Championship Formula

[Muskie]

We are approaching the 1 year anniversary of Malcolm Bernard:

Malcolm Bernard quote:

“We’re being selfish,” he said. “And I’m tired of it.

At the end of his speech, Bernard made a promise and a request.

“I’m willing to sacrifice everything for this team,” he said.

“I’m going to dive for every loose ball, close out harder on every shot, block out for every rebound. I’m going to play harder than I’ve ever played. And I need you all to follow me.”

____

[XU 87]

One of my favorite sports' speeches.

[paulxu]

I've been sort of waiting for JP to erupt with one of those type deals.

Edit: I wonder if being ranked so high sort of takes the necessity for that type of moment out of the equation?

[XUGRAD80]

I am somewhat superstitious about what I say or what I write, so I’m not going to say what my hope is for this season. But I am very happy to hear the players voicing it in such a manner that it seems to me that THEY are not satisfied with where they are right now. They have more goals and seem to have things in perspective. I suspect to see things picking up, especially defensively and in regards to ball security, over the next month. If so, the sky is truly the limit.....

Remember the Alamo!

[powerofX]

As painful as the loss to Wisconsin was two years ago as a 2 seed, our core was on that team. They know the heartbreak and won’t want to go out like that. They will be focused.

[xudash]

As painful as the loss to Wisconsin was two years ago as a 2 seed, our core was on that team. They know the heartbreak and won’t want to go out like that. They will be focused.

Exactly how I see it.

I'll amplify it: they were there last year and had to watch the king-of-the-mid-majors outfit from Spokane pass them. I can't imagine they won't be focused and hungry going to MSG and then on to the NCAAT.

BTW, I met Malcolm and thanked him for his leadership, during a Cintas tour before the Nova game. Very gracious and impressive young man.

[GIMMFD]

We have the motivation already, we have the championship formula. The revenge tour looked damn good this season, except for one small mishap in Villanova. These guys are hungry, they are resilient, they have all the tools to make a deep run in March. It's do or die time, and I have no doubt our Seniors and Coach Mack will have them ready. It's time to kick the door down, we don't need a selfish speech, because they've been anything but selfish with 9 different guys scoring 13 points or more. They play for each other, they play for the university. It's go time.

[waggy]

Well they were damn lucky they didn't get Koenig'd against DePaul.

[whopper]

when I saw Mal Bernard's interview on line, I thought he had quit the team. If you remember, Tre's one legged jumper to beat Seton Hall was supposed to ice the season and nobody thought we would lose 6 in a row. I felt bad for Bernard and Gaston, to come to a team to make the NCAA, think you are in and then NOT be in would have killed them. He practiced what he preached, and especially the "closing out" part would benefit us all as I think that guys like Brandon Cyrus, Miles Powell etc square up like the know we are just raising out hands. Good luck to all, just got tickets to NY (live in Conn) and if X wins will try to scalp a single seat for the next days. Hope I have to cough up but every time I go to a game there is always someone looking for ONE ticket(have 2 for wife on Thursday but as we move it I can't really afford 2 to a casual fan)

[D-West & PO-Z]

Loved that MB quote so much I changed my signature of like 10 years (a Jason Love quote) to Bernards. That was an awesome speech.

[Backyard Champ]

I've been sort of waiting for JP to erupt with one of those type deals.

Edit: I wonder if being ranked so high sort of takes the necessity for that type of moment out of the equation?

...yeah I'd say a "we need to play better" speech is tough when you've just completed the best regular season in Xavier history.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Did we win the next game after MB said that?

[XUGRAD80]

Well they were damn lucky they didn't get Koenig'd against DePaul.

Lucky?

Neither of those were open 3 pointers, and even if one had gone in it would have just sent the game into OT. X played pretty good defense in the half court throughout the game and many of the points that DP scored were because of lapses by X on the offensive end where they turned the ball over. Sometimes one part of the game is not working well. When that happens its up to the other parts to pick up the slack. THAT is a Championship Formula! THAT is what has gotten them to their record, their rankings, and to the BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP!

[Muskie]

...yeah I'd say a "we need to play better" speech is tough when you've just completed the best regular season in Xavier history.

I suppose so... but it's the type of intensity level that's going to be needed from here on out. The Regular Season is over.

[UCGRAD4X]

I suppose so... but it's the type of intensity level that's going to be needed from here on out. The Regular Season is over.

Yep. It's one and done season now.

We've all seen the frustrating lapses and feel damn proud (but also a little lucky) to be where we are.

The little freaking wannabe's that we will be playing will be pumped up to knock us down. We need to bring the intensity the whole game every game. Too many close games. Some of them could have gone the other way. It's one thing if that happens in regular season, but no more. It's time to get into that one-and-done mentality and not just beat teams, but beat them down.

[waggy]

Lucky?

Neither of those were open 3 pointers, and even if one had gone in it would have just sent the game into OT. X played pretty good defense in the half court throughout the game and many of the points that DP scored were because of lapses by X on the offensive end where they turned the ball over. Sometimes one part of the game is not working well. When that happens its up to the other parts to pick up the slack. THAT is a Championship Formula! THAT is what has gotten them to their record, their rankings, and to the BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP!

Man you'll apparently defend anything the team does as good play. They turned the ball over 20 times.

[drudy23]

Man you'll apparently defend anything the team does as good play. They turned the ball over 20 times.

They won...on the road...in the Big East.

Guess what else...they may lose in NYC, and it will be fine.

Just win March 15th - April 2

[waggy]

They won...on the road...in the Big East.



Wow in the BIG EAST. Hahaha. Glad you were impressed.

[94GRAD]

AFO points needed to get tickets were high for the 3 close sites. I was lucky enough to get them.

[American X]

We are approaching the 1 year anniversary of Malcolm Bernard:

Malcolm Bernard quote:

“We’re being selfish,” he said. “And I’m tired of it.

At the end of his speech, Bernard made a promise and a request.

“I’m willing to sacrifice everything for this team,” he said.

“I’m going to dive for every loose ball, close out harder on every shot, block out for every rebound. I’m going to play harder than I’ve ever played. And I need you all to follow me.”


That is a great formula. I approve.

I have been rewatching the Xavier-Arizona game. Malcolm Bernard played like a man possessed that game. If our players capture a portion of that energy, we are winning many games the next few weeks.