Freemantle?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Anyone else hearing he may have a very serious knee injury? I hope what I just heard isn't true, haven't seen anything anywhere yet so hoping not. What I heard does not sound good though.

[drudy23]

Anyone else hearing he may have a very serious knee injury? I hope what I just heard isn't true, haven't seen anything anywhere yet so hoping not. What I heard does not sound good though.

Oh for Christ sake, not again.

Seriously, we need an exorcism...if true. At this point, of course it will end up being true.

[GoMuskies]

That would not be ideal. Would we win another game if he's out?

[D-West & PO-Z]

That would not be ideal. Would we win another game if he's out?

Well considering (counting the last UC game) we were only favored in 3 of the next 15 games, I would say no.

Cancel the season if he's out for the year, we are toast.

Let's hope I got had, and its all BS.

[drudy23]

Well considering (counting the last UC game) we were only favored in 3 of the next 15 games, I would say no.

Cancel the season if he's out for the year, we are toast.

Let's hope I got had, and its all BS.

It's being reported - the extent is yet to be known, but it certainly looks like something that could lead to real bad news.

[drudy23]

Looking back, that fateful day in Nashville, TN sent this program on a spiral it has yet to come out of.

I'm starting to lose faith. I long for the days of Stan Burrell, Tyrone Hill, Trevon Blueitt, Tu Holloway, BJ Anderson, and so many more. The program lost something along the way. Not sure if Steele's unravelling will truly take a decade (looks that way), but I still blame him.

[GoMuskies]

We had a nice first year under Sean, obviously, but Steele's tenure is starting to look like the good old days.

[D-West & PO-Z]

We had a nice first year under Sean, obviously, but Steele's tenure is starting to look like the good old days.

I wouldn't go that far, but yeah, not a great 2 year follow up to year 1. Rough stuff.

Let's hope the potential injury is a sprain instead and only a couple week injury.

Although at this point, any time without Free is going to be pretty rough to win.

[Xavier]

The injuries have been brutal for the Muskies man. Feel terrible for Zach. We are due for some good luck soon…..right?

Back to back years the starting front court is out before conference play. That’s just so hard to come back from. Man, just sucks.

[Xville]

oh my effing gawd. please geezus no

[Xville]

Back when Mack was the coach and before that, I had often thought how lucky X was to avoid the injury bug for the most part. Since then, its been an effing disaster on that front. This program needs an exorcism.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Miller has to go out and get his Cherokee parks. Huge is not that good and without free we are done. Good news is that will give fletcher more minutes if healthy.

[drudy23]

Miller has to go out and get his Cherokee parks. Huge is not that good and without free we are done. Good news is that will give fletcher more minutes if healthy.

Not sure they are going to just throw Fletcher in there. Sean said in one of his podcasts he made a promise to their family to not over-extend him coming off of 2 knee surgeries. This one is a back-breaker.

[Xavier]

The season is over without Zach anyways. I don’t see them pushing fletcher faster. No point

[XUGRAD80]

What a gut punch for everyone. Zach worked so hard to get back. I really feel terrible for him.

[Xville]

The season is over without Zach anyways. I don’t see them pushing fletcher faster. No point

Correct. Zero point to even play him. The season is toast without Zach. Why risk it with a guy who has had a billion surgeries if he’s 80-90%.

As bad as we feel, I can’t begin to fathom what free may be feeling. Holy fuck I feel so bad for him. This can take even the most positive gritty men to a very dark place. Free needs all our prayers right now

[Final4]

Out for the year. And Green is gone as well.......will enter the portal.

[GoMuskies]

So we essentially have Foster, Hunter, Swain, Hugley, Conwell, Maddox and McKnight. Seven guys to finish the season.

Not great, Bob.

[muskieindent]

Yes my daughter told me she heard this too from someone who knows Zack,This would completely end this season

[bigdiggins]

So we essentially have Foster, Hunter, Swain, Hugley, Conwell, Maddox and McKnight. Severn guys to finish the season.

Not great, Bob.

7 is being generous.

[JTG]

Anyway to go grab a couple Euros? I can't believe the season is over and it's still a week before Christmas. There is a big time curse on this school.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I am not seeing anywhere showing it's official but sounds like it is. Freemantle out for the year dooms this team to the bottom part of the table. Not only that, but they lose a ton of players. Good lord, what a huge gut punch.

[Xville]

the report is "sidelined indefinitely." So, yeah sounds pretty much end of the season. im gonna throw up

[Xavier]

It apparently happened while defending a lob and landing on his lower back/hip? When he got up and was limping I was worried but looking now looked like he was trying to stretch back out. Hard to see where the ACL got damaged. Is it a back thing?

Meh if everyone is hearing ACL that must be it.

[noteggs]

Definitely feel for the guy. Prayers up. What a gutsy guy to finish the game. We need more guys with his passion

[muskieindent]

Rick Broering reporting he's out for at least a few weeks.

[SM#24]

Looking back, that fateful day in Nashville, TN sent this program on a spiral it has yet to come out of.

I'm starting to lose faith. I long for the days of Stan Burrell, Tyrone Hill, Trevon Blueitt, Tu Holloway, BJ Anderson, and so many more. The program lost something along the way. Not sure if Steele's unravelling will truly take a decade (looks that way), but I still blame him.
I know he's gained some weight, but BJ did not eat CJ.

[webxu]

We need Fr. Graham to come back and perform an exorcism...

[XUBand]

The administration screwed the program when they didn’t even interview anyone but Travis Steele. I continue to believe Greg Christopher is incompetent and only brought back Sean in an effort to right the ship. That clearly hasn’t worked out too well. Glad I didn’t renew tickets this year after 10+ years.

[drudy23]

The administration screwed the program when they didn’t even interview anyone but Travis Steele. I continue to believe Greg Christopher is incompetent and only brought back Sean in an effort to right the ship. That clearly hasn’t worked out too well. Glad I didn’t renew tickets this year after 10+ years.

I don't know if he's incompetent, but it sure as hell shows what a bad hire can do. Did he really not interview anyone else?

Everyone needs to be taking some accountability. I can't imagine anyone is happy with how things are going. But at the same time, I'm done with excuses. The ship must be righted.

[Xville]

I don't know if he's incompetent, but it sure as hell shows what a bad hire can do. Did he really not interview anyone else?

Everyone needs to be taking some accountability. I can't imagine anyone is happy with how things are going. But at the same time, I'm done with excuses. The ship must be righted.

He's not a good AD plain and simple. All you have to do is look at his "accomplishments" at previous stops, and now at Xavier with what he has done to the two programs that mean anything revenue wise to the university.

He's a classic example of failing up.

[Xavier]

Goodman says there’s optimism it’s not season ending. But frankly if it’s 4-6 weeks it might as well be. But for his sake I hope he can return and get playing time at Senior night.

[XUBand]

He's not a good AD plain and simple. All you have to do is look at his "accomplishments" at previous stops, and now at Xavier with what he has done to the two programs that mean anything revenue wise to the university.

He's a classic example of failing up.

But but don’t you want to pay $5,000 per ticket to sit in the new club seats?! Literally all he has done is increased ticket cost and upgrade the arena with needless crap.

[drudy23]

I don't know much more sadness and not meeting expectations this board can take.

I could say I won't pay attention, but I know I will. This isn't Xavier Basketball and it's so damn frustrating.

Another long winter here.

[Xavier]

He's not a good AD plain and simple. All you have to do is look at his "accomplishments" at previous stops, and now at Xavier with what he has done to the two programs that mean anything revenue wise to the university.

He's a classic example of failing up.

Completely agree his hiring is rough. I think the “Xavier way” that led to the success was hiring next man up. Slightly different in the BE though, but I don’t necessarily fault him for going that route. Would’ve gotten rid of Travis a year earlier though.

I do think the changes to the arena have been great. He has been good at that stuff (and fundraising) so I think just bringing miller back would solidify bball at least. Still think it will, just been incredibly unlucky these past two, even 3 years, with injuries.

[Xville]

Goodman says there’s optimism it’s not season ending. But frankly if it’s 4-6 weeks it might as well be. But for his sake I hope he can return and get playing time at Senior night.

Like you said I hope for his sake that 4-6 weeks is all it is, because he deserves a proper send off, and no one deserves this kind of injury hell.

But even if its 4-6, the season is essentially over for X at that point. Six weeks is more than half the conference season. Unless Hugley suddenly becomes Olajuwon, we are toast.

[GoMuskies]

Possible we could stay afloat enough to make the NIT if he comes back in 6 weeks, I suppose. That sucks, but it would be nice for him to have an opportunity for a postseason.

[Xville]

Completely agree his hiring is rough. I think the “Xavier way” that led to the success was hiring next man up. Slightly different in the BE though, but I don’t necessarily fault him for going that route. Would’ve gotten rid of Travis a year earlier though.

I do think the changes to the arena have been great. He has been good at that stuff (and fundraising) so I think just bringing miller back would solidify bball at least. Still think it will, just been incredibly unlucky these past two, even 3 years, with injuries.

I think the upgrades to the arena are fine. I think the food court is incredibly tacky and a stupid idea, but the rest of it has been aesthetically pleasing. However, his main job is putting people in place to direct the sports program forward.

I'm glad to see what has happened with baseball and womens soccer, but the rest have been crap. Men's soccer has gone backward, womens bb barely exists, he hired steele, volleyball has been what its always been-mediocre.

He's failed at the biggest thing this university had which was a great tradition in basketball. Father Hoff is probably rolling over in his grave.

[drudy23]

Possible we could stay afloat enough to make the NIT if he comes back in 6 weeks, I suppose. That sucks, but it would be nice for him to have an opportunity for a postseason.

There's no chance Free, or anyone else, wants to play in the NIT.

[Xavier]

I haven’t seen anything suggesting 4-6 weeks. Just, for knee sprains in NFL- depending on the grade, 4-6 weeks is within the possibility. If X is optimistic it’s not season ending then I’d guess it depends on the type of sprain and when swelling goes down they can get a better understanding

[Xville]

Possible we could stay afloat enough to make the NIT if he comes back in 6 weeks, I suppose. That sucks, but it would be nice for him to have an opportunity for a postseason.

fuck that, and he may say different in public, but he'd probably feel the same way.

[GoMuskies]

There's no chance Free, or anyone else, wants to play in the NIT.

Well, perhaps he could lead us to an NC State-like run through the Big East Tournament (and then into the Final Four), then? Dare to dream, I suppose.

[Xavier]

I think the upgrades to the arena are fine. I think the food court is incredibly tacky and a stupid idea, but the rest of it has been aesthetically pleasing. However, his main job is putting people in place to direct the sports program forward.

.

The additions of all three bars have been nice. The scoreboard ring was a nice touch, seating above student section. To go along with the new gym and weight room. I think it’s been wildly impressive keeping Cintas one of the best on campus arenas. Hard to believe it’s 20+ years old.

I’m not happy with the important decisions (besides bringing miller back). I wanted Greg gone awhile ago

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Before this season started, I had the bad feeling that Free won’t last the whole season without another serious injury. Oh how I wish I was wrong.

[XUBand]

Besides Christopher it’s been the same staff the past 20 years as well essentially. Mercurio, eiser, Brian hicks, etc. all good people I’m sure. Might be time for a change though.

[Olsingledigit]

Completely agree his hiring is rough. I think the “Xavier way” that led to the success was hiring next man up. Slightly different in the BE though, but I don’t necessarily fault him for going that route. Would’ve gotten rid of Travis a year earlier though.

I do think the changes to the arena have been great. He has been good at that stuff (and fundraising) so I think just bringing miller back would solidify bball at least. Still think it will, just been incredibly unlucky these past two, even 3 years, with injuries.
I agree. Sean is a good coach, but the injuries have been devastating.

[drudy23]

Well, perhaps he could lead us to an NC State-like run through the Big East Tournament (and then into the Final Four), then? Dare to dream, I suppose.

That sounds much better.

[drudy23]

Besides Christopher it’s been the same staff the past 20 years as well essentially. Mercurio, eiser, Brian hicks, etc. all good people I’m sure. Might be time for a change though.

Those are mostly administrators. They do fantastic work, but not sure they are impacting Ws and Ls - maybe I'm wrong.

As for the on-court assistants, they absolutely should be part of the assessment of the state of the program. It has to be something.

[Xville]

Well, perhaps he could lead us to an NC State-like run through the Big East Tournament (and then into the Final Four), then? Dare to dream, I suppose.

that's better :) . I hope for his sake, its just the 4-6. this is it for him i assume. Prayers to him.

[bleedXblue]

Time to start over IMHO. The real question will be is Sean going to stay and see it through? Need an almost full reboot and a deep look into who we are and and how this program was built. I know NIL has changed a lot, but we have steered too far away from building and developing talent that can pay dividends in future years.

What a total kick in the balls....again

[Xville]

Those are mostly admin guys. They do fantastic work, but not sure they are impacting Ws and Ls - maybe I'm wrong.

As for the on-court assistants, they absolutely should be part of the assessment of the state of the program. It has to be something.

Yeah I'm not sure of all of Mario's responsibilities but I know it's admin work like scheduling etc. He's fine.

The assistants though I would highly suggest turning over at this point, or at least really considering it. Injuries or not, I'm not seeing much in the way of development over the year or summer for that matter.

I know its a whole new world, but guys consistently leaving over the last few years either comes down to a recruiting/scouting issue or a development issue. A lot of that falls on the assistants.

Dorky Greg should have been gone a long time ago.

[MHettel]

Yeah I'm not sure of all of Mario's responsibilities but I know it's admin work like scheduling etc. He's fine.

The assistants though I would highly suggest turning over at this point, or at least really considering it. Injuries or not, I'm not seeing much in the way of development over the year or summer for that matter.

I know its a whole new world, but guys consistently leaving over the last few years either comes down to a recruiting/scouting issue or a development issue. A lot of that falls on the assistants.

Dorky Greg should have been gone a long time ago.

Maybe we should shave Mario’s head and burn that atrocity in a cauldron with a video of Steele’s hiring announcement and the workout regime that Hugley used to lose all that weight and productivity.

[Xville]

Maybe we should shave Mario’s head and burn that atrocity in a cauldron with a video of Steele’s hiring announcement and the workout regime that Hugley used to lose all that weight and productivity.

lol. Throw a live chicken in there though just to be safe.

[MHettel]

On the bright side, I heard the NCAA was considering expanding.

I have not heard them explicitly rule out expanding it to 250 teams for this year. We’re probably still a bubble team, but it’s something to shoot for.

[Xavier]

Yeah, like I said awhile ago that first team was a blessing and a curse for Sean and the offense. Just seemed to be the perfect fit, and we haven’t been able to run successful offense since. I’d be fine, rather I’d expect to see some turnover in that regard this offseason.

[drudy23]

Time to start over IMHO. The real question will be is Sean going to stay and see it through? Need an almost full reboot and a deep look into who we are and and how this program was built. I know NIL has changed a lot, but we have steered too far away from building and developing talent that can pay dividends in future years.

What a total kick in the balls....again

Agree. Something's off.

To me there are several glaring points that don't translate well in Xavier's favor:

1) Small private school, small market - double whammy for NIL for anyone not named Duke or Gonzaga
2) 3-4 year developmental paths have become obsolete. Kids that don't play right away are going to leave. With limited NIL, you cannot whiff on recruits or NIL transfer ROI
3) People in Cincinnati rarely do anything outside the box. Everyone is taking a similar path with NIL and the transfer portal. Who's the brave program that's going to take a risk and go with a new philosophy? It won't be the big boys, they have enough money to compete. It has to be a program like Xavier that finds a creative solution to compete. But a leader has to have the balls to give the ok to tread into unknown territory. That used to be our developmental path...keeping up with the NIL Joneses' is not sustainable for a school like X
4) Declining enrollment - just puts more enhanced pressure on taking risks when revenue is down

[XUBand]

Declining enrollment is the biggest thing - kids can’t afford to go to school for $50,000 a year and parents that were once kids in college a decade ago know better than to burden their kids with debt.

[Xville]

Agree.

To me there are several glaring points that don't translate well in Xavier's favor:

1) Small private school, small market - double whammy for NIL for anyone not named Duke or Gonzaga
2) 3-4 year developmental paths have become obsolete. Kids that don't play right away are going to leave. With limited NIL, you cannot whiff on recruits or NIL transfer ROI
3) People in Cincinnati rarely do anything outside the box. Everyone is taking a similar path with NIL and the transfer portal. Who's the brave program that's going to take a risk and go with a new philosophy? It won't be the big boys, they have enough money to compete. It has to be a program like Xavier that finds a creative solution to compete. But a leader has to have the balls to give the ok to tread into unknown territory. That used to be our developmental path...keeping up with the NIL Joneses' is not sustainable for a school like X
4) Declining enrollment - just puts more enhanced pressure on taking risks when revenue is down

To point 3) Marquette seems to be doing just fine not going portal shopping. Now they had a lot of guys in place that they were able to develop before nil really hit, so we will see what they do moving forward. But they have shown it can be done. Maybe just go after freshmen, develop them and that’s where we spend the majority of our nil hoping some of a lot of them hit

[bleedXblue]

Declining enrollment is the biggest thing - kids can’t afford to go to school for $50,000 a year and parents that were once kids in college a decade ago know better than to burden their kids with debt.

No one worth their salt pays 50K to go to Xavier. If you have a pulse and B grades in high school you're getting a big "scholarship" reduced down to the high 20's. Still higher than a state school, but manageable

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Best case he returns and we confidently make the NIT or are a NCAA bubble team, regardless it's a burnt season again. Make matters all worse, the team is gutted by eligibility and we are another patchwork portal mix of mid-major guys.

Miller should have blown the team up and grabbed a ton of recruits, but even then there is zero guarantee any would stay and develop. I like the two recruits we have, but I wish the class was 4 or more.

[drudy23]

Imagine having to teach a system to 50-75% new guys every year. That's a grueling existence.

I cannot see any path where this is sustainable for a program like X. Coaches will get burnt out, frustrating for newcomers, frustrating for vets.

I bet Miller wishes he wasn't as nice with roster placement in year 1. It's also not fun and very stressful to have to continue to tell kids every year that their time is up.

I don't know the right formula, but this one seems chaotic.

[MHettel]

Imagine having to teach a system to 50-75% new guys every year. That's a grueling existence.

I cannot see any path where this is sustainable for a program like X. Coaches will get burnt out, frustrating for newcomers, frustrating for vets.

I bet Miller wishes he wasn't as nice with roster placement in year 1. It's also not fun and very stressful to have to continue to tell kids every year that their time is up.

I don't know the right formula, but this one seems chaotic.

Maybe a simpler system is needed? Or maybe a little more latitude when a guy comes in and does something that miller doesn’t like.

McKnight doesn’t get yanked when he fouls a three point shooter.

The guys are walking on eggshells. One mistake and you’re gone.

What’s the irony that Miller never gave Green a chance to play extended minutes and then Miller desperately needs green to hit 4 Free Throws in order to avoid possibly our worst loss EVER. And Green delivered. And went right back to the bench and it sounds like he’s gone after this semester.

Old schools style is NOT working.

[XUBand]

No one worth their salt pays 50K to go to Xavier. If you have a pulse and B grades in high school you're getting a big "scholarship" reduced down to the high 20's. Still higher than a state school, but manageable

Sorry, but beg to differ. I was top 1% in high school, extracurriculars, etc. never had a bad grade at Xavier. Paid full price. I wasn’t the right ethnicity or gender to get help and majored in science. Parents made peanuts too.

[XUBand]

Maybe a simpler system is needed? Or maybe a little more latitude when a guy comes in and does something that miller doesn’t like.

McKnight doesn’t get yanked when he fouls a three point shooter.

The guys are walking on eggshells. One mistake and you’re gone.

What’s the irony that Miller never gave Green a chance to play extended minutes and then Miller desperately needs green to hit 4 Free Throws in order to avoid possibly our worst loss EVER. And Green delivered. And went right back to the bench and it sounds like he’s gone after this semester.

Old schools style is NOT working.

Sorry but that’s just the opposite take of what is going on. The NEW system isn’t working. Miller isn’t getting CJ/BJ, Burrell, Holloway type guys. 4 years dedicated to a system guys. He’s getting a bunch of 1 year players who aren’t committed to anything.

[OTRMUSKIE]

The new system is going to destroy a lot of programs if you don’t have money you ain’t winning unless you just get really lucky. I hate what money has done to basketball and football. Jay wright and Nick Sabin weren’t stupid. Same with Tony Bennett. They knew how difficult this new era was going to be.

[bleedXblue]

It can be done and I think X will be "Ok" if they (im not sure who they is) start putting some things in place like NIL Cap, the maximum number of times you can transfer without sitting out a year etc. etc. It's way too open and has swung way too far in favor of the players.

[bigdiggins]

It can be done and I think X will be "Ok" if they (im not sure who they is) start putting some things in place like NIL Cap, the maximum number of times you can transfer without sitting out a year etc. etc. It's way too open and has swung way too far in favor of the players.

NIL CAP, Transfer limits, etc will never survive a lawsuit.

[bleedXblue]

NIL CAP, Transfer limits, etc will never survive a lawsuit.

please explain

Why cant any school say the NIL offer is contingent on a 2 year deal? If you leave after 1 year you pay back 1/2 the money

The NCAA had transfer limits in place before?

[drudy23]

please explain

Why cant any school say the NIL offer is contingent on a 2 year deal? If you leave after 1 year you pay back 1/2 the money

The NCAA had transfer limits in place before?

How would they ever recoup that money? That money is long gone by that point. You can't retract what's not there. These aren't executives with binding employment contracts. This is fun money from a booster - I can't even begin to imagine that craziness that goes on with it.

It's the wild west.

[bigdiggins]

please explain

Why cant any school say the NIL offer is contingent on a 2 year deal? If you leave after 1 year you pay back 1/2 the money

The NCAA had transfer limits in place before?

Yes they did. And got sued. And lost.

[A Fan]

please explain

Why cant any school say the NIL offer is contingent on a 2 year deal? If you leave after 1 year you pay back 1/2 the money.

The NCAA had transfer limits in place before?
In college athletics, implementing a cap on NIL compensation faces significant hurdles. For a NIL cap to be established, either all schools would need to collectively agree on it or conferences would need to individually adopt the rule. However, such agreements are nearly impossible to achieve. And a collective agreement among schools would likely be seen as a violation of antitrust laws, as it would represent a coordinated restriction on athletes’ earning potential, which courts have historically ruled against.

As for requiring athletes to commit to a two-year contract in exchange for NIL deals, you can propose such terms, but whether players agree depends entirely on the market. If other opportunities allow players to earn similar compensation without such restrictions then it does not work. Essentially, the feasibility of this approach comes down to supply, demand, and competitive offers in the NIL landscape.

[Xavier]

I won’t accept that the “new” era of NIL is keeping X back. It’s a cop out. Injuries have been more detrimental than talent. But you have to adjust to the new way and find a way to succeed. It might not be with Miller (I think it will) but X will find out how to succeed in this era. It’s new, I think for a school like X it might take a little to find its way. But ultimately just kinda tough to yell because of the injuries.

[waggy]

I have no idea how the money is committed. Is there a contract? And if so, what entity is the player contracting with? Bottom line is if there is a contract, it could be for multiple years, it could include options, it could include op outs, etc, etc.

It's nearly impossible to overcome the injuries that X has suffered over the last few seasons.

Wishing Free health as soon as possible.

[Olsingledigit]

I won’t accept that the “new” era of NIL is keeping X back. It’s a cop out. Injuries have been more detrimental than talent. But you have to adjust to the new way and find a way to succeed. It might not be with Miller (I think it will) but X will find out how to succeed in this era. It’s new, I think for a school like X it might take a little to find its way. But ultimately just kinda tough to yell because of the injuries.

Dayton has apparently adapted quickly. I don't buy any NIL excuse. Having said that, the injuries have been devastating. We never played a game with Traore (sp?) and now Free goes down. Bad luck for sure. Miller is a great coach, but you can only play with who you have. What is all of the complaints about Greg Christopher and Sean Miller? This is a player availability problem. No more no less. i am sure Sean is not sleeping well these days and it is not his fault. He will do what he can to win what games he can, but you have to "dance with what brung you".

[MHettel]

Sorry but that’s just the opposite take of what is going on. The NEW system isn’t working. Miller isn’t getting CJ/BJ, Burrell, Holloway type guys. 4 years dedicated to a system guys. He’s getting a bunch of 1 year players who aren’t committed to anything.

I don’t understand what you mean. If teaching the Miller system to that many new guys isn’t working properly, then change the system to one that CAN be taught effectively to that many guys. What am I missing when you say it’s the opposite?

[MHettel]

How would they ever recoup that money? That money is long gone by that point. You can't retract what's not there. These aren't executives with binding employment contracts. This is fun money from a booster - I can't even begin to imagine that craziness that goes on with it.

It's the wild west.

Pay it at the end of the season? Use an escrow account? Hundred different ways to do this.

[Xville]

Dayton has apparently adapted quickly. I don't buy any NIL excuse. Having said that, the injuries have been devastating. We never played a game with Traore (sp?) and now Free goes down. Bad luck for sure. Miller is a great coach, but you can only play with who you have. What is all of the complaints about Greg Christopher and Sean Miller? This is a player availability problem. No more no less. i am sure Sean is not sleeping well these days and it is not his fault. He will do what he can to win what games he can, but you have to "dance with what brung you".

I don’t put much blame on miller, yet. Injuries are what they are, but I do question his assistants. There has been very little development of any player since miller got here, and that’s mostly an assistants job.

Christopher sucks. He’s horrible at hiring coaches and putting people in a place to succeed. Women’s program is barely alive. He hired Steele over Kelsey. That’s a fireable offense, period. How can you listen to those two guys and think Steele is the better coach. It’s effing mind boggling.

Christopher might be a good fundraiser, have him do that, and the put someone in place of athletics that knows what the fuck they are doing. Miller fell in his lap otherwise I’m confident he would have made a shitty hire. How do I know? He hired Steele and a number of women’s bb coaches. He hired the new men’s soccer coach. He’s never gotten the volleyball program better. I’ll give him baseball, but even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. And look at his previous stops.. the guy has never accomplished anything outside of making things look nice, and raising funds. College interns can do that job.

[Xville]

Could be wrong but in order for the “contract” thing to happen, they would have to be employees first. That opens up a whole different can of worms. Not saying I’m not for it, but it’s not just snapping your fingers and it’s done.

[GoMuskies]

I’ll give him baseball

Seems to have hired the right guy, but O'Connor was a former Xavier player already on Googs's Xavier staff before he left for UC. So not the most strenuous search process there.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

The big disappointing thing here is that in 3 season, we have yet to see a full Miller team vision on the court. His first year was honoring the guys already here, year two had injuries to our two best big men, this year are two injuries to our two best big men. It would be great to see a team that Miller puts together with his full vision on the court for a season. I bet we would have a good season.

[Xavier]

His first year had some of his best coaching. Everyone hated Hunter and how he played with Steele. Sean turned him into a fan favorite. We had a short rotation, beat the National Champs twice and then Freemantle goes down. Kept the team going and still managed a 3 seed/sweet16 despite it. It was such a nice change from Steele. Since then it’s been trying to get undermanned teams to play above their level.

(Though this year wasn’t looking great and wasn’t strictly due to injury, admittedly)

[Xville]

His first year had some of his best coaching. Everyone hated Hunter and how he played with Steele. Sean turned him into a fan favorite. We had a short rotation, beat the National Champs twice and then Freemantle goes down. Kept the team going and still managed a 3 seed/sweet16 despite it. It was such a nice change from Steele. Since then it’s been trying to get undermanned teams to play above their level.

(Though this year wasn’t looking great and wasn’t strictly due to injury, admittedly)

Good points in regards to hunter and what miller did with that team. I don’t think the guy forgot how to coach, and injuries have been a major issue. However I’m not sold on his assistants. They all just seem like young guys who can be buddies with the players. That’s the vibe I’m getting in the all in series. Honestly that first miller year feels like a decade ago. Not millers fault, but man I barely remember that season, it’s just in the middle of all the absolute crap this program has been thru for the past seven years

[Xville]

Radio show was sobering. Reading between the lines, free is out for the year. Anything else is just baloney.

Anyways miller said fletcher will be entering the fold now to get to an 8 man rotation, and possibly have Colbert in for short bursts. Yay

[drudy23]

Radio show was sobering. Reading between the lines, free is out for the year. Anything else is just baloney.

Anyways miller said fletcher will be entering the fold now to get to an 8 man rotation, and possibly have Colbert in for short bursts. Yay

Ugh.

Likely out for season - strike 1
Fletcher having to play probably before he's 100% - strike 2
Walk-on in the rotation for the 2nd year in a row - strike 3

We're out...this sucks.

[Xville]

Ugh.

Likely out for season - strike 1
Fletcher having to play probably before he's 100% - strike 2
Walk-on in the rotation for the 2nd year in a row - strike 3

We're out...this sucks.

In regards to fletcher, he said the plan all along was Christmas. Now he coulda been lying but I don’t really see much reason to. But yeah the other two at best are just sad.

[Xavier]

Yep. Mentioned having to go to zone more. Walk the ball up. Maybe just completely slow the game down.

That’s the reality. We have to have as few possessions as possible to stay close to some teams. Wednesday is gonna be brutal. I don’t even know what’s an obtainable goal. .500 in BE?

[Xville]

Yep. Mentioned having to go to zone more. Walk the ball up. Maybe just completely slow the game down.

That’s the reality. We have to have as few possessions as possible to stay close to some teams. Wednesday is gonna be brutal. I don’t even know what’s an obtainable goal. .500 in BE?

Fletcher was an athletic freak before all his injuries. I have no idea what he’s going to be now, certainly not going to replace free but hopefully he can at least be a bright spot for the future. This sucks so much

[Xavier]

He was kinda harsh on fletcher. . “He can make open 3s. In transition, he can really make plays at the rim. Limiting him dribbling, like decision-making that's something he's not good at."

But was excited about his future and being another bigger wing guy with length

[Xville]

He was kinda harsh on fletcher. . “He can make open 3s. In transition, he can really make plays at the rim. Limiting him dribbling, like decision-making that's something he's not good at."

But was excited about his future and being another bigger wing guy with length

He say anything about who was going to play the 5? I assume hunter with the way that hugley has played.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Kalk was already going to drop 30 on us. He might go for 60 now.

[Xville]

Kalk was already going to drop 30 on us. He might go for 60 now.

Honestly, defensively I don’t see much of a drop off. Free tries hard but he’s still awful on d.

It’s our ability to score that’s the big issue now, which is surprising considering what we thought and were told before the season started even with traore going down.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Honestly, defensively I don’t see much of a drop off. Free tries hard but he’s still awful on d.

It’s our ability to score that’s the big issue now, which is surprising considering what we thought and were told before the season started even with traore going down.

Yeah but imagine Hunter and Hugely out there as the only 2 trying to slow him down. Free not great on D but just running out of any big bodies.

[Xavier]

I’ve seen the practice video of the offense absolutely clicking on line over the summer. Fast, easy buckets. Everyone draining open looks. It’s impressive. The main take Away might have been….offense looked so good bc it was going against our defense. Though I do think the defensive guards haven’t been bad.


The one thing that really seems off- how did this team dominate Dayton? Was something absolutely clicking until the season started? Was it simply: a scrimmage that’s hard to really take anything from? And at this point it just doesn’t matter. Give us one year where an all Big East player isn’t out for the season.

[Final4]

Article just released in The Enquirer (online) about Miller's response to Free's injury. Why do they insist on continuing to refer to it as a "lower body injury"? Is it not just a knee?

[drudy23]

Honestly, defensively I don’t see much of a drop off. Free tries hard but he’s still awful on d.

It’s our ability to score that’s the big issue now, which is surprising considering what we thought and were told before the season started even with traore going down.

Offense isn't a bigger issue than defense, but people also need to understand that we're not going to do what we did against UConn every night.

They were clicking on the offensive end, and that's just not going to happen every game.

[Xville]

Offense isn't a bigger issue than defense, but people also need to understand that we're not going to do what we did against UConn every night.

They were clicking on the offensive end, and that's just not going to happen every game.

Reason i said that is because until last night our offense had looked like shit outside Morgan State, and I don't think we have much of a drop off defensively with Free not on the floor. Not like he's a good defender.

I agree that we aren't going to be shooting like that every night, but if we pass and move like we did, then I feel better moving forward.

Defense is going to be an issue with or without Free.

[bleedXblue]

I'm going to be surprised if the injury is a complete ACL tear. Zac was moving pretty good at the end of the game and that isnt consistent with what you see most of the time with major ACL injuries. Hoping for some good news and its a sprain or partial tear that with some rest can allow Zac to return before the end of the year.

[XU 87]

I'm going to be surprised if the injury is a complete ACL tear. Zac was moving pretty good at the end of the game and that isnt consistent with what you see most of the time with major ACL injuries. Hoping for some good news and its a sprain or partial tear that with some rest can allow Zac to return before the end of the year.

Since he's out indefinitely, but not for the season, I'm guessing that this is a partial tear that they are hoping he can recover from in a couple of months and without immediate surgery.

[CP05XU08CU13]

The new system is going to destroy a lot of programs if you don’t have money you ain’t winning unless you just get really lucky. I hate what money has done to basketball and football. Jay wright and Nick Sabin weren’t stupid. Same with Tony Bennett. They knew how difficult this new era was going to be.

Essentially going to have to take the “Moneyball” approach and put together a team with a “small market” budget. Yes, bigger programs with deeper pockets will be able to “buy” bigger name players, but what incentive is there for these young men to develop once they receive a paycheck? Yes, NBA riches are calling some players, but the vast majority of paid players will fizzle out since they are self entitled brats that do not think they need to work. Sean and company have their work cut out for them and need to “sell” the program/development aspect to prep these guys for the next level if they can make it there.

[MHettel]

Essentially going to have to take the “Moneyball” approach and put together a team with a “small market” budget. Yes, bigger programs with deeper pockets will be able to “buy” bigger name players, but what incentive is there for these young men to develop once they receive a paycheck? Yes, NBA riches are calling some players, but the vast majority of paid players will fizzle out since they are self entitled brats that do not think they need to work. Sean and company have their work cut out for them and need to “sell” the program/development aspect to prep these guys for the next level if they can make it there.

It’s doesn’t even need to be the lure of NBA money to get our guys to leave. Some big money teams (like USC for instance) can simply outpay us. Let’s say we bring in a couple freshmen that contribute early and these look like guys we can build around. We’re gonna have to pay “market” to keep them.

I think a lot of people lose sight of exactly how the mind of a young man (18-22) really works. It’s RIGHT NOW. No 5 year plan. I want the most money RIGHT NOW. Stand in those shoes and then evaluate the decisions that a lot of these guys make

[Xavier]

Some guys, yes. And that needs to be their plan. They have no future in the nba. I think only one other active coach has sent more players to the league than miller. And in two years at X- he has sent two guys to the league. It’s a good track record, and he’s been very good at snagging guards. Claude (family) looked at the path and realized it wasn’t feasible. That’s fine. But if you want a path to the league, Sean is as good as anyone at getting you there.

If you are up in the air, get your money while you can. I get it. I’d do the same.

[bleedXblue]

I'm not doom and gloom with NIL. We're essentially in the same boat as a lot of other programs. We have to sell our value, who we are and how we're going to develop players. Im still not sure what Sean's "system" is and the type of players he's trying to bring in. I thought last year should have been the beginning of the rebuild. We MUST be better at talent evaluation. Missed with Ducharme and Green. Went all in with Free returning this year and trying to build players to put around him and two big injuries have derailed that. No frosh this year? I just dont get it. At some point you have to pick a direction and stick with it.

[MHettel]

I'm not doom and gloom with NIL. We're essentially in the same boat as a lot of other programs. We have to sell our value, who we are and how we're going to develop players. Im still not sure what Sean's "system" is and the type of players he's trying to bring in. I thought last year should have been the beginning of the rebuild. We MUST be better at talent evaluation. Missed with Ducharme and Green. Went all in with Free returning this year and trying to build players to put around him and two big injuries have derailed that. No frosh this year? I just dont get it. At some point you have to pick a direction and stick with it.

The Hugley addition was a huge red flag for me. Clearly when that dude was 300 lbs, he was a different player. He must have been unmovable in the post and a backdown beast. He put up really good numbers 2 years ago as a soph in the ACC. But we run this really up-and-down system that emphasized speed, endurance, and stamina.

Did we really think that a 260 pound version of Hugley would be the same guy he was at 300 lbs? He’s been woefully ineffective. He’s been as big of a disappointment as any XU player that I can recall. But is this of our own design? Did we really think we could take a guy that plays THAT kind of game and just turn him into a run a gun guy?

It’s THIS kind of miss that has me worried? There were probably 25 guys in the portal that would have been a better fit and were looking for 20 minutes a night as a rotation big. We picked him? Was it money? Did we get him from the scratch and dent bin?

Let’s also look at Logan Duncolmb. Remember him? Top 75 or so local big man recruit that went to Indiana. Miller brings him in for last year and he doesn’t even make it through the summer? His reason to stepping away remains undisclosed but he came back this year and can’t break the rotation at Winthrop? This guy OBVIOUSLY is awful. Why did we even bring him in? Wouldn’t Miles have been better?

It’s just been a parade of misses over the last several years. Mack’s batting average dropped after towards the end and we all know how Steele did.

Miller is supposed to be an elite coach. He’s getting elite money, that’s for sure. Why do we continue to suffer through these horribly built teams?

3 years in a row where the same guy gets a major injury? If he had another year of eligibility, would Miller just say “yep!, I’ll pencil you in the lineup”.

I need signs of us turning the corner.

[bleedXblue]

We should be hearing something soon on Zac. I think it will be mostly good news. Just have a feeling.....

[webxu]

We should be hearing something soon on Zac. I think it will be mostly good news. Just have a feeling.....

I was at the game Saturday and saw him playfully trying to block one of the walk ons shots at halftime so hopefully that is a good sign?

[Xville]

That would be incredible for X but just mainly for him and his mental health if he was only out for a few weeks. Prayers up.

[Xavier]

From what I gather, it’s not torn and some typical timelines from similar type injuries are 6-8 weeks. Xavier pretty optimistic he’ll be back before then, but certainly not a season saving timeline. How the season goes will be based off how they do without him. But if head still above water it’s a nice boost that can help.

Moreso, just hope everything is accurate and he can get on the court again for his sake. Be a nasty way to end an injury riddled career (a miss 3 at UC)

[OTRMUSKIE]

Free has a partial tear in his knee, this is per baum. He was seen shooting around before the game. I would assume 6-8 weeks is probably best case. We are on week 2 now so maybe a month? Who knows but it’s not like X was playing great with him. It sure it will matter if he comes back or not. Def holding out hope.

[Xville]

Free has a partial tear in his knee, this is per baum. He was seen shooting around before the game. I would assume 6-8 weeks is probably best case. We are on week 2 now so maybe a month? Who knows but it’s not like X was playing great with him. It sure it will matter if he comes back or not. Def holding out hope.

Kind of good news. Hopefully he can come back and at least not have his last memory in an x uniform of a missed shot at uc

[A Fan]

Free has a partial tear in his knee, this is per baum. He was seen shooting around before the game. I would assume 6-8 weeks is probably best case. We are on week 2 now so maybe a month? Who knows but it’s not like X was playing great with him. It sure it will matter if he comes back or not. Def holding out hope.
If Free is able to “shoot around,” it suggests he has a moderate partial tear of his MCL. However, if the return timeline is estimated at 8 weeks, it likely indicates a high-grade tear (50-75% of the ligament fibers are torn). Two key factors influence the return time: the extent of the tear (closer to 50% or 75%) and how effectively his body heals naturally.

[muskieindent]

We should be hearing something soon on Zac. I think it will be mostly good news. Just have a feeling.....

He isn't on crutches and someone told me he's been jumping on it.Maybe not as bad as they thought? We can only hope.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Early feb is return date. Not sure how good of news that is. We will prob be 14-9 at that point. If they can find a way to run the table from that point on they should make the dance.

[bleedXblue]

Weird that he can walk, jump and run on it? And still needs to wait for the "tear" to heal. Strange but maybe thats normal.....

[bjf123]

Weird that he can walk, jump and run on it? And still needs to wait for the "tear" to heal. Strange but maybe thats normal.....

Maybe it’s a small tear that can heal itself, but putting game action stress on it could tear it more and completely end his season?


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[Xavier]

Definitely a difference between light running and casual activities as opposed to going hard/cutting in game action. Having said that I haven’t seen a timeline anywhere.

[bjf123]

From Cincinnati.com, Miller added that part of Freemantle's injury was a deep bone bruise that needs time to heal.

"It's very painful with swelling, discomfort and getting his full range of motion and strength back," Miller said. "He's made a lot of progress in that area."


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[XUGRAD80]

From Cincinnati.com, Miller added that part of Freemantle's injury was a deep bone bruise that needs time to heal.

"It's very painful with swelling, discomfort and getting his full range of motion and strength back," Miller said. "He's made a lot of progress in that area."


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I could have sworn that I heard the announcers on TV report that he was practicing. But what that means is anyone’s guess.

[bjf123]

I could have sworn that I heard the announcers on TV report that he was practicing. But what that means is anyone’s guess.

If I had to guess, which I am, I’m thinking “practice” means shooting FTs and some very light work on the floor.


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[MHettel]

That’s encouraging.

The idea of playing with a partial tear would freak me out. If it was a full tear and was repaired with surgery, then I’d feel pretty confident that the risk of reinjury was low.

But a partial tear? That makes it seem pretty likely that it wouldn’t take as much to finish the job. That has to be on your mind when you’re out there