We are X: Minimum Expectation..

[IM4X]

has to remain the Sweet 16.

This was the feeling we once had not too long ago and it wasn’t just us believing we were going to make the Sweet16. It was our family members, friends, ESPN and CBS analysts and even President Obama who usually had us in their bracket going at least to the Sweet 16. No one dare bet against X in getting to a Sweet 16! They learned when they got burned too many times before.

No longer is that the case. We need to make it the minimum expectation once again. We need former players to get behind this effort. X players don’t just make the tournament, they make it to the Sweet 16 and beyond.

Anything less is below the Xavier Standard. Anything more is a sign X is back on track to getting to that elusive Final Four.

[Xavier]

That is absurd. When they have only ever surpassed the bare minimum expectation 3 Times I’d say you need to get more realistic expectations

[xuphan]

That is absurd. When they have only ever surpassed the bare minimum expectation 3 Times I’d say you need to get more realistic expectations

The minimum expectation for me is to make it comfortably into the NCAA tournament year in and year out. We should not be a bubble team or a team that makes it every once in awhile. Consistently making the NCAA tournament should be the bare minimum.

[UCGRAD4X]

That is absurd. When they have only ever surpassed the bare minimum expectation 3 Times I’d say you need to get more realistic expectations

That was the past. In the future I would expect for the season to be successful would be to play in the second week of the tournament. That doesn't mean we will make it all of the time, but to say it would be a disappointment if the didn't is not unreasonable. They should be better than the teams that only did so three times. We are in a better league, playing against the kind of competition that should prepare us for the tournament. We should be attracting better coaches who can recruit and develop talent. We should be recruiting and developing better players. The standard of the past should no longer be relevant.

[hoopster68]

That was the past. In the future I would expect for the season to be successful would be to play in the second week of the tournament. That doesn't mean we will make it all of the time, but to say it would be a disappointment if the didn't is not unreasonable. They should be better than the teams that only did so three times. We are in a better league, playing against the kind of competition that should prepare us for the tournament. We should be attracting better coaches who can recruit and develop talent. We (should be) recruiting and developing better players. The standard of the past should no longer be relevant.

Well put. Thanks for reminding us of what XU men's BB should be.

[xukeith]

The minimum expectation for me is to make it comfortably into the NCAA tournament year in and year out. We should not be a bubble team or a team that makes it every once in awhile. Consistently making the NCAA tournament should be the bare minimum.

I would guess outside of Duke, Kansas, UCLA and Kentucky, not many teams make it to the big dance comfortably every year.

[xukeith]

Even Duke struggles. Not often but last year they were 13-10. Not comfortably in the big dance.
We all want that and it is ideal but come on. Even Kentucky and Michigan State struggle some years.

[xuphan]

I would guess outside of Duke, Kansas, UCLA and Kentucky, not many teams make it to the big dance comfortably every year.

Fair enough. I should have said consistently make the NCAA tournament.

[xukeith]

X is NOT elite. X is top 30. Top 30 programs do not comfortably make Big dance as a 5 seed or better each year.

[Strange Brew]

X is NOT elite. X is top 30. Top 30 programs do not comfortably make Big dance as a 5 seed or better each year.

X was on the cusp of the elite before Steele. The program needed and deserved an experienced HC at that point.

[Xuperman]

The minimum expectation for me is to make it comfortably into the NCAA tournament year in and year out. We should not be a bubble team or a team that makes it every once in awhile. Consistently making the NCAA tournament should be the bare minimum.

The minimum expectation should be to be in the mix for the regular season BEast championship...... Period. The rest will take care of itself. Not happening under Steele at this point.

[xukeith]

X was on the cusp of the elite before Steele. The program needed and deserved an experienced HC at that point.

Maybe. X had a 1 seeded team and a 2 seeded team under Mack. 2 years out of 9 is above average.

X will not be elite until they make 2-3 Final 4 runs .

X is still good and nationally known as a solid program.
X needs to win Big East regular season 1/2 the time over next 10 years if it will be elite.

[CP05XU08CU13]

There are one of three benchmarks that every Xavier coach should have to achieve in the first 3-4 years of his tenure: (1) 22+ wins in the regular season (although I would settle for 20 at this point), (2) Big East Tournament champion, or (3) deep run in March. These are not unrealistic expectations and Steele has yet to achieve any of these benchmarks in year number 4. I would place the most emphasis on number 3 for sure. This program has lost all of its momentum under Steele and the fanbase is getting restless. I think Steele has to achieve one of these benchmarks this year to save his job. Otherwise, it is time to move on. Plain and simple.

[UCGRAD4X]

There are one of three benchmarks that every Xavier coach should have to achieve in the first 3-4 years of his tenure: (1) 22+ wins in the regular season (although I would settle for 20 at this point), (2) Big East Tournament champion, or (3) deep run in March. These are not unrealistic expectations and Steele has yet to achieve any of these benchmarks in year number 4. I would place the most emphasis on number 3 for sure. This program has lost all of its momentum under Steele and the fanbase is getting restless. I think Steele has to achieve one of these benchmarks this year to save his job. Otherwise, it is time to move on. Plain and simple.

I'm not sure which one of these is more or less likely.

I'd say the over/under is <1.

I think any of us would take #3 given the choice.

What would constitute a deep run at this point. S16? E8?

[RoseyMuskie]

I’ve said this before, but I think it should be the rule of quarters.

Miss tournament one year, sneak in one season, comfortably earn mid-seed (5-7), and protected seed. Rinse, repeat.

It would be the natural progression of a program that doesn’t get NBA level recruits all too often, but sees blue chip recruits develop.

[smileyy]

I guess with better scouting and player development it's hard to find those underrated NBA prospects.

X needs some NBA prospects. Last I checked, Naji was getting his share of DNP-CDs.