at least for the next 5 years aren't very high.
So, OTHER THAN MONEY, what's the better job right now given all the trash that you'd have to clean up? (Remember how long it took Crean at Indiana, and he still didn't survive)

Sorry I love Xavier but come on. Anyone outside of Xavier fandom knows and believes that Louisville is on a higher level than X. Acc is a better conference than the big east, the money would be double, the arena is double the size of Cintas, the chance to win a national championship year to year is.much easier at Louisville than it is at X.

The sanctions are a black mark for the university for sure. However let's take a look at say Penn State for reference that had far worse things go on and their football program recovered pretty quickly. No one is going to care what happened at Louisville in a couple of years and no one is really going to remember. Recruits are certainly not going to care once the year or so of sanctions are over with.

Not going to say mack would definitely take the job. Pretty sure only family and very close friends know that. However some on here really need to stop kidding themselves beliving that the programs are on the same level. Can X beat them on the court this year and other years? Absolutely. However they can't compete when it comes to recruiting power, money, facilities, conference etc.

[Lamont Sanford]

I got a good laugh out of a Twitter thread I read yesterday where our little buddy YTG's biggest fan, his loser brother Dan, was rooting for Mack to go to UofL.

[paulxu]

I got a good laugh out of a Twitter thread I read yesterday where our little buddy YTG's biggest fan, his loser brother Dan, was rooting for Mack to go to UofL.

That's the only thing I've read in this entire thread that makes 100% sense.

[bleedXblue]

We're fooling ourselves if we think the NCAA is really going to properly sanction UofL like it should...see UNC.

I'd love to see UofL give the full-time job to Padgett as he's made chicken salad out of the chicken shit they gave him.

they are going to get something

this isn't students taking bogus classes

this is paying for recruits.........a massive difference

[Emp]

Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. We've lost two good coaches in part because of money, but mainly because of ambition. Great coaches want to win and test their coaching with the best athletes.

If we eventually lose Mack, IMHO it will be to Ferrari/F-150 thinking. After an Elite 8 and the attendant publicity, a very frustrating recruiting class and still no worthy 5 candidate, Mack's eye will surely wander -- unless I underestimate the undying troth factor.

For that reason, I don't think Louisville's real and perceived handicaps will draw interest from a coach who desires to upgrade his recruiting chances. . For a coach who wants to move on to win with better athletes, recruiting at the Ville is going to be problematic for some time.

[Masterofreality]

I want Chris to stay as much as anyone, and I really think X has a good shot at keeping him. But we are fooling ourselves if we think the ACC isn't a step up from the BEAST. And, yea maybe it comes down to money, but acting like that isn't a big factor is kind of shortsighted, no? Also, the sanctions might give the new UL coach a few years of cushion, so IMO those pending sanctions are a toss up as far as their factoring into this decision.


Sorry I love Xavier but come on. Anyone outside of Xavier fandom knows and believes that Louisville is on a higher level than X. Acc is a better conference than the big east, the money would be double, the arena is double the size of Cintas, the chance to win a national championship year to year is.much easier at Louisville than it is at X.

The sanctions are a black mark for the university for sure. However let's take a look at say Penn State for reference that had far worse things go on and their football program recovered pretty quickly. No one is going to care what happened at Louisville in a couple of years and no one is really going to remember. Recruits are certainly not going to care once the year or so of sanctions are over with.

Not going to say mack would definitely take the job. Pretty sure only family and very close friends know that. However some on here really need to stop kidding themselves beliving that the programs are on the same level. Can X beat them on the court this year and other years? Absolutely. However they can't compete when it comes to recruiting power, money, facilities, conference etc.

Like I said, these things are fluid and change. The Big East is now EVERY YEAR, A top 3-4 Performance conference. SMU was really good in football, until they got the death penalty and then they weren't. This is paying players plus whores, brother and they ain't getting away with it. Louisville WAS a huge program under Pitino but he's gone and so is Jurich, the genius who got them into the ACC plus there is a serious investigation going on. It may or may be over.

Time will tell.

[Blue Blooded-05]

I would honestly love to know what Sean Miller would say behind closed doors and off the record about his jump to Arizona. He just doesn’t seem happy to me...

Maybe it’s the pressure.
Maybe it’s because he’s a Midwest guy forced to live in Tucson.
Maybe it’s because he knows he’ll always play on Lute Olson court and will never outrun his shadow.
Maybe he misses being the underdog in March instead of always being the favorite.
Maybe if X was in the Big East, he would have thought he was driving a Lexus all along.
Maybe I’m completely wrong about Miller (but I never thought that about Matta).

I do know this: Mack thrives as the underdog. He can still play it at Xavier. He won’t be able to play it at Louisville.

[Xavier]

I don’t think Miller would’ve left if X was in the Big East while he was here.

[Masterofreality]

I don’t think Miller would’ve left if X was in the Big East while he was here.

Not even for the money?

[AviatorX]

I would honestly love to know what Sean Miller would say behind closed doors and off the record about his jump to Arizona. He just doesn’t seem happy to me...

Maybe it’s the pressure.
Maybe it’s because he’s a Midwest guy forced to live in Tucson.
Maybe it’s because he knows he’ll always play on Lute Olson court and will never outrun his shadow.
Maybe he misses being the underdog in March instead of always being the favorite.
Maybe if X was in the Big East, he would have thought he was driving a Lexus all along.
Maybe I’m completely wrong about Miller (but I never thought that about Matta).

I do know this: Mack thrives as the underdog. He can still play it at Xavier. He won’t be able to play it at Louisville.

I mean, the level of talent he's coached at UofA is wayyyy higher than that at Xavier. Not that that's the end all be all, but I think Sean is probably ok with his decision in light of the fact that he gets to coach lottery talent every year - that certainly gives you the best chance of getting over the hill one day.

Obviously talent level does not equal more success on court, but it's a good bet to make.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Dirty schools are pervasively, permanently dirty.

The dirt from one corner of the room winds up all over the darn place. And everybody in it.

Ask Tom Izzo.

[Backyard Champ]

I don’t think Miller would’ve left if X was in the Big East while he was here.

I think he would have. He had no ties to Xavier. Arizona is still a bigger program than Xavier.

I don't think Miller regrets leaving one bit. Doesn't mean it wasn't a hard choice, but probably was the right one for him.

Is Louisville the right one for Mack? I'm not sure. I could see why he'd want to go, and why he'd want to stay. I hope he wants to stay at Xavier.

[JTG]

I mean, the level of talent he's coached at UofA is wayyyy higher than that at Xavier. Not that that's the end all be all, but I think Sean is probably ok with his decision in light of the fact that he gets to coach lottery talent every year - that certainly gives you the best chance of getting over the hill one day.

Obviously talent level does not equal more success on court, but it's a good bet to make.

All that being said he's no closers to a FF than he was at X.

[Cheesehead]

I want this thread to go away. Chris Mack is the head coach at Xavier University.

[outsideobserver11]

I would honestly love to know what Sean Miller would say behind closed doors and off the record about his jump to Arizona. He just doesn’t seem happy to me...

Maybe it’s the pressure.
Maybe it’s because he’s a Midwest guy forced to live in Tucson.
Maybe it’s because he knows he’ll always play on Lute Olson court and will never outrun his shadow.
Maybe he misses being the underdog in March instead of always being the favorite.
Maybe if X was in the Big East, he would have thought he was driving a Lexus all along.
Maybe I’m completely wrong about Miller (but I never thought that about Matta).

I do know this: Mack thrives as the underdog. He can still play it at Xavier. He won’t be able to play it at Louisville.

Well I would be ok with that one at least!

[Get Real]

The issue of UofL as it pertains to the ongoing FBI/AG investigation will play a significant role in choosing its next coach. Although the FBI investigation has been completed, the AG's has not. No one knows how much more damaging information about the targeted perps and their respective schools has been revealed. However, since the FBI has ID'd 2-3 Louisville coaches on their surveillance tapes, it would appear that there is more damaging testimony to come. That being said, the NCAA recently commented that once the AG's discovery and criminal charges are revealed, they will waste no time in handing down its own rulings. If Louisville is hit hard, I submit that it would be extremely difficult to secure a top-tier coach to take over a scandal plagued program that is beset with debilitating sanctions. (i.e: probation, loss of scholarships etc.)

[UCGRAD4X]

I realize that part of what we do here is speculate - it can be entertaining and an opportunity for some to say, "I told you so."

My perspective is, it might happen, it might not. Eventually Mack is not going to be the coach of Xavier's Men's Basketball team. That may happen sooner or it might happen later. I hope it is later as most of you do as well. But while he is the coach we will root for him, mainly because he is the coach of OUR team.

Remember, players come and go, coaches come and go. What remains is the Xavier spirit (however you wish to define that), the program and school itself (in the various iteration it has taken over its history), but what has been most constant, most dependable, most faithful, is us: the ardent, even fanatically supportive bordering on dillusion, many of whom occupy this board to one degree or another.

The program will go on. The new coach and new players may be better, may be worse...we'll still root for them, speculate and debate and enjoy the process or wail and gnash our teeth....or both.

Xavier Basketball is, by and large, us.

I just wanted to add that FWIW.

[GoMuskies]

I realize that part of what we do here is speculate - it can be entertaining and an opportunity for some to say, "I told you so."

My perspective is, it might happen, it might not. Eventually Mack is not going to be the coach of Xavier's Men's Basketball team. That may happen sooner or it might happen later. I hope it is later as most of you do as well. But while he is the coach we will root for him, mainly because he is the coach of OUR team.

Remember, players come and go, coaches come and go. What remains is the Xavier spirit (however you wish to define that), the program and school itself (in the various iteration it has taken over its history), but what has been most constant, most dependable, most faithful, is us: the ardent, even fanatically supportive bordering on dillusion, many of whom occupy this board to one degree or another.

The program will go on. The new coach and new players may be better, may be worse...we'll still root for them, speculate and debate and enjoy the process or wail and gnash our teeth....or both.

Xavier Basketball is, by and large, us.

I just wanted to add that FWIW.

The Xavier way!!! :)

[skyking]

The issue of UofL as it pertains to the ongoing FBI/AG investigation will play a significant role in choosing its next coach. Although the FBI investigation has been completed, the AG's has not. No one knows how much more damaging information about the targeted perps and their respective schools has been revealed. However, since the FBI has ID'd 2-3 Louisville coaches on their surveillance tapes, it would appear that there is more damaging testimony to come. That being said, the NCAA recently commented that once the AG's discovery and criminal charges are revealed, they will waste no time in handing down its own rulings. If Louisville is hit hard, I submit that it would be extremely difficult to secure a top-tier coach to take over a scandal plagued program that is beset with debilitating sanctions. (i.e: probation, loss of scholarships etc.)

Possibly one that is simply motivated by the money. I don't see that in Chris.

[xu koop scoop]

I can't believe how many posts are here about RUMORS of leaving. It would seem there would be WAY MORE POSTS about the REALITY of this season, which has a GOOD CHANCE to be our best season ever. A trip to the Final 4 is very realistic at the moment as is a chance to win it all. Looking to the future instead of focusing on the present is sad given that the Present is an extraordinary moment.

[Xavier]

I can't believe how many posts are here about RUMORS of leaving. It would seem there would be WAY MORE POSTS about the REALITY of this season, which has a GOOD CHANCE to be our best season ever. A trip to the Final 4 is very realistic at the moment as is a chance to win it all. Looking to the future instead of focusing on the present is sad given that the Present is an extraordinary moment.

There are. In the thread "Is this the best Xavier team ever" there is close to double the posts than this one.

[xu82]

I wonder if the strippers and hookers are considered “fans”?