Game Thread: Xavier v University of Connecticut (1/28/2024)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/91d67577-b273-44ec-a7e2-654e37ff98b4.7e57417e27ce28545b20f3ef0ae48063.jpeg ?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFF
CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 10-9 overall and 4-4 in the BIG EAST Conference, take on the No. 1 ranked University of Connecticut Huskies, 17-2 overall and 7-1 in the BIG EAST, on Sunday at noon in Hartford, Conn. XU is shooting to bounce back from Tuesday's loss at No. 17 Creighton, while UConn enters this game with a seven-game winning streak.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (10-9, 4-4 BIG EAST)
NO. 1 UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (17-2, 7-1 BIG EAST)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2024 AT NOON ET
XL CENTER IN HARTFORD, CONN.

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Alex Faust and analysis from Tarik Turner.
Xavier Radio: 700 WLW-AM with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer Byron Larkin ('88). XU broadcast is also on the Varsity Network and on SXM.

Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://Statbroadcast.com) and fan stats at GoXavier.com (http://GoXavier.com).

[paulxu]

Great story about the gold highlighted uniforms for this game.

https://goxavier.com/news/2024/1/26/mens-basketball-heads-to-hartford-for-a-sunday-game-vs-no-1-uconn

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7FjYZfBf3cenCcpLASuTxIV4ffg=/0x0:2133x3200/1520x1013/filters:focal(832x618:1172x958):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70011647/usa_today_15661400.0.jpg

[Xavier]

I think this is the first game X has had since Miller was back where I just don’t see any way they can win. I’ve watched a little bit of uconn but whenever I turn their game on they have some of the best defense I’ve seen all year. And then on offense, they have spurts where anyone can drain it and put up like 11 points in 2 minutes.

Admittedly I haven’t watched many full games and some of the scores look closer than I’d expect, so maybe I’ve caught them in some of the best minutes they play.

[Xville]

I think this is the first game X has had since Miller was back where I just don’t see any way they can win. I’ve watched a little bit of uconn but whenever I turn their game on they have some of the best defense I’ve seen all year. And then on offense, they have spurts where anyone can drain it and put up like 11 points in 2 minutes.

Admittedly I haven’t watched many full games and some of the scores look closer than I’d expect, so maybe I’ve caught them in some of the best minutes they play.

X just doesn’t match up with them when clignan is playing. We didn’t really match up with them last time either. One team in the conference where talent is just exponentially better at this point. Doesn’t mean x can’t win , but it’s be a 1 in a 100 chance

[waggy]

but it’s be a 1 in a 100 chance

It’s more like 1 out of 6, but who’s counting..

[Xville]

UConn -11 woof

[X-band '01]

I'll be in the house for tomorrow.

[American X]

Xavier sits at 10-9 facing #1 in the country. Lionel Chalmers called, he thinks it's time.

[GoMuskies]

Why not?

[Xville]

Xavier sits at 10-9 facing #1 in the country. Lionel Chalmers called, he thinks it's time.

I like the enthusiasm! Ya never know. Noon tip on a Sunday maybe UConn isn’t very sharp at the beginning and x can take advantage. Here’s hoping! Regardless, after this game, the next 4-5 decides the season for x.

[paulxu]

Screw it. Just win this one.

XBand can be a one man court storming machine and really piss Bilass off.

[GoMuskies]

X +12.5 now. Hmm. I'm sure I'll get dragged into that.

Then I'll probably get dragged into it live.

Too late. Back to 11.5

[UCGRAD4X]

Xavier sits at 10-9 facing #1 in the country. Lionel Chalmers called, he thinks it's time.

Amen Brother!

Opportunity Knocking. Answer the Feckin Door.

(did I actually hear Byron say Eggzavier on the pregame?)

[GoMuskies]

Didn't realize we were in Hartford. That helps our cause.

[GoMuskies]

First fucking shot an Ousmane 15 footer?!? Uh oh.

[Xville]

My gawd abou can’t shoot. Horrible start. I want to see more Ciani

[GoMuskies]

What an obnoxiously terrible start.

[GoMuskies]

My gawd abou can’t shoot. Horrible start. I want to see more Ciani

When Ousmane is bad, he's really bad. We need good Ousmane desperately.

[UCGRAD4X]

This could get ugly in a hurry.

[Xville]

So scared of clingan. Playing weak.

[GoMuskies]

The strategy seems to be to attack the paint. It seems to be a really awful strategy.

[xukeith]

Fast start!

[GoMuskies]

Hopefully we can regroup after the awful start. Two terrible defensive plays followed by missed UConn layups have kept this from being a complete early runaway.

[Xville]

The strategy seems to be to attack the paint. It seems to be a really awful strategy.

I’m ok with the strategy if the players don’t shoot like they are worried about being blocked. Go up strong instead of doing weak circus shots. If you get blocked, you get blocked stop trying to avoid contact.

[Xville]

If x can’t consistently make wide open shots, going to get uncomfortably blown out

[GoMuskies]

McKnight so far is the only guy not scared.

[GoMuskies]

This is embarrassing

[Xville]

I see our guys really learned from the last game that UConn likes to make transition 3s

[xukeith]

Will Miller ever land a strong towering center?

[UCGRAD4X]

I see our guys really learned from the last game that UConn likes to make transition 3s

It's not so much that they didn't learn it, it's that they can't defend it, even when they know it's coming.

They are sacrificing offensive rebounds for defending it and still failing badly.

[Xavier]

Really the only way we could’ve won is just really good shooting. We came out as tight as ever. Now we have to find a way to get it to single digits at halftime maybe. Yikes

[xukeith]

UConn has a wall around the rim and is guarding outsing shots as well. Globetrotters vs Generals.

[GoMuskies]

The good news is I feel like I might get an hour of my day back. The second half is not looking like must watch TV.

[Xville]

UConn has a wall around the rim and is guarding outsing shots as well. Globetrotters vs Generals.

I’m just seeing us missing wide open shots. Their defense really hasn’t done much. Again, another circus try at a layup, this time by green. Our guys are playing like wimps

[GoMuskies]

Giving the ball to Green in transition there is probably not wise.

[GoMuskies]

Can Claude play worse?

[Xville]

What a joke. Sit claude on the bench

[GoMuskies]

Please take out Claude. Put in a walk on. I don't care.

[Xavier]

Yikes

[GoMuskies]

Walk ons please.

[Xville]

Hope our guys are enjoying this

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Is there an option where we can just forfeit, get back on the bus and come home?

[xukeith]

I don't believe it is possible that Miller will ever have an X team with as much talent as this UConn team. They have $ , and championships. X is way down and far behind. The talent of Swain and Green is pitiful compared to UConn frosh.

[GoMuskies]

How is Claude still in the game?

[drudy23]

Well, start the bus.

[Xavier]

I don't believe it is possible that Miller will ever have an X team with as much talent as this UConn team. They have $ , and championships. X is way down and far behind. The talent of Swain and Green is pitiful compared to UConn frosh.

Yeah, easy to say that especially if you disregard Xavier owning them last year.

[xuwillie]

This team goes as Claude goes and he’s been really sucky the past two half’s

[GoMuskies]

I don't believe it is possible that Miller will ever have an X team with as much talent as this UConn team. They have $ , and championships. X is way down and far behind. The talent of Swain and Green is pitiful compared to UConn frosh.

We've played quite a few #1 teams over the years at a severe talent deficit. This has never happened.

[drudy23]

I don't believe it is possible that Miller will ever have an X team with as much talent as this UConn team. They have $ , and championships. X is way down and far behind. The talent of Swain and Green is pitiful compared to UConn frosh.

Truth.

We need a significant talent upgrade if we want to be top tier in this conference.

[UCGRAD4X]

How is Claude still in the game?

He isn't. None of them really are.

[Xavier]

We've played quite a few #1 teams over the years at a severe talent deficit. This has never happened.

Weren’t we down 20-1 against Duke when they were number 1?

[drudy23]

This is fucking pathetic.

[noteggs]

Are we playing today?

[Xville]

Ok well not even competitive. UConn isn’t THIS good

[xuwillie]

+30 on draft kings live betting. This is crazy and quite embarrassing

[bjf123]

I’m done. Time to watch the end of the Rolex 24.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GoMuskies]

Seriously, put in the walk ons.

[GoMuskies]

Claude is now 1 for, what, 15?

[UCGRAD4X]

O.M. F'in G

[xukeith]

Maybe X donors will be inspired to send more $ in for more talent for X after watching this debacle.

[Xville]

Not even passing. One pass, then dribble dribble dribble dribble shoot

[Xavier]

There’s a chance if Uconn doesn’t score again we still wouldn’t win

[drudy23]

Maybe X donors will be inspired to send more $ in for more talent for X after watching this debacle.

I was thinking the exact same thing.

We need an NIL hero!!!!

[noteggs]

Would say this is DePaul like, but don’t want to disrespect them.

[GoMuskies]

Weren’t we down 20-1 against Duke when they were number 1?

That game never happened according to XBand. Lol

Miller "coached" that one too. Funny enough, Xavier would have been favored over Dook in the NCAA Tournament that year.

[HenryMuto]

Welp

[drudy23]

If we don't score in the portal big time, we're in some multi-year trouble.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

This is humiliating!

[GoMuskies]

If we don't score in the portal big time, we're in some multi-year trouble.

At least no one will try to steal our coach! Lol

[GoMuskies]

We should have that 2004 banner.

[GoMuskies]

Hurley is humiliating Miller.

[drudy23]

Men vs boys today.

[xukeith]

Watch Nzeh and Ducharme get in and score 20 each.

The talent disparity is gigantic.

[Xavier]

If we don't score in the portal big time, we're in some multi-year trouble.

I think adding Freemantle and hunter to this team we are top 20, for sure. Having them both back will be big enough and then add one more scorer

[drudy23]

I think adding Freemantle and hunter to this team we are top 20, for sure. Having them both back will be big enough and then add one more scorer

Top 20? No.

And then the year after that? We have 1 recruit coming in next year.

One.

[UCGRAD4X]

On a 3-0 run

[xukeith]

Even with a healthy Freemantle and Hunter, no way X finishes in top 4 of BE.

[GoMuskies]

Olivari getting hot at just the right time! Lol. One more to get my over 2.5 3s!

[Xavier]

Top 20? No.

And then the year after that? We have 1 recruit coming in next year.

One.

(Thought you meant this year and next year as multi year trouble, my bad)

[noteggs]

Think I hear a pulse?

[Xville]

And then the year after that? We have 1 recruit coming in next year.

One.

Really need to stop extrapolating every time we lose that x is going to be horrible every year for the remainder of their history.. Can we stop with this kind of nonsense? It’s one year..

Only have one recruit because miller will get a player or two from the portal. The rest of the guys are extremely young.

[Xavier]

Even with a healthy Freemantle and Hunter, no way X finishes in top 4 of BE.

Easily.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier is winning the game when Claude is on the bench. Unfortunately Claude is about -31...

[Blue Blooded-05]

Just turned it on. We got ‘em right where we want ‘em!

[Xville]

Even with a healthy Freemantle and Hunter, no way X finishes in top 4 of BE.

We definitely would. To think otherwise is pretty silly

[GoMuskies]

14 assists to 2

[drudy23]

Really need to stop extrapolating every time we lose that x is going to be horrible every year for the remainder of their history.. Can we stop with this kind of nonsense? It’s one year.

We have a current roster of players that aren't Big East caliber.

Free and Jerome will help next year, but we have one recruit coming in, and we lose our best scorer (Olivari).

When I start seeing us land priority recruits out of high school and in the portal, which we haven't done in years, especially in the paint, I'll stop talking about our talent level. But as it stands right now, it's blatantly obvious we need upgrades pronto.

[Xavier]

Really need to stop extrapolating every time we lose that x is going to be horrible every year for the remainder of their history.. Can we stop with this kind of nonsense? It’s one year.

Every loss he goes off on how NIL means X can’t compete.

*Fresh off 3 seed/sweet 16. Where, when healthy, we were on track to being even better after beating the champs twice.

[UCGRAD4X]

This is so bad, I don't even feel like drinking.

[GoMuskies]

This is so bad, I don't even feel like drinking.

WTF?!? This is the worst thing I've heard! Hang in there. Two football games worth drinking along with later today!

[drudy23]

Every loss he goes off on how NIL means X can’t compete.

*Fresh off 3 seed/sweet 16. Where, when healthy, we were on track to being even better after beating the champs twice.

10-10 means something. Typically, average records mean average talent. It's pretty obvious the talent disparity that's going on right now. Tough to hear, but it's the truth.

[paulxu]

Have we ever had a half of basketball when our forward/centers didn't score even 1 point?

[noteggs]

Playing like our throwback unis.

[Xville]

We have a current roster of players that aren't Big East caliber.

Free and Jerome will help next year, but we have one recruit coming in, and we lose our best scorer (Olivari).

When I start seeing us land priority recruits out of high school and in the portal, which we haven't done in years, especially in the paint, I'll stop talking about our talent level. But as it stands right now, it's blatantly obvious we need upgrades pronto.

So swain and green weren’t priority recruits? Are you off your rocker?

[Xavier]

10-10 means something. Typically, average records mean average talent. It's pretty obvious the talent disparity that's going on right now. Tough to hear, but it's the truth.

I’ll wait till end of season to see where they stand. And keep in mind the roster was built around Free/hunter coming back. Whole offense works with capable bigs passing, screening, and scoring. McKnight and Claude are really good for what the offense is designed to do but it doesn’t work without solid bigs.

[GoMuskies]

The only interesting thing about the second half is seeing whether our players have any pride.

[drudy23]

So swain and green weren’t priority recruits? Are you off your rocker?

Swain and Green have shown potential. But they haven't been super impactful except in isolated minutes.

In the Big East, Green will be a complementary player because of his size. Swain could be the next DBrown, but not sure he's that good yet.

[Section 200]

Playing like our throwback unis.

Best comment in the entire thread!

[drudy23]

I’ll wait till end of season to see where they stand. And keep in mind the roster was built around Free/hunter coming back. Whole offense works with capable bigs passing, screening, and scoring. McKnight and Claude are really good for what the offense is designed to do but it doesn’t work without solid bigs.

This isn't a team that's under-achieving, and then suddenly they're going to be very good when something clicks. They're just an average team.

Not sure exactly what you're waiting for, except hope.

[nickgyp]

Bad news: Have time to work on taxes
Good news: No Taylor Swift sightings in Hartford

Seriously: Down thirty and trying to come back by going inside?

[Xville]

Swain and Green have shown potential. But they haven't been super impactful except in isolated minutes.

In the Big East, Green will be a complementary player because of his size. Swain could be the next DBrown, but not sure he's that good yet.

You said priority recruits, they were priority recruits. Powell coming in is a priority recruit.

[Olsingledigit]

Worst half in 40 years. Just awful!

[Xavier]

This isn't a team that's under-achieving, and then suddenly they're going to be very good when something clicks. They're just an average team.

Not sure exactly what you're waiting for, except hope.

I think the schedule has been pretty rough and it opens up a bit. Before this week it was the 5th hardest SOS in the country. I don’t know that they’re anything better than average.

But they are as good as anyone outside the top 3 in BE. Didn’t they beat SH by 20? That’s who I’d assume most think is 4th best team. Maybe St. John’s? We will see Wednesday.

They were up 7 or 8 with 10 to go at Creighton just last game, I think.

[Xville]

This isn't a team that's under-achieving, and then suddenly they're going to be very good when something clicks. They're just an average team.

Not sure exactly what you're waiting for, except hope.

He’s waiting for our schedule that gets easier after this game. X could end up winning 18-19 games with the schedule being advantageous the rest of the way. That’s a tourney team.

Yeah we will lose to UConn twice… they are probably the betting favorite to win it again.

[Xville]

If we lose by less than 20, I’ll consider it a “win”

[drudy23]

You said priority recruits, they were priority recruits. Powell coming in is a priority recruit.

Powell at least has Big East length.

Green is a great shooter, but I'd venture to guess Sean wouldn't have recruited him. He definitely has a place in the future, but needs better players around him for him to be effective. Swain's up-side is good, I will admit, but it's not like he's come in here and had the impact of guys like JP or Trevon as freshman. There were high rated guys tht we were after ahead of these two. Good pieces, but not even close to the A talent UConn brought in.

[drudy23]

He’s waiting for our schedule that gets easier after this game. X could end up winning 18-19 games with the schedule being advantageous the rest of the way. That’s a tourney team.



I have this same hope. HOPE.

But the reality on the court says otherwise.

[Xville]

Claude needs to put up about 500 makes a day from three over the summer. Going to have to make that sophomore to junior jump that Colby had

[Xville]

I have this same hope. HOPE.

But the reality on the court says otherwise.

What’s reality? This team beat seton hall by twenty, smoked providence at Providence. Had creighton and nova beat but didn’t finish the job.

Reality is that x should have 18-19 wins based on who is left and where the games are being played

[nickgyp]

Understand that they are college kids; and UCONN’s defense is relentless but the lack of intensity is a problem.

[xukeith]

This is similar to Kansas - X game in 90's in Alaska.

I think X lost by 40 + . Prosser was coach.

[drudy23]

What’s reality? This team beat seton hall by twenty, smoked providence at Providence. Had creighton and nova beat but didn’t finish the job.

Reality is that x should have 18-19 wins based on who is left and where the games are being played

What's reality?

Reality is 10-10, two buy losses and zero stand out wins.

Hope is 19-12.

You seem to be flip flopping reality and hope.

[noteggs]

Not saying much but Lazar playing his best game of the year

[Xville]

What's reality?

Reality is 10-10, two buy losses and zero stand out wins.

Hope is 19-12.

You seem to be flip flopping reality and hope.

What’s a stand out win to you because x has two quad 1s.

[Xville]

Ok no reason to watch anymore. See you all Wednesday

[paulxu]

They've doubled our score and our "bigs" have 2 pts.

This is not going well.

[xu82]

I’m glad they have a reunion to talk about……

[UCGRAD4X]

UCONN can do anything the want. Bend over. Thank you sir may I have another,

[GoMuskies]

Fun

[paulxu]

Our defense should be better than this, I don't care who were playing.
They're shooting 64%. Who does that. Miller must be having a fit inside.

Edit: and 60% from 3 to boot.

[drudy23]

They have far better players and run better stuff. They also play harder.

[nickgyp]

Give UCONN credit but not sure why Xavier looks like they don’t belong on the same court. They're clearly better than what has been displayed today but being this flat is inexplicable.

[GoMuskies]

Fairly certain we have a positive +/- with Claude on the bench today. Which is pretty wild.

[xu82]

I hope we can keep it within 40.


I never thought’s I’d type those words.

[UCGRAD4X]

I'm trying to take some comfort in the fact that this is only one game, it just feels like two or three.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Beat the spread ! Wasn’t asking for much. I much rather be blown out then lose a close game and I’ll tell you why. Blowouts like this usually mean one team played perfect and the other didn’t. We know X is better than this. This game gets thrown away and you go and win the next 5/6 and get right back in it. Season starts weds.

[drudy23]

We have walk ons in - that's kinda funny actually.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

This feels like one of Xavier's most humiliating defeats ever. Hard to explain.

[XUBison]

Beat the spread ! Wasn’t asking for much. I much rather be blown out then lose a close game and I’ll tell you why. Blowouts like this usually mean one team played perfect and the other didn’t. We know X is better than this. This game gets thrown away and you go and win the next 5/6 and get right back in it. Season starts weds.

Yes, because nothing foretells a six-game win streak like a 50-point drubbing.

[paulxu]

We held 'em under a 100 !

[ArizonaXUGrad]

10-10 and 4-5 now, no way this team finishes 12-8 in conference. If you think that you are smoking something that isn't legal in some states. They are winning a BE tourney or the season is done.

I get the schedule was tough, but they just got boat raced into oblivion. We are not a tourney team, our best win is probably UC or St. Marys.

[UCGRAD4X]

I actually have to give Hurley credit for taking the shot clock violation and not pressing for the Hundo.

[drudy23]

There's literally no rationale to think this team is going to finish the season 9-2.

Is it possible, yes, but it's based on hope rather than the reality we've seen on the court.

We're .500, and that feels about right based on what this team is.

[GoMuskies]

I actually have to give Hurley credit for taking the shot clock violation and not pressing for the Hundo.

Low key way to humiliate.

[Section 200]

This feels like one of Xavier's most humiliating defeats ever. Hard to explain.

Certainly an awful feeling for Claude playing close to home. I remember a home loss at the Gardens to LaSalle that was like 80-43 - that's still #1 worse losses that I've watched.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

They need to finish 8-3 down the stretch here. They are going to have games where the shots don't fall, but need to still pull out wins. Marquette is going to roll us twice so they must win all but one of Creighton/Nova/Providence at home and Hall/Butler on the road. Depaul twice and at Georgetown are must wins.

We have seen 20 games, does the above seem probably? Possible yes, but so is the possibility of me getting a date with Kate Beckinsale.

[Section 200]

10-10 and 4-5 now, no way this team finishes 12-8 in conference. If you think that you are smoking something that isn't legal in some states. They are winning a BE tourney or the season is done.

I get the schedule was tough, but they just got boat raced into oblivion. We are not a tourney team, our best win is probably UC or St. Marys.

Does it really matter if we lose by 5 like the home game or 40? Our only chance was UConn playing flat & that didn't happen with all the alums in the house. UConn tied a program record for made 3s. Beat St John's on Wednesday & we are right were everyone expected to be.

[drudy23]

We've been a .500 team all year. Not sure how that changes much the last month of the season.

[paulxu]

I looked through the ESPN schedule results going back to 2003.
We had a few games in those years we lost by 20.
One game we lost to Nova by 31.
No games we lost to anyone by 40. Hope this is the last we ever see of this.
Time to right the ship.

[Xville]

We've been a .500 team all year. Not sure how that changes much the last month of the season.

St. John’s: play them at home.
DePaul—they are gawd awful
Nova—lost to them by 1 on the road
Creighton—lost to them last ten minutes of the game on the road.. close the whole way
@seton hall—beat them by 20
Providence—beat them by twenty on the road
@marquette—yeah probably will lose
DePaul—-they still suck
Gtown—they suck and they won’t shoot like that a second time
@butler—best them already
Marquette—yeah prolly will lose.


Yes x has been a .500 team but outside of today have played much better and the schedule is a hell of a lot easier in feb than it was in January.

With all that said, St. John’s is a must win. I hate that phrase but I think it’s one of x’s toughest remaining games due to matchups. If they can get a win, I think they can play their way onto the bubble

[bleedXblue]

This program needs to be looking at the future....and right now, we're about 8-10 skilled and talented players short of being able to compete for the top spots in the BE. HOPING Free and Hunter can come back and play a full season next year feels like a huge risk. A risk that we took with Free this past year and got burned. We're woefully short on athletic wing and post players. If you could see the talent this year and it was simply raw and undeveloped that would be different. I fear the rebuild and reload should have been this year and next year. We need an infusion of talent and I simply don't see 5-6 guys on this roster than can help us get there. Maybe an over reaction.......but today was a huge eye opener.

[Xville]

What was Sean’s postgame like?

[CP05XU08CU13]

The key is going to be how this team responds. I would plaster this score all over the locker room and point to it before every game moving forward. You either get knocked out or you take the punch and get back up. Sean has tough job ahead of him.We are not a bunch of bottom feeder losers. Do you know how many players that are overlooked that would kill to play for Xavier. It is about heart and grit! You were humbled today, Xavier. How you respond will determine how this season ends and the momentum of the program moving forward!

[xuphan]

What was Sean’s postgame like?

I don’t know but his team stinks. Nothing against UConn but we should never be getting blown out by over 40 points. When was the last time we lost by over 40 points? We were totally outclassed in every aspect and we looked like a JV team playing a varsity team. Major surgery is needed to get this team ready to compete for next season. Miller obvious gets another season but this program should be competitive at the very top year in and year out. Especially with the portal. This season has been an absolute failure and he can’t afford another “Steele type” season.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Some weeks back, Miller said his goal for this year's team was "to be the team nobody wants to play". Today's loss seems historic. I guess you can argue that it was a three standard deviation event. A devasting and crushing loss, from the opening tip, so bad and so out of character, that we aren't likely to see one again for twenty years. But was it so out of character?

At times (not just today) this team has been the team everybody wants to play. We quit against Oakland. We quit against Delaware. Today, we didn't quit. We just didn't start. Awful, awful game to watch.

Will we show up against SJU? I have no idea. We are the definition of a bi-polar college basketball team.

I get it that we're young, but it isn't as though we don't have veterans on this team-----some of them coveted by other teams in last year's transfer portal. We had a huge opportunity today. We got to play the nation's top-rated team at noon, as a lead-in, on the Sunday of the NFL conference championships. What an opportunity to show the college basketball world how tough and competitive is the Big East.

A great opportunity. And what did we do with it? We shat the bed---totally and completely. It wasn't that just a few players didn't play well. Nobody played well. How could they have been so unprepared that they came out so flat and allowed themselves to be intimidated for the entire game. Where was coaching? Where was game preparation?

I still believe in Miller but today's result was Steele like. Today was a case study in ineffectual leadership.

[muskieindent]

What was Sean’s postgame like?
We’re on St John’s to every question 😂

[bjf123]

I wonder if Miller will have them review the game tape or just burn it and never talk about it. I’d burn it.


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[drudy23]

This program needs to be looking at the future....and right now, we're about 8-10 skilled and talented players short of being able to compete for the top spots in the BE. HOPING Free and Hunter can come back and play a full season next year feels like a huge risk. A risk that we took with Free this past year and got burned. We're woefully short on athletic wing and post players. If you could see the talent this year and it was simply raw and undeveloped that would be different. I fear the rebuild and reload should have been this year and next year. We need an infusion of talent and I simply don't see 5-6 guys on this roster than can help us get there. Maybe an over reaction.......but today was a huge eye opener.

I don't know that it's 8-10 players we need, but do agree the recruiting profile needs a jumpstart. Do we have the patience to wait out the development of the guy's currently on this roster? That could be at least 2 more years.

With Free and Jerome, I think this team can make a run for a tournament bid next year, but that's not a given. But then after that, you would have lost the 4 best players on the roster (Free, Jerome, Olivari and McKnight). We need to replenish at the top end of the roster, not the mid-tier. We need a couple players in the program that will have a big impact.

[drudy23]

What was Sean’s postgame like?

What can you possibly say after a loss like that except to give a mass amount of credit to the other team? Does getting mad even solve anything at this point?

At this point, there's probably more of a risk of losing the team with a "man up" moment from Coach. But either way, I'm sure he made it clear it wasn't acceptable.

UConn is uber talented. We were literally a buy game today.

[Xville]

What can you possibly say after a loss like that except to give a mass amount of credit to the other team? Does getting mad even solve anything at this point?

At this point, there's probably more of a risk of losing the team with a "man up" moment from Coach. But either way, I'm sure he made it clear it wasn't acceptable.

UConn is uber talented. We were literally a buy game today.

I like to hear what he has to say because he obviously knows more about basketball than all of us combined. I’d like to hear his perspective on things and what exactly that was.

On a completely unrelated note, I never wanted to hear Steele’s postgames

[drudy23]

I like to hear what he has to say because he obviously knows more about basketball than all of us combined. I’d like to hear his perspective on things and what exactly that was.

On a completely unrelated note, I never wanted to hear Steele’s postgames

I read the Enquirer article, but didn't see the video. Most of his quotes were praising UConn and that we were completely overwhelmed.

All Steele said was "we just have to be better". Thanks Coach.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I have been following X since before B. Larkin was a freshman. I was transferred in and out of town a couple of times over the years so, I missed seeing many games. Undoubtedly, I mis-remembered others for which I was around. Still, as I sit here, I cannot recall a more devastating loss than today's and it occurred under Miller. Not Steele, Miller.

[xavbball]

I have been following X since before B. Larkin was a freshman. I was transferred in and out of town a couple of times over the years so, I missed seeing many games. Undoubtedly, I mis-remembered others for which I was around. Still, as I sit here, I cannot recall a more devastating loss than today's and it occurred under Miller. Not Steele, Miller.

And in a year or so, this regular season game in January will be a distant memory. We will be fine folks. I know this wasn't good, but it happens sometimes, and we were playing #1 on the road. Regroup for the next one.

[UCGRAD4X]

I have been following X since before B. Larkin was a freshman. I was transferred in and out of town a couple of times over the years so, I missed seeing many games. Undoubtedly, I mis-remembered others for which I was around. Still, as I sit here, I cannot recall a more devastating loss than today's and it occurred under Miller. Not Steele, Miller.


And in a year or so, this regular season game in January will be a distant memory. We will be fine folks. I know this wasn't good, but it happens sometimes, and we were playing #1 on the road. Regroup for the next one.

You are probably right, but JJF's comment mirror my sentiments as well. Other than a post season loss, this would rank near the top of my list.


I read the Enquirer article, but didn't see the video. Most of his quotes were praising UConn and that we were completely overwhelmed.

All Steele said was "we just have to be better, man". Thanks Coach.

[JTG]

I have been following X since before B. Larkin was a freshman. I was transferred in and out of town a couple of times over the years so, I missed seeing many games. Undoubtedly, I mis-remembered others for which I was around. Still, as I sit here, I cannot recall a more devastating loss than today's and it occurred under Miller. Not Steele, Miller.

So don't try to make the argument that Steele is a better coach. It's not and never will be true.

[Xville]

Interesting..when I think of devastating losses, I don't think of blowouts. I think of the "what could have been" tourney games that we all know, that I'm not going to bring up here.

I figured that realistically, X was going to lose by 15-20 points yesterday. I was hoping for something different, but instead X played their F game and UConn played their A.

[GoMuskies]

Yesterday was more demoralizing than devastating. It would be better if the DePaul game was next, because we may need a bit of a soft landing after yesterday's debacle. St. John's is not that.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

So don't try to make the argument that Steele is a better coach. It's not and never will be true.

Captain Obvious---I made an observation. You made an argument. One with which I happen to agree.



Yesterday was more demoralizing than devastating. It would be better if the DePaul game was next, because we may need a bit of a soft landing after yesterday's debacle. St. John's is not that.

I think "lopsided" is the better word.

[American X]

The rape scene in The Shawshank Redemption was more gentle than that.

Lionel Chalmers is now screening our return calls.

How UConn finished fourth in the Big East and Xavier beat them twice last year is baffling.

[Xville]

The rape scene in The Shawshank Redemption was more gentle than that.

Lionel Chalmers is now screening our return calls.

How UConn finished fourth in the Big East and Xavier beat them twice last year is baffling.

I'll just add...UCONN last year was once at 4-5 in conference...finished on a 9-2 tear...hell they were 5-6 and went 8-1 down the stretch.

Not saying this X team has near the same kind of talent, just saying its possible.

[X-band '01]

I wonder if Miller will have them review the game tape or just burn it and never talk about it. I’d burn it.


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That tape will be playing in an endless loop during summer conditioning.

I never expected to witness my first Singapore cane match yesterday.

[Xuperman]

The rape scene in The Shawshank Redemption was more gentle than that.

Lionel Chalmers is now screening our return calls.

How UConn finished fourth in the Big East and Xavier beat them twice last year is baffling.

I was thinking what Sonny did to Carlo in The Godfather.