Thoughts on the remaining season

[Xville]

Wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the remaining season and projecting what this team can accomplish moving forward? I'm going with the assumption that Free is out for the remainder of the season, even though there have been rumblings that may not be the case.

I think the best way to project forward is to see what has occurred up until this point.

The Good:

- Unlike last year, no losses in buy games. X had a Quad 3 and Quad 4 loss last year by this time.
- There seems to be more talent on this team. Swain has shown flashes of progression X got hunter back. Dayvion, Conwell, Foster are all performing moderately well.
- They have been in every game that they lost. No absolute blowouts to UCONN, Marquette up to this point. A few bounces, a few calls here and there, and this team could be in a lot better position.

The Bad:

- Moral victories while nice, X hasn't gotten it done in Q1 games.
- Frontcourt obviously still an issue. Some of that is injuries, some of that is misses in the portal (Hugley)


Moving Forward:

- There is talent on this team. I don't think that can really be disputed. However, It's not distributed very well as there are still some glaring holes in the frontcourt, so an off shooting night is a recipe for a loss.

- The Big East is not as good top to bottom as it has been the last few years. UCONN and Marquette are still very very good, but not as good as they have been the last few years, and the middle, backend of this conference all have pretty major flaws.

So where does that leave X?

With the remaining schedule, there is a path forward to get 12 wins. I'm not predicting that, but the remaining schedule provides an opportunity to do that. Here is how I see it happening if they accomplish it:

Seton Hall W
@ Gtown W
St. Johns L
@ Depaul W
Villanova W
@ Marquette L
@ St. Johns L
UCONN L
@ Creighton L
Gtown W
@ Villanova W
@ Providence W
Depaul W
Butler W
@ Seton Hall W
Creighton W
@ Butler L
Providence W

Will this happen? It's improbable, but ya never know and that's why they play the games. The schedule gets a little easier the next few games, then there is a brutal four game stretch, and then it gets easier again at the end. I don't know for sure, but the schedule opportunity seems to be close to what it was last year. If they can survive the first half of conference play and not completely blow themselves out of it, then there is opportunity to do something in February to make this interesting.

[drudy23]

I think 12-8 is possible. Would probably still need a solid showing in NYC at 20-13.

Without any signature wins so far, I'm afraid this team will have to win 15 in conference to get at-large consideration, and I don't think that's realistic.

The resume is not good, and the metrics currently suck.

[Xville]

It would take a lot more research to do so, but I wonder if what occurs above with my predictions where that would put X as far as at large consideration? With current metrics here is what it would look like resume wise:

20 wins
3 Quad 1 wins
No Quad 3 or 4 losses
12-8 in conference

Brew may have some insight as to what that would look like for at large consideration.

[Xavier]

12-8 in conference would probably have us in the PIG mix I think. Personally think 12-8 is about the ceiling but would feel like they have a solid shot at the tournament if so. I think they will snag one from St Johns.

Problem is with the imbalance schedule, we’d have to 8-1 to finish. 4 of those on the road. It’s a tall task for this team to do that. Once Freemantle went down I put the hope of making the tournament out the window. Take it game by game and if we start to go on a run then maybe reevaluate tournament chances.

The South Carolina win might start to help as the season goes on, too.

[XUGRAD80]

Unless Free comes back at full strength, I think that this team will have a hard time going .500 in the BE. Lack of size and depth in the front court will be exploited by every school they face.

[MHettel]

I had my doubts that this was a tournament caliber team BEFORE Free went down.

The frontcourt issues were obvious even with Free. Hugley may be the biggest surprise that I can recall in 20 years and obviously not in a good way. Jerome is very limited offensively and he’s putting it out there for all to see. Swain is a plus on defense and dangerous in transition but pretty useless in the half court offense.

Maddox and Green had not done anything up to that point. Dayvion doesn’t seem to know when to assert himself more. Foster is decent but more like Nate Johnson where he doesn’t ball handle at all.

I expected a lot more of this team. Like a deep NCAA run. The Free injury will likely provide “cover” for any criticism that is due in my opinion.

I agree that 12-8 put us in the discussion, but we also need some separation in the league standing. If we’re bunched up in the top 5 with SJU and Creighton also at 12-8, we are likely at the bottom of that group. It would take 5 bids for the BE for us to get in under that circumstance. I just don’t see it.

With that said, I really don’t see us with 12 wins. More like 8-10 in my opinion.

[xukeith]

How about if Freemantle comes back to play around 1/25 or so? Last 10 games on the schedule , I see X going 7-3 or 8-2.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I had my doubts that this was a tournament caliber team BEFORE Free went down.

The frontcourt issues were obvious even with Free. Hugley may be the biggest surprise that I can recall in 20 years and obviously not in a good way. Jerome is very limited offensively and he’s putting it out there for all to see. Swain is a plus on defense and dangerous in transition but pretty useless in the half court offense.

Maddox and Green had not done anything up to that point. Dayvion doesn’t seem to know when to assert himself more. Foster is decent but more like Nate Johnson where he doesn’t ball handle at all.

I expected a lot more of this team. Like a deep NCAA run. The Free injury will likely provide “cover” for any criticism that is due in my opinion.

I agree that 12-8 put us in the discussion, but we also need some separation in the league standing. If we’re bunched up in the top 5 with SJU and Creighton also at 12-8, we are likely at the bottom of that group. It would take 5 bids for the BE for us to get in under that circumstance. I just don’t see it.

With that said, I really don’t see us with 12 wins. More like 8-10 in my opinion.


This season seems to have become cautionary tale about relying so much on the portal. Even after Traore went down we had on paper anyway, a talented squad. Still as the above post points out, none of our players has, so far, played to expectations. It isn't just the Bigs or even just the new guys. Today, I have to conclude this roster is a fail. Perhaps something occurs that changes the chemistry of this team but having watched them for what, a third of the season, I don't see cause for optimism.

You can't know how any team is going to perform before the season starts and this team, perhaps because so many of the pieces were new and had not played together, it just hasn't jelled. As Hettel said, it isn't just a reflection of injuries. Looks like another disappointing season and, because I had such high expectations, the disappointment is particularly heavy.

I'm in the XUGRAD80 camp. Just don't see us better than .500 in conference and I don't even think that will be easy

[XUGRAD80]

I think it has become more of a cautionary tale of not getting caught up in preseason hype and hope.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I think teams that bring in as much as we did and actually have success are a bit of a unicorn. Most probably don't, the best success in 1-2 transfers and incoming freshmen. You need guys who stay to establish a core culture within the program to have true success. I think back to a Miami team and ISU teams that had success with tons of transfer, but now are having issues. Teams get lucky, but it eventually catches up.

[Xville]

I think it has become more of a cautionary tale of not getting caught up in preseason hype and hope.

I know what you’re saying because you never know what’s going to happen with injuries, but with traore this team was going to be pretty damn good from all indications. We’ve just been a snake bitten program since that horrible night in Nashville.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Pointing to the injuries and wishing for what might have been, isn't an unreasonable way to look at the season. During the few weeks between summer and fall practice, I ran into some of the coaching staff on the golf course. Very nice people willing to talk at length about the success they expected to have this season. They, like us on this board, expected a different season to unfold than what has so far occurred.

Despite the rationality in defaulting to the "we coulda been a contender" school of thought, I find Hettel's earlier take somewhat interesting. That is, those injuries perhaps provide cover for other issues that might merit more attention than this board gives to them. In light of the injuries to Traore then Freemantle, what might be if Hugely had turned out not to be such a massive disappointment? We gave him a scholarship and we failed to keep any of our big men from last year. What about the collective under-performance of McKnight, Swain and Green? I expected all three to make big improvements to their games. Did we really recruit the talent and experience we thought we were going to receive in Maddox, Conwell and Foster? Each of those three have had the occasional strong individual performance but as a group, in bigger games, they have been MIA.

Were we experiencing the season we all expected to receive, these questions might be moot. Did the season really go to hell when Traore went down or is that, at the very least, a convenient narrative that masks at least some recruiting, roster and game management issues? I'm not sure although feel disappointed as hell in what has so far transpired. I'd like to know what others think.

[XUGRAD80]

I know what you’re saying because you never know what’s going to happen with injuries, but with traore this team was going to be pretty damn good from all indications. We’ve just been a snake bitten program since that horrible night in Nashville.

Had a coach at X that used to say….“When if and buts are candy and nuts, everyday will be Christmas.”

I try not to get caught up in the preseason hype for any of the new players….freshman or transfers….and for the team as a whole when it’s basically an all new team. Because they are all new, you can never know for sure how they will perform as a unit, or individually. Travore was a 10-10 guy sure, but against who? Certainly not against Big East caliber competition. And who else on his team? Was he the only interior player they had? Did he get all those rebounds because nobody else on his team played down low? Did he get 10 points a game in garbage time? Against smaller players? Did they play n a similar system? If we rely only on the stats that the freshman or transfers put up in the past, with no consideration of the circumstances under which they played, we are apt to be disappointed in most cases where the players are moving up to a higher level of competition. In most cases the players don’t continue to perform at the same level. We’ve had some exceptions the last 2 seasons by two players. But what about the others?

I’ll wait to get excited until after I see how the players and the team are performing against top competition.

[MHettel]

Had a coach at X that used to say….“When if and buts are candy and nuts, everyday will be Christmas.”

I try not to get caught up in the preseason hype for any of the new players….freshman or transfers….and for the team as a whole when it’s basically an all new team. Because they are all new, you can never know for sure how they will perform as a unit, or individually. Travore was a 10-10 guy sure, but against who? Certainly not against Big East caliber competition. And who else on his team? Was he the only interior player they had? Did he get all those rebounds because nobody else on his team played down low? Did he get 10 points a game in garbage time? Against smaller players? Did they play n a similar system? If we rely only on the stats that the freshman or transfers put up in the past, with no consideration of the circumstances under which they played, we are apt to be disappointed in most cases where the players are moving up to a higher level of competition. In most cases the players don’t continue to perform at the same level. We’ve had some exceptions the last 2 seasons by two players. But what about the others?

I’ll wait to get excited until after I see how the players and the team are performing against top competition.

Take a peek at how our former Euro players are doing. They managed to improve….ALOT. Against lesser competition for sure. But it does make you wonder why Swain isn’t better offensively with and extra year under his belt. Or why Green was still a one trick pony. Or why McKnight is t any better as a fifth year player.

[Xville]

Pointing to the injuries and wishing for what might have been, isn't an unreasonable way to look at the season. During the few weeks between summer and fall practice, I ran into some of the coaching staff on the golf course. Very nice people willing to talk at length about the success they expected to have this season. They, like us on this board, expected a different season to unfold than what has so far occurred.

Despite the rationality in defaulting to the "we coulda been a contender" school of thought, I find Hettel's earlier take somewhat interesting. That is, those injuries perhaps provide cover for other issues that might merit more attention than this board gives to them. In light of the injuries to Traore then Freemantle, what might be if Hugely had turned out not to be such a massive disappointment? We gave him a scholarship and we failed to keep any of our big men from last year. What about the collective under-performance of McKnight, Swain and Green? I expected all three to make big improvements to their games. Did we really recruit the talent and experience we thought we were going to receive in Maddox, Conwell and Foster? Each of those three have had the occasional strong individual performance but as a group, in bigger games, they have been MIA.

Were we experiencing the season we all expected to receive, these questions might be moot. Did the season really go to hell when Traore went down or is that, at the very least, a convenient narrative that masks at least some recruiting, roster and game management issues? I'm not sure although feel disappointed as hell in what has so far transpired. I'd like to know what others think.

I see your point, but if any team in America lost their starting 5 man and starting 4 man, they’d probably look like this. Yes hugley big disappointment.

I very much disagree with your assessment of conwell. He’s been pretty damn good for us except Marquette where he was double teamed almost every time he received the ball. I think foster has been what he was recruited for—-a role guy. I doubt he’d be starting if traore and free were healthy. Swain is playing out of position. He’s about the only guy who has done anything inside in my view and hes not a 4. McKnight was tentative at the beginning of the season, but he’s turned a corner in my view, which he did last year as well.

[Xville]

I do agree with others that are hinting at. X’s staff needs an upgrade in my view.

[Xville]

Had a coach at X that used to say….“When if and buts are candy and nuts, everyday will be Christmas.”

I try not to get caught up in the preseason hype for any of the new players….freshman or transfers….and for the team as a whole when it’s basically an all new team. Because they are all new, you can never know for sure how they will perform as a unit, or individually. Travore was a 10-10 guy sure, but against who? Certainly not against Big East caliber competition. And who else on his team? Was he the only interior player they had? Did he get all those rebounds because nobody else on his team played down low? Did he get 10 points a game in garbage time? Against smaller players? Did they play n a similar system? If we rely only on the stats that the freshman or transfers put up in the past, with no consideration of the circumstances under which they played, we are apt to be disappointed in most cases where the players are moving up to a higher level of competition. In most cases the players don’t continue to perform at the same level. We’ve had some exceptions the last 2 seasons by two players. But what about the others?

I’ll wait to get excited until after I see how the players and the team are performing against top competition.

As far as traore, I’ll trust what miller was saying about him.

[XUGRAD80]

As far as traore, I’ll trust what miller was saying about him.

I’m not trying to say that he wouldn’t have been a good player. I’m only saying that when projecting in the preseason what we expect out of new players, we shouldn’t get caught up in just looking at stats from their prior schools. There are a lot of things that can affect how a player, and a team, will perform in the regular season. I also trust Miller’s judgement and decision making.

We had posters here calling this a potential final 4 team prior to the season. We had posters last year thinking that some of the Euro players could be all-BE type players. Every year we seem to go through this scenario where to some people the team looks awesome in the preseason and then underperforms to their expectations. You’d think that after 6 out of 7 years of this some people would stop getting their expectations so high and would wait to see. I’m all for optimism, and I was certainly optimistic coming into this year too. But after losing their 2 best interior players, and others not showing development like was expected or hoped for, why are some people still expecting this team to go 12-8 and/or make the tourney? IMO those are not realistic expectations. Nor were many of the preseason forecasts realistic. To many people getting caught up in hype and not reality.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, we've probably reached the point as a program where we should probably just assume we're going to kind of suck unless and until we don't.

[Xville]

I’m not trying to say that he wouldn’t have been a good player. I’m only saying that when projecting in the preseason what we expect out of new players, we shouldn’t get caught up in just looking at stats from their prior schools. There are a lot of things that can affect how a player, and a team, will perform in the regular season. I also trust Miller’s judgement and decision making.

We had posters here calling this a potential final 4 team prior to the season. We had posters last year thinking that some of the Euro players could be all-BE type players. Every year we seem to go through this scenario where to some people the team looks awesome in the preseason and then underperforms to their expectations. You’d think that after 6 out of 7 years of this some people would stop getting their expectations so high and would wait to see. I’m all for optimism, and I was certainly optimistic coming into this year too. But after losing their 2 best interior players, and others not showing development like was expected or hoped for, why are some people still expecting this team to go 12-8 and/or make the tourney? IMO those are not realistic expectations. Nor were many of the preseason forecasts realistic. To many people getting caught up in hype and not reality.

I don’t think anyone is expecting 12-8. I think it’s a ceiling possibility.

I think expectations are probably around 10 wins if that much if free doesn’t return fully healthy and soon

[hoopster68]

As the year comes to a close, has the XU Men's program reached "Miller mediocrity"? I don't think so, but would like to hear others opinions.

[MHettel]

As the year comes to a close, has the XU Men's program reached "Miller mediocrity"? I don't think so, but would like to hear others opinions.

I don’t think anyone thought we’d be where we are in Millers third year. I get the injuries, but there just isn’t anything to build upon.

[XUGRAD80]

I don’t think anyone is expecting 12-8. I think it’s a ceiling possibility.

I think expectations are probably around 10 wins if that much if free doesn’t return fully healthy and soon

With the current active roster, I don’t see 12 as a possibility . I don’t even see how they reach 10 wins out of the remaining 18 games. Not with virtually no interior game. IF Free returns before February AND is at full strength when he is that MIGHT give them a couple of extra wins to where they can get 8-10 wins, but that’s still a big if.

BUT…I don’t know of any squad that could overcome the injury problems that X has had the last 2 years and do any better than they have. As long as the kids continue to play hard and compete I’m not going to be dissatisfied. Disappointed? Yes. I’ll still play the “What if” game a little bit. I’ll wonder what might have been. But I won’t dwell on it. I won’t cry and scream. I won’t throw the rest of the team under the bus. Players are being asked to do things, and play positions, that they never prepared for and for the most part don’t have the talent to do. At this point all the coaches can do is ask them to try and to not give up. I haven’t seen any of the players still on the active roster quit and I’ll not quit on them either. But I will let reality temper my expectations. It’s possible that they might exceed my expectations and I’ll certainly be happy if they do!

[xu82]

With the current active roster, I don’t see 12 as a possibility . I don’t even see how they reach 10 wins out of the remaining 18 games. Not with virtually no interior game. IF Free returns before February AND is at full strength when he is that MIGHT give them a couple of extra wins to where they can get 8-10 wins, but that’s still a big if.

BUT…I don’t know of any squad that could overcome the injury problems that X has had the last 2 years and do any better than they have. As long as the kids continue to play hard and compete I’m not going to be dissatisfied. Disappointed? Yes. I’ll still play the “What if” game a little bit. I’ll wonder what might have been. But I won’t dwell on it. I won’t cry and scream. I won’t throw the rest of the team under the bus. Players are being asked to do things, and play positions, that they never prepared for and for the most part don’t have the talent to do. At this point all the coaches can do is ask them to try and to not give up. I haven’t seen any of the players still on the active roster quit and I’ll not quit on them either. But I will let reality temper my expectations. It’s possible that they might exceed my expectations and I’ll certainly be happy if they do!

Well said. Public reps.

[Xville]

With the current active roster, I don’t see 12 as a possibility . I don’t even see how they reach 10 wins out of the remaining 18 games. Not with virtually no interior game. IF Free returns before February AND is at full strength when he is that MIGHT give them a couple of extra wins to where they can get 8-10 wins, but that’s still a big if.

BUT…I don’t know of any squad that could overcome the injury problems that X has had the last 2 years and do any better than they have. As long as the kids continue to play hard and compete I’m not going to be dissatisfied. Disappointed? Yes. I’ll still play the “What if” game a little bit. I’ll wonder what might have been. But I won’t dwell on it. I won’t cry and scream. I won’t throw the rest of the team under the bus. Players are being asked to do things, and play positions, that they never prepared for and for the most part don’t have the talent to do. At this point all the coaches can do is ask them to try and to not give up. I haven’t seen any of the players still on the active roster quit and I’ll not quit on them either. But I will let reality temper my expectations. It’s possible that they might exceed my expectations and I’ll certainly be happy if they do!

I disagree a bit with your expectations and ceiling for this team not because of roster construction but because they were right there with the two best teams in the conference. I’d have to think if they put forth that kind of effort (which could be difficult) in most if not all remaining games, 12 could happen. If they give the effort, that’s all you can ask like you indicated.

The second part I agree with fully and well said. Swain is playing out of position, foster is starting, Jerome is starting etc etc. get the win against hall, get some confidence and ya never know.

[drudy23]

This won't be popular, but I'm tired of the "well, they tried hard" mantra.

We're likely heading into the 6th out of 7th year not making the tournament, and some people continue to chalk this up to covid and injuries.

Even if we make the tournament the following 3 years, that's a 40% clip over a decade - it should be double that. That's a massive failure for this program, and I can't stand how people ho hum it. Once people start to accept things like this, it becomes the norm. IMO, it's not acceptable, and you can't just roll into next year with no changes and keeping the status quo.

Things to Assess:
* Is the right staff and structure in place to get to the next level? Not talking about Miller, but I am talking about the assistants, as well as the support staff and how NIL is managed
* How is the frontcourt rebuilt completely, and not just a stop gap initiative every year?
* I've heard a tough bulldog mindset on defense for 3 years, and I don't think anyone sees that persona on defense
* Do we have the right personnel moving forward to continue to push an up-tempo game - is it really working when it comes to wins? Does a more traditional and balanced approach work better at a place like X?
* What's the special sauce that makes X stick out when it's not going to be NIL $$$? Is the AD capable of finding a successful path to success in this new world?

I often wonder, how much of this should be attributed to the job of the AD or is this strictly program related? I'd look at that as well - sometimes the current guy isn't the right guy for the next phase. It's not a good look to have the worst 7-year period in X modern history on your watch, with what seems like little vision for that next phase.

[Xville]

This won't be popular, but I'm tired of the "well, they tried hard" mantra.

We're likely heading into the 6th out of 7th year not making the tournament, and some people continue to chalk this up to covid and injuries.

Even if we make the tournament the following 3 years, that's a 40% clip over a decade - it should be double that. That's a massive failure for this program, and I can't stand how people ho hum it. Once people start to accept things like this, it becomes the norm. IMO, it's not acceptable, and you can't just roll into next year with no changes and keeping the status quo.

Things to Assess:
* Is the right staff and structure in place to get to the next level? Not talking about Miller, but I am talking about the assistants, as well as the support staff and how NIL is managed
* How is the frontcourt rebuilt completely, and not just a stop gap initiative every year?
* I've heard a tough bulldog mindset on defense for 3 years, and I don't think anyone sees that persona on defense
* Do we have the right personnel moving forward to continue to push an up-tempo game - is it really working when it comes to wins? Does a more traditional and balanced approach work better at a place like X?
* What's the special sauce that makes X stick out when it's not going to be NIL $$$? Is the AD capable of finding a successful path to success in this new world?

I often wonder, how much of this should be attributed to the job of the AD or is this strictly program related? I'd look at that as well - sometimes the current guy isn't the right guy for the next phase. It's not a good look to have the worst 7-year period in X modern history on your watch, with what seems like little vision for that next phase.

I don’t think anyone involved at x whether it be fans, coaches, admin and especially here are accepting this or thinking this is ok. But from a fans’ perspective there is little else that we can do. We attend games, we give to the program, nil is in a good spot so we have done our part.


With that said, imo Christopher is an awful ad. He’s never done anything in his entire career to point to that says yeah this is the right guy. The women’s team has crumbled under his leadership. The mens have been awful due to his hiring of the worst coach in x basketball history since probably when? Tay? He fundraises well I guess, but feel most can do that job.


The staff has to be looked at outside of miller. Maybe we need an older bench coach that is good with development and with that said from my perspective, we need new strategy in this day and age and not being a blue blood. We need to go back and develop, and fill in gaps in the portal vs getting 5-6 new guys every year and hope we hit on all or most of them.

As far as scheme etc. I’m fine with the offense if we get a few guys who can beat their man off the dribble. I think that’s missing. As far as defense, I despise the pack line and think it’s antiquated. I’d rather see a high pressure on the ball man to man with zone mixed in as needed.


Just a few of my thoughts

[xubrew]

Had Xavier gone through with starting up football, then everyone would know who and what to blame!

[MHettel]

This won't be popular, but I'm tired of the "well, they tried hard" mantra.

We're likely heading into the 6th out of 7th year not making the tournament, and some people continue to chalk this up to covid and injuries.

Even if we make the tournament the following 3 years, that's a 40% clip over a decade - it should be double that. That's a massive failure for this program, and I can't stand how people ho hum it. Once people start to accept things like this, it becomes the norm. IMO, it's not acceptable, and you can't just roll into next year with no changes and keeping the status quo.

Things to Assess:
* Is the right staff and structure in place to get to the next level? Not talking about Miller, but I am talking about the assistants, as well as the support staff and how NIL is managed
* How is the frontcourt rebuilt completely, and not just a stop gap initiative every year?
* I've heard a tough bulldog mindset on defense for 3 years, and I don't think anyone sees that persona on defense
* Do we have the right personnel moving forward to continue to push an up-tempo game - is it really working when it comes to wins? Does a more traditional and balanced approach work better at a place like X?
* What's the special sauce that makes X stick out when it's not going to be NIL $$$? Is the AD capable of finding a successful path to success in this new world?

I often wonder, how much of this should be attributed to the job of the AD or is this strictly program related? I'd look at that as well - sometimes the current guy isn't the right guy for the next phase. It's not a good look to have the worst 7-year period in X modern history on your watch, with what seems like little vision for that next phase.

I think there are very few college players that can “do it all” well. A lot of guys have 1 or 2 areas they excel at and frankly are pedestrian otherwise. We are particularly prone to having guys like this. They rare player that can “do it all” tend to go to the blue blood schools or will head to the NBA at first chance.

So, this idea that we will be this run and gun offense and ALSO be a hard nosed defense is kinda wishful thinking. The guys that would excel at one of these things probably wouldn’t excel at the other. Take Green for instance. He’s a good fit in a “fire away” offense, but couldn’t get on the floor due to his defensive limitations. But his defensive limitations only exist due to our scheme. Sure he would still be limited in other defensive schemes as well, but we could manage under other circumstances. On on-ball pressure scheme would suit him well. Look at Maddox too. He doesn’t seem like a guy that’s played a lot of D, but he’s fearless offensively. Are we running the right schemes for our personnel?

To take it a little further, we really need to simplify our Offense and Defense. We don’t have YEARS to teach these guys the schemes. Word was that Craft was a great shooter but couldn’t get on the floor due to not picking up the scheme. Maybe that’s on Miller? Maybe the scheme is too complicated for everyone to be able to adapt to it seamlessly? Craft could have been very valuable last year when we desperately needed shooting, but he talked his way into getting a redshirt instead (still a questionable decision my Miller to not just show him the door and instead we burnt a scholly that could have been used).

We don’t really see many options here. If this were a corporation, it might be time for a “restructuring” exercise where you take a massive write off in one quarter and then just start fresh. But in our case that would take the form of adding 5-6 freshmen in one year and just allowing them to flounder a bit. The question is whether any returning guys would stick around if they knew winning wasn’t likely. Its a pickle.

[xukeith]

These past 7-8 seasons have taught me that X needs a consistent feed of frosh recruits (2 per season) and bank on 1 of the 2 frosh recruits to be developed into a solid starting player by their junior year. Maybe that is impossible with NIL and transfers.

Some X staff have thought of the upside of Jason Carter, Nemeiksa, Craft, Abou, Lazar, Hugely, and Miles. The frontcourt talent pipeline is weak, and unpredictable. The CUSA transfer guards are more predictable.
The BE has had seperation these past 4-5 years with X, Prov., Nova, settling and battling in the mid 4th-7th positions. MU, CU, UConn, have elevated in talent, and post season success.

Maybe the solution is come this spring Conwell ,Swain, and Hugely can all agree to take cut in NIL $ for the betterment of the frontcourt. Do any of the current BE teams have a top post transfer?

UD is winning more often with less talent and solid coaching in the A10.

[XUGRAD80]

UD is winning more often with less talent and solid coaching in the A10.

In the A10

I’ve no doubt that X would be dominating the A10 if they were still there. Or the MCC. Or any of the lesser leagues. But they play in the BE, not the others. X lost its starting center and was 8-2 before losing by a basket to a very solid UC team on their floor. They then lost their starting power forward/center/leading scorer and rebounder, and lost by single digits to 2 other top 25 teams. How do you think UConn and Marquette would be doing playing A10 competition? WHO you play is important.

The real questions are…..if X didn’t have the injuries they have had, how do we think they would have done last year? AND, If Free and/or Traore were playing the last 2 games, would they have won either?

Can’t use injuries as an excuse, but it can be acknowledged that they do have an effect on how a team performs. Especially injuries to key players.

[GoMuskies]

Dayton is 2-0 in the Big East against the same two teams that have us 0-2.

[Xville]

Dayton may make the tournament this year--may. That would make two tournaments in the last 8 years, with one whole tournament win in the a-10. Not exactly something to emulate.

They have a mediocre program, with a mediocre coach that has had a good start to the season.

[GoMuskies]

It's true, they should do more than they have, but they're unquestionably better than us this year.

And they of course were going to be a number 1 seed but for Covid in 2020.

[Xavier]

I don’t really understand how they don’t run the A-10 like X did when we left. They should’ve, at least. Definitely a good start to the year, but as previously mentioned- they haven’t been a winning program lately.

[GoMuskies]

I wouldn't want to trade places with them. That's for sure. I just don't ever like it when they're better than us, and I hate that we're squandering the advantages we have by being in a better league and (for now, at least) having a better brand.

[Xavier]

The BE has had seperation these past 4-5 years with X, Prov., Nova, settling and battling in the mid 4th-7th positions. MU, CU, UConn, have elevated in talent, and post season success. .

By no means am I arguing X has been better than Marquette since Shaka took over, but I don’t see where the post season success has been much better. They’ve massively underperformed in the tournament. As a 2 seed they lost in the second round, then last year as a 2 seed they lost in the sweet 16. Are they in a better spot as a program? Yes. Do they have the same number of Sweet 16s as X since Shaka has been there? Yes.

[Xville]

Anyways, enough about Dayton...the rest of the season starts tomorrow, and X should be favored by 12 or more. It's time for the reset, have a great comfortable win and build some confidence for the rest of the season.

[GoMuskies]

Geez, I didn't realize just how bad Seton Hall was. I guess that helps in looking at the bright side. At least we're not them!

[drudy23]

We should stop comparing ourselves to anyone, it's all noise.

My point the whole time is that X has its own standard to live up to, that has far exceeded Marquette or Dayton (consistently), and it's falling short, and seems to be going in the wrong direction.

This is all that really matters. Who is going to right the ship, and what will it take to get back to what XAVIER is? We were closer to the Final Four 8 years ago than we are right now. That's a major concern for a program that has told us we're primed to break the door down and continue to elevate. We haven't been anywhere near a Final Four since 2017 and back to 2008 before that.

Did we move to the Big East to be a middle of the road program fighting for relevancy every year? Because that's what we are. Who's most accountable to the current state of X hoops, the front door to this university?

[Xville]

We should stop comparing ourselves to anyone, it's all noise.

My point the whole time is that X has its own standard to live up to, that has far exceeded Marquette or Dayton (consistently), and it's falling short, and seems to be going in the wrong direction.

This is all that really matters. Who is going to right the ship, and what will it take to get back to what XAVIER is? We were closer to the Final Four 8 years ago than we are right now. That's a major concern for a program that has told us we're primed to break the door down and continue to elevate. We haven't been anywhere near a Final Four since 2017 and back to 2008 before that.

Did we move to the Big East to be a middle of the road program fighting for relevancy every year? Because that's what we are. Who's most accountable to the current state of X hoops, the front door to this university?

If you mean who is most responsible, Easy Answer...it's Cristopher. He's the one who made the worst hire in the history of Xavier basketball since the 70s, and possibly ever. If you hire Kelsey instead, or do a real coaching search, there is no way it's worse than what Steele did to the program considering where it was. How Christopher could have sat down with that guy and thought this man is the right man for the job is beyond comprehension.

[Xavier]

As a program, I still think they were close to a final four as a 1 seed and a 2 seed. Tournament takes weird bounces and what not, but that’s setting yourself up for a final four run.

Turnover is really hard. It finally caught up to X. If I were Miller I’d go back to the identity he found success with at X first time. But to Hetts point, that will require patience to build. And from what I’m hearing, the NIL fund is expected to be way higher than what it was this past year (3 million) so it’s going to be tempting to grab a couple higher level transfers im sure.

[X-band '01]

If you mean who is most responsible, Easy Answer...it's Cristopher. He's the one who made the worst hire in the history of Xavier basketball since the 70s, and possibly ever. If you hire Kelsey instead, or do a real coaching search, there is no way it's worse than what Steele did to the program considering where it was. How Christopher could have sat down with that guy and thought this man is the right man for the job is beyond comprehension.

Didn't the Tin Man also get turned down for the NKU job after interviewing there? (This would have been when Darrin Horn was hired) That alone should have been a red flag.

[paulxu]

Sad that program success now depends on your NIL pot. Even if it went on before (and maybe a lot), paying for a "student athlete" to come to your school is not a great achievement for college sports.
And I guess there's not even a fake reason needed anymore, like "we're paying for your NI and L."
Why not pay top students to come for your chemistry department beyond the free ride?

[Xavier]

Sure. If those students bring the same eyes and marketing value as the basketball team does, go for it.

[nickgyp]

[QUOTE=paulxu;793532]Sad that program success now depends on your NIL pot. Even if it went on before (and maybe a lot), paying for a "student athlete" to come to your school is not a great achievement for college sports.
And I guess there's not even a fake reason needed anymore, like "we're paying for your NI and L."
Why not pay top students to come for your chemistry department beyond the free ride?[/QUOTE

After being hooked on phonics, I is at college to gets a good education….

[Xavier]

Not sure where to put this, and don’t put enough stock into this betting website to start a new thread.

Anyone see this? Bet online has Miller as the favorite to be the next Miami coach. I’d find it hard to believe unless the NIL is wildly higher than X. But if current coach is leaving bc losing players to NIL, I’d doubt it.

https://x.com/kevinlive5/status/1873784546677973447?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

[JTG]

Not sure where to put this, and don’t put enough stock into this betting website to start a new thread.

Anyone see this? Bet online has Miller as the favorite to be the next Miami coach. I’d find it hard to believe unless the NIL is wildly higher than X. But if current coach is leaving bc losing players to NIL, I’d doubt it.

https://x.com/kevinlive5/status/1873784546677973447?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

I know Miami has had success, but Miami and college basketball seems like ice cream and mustard to me.

[GoMuskies]

If Miller has another shitty year (seems likely) and then leaves, we should remove his name from our record books and burn any pictures currently hanging anywhere in Cintas that include him. I would hate him more than I hate Mick Cronin.

BTW, I use the Betonline site, and Miller IS the current favorite at +300.

[94GRAD]

If Miller has another shitty year (seems likely) and then leaves, we should remove his name from our record books and burn any pictures currently hanging anywhere in Cintas that include him. I would hate him more than I hate Mick Cronin.

BTW, I use the Betonline site, and Miller IS the current favorite at +300.

Will Wade is the play!

[GoMuskies]

Will Wade is the play!

Anthony Grant coming in hot at +500 for the third choice!

How about some Rick Pitino at 50-1? Or Chris Mack at 18-1.

[X-band '01]

There was a time when Frank Martin would have been a home run for Miami. Too bad he's regressed badly at UMass.

A place where coaching dreams go to hell - no wonder Kelsey did a 360 on that job several years ago.

[SkyWalker]

I'll bet there is a whole lot more NIL money at Miami, even in basketball.

[Xavier]

I'll bet there is a whole lot more NIL money at Miami, even in basketball.

I’m not sure. There coach was leaving bc he couldn’t keep players with NIL. It’s probably comparable to X, but to bring in a high level guy they could up it.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Miami had a pretty large NIL that drew some good talent. Not sure what happened but Larranaga just doesn't have it anymore. We are a small school and Miller is a good coach. His name is going to be on every big school's list. Get used to it.

FWIW, I don't see Miller leaving but to retire. That said, I don't see him leaving after a bad year and what could be a bad year.

Edit: Ruiz that Miami billionaire gave Pack 800k. Larranaga said it was about negotiating with agents to get players in. Could be, but this is the new world of college ball.

[Xavier]

Keep in mind that was a 2 year deal. 400K a year, many think a few players are making that and more on this team. Dealing with agents and what not wouldn’t be an issue with a large nil fund.

Doesn’t matter though, I don’t really think he would go to Miami anyways.

[Xuperman]

Yeah, we've probably reached the point as a program where we should probably just assume we're going to kind of suck unless and until we don't.

Back to the subject of the thread.

I agree with those that think the program is going in the wrong direction. There is, basically, not one thing in since Steele that indicates otherwise. As far as the remainder of this season....a continuation seems inevitable.

I set the over/under BE wins at 8....immediately after the Zach injury. Factoring in the Cintas comeback vs MU as a reason to move from that number doesn't work for me....and the UConn game certainly doesn't. Those O stats are an anomaly. This roster is missing FIVE key contributors. I have watched at least 1 full game of every BE team, most multiple, and it looks like being road favorites are MAYBE at SHU and DU.

That said, the biggest concern for all of us should be next year and the remainder of the decade. X is headed toward an annual mid-pack showing in the conference. That reality would be sickening for all of us.

Worse still....UC is trending. They appear to have a RETAIN and develop player culture in place. They are actively getting high value HS talent. If they begin to finish in the top half of the best conference in the country, become a perennial top 25/Tournament team AND retake the CITY.....things become unbearable.

Our Coach Miller has to get his act together NOW.

[Xavier]

UC has missed the tournament 4 years in a row. Wes has been an awful coach, one I hope UC retains. I really wouldn’t be surprised if they flamed out in the Big 12 again. Already lost as a road favorite in game one. Has X been good under Sean (outside of one of the best years in X history) yes, do injuries play a factor? Absolutely, how much is hard to tell.

But people pointing to Dayton (been like to two tournaments in 10 years) and Wes Miller/UC (haven’t made the tournament yet) as programs that have been good lately is bizzare

[JTG]

UC has missed the tournament 4 years in a row. Wes has been an awful coach, one I hope UC retains. I really wouldn’t be surprised if they flamed out in the Big 12 again. Already lost as a road favorite in game one. Has X been good under Sean (outside of one of the best years in X history) yes, do injuries play a factor? Absolutely, how much is hard to tell.

But people pointing to Dayton (been like to two tournaments in 10 years) and Wes Miller/UC (haven’t made the tournament yet) as programs that have been good lately is bizzare
Have you ever heard the phrase People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones? We haven't done shit either, in all but 1 year.

[Xville]

UC’s program is trash and Wes is trash. They may win 6 games in that conference. Why anyone would be concerned about them is beyond comprehension.

As far as X, the new season starts today. Get the win today, build some confidence and ya never know. Lots of season left.

[drudy23]

Yeah, comparison to UC is a low bar.

Our bar used to be higher. Way higher.

[XUGRAD80]

Yeah, comparison to UC is a low bar.

Our bar used to be higher. Way higher.

Right about now I’d be really happy if X was ranked 16th.

[GoMuskies]

Right about now I’d be really happy if X was ranked 16th.

So would UC come next week!

[hoopster68]

If a shakeup in the assistant coaching staff is under consideration, would having an experienced women's coach be worthwhile? Are there any D1 men's programs with such an assistant? Do women coaches have any characteristics lending themselves to helping X? Reactions?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I slept on what I saw last night. We are seeing what this team is. Either the players aren’t buying in, Miller’s game is off, or this mesh of talent sucks. There isn’t some revelation coming and everything changes. I would be surprised if X wins much beyond Hall/Butler/DePaul. I could see a Providence split. Any team with a decent pulse is going to beat these guys.

Hugely is a bust, Maddox is broken, McKnight has regressed, and Conwell isn’t dominant against good teams.

Miller’s evaluation of talent has been terrible.

Edit: in this world of NIL this is worse, people who can donate might hold back after watching this garbage.

[drudy23]

Well, I think it's probably safe to start putting all of our eggs in the BE MSG tourney basket. Sitting at 3 games over .500 may lend itself to a season close to .500 again. Complete and utter disappointment, again, for the 6th of 7th season.

Sitting at the game on NYE in Cintas, I glanced up and was reminded of our tournament consistency through 2018. We have been just as consistent since then, just in the opposite direction. What in the world happened to our beloved program?

More importantly, what is NEEDED to get it back on the rails? This administration has some soul searching to do when it comes to a re-investment phase into what basketball means at X. If not the AD, then who?

Hoops put this university on the map and has enabled its investment in itself. Keeping the status quo and hoping for better results isn't getting the job done.

[drudy23]

While I agree Miller hasn't been stellar, I think he's the least of our worries honestly.

The university needs a long look in the mirror to what truly fuels the engine of this university.

[xukeith]

While I agree Miller hasn't been stellar, I think he's the least of our worries honestly.

The university needs a long look in the mirror to what truly fuels the engine of this university.

You want better men's assistants?

[drudy23]

You want better men's assistants?

It should at least be scrutinized, yes.

But from a higher level perspective, how can the leaders of this university be content with the past 7 years? 7 years is a long time for the university cash cow to be running on auto pilot. Are we just going to continue to roll out average and be OK with it?

Or is a fresh perspective on how it operates needed moving forward (not talking about the head coach)? They waited too long to pull the trigger on Steele, and we see the impact. Do you just stand pat after 7 years of completely average results when all of the talk says we're taking the next step?

We're further away from the next step than we've ever been. How can you not change? If they are tracking success metrics for the basketball program and the athletic department, what is going great? Who's accountable to that?

[drudy23]

These are the things, imo, that are most glaring and need to get fixed asap. These are the heavy hitters:

1) Recruit vs portal balance - you have to be pretty good at both. X can't re-buy a team every year and maintain success
2) Retention and development of high school recruits - their track record since 2018 is abysmal and embarrassing
3) Quality post players - there needs to be at least 2 quality starters and 2 developmental projects in the frontcourt within the program at all times. You cannot win in the BE without a formidable post presence

These are the 3 I'd put the most emphasis on, and anything and everything to get these 3 things better should be on the table.

[paulxu]

The challenge with "developmental" prospects is there is always the portal looming, and if you start to show a quality game, somebody will offer you more $.
And you don't have to sit out a year to get them.

[hoopster68]

These are the things, imo, that are most glaring and need to get fixed asap. These are the heavy hitters:

1) Recruit vs portal balance - you have to be pretty good at both. X can't re-buy a team every year and maintain success
2) Retention and development of high school recruits - their track record since 2018 is abysmal and embarrassing
3) Quality post players - there needs to be at least 2 quality starters and 2 developmental projects in the frontcourt within the program at all times. You cannot win in the BE without a formidable post presence

These are the 3 I'd put the most emphasis on, and anything and everything to get these 3 things better should be on the table.

How about 4) Have assistants that can evaluate talent for BE play + provide competent ""player development."

[drudy23]

Past - as many as 4-5 recruits per class. Probably priority on top 2 and the remaining were simply "projects". You can't afford high school "projects" anymore.

Current - 2-3 quality players per class that have the ability to play as freshman. And you have to play them to start the developmental path. Can't lose your top 2 priority recruits, so you have to retain them with NIL money.

So keeping 2 per class is 8 on the roster - supplement with the portal to fill out as 1-2 year contributors.

If you're in a position where the emphasis is the portal players, how on earth does that create the foundation of your roster and culture? It doesn't and won't be sustained unless you have the money to bring in 3-4 top level players each year (which is a pipedream for X).

[drudy23]

How about 4) Have assistants that can evaluate talent for BE play + provide competent ""player development."

That is part of the "do whatever it takes" to get these 3 things right. It 100% should be evaluated.

[Xuperman]

I slept on what I saw last night. We are seeing what this team is. Either the players aren’t buying in, Miller’s game is off, or this mesh of talent sucks. There isn’t some revelation coming and everything changes. I would be surprised if X wins much beyond Hall/Butler/DePaul. I could see a Providence split. Any team with a decent pulse is going to beat these guys.

Hugely is a bust, Maddox is broken, McKnight has regressed, and Conwell isn’t dominant against good teams.

Miller’s evaluation of talent has been terrible.

Edit: in this world of NIL this is worse, people who can donate might hold back after watching this garbage.

I agree with everything here. Excellent job of communicating the reality.

I set the over/under conference wins at 8 after OOC play.....the over is becoming a bit shaky. I am watching Butler @ SJU now. I have watched their last 4 games. X will struggle with these guys for sure.

[xukeith]

I simply cannot get my mind around Miller choosing Anderson for his pg next year and using this season to redshirt.
6'0-6'2 guards are in abundance in basketball. Miler gave Anderson the golden ticket. But why? Need west coast eyes? Being outrecruited for top 100 point guards?
Can anyone explain the talent and excitement X has for Roddie Anderson?

[MHettel]

I simply cannot get my mind around Miller choosing Anderson for his pg next year and using this season to redshirt.
6'0-6'2 guards are in abundance in basketball. Miler gave Anderson the golden ticket. But why? Need west coast eyes? Being outrecruited for top 100 point guards?
Can anyone explain the talent and excitement X has for Roddie Anderson?

With ya on that one. I don’t have an issue with it, aside from the fact that he’s apparently getting NIL money. As if we just had so much laying around and couldn’t have used some of it to upgrade Hugley or Maddox or add a big for depth.

I assumed Anderson was an insurance policy in case we absolutely needed him. If he turned out that he could be a long term part of the rotation / starter, then that’s just gravy.

I’m gonna be f’ing PISSED if he transfers again. That means either he used us, or Miller couldn’t straighten out his shot (which is horrible). Fail either way.

[Final4]

Doing the same shit over and over again and expecting different results. I don't understand why Miller seemingly gets a pass on this board. Last year he assembled arguably the worst roster in Xavier basketball modern history and then proceeded to coach them down. It appears this year is a repeat of last year and unfortunately at this point the outlook for next season does not appear any better. At some point you just get tired of making excuses........injuries, transfers, players with girl problems, family problems, academic problems........Every program has issues. Do your job.

[GoMuskies]

Miller obviously built up a lot of goodwill with his first stint and then his first year back. That supply of goodwill is quickly being depleted.

[Xavier]

He brought X one of the best years they’ve ever had his first year back. I think last year the starting front court being out before season was a major blow, not sure why it’s overlooked so easily. Probably because we are all desperate to get back. How many past Xavier teams could you take starting front court away all year and they’d still be fine?

This year hasn’t been good. Do I think the defensive/rebounder big they brought in would’ve helped? Yes. With all the close games, likely flips a game or two so far. But the end of game collapses fall on the coach at some point.

Having said that, I don’t think he is necessarily getting a pass. There’s rightful criticism around. Steele had more leeway at this point. (Still should’ve moved on after 3 years but I digress)

[MHettel]

He brought X one of the best years they’ve ever had his first year back. I think last year the starting front court being out before season was a major blow, not sure why it’s overlooked so easily. Probably because we are all desperate to get back. How many past Xavier teams could you take starting front court away all year and they’d still be fine?

This year hasn’t been good. Do I think the defensive/rebounder big they brought in would’ve helped? Yes. With all the close games, likely flips a game or two so far. But the end of game collapses fall on the coach at some point.

Having said that, I don’t think he is necessarily getting a pass. There’s rightful criticism around. Steele had more leeway at this point. (Still should’ve moved on after 3 years but I digress)

Imagine last years team with Free and Hunter. Compare it to this years team.

You see a difference?

Many (not all of us) just gave Miller a pass last year and assumed we were a Sweet 16 level team last year (tourney team, fighting for a protected 4 seed).

But we’re basically putting that exact group on the floor this year. Conwell instead of Quincy. Foster instead of Des. Maddox is an upgrade off the bench from last year and Swain is a year older. These teams are NOT materially different.

How would you like to have Abou right now instead of Hugley? Or Ciani?

I just am not sure that Miller knows what he’s doing with the NIL and portal. He came from Arizona where he could just grab 2-3 NBA talents each year and accept the inevitable roster turnover when guys go pro. Lose and NBA guy, and just grab the next one.

Different ballgame now.

He didn’t do enough roster moves when he came in (kept Tandy, Edwards and Miles only to have them all leave a year later), and now he’s in cycle where he guys the thing each year.

[Xavier]

Imagine last years team with Free and Hunter. Compare it to this years team.

You see a difference?

Many (not all of us) just gave Miller a pass last year and assumed we were a Sweet 16 level team last year (tourney team, fighting for a protected 4 seed).

But we’re basically putting that exact group on the floor this year. Conwell instead of Quincy. Foster instead of Des. Maddox is an upgrade off the bench from last year and Swain is a year older. These teams are NOT materially different.

How would you like to have Abou right now instead of Hugley? Or Ciani?
.

…..you think foster and Claude are the same?

Yes. I’d rather have a player with an nba contract over conwell and I personally see a major upgrade of Claude to foster. So, yes. Last years team with Freemantle and Hunter are much much better.

But to be fair if you think Claude and foster is same level in talent and conwell will be an nba guy then I see your side for sure. Regardless, the make up of this team isn’t it, a lot needs to be done. I agree with that- I think everyone does

[bleedXblue]

It all started with a decision that was made in Sept/Oct of last year to stay with Free and Hunter through their injuries. Not saying it was right or wrong at the time, but that's what happened. Feels like we're hoping to attract guys in the portal that "fit" whatever system Miller wants. Thats not a great strategy. We cant outspend many in the portal and that isnt always going to play out like you want it to.

Still think X needs to flip the script. Recruit more 3 and 4 star developmental players that fit Millers system and supplement that with 2-3 big transfers every year. The culture and program have to be the attraction first and foremost. You need guys who want to be part of what we're doing. Feels like that isnt happening near enough as it should be. Guys should WANT to play for Miller. I feel like Shaka is doing this really well right now. Kevin Sampson is doing this really well right now.

[nuts4xu]

Still think X needs to flip the script. Recruit more 3 and 4 star developmental players that fit Millers system and supplement that with 2-3 big transfers every year.

No arguments and sounds great in a vacuum. But there are a lot of 3 or 4 star players that have no interest in coming to any school to "develop" for a year or two. They want to play right away.

[MHettel]

…..you think foster and Claude are the same?

Yes. I’d rather have a player with an nba contract over conwell and I personally see a major upgrade of Claude to foster. So, yes. Last years team with Freemantle and Hunter are much much better.

But to be fair if you think Claude and foster is same level in talent and conwell will be an nba guy then I see your side for sure. Regardless, the make up of this team isn’t it, a lot needs to be done. I agree with that- I think everyone does

Conwell is pretty good. We struck gold with Boum and Olivari, so Conwell being the 3rd best in that group doesn’t mean he’s chopped liver. Conwell is also a junior where those other 2 were 5th years guys (not that it matters when comparing their performance).

Claude is better than Foster. No doubt. But Foster is pretty solid if not spectacular. He shoots it well and rebounds a little and can drive a little. He’s not ball dominant like Claude was (maybe a good thing?). But yeah, I’d take Claude over Foster, knowing what we know and in spite of the fact that we end up with the same deep shooting shortage we had last year.

I think Maddox is an upgrade over Greene as a Freshman. And I think Swain as a soph is better than Swain as a freshman.

So in my mind, these are pretty similar teams. Maybe last years team was good for 2-3 more wins but that’s still bubble city.

[MHettel]

It all started with a decision that was made in Sept/Oct of last year to stay with Free and Hunter through their injuries. Not saying it was right or wrong at the time, but that's what happened. Feels like we're hoping to attract guys in the portal that "fit" whatever system Miller wants. Thats not a great strategy. We cant outspend many in the portal and that isnt always going to play out like you want it to.

Still think X needs to flip the script. Recruit more 3 and 4 star developmental players that fit Millers system and supplement that with 2-3 big transfers every year. The culture and program have to be the attraction first and foremost. You need guys who want to be part of what we're doing. Feels like that isnt happening near enough as it should be. Guys should WANT to play for Miller. I feel like Shaka is doing this really well right now. Kevin Sampson is doing this really well right now.

I don’t disagree with your approach, but it’s gonna take 3 years to implement. We’re stuck in a paycheck to paycheck situation. We’re left having to overuse the portal each year and the. Our young guys get shut out of any PT and want to leave.

[bleedXblue]

No arguments and sounds great in a vacuum. But there are a lot of 3 or 4 star players that have no interest in coming to any school to "develop" for a year or two. They want to play right away.

Swain and Green didnt play right away last year? They got some spot minutes and both emerged after they proved themselves later in the year to get some more PT.

Given the landscape and players playing more (5th year guys especially) you really think guys ranked 75-125 expect to play right away? I could see a Top 25 guy saying that they want big minutes right away, but NO coach guarantees that unless they have a seriously depleted roster and even then you have to earn PT.

[bleedXblue]

I don’t disagree with your approach, but it’s gonna take 3 years to implement. We’re stuck in a paycheck to paycheck situation. We’re left having to overuse the portal each year and the. Our young guys get shut out of any PT and want to leave.

Yep and we lost year #1 by "hoping" Free/Hunter and portal was going to get us there.

Definitely needs to be a phased approach, but NO FROSH this year? WTF?

[zippin']

I think what still shocks me the most is just how wrong seemingly everyone “in the know” was about this team. Yes, the Traore injury hurt, but I have a hard time believing this team is significantly better with him. Better? Probably, but it’s not like we’re suddenly the juggernaut we all anticipated.

[bleedXblue]

I think what still shocks me the most is just how wrong seemingly everyone “in the know” was about this team. Yes, the Traore injury hurt, but I have a hard time believing this team is significantly better with him. Better? Probably, but it’s not like we’re suddenly the juggernaut we all anticipated.

thats correct

On paper, looking at the pieces we were adding along with the returning players was intriguing.

They havent gelled at all unless you look at the 3 games without Free where we "looked" more fluid and explosive

[zippin']

It’s really a head scratcher. Guys like Goodman don’t mean much to me because they don’t actually know what they’re talking about on a team by team basis, but it legitimately seemed like everyone around the program didn’t just think we’d make the tournament, but that we’d be a second weekend team.

Edit:meant to reply to bleedxblue

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

I think what still shocks me the most is just how wrong seemingly everyone “in the know” was about this team. Yes, the Traore injury hurt, but I have a hard time believing this team is significantly better with him. Better? Probably, but it’s not like we’re suddenly the juggernaut we all anticipated.

A month, or so, ago, most of us (including yours truly) subscribed to the theory, "if not for Traore's injury, we were destined to head deep in the tournament". You're correct that view now appears quite wrong. I cannot see us performing significantly better with Traore than we have without him. And, as GRAD80 posted in another thread, what if Traore turned out to be average or below? Look at how we misjudged Hugely and, in my mind, also Maddox and even (to a degree) Conwell. GRAD80 was torched for suggesting we might have overrated Traore's potential contribution. Yet, I don't have the same confidence in our talent evaluation and recruiting today as I did a few months back. In fact, this season has pointed me to a more contrarian position where I have to question if we really know what we're doing when we target recruits.

It is early in Miller's second tenure here, so the final evaluation is sometime yet in the future. But I have lingering doubts now that I did not possess even last Fall.

[zippin']

A month, or so, ago, most of us (including yours truly) subscribed to the theory, "if not for Traore's injury, we were destined to head deep in the tournament". You're correct that view now appears quite wrong. I cannot see us performing significantly better with Traore than we have without him. And, as GRAD80 posted in another thread, what if Traore turned out to be average or below? Look at how we misjudged Hugely and, in my mind, also Maddox and even (to a degree) Conwell. GRAD80 was torched for suggesting we might have overrated Traore's potential contribution. Yet, I don't have the same confidence in our talent evaluation and recruiting today as I did a few months back. In fact, this season has pointed me to a more contrarian position where I have to question if we really know what we're doing when we target recruits.

It is early in Miller's second tenure here, so the final evaluation is sometime yet in the future. But I have lingering doubts now that I did not possess even last Fall.

Agree 100%. Traore is being ridiculously overvalued on just about every Xavier message board with 0 facts behind the argument. Could he have been good? Maybe, but he’s a transfer from a low major school in one of the worst conferences. History says that guy probably doesn’t determine if your team makes or misses the tournament.

I think the main takeaway from all this is that in the transfer portal era, no one knows anything until the games actually start. At least for teams in Xavier’s position.

[drudy23]

This team at full strength should have been a tournament team.

With Traore's absence, I still think that was a reasonable expectation. Losing Free for a month put it into question.

But If I'm being honest, even with those things happening, it's still been very disappointing. We should have the roster to at least slow the bloodletting. That hasn't happened. Were are void of depth in the post, and we were promised that would never happen again. Well here we are...

This team is completely screwed in the post, especially on the defensive end. We have no answers unless Hughley turns into Charles Barkley the next 2 months. We will continue to get absolutely decimated in the post. It's even more in question next year.

[Final4]

Do you not question the overall management of the program? Talent evaluation, roster construction, resource allocation. Is it true that walkons are getting $50k/year? They would pay to be a part of the team and I think its foolish to pay them. How many do we have at the end of the bench making $50k.......3, 4 guys? How much are we paying Ryan Reynolds to handle analytics? $100k? You don't think we could find a student to do this? If that $250k to $300k was allocated differently maybe Graham Ike is wearing a Xavier uniform.

[Xavier]

Exactly, and why can’t some students also help with recruiting? Or hell, maybe get a student to focus on developing players?

Jesus. We want to be a top 25 program and you’re seriously suggesting students on the staff.

[Xville]

Having gone back and watched a few of highlights of Traore as well as the tournament game against Arizona last year, I think Traore would have made a pretty measurable difference. What he has, this team is currently really lacking, and that is balls. He's tough, energetic and does a lot of little things that impact winning especially on the defensive end. People also need to consider what his injury did to a lot of the rest of the roster....Free plays out of position, Swain plays out of position, Foster starts etc.

My problem though, is that one injury shouldn't be as catastrophic as it has been. Hugley is awful, so is Maddox, and Foster isn't a BE starter. Miller said we'd never be in a depth issue again especially in the front court. Well, here we are again..like groundhog day.

[nuts4xu]

Given the landscape and players playing more (5th year guys especially) you really think guys ranked 75-125 expect to play right away?

Jonathan Powell was ranked #137 and he backed out of his commitment to Xavier so he could play right away at WVU.

[drudy23]

Jonathan Powell was ranked #137 and he backed out of his commitment to Xavier so he could play right away at WVU.

And from what I've seen, he would have broken into some playing time at X.

This is part of the "changes" that this program needs to start thinking about. You have to have a developmental plan with these incoming freshman now. Are they going to struggle and make mistakes - yes, likely most of them. But if you believe in their development and impact, you have to find a way to get them involved early.

If you don't play them and you recruit over them, of course they're going to leave. Why wouldn't they? I don't blame the kid for that.

This old-school get off my lawn approach of "they have to get in line" doesn't work anymore.

[Xville]

And from what I've seen, he would have broken into some playing time at X.

This is part of the "changes" that this program needs to start thinking about. You have to have a developmental plan with these incoming freshman now. Are they going to struggle and make mistakes - yes, likely most of them. But if you believe in their development and impact, you have to find a way to get them involved early.

Yeah. Frankly, this was a huge loss and a bad decision by miller and staff. I like Conwell and Foster, but there was no need to have both of them with Powell in the mix. X could have just given Powell the time, and probably had more money in the bank for an impact forward. Losing a 6'6 guard who looks really legit, basically out of your own neighborhood is really bad.

[drudy23]

Portal roulette may give us lightning in a bottle every so often, but who on earth wants to do that every year? There's no chance the staff can re-work the roster every year. They will be burnt out by 2026.

[JTG]

And from what I've seen, he would have broken into some playing time at X.

This is part of the "changes" that this program needs to start thinking about. You have to have a developmental plan with these incoming freshman now. Are they going to struggle and make mistakes - yes, likely most of them. But if you believe in their development and impact, you have to find a way to get them involved early.

If you don't play them and you recruit over them, of course they're going to leave. Why wouldn't they? I don't blame the kid for that.

This old-school get off my lawn approach of "they have to get in line" doesn't work anymore.

Well then, we need to have a 9 man rotation where every one plays at least 10 minutes.

[drudy23]

Well then, we need to have a 9 man rotation where every one plays at least 10 minutes.

Or the alternative - filling 5-6 holes every year? Which has come to fruition, and we may find ourselves there again this off-season.

The freshman coming in deserve a plan for their development.

[drudy23]

Conwell is the better player overall. It's close, but Conwell gets after it on D too.

EDIT: please delete, posted in wrong thread. Where's the damn delete button?

[waggy]

And from what I've seen, he would have broken into some playing time at X.

This is part of the "changes" that this program needs to start thinking about. You have to have a developmental plan with these incoming freshman now. Are they going to struggle and make mistakes - yes, likely most of them. But if you believe in their development and impact, you have to find a way to get them involved early.

If you don't play them and you recruit over them, of course they're going to leave. Why wouldn't they? I don't blame the kid for that.

This old-school get off my lawn approach of "they have to get in line" doesn't work anymore.


Yeah. Frankly, this was a huge loss and a bad decision by miller and staff. I like Conwell and Foster, but there was no need to have both of them with Powell in the mix. X could have just given Powell the time, and probably had more money in the bank for an impact forward. Losing a 6'6 guard who looks really legit, basically out of your own neighborhood is really bad.

Right now Powell is not as good as Foster, Conwell or Swain. He's better than Maddox from 3 by a small margin, but Maddox has gotten only about half the attempts. Powell doesn't rebound or assist or get to the line.

[drudy23]

Right now Powell is not as good as Foster, Conwell or Swain. He's better than Maddox from 3 by a small margin, but Maddox has gotten only about half the attempts. Powell doesn't rebound or assist or get to the line.

He shouldn't be better than those guys who have more experience.

But the point is, he's making an impact as a freshman, and that's one of the ways you have to retain your preferred HS recruits. It's also great development for Powell.

If we continue to not play preferred freshman because they're "not as good" or "aren't as good defensively" (which is obvious), they will never stick around. Again, these guys DESERVE a developmental path. If the plan is to recruit less high school talent, that's fine, but those kids have to be invested in just as heavily as the portal guys (with either money or developmental time, or both).

You cannot afford to lose those HS guys if you're only brining in a couple a year. But those kids are likely also very well thought of as potential impact players for the future.

IMO, it's an area where Miller has to shift his world view a little bit. Coaches have to evolve too.

[Xville]

He shouldn't be better than those guys who have more experience.

But the point is, he's making an impact as a freshman, and that's one of the ways you have to retain your preferred HS recruits.

Correct, especially a hs recruit that is basically in your backyard. He's more important than getting Foster for a year that's for sure.

If we had him, Swain and then the two recruits next year, at the least you are building your roster back..eventually getting to a place where you don't have to go portal fishing your whole roster every year.

[drudy23]

Correct, especially a hs recruit that is basically in your backyard. He's more important than getting Foster for a year that's for sure.

If we had him, Swain and then the two recruits next year, at the least you are building your roster back..eventually getting to a place where you don't have to go portal fishing your whole roster every year.

This seems pretty obvious to me.

Do people really think the way forward is to just re-load a new roster every year? It will never work long-term. We will go through coaching staffs every 3 years.

[Xavier]

I think he went hard for experience/age. Last time to get old fast with covid years behind us now. I also will give him leeway figuring the new age out. Some good freshman coming in next year, they’ve offered a 7 footer for class of 26. Guessing they know the path isn’t sustainable.

[bleedXblue]

This seems pretty obvious to me.

Do people really think the way forward is to just re-load a new roster every year? It will never work long-term. We will go through coaching staffs every 3 years.

I've been banging this drum for the better part of a month.

[SkyWalker]

Let's compare the last two head coaches at X. I have always broken down the success of the coach in three areas; Recruiting, Game coaching, and Player development. Recruiting - Steele B+ especially before he became head coach. Maybe a B overall. Miller A- I would give him an A for recruiting in the A-10. Obviously, it's a different game right now with NIL and the Transfer Portal but I'd give him a C+. In game coaching, Miller scores an A, while Steele gets a B-. The BIG difference is Player development. Steele didn't develop players - D. Sean is not developing players now - D. Miller in the A-10 was developing players at an A level. I believe Sean's most significant strength is developing players. In the last two seasons, Sean has developed one player - Swain. My advice is... Sean, go back to your most significant strength, bring in recruits, develop them so they don't have any desire to leave, and fill in from the portal when absolutely needed. I know you may disagree with the grading, but I really believe Sean is failing in his greatest strength.

[Xavier]

Steele getting a B- in “in game coaching” is as generous as it gets. The teams weren’t horribly constructed. Decent talent. His issue was always coaching, and especially in game coaching.

There’s no comparison, Steele started this downward fall. Sean isn’t turning it around yet. He’s got one more year to show some level of upward movement. But we are struggling to get past the Steele trajectory.

[drudy23]

This program has a severe identity crisis.

What in the world is happening?

[OTRMUSKIE]

I give Steele and F on everything coaching and an A+ in spousal choice. He sucked. Miller is just struggling but let’s have faith. We are only two years removed from the sweet 16. He is got to learn to adjust to the new game. He can do it and will do it. Let’s see how he does next year and if he fails again then I put him on the hot seat. If he fails in his 5th year then it’s time to move on.

[XUBand]

I give Steele and F on everything coaching and an A+ in spousal choice. He sucked. Miller is just struggling but let’s have faith. We are only two years removed from the sweet 16. He is got to learn to adjust to the new game. He can do it and will do it. Let’s see how he does next year and if he fails again then I put him on the hot seat. If he fails in his 5th year then it’s time to move on.

There were rumors some of the players thought his choice of spouse was A+ too.

[Xuperman]

This program has a severe identity crisis.

What in the world is happening?

I have a strong suspicion that it is exactly my predicted possibility when paying players was given the green light.

Large discrepancies in NIL money for a select few that are NOT EARNING IT on the court. When this becomes reality....with guys that have no real history together....locker room CANCER is inevitable. The precipitous death spiral that this team is living fits that cancer diagnoses to a T!

As Hett, myself and only a few others predicted....NIL will eventually destroy programs like X. All you supporters here, are so foolishly naive.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Could it be this season? Did some transfer get a big NIL deal that isn't producing? It's hard to point because not many of our guys are earning their NIL at all. Swain is doing well enough. Zach isn't terrible on the offensive end.

[stammina0721]

It's what I mentioned in my post. You are right... there is an identity crisis. This isn't Xavier basketball. Xavier basketball was built upon upperclassmen teaching younger guys what the Xavier way meant.

Those lessons went from guys like Kevin Carr, Darnell Williams and James Posey to guys like David West then to guys like Soto and so on. That is where the continuity came from. It's really was a program and no one person was bigger than that.

Now that is impossible in today's game. The Xavier way isn't possible in the Big East. If a freshman doesn't play... they are gone. If a freshman plays and plays well then they get paid to go to the next big school. If a transfer comes in then they are 1 and done.

No message is being passed on and there is no sense of team. It's all about playing well to get that NIL money elsewhere or come here for 1 year to play ball in the Big East and increase your exposure. The Xavier way we grew up with is dead and there is no bringing it back in today's college landscape.

[MHettel]

I have a strong suspicion that it is exactly my predicted possibility when paying players was given the green light.

Large discrepancies in NIL money for a select few that are NOT EARNING IT on the court. When this becomes reality....with guys that have no real history together....locker room CANCER is inevitable. The precipitous death spiral that this team is living fits that cancer diagnoses to a T!

As Hett, myself and only a few others predicted....NIL will eventually destroy programs like X. All you supporters here, are so foolishly naive.

Yup. I’d love to unearth some of the back and forth posts from 4-5 years ago where I accurately predicted this outcome. A couple guys were like “nah, it will be ok”.

Over folks

[MHettel]

It's what I mentioned in my post. You are right... there is an identity crisis. This isn't Xavier basketball. Xavier basketball was built upon upperclassmen teaching younger guys what the Xavier way meant.

Those lessons went from guys like Kevin Carr, Darnell Williams and James Posey to guys like David West then to guys like Soto and so on. That is where the continuity came from. It's really was a program and no one person was bigger than that.

Now that is impossible in today's game. The Xavier way isn't possible in the Big East. If a freshman doesn't play... they are gone. If a freshman plays and plays well then they get paid to go to the next big school. If a transfer comes in then they are 1 and done.

No message is being passed on and there is no sense of team. It's all about playing well to get that NIL money elsewhere or come here for 1 year to play ball in the Big East and increase your exposure. The Xavier way we grew up with is dead and there is no bringing it back in today's college landscape.

Pretty sure Kevin Carr isn’t on our Mount Rushmore. But I did get chuckle from that…even if you didn’t mean it.

[A Fan]

I am bringing this up to see if we can re-engage MOR in the discussion regarding his evaluation of where the program stands and his optimism for the future. He seemed to be closer to the program than anyone on the Board and, to put it mildly, was instrumental in rallying everyone to contribute to the collective—and many did. MOR might assume I’m looking for a ‘mea culpa’ or trying to ‘rub it in,’ but that’s not the case. He has valuable insight into the mood of the major NIL contributors and Sean’s current assessment of why this group of players has been so disappointing to him and to us. If MOR chooses not to come forward and share his perspective, I will take it as a sign that he has lost confidence in the program’s future and will no longer be a promoter of contributing to the collective.

[webxu]

Pretty sure Kevin Carr isn’t on our Mount Rushmore. But I did get chuckle from that…even if you didn’t mean it.

Id take Kevin Carr back right about now!

[webxu]

I think a couple things are happening, you have NIL, and you have the Covid year finally ending. I think the staff was trying to fix roster deficiencies quickly by utilizing the talent still left in CBB and that has backfired gloriously to this point. The recruiting of freshmen has basically been non-existent for us since that covid year was granted. That stops after this year so hopefully we can reengage with high school recruits as there will be essentially 2 years worth of players leaving this year. In retrospect I wish we would have gone the other way and recruited freshmen only, pay them to stay and develop instead of only using that for transfers.

[Xville]

I think a couple things are happening, you have NIL, and you have the Covid year finally ending. I think the staff was trying to fix roster deficiencies quickly by utilizing the talent still left in CBB and that has backfired gloriously to this point. The recruiting of freshmen has basically been non-existent for us since that covid year was granted. That stops after this year so hopefully we can reengage with high school recruits as there will be essentially 2 years worth of players leaving this year. In retrospect I wish we would have gone the other way and recruited freshmen only, pay them to stay and develop instead of only using that for transfers.

Yes after the sweet 16 year should have been a reset and a big freshman recruiting class in retrospect. I think outside of probably UConn and now maybe gtown that’s what big East schools are going to have to mainly do. Build and develop and fill in gaps. The only blue blood in this conference is UConn for the time being

[GoMuskies]

Yes after the sweet 16 year should have been a reset and a big freshman recruiting class in retrospect.

We did. We had five freshmen in that class (possibly 6; what was Ciani?). Only one stayed past one year.

[MHettel]

Yes after the sweet 16 year should have been a reset and a big freshman recruiting class in retrospect. I think outside of probably UConn and now maybe gtown that’s what big East schools are going to have to mainly do. Build and develop and fill in gaps. The only blue blood in this conference is UConn for the time being

This conference COULD have UConn, Nova, GTown and St. John’s as headline brands. Nova and UConn have obviously done their part. If they can all get their act together it would raise interest in the whole conference and each team will benefit from that

[Xville]

We did. We had five freshmen in that class (possibly 6; what was Ciani?). Only one stayed past one year.

Yeah you're right. I guess we should have just scouted and recruited better then lol:

Green
Swain
Ducharme
Nzeh
Djokovic
Ciani

The top 4 were planned, scouted and recruited. It says something about the staff and scouting department that they thought Ducharme could play at this level. Green is a one trick pony and won't be anything more. Hit on Swain for sure...Nzeh may be something by his senior year. So out of a traditional 4 man freshman class, you hit on one. That's not great Bob.

[Xville]

This conference COULD have UConn, Nova, GTown and St. John’s as headline brands. Nova and UConn have obviously done their part. If they can all get their act together it would raise interest in the whole conference and each team will benefit from that

I agree. What I mean is that only UCONN at this point is going to be able to portal fish every year and probably be mostly successful. (Even UCONN has a culture where they don't cast a huge wide net in the portal...they identify the pieces they need/want and get them. The rest of the team is brought up thru thier high school recruiting. The rest of the conference imo are going to have to develop and recruit high school talent.

I still firmly believe that Miller is a good coach, but I think he was looking for a quick fix with all these portal additions, and he got burnt. I'm sure like most of us he is losing patience.

I wish the conference schedule wasn't so unbalanced. The last 9 games of the season are all very winnable, but X is probably going to be so far behind at that point, that its not going to matter.

[drudy23]

Craft and Powell could play at this level. We lost them both.

[Xuperman]

Edwards proved he could also. Scored 21 @ UK this year. We could DEFINITELY use him now!

Big mistake to let a BIG like him go.

[xuwillie]

Millers lack of patience is whats bothering me most. A couple of those guys on last years team should still be here. Green should be getting Mcknights minutes as well.

[Xville]

Millers lack of patience is whats bothering me most. A couple of those guys on last years team should still be here. Green should be getting Mcknights minutes as well.

I agree on a few from last year. Ousmane would probably be pretty good to have, maybe Ciani/djokovic/nzeh keep one of them.

Green I disagree with. I don’t think he can play at this level. He’s too small, and is a one trick pony at this level imo.

[xuwillie]

Guess I'm more frustrated Mcknight at this point tbh. He doesn't deserve all the minutes he's getting

[Xville]

Guess I'm more frustrated Mcknight at this point tbh. He doesn't deserve all the minutes he's getting

Miller is in absolute love with the guy. I think he’s a good player but I’m frustrated with him too. He isn’t any better than last year, in fact I think he’s regressed, and he’s not a leader. I feel that as the lead guard you have to be a vocal and tough leader, and he’s not that. He’s a quiet, nice, introverted person. That’s fine, it’s who he is, but it’s not great for this team.

[94GRAD]

Guess I'm more frustrated Mcknight at this point tbh. He doesn't deserve all the minutes he's getting

He had 10pts, 8ast, 1 to. Tell me again who should be getting his minutes?

[drudy23]

Green should not be getting McKnight's minutes.

He's the best PG on the team. He's not getting replaced, but he does need to play better.

IMO, he should be shooting much more.

[MHettel]

Miller is in absolute love with the guy. I think he’s a good player but I’m frustrated with him too. He isn’t any better than last year, in fact I think he’s regressed, and he’s not a leader. I feel that as the lead guard you have to be a vocal and tough leader, and he’s not that. He’s a quiet, nice, introverted person. That’s fine, it’s who he is, but it’s not great for this team.

McKnight and Foster don’t have a quick enough release and they hesitate to shoot when a defense is closing. The
We just continue to work our little weave at the top and are rushed into a crap shot as the clock winds down.

I saw a play last night where McKnight shot faked and got his man in the air. At that point, either step in and draw a foul while the guy comes down, or side step and take a shot. He did neither

[hoopster68]

For an immediate action, a "players only" meeting before going to Chicago to face DePaul. These "student athletes" know the situation; results must come from the five on the floor + bench. Is there "leadership in the locker room" with this squad?

[XUGRAD80]

This years team doesn’t have an ability problem. It has a mental toughness problem. I don’t like their chances against any team that is mentally tough, no matter how they compare to others in regards to ability and talent.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Just for one game, but Foster/Conwell/Hunter/Maddox being black holes on offense don't help us out at all. Freemantle is a must on the court but he has obvious defensive limitations. My biggest disappointment is Conwell. The guy had a freak year against lower competition and is clearly way over his head. He can't dictate any pace and if the defense doesn't give him obvious room he is shut down.

For the future, I am most disappointed that we lost Powell. He has looked decent for WVU all year. Swain must be kept at all costs to match with Lewis and Forsyth. Miller must get two impact transfers, real high D1 talent and not this lower level crap.

On what stays, Anderson is an unknown but has underwhelming stats at lower level colleges. Hugley is a complete bust. Traore is totally unknown. There are just a lot of spots open next year to fill with hopefully higher than this talent level. Conwell, I just don't about this guy. Swain should start over him to be honest.

[GoMuskies]

We've had some good results on lower level talent coming in. Boum and Olivari were great from C-USA. McKnight has been solid coming from C-USA. Kunk was great coming in from the OVC. Hankins was a great add coming from Division 2. CJ Anderson was very solid coming from Manhattan. Karem Kanter was huge coming from the Horizon. Malcolm Bernard came from the MEAC and was very solid. Matt Stainbrook was a star (and a very talented Uber driver) coming from the MAC. Andrew Taylor had his moments (including a good NCAA Tournament game when everyone else was terrible) from Division 2.

I don't think it's fair to make a blanket statement that we don't want guys coming up from lower levels.

[Xavier]

Also, Nunge was a perfect play of taking a chance on a guy coming off injuries. Not a habit to search for but it does work out.

[drudy23]

My biggest disappointment is Conwell. The guy had a freak year against lower competition and is clearly way over his head. He can't dictate any pace and if the defense doesn't give him obvious room he is shut down.


Terrible take.

Alot of folks on here don't know ball.

[Xville]

Terrible take.

Alot of folks on here don't know ball.

Correct. The guy was a stud against UConn, uc, wake, hall but he’s had a bad couple of games so he sucks lol. He’s not a great athlete but he can score and shoot from outside. Just going thru a slump like all players do

[zippin']

I really wish we had gone with Green over Maddox. Everyone wants continuity and siding with Trey would have helped with that.

[Xville]

I really wish we had gone with Green over Maddox. Everyone wants continuity and siding with Trey would have helped with that.

Maddox sucks but green is Mac level talent. I don’t want him either

[MHettel]

Just occuring to me that the portal opens up in about 8-9 weeks. That’s pretty much all I have to look forward to at this point

[drudy23]

For the 6th out of 7th year, we’re looking for the Miracle at MSG.

[drudy23]

I really wish we had gone with Green over Maddox. Everyone wants continuity and siding with Trey would have helped with that.

Not really sure we saw the best of either.

Miller doesn’t seem to be a huge fan of either as well.

Would have been nice to see what both could do on good teams. That was probably the plan but we’re not good.

[stammina0721]

Carr was just a scrapper who did what was required. And who is going to ever forget the break away layup to beat the Kenyon Martin Bearcats? Those type of moments won't happen again because these guys can't be as invested as guys like that we're because the game is all about ME and not about WE anymore.

[drudy23]

Carr was just a scrapper who did what was required. And who is going to ever forget the break away layup to beat the Kenyon Martin Bearcats? Those type of moments won't happen again because these guys can't be as invested as guys like that we're because the game is all about ME and not about WE anymore.

That was Kevin Frey.

[stammina0721]

That was Kevin Frey.

Lol you are right. I gotta take the L on that one.

[stammina0721]

We've had some good results on lower level talent coming in. Boum and Olivari were great from C-USA. McKnight has been solid coming from C-USA. Kunk was great coming in from the OVC. Hankins was a great add coming from Division 2. CJ Anderson was very solid coming from Manhattan. Karem Kanter was huge coming from the Horizon. Malcolm Bernard came from the MEAC and was very solid. Matt Stainbrook was a star (and a very talented Uber driver) coming from the MAC. Andrew Taylor had his moments (including a good NCAA Tournament game when everyone else was terrible) from Division 2.

I don't think it's fair to make a blanket statement that we don't want guys coming up from lower levels.

I would like to say the perfect example of a growing Xavier player was Anthony Myles. He was garbage his first 2 years in terms of basketball production. But he grew, he developed and took the message of his predecessors. He became a dude and played better than Sheldon Williams in the elite 8. It's a shame he was robbed by an official. But it's that type of growth that defined Xavier basketball. That's what made people like this program. Those stories are impossible now because if a guy doesn't play he just goes elsewhere. They don't take the challenge to get better. They just move to the path of least resistance

[GoMuskies]

Myles only played two total years at X. He was a JuCo.

And he started all but one game while he was at X. So he always played while he was at X.

[MHettel]

Lol you are right. I gotta take the L on that one.

That is just gold. Who will ever forget that break away layup? Uh, YOU!

[xukeith]

Can any performance this Saturday satisfy X fans?
40 point dominant win?
Conwell matches or exceeds Olivari's road DePaul score?
X outrebounds DePaul by 20 ?

[hoopster68]

Can any performance this Saturday satisfy X fans?
40 point dominant win?
Conwell matches or exceeds Olivari's road DePaul score?
X outrebounds DePaul by 20 ?

How about every player giving 100%?

[Xville]

Can any performance this Saturday satisfy X fans?
40 point dominant win?
Conwell matches or exceeds Olivari's road DePaul score?
X outrebounds DePaul by 20 ?

No it’s DePaul. X is supposed to win. Rattle off 3-4 in a row and maybe we will start to be satisfied

[GoMuskies]

Can any performance this Saturday satisfy X fans?
40 point dominant win?
Conwell matches or exceeds Olivari's road DePaul score?
X outrebounds DePaul by 20 ?

Just win. That's far from a given.

[X-band '01]

DePaul has had second half leads against Providence and Seton Hall (not to mention an 18-point lead AT Hall) before promptly peeing down their legs. X would do well not to dig too deep a hole early on like they've done against Marquette, Georgetown, St. John's, etc.

[94GRAD]

I would like to say the perfect example of a growing Xavier player was Anthony Myles. He was garbage his first 2 years in terms of basketball production. But he grew, he developed and took the message of his predecessors. He became a dude and played better than Sheldon Williams in the elite 8. It's a shame he was robbed by an official. But it's that type of growth that defined Xavier basketball. That's what made people like this program. Those stories are impossible now because if a guy doesn't play he just goes elsewhere. They don't take the challenge to get better. They just move to the path of least resistance

I think you're melding Jason Love and Anthony!

[GoMuskies]

I think you're melding Jason Love and Anthony!

I was thinking maybe Jimmy Farr.

[LOLmickcronin]

I was thinking maybe Jimmy Farr.

Jimmy. Jason love. Bj Raymond. Lionel chalmers. Sean Omara. Even Justin cage.

So many greats that came from doing little early in their careers to having a huge imprint on tourney teams. It’s why I have loved Xavier basketball all these years. And that part is probably gone forever.

[xuphan]

Jimmy. Jason love. Bj Raymond. Lionel chalmers. Sean Omara. Even Justin cage.

So many greats that came from doing little early in their careers to having a huge imprint on tourney teams. It’s why I have loved Xavier basketball all these years. And that part is probably gone forever.

With the last two seasons of watching this Xavier basketball team play poorly, it makes me appreciate not being a Cleveland Browns fan. I can’t imagine having to endure this misery year after year after year.

[Three Point Pete]

Just occuring to me that the portal opens up in about 8-9 weeks. That’s pretty much all I have to look forward to at this pointHett
We could go ahead and win ALL of the February games! Now, that's a good scenario for looking forward.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[drudy23]

Jimmy. Jason love. Bj Raymond. Lionel chalmers. Sean Omara. Even Justin cage.

So many greats that came from doing little early in their careers to having a huge imprint on tourney teams. It’s why I have loved Xavier basketball all these years. And that part is probably gone forever.

Aaron Williams, Jamie Gladden, Jalen Reynolds, Tyrique Jones

All with increasing developmental paths over 3-4 years.

[Xville]

Weird year so far....10-7 record, 2-4 in conference. X is 0-7 in quad 1 games and 10-0 in all other. 2-0 in quad 2....Nova tomorrow night is a quad 2.

[X-band '01]

Trying to remember from two years ago - was Freemantle already out with his injury when Nova won at Cintas? I remember him having a big game when X finally won at the Pavilion.

[Xville]

Trying to remember from two years ago - was Freemantle already out with his injury when Nova won at Cintas? I remember him having a big game when X finally won at the Pavilion.

yeah he was out already. He got injured during the Creighton game which was a few weeks before Nova.

Next 7 games is make or break time. Not predicting it, but if they can find a way to go 4-3 in the next 7, then there is the chance this team could go on a real run in February/March. Anything less than that, eyes point to next year.

Somehow find a way to win against Nova, UCONN and Gtown at home and steal one on the road is the path forward. It's a very big ask for what we have seen from this team up to this point, but crazier things have happened.

[drudy23]

It's quite possible we see 0-7 or 1-6 over this stretch. It's a tough stretch.

It probably won't be that bad, but outside of Villanova, the other 5 are better teams than us (and Nova has been playing MUCH better).

Nova (H)
Marquette (A)
SJU (A)
UConn (H)
Creighton (A)
GTown (A)
Nova (A)

Certainly is make or break time for this squad. It could get even more depressing.

[Xavier]

Yep. I could see 3 wins there. If they found a way to get 4 I’d think the tournament is very much in reach. I wouldn’t bet on it. Just going to take it game by game. Ville, hope you are able to get to a game at home with students. It’s completely different.

[Xville]

Yep. I could see 3 wins there. If they found a way to get 4 I’d think the tournament is very much in reach. I wouldn’t bet on it. Just going to take it game by game. Ville, hope you are able to get to a game at home with students. It’s completely different.

Yeah I’ll probably either head up to the creighton or Providence game at the end of the year. Been there a couple of games this season with the students and of course in the past. Just seems that this year, it’s not been great overall, but hoping that changes tomorrow night for the rest of the season. Of course, the team also needs to do their part

[bigdiggins]

It's quite possible we see 0-7 or 1-6 over this stretch. It's a tough stretch.

It probably won't be that bad, but outside of Villanova, the other 5 are better teams than us (and Nova has been playing MUCH better).

Nova (H)
Marquette (A)
SJU (A)
UConn (H)
Creighton (A)
GTown (A)
Nova (A)

Certainly is make or break time for this squad. It could get even more depressing.

Georgetown is a home game. Probably my best chance for a w in that stretch

[Xville]

The last seven games of the season are all very winnable. If x can somehow win 2 or 3 of the next six games, they could get on the bubble by the end of the season. Not probable but at least there’s some hope.

Win the next two home games and steal one on the road.

[Xavier]

Saw on Twitter according to bartorvik- If X can go 2-2 next 4, then win the games they are projected to win- they’d be essentially a lock for the tournament.

Dont know that they can do either of those things. Just sharing the info

[Xville]

Saw on Twitter according to bartorvik- If X can go 2-2 next 4, then win the games they are projected to win- they’d be essentially a lock for the tournament.

Dont know that they can do either of those things. Just sharing the info

I don't expect X to go into St. John's and win that game. I think its an awful matchup for X---too athletic, too much high pressure d. So with that said, I think the other 3 are doable. Probable? no, but doable. X was right there with Marquette and nothing about them is physically imposing, UCONN isn't that special without Mcneeley and Creighton has 2 dudes. Saturday is absolutely huge.

[Xuperman]

My early prediction of 8 over/under conference wins still appears to be a solid number.

Any "Bubble" talk is nothing but cockeyed optimism. Wake Forest as our lone signature win is insignificant.

[GoMuskies]

If we win Saturday, it's back on. Really, any of the next three (maybe less so UConn given it's at home and UConn doesn't have the profile they've had in recent years, obviously).

[Xville]

My early prediction of 8 over/under conference wins still appears to be a solid number.

Any "Bubble" talk is nothing but cockeyed optimism. Wake Forest as our lone signature win is insignificant.

Have you bothered to look at the schedule after this four game stretch? Barring an injury (knock on wood) this team will easily exceed the 8 win mark. I’d set the number at 10. Butler, hall, DePaul and Providence all really suck

[Xuperman]

No need to bloviate.

You're officially a confident over.

[noteggs]

Have you bothered to look at the schedule after this four game stretch? Barring an injury (knock on wood) this team will easily exceed the 8 win mark. I’d set the number at 10. Butler, hall, DePaul and Providence all really suck

Yeah the first half of conference play was brutal! Six of the 10 games against top three teams. Agree back end is much more favorable

[bleedXblue]

Nothing changed with my perception of how the rest of the year will go .........Conwell went off and that was great and really fun to watch.

Until this team runs a more efficient offense and gets more consistent contributions from more than 1-2 players each game, we will continue to struggle

McKnight, Swain, Maddox are just too inconsistent from game to game.

[Xavier]

Agreed, we need them to buy in and star in their role. Foster hits some open 3s. He’s pretty close to what we need from him. Swain has a mix of great flashes (the cut to the hoop and slam late in game was great) and maddening plays. McKnight similarly shows good flashes but not as consistent as last year. If those two can be consistently solid the season will change.

Maddox is what he is, if he gets a lot of shots some nights will be good some nights won’t. He’s still…maybe the only guy who can get a shot on his own.

Whatever you think of Miller, does anyone think Indiana might come after him this offseason?

[GoMuskies]

I think Indiana has probably had their fill of the Miller family.

[Xville]

I'm guessing IU will back up the brinks truck for Dusty May.

As far as X, win Saturday and I think this team is cooking

[GoMuskies]

I guess it's a new world these days, but I can't see any way May leaves Michigan for Indiana. Indiana was a better job than Michigan 30 years ago. Is it today? Don't really think it is.

[Xville]

I guess it's a new world these days, but I can't see any way May leaves Michigan for Indiana. Indiana was a better job than Michigan 30 years ago. Is it today? Don't really think it is.

I don't think it is either, but I'd think "coming home" would be pretty enticing. Plus, no matter what, basketball will always be #2 at Michigan, #1 at Indiana.

[bleedXblue]

I think Indiana has probably had their fill of the Miller family.

agreed and I dont think Sean steps on his brothers grave either

[drudy23]

Sean isn't leaving. If he does, then his whole story in returning is nothing but a used car salesman sales pitch.

If he leaves us at the altar after he poured his guts out about his second chance, then good riddance.

Dig in and finish the job. No more excuses.

[bleedXblue]

Sean isn't leaving. If he does, then his whole story in returning is nothing but a used car salesman sales pitch.

If he leaves us at the altar after he poured his guts out about his second chance, then good riddance.

Dig in and finish the job. No more excuses.

Classic case of how much money do you need? He must have 20+ mil in the bank. Generational wealth. You would think that he would be more focused on a good job and good quality of life. But, you never know......

[drudy23]

Classic case of how much money do you need? He must have 20+ mil in the bank. Generational wealth. You would think that he would be more focused on a good job and good quality of life. But, you never know......

He has a great situation. He has years of job security (he's not getting fired anytime soon) and I'm honestly hoping he's pushing to elevate the program. I'm hoping the Pres and the Board are open to it. I'm sure he has a ton of ideas. Like you said, how much money do you need? The success of his second term will probably hinge on how on the same page him and the Administration is.

Get us to the Final Four and retire. This program is not in a position to start over again. Dig in and make the improvements necessary to get us back to where we belong. It's Sean or bust at this point.

Can you imagine having to find our next coach amidst this current turmoil? It wouldn't end well.

[xudash]

Classic case of how much money do you need? He must have 20+ mil in the bank. Generational wealth. You would think that he would be more focused on a good job and good quality of life. But, you never know......

I'm banking on your thought process.

Actually, especially in the current environment of collegiate athletics, Xavier being in the Big East and the Big East performing solidly, I'm not worried about Sean leaving for another position. He's older and wiser. He's already gone down the "move up" road once. The Miller's have moved into a new home they built in Cincinnati, and they love Cincinnati. We have a solid, marketable program that will come up with competitive, albeit not top funding for paying players. And we are a basketball first (only) school.

Give us and him time to get past these last two years of freakish injuries, etc. I am hopeful that the next 10 years of Xavier basketball leads to great things with Sean at the helm.

[chico]

I can't imagine a competitive guy like Miller is content with a legacy of being the best coach never to reach a final 4. This program has the resources to make it, I just think he's having some trouble adjusting to the new reality of college basketball. He's a guy who could develop players, but that's hard when you only have them for a year or two and they're on their second or third college coach.

[MHettel]

I agree that Miller has plenty of money and probably wouldn’t leave for that reason.

But I’m sure he hates losing. And he’s had a couple rough years at X.

None of us know, but if it comes down to the fact that his roster construction was limited due to NIL money available, then he may conclude that isn’t something within his control or likely to be fixed anytime soon.

I know people will say “there is more coming!”, but that doesn’t mean that other schools that currently have more than us wouldn’t ALSO have more coming.

We cannot win an NIL Arms race. If miller prioritizes winning over all else, he could contemplate dealing with the NIl disparity in the only way that HE can.

[X-band '01]

I wonder if Xavier will eventually hire a GM that would be mainly responsible for NIL, scheduling, etc. and simply leave most of the day-to-day operations and recruiting to Sean and his immediate staff. I noticed the other day that LaVall Jordan is DePaul's GM and that Baker Dunleavy is Villanova's GM.

[Xavier]

I could definitely see him getting frustrated after awhile and thinking NIL is the only way. Ask Arkansas (top 5 NIL roster) and Rutgers (bought two 1st round picks) how that’s going. I won’t bring up the $ Indiana spent this year. Yikes. Does it help? No doubt about it. But you still need to identify players that can’t fit your system and gel.

Being able to do that at X is a way to be successful in NIL era. (Identify and spend on the right pieces) winning an arms race isn’t the way and far from a free pass, either.

[JEHARDI]

In the end, it will come down to NIL $ and resources, regardless of whether Sean stays or goes. This year to compete for a national championship, you needed a minimum of $5 -$7 M to bring in the type of players it will take to get to a FF. That # will only go up. On the resource front, Nova has invested in Dunleavy and Randy Foyle to navigate player recruitment and NIL. We are going to have to continue to step it up to give Sean the resources he needs.

[Xavier]

You think NC state was paying 5 mil last year? lol no chance.

[MHettel]

You think NC state was paying 5 mil last year? lol no chance.

What is this comment meant to imply? That there isn’t a 100% correlation between NIL budget and success in the Tourney?

Did someone suggest there was?

There will always be a couple teams that achieve above their NIL budget. And there will always be a few teams that achieve below their NIL budget. But most teams will achieve to some level that reflects their NIL. It’s very easy to point to the outliers.

BYU got the #1 recruit for next year! Who would have thought? Until it was revealed that the recruit landed the biggest NIL deal to date. So, swap out BYU with any other team and increase the NIL to any higher amount and it would make sense that some team with a higher number sealed the deal.

NIL spend will not 100% correlate to NCAA success. But my guess is there will be statistical significance established .

[Xavier]

He said “you need 5-7 million, minimum, to get to the final four” …..the way i read that is he that he is implying: you need 5-7 million to get to the final four. If I took him saying “you need 5-7 million to get to the final four” the wrong way, that’s on me.
?

Seems like you and I agree, and disagree with that 5-7 million statement. NIL spend won’t 100% correlate to ncaa success. Xavier will never have the resources some schools do. And they never have. So they will have to hit above the budget, just like always.

[XUGRAD80]

BYU got the #1 recruit for next year! Who would have thought? Until it was revealed that the recruit landed the biggest NIL deal to date. So, swap out BYU with any other team and increase the NIL to any higher amount and it would make sense that some team with a higher number sealed the deal.


I have read, and seen video, where that player said that he was offered comparable money from other schools and that one of the major reasons he choose BYU was the NBA experience of the head coach and the rest of the staff. He plans to be a one and done player and wanted to go somewhere that he thought would get him NBA ready the quickest. Also, it appears from what the player has said that it was more in the 5 million dollar range and not the 7 million that was initially reported. Still more money than 99% of schools are going to ready able and willing to give to one player, including X.

[Xville]

While nil and resources are always important, coaching and culture are just as important. One only needs to look at iu this year to know that’s true.

[XUGRAD80]

While nil and resources are always important, coaching and culture are just as important. One only needs to look at iu this year to know that’s true.

Bingo!

[drudy23]

But we all know this. It's always been this way. Hell, Xavier used to exceed expectations when it came to this.

Who's pulling it all together into a program that hums as one like it used to? This is bigger than the Head Coach.

[Section 200]

But we all know this. It's always been this way. Hell, Xavier used to exceed expectations when it came to this.

Who's pulling it all together into a program that hums as one like it used to? This is bigger than the Head Coach.

I think Coach Miller still exceeds expections in this area - last year's team probably cost Seton Hall and St John's NCAA bids because Miller found a way for his inferior team to beat them. Xavier, under Miller, is winning games we should probably lose. That is due to coaching.

[xukeith]

BE competition vs A10 competition is different.

[hoopster68]

I think Coach Miller still exceeds expections in this area - last year's team probably cost Seton Hall and St John's NCAA bids because Miller found a way for his inferior team to beat them. Xavier, under Miller, is winning games we should probably lose. That is due to coaching.

This year we lost to UC and have a negative record in the BE. . .hope things improve quickly!

[JEHARDI]

The coach and coaching staff are still vital. We are lucky to have Sean.
The game has changed, the days of developing players and having a roster that grows and develops together through 4 years is gone.
In this new environment, $, resources and support are going to be critical to get to a FF and have a team that consistently competes at a high level.NC State, caught lightning n a bottle but it did not translate to anything beyond the somewhat lucky run.
The $5- 7M I referenced, likely would have enabled Sean to avoid making bets on players like Hugley, Fletcher and Anderson and provided the opportunity to add higher quality depth.
Think the the only way Sean leaves is if he believes he will not have the resources to compete year in and year out and unfortunately idle of the pack NIL $ will make it tough to have the program most of us want.

[XUGRAD80]

Today’s result certainly changes my outlook. I really didn’t think they would get more than 8-9 victories the rest of the year. I’m a bit more optimistic now. :)

[Xville]

The last seven games of the season are all very winnable. If x can somehow win 2 or 3 of the next six games, they could get on the bubble by the end of the season. Not probable but at least there’s some hope.

Win the next two home games and steal one on the road.

Got the 1 on the road, hold serve at home and you’re saying there’s a chance?

I just wonder what it takes this year to get to the tourney? Hell, seton hall was 13-7 last year and still didn’t get in

[Xavier]

Bartorvik calculations said if X went 2-2 in next 4 (now 1-2 after the win) and win the games they are projected to win, they’d be a lock.

Hard to really say, just glad the last few games giving X a bolt and a shot of hope. That’s big….somehow win at St. John’s and momentum is soaring.

[Xville]

Bartorvik calculations said if X went 2-2 in next 4 (now 1-2 after the win) and win the games they are projected to win, they’d be a lock.

Hard to really say, just glad the last few games giving X a bolt and a shot of hope. That’s big….somehow win at St. John’s and momentum is soaring.

How many wins total would that be then? 20 or 21? If x can win at least 1 of the next three (preferably 2) it’s certainly possible.

Could change but just noticed UConn game is no longer a q1. They dropped 8 spots in the net, down to 32 after losing yesterday. They need mcneeley

[Xavier]

They do. Hopefully he’s out for Saturday, though….

And it was a stat I saw on Twitter, just went and played with the numbers. At 20 wins, it would be 50% of making tournament. They would project being in and part of the last four in. At 21, they’d essentially be a lock. As you pointed out, that’s if everything else goes as projected. So a lot can change those numbers. (IE UConn dropping a bit, other bubble teams better than expected, etc.)

A long long way to go, and I honestly can’t see this X team winning 6-7 in a row to close the year out (even against that competition) but if things fall right and X is on the bubble- hope whoever is fighting for Big East in the committee can push Freemantle being out against Marquette and UConn games.

[Xuperman]

Just watched the Marquette game again. If anyone else does....try and focus on Foster.

Highly effective 1st half....steady hand throughout. Surprisingly good handle. Excellent defender. His size and physicality jumped out yesterday....the guy is really put together.

Hit a big early 3 and the fast break lob assist to Swain was a thing of beauty. 9 points and 8 boards, however a lot of his effectiveness is stuff that doesn't show up in the box scores.

[Xville]

They do. Hopefully he’s out for Saturday, though….

And it was a stat I saw on Twitter, just went and played with the numbers. At 20 wins, it would be 50% of making tournament. They would project being in and part of the last four in. At 21, they’d essentially be a lock. As you pointed out, that’s if everything else goes as projected. So a lot can change those numbers. (IE UConn dropping a bit, other bubble teams better than expected, etc.)

Even with the last 6-7 games being really darn easy, going 9-3 the rest of the way is a tall task. I’m as optimistic about this team as anyone but man x put themselves in a tough position with all the close losses earlier

[Xavier]

Yep. Teamrankings gives X a 36% at this point. Feels right. Having said that it was 20% before Marquette.

[xukeith]

I think 13 conference wins with 2 Q1 wins its a lock
I think 12 conference wins including 3 Q1 wins its a lock.


Hold that thought. It may be more difficult.

I already know at Butler is a loss for X.*i I predict doom, and I am prepared to be surprised. Other than that game , SJ, Creiighton, and Villanova Look to be essential .

[MHettel]

Just watched the Marquette game again. If anyone else does....try and focus on Foster.

Highly effective 1st half....steady hand throughout. Surprisingly good handle. Excellent defender. His size and physicality jumped out yesterday....the guy is really put together.

Hit a big early 3 and the fast break lob assist to Swain was a thing of beauty. 9 points and 8 boards, however a lot of his effectiveness is stuff that doesn't show up in the box scores.

Foster reminds me a little of Remy Abel. I’m not comparing their game to each other necessarily, but rather that they are both solid 2 way guys that don’t demand or dominate the ball on offense and can play effective defense. Not stars, but solid role players. Justin Cage fits this description too.

[MHettel]

I think 13 conference wins with 2 Q1 wins its alock
I think 12 conference wins including 3 Q1 wins its a lock.

We had this discussion last year and let’s just say we didn’t all agree…

But I think the standings in the BE could come into play here.

The reality is that the BE is probably a 3 or 4 bid league right now. It’s MU, SJU, and UConn with Creighton as the bubble 4th team. I’d be worried that a 13 win XU team finishing 5th in the standings may not get it done.

We don’t know the results of all of the head to head games among these 5 teams, but we do know that we are currently 1-3. I feel like 2-2 is the minimum we need to accomplish with the remaining 4 games.

I know people will insists that the standings don’t matter. But if you finish 5 with the worst head to head record among these top 5, you are OUT this year. A sweep vs Creighton would probably be a lot more helpful than wins vs UConn and SJU and losing both to Creighton.

Obviously we want to win out (one can dream), but our other rooting interests should be against Creighton. Nova and GTown also have a pulse, but I’m not too concerned about them because their margin is razor thin and we can provide the knockout blows.

Best case scenario for us is to sneak in as the #4 BE team

[Xville]

Conference standings is not a criteria for the selection committee. It’s literally not anything they look at. With that said, if x finishes 13-7, I highly doubt they are fifth. Just looking at remaining games for Creighton, UConn I think x ends up tied for 3rd or at worst 4th in that scenario. 13-7 is going to be a real tall task though… 9-3 to finish out and miller should honestly win coach of the year.

[Xville]

To go 9-3 x would have to hold serve at home (6 games) not crazy considering outside of UConn they are probably favorites in every other game, (maybe creighton?)and then steal 3 away. (Hall, butler and then either nova/providence). Certainly all doable if they play d like they did yesterday, but still a big hill to climb

[Xavier]

I haven’t looked at the schedules of other BE teams, Xavier’s has been a bit unbalanced and I think some of the others are as well in the opposite side (having played easier and finish harder). I don’t really know if the committee looks at conference standings, but I don’t really know that X did anything OOC that suggests they’d jump a team with a better overall conference record.

Still, if they went 13-7 and finished 5th I think it’s more likely 5 BE teams get in than they miss out.

[MHettel]

I haven’t looked at the schedules of other BE teams, Xavier’s has been a bit unbalanced and I think some of the others are as well in the opposite side (having played easier and finish harder). I don’t really know if the committee looks at conference standings, but I don’t really know that X did anything OOC that suggests they’d jump a team with a better overall conference record.

Still, if they went 13-7 and finished 5th I think it’s more likely 5 BE teams get in than they miss out.

I don’t see 5. The BE strength this year is lower than last year when we got 3. Arguably, we were deserving of 4 last year but we drew the short end of the stick. Perhaps this year the committee makes it right by giving us a 5th bid…..but at this point it seems like 4 with a higher likelihood of 3 than 5.

Just don’t end up 5th. Period.

[Xville]

I don’t see 5. The BE strength this year is lower than last year when we got 3. Arguably, we were deserving of 4 last year but we drew the short end of the stick. Perhaps this year the committee makes it right by giving us a 5th bid…..but at this point it seems like 4 with a higher likelihood of 3 than 5.

Just don’t end up 5th. Period.

Not sure exactly how the committee decides strength of conference year to year but the big East was abnormally bad last year. They were actually 6th in conference rpi even behind the mountain west (that got a ton of bids if you remember.) This year the be conference is 4th.

I do agree the line this year is in that 4-5 bid conversation depending on how the rest of the reg season goes

[muskieindent]

We certainly can play ourselves back into an at large seed but still lot of work to do.These last 2 games have given us some hope but can they sustain it?Maybe the SJU game will be for this team what the beat down at GW in 2004 was to that team. Will the committee take into account we were without Freemantle for several games if we are on the bubble?

[Xavier]

I know the chance is really small. So was beating Marquette. If X won these next two games, I think they are ranked next week. That’s the opportunity we have infront of us this week. 1-1 would be great though.

*maybe not ranked. But could see it, 3 straight wins over top 20 teams.

[Xville]

I just looked at St. John’s schedule and was surprised by how garbage their wins are. I think xavier is literally their best win (their only q1 win) though you could make a case for home against New Mexico? their conference schedule up to this point has been extremely easy outside of winning at Cintas. I think their lack of shooting ability is going to catch up to them once the back half of their schedule hits. Can see 5-7 more losses easily.

I still think Marquette is the class of this conference. I didn’t think that was the case at the beginning of the season, I thought it was creighton, but they didn’t stay healthy. Anyways, I still think St. John’s is a bad matchup for x, but I think their record is a little smoke and mirrors

[drudy23]

I just looked at St. John’s schedule and was surprised by how garbage their wins are. I think xavier is literally their best win (their only q1 win) though you could make a case for home against New Mexico? their conference schedule up to this point has been extremely easy outside of winning at Cintas. I think their lack of shooting ability is going to catch up to them once the back half of their schedule hits. Can see 5-7 more losses easily.

I still think Marquette is the class of this conference. I didn’t think that was the case at the beginning of the season, I thought it was creighton, but they didn’t stay healthy. Anyways, I still think St. John’s is a bad matchup for x, but I think their record is a little smoke and mirrors

Creighton still has the potential to make a deep tourney run if they can find a way to get there (as does X, if it can find a way).

SJU embarrassed X in Cintas. Complete domination. Probably the worst game I've seen in the arena. Just that fact alone should be cause for a better showing, just to prove they have some self-respect.

[Xville]

Creighton still has the potential to make a deep tourney run if they can find a way to get there (as does X, if it can find a way).

SJU embarrassed X in Cintas. Complete domination. Probably the worst game I've seen in the arena. Just that fact alone should be cause for a better showing, just to prove they have some self-respect.

Sju is at least good, but I agree that effort completely sucked. losing to Tcu and Gtown is equally embarrassing in my eyes though. Both of those teams suck, and had x won those, they’d be sitting on the right side of the bubble right now

[bleedXblue]

Creighton still has the potential to make a deep tourney run if they can find a way to get there (as does X, if it can find a way).

SJU embarrassed X in Cintas. Complete domination. Probably the worst game I've seen in the arena. Just that fact alone should be cause for a better showing, just to prove they have some self-respect.

Creighton with Jamiya Neal playing better is a tough out.