Upcoming Season Predictions?

[xuphan]

I know we are a few months away from basketball season but we need some basketball chat on Xavierhoops. What are your predictions for the upcoming season? I am excited to see what Miller can do with the talent we have on this team. I think we will be a Top 3 team in the Big East and will compete for the regular season title. I also see this team being a sweet 16 team if all the pieces come together.

[whopper]

that is the upside..I am looking to make the dance and see enjoyable games which has not always been the case over the past few years.

[JTG]

20-12, NCAA 2nd weekend

[SC in DC]

36-0 National Champs!

[muskiefan82]

36-0 National Champs!

X just skipping 4 games at some point? I think you mean 40-0 National Champs!

[sirthought]

Wouldn't every team be sweet sixteen if all their pieces came together? Not sure what that's predicting.



Conference wide, the Big East will be pretty interesting with so many diverse changes. Last season was certainly a bit of down year compared to the few prior seasons. What coach is going to get their guys together to rise to the top? It's hard to know.

Xavier, Butler, Nova, Seton Hall: new coaches. UCONN, Marquette, and DePaul are improving from previous leadership. How improved is hard to say. It's just a different conference from four or five years ago.

Creighton is consistently tough and should have a lot of talent this season. They are the ones to beat in 22-23. Kalkbrenner and Nembhard, returning from injury, are really good. Since everyone else got experience last year with their absence, it should be a more developed team.

X has so many question marks because we don't know how guys' play will improve with Miller. The talent is there. After the NIT I want to see Jones as the point or play maker way more frequently. I just don't know if that will happen. He's going be the catalyst to getting front court players like Nunge and Freemantle better looks. The front court depth is crowded. I'm thinking Tucker, Edwards, and Miles will be improved, but enough to get on the floor more?

[hoopster68]

Miller is faced with starting the season without a true point guard & the opposition knows it. November & December should be "growing time" for this squad; who emerges and who fades will likely determine early BE play. Barring (major) injuries the Coach will probably have an eight-nine- man rotation by mid-January. After that, the sky is the limit. Prediction: third in the BE, make the Dance & lose in the Sweet Sixteen.

[xu82]

X just skipping 4 games at some point? I think you mean 40-0 National Champs!

We will be so scary good 4 teams will forfeit rather than be embarrassed! It seems cheap to count those!

I’ll say about 4th in the BE and back to the Big Dance.

I’m just glad to be talking about basketball again!

[X-man]

Miller is faced with starting the season without a true point guard & the opposition knows it. November & December should be "growing time" for this squad; who emerges and who fades will likely determine early BE play. Barring (major) injuries the Coach will probably have an eight-nine- man rotation by mid-January. After that, the sky is the limit. Prediction: third in the BE, make the Dance & lose in the Sweet Sixteen.

You mean that Boum isn't on the team??

[MADXSTER]

I'm thinking 4th but that's not the ceiling for this team IMO.

[XUGRAD80]

Really hard to call it at this point, but I’m more optimistic than I’ve been for at least 3 years. I do expect better defense and a more cohesive offense, but it’s all goi g to come down to how well they shoot. If they shoot like they have normally done over the last couple of years they will struggle against BE level schools. If they can shoot better from the 3 and from the line, I can see a top 4 finish in the BE and a win or two in the dance.

[bjf123]

Really hard to call it at this point, but I’m more optimistic than I’ve been for at least 3 years. I do expect better defense and a more cohesive offense, but it’s all goi g to come down to how well they shoot. If they shoot like they have normally done over the last couple of years they will struggle against BE level schools. If they can shoot better from the 3 and from the line, I can see a top 4 finish in the BE and a win or two in the dance.

After the last 3 years, I’ll be thrilled with top half of the BE and just making the Big Dance, though I think this team and coaching staff are capable of more.


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[Masterofreality]

My Prediction?

“It’s MILLER TIME!!!”

[drudy23]

Just make the damn tournament - it's been WAAAAAAY too long.

[GIMMFD]

Just make the damn tournament - it's been WAAAAAAY too long.

Literally my feelings completely, just want to see us in the NCAA Tournament again. It absolutely has sucked filling out brackets and getting entangled in March Madness without having a rooting interest in my alma mater there. We're due to be sneaking up on people again damnit.

[xukeith]

You mean that Boum isn't on the team??

Boum is not a "true" pg.

X backcourt is very thin and inexperiences/young.

The frontcourt is our strength.

[Xuperman]

If Boum can handle the step up in competition and post anything close to last year's numbers, we got something cookin' here. He has to avoid any major injury, along with Jones and Nunge. Those 3 are vital in being a Championship quality team.

I said it in another thread, and in agreement with Sirthought, Jones needs to see way more time in the backcourt. That enables us to floor what I see as the 5 strongest guys at the top of the rotation, Boum, Jones, Hunter, Free and Nunge. Fairly solid bench support at all positions. If Miller doesn't see it that way, most likely Boum, Kunk and Jones will see a lot of minutes together.

Prediction- 3-4 OOC L's and 13-7 in conference seems reasonable if major injuries are avoided OR one of the Freshman blows up.

Then shine up them dancin' shoes.

[Xavier]

A lot up in the air in the Big East- i see a top 3 finish in conference. NCAA tournament is too hard to predict. I could see this team being better than next years team (because of Nunge).

[Xville]

There are certainly a lot of question marks regarding the back court, but in miller I trust. I think a return to the tournament is going to happen, and that’s all I really care about.

I’m really interested to see how certain guys look under a competent coach:

Kyky
Miles
Free

[94GRAD]

There are certainly a lot of question marks regarding the back court, but in miller I trust. I think a return to the tournament is going to happen, and that’s all I really care about.

I’m really interested to see how certain guys look under a competent coach:

Kyky
Miles
Free

With Sean saying he prefers a short bench, I don't see KyKy or Dieonte getting much playing time.

[xukeith]

With Sean saying he prefers a short bench, I don't see KyKy or Dieonte getting much playing time.

Agree. After December 31, 2022 ,not too many branch minutes for players outside looking in as Miller wants a shorter bench in BE play

[Xville]

With Sean saying he prefers a short bench, I don't see KyKy or Dieonte getting much playing time.

I don't have any inside knowledge of this but after the first 5, i think slots 6-8 or 9 are completely up for grabs.

[xukeith]

I believe Craft, Claude, Edwards, and Hunter are odds on favorites for playing time off the bench .

[XUBison]

How about consistency through the conference schedule? If we hadn’t faded each of the past couple years, we would have been locks for the tourney and maybe could have even gotten top four seeds. Maybe the roster isn’t built for the BE grind, but I’ve got to think Miller can squeeze at least a few more wins out of them.

[noteggs]

How about consistency through the conference schedule? If we hadn’t faded each of the past couple years, we would have been locks for the tourney and maybe could have even gotten top four seeds. Maybe the roster isn’t built for the BE grind, but I’ve got to think Miller can squeeze at least a few more wins out of them.

You mean going into February ranked in top 25 only to miss the tournament is not good?

On a serious note: if we go unranked and make the tournament, I’m ok with that.

[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 70% (minimum) 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.

[drudy23]

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 70% (minimum) 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.

Alot of this.

Man, the last 4 years have been a bummer.

[xudash]

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 70% (minimum) 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.

Spot on.

The overall idea of watching solid flow and execution versus the look of basketball indigestion.

[xukeith]

What is the over/under on 3PFG% this year?

I shall say 33.9%

I will bet over , barring any guard injuries.

[bobbiemcgee]

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-projecting-2023-march-madness-men-field

Would love to see the gnome in the second round.

[Xuperman]

Nothing new posted here in almost 10 days, so here's something to chew on.

https://youtu.be/PwqLzMVoGWs

Very knowledgeable BEast insiders.

[IM4X]

Thanks for sharing. I was laughing really hard at the part where they couldn’t recall Mack’s name.

“Yeah, the only other guy who won the Big East regular season was…the guy at Xavier before uh… I’m forgetting his name… he went to Louisville... who’s the guy who went to Louisville” (No one else remembers).

I might have been a little offend if they were talking about our current coach. Since they were talking about Mr. Ego (who abruptly left X and then trashed the university as being the reason he couldn’t reach a Final Four), I found it hysterical.

[novachap]

Yeah, guilty as charged.. Senior moment, but in retrospect, pretty funny!

[muskiefan82]

Yeah, guilty as charged.. Senior moment, but in retrospect, pretty funny!

Hey! Novachap is back! How are you feeling after another Final 4 and then Wright just leaving? So odd, but also understandable in some ways

[novachap]

Hey Muskie... yeah strange times indeed. The FF run was great, will always wonder if Moore had not gone down would we have given Kansas a tougher game and done even more damage but great season.

Now, Jay leaving... apprehension abounds. The landscape is littered with assistants that didn't make it, but there is a lot of belief in Neptune now. Team has a lot of talent.. future recruiting will tell. Jay will be missed for sure.

[Xuperman]

This is a very good sign.

https://collegehoopstoday.com/index.php/rothstein-files/sean-miller-on-freshman-desmond-claude-ive-been-really-impressed-with-him/

If Coach still feels that way to start the season, we may see him get some significant minutes OOC.

[xukeith]

This is a very good sign.

https://collegehoopstoday.com/index.php/rothstein-files/sean-miller-on-freshman-desmond-claude-ive-been-really-impressed-with-him/

If Coach still feels that way to start the season, we may see him get some significant minutes OOC.

Pleasant surprise.

[paulxu]

#4 here: https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/10/02/big-east-basketball-preseason-power-rankings-2022-23-season/9/

[noteggs]

#4 here: https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/10/02/big-east-basketball-preseason-power-rankings-2022-23-season/9/

Normally like busting brackets, but this guy needs a history lesson.

1) Steele was fired after our first round win in NIT, not after BE tournament lost to Butler. Probably should have but first round was the straw.

2) Odom did not follow “Steele” to Georgia State

[Xavgrad08]

Saw some photos from Xavier!s practice online. Jack Nunge was wearing the gold practice jersey. The gold practice jersey was originally started by Sean Miller the first time he coached at X. Mack and Steele had continued the tradition. Looks like Sean is continuing the tradition as well. Can’t wait for the season to start. I think Nunge is going to have a huge year.

[xukeith]

When is the secret scrimmage rematch with Vandy?

[UCGRAD4X]

When is the secret scrimmage rematch with Vandy?

Nobody knows.

[Xuperman]

Here we go!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/xavier-basketball-notebook-season-second-144545075.html

[paulxu]

Sounds like the ball is in Freemantle's court.

[Xavier]

Here we go!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/xavier-basketball-notebook-season-second-144545075.html

This article says Nunge has the gold practice Jersey. I thought I remember Tu had a record of gold jerseys or something- so I know this practice point thing didn’t start with Steele. I guess people didn’t have a problem with practice points- but moreso the overall importance Steele put on those?

[Xville]

This article says Nunge has the gold practice Jersey. I thought I remember Tu had a record of gold jerseys or something- so I know this practice point thing didn’t start with Steele. I guess people didn’t have a problem with practice points- but moreso the overall importance Steele put on those?

Yeah..more of the “he practiced so well so it doesn’t matter what he does in the games. I’m going to let him to continue to hurt the team and shoot threes all day long… they are bound to go in at some point” way of thinking.

[UCGRAD4X]

Here we go!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/xavier-basketball-notebook-season-second-144545075.html

Get your Legendary Cam Image before they're gone!

[Blue Blooded-05]

This article says Nunge has the gold practice Jersey. I thought I remember Tu had a record of gold jerseys or something- so I know this practice point thing didn’t start with Steele. I guess people didn’t have a problem with practice points- but moreso the overall importance Steele put on those?

Exactly. I don't remember anyone claiming practice was not an important ingredient for a successful season. The issue was with how "success" as defined by practice points was not translating into "success" against opponents. The flaw was with the grading system and not the concept itself.

Also, Steele's teams always seemed to burn out as the season progressed. That has to be a sign of players going 110% every single practice every single day. In fairness, I believe Steele gave 110% of his mental energy every day. However, mental energy and physical energy are not the same thing. Coaches get paid big contracts to recognize that.

[SC in DC]

I agree Steele didn't get us to where we all wanted to be. BUT, 5 or 6 plays go differently over his time and he's still at the helm and he has Claude, Craft and Ward, who was the highest rated of them all them. playing for him. I'm sure they will do better under Miller but we have to give Steele some credit for future success if they pan out.

[UCGRAD4X]

I agree Steele didn't get us to where we all wanted to be. BUT, 5 or 6 plays go differently over his time and he's still at the helm and he has Claude, Craft and Ward, who was the highest rated of them all them. playing for him. I'm sure they will do better under Miller but we have to give Steele some credit for future success if they pan out.

No. We really don't.

First, it's a big if. How much talent did the Man o' Tin NOT develop or squander? Who's to say the would have developed at all, regardless of how they pan out with Miller?

Past evidence would indicate a lack of support for such credit.

Forward, March.

[xukeith]

Nobody knows.

Vandy comes to X end of October.

[UCGRAD4X]

Vandy comes to X end of October.

But that's not the secret one.