The future

[mohr5150]

When Rick Barnes came to Tennessee, he inherited a dumpster fire. His first class of recruits were not heralded by any stretch of the imagination. They were all 3-stars. But when they came to town, they were handed the keys. They took their lumps the first year, improved the second, did very well their third, and now they're #1 their 4th. Travis Steele was given the job of a team that had four years in a row of questionable recruiting by Chris Mack. Yes, there are solid players in Tyrique Jones, Naji Marshall, and Paul Scruggs, but there were way more swings and misses. Just look at the laundry list of players who took up recruiting spots who aren't here any more, or who didn't even see a minute of playing time. Mack knew the situation he created and bailed as fast as he could, knowing his chance for a big- time gig was going out the window if he stuck around for this season. Steele should hand the keys to this incoming Freshman class, let them take their lumps next year, but grow as a cohesive unit to become something special in a few years. That's what he has to do. If it means guys transfer out after this year, so be it. We should load up our pre conference schedule with a ton of cupcakes to build confidence before the Big East schedule. The message needs to be sent to the guys on this roster that they are not going to be major parts of the big picture plans for the future of Xavier basketball. The upcoming Freshman class has to be our version of Tennessee's senior class this season.

[fellahmuskie]

For how depressed I feel right now, it's nice to see someone with a little hope.

I feel like the next 8 months are going to be the most nerve wracking stretch I've ever experienced as an X fan. So many unknowns before next season starts.

[bleedXblue]

Correct. Full rebuild mode is in order. Next years class is a good start. We need 2020 to be just as good or better.

I am concerned with Steele's coaching ability........not his ability to recruit. I would like to see some veteran experience on his staff.

[vee4xu]

[QUOTE=bleedXblue;640072]Correct. Full rebuild mode is in order. Next years class is a good start. We need 2020 to be just as good or better.

I am concerned with Steele's coaching ability........not his ability to recruit. I would like to see some veteran experience on his staff

Yep, this probably more than almost anything else.

[Muskie]

How different does this team look with someone that can give Q and Scruggs 7-10 minutes of rest per game?

[Masterofreality]

How different does this team look with someone that can give Q and Scruggs 7-10 minutes of rest per game?

Last night, Eli Harden was given second half minutes...FOR HANKINS, while Q, Scruggs and Naji are on the floor!!
Why was Eli not giving rest to Scruggs, Naji or Q?
By the way, Xavier was outrebounded in the game by double figures, but Hankins is on the bench for Eli?
Many questions abound.

[Muskie]

Last night, Eli Harden was given second half minutes...FOR HANKINS, while Q, Scruggs and Naji are on the floor!!
Why was Eli not giving rest to Scruggs, Naji or Q?
By the way, Xavier was outrebounded in the game by double figures, but Hankins is on the bench for Eli?
Many questions abound.

Agree on Harden last night.

[XUGRAD80]

And Castlin? He is bringing nothing, especially on the offensive side of the floor. Why does he get 20 minutes?

[whopper]

there is a strange reluctance to play Welage at anything but a floor spacer. He has an efficient handle, makes few turnovers and few assists(which is what we have point guards for ) but could play a nice wing position, a safety valve and shooter(who could miss 4 and make 3 but needs to get 7 shots). Thet is my biggest complaint and it is not a coincidence that he was on the floor for the Depaul, Butler and Georgetown comeback. Again, not Larry Bird but a good college player who has been somewhat mishandled. I know the last few games he was the inbound defender (because of height) and designated fouler when we were down.

[joe titan]

the thoughts expressed by MOHR5150 reminds me of the time Staak was hired. The program was truly low level (though distinct from others I bestow some credit to Tay Baker) and Staak had little to build around other than Anthony Hicks. He ultimately recruited Skywalker Bailey, Jeff Jenkins, Vic Fleming Ralph Lee essentially handing them the keys to the team. They responded quite positively and when Larkin joins XU was off and running for the next 3+ decades, hiccups notwithstanding.

[XU 87]

I am concerned with Steele's coaching ability........not his ability to recruit. I would like to see some veteran experience on his staff.


I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but this was a common sentiment when Mack first started. Multiple people wanted him to have an "X's and O's" guy on the staff.

I actually think Steele knows his "X's and O's". He seems to have good game plans, as shown by the relatively large leads X keeps getting in most games. Getting everyone on the same page to effectively run his offense and defense seems to be the greater issue, particularly at the end of close games. This team seems to be panic and forget everything they have been taught when the game gets tight.

Bottom line- the teams lacks discipline at the end of games, which I think is both on the players and coaches. If we see this again next year, then I would start pointing much more to the coaches.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Thank you for a great post. Spoiled brats some of us have become. I think it’s good for us to have a season like this. It’s not fun but we can enjoy the dance now without stress. Then we can dominate again starting next year or the year after for the next 20 years. I blame Mack . Screw you MACK!!!

[XfansinKy]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but this was a common sentiment when Mack first started. Multiple people wanted him to have an "X's and O's" guy on the staff.

I actually think Steele knows his "X's and O's". He seems to have good game plans, as shown by the relatively large leads X keeps getting in most games. Getting everyone on the same page to effectively run his offense and defense seems to be the greater issue, particularly at the end of close games. This team seems to be panic and forget everything they have been taught when the game gets tight.

Bottom line- the teams lacks discipline at the end of games, which I think is both on the players and coaches. If we see this again next year, then I would start pointing much more to the coaches.

He comes with an initial plan, but doesn't know what to do when his opposing coach makes a good adjustment.

[Juice]

He comes with an initial plan, but doesn't know what to do when his opposing coach makes a good adjustment.

What adjustments did Depaul make other than our guys making turnovers?

[XfansinKy]

What adjustments did Depaul make other than our guys making turnovers?

I'm referring to the spanking coach McDermott put on him. That was obvious even to me and idk shit.

[xukeith]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but this was a common sentiment when Mack first started. Multiple people wanted him to have an "X's and O's" guy on the staff.

I actually think Steele knows his "X's and O's". He seems to have good game plans, as shown by the relatively large leads X keeps getting in most games. Getting everyone on the same page to effectively run his offense and defense seems to be the greater issue, particularly at the end of close games. This team seems to be panic and forget everything they have been taught when the game gets tight.

Bottom line- the teams lacks discipline at the end of games, which I think is both on the players and coaches. If we see this again next year, then I would start pointing much more to the coaches.

remember next year, same returning 4 but expecting 5 frosh to bring collegiate leadership, defense and much better outside shooting is too much to ask. Steele is laying the foundation for a X team in 2021, 2022, 2023 to be consistently good. Too many roster weaknesses unless Marshall discovers he is Durant or Goodin becomes Jason Kidd.

Who will score inside every night next year?

I like the opening post.
Tennessee is #1 and 3 years ago had a recruiting class fo lower to mid 150 hs kids. their 3rd best recruit is their leader and scorer.

[UCGRAD4X]

Well, it seems we got know place to go but up. Then again I always cringe when I hear "It couldn't get any worse" so I'm absolutely not even going to mention it....ooops.

I'm firmly in the future is bright camp. Yes a lot of 'spoiled brat' frustration I will admit. Then again, I'm one of those spoiled brats who never picks Xavier to lose...which is why I'm no where to be seen in the pick the score stats (although this blind pig did happen to find a couple of acorns there.)

I like where they are headed and I honestly expect a pretty quick turn around. But I always expect them to win so I may not be the most reliable source.

[GIMMFD]

Recruiting is half of the battle, but the team has to respect Coach Steele first, listen to him, and they showed that during the second half of the Providence game, but it's been missing the majority of the year, if he gains respect moving forward, we can salvage a decent season, obviously could need a miracle for an NCAA bid, but somehow getting to 18 wins after that 6 game skid would be remarkable in my eyes.

The recruits, they're gonna come, we're gonna get better by just sheer improvement in recruiting. If Steele can bring both aspects together, we'll continue to improve, and realistically get a chance at breaking down the barrier for the Final 4. Getting in with guys like Odom, Harvey, etc. will transcend the program. The on court product however has to be just as good.