Progress

[XUPete]

A few thoughts...

-This is our fourth year in the league and the first time we are in a position to share the title. X took a huge step up from the A10 and are now finding their balance. This is progress and great news.

-X has a great chance to get a 1 or 2 seed for the second time in 3 years. This has never happened before in our history.

-X is 24-4...let me say that again...24-4! We have beaten multiple teams this year that were ranked when we played them.

-3 of our losses were to teams who shot absolutely unconscious for a half or the entire game (yeah, I know, two were to Villanova).

-We have 1...One...bad loss, to Providence. And while X played poorly in that game, even that loss looks a little better with Providence making a case for an at large bid and beating Nova.

-For whatever reason Villanova has our number right now. When we were in the MCC Evansville seemed to own us, but that didnÂ’t make us a bad team nor did it keep us from having larger success. In the A10 GW beat us every #@$&* time the first years after we joined, but that didnÂ’t keep us from finding a way to get better...and eventually we beat them most of the time.

-We own UC, yet they have still had success outside of playing us.

-We own UD, yet they have still had success outside of playing us.

-Prior to this year we have had mountains of trouble with Seton Hall. For this year at least, we have overcome that hurdle and beaten them with strong performances.

Things arenÂ’t bad with XU. Yes, Villanova owns us right now, but history suggests we will overcome.

We all want a Final Four right now, I get that. These things take time. It might be this year or next, and it might not. But XU history tells me we will continue to get better until the goal is achieved.

We have a shot to share a Big East title this year, this is progress. And maybe the A10 and NCAA tourneys will bring us even more...

[XUGRAD80]

I agree with most of this.....

But even if they tie Nova with the same record, I won’t consider it a “shared” title. I don’t think most will see it that way either. However, there is still a chance that they will meet each other in the BIG EAST (not A10 ��) Tourney, and I hope that X is finally able to win if they do.

It I do agree with the overal tone of the post. X is making progress in many areas. Even if this years recruiting class is not projected to be as great as many of us had hoped, it’s still better than many of the recruiting classes X has had in past years. The record X has is great and against a higher class of opponents than what X had before the BE. There are many many pluses and many many things to be happy with and to be proud of. But the ‘Nova thing is really hard to get over and I’m sure it’s something that kept many of the coaches and players awake last night. No matter what happens the rest of this year (and there is A LOT of this season left) I’m sure that the Nova games will still be a challenge and point of emphasis for future X teams.

[Section 200]

Nice post! Nova certainly seems to play well against X. I find it fascinating that Nova has relative trouble with Butler while we typically beat Butler. Nova seems unbeatable when they hit contested 3s - eventually they should be due for an off night against us.

[Xville]

Nice post! Nova certainly seems to play well against X. I find it fascinating that Nova has relative trouble with Butler while we typically beat Butler. Nova seems unbeatable when they hit contested 3s - eventually they should be due for an off night against us.

People keep saying this stuff and it is one big eye roll to me. Maybe they shoot so well and play so well against us because our defense isn't good. We have had what one good defense according to kenpom since mack took over? Not bashing mack but just saying...we haven't had good defenses with him at the helm. Nova is really damn good but it's also easy to look so good offensively against an average defensive team.

The difference between x and nova for years now has been on the defensive side of the ball, it's pretty easy to see that year after year.

[American X]

Good take.

Even if you are having the best season ever, you do not feel great right after getting punched in the gut. Time to get back to roughing up the rest of the Big East.

[GIMMFD]

Good take.

Even if you are having the best season ever, you do not feel great right after getting punched in the gut. Time to get back to roughing up the rest of the Big East.

It's hard to keep things in perspective when you get blown out, you start trying to figure out what went wrong, and then start amplifying all the short-comings of your team. Let's face it, no team is perfect, there's a lot of parity in college basketball right now. There's a legitimate 10 teams or so that could be cutting down the nets in San Antonio, and we're one of those 10 teams. Every day won't be our day, but we've been doing incredibly well to put ourselves in a position to make a run in March. I still don't think we've peaked yet, and if we hit the peak like we did last season in the tournaments, the sky is the limit.

[xudash]

A few thoughts...

-This is our fourth year in the league and the first time we are in a position to share the title. X took a huge step up from the A10 and are now finding their balance. This is progress and great news.

-X has a great chance to get a 1 or 2 seed for the second time in 3 years. This has never happened before in our history.

-X is 24-4...let me say that again...24-4! We have beaten multiple teams this year that were ranked when we played them.

-3 of our losses were to teams who shot absolutely unconscious for a half or the entire game (yeah, I know, two were to Villanova).

-We have 1...One...bad loss, to Providence. And while X played poorly in that game, even that loss looks a little better with Providence making a case for an at large bid and beating Nova.

-For whatever reason Villanova has our number right now. When we were in the MCC Evansville seemed to own us, but that didnÂ’t make us a bad team nor did it keep us from having larger success. In the A10 GW beat us every #@$&* time the first years after we joined, but that didnÂ’t keep us from finding a way to get better...and eventually we beat them most of the time.

-We own UC, yet they have still had success outside of playing us.

-We own UD, yet they have still had success outside of playing us.

-Prior to this year we have had mountains of trouble with Seton Hall. For this year at least, we have overcome that hurdle and beaten them with strong performances.

Things arenÂ’t bad with XU. Yes, Villanova owns us right now, but history suggests we will overcome.

We all want a Final Four right now, I get that. These things take time. It might be this year or next, and it might not. But XU history tells me we will continue to get better until the goal is achieved.

We have a shot to share a Big East title this year, this is progress. And maybe the A10 and NCAA tourneys will bring us even more...

Love this post.

I attended the game yesterday. I otherwise attended meetings on campus on Friday.

The Cintas Center, with its recent renovations, is simply extraordinary. It was big time in there in every way yesterday, and that includes us now being a member of the Big East. Overall, the university has never been on better footing, and its management team is first class. Xavier has great days to look forward to as it moves into the future.

Yes, we were poised to take a big step yesterday and we didn't do it. Yet we didn't do it in the face of continuing, steady progress over now what has been a few decades. It will come.

[Section 200]

People keep saying this stuff and it is one big eye roll to me. Maybe they shoot so well and play so well against us because our defense isn't good. We have had what one good defense according to kenpom since mack took over? Not bashing mack but just saying...we haven't had good defenses with him at the helm. Nova is really damn good but it's also easy to look so good offensively against an average defensive team.

The difference between x and nova for years now has been on the defensive side of the ball, it's pretty easy to see that year after year.

I'm not sure you can do much more on a 3 other than be in front of the shooter and put your arms up high. Do you think Providence did something special to hold Nova to 3-20 from 3?

[xukeith]

Excellent post.
Villanova has our number. in the future when X gets better recruits and plays better defense, X will be better.

Some styles are not good matchups for X.

This NCAA tournament, passed the first weekend, any team can beat any team. We were fortunate we got to play Florida State and that other team we blew out. It is about match ups.

Even if X gets a 1 or 2 seed, certainly it is POSSIBLE X could face a hot team that has small guards that drive and excellent 3 point shooters.


Biggest draw back is that X couldn't dominate and convert points in the paint yesterday. That is a big strength of this team.

[GIMMFD]

I'm not sure you can do much more on a 3 other than be in front of the shooter and put your arms up high. Do you think Providence did something special to hold Nova to 3-20 from 3?

Agreed, even 3 of Bridges triples in the first half were with JP draped all over him, when they're falling they fall, does our defense leave things to be desired? Absolutely, but at the same time, they were just unconscious against us last night.

[xu koop scoop]

Hope somebody looks this up. We are now 1-10 vs NOVA since joining BE. What is NOVA's 3 Pt % in those 11 games & how many have they taken. Also, what is XU's 3 pt% & attempts. When a team hits 16 of 34 3's you can't beat them with 6 of 17 3's on your end. NOVA Oozes confidence when they play us. We may go further than NOVA in the Dance as other teams aren't in awe of them. "In awe of them" seems to be a problem for us currently.

[XUGRAD80]

People keep saying this stuff and it is one big eye roll to me. Maybe they shoot so well and play so well against us because our defense isn't good. We have had what one good defense according to kenpom since mack took over? Not bashing mack but just saying...we haven't had good defenses with him at the helm. Nova is really damn good but it's also easy to look so good offensively against an average defensive team.

The difference between x and nova for years now has been on the defensive side of the ball, it's pretty easy to see that year after year.

I just love you guys that keep complaining about the defense under Mack. Let this sink in.....

The best statistical defense that X has had under Mack was during the 12-13 season, where they gave up only 62-63 points per game. (They gave up 75 a game last year and about the same this year)

The kicker here is that the worst RECORD they have had in any season under Mack was 2012-2013 when the team finished with a 17-14 record and a 6th place finish in the A-10.

Sometimes the defense looks better on paper than it actually is. They gave up fewer points because they walked the ball up the court, ran clock, and kept possessions down for both teams every game. X could certainly do the same thing today. But would they be 23-4? Would they be at the top of the BE? Would they be a top 5 ranked team?

Sometimes defensive statistics are a matter of who you play. UC has the top ranked (statistically) defense in the country. But they have only played 2 teams that were ranked in the top 50 for offense. One of them was X. We all know what happened there. ( And oh by the way, just lost to WSU and gave up 76 points...the 3rd top 50 scoring team they have played this year. )

X is NOT playing great defense this year. But part of that is that they continue to play really good offenses in virtually every Big East game. Part of that is the type of offense they play. It may not be a true fast break type offense, but it’s certainly not a grind it out and play clock type offense either. They do not have really good one on one type defensive players and they BE teams know how to attack the zones X plays because of their familiarity with them.

Yet somehow X is STILL 23-4!

I’ll take it.

[xu82]

yet somehow x is still 23-4!

I’ll take it.

amen!!!

[paulxu]

Hope somebody looks this up. We are now 1-10 vs NOVA since joining BE. What is NOVA's 3 Pt % in those 11 games & how many have they taken. Also, what is XU's 3 pt% & attempts. When a team hits 16 of 34 3's you can't beat them with 6 of 17 3's on your end. NOVA Oozes confidence when they play us. We may go further than NOVA in the Dance as other teams aren't in awe of them. "In awe of them" seems to be a problem for us currently.

Just go to ESPN's NCAAM page; got to standings; select Xavier; select schedule...and you can look at any of our games for the last 16 years...and get all the answers you are seeking.

[Juice]

I just love you guys that keep complaining about the defense under Mack. Let this sink in.....

The best statistical defense that X has had under Mack was during the 12-13 season, where they gave up only 62-63 points per game. (They gave up 75 a game last year and about the same this year)

The kicker here is that the worst RECORD they have had in any season under Mack was 2012-2013 when the team finished with a 17-14 record and a 6th place finish in the A-10.

Sometimes the defense looks better on paper than it actually is. They gave up fewer points because they walked the ball up the court, ran clock, and kept possessions down for both teams every game. X could certainly do the same thing today. But would they be 23-4? Would they be at the top of the BE? Would they be a top 5 ranked team?

Sometimes defensive statistics are a matter of who you play. UC has the top ranked (statistically) defense in the country. But they have only played 2 teams that were ranked in the top 50 for offense. One of them was X. We all know what happened there. ( And oh by the way, just lost to WSU and gave up 76 points...the 3rd top 50 scoring team they have played this year. )

X is NOT playing great defense this year. But part of that is that they continue to play really good offenses in virtually every Big East game. Part of that is the type of offense they play. It may not be a true fast break type offense, but it’s certainly not a grind it out and play clock type offense either. They do not have really good one on one type defensive players and they BE teams know how to attack the zones X plays because of their familiarity with them.

Yet somehow X is STILL 23-4!

I’ll take it.

The best defensive team Mack had was in 2015-2016. They were 22nd in defensive efficient that year. In the 2012-2013 season X was 67th in defensive efficiency.

[novachap]

Hope somebody looks this up. We are now 1-10 vs NOVA since joining BE. What is NOVA's 3 Pt % in those 11 games & how many have they taken. Also, what is XU's 3 pt% & attempts. When a team hits 16 of 34 3's you can't beat them with 6 of 17 3's on your end. NOVA Oozes confidence when they play us. We may go further than NOVA in the Dance as other teams aren't in awe of them. "In awe of them" seems to be a problem for us currently.

This year Nova for the season is 40.4% from 3 pt. Two games against X, looks like Nova is 43%.

[XUFan09]

The best defensive team Mack had was in 2015-2016. They were 22nd in defensive efficient that year. In the 2012-2013 season X was 67th in defensive efficiency.Yeah, if someone is going to talk about offensive or defensive statistics, at minimum they need to use tempo-free statistics. Points per game and points per game against are okay first-glance stats, but they are biased by how fast or slow a team plays.

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[xcellentx]

Did a quick check. Nova shot 33% in 1 game, the rest have been over 37%.

[Masterofreality]

I agree with most of that post except for “We all want a Final Four, but these things take time.”
Uh no. We’ve taken 28 years since our first Sweet 16. We’ve had multiple NBA players and made 3 Elite Eights. This is not a deal where you keep the same squad every year. You gotta strike while the iron is hot, and we have 4 Seniors- 2 who are exceptional -who have been through the wars. Quite frankly, it’s THIS YEAR, or it’s gonna be another long wait.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Our defense is awful. I will take a top 30 defense but ours is in the 60’s. Teams that make the final 4 have both sides of the ball im the top 30. Sure you may find an exception but stats don’t lie. I don’t want to see Nova again this year. We can win it all as long as we don’t play a top 10!offense.

[XUGRAD80]

Yeah, if someone is going to talk about offensive or defensive statistics, at minimum they need to use tempo-free statistics. Points per game and points per game against are okay first-glance stats, but they are biased by how fast or slow a team plays.

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True.....but most people never get beyond “they gave up _______ points!” That’s why I looked at the points per game stat and also brought up that it could be scewed by the pace of play or the the opponents offensive capabilities.

Statistics......as anyone that took a course at X can tell you.....can be very misleading if taken as the be all and tell all.

[xuwin]

Our defense is awful. I will take a top 30 defense but ours is in the 60’s. Teams that make the final 4 have both sides of the ball im the top 30. Sure you may find an exception but stats don’t lie. I don’t want to see Nova again this year. We can win it all as long as we don’t play a top 10!offense.

Stats do lie because they are not accumulated under the same conditions against the same competition. I would bet that Xavier's defensive stats against UC's schedule would be significantly better but we will never know because it can't happen. I'll take Xavier's great record against a strong schedule over good stats any day. Blowouts are not the norm against Big East competition.

[XUFan09]

True.....but most people never get beyond “they gave up _______ points!” That’s why I looked at the points per game stat and also brought up that it could be scewed by the pace of play or the the opponents offensive capabilities.

Statistics......as anyone that took a course at X can tell you.....can be very misleading if taken as the be all and tell all.They can be misleading without proper knowledge, as evidenced by you letting them mislead you lol. You came to the wrong conclusion about the best statistical defense under Mack because of the use of a biased statistic.

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[XUGRAD80]

They can be misleading without proper knowledge, as evidenced by you letting them mislead you lol. You came to the wrong conclusion about the best statistical defense under Mack because of the use of a biased statistic.

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Would you prefer it if I had said....” the best statistical defense BASED ON POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME...”?

My point remains.....MANY people just look at how many points a team gives up and don’t consider how or why that number can be misleading. People that keep criticizing the coach based on the idea that X doesn’t play the defense that they think they should, or think that X is a failure because they don’t have the defensive statistics that a Virginia or a UC does, are misguided at best, in my opinion. People that think that defense is the be all and do all in college basketball, and key in on that as their major reason to complain about Mack, are barking up the wrong tree. The NCAA rules have been changed year by year to encourage MORE scoring, not less. Last time I checked the objective was to score MORE points than the opposition. Doing so leds to WINS. Winning a game is what is important. I’m not saying that defense is NOT important. I’m only saying that it is not the ONLY thing that is important. Or even the MOST important thing.

Here is a coach that has won more games than any other coach in Xavier history. Here is a program that has reached the highest ranking of any time in the history of Xavier basketball. Here is a team that is being seriously considered for the first #1 seed that X has ever gotten. Here is a team that is 23-4 against the best schedule that X may have ever played. The title of this thread is “PROGRESS”. If this isn’t progress, I don’t know what is.

I don’t understand why people can’t just ENJOY it? ��

[AviatorX]

Would you prefer it if I had said....” the best statistical defense BASED ON POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME...”?

My point remains.....MANY people just look at how many points a team gives up and don’t consider how or why that number can be misleading. People that keep criticizing the coach based on the idea that X doesn’t play the defense that they think they should, or think that X is a failure because they don’t have the defensive statistics that a Virginia or a UC does, are misguided at best, in my opinion. People that think that defense is the be all and do all in college basketball, and key in on that as their major reason to complain about Mack, are barking up the wrong tree. The NCAA rules have been changed year by year to encourage MORE scoring, not less. Last time I checked the objective was to score MORE points than the opposition. Doing so leds to WINS. Winning a game is what is important. I’m not saying that defense is NOT important. I’m only saying that it is not the ONLY thing that is important. Or even the MOST important thing.

Here is a coach that has won more games than any other coach in Xavier history. Here is a program that has reached the highest ranking of any time in the history of Xavier basketball. Here is a team that is being seriously considered for the first #1 seed that X has ever gotten. Here is a team that is 23-4 against the best schedule that X may have ever played. The title of this thread is “PROGRESS”. If this isn’t progress, I don’t know what is.

I don’t understand why people can’t just ENJOY it? ��

I'm totally on board with the positive outlook (to the chagrin of the usual suspects in losing game threads), but I'd say people are very happy with Mack's teams, but everyone also has a target defensive efficiency range for the team (hell, the team even has a tracker with their current KP rank hanging in the locker room) that it is reasonable to assume X needs to hit before being a true national title contender.

I don't think anyone cares about PPG.

[XUFan09]

Would you prefer it if I had said....” the best statistical defense BASED ON POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME...”?

My point remains.....MANY people just look at how many points a team gives up and don’t consider how or why that number can be misleading. People that keep criticizing the coach based on the idea that X doesn’t play the defense that they think they should, or think that X is a failure because they don’t have the defensive statistics that a Virginia or a UC does, are misguided at best, in my opinion. People that think that defense is the be all and do all in college basketball, and key in on that as their major reason to complain about Mack, are barking up the wrong tree. The NCAA rules have been changed year by year to encourage MORE scoring, not less. Last time I checked the objective was to score MORE points than the opposition. Doing so leds to WINS. Winning a game is what is important. I’m not saying that defense is NOT important. I’m only saying that it is not the ONLY thing that is important. Or even the MOST important thing.

Here is a coach that has won more games than any other coach in Xavier history. Here is a program that has reached the highest ranking of any time in the history of Xavier basketball. Here is a team that is being seriously considered for the first #1 seed that X has ever gotten. Here is a team that is 23-4 against the best schedule that X may have ever played. The title of this thread is “PROGRESS”. If this isn’t progress, I don’t know what is.

I don’t understand why people can’t just ENJOY it? ��

First off, you're rather defensive and it's unnecessary. Second, a solid part of your rant isn't about me so I don't know why you're directing it towards me.

But as to your question, no, you do not need to specify points per possession. You can just say "statistically best defense." However, when you do so, you cannot in good faith refer to the 2012-2013 team as the statistically best defense. Why?

Because not all statistics are created equal. This seems to be a misunderstanding for a lot of people that just dabble in statistics and leads to lines like "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics" (I love that quote, though). Statistics can be misleading, as you said, but so much of that stems from lack of recognition that many statistics are simply poor choices for giving information, while others are actually good. Some can be fine for a first glance, like I said. For example, Bluiett's career point total is impressive and obviously really hard to achieve. But, they suck for more in-depth analysis. Bluiett got to that total not by being a gunner but by being highly efficient with a high usage rate all four years.

In this case, if you say "statistically best defense," you should be employing points-per-possession metrics and considering strength of schedule (possibly making use of one of the systems that already incorporate that for you, like Kenpom, which was mentioned before). The statically best defense is not necessarily a definitive thing (except in this case, the 2015-2016 team is heads-and-shoulders above the rest), so a correct choice can be debatable, but there are clearly wrong choices.

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[Xville]

Would you prefer it if I had said....” the best statistical defense BASED ON POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME...”?

My point remains.....MANY people just look at how many points a team gives up and don’t consider how or why that number can be misleading. People that keep criticizing the coach based on the idea that X doesn’t play the defense that they think they should, or think that X is a failure because they don’t have the defensive statistics that a Virginia or a UC does, are misguided at best, in my opinion. People that think that defense is the be all and do all in college basketball, and key in on that as their major reason to complain about Mack, are barking up the wrong tree. The NCAA rules have been changed year by year to encourage MORE scoring, not less. Last time I checked the objective was to score MORE points than the opposition. Doing so leds to WINS. Winning a game is what is important. I’m not saying that defense is NOT important. I’m only saying that it is not the ONLY thing that is important. Or even the MOST important thing.

Here is a coach that has won more games than any other coach in Xavier history. Here is a program that has reached the highest ranking of any time in the history of Xavier basketball. Here is a team that is being seriously considered for the first #1 seed that X has ever gotten. Here is a team that is 23-4 against the best schedule that X may have ever played. The title of this thread is “PROGRESS”. If this isn’t progress, I don’t know what is.

I don’t understand why people can’t just ENJOY it? ��

Who is saying x is a failure? Who is saying defense is the end all be all?

I have serious reservations about this team making a run in March due to their defense which is evidenced by their kenpom ranking and by watching the games and knowing a bit about basketball. I really doubt if you asked Mack privately about the teams defense and if he was satisifed, that he would say yes.

With all that said, X has a good team, maybe even a great team, but in order to make a run, their defense is going to have to be better than the 70 ranking they currently have. I'm not concerned with their offense because they have proven they are really damn good on that side of the ball but defense is 50% of the game.

If the goal is to make a final four, which I believe is one of the goals this year, then defense is going to have to help them win one of the games because most likely they are going to have one of those games along the way where the shots aren't falling. As of this point, I'm not sure their defense can do that.

[XUGRAD80]

Who is saying defense is the end all be all?

I have serious reservations about this team making a run in March DUE TO their defense

but in order to make a run, their defense is going to HAVE TO be better than the 70 ranking they currently have.

If the goal is to make a final four............then defense is going to HAVE TO help them win one of the games..........As of this point, I'm not sure their defense can do that.

Who is?

[Xville]

Who is?

So because I said their defense has to get better if they are to make a final four run, that means to you that I believe that is the end all, be all? That doesn't make any sense.

The reason I'm emphasizing it is because that is currently the team's weakness. The offense is where they need to be to.make a run.

[D-West & PO-Z]

So because I said their defense has to get better if they are to make a final four run, that means to you that I believe that is the end all, be all? That doesn't make any sense.

The reason I'm emphasizing it is because that is currently the team's weakness. The offense is where they need to be to.make a run.

The defense needs to improve and is definitely the weakness. We will probably need at least one really good defensive performance to make a final 4.

However, our Kenpom adjusted defensive efficiency ranking is essentially the same this year as last year while our adjusted offensive efficiency ranking is significantly better this year than last year. Last year as we all know we made an Elite 8 run. So with essentially the same D and a much better offense that may be enough to push us to a Final 4 run.

[XUGRAD80]

So because I said their defense HAS TO get better if they are to make a final four run, that means to you that I believe that is the end all, be all? That doesn't make any sense.

The reason I'm emphasizing it is because that is currently the team's weakness. The offense is where they need to be to.make a run.

If you said that IF the defense got better it would probably be easier for the team to make a final 4 run....I would agree with you.

But when you say it HAS TO in order to make a final 4 run....I ask WHY? Prove it. Use historical data and hard facts to back it up. Otherwise it’s just your, or anyone else’s, opinion. It’s not an absolute and it’s not fact.

[JTG]

People keep saying this stuff and it is one big eye roll to me. Maybe they shoot so well and play so well against us because our defense isn't good. We have had what one good defense according to kenpom since mack took over? Not bashing mack but just saying...we haven't had good defenses with him at the helm. Nova is really damn good but it's also easy to look so good offensively against an average defensive team.

The difference between x and nova for years now has been on the defensive side of the ball, it's pretty easy to see that year after year.

Then explain Butler's mastery over Nova? They're certainly not great defenders. You are too bashing Mack. Screw Kenpom. We got to the Elite 8 last year with avg D. Sometimes shit just happens.

[Xville]

If you said that IF the defense got better it would probably be easier for the team to make a final 4 run....I would agree with you.

But when you say it HAS TO in order to make a final 4 run....I ask WHY? Prove it. Use historical data and hard facts to back it up. Otherwise it’s just your, or anyone else’s, opinion. It’s not an absolute and it’s not fact.

1.) This is a message board not a PHD Dissertation. Everything I say I, myself take with a huge grain of salt because it is just my opinion based on my knowledge of basketball and what I typically see in college basketball especially.

2.) However, Since you asked....check this out https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2016/3/9/11186358/analyzing-kenpom-data-for-final-4-teams-is-xu-good-enough-to-make-a

Now is it an absolute that their rating needs to get better? No but its pretty damn close...only 3 out of 40 teams had worse defensive ratings as X. Not sure of 16 and 17 teams but last year there may have been 1 or 2 worse due to them being pretty weak seeds.

3.) Don't take this message board so seriously...just my opinion.

[Xville]

Then explain Butler's mastery over Nova? They're certainly not great defenders. You are too bashing Mack. Screw Kenpom. We got to the Elite 8 last year with avg D. Sometimes shit just happens.

Well 1.) I wouldn't call it mastery 2.) they currently have a 45 much better than Xavier. 3.) I'm not bashing Mack, what I am saying is that his teams have not been good defensively..sorry that bugs you so much. 4.) Yes we got to the Elite Eight, expectation this year for me was a final four at the beginning of the year just as it is now...im sure the team has that same expectation.

[waggy]

I hope to get to a F4. I don't expect it.

To each there own.

[xukeith]

1.) This is a message board not a PHD Dissertation. Everything I say I, myself take with a huge grain of salt because it is just my opinion based on my knowledge of basketball and what I typically see in college basketball especially.

2.) However, Since you asked....check this out https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/2016/3/9/11186358/analyzing-kenpom-data-for-final-4-teams-is-xu-good-enough-to-make-a

Now is it an absolute that their rating needs to get better? No but its pretty damn close...only 3 out of 40 teams had worse defensive ratings as X. Not sure of 16 and 17 teams but last year there may have been 1 or 2 worse due to them being pretty weak seeds.

3.) Don't take this message board so seriously...just my opinion.

X stopped playing 1 3 1 zone this year.....

[xavierj]

X stopped playing 1 3 1 zone this year.....

In conference it looks like they have but pre conference they did play it. I am sure it will come out in the tourney.