Run the effing table!!!!

[Masterofreality]

I will be happy to take back my comment a few threads ago after the Creighton home game that this steam was still destined to lose 17-18 games. I thought that that result was no more than Creighton just handing a mediocre team a win by throwing the ball to no one in the backcourt giving Q an easy tying layup then the Blue Jays just melted. I was gladly wrong.

Somehow, maybe because the Resuscitator Malcomb Bernard, who led and saved the 2017 season, was at practice and in the house for that game, or maybe this team and coach just needed a break to find its stride, but we are now on a roll. Winning at Providence, where Steele coached Ed Cooley into a Body Bag, then Seton Hall then backing it up with the Nova win were impressive- not just the game, but how those games were "Game Planned". The idea has now cemented in my mind that Travis Steele is the right guy. When I heard Greg Christopher say at the Lew Hirt Society Convention that "I have never been more confident and excited about the future of Xavier Basketball", and then saw the team throw the DePaul game away, I thought Greg was just whistling in the dark. Now I'm a believer.

This team has hit its stride. It was impossible, however, not to have questions after losing badly to San Diego State with 19 point lead, then getting horribly drilled by SucKS and Missouri, then losing 6 in a row. Those questions were legitimate, including why was Elias Harden rooted to Mr. Pine for so long and why was this defense so amazingly bad? In the post game after DePaul, even TSteele had no answers when asked by Joe and Byron. But, whatever changed the color, is now working and these guys are fun to watch again.

So now, I'm all in. RUN THE F-ING TABLE!!! Win these last 3, go to MSG, win two, get to the Final and if we do, win or lose we are in the freaking Dance. Ah hell. WIN THEM ALL. Why not?

RUN THE F-ING TABLE!!!!!!!!!

[Muskie]

After the sixth, final loss in that streak, a demoralizing March 1 defeat to the Marquette University Golden Eagles on his senior night at Cintas Center, Bernard spoke bluntly about the team’s situation.
“We’re not really showing that we want to win the Big East title,” Bernard said after the Marquette game. “We’re not even showing that we want to be in the NCAA Tournament right now… We’ve got to get it done or we’re going to be sitting home on the couch watching the NCAA Tournament.”

[Muskie]

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

At the end of his speech, Malcolm 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.”

Here was a guy who hadn’t even been here for a year — and he was calling us out.

[XU2001]

Hey guys, long time lurker here. One thing I’ve been doing for years and especially since joining the big east, is check out opposing fan boards before the game to see what’s being said.

This St. John’s one is one of the more interesting I’ve read. Some fans are downright scared of Xavier and some are very confident. Thought I’d share.

https://redmen.com/forum/redmentalk/273909-pre-game-xavier-thur-feb-28-6-30pm-fs-1-970am.html?start=40

[XUGRAD80]

Sports, and maybe especially college sports, are such a mental thing. Confidence can make all the difference, as can the lack of the same. A little swagger, a little strut, a smile, a sense of enthusiasm, an outward look that says never give up, never quit......these are things I am seeing now, that I didn’t see before. I’m loving it, while still trying to keep my own optimism under control. Thursday night is big in my opinion. Win and I do believe there will be no stopping them. Lose, and doubts can resurface. Lose big and confidence can disappear entirely. But I do have confidence that they do believe that not just CAN they win, but that they WILL win! It’s just about March now, and if you look back through history, Xavier has historically played well in March. March is XAVIER month! Let’s GO!

[scoscox]

http://barttorvik.com/trends.php?y=2019&team=Xavier&type=adjo

saw this via paint touches on twitter. t-rank gives a 0-100 g-score of every game. highlights how much better we've played in our current streak

http://barttorvik.com/trank.php?year=2019&sort=&lastx=0&hteam=&t2value=&conlimit=BE&state=All&begin=20190210&end=20190501&top=0&quad=5&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#

the t-rank (basically free kenpom equivalent) for xavier during our 4 game winning streak has us playing like a fringe top 25 team with a middling offense and an elite defense

[GIMMFD]

Hey guys, long time lurker here. One thing I’ve been doing for years and especially since joining the big east, is check out opposing fan boards before the game to see what’s being said.

This St. John’s one is one of the more interesting I’ve read. Some fans are downright scared of Xavier and some are very confident. Thought I’d share.

https://redmen.com/forum/redmentalk/273909-pre-game-xavier-thur-feb-28-6-30pm-fs-1-970am.html?start=40

I think it'll be a fun match up, really depends if we keep building on the confidence we get going, if three point defense can stay as good as it was against Nova, it'll give Rique and Hankins a chance to eat on the inside, use the size to our advantage. Ty has incredible athleticism and can cause fits for teams. But like they said, turnovers are gonna be huge, we have to play smart and not let them jump the passing lanes. If we get the Ty, Q, Naji, and Scruggs of last game, we win easily. Interested to see who gets Ponds, I'm thinking Naji, but Scruggs or Q may get the call too.

[UCGRAD4X]

All Hail Malcom 'Knute' Bernard.

[xukeith]

http://barttorvik.com/trends.php?y=2019&team=Xavier&type=adjo

saw this via paint touches on twitter. t-rank gives a 0-100 g-score of every game. highlights how much better we've played in our current streak

http://barttorvik.com/trank.php?year=2019&sort=&lastx=0&hteam=&t2value=&conlimit=BE&state=All&begin=20190210&end=20190501&top=0&quad=5&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#

the t-rank (basically free kenpom equivalent) for xavier during our 4 game winning streak has us playing like a fringe top 25 team with a middling offense and an elite defense

That is very interesting. I wonder what MHettel thinks of that or Jerry Palm. Awaiting MHettel's detailed analysis since the streak.

[xukeith]

Free Throws and Turnovers might be our doom. Other than that, rock on!

[OTRMUSKIE]

Our only doom is we won’t be able to play anymore basketball till November after we win this whole damn thing. This team is destined for greatness and even if they slip up a little the next two weeks I still expect them to be in the dance because that’s what we do. MAN IM PUMPED!

[stammina0721]

I really think we are going to comfortably win vs St. John's. We are a matchup nightmare for them. Their only chance is 13 or more 3 pt shots made. Besides that they just don't have our size or momentum right now. I'm honestly more worried about the Butler game

[noteggs]

Honestly I think it’s us vs us. At this point it’s going to be such a mental thing as just witnessed the last 10 games.

Just hope positive vibes continue because they now realize they can play with anybody and have the players to do it.

[Snipe]

Hey guys, long time lurker here. One thing I’ve been doing for years and especially since joining the big east, is check out opposing fan boards before the game to see what’s being said.

This St. John’s one is one of the more interesting I’ve read. Some fans are downright scared of Xavier and some are very confident. Thought I’d share.

https://redmen.com/forum/redmentalk/273909-pre-game-xavier-thur-feb-28-6-30pm-fs-1-970am.html?start=40

Good Call with that. It was an interesting read. They are manic like we are.

[IM4X]

These boys are feeling it. You can just see it.

They know what’s at stake. They can almost taste it.

Don’t feed’em much Steele. We want these fellas staying HUNGRY.

[chico]

We are really sneaking up on people...