The streak is alive and well

[muskiefan82]

It wasn't pretty, but the streak continues.

Through the MCC, A10, and Big East, 6 different coaches, and three different home courts, Xavier continues the longest active Division 1 streak of consecutive .500 or better conference records at 36 seasons.
82-83 - 10-4
83-84 - 9-5
84-85 - 7-7
85-86 - 10-2
86-87 - 7-5
87-88 - 9-1
88-89 - 7-5
89-90 - 12-2
90-91 - 11-3
91-92 - 7-3
92-93 - 12-2
93-94 - 8-2
94-95 - 14-0
95-96 - 8-8 1st year A-10
96-97 - 13-3
97-98 - 11-5
98-99 - 12-4
99-00 - 9-7
00-01 - 12-4
01-02 - 14-2
02-03 - 15-1
03-04 - 10-6
04-05 - 10-6
05-06 - 8-8
06-07 - 13-3
07-08 - 14-2
08-09 - 12-4
09-10 - 14-2
10-11 - 15-1
11-12 -10-6
12-13 - 9-7
13-14 – 10-8 1st year Big East
14-15 – 9-9
15-16 - 14-4
16-17 – 9-9
17-18 – 10 - 2

No other team has finished .500 or better in conference over the last 36 consecutive seasons. Not Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Duke, Syracuse, Gonzaga, Memphis, North Carolina, NONE OF THE OTHER BIG EAST teams, certainly no other team from Ohio, not any team EXCEPT our Xavier University Musketeers. A tradition of winning second to none.

[American X]

The streak is alive! Long live the streak!

Excellent as always, muskiefan82.

[GoMuskies]

I love it when Xavier is streaking.

[Muskeagle]

I love it when Xavier is streaking.

College is ALL about streaking!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20g3QIUnOgY

[muethibp]

It is a very cool streak.

The streak is in deep peril next season.

[XUFan09]

It is a very cool streak.

The streak is in deep peril next season.Deep peril? That's rather extreme. This team will take a big step back on offense, but defensively, they'll be really good with a lineup of Goodin, Scruggs, Marshall, Gates, and Jones. I mean, an 8-10 season could happen, but somewhere between 9-9 and 11-7 looks more likely.

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[GIMMFD]

Deep peril? That's rather extreme. This team will take a big step back on offense, but defensively, they'll be really good with a lineup of Goodin, Scruggs, Marshall, Gates, and Jones. I mean, an 8-10 season could happen, but somewhere between 9-9 and 11-7 looks more likely.

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Damnit can we not just enjoy this season and how amazing it's been so far?? Let's worry about the streak ending when we get there, it's very impressive, and speaks volumes about the quality of our program.

[XUFan09]

Damnit can we not just enjoy this season and how amazing it's been so far?? Let's worry about the streak ending when we get there, it's very impressive, and speaks volumes about the quality of our program.I figure as long as it's confined to threads like this, it's fine. A discussion of what seasons might threaten the streak is a natural extension of the topic of the thread, but I thought "deep peril" was a strongly pessimistic take on next season.

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[GIMMFD]

I figure as long as it's confined to threads like this, it's fine. A discussion of what seasons might threaten the streak is a natural extension of the topic of the thread, but I thought "deep peril" was a strongly pessimistic take on next season.

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Definitely a fair point, I do believe we have some talent coming back next year, and still have a chance to extend this streak. I'm just more so infatuated with the prospects of this year to think that far ahead. :lol:

[American X]

The streak is in deep peril next season.

Hijacking this thread and picking on this post. I am not picking on you, but this post is representative of a number a similar posts that I consistently read.

How in the hell can a Xavier fan think this? Have they not witnessed Chris Mack coach? Have they not witnessed our program continue to ascend?

Gates, Jones and Goodin return as upperclassmen. Are you watching the games and seeing the quality minutes Naji and Scruggs are putting in? Naji had a huge game at Butler last night - 38 minutes, 15 points, defense, boards, Steel Balls 3 to open OT. Naji is going to be all-conference and Scruggs is just getting warmed up.

Kaiser, Tyrique, Q, Naji & Scruggs is the core of a monster defensive squad. Xavier is going to be punching teams in the face next year.

In summation:

1) Savor the Best Xavier Season Ever while it is happening.
2) If it has ever reloaded, Xavier is reloading next year.
3) Cheer the F up.

Thank you for your attention. Have an Xcellent day.

[bobbiemcgee]

Hijacking this thread and picking on this post. I am not picking on you, but this post is representative of a number a similar posts that I consistently read.

How in the hell can a Xavier fan think this? Have they not witnessed Chris Mack coach? Have they not witnessed our program continue to ascend?

Gates, Jones and Goodin return as upperclassmen. Are you watching the games and seeing the quality minutes Naji and Scruggs are putting in? Naji had a huge game at Butler last night - 38 minutes, 15 points, defense, boards, Steel Balls 3 to open OT. Naji is going to be all-conference and Scruggs is just getting warmed up.

Kaiser, Tyrique, Q, Naji & Scruggs is the core of a monster defensive squad. Xavier is going to be punching teams in the face next year.

In summation:

1) Savor the Best Xavier Season Ever while it is happening.
2) If it has ever reloaded, Xavier is reloading next year.
3) Cheer the F up.

Thank you for your attention. Have an Xcellent day.

Share your enthusiasm Amex, but I'd like for Mack to pull a Bernard/Kanter or 2 out of his magic hat again . Plus Kennedy will need to get up to speed immediately.

[smileyy]

Naji will be a beast next year and he'll have some growing pains too. The lineup looks like, what:

Q
Scruggernuts
Marshall
Gates
Tyrique

That's going to be a thin lineup, but that's kind of to be expected when you lose 4 of your top...um....4-5 players.

[xavierj]

Naji will be a beast next year and he'll have some growing pains too. The lineup looks like, what:

Q
Scruggernuts
Marshall
Gates
Tyrique

That's going to be a thin lineup, but that's kind of to be expected when you lose 4 of your top...um....4-5 players.

That lineup should be awesome on defense. Also have the transfer coming in and most likely another 5th year guy.

[GoMuskies]

If this ends, it's on Chris Mack.

[muethibp]

It is a very cool streak.

The streak is in deep peril next season.

Anyone think they have a 6-2 finish in them?

[muethibp]

Hijacking this thread and picking on this post. I am not picking on you, but this post is representative of a number a similar posts that I consistently read.

How in the hell can a Xavier fan think this? Have they not witnessed Chris Mack coach? Have they not witnessed our program continue to ascend?

Gates, Jones and Goodin return as upperclassmen. Are you watching the games and seeing the quality minutes Naji and Scruggs are putting in? Naji had a huge game at Butler last night - 38 minutes, 15 points, defense, boards, Steel Balls 3 to open OT. Naji is going to be all-conference and Scruggs is just getting warmed up.

Kaiser, Tyrique, Q, Naji & Scruggs is the core of a monster defensive squad. Xavier is going to be punching teams in the face next year.

In summation:

1) Savor the Best Xavier Season Ever while it is happening.
2) If it has ever reloaded, Xavier is reloading next year.
3) Cheer the F up.

Thank you for your attention. Have an Xcellent day.

Aged well.

[Xville]

Not that Gates was a supreme five star talent, but I think we can look at the team this year and realize he is missed more than most of us thought he would be. It'd be nice to have his interior defense, length and shooting ability.

[Masterofreality]

Aged well.

But, other than Kaiser leaving, he wasn’t wrong.
Obviously something else IS wrong.

[muethibp]

But, other than Kaiser leaving, he wasn’t wrong.
Obviously something else IS wrong.

Don't really care but nearly the overall theme of the post was wrong as is most certainly "Xavier is going to be punching teams in the face next year."

[XUGRAD80]

But, other than Kaiser leaving, he wasn’t wrong.
Obviously something else IS wrong.


Could it possibly be that we (and I include myself here) OVER rated these players? That we were too overly optimistic and were blind to the deficiencies that we should have seen? I can't help but come to the conclusion that we SHOULD HAVE seen much of this coming. After all, last years team was certainly not any juggernaut defensively. Why did we think that this year's team would be? Other than POSSIBLY Hankins, the team added no one that was a defensive improvement and nor is Steele known as a defensive genius. We really shouldn't be surprised by where the team is right now. But I must admit that I am surprised, and more than a little disappointed. But, I also admit that I have nobody but myself to blame for it. I drank the offseason Kool-Aid and it tasted sweet then. But, it's leaving a pretty sour aftertaste now.

[xubrew]

I think college basketball has the shortest memory of any major sport. With the exception of maybe five programs (if it's even that many) you're only one bad season away from being irrelevant no matter how good you are now or how long you've been good.

Remember when Oregon was good? They were ranked in the teens just about two months ago. A #1 seed and Elite Eight in 2016, and a Final Four in 2017. Now their games don't even sell out and no one really thinks about them.

But, it works both ways. No matter how bad you are or how long you've sucked, you're just one season away from being nationally relevant. Two years ago Tennessee was basically shit.

It's kind of phenomenon. Teams can go from having scalpers sell their tickets for thousands of dollars one season to being completely forgotten in less than a year. And, vice versa. Like SMU, for instance. They're kind of an example of both ends.

[BigMoeMusketeer]

I think college basketball has the shortest memory of any major sport. With the exception of maybe five programs (if it's even that many) you're only one bad season away from being irrelevant no matter how good you are now or how long you've been good.

Remember when Oregon was good? They were ranked in the teens just about two months ago. A #1 seed and Elite Eight in 2016, and a Final Four in 2017. Now their games don't even sell out and no one really thinks about them.

But, it works both ways. No matter how bad you are or how long you've sucked, you're just one season away from being nationally relevant. Two years ago Tennessee was basically shit.

It's kind of phenomenon. Teams can go from having scalpers sell their tickets for thousands of dollars one season to being completely forgotten in less than a year. And, vice versa. Like SMU, for instance. They're kind of an example of both ends.

Great post, and I agree with you completely. Look at Tulsa, a team once regularly in the Sweet 16 (1994, 1995, and an Elite 8 in 2000) led by coaches Nolan Richardson, Tubby Smith, and Bill Self. Now, a HORRIFIC program in a terrible league. Also, similarly, a like-sized private University. Dissimilarly, they have football...barely.

I'm not suggesting there pedigree is anywhere near Xavier's, it clearly isn't, however, to support the post by XUBREW, it doesn't take much to fall completely off the radar.

Also worth noting that Tulsa has an endowment over $1 Billion -- about 6x Xavier's endowment.

[X-band '01]

Tulsa hired Frank Haith. Enough said.

[XUOHTX]

Back to back wins coming off six straight losses. How are we feeling about winning 4 out 5 to finish out the season?

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Anything is possible.

[GoMuskies]

Back to back wins coming off six straight losses. How are we feeling about winning 4 out 5 to finish out the season?

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

[GIMMFD]

Back to back wins coming off six straight losses. How are we feeling about winning 4 out 5 to finish out the season?

Ask me after Seton Hall, if we see the X team that showed up second half against Providence, definitely a chance, if we see the team that was on the 6 game skid, not too confident.

[noteggs]

Bottom line, think they’re seeing something within themselves that’s been missing - confidence in a system with a new HC, understanding their new roles, and trust. Will they go 4-1 or 0-5 the rest of the year in conference - maybe?

Just nice to see a team not check out but improve.

[xdude]

It's really all about the Big East Tournament this year. Can we do what we've done, winning four days in a row (A10)? Someone with a better memory or search can tell the year. Can we do it in the Big East?

It's a crazy challenge, but of our years in the Big East, this would be the one. Nova's not unbeatable. We actually played them pretty well at their place. We were beating Seton Hall until we lost our shit. St. John's is a wild card, and we still have two with them before the tourney, but we're surely coming together at the right time of year!

[Snipe]

Back to back wins coming off six straight losses. How are we feeling about winning 4 out 5 to finish out the season?


Ask me after Seton Hall, if we see the X team that showed up second half against Providence, definitely a chance, if we see the team that was on the 6 game skid, not too confident.


We beat Seton Hall @ The Hall and you will get a lot more true believers.



It's really all about the Big East Tournament this year. Can we do what we've done, winning four days in a row (A10)? Someone with a better memory or search can tell the year. Can we do it in the Big East?

It's a crazy challenge, but of our years in the Big East, this would be the one. Nova's not unbeatable. We actually played them pretty well at their place. We were beating Seton Hall until we lost our shit. St. John's is a wild card, and we still have two with them before the tourney, but we're surely coming together at the right time of year!

We do this correctly and it will be 3 games in 3 days, not 4 games in 4 days.

Can we do this in the Big East?

Yes. We can do this.

[muethibp]

Need 2 out of 3. Tough games but they played themselves into this being a definite possibility. Would be very pleased to have been proven wrong.

[noteggs]

Back to back wins coming off six straight losses. How are we feeling about winning 4 out 5 to finish out the season?

Ok we’re 3 for 3 since you asked. Hell, why don’t we just win the last 2 instead AND keep the streak alive!!

[muskiefan82]

It wasn't pretty, it was in doubt, but the streak continues.

Through the MCC, A10, and Big East, 7 different coaches, and three different home courts, Xavier continues the longest active Division 1 streak of consecutive .500 or better conference records at 36 seasons.
82-83 - 10-4
83-84 - 9-5
84-85 - 7-7
85-86 - 10-2
86-87 - 7-5
87-88 - 9-1
88-89 - 7-5
89-90 - 12-2
90-91 - 11-3
91-92 - 7-3
92-93 - 12-2
93-94 - 8-2
94-95 - 14-0
95-96 - 8-8 1st year A-10
96-97 - 13-3
97-98 - 11-5
98-99 - 12-4
99-00 - 9-7
00-01 - 12-4
01-02 - 14-2
02-03 - 15-1
03-04 - 10-6
04-05 - 10-6
05-06 - 8-8
06-07 - 13-3
07-08 - 14-2
08-09 - 12-4
09-10 - 14-2
10-11 - 15-1
11-12 -10-6
12-13 - 9-7
13-14 – 10-8 1st year Big East
14-15 – 9-9
15-16 - 14-4
16-17 – 9-9
17-18 – 15-3
18-19 - 9-9



No other team has finished .500 or better in conference over the last 36 consecutive seasons. Not Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Duke, Syracuse, Gonzaga, Memphis, North Carolina, NONE OF THE OTHER BIG EAST teams, certainly no other team from Ohio, not any team EXCEPT our Xavier University Musketeers. A tradition of winning second to none.

Thank you.Thank you.Thank you.

[bjf123]

HOT DAMN!!!!!!!!!


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[GoMuskies]

Yes, yes, yes!!!

Time to get so drunk it endangers my marriage!

[XUGRAD80]

37 years and counting! Wow!


March 20th is my 37th wedding anniversary....coincidence? I don’t think so!

[stammina0721]

If there was a year for it to end it was this year. For it to continue might mean it will last beyond my lifetime

[noteggs]

Nice article by Adam Baum on the 1989-90 team that went to our first sweet sixteen. Funny, one player says hard to believe he’s 50 years old. Said to myself no way that guy is 50! Then I just got a shot of reality, that was my senior year and I’m in my 50’s.

Had trouble finding a thread to put this in. Since this team is part of the streak - why not.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2019/07/11/xavier-basketball-xaviers-history-record-sweet-16-elite-eight-ncaa-nit-postseason-big-east/1617219001/

[muskiefan82]

Nice article by Adam Baum on the 1989-90 team that went to our first sweet sixteen. Funny, one player says hard to believe he’s 50 years old. Said to myself no way that guy is 50! Then I just got a shot of reality, that was my senior year and I’m in my 50’s.

Had trouble finding a thread to put this in. Since this team is part of the streak - why not.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2019/07/11/xavier-basketball-xaviers-history-record-sweet-16-elite-eight-ncaa-nit-postseason-big-east/1617219001/

I shed tears that day

[GoMuskies]

I shed tears that day

Before the edit....was that a picture of you at the game?

[muskiefan82]

No. That was actually my stepdad and stepbrother at the 1987 NCAA win against Missouri. I skipped school that day and watched from home though.....some things you just have to do...

[scoscox]

Nice article by Adam Baum on the 1989-90 team that went to our first sweet sixteen. Funny, one player says hard to believe he’s 50 years old. Said to myself no way that guy is 50! Then I just got a shot of reality, that was my senior year and I’m in my 50’s.

Had trouble finding a thread to put this in. Since this team is part of the streak - why not.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2019/07/11/xavier-basketball-xaviers-history-record-sweet-16-elite-eight-ncaa-nit-postseason-big-east/1617219001/

Derek Strong was a man among boys in that game. What a monster front court we had. It's a shame they couldn't finish off Texas. Arguably the most talented team in Xavier history.

[noteggs]

Derek Strong was a man among boys in that game. What a monster front court we had. It's a shame they couldn't finish off Texas. Arguably the most talented team in Xavier history.

No kidding on most talented team and front court in terms of future NBA talent with Hill being our first lottery pick ever. Not sure we’ve ever had 3 NBA players on one team. I would say between that team and 2017-18 (obviously the better college team).

[scoscox]

No kidding on most talented team and front court in terms of future NBA talent with Hill being our first lottery pick ever. Not sure we’ve ever had 3 NBA players on one team. I would say between that team and 2017-18 (obviously the better college team).

Hill, Strong, Gladden, Walker, Davenport. Hell of a lineup. Williams off the bench. Team was loaded. They were one of the few teams to beat a healthy loyola marymount team that year. Hill and Strong both had 20 20 games against bo kimble and crew. That part in the article about Hill and Strong both being great on the break is really true. They could run with anyone.

[sirthought]

No kidding on most talented team and front court in terms of future NBA talent with Hill being our first lottery pick ever. Not sure we’ve ever had 3 NBA players on one team. I would say between that team and 2017-18 (obviously the better college team).

West, Sato, and Chalmers all played in the NBA and in same college team, no?
Bluiett, Macura, and Sumners have each had some NBA contract.

[scoscox]

No kidding on most talented team and front court in terms of future NBA talent with Hill being our first lottery pick ever. Not sure we’ve ever had 3 NBA players on one team. I would say between that team and 2017-18 (obviously the better college team).

Also, with regard to the question about 3 NBA players, I'd direct you to the Thad Matta era muskies. They didn't all stick like the three guys from 1990, but David West, Dave Young, Romain Sato, and Lionel Chalmers were all drafted off of the 2003 muskies

[noteggs]

West, Sato, and Chalmers all played in the NBA and in same college team, no?
Bluiett, Macura, and Sumners have each had some NBA contract.

Of course! Not sure they had the same track record in terms of NBA productivity (On a team and contributing - Hill, Strong, and Williams). IMO, this was when X was put on the map for school’s who can put players in NBA.

[WCWIII]

Of course! Not sure they had the same track record in terms of NBA productivity (On a team and contributing - Hill, Strong, and Williams). IMO, this was when X was put on the map for school’s who can put players in NBA.

Power Forward U

[muethibp]

Looks like this might be a nailbiter again this year.

[GoMuskies]

Looks like this might be a nailbiter again this year.

I think nailbiter is the best case scenario!

[IM4X]

Derek Strong was a man among boys in that game. What a monster front court we had. It's a shame they couldn't finish off Texas. Arguably the most talented team in Xavier history.

X was up by 8 at half too... unfortunately Strong got called for a few ticky tack calls (at least as I recall) which lead to him fouling out relatively early in the second half. That’s when everything went south.

Oh what a great season... what a great team... what might have been if not for Strong fouling out. Absolutely one of the greatest X teams (and the one that really put the X program on the map and caused them to start moving on up to bigger and better conferences.

[bjf123]

Looks like this might be a nailbiter again this year.

It’s deja vu all over again.


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[X-band '01]

Last year at this time, Xavier had a road win at DePaul before losing four games at home to put themselves in mortal peril. They're close but not quite at that tipping point.

[muethibp]

Think these fellas have 7-4 down the stretch in them? Win the home games except Nova and then beat SJU, Gtown and Depaul on the road?

[Final4]

Think these fellas have 7-4 down the stretch in them? Win the home games except Nova and then beat SJU, Gtown and Depaul on the road?

I'm not nearly that optimistic. I think we drop home games to Marquette, Butler and Nova and only pick up one win on the road.

[muethibp]

I'm not nearly that optimistic. I think we drop home games to Marquette, Butler and Nova and only pick up one win on the road.


I'm not as optimistic to think they can go 7-4 either. I was just laying out the way it could happen if it were somehow to happen. I tend to think you're right. Particularly as there are some troubling "we've quit" indicators about this team.

[BigMoeMusketeer]

In the grand scheme of my concern about the present / future of this program, them keeping "the streak" alive doesn't even register for me. I'm way more concerned with having a defined path back to being Top 3 in the league, Top 10-15 in the country, and contenders for the NCAA Tourney (remember that event, it was fun)'s 2nd weekend, than I am checking a box in another NIT year to "keep a streak" alive.

[OTRMUSKIE]

THE nit is going to be great this year. I would just have UC and X play first round and then hopefully lose so the season can be over and UC still has to play in that awful tournament. I hope we can opt out of it

[bjf123]

In the grand scheme of my concern about the present / future of this program, them keeping "the streak" alive doesn't even register for me. I'm way more concerned with having a defined path back to being Top 3 in the league, Top 10-15 in the country, and contenders for the NCAA Tourney (remember that event, it was fun)'s 2nd weekend, than I am checking a box in another NIT year to "keep a streak" alive.

I think we all agree, but if this year is going to suck, keeping the streak alive is better than nothing. Then again, finishing 9-9 in the conference might get an NCAA bid anyway.


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[UCGRAD4X]

I think we all agree, but if this year is going to suck, keeping the streak alive is better than nothing. Then again, finishing 9-9 in the conference might get an NCAA bid anyway.

Well they better get the f**k going RFN!

[XUBison]

If we missed the tournament this year, then I hope to God we finish below .500 in conference. I never want to hear people talking about the stupid streak as though it’s some sort of consolation for a crappy season, ever again. I hate this thread. Barf.

[GoMuskies]

I mean, this thread was started in the midst of our Big East championship season. And while it was a bit of a consolation prize last year, it's not as if Xavier went sideways all year and just snuck into a .500 conference record. Xavier finished last year 6-1, so there was reason to be delighted about a 9-9 record.

Not sure I understand the hostility to what is a pretty unique streak.

[SM#24]

I like the streak and hope it continues in perpetuity. That is all.

[bjf123]

I like the streak and hope it continues in perpetuity. That is all.

^^^This!^^^


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[D-West & PO-Z]

If we continue the streak we are dancing. I can't see us going 9-9 and not getting in. So long live the streak!