2020 Orlando Invitational

[X-band '01]

Home Sweet Home! (https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/breaking-auburn-to-play-in-2020-orlando-invitational/ar-BBXqXJP)

Auburn, Gonzaga, Michigan State and Xavier will be featured in next season's Orlando Invitational. Other teams invited include Belmont, Boise State, Saint Louis and Siena (MAAC representative). Much better field than the one Xavier cruised through back in 2015.

[GIMMFD]

Helluva field there, would be awesome to match up with Auburn, Gonzaga, or Michigan State at the direction those programs are trending. You are definitely right about it being better than last time we went, though we did get to curb stomp Dayton which was pretty fun. Definitely think this is one of the better Thanksgiving tournament fields we've been in, and should have a pretty interesting squad for it tomorrow!

[sirthought]

Does that mean we are out the Gavitt Games again with the Big 10? Just curious. The field looks like a fun tournament.

[X-band '01]

Xavier's already used up their byes for the Gavitt Games - although that may change with UConn now in the fold. Orlando is a Thanksgiving tournament and should not affect the Gavitt Games whatsoever.

[stammina0721]

I'd think UConn is just out of all Gavit games till a new contract is signed

[xu82]

That looks like a great field! I’d love to get some revenge against Auburn since going there (with an Auburn fan) to see our double OT loss a few years ago. THAT was a loooong ride home.

I’d try to make this but somehow about 10 years ago we became Thanksgiving Central, which is actually a blast! I’ve been to a couple of NCAA’s in Orlando and always had a good time. I only knew Orlando for the parks when the kids were young, then AAU hoops tournaments later on. Some cool areas! I was NOT staying in one of them. As it turns out, W Colonial Blvd is what the street sign says in large font. The smaller font below says MLK Jr Blvd. My Uber driver wished me luck getting back. Hey! I booked late and took the first place that wasn’t full!

[Muskie]

Anyone remember the ballpark cost of the packages last time? Asking for a friend.


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[XMuskieFTW]

Anyone remember the ballpark cost of the packages last time? Asking for a friend.


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Tickets were $125 for all sessions for sidelines and $105 for all sessions for baseline/upper. Not sure what a package with hotels would be.

[noteggs]

Looks like the Orlando Invitational will be staying in Orlando (no fans l would assume). Seems 7 other early season tournaments are moving there as well.

[GIMMFD]

Just realized I'll be in Orlando anyways, so going to snag a ticket and see if I can convince some friends to come watch with me, anybody else braving the trip into the zoo of a state that is Florida?

[XMuskieFTW]

Just realized I'll be in Orlando anyways, so going to snag a ticket and see if I can convince some friends to come watch with me, anybody else braving the trip into the zoo of a state that is Florida?

The fact that they're doing 8 tournaments in Orlando means the likelihood of having fans is almost nonexistent.

[GIMMFD]

The fact that they're doing 8 tournaments in Orlando means the likelihood of having fans is almost nonexistent.

I realized that after I posted hahaha, but I'm just going to continue to hold on hope that it may be limited capacity or something.

[xubrew]

I realized that after I posted hahaha, but I'm just going to continue to hold on hope that it may be limited capacity or something.

There is reason to hope!

[surfxu]

Sounds like Xavier is pulling out of this event and instead is opening the season at Cintas with it's own multi-team event. Attendees are expected to be Toledo, Oakland and Bradley. Sounds like an effort to reduce travel, expenses and potential exposure. Story on the Enquire site: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2020/10/05/xavier-basketball-host-four-team-event-start-hoops-season/3624730001/

[X-man]

Sounds like Xavier is pulling out of this event and instead is opening the season at Cintas with it's own multi-team event. Attendees are expected to be Toledo, Oakland and Bradley. Sounds like an effort to reduce travel, expenses and potential exposure. Story on the Enquire site: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/xaviersports/2020/10/05/xavier-basketball-host-four-team-event-start-hoops-season/3624730001/

Because these are "buy" games, I doubt that expenses are a factor in this decision.

[GoMuskies]

Toledo, Oakland and Bradley?!? Woo hoo! This reminds me of the annual excitement that always surrounded the Hoosier Invitational and the UKIT!

[Xuperman]

Since everybody is limited Non-Con, I personally am happy with increasing our chances to win out before the BEast slate. Let the conference record decide our post season fate.....10 BE wins should punch a dance ticket IF the limited pre-conference games go well.

[XUGRAD80]

Zagsblog is reporting that the Big 10/BE Gaviett games are probably not going to happen.

[X-band '01]

In other words, Xavier doesn't want to potentially be embarrassed by Saint Louis, Belmont, Boise State or some other MAAC program.

Notice how Wright State and Northern Kentucky aren't invited if they're looking to limit travel expenses.

[Drew]

Yeesh. Bypassing a chance to play Gonzaga or Michigan State. Has Steele been hanging out with Wojo?

[bleedXblue]

Yeesh. Bypassing a chance to play Gonzaga or Michigan State. Has Steele been hanging out with Wojo?

you dont know whats going on behind the scenes...........I expect other programs to back out in the next week......

[XU 87]

Every high major in the country wants to have a few early season buy games against mediocre opponents. This year is no different.

[Xuperman]

In other words, Xavier doesn't want to potentially be embarrassed by Saint Louis, Belmont, Boise State or some other MAAC program.

Notice how Wright State and Northern Kentucky aren't invited if they're looking to limit travel expenses.

This is F...ing embarrassing. Changes are Covid related...nothing more.

[X-band '01]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Deg7VrpHbM

[AviatorX]

Definitely seems reasonable to make sweeping conclusions about Steele/Xavier dodging a certain type of non-conference schedule based on what the situation is looking like for 2020-21 across the board...

[Muskie]

My guess is that they didn’t want to travel to Orlando and quarantine. Play some games and then return to Cincinnati to quarantine again. These are the times we live in.


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[XUGRAD80]

Something that Steele points out in a recent Enquirer article is that it’s NOT an even playing court this year. Each school may have its own protocols to follow if someone in the program is found to be positive for a Covid. In Xavier’s case, a positive would mean the whole program going into quarantine for a couple of weeks. That means NO team activities, no meetings, no practices, no games, nothing. However, that’s NOT the case everywhere or with every team. For other programs it could mean only the individual infected going into quarantine while the others are tested, and if found to be not infected they would then be allowed to continue practicing and playing. Teams facing the possibility of a complete shutdown would probably be more cautious than teams not facing that, don’t you think? The schedule is in a state of flux right now as every team/program is kind of groping in the dark, not just X.

[xubrew]

Since everybody is limited Non-Con, I personally am happy with increasing our chances to win out before the BEast slate. Let the conference record decide our post season fate.....10 BE wins should punch a dance ticket IF the limited pre-conference games go well.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. A quantity of crappy wins isn't gonna add up to much, so 10-10 probably may not be enough. It wouldn't shock me if the committee awarded teams that played tough OOC games even more this year since so many teams decided to dump so many of them rather than dump their buy games.

[Masterofreality]

I wouldn't be so sure of that. A quantity of crappy wins isn't gonna add up to much, so 10-10 probably may not be enough. It wouldn't shock me if the committee awarded teams that played tough OOC games even more this year since so many teams decided to dump so many of them rather than dump their buy games.

Playing easy golf courses does not harden you up for the gauntlets. Neither does playing cupcakes.
Although, I'm fine with playing cupcake SucKS

[X-band '01]

Xavier was fortunate to salvage pars against Missouri and Missouri State last year. Let that sink in with what was supposed to be an experienced roster.

[X-band '01]

We will also not speak of the snowman they shot when losing at Wake last year.

[BandDad]

Apparently they don't have full control over their schedule as they have to schedule teams in states that are going to marry up with Ohio requirements. Doesn't do any good to go to Texas or have a Texas team come here if the requirements are that the traveling team quarantine for 14 days after the trip. There are some states that are requiring that you can avoid the quarantine rules if you don't spend the night and travel in and out the same day as well. Then you need to look at the requirements the individual leagues and schools are requiring as well. I am generally a very optimistic person but I will be surprised if we end up playing more than 20 games this year because I think games will end up getting postponed. Look at Miami U up the road for instance. They have a ton of students with Covid, so that is going to be a real challenge for them. The college football teams are struggling to get games in and that will be far easier than basketball. Basketball plays two games a week normally and having a couple of players out doesn't decimate a football team, but could really impact a basketball team with far fewer players. It is going to be a wait and see and kind of go week by week. I for one am glad they are trying to set up this little tournament at Cintas.

[X-band '01]

ESPN scraps plans to host 8 college basketball events in Orlando (https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30197592/espn-scraps-plans-host-8-men-college-basketball-events-orlando-bubble)

Welp.

[noteggs]

ESPN scraps plans to host 8 college basketball events in Orlando (https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30197592/espn-scraps-plans-host-8-men-college-basketball-events-orlando-bubble)

Welp.

Hey at least X was ahead of the curve!

[JEHARDI]

Not surprising, Good call to pull out when they did and set up the Cintas tournament.

[XUGRAD80]

Under the current circumstances it’s probably best to first just try and figure out how to have a regular season schedule, especially when it concerns non-BE games. It’s my guess that restrictions will become tighter, not looser, as the next month goes on. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if many of the already scheduled games are ultimately canceled, and substitutes found at the last minute. I also doubt very much that any fans will be watching games in person, at least not at schools in Ohio, which will make last minute scheduling easier. At this point there is no guarantee that there will even be an NCAA tournament. Of course they have to continue to plan as if there is going to be one, but all those plans may easily come to naught. Let the season run it’s course. If X is good enough to play in a post season tournament, they will play in it. If they aren’t, they won’t. In the meantime they will play whatever games they can get.

[mid major]

We will also not speak of the snowman they shot when losing at Wake last year.

Ugh! I could've gone the entire season not reminiscing about that display. Wake was missing their best player. Barf!

[Masterofreality]

Hey at least X was ahead of the curve!

Mario is a Magician. And a Seer.