BE Tournament Game Thread: Xavier v Connecticut (3/14/2024)

[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
NEW YORK --- The No. 9 seed Xavier University Musketeers, 16-16 overall, take on the No. 1 seed University of Connecticut Huskies, 28-3, on Thursday at noon at Madison Square Garden. UConn is ranked No. 2 in both of the major polls.

This is the first time that Xavier and UConn have met in the BIG EAST Tournament. In fact, Xavier has played all nine other teams at least once already. Xavier is coming off a 76-72 first-round win over Butler on Wednesday, while UConn had a first-round bye.

THE MATCHUP

NO. 9 SEED XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (16-16, 9-11 BIG EAST)
NO. 1 SEED UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (28-3, 18-2 BIG EAST)
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2024 AT 12:00 P.M. ET
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IN NEW YORK

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

Television: FS1 with play-by-play from Tim Brando and analysis from Jim Jackson. Sideline reporter is Kristina Pink.
Xavier Radio: 700 WLW-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]

Maybe MOR isn't too hungover, and can buttonhole Hurley to pull a Self.

[SkyWalker]

Does today feel like March 11th, 2004?

[Final4]

20th Anniversary (allow me a little latitude)

Quarterfinals of A10 tournament Xavier vs undefeated and #1 ranked St. Joes. They never saw it coming!!!

[Xville]

Ya never know. IMO, have to shoot at least 40% from 3 today and the bigs have to contribute on both sides of the ball to have a chance.

Can't be afraid of Clingan....go right at him, if he blocks it, so be it but no circus shots please.

[American X]

the bigs have to contribute on both sides of the ball to have a chance. Can't be afraid of Clingan....go right at him, if he blocks it, so be it but no circus shots please.

Ousmane has been running a sting all year to get to this point. He deliberately missed all of those shots to set up Clingan for today.

[GoMuskies]

I just hope we get off to a good start so that it's interesting for a while, at least. Hoping to avoid a start like we had in Hartford where the game was over at the first TV timeout.

[drudy23]

I woke up feeling dangerous today.

[drudy23]

Does today feel like March 11th, 2004?

I'd put this game and the performance against Florida State (the first one) as the two most dominating Xavier wins ever. Everything worked those two days.

We're due for a "everything goes right" game.

[Xavier]

Just keep it single digits at halftime. Gives us a fighting chance. The line was X+14.5. DePaul was +24 and lost on a late 3. Never know.

[drudy23]

These kind of upsets happen all of the time in March.

The Miracle @ MSG still in full effect.

[American X]

Is it reasonable to expect Desmond Claude to get 50 points?

[bleedXblue]

Their quality and depth will be a problem and our short turn around and lack of depth is also a problem. We will be lucky to be in the game @ the under 8

[muskiefan82]

Here is hoping UConn pulls a Kansas and rests all their good players....

[Blue Blooded-05]

A team that beat us by 43 is playing on full rest while our big 3 logged 36/39/39 minutes less than 24 hours ago…

A win today feels about as likely as me waking up next to Olivia Dunne tomorrow.

In the immortal words of Lloyd Christmas: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance… Yeah!!”

[GoMuskies]

Is it reasonable to expect Desmond Claude to get 50 points?

Seems imminently reasonable to me.

[drudy23]

Too much realism in this thread today.

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things..." - Andy Dufresne

"Anything's Posssssssssssssible!!!!!' - Kevin "The Big Ticket" Garnett

Shock The World!!

#Miracle@MSG

[atljar]

A team that beat us by 43 is playing on full rest while our big 3 logged 36/39/39 minutes less than 24 hours ago…

A win today feels about as likely as me waking up next to Olivia Dunne tomorrow.

In the immortal words of Lloyd Christmas: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance… Yeah!!”

Man with the way this season has gone, Id take the L if Im guaranteed to waking up next to her

[GoMuskies]

Who will become a Xavier legend today?

[Xville]

If Abou can catch passes today, that will be huge!

[Xville]

I wish Uconn wasn't motivated for this tourney...sounds like the exact opposite

[Xville]

Great start...keep it up!

[American X]

This scrub UConn team is no match for Xavier. Just forfeit now.

[Xville]

UCONN definitely came out flat having not played yet and X took advantage...now the game starts.

[noteggs]

If they want to spot us 10, I’ll take it!

[HenryMuto]

10-4 !!!!

End the game now!

[Xville]

maybe he has the red light but feel like djokovic should pop the open three

[Xville]

three offensive rebounds in one possession with zero blockouts....wtf guys.

[GoMuskies]

Hey, there's the Xavier team we know and....know.

[noteggs]

How many steps does Spencer get?

[GoMuskies]

Claude is such a rock thrower it's unbelievable.

[Xville]

Claude is such a rock thrower it's unbelievable.

absolutely zero confidence...kinda like my golf game right now

[GoMuskies]

Smart to get our own 10-0 run before giving up the 13-0 run to them!

[Xville]

If im being honest, i thought X would be down 10 by now so ill take this lol

[GoMuskies]

I like our switching defense where both guys switch OFF the guy with the ball! Oops.

[xukeith]

You have to think Lazar will be absolutely exhausted as he hasn't played back to back games nor a ton of minutes like today.

UConn chasing Olivari off the 3 point line....

[GoMuskies]

Taking 30 seconds off the clock and hitting a three is a perfect possession!

[GoMuskies]

Nzeh scored. Could be our day

[Xville]

Cam Spencer gets away with a lot of bs.

[American X]

Nzeh scored. Could be our day

They even did that thing where they bounce pass the bouncy ball!

[GoMuskies]

Get afucking rebound. Please

[Strange Brew]

Let’s go X!

[GoMuskies]

We've been entertained for 30 minutes. Already a win!

[noteggs]

No last 4 minute let down please!

[GoMuskies]

I'd like for us to score 10 points in a row again. That was fun.

I wouldn't like for them to score 13 points in a row again. That was not fun.

[GoMuskies]

Green is not shooting well or guarding anyone. Not super helpful.

[xu82]

I am sick of being stuck on 22 points!!!

[GoMuskies]

We are so bad at shooting.

[xu82]

Green is not shooting well or guarding anyone. Not super helpful.


But, other than that……

[Xville]

UCONN is playing their D game....wouldnt expect that in the 2nd half. X has to shoot better

[GoMuskies]

X has to shoot better

Problem is, I'm not sure we can if Olivari is being smothered.

[Xville]

BS call there...horrible

[Strange Brew]

BS call there...horrible

Yep.

[Xville]

Problem is, I'm not sure we can if Olivari is being smothered.

True..the other guys are going to have to knock them down. We can't keep missing wide open threes no matter who is shooting them.

[noteggs]

Not surprisingly, we are starting to look winded

[GoMuskies]

True..the other guys are going to have to knock them down. We can't keep missing wide open threes no matter who is shooting them.

Maybe a couple of those guys can accidentally bank in one or two.

[Xville]

alright maintain this lead going into half..come on!

[GoMuskies]

Nzeh FTs could be interesting.

[GoMuskies]

Can't waste possessions having Nzeh trying to make offensive moves.

[Strange Brew]

Well, that was fun. It’s over.

[Xville]

Really impressed with Djokovic the last five or so games. He still has a lot to work on, but he has really taken advantage of his opportunity finally here at the end of the year.

At least we led for most of the first half. Don't like our chances in the 2nd just because I don't think UCONN can play that bad for two straight halves but crazier shit has happened.

[GoMuskies]

Had a real opportunity in this first half but just shot like absolute garbage.

[HenryMuto]

Hanging around...hanging around...they got alligator blood

[GoMuskies]

Sean Miller's zones are absolute garbage. He should not do that anymore.

One point game at halftime. I definitely would have taken that at the start.

[Xville]

How did we leave Cam Spencer wide effing open at the top of the key? I mean hes only shooting 45% from 3.should probably just let him have an open shootaround.

[American X]

On behalf on XavierHoops, I will accept that first half. UConn will play even worse in the second half, right?

If we had the ability to not shoot like absolute garbage, we would probably not be the 9 seed.

I should have went to a bar.

[Xville]

going to need to score 40+ in the 2nd half to have a chance.

[xukeith]

I think on defense X sags and stands around often. UConn just stands and waits for a pass and launch an eaasy three.
X does look tired.

[GoMuskies]

X is allowed to be tired on Sunday.

[GoMuskies]

Very afraid of a big UConn run to start the second half. Hopefull a good first four minutes.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Green is not shooting well or guarding anyone. Not super helpful.

Yeah need Green to make open shots or no reason for him to play.

[Xville]

Here we go.....play the best 20 minutes of the season right now!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Would love at least 2 fast break points this game.

That is out game. Halfcourt offense isn't good enough for us to win a game (any game) with zero fast break points.

[Xville]

effing lazy as hell first minute. Q there is zero excuse for that

[GoMuskies]

Nice defense Djokovic.

[Xville]

another wide open missed 3, and another lazy ass d transition play. WTF.

[D-West & PO-Z]

McKnight usually shoots pretty well from 3. Him missing that wide open 3 very badly is not a good sign.

[xukeith]

Not the best 2nd half start. Smart TO Miller.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Not the best 2nd half start. Smart TO Miller.

Yeah Miller seems to use his timeouts really well. Hope he gets the guys on the right page here.

[GoMuskies]

If that's as bad as the run gets (6-2), not terrible. But we can't get any further behind.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Not a great start Bob.

[Xville]

at this point, hopefully we just don't get blown out.

[GoMuskies]

You just have to laugh at Claude threes now. The alternative is to cry.

[Xville]

too much dribbling and standing around on offense and UConn playing like Uconn this half

[D-West & PO-Z]

Our halfcourt offense is so bad.

The worst since? I don't even know when? 2013 was a bad year but Semaj was an elite player.

[xu82]

You just have to laugh at Claude threes now. The alternative is to cry.

He was up against the clock I think, but a little rim would be nice.

[Xville]

i get the point with the Q 3 there but if you're gonna do that, you have to make it.

[GoMuskies]

i get the point with the Q 3 there but if you're gonna do that, you have to make it.

And not turn it over the next time you touch the ball.

[D-West & PO-Z]

i get the point with the Q 3 there but if you're gonna do that, you have to make it.

I mean I'd rather Q put up a quick 3 unguarded in transition than try and set up a halfcourt offense at this point.

Unless he had a lane to the basket but couldn't tell.

[xukeith]

Will X ever have a roster filled with 7-9 scorers, defenders and at least one intimidating shot blocker?

[noteggs]

You just have to laugh at Claude threes now. The alternative is to cry.

I’d rather have Lazar take that 3 at the end of shot clock

[Xville]

just refuse to box out

[Blue Blooded-05]

7 point deficit feels like 27. Got get hot quick

[GoMuskies]

Who is Green kidding with that take?!?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Uconn has their C game today. Would have given X a chance but we can't hit shit.

[American X]

Who is Green kidding with that take?!?

Trey Green is basically subbing in Ollie.

[Xville]

uconn is clowning us right now. they know they are much better and just playing with their food

[GoMuskies]

Djokovic may have improved, but Jesus Christ he is still not good.

[GoMuskies]

This is probably a hot take, but I think Xavier needs better players.

[Xavier]

Who is Green kidding with that take?!?

Olivari shouldn’t have given it up. As soon as he did everyone knew what was coming. Dumb. Then a poor take by Green.

[noteggs]

So far 9 points in half and down to 33% shooting. Not good

[American X]

Don't worry, Miller has been saving Saucy Johnny for this moment. He is going to be like Tua coming off the bench at halftime in the National Championship.

[Xville]

Djokovic may have improved, but Jesus Christ he is still not good.

Lots to learn and develop for sure.

I hope Green can develop and survive in this league, but he is very small. I think 6' is a stretch and maybe weighs a buck fifty.

[Xville]

its over. just don't get blown out

[American X]

I would rather give Green's shot attempts to The Mullet.

[GoMuskies]

I would rather give Green's shot attempts to The Mullet.

The Mullet has a better shot of guarding someone in this game.

[GoMuskies]

On the bright side, we never have to watch this Xavier team play again.

[American X]

Bobby Hurley Sr. pulls change out of the collection basket.

[Xville]

lol how was that a foul?

[MHettel]

I swear there must have been 50 pick and roll lob passes to the front of the rim against us this year.

[noteggs]

How do you lose Bigfoot

[GoMuskies]

Djokovic walks 35 feet from the basket.

[Xville]

Actually pretty amazing X is only down 13 shooting the way they have.

[American X]

Djokovic walks 35 feet from the basket.

He is a stat sheet stuffer. Now he just needs a block and a steal. They will probably be against teammates. Oh, and he needs a field goal.

[xukeith]

Maybe it will take Miller 4-6 years to establish a top 10 X team.

Do we enjoy McKnight and Green being small guards?
Or do we want the Coach Mack 6'3-5 guards?

[GoMuskies]

The Ciani/Gytis high low has Hurley shaking in his boots.

[Xavier]

Maybe it will take Miller 4-6 years to establish a top 10 X team.

Do we enjoy McKnight and Green being small guards?
Or do we want the Coach Mack 6'3-5 guards?

They spent a week or two in the top 10 last year

[HenryMuto]

Well it was a good run

[GoMuskies]

UConn's second half shots are all from one foot away. Just physically manhandling us.

[Xville]

Maybe it will take Miller 4-6 years to establish a top 10 X team.

Do we enjoy McKnight and Green being small guards?
Or do we want the Coach Mack 6'3-5 guards?

I get your point, but I stood next to Mcknight after the Marquette game. He's a wide body and gets away with only being 6'. Hes much bigger than Q who is pretty slight. Green I dunno if he is going to make it. I really don't think he's close to 6' though he's listed as such and hes skinny.

As far as Top 10...its not going to take that long. Maybe 1-2 years. Portal makes it "easy."

[MHettel]

He is a stat sheet stuffer. Now he just needs a block and a steal. They will probably be against teammates. Oh, and he needs a field goal.

It’s all about potential. Apparently

[GoMuskies]

If someone has a second half shot chart for UConn, it's got to be hilarious. Everything right at the rim.

[Xavier]

It’s all about potential. Apparently

Ciani sure didn’t look injured today…..but that’s the only reason Djokovic was getting more time so that’s kinda weird?

[Xville]

Ciani sure didn’t look injured today…..but that’s the only reason Djokovic was getting more time so that’s kinda weird?

Didn't you know though that every freshman big X gets is supposed to look like a MCD AA right out of the gate? I mean geez....him and Deionte Miles carbon copies!

[muskieindent]

We're out of our league against these guys.

[American X]

Olivari used up his annual quota of 3s about 5 games ago.

Mullet > Green

[Xville]

We're out of our league against these guys.

True...most are. Probably 3 other teams that have a chance against them in the tourney. Houston, Kentucky and UNC. I'll take those 4 against the field.

[GoMuskies]

I don't see how Kentucky could beat them unless UConn has an atrocious shooting night on a slew of wide open jumpers.

[Xavier]

Kentucky offense is good enough to keep pace with anyone. Defense sucks, but I can see it if they played. Reminds me of X last year that we could score with anyone

[GoMuskies]

From 10-0, they outscored us 87-50. That's probably a fair representation of the difference between the quality of the two teams.

[xukeith]

They spent a week or two in the top 10 last year

Yes but that was Miller's inherited team.
Clearly Miller is building a new foundation with this team's youth and poor talent.

[muskieindent]

I don't see how Kentucky could beat them unless UConn has an atrocious shooting night on a slew of wide open jumpers.

UK is a fun team to watch but they don't play any defense.UCONN does it all

[Xville]

I don't see how Kentucky could beat them unless UConn has an atrocious shooting night on a slew of wide open jumpers.

Kentucky plays zero d for sure, but maybe in the tourney, they do. They have more talent than UCONN which is scary to think about.

[GoMuskies]

Kentucky offense is good enough to keep pace with anyone. Defense sucks, but I can see it if they played. Reminds me of X last year that we could score with anyone

Sure, but UConn plays defense.

[Xavier]

Yes but that was Miller's inherited team.
Clearly Miller is building a new foundation with this team's youth and poor talent.

It was a team that never did anything before he arrived. Turned it around in one year.

[Xavier]

Sure, but UConn plays defense.

They did last year, too. (7th in the country) X beat them twice. Just saying a great offense can keep up

[D-West & PO-Z]

Maybe it will take Miller 4-6 years to establish a top 10 X team.

Do we enjoy McKnight and Green being small guards?
Or do we want the Coach Mack 6'3-5 guards?

X was a top 15 team in Miller's first year back. Let's not act like its going to take Miller some miracle to get us there. He did it in year one. This season was an anomaly with later injuries to key guys killing us. Miller has said as much and promised this will never happen again, I believe him.

[D-West & PO-Z]

It’s all about potential. Apparently

Jim Jackson stating during the game what a player he think Lazar is going to be.

Another dumb basketball guru who disagrees with the all knowing MHettel!

[Xville]

X was a top 15 team in Miller's first year back. Let's not act like its going to take Miller some miracle to get us there. He did it in year one. This season was an anomaly with later injuries to key guys killing us. Miller has said as much and promised this will never happen again, I believe him.

yep 100

[D-West & PO-Z]

From 10-0, they outscored us 87-50. That's probably a fair representation of the difference between the quality of the two teams.

Yep.

Spread was 15.5. Anyone know if that is the highest spread ever for X against a conference opponent since joining the BE? Was there a Nova game higher? I bet not.

[Xville]

Jim Jackson stating during the game what a player he think Lazar is going to be.

Another dumb basketball guru who disagrees with the all knowing MHettel!

Hett knows all

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Jim Jackson stating during the game what a player he think Lazar is going to be.

Another dumb basketball guru who disagrees with the all knowing MHettel!

I think people here need to remember that not only did Ciani/Djokovic/Gytis play their first year of college ball, they play their first in the Big East, and they also spent their first in a foreign country. Just one of those is tough to deal with, two is much harder, all three are rarely overcome unless you are a first round pick in the draft.

Gytis, I could see him leaving or staying for a bench role. Ciani has the size and show small flashes of potential. Djokovic showed almost nothing, but had a few plays here and there. Give them this one year, let's see what they can do in year 2 when the living here isn't new and playing college isn't either.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I think people here need to remember that not only did Ciani/Djokovic/Gytis play their first year of college ball, they play their first in the Big East, and they also spent their first in a foreign country. Just one of those is tough to deal with, two is much harder, all three are rarely overcome unless you are a first round pick in the draft.

Gytis, I could see him leaving or staying for a bench role. Ciani has the size and show small flashes of potential. Djokovic showed almost nothing, but had a few plays here and there. Give them this one year, let's see what they can do in year 2 when the living here isn't new and playing college isn't either.

I don't see all 3 staying.

I think Lazar does and would pick Ciani with 3 years left to stay over Gytis and his 1 year.

[XUGRAD80]

Irregardless of what posters think about the level of Xavier talent this year, everyone should acknowledge that UConn has better talent across the board compared to just about any other team in the country. Not just superior talent but experience and the ability to play together as a team too. In the 2nd half they consistently put X players in positions where they had to choose which player to guard in a 2 on 1 situation. Then they made the correct pass or drive to defeat the X defense. They could play each other 10 games in a row and I believe that UConn would win every one of them. BUT….as the announcers stated more than once, I think that X is in very capable hands and that talent and ability to play as a team deficient that X has right now will not be there within a year or two. This year sucked, but that doesn’t mean that next year or the years after that will. Treat it as the anomaly it is and move on.

[MHettel]

As far as Top 10...its not going to take that long. Maybe 1-2 years. Portal makes it "easy."

13-7

[MHettel]

Ciani sure didn’t look injured today…..but that’s the only reason Djokovic was getting more time so that’s kinda weird?

Wait, Ciani can’t gradually return from his injury? Can’t get your head around that idea?

[Xavier]

Wait, Ciani can’t gradually return from his injury? Can’t get your head around that idea?

He played more today than his first game against Uconn. Probably injured then, too.

[Xville]

13-7

"Miller just won because he was in the a-10 and had a lot of talent at Arizona"

[Xville]

I don't see all 3 staying.

I think Lazar does and would pick Ciani with 3 years left to stay over Gytis and his 1 year.

That's where I'm at. Miller has made it clear there will be upgrades...most of these guys are going to have to accept rotting on the bench, or a backup role for a while. I'd like to keep Djokovic, the other two I don't see much.

[MHettel]

Hett knows all

Yeah, a real baller performance for Lazar in NYC.

68 minutes played and scored 8 points on 2-12 shooting with 11 rebs, 5 assists, and 3 turnovers.

I hope we can find some guys like that in the portal. Let’s get a whole roster of guys that can’t shoot, can’t ball handle, can’t defend, can’t pass, but have “potential”.

[Xville]

Yeah, a real baller performance for Lazar in NYC.

68 minutes played and scored 8 points on 2-12 shooting with 11 rebs, 5 assists, and 3 turnovers.

I hope we can find some guys like that in the portal. Let’s get a whole roster of guys that can’t shoot, can’t ball handle, can’t defend, can’t pass, but have “potential”.

You can keep being obtuse all you want to try to prove whatever stupid point you are trying to make, but no one said he had a great performance. Miller, Staff, Jackson etc all see the potential in Djokovic and a lot of us fans see it too. Just because you don't for whatever reason, doesn't make it true.

[Xville]

Anyways, I can understand why some people don't like him, but I absolutely love Hurley and the fire he brings to the position. He obviously knows basketball. Anyways, I thought it was a real classy move of him to go over to Q when he was checking out, and shake his hand and give him a quick bro hug. Game recognizes game.

[MHettel]

"Miller just won because he was in the a-10 and had a lot of talent at Arizona"

Check your facts first of all. I didn’t say he “just” won because of those reason. But I did say it makes it a lot easier when you are the beneficiary of a pretty significant talent imbalance. That’s just a fact.

Without the benefit of a talent advantage, well, suddenly we’re a sub .500 team.

So, what exactly is your point. Are you suggesting that I’m wrong, or just butt hurt cause I’m right?

[Xville]

Check your facts first of all. I didn’t say he “just” won because of those reason. But I did say it makes it a lot easier when you are the beneficiary of a pretty significant talent imbalance. That’s just a fact.

Without the benefit of a talent advantage, well, suddenly we’re a sub .500 team.

So, what exactly is your point. Are you suggesting that I’m wrong, or just butt hurt cause I’m right?

How did Miller beat UCONN twice last year? Certainly wasn't a talent advantage. You know what you were saying...don't try to backslide now.

[xudash]

anyways, i can understand why some people don't like him, but i absolutely love hurley and the fire he brings to the position. He obviously knows basketball. Anyways, i thought it was a real classy move of him to go over to q when he was checking out, and shake his hand and give him a quick bro hug. Game recognizes game.

class

[MHettel]

You can keep being obtuse all you want to try to prove whatever stupid point you are trying to make, but no one said he had a great performance. Miller, Staff, Jackson etc all see the potential in Djokovic and a lot of us fans see it too. Just because you don't for whatever reason, doesn't make it true.

So here is the best part of a debate like this….we will get to see it play out.

I have my doubts that Lazar will be back next year. And that could be because he doesn’t want to be here, or that that he was encouraged to leave. But either way, I’m sure you will insist that Miller wanted him because of this oozing potential he has. But we will never know.

In the event that he does come back, it starts getting interesting. First of all, it would be almost impossible to play as poorly as he did this year, so it’s almost inevitable that we will be “better”….even if he still sucks. I’m sure you’ll spin that scenario as if it were evidence that this untapped potential is becoming “production”.

Of course he could be stuck on the bench next season. And we will have wasted a roster spot on him, much like we did 2 years ago with Miles, KyKy and Edwards who all basically did not contribute, eventually transferred and had a large hand in the roster issues we had THIS year.

And finally, I suppose Lazar could develop into a Justin Doelmann type. From a playing style point of view, that’s my “comp” for Lazar. I’d gladly take the productivity we saw from Doellman. But after 1 season, Doellman was considerably further ahead than Lazar and I’d give this long shot odds at best.

So, I’d be happy to admit I was wrong about Lazars potential if he approaches Doellman level production as a Junior or a Senior. But will you admit you were wrong if he doesn’t come back or just flat out sucks.

Admitting you were wrong isn’t that hard to do! And frankly, you couldn’t be much more wrong that you were with the 13-7 prediction, right?

[xudash]

Irregardless of what posters think about the level of Xavier talent this year, everyone should acknowledge that UConn has better talent across the board compared to just about any other team in the country. Not just superior talent but experience and the ability to play together as a team too. In the 2nd half they consistently put X players in positions where they had to choose which player to guard in a 2 on 1 situation. Then they made the correct pass or drive to defeat the X defense. They could play each other 10 games in a row and I believe that UConn would win every one of them. BUT….as the announcers stated more than once, I think that X is in very capable hands and that talent and ability to play as a team deficient that X has right now will not be there within a year or two. This year sucked, but that doesn’t mean that next year or the years after that will. Treat it as the anomaly it is and move on.

I've heard a number of analysts now mention that UCONN is even more talented than they were last season. I have to agree with them, and you.

Personally, I would say we should keep Cianni and Lazar and lose Ouseman and Gytis. Keep Nzeh. Then hit the portal for the right "aircraft carrier" - thank you very much Al McGuire. Get a strong replacement for Quincy. And dream and hope that Free and Hunter do make it back effectively. Think about the fact that they will be GROWN MEN and very experienced if they can make it back and stay healthy.

I know one thing and I feel another:

1. KNOW - I trust Sean Miller and Sean Miller will get Xavier basketball firmly back on track; and

2. FEEL - The response next season to this year's very dark season will be a run to the BET Championship and a very deep run in the NCAAT.

One can dream.

[Xavier]

Yes and no, you said Miller can’t coach in the big East while finishing 2nd with a team that never finished higher than 6th. So results don’t necessarily matter as much as you’d think..

[Xville]

I already admitted I was wrong about the conference record numerous times, yet you seem so hard up on that because thats the one thing you can point to. It was also not a "this team will finish 13-7" declaration which you seem to either not understand, or just leave out because you want to make me look bad or something. I had said I saw a path to 13-7 based on where the team was at the time and the easier schedule that was to come in February.

You have been wrong on here about things approximately once a day yet never admit being wrong about anything and then double/triple down on the stupidity, so no I'm not going to play your stupid game. I also never said Djokovic was going to develop into some All Big East Conference Player. He may or may not, but he has developed the past five or six games and if he continues on that road, he could be one day.

[MHettel]

How did Miller beat UCONN twice last year? Certainly wasn't a talent advantage. You know what you were saying...don't try to backslide now.

and yet ANOTHER area I’ve already covered.

Last years XU team was LOADED with talent. LOADED.

We just didn’t realize it because Steele was so determined to squander it all away. Nunge, Free, Colby, Kunkel, & Boum was a FANTASTIC starting 5. Hunter was excellent as a 6th man and a perfect example of what a coaching upgrade can do for a guy.

So, what’s your point. A team with immense talent beat another team with arguable better talent. And looking back, I see there 2 wins came on Dec 31 & Jan 25.

UConn was 14-0 when we played them on Dec 31. They then went 2-4 over their next 6 games before losing to us AGAIN. So a 2-6 stretch in which they dropped from #2 in the polls to #24.

They then went 12-1 on the way to the National Championship.

So UConn had an 8 game stretch that year where they were VERY mortal and we beat them twice. Good for us.

[Xville]

and yet ANOTHER area I’ve already covered.

Last years XU team was LOADED with talent. LOADED.

We just didn’t realize it because Steele was so determined to squander it all away. Nunge, Free, Colby, Kunkel, & Boum was a FANTASTIC starting 5. Hunter was excellent as a 6th man and a perfect example of what a coaching upgrade can do for a guy.

So, what’s your point. A team with immense talent beat another team with arguable better talent. And looking back, I see there 2 wins came on Dec 31 & Jan 25.

UConn was 14-0 when we played them on Dec 31. They then went 2-4 over their next 6 games before losing to us AGAIN. So a 2-6 stretch in which they dropped from #2 in the polls to #24.

They then went 12-1 on the way to the National Championship.

So UConn had an 8 game stretch that year where they were VERY mortal and we beat them twice. Good for us.

You said without the benefit of a talent advantage, we were a sub .500 team? True this year but again Implying that without a talent advantage, Miller has trouble. You stated that Miller had it easy in the A-10 and had a major talent differential in Arizona...again implying that Miller can only be a good a coach with a talent advantage.

UCONN easily had more talent than X did last year. X had one NBA player and went 6.5 deep. UCONN has 3 guys from that team currently playing in the nba, at least two more will be joining them that still play on this year's team. Yet X won...twice and here you are again making excuses or discounting that because for some reason, you want to die on this hill of you believing Miller not being a great coach. And don't try to say you aren't, because you have made several statements proving otherwise. You are a fan of the team right? You saw the sweet 16? Right? You saw Steele who actually isn't a good coach take basically the same roster and not get above 6th in the big east? Right?

I'm done with your stupidity.

[drudy23]

Anyways, I can understand why some people don't like him, but I absolutely love Hurley and the fire he brings to the position. He obviously knows basketball. Anyways, I thought it was a real classy move of him to go over to Q when he was checking out, and shake his hand and give him a quick bro hug. Game recognizes game.

He's only hated because he's the enemy.

Dude can coach.

[drudy23]

Check your facts first of all. I didn’t say he “just” won because of those reason. But I did say it makes it a lot easier when you are the beneficiary of a pretty significant talent imbalance. That’s just a fact.

Without the benefit of a talent advantage, well, suddenly we’re a sub .500 team.

So, what exactly is your point. Are you suggesting that I’m wrong, or just butt hurt cause I’m right?

Do you really think XU could have done better than Miller?

If so, WHO??

[MHettel]

You said without the benefit of a talent advantage, we were a sub .500 team? True this year but again Implying that without a talent advantage, Miller has trouble. You stated that Miller had it easy in the A-10 and had a major talent differential in Arizona...again implying that Miller can only be a good a coach with a talent advantage.

UCONN easily had more talent than X did last year. X had one NBA player and went 6.5 deep. UCONN has 3 guys from that team currently playing in the nba, at least two more will be joining them that still play on this year's team. Yet X won...twice and here you are again making excuses or discounting that because for some reason, you want to die on this hill of you believing Miller not being a great coach. And don't try to say you aren't, because you have made several statements proving otherwise. You are a fan of the team right? You saw the sweet 16? Right? You saw Steele who actually isn't a good coach take basically the same roster and not get above 6th in the big east? Right?

I'm done with your stupidity.

Miller has never been in a situation where, relative to the rest of his league, he’s been on the wrong side of a talent disparity. That’s is undeniable factual.

This year was his moment of truth. An “opportunity” if you will for him to show exactly how great of a coach he is by leading this marginally talented group (that he put together) beyond what could have reasonably have been expected of them.

Steele got fired because he would “do less with more”.

A GREAT coach can “do more with less”.

Your allegiance to the school, the team, and miller has clouded your judgement. This was a poorly constructed roster that had huge holes in the frontcourt defense and 3 point shooting. The losses of Free and Hunter were impactful, but in the case of Free was foreseeable. And, neither of those guys would help the interior defense or the deep shooting. Then miller couldn’t get ANY more out of them than their collective talent would suggest. That’s the definition of average.

We had some terrible losses, really lacked any meaningful wins after thanksgiving, and frankly looked like a JV team a lot of times out there. The team showed ALOT of quit in many games.

I think you think I LIKE that these are the facts. Rest assured That I do not. This has been an awful season and frankly the worst performance in 35 years. But I can look at it objectively and call it like I see it. You, in particular, are basically a cheerleader and simply will not accept the reality.

13-7 being certainly the height of your delusion.

[MHettel]

Do you really think XU could have done better than Miller?

If so, WHO??

I haven’t given that any thought. But miller put this team together and we just wrapped up a sub .500 season. The fact that he built the roster is what makes him further accountable for the results. I think only the most elite coaches could have done any better with this team. But that’s what we hired, right? An Elite coach?

So, either the roster is so crappy that even an elite Coach like Miller could do anything with it….

Or….Miller isn’t quite the elite coach we thought he was. Or to soften that a little bit, maybe we could say he missed the chance to show he is elite.

This season wasn’t just about the 40 minutes during the games. This was a big lesson in roster construction and talent evaluation.

[Xavier]

I haven’t given that any thought. But miller put this team together and we just wrapped up a sub .500 season. The fact that he built the roster is what makes him further accountable for the results. I think only the most elite coaches could have done any better with this team. But that’s what we hired, right? An Elite coach?

So, either the roster is so crappy that even an elite Coach like Miller could do anything with it….

Or….Miller isn’t quite the elite coach we thought he was. Or to soften that a little bit, maybe we could say he missed the chance to show he is elite.

This season wasn’t just about the 40 minutes during the games. This was a big lesson in roster construction and talent evaluation.

I mean. It’s not the roster he built. He lost 2 of his 3 best players before the season started. Go back and take 2 of best 3 guys off X great teams in past, I’m not sure they are tournament teams either. Just look at Kansas, took there two best players off and UC smoked em…Self must not be the coach we thought.

There is something ironic about you questioning his ability to build a roster after questioning his ability to coach bc his roster was just much better than others.

[drudy23]

There's no way anyone could have predicted Free and Hunter. Those were enormous losses. The remedy was a band-aid compared to what those two brought to the table. You can't just ignore that.

[Xville]

id love to know what elite coach can take a team with average to below average talent in a power conference to the tourney. Dumbest take ever. How woukld you even judge if its average talent if they make the tournament anyways? Even coach k couldnt get an average talented Duke team to the tourney a few times. Stop trying to make a stupid argument that miller isn't a great coach. Multiple tourney runs, multiple elite eights with multiple one possession games to get to the final four where it could have gone either way. College basketball is ruined forever anyways, so why are you still here?

[Xville]

I mean. It’s not the roster he built. He lost 2 of his 3 best players before the season started. Go back and take 2 of best 3 guys off X great teams in past, I’m not sure they are tournament teams either. Just look at Kansas, took there two best players off and UC smoked em…Self must not be the coach we thought.

There is something ironic about you questioning his ability to build a roster after questioning his ability to coach bc his roster was just much better than others.

Yep...arguing out of both sides of his mouth....would make a wonderful politician. He just can't stand being wrong about everything.

[xuphan]

Yep...arguing out of both sides of his mouth....would make a wonderful politician. He just can't stand being wrong about everything.

This game put the nail in the coffin of one of the worst seasons in recent memory of the program. Very unfortunate with injuries but there is also a lack of talent on this team and too many players who aren’t at this level. Interesting offseason to see who moves on and who Miller brings in. Need atleast 3 impact transfers in the offseason to start competing again in the Big East.

[D-West & PO-Z]

So here is the best part of a debate like this….we will get to see it play out.

I have my doubts that Lazar will be back next year. And that could be because he doesn’t want to be here, or that that he was encouraged to leave. But either way, I’m sure you will insist that Miller wanted him because of this oozing potential he has. But we will never know.

In the event that he does come back, it starts getting interesting. First of all, it would be almost impossible to play as poorly as he did this year, so it’s almost inevitable that we will be “better”….even if he still sucks. I’m sure you’ll spin that scenario as if it were evidence that this untapped potential is becoming “production”.

Of course he could be stuck on the bench next season. And we will have wasted a roster spot on him, much like we did 2 years ago with Miles, KyKy and Edwards who all basically did not contribute, eventually transferred and had a large hand in the roster issues we had THIS year.

And finally, I suppose Lazar could develop into a Justin Doelmann type. From a playing style point of view, that’s my “comp” for Lazar. I’d gladly take the productivity we saw from Doellman. But after 1 season, Doellman was considerably further ahead than Lazar and I’d give this long shot odds at best.

So, I’d be happy to admit I was wrong about Lazars potential if he approaches Doellman level production as a Junior or a Senior. But will you admit you were wrong if he doesn’t come back or just flat out sucks.

Admitting you were wrong isn’t that hard to do! And frankly, you couldn’t be much more wrong that you were with the 13-7 prediction, right?

You are such a typing contradiction.

One one hand guys like you lament the ability for players to transfer whenever they want and not sticking through tough times and waiting and developing like the good old days but on the other hand if a freshman isn’t amazing right away he stinks, has no talent, and should leave. Despite the potential I see, If Lazar comes back that does not guarantee he is significantly better next year or starts or plays a ton. It will be his sophomore season. We’d hope to see some improvement and then significant contributions as an upper classman. Again you’d have kicked Jason Love out and James Farr out after one year.

Also those guys you named didn’t waste roster spots. There’s what, 13 scholarships? Miller is never going to play more than 8-9 consistently in a rotation. Never has even at Arizona. That means every year we have 4-5 scholarship players who don’t see the floor. They aren’t wasted spots even though some guys will always transfer from those spots (at your horror of course).

[XUGRAD80]

I predicted 12-8 and a 4th place finish. I freely admit that I was wrong. But if you look at the preseason poll on this site you’ll see that 51 people voted and only 2 voted that they would finish in 9th place. Everyone else said 5th or better. So I’ve got lots of company in being wrong in my preseason prediction. I guess we all expected more development out of this past year’s team. For various reasons we didn’t see it. Guess that being optimistic is a part of being a fan and I won’t apologize for that. But the lack of ability to predict wins and loses correctly doesn’t necessarily mean that someone doesn’t understand the game or can’t correctly judge the ability of players and coaches. Even though the team didn’t do as well as I thought or hoped that they would this year, I still think that Miller is a great coach and I’m very happy that he is the coach at X. I also still think that there is a lot of potential for the FRESHMAN (including the euros) to develop over the off-season. I hope that we see that happen.

[Xville]

You are such a typing contradiction.

One one hand guys like you lament the ability for players to transfer whenever they want and not sticking through tough times and waiting and developing like the good old days but on the other hand if a freshman isn’t amazing right away he stinks, has no talent, and should leave. Despite the potential I see, If Lazar comes back that does not guarantee he is significantly better next year or starts or plays a ton. It will be his sophomore season. We’d hope to see some improvement and then significant contributions as an upper classman. Again you’d have kicked Jason Love out and James Farr out after one year.

Also those guys you named didn’t waste roster spots. There’s what, 13 scholarships? Miller is never going to play more than 8-9 consistently in a rotation. Never has even at Arizona. That means every year we have 4-5 scholarship players who don’t see the floor. They aren’t wasted spots even though some guys will always transfer from those spots (at your horror of course).

Oh no you must have forgotten hett believes that those spots should have been reserved for starters this year… ya know… hey power 5 starter go ahead and sit a year for us and then maybe next year you could maybe see the floor. Do we have a deal? Lol

[drudy23]

I predicted 12-8 and a 4th place finish. I freely admit that I was wrong. But if you look at the preseason poll on this site you’ll see that 51 people voted and only 2 voted that they would finish in 9th place. Everyone else said 5th or better. So I’ve got lots of company in being wrong in my preseason prediction. I guess we all expected more development out of this past year’s team. For various reasons we didn’t see it. Guess that being optimistic is a part of being a fan and I won’t apologize for that. But the lack of ability to predict wins and loses correctly doesn’t necessarily mean that someone doesn’t understand the game or can’t correctly judge the ability of players and coaches. Even though the team didn’t do as well as I thought or hoped that they would this year, I still think that Miller is a great coach and I’m very happy that he is the coach at X. I also still think that there is a lot of potential for the FRESHMAN (including the euros) to develop over the off-season. I hope that we see that happen.

I don't think anyone anticipated 3 of our post guys to give us relatively nothing.

As frustrating as Abou is, at least he played some very good games.

[MHettel]

You are such a typing contradiction.

One one hand guys like you lament the ability for players to transfer whenever they want and not sticking through tough times and waiting and developing like the good old days but on the other hand if a freshman isn’t amazing right away he stinks, has no talent, and should leave. Despite the potential I see, If Lazar comes back that does not guarantee he is significantly better next year or starts or plays a ton. It will be his sophomore season. We’d hope to see some improvement and then significant contributions as an upper classman. Again you’d have kicked Jason Love out and James Farr out after one year.

Also those guys you named didn’t waste roster spots. There’s what, 13 scholarships? Miller is never going to play more than 8-9 consistently in a rotation. Never has even at Arizona. That means every year we have 4-5 scholarship players who don’t see the floor. They aren’t wasted spots even though some guys will always transfer from those spots (at your horror of course).

Do I really need to provide the Blockbuster analogy again. Very few things happen overnight. College basketball is no different. The NIL and Portal have changed the game forever and will result in something that is unrecognizable from what we have all grown to love. I never said it was an overnight thing. I said from the get go that it would occur over the course of several years and some teams that are early adopters will grab an advantage before the rest of the schools catch on and the deep pockets push the small schools into obscurity.

I don’t understand the value in putting your head in the sand. We are currently seeing, and have BEEN seeing signs of this developing for the last 2-3 years. Wait till the portal kicks in this year.

As far as the portal and NIL and all of that, be sure that I truly DESPISE it, but don’t really think swimming against the current makes a lot of sense. I don’t have to like the rules to realize how unproductive it is to try to continue to play by the old ones.

Did I really have to explain that?

[Xville]

No one has their head in the sand. Just no one believes your craziness about 1. Early adopters, 2.) this is going to ruin college basketball

My favorite part is when we have come up with facts, data and logic surrounding that and you just keep ignoring it. For example, jay wright quit because of nil and the portal, where in reality he is quoted as believing it’s going to be good for the game.

You stick to your ridiculous opinions no matter how many times you have been proven wrong.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Do I really need to provide the Blockbuster analogy again. Very few things happen overnight. College basketball is no different. The NIL and Portal have changed the game forever and will result in something that is unrecognizable from what we have all grown to love. I never said it was an overnight thing. I said from the get go that it would occur over the course of several years and some teams that are early adopters will grab an advantage before the rest of the schools catch on and the deep pockets push the small schools into obscurity.

I don’t understand the value in putting your head in the sand. We are currently seeing, and have BEEN seeing signs of this developing for the last 2-3 years. Wait till the portal kicks in this year.

As far as the portal and NIL and all of that, be sure that I truly DESPISE it, but don’t really think swimming against the current makes a lot of sense. I don’t have to like the rules to realize how unproductive it is to try to continue to play by the old ones.

Did I really have to explain that?

1. You always act like NIL and the portal are brand new, it's mind numbing to me. This will be the 4th offseason of both.

2. The teams who navigate this new world best will find an effective balance between going to the portal while also developing homegrown recruits. We are done with building completely through high school recruits and big high school recruiting classes, but high guys coming from high school (or the overseas equivalent) will continue to need to be recruited and developed. Most years, with the type of high school guy X is getting, those guys won't contribute in a major way as freshmen. You don't just move off them after one year (not all of them at least).

[Xavier]

He's only hated because he's the enemy.

Dude can coach.

Hate him. I’m not sure what his teams and role within them looked like in the past, but whoever is in charge of his offensive sets/designs is on another level. Constant movement, constant screening, and like with each set there’s like 5 different options or plays. Makes it very difficult to guard.

[paulxu]

His dad.