No Respect Thread

[X Factor]

ESPN article, "The 343 teams that will not win the national championship"

Xavier is more than likely going to be a number 1 seed and this guy just writes off us off as not having a chance to win a National Championship. How much lack of respect can a 1 seed be given?

I think we're going to see a lot more of this over the next week and a half.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22637894/the-343-teams-not-win-national-championship

[throwbackmuskie]

He has also never been right, which he states as well.

[Caf]

ESPN article, "The 343 teams that will not win the national championship"

Xavier is more than likely going to be a number 1 seed and this guy just writes off us off as not having a chance to win a National Championship. How much lack of respect can a 1 seed be given?

I think we're going to see a lot more of this over the next week and a half.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22637894/the-343-teams-not-win-national-championship

ESPN is running out of ways to get worse. Keep the great writing and journalism up you shmucks!

[MD Muskie]

joke writing but a hack writer that probably has watched zero Big East basketball that wasn't played on his network.

[SemajParlor]

I'm pissed I gave this jackass a click.

[coasterville95]

When Sean miller owns ESPN in a few months maybe they will be instructed to give us some respect.

[nuts4xu]

I’m not sure why people worry about this type of stuff. We’ve done more than fine with minimal exposure. The people in the industry that matter have great respect for Xavier. Xavier is not a victim and I refuse to dwell on the respect we do not receive.

They hate us cause they ain’t us! They don’t respect us, they can’t eat a 50 gallon drum filled with veiny, throbbing dicks!

[whopper]

We should welcome their disdain, the answer will be provided on the court and I think we have as good a chance as any. I know we will play 4 minute war by w4 minute war

[Emp]

The selection committee is the only place I want respect.

[GIMMFD]

I’m not sure why people worry about this type of stuff. We’ve done more than fine with minimal exposure. The people in the industry that matter have great respect for Xavier. Xavier is not a victim and I refuse to dwell on the respect we do not receive.

They hate us cause they ain’t us! They don’t respect us, they can’t eat a 50 gallon drum filled with veiny, throbbing dicks!

Are we just going to ignore the sheer volume of dicks Nuts just proposed they eat?

[xu82]

I'm pissed I gave this jackass a click.

I was just going to post I refuse to click. Amen on that!

[xu82]

Are we just going to ignore the sheer volume of dicks Nuts just proposed they eat?

I’m trying. You bring it up again didn’t help!

[stammina0721]

I said in another thread... be prepared to be disrespected this Sunday. Everyone will say X's region will be the easiest and prepare for some honk to say an 8 or 9 seed will beat them. It's coming just be ready

[letskeepitreal]

I said in another thread... be prepared to be disrespected this Sunday. Everyone will say X's region will be the easiest and prepare for some honk to say an 8 or 9 seed will beat them. It's coming just be ready

Doesn’t matter what they say as long as we prove them wrong. I like our chances but do have some concerns about our defense.

[Xavier]

Doesn’t matter what they say as long as we prove them wrong. I like our chances but do have some concerns about our defense.

If I were looking at blind resume I’d say Xavier would have little shot at final four (Because of the kenpom 70+ defense). That isn’t how I feel after watching X all season but if I were an 8/9 seed I’d prefer Xavier over the other 1 seeds.

[stammina0721]

If I were looking at blind resume I’d say Xavier would have little shot at final four (Because of the kenpom 70+ defense). That isn’t how I feel after watching X all season but if I were an 8/9 seed I’d prefer Xavier over the other 1 seeds.

I think a lot of that has to do with the quality of offense in this conference. We were nowhere near 70 in the nonconference. I look for X to be huge this March

[nuts4xu]

This season, of all seasons, Xavier is talented enough to win the whole fu**in thing. We are the hunted, and less of the hunter in this tournament.

This is set up to be the best March run in school history. I prefer to enjoy the ride, rather than seek out ways we are being disrespected.

[Michigan Muskie]

This season, of all seasons, Xavier is talented enough to win the whole fu**in thing. We are the hunted, and less of the hunter in this tournament.

This is set up to be the best March run in school history. I prefer to enjoy the ride, rather than seek out ways we are being disrespected.

Indeed. White jerseys all the way through. I think X doesn't have to worry too much about what some ratings-hungry blowhard has to say about our chances.

[GIMMFD]

We have questions on defense, that's fair, and I agree that our non-conference defense was better. That is attributed to being in this league for a few years now, and teams getting a feel for how to attack us, they have the best gameplan. A team that hasn't seen us before? Much harder. Our weapons on offense make us a match up nightmare, need to pound it inside? Our three headed monster takes care of that, stop the inside game?? Oh we just have a 2nd team All American that happens to shoot around 40% from the three and creates his own shot, not to mention a ton of other guys that can knock it down as well. We will be fine, screw what the country says, just go out there and play Xavier basketball and we have a chance. Not to mention the experience of winning close games all season, this team is what you want, resilient as I've said time and time again.

[UCGRAD4X]

Deal with it.

Xavier won't truly be respected until we AT LEAST get to a Final Four. There are those that won't give us our due until we win out, and there are still a few jackoff idiots who won't even then (they got lucky, it was an easy path, a down year in NCAAMBB, etc). But they are jackoff idiots and self proclaimed know-it-alls that are really dinosaurs and has-beens .... so who cares.

JUST WIN BABY!!!!

[Caf]

I love the hate. I love the disrespect. Keep telling me our defensive efficiency ranking is 73rd.

RPI, Kenpom, all of the other stats have no way of measuring familiarity. The round robin is something no one outside the BE fully appreciates. You know how hard it is to beat a team twice in a year? We beat 8 teams twice this year. We've been a resume win since the get-go and from my perspective we've been playing postseason basketball since Marquette on 12/27.

[xukeith]

Deal with it.

Xavier won't truly be respected until we AT LEAST get to a Final Four. There are those that won't give us our due until we win out, and there are still a few jackoff idiots who won't even then (they got lucky, it was an easy path, a down year in NCAAMBB, etc). But they are jackoff idiots and self proclaimed know-it-alls that are really dinosaurs and has-beens .... so who cares.

JUST WIN BABY!!!!

Arizona's message every year since Miler has been coach.
It is extremely difficult to get to FF.

[XU 87]

I don't see how anyone is claiming "disrespect" when X is number 3 in the country and is in line to get a #1 seed.

[Drew's Crew]

I agree that the "disrespect card" is a bit silly, but.....it is still a bit ridiculous.

I have been binge listening to college bball podcasts and on the Courtside podcast they ran through their predictions of all of the conference tournaments and never mentioned the Big East.....

And then on the "Screen the Screener" podcast they literally predicted us to lose to NC State in the second round.

I understand that a lot of fans look for reasons to feel slighted and I usually stay away from that, but after listening to those podcasts back to back, I realized that there are going to be a lot of people that don't believe in us and I am OK with that.

So ideally, if we bitch enough about being disrespected, maybe the players will feel it and come out like gangbusters bc of it! :yahoo:

[Caf]

From Seth Davis and Sam Vecenie on which 1 or 2 seed has the most to prove:


SAM VECENIE C.L. is right about USC, but I’ll also say Xavier. The Musketeers won a tough Big East — a league that plays a round-robin format — outright. That’s impressive. For that reason, the Musketeers are expected to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But is it weird to say I don’t have a crazy amount of faith in them like I would in a typical No. 1 seed? The reason is obvious: The Musketeers struggle to get stops defensively. They’re 73rd in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metric, a number that most consider far too high to win a title. Additionally, one of their best defenders, junior Kaiser Gates — a 6-foot-8 combo forward — has struggled in recent weeks and seen a bit of a reduction in minutes. Chris Mack is a genius at preparing for specific matchups. It’s why his teams have often overperformed their seed line. Maybe he mixes and matches defenses on his way to confusing opponents into a Final Four run. That’s easier said than done over a four-game stretch, though.


SETH DAVIS I’m putting this one on Xavier. Think about it: The Musketeers have basically locked up a No. 1 seed, they won the Big East regular-season title outright and they are ranked No. 3 in the AP poll. Do you know anyone who is picking this team to win the national championship? Bueller? Moreover, Xavier has gotten two shots at Villanova and lost both those games by a combined 40 points. If the Musketeers want to be taken seriously as a title contender, they need to go to the Garden and bring back the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West.

We can debate over what is "disrespect" and what's not, but it is clear that we are the most doubted of the top 4 and maybe even the top 8.

[muethibp]

This was a wildly successful season, to win the BE regular season title was just fantastic. I won't ever suggest otherwise. No matter what happens, I'll always remember this season and the players behind it with incredible fondness and appreciation.

But...

...if you're being honest about the season, it would have taken very little to make the season far less magical. You could argue that Xavier played 11 close games (ETSU, Marshall, Depaul x2, @SHU, @Butler, @Creighton, SJU x2, @Marquette, Georgetown) and went 11-0 in those games. Swing, say, three of those to losses and you have a team that is 24-7 and whose profile looks a little more like, say, Arizona or Auburn. Very good to great teams but probably not a national title contender.

Consider the closeness of the games in a different way. X outscored its BE opponents by a collective 76 points. That's pretty good but it's not blow-you-away amazing - it's an average of 4 points a game which is not at all a huge margin in basketball. It could easily have gone another way. Butler, for example, outscored the 18 opponents by 74 points and got 6 less wins for essentially the same margin. Villanova outscored its 18 opponents by 210
points which is pretty amazing.

Anyway, because of the closeness of Xavier's wins and its winning all the close games, the computers take a dimmer view of Xavier if you compare it to its seeding and ranking. Many computers - Sagarin, Kenpom, others - have Xavier rated in the 12-18 range. See a collection of rankings here: https://www.masseyratings.com/cb/compare.htm

Now, my point is not to suggest that Xavier is going to crash out or even to say I agree with the computers. And to a certain point, winning close games is a skill of a senior-led team, and despite what the computers generally assume, winning close games is a repeatable skill. In other words, "yeah, but you just won a bunch of close games" it not the criticism that some would make it out to be.

My point really is to say that for those that claim Xavier is a weak one seed or take a somewhat skeptical view of national title or Final Four prospects, well they do it with some ammunition and I won't rail against people that do. It's not unreasonable though I sincerely hope it's proven wrong.

[atljar]

Consider the closeness of the games in a different way. X outscored its BE opponents by a collective 76 points. That's pretty good but it's not blow-you-away amazing - it's an average of 4 points a game which is not at all a huge margin in basketball. It could easily have gone another way. Butler, for example, outscored the 18 opponents by 74 points and got 6 less wins for essentially the same margin. Villanova outscored its 18 opponents by 210 points which is pretty amazing.


Wow. I was just chatting with a guy at work about this. It was my perception than Villanova had burried a bunch of opponents this year where we had won a lot of close games. I didnt actually know the numbers. Thats a LARGE spread difference

[markchal]

This was a wildly successful season, to win the BE regular season title was just fantastic. I won't ever suggest otherwise. No matter what happens, I'll always remember this season and the players behind it with incredible fondness and appreciation.

But...

...if you're being honest about the season, it would have taken very little to make the season far less magical. You could argue that Xavier played 11 close games (ETSU, Marshall, Depaul x2, @SHU, @Butler, @Creighton, SJU x2, @Marquette, Georgetown) and went 11-0 in those games. Swing, say, three of those to losses and you have a team that is 24-7 and whose profile looks a little more like, say, Arizona or Auburn. Very good to great teams but probably not a national title contender.

Consider the closeness of the games in a different way. X outscored its BE opponents by a collective 76 points. That's pretty good but it's not blow-you-away amazing - it's an average of 4 points a game which is not at all a huge margin in basketball. It could easily have gone another way. Butler, for example, outscored the 18 opponents by 74 points and got 6 less wins for essentially the same margin. Villanova outscored its 18 opponents by 210
points which is pretty amazing.

Anyway, because of the closeness of Xavier's wins and its winning all the close games, the computers take a dimmer view of Xavier if you compare it to its seeding and ranking. Many computers - Sagarin, Kenpom, others - have Xavier rated in the 12-18 range. See a collection of rankings here: https://www.masseyratings.com/cb/compare.htm

Now, my point is not to suggest that Xavier is going to crash out or even to say I agree with the computers. And to a certain point, winning close games is a skill of a senior-led team, and despite what the computers generally assume, winning close games is a repeatable skill. In other words, "yeah, but you just won a bunch of close games" it not the criticism that some would make it out to be.

My point really is to say that for those that claim Xavier is a weak one seed or take a somewhat skeptical view of national title or Final Four prospects, well they do it with some ammunition and I won't rail against people that do. It's not unreasonable though I sincerely hope it's proven wrong.


I agree with this. Part of it is also going to be because we're a smaller school. Heck, even some on this board last year were pining to be placed in Gonzaga's region. We also don't really have any marquis wins out of conference. I don't know who is jumping us as a one (Kansas?) but that team will also have plenty to nitpick. It's been sort of a weird year overall. Still, even if we won a lot of close games, a win is a win, and we deserve a 1, even if we aren't seen as some dominant team.

[chico]

When people talk about all the close calls we had, I like to point out that this team was 20-11 against the spread this year. Only one team had more wins agains the spread - Michigan - and only two other teams had at least 20 wins - Canisius and Loyola of Chicago. Now I know the computers think we had a bunch a close games and "luck" and dinged us for that, but I'd argue that the boys in Vegas who set the lines may know a thing or two about how a team is going to perform.

[Xavier]

I agree with this. Part of it is also going to be because we're a smaller school. Heck, even some on this board last year were pining to be placed in Gonzaga's region. We also don't really have any marquis wins out of conference. I don't know who is jumping us as a one (Kansas?) but that team will also have plenty to nitpick. It's been sort of a weird year overall. Still, even if we won a lot of close games, a win is a win, and we deserve a 1, even if we aren't seen as some dominant team.

I don't think so. I think no one questions what Xavier has done to get a 1 seed. As you said, it doesn't need to be pretty but a win is a win. But If I were and 8/9 I think Xavier is certainly the most vulnerable potential 1 seed. Hell, most fan bases would much rather play Xavier than UNC/Duke/Purdue (projected 2 seeds). I can't blame them- but to that point I'd guess the disrespect card will be played by Mack in a big way.

[muethibp]

Wow. I was just chatting with a guy at work about this. It was my perception than Villanova had burried a bunch of opponents this year where we had won a lot of close games. I didnt actually know the numbers. Thats a LARGE spread difference

Here's the data if you're interested: http://talismanred.com/ratings/hoops/

(By the way, check out UVA's defense. They gave up more than 250 points less than the next best ACC team. Now, it's not apples-to-apples because they don't play a balanced schedule - and I'm not going to take the time to see if it helps or hurts the margin - but it's truly an incredible defensive record.)

[Caf]

...if you're being honest about the season, it would have taken very little to make the season far less magical. You could argue that Xavier played 11 close games (ETSU, Marshall, Depaul x2, @SHU, @Butler, @Creighton, SJU x2, @Marquette, Georgetown) and went 11-0 in those games. Swing, say, three of those to losses and you have a team that is 24-7 and whose profile looks a little more like, say, Arizona or Auburn. Very good to great teams but probably not a national title contender.

Great post.

I don't think you can stress how remarkable our close game record is. We were 15-1 in games decided by 10 points. 9-0 in games decided by 5. Like you pointed out, the computers are less impressed with close wins than big ones and I honestly think that's inaccurate. Degree of victory may be indicative but not necessarily. Our case is certainly an outlier. Naturally the average win rate in games decided by any margin is 50%, we won 93.75% of games within 10! I don't have the data to get the odds of that rate, but it's gotta be insane. KU was 13-4 in games within 10 (76%), Duke 8-5 (62%), Nova 7-4 (64%), Dayton 7-9 (44%)(lol).

[markchal]

I don't think so. I think no one questions what Xavier has done to get a 1 seed. As you said, it doesn't need to be pretty but a win is a win. But If I were and 8/9 I think Xavier is certainly the most vulnerable potential 1 seed. Hell, most fan bases would much rather play Xavier than UNC/Duke/Purdue (projected 2 seeds). I can't blame them- but to that point I'd guess the disrespect card will be played by Mack in a big way.

Eh, I think a lot of people might want to play a one-seed Kansas. They lost twice to OK state, they lost to Oklahoma (not a good team and a bad choke), they got hammered by Baylor. People might be intimidated by the name, but I think I'd rather play them than Nova/Virginia/Duke.

[MHettel]

This was a wildly successful season, to win the BE regular season title was just fantastic. I won't ever suggest otherwise. No matter what happens, I'll always remember this season and the players behind it with incredible fondness and appreciation.

But...

...if you're being honest about the season, it would have taken very little to make the season far less magical. You could argue that Xavier played 11 close games (ETSU, Marshall, Depaul x2, @SHU, @Butler, @Creighton, SJU x2, @Marquette, Georgetown) and went 11-0 in those games. Swing, say, three of those to losses and you have a team that is 24-7 and whose profile looks a little more like, say, Arizona or Auburn. Very good to great teams but probably not a national title contender.

Consider the closeness of the games in a different way. X outscored its BE opponents by a collective 76 points. That's pretty good but it's not blow-you-away amazing - it's an average of 4 points a game which is not at all a huge margin in basketball. It could easily have gone another way. Butler, for example, outscored the 18 opponents by 74 points and got 6 less wins for essentially the same margin. Villanova outscored its 18 opponents by 210
points which is pretty amazing.

Anyway, because of the closeness of Xavier's wins and its winning all the close games, the computers take a dimmer view of Xavier if you compare it to its seeding and ranking. Many computers - Sagarin, Kenpom, others - have Xavier rated in the 12-18 range. See a collection of rankings here: https://www.masseyratings.com/cb/compare.htm

Now, my point is not to suggest that Xavier is going to crash out or even to say I agree with the computers. And to a certain point, winning close games is a skill of a senior-led team, and despite what the computers generally assume, winning close games is a repeatable skill. In other words, "yeah, but you just won a bunch of close games" it not the criticism that some would make it out to be.

My point really is to say that for those that claim Xavier is a weak one seed or take a somewhat skeptical view of national title or Final Four prospects, well they do it with some ammunition and I won't rail against people that do. It's not unreasonable though I sincerely hope it's proven wrong.

Love it. The computers take into account everything but the one thing that matters most. Getting the W in a tight game.

[letskeepitreal]

I am one of those concerned with the tight games. The ability to win tight games is a big plus but one has to wonder is how many of our wins were needlessly tight, mainly because of defensive lapses. Ability to win tight games matter for overall record but tight games may come to bite us in the loser go home nature of the NCAA tournament. When we are ahead, we've go to step on their necks and put them away.

[Irishjohn68]

It's not like XU is a bubble team, or a 4th seed team. XU is a legit #1 seed. I will say losing twice to Nova by 40 points feels bad, but I have the confidence XU will take care of Nova in the BE finals.

[JTG]

As bad as last year was, they torched Maryland and FSU. Close wins equal living on the edge, but it is also the mark of a team that knows how to win, and how to play defense in the last 4 minute war.

[MADXSTER]

I tend to think that fans undervalue how much of an offensive league the Big East actually is compared to other leagues. The Big East has scorers that are going to score regardless of the defense. ie Trevon Bluiett IMO Xavier is a very good defensive team that has been playing against great offensive teams. Scruggs, Marshall, Kanter and even O'Mara are playing much better defense than earlier this year and the team is playing better defense than last year yet Xavier is allowing more points than ever. Why? Because the Big East is the Big East where scorers go to play.

Maybe it's just me but that's what I see.

[XUOHTX]

I tend to think that fans undervalue how much of an offensive league the Big East actually is compared to other leagues. The Big East has scorers that are going to score regardless of the defense. ie Trevon Bluiett IMO Xavier is a very good defensive team that has been playing against great offensive teams. Scruggs, Marshall, Kanter and even O'Mara are playing much better defense than earlier this year and the team is playing better defense than last year yet Xavier is allowing more points than ever. Why? Because the Big East is the Big East where scorers go to play.

Maybe it's just me but that's what I see.

I'm banking on this being true

[muskiefan82]

I think it matters too how many of the Big East teams have upperclassmen who have played against X for 3-4 years. I think the familiarity makes games closer than they otherwise would be. I also think that Villanova is really that good AND they have experience AND they seem to play lights out against X. That is just what it is. I think X is capable of overwhelming any team that is not familiar with them. Hell, Kaiser will surprise everyone since his plan has been to appear to be a small part of the team in film so that he can be unleashed in the tournament.

[paulxu]

MadX, where have you and Brooke been?

[GIMMFD]

I think it matters too how many of the Big East teams have upperclassmen who have played against X for 3-4 years. I think the familiarity makes games closer than they otherwise would be. I also think that Villanova is really that good AND they have experience AND they seem to play lights out against X. That is just what it is. I think X is capable of overwhelming any team that is not familiar with them. Hell, Kaiser will surprise everyone since his plan has been to appear to be a small part of the team in film so that he can be unleashed in the tournament.

The first sentence is actually the most important. Guys have seen us for 3-4 years. The Big East isn't much of a one and done league, opposed to the Kentucky's and Duke's of the world, a lot easier for variability when you are turning over a roster every year, that doesn't happen in the Big East and contributes to the healthy competition we get, not to mention how much guys grow as players in those years all across the board. I think that's something that doesn't get brought up too often.

[SemajParlor]

People are comfortable with what they know. And Xavier being a 1 seed is not something they know. Gonzaga gets the pushback when they are 1. Took a National Championship for the national media to respect Villanova. It happens, we're talented to win this whole thing.

[stammina0721]

People are comfortable with what they know. And Xavier being a 1 seed is not something they know. Gonzaga gets the pushback when they are 1. Took a National Championship for the national media to respect Villanova. It happens, we're talented to win this whole thing.

Absolutely... d was very strong today

[muskiefan82]

Hell, Kaiser will surprise everyone since his plan has been to appear to be a small part of the team in film so that he can be unleashed in the tournament.

Called it.

[Grizzx12]

Called it.

If we get consistent Kaiser in the tourney then beating X will be very difficult. Tre will get his shots, JP will do JP things, the bigs will get fed....but if Kaiser (and Q) can hit shots then the whole defensive strategy against us has to change....and open up Tre. And man did Kaiser looks comfortable today.

[Caveat]

The confounding thing about Xavier is this:

I feel like they still haven't played a game to the level they are capable of this year.

[Hink]

Caveat -- Maybe not an entire game, but that second half was probably top 2 on the year.

[stammina0721]

The confounding thing about Xavier is this:

I feel like they still haven't played a game to the level they are capable of this year.

When X actually plays 2 halves of basketball it will be a thing of beauty.

[MADXSTER]

MadX, where have you and Brooke been?

That work thing was getting in the way.

[stammina0721]

Be ready to be mad

[IM4X]

was he the only #1 seed coach not interviewed.

Between TBS an ESPN, I saw every #1 seed coach (Wright, Self, and Bennett) being interviewed except Mack.
Hoping I just missed his interview or maybe he was unable for an interview.

If they simply left him out- especially being that it is his and X's first 1 seed- it is just not cool.

Please, someone respond and tell me Someone interviewed him.

[Xavier]

Good lord. Such a dumb thing to complain about

[stammina0721]

Haha didn't take long for Jay Williams to say we would lose to Missouri

[throwbackmuskie]

He will have a press conference later.


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[xu82]

THIS is how we sneak up on them!!!

[IM4X]

Hmm

[IM4X]

Good lord. Such a dumb thing to complain about

Appreciate your opinion. I certain Don't agree with you that it doesn't deserve mentioning.

Not so much a complaint as an observation of a strange move on the part of those networks.

[XUFan09]

I was actually hoping for an interview, because Mack is a really entertaining interviewee in general. Maybe someone else will interview him.

[X Factor]

Good lord. Such a dumb thing to complain about

Why? I kind of agree with IM4X.

[whopper]

there are still more shows on..It gets repetitive. I like Xavier being below the radar.

[FIGHTING MUSKETEER]

Why? I kind of agree with IM4X.

Agree with IM4X too. At the very least, it looks strange.

[xu82]

Appreciate your opinion. I certain Don't agree with you that it doesn't deserve mentioning.

Not so much a complaint as an observation of a strange move on the part of those networks.

It’s certainly a fair observation. No problem pointing it out. We were the 4th #1, so maybe that’s how they look at it? (OR, we are tiny X and who cares?)

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Team Party at MackMansion. Too busy being the Gracious Host.


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[Mel Cooley XU'81]

And good for him, by the way.


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[xudash]

And good for him, by the way.


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Exactly. He was gracious in letting Coach K have some camera time instead.

[X Factor]

Dickie V, Seth Greenberg, Jay Bilas, and Jay Williams on ESPN all picked Gonzaga to get to Elite 8.

[bjf123]

Just caught the tail end of ESPN’s show. Every one of the talking heads has Gonzaga and Michigan in the West Region Elite 8. F ‘em all!


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[stammina0721]

Yeah we will play Gonzaga. Time to rep the Big East hard

[OTRMUSKIE]

I love it. X basically didn’t even get a 1seed. From the media coverage they didn’t even get invited. Now X could prove them right but I don’t see it. I am sooooo happy with the draw.

[XUBison]

Dickie V, Seth Greenberg, Jay Bilas, and Jay Williams on ESPN all picked Gonzaga to get to Elite 8.


So did host Rece Davis. How many 1 seeds go into the tourney with a chip on their shoulder?

[xukeith]

Jay Wright was interviewed on ESPN or TBS and he had high praise for X as we were the true champions in the BE for our 15-3 record.

[xu82]

Team Party at MackMansion. Too busy being the Gracious Host.


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Should I check my junk file for my E-Invite?

[Xavier]

Appreciate your opinion. I certain Don't agree with you that it doesn't deserve mentioning.

Not so much a complaint as an observation of a strange move on the part of those networks.

Admittedly, a bit of an overreaction from me. My apologies. I can see why it’s odd, my overreacting came from a lot of Xavier fans looking for slightest diss or lack of respect to jump on and gets tiresome. We will have a ton of that as analysts will flood Missouri/Gonzaga to elite 8. Frankly, having X in the elite 8 will be rare.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Well he was sticking up for the conference. Just like when Kevin Willard said we were the best team in the country Friday night. We then went on to lose. Got to look out for your brothers.

[GIMMFD]

Jay Wright was interviewed on ESPN or TBS and he had high praise for X as we were the true champions in the BE for our 15-3 record.

It's really hard to dislike Jay Wright, he's very good for giving praise to conference mates, and is genuinely an interesting guy to listen to, I like him a lot. I think he and Nova represent the Big East very well, plus he is one well dressed man.

[Caveat]

It's really hard to dislike Jay Wright, he's very good for giving praise to conference mates, and is genuinely an interesting guy to listen to, I like him a lot. I think he and Nova represent the Big East very well, plus he is one well dressed man.

They’re a tough program to hate — other than the fact they just curb stomp X whenever they play.

[scoscox]

Also, I wanna know what the coach of a team making it's first appearance as a 1 seed has to say.

[IM4X]

Also, I wanna know what the coach of a team making it's first appearance as a 1 seed has to say.

Yes... pretty much why it seemed rather odd to me.

[IM4X]

Why? I kind of agree with IM4X.

Thx!

[IM4X]

Agree with IM4X too. At the very least, it looks strange.

Thx!

Maybe it has something to do with the fact the people choosing the coaches knew no one on the shows picked X to even get to the elite 8... and they didn't want it to be awkward... but who knows... just strange.

[IM4X]

It’s certainly a fair observation. No problem pointing it out. We were the 4th #1, so maybe that’s how they look at it? (OR, we are tiny X and who cares?)

I think, as scoscox pointed out above, it was just strange and a missed opportunity for a good story.

[whopper]

Forget about no respect. These shows are the TV equivalent of click bait and when I put in "NCAA 2018 men's basketball west bracket predictions" there are already dozens of yappers. The best line I hard tonight (wish it was Mack) was from Bill Self when asked "who is the team you fear most in your bracket" answered Penn(who he is playing in the first round). If we all keep that in mind, and especially if the team does (and they will) we will give it our best shot.

(from "one shining moment" and it brings a tear at times"

"But time is short
and the road is long
in the blinking of an eye
ah that moment’s gone
And when it’s done
win or lose
you always did your best
cuz inside you knew…
(that) ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU REACHED DEEP INSIDE
ONE SHINING MOMENT, YOU KNEW YOU WERE ALIVE"

[XUFan09]

I think, as scoscox pointed out above, it was just strange and a missed opportunity for a good story.Yep, I agree.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[scoscox]

Speaking of no respect, we are currently getting no respect... from anyone. Just thought I'd update the thread. Start the kill everyone tour.

[LadyMuskie]

Speaking of no respect, we are currently getting no respect... from anyone. Just thought I'd update the thread. Start the kill everyone tour.

Good. This team plays better with lots of bulletin board material. It fires Mack up, and he has a great way of making it seem personal, I think , to each and every member of the team.

[xu82]

I think, as scoscox pointed out above, it was just strange and a missed opportunity for a good story.

I can’t argue against that, and I’ll hope that’s the end of this story line. We may never know why. Go XAVIER!

[xu82]

Good. This team plays better with lots of bulletin board material. It fires Mack up, and he has a great way of making it seem personal, I think , to each and every member of the team.

It’s a Mack specialty. Peak in MARCH!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Speaking of no respect, we are currently getting no respect... from anyone. Just thought I'd update the thread. Start the kill everyone tour.

Charles Barkley picked up to FF! But then he said Eggs.

[XUBison]

It is amazing how this program has had to earn every crum of respect it has... Two years ago, Oregon got its first ever 1 seed, and they were everyone’s Trendy pick for the F4 or NC. St. John’s had a few good years three decades ago, and they’re still just the right coach away from reclaiming their rightful place amongst the blue blood elites. We are objectively the most successful program to have never been to the F4, but we’ve got no shot against Gonzaga. Anyone want a pool for when the first national pundit predicts that X will be the first ever 1 to lose to a 16? Would we have it any other way?

[GoMuskies]

I suppose we should beat Gonzaga at least once before we complain about the disrespect of people expecting Gonzaga to beat us. I remember 4 relatively recent games against the Zags. One close loss in a 3/14 game and 3 ass kickings received by X.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Gotta admit havent seen much of Gonzaga this year, had no idea how well respected they were nationally this year. I've read about six different things mentioning Gonzaga and 5 talked about them as one of the top 10 teams in the tournament and only one mentioned something negative saying they were overseeded.

[GoMuskies]

Gotta admit havent seen much of Gonzaga this year, had no idea how well respected they were nationally this year. I've read about six different things mentioning Gonzaga and 5 talked about them as one of the top 10 teams in the tournament and only one mentioned something negative saying they were overseeded.


Zags are 6 spots ahead of us in KenPom and one spot ahead in Sagarin Predictor. They're in a virtual dead heat with UNC in KenPom and are about a point and a half behind the Heels in Sagarin Predictor. Definitely a tough squad. A lot of the same pieces that terrorized us last year (thankfully no Karnowski or Collins, though).

[IM4X]

I was actually hoping for an interview, because Mack is a really entertaining interviewee in general. Maybe someone else will interview him.

Please be sure to post it in this thread (or start a new thread) if you see any Mack interviews. I will
too.

Thanks!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Zags are 6 spots ahead of us in KenPom and one spot ahead in Sagarin Predictor. They're in a virtual dead heat with UNC in KenPom and are about a point and a half behind the Heels in Sagarin Predictor. Definitely a tough squad. A lot of the same pieces that terrorized us last year (thankfully no Karnowski or Collins, though).

Rough. I was so worried about seeing Arizona as our 4 I was ecstatic to see anyone else. Looks like they will be really tough if we meet. Still think I'd rather face them than Arizona due to Ayton.

[XUFan09]

Zags are 6 spots ahead of us in KenPom and one spot ahead in Sagarin Predictor. They're in a virtual dead heat with UNC in KenPom and are about a point and a half behind the Heels in Sagarin Predictor. Definitely a tough squad. A lot of the same pieces that terrorized us last year (thankfully no Karnowski or Collins, though).

Or Nigel Williams-Goss.

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[IM4X]

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=22726870

Almost everyone is picking against you guys. Gotta love it. Use it.

Time to show these pompous blowhards (again) how clueless they really are.

[stammina0721]

Well 2 full shows and no elite 8 picks and 1 loss first weekend. If X wants any respect they have to make the FF this year. Time for this team to actually play 2 halves back to back a few times

[MarvAlbert]

Texas Southern, Missouri/FSU isn't a concern...revenge tour against Gonzaga will be spicy, but I'm really not scared of UNC or Michigan.

[surfxu]

Every talking head is poo poo-ing Xavier as the first 1 seed to lose... None give us a shot after the Sweet 16... some kick us out in the first weekend... If X can hit on all 8 cylinders then no one can slow them down. Just need to play with a chip on the shoulder.

[OTRMUSKIE]

If we as fans are worried about Gonzaga and the Buick then we are def bush league. We have the easiest road to the final four and for the rest of you who were born after 1980 let us old folks just enjoy this awesomeness!!!!!!

[paulxu]

I'm confused. Did we get an easy draw...or a hard one.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2763855-march-madness-2018-who-got-screwed-in-the-ncaa-bracket?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

[Michigan Muskie]

I spent half a cup of coffee perusing the Gonzaga message board this morning. They are legitimately more concerned with UNC-Greensboro than they are with X. The general consensus over there is: get past the first game and they're in the Final Four. I sure hope Few and his players feel the same way. As much as I'd love that rematch, I'd take even more pleasure in their first-round exit just to slow their roll. Go Sparty!

[Lloyd Braun]

I'm confused. Did we get an easy draw...or a hard one.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2763855-march-madness-2018-who-got-screwed-in-the-ncaa-bracket?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

That assumes Missouri wins. Without one of their best players (http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/barnett-suspended-for-mizzou-s-first-ncaa-tourney-game/article_058fe4bd-8824-5a4c-9cf2-19687b456aec.html). FSU is not a bad team at all.

[X-band '01]

FWIW, Butler and Providence were on the 9-line on the NCAA's official Seed List. Since this created matchup problems with Villanova and Xavier occupying separate regions, both the Bulldogs and Friars got bumped down to the 10-line and NC State and Florida State were bumped up to the 9-line.

It actually did both Big East teams a little favor by not having them potentially match up with 1s in the 2nd round and even gave Xavier a potentially easier 2nd-round matchup (with the caveat that they'll be looking for revenge themselves this time around).

[JTG]

If we as fans are worried about Gonzaga and the Buick then we are def bush league. We have the easiest road to the final four and for the rest of you who were born after 1980 let us old folks just enjoy this awesomeness!!!!!!

We would have to be crazy not to be worried about Gonzaga. We've had our assessment kicked 3 times by those guys and lost a 4th. Did you watch the Elite 8 fame last year? It was really ugly. All that said there are two games before that we need to concentrate on. Play with a vengeance, and don't let up.

[UCGRAD4X]

I'm confused. Did we get an easy draw...or a hard one.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2763855-march-madness-2018-who-got-screwed-in-the-ncaa-bracket?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

Damn!

We should not even get on the bus! Put our Big East regular season champion, NCAA #1 seeded tail between our legs, take our deflated basketballs and hide in a cave in an undisclosed location, put on sackcloth and ashes, assume the fetal position and leave no forwarding address.

All of this negative prognostication will only make it that much sweeter when we kick down the damn door!

[muskiefan82]

Personally, I think Mizzou is the perfect draw. That is the one thing missing from this year that I was getting used to. X didn't play and beat an SEC team this year. It feels a little strange.

[SemajParlor]

Gonzaga needs to worry about beating a really good UNC Greensboro team.

I think we got a good draw. No road will be easy, but this is as good as you can ask for.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Gonzaga needs to worry about beating a really good UNC Greensboro team.

I think we got a good draw. No road will be easy, but this is as good as you can ask for.

Man a UNCG vs SD State matchup would be awesome!

[X-band '01]

South Dakota State has a scoring star in Mike Daum - they are more than capable of knocking off Ohio State in Round 1.

I think Greensboro gives Gonzaga fits with their defensive style, but probably won't beat them in Boise.

[markchal]

Who cares if we get no respect? I feel like many years we're a pretty "trendy" pick, especially when we have a low seed. We have earned a 1, but we aren't exactly a terrifying 1-seed, I'm not sure anyone would dispute that, especially given our defense. We have a lot of good tournament experience and good senior leadership, so I'm excited to see what this team can do.

I'm really glad we avoided Arizona and Duke, those were the two that scared me the most. At the end of the day, you're not gonna get a perfect bracket and avoid everyone (unless you're UC). Bring on the Mizzouri Porters, and bring on Gonzaga, and let's see what we got.

[whopper]

There is no perfect draw. This is the greatest week in sports and I pray that next week I have the Musketeers to root for in sweet 16. I will be disappointed but I know what is at stake and I know they do. I will say the worst feeling in sports is waking up the next day in a single elimination after losing and KNOWING you left something on the floor because you can't lie to yourself. Depth only helps when they are playing 120% and if you see Tyrique and Kaiser being disruptive, drawing offensive fouls, getting deflections even if their numbers aren't there you know they are an making an impact. It is thrilling and scary at the same time and I can only imagine the feeling of the seniors KNOWING that it could be their last game.

[markchal]

Not for nothing, I have seen at least one writer call us one of the 5 title contenders.

[paulxu]

I can only try to imagine what the seniors are feeling.
But, I for one, would love to play Duke. Payback is a mf.
Also, I'd like to see Allen try one of his little tricks on JP.

[XUFan09]

I think Gonzaga is easily the toughest matchup of the whole bracket. Neither UNC nor Michigan scare me at all. Xavier can definitely beat Gonzaga too.

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[JTG]

I think Gonzaga is easily the toughest matchup of the whole bracket. Neither UNC nor Michigan scare me at all. Xavier can definitely beat Gonzaga too.

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Zags scare me to death. Nova 2.0, they are in our head, and they play a lot like Nova. 3pt shooters and good bigs. If we get that far, and start slow, much like against Nova, we're toast.

[XUFan09]

Zags scare me to death. Nova 2.0, they are in our head, and they play a lot like Nova. 3pt shooters and good bigs. If we get that far, and start slow, much like against Nova, we're toast.I would definitely prefer Ohio State out of that pod.

Going in, I didn't want Zona/UK, but now I'm wondering if that would have been preferable to Gonzaga.

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[stammina0721]

I said a month ago there were 3 teams I wanted to avoid. Duke, zona, zags. We can beat Gonzaga but Tre cant be 2-12 Tre and Goodin has to refind his suddenly lost shot. MSG was not kind to either so let's hope that was an aberration.

I will say this... I believe Gonzaga is a poor man's Nova. Kanter and Omara are better than their bigs. We just can't let them go Nova behind the arc. If we play perimeter D then our size and depth will win the day. The key defensive guy will be Naji. Let's hope his size out their really alters shots. Noone in the WCC is as good on the outside defensively as he is

[JTG]

Don't they have a 6'10" 3pt shooters?

[stammina0721]

Don't we have one in Kanter plus Kanter is way better in the post

[GoMuskies]

Don't they have a 6'10" 3pt shooters?

Kilian Tille is 6'10" and was 13-14 from 3 in the WCC Tournament.

[JTG]

Not according to the national media, they act like this guy is a 6'10" Steph Curry.

[JTG]

I said a month ago there were 3 teams I wanted to avoid. Duke, zona, zags. We can beat Gonzaga but Tre cant be 2-12 Tre and Goodin has to refind his suddenly lost shot. MSG was not kind to either so let's hope that was an aberration.

I will say this... I believe Gonzaga is a poor man's Nova. Kanter and Omara are better than their bigs. We just can't let them go Nova behind the arc. If we play perimeter D then our size and depth will win the day. The key defensive guy will be Naji. Let's hope his size out their really alters shots. Noone in the WCC is as good on the outside defensively as he is


Kilian Tille is 6'10" and was 13-14 from 3 in the WCC Tournament.

That is scary. Real scary.

[X-band '01]

Comparing Gonzaga to last year, the 5 guys that are in their main rotation that played in last year's blowout are Jonathan Williams, Josh Perkins (both of whom started last year), Kellan Tillie, Silas Melson and Rui Hachimura. They normally go 7 deep - as a team they shoot about 37% from 3-point land and shoot at a 72% clip at the FT line. Xavier is similar from 3-pt land at 36% but shoots 79% from the FT line as a team.

But prior to getting to that checkpoint, will familarity with either Missouri or Florida State help or hinder in Round 2?

[THRILLHOUSE]

Gonzaga is really good and matches a lot of the same qualities that recent champs have. Main one of course being they are Top 20 in offense and defense. Sure, one could argue some of their advanced stats might be a bit inflated due to their conference, but they faced a quality OOC schedule as well.

We can certainly beat them though. At the very least, I don't think they'd run X off the court again. Though of course it would be nice if Greensboro or OSU/S. Dakota could do us a solid an knock them off weekend 1.

[OTRMUSKIE]

No doubt the zags are good. But up until last year they were the overrated team that bowed out early every year. This year will be no different. If we can’t beat the Zags then we have no business being #1. Maybe espn is right maybe we should be seeded 4th the way people talk about how good the Zags are. Let’s just win the first game and then we can see where we stand.

[XU 87]

Zags scare me to death. Nova 2.0, they are in our head,

I doubt any current XU player knows about, much less cares about, losing to Gonzaga when Miller was the coach or when Mack first became coach. The guys on this team have, at best, played Gonzaga once.

[47&18]

New poster here. Love this board.

I'm always more nervous when X has a higher seed due to the expectations that come with it. And this bracket is no joke. Gonzaga, UNC, and Michigan all scare me. Gonzaga for obvious reasons that have been stated many times in prior posts, and both UNC and TTUN have looked their best in the last few weeks. Beilein is an excellent coach and his team has really bought into his system on both sides of the ball. Plus, they have shooters all over the place.

X is going to need more of the amazing defense we saw in spurts during the BE tourney. Scruggs, Marshall, Gates, JP, and Jones (our only rim protector) are going to have to lock it down all tourney long. My hope is that the BE is truly as tough and brutal as we think it is and our guys step it up big time vs. non-BE competition.

If Mizzou gets past FSU, it's going to be interesting. On one hand, we've got Tre. He's as good as anyone in the country when he's on. On the other hand, I keep thinking about the NC State game with TJ Warren. I know, different X team, but I'll never forget how he dominated. Let's hope X can contain Porter or that he's still a little rusty coming back from the injury.

No matter the outcome in the next couple of weeks, this has been a historical season for X. Mack, the assistants, and players should be crazy proud of what they've accomplished...so far.

[xeus]

New poster here. Love this board.

Great name!

[THRILLHOUSE]

No doubt the zags are good. But up until last year they were the overrated team that bowed out early every year. This year will be no different. If we can’t beat the Zags then we have no business being #1. Maybe espn is right maybe we should be seeded 4th the way people talk about how good the Zags are. Let’s just win the first game and then we can see where we stand.

But how do the guys that run Dance Card feel about them?

[GoMuskies]

No doubt the zags are good. But up until last year they were the overrated team that bowed out early every year.

They haven't been upset in the Tournament since '13, when they lost to a Wichita State team that is now in the mythical national title game against Michigan since they no longer lost to Louisville in the Final Four. Before that, the last time they were upset in the Big Dance was in 2008 as a #7 seed against #10 Davidson. Davidson had some kid named Steph Curry. Heard he's not bad.

So in the last ten years, they've been upset by a lower seed once and upset a higher seed 3 times. So you may need to update that narrative that may have been accurate a decade ago but not so much anymore (Xavier's record in that regard is substantially worse than Gonzaga's over the last ten years - okay, we've only lost to lower seeded teams twice in that stretch; it's still 100% more times than Gonzaga).

[OTRMUSKIE]

Never said anything about being upset I said they bow out early. They get all this hype and then they make it to the second round or sweet 16 and they are done. Last year they finally broke through. Dance Card F**cked me big time this year. Bunch of frauds. Here is their results.

1 Defeated West Virginia in regional semifinal, 61-58
Lost to North Carolina in National Championship, 71-65

2016 2-1 Defeated Utah in second round, 82-59
Lost to Syracuse in regional semifinal, 63-60

2015 3-1 Lost to Duke in regional final, 66-52

2014 1-1 Lost to Arizona in second round, 84-61
2013 1-1
2012 1-1 Defeated West Virginia in first round, 77-54
Lost to Ohio State in second round, 73-66
2011 1-1
2010 1-1 Lost to Syracuse in second round, 87-65
2009 2-1 Defeated Akron in first round, 77-64
Lost to North Carolina in regional semifinal, 98-77
2008 0-1
2007 0-1 Lost to Indiana in first round, 70-57
2006 2-1 Defeated Indiana in second round, 90-80
2005 1-1
2004 1-1
2003 1-1 Defeated Cincinnati in first round, 74-69
Lost to Arizona in second round, 96-95
2002 0-1
2001 2-1 Defeated Virginia in first round, 86-85
Lost to Michigan State in regional semifinal, 77-62
2000 2-1 Defeated Louisville in first round, 77-66
Lost to Purdue in regional semifinal, 75-66

[SemajParlor]

If we can’t beat the Zags then we have no business being #1.

Have to agree here. The road is never easy but I believe we're pretty damn good as well.

[Masterofreality]

EVERYBODY from now on should scare you. It’s the TOURNAMENT for Gawds Sake.

If you’re better than the other team, on that day, you’ll win. If not, other than the 1-16 matchup, you’ll lose.

The Number 1 Seed gets you one win. After that it’s game on. That being said, I’m glad we’re not in the Midwest Region.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Okay so according to RPI our 8/9 matchup jas an avg RPI of 49.5. The other 8/9 seeds have an avg of 48, 51.5 and 47.5. So we have the second easiest 8/9 if you’re just going by RPI #’s

Our 5/4 matchup avg RPI is 20.5 the other 5/4 are 11.5, 21.5, 13 so we have the 2nd easiest of going only by RPI.

Our 3/2 matchup avg RPI is 8 The other 3/2 are 7,16 and 10.5 so we did get the 2nd hardest 3/2.

Our 3/2 teams will be tough if we make it that far. But BOIS!!!! I think we got one hell of a good draw. Not perfect but we really dodged a lot of bullets. No Michigan State, Duke, Arizona, Kentucky. I think we break through, I really do!!!!

[47&18]

Great name!

Thanks! The absolute domination of Keith Waleskowski should be remembered forever. Thankfully, I lucked into second row seats that day. DW was such a beast!

[xu82]

peak in march!!!

[bobbiemcgee]

Speaking of no respect, we are currently getting no respect... from anyone. Just thought I'd update the thread. Start the kill everyone tour.

Haha. Think we got more respect as an 11 seed.

[Masterofreality]

Haha. Think we got more respect as an 11 seed.

Bulletin Board material.

I love it. Puts the chip directly on the shoulder.

[markchal]

I also read in Washington Post that we're the worst No. 1 seed in more than a decade, according to KenPom records. Kansas isn't too far behind. So, if there was a 1-seed to disrespect this year, it doesn't surprise me that we fit the bill. None of that matters a lick once the ball is in the air.

[stammina0721]

If you wanna get blitzed then turn on CBS sports network. Every time Swin Cash says something about how she played the game, been in that locker room, or just makes it obvious that she needs to constantly remind us how she played then take a drink. Good luck making it to commercial break

[D-West & PO-Z]

Gottlieb gave us respect on Cowherd's show today. Saying we are really good we went to the Elite 8 last year with injuries, we got a good draw, and older teams are going to win in this tourney.

[D-West & PO-Z]

On the other hand Cowherd himself did not have us as one of his 9 teams that can win the tourney.

[xu82]

Gottlieb gave us respect on Cowherd's show today. Saying we are really good we went to the Elite 8 last year with injuries, we got a good draw, and older teams are going to win in this tourney.

I heard and enjoyed that. I’ll just say that, while I don’t love Gottlieb, I think he knows more about basketball than Cowherd.


And I like people saying nice things about us. Points for Dougie.

[bobbiemcgee]

Honestly, never heard of her.

[scoscox]

Every time someone predicts us to lose before the elite eight or makes a comment about how we're a weak 1 seed, take a drink.

[xu82]

Honestly, never heard of her.

Neither have I. Is she hot?

(That was shameful of me, but my fate is probably sealed.)

[D-West & PO-Z]

Q had the #10 play of the year on college game night last night for his behind the back pass to Sean O'mara for a dunk vs Nova at home.

[xu82]

Q had the #10 play of the year on college game night last night for his behind the back pass to Sean O'mara for a dunk vs Nova at home.

The behind the back crap can also be your doom, as we have seen. Recently. I hope to stay out of the top 10, or the bottom 10, for such stuff going forward unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Having said that, it was AWESOME to watch!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Neither have I. Is she hot?

(That was shameful of me, but my fate is probably sealed.)

No she is not hot do a shot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stammina0721]

No she is not hot do a shot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lol she may be hot after a few shots

[GIMMFD]

On the other hand Cowherd himself did not have us as one of his 9 teams that can win the tourney.

Cowherd is an idiot, that uses "controversial" takes to get listens and clicks.

[Muskie in dayton]

8 Sports Illustrated writer predictions, and only one has us moving beyond the round of 16. Several have us losing the first weekend, including one who predicted of a FIRST ROUND LOSS! WTF???

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2018/03/12/ncaa-bracket-predictions-expert-picks-march-madness-bracket-advice

No respect!

[UCGRAD4X]

This is madness! Madness I say! Next they'll be saying the earth is flat, there is no Santa Claus, the polar icecaps are melting, Smufs aren't real and Donald Trump is president. Utter madness!

At least they're not talking free bourbon at Dana. That would be bedlam.

[whopper]

8 Sports Illustrated writer predictions, and only one has us moving beyond the round of 16. Several have us losing the first weekend, including one who predicted of a FIRST ROUND LOSS! WTF???

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2018/03/12/ncaa-bracket-predictions-expert-picks-march-madness-bracket-advice

No respect! There are so many sports bloggers subcontracting that they step on each other. I am going to give myself a hiatus from reading anything for the next 3 days but will watch the NCC/Tex So play in game. Time to put up or shut up. No amount of writing matters. Go X and trust the experience from last year will carry us.

[AdoptedZag]

Never said anything about being upset I said they bow out early. They get all this hype and then they make it to the second round or sweet 16 and they are done. Last year they finally broke through. Dance Card F**cked me big time this year. Bunch of frauds. Here is their results.

1 Defeated West Virginia in regional semifinal, 61-58
Lost to North Carolina in National Championship, 71-65

2016 2-1 Defeated Utah in second round, 82-59
Lost to Syracuse in regional semifinal, 63-60

2015 3-1 Lost to Duke in regional final, 66-52

2014 1-1 Lost to Arizona in second round, 84-61
2013 1-1
2012 1-1 Defeated West Virginia in first round, 77-54
Lost to Ohio State in second round, 73-66
2011 1-1
2010 1-1 Lost to Syracuse in second round, 87-65
2009 2-1 Defeated Akron in first round, 77-64
Lost to North Carolina in regional semifinal, 98-77
2008 0-1
2007 0-1 Lost to Indiana in first round, 70-57
2006 2-1 Defeated Indiana in second round, 90-80
2005 1-1
2004 1-1
2003 1-1 Defeated Cincinnati in first round, 74-69
Lost to Arizona in second round, 96-95
2002 0-1
2001 2-1 Defeated Virginia in first round, 86-85
Lost to Michigan State in regional semifinal, 77-62
2000 2-1 Defeated Louisville in first round, 77-66
Lost to Purdue in regional semifinal, 75-66

Sorry to chime in, but the "they never do anything in March" narrative really irks me. We don't control what pundits say, so take empirical evidence and look at it. To easily disprove your narrative you can add the seeds of both GU and their opponent to the list above. GU has performed to seed pretty much every time in the tournament. Obviously the time we got bounced by WSU stands out(underperform), but that's counteracted when we went to the E8 as a 10 seed(overperform). Even in the run to the Nat'l Title game, we performed to seed. usually when we run into higher seeded teams, we lose. It's that simple.

[Masterofreality]

Sorry to chime in, but the "they never do anything in March" narrative really irks me. We don't control what pundits say, so take empirical evidence and look at it. To easily disprove your narrative you can add the seeds of both GU and their opponent to the list above. GU has performed to seed pretty much every time in the tournament. Obviously the time we got bounced by WSU stands out(underperform), but that's counteracted when we went to the E8 as a 10 seed(overperform). Even in the run to the Nat'l Title game, we performed to seed. usually when we run into higher seeded teams, we lose. It's that simple.

Welp, that's a helluva lot better that Clifton College.

[XUBison]

Sorry to chime in, but the "they never do anything in March" narrative really irks me. We don't control what pundits say, so take empirical evidence and look at it. To easily disprove your narrative you can add the seeds of both GU and their opponent to the list above. GU has performed to seed pretty much every time in the tournament. Obviously the time we got bounced by WSU stands out(underperform), but that's counteracted when we went to the E8 as a 10 seed(overperform). Even in the run to the Nat'l Title game, we performed to seed. usually when we run into higher seeded teams, we lose. It's that simple.


Great point. Zags might as well stay home for the S-16. No skin off our backs whatsoever.

[KabeX]

i think it's really very simple. Knock down the FF door. We're getting respect - #1 seed etc... I wonder if UVA fans feel the same way. #1 team in both polls but they have never won a title so until they do ... Same here. Just do it!

[xu koop scoop]

The Committee gave us respect with a #1 seed. When we lost to Providence some of my buddies thought Michigan St might slide into that 4th #1 spot as they won the Big 10 outright - then they get a 3 seed. What is our record vs Gonzaga in the NCAA Tourney? That may be part of the disrespect vs the Zags.Also, is Ohio St good enough to whip the Zags.
This has been a revenge year & we revenged all except Nova. Since the tourney went to 64 teams I wonder what our seed has been in each. We have 1 #1, 1 #2 & I am too sick to go thru the XU media guide where I could find that info. We better not look forward to the Zags or we lose vs an 8 or 9.

[stammina0721]

Screw Gonzaga. Those boys are soft from what i am seeing again. When X gets in their grill and smacks them around their Charmin like 6'11 three pt shooter is gonna fold like a house of cards

[XUBison]

i think it's really very simple. Knock down the FF door. We're getting respect - #1 seed etc... I wonder if UVA fans feel the same way. #1 team in both polls but they have never won a title so until they do ... Same here. Just do it!


Yes, an F4 will help perception of X for sure. But no, UVA doesn’t feel like us. They are the consensus #1, and lots of people actually think they’re going to win.

[bobbiemcgee]

I think losing Hunter hurts UVA's chances a lot.

[whopper]

I am glad we are playing the second day. It gives you a reminder of the pace of the game and the refereeing of the game which is different than regular season. All you have to do is watch NC Greensboro v Gonzaga (so close) to know that every team is a mine field and the low seed playing with house money.I know the team and coach will have us ready

[xumuskies08]

The Committee gave us respect with a #1 seed. When we lost to Providence some of my buddies thought Michigan St might slide into that 4th #1 spot as they won the Big 10 outright - then they get a 3 seed. What is our record vs Gonzaga in the NCAA Tourney? That may be part of the disrespect vs the Zags.Also, is Ohio St good enough to whip the Zags.
This has been a revenge year & we revenged all except Nova. Since the tourney went to 64 teams I wonder what our seed has been in each. We have 1 #1, 1 #2 & I am too sick to go thru the XU media guide where I could find that info. We better not look forward to the Zags or we lose vs an 8 or 9.

Since the tournament expanded to 64 teams Xavier has been...

A 1 seed 1 time (2018)
A 2 seed 1 time (2016)
A 3 seed 2 times (2003, 2008)
A 4 seed 1 time (2009)
A 6 seed 5 times (1990, 1998, 2010, 2011, 2015)
A 7 seed 3 times (1997, 2002, 2004)
A 9 seed 2 times (1993, 2007)
A 10 seed 1 time (2012)
An 11 seed 4 times (1988, 1995, 2001, 2017)
A 12 seed 2 times (2986, 2014)
A 13 seed 1 time (1987)
A 14 seed 3 times (1989, 1991, 2006)

[stammina0721]

Looks like the "Experts" are so right again. What a bunch of clowns. Mark my words Michigan State will not come close to the final four let alone a championship

[stammina0721]

In all seriousness can we just ban the Pac-12 from the tournament next year? UCLA, ASU, Arizona got absolutely stomped and showed why that conference is not respected at all. I think the AAC might have better teams.