Game Thread: Xavier v Marquette University (2/25/2024)

[paulxu]

https://live.staticflickr.com/4074/4819000479_2020c62eb9_n.jpg VS.https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xeEAAMXQya1Q8vgG/s-l500.jpg


CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 13-13 overall and 7-8 in the BIG EAST Conference, take on the No. 7 Marquette University Golden Eagles, 20-6 overall and 11-4 in the BIG EAST, on Sunday in Milwaukee. Xavier and Marquette are meeting for the first time this season. XU and MU meet again on March 9 in Cincinnati.

Xavier graduate student Quincy Olivari, who is second in the BIG EAST in scoring (19.1 ppg.), enters the Marquette game just 16 points shy of 2,000. Olivari has scored 1,984 points in his collegiate career, including his totals at Rice and Xavier.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (13-13, 7-8 BIG EAST)
NO. 7/8 MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES (20-6, 11-4 BIG EAST)
SUNDAY, FEB. 25, 2024 AT 5:00 P.M. ET (4 P.M. CT)
FISERV FORUM IN MILWAUKEE, WIS.
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Matt Schumacker and analysis from Nick Bahe.
Xavier Radio: 55KRC-AM with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) 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: GoXavier.com. (http://goxavier.com)

[Xville]

Marquette -10

Hate to say it, but seems like easy money.

[GoMuskies]

Win this game and the season is interesting again. Simple, right?

[drudy23]

Win please.

[HenryMuto]

I see no path to a win today

[drudy23]

Win this game and the season is interesting again. Simple, right?

We're still firmly behind the 8 ball even with a win today. We're nowhere close to at-large consideration.

We could win out and lose the finals of the BE tournament and we'd still be squarely on the bubble.

We're likely to be below .500 after today in the last week before March. We're toast.

The only hope is a miracle in MSG.

[Xville]

We're still firmly behind the 8 ball even with a win today. We're nowhere close to at-large consideration.

We could win out and lose the finals of the BE tournament and we'd still be squarely on the bubble.

We're likely to be below .500 after today in the last week before March. We're toast.

The only hope is a miracle in MSG.

If x won 8 in a row like you are described, x would easily be in. Heck win five in a row and one game in tourney and probably in.
Problem is none of that is happening.

[drudy23]

If x won 8 in a row like you are described, x would easily be in. Heck win five in a row and one game in tourney and probably in.
Problem is none of that is happening.

I know. That's just hope.

It was pretty clear mid-season (or even prior) that the projections were all on hope, not reality. We've never really had a strong case to be a tournament team at any point in the season, if we're being completely objective.

[94GRAD]

We're still firmly behind the 8 ball even with a win today. We're nowhere close to at-large consideration.

We could win out and lose the finals of the BE tournament and we'd still be squarely on the bubble.

We're likely to be below .500 after today in the last week before March. We're toast.

The only hope is a miracle in MSG.

If we win out the regular season, we will be 12-8 in the conference and will have beaten #4Marquette twice. That will get them an at-large bid. Now, do I think that will play out, absolutely not.

[drudy23]

If we win out the regular season, we will be 12-8 in the conference and will have beaten #4Marquette twice. That will get them an at-large bid. Now, do I think that will play out, absolutely not.

Of course it won't.

I can also say they're going undefeated next year. Doesn't mean much.

Objectively and realistically, our at-large chances are done. Kaput.

Let's flip our unrealistic hope to winning 4 in 4 games at MSG, which I admit, is probably just as unlikely. But Andy Dufresne told me hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, so....

[Xavier]

Our chance of winning four in four is much smaller than winning the next 5. There’s no way our three guards can carry us four days in a row

[X-band '01]

Just looking to today, Marquette will be the most aggressive team Xavier will face on the offensive end. Taking care of the ball will be a priority, but there may be times where they're overaggressive and the Musketeers can actually capitalize in transition.

Defensively, it's going to be a bear keeping guys like Ousmane out of foul trouble in a game like this.

[American X]

On the bright side, this odd 5pm Sunday tip gives me several hours of drinking while cooking to endure this game. I may even have the courage to imbibe enough to not really care that much. Enjoy the basketball contest everyone!

[xu82]

I am not looking forward to this……

[GoMuskies]

On the bright side, this odd 5pm Sunday tip gives me several hours of drinking while cooking to endure this game. I may even have the courage to imbibe enough to not really care that much. Enjoy the basketball contest everyone!

I'm playing golf (and drinking of course). I'll check the score a couple of times. Maybe.

[American X]

I'm playing golf (and drinking of course). I'll check the score a couple of times. Maybe.

Do you have a prop bet on your score vs. Xavier's point total? Stupid question, of course you do.

[GoMuskies]

Do you have a prop bet on your score vs. Xavier's point total? Stupid question, of course you do.

I'll definitely outscore even Marquette.

[paulxu]

I'll definitely outscore even Marquette.

Where do I place a bet on the over?

[X-band '01]

Game time at 5:10. We get to watch rasslin' until then.

[MHettel]

Game time at 5:10. We get to watch rasslin' until then.

Does Fox know who pays the bills?

[X-band '01]

Swain, Ousmane, McKnight, Olivari and Claude starting. No Euros on the floor.

[paulxu]

Does Fox know who pays the bills?

Rasslers.

[noteggs]

Swain, Ousmane, McKnight, Olivari and Claude starting. No Euros on the floor.

Interesting, Enquirer dude reported Nemo and Ciani would be starting

[X-band '01]

Awesome FT defense there!

[Three Point Pete]

Trey steps up

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[X-band '01]

Ciani, not so much.

[noteggs]

3 Frosh on the court at same time

[Xville]

Ole d in full effect.

[Tim]

Claude continues to unimpress. Game after game after game.

[noteggs]

Lob into Abou seems to never work

[bjf123]

Rasslers.

Didn’t they say there were 13,000 people in attendance?


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[Strange Brew]

Lot of fouls on X…

[Three Point Pete]

Abou can't buy a basket today

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[Xavier]

Bigs try to pass to each other bc guards just avoid it. That or they just know Osman won’t do anything anyways. Wide open layups have been a challenge for him lately

[xudash]

Could someone please explain to me the justification for seeing Gytis Nemeiksa in a Xavier uniform next year?

[XUBison]

Abou can't buy a basket today

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He needs a better NIL package.

[HenryMuto]

Could not have got a more wide open 3 than that ever

[X-band '01]

Didn’t they say there were 13,000 people in attendance?


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That is very believable at Oklahoma State.

[xuwillie]

Think it’s time for Claude to move on.

[X-band '01]

And now is not a good time to revert back to the Travis Steele offense.

[Xville]

We suck again

[bjf123]

All year, it seems like our opponents can drive to the hoop at will, and when we try, there are multiple defenders in the way. So frustrating.


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[Xavier]

Claude can be a pretty good 3rd guy, someone who can just work in flow of an offense. Osman still sucks

[XUBison]

Abou is razor sharp tonight.

[X-band '01]

It's a good thing Marquette's throwing up bricks at the charity stripe.

[MHettel]

I will give this team credit for its consistency.

Consistently bad on defense.

Consistently bad in the half court offense.

Consistently commiting lazy fouls.

[Xville]

Our frontcourt is such a joke. If we had anyone that was an average frontcourt player, we’d probably be a tourney team

[ArizonaXUGrad]

This team literally does none of the things a team should to win. They pretty much do everything to lose. It is a bit shocking but they continue to all the wrong things it and small to lose.

[MHettel]

In the first half we missed 25 shots and had 10 turnovers.

And Marquette had 3 fouls.

Seems add that a team could play such effective defense to force us into missing 2/3rds of our shots and turning the ball over at a higher rate, but yet they somehow don’t fouls.

Suspect

[Strange Brew]

In the first half we missed 25 shots and had 10 turnovers.

And Marquette had 3 fouls.

Seems add that a team could play such effective defense to force us into missing 2/3rds of our shots and turning the ball over at a higher rate, but yet they somehow don’t fouls.

Suspect

And X with 8 fouls. MU shot 10 more FTs in the first half. Not the problem however suspect is a good word for it.

[Xville]

Easiest 100 ever

[GoMuskies]

Apparently I'm not missing much.

[Xavier]

There’s going to a massive turnover. Our guys just don’t care right now. Ready to move on.

[noteggs]

First 10 minutes was actually pretty good. Since scored 12 points and gave up 30. And here we are…

[Xville]

There’s going to a massive turnover. Our guys just don’t care right now. Ready to move on.

McKnight
Swain
Claude
Green


The rest can go. Some of these frontcourt guys might be good in two or three years, but we can’t wait that long

[nickgyp]

There’s going to a massive turnover. Our guys just don’t care right now. Ready to move on.

Have to agree. Marquette is good but not impressive today. Xavier is playing so sloppy now.

[MHettel]

There’s going to a massive turnover. Our guys just don’t care right now. Ready to move on.

Yeah. I’d keep McKnight, Claude, Swain, Green & Nzeh. Hit the portal furiously

[paulxu]

Lost season.

[bjf123]

Lost season.

Yep. The look on Sean’s face is one of complete resignation. I can’t wait for the season to be over.


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[drudy23]

We suck.

[noteggs]

What do think crowd will be like on Wednesday against DePaul?

[bjf123]

Yeah. I’d keep McKnight, Claude, Swain, Green & Nzeh. Hit the portal furiously

Can schools tell players to take a hike if they don’t enter the portal?


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[Xavier]

Yeah. I’d keep McKnight, Claude, Swain, Green & Nzeh. Hit the portal furiously

I’m in the minority, or maybe the only one, but if a big does return I still think Djokovic has a good skill set, and could do some things we need our bigs to do.

But I don’t care if any of bigs are back. I would go Freemantle, McKnight, Swain, Claude, Green. In that order.

[noteggs]

Anyone know if it’s Jones’s birthday?

[MHettel]

Anyone know if it’s Jones’s birthday?

We have a 10 point lead against Jones

[Xville]

Since the 2nd nova game, this team has gotten worse. I don’t think I have or would ever see a miller team do that.

[bjf123]

I’m done watching tonight and have to say that as of right now, I have zero interest in going to the last two home games.


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[drudy23]

They’ve done nothing well today. Seem to be going through the motions.

[XUBison]

Well, looks like we just waived at the rest of the season, bent over, and grabbed our ankles. Good thing is, nobody’s gonna want our coach. .

[noteggs]

Message sent to Lazar. Colbert got playing before him

[drudy23]

Message sent to Lazar. Colbert got playing before him

I think it’s a message to several players.

[nickgyp]

Since the 2nd nova game, this team has gotten worse. I don’t think I have or would ever see a miller team do that.

Whether it is playing worse or just not improving, this Xavier team has little margin for error. The lack of an inside game has been a problem that has festered all year. No one stepped up to fill the void as we had hoped; and here we are. Coach Miller tried to cobble a team together as best he could but the skill sets just didn’t develop. Not the end of the world but it is disappointing.

[drudy23]

We need some serious upgrades.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

They’ve lost respect for XU.

[CP05XU08CU13]

I could not agree more. This team has gotten worse as the season progresses. These players obviously do not care about doing what it takes to get better and play at this level. There are certain players that make the most of what they have, and those that just coast. The Big East will eat you alive if you do not adapt throughout the season. Miller is going to have to hit the portal super hard and recruiting trail extra hard this offseason.

[xukeith]

Miller said that nobody would want to play X at this end of the season because of how much improved they would get.

What did Miller see?

[MHettel]

Miller said that nobody would want to play X at this end of the season because of how much improved they would get.

What did Miller see?

He knew we were going to suck early and needed an excuse.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

At MU didn’t storm the court.

Over and out.

[nickgyp]

At MU didn’t storm the court.

Over and out.

Perhaps, you should have when X was on offense….

[noteggs]

Half of our points came from freshman tonight. Definitely not ideal but shows promise for the future. About the half full thing I could think of…

[A Fan]

Miller said that nobody would want to play X at this end of the season because of how much improved they would get.

What did Miller see?

Miller also said Claude had significantly improved. While this team has disappointed in many respects, Claude is perhaps my biggest disappointment.
He was expected to grow into a team leader. He hasn’t. His inconsistency and lack of intensity tells me he is not a leader. Which translates into there is no leader. Sean needs a 3 point shooter to replace Olivari , a decent 4 and 5, and hopefully one of them can lead. I never felt Steele’s teams …which were severely hampered because Steele was their coach…ever gave up to the extent this team has.

[Xville]

Miller also said Claude had significantly improved. While this team has disappointed in many respects, Claude is perhaps my biggest disappointment.
He was expected to grow into a team leader. He hasn’t. His inconsistency and lack of intensity tells me he is not a leader. Which translates into there is no leader. Sean needs a 3 point shooter to replace Olivari , a decent 4 and 5, and hopefully one of them can lead. I never felt Steele’s teams …which were severely hampered because Steele was their coach…ever gave up to the extent this team has.

In one of the podcasts (cant remember which one), Sean talked about how hard Quincy worked, and in the same breath said something about Claude implying that he wasn’t exactly the most prompt and hardest worker. He said it in a half joking manner but every joke has some truth to it.
I’m sure he works, but that kind of caused my eyebrow to raise.

[paulxu]

When your front court only gives you 11 points, you're not going to win.
Losing Hunter and Zach was a killer at the late date with no viable replacements.
It's either that, or the fact there hasn't been a boob drop in the last few games.

[xukeith]

I think the problem is bigger than not having Freemantle and Hunter in the frontcourt.
These OKGs just quit.

[JTG]

Goodin looked like a star with JP and Bluiett. Without them he was marginal to dreadful. It's a 5 man game, Claude is in the same boat as Abou. He's a complimentary piece being ask to be a star.

[xukeith]

If X can throw away teh dead wood and upgrade talent, Claude will be a reliable play maker. He just cannot be asked to be a 20 point scorer game in and game out. He is good with the ball, knows how to use his body well. Smart guy. Just needs relief on the court.

[drudy23]

We need some bona-fide Big East caliber talent. What's on the roster now are very good complimentary pieces, but not what's going to take this program to the promised land. We need a serious upgrade in talent to compete with the big boys.

Claude - it's pretty obvious he's a complimentary player. He's a great piece on a strong team.
Swain - probably has the most upside to be great, but his ceiling may also be a complimentary player
Green - great shooter, but likely a role guy off the bench - I could see him starting at some point, but his game is one dimensional
McKnight - solid and reliable point guard. Also not someone who is going to carry you.
Abou - solid big man as a role player off the bench

I've said this before, and will say it again. You can typically tell RIGHT AWAY who are going to be the leaders. They either have elevated talent (Tu, West, Bluiett, Crawford) or carry themselves with the utmost confidence and swagger (Tu, JP, Chalmers). Quincy was that guy, but he's 1 and 1A in the opponent's scouting report. He's going to have a target on him in every Big East game. And he's gone after this year. We have ZERO enforcers in the post. The cupboard is bare there.

As I've said all year, we need a serious upgrade in bona fide Big East talent. Our roster is not good enough. There's a good chance we end the season a tick right above Georgetown and Depaul. Woof.

[Xville]

We need some bona-fide Big East caliber talent. What's on the roster now are very good complimentary pieces, but not what's going to take this program to the promised land. We need a serious upgrade in talent to compete with the big boys.

Claude - it's pretty obvious he's a complimentary player. He's a great piece on a strong team.
Swain - probably has the most upside to be great, but his ceiling may also be a complimentary player
Green - great shooter, but likely a role guy off the bench - I could see him starting at some point, but his game is one dimensional
McKnight - solid and reliable point guard. Also not someone who is going to carry you.
Abou - solid big man as a role player off the bench

I've said this before, and will say it again. You can typically tell RIGHT AWAY who are going to be the leaders. They either have elevated talent (Tu, West, Bluiett, Crawford) or carry themselves with the utmost confidence and swagger (Tu, JP, Chalmers). Quincy was that guy, but he's 1 and 1A in the opponent's scouting report. He's going to have a target on him in every Big East game. And he's gone after this year. We have ZERO enforcers in the post. The cupboard is bare there.

As I've said all year, we need a serious upgrade in bona fide Big East talent. Our roster is not good enough. There's a good chance we end the season a tick right above Georgetown and Depaul. Woof.

I dunno about some of this. I don’t think tre, tu, Colby would look like more than complimentary role players on this team either. IMO The frontcourt is that bad. If you don’t have a frontcourt, it’s very easy for a d1 high major team to score easily and stop the other team easily.

Just upgrade the frontcourt and/or a healthy free/hunter and the team will be back in the dance. I have no doubt that miller can replace q. As
Much as I love the guy, there are plenty of guys out there in the portal every year with the same height and skill set. Miller will get one of them. The frontcourt though is a concern.

[Xavier]

As I've said all year, we need a serious upgrade in bona fide Big East talent. Our roster is not good enough. There's a good chance we end the season a tick right above Georgetown and Depaul. Woof.

I fought back on that most of the year. Even called you out when we had a good stretch. I was wrong on this. (Even though I still think McKnight and Claude can be starters on a top 3 BE team…..but maybe not the same one).

I think talent wise, we showed for a stretch we could do ok. But you look around and no other team (outside of gtown and DePaul) get walloped so routinely. I didn’t expect a Miller team to fold and give in. I think these guys have, and like I said it’s a new era in cbb. These guys are done and I’d bet a lot are ready to hit the portal. Very frustrating overall, but I trust in Sean.

Hard to build culture with so many new faces every year, but this group just didn’t have it.

[xukeith]

I often put my X hopes in a rising sophomore or a legit BE capable transfer for better things to come.
Boum, McKnight and Olivari are the exceptions but the difficulty of finding a starting big man is real.

Since the approval of NIL, X will likely be in competition for talented transfers(especially big men).

I am too lazy to look but in the current top 40 teams how many of them have a talented transfer big man?

[bleedXblue]

Without any question this team needs an overhaul and I would be fine with next year being a rebuilding year. But wasnt that supposed to be this year???? Biggest disappointment is just that. WTF happened?

[Xville]

Without any question this team needs an overhaul and I would be fine with next year being a rebuilding year. But wasnt that supposed to be this year???? Biggest disappointment is just that. WTF happened?

I think that's exactly what this year was. We had ten new guys...ten! Many of them freshman, a few of them international. The one returning guy was a freshman role player.

This year stunk, and our bigs just didn't develop quickly enough and maybe the talent there was overstated a little bit. However, I do think we have a good building block for next year and the following year. Here is how I see it and what are the "known" quantities:

24-25:

Swain Soph
Green Soph
Claude Junior
Dayvion Senior (2nd year big east)
Abou Senior (2nd year big east)
Powell Freshman

50/50: Ciani, Djokovic, Gytis, a healthy Free, a healthy Jerome maybe by conference play

Needs: Legit 4/5, Legit scorer at the guard position and/or maybe 2

After next year, we will have guys presumably still in the system that have been there, done that in (Swain, Green, Powell) the big east and will be upper classmen.

This year turned into a s show because 1.) Steele was a horrible talent evaluator at the high school level as a head coach (outside of Colby) so X had to rely on transfers. 2.) Find out free/Hunter get hurt so late so X had to scramble for talent they weren't counting on needing.

This was a shit year, but there are guys to build around. We had no one this year to do that once Rome and Free went down. Claude was there but the guy was a freshman role player asked to become superman as a soph.

[Xville]

I forgot to mention Nzeh. I think he is a building block as well. Could be a good role player next year and maybe a starter by Junior year if he progresses. He has the size and athleticism for the BE.

[bleedXblue]

I think that's exactly what this year was. We had ten new guys...ten! Many of them freshman, a few of them international. The one returning guy was a freshman role player.

This year stunk, and our bigs just didn't develop quickly enough and maybe the talent there was overstated a little bit. However, I do think we have a good building block for next year and the following year. Here is how I see it and what are the "known" quantities:

24-25:

Swain Soph
Green Soph
Claude Junior
Dayvion Senior (2nd year big east)
Abou Senior (2nd year big east)
Powell Freshman

50/50: Ciani, Djokovic, Gytis, a healthy Free, a healthy Jerome maybe by conference play

Needs: Legit 4/5, Legit scorer at the guard position and/or maybe 2

After next year, we will have guys presumably still in the system that have been there, done that in (Swain, Green, Powell) the big east and will be upper classmen.

This year turned into a s show because 1.) Steele was a horrible talent evaluator at the high school level as a head coach (outside of Colby) so X had to rely on transfers. 2.) Find out free/Hunter get hurt so late so X had to scramble for talent they weren't counting on needing.

This was a shit year, but there are guys to build around. We had no one this year to do that once Rome and Free went down. Claude was there but the guy was a freshman role player asked to become superman as a soph.

Wish I had your optimism. All of the guys "returning" looked overmatched to me yesterday. Specifically on defense. Routinely getting blown by, out hustled and weren't nearly physical enough.

[Xville]

Wish I had your optimism. All of the guys "returning" looked overmatched to me yesterday. Specifically on defense. Routinely getting blown by, out hustled and weren't nearly physical enough.

I agree that those guys (particularly the freshmen) weren't good on defense, but again they are freshmen who were probably never asked to play a lick of d in high school and now are going up against seniors who have played in the big east for 3-4 years now. Not saying these guys are world beaters (maybe they will be a year or two who knows) but they are building blocks, which this year we had maybe one in Claude.

[muskieindent]

I only watched a little bit of the second half.I knew we had no chance to win.The saddest part is how uncompetitive we have been in some of these games.No shame in losing at Marquette or UCONN but to just be blown out is something we are not used to. Sean's hands were tied by the injuries this year.I'm not sure I'd have any of the European guys back.They haven't shown me anything. I hope NIL money isn't hampering him too.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Without any question this team needs an overhaul and I would be fine with next year being a rebuilding year. But wasnt that supposed to be this year???? Biggest disappointment is just that. WTF happened?

With so many new players, the performance this season doesn't come as a complete shock. However, the recent meltdowns are very concerning. Much more concerning than close losses would be. Still, I do not believe a complete overhaul is necessary.

On his last radio show, Miller talked about the importance of establishing continuity. With the loss of Free and Hunter, continuity was disrupted and Miller had to react quickly by importing bodies.

I think some of the posts on this thread are too tough on Claude, Green, Swain etc. I saw a comment that Claude isn't intense enough. I don't how anyone can look into a player and make that kind of statement. Claude is not vocal, but his problem doesn't seem to be intensity as much as lack of an outside shot. That makes it easier for teams to defend him. All these guys have talent, and they will grow. On the other hand, I cannot see a return to the top of the conference and March Madness next year, if we have to rely on Abou and Gytis. No way at all. I don't see flashes of talent around which to build. Whether they stay or go, we need to replace them. And I agree with the consensus that even if Hunter and Free come back, we have to bring in a competent "5". It is an absolute must!

Craft and Lazar will surely not return. I am disappointed in both: Craft for not wanting to compete for playing time and Lazar for not adapting to the role for which he was needed. I have no idea who else stays, who leaves or who arrives. But I'm pretty certain it will be interesting.

As XUGrad80 put it, its tough when the season flops to such a point the most interesting aspect of it becomes how we will respond next year. But that is where we find ourselves and I'm pretty optimistic about next season.

[xuwillie]

Wish I had your optimism. All of the guys "returning" looked overmatched to me yesterday. Specifically on defense. Routinely getting blown by, out hustled and weren't nearly physical enough.

yeah that doesnt look like a very good roster to me. Who are your shooters besides an undersized Green? We need a 2 and 3 along with one or two bigs. My opinion that's a lot of needs going into a year where we probably missed the freakin NIT

[GoMuskies]

I see no reason for optimism (or frankly, pessimism) until we have some idea of what next year's roster will look like. In this brave new world of college athletics, we really have no idea who will be on the team next year.

[JTG]

Without any question this team needs an overhaul and I would be fine with next year being a rebuilding year. But wasnt that suppose in June rready to god here to be this year???? Biggest disappointment is just that. WTF happened?

This needs to get fixed this off season. I have no interest in watching another year of this crap. The frosh and portal guys need to be here in June ready to go, and ready to play come Nov.

[Xville]

21 days until college basketball free agency

[A Fan]

I agree that those guys (particularly the freshmen) weren't good on defense, but again they are freshmen who were probably never asked to play a lick of d in high school and now are going up against seniors who have played in the big east for 3-4 years now. Not saying these guys are world beaters (maybe they will be a year or two who knows) but they are building blocks, which this year we had maybe one in Claude.

I am on the fence as to whether next year’s “returnees” are Building Blocks or a Failed Foundation. Building Blocks ..no matter their talent …play hard to the end. When I see sloppy , uninspired , undisciplined play at this point in the season I see Quitters. Sean said after the 2/14 Seton Hall embarrassment the team was “ worn down” and needed the week off before facing Provident at home in a must win game. Again, they could not grind it out. We expected a loss at Marquette , but not another embarrassing one. The only remaining game that will show if they have any mettle is the 3/6 game at Butler. Xavier will have beaten DePaul and Georgetown and their record will be 9/9 . If Butler beats St. John’s at home and DePaul away, their record will be 9/9. This will be the last game of the season for Butler, and the second last game for Xavier before their expected 3/9 loss to Marquette. If Butler beats Xavier they would end the season 10/9 and Xavier 9/10.
That game will be the test as to whether our returnees are Building Blocks or a Foundation laid on sand.

[XUMIOH12]

21 days until college basketball free agency

Thankfully something to look forward to for this team lol. Feel like any losses/additions could only be a net positive with this group.

[xuwillie]

I am on the fence as to whether next year’s “returnees” are Building Blocks or a Failed Foundation. Building Blocks ..no matter their talent …play hard to the end. When I see sloppy , uninspired , undisciplined play at this point in the season I see Quitters. Sean said after the 2/14 Seton Hall embarrassment the team was “ worn down” and needed the week off before facing Provident at home in a must win game. Again, they could not grind it out. We expected a loss at Marquette , but not another embarrassing one. The only remaining game that will show if they have any mettle is the 3/6 game at Butler. Xavier will have beaten DePaul and Georgetown and their record will be 9/9 . If Butler beats St. John’s at home and DePaul away, their record will be 9/9. This will be the last game of the season for Butler, and the second last game for Xavier before their expected 3/9 loss to Marquette. If Butler beats Xavier they would end the season 10/9 and Xavier 9/10.
That game will be the test as to whether our returnees are Building Blocks or a Foundation laid on sand.

My opinion you have 3 guys for different reasons that should be playing PG... McKnight, Green and Claude. This is why I don't think we have a good foundation when you think all three can be playing at the same time.

[paulxu]

I see no reason for optimism (or frankly, pessimism) until we have some idea of what next year's roster will look like. In this brave new world of college athletics, we really have no idea who will be on the team next year.

I have a pretty good idea you and I won't be.

[GoMuskies]

I have a pretty good idea you and I won't be.

That's a reason for optimism!

[drudy23]

I'm not giving up until my Miracle @ MSG! is dead - definitely on life support however.

[muskiefan82]

Xavier will have beaten DePaul and Georgetown and their record will be 9/9 .

I am not sure that Georgetown game in D.C. is a given from what I have watched lately....

[drudy23]

I am not sure that Georgetown game in D.C. is a given from what I have watched lately....

That's a scary proposition, but honestly, if we can't get the 5 seed, it really doesn't matter at this point.

If we lose, it will be embarrassing.

[American X]

I really have to question Xavier, Marquette, the Big East, and FS1 for airing a horror film during Sunday family dinner time.