March Madness 2022

[Xville]

Think it is time :) , and I'm believing our beloved X-men are going to be there so let's go!

Bracketology, Bubble Watch...now that football is over, parts of the country turn their eyes toward the game we love.

Lastly, For the degenerate gamblers of the group, anyone have experience with a calcutta? Been invited to a syndicate for it...just wondering about strategy or any advice for those that have done it before.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier is "Should Be In" at ESPN on the Bubble Watch. I'm not sure if there was an earlier version, but I'm fairly certain that UConn game changed us from "Work to Do" to "Should be in" status. Just need to take care of business in the games we SHOULD win now.

Man, I'd like to have that DePaul game back!

[Xville]

Lunardi has X as a 6 in Milwaukee...possible second round matchup against an old foe in Wisconsin....give me that all day..i want that revenge :)

Bracket Matrix has X as a 6 right now as well. I concur about DePaul. 27 days until Selection Sunday!!

[Xville]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33282397/college-basketball-power-rankings-gonzaga-no-1-team-again

Interesting read here regarding our fellow BE brethern. I didn't realize that Nova had that kind of offensive efficiency numbers. Providence-Villanova should be some fun games over the next few weeks.

[xubrew]

For Xavier to not make the NCAA Tournament they would have to play at a level that's lower than what they've played at for a long time and sustain that low level of play for a month.

[xuphan]

For Xavier to not make the NCAA Tournament they would have to play at a level that's lower than what they've played at for a long time and sustain that low level of play for a month.

I agree. Unless we pick up multiple injuries to multiple players on the team, I don’t see this team not making the tournament.

[STL_XUfan]

Xavier is "Should Be In" at ESPN on the Bubble Watch. I'm not sure if there was an earlier version, but I'm fairly certain that UConn game changed us from "Work to Do" to "Should be in" status. Just need to take care of business in the games we SHOULD win now.

Man, I'd like to have that DePaul game back!

The earlier version had us in the "Should be in" camp.

[GoMuskies]

The earlier version had us in the "Should be in" camp.

Not well stated,but my point was that if we had lost to UConn we would be in the Work to Do camp. The UConn game is the difference. Saved our season.

[Xville]

Out of the rankings while uconn stays stable…interesting voting.

Providence at 8, nova at 10

[GoMuskies]

Out of the rankings while uconn stays stable…interesting voting.

Providence at 8, nova at 10

I think it's fine. We didn't belong in the rankings last week, and then we went 1-1. Two wins this week and we're back with a bullet.

[Xville]

I think it's fine. We didn't below in the rankings last week, and then we went 1-1. Two wins this week and we're back with a bullet.

Yeah agreed not a big deal, just strange voting.

[boozehound]

Yeah agreed not a big deal, just strange voting.

I guess that they are basically saying that the combination of a loss to DePaul and a win vs UConn is net negative in terms of performance vs expectations for a Top 25 team, which I can't disagree with. In fact, I don't think Xavier has looked like a top 25 team for a while (at least not for a whole game).

[Xville]

I guess that they are basically saying that the combination of a loss to DePaul and a win vs UConn is net negative in terms of performance vs expectations for a Top 25 team, which I can't disagree with. In fact, I don't think Xavier has looked like a top 25 team for a while (at least not for a whole game).

Fair point but the DePaul loss was before the last rankings came out. A two point loss @ seton hall and a win over uconn seems even to me, not a big deal. Hoping for at least another 1-1 week, actually I’ll take a 1-1 week thru to the end of the reg. Season lol

[xubrew]

I guess that they are basically saying that the combination of a loss to DePaul and a win vs UConn is net negative in terms of performance vs expectations for a Top 25 team, which I can't disagree with. In fact, I don't think Xavier has looked like a top 25 team for a while (at least not for a whole game).

I don't think the typical voter even puts that much thought into it. In the case of the AP poll, the writers watch the games that they cover and maybe a few highlights of everything else here and there. For the coaches poll the coaches know about the teams they've played against and that's about it. They spend less than five minutes filling it out and simply look at where they had them a week ago, what the did this week, then almost on a whim move them up or down.

EDIT: My favorite top 25 story ever happened a long time ago, but I think it still holds up. Rick Majerus kept complaining about how Temple was getting votes each week, and saying it made no sense. This went on for several weeks, and he was right. It didn't make any sense. Then it turned out that Rick Majerus was the one who was (technically) voting for Temple. His response was that he just had his SID do it for him, and he had no idea that's who was voting for Temple. That's just classic for all kinds of reasons.

[GoMuskies]

For Xavier to not make the NCAA Tournament they would have to play at a level that's lower than what they've played at for a long time and sustain that low level of play for a month.

I'm not sure I agree with that, honestly. I think we're in really nice position with a chance to run up the seed line to even a 3 or 4 if we get hot all of a sudden. On the other hand, it's not at all unrealistic to think Xavier could lose the next 5 in a row without actually playing terribly. There are no gimmes left other than Georgetown.

[Xville]

What does everyone think…3 wins no matter how they get them-lock. 2-bubblicious anything less probably out, anymore than 3 looking at seeding?

[GoMuskies]

I'll feel okay at 2 as long as one of the wins is against Georgetown. Losing to Georgetown at home would be a real problem. Better to get 3, but I think we'd hang on to be one of those mediocre big conference teams that slides in as a 10 with wins over St. John's and Georgetown.

[webxu]

3-3 down the stretch and they are in with ease. Would really like that G-Town game rescheduled to add another road W. 20-10, win a game or two in the BE Tourney, wrap a top 6 seed.

[X-band '01]

Getting the #6 seed means another game against Georgetown. Do not want.

[X-band '01]

I would also be perfectly fine with a blizzard or ice storm wiping out the only game scheduled with the Hoyas.

[Xville]

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-projecting-2022-march-madness-men-field

new one out. Good ole Mick in the second round...though I don't like the matchup, I'd like to watch Mick's face explode lol.

[Masterofreality]

Xavier sent me an email about NCAA tickets at whatever venue X would get placed in.
I’m liable for A LOT of money!
Hoping for Buffalo. I’ll be drunk all weekend.

[GoMuskies]

Win tonight, and we can pretty well relax. Lose, and it starts to get a little tight again.

[xubrew]

I always thought that I was normally more of a pessimist than most on here. It seems like in many previous seasons I always thought that our seeding (or even just getting selected at all) was in much more jeopardy than most others tought.

This year everyone is yelling about what a mess Steele is and talking as if we are going to miss the NCAA Tournament. I think that if the Tournament started today, not only would Xavier be in it, but they'd be wearing a white jersey in the Round of 64. I also haven't seen anything that makes me believe the situation is going to digress. Yes, losing at home to the Johnnies would be an unexpected kick to the nuts, but I just don't think that's going to happen, and even if it does I don't see them falling all the way outside the bubble.

I guess to be more to the point, I think Xavier has a good team. I'm a little perplexed as to why everyone seems to be so upset with how things have gone this year, especially since I'm normally one of the people that always seems to think the plane is about to hit the mountain.

[GoMuskies]

Well, if we lose to the Johnnies, it's also likely we'll lose to UConn, and that would definitely have us sliding toward the bubble. A win tonight, and even with a loss to UConn we're in good shape.

The schedule is just tough. I don't THINK we're losing to St. John's, but it could definitely happen. And if it does, we're going to be in very close range to trouble.

[X-band '01]

Not at Cintas, at least.

Their game in Queens has a chance to be a little more hairy.

[American X]

I'm a little perplexed as to why everyone seems to be so upset with how things have gone this year

Maybe because Xavier lost at home to DePaul (DEPAUL!) and nearly lost to DePaul and Butler, plus the multiple other long stretches of ineptitude during games.

Xavier has shown themselves capable of winning every remaining game and losing every remaining game. We get the feeling of an upward trend after beating UConn, but we still have no idea how it will go from game to game or even half to half.

[xubrew]

Maybe because Xavier lost at home to DePaul (DEPAUL!) and nearly lost to DePaul and Butler, plus the multiple other long stretches of ineptitude during games.

Xavier has shown themselves capable of winning every remaining game and losing every remaining game. We get the feeling of an upward trend after beating UConn, but we still have no idea how it will go from game to game or even half to half.

I don't know where this new way of looking at things has come from. It used to seem like Xavier would have one or two good wins a year, and everyone would grapple on to that and ignore everything else. Now Xavier has one bad loss (and it was kinda bad), and that's all anyone can fixate on. Of the other six losses, four were away from home to likely tournament teams, and the other two were at home to likely (well, almost assuredly) protected seeds. There are teams that get protected seeds that end up with losing records to tournament teams away from home.

Coming into the year, I thought Xavier was somewhere between the 20th-30th best team. It's mid-February. I still think Xavier is somewhere between the 20th-30th best team. One bad loss has not changed my opinion. It certainly hasn't made me ignore the decent/good wins that they've racked.

Now...I'm not complaining. I'm not trying to tell people what kind of fans they should be. I'm merely amused at what appears to be a complete 180 in what the fanbase (at least the people on this board) seem to latch onto now.

[GoMuskies]

Beating UConn salved the wound, but coming into that game Xavier had lost 4 of 6 including the loss at home to DePaul. There would have been 100% reason to be in panic city if Xavier had lost to UConn. Thankfully that didn't happen, but a loss tonight and I don't see how anyone can think things don't get mighty sketchy for us once again.

[Lloyd Braun]

I may be working at a venue for the opening rounds but am not sure which one yet and may even have a chance to choose. Taking everything into account (possible Xavier location, restaurants, nightlife, etc) which site would you choose?

Buffalo
Indianapolis
Fort Worth
Portland
Pittsburgh
Greenville
Milwaukee
San Diego

[muskiefan82]

If you get to choose and you have never been there, San Diego is the choice.

[GoMuskies]

San Diego

Was that a trick question?

[xubrew]

I may be working at a venue for the opening rounds but am not sure which one yet and may even have a chance to choose. Taking everything into account (possible Xavier location, restaurants, nightlife, etc) which site would you choose?

Buffalo
Indianapolis
Fort Worth
Portland
Pittsburgh
Greenville
Milwaukee
San Diego

San Diego. Because it's in San Diego.



If you're not in the top ten then it is almost impossible to guess where you are going to be sent.



Auburn is going to Greenville

Gonzaga is going to Portland

Purdue is going to Indy

Arizona is going to San Diego

Either Kansas or Kentucky will get the second spot in Indy, the other will go to Pittsburgh if it's Kentucky, which is where Villanova will be, and Milwaukee if it's Kansas, which is where Wisconsin will be

Duke will be t he other team in Greenville

Baylor and Texas Tech will probably be in Fort Worth

I guess Providence would probably be one of the teams in Buffalo



and after that...who knows?? As far as where Xavier is going, you've got a one-in-eight chance of getting it right, and if you get it wrong, then it's better to be wrong and be in San Diego than to be wrong and be in Buffalo.

[xuphan]

If you get to choose and you have never been there, San Diego is the choice.

San Diego for sure!

[American X]

I don't know where this new way of looking at things has come from.

Have you watched Xavier basketball this and the past three seasons? It is as obvious as Kenny Frease at a midget convention.

[Lloyd Braun]

Guess San Diego is the obvious choice. I have to rank them 1-3, probably should have specified that.

[GoMuskies]

San Diego
Portland
Ft. Worth

That's my three. I love Milwaukee, but perhaps not in March.

[xubrew]

Have you watched Xavier basketball this and the past three seasons? It is as obvious as Kenny Frease at a midget convention.

No, not a single game. I'm just not that in to college basketball.

[paulxu]

If you make to Greenville Lloyd, let me know.
I'll get you some good BBQ here in the Upstate.

[Lloyd Braun]

If you make to Greenville Lloyd, let me know.
I'll get you some good BBQ here in the Upstate.

Will do thanks!

[OTRMUSKIE]

Pop

[Xavier]

I think Xavier is on track to make the tournament pretty easily. People always underestimate how easy it is to make. The bubble sucks every year it always gets worse… Unfortunately, I firmly believe Xavier is in a tricky situation where we may be better off missing the tournaments and letting go of Steele. I think 75% of Xavier fans would sign up for missing the tournament if it meant bringing a new coach.

The problem for me is I’m not sold that missing the tournament results in Steele being let go. So might as well make the tournament and go from there

[Xville]

I think Xavier is on track to make the tournament pretty easily. People always underestimate how easy it is to make. The bubble sucks every year it always gets worse… Unfortunately, I firmly believe Xavier is in a tricky situation where we may be better off missing the tournaments and letting go of Steele. I think 75% of Xavier fans would sign up for missing the tournament if it meant bringing a new coach.

The problem for me is I’m not sold that missing the tournament results in Steele being let go. So might as well make the tournament and go from there

Your last sentence is what terrifies me too. I don’t trust that this administration will do what needs to be done if they limp dick it into the tourney or miss it all together.

[boozehound]

I really hate to say this, but I’d probably be OK missing the tournament if it meant getting rid of Steele. Limping in to the dance with a double digit seed to have to suffer under several more years of futility under a coach who is clearly out of his league isn’t all that appealing.

[XU 23]

I really hate to say this, but I’d probably be OK missing the tournament if it meant getting rid of Steele. Limping in to the dance with a double digit seed to have to suffer under several more years of futility under a coach who is clearly out of his league isn’t all that appealing.

Yeah I honestly agree. Is it time to embrace the tank?

[Backyard Champ]

Yeah I honestly agree. Is it time to embrace the tank?

I embrace it only if it meant Miller comes back. Not sure I’d embrace it for anyone else.

[XU 23]

I embrace it only if it meant Miller comes back. Not sure I’d embrace it for anyone else.

what about for a better draft pick:drool:

[GoMuskies]

Brew, have you figured out why we're not exactly sold on this team yet?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I firmly believe we finish 9-11 in conference and lose the first game in New York again. That leaves us 19-13 and NIT bound. Now if that somehow gets us a bid, it would be 11 and play-in territory. He would need to make serious tourney noise to save his job.

[xubrew]

Brew, have you figured out why we're not exactly sold on this team yet?

Yes, it's because they seem to be channeling their inner-Greg McDermott. Again.

[Xville]

I firmly believe we finish 9-11 in conference and lose the first game in New York again. That leaves us 19-13 and NIT bound. Now if that somehow gets us a bid, it would be 11 and play-in territory. He would need to make serious tourney noise to save his job.

I hope that if they do go 9-10 and lose in the be tourney first round that a change will be made. However, I’m not convinced of that with this administration and considering FIL is on the board. It’s amazing what has happened to the Xavier program over the last four years, hell with Louisville as well… maybe we could pitch a movie to ESPN 30 for 30 about it and at least make some money… A tale of two coaches

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I hope that if they do go 9-10 and lose in the be tourney first round that a change will be made. However, I’m not convinced of that with this administration and considering FIL is on the board. It’s amazing what has happened to the Xavier program over the last four years, hell with Louisville as well… maybe we could pitch a movie to ESPN 30 for 30 about it and at least make some money… A tale of two coaches

I keep forgetting about that nepotism. Total crap, he either gets 500 or better this season and makes the tourney or is gone. Anything less and not being fired is glaring nepotism.

[xubrew]

Okay, I give up. We're fucked.

Xavier has shown they can play well in big games, and even win them. They've also shown they can piss down their legs in games that should be winnable. I'm starting to think Xavier could win the Big East Tournament, but the biggest challenge would be getting to the quarterfinals.

[drudy23]

I'm starting to think Xavier could win the Big East Tournament

I do not share your optimism.

[xubrew]

I do not share your optimism.

If you read the rest of the sentence you should notice a complete and total lack of optimism.

[American X]

Okay, I give up. We're fucked.

Welcome to the club. Grab a drink.....or seven.

[X-band '01]

Oregon and Iowa want in the NIT far worse than Xavier does right now.

[XUBison]

If you read the rest of the sentence you should notice a complete and total lack of optimism.

Your post was perfect. I think maybe he was being ironic?

[paulxu]

7 seed now in Greenville, playing Indiana and Duke.

At least it's close to me.

[Xville]

7 seed now in Greenville, playing Indiana and Duke.

At least it's close to me.

I’ll take it…end the season.

After the next two games I’m assuming last four in.

[xubrew]

Xavier STILL appears like they would be in the top half of the bracket, meaning they would be the better seeded team in the Round of 64, if the Tournament started today.


OBSERVATION: (and nothing more)....

I have long believed that there is a three-tiered hierarchy to college basketball

-TIER 1 - (P5/BE) - At this tier if you blow through the season/conference, you (typically) end up as a protected seed and perhaps even a 1 seed. If you hover at or around .500 in league, then you're chances of going in are still really high, especially if your league is really strong. You'll be safely inside the bubble and probably in on the first ballot, but not a protected seed.

TIER 2 - The 4 other multi-bid leagues (AAC, MWC, WCC, A10) - If you blow through the season/conference, you (typically) end up safely inside the bubble and in on the first ballot, but you won't be a protected seed. The exception to this is if you get out there like Gonzaga, schedule all kinds of top 25 teams OOC, and then win the games. Then you're a protected seed.

TIER 3 - The other 22 conferences. If you blow through the season/conference, you're still going to need the auto-bid unless you've lost fewer than four games, or if you won multiple OOC games against teams that are inside the bubble.


Xavier used to be Tier 2. They blew through the season, but were rarely a protected seed. In fact I can only recall two years that they got one prior to joining the Big East. But, as many have observed, there were still some great teams.

Xavier is now Tier 1. They may not be blowing through the season like they used to this year, but still end up in about the same spot as they did when they blew through the season when they were Tier 2.

In other words, it doesn't feel as good this year as it did when we were Tier 2 and blowing through the season, but in regards to our seeding in the NCAA Tournament, we could very well end up in about the same place.

I know the expectation is to be Tier 1, and blow through the season, and always be a protected seed. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I'm just pointing out that while it feels like we're fucked, we probably aren't COMPLETELY fucked! That's all.

[xubrew]

I've never connected these dots before.

Xavier has gotten a protected seed five times. Only twice did they go past the Round of 32, and only once did they go to the Elite Eight.

Maybe we are like Michigan State!! Maybe a #7 seed is where Xavier needs to be to go on a deep run!! Maybe it's all part of the strategy!!!

[X-band '01]

I wouldn't mind being like Syracuse and getting a Final 4 out of an #11 seed sometime.

[xubrew]

I wouldn't mind being like Syracuse and getting a Final 4 out of an #11 seed sometime.

Hell, we've gotten to the Elite Eight as an 11.

And with that in mind, it almost doesn't matter what's happening now. The lasting impression people have of this season will be what happens (or doesn't happen) in the Round of 32. If they back into the NCAA Tournament and end up with a 10 seed, but win a game in the Round of 32, everyone will be saying Steele is great and totally forget that they ever had an issue with him.

Say X just blows through rest of the season. Let's go even further than that and suppose they hadn't lost to the Johnnies and DePaul, and had held on to beat Providence, and ended up as a protected seed in the NCAA Tournament. No one would really remember that at all if they ended up not winning a game in the Round of 32 (or does not get there at all. Everyone will be screaming for his head no matter how much they were praising him before.

[Xavier]

Yea I still think X will make the tournament. I’d bet on a first round loss but we have seen brilliant flashes that if we saw in the tournament could win some games you wouldn’t expect.

*holding on the little bit of hope that’s left

[Xville]

Baseline for me was a tourney invite. If that happens, then great. All I wanted was to see x in the tourney again.

I know x is safe right now, but this remaining schedule is brutal. X can easily play themselves out of the tourney these next 5 reg. Season games

[drudy23]

Baseline for me was a tourney invite. If that happens, then great. All I wanted was to see x in the tourney again.



Same.

[GoMuskies]

Any NCAA Tournament invite means this season was a "success". We're going to be an underdog in 3 of our remaining games, maybe a 5 point favorite in one other, and then we play a team worse than Fordham. So yeah, safe for now can definitely still turn into a nightmare.

[drudy23]

With this team, I'd honestly be less surprised if they make the Sweet 16 than I would if they even make the tournament.

There's just no rhyme or reason.

[Strange Brew]

Any NCAA Tournament invite means this season was a "success". We're going to be an underdog in 3 of our remaining games, maybe a 5 point favorite in one other, and then we play a team worse than Fordham. So yeah, safe for now can definitely still turn into a nightmare.

4 years after being a 1 seed I find it amazing that just making the Tourney = Success.

[xavbball]

4 years after being a 1 seed I find it amazing that just making the Tourney = Success.

It is heartbreaking to see how making the tournament is now a metric for success.

[GoMuskies]

Well, for me it is a one year metric. This year it's "fine", and all it really means is we think it is the minimum expectation for the coach to keep his job. Not exactly cause for celebration, but also not bad enough to shitcan.

[Strange Brew]

Well, for me it is a one year metric. This year it's "fine", and all it really means is we think it is the minimum expectation for the coach to keep his job. Not exactly cause for celebration, but also not bad enough to shitcan.

I hear you and depressingly understand that is where the program is after a bad hire.

[UCGRAD4X]

Xavier STILL appears like they would be in the top half of the bracket, meaning they would be the better seeded team in the Round of 64, if the Tournament started today.


OBSERVATION: (and nothing more)....

I have long believed that there is a three-tiered hierarchy to college basketball

-TIER 1 - (P5/BE) - At this tier if you blow through the season/conference, you (typically) end up as a protected seed and perhaps even a 1 seed. If you hover at or around .500 in league, then you're chances of going in are still really high, especially if your league is really strong. You'll be safely inside the bubble and probably in on the first ballot, but not a protected seed.

TIER 2 - The 4 other multi-bid leagues (AAC, MWC, WCC, A10) - If you blow through the season/conference, you (typically) end up safely inside the bubble and in on the first ballot, but you won't be a protected seed. The exception to this is if you get out there like Gonzaga, schedule all kinds of top 25 teams OOC, and then win the games. Then you're a protected seed.

TIER 3 - The other 22 conferences. If you blow through the season/conference, you're still going to need the auto-bid unless you've lost fewer than four games, or if you won multiple OOC games against teams that are inside the bubble.


Xavier used to be Tier 2. They blew through the season, but were rarely a protected seed. In fact I can only recall two years that they got one prior to joining the Big East. But, as many have observed, there were still some great teams.

Xavier is now Tier 1. They may not be blowing through the season like they used to this year, but still end up in about the same spot as they did when they blew through the season when they were Tier 2.

In other words, it doesn't feel as good this year as it did when we were Tier 2 and blowing through the season, but in regards to our seeding in the NCAA Tournament, we could very well end up in about the same place.

I know the expectation is to be Tier 1, and blow through the season, and always be a protected seed. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I'm just pointing out that while it feels like we're fucked, we probably aren't COMPLETELY fucked! That's all.


I do like this analysis and you make many fine points.

The thing is, when we stepped up to the BE, the idea was that we would get much better players commensurate with the competition level so our outcomes would be somewhat favorable, but much better come tournament time because, even though the competition is much better, our team would be more talented and better prepared by playing much better competition. It seems as if you are saying we should be in a similar Tier 1 place.

We should be in a considerably better position. Instead, we have taken a HUGE step backwards.

[xubrew]

I do like this analysis and you make many fine points.

The thing is, when we stepped up to the BE, the idea was that we would get much better players commensurate with the competition level so our outcomes would be somewhat favorable, but much better come tournament time because, even though the competition is much better, our team would be more talented and better prepared by playing much better competition. It seems as if you are saying we should be in a similar Tier 1 place.

We should be in a considerably better position. Instead, we have taken a HUGE step backwards.

I’m not really trying to make any points. Just sharing an observation.

Jerry Palm has Xavier playing BYU in the round of 64 in his CBS bracket today. BYU may be the only team that’s inside the bubble that Xavier should actually easily beat.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Xavier SOS and quad 1 wins are good enough to get in still. I personally think 9-10 20-11 is enough for the PIG. What say you.

[boozehound]

Well, for me it is a one year metric. This year it's "fine", and all it really means is we think it is the minimum expectation for the coach to keep his job. Not exactly cause for celebration, but also not bad enough to shitcan.

I’d shitcan that douche if we don’t at least win 1 game in the tournament personally, but no way Xavier will. Shit, I’m worried we miss the tournament and keep Steele…

[OTRMUSKIE]

Steele needs to be fired. End of story. I Hope they make the dance just because I love X but he still needs to be fired. How can a team come
Out so poorly game after game? That's coaching.

[whopper]

I feel for Scruggs..he hit 2 FTs in 2018 to put us up 2 v FSU with a minute to go and it may be his last memory of NCAA..i hope not. Nate too..not as much expereince but this must be killing him. Nunge..who knows next year. He has been a warrior but wonder what he is thinking. Zach injury I believe set him back with confidence as well..last year went for 30 and 16 at Gampel..2 yr ago game winner at MSG and now this. Others too..dont quite know the hsitory but this must be a mental test. We could beat PC and could beat SJU on road, could be SHU and G-Town at home. 2 and 2 seems very doable..3-1 "possible". Can we rally? Probably St Johns, SHU, G-Town feel the same(Providence secure). Hang on. I was there today and disappointed for sure but nothing compared to the players. I get all the angst and strategy /rotation issues but with 2 weeks nothing to do but play. Good luck X

[UCGRAD4X]

I think leaning toward apathy. I'm getting weary of the frustration and disappointment. Maybe we had it coming after all these years. I'm going to just wait and see how it turns out. Maybe we will. Maybe we won't. If they win...YAY! If they lose....yawn.

Nah. I'll probably still be pissed...one way or another.

[GoMuskies]

ESPN still thinks we're a 7 seed.

[Xavier]

Yeah, if the season ended now Xavier is in no trouble at all. The downward spiral and difficult schedule is what puts it up in the air. I still think it will
Be tough to lose our way out of a spot. Compared to other bubble teams X Will have a good amount of Q1 wins. At this point though the team looks so tense and lost out there- I can see the full on nose dive and hosting an NIT game

[drudy23]

Q1 wins are currently saving our ass.

In saying that, this team shouldn't be a 7 seed. No way.

[Xville]

ESPN still thinks we're a 7 seed.

Was there an update this morning I missed? Latest Joey bracket I see doesn’t include yesterday’s games

[Xville]

Yeah, if the season ended now Xavier is in no trouble at all. The downward spiral and difficult schedule is what puts it up in the air. I still think it will
Be tough to lose our way out of a spot. Compared to other bubble teams X Will have a good amount of Q1 wins. At this point though the team looks so tense and lost out there- I can see the full on nose dive and hosting an NIT game

I see 1 more win as likely..maybe 2 including the bet. Two may get them a pig, because to your point the q1 wins certainly have helped.

The home against seton hall may be the one that makes or breaks x’s chances at a tourney bid.

[xubrew]

ESPN still thinks we're a 7 seed.

That's not too surprising

It's more of an ELO factor than it is a ballooning factor. The top 25 balloons. You move up if you win seemingly no matter who it is against, and you move down if you lose seemingly no matter who it is against.

The polls are balloons that pop whenever you lose. The #12th ranked team could lose on the road in double overtime to a team that's #1 and undefeated, and get dropped below teams 13th through 16th even if they won home games against teams that are total crap.

To the selection committee, it's more of an ELO philosophy. If they think a team is a 7 seed, and that team goes on the road and loses to a 5 seed, then they don't move down. At the same time, if you're beating teams that are ranked behind you, you really aren't going to move up.

[Masterofreality]

Today :

X 24 NET
38 Ken Pom
41 Torvik

[X-band '01]

Xavier is playing real bad right now, but we're fortunate that everyone 8 and below has uglier warts right now.

Michigan just said "Hold my beer" to everyone else melting down right now.

[paulxu]

Looking at our #25 NET, there are only 3 teams above us (Alabama, Tenn and Kansas) that have a better SOS than our #7.
Don't know if that helps on Selection Sunday, but it can't hurt.

[xukeith]

Looking at past years' bubble teams and last selected, X is still in good at large shape with 6 Quad 1 wins.
Maybe if X loses the next 4 games, then the bubble enlarges.

[GoMuskies]

I think we beat Seton Hall and Georgetown, and we're comfortably in even if we shit the bed again in MSG. We'll certainly be limping in, but probably still safe. I just don't feel great about that Seton Hall game. And I can't believe we get in by ONLY beat Georgetown the rest of the way.

[UCGRAD4X]

I think we beat Seton Hall and Georgetown, and we're comfortably in even if we shit the bed again in MSG. We'll certainly be limping in, but probably still safe. I just don't feel great about that Seton Hall game. And I can't believe we get in by ONLY beat Georgetown the rest of the way.

And you are assuming we beat G'town.

[D-West & PO-Z]

And you are assuming we beat G'town.

If we don't beat 0-15 Georgetown, Steele better not be allowed back on the plane.

[JTG]

I was thinking this afternoon..would it be better to miss the tournament, rather than getting embarrassed by a one bid directional school ? I would not be at all surprised if that happened. I guess I'd rather play a known opponent, figuring the guys would at least show up ready to play. Yeah I know, that's asking alot.

[GoMuskies]

We're not going to be seeded high enough to play a directional school from a one bid league.

[HenryMuto]

Xavier does some of their best work at the 10 and 11 seed range they are just trying to get to that seed line so they can make another sweet 16 or elite 8 run.

[Lloyd Braun]

San Diego
Portland
Ft. Worth

That's my three. I love Milwaukee, but perhaps not in March.

This was the order I submitted…. Along with everyone else apparently but I’ll be in Fort Worth. Flights to Portland didn’t align with work schedule. If anyone has some DFW dining, night life, and golf suggestions that would be super. TIA!

[XU 23]

Sucks getting a low seed and having to play so far away... unless you're UC and you always get sent to Spokane for some reason.

[CP05XU08CU13]

Do we honestly think Xavier will get in if they finish outside the top 6 in the league with a below .500 conference record? I do not see more than 6 teams from the Big East getting in this year. I could be wrong, but I feel like the committee has left out teams in the past for going less than .500 in league play.

[sgarcia]

Do we honestly think Xavier will get in if they finish outside the top 6 in the league with a below .500 conference record? I do not see more than 6 teams from the Big East getting in this year. I could be wrong, but I feel like the committee has left out teams in the past for going less than .500 in league play.

Yes because the Pac 12 and ACC stink this year.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

We aren’t getting in, this a free fall of Steele’s doing again.

[MHettel]

At this point, unless we finish out 4-0, our chances of making the Dance will really come down to the performance of the various other bubble teams down the stretch.

It's out of our hands. We need other teams to play themselves off the bubble for us to have a chance.

[Masterofreality]

We are *almost locked in to having to play Wednesday at MSG. after last night.
Could be anywhere from 4:30pm to 9:30pm depending on spot.
Games vs Seton Hall & St. Johns tell the tale. We can't finish lower than 8th.
(We were preseason picked 3rd, I believe)

[GoMuskies]

I'm a little perplexed as to why everyone seems to be so upset with how things have gone this year

Do you remain perplexed 'brew?

[X-band '01]

We are *almost locked in to having to play Wednesday at MSG. after last night.
Could be anywhere from 4:30pm to 9:30pm depending on spot.
Games vs Seton Hall & St. Johns tell the tale. We can't finish lower than 8th.
(We were preseason picked 3rd, I believe)

Weird thing is, Xavier might be best positioned to make a run out of the #8 hole as things stand. They'd match up with Butler in the 8/9 game and if they finally put their first round demons to bed, they'd face Providence in the quarterfinal round. I don't think the Friars want a 3rd matchup with Xavier this early in the tournament.

[JTG]

Weird thing is, Xavier might be best positioned to make a run out of the #8 hole as things stand. They'd match up with Butler in the 8/9 game and if they finally put their first round demons to bed, they'd face Providence in the quarterfinal round. I don't think the Friars want a 3rd matchup with Xavier this early in the tournament.

I tend to agree, even though Butler tends to be our kryptonite at times. Conversely, other than the few teams that have beaten Prov, we have definitely given them the most trouble. I think they would have some sphincter issues with us as their first game after a bye.

[muskieindent]

I know all the ranking systems show us making it but at some point the eye test comes into play.If we don't get up to 19 or 20 victories by Selection Sunday,I don't see us making it even if our NET and Kenpom ratings say otherwise.Even after losing last night our Kenpom is higher than Providence's. The thing that is carrying us is strength of schedule. But at some point you need to beat some of those good teams

[Masterofreality]

Weird thing is, Xavier might be best positioned to make a run out of the #8 hole as things stand. They'd match up with Butler in the 8/9 game and if they finally put their first round demons to bed, they'd face Providence in the quarterfinal round. I don't think the Friars want a 3rd matchup with Xavier this early in the tournament.

I’m actually not disagreeing with this.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Do we honestly think Xavier will get in if they finish outside the top 6 in the league with a below .500 conference record? I do not see more than 6 teams from the Big East getting in this year. I could be wrong, but I feel like the committee has left out teams in the past for going less than .500 in league play.

Barring not winning another game, we will get in with a better seed than some teams who finish above us in conference.

[GoMuskies]

Barring not winning another game, we will get in with a better seed than some teams who finish above us in conference.

I think we have to win 2.

[D-West & PO-Z]

At this point, unless we finish out 4-0, our chances of making the Dance will really come down to the performance of the various other bubble teams down the stretch.

It's out of our hands. We need other teams to play themselves off the bubble for us to have a chance.

You realize it isn't possible to finish out 4-0 at this point right? If X wins 2 more they are a lock, the quad 1 wins just carry too much weight and most bubble teams can't compare.

This is not to say I am happy with the direction X is going at all.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I know all the ranking systems show us making it but at some point the eye test comes into play.If we don't get up to 19 or 20 victories by Selection Sunday,I don't see us making it even if our NET and Kenpom ratings say otherwise.Even after losing last night our Kenpom is higher than Providence's. The thing that is carrying us is strength of schedule. But at some point you need to beat some of those good teams

Good thing the committee seems to really rely on the numbers and metrics part. Most of them will probably have seen very little of actual Xavier games.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think we have to win 2.

To be a lock I agree. I think we would sneak in with one more, but no one would feel good about it at all.

Honestly though, if we can't beat Georgetown and a team like Butler in the 1st round of the BE tourney, we don't deserve it.

[GoMuskies]

Bubble watch still has us as "Should Be In", but we've been downgraded to a "shaky" 8 seed.

[drudy23]

We are 17-11 and 7-11 in conference. Very shaky ground. Those records are terrible and a COMPLETE regular season letdown and underachievement.

If we end the season 19-11, we're probably fine. But laying an egg in the BET on Wednesday is going to put it in the committee's hands.

If we get to 13 or more losses, we're in trouble, because there would be at least 2 more bad losses. More work definitely needs to be done.

St Johns is 2x as athletic as we are. Wednesday is going to be a very tough game to win. If we lose to GTown, we don't deserve the Dance.

[UCGRAD4X]

We are 17-11 and 7-11 in conference. Very shaky ground. Those records are terrible and a COMPLETE regular season letdown and underachievement.

If we end the season 19-11, we're probably fine. But laying an egg in the BET on Wednesday is going to put it in the committee's hands.

If we get to 13 or more losses, we're in trouble, because there would be at least 2 more bad losses. More work definitely needs to be done.

St Johns is 2x as athletic as we are. Wednesday is going to be a very tough game to win. If we lose to GTown, we don't deserve the Dance.

Yup. And isn't it the SH*T that this is our bellwether?

[SemajParlor]

The funny thing is is that we're still in decent shape to make the tournament.

[Masterofreality]

The funny thing is is that we're still in decent shape to make the tournament.

35 in NCAA Net
47 KenPom

Barely in with those numbers. Lose 2 of the next 3- out

[SemajParlor]

Yes, if we lose 2 out of 3 to St Johns, Georgetown and Depaul / Butler we aren't a tournament team anyways.

[IM4X]

The funny thing is is that we're still in decent shape to make the tournament.

The even funnier thing is that we were all thinking that very same thing at this time during the past two seasons.

[SemajParlor]

The even funnier thing is that we were all thinking that very same thing at this time during the past two seasons.

Yep. It's pretty strange how similar this season has reminded me of last, including the Nate Johnson injury.

[xu82]

Yep. It's pretty strange how similar this season has reminded me of last, including the Nate Johnson injury.

I blame Bill Murray and the whole Groundhog Day hangover.

We need a cleanse, for sure.

[Irishjohn68]

Steele has coached this team right out of the tourney, just like last year. This is 2021 all over again.

Steele sucks.

[UCGRAD4X]

I blame Bill Murray and the whole Groundhog Day hangover.

We need a cleanse, for sure.

We need to get Luke back into the fold.

[American X]

I blame Bill Murray and the whole Groundhog Day hangover.

We need a cleanse, for sure.

What would you do if you were stuck with one team and every season was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?

[nuts4xu]

What would you do if you were stuck with one team and every season was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?


https://c.tenor.com/bEkEbaP_67AAAAAC/shoot-me-kill.gif

[UCGRAD4X]

https://c.tenor.com/bEkEbaP_67AAAAAC/shoot-me-kill.gif

Bill tried similar in Groundhog Day. Same result. Sonny and Cher.

Bring back Luke. Lift the GD Curse.

[GoMuskies]

ESPN finally woke up and downgraded Xavier from should be in to work to do in their latest update of the Bubble Watch. We even got special mention in the lead in about the Seton Hall loss being one of the worst losses for teams currently on the Bubble. Hey, all publicity is good publicity, right?

[X-band '01]

ESPN finally woke up and downgraded Xavier from should be in to work to do in their latest update of the Bubble Watch. We even got special mention in the lead in about the Seton Hall loss being one of the worst losses for teams currently on the Bubble. Hey, all publicity is good publicity, right?

Now we just need Travis Tin mentioned in the Coaches on the Hot Seat article and the collapse will be complete.

[Xuperman]

Now we just need Travis Tin mentioned in the Coaches on the Hot Seat article and the collapse will be complete.

Isn't the collapse already completed? February not good.

[GoMuskies]

Ohio State losing to Nebraska at home probably wouldn't be good for our cause.

[Masterofreality]

Ohio State losing to Nebraska at home probably wouldn't be good for our cause.

They lost. CJ Wilcher had 15 points with 3-5 Three point shooting.
We could Kinda use that.

[GoMuskies]

Except as it may relate to Xavier (and for now we're still part of the 34), I think this line from ESPN's Bubble Watch is fantastic news:

"In Joe Lunardi's latest bracket, the six major conferences are projected to earn 34 spots in the bracket. If that turns out to be the case, it will mark the lowest number of major conference bids since 2014. The major conferences saw their numbers peak at 38 bids in both 2017 and 2021."

[paulxu]

Joey's bracket from yesterday:

Big Ten 9
Big East 7
Big 12 6
SEC 6
ACC 5
Pac 12 3

That adds to 36, not 34. What the....? Maybe he changes it daily and I just don't know where to look.

[GoMuskies]

I think Xavier has a good team. I'm a little perplexed as to why everyone seems to be so upset with how things have gone this year

A take that continues to age like fine milk.

[Xville]

A take that continues to age like fine milk.

To be fair I’m the idiot who started his thread and said that I believed x was making the tournament. That was less than 3 weeks ago

[Irishjohn68]

This team doesn’t deserve to make the dance.

[SemajParlor]

The year is 2009. Jordan Crawford gets a standing O taken out after an easy 24 at Cintas. Cintas is roaring and Tu, Lyons, and Frease are all smiling on the bench having fun. Life is good.

[GoMuskies]

ESPN's bubble watch updated tonight and still says we're safe. And a 9 seed. There's a scenario where we beat Georgetown and Butler, lose to Providence and still hear our name called on Selection Sunday. Crazy as that seems.

[SemajParlor]

Yes, coming into this week I think we needed 2/3 and that still remains the same. Wouldn't mind beating Providence to feel a bit better on Sunday.

[OTRMUSKIE]

It's over bois, x isn't making it. It's not like x is losing at the buzzer. They are getting destroyed! I would like to see how x does against teams outside of conference. Maybe Steele just isn't a conference coach. Hell he might win the whole thing if they don't have to play Iowa State or anyone from the Beast.

[XUBison]

ESPN's bubble watch updated tonight and still says we're safe. And a 9 seed. There's a scenario where we beat Georgetown and Butler, lose to Providence and still hear our name called on Selection Sunday. Crazy as that seems.

Tonight is the first time I feel like I don’t want this to happen.

[American X]

ESPN's bubble watch updated tonight and still says we're safe. And a 9 seed. There's a scenario where we beat Georgetown and Butler, lose to Providence and still hear our name called on Selection Sunday. Crazy as that seems.

The primary question is how bad are the other bubble teams?

I have a hard time believing that the selection committee wants a 19-13 (8-11) team that played like melting Jello to end the season, BUT it is all relative to the other bubble teams also with serious flaws.

[xubrew]

A take that continues to age like fine milk.

I haven't seen the game against the Johnnies. Had to DVR it. No spoilers please!

[JTG]

I feel for the folks headed to NYC. Try to enjoy your time away from MSG, because the 2 hrs X spends there will likely be miserable.

[Masterofreality]

I feel for the folks headed to NYC. Try to enjoy your time away from MSG, because the 2 hrs X spends there will likely be miserable.

Our only hope is that we beat Buckin’ Futler to get to Thursday.
We have matinee Broadway theatre tickets Wednesday afternoon so it’s gonna be a quick walk from 42nd Street to the Garden. Yeeesh!
Yay! Overpriced Hot Dogs at MSG!!

[Xavier]

At this point the Big East tournament can’t get here soon enough. Nothing else seems to work, maybe they can treat it as a refresh. A new start. Sheesh

[OTRMUSKIE]

http://bracketmatrix.com/

[GoMuskies]

http://bracketmatrix.com/

Today's update should be enlightening.

[OTRMUSKIE]

X is in all but 3 of them. I hate to say it but X makes the dance if they win next two. And they should but...

[Xville]

X is in all but 3 of them. I hate to say it but X makes the dance if they win next two. And they should but...

it hasn't been updated today...that was of yesterday. I'm assuming X is in the last 4 in or so at this point, which will be out when there is undoubtedly some bid stealers this week and next. X could change that if they win next 2-3 games...but that's not happening anyways.

[GoMuskies]

Memphis is a mortal lock now.

[X-band '01]

...and the fighting Jerome Kerseys will make their first D1 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

[Masterofreality]

Loyola STOPS THE STEAL!!!
No stealer from the Missouri Valley!!

[xuphan]

Loyola STOPS THE STEAL!!!
No stealer from the Missouri Valley!!

Mike Decourcy has us as one of the last 4 teams in before the Georgetown game. Should be good even with a Butler loss. Hopefully we go deep to help increase our seeding.

[whopper]

looked at box from last year loss to Butler..Bryce Nze 4-4 from 3 total 17, Golden 20 p 8 reb. CJ Wilcher (had 10 against Wisc today) 7 for us last year..Zach 14 and 7, Dwon 8, Paul 7 . Chucky Harris 21 all in second half. With Lukakis and Jair Taylor coming on a better team i think. This year(game 2 at Cintas) Zach had 23 and Hunter 8(!). It just goes to show how many moving parts there are to a year as we have played then 5x in past year(counting Big East) and each game seems to have a totally different narrative. Good luck and Nate J should be a difference maker(i hope). I am working Wed night and Thurs Afternoon so cant go until Friday(an easy train ride) and i hope i am going

[mid major]

looked at box from last year loss to Butler..Bryce Nze 4-4 from 3 total 17, Golden 20 p 8 reb. CJ Wilcher (had 10 against Wisc today) 7 for us last year..Zach 14 and 7, Dwon 8, Paul 7 . Chucky Harris 21 all in second half. With Lukakis and Jair Taylor coming on a better team i think. This year(game 2 at Cintas) Zach had 23 and Hunter 8(!). It just goes to show how many moving parts there are to a year as we have played then 5x in past year(counting Big East) and each game seems to have a totally different narrative. Good luck and Nate J should be a difference maker(i hope). I am working Wed night and Thurs Afternoon so cant go until Friday(an easy train ride) and i hope i am going

Odom fouling a really good FT shooter in Chucky Harris with 3 seconds left was the kiss of death. He wasn't even driving to the basket. Still there was no excuse for giving up that 19 point lead.

[Masterofreality]

Odom fouling a really good FT shooter in Chucky Harris with 3 seconds left was the kiss of death. He wasn't even driving to the basket. Still there was no excuse for giving up that 19 point lead.

Inexplicable. And no one has ever asked anyone how that came to be.

[American X]

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the selection committee wanting a team that went 8-11 in conference and lost 7 of the last 9. Our saving grace must be that the other bubble teams are worse.

First, like the Hippocratic Oath states, do not lose to Butler. After that, we should be in the tournament. Nowhere near the seed we wanted and maybe involving a trip to *!@#$%& Dayton, but in the tournament nonetheless. We shall see what happens after that, in New York and beyond.

[Masterofreality]

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the selection committee wanting a team that went 8-11 in conference and lost 7 of the last 9. Our saving grace must be that the other bubble teams are worse.

First, like the Hippocratic Oath states, do not lose to Butler. After that, we should be in the tournament. Nowhere near the seed we wanted and maybe involving a trip to *!@#$%& Dayton, but in the tournament nonetheless. We shall see what happens after that, in New York and beyond.

Ohio State wound up 19-10 has lost 3 out of 4 and just lost to garbage Michigan.
What a bubble mess

[D-West & PO-Z]

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the selection committee wanting a team that went 8-11 in conference and lost 7 of the last 9. Our saving grace must be that the other bubble teams are worse.

First, like the Hippocratic Oath states, do not lose to Butler. After that, we should be in the tournament. Nowhere near the seed we wanted and maybe involving a trip to *!@#$%& Dayton, but in the tournament nonetheless. We shall see what happens after that, in New York and beyond.

One, the bubble stinks so we have good company.

Two, the committee no longer (at least officially) looks at the last 10 or 12 games. So the order or streak in which you lose or win games does not matter. They are just looking at the team sheet with the wins and losses. For their purposes all those losses could have come in November and we are on a hell of a win streak.

Now I tend to think that if it is between similar teams for a spot, they would tend to give the team who is hot a bid over a team who is cold but it would be an unofficial tie breaker.

[X-band '01]

Ohio State wound up 19-10 has lost 3 out of 4 and just lost to garbage Michigan.
What a bubble mess

Could easily be 19-11 with a Penn State loss in the B1G tournament.

[xukeith]

Hang our hat on 5 Q1 victories?

[GoMuskies]

Hang our hat on 5 Q1 victories?

And the 6th one coming in on Thursday.

[X-band '01]

Current "we're getting old" moment - Delaware leading Towson 41-37. Jameer Nelson Jr has 11 points so far for the Blue Hens.

[Masterofreality]

What an incredible finish in the Southern Conference!
Buzzer Beating 3 on the run for the winner in Overtime!
It’s amazing how many 3’s under pressure these teams made.
Are you watching X??

[paulxu]

Sounds like the Tulsa finish.

[GoMuskies]

Let's go Fighting Kelseys!

[X-band '01]

What an incredible finish in the Southern Conference!
Buzzer Beating 3 on the run for the winner in Overtime!
It’s amazing how many 3’s under pressure these teams made.
Are you watching X??

Furman hasn't been to the NCAAs since 1980. Absolutely brutal considering they hit what looked like a game winner with 4.3 seconds left in OT.

[Masterofreality]

Furman hasn't been to the NCAAs since 1980. Absolutely brutal considering they hit what looked like a game winner with 4.3 seconds left in OT.

Is Xavier close to that “streak” yet?

[GoMuskies]

Kelseys are up 2 in the second half in D.C. Good game.

[GoMuskies]

Kelseys got screwed on a charge/block call down 1 with 2.5 seconds left to end their season.

Ooh, Kelsey with a terrible coaching decision. Down 1, 2.1 seconds to go and opponent shooting FTs, and he takes his last timeout. So if you miss a FT, the best you get is a 75 foot heave.

[Masterofreality]

ESPN and Peter Gillen United on their condemnation of that ridiculous call.
#Charbage

[drudy23]

Ooh, Kelsey with a terrible coaching decision. Down 1, 2.1 seconds to go and opponent shooting FTs, and he takes his last timeout. So if you miss a FT, the best you get is a 75 foot heave.

Not really - gave him the opportunity to draw up a play for both situations (make or miss).

2.1 is enough for a pass, dribble, and a shot. Doubt the odds were that different.

I do agree it was a garbage charge call.

[GoMuskies]

Got to save that TO to call if there's a FT miss. Then you can at least get a pass to around mid-court. With no timeout, you're hosed on a FT miss.

UNCW hit both FTs, so it didn't really matter. And Charleston threw a bad Hail Mary to no one.

[X-band '01]

Meanwhile, this'll probably be the 10th year in a row that NKU-Wright State meet for the Horizon League Championship barring an NKU meltdown.

(We'll just forget the Cleveland State title from last season)

[drudy23]

Got to save that TO to call if there's a FT miss. Then you can at least get a pass to around mid-court. With no timeout, you're hosed on a FT miss.

UNCW hit both FTs, so it didn't really matter. And Charleston threw a bad Hail Mary to no one.

I understand what you're saying.

I'm saying you're looking at long odds either way. So you might as well have a play for a make or a miss. I probably would have saved the TO, but I also wouldn't consider it a huge mistake to call it either. In 2.1 seconds, you can get a quick outlet on a miss, a dribble and a shot from half court, which probably have about the same odds as a heave pass and a heave shot.

[Xavier]

I agree, it’s much harder to get into whatever play you had for a missed FT then to just call the time out on a rebound. Maybe trying to ice the FT shooter? Obviously didn’t matter but a weird call there

[GoMuskies]

Less than an hour until the ACC kicks off their knock off version of the Big East Tournament in Brooklyn. Then we're really off and rolling in the Madness.

[paulxu]

They must have kicked the A10 out of Barclays Center.

[X-band '01]

A10 is at the Verizon Center in DC this year.

[X-band '01]

They must have kicked the A10 out of Barclays Center.

I'll never forget the ill-fated "ACC-A10 Challenge" that the ACC offered when they kicked them out the first time. A doubleheader featuring Saint Joe's-VA Tech and BC-Fordham. Instant classics.

[muskiefan82]

If Bellarmine wins the Atlantic Sun, are they eligible for the tournament? I thought there was something about waiting so many years. Did that go away? That would be a little cool if they got in.

[Xville]

If Bellarmine wins the Atlantic Sun, are they eligible for the tournament? I thought there was something about waiting so many years. Did that go away? That would be a little cool if they got in.

No, in another one of those stupid college rules, they are still in their transition years or whatever bs the ncaa calls it. If they win today, jacksonville state gets in since they won the reg season
.

[paulxu]

If anyone asks me (if we don't get in) why we aren't in...I'll tell them were in a transition year.

[Xville]

They aren’t the most talented or gifted, but bellarmine is what good coaching looks like. Enjoyable to watch…the players not the ball rarely ever stops moving

[Masterofreality]

They aren’t the most talented or gifted, but bellarmine is what good coaching looks like. Enjoyable to watch…the players not the ball rarely ever stops moving

A lot of knowledgeable basketball people in Louisville think that Scott Davenport has been the best basketball coach in town for a long time. Louisville would never consider him. He is also not a young man so there is a question about how much longer he’ll go

[X-band '01]

They should have had a live cam at Jacksonville State for a double court storming. Congrats to Bellarmine on their A-Sun title.

[Masterofreality]

Bellarmine can go NIT-ing.
But the fact that they have to wait FOUR (in the words of Norman Dale) to go to the NCAA is criminal. Four years is an entire college career and that means that a freshman coming in last year will never get to play in the Dance if they stay at Bellarmine.
That is criminal.
But credit to Davenport for getting those kids to stick around.

[X-band '01]

They can't even get an NIT bid during the transition period.

[X-band '01]

And as I type, NKU has nearly completely pissed away a 16-point 2nd half lead against Wright State. The Raiders scored 14 unanswered in a 2-minute span.

[KabeX]

And as I type, NKU has nearly completely pissed away a 16-point 2nd half lead against Wright State. The Raiders scored 14 unanswered in a 2-minute span.
No it's complete. Now down 3. Oy.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville was up 67-40 on Pastner's Georgia Tech. Now 73-67 Louisville with 3:30 to play. Losing that would be...something.

[Masterofreality]

Louisville was up 67-40 on Pastner's Georgia Tech. Now 73-67 Louisville with 3:30 to play. Losing that would be...something.

Georgia Tech went from hiring Brian Gregory to hiring Josh Pastner. What a comedy of errors.

[X-band '01]

And yet today's headline might be a near-riot at Bryant because some students began fighting with the Wagner fans with 4 minutes left in a blowout and caused a 30-minute delay while the officials sorted out the mess.

[GoMuskies]

Bryant with a 36-6 lead at the start is pretty absurd.

[GoMuskies]

This would have been fucking phenomenal if Xavier had, you know, made the Tournament.

https://twitter.com/CBSSports/status/1503363398632972291?s=20&t=4rRvTbCTGgnowPXB-UWMZw

[GoMuskies]

Here's a stat we won't be adding to this year!

https://twitter.com/CBBonFOX/status/1503476310642991111?s=20&t=eOXiAsbOZRUx95AYoqKOzA

[D-West & PO-Z]

Here's a stat we won't be adding to this year!

https://twitter.com/CBBonFOX/status/1503476310642991111?s=20&t=eOXiAsbOZRUx95AYoqKOzA

We went from being a program who was known for upsets in the tournament to being a program where it would be an upset if we actually make the tournament.

[American X]

South Dakota State vs. Providence is screaming upset. I am afraid for the Friars that they are going to have a NCAA Tournament experience like Xavier in 1998.

Especially with Iowa looming in the next round, if you expect Providence to have a deep run, you're going to have a bad time.

[GIMMFD]

South Dakota State vs. Providence is screaming upset. I am afraid for the Friars that they are going to have a NCAA Tournament experience like Xavier in 1998.

Especially with Iowa looming in the next round, if you expect Providence to have a deep run, you're going to have a bad time.

Slammed South Dakota State ML for +115, was honestly gonna slam whoever they had matched up with, South Dakota State puts up a lot of points too. I don't think any team bar Nova is equipped for a deep run, I think UConn will get to the Sweet 16 though, could see Vermont taking down Arkansas and making their road a little easier.

Also, how about that Notre Dame/Rutgers game last night, double OT and wildly entertaining. Only thing that frustrated me as a Rutgers ML bettor was the stupidity Rutgers plays with, every last shot they were trying to play hero ball, instead of driving to the rim and trying to get a foul. Damn Steph Curry and Dame Lillard have ruined these kids!!

[GoMuskies]

I like New Mexico State over UConn, personally. Only hesitation is whether N Mexico State has enough inside to hold their own. Teddy Allen is insane, but he's a stud basketball player.

[waggy]

I want UConn to take out Gonzaga, because I so sick of ESPN

[GoMuskies]

Congrats to the Friars even if they screwed up my brackets and wagering.

[Xville]

It'd be incredible if Memphis makes Timme and Chet Holmgren cry bulldog tears on Saturday. F Gonzaga

[GoMuskies]

It'd be incredible if Memphis makes Timme and Chet Holmgren cry bulldog tears on Saturday. F Gonzaga

There's a better chance they choke away their lead today than that they beat Gonzaga.

[Xville]

There's a better chance they choke away their lead today than that they beat Gonzaga.

true, but a guy can dream

[noteggs]

Didn’t realize that Howard’s suspension was for the regular season only, what a slap on the wrist.

[smileyy]

So amused by Gonzaga hate on this board.

[GoMuskies]

So amused by Gonzaga hate on this board.

I cheer heartily for the Zags myself.

[muskiefan82]

So amused by Gonzaga hate on this board.

It's a combo of program jealousy and a deep hatred of Adam Morrison. IMO

[GIMMFD]

When the #5 seed is trailing at the half, they're 7-21 straight-up, Richmond might be causing some chaos here.

[Xville]

It's a combo of program jealousy and a deep hatred of Adam Morrison. IMO

definitely not program jealousy for me...its the amount of complete douchebags they have had throughout the years on their team. Timme is the absolute worst of the bunch. Guy celebrates like he won the title every time he scores.

[GoMuskies]

When the #5 seed is trailing at the half, they're 7-21 straight-up, Richmond might be causing some chaos here.

I want Iowa to win by more than 9.5. If not, I'd prefer they lose straight up.

[muskiefan82]

definitely not program jealousy for me...its the amount of complete douchebags they have had throughout the years on their team. Timme is the absolute worst of the bunch. Guy celebrates like he won the title every time he scores.

I will always dislike Gonzaga for the words Morrison used towards X players during a game. Not cool. I do; however, respect their program and what they have accomplished even if their players are not my favorites.

[waggy]

Was watching late sportscenter one night and Neil Everett was spouting America’s Team! Over and over. Nauseating.

[GoMuskies]

The Zags are going to make it interesting with Georgia State apparently.

[Xville]

Let’s go Georgia state!!!

[GoMuskies]

Chris Mooney is 49, and he's been at Richmond 17 years. Crazy.

[SM#24]

Chris Mooney is 49, and he's been at Richmond 17 years. Crazy.
If we didn’t move on Steele, he could have been our Chris Mooney.

[GoMuskies]

Let’s go Georgia state!!!

Thought maybe I could get some live value, but Zags are still -1667. :(

[waggy]

Marquette contracted travissteeleitis22, or maybe it’s travissteeleitis19.

[SM#24]

Thought maybe I could get some live value, but Zags are still -1667. :(

At half, I hit the Zags giving 15 figuring they would blow them out. Still tight.

[paulxu]

I want Iowa to win by more than 9.5. If not, I'd prefer they lose straight up.

And so they did.Nice win by the Spiders, who I didn't pick, but have a past financial interest in.

[X-band '01]

When the #5 seed is trailing at the half, they're 7-21 straight-up, Richmond might be causing some chaos here.


I want Iowa to win by more than 9.5. If not, I'd prefer they lose straight up.

Can't believe people are falling for Iowa again. Greg Christopher is probably going to wear out his Ignore button on his phone every time the Iowa City area code pops up on caller ID.

[GIMMFD]

Thought maybe I could get some live value, but Zags are still -1667. :(

DraftKings had a boost for Gonzaga ML at +100, max bet $50, and I was going to use all my funds and social security to buy DraftKings stock if the Zags would have lost, hit Gonzaga -15.5 at the half for +115 as well. Great day actually so far, Memphis ML hit for -154, hit the FanDuel boost of Memphis + UNC ML at +200, Tennessee -17.5 for +100 hit, other than Michigan and South Dakota State, it's been relatively profitable. I'll be contributing to Coach Miller's contract fund if this run continues.

[Xville]

Rj cole is a baller. That’s what alpha dog looks like. Haven’t had one of those at x in a looong time.

[Xville]

Allen kid on nmsu is ridiculous. Big east not looking too hot

[Three Point Pete]

Bad day for 5 seeds!

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[paulxu]

Let's go Peacocks!

[Xville]

Come on peacocks get ir done!

[muskiefan82]

This tournament is wide open. Love it, but also hate it

[Xville]

Peacocks!!!!! Burn Lexington down

[X-band '01]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtI0_pFvNW8

Kentucky must really, really want to avoid playing Murray State.

[paulxu]

My bracket sucks big time.

[Xville]

Wow creighton… man just a gutsy ass performance especially once kalkbrenner went down. Impressive

[Xville]

My bracket sucks big time.

Did a Calcutta for the first time this year. Actually like it a lot better.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Did a Calcutta for the first time this year. Actually like it a lot better.

What is that?

[D-West & PO-Z]

So if twitter is any indication, maybe we can make a run at Cal after he is fired by the UK fans, lmao.

[Xville]

What is that?

Basically an auction… every single team comes up and you bid on them. I’m in a “syndicate” with a bunch of other guys… if you have a team seeded lower than 5 that reaches the sweet 16, you win a certain percentage of the pot. Then after that it’s if your team reaches the elite eight, final four etc, you get percentages of the total pot. I think I just like it more because with a bracket, you lose one game like uk or someone you may have had go really far, and you might as well light your bracket on fire. With this, we have six teams so if one of them lose early, still have 5 other chances.

We have:

Tennessee
Texas
Chattanooga
Texas tech
Memphis
Colgate

I really wanted uconn… glad no one listened to me lol

[D-West & PO-Z]

Basically an auction… every single team comes up and you bid on them. I’m in a “syndicate” with a bunch of other guys… if you have a team seeded lower than 5 that reaches the sweet 16, you win a certain percentage of the pot. Then after that it’s if your team reaches the elite eight, final four etc, you get percentages of the total pot. I think I just like it more because with a bracket, you lose one game like uk or someone you may have had go really far, and you might as well light your bracket on fire. With this, we have six teams so if one of them lose early, still have 5 other chances.

We have:

Tennessee
Texas
Chattanooga
Texas tech
Memphis
Colgate

I really wanted uconn… glad no one listened to me lol

Sounds cool!

[paulxu]

Let's go Zips !

[X-band '01]

UCLA, dare I say, Zipped them up in the final 4 minutes with a 15-4 run.

[GIMMFD]

What a helluva opening day, was hoping Vermont was gonna pull it out, but man this San Fran vs Murray State game is damn good too. If tomorrow is anything like today we're in for a treat

[GoMuskies]

Racers!!!! Woo hoo!


For those who don't think McMahon can recruit at a high major level, I'd take his Murray State roster and go to war in the Big East.

[D-West & PO-Z]

That 5 min OT was better execution and more enjoyable to watch than the entire Xavier season combined.

[UCGRAD4X]

How many little girls does it take to do what big men can't?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1504621225959600135

[muskiefan82]

How many little girls does it take to do what big men can't?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1504621225959600135

If she doesn't make the one shining moment video, the world is truly done.

[American X]

Saint Peter must be friends with Saint Patrick.

[UCGRAD4X]

Saint Peter must be friends with Saint Patrick.

I'm sure they shared a Guinness yesterday with Skip.