Your expectations for Sean’s first season

[IM4X]

I’d be very interested to know everyone’s take on how good X’s first season under Sean could be and how far they can go.


If I am completely honest, I have very high expectations for Sean and this roster. I refuse to buy into the “You can’t expect much from a coach in his first year” talk. Sean likely will have a better team returning than Travis had last year. Sean is the better game day coach. I understand he is smart enough to undersell the potential in his first year to the public. You better believe he is thinking “there is no way we are not making the tournament next year.”

My Expectations

Minimum: Sean gets X team into the tournament and win at least one game.

Maximum: sean gets X into it’s first final 4.

I know that may seem like a stretch, but remember this team won the NIT tournament last year and together with a few more talented players joining the team, I do see it as a realistic possibility.

[xu82]

Undefeated. National Champions!


OK, worst case is making the NCAA tournament. (Sadly, I felt obliged to state which tournament.) That is a start. Hopefully at least one win to regain our mojo, help the fans trauma and future recruiting.

I really want to look like we belong with the best teams in the BE. That was rarely the case in recent years.

[xudash]

Worst case: NCAAT.

Best case: Top 3 BE; semis BET, and S16.

Then the pixie dust kicks in and off we go.

[Xavier]

I’ll have a better gauge after we see how many games (if any? I’m sure at least a handful-but could see a lot of the OOC schedule)

I’ll say assuming he misses zero games. Best Case- win the big East/ 3 seed elite 8. Worst case- finish 5-7 in big East, lose first round ncaa tournament. I think they end up 3/4 in the Big East.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I agree how many games Sean misses will definitely matter. I am sold on Miller (obviously) I am not sold on our roster yet. I am usually as optimistic as a fan as one can get but I see the minimum a bubble team who just misses out, maximum a 4-6 seed and sweet 16 appearance.

I am worried about our play at the point. I am worried about our low post defense. I don't see how either of those things are better right now than last year. Other than Miller being able to coach more out of the players. I am also worried about our 3 point shooting still but hopeful.

I think Miller is a good enough coach to get the max result and max out of the players. I also wont be panicking if we miss the tournament in his first year.

[XUGRAD80]

I am certainly more optimistic than I was at this point last year, but…..the roster really hasn’t changed a great deal, unless the 2 freshman and the transfer are impact players. So it really comes up to what a difference the coaching makes. I sincerely believe that we will NOT see the team go into the dumps during February, like we have seen the last few years, and might actually get BETTER as the season goes on. That belief is based on Miller’s track record with his teams in the past. I think that we WILL see a few of the players show some real improvement during this summer and over the season, unlike what we have seen during the last administration.

Therefore, I think that an NCAA tourney appearance, after a top 4 finish in the BE, and 22-23 regular season wins is what we might see. What happens in the tourney will depend on the draw, but a sweet 16 is certainly a POSSIBILITY in my mind.

[UCGRAD4X]

Last year's team (and previous) were certainly capable of making the tournament and winning some games. I am not as concerned about the roster. Despite the February Fades, these teams were on the cusp. The roster is improving. The "FF "will trend from February Fade toward Final Four. I expect nothing less than S16. I absolutely think that is the floor. I think that should be the floor every year at X.

[xukeith]

Miller is/was my all time favorite X coach but I have too many roster doubts.

X should have made the tourney this past season.

Miller is by far a much better coach.

The current roster is weak in my opinion. I love Jones but he is not the baller he needs to be.
Nunge is great but he is not a dominant post player(he is tall but can be outrebounded by many other BE players).
4 years of subpar shooting will not be magically forgotten. Shooting will improve but I am not expecting 38%+ 3 point shooting.

Also other BE teams have surpassed X over teh past 4 years. Creighton, UConn and Providence are more succesful programs.

The most important position for a successful Miller team is point guard. Boum is goood but X needs a first team BE point/shooting guard with experience.

I have high hopes but skeptism due to previous 4 years of X basketball under Steele has damaged the X brand.

I am giving Miller 2-3 years before a deep run in NCAA Tourney is expected.

[XUGRAD80]

Last year's team (and previous) were certainly capable of making the tournament and winning some games. I am not as concerned about the roster. Despite the February Fades, these teams were on the cusp. The roster is improving. The "FF "will trend from February Fade toward Final Four. I expect nothing less than S16. I absolutely think that is the floor. I think that should be the floor every year at X.

But why do you think that what should be the goal for every year is what you REALISTICALLY expect to HAPPEN next year?



So really what the question should be is….What do you think will HAPPEN in Sean’s first season?

[xucub]

I expect higher basketball IQ. I expect less 3 point shots that are jacked up without a single pass being thrown. I expect toughness which equates to more free throws. I expect to see 76% made free throws. i expect to see defense that does not mimic Biden's open border policy when it comes to the lane. i expect to see player development. i expect to see less of the Jerome Hunter 3 Point Experience and more of the Jerome Hunter Defensive Stopper. i expect to minimize the amount of games where we are down 10 points in the first 10 minutes. i expect to sit in my seat and not wonder how they are going to blow this game.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I expect higher basketball IQ. I expect less 3 point shots that are jacked up without a single pass being thrown. I expect toughness which equates to more free throws. I expect to see 76% made free throws. i expect to see defense that does not mimic Biden's open border policy when it comes to the lane. i expect to see player development. i expect to see less of the Jerome Hunter 3 Point Experience and more of the Jerome Hunter Defensive Stopper. i expect to minimize the amount of games where we are down 10 points in the first 10 minutes. i expect to sit in my seat and not wonder how they are going to blow this game.

I would love 76% from the FT line but in 5 years with Miller as X coach we never once got that. 75% was the closest we ever got. Other season ranged from 67% to 74%

[UCGRAD4X]

But why do you think that what should be the goal for every year is what you REALISTICALLY expect to HAPPEN next year?



So really what the question should be is….What do you think will HAPPEN in Sean’s first season?


I thought the "I expect nothing less that S16" covered it. Sorry if that was not clear.

[UCGRAD4X]

Miller is/was my all time favorite X coach but I have too many roster doubts.

X should have made the tourney this past season.

Miller is by far a much better coach.

The current roster is weak in my opinion. I love Jones but he is not the baller he needs to be.
Nunge is great but he is not a dominant post player(he is tall but can be outrebounded by many other BE players).
4 years of subpar shooting will not be magically forgotten. Shooting will improve but I am not expecting 38%+ 3 point shooting.

Also other BE teams have surpassed X over teh past 4 years. Creighton, UConn and Providence are more succesful programs.

The most important position for a successful Miller team is point guard. Boum is goood but X needs a first team BE point/shooting guard with experience.

I have high hopes but skeptism due to previous 4 years of X basketball under Steele has damaged the X brand.

I am giving Miller 2-3 years before a deep run in NCAA Tourney is expected.


I think the question is: Is this team better than last year's?

Should we expect this "perhaps" better roster, to perform more closely or even beyond their potential compared to the most recent?

Should we expect the team to get better down the stretch or be playing their worst basketball at the end of the season (sans NIT)?

Should we expect Miller and Co. to develop our young players and put them in a position to contribute?

The bottom line might be: how many wins do you think reasonable answers to these questions might garner?

2? 3? 5? 8? 10?

Last year's team was pretty firmly in until "The Fade"!

If that ALONE can be avoided we should be in easily.

Win two. I honestly do not think that is unreasonable.

[JTG]

I'll take "Accepting the trophy from Jim Nance for $1000 Alex"

[XUGRAD80]

I thought the "I expect nothing less that S16" covered it. Sorry if that was not clear.

You really think that X will make the S16 next season? Really? Please tell us why you think that will happen.

[JTG]

I think the question is: Is this team better than last year's?

Should we expect this "perhaps" better roster, to perform more closely or even beyond their potential compared to the most recent?

Should we expect the team to get better down the stretch or be playing their worst basketball at the end of the season (sans NIT)?

Should we expect Miller and Co. to develop our young players and put them in a position to contribute?

The bottom line might be: how many wins do you think reasonable answers to these questions might garner?

2? 3? 5? 8? 10?

Last year's team was pretty firmly in until "The Fade"!

If that ALONE can be avoided we should be in easily.

Win two. I honestly do not think that is unreasonable.

I expect, barring an injury to a key player, for us to be easily in the Dance, and a factor in the Big East race.

[xuphan]

In his first year? Just make Xavier basketball enjoyable again.

[xukeith]

I don't think Kunkel or Jones will be consistent shooters. I do think Jones will be a more consistent scorer.
Craft likely will play 10-15 minutes and hopefully shoot 5-7 threes a game.
New transfer Boum will drive and score plus administer the offense. He will be a scorer (8-10 points a game)

I excpect X to be in top 5 of BE. X has been borderline for 4 straight years. It is Miller time to nudge this team over the February dry period which X is familiar with.

Miles would be better if somehow he was 240-250 pounds of muscle. Not sure if that is even possible for him.

Nunge and Freemantle will score a combined 28-33 points a game.
I hope Edwards can carve out a space for pt but not sure where teh minutes can come from.
I really hope Hunter can be the defensive stopper and hover around opponent's best guard scorer.
Claude will spell Boum and likely get 10-12 minutes of PT.

Miller will likely have a 7-8 man rotation.
Now the following 2-3 seasons 2023 and 2024 will be special with Miller's players and his system in place.

[Muskie]

I am certainly more optimistic than I was at this point last year, but…..the roster really hasn’t changed a great deal, unless the 2 freshman and the transfer are impact players. So it really comes up to what a difference the coaching makes. I sincerely believe that we will NOT see the team go into the dumps during February, like we have seen the last few years, and might actually get BETTER as the season goes on. That belief is based on Miller’s track record with his teams in the past. I think that we WILL see a few of the players show some real improvement during this summer and over the season, unlike what we have seen during the last administration.

Therefore, I think that an NCAA tourney appearance, after a top 4 finish in the BE, and 22-23 regular season wins is what we might see. What happens in the tourney will depend on the draw, but a sweet 16 is certainly a POSSIBILITY in my mind.

I think the biggest change we will all notice is in-game adjustments and seasonal adjustments. We seemed insistent on forcing a square peg into a round whole over the past couple of seasons.

[xudash]

I think the biggest change we will all notice is in-game adjustments and seasonal adjustments. We seemed insistent on forcing a square peg into a round whole over the past couple of seasons.

Add xucub's comment to above: "expect to minimize the amount of games where we are down 10 points in the first 10 minutes"

Overall, focused and energetic basketball from the players for ALL 40 minutes of a game coupled with Sean's ability to make tweaks and adjustments, as needed, along the way.

The floor for me remains the NCAAT and a respectable showing in BE play.

[drudy23]

Regardless of the coach or the circumstance, my first expectation of every season is to make the tournament. No different this coming year. Honestly, that's usually my only expectation.

Anything better than that is gravy in year 1.

You also hope for greater success, especially with pretty much the same team, because it proves his system, philosophy and culture is working. That's the perfect foundation to start attracting the right players, which I feel was drastically absent the past 4 years. If this happens, there's really no transition period to temper expectations, which is what quality and experienced coaches can do.

[bjf123]

For Sean’s first year back, I’ll be happy with a winning conference record and one win in the Big Dance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[IM4X]

You really think that X will make the S16 next season? Really? Please tell us why you think that will happen.

I’ll give you a good reason: Because he is Sean F’n Miller and and we are the Xavier F’n Musketeers and that’s what we are supposed to do. Oh, Sean won’t say anything publicly, but he has a reputation to live up to and he knows what he was capable of doing with an X team in the Atlantic 10. Now in the Big East, Sean Miller sees a program with a higher ceiling and a roster from last season that had a ceiling of at least a Sweet Sixteen with the right coaching and he knows he can make that ceiling even higher next season by the time he is done molding the returning players and the new ones being added.

The thing is that it is not important that any of us fans “guarantee X will make the Sweet Sixteen in Sean’s first year” and possible even go further. What matters is that we now have a coach who expects to get there and who’ll feel like a failure if he does not start off his return to X with a big bang… and with the emphatic statement that he was absolutely the right bad-ass MF to lead this program to new heights.”

[markchal]

In his first year? Just make Xavier basketball enjoyable again.

I think this is the right answer. I think we *could* make the NCAA tournament. I also think people are greatly underestimating how much we'll miss Scruggs and Johnson (and even Odom to some degree). I do think he'll have this team playing harder and smarter, we just have a pretty severe deficiency (very little 3pt shooting returning from an already terrible 3pt shooting team). I think we pretty much need Craft or Tandy to become a key contributor asap off the bench.

I'd assume our rotation will be something like
C-Nunge
PF-Freemantle
SF-Jones
SG-Kunkel
PG-Boum

Subs: Edwards, Tandy/Craft, and Claude.

If Freemantle can rediscover the player we *think* he can be, that will be pretty essential to us having an identity

[Olsingledigit]

I think this is the right answer. I think we *could* make the NCAA tournament. I also think people are greatly underestimating how much we'll miss Scruggs and Johnson (and even Odom to some degree). I do think he'll have this team playing harder and smarter, we just have a pretty severe deficiency (very little 3pt shooting returning from an already terrible 3pt shooting team). I think we pretty much need Craft or Tandy to become a key contributor asap off the bench.

I'd assume our rotation will be something like
C-Nunge
PF-Freemantle
SF-Jones
SG-Kunkel
PG-Boum

Subs: Edwards, Tandy/Craft, and Claude.

If Freemantle can rediscover the player we *think* he can be, that will be pretty essential to us having an identity

I would not forget about Hunter. He has some good qualities and he is a big body. He was not coached well last year. He seems to be on Miller's radar. He was one of the players with Miller at the Reds game recently.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I would not forget about Hunter. He has some good qualities and he is a big body. He was not coached well last year. He seems to be on Miller's radar. He was one of the players with Miller at the Reds game recently.

Miller also specifically mentioned him in his interview with Jon Rothstein. I just listened to that interview yesterday on Rothstein's podcast.

Miller also mentioned it will take some time to get what he wants going building the program his way. He did mention he has some nice pieces in place though.

[Muskie]

Miller also specifically mentioned him in his interview with Jon Rothstein. I just listened to that interview yesterday on Rothstein's podcast.

Miller also mentioned it will take some time to get what he wants going building the program his way. He did mention he has some nice pieces in place though.

I'd have to go back and look at the roster when he took over for Matta.... my memory is that the roster going into this season is far better on paper than the roster he had in his first season at X. My mind could be playing tricks on me.

[MHettel]

I'd have to go back and look at the roster when he took over for Matta.... my memory is that the roster going into this season is far better on paper than the roster he had in his first season at X. My mind could be playing tricks on me.

Doellman, Cage, Finn, Cole, Myles? Keith Jackson? Adrion Graves? Thornton?

I think Duncan and Wolf came the next year.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'd have to go back and look at the roster when he took over for Matta.... my memory is that the roster going into this season is far better on paper than the roster he had in his first season at X. My mind could be playing tricks on me.

He basically said it was in the interview. Said it wouldnt take as long to get going this time.

[XUGRAD80]

At both Xavier and Arizona, Sean’s teams missed the NCAA tourney in his first year and made it in the 2nd.

But, “past history is no guarantee of future success(or failure)”. It may sound obvious to say it, but every year is a brand new year. What happened at X and what happened at Arizona in the past, has absolutely no bearing on what might happen at X this coming year. The only thing we know is Miller is a top quality coach. He might be the difference between having a good year or having another disappointing year. We all certainly hope that is the case, don’t we?

[XUBison]

Doellman, Cage, Finn, Cole, Myles? Keith Jackson? Adrion Graves? Thornton?

I think Duncan and Wolf came the next year.

Pretty sure Myles graduated in ‘04. Doellman and Cage were only freshmen, and I think it was at some point during Sean’s first year that Finn was dismissed. Next year’s roster should be much better.

[SM#24]

Doellman, Cage, Finn, Cole, Myles? Keith Jackson? Adrion Graves? Thornton?

I think Duncan and Wolf came the next year.

Sean Y1, 2004-05 (17-12, 10-6), no tourneys
Doellman (So), Cage (So), Thornton (Jr), Finn (Jr), Burrell (Fr), Duncan (Fr), Cole (So), Caudle (Jr), pretty sure Odia (Fr)
Finn kicked off in Sean Y2 which led to Johnny Wolf leading us to the NCAAs.

[SM#24]

You really think that X will make the S16 next season? Really? Please tell us why you think that will happen.

Because if I was coach of last year's team, we would have been in the top 15 all year and Sean's a way better coach than me.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Sean Y1, 2014-15 (17-12, 10-6), no tourneys
Doellman (So), Cage (So), Thornton (Jr), Finn (Jr), Burrell (Fr), Duncan (Fr), Cole (So), Caudle (Jr), pretty sure Odia (Fr)
Finn kicked off in Sean Y2 which led to Johnny Wolf leading us to the NCAAs.

You're a decade off my man!

[IM4X]

At both Xavier and Arizona, Sean’s teams missed the NCAA tourney in his first year and made it in the 2nd.

But, “past history is no guarantee of future success(or failure)”. It may sound obvious to say it, but every year is a brand new year. What happened at X and what happened at Arizona in the past, has absolutely no bearing on what might happen at X this coming year. The only thing we know is Miller is a top quality coach. He might be the difference between having a good year or having another disappointing year. We all certainly hope that is the case, don’t we?

Yeah. Let’s hope his third start as a head coach is a charm. He’ll of course be free to use the “it was my first year” card if he doesn’t make the tournament, but he also realizes fans are sick about not having their team in the dance 4 years now. He also saw the coach who took over his old job get that next Arizona roster into the tournament in just his first season. Sure, that team was loaded, but then the current X roster should be at least as talented as the past season X roster - and we all wanted Steele’s head for not being able to get that X team in the tournament.

It’s why I think Sean will get it done. In fact, I expect it.

[sirthought]

I think defining a tournament team is less important than just expecting him to get the team better organized and playing with good fundamentals. If they can play as they are trained to, as a unit, then I think the rest will fall into place. And we'll likely enjoy that so much more.

Physically, they can only do so much depending on who they face. But things like better ball movement, better shots, more drives to the basket, etc....that's what I'm expecting to see.

Unneeded 3 pointers early in the clock. Never throwing the ball inside. Holding the ball until the last 10 seconds on multiple trips. All things I don't want to see.

And personally, I never thought the packline lived up to what it claimed to do. I'd like to see more variety on defense.

[XUGRAD80]

Because if I was coach of last year's team, we would have been in the top 15 all year and Sean's a way better coach than me.

Logic like that is hard to find much to disagree with…..:eek:


Love the optimism though.

[muskiefan82]

I have one, simple expectation for next years team under Coach Miller.

Be better in March than you were in November. That's it. If that happens, the rest is what it is. I just want to see a team that learned, grew, and got better instead of regressing and making me pull my hair out year after year.

[webxu]

No X pectations.. for this year. If they make the tourney i am happy.

[XUGRAD80]

I have one, simple expectation for next years team under Coach Miller.

Be better in March than you were in November. That's it. If that happens, the rest is what it is. I just want to see a team that learned, grew, and got better instead of regressing and making me pull my hair out year after year.

Totally agree. Wouldn’t that be refreshing to see?

[muskiefan82]

Totally agree. Wouldn’t that be refreshing to see?

Yes. I haven't experienced anything like the last 3 years during the last 40 years. The team just didn't get better. They may not have actually gotten worse, but since the teams they were playing did get better it made them look like they had regressed in ability. Every. Single. Year. It was killing me watching the train wreck that took the floor in January, February, and March. They defined the team that plays this way: "If you shoot well, you can win, but if you don't shoot well, you better be able to defend and make good decisions or you will lose". That was who they were. If they hit from outside that game, they could win. If they did not, it was going to be an ugly, ugly win if they pulled it out or it was going to be a VERY ugly loss.

[xukeith]

I was probably the king of giving 2nd chances. This past season, at around February, it seemed like X was jinxed, voo-doo dolled, or someone made a deal with the devil.

It happened like clockwork. The coach of positiveness and feel good rewards again had led a team into total meltdown and catastrophe.

It sadly had to happen but we came out as a huge winner with Miller coming to the rescue. Cristopher handled it smoothly .

Maybe we X fans have to thank South Carolina for peaking Miller's interest and waking the X administration.

[xudash]

I think defining a tournament team is less important than just expecting him to get the team better organized and playing with good fundamentals. If they can play as they are trained to, as a unit, then I think the rest will fall into place. And we'll likely enjoy that so much more.

Physically, they can only do so much depending on who they face. But things like better ball movement, better shots, more drives to the basket, etc....that's what I'm expecting to see.

Unneeded 3 pointers early in the clock. Never throwing the ball inside. Holding the ball until the last 10 seconds on multiple trips. All things I don't want to see.

And personally, I never thought the packline lived up to what it claimed to do. I'd like to see more variety on defense.

To amplify your point, consider the results for Loyola Chicago in 2018: a No. 11 seed that made it to the F4 through precision teamwork. And I'll take our roster over what they had, thank you.

[bleedXblue]

NCAA tournament and that is all

[SM#24]

You're a decade off my man!

fixed

[XUBison]

I expect Sean to get us into the tourney next season. Most certainly, we will see a dramatic improvement in the team’s basketball IQ. Sean is a generational basketball intellect, and he knows how to coach.

I re-watched the entire Sweet-16 game versus WVU a couple months ago when someone here posted the link during tourney time. (Thank you.) It was shocking how much better coached that team was than what we have watched the past few years. We played to our strengths, seized our advantages, played team D, took good shots, got to the bucket, got fouled— And we made our free throws.

[UCGRAD4X]

Y'all keep heaping praise on Miller such as best in the league, most intelligent, generational....

There is also debate on if the COVID team would have been in the tourney and how close the other Travisty teams were until the last games....

If those teams were that close and Miller is that great, how is "just getting in" the expectation?

I guess I'm the ant with a rubber tree plant.

[Xavier]

Mainly because even a great coach can’t be expected to turn a team that missed the tournament (however close) 4 straight years into an expected deep run. Not to mention the conversation turned from “Steele isn’t a good coach” to “the players just aren’t good enough for big East basketball”. (Which is still on Steele as coach for recruiting them).

Miller being hired and an NIT has masked that a bit. Honestly one of main reasons I wanted Steele gone is because I thought the whole roster needed an overhaul, outside of Jack. If Steele was still the coach there would be a lot of talk about how the team just isn’t talented enough for Big East still. I think Scruggs being off the team will help overall and the freshman and transfer coming in will help as well.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Y'all keep heaping praise on Miller such as best in the league, most intelligent, generational....

There is also debate on if the COVID team would have been in the tourney and how close the other Travisty teams were until the last games....

If those teams were that close and Miller is that great, how is "just getting in" the expectation?

I guess I'm the ant with a rubber tree plant.

The problem I see is the roster still has some significant deficits. I think Miller can get the team to the tournament. I won't freak out if he doesn't. I could see a run to the sweet 16 too. You just don't know I guess.

[muskiefan82]

I just hope that since Miller is the new coach that any existing relationships between coach/players is gone and Miller will sit a player who isn't meeting expectations and won't care who it is. The ability to deliver a message immediately without worrying about feelings/player psyche and just being able to teach fundamental basketball for a year will benefit some of these players immensely.

The "I don't care who you are or what you do, if you don't guard or you shoot a 3 10 seconds into the clock when you shoot poorly to begin with, then you don't play" mentality will be nice to see

[drudy23]

I just hope that since Miller is the new coach that any existing relationships between coach/players is gone and Miller will sit a player who isn't meeting expectations and won't care who it is. The ability to deliver a message immediately without worrying about feelings/player psyche and just being able to teach fundamental basketball for a year will benefit some of these players immensely.

The "I don't care who you are or what you do, if you don't guard or you shoot a 3 10 seconds into the clock when you shoot poorly to begin with, then you don't play" mentality will be nice to see

I'm guessing he won't even have to say it.

College kids aren't dumb. They're going to take what you give them.

[IM4X]

Y'all keep heaping praise on Miller such as best in the league, most intelligent, generational....

There is also debate on if the COVID team would have been in the tourney and how close the other Travisty teams were until the last games....

If those teams were that close and Miller is that great, how is "just getting in" the expectation?

I guess I'm the ant with a rubber tree plant.

I’m with you about having high expectations even though it’s his first season. Miller’s going to need his incoming freshmen and the new transfer to fill in nicely for Paul, Nate and Dwon, but the returning players (particularly Nunge, Jones and Freemantle) should all be even better.

I am pretty sure Miller believes he can get next season’s team into the tournament and win some games, but I don’t blame him for not saying so publicity. It would just add unnecessary pressure.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I’m with you about having high expectations even though it’s his first season. Miller’s going to need his incoming freshmen and the new transfer to fill in nicely for Paul, Nate and Dwon, but the returning players (particularly Nunge, Jones and Freemantle) should all be even better.

I am pretty sure Miller believes he can get next season’s team into the tournament and win some games, but I don’t blame him for not saying so publicity. It would just add unnecessary pressure.

I think it is very possible Miller could also feel that the current roster is a little bit of a mess. That there is no reliable PG to run the offense, there is no reliably consistent 3 point shooters, and there is no reliable low post defenders.

Or it could be somewhere in the middle.

I am sure Miller is salivating with what he can do with Colby. I also think he is probably very optimistic about Nunge.

I think if Claude and Craft are ready to contribute in a meaningful way as freshman the team can be pretty good. Also hope Boum is as advertised scoring but doing so efficiently and maybe taking on more of a distributing role too.

[STL_XUfan]

College kids aren't dumb.

I'm sorry, I am going to need you to cite sources to support this claim.

[IM4X]

I think it is very possible Miller could also feel that the current roster is a little bit of a mess. That there is no reliable PG to run the offense, there is no reliably consistent 3 point shooters, and there is no reliable low post defenders.

Or it could be somewhere in the middle.

I am sure Miller is salivating with what he can do with Colby. I also think he is probably very optimistic about Nunge.

I think if Claude and Craft are ready to contribute in a meaningful way as freshman the team can be pretty good. Also hope Boum is as advertised scoring but doing so efficiently and maybe taking on more of a distributing role too.

Miller’s not getting the entire team back but he is getting the emerging stars. Making the tournament is still the minimum I am expecting from Sean with next season’s team. If Scruggs, Nate and Dwon were coming back, I think expectations would have to be a bit higher. There certainly are some question about players coming in who appear to have the talent to step in and help the team both with its 3 point shooting and it’s point guard play. I’m excited to see how it all plays out.

I really wish Dwon was coming back, but I could see Claude stepping in and being a very good facilitator. I would be interested to see Kyky getting playing time at the 1 too. Maybe Miller put that bug in his head. I feel at a minimum Boum should be able to contribute as much as Nate. He may be a tad less accurate from three, but he will likely get to the line more often.

To think that X went on that NIT run without Scruggs say a lot about the potential of this team. If Craft can hit 2 or 3 threes a game, it will really help too. From his video and from what I’ve read about him, he is a lot more than just a 3 point specialist, though. He is quite good at getting to the rim and finishing.

[drudy23]

I'm sorry, I am going to need you to cite sources to support this claim.

Let me re-phrase. They're very dumb.

But if you give them an inch, they're taking a mile. Seems like Steele was more concerned with buddy ball. The players knew this and likely took advantage of it.

[XUMIOH12]

My expectation is for Xavier to be in the tournament, at minimum. Anything less would be disappointing.

[SC in DC]

Better Coach = better game planning and performance, player improvement, better team IQ, better shot selection and better defense. So top 3 in BE, NCAAT, and depending on matchups 2nd weekend.

[muskiefan82]

To beat Bob Huggins and WVA

[Masterofreality]

I am certainly more optimistic than I was at this point last year, but…..the roster really hasn’t changed a great deal, unless the 2 freshman and the transfer are impact players. So it really comes up to what a difference the coaching makes. I sincerely believe that we will NOT see the team go into the dumps during February, like we have seen the last few years, and might actually get BETTER as the season goes on. That belief is based on Miller’s track record with his teams in the past. I think that we WILL see a few of the players show some real improvement during this summer and over the season, unlike what we have seen during the last administration.

Therefore, I think that an NCAA tourney appearance, after a top 4 finish in the BE, and 22-23 regular season wins is what we might see. What happens in the tourney will depend on the draw, but a sweet 16 is certainly a POSSIBILITY in my mind.


I’ll give you a good reason: Because he is Sean F’n Miller and and we are the Xavier F’n Musketeers and that’s what we are supposed to do. Oh, Sean won’t say anything publicly, but he has a reputation to live up to and he knows what he was capable of doing with an X team in the Atlantic 10. Now in the Big East, Sean Miller sees a program with a higher ceiling and a roster from last season that had a ceiling of at least a Sweet Sixteen with the right coaching and he knows he can make that ceiling even higher next season by the time he is done molding the returning players and the new ones being added.

The thing is that it is not important that any of us fans “guarantee X will make the Sweet Sixteen in Sean’s first year” and possible even go further. What matters is that we now have a coach who expects to get there and who’ll feel like a failure if he does not start off his return to X with a big bang… and with the emphatic statement that he was absolutely the right bad-ass MF to lead this program to new heights.”


I just hope that since Miller is the new coach that any existing relationships between coach/players is gone and Miller will sit a player who isn't meeting expectations and won't care who it is. The ability to deliver a message immediately without worrying about feelings/player psyche and just being able to teach fundamental basketball for a year will benefit some of these players immensely.

The "I don't care who you are or what you do, if you don't guard or you shoot a 3 10 seconds into the clock when you shoot poorly to begin with, then you don't play" mentality will be nice to see

So far folks, these are the winners from last summer.
82’s post goes directly for Zach Freemantle, who got the message via a suspension in October.
Good looking guys!! Props!

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Any positive expectations I had have been totally blown away.

Obliterato.

Well done coach and team!

[XUGRAD80]

I am certainly more optimistic than I was at this point last year, but…..the roster really hasn’t changed a great deal, unless the 2 freshman and the transfer are impact players. So it really comes up to what a difference the coaching makes. I sincerely believe that we will NOT see the team go into the dumps during February, like we have seen the last few years, and might actually get BETTER as the season goes on. That belief is based on Miller’s track record with his teams in the past. I think that we WILL see a few of the players show some real improvement during this summer and over the season, unlike what we have seen during the last administration.

Therefore, I think that an NCAA tourney appearance, after a top 4 finish in the BE, and 22-23 regular season wins is what we might see. What happens in the tourney will depend on the draw, but a sweet 16 is certainly a POSSIBILITY in my mind.

It’s going a little better than I expected (OK ALOT better), but they still need to finish strong.

[Masterofreality]

It’s going a little better than I expected (OK ALOT better), but they still need to finish strong.

But you did note that it could be better if the “transfer is an impact player”.
And Souley certainly is that!

[xu82]

Any positive expectations I had have been totally blown away.

Obliterato.

Well done coach and team!

I was hoping to finish a game or two above .500 in conference. Not in a million years would I have guessed 7-0. I know there will be rough stretches ahead, but I’m blown away by the difference.

I just watched the 2nd half of the Marquette game (hey! It’s the NFL playoffs!), and even if we had lost I’d have been impressed. Lots to improve always, but it’s fun to watch again. We went a long time where that as just not true, at least for me.

[XUGRAD80]

Perhaps some of the people that are losing their minds over the Butler game should go back and review their predictions made last summer? Based on what I read in this thread it would seem that a few loses like it were really expected by most. Sure, it’s disappointing to lose to a rival, and especially like they did, but X has also had a few unexpected wins along the way. They are still right on line to do what almost everyone expected.

[Xville]

Perhaps some of the people that are losing their minds over the Butler game should go back and review their predictions made last summer? Based on what I read in this thread it would seem that a few loses like it were really expected by most. Sure, it’s disappointing to lose to a rival, and especially like they did, but X has also had a few unexpected wins along the way. They are still right on line to do what almost everyone expected.

1. Butler is not a rival

2. It’s fine to lose games, it’s not fine to lose to butler and DePaul in the same season.

3. I know it’s a new coach, but the February swoons have been commonplace in this program the last four years, and with the upcoming schedule, losing to butler is scary

[D-West & PO-Z]

This season has for sure exceeded my preseason expectations but I hate the excuse of looking back at preseason expectations during the season to justify bad stretches or bad losses. Preseason we didn’t have all the info or know how the guys would respond to Miller. Expectations change as the season goes on, as they should. You aren’t held to the same expectations as preseason.

Before the season I just wanted to make the tournament. We are going to do that, but I will be incredibly disappointed at this point if we don’t win a game in the tournament. Or if we keep losing and limp in and flame out.

Now Freemantle injury has to be accounted for, but we still can’t lose to butler and DePaul in the same season as we are trying to win a BE championship. That’s frustrating despite not have giant preseason expectations.

[IM4X]

Losing to Butler is extremely disappointing. The way X played in the first half was inexcusable and embarrassing. They did just about everything poorly they could have and left fans feeling they would be a very vulnerable team in the NCAA Tournament. Then in the second half, we saw that same team show they were capable of snapping out of a terrible funk during a game and clawing their way back into the game and possibly win. That was the silver lining.

Good teams can have several bad losses, recover and become even better. Providence just lost to St. John’s. Also, I remember many X teams that had embarrassing losses during their season, only to finish strong in the tournament. X got exposed for some of their weaknesses at least three times this season: the beat done at Creighton, the loss at DePaul and at Butler. Let’s hope these bad losses will ultimately make the team better - especially in those weak spots.

One thing that has got to get fixed is the free throw shooting - it seems that some on the team are rushing their shots. Colby and Nunge for sure. Let’s hope they can get in rhythm a bit more and that Boom can start getting to the line more frequently. Lots of made foul shots can erase a lot of other mistakes in a game.