Game Thread: Xavier v Marquette University (3/9/2024)

[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, 15-15 overall and 9-10 in the BIG EAST Conference, close out the regular season on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Cintas Center against the Marquette University Golden Eagles, 22-8 overall and 13-6 in the BIG EAST. The Golden Eagles are ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Xavier will celebrate seven seniors in pregame "Senior Day" festivities that are set to start at 4:40 p.m. Xavier will honor student-athletes Brad Colbert (Loveland, Oho) and Quincy Olivari (Atlanta, Ga.) as well as managers Isaac Fiely (Meadville, Pa.), Bobby Gerity (West Hartford, Conn.), Max Meyer (Cincinnati), Michael Witt (Cincinnati) and Paxton Wong (Boston, Mass.).

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (15-15, 9-10 BIG EAST)
NO. 8/9 MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES (22-8, 13-6 BIG EAST)
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2024 AT 5:00 P.M. ET
CINTAS CENTER IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FOX National, including FOX 19 in Cincinnati, with play-by-play from Jason Benetti and analysis from Robbie Hummel.
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: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://Statbroadcast.com) and fan stats at GoXavier.com (http://GoXavier.com).

[paulxu]

Does the fact that we are not recognizing all the other players listed as seniors or grad students on the roster, mean they are all returning?

[JTG]

Does the fact that we are not recognizing all the other players listed as seniors or grad students on the roster, mean they are all returning?

Who? Free & Hunter.

[Xville]

Thanks for this season, Paul! Somehow x is only 2.5 dogs. Really seems like easy money, but maybe Cintas magic will somehow return today

[drudy23]

Creighton beats Nova at 2:30pm - it energizes us to beat Marquette at 5pm, and then UConn takes care of business this evening.

7 seed locked in, and the Miracle @ MSG is in play.

So it's written, so it's true.

[X-band '01]

A win today (coupled with a Villanova loss at home and a Providence loss at home vs. UConn) would create a 3-way tie for 6th place among the three teams. Villanova would be #6, Xavier would be #7 and Providence would be #8 in that scenario. Theoretically, St. John's could also make it a 4-way tie, but there's next to no chance they lose at home against Georgetown.

Big difference between a potential matchup with Butler in Round 1 as opposed to Georgetown.

[GoMuskies]

And a second round matchup against UConn vs a second round matchup against literally anyone else.

[paulxu]

I remain confused about Xavier's "Senior" day.
Both seniors being honored, played one year for Xavier. Olivari actually had 4 years at Rice. Colbert had at least 2 years at Louisville.
The following are shown as "Seniors" or "Grad Students" on the official roster, but for some reason aren't being honored.

Jerome Hunter
Dayvion McKnight
Abou Ousmane
Zach Freemantle
Gytis Nemeikša

It may be the way of the world that we'll never have another senior day, honoring an actual player who went to school for 4 years at X...and graduated.

[Xville]

I remain confused about Xavier's "Senior" day.
Both seniors being honored, played one year for Xavier. Olivari actually had 4 years at Rice. Colbert had at least 2 years at Louisville.
The following are shown as "Seniors" or "Grad Students" on the official roster, but for some reason aren't being honored.

Jerome Hunter
Dayvion McKnight
Abou Ousmane
Zach Freemantle
Gytis Nemeikša

It may be the way of the world that we'll never have another senior day, honoring an actual player who went to school for 4 years at X...and graduated.

Everyone else will either be back for their last year at x or somewhere else

[bjf123]

Had a little pregame stress arriving at Cintas. The parking pass is usually on the phone screen and I just tap it. Today, it was only the tickets on the screen. Had to go digging to find the pass as we were approaching the lot. Seems the tickets had updated to the 5:00PM game time, but the parking pass said TBA so it wasn’t ready to show. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


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[bjf123]

Thanks for this season, Paul! Somehow x is only 2.5 dogs. Really seems like easy money, but maybe Cintas magic will somehow return today

Up to 3.5 now. It was 1.5 early this morning.


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[xudash]

I’m already done with Ousemane. He gets the first rebound knocked out of his hands and it goes back to Marquette and they score. And then he misses a short shot down low.

He doesn’t seem to play with enough concentration.

[Xville]

This team does nothing well

[GoMuskies]

Huge 5-0 run to finish the first half.

[Xville]

Here and This is the lamest Cintas crowd I have experienced in a long time. I know the team is disappointing, but good grief we are spoiled

[GoMuskies]

On fire to start the second. Defense needs to keep up with the offense.

[GoMuskies]

Olivari is absurd.

[xudash]

Here and This is the lamest Cintas crowd I have experienced in a long time. I know the team is disappointing, but good grief we are spoiled

At least it should get louder if they keep this up.

[GoMuskies]

A win here probably gets us into the NIT. Is that exciting?

Ousmane does dumb stuff.

[xudash]

Like I said, I am done with Ousemane.

Dumb.

[GoMuskies]

This team is JUST good enough to keep you watching and drive you batshit crazy.

[xu82]

I thought pulling guard was just a football term.

[GoMuskies]

Damn, FS1 just reminded me my sophomore year was 28 years ago. ��

[bjf123]

Damn, FS1 just reminded me my sophomore year was 28 years ago. ��

28 years? Is that all? [emoji16]


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[GoMuskies]

At least we've made today interesting.

[GoMuskies]

Congrats to Sean Miller on doing what even Travis Steele never managed to do: bringing a losing season to Victory Parkway.

[Xville]

X can’t stop a traffic cone this year. Even last year the d was pretty bad. Not what I expect from a miller coached team

[Xville]

Best part about a loss… no stupid nit

[bjf123]

Congrats to Sean Miller on doing what even Travis Steele never managed to do: bringing a losing season to Victory Parkway.

Travis ended the winning conference record streak.


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[GoMuskies]

Travis ended the winning conference record streak.


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And Sean ended the overall winning record streak. I mean, I guess we might beat Butler, UConn and Marquette back to back to back next week...

[Xavier]

Djokovic showed a little today. Still think he’s got highest potential among healthy bigs.

Exhausting season. Never cared about the winning season thing, I don’t think I ever brought that up during our Steele years. (Just used that as an example of Even when we sucked I wasn’t happy we still had that winning record streak) was more disappointed in the complete blow outs. I can’t remember a season we got blown out the way we did this year. And not even by houston or Purdue.

[bjf123]

And Sean ended the overall winning record streak. I mean, I guess we might beat Butler, UConn and Marquette back to back to back next week...

Would never have thought that would happen.


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[xuphan]

Would never have thought that would happen.


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This is an above average A-10 quality team playing in the Big East. Losing Hunter and Free during the summer hurt but I still expected this team to improve under Miller throughout the season. Sadly, that never happened and we might have even regressed a little bit. How does Sean get this team competitive again next season? Getting Free and Hunter will help with hopefully Claude returning but there are a bunch of guys who just aren’t at this level. Hopefully Sean makes the difficult decisions and hit the portal hard. We need atleast a flat out scorer guard, a lockdown defender guard/wing and a Big East level Big in the portal which won’t be easy. Never thought I’d see a team play like this under Miller. He has his work cut out for him this spring.

[Xville]

I think Djokovic will be a good be player after some seasoning. I’m excited for his development

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Djokovic showed a little today. Still think he’s got highest potential among healthy bigs.

Exhausting season. Never cared about the winning season thing, I don’t think I ever brought that up during our Steele years. (Just used that as an example of Even when we sucked I wasn’t happy we still had that winning record streak) was more disappointed in the complete blow outs. I can’t remember a season we got blown out the way we did this year. And not even by houston or Purdue.

Yeah. Different season for sure. Lazar was on the floor most of the second half and for maybe the first time, he was on the floor at crunch time. Now, I guess we'll now have to see who stays and who goes.

Wanted to mention something I think most of you missed during the game tonight. Abou makes dumb-ass decisions.

[Xville]

Last thing I’ll say about this game…. Our fans sucked ass in Cintas tonight. I know this season sucked, but good gawd one of the worst atmospheres I have ever experienced. Way too much wine in that crowd

[paulxu]

A one page game thread is a testament to a lost season.

[Drew]

They played hard, it was a good game. McKnight felt like he was passing up open 3s when Olivari could've used the help.

[bjf123]

Last thing I’ll say about this game…. Our fans sucked ass in Cintas tonight. I know this season sucked, but good gawd one of the worst atmospheres I have ever experienced. Way too much wine in that crowd

I think a lot of the regulars took the night off and gave, or sold, their tickets to others. At least that was the case around my seats. A lot of new faces.


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[MHettel]

I think Djokovic will be a good be player after some seasoning. I’m excited for his development

Dude. Your judgement has been awful all season. And then You bring THIS?

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Dude. Your judgement has been awful all season. And then You bring THIS?

In defense of Lazar, tonight was one of his better, if not his best, game at X. Admittedly, he is clearing a very low bar since his minutes have been so sparse and his performance in those minutes so unimpressive. Still, he was more effective than Abou. He moved well. He made his free throws, and he grabbed a couple key rebounds. That said, he was eaten alive on defense. He's not a great defender and he is not strong enough to compete down low in this conference. He has a long long way to go.

But tonight was an improvement, and I can see why some on this board believe they see potential. Whether he develops, who knows? Personally, I'm not convinced he will still be here in a few months.

[xudash]

Darkest point before the dawn (after one more game in New York).

[Xville]

In defense of Lazar, tonight was one of his better, if not his best, game at X. Admittedly, he is clearing a very low bar since his minutes have been so sparse and his performance in those minutes so unimpressive. Still, he was more effective than Abou. He moved well. He made his free throws, and he grabbed a couple key rebounds. That said, he was eaten alive on defense. He's not a great defender and he is not strong enough to compete down low in this conference. He has a long long way to go.

But tonight was an improvement, and I can see why some on this board believe they see potential. Whether he develops, who knows? Personally, I'm not convinced he will still be here in a few months.

Yeah he was probably our best big tonight. Very low bar as you pointed out, but the potential is there at least offensively. Defensively, he’s very weak which is weird because if you see him up close in person, he’s a big dude. Certainly not a string bean. However he was guarding oso most of the time he was out there so of course he looked silly.

Anyways, who knows who will be here in a couple of weeks but I personally hope he is one that stays. He’s a freshman and I can see the potential. As you said, will he develop I’m not sure but he has flashes. It makes sense to me why the coaching staff was excited about him.


Last thing, q and dayvion came out on the floor after doing all their press stuff, and took a million pics and signed a million autographs. It really shows me something about these young men that they would spend the time doing that after yet another tough loss and after a really tough season. My daughter is still smiling ear to ear after getting a picture with them. Memories made.

[MHettel]

In defense of Lazar, tonight was one of his better, if not his best, game at X. Admittedly, he is clearing a very low bar since his minutes have been so sparse and his performance in those minutes so unimpressive. Still, he was more effective than Abou. He moved well. He made his free throws, and he grabbed a couple key rebounds. That said, he was eaten alive on defense. He's not a great defender and he is not strong enough to compete down low in this conference. He has a long long way to go.

But tonight was an improvement, and I can see why some on this board believe they see potential. Whether he develops, who knows? Personally, I'm not convinced he will still be here in a few months.

I just don’t see the potential. And to refer to him as a big? I was kinda surprised to see that. He’s a 3/4 combo that can’t defend either of those positions. And he doesn’t shoot well from deep. Also he can’t really ball handle or pass.

He’s no position, but like a big, big?

We need Tyrique, or McLean, or love or Farr ( sr.). Or better yet Nunge or stain.

What we have inside is the best parts of Phillmore mixed with the worst parts of Jalen and Jeff Robinson.

[Xville]

I just don’t see the potential. And to refer to him as a big? I was kinda surprised to see that. He’s a 3/4 combo that can’t defend either of those positions. And he doesn’t shoot well from deep. Also he can’t really ball handle or pass.

He’s no position, but like a big, big?

We need Tyrique, or McLean, or love or Farr ( sr.). Or better yet Nunge or stain.

What we have inside is the best parts of Phillmore mixed with the worst parts of Jalen and Jeff Robinson.

There are people (miller and staff) that know more bb than you, that disagree with your assessment of him.

Btw oso who now is a possible 1st round draft pick but certainly a 2nd rounder, could barely dribble a basketball his first two years. Not saying that is who Djokovic will turn into but if you can’t tell he has above average athleticism and skill (which was similar to oso) that simply needs to develop and be defined, then I question what you’re watching.


With all that said, of course x needs a legit 5 still no matter what.

[JEHARDI]

Yeah he was probably our best big tonight. Very low bar as you pointed out, but the potential is there at least offensively. Defensively, he’s very weak which is weird because if you see him up close in person, he’s a big dude. Certainly not a string bean. However he was guarding oso most of the time he was out there so of course he looked silly.

Anyways, who knows who will be here in a couple of weeks but I personally hope he is one that stays. He’s a freshman and I can see the potential. As you said, will he develop I’m not sure but he has flashes. It makes sense to me why the coaching staff was excited about him.


Last thing, q and dayvion came out on the floor after doing all their press stuff, and took a million pics and signed a million autographs. It really shows me something about these young men that they would spend the time doing that after yet another tough loss and after a really tough season. My daughter is still smiling ear to ear after getting a picture with them. Memories made.

Classy, nice to hear!

[drudy23]

For the first time, alot of people said “yes I see the potential”. Lazar played his best game in a Xavier uniform and I hope he continues to improve. He’s worth the developmental effort.

[MHettel]

There are people (miller and staff) that know more bb than you, that disagree with your assessment of him..

Again. Hyperbole much!

13-7, right?

[Xville]

Again. Hyperbole much!

13-7, right?

Where’s the hyperbole? That the coaching staff know more than you? Or that they disagree with your assessment? Yeah not hyperbole bud. Get some new material.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

There are people (miller and staff) that know more bb than you, that disagree with your assessment of him.

Btw oso who now is a possible 1st round draft pick but certainly a 2nd rounder, could barely dribble a basketball his first two years. Not saying that is who Djokovic will turn into but if you can’t tell he has above average athleticism and skill (which was similar to oso) that simply needs to develop and be defined, then I question what you’re watching.


With all that said, of course x needs a legit 5 still no matter what.

I did notice a couple of recruits at the game last night. One was definitely a "5". He reached up and grabbed the backboard, just a couple of inches below the rim, while not leaving his feet. Very Long. I don't know enough about recruiting to identify either one. And given the timing, maybe a 2025-26 recruit so likely not an answer for a couple of years.

[xuphan]

Where’s the hyperbole? That the coaching staff know more than you? Or that they disagree with your assessment? Yeah not hyperbole bud. Get some new material.

They definitely know way more than I do but no one is going to convince me that this team isn’t a long ways off from competing again at the Big East. They need to get this offseason right and bring in the right players to make this team competitive again. Having a losing record and losing to the Blue Hens of all programs at home is not acceptable. Changes to the program are needed and I expect Miller to make those changes.

[Xville]

They definitely know way more than I do but no one is going to convince me that this team isn’t a long ways off from competing again at the Big East. They need to get this offseason right and bring in the right players to make this team competitive again. Having a losing record and losing to the Blue Hens of all programs at home is not acceptable. Changes to the program are needed and I expect Miller to make those changes.

Agreed that this season was not acceptable, I believe that miller feels the same way. However. I don’t think they are a long way off, they just need a legitimate frontcourt player or 2 if free ends up not being healthy. I know I make that sound easy and it’s obviously not, but I trust miller to fix this.

[drudy23]

In the postgame with Joe and Byron, Sean said something to the effect of "Xavier fans will never ever ever again see a team with so much depth limitations" or something like that. Kind of inferred that the talent needs to be better. Basically a strong statement that kind of shows it's not the type of season he expects. Big words from the head coach and I hope he's got some big things up his sleeve.

[drudy23]

They definitely know way more than I do but no one is going to convince me that this team isn’t a long ways off from competing again at the Big East. They need to get this offseason right and bring in the right players to make this team competitive again. Having a losing record and losing to the Blue Hens of all programs at home is not acceptable. Changes to the program are needed and I expect Miller to make those changes.

I don't disagree but the 3 best teams in the Big East each have at least 3 potential pros. That's kind of the talent level you need to make deep runs in March. With that lens, yes, we're not close.

But if X had Free and Jerome this year, they're a tournament team.

[xuphan]

I don't disagree but the 3 best teams in the Big East each have at least 3 potential pros. That's kind of the talent level you need to make deep runs in March. With that lens, yes, we're not close.

But if X had Free and Jerome this year, they're a tournament team.

My complaint which I saw throughout the year is depth and talent. We have a few good pieces but a lot of fringe players who didn’t produce throughout the season. It’s obvious to the average fan that this team has to many players who aren’t at this level or who need long term time to develop. Miller has a busy offseason to bring in players who can compete at the Big East level. I am also not convinced that even with Free and Hunter we would absolutely make the NCAA tournament. Still think this team would be bubble at best with the fringe players we have.

[bjf123]

I don't disagree but the 3 best teams in the Big East each have at least 3 potential pros. That's kind of the talent level you need to make deep runs in March. With that lens, yes, we're not close.

But if X had Free and Jerome this year, they're a tournament team.

Agreed. I think with a healthy Free and Hunter, we win maybe 3 more conference games and don’t lose to Delaware and Oakland.


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[drudy23]

My complaint which I saw throughout the year is depth and talent. We have a few good pieces but a lot of fringe players who didn’t produce throughout the season. It’s obvious to the average fan that this team has to many players who aren’t at this level or who need long term time to develop. Miller has a busy offseason to bring in players who can compete at the Big East level. I am also not convinced that even with Free and Hunter we would absolutely make the NCAA tournament. Still think this team would be bubble at best with the fringe players we have.

Fair. I think we're probably in the 8-9 seed range if we had Free and Jerome. We're likely a top 6 seed in the Big East.

We have starters, especially in the frontcourt, that would be better suited as back-ups. They're not Big East starters.

[XUGRAD80]

The best player on every football team that isn’t winning is the backup QB. Likewise, the best players on a BB team that is losing are the ones that are injured and don’t play or the ones that are coming in next year. But the truth is that we don’t really have any players on the roster that are great all round players. We have players that are very good in something’s and not in other things. But again the truth is that all but a couple of players in the country are in the same place. Xavier doesn’t have ANY player on the roster currently that can guard a quality center one on one. None of the active bigs could do it and nor could Free or Hunter. But, as a Team, with all of its pieces intact, they could play much better TEAM defense than we have seen at any time this season. I am hopeful that X will get a big, besides Free and Hunter, that will make them a much better defensive and rebounding team next year. That, IMO, is job one.

[Section 200]

My complaint which I saw throughout the year is depth and talent. We have a few good pieces but a lot of fringe players who didn’t produce throughout the season. It’s obvious to the average fan that this team has to many players who aren’t at this level or who need long term time to develop. Miller has a busy offseason to bring in players who can compete at the Big East level. I am also not convinced that even with Free and Hunter we would absolutely make the NCAA tournament. Still think this team would be bubble at best with the fringe players we have.

I disagree strongly with this take. We finished 9-11 in conference without Free & Hunter. Plus Swain was out for at Butler and Marquette at home. We win Providence at home, at Villanova, at Butler, Marquette at home with those players. Now we are 13-7. We also probably get the Creighton home game. 14-6 would be a great season with how strong UConn, Marquette and Creighton are this year. Add in wins vs Oakland, Delaware & Washingon, plus a great chance at the home game vs Houston and we are a top 4 seed.

[XUGRAD80]

I disagree strongly with this take. We finished 9-11 in conference without Free & Hunter. Plus Swain was out for at Butler and Marquette at home. We win Providence at home, at Villanova, at Butler, Marquette at home with those players. Now we are 13-7. We also probably get the Creighton home game. 14-6 would be a great season with how strong UConn, Marquette and Creighton are this year. Add in wins vs Oakland, Delaware & Washingon, plus a great chance at the home game vs Houston and we are a top 4 seed.

Even if they only won 1/2 those games and avoided the loses to Delaware,Oakland, and Washington, they are comfortably in the field as a 6-7 seed.

[American X]

For the first time, alot of people said “yes I see the potential”. Lazar played his best game in a Xavier uniform and I hope he continues to improve. He’s worth the developmental effort.

If Lazar can occasionally and consistently hit the three like Kanter & Nunge and block a few shots, then he can be a piece.

[SkyWalker]

I remain confused about Xavier's "Senior" day.
Both seniors being honored, played one year for Xavier. Olivari actually had 4 years at Rice. Colbert had at least 2 years at Louisville.
The following are shown as "Seniors" or "Grad Students" on the official roster, but for some reason aren't being honored.

Jerome Hunter
Dayvion McKnight
Abou Ousmane
Zach Freemantle
Gytis Nemeikša

It may be the way of the world that we'll never have another senior day, honoring an actual player who went to school for 4 years at X...and graduated.

It's more like Eligibility Exhaustion Day. With all the transfers, and extra covid year, it seems you only get honored if you used all your eligibility up.

[xuphan]

I disagree strongly with this take. We finished 9-11 in conference without Free & Hunter. Plus Swain was out for at Butler and Marquette at home. We win Providence at home, at Villanova, at Butler, Marquette at home with those players. Now we are 13-7. We also probably get the Creighton home game. 14-6 would be a great season with how strong UConn, Marquette and Creighton are this year. Add in wins vs Oakland, Delaware & Washingon, plus a great chance at the home game vs Houston and we are a top 4 seed.

Really? I mean it is all hypothetical but I don't see some of those wins even with Free and Hunter. The Big East is strong but we are also really weak in the talent department this season. Wasn’t Marquette missing their best player last night and still beat us at home? I don’t think the defense would have been much better with Free/Hunter. The offense would have been better especially with Free but hard to say how much it would have helped. However, neither is a Big East 5 that we needed this season. Miller missed out on bringing in a solid 5 in the offseason which hurt us a lot this year. We also struggled to win games in the Big East and had to come back to beat woeful Georgetown. We would have won a few more games but this would have still been a bubble team IMO.

Even losing Free and Hunter should not mean we are losing to the Delaware Blue Hens and Oakland Grizzlies at home. We should have far superior talent to beat those teams even with Free/Hunter out. Miller has a big offseason determining who would be best to look elsewhere and identifying guys in the portal who can come in and get us back competing in the Big East Conference. There is still a significant talent gap both with starters and rotation players that Miller needs to address.

[xukeith]

I disagree strongly with this take. We finished 9-11 in conference without Free & Hunter. Plus Swain was out for at Butler and Marquette at home. We win Providence at home, at Villanova, at Butler, Marquette at home with those players. Now we are 13-7. We also probably get the Creighton home game. 14-6 would be a great season with how strong UConn, Marquette and Creighton are this year. Add in wins vs Oakland, Delaware & Washingon, plus a great chance at the home game vs Houston and we are a top 4 seed.

I disagree strongly. Freemantle and Hunter , as well as healthy Swain, would have helped but I would guess X would be around 12-8 in this year's BE.

[Section 200]

I disagree strongly. Freemantle and Hunter , as well as healthy Swain, would have helped but I would guess X would be around 12-8 in this year's BE.

So make X 12-8, add in Oakland, Delaware and Washington & X is in the tournament. Miller would have made up for the Steele era with a Sweet 16 & a another tourney appearance. I think Miller getting this team to 9-11 in the Big East shows how great a coach he is.

[xudash]

So make X 12-8, add in Oakland, Delaware and Washington & X is in the tournament. Miller would have made up for the Steele era with a Sweet 16 & a another tourney appearance. I think Miller getting this team to 9-11 in the Big East shows how great a coach he is.

I can't see it any other way than you've described it.

I hope I don't go off the reservation with this next comment: this could be one of those times where both Free and Hunter come back, they remain healthy, Sean otherwise retains his desired nucleus, picks up exactly what he wants and needs in the portal, and Xavier goes on to land its first F4 and, dare I say, NC.

Sling shot season coming up. Full 180 turn coming up. Rebound year coming up. Phrase it how you like, but Sean Miller is an excellent coach and has a passion for winning. We witnessed very unfortunate circumstances this year. He did what he could do.

That's my take. I wouldn't have anyone else at the helm and I love what Xavier's program has become with respect to its resources and long term outlook.

[xuphan]

So make X 12-8, add in Oakland, Delaware and Washington & X is in the tournament. Miller would have made up for the Steele era with a Sweet 16 & a another tourney appearance. I think Miller getting this team to 9-11 in the Big East shows how great a coach he is.

I would agree though some of it was his doing. Didn’t he recruit the transfer portal and international kids this spring/summer? The portal has been an overall bust this season besides Q and the international kids haven’t been that impactful. I am amazed we won as many as we did in the Big East after losing to The Delaware Blue Hens at home.

[Tim]

Section 200 and XUDASH are spot on. This season was very painful but because we have Miller I have 0 concerns about next season.

[Xville]

I would agree though some of it was his doing. Didn’t he recruit the transfer portal and international kids this spring/summer? The portal has been an overall bust this season besides Q and the international kids haven’t been that impactful. I am amazed we won as many as we did in the Big East after losing to The Delaware Blue Hens at home.

This has been discussed on here ad naseum. First of all, Dayvion is a stud so don’t discount him. But secondly, the frontcourt was either recruited to be a backup (abou) or at least playing with free/hunter. The euros were brought over late because the non- availability of hunter/free wasn’t known until too late in the cycle.

[muskieindent]

Sadly they played pretty well and still it wasn't enough.Just lacking talent this year.I think if we had been healthy all year it translates into 4-5 more wins which gets us into the tournament.Fighting an uphill battle all season without Freemantle and Hunter. I trust Sean but the way college sports is changing I'm not sure what to expect next year.

[bleedXblue]

At this point, Lazar has shown enough to stay on ....he's young and should see some nice growth and development this summer.