Xmas from Steele

[stammina0721]

I just want one thing... Keep the drinks, don't pay my bar tab... Please don't get beat by Nova by 20 in the first 10 min. Be competitive and have a chance to win at the end. Im tired of games at Nova being over before they start.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I just assume they will lose. We are Dayton to these guys. Until we break the spell I will always chalk this up as a lost. Kansas couldn’t win there how can we?

[Xuperman]

I just assume they will lose. We are Dayton to these guys. Until we break the spell I will always chalk this up as a lost. Kansas couldn’t win there how can we?

You live dangerously. Don't you worry that SNIPE will come through the internet and kill you in your sleep?

[X-band '01]

You live dangerously. Don't you worry that SNIPE will come through the internet and drunk post from your computer at dawn?

Fixed that for you. And GO easy ON the CAPS

[bleedXblue]

I watched the Kansas game. Nova did not shoot the ball well. Something like 28% from 3. I am sure they will torch us from deep as they usually do. I like Swider and Bey is playing better this year. They don't deviate from their system and style of play. Give them credit. Since we have not played a complete game yet....and that's what it would take to beat them at home, I am not optimistic. Nova by 12

[UCGRAD4X]

I am tempted to pick Xavier to lose for the first time ever - which is why I am rarely, if ever, even in the running for that particular endeavor.

I know Villy has their flaws this year and do not seem as dominant, but I sure like their chances of righting their ship come conference play (as evidenced vis-a-vis Kansas).

Xavier, sadly, are much less likely, it seems, to make similar necessary changes toward improvement.

Who knows, they may play out of their minds, shoot 3's and free throws at a decent rate and play impressive enough defense to not allow Nova to score at will.

I would not put my meager, hard earned cash on it. But since "pick the score" don't cost nothin (channeling my inner Belluci)...I will only be sacrificing Xavierhoops pride.

[drudy23]

Good time for the "everything goes right" game.

[Xuperman]

I watched the Kansas game. Nova did not shoot the ball well. Something like 28% from 3. I am sure they will torch us from deep as they usually do. I like Swider and Bey is playing better this year. They don't deviated from their system and style of play. Give them credit. Since we have not played a complete game yet....and that's what it would take to beat them at home, I am not optimistic. Nova by 12

I watched the game as well but it was some winning ugly. That system/style bricked 31 3's in their own building. Has that ever been done? But you're right, they do have the dude in the 5K suit. Unfortunately if we don't get a Philly W now, it may be a few years, so I'm thinking yesterday's effort gets it done. This Nova roster is not that impressive but hard to find anyone that agrees. I guess they could be considered as athletic as us but not as physical by a long shot.....can't wait for Jones to introduce himself to JRE!!!

BTW, Virginia has a "system" but can be soundly beaten by better players. Like the saying goes, It's a players game.

[xukeith]

Virginia has stellar defense but this now young team like X last year, has ZERO offense. They can't shoot. X vs. Virginia would truly be a brick layer's dream.

[AviatorX]

Virginia has stellar defense but this now young team like X last year, has ZERO offense. They can't shoot. X vs. Virginia would truly be a brick layer's dream.

Comparing Xavier's offense to Virginia's is an insult. Virginia's offense is as bad as some fans think Xavier's offense is.

[bobbiemcgee]

I believe they mentioned on the broadcast that X's offense was 10th out of 10 in the BE. Pretty bad.

[scoscox]

I believe they mentioned on the broadcast that X's offense was 10th out of 10 in the BE. Pretty bad.

Nope. Not even close. We’re 6th right behind seton hall and way in front of the last 3.

[scoscox]

Providence has a bad offense. We’re not clicking yet. Big difference. For all our struggles we’re still basically right outside the top 50 in offensive efficiency

[scoscox]

I’m cautiously optimistic for the game, but not going in with expectations. Steele was infinitely better against them last year than mack

[XU 87]

I just assume they will lose. We are Dayton to these guys. Until we break the spell I will always chalk this up as a lost. Kansas couldn’t win there how can we?

My goodness. X played Nova tough last year at their gym. X won in our gym and then went to OT in the BE tourney, and there was a terrible charge called at the end of the game against Naji which could have been the difference in the game.

For whatever reason, Mack's teams couldn't compete against Nova. But there's a new sheriff in town. I am cautiously optimistic about beating Nova on Monday.

[AviatorX]

My goodness. X played Nova tough last year at their gym. X won in our gym and then went to OT in the BE tourney, and there was a terrible charge called at the end of the game against Naji which could have been the difference in the game.

For whatever reason, Mack's teams couldn't compete against Nova. But there's a new sheriff in town. I am cautiously optimistic about beating Nova on Monday.

I'm with you. I actually think many on this board are displaying a surprising amount of deference to the Big East in general.

We all have a microscope on X and are laser focused on this team's flaws, so I get it to an extent, but let's remember all 9 BE teams have to come play in Cintas as well, and even in an extremely mediocre season for X last year, they beat every team in the league except Marquette (who won a very tight game at Cintas). The league is better this year, but so is Xavier.

I'd be very very surprised if Xavier doesn't finish top 4 and play at least a few games where the league title is theoretically in play.

No argument from me that Nova is definitely a better team than Xavier this year. I guess you have to throw Butler in there, too, because their non-conference performance was fantastic. Anyone else confident in saying the same about one of the other 7? Admittedly I have been low on Seton Hall from the beginning, but I'm guessing a few more are willing to jump ship in light of their injury situation.

[GoMuskies]

I don't think there are any great teams in the Big East this year other than maybe Butler (who saw that coming?!?), so Xavier should have a fair shot at winning just about every time out. However, there are also no bad teams other than maybe Providence, so every game is going to be a war. Villanova and Butler seem likely to be 1-2, and Providence is probably #10, but 3-9 is about as unpredictable as you can possibly get.

[SC in DC]

Don't count that PU, I mean PC out just yet, it's well known on this site that-that Cooley kid can coach! On a more serious note they may have turned the corner with their last win over Texas. I think 3--10 will be a real meatgrinder.