Miller on Xavier and the loss vs. Johnnies

[OTRMUSKIE]

https://twitter.com/paulfritschner/status/1494175637392830465?s=21

[MHettel]

How are we all gonna feel when Miller takes the GTown job next year and proceeds to immediately bring them back to prominence, and then administer twice yearly beatings to our XMen?

[Xville]

How are we all gonna feel when Miller takes the GTown job next year and proceeds to immediately bring them back to prominence, and then administer twice yearly beatings to our XMen?

He’ll have better options than that.

[muskieindent]

He's spot on.

[Strange Brew]

What’s he doing Sat morning through May? Any plans Sean? If you’re not doing anything…

[MHettel]

He’ll have better options than that.

GTOWN is a sleeping giant, with ZERO expectations. There might be 20 better jobs in the country.

I think it would be great, personally. We need UConn, GT, and Nova to lead the BE brands. A successful GTown is in the best interest of XU, aside from the dental work we will need each time we play them....

[XUGRAD80]

He nailed it…..they got out toughed physically and mentally. I understand all to well how tough it is for each individual athlete to always be at the top of their game. But the great ones find a way to do just that, and in a team situation it’s unbelievable to me how often this Xavier team seems to come out flat as a group. Not just one player at a time, but the whole group of them seems to have problems with falling behind and not looking motivated to play from the tip.

That’s maybe not all coaching, but it’s certainly got to be a big part of it.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I know we want to make the dance but honestly it might be better for the health of the program if we don't. Steele just doesn't cut it. I mean best case we make the pig or first round and steal a win. That might be enough to keep status quo. We don't want that. It's in the programs best interest to move on from Steele. Hell even a national championship this year and I say let him go. I'm kidding of course. They ain't winning the NC.

[Blue Blooded-05]

What Miller hits on is exactly why so many X fans liked him the best.

Those 2008-2009 Xavier teams were awesome to watch. Tough. Physical. Great defense. Great rebounding. Took a ton of charges. Ball security. Got to the line where we made more free throws than our opponents attempted. Great scoring distribution where six guys averaged 10+ per game. The swagger on those teams exceeded even those 2016 - 2018 teams because they knew they could beat you on both ends of the floor rather than just score more. Players developed. Players stepped up in the clutch.

I miss that Xavier.

[Xville]

What Miller hits on is exactly why so many X fans liked him the best.

Those 2008-2009 Xavier teams were awesome to watch. Tough. Physical. Great defense. Great rebounding. Took a ton of charges. Ball security. Got to the line where we made more free throws than our opponents attempted. Great scoring distribution where six guys averaged 10+ per game. The swagger on those teams exceeded even those 2016 - 2018 teams because they knew they could beat you on both ends of the floor rather than just score more. Players developed. Players stepped up in the clutch.

I miss that Xavier.

Spot on and though this would work for any conference, it is that style that is the big East and how to win in it. Steele doesn’t seem to grasp that.

[T-Time]

What Miller hits on is exactly why so many X fans liked him the best.

Those 2008-2009 Xavier teams were awesome to watch. Tough. Physical. Great defense. Great rebounding. Took a ton of charges. Ball security. Got to the line where we made more free throws than our opponents attempted. Great scoring distribution where six guys averaged 10+ per game. The swagger on those teams exceeded even those 2016 - 2018 teams because they knew they could beat you on both ends of the floor rather than just score more. Players developed. Players stepped up in the clutch.

I miss that Xavier.

Perfectly said! We may only get one shot at getting him back......now is the time!

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Perfectly said! We may only get one shot at getting him back......now is the time!

This is a lot more true than people believe. With the landscape of college hall like it is, I think a lot of people think Arizona dealt Miller a raw deal. Yes he did t win as much as he should have but he still had success. He just wasn’t the kind of coach who can reach several nba bound 5 star players. He would be a good hire for us. Again, I just don’t like retreads but if we grabbed on he would be it.

[Masterofreality]

What Miller hits on is exactly why so many X fans liked him the best.

Those 2008-2009 Xavier teams were awesome to watch. Tough. Physical. Great defense. Great rebounding. Took a ton of charges. Ball security. Got to the line where we made more free throws than our opponents attempted. Great scoring distribution where six guys averaged 10+ per game. The swagger on those teams exceeded even those 2016 - 2018 teams because they knew they could beat you on both ends of the floor rather than just score more. Players developed. Players stepped up in the clutch.

I miss that Xavier.

By the way...his players loved him too. They all think he was the best coach they ever played for. #ToughLove

[xu82]

If a coach were to interview before the fans of a team, that’s what it would look like.

[xuphan]

By the way...his players loved him too. They all think he was the best coach they ever played for. #ToughLove

Steele was basically asked about what Miller said at his press conference today and he said, “I don’t care what people think”.

[Xville]

Steele was basically asked about what Miller said at his press conference today and he said, “I don’t care what people think”.

Ah so now he’s to the alienating the fanbase part of his demise. He needs a serious wake up call

[Lloyd Braun]

Steele was basically asked about what Miller said at his press conference today and he said, “I don’t care what people think”.

Truth hurts sometimes. Yikes

[drudy23]

There is a large part of me that feels like Steele feels ultra secure. He doesn't seem nervous, he doesn't seem anxious, he doesn't seem stressed. And now with these type of responses it makes me think that even more.

His body language doesn't fit someone who's on the hot seat or is fighting for his job. I wouldn't be shocked if he's been told he has nothing to worry about at the current moment. Also wouldn't shock me if he gets extended.

The vibe around this program is very status quo, and I don't think I like it.

[xudash]

What Miller hits on is exactly why so many X fans liked him the best.

Those 2008-2009 Xavier teams were awesome to watch. Tough. Physical. Great defense. Great rebounding. Took a ton of charges. Ball security. Got to the line where we made more free throws than our opponents attempted. Great scoring distribution where six guys averaged 10+ per game. The swagger on those teams exceeded even those 2016 - 2018 teams because they knew they could beat you on both ends of the floor rather than just score more. Players developed. Players stepped up in the clutch.

I miss that Xavier.

Superb post.

I truly wonder what the players think. They cannot possibly be pleased with their performance last night.

I wonder if Travis lit into them after the game, or if he mamby-pambied it with them again and told them to shower up.

The CULTURE has been drained.

BTW, if anyone is into "benchmarking" performance: what Nova was able to achieve AT Providence was and is the gold standard.

If Travis Steele does not inherently have it within himself to dish out tough love and whip these guys into a Marine unit, then he needs to go. Nobody in their right mind would ever believe the final 2% is achievable in high level NCAA D1A basketball with this management style.

[xudash]

There is a large part of me that feels like Steele feels ultra secure. He doesn't seem nervous, he doesn't seem anxious, he doesn't seem stressed. And now with these type of responses it makes me think that even more.

His body language doesn't fit someone who's on the hot seat or is fighting for his job. I wouldn't be shocked if he's been told he has nothing to worry about at the current moment. Also wouldn't shock me if he gets extended.

The vibe around this program is very status quo, and I don't think I like it.

Drudy - - I truly don't believe you need to feel that way. Look at it this way: Xavier basketball is a - is THE - strategic (marketing) asset for the University. No one person who happens to have a prominent father-in-law behind him is more important than the program, perhaps maybe unless the father-in-law makes a $1 billion contribution to the endowment.

He may or may not get another year due partially to the COVID disruptions, but the meter will be running if he does.

[MHettel]

There is a large part of me that feels like Steele feels ultra secure. He doesn't seem nervous, he doesn't seem anxious, he doesn't seem stressed. And now with these type of responses it makes me think that even more.

His body language doesn't fit someone who's on the hot seat or is fighting for his job. I wouldn't be shocked if he's been told he has nothing to worry about at the current moment. Also wouldn't shock me if he gets extended.

The vibe around this program is very status quo, and I don't think I like it.

He's got amnesia. Didnt you hear?

[whopper]

I am as mad as anyone at last night(as a UConn grad but hater it ruined my joy of last week). I will review the end of the last 3 years...We were up 7 v Villanova at the Garden in 2019(Hankins has a vg game, Welage contributed, Marshall was bad ) but Hanky kept splitting FTs and they tied it up and Gillespie bridged Naj on fast break and got the call-win that game and we are in(20 W and Big East final). Next year Naj scored winner at Butler(up by 2 and CARTER had 17) then Baldwin hit a 3(after the most illegal pick since Karl Malone freed Stockton) to win it(would have been 20 wins). Last year stunk(Butler bigs were like Wilt in first half of BE) but can you imagine Carter and Zach as big men in Big East- impossible. So we have not been that far away. I have seen St Johns blow games this year but they learned and we saw the results (we were poor, they were excellent and may have beat ANYONE last night with Coburn, Wheeler, Mathis, Soriano in addition to Posh and Champagne kicking butt). That has NEVER happened(but it was due to our poor defense largely). I am just writing this to show how close the margins are and if we beat Providence (i.e. Dunlop does not get a bailout with 30 sec left) this would not be as big a deal and Depaul as well. The trend is bad thought

[GIMMFD]

Ah so now he’s to the alienating the fanbase part of his demise. He needs a serious wake up call

Good coach speak would have been, "I obviously respect what Coach Miller has done for the university and the building blocks he laid out in order for me to even be in thiis position to take this job in this conference, with this prestige. I have been introspectively looking at where I think things need to improve and haven't been searching for outside comments, so I'm not sure what he said yet. I'll take his comments into consideration when looking to grow."

.. literally come on, EVEN IF YOU DON'T CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK DON'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD. That is such a Cronin-esque response out of Steele *sigh*

[MHettel]

I am as mad as anyone at last night(as a UConn grad but hater it ruined my joy of last week). I will review the end of the last 3 years...We were up 7 v Villanova at the Garden in 2019(Hankins has a vg game, Welage contributed, Marshall was bad ) but Hanky kept splitting FTs and they tied it up and Gillespie bridged Naj on fast break and got the call-win that game and we are in(20 W and Big East final). Next year Naj scored winner at Butler(up by 2 and CARTER had 17) then Baldwin hit a 3(after the most illegal pick since Karl Malone freed Stockton) to win it(would have been 20 wins). Last year stunk(Butler bigs were like Wilt in first half of BE) but can you imagine Carter and Zach as big men in Big East- impossible. So we have not been that far away. I have seen St Johns blow games this year but they learned and we saw the results (we were poor, they were excellent and may have beat ANYONE last night with Coburn, Wheeler, Mathis, Soriano in addition to Posh and Champagne kicking butt). That has NEVER happened(but it was due to our poor defense largely). I am just writing this to show how close the margins are and if we beat Providence (i.e. Dunlop does not get a bailout with 30 sec left) this would not be as big a deal and Depaul as well. The trend is bad thought

I once got 3 numbers on a lottery ticket. SO CLOSE!

[xudash]

I am as mad as anyone at last night(as a UConn grad but hater it ruined my joy of last week). I will review the end of the last 3 years...We were up 7 v Villanova at the Garden in 2019(Hankins has a vg game, Welage contributed, Marshall was bad ) but Hanky kept splitting FTs and they tied it up and Gillespie bridged Naj on fast break and got the call-win that game and we are in(20 W and Big East final). Next year Naj scored winner at Butler(up by 2 and CARTER had 17) then Baldwin hit a 3(after the most illegal pick since Karl Malone freed Stockton) to win it(would have been 20 wins). Last year stunk(Butler bigs were like Wilt in first half of BE) but can you imagine Carter and Zach as big men in Big East- impossible. So we have not been that far away. I have seen St Johns blow games this year but they learned and we saw the results (we were poor, they were excellent and may have beat ANYONE last night with Coburn, Wheeler, Mathis, Soriano in addition to Posh and Champagne kicking butt). That has NEVER happened(but it was due to our poor defense largely). I am just writing this to show how close the margins are and if we beat Providence (i.e. Dunlop does not get a bailout with 30 sec left) this would not be as big a deal and Depaul as well. The trend is bad thought

Good perspective.

I wonder if he has meandered into the land of Snakebit. He truly seemed like the right hire at the time, all things and Xavier history considered.

These next couple of weeks are sure to be interesting, be they filled with indigestion or joy.

[X-band '01]

This thread is proof that masturbation really does melt your brain. You'll end up on TV like this poor guy:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BGVTkNsGlA

MOR, I need you to share some of your favorite Carl Monday clips with the class.

[XUBison]

This thread is proof that masturbation really does melt your brain. You'll end up on TV like this poor guy:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BGVTkNsGlA

MOR, I need you to share some of your favorite Carl Monday clips with the class.

Whoa whoa whoa! What’s going on here?

[American X]

EVEN IF YOU DON'T CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK DON'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD. That is such a Cronin-esque response out of Steele *sigh*

Mick Cronin Lite returns!

[Final4]

Drudy - - I truly don't believe you need to feel that way. Look at it this way: Xavier basketball is a - is THE - strategic (marketing) asset for the University. No one person who happens to have a prominent father-in-law behind him is more important than the program, perhaps maybe unless the father-in-law makes a $1 billion contribution to the endowment.

He may or may not get another year due partially to the COVID disruptions, but the meter will be running if he does.

A major component of the “Together. For Others.” campaign is our anemic endowment. It makes it more difficult to solicit people for donations when it appears that you’re making financial decisions that are frivolous/wasteful/irresponsible………..like paying an employee to go away. There are serious donors who couldn’t give a shit about basketball. These same folks are more inclined to be interested in Amanda Steele’s philanthropic efforts than they are in Travis’ won-loss record. And of particular note, XU is one of many beneficiaries of said philanthropic efforts. Let that sink in for a second.

[Xville]

A major component of the “Together. For Others.” campaign is our anemic endowment. It makes it more difficult to solicit people for donations when it appears that you’re making financial decisions that are frivolous/wasteful/irresponsible………..like paying an employee to go away. There are serious donors who couldn’t give a shit about basketball. These same folks are more inclined to be interested in Amanda Steele’s philanthropic efforts than they are in Travis’ won-loss record. And of particular note, XU is one of many beneficiaries of said philanthropic efforts. Let that sink in for a second.

Nothing like rich people pretending to care about “philanthropy” and other people by throwing money around to make themselves feel better. Heck of a tax break.


With that said, if a move isn’t made, I hope we are all ready to become DePaul. Father Hoff is turning over in his grave.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

A major component of the “Together. For Others.” campaign is our anemic endowment. It makes it more difficult to solicit people for donations when it appears that you’re making financial decisions that are frivolous/wasteful/irresponsible………..like paying an employee to go away. There are serious donors who couldn’t give a shit about basketball. These same folks are more inclined to be interested in Amanda Steele’s philanthropic efforts than they are in Travis’ won-loss record. And of particular note, XU is one of many beneficiaries of said philanthropic efforts. Let that sink in for a second.

Bingo! Thus, even though we are in the midst of what appears to be another end of season melt down, Steele will return to coach this team.

[Drew]

There is no doubt that Xavier should've adjusted but sometimes you just get beat. St. John's is an incredibly athletic team and Mike Anderson is no slouch. Learn and move on.

[murray87]

And that sends a message of "mediocrity is OK". (in response to Jamal's post)

[Xville]

And that sends a message of "mediocrity is OK". (in response to Jamal's post)

Which I’ll hope then that season ticket holders speak with their wallets. It may not matter with this administration, but they need to see a lot less butts in the seats and money coming in to what has been a cash cow.

[Drew]

Which I’ll hope then that season ticket holders speak with their wallets. It may not matter with this administration, but they need to see a lot less butts in the seats and money coming in to what has been a cash cow.

This ain't the A10 boys, you are going to take your lumps. From my own perspective, the only two teams that aren't fielding high level athletes are Georgetown and Butler, everyone else is going to have a chance from athleticism alone.

[Xville]

This ain't the A10 boys, you are going to take your lumps. From my own perspective, the only two teams that aren't fielding high level athletes are Georgetown and Butler, everyone else is going to have a chance from athleticism alone.

So you believe this is acceptable? When did mediocrity become ok for Xavier basketball? Oh..we are in a big boy conference now, accept losing.

What’s the new Xavier basketball tag line going to be?

Xavier Basketball………meh

[xuwillie]

So you believe this is acceptable? When did mediocrity become ok for Xavier basketball? Oh..we are in a big boy conference now, accept losing.

What’s the new Xavier basketball tag line going to be?

Xavier Basketball………meh

Only a certain few here seem to still be all in on Steele for whatever reason. I didn't like the hire from the begin with, he just doesn't have the "it" factor to be a top tier coach. Id probably rate him 7th best coach in the big east, when has that become acceptable?? Sooner we move on the better

[XUGRAD80]

From a strictly financial point of view……Xavier BB put the university on the map. Without the BB program bringing the spotlight to the university, there are no big time donors. They weren’t there in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. They are there now, but there is no guarantee they will stick around if the program goes backwards. BB is what turned that around. It lead to increased enrollments and endowments. If they allow the BB program to sink into mediocrity then I fear that all of that will start trending in the wrong direction. It may not happen immediately, but it could easily happen over time. 10 years from now we might be wondering, what happened? Right now, the program isn’t going backwards, it’s GONE backwards. How much more is the administration going to allow it to decline before they do something about it? They better take note of what has happened just across town with UC football. How it’s growth has made a drastic change in the public opinion regarding the university as a whole. I look for their BB program to rise back up also. If that happens, Xavier will be in danger of being the “little brother” all over again. For the last 20 years this has been Xavier’s city. It was X that was going to the tourney and winning games. It was UC that only made the tourney and then lost in the 1st round. It was X beating UC on a regular basis. It was UC in a small time conference. It was X in the big-time conference. Now it’s UC going to the Big 12. It’s UC playing football on national TV and in the playoffs. It’s UC that hired a bright up and coming BB coach because they didn’t want to be left behind. And where is X? Limping their way toward a losing record in the conference, a bubble team for the tourney, and too chicken$hit to make the coaching change that they need to move forward.

[IM4X]

There is no doubt that Xavier should've adjusted but sometimes you just get beat. St. John's is an incredibly athletic team and Mike Anderson is no slouch. Learn and move on.

“Sometimes you just get beat” is only acceptable when your team actually does make adjustments and gives great effort until the end. The frustration fans are having is because the team is not “learning” and therefor it is not as simple as “Learn and move on.” The players need to play like they want it more than their opponent and the coaches need to literally set the team up in positions to succeed: switching defenses and player matchups and even showing players (during the game) what they are doing wrong.

This team reminds me a little of that Mack team that had Malcolm Bernard on it. That team played very well in the first half of the season and then had some bad losses where it looked like they were on the verge of not making the tournament. Then Bernard had a come-to-Jesus moment with his teammates and they got it together - Even knocked off Miller’s Arizona team to make it to the Elite Eight that year.

The only small differences with this Steele lead team
1) they ALWAYS fall apart at about this point
2) they HAVE YET TO PULL IT TOGETHER enough to even make it into the NCAA tournament.

Let’s see if Paul, Nate and Nunge can have a come-to-Jesus moment like Bernard did and this team rights the ship- first winning the next few games and then ultimately getting themselves into the dance.

[Masterofreality]

This final stretch is where the toughness rubber meets the road.
Steele is very good at mugging for the camera in a press conference talking about how they have to be the “Tougher Team” and “Matching Their Physicality”.
He’s great with the cliches then his finesse recruited team comes out and gets manhandled. This is now the fourth year we’ve seen this trend. The other 3 years have ended badly.
I remember years like 2003 when X had to go into the maelstrom of Alumni Gym at St. Joe’s and win an important game. Tough minds did it.
I remember an X team going into Gainesville Florida late in the year and winning an important game cause Jason Love took no prisoners.
I remember an X team going to 166.7 Arena at Clifton Community College on 2/18/15 and tough it out for a huge win.
I remember a Torraye Braggs led team walking into UMass and silencing a sellout crowd while out toughing Lari Ketner.
I remember…
Steele’s nice guy players friend strategy has gotten us here. We see where our previous coaches mental strategies took us.
The end of this season is the crucible. Talk is cheap. Actions will speak.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

And that sends a message of "mediocrity is OK". (in response to Jamal's post)

Yes it does send that message. Not saying I agree with it. But, I just don't see X paying its highest compensated employee to leave. In regard to the comment by XUGRAD80 that basketball built Xavier's image and attracted donors, yes to that. I do not believe Steele's poor record will be ignored forever. Just that we will not pay him to walk away. I expect an extremely frustrating next couple of years. I hope that I'm completely wrong on this. So far, everything we have seen in his teams over the last few years has reappeared this year.

Steele is just not a good coach. But, for the time being, he is our coach.

[JTG]

You either have to cut Steele or extend him. A lame duck coach cannot recruit. And I doubt anyone wants him extended. Hire Miller as the coach in waiting. Steele would probably walk away. Us old guys remember the Xavier of the 70s, and none of us want to go back to X being guaranteed win night for opponents, and a school on the verge of bankruptcy.

[Xuperman]

You either have to cut Steele or extend him. A lame duck coach cannot recruit. And I doubt anyone wants him extended. Hire Miller as the coach in waiting. Steele would probably walk away. Us old guys remember the Xavier of the 70s, and none of us want to go back to X being guaranteed win night for opponents, and a school on the verge of bankruptcy.

No sane X fan would not take Sean Miller back if the opportunity presents itself..... But ONLY Sean Miller (Pitino is not an option). I truly believe he could limit any mass exodus AND hold on to our fine 2022 class.

Here's the 64K question.....what team can offer the best HC contract. X or Pitt?

[Drew]

Only a certain few here seem to still be all in on Steele for whatever reason. I didn't like the hire from the begin with, he just doesn't have the "it" factor to be a top tier coach. Id probably rate him 7th best coach in the big east, when has that become acceptable?? Sooner we move on the better

X is currently 24 in the NET ranking so in line for a 6 seed. Steele hasn't yet been a success but y'all are overreacting as always.

[Drew]

Also, its great to aspire for the top but lets be realistic about the Big East pecking order as it stands. Whether its resources or brand, we are at best 4th in this league. You can't want to be in a great conference then get mad when its hard to win.

[X-band '01]

X is currently 24 in the NET ranking so in line for a 6 seed. Steele hasn't yet been a success but y'all are overreacting as always.

Iowa is also #21 in the NET yet their profile is a complete fraud. It's a sorting tool, not a metric of inclusion.

[xuwillie]

X is currently 24 in the NET ranking so in line for a 6 seed. Steele hasn't yet been a success but y'all are overreacting as always.

I don't know, feel like I've been pretty patient the last 4 years. Dude just can't coach at all. Look at Uconn game, probably our best effort and thats when we had zero time to prepare and Miller had to give them a motivation speech...

[Xville]

I wasn't aware that 30-33 and losing to two of the worst teams in conference on your home court is overreacting.

Yeah if we win one of the next two, its not a big deal...anyone confident in winning those?

[JTG]

Also, its great to aspire for the top but lets be realistic about the Big East pecking order as it stands. Whether its resources or brand, we are at best 4th in this league. You can't want to be in a great conference then get mad when its hard to win.

Nova and UConn as the top two. I'm curious who your # 3 is ?

[Final4]

Yes it does send that message. Not saying I agree with it. But, I just don't see X paying its highest compensated employee to leave. In regard to the comment by XUGRAD80 that basketball built Xavier's image and attracted donors, yes to that. I do not believe Steele's poor record will be ignored forever. Just that we will not pay him to walk away. I expect an extremely frustrating next couple of years. I hope that I'm completely wrong on this. So far, everything we have seen in his teams over the last few years has reappeared this year.

Steele is just not a good coach. But, for the time being, he is our coach.

I think you’ve gotten to the crux of the situation here. Travis was hired in 2018 and given a five year contract (through the 2023 season). In 2019 he was extended another year (through the 2024 season). I think it’s pretty customary that most places like to have their coaches sitting on a 4 or 5 year contract. To my knowledge he wasn’t extended in 2020 nor in 2021 which makes this off season of particular importance, at least in my opinion. He will enter the 22/23 season with only two years remaining on his contract. Do they not extend him and accept the consequences associated with a lame duck staff?

[Xville]

I think you’ve gotten to the crux of the situation here. Travis was hired in 2018 and given a five year contract (through the 2023 season). In 2019 he was extended another year (through the 2024 season). I think it’s pretty customary that most places like to have their coaches sitting on a 4 or 5 year contract. To my knowledge he wasn’t extended in 2020 nor in 2021 which makes this off season of particular importance, at least in my opinion. He will enter the 22/23 season with only two years remaining on his contract. Do they not extend him and accept the consequences associated with a lame duck staff?

He has two years after this one? Gross.

Time to start a go fund me

[Final4]

From a strictly financial point of view……Xavier BB put the university on the map. Without the BB program bringing the spotlight to the university, there are no big time donors. They weren’t there in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. They are there now, but there is no guarantee they will stick around if the program goes backwards. BB is what turned that around. It lead to increased enrollments and endowments. If they allow the BB program to sink into mediocrity then I fear that all of that will start trending in the wrong direction. It may not happen immediately, but it could easily happen over time. 10 years from now we might be wondering, what happened? Right now, the program isn’t going backwards, it’s GONE backwards. How much more is the administration going to allow it to decline before they do something about it? They better take note of what has happened just across town with UC football. How it’s growth has made a drastic change in the public opinion regarding the university as a whole. I look for their BB program to rise back up also. If that happens, Xavier will be in danger of being the “little brother” all over again. For the last 20 years this has been Xavier’s city. It was X that was going to the tourney and winning games. It was UC that only made the tourney and then lost in the 1st round. It was X beating UC on a regular basis. It was UC in a small time conference. It was X in the big-time conference. Now it’s UC going to the Big 12. It’s UC playing football on national TV and in the playoffs. It’s UC that hired a bright up and coming BB coach because they didn’t want to be left behind. And where is X? Limping their way toward a losing record in the conference, a bubble team for the tourney, and too chicken$hit to make the coaching change that they need to move forward.


With all due respect you may want to dig a little deeper......there are plenty of significant donors who aren't basketball fans.

[Xavier]

Also, its great to aspire for the top but lets be realistic about the Big East pecking order as it stands. Whether its resources or brand, we are at best 4th in this league. You can't want to be in a great conference then get mad when its hard to win.

Xavier was absolutely in position to be at the top with Nova when the conference started. “It’s a hard conference” is an excuse. And outside of Nova, has any team had tournament success in the Big East? I am sure we have seen a couple seasons- but I remember constant flame outs from high seeded big East teams.

That’s just to say- on average the teams are better but there is no great program outside of Nova since we joined. We should’ve been right at the top of that second tier. No one is close to Villanova though….I do think coaching changes are much more difficult, especially hiring a first time coach. I think I gave Steele two years to figure it out and start see improvements in year 3. It’s year 4, and we just lost games we had to have at home to DePaul and St Johns

[Masterofreality]

With all due respect you may want to dig a little deeper......there are plenty of significant donors who aren't basketball fans.

With all due respect Donors don’t attract students. Success does.
Fewer students due to no success less tuition and fee money.
Success in basketball is key to this school.
See U of Detroit Mercy. Slowly dying. Xavier was there in the late 1970’s.
Nothing is guaranteed.

[xucub]

I think we all need to send letters/emails to Greg Christopher telling him of our displeasure with the current coaching staff and requesting a change before he gives steele another extension. We need to remind him that he was promised the final 2%. As someone said earlier, this is probably our only chance to get Sean Miller.

[xuphan]

I think we all need to send letters/emails to Greg Christopher telling him of our displeasure with the current coaching staff and requesting a change before he gives steele another extension. We need to remind him that he was promised the final 2%. As someone said earlier, this is probably our only chance to get Sean Miller.

Yes! The more email Christopher gets from upset fans the better.

[Drew]

Nova and UConn as the top two. I'm curious who your # 3 is ?

I would probably say Marquette but Seton Hall, Creighton and Providence aren't far behind.

[Xville]

I would probably say Marquette but Seton Hall, Creighton and Providence aren't far behind.

Therein lies the problem..entering the big East x was easily #2 in terms of brand/resources. Resources x is still on par with that top tier, brand has suffered dramatically under Steele. That’s why fans are pissed off. X scratched and clawed for thirty plus years to get to where they were entering the big East. Steele has dramatically diminished that brand in 4 years and some here think it’s ok because we are in a big boy conference.

[Strange Brew]

I keep hearing how soft the teams are under Steele but that’s likely a reflection of the the school itself (Father G years) and the fan base. X has become a very “nice” place.

Anyone remember the cringy “it’s me” ad campaign?

[Drew]

Therein lies the problem..entering the big East x was easily #2 in terms of brand/resources. Resources x is still on par with that top tier, brand has suffered dramatically under Steele. That’s why fans are pissed off. X scratched and clawed for thirty plus years to get to where they were entering the big East. Steele has dramatically diminished that brand in 4 years and some here think it’s ok because we are in a big boy conference.

Agree to disagree. I am pretty sure we are bottom half in budget. Nova and UCONN have won multiple national championships recently. Marquette and Creighton both average more fans. This not to say that Steele is the answer. Just be realistic, we are currently slated as a 6 seed. There is still a lot of promise to this team and program.

[XUGRAD80]

With all due respect you may want to dig a little deeper......there are plenty of significant donors who aren't basketball fans.

I never said that there weren’t. But when did they start being donors, and why? Name recognition is very important when asking for money. Besides the mens BB Program, what is X really known for outside of Cincinnati? When I wear X gear around the country people know what school I’m representing, even if they aren’t sports fans. They have heard of X. That wasn’t the case back before the BB program went big time. The growth and success of the school can be directly correlated to the time line that matches the rise of the BB program. If Xavier hopes to maintain that level of success and growth they really can’t afford to let the BB program go backwards.

[JTG]

Agree to disagree. I am pretty sure we are bottom half in budget. Nova and UCONN have won multiple national championships recently. Marquette and Creighton both average more fans. This not to say that Steele is the answer. Just be realistic, we are currently slated as a 6 seed. There is still a lot of promise to this team and program.
Curious, are Butler and Xavier the only two schools with their own on campus adult size arenas ? The rest would have pretty high rental cost. Also, an article in tomorrow's Indy Star poses the question, Is Butler in over their head playing in the Big East ? The article claims they have the smallest budget, and can't afford a coach t hat would make them competitive. This was written after they were bludgeoned 91-57 by the Johnnie's, tonite. Unlike us, St John's decided to parlay their big win by kicking the living crap out of their next opponent.

[Masterofreality]

Curious, are Butler and Xavier the only two schools with their own on campus adult size arenas ? The rest would have pretty high rental cost. Also, an article in tomorrow's Indy Star poses the question, Is Butler in over their head playing in the Big East ? The article claims they have the smallest budget, and can't afford a coach t hat would make them competitive. This was written after they were bludgeoned 91-57 by the Johnnie's, tonite. Unlike us, St John's decided to parlay their big win by kicking the living crap out of their next opponent.

UConn’s Gampel Pavilion is on campus, their building and seats 10,500.

I guess it depends if you think 6,500 at Nova is “adult size”? St.Johns squeezes 5,500 into Carnesecca.

[X-band '01]

If they honestly try to get out of the Big East, they're never getting back in. Period. It will take two seconds for the melon humpers up north to lobby like hell to get in the league and X probably wouldn't be able to lock them out. Fuck Butler if they ever decide to leave for that reason.

[GoMuskies]

Leaving the Big East would be absurd for Butler. They've been reasonably competitive. Maybe they just need a new coach.

[JTG]

Leaving the Big East would be absurd for Butler. They've been reasonably competitive. Maybe they just need a new coach.

I believe the writer (Gregg Doyel) was looking for clicks. They probably will get a new coach, but they paid Jordan $350000 when they hired him. Can't find anyone at that price.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Till...
https://storage.googleapis.com/afs-prod/media/2a74d009ff244253b1af51ec89be5fd7/3000.jpeg

[bleedXblue]

Why would he return when Pitt is going to pay him double to coach his alma mater?

[OTRMUSKIE]

Well then I guess Mack is coming back. But I still think Miller comes here.

[SkyWalker]

I'd bet on Pitt too.

[Strange Brew]

Why would he return when Pitt is going to pay him double to coach his alma mater?

The only hope in that scenario is Sean likes Skyline more than Primanti Brothers. Tough call for me personally. Or (and I hope) his ego is big enough to stick it to X for not allowing him to have his brother on staff after allowing nepotism with Steele.

[boozehound]

Chris Mack is not coming back. And I don’t want him back.

Sean Miller isn’t coming either, but I’d take him back. Mostly because I think he is a better coach than Mack. By a lot.

[Xavier]

I’d be shocked if he isn’t at Pitt. I have no idea where Pitt stands in terms of payouts for Former coaches, that’s the only way I could not see him there. But he isn’t coming to X either way, unfortunately. I don’t want Mack back either

[UCGRAD4X]

New blood. Different direction. Time to reboot.

Gawd. I even hate the sound of my own words.

[basket]

As previously stated in another thread, any of the following, I believe would be a GREAT hire for this program, IF the University decided to "move on". Brian Gregory, Mark Schmidt and Dino Gaudio, John Becker at Vertmont, Travis Ford at SLU, Mark Prosser at Winthrop, Dennis Gates at Clev. St., Jeff Boals at Ohio Univ and Chris Jans at NM. St. Univ.

[X-band '01]

Thanks for giving us a much needed laugh for suggesting the Gregory have anything to do with this program.

[Xville]

I’ll take jans, gates, mcmahon or miller as realistic options. The rest hard pass. Well, I’d also take a look at valentine..he’d not be here long if he succeeded but I’ll take him!

[xuphan]

As previously stated in another thread, any of the following, I believe would be a GREAT hire for this program, IF the University decided to "move on". Brian Gregory, Mark Schmidt and Dino Gaudio, John Becker at Vertmont, Travis Ford at SLU, Mark Prosser at Winthrop, Dennis Gates at Clev. St., Jeff Boals at Ohio Univ and Chris Jans at NM. St. Univ.

You can’t be serious?

[X Factor]

As previously stated in another thread, any of the following, I believe would be a GREAT hire for this program, IF the University decided to "move on". Brian Gregory, Mark Schmidt and Dino Gaudio, John Becker at Vertmont, Travis Ford at SLU, Mark Prosser at Winthrop, Dennis Gates at Clev. St., Jeff Boals at Ohio Univ and Chris Jans at NM. St. Univ.

No on all of these dudes. Xavier can do way better.

[xubrew]

As previously stated in another thread, any of the following, I believe would be a GREAT hire for this program, IF the University decided to "move on". Brian Gregory, Mark Schmidt and Dino Gaudio, John Becker at Vertmont, Travis Ford at SLU, Mark Prosser at Winthrop, Dennis Gates at Clev. St., Jeff Boals at Ohio Univ and Chris Jans at NM. St. Univ.

You and I have a very different understanding of the word "GREAT."

[Masterofreality]

South Florida is terrible this year under Gregory.
Epitome of a Charlatan

[X Factor]

I don't want some retread coaching at Xavier.

Just a name off the top of my head would be Eric Henderson from South Dakota St.

Only question for me would be can he recruit. He has shown he can coach at the mid-major level. Really good at player development.

Also in his four years at SDSU, his teams have ranked 2nd, 60th, 2nd, and 1st nationally in 3pt%

[Xville]

I don't want some retread coaching at Xavier.

Just a name off the top of my head would be Eric Henderson from South Dakota St.

Only question for me would be can he recruit. He has shown he can coach at the mid-major level. Really good at player development.

Also in his three years at SDSU, his teams have ranked 60th, 2nd, and 1st nationally in 3pt%

I’m with ya regarding retreads unless it’s Miller.

I know nothing about Henderson, but looks good to me. I also like jans, McMahon and gates though too. They are all winners and have tourney experience. To your point, you always worry about the next step in recruiting, but there are risks with everyone and at least with one of these guys there would be a track record and coaching acumen to fall back on.

[X Factor]

I don't want some retread coaching at Xavier.

Just a name off the top of my head would be Eric Henderson from South Dakota St.

Only question for me would be can he recruit. He has shown he can coach at the mid-major level. Really good at player development.

Also in his three years at SDSU, his teams have ranked 60th, 2nd, and 1st nationally in 3pt%

His overall record is 62-21 (.744) and conference record is 37-6 (.860)

[GoMuskies]

Of the Gregg Marshall guys, I prefer Forbes to Jans. Could Xavier turn the tables and take a coach away from Wake Forest now?

[Xville]

At this point I’ll take anyone but #meanmug.

[xuphan]

At this point I’ll take anyone but #meanmug.

You would take Bob Huggins?

[Xville]

You would take Bob Huggins?

He can coach at least.

[xavbball]

I'll say this much about Sean Miller. He's one of the winningest coaches to never make it to the final four. We are one of the best programs to never make it to the final four.

Seems like the perfect fit to me. Money might be his primary motivation and he can go to Pitt and make a lot of it. However, a lot has changed since he last coached at Xavier. Even more has changed since he played at Pitt. Reaching that last 2% might be more important to him. It's been kind of a curse since he left X, and he's never been able to do more than what he could at X. We are now in a top 3 basketball conference, have great facilities, and can consistently land top 100 recruits. If he chooses to come back to X, I have no doubt he will be able to get us to the 2%.

[GIMMFD]

I’m with ya regarding retreads unless it’s Miller.

I know nothing about Henderson, but looks good to me. I also like jans, McMahon and gates though too. They are all winners and have tourney experience. To your point, you always worry about the next step in recruiting, but there are risks with everyone and at least with one of these guys there would be a track record and coaching acumen to fall back on.

If McMahon can recruit to Murray State, I hope he can recruit to Xavier.. I actually read a beautiful article on him in The Athletic, he'd be an interesting catch.

[GoMuskies]

Murray State is a pretty easy place to recruit to. They always win. It's basically a low major version of Xavier (pre-Steele).

[X-band '01]

Murray State is a pretty easy place to recruit to. They always win. It's basically a low major version of Xavier (pre-Steele).

They're about to be true mid-major once they join the Valley with Belmont next season. Then Morehead will begin their OVC dynasty.

[xuphan]

They're about to be true mid-major once they join the Valley with Belmont next season. Then Morehead will begin their OVC dynasty.

How many years are left on Steeles contract? He have 2 more years after this one?

[X-band '01]

Honestly don't know.

But instead of firing Steele, shouldn't the board just wait until College Carousel 2022 and write a glowing recommendation for him? Michigan's about to have a vacancy, for example.

[XUGRAD80]

Murray State is a pretty easy place to recruit to. They always win. It's basically a low major version of Xavier (pre-Steele).


With all due respect, Murray State is nothing like X and Murray, Ky is nothing like Cincinnati.

[GoMuskies]

Take a look at their results through the years. Xavier has maybe been less consistently successful than Murray State. Coach after coach after coach has had success there. Much like Xavier is a dream job if you're looking to move up the coaching ladder, Murray is the same but at a bit lower level. The situations are more similar than you think.

[JTG]

Take a look at their results through the years. Xavier has maybe been less consistently successful than Murray State. Coach after coach after coach has had success there. Much like Xavier is a dream job if you're looking to move up the coaching ladder, Murray is the same but at a bit lower level. The situations are more similar than you think.

????? Xavier has consistently moved up the ladder and plays in one of the top 3 or 4 conferences., in a state of the art arena and a tourney in MSG. X no longer plays in a directional school league.. Murray is in the middle of nowhere, Ky.

[GoMuskies]

I didn't say they were Xavier. I said they were a low major version of Xavier. And they are. Or were until Steele broke Xavier.

[Drew]

If we do move forward I hope we get an up and coming mid-major coach as opposed to an older vet. You want the coach that still has something to prove. Also, don't favor good recruiters over good coaches, that is where we are at now.

[XUGRAD80]

Take a look at their results through the years. Xavier has maybe been less consistently successful than Murray State. Coach after coach after coach has had success there. Much like Xavier is a dream job if you're looking to move up the coaching ladder, Murray is the same but at a bit lower level. The situations are more similar than you think.

If you’re only comparing the records of the BB teams over the last 30 or so years, yes they are very similar. But to say that by itself makes it an easy place to recruit to is not IMO true. It’s a very small city/large town surrounded by farms. The closest city to it is Nashville, Tn., and it’s 120 miles away. There is very limited TV coverage for the school and the league it plays in. It does plays in a very nice arena that’s about the same age and only a little smaller than the Cintas Center, but while Xavier and the Cintas Center are very much in an urban setting, Murray State and its arena are not. Now I’m a big proponent of McMahon and think he should definitely be on the short list of candidates for any Major University looking for its next head coach. But I still wouldn’t say that Murray State is an easy place to recruit to. The location of the school and the isolated nature of the community along with the very limited exposure that players and the team have are certainly detrimental to that. Even within its own conference there are certainly a few schools that don’t have those same obstacles. In fact I am actually impressed that they have been able to bring in some very good under the radar recruits considering some of the obstacles that they face. I look at it that if McMahon can recruit as well as he has there, he should have no problem recruiting at a higher level school.

[GoMuskies]

They're at like 10 coaches in a row that managed to recruit well enough to win a lot there. After a while it's not the individual coaches. It's the program.

[GoMuskies]

I'm not down on McMahon at all, but Murray is also a bit like Xavier in that a lot of their former coaches don't fare all that well after their promotions. Steve Newton was terrible at South Carolina. Scott Edgar was a disaster at Duquesne. Mark Gottfried had some good years at Alabama and NC State but ultimately got canned both places. Billy Kennedy was mediocre atTexas A&M. Steve Prohm just got fired after a winless Big XII season at Iowa State. The most successful Murray State coaching alum is probably....Mick Cronin.

[X-band '01]

"Excuse me, I'm going to go vomit"

[OTRMUSKIE]

Not sure how true this is, but I was told Sean Miller moved back to Cincinnati

[xu82]

Not sure how true this is, but I was told Sean Miller moved back to Cincinnati

My sources say a guy who looks like him was spotted in the basement at Brockman. I cannot confirm with a second source.

[OTRMUSKIE]

It was on the paysite , I'm sure it wasn't him but he was in the stands. How bush league would you have to be to move back to Cincinnati and go to Xavier games thinking you're the next coach to replace a friend? That is mafia shit right there.

[waggy]

Zip'em up!

[JTG]

It was on the paysite , I'm sure it wasn't him but he was in the stands. How bush league would you have to be to move back to Cincinnati and go to Xavier games thinking you're the next coach to replace a friend? That is mafia shit right there.

I heard some boosters are planning on putting a horse's head in Steele bed while he's in Rhode Island tomorrow. Mor is sending down some guys from the Cleveland branch of the Family.

[xudash]

My sources say a guy who looks like him was spotted in the basement at Brockman. I cannot confirm with a second source.

Sean Miller coming back AND they're reopening Mother Tuckers! Count me in!!

[Masterofreality]

I heard some boosters are planning on putting a horse's head in Steele bed while he's in Rhode Island tomorrow. Mor is sending down some guys from the Cleveland branch of the Family.

They’re “Friends of Mine!”