Big East Record Predictions

[MADXSTER]

Xavier plays 20 conference games. How do you think they'll fair?

Poll question

[Xville]

Thinking 13-7 or 12-8, went ahead with 13-7. I think they only lose 1 at home, but I think they will show some struggle on the road until their defense improves significantly, which may or may not happen this year.

[Masterofreality]

14-6.
I guess the 6 losses are to the 5 or 6 teams in the league that are better than West Virginia, Florida and Cincinnati.
Oh well.

[XUGRAD80]

I’d really love to be optimistic about this team. I’d love to be confident that they won’t lose games that they should win. But even though they have a pretty good record, and have only lost to ranked teams so far this year, I can’t be. I just can’t be sure which team will show up. Will it be the team we saw in the 1st half of the UC game, or the team from the 2nd half? Will they play defense or won’t they? IF they play defense, we can be pretty confident that they can beat anyone. But if they don’t, they could lose to just about anyone. There’s also a lot of parity in the league this year. Nobody (with the possible exclusion of UConn) is head and shoulders above the rest. I think that there are going to be a lot of teams fighting it out for 2nd-8th places and many games are going to come down to just one missed shot, one made prayer of a shot, one turnover, or one foul. X is due for some good luck in those regards, but after the last few years I’m just not confident about that happening. I believe in the players and the coaches, but I guess I’m just still gun shy and don’t want to go to far out on a limb.

[xukeith]

Skeptism is healthy.

[D-West & PO-Z]

13-7

My best guess:

Lose at home to: UConn
Lose on the road to: Nova, UConn, St. Johns, Seton Hall, Marquette, Creighton
Sweep: Providence, Butler, DePaul, Georgetown

Won't work out exactly like that but close enough that I think we finish somewhere between 14-6 and 12-8.

[GoMuskies]

Lose at home to: UConn


I'm coming to that game, so I'm sorry but I just can't let that happen.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'm coming to that game, so I'm sorry but I just can't let that happen.

That. Changes. Everything.

14-6!

[muskiefan82]

LOL. Georgetown.

[drudy23]

Thinking 13-7 or 12-8, went ahead with 13-7. I think they only lose 1 at home, but I think they will show some struggle on the road until their defense improves significantly, which may or may not happen this year.

I could live with this - this should get us in the tourney. Anything above this is gravy this year.

[MADXSTER]

I am 12 victories away from being correct.

[American X]

Going to keep expectations low and anchor this at 12-8. Assume sweep by UConn. Until Xavier actually beats them, assume sweep by Villanova. A big upset road win gets offset by a home upset loss. UConn, Creighton, and @Villanova are frontloaded, so the conference record may not look good until February.

12 wins is the floor with strong upside potential. I will be pleasantly surprised when the defense & bench improves and Xavier picks up roadkills to improve upon that number.

[MADXSTER]

I am 11 victories away from being correct.

[xu82]

I am 11 victories away from being correct.

I hope we blow thru your prediction and make you very incorrect, sir. I hope you don’t mind. :-)

[MADXSTER]

I am 10 victories away from being correct.

[bleedXblue]

I just don't see more than 12-13 right now. Defense isn't really improving and we're starting to level off a bit offensively.

We do have a coach though that can and is making a difference. I see it mostly in Zach and Jerome.

Would be really nice to see one more guard emerge off the bench. Claude has been solid and decent. Need KyKy or Craft to break through in order for this team to take the next step IMHO

[Xville]

I predicted 13 wins but I'm now thinking 14...I did not have a win penciled in last night. My opinion but here is how i see it:

Home wins remaining:

Creighton
Marquette
Gtown
Providence
St Johns
Depaul
Nova
Butler

Away Wins:

Butler
Depaul
Seton Hall

[D-West & PO-Z]

I just don't see more than 12-13 right now. Defense isn't really improving and we're starting to level off a bit offensively.

We do have a coach though that can and is making a difference. I see it mostly in Zach and Jerome.

Would be really nice to see one more guard emerge off the bench. Claude has been solid and decent. Need KyKy or Craft to break through in order for this team to take the next step IMHO

I agree there hasn't been a whole lot of defensive improvement.

I am not sure why you think our offense is leveling off though.

I don't think we are going to see any meaningful contribution from any of the other guards off the bench this year. Maybe a one time boost here or there when there is foul trouble or something but nothing consistent. Continued improvement from Calude, however, I think should be expected and will have a major impact.

I predicted 13-7 and still think that is most likely. I had last night as a loss when predicting 13-7 but I could see that loss coming from somewhere else I didn't predict.

[bleedXblue]

I agree there hasn't been a whole lot of defensive improvement.

I am not sure why you think our offense is leveling off though.

I don't think we are going to see any meaningful contribution from any of the other guards off the bench this year. Maybe a one time boost here or there when there is foul trouble or something but nothing consistent. Continued improvement from Calude, however, I think should be expected and will have a major impact.

I predicted 13-7 and still think that is most likely. I had last night as a loss when predicting 13-7 but I could see that loss coming from somewhere else I didn't predict.

The last two games we're 10/32 from 3. I don't see us sustaining 40%+ as a team through BE play. Hope I'm wrong......

[D-West & PO-Z]

The last two games we're 10/32 from 3. I don't see us sustaining 40%+ as a team through BE play. Hope I'm wrong......

I actually have that we are 11/35 per ESPN box scores. But essentially same %.

The biggest issue (I posted in another thread) is Kunkel the last 2 games has been abysmal from 3. He is 2-11 last 2 games. The rest of the team is 9/24, still below our average though. So I get what you are saying. Kunkel was 5/7 the game before the last 2, hopefully he finds his stroke for Saturday.

One thing I will say though, is that this team has shown the ability to be good offensively without the 3's falling at a high rate. I feel like we get a lot better and easier looks in the pain that the last several years.

[Xville]

I actually have that we are 11/35 per ESPN box scores. But essentially same %.

The biggest issue (I posted in another thread) is Kunkel the last 2 games has been abysmal from 3. He is 2-11 last 2 games. The rest of the team is 9/24, still below our average though. So I get what you are saying. Kunkel was 5/7 the game before the last 2, hopefully he finds his stroke for Saturday.

One thing I will say though, is that this team has shown the ability to be good offensively without the 3's falling at a high rate. I feel like we get a lot better and easier looks in the pain that the last several years.

Kunkel is not going to be anywhere near his current 3 point fg for the rest of conference play. There is enough evidence to support that from the last two years. Once conference play hits, he becomes a very average player/shooter. Is what it is, but as you said the good part is that because of proper coaching, they aren’t that reliant on the 3 point shot.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Kunkel is not going to be anywhere near his current 3 point fg for the rest of conference play. There is enough evidence to support that from the last two years. Once conference play hits, he becomes a very average player/shooter. Is what it is, but as you said the good part is that because of proper coaching, they aren’t that reliant on the 3 point shot.

Yeah, he isn't going to shot 40% in conference play. He was 5/7 against Georgetown but...it's Georgetown.

I don't think he is going to shoot 22% either like he has over the last 2 games.

I would actually like to see him take less 3's overall and hopefully hit in the mid 30's.

[bleedXblue]

Kunkel is not going to be anywhere near his current 3 point fg for the rest of conference play. There is enough evidence to support that from the last two years. Once conference play hits, he becomes a very average player/shooter. Is what it is, but as you said the good part is that because of proper coaching, they aren’t that reliant on the 3 point shot.

Kunkel is so much better of a player when he's in motion and creating oppty for his teammates. He's a really good passer and playmaker. I think with the bigger more athletic guards in this league he struggles some with that. Must get him in motion more IMHO

[MADXSTER]

I am 9 victories away from being correct.

[UCGRAD4X]

I will definitely need to revise my 14-6. It is definitely going to depend on how they respond against Villanova. I know they are vulnerable, but it is still Villanova and we are ripe for a letdown after such a great win. Another road win against a quality opponent would be another step toward Big East dominance. I expect Miller will have them ready, and our frontcourt will not outshoot our backcourt from 3. I'm also not sure Hunter will have the same kind of game, but he doesn't really need to.

[xukeith]

I will definitely need to revise my 14-6. It is definitely going to depend on how they respond against Villanova. I know they are vulnerable, but it is still Villanova and we are ripe for a letdown after such a great win. Another road win against a quality opponent would be another step toward Big East dominance. I expect Miller will have them ready, and our frontcourt will not outshoot our backcourt from 3. I'm also not sure Hunter will have the same kind of game, but he doesn't really need to.

Villanova can't be any top BE team because they have a backup pg starting for them. Otehr Nova players really don't know how to do well as they have been spoiled by Colin Gillepsie.

[American X]

Beating UConn definitely put Xavier ahead of schedule. St. John's is starting to look like a paper Redman, so it may not have been much of a test. Villanova seems to be the first opportunity for a legitimate Big East roadkill.

[MADXSTER]

I am 8 victories away from being correct

[XUGRAD80]

Is it to late to change my prediction?

[American X]

This is different.

[GoMuskies]

No one picked 20-0? We're a bunch of pussies!

[UCGRAD4X]

No one picked 20-0? We're a bunch of pussies!

You know, a few years ago, I regularly did that on these kinds of predictions, never picking X to lose (I still don't in 'pick the score' which is why I never finish the year on the board). The Tin years have certainly tarnished my expectations. It's nice to be wrong.

[MADXSTER]

I am 7 victories away from being correct.

[Masterofreality]

The 11-9 guys are looking weak

[XUGRAD80]

The 11-9 guys are looking weak

Ain’t complaining though. :friends:

[Xville]

I'm looking pretty weak even with my 13-7 prediction at this point. If I had to pick at this point, I'd think 16-4 is where it's at.

[paulxu]

My 16-4 has a chance !

[X-band '01]

The main word of caution is that teams like UConn are front loaded (road games at Xavier, Providence and Marquette early) while Xavier is back loaded with roadies at Creighton, UConn, Marquette and Providence not starting until the end of January. Getting sole possession of 1st place this weekend with Providence visiting Creighton would be huge.

[Masterofreality]

The main word of caution is that teams like UConn are front loaded (road games at Xavier, Providence and Marquette early) while Xavier is back loaded with roadies at Creighton, UConn, Marquette and Providence not starting until the end of January. Getting sole possession of 1st place this weekend with Providence visiting Creighton would be huge.

Correct. We have a gauntlet starting on 1/25. I can definitely see 2 losses in that 3 game stretch. Don’t want to see 3

[MADXSTER]

I am 6 victories away from being correct.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I am 6 victories away from being correct.

6 victories and 7 losses from being correct! As am I. I don't think its the wins we have to worry about in being correct, we both may be way off with the losses, which is a great thing!

[xukeith]

I am 5 victories away from being spot on .

[Masterofreality]

I am 5 victories away from being spot on .

With 13 games to go. That is not a ringing endorsement.

[bobbiemcgee]

Hate to predict our record w/o Boum. Gotta keep him healthy.

[Xville]

thinking my 13-7 prediction is not that far off anymore.

[bleedXblue]

thinking my 13-7 prediction is not that far off anymore.

Correct and that's what I went with too.

Would love to see 14-6 or 15-5 but when you cant defend it really puts a lot of pressure on scoring a bunch. You arent going to score 80+ points every night out

[MADXSTER]

I am 4 victories away from being correct. Must have missed one because I had predicted 13 wins.

[UCGRAD4X]

If we can pull one off today 14-6 looks pretty good. Still have to steal road wins but that's looking better against Butler and DePaul (damn well better), and either Hall or Jonnys. Obviously hold court at home. Doable?

[Xville]

If we can pull one off today 14-6 looks pretty good. Still have to steal road wins but that's looking better against Butler and DePaul (damn well better), and either Hall or Jonnys. Obviously hold court at home. Doable?

If x wins today, I think 17-3 is easily in play

[MADXSTER]

I am 3 victories away from being correct.

[bleedXblue]

8 games to go and we're 10-2

I'd take 15-5 right now

[GoMuskies]

Looks like I gussed 14-6. With Free out, I wouldn't be particularly disappointed if that's where we end up.

[American X]

Remarkable how identical Xavier and Marquette are to this point.


<tbody>
SCHOOL
CONF
CPCT.
OVERALL
PCT.
HOME
AWAY
NEUTRAL
STREAK


Marquette (https://www.bigeast.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=2236)
11-2
.846
19-5
.792
13-1
5-3
1-1
W5


Xavier (https://www.bigeast.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=2242)
11-2
.846
19-5
.792
13-1
5-2
1-2
W2

</tbody>

[MADXSTER]

I am 2 wins away from being correct.

[X-man]

I am 2 wins away from being correct.

I need four more wins for my prediction to be right. I am pretty confident we'll get at least three of them (Butler twice plus DePaul here) and we'll have a good shot beating Nova here. The other three (at Marquette, at Providence, and at Seton Hall) are more perilous, but a win or two out of that group is also a possibility.

[D-West & PO-Z]

If we can go 5-2 I am pretty confident that wins us the Big East.

Does anyone think 4-3 (15-5) would win it? Maybe? UConn beating Marquette tomorrow is a must.