Women picked to finish 8th in the Big East

[cinskyline]

https://goxavier.com/news/2019/10/10/womens-basketball-a-riana-gray-named-to-preseason-all-big-east-team.aspx

It's better than 10th, which is where they have been picked the last 2 years. Hopefully this is the beginning of an upward trend under Coach Moore.

[GoMuskies]

No need for a new thread....but if it was possible, our women's team has actually managed to get worse this year. Unless someone else in the Big East is just ungodly terrible, it's hard to see this team not on a mission for 10th at this point. Yikes.

Hope Coach Moore can recruit.

[Xville]

Ok I know zero about the womens basketball program outside of their record, but how the hell do they continue to be this bad and lose to the teams they lose to? I really dont see any valid excuse as to how they can be this terrible with the resources that are available. Not knocking moore as she is new and trying to clean up the mess, but how the heck die it get to this point of getting waxed by teams like rider, ball state and robert morris?

[bleedXblue]

UCONN being added to the Big East should help a little with recruiting......but agree, its pretty much rock bottom right now

[WCWIII]

I am coming in from Chicago this weekend to make the Friday and Sunday WBB games. Go X! Went to a practice, saw the team, love the enthusiasm of coach Moore. Becoming competitive and then recruiting to begin to compete for Big East success is the expectation. We're going in the right direction. Come out, support the team. [ok, maybe I'll also watch the men take on UC on Saturday too].

[scoscox]

Ok I know zero about the womens basketball program outside of their record, but how the hell do they continue to be this bad and lose to the teams they lose to? I really dont see any valid excuse as to how they can be this terrible with the resources that are available. Not knocking moore as she is new and trying to clean up the mess, but how the heck die it get to this point of getting waxed by teams like rider, ball state and robert morris?

for reasons no one will ever understand brian neal was allowed to lead this program for 6 years until he beat all semblance of respectability out of it

[HomerCecil]

for reasons no one will ever understand brian neal was allowed to lead this program for 6 years until he beat all semblance of respectability out of it

Little that has gone on with this program OTHER THAN hiring Coach Moore over the past 5-10 years has made sense. For instance: Why on earth are we playing road games against all of these mid- and low-major teams? Can you imagine the men's team playing at Robert Morris, Rider, or Ball State, let alone at all three in a two-week span?

[WCWIII]

Why on earth are we playing road games against all of these mid- and low-major teams? Can you imagine the men's team playing at Robert Morris, Rider, or Ball State, let alone at all three in a two-week span?

Had a chance to essentially ask the same question to Coach. Certainly a combination of new staff with the realities of what games were able to be scheduled but along with a very thoughtful and deliberate scheduling to enact the beginnings of a plan to become more competitive in the Big East (impact on scheduling next year, recruiting reasons, styles of play, building road toughness). I was very impressed at her vision and thought process.

[Cornbread1190]

Way too early to panic with the results and direction of this team. We don’t need UConn to help us recruit. Xavier University alone attracts top talent from around the tri-state area. We’ve had all-ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana players here over the past 6 years. No accountability on Neal or Greg Christopher has been the biggest breakdown on this program. It will take time to fix! Neal was allowed to degrade and break everyone of these talented (kids). I attended many games. I heard and witnessed Neal and his Staff running these kids down. Most of the players were miserable and didn’t have a great, let alone a good experience at Xavier. “Shameful” However, I do believe this Coach (Moore) cares about her kids experience and Quality of life while attending Xavier. That’s a huge step in the right direction allowing this program to move forward positively on and off the court. Go X!

[Muskie]

Another heartbreaker for the Women today who lost by one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[X-band '01]

Yeet. I honestly do not see any other games on the schedule thinking "There's a win."

[GoMuskies]

I honestly do not see any other games on the schedule thinking "There's a win."

It's interesting you should say that. Taking a gander at Massey Ratings, Xavier is currently ranked #243. Utah, who Xavier managed to beat, is ranked #67. EKU, who Xavier did not manage to beat, is #214. According to Massey, Xavier will be an underdog in every game the rest of the season. As a matter of fact, Massey only gives Xavier a greater than 30% chance of winning in two remaining games: 12/20 vs. #123 Florida (31%) and 2/9 vs. #167 Georgetown (35%).

Hopefully the cavalry is on its way next season.

[WCWIII]

Was at both games this weekend. There was a lot of good in 3 quarters for both games. Heart breaker yesterday as Xavier was up, but then looked a bit tentative to me, and give EKU credit for dropping like 4 threes in a row in their comeback.

Looking at those Massey rankings, the so called no named teams have been generally strong - ranked in the 100s. No question yesterday should have been a win. The win vs Utah turns out to be a very good one. The schedule is about preparing for the Big East and that is yet to play out. Keep the faith.

[X-band '01]

They tried the buy game approach under Neal and it failed miserably. Hopefully there will be a few bright spots the rest of the way.

[HomerCecil]

I would like to preface any comments by saying Coach Moore seems like a great hire and most of my confusion/complaints are about the past, which is why the program is in the position it's in. It just does not seem like this program is given the attention or resources necessary to be competitive in the Big East (and, to be frank, the Big East is not as strong in women's basketball as it is in men's basketball). I would be curious to know what the travel, recruitment, and scheduling budgets are for this program compared to others in the league. I would guess we're near or at the bottom.

[surfxu]

My guess is that Neal would have been let go a season earlier than he actually was... but there was another critical coaching change going on at the time that probably took the spot light off Neal for little while. Melanie will definitely turn the ship around, it's just gonna take a couple more years. She is very high energy and very positive which is a sharp contrast to what that program previous had.

[HomerCecil]

Surely the AD could have handled two coaching searches at once, especially when the next men's coach was pretty obvious. But if you're correct, then that feeds into the idea of this program being a stepchild in the administration's mind. My guess is they didn't want to pay Neal's buyout, even if it would have been for one year.

[GoMuskies]

I don't expect the womens' program to be as good as the men, but there's no excuse to not be able to construct a roster at Xavier that is capable of beating Eastern Kentucky 99 times out of 100. I'm not sure Moore is THE answer, but I'm confident that she will at least be able to recruit players good enough to beat the EKUs of the world.

[HomerCecil]

Checking in on the Big East after the first two weeks of league play. Teams are listed below by RPI ranking, with overall and league records.

10 DePaul 13-2 overall, 3-0 Big East
16 Creighton 11-4, 3-1
36 Marquette 10-4, 1-2
53 Villanova 8-6, 3-1
67 St. John’s 10-5, 3-1
75 Seton Hall 10-5, 3-1
119 Providence 9-7, 0-4
155 Butler 9-5, 1-2
205 Georgetown 4-11, 1-3
250 Xavier 1-13, 0-3

The women head to DC on Friday in what looks like one of their better chances to pick off a win. Coach Moore knew she had a rebuilding job on her hands, so I hope that the team is staying with her. I live in DC and might go check the game out on Friday. As far as I can tell, the program's longest losing streak is 14 games, back in the 2-26 season of 1985-86.

[usfldan]

A win! The women win their first game since the season opener by blowing out Georgetown, 85-64.

https://twitter.com/XavierWBB/status/1215814242068287488

[slysyl]

Coach has the players she has working hard. She needs more good players; 3 point scorers. The game of basketball needs all the 3point scorers you can recruit. And we need a lot of them. Stop by some day and take in a game.

[HomerCecil]

In a nod to preseason polls being ridiculous, it's worth noting that X (8th) was selected to finish ahead of Marquette (9th) in the Big East preseason poll.

[HomerCecil]

The Musketeers dropped another close one last night, falling 63-61 in OT at Butler (15-6, 7-3). Actually a really impressive performance by the team: A'Riana Gray and two other rotation players didn't dress, and after foul problems, the team had to finish the game with only four players on the court. They led 58-53 in OT before falling just short. Must have been a unique game to watch.

[Masterofreality]

Xavier lost at home to a 4-19 Georgetown team today.
What the hell is going on? 2 and 21??
I’ve met and like Mel Moore but this is amazingly unacceptable.

[slysyl]

Give the coach a chance to recruit some players. She is a good fit.

[X-band '01]

The previous coaching staff not only left the cupboard bare, they burned it down. Add injuries and you're looking at a mess that will take a few years to clean up.

[HomerCecil]

The previous coaching staff not only left the cupboard bare, they burned it down. Add injuries and you're looking at a mess that will take a few years to clean up.

+1. Coach Moore definitely needs time. I remain unconvinced that the current AD cares enough about women's basketball to put the necessary resources into the program. I would be curious to see the program's budget compared to other Big East teams.

[Muskie]

Bowling Green's Women's Program was quite successful when Greg Christopher was the AD. I'm not sure it's fair to say he doesn't care enough.

[HomerCecil]

Bowling Green's Women's Program was quite successful when Greg Christopher was the AD. I'm not sure it's fair to say he doesn't care enough.

While this is true, Greg Christopher didn't arrive at BG until 2006. Almost all of BG's women's basketball success came under Curt Miller, who'd arrived at BG in 2001 and was well into his rebuilding project before Christopher arrived. Miller then stayed until 2012, and Christopher left in 2013. IMO, BG's women's basketball success during that time has far more to do with Miller than anything Christopher did, although he should be given credit for keeping Miller in BG as long as he did. This would be like giving Christopher credit for hiring Mack instead of Bobinski.

Christopher hired Jennifer Roos to replace Curt Miller, and after a couple of successful seasons, she drove that program off a cliff. Sound familiar? I'm just skeptical that anyone who would let Brian Neal be in charge for six years is truly invested in the program. The mantra was always that the team was young. Well, that happens when half the roster leaves on an annual basis.

Of course, I truly hope I am wrong and this program now has the backing it needs to be respectable. I think Coach Moore needs at least three years to get things moving in the right direction. 2-21 should not be the norm.

[Muskie]

While this is true, Greg Christopher didn't arrive at BG until 2006. Almost all of BG's women's basketball success came under Curt Miller, who'd arrived at BG in 2001 and was well into his rebuilding project before Christopher arrived. Miller then stayed until 2012, and Christopher left in 2013. IMO, BG's women's basketball success during that time has far more to do with Miller than anything Christopher did, although he should be given credit for keeping Miller in BG as long as he did. This would be like giving Christopher credit for hiring Mack instead of Bobinski.

Christopher hired Jennifer Roos to replace Curt Miller, and after a couple of successful seasons, she drove that program off a cliff. Sound familiar? I'm just skeptical that anyone who would let Brian Neal be in charge for six years is truly invested in the program. The mantra was always that the team was young. Well, that happens when half the roster leaves on an annual basis.

Of course, I truly hope I am wrong and this program now has the backing it needs to be respectable. I think Coach Moore needs at least three years to get things moving in the right direction. 2-21 should not be the norm.

Agree with those sentiments.

[Cornbread1190]

It’s been crystal clear Greg Christopher doesn’t care about the women’s basketball program. I also don’t believe he cares about the Student Athlete having a good Xavier experience while attending this University. If he did, He would have dug deep into Neals program and pulled it inline years ago. He was well aware of the issues behind Neal’s negative coaching techniques with these kids. I think the board of trustees should send out a mailer and survey the women’s basketball team from the past 6 years to see truly how they were treated and what response and care Mr. Christopher had given them. That would be interesting for sure. I think the Board and Mr. Christopher would learn a great deal with this exercise.

It’s been a difficult season for this team. But, I’ve heard from a few Of their aau/high school coaches that Coach Moore truly cares about these kids and that the culture is much better regardless of wins / losses. Send out those surveys:)

[X-band '01]

I just hope Christopher took notes on how the women's soccer program improved - they went from the basement to the top of the Big East in a relatively short period of time.

[HomerCecil]

I just hope Christopher took notes on how the women's soccer program improved - they went from the basement to the top of the Big East in a relatively short period of time.

+1 agree it's better to look forward. Also, the Big East is a competitive women's league but it's not on the same level as it is in men's basketball. There is upward mobility in the standings with even modest improvement. (Easy for me to say, right?)

[cinskyline]

I'm just skeptical that anyone who would let Brian Neal be in charge for six years is truly invested in the program.

Unfortunately, I feel like this decision was motivated by money. X is not going to fire someone, pay them the rest of their contract, and pay a new coach at the same time for women's basketball. Now, Christopher absolutely should be criticized for hiring Neal in the first place. I have concerns about his decision making, and that was obviously a mistake. X absolutely must get it right the first time, or they'll be waiting for the contract to run out to make a change. I hope Coach Moore works out, however, I'm a little concerned about 2 wins so far this year. I don't know what they would do if this occurred on the men's side. Hopefully we never find out.

[slysyl]

I think you should give coach Moore a chance to recruit some talent before putting a curse on her. Go to a game or two she can coach. She just needs some shooters.

[bleedXblue]

Geesh. You don't turn around a program that's been down for the last several years in your first year. Give her at least 2 years before you start to critique. She needs an opportunity to get some of her players in and change the culture.

[HomerCecil]

Geesh. You don't turn around a program that's been down for the last several years in your first year. Give her at least 2 years before you start to critique. She needs an opportunity to get some of her players in and change the culture.

Only speaking for myself, but I’m in no way criticizing Coach Moore. I am only saying that I hope she’s being given the budget and resources on par with the other Big East schools so that she’s on a level playing field. Women’s basketball is no longer the stepchild program it used to be at most schools in power conferences. I think she needs three years at least - she has quite a hole to dig out of. Pulling for her.

[paulxu]

Women start tourney play this afternoon against Nova:

https://goxavier.com/news/2020/3/4/womens-basketball-musketeers-open-big-east-tournament-action-vs-no-7-seed-villanova.aspx

[D-West & PO-Z]

Women start tourney play this afternoon against Nova:

https://goxavier.com/news/2020/3/4/womens-basketball-musketeers-open-big-east-tournament-action-vs-no-7-seed-villanova.aspx

Man they have a worse record than the men do against Nova.

[HomerCecil]

Xavier falls, 64-56 in OT (after tying it at the buzzer at the end of regulation on a nice step-back three-pointer) to wrap up the season 3-27. Most of the gang should be back next year.

[GoMuskies]

Most of the gang should be back next year.

That's one of those good news/bad news situations, right?

[Masterofreality]

That's one of those good news/bad news situations, right?

Welp. They are getting a 4/5 star transferring in from Ohio State, Kenny Satterfield’s Daughter.
But what a miserable year. About as bad as 3-23 for the men under Dick Campbell in 1974.

[WCWIII]

I was cheering them on and Aaliyah Dunham's three at the buzzer to send it to OT was one of the best I've seen. I don't remember the Dick Campbell years, but the 3-win Women's basketball team played hard all season and finished it with character. A big difference than a team that would hold it's head down and out. We have the beginning of a new era.