Game Thread: Xavier vs Georgetown University (1/3/2025)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.https://sportslogohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/georgetown_hoyas_1996-pres_s.png


CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 9-5 overall and 1-1 in the BIG EAST Conference, hit the road for another league test vs. the Georgetown University Hoyas, 11-2 overall and 2-0 in the BIG EAST, on Friday night at 8 p.m. in Washington D.C. Xavier, coming off a 94-72 win over Seton Hall on Tuesday, is looking for a second-straight win, while Georgetown is looking for a fifth-straight win.

Xavier, which has played its BIG EAST slate without leading scorer and rebounder Zach Freemantle, has five players averaging double-figures in scoring in league play.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (9-5, 1-1 BIG EAST)
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOYAS (11-2, 2-0 BIG EAST)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2025 AT 8:00 P.M. ET
AT CAPITAL ONE ARENA, WASHINGTON DC

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

TV/Stream: CBS Sports Network with play-by-play from Jordan Kent and analysis from Chris Walker.
Xavier Radio: 700 WLW with play-by-play from Xavier Hall of Famer Joe Sunderman ('79) and analysis from XU all-time leading scorer and Hall of Famer Byron Larkin ('88). XU broadcast is also available on the Varsity Network and on Sirius XM.

Live Stats: Media stats at Statbroadcast.com (http://statbroadcast.com/) and fan stats at GoXavier.com. (https://goxavier.com/)

[drudy23]

Not the Georgetown of old. If they come in flat, it will bite them.

Very winnable game however, and one we must have. Not alot of room for error at this point.

Win please.

[Xville]

Got to get this one. A winnable road q2 game with not many in conference. Another game where x can build confidence for the rest of the year. Git r done boys!

[Xavier]

I had this as a loss when re-evaluating the season after Freemantle went out. Think the Creighton game scared me (Gtown stomped Creighton by 24). It’s an opportunity to build off of SH. The Hall game helps build confidence a bit, but having a strong performance on the road would do wonders.

[Xville]

Per Kenpom should be about a pick'em or -1 on either side of the coin. Let's go X!

[Xville]

X +1.5 early line… will be interesting to see the movement.

[Xville]

Per Kenpom X is now projected to go 18-12 overall which is up from 17-13 a couple of weeks ago. They are projected as favorites in 10 of their remaining 17 games. The ones they are not favorites in:

Both St. John's games
@ Nova
@ Marquette
UCONN
@ Creighton

and tonight is a tossup. This one is pivotal!

[GoMuskies]

This may well be the biggest game of the season. Win these types of 50/50 games on the road, and you can have a really good year. So far, we haven't, but tonight is a great opportunity.

[XUMIOH12]

This will be an interesting one. Anyone's game, can they play clean and handle a lead if they have one late. Tacking on a road W against a decent team would be huge for the outlook moving forward.

[drudy23]

At this point, every next game is the biggest game of the season. Have to start stacking a significant number of wins.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

Indeed, the X-Preview Gamenotes, delivered to my email inbox, unfailingly, before each game, is a terrific publication, full of stats, XU player profiles, and far-out whudjaknows.

But . . . there's no . . . roster . . . for the opponents.

You know, like, who are we playing tonight?

All help always appreciated.

[Xville]

Sorber is their big man. He’s a freshman and he’s a load at 6’10 255. Can’t let him just go off… I’m sure x will try to double here and there but that’s dangerous with Jayden Epps and Malik Mack (their guards) who can both shoot the three 39 and 40% respectively. Epps has been there a couple of years now, Mack was a coveted transfer portal prospect from haaaaavad.

It’s a big test and one that would be great to have.

[Xavier]

He’s projected top 20 draft pick I’ve seen. He’s a stud, will be hard to handle. But in the ND game he was in foul trouble, hoping our spread it out offense can get him in early foul trouble.

[Three Point Pete]

Per Kenpom X is now projected to go 18-12 overall which is up from 17-13 a couple of weeks ago. They are projected as favorites in 10 of their remaining 17 games. The ones they are not favorites in:

Both St. John's games
@ Nova
@ Marquette
UCONN
@ Creighton

and tonight is a tossup. This one is pivotal!We are going to beat Yukon at home!

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[X-band '01]

Epps hasn't played since their win at Seton Hall prior to Christmas break. Not sure if he's going to go tonight.

[bleedXblue]

Epps hasn't played since their win at Seton Hall prior to Christmas break. Not sure if he's going to go tonight.

undisclosed what the reasoning is......maybe grades?

[waggy]

Sorbet was I’ll for ND. Epps had an injury vs I think SH, but came back in game. Lingering sprain I think.

[Three Point Pete]

^^^^^
I just read Jon Rothstein on playing Epps " a true game-time call"

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[waggy]

Zach warmed up with team…

[bleedXblue]

Free went from potential season-ending to only missing maybe 3-4 games. Weird handling of the whole thing Regardless happy with the outcome.

[GoMuskies]

Sounds like he won't play. I understand he was moving around gingerly...but we shall see!

[Strange Brew]

Let’s go X!

Game time!

[XUGRAD80]

Zac is back!

[GoMuskies]

Zac is back!

That's wild. And awesome, obviously!

[GoMuskies]

No OT Akron and Bowling Green!

[Strange Brew]

No OT Akron and Bowling Green!

What? Get caught up in the MACtion! :)

[GoMuskies]

Officials are so fucking incompetent.

[Strange Brew]

Officials are so fucking incompetent.

They’re just trying to get in “their steps” for the day.

[Strange Brew]

Give credit to BG.

They’ll probably have a bigger crowd than GU.

[MHettel]

No OT Akron and Bowling Green!

30.5 second left. It has taken 15 FUCKING minutes

[GoMuskies]

What an absurd start. What exactly was the plan in offense to start?

[Strange Brew]

Not a great start.

It’s over.

Glad CBS found an announcer who can’t pronounce the name of the school and thinks Denny’s tablecloths can be converted into cool shirts.

[MHettel]

Is it too much to ask to have the announcers pronounce the name of the team correctly?

[GoMuskies]

Is it too much to ask to have the announcers pronounce the name of the team correctly?

Not sure we deserve them to bother learning how to say our name.

[Strange Brew]

Is it too much to ask to have the announcers pronounce the name of the team correctly?

The Nets only bring the best.

[paulxu]

This is awfully early to be out of the pick ‘ems.

[Strange Brew]

Shooting like Storm Troopers.

[GoMuskies]

Very lucky to only be down 9. At this rate, we can tie it up with 15 minutes left in the second half as long as Georgetown doesn't score anymore.

[xukeith]

Looks like X doesn't know how to play with Freemantle. They are trying to figure Hoya defense out..

[noteggs]

Is it too much to ask to have the announcers pronounce the name of the team correctly?

Did you call?

[Strange Brew]

Well, glad they got that out of their system.

I don’t think X will end up with ~24 pts for the game.

[GoMuskies]

Looks like X doesn't know how to play with Freemantle. They are trying to figure Hoya defense out..

Well, they scored zero points without Free the first 4 minutes.

[Strange Brew]

I blame Sean’s sweater. :)

[Strange Brew]

Bank’s open!

[GoMuskies]

I blame Sean’s sweater. :)

Cooley is wearing one, too, so it's obviously for a cause. Anyone know what it is?

[Three Point Pete]

Looks like X doesn't know how to play with Freemantle. They are trying to figure Hoya defense out..Just trust Zack to do his thing

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[GoMuskies]

Can't lose Swain (or anyone else).

[waggy]

Bush foul.

[Strange Brew]

Cooley is wearing one, too, so it's obviously for a cause. Anyone know what it is?

I’m aware. I’m sure it’s a good cause however I can’t imagine it’s that important. :)

[GoMuskies]

Carnasecca. Okay, makes sense.

[Strange Brew]

Carnasecca. Okay, makes sense.

Sean’s going to need an IV of Pedialite at the Half.

[GoMuskies]

Someone clued in the announcer on the pronunciation!

[Strange Brew]

Hugely!

[Strange Brew]

Someone clued in the announcer on the pronunciation!

Glad they found an interpreter. :)

I say that as this is a CBS Broadcast. It’s not like Zaaavier hasn’t been on the channel consistently for going on 30-40 years.

[Three Point Pete]

Hugely!At least he stood his ground. I think it was typical Big East

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[Strange Brew]

At least he stood his ground. I think it was typical Big East

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He’s got 5 to give. Make ‘em count.

[Strange Brew]

Noice Foster!

[Xville]

Shooting 21% and only down 7. Id like to think that’s a good sign. Law of averages right?

[MHettel]

Dude, the butt sweat on the GTown uniforms is nauseating

[GoMuskies]

Shooting 21% and only down 7. Id like to think that’s a good sign. Law of averages right?

Yes, miracle to only be down 4.

[SkyWalker]

Glad they're honoring Carnaseca. I originally thought it was ugly sweater day in DC.

[Strange Brew]

Dude, the butt sweat on the GTown uniforms is nauseating

I hadn’t noticed.

Now I’m afraid I won’t be able to unsee it. :)

Hettel! Shakes fists. :)

[Strange Brew]

Yes, miracle to only be down 4.

Nope. It’s over. :)

[GoMuskies]

Conwell takes some really bad shots.

[Three Point Pete]

Nope. It’s over. :)Are those Stukas circling Pearl Harbor?

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[Xville]

Conwell has to make wide open threes. Going 0-4 doesn’t give x a chance. He has to hit those in the 2nd half or someone else needs to step up and make some 3s

[Strange Brew]

Are those Stukas circling Pearl Harbor?

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Nah, just ME 262s. :)

[noteggs]

Well at least we’re up to 27% from the floor. Still sucks…

[Strange Brew]

Xille.

Step 1: Grab a paper bag. Not mine. They’ll cost you a Dime per out here.

Step 2: Breathe slowly in and out.

Love ya Muskie. :)

[Xville]

Well at least we’re up to 27% from the floor. Still sucks…

Down 6 shooting like that. Just Need to do better on the boards and make some open threes. Maybe x steals one

[GoMuskies]

Georgetown has zero threes, right? They'll probably make a few in the second half.

[X-band '01]

Carnasecca. Okay, makes sense.

Would have been his 100th birthday today.

[Strange Brew]

Well at least we’re up to 27% from the floor. Still sucks…

It’s progress.

Come on. Still in it and apparently Patches thinks this could be a defining win for GU according to the Denny’s fashion designer. :)

Let’s spoil it! :)

[Xville]

Georgetown has zero threes, right? They'll probably make a few in the second half.

Yeah probably. Good point

[Strange Brew]

Sean shed the sweater.

Good!

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Conwell takes some really bad shots.

I haven't gone back and looked at specific games but seems like Conwell's performance declines against higher quality teams. He has had some games when he hit shots but not in tough games. I recall reading on this board that he and Maddox were highly coveted when they hit the portal. So far, neither has been that great. We need those two to start showing their value.

[Strange Brew]

Let’s go X!

It’s still over..

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Drives me nuts, this team grinds and claws and get the turnover to get closer then just turns it back over.

[Strange Brew]

Drives me nuts, this team grinds and claws and get the turnover to get closer then just turns it back over.

It’s as frustrating as Farva. :)

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Queue another foul and turnover. Better teams don’t do this, yet here we are.

[X-band '01]

Georgetown has definitely been the aggressor so far.

Maybe too aggressive with Fielder getting 4 fouls quickly.

[Strange Brew]

The X commercials are really soft and have been for some time.

[Xville]

I haven't gone back and looked at specific games but seems like Conwell's performance declines against higher quality teams. He has had some games when he hit shots but not in tough games. I recall reading on this board that he and Maddox were highly coveted when they hit the portal. So far, neither has been that great. We need those two to start showing their value.

Before tonight outside of Marquette, he’s been damn good in about every game

[JTG]

We're gettig absolutely mauled by Gtown. Refs are letting them do everything but use weapons.

[Strange Brew]

Get him Sean. The ref has been a joke.

‘Bout time Sean.

[bjf123]

Someone clued in the announcer on the pronunciation!

There were a LOT of tweets, mine included, directed at CBS Sports about it.


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[GoMuskies]

Get him Sean. The ref has been a joke.

What's two more points? It's been so easy for us to score today.

[noteggs]

High ball pressure we stink from our guards

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Hopefully it pays off because it’s back to 7.

Wasn’t worth it up to 10.

[Xville]

That’s incredibly soft by miller. You’re on the road, you’re not going to get calls. Tell your team to play tougher

[Xville]

You were in a one possession game and then gave them all the momentum

[Strange Brew]

What's two more points? It's been so easy for us to score today.

Yes, because X has been playing inspired today.

[GoMuskies]

Time for a run.

I'm going to drink a beer to inspire the team to rally. It's a Rheingeist.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

There is ot of experience in this team and they just play stupid and careless.

[xukeith]

All other BE teams can honestly say, "You do not need all seniors to win in this league."

[xu82]

Time for a run.

I'm going to drink a beer to inspire the team to rally. It's a Rheingeist.

God bless you.

[Strange Brew]

Time for a run.

I'm going to drink a beer to inspire the team to rally. It's a Rheingeist.

That’s a solid plan.

Let’s go X!

What some of your don’t realize is GU is playing Patches bully ball. Out Bully them.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Have to bail to put my 5 year olds down, look forward to the claw back close moral loss.

[MHettel]

Time for a run.

I'm going to drink a beer to inspire the team to rally. It's a Rheingeist.

That doesn’t work. Trust me.

If it did we’d be back to back to back to back to back ….etc National Champs.

[bjf123]

It seems like whenever we have a great 3 point shooting game, we follow up it with a really bad one, like tonight.


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[MHettel]

We will win this game due to fouls.

[GoMuskies]

If we can just get a stop here and get it under 5....

[xukeith]

We will win this game due to fouls.

There is a tiny hope GU fouls out 3 more players...

[Xville]

Get it down to 4 at the under 4 and give em a chance

[Strange Brew]

We will win this game due to fouls.

Out Bully Patches. That’s who he his.

[Xville]

Ok no sorber and no Epps? Gtown offering up a gift, will x take it?

[GoMuskies]

Mack is just too good tonight.

[Strange Brew]

Ok no sorber and no Epps? Gtown offering up a gift, will x take it?

No gift. The gift was X’s shooting in the first half.

You probably think GA beat themselves last night.

[Three Point Pete]

We will win this game due to fouls.And if 3s keep dropping

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[GoMuskies]

Mack is reminding me of Jimmal Ball. IYKYK

[Strange Brew]

Mack is reminding me of Jimmal Ball. IYKYK

Jumpin’

And X needs to get the water fountain swagger back. IYKYK.

[Xville]

Five point swing because free can’t catch the ball

[MHettel]

Mack is reminding me of Jimmal Ball. IYKYK

Their mid range game has been nearly perfect

[Xville]

Alright how about a 7-0 run

[Xville]

Swain!!!

[Strange Brew]

Let’s go X!

[Three Point Pete]

Hey Byron, that's the play!

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[GoMuskies]

Feel like one more beer by me will get it done.

[Strange Brew]

Hey Byron, that's the play!

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You’re damn right.

[Strange Brew]

Feel like one more beer by me will get it done.

You never know…:)

[Xville]

Ok here we go. Time to win one of these

[GoMuskies]

You never know…:)

Can't risk NOT drinking it!

[MHettel]

Feel like one more beer by me will get it done.

On it!

[Strange Brew]

Can't risk NOT drinking it!

Never mess with a STREAK!

[MHettel]

Their mid range game has been nearly perfect

Jinxed! Bitches!

[Strange Brew]

Out bully GU.

Jeez, stop Bronning college hoops. You bumped chests.

[GoMuskies]

Conwell fouls out like that?!? Nuts.

[Xville]

Swain! Young fella!

[X-band '01]

Swain looks like he really, REALLY wants some roadkill tonight.

[Xville]

This looks familiar. Shit is getting old

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Checked during some teeth brushing, heading right towards a moral loss.

[xukeith]

Damn Miller Tech really hurts now. Swain great putting team on his shoulders. X needs to be fouled to have a chance.

[Strange Brew]

This looks familiar. Shit is getting old

Go root for Kelsey.

Say it with me.

Let’s go X!

[GoMuskies]

Sean Miller is overpaid.

[Xville]

Damn Miller Tech really hurts now. Swain great putting team on his shoulders. X needs to be fouled to have a chance.

Yep didn’t like it at the time. Woke gtown up, gave them all the momentum and x had to claw back.

[bjf123]

Ballgame. Not enough time left.


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[Strange Brew]

Sean Miller is overpaid.

Fire all the assistantsz

[GoMuskies]

I didn't drink enough. My bad.

[Xville]

Sean Miller is overpaid.

Yep. He had a hand in the loss tonight. I can’t remember which game it was but he did that earlier this season too, and it basically gave the opponent the game.

[XUGRAD80]

They really miss having a “go to” guy. The team seems leaderless.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Not sure the exact problem, but it’s clear it isn’t one we have several. Every coach gets 4 years or should, year 1 good but 2/3 are bad. Miller gets another to show what he can do.

[GoMuskies]

Is there a realistic path to the Bubble at this point? I don't see it.

[xukeith]

X clearly should have won this game. We have better offense, better players, just the ball bounce Hoya's way.

Cooley is building somethin in DC.

Miller? not great.

Maybe in 2-3 games X will finally peak playing with Freemantle. BE Tourney might need X to win 4 in 4 .

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Is there a realistic path to the Bubble at this point? I don't see it.

They are done, even if they show something it won’t be enough. It win the tourney or stay home. Last season was not Miller’s fault, but this turd is his. He learns of the seat gets hot.

My cellular typing is atrocious.

[Xville]

Is there a realistic path to the Bubble at this point? I don't see it.

Guess it depends by what you mean by realistic? X has shown so far they can’t close in tight games so until they do it’s not realistic

[GoMuskies]

Let's fire Christopher before we need to hire another basketball coach. The guy is clearly a buffoon.

Also, let's have a full time AD and not put the AD in charge of other shit as well.

[Xville]

Not sure the exact problem, but it’s clear it isn’t one we have several. Every coach gets 4 years or should, year 1 good but 2/3 are bad. Miller gets another to show what he can do.

I’ll tell ya one thing. The last thing I want is Greg Christopher doing a job search

[LOLmickcronin]

They really miss having a “go to” guy. The team seems leaderless.

Our leader plays for USC. This is what it looks like when you have a mash up team every single year made of mid major transfers you hope pan out. I know every team deals with the portal but look around the big east. Look at UC. The good teams keep players around for 3-4 years. And I know we have Zach and hunter but they’re essentially only here due to injuries.

[MHettel]

Is there a realistic path to the Bubble at this point? I don't see it.

Realistic? No.

12-8 gets you into the discussion.

We’re 1-3. So we “only ”have to go 11-5.

So yeah, not realistic. We need to win all the remaining home games and 3 more roadies.

And we’re borderline at that point

[Strange Brew]

Yep. He had a hand in the loss tonight. I can’t remember which game it was but he did that earlier this season too, and it basically gave the opponent the game.

Name your replacement AD Xille.

I doubt you have a viable answer.

When did you start watching X basketball?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Realistic? No.

12-8 gets you into the discussion.

We’re 1-3. So we “only ”have to go 11-5.

So yeah, not realistic. We need to win all the remaining home games and 3 more roadies.

And we’re borderline at that point

No way we go 11-5, it won’t happen. Nothing I have seen from these guys says 11-5. They are 9-6 with all 6 losses coming from any team that can play. This team can’t beat anyone inside the top 100. Is awake even there?

[GoMuskies]

This is a program in crisis, to be honest. We don't have the same Sean Miller that left us for Arizona. He spent a decade at Arizona actually accomplishing nothing, and now he's come back to Xavier thinking his shit doesn't stink.

It does, and we've got a problem.

[Xville]

Have to win the next three to have any realistic shot at anything. The four games after that are brutal.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Miller did dominate the Pac12 and got a few E8s but that was it. Pac12 wasn’t a great conference then either.

[xukeith]

This feels like a Skip Prosser-led season.

[Xville]

He needs to take some accountability with that technical. That was bullshit

[xuphan]

This is a program in crisis, to be honest. We don't have the same Sean Miller that left us for Arizona. He spent a decade at Arizona actually accomplishing nothing, and now he's come back to Xavier thinking his shit doesn't stink.

It does, and we've got a problem.

Times have also changed since Sean left us to Arizona. Will be interesting what Sean does in the offseason with two straight years of below average expectations.

[Strange Brew]

No way we go 11-5, it won’t happen. Nothing I have seen from these guys says 11-5. They are 9-6 with all 6 losses coming from any team that can play. This team can’t beat anyone inside the top 100. Is awake even there?

When did you graduate from X? I’m asking because this board used to be filled with people who believed in it and didn’t take crap. I guess all X has to do is win out and the BE Tourney. Why not? They could’ve won the last three games. It comes down to mindset and ours has been abysmal since Steele.

[GoMuskies]

This feels like a Skip Prosser-led season.

Except Skip Prosser was a good person who was making better people. Now, that's not enough, but at least there was SOME upside.

[Strange Brew]

He needs to take some accountability with that technical. That was bullshit

Oh gee it only got the players into the game Greg.

[JTG]

X clearly should have won this game. We have better offense, better players, just the ball bounce Hoya's way.

Cooley is building somethin in DC.

Miller? not great.

Maybe in 2-3 games X will finally peak playing with Freemantle. BE Tourney might need X to win 4 in 4 .

Cooley found a capable 7 ft guy, that cures a lot of ills. That's really all he's done.

[Strange Brew]

Except Skip Prosser was a good person who was making better people. Now, that's not enough, but at least there was SOME upside.

Now this board is putting down Skip.

When is the next game?

[GoMuskies]

Cooley found a capable 7 ft guy, that cures a lot of ills. That's really all he's done.

That Mack kid from Harvard killed us. I wish Miller had convinced him to come to X.

[GoMuskies]

Now this board is putting down Skip.

When is the next game?

Skip was an average coach and fantastic person. I don't think that's an insult or put down.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

1998, I was here for Prosser not Matta and Miller. I speak of this team. We have seen what we will get. Do you see a run from them? Somehow the lights come on? I give you credit for the hope. I don’t see it. They don’t value possessions, careless, inopportune turnovers, and find bad shots. 15 games in and have zero tolp 100 wins. I don’t think they pull out a crazy run because I have yet to see them really beat a team with a pulse.

Last years dumpster fire had a couple by now.

[xuphan]

Cooley found a capable 7 ft guy, that cures a lot of ills. That's really all he's done.

Would be nice to have one of those.

[GoMuskies]

How many games have we had in history where we never led or tied after 0-0?

[Xville]

Unless things turn around quickly, x will have made the tournament once out of the last six seasons.

[GoMuskies]

Unless things turn around quickly, x will have made the tournament once out of the last six seasons.

7 seasons

[CP05XU08CU13]

The measuring stick is how other similarly situated schools in the conference are performing. We do not even need to look at the national stage. UCONN, Georgetown and Nova will always have deeper pockets than Xavier and past basketball championships to sell to recruits. No reason why Creighton and Marquette should be seeing more consistent results than Xavier. St. John’s has a HOF coach so we have that to compete with now. Sean honestly appears to be the 5-6th best coach in the Big East currently based on the results. Shaka Smart, Greg McDermott and Ed Cooley are seeing success that Xavier is not currently. I honestly do not know what the answer is. I will never lose faith in this program, but the results speak for themselves.

[Xavgrad08]

X laying an egg on offense in the first half was brutal. The Technical was brutal as well. This team has not been able to get over the hump all year. X is at a pivotal point in the season. Have to start stringing some wins together and I am not sure this group can do that.

[Xville]

7 seasons

Holy crap you’re right. Worse than I thought.

[waggy]

7 seasons

But as it sits it's 1 out of the last 2, right?

[Strange Brew]

Skip was an average coach and fantastic person. I don't think that's an insult or put down.

The program moved forward after Pete left.

Some of you weren’t around or don’t know the impact Skip had on the Program and the University.

BTW, I’m not that old however I rarely missed a home game from the time I was 3 until I moved.

[SkyWalker]

Old Chinese Proverb...Team that never leads, will not win!

[Strange Brew]

1998, I was here for Prosser not Matta and Miller. I speak of this team. We have seen what we will get. Do you see a run from them? Somehow the lights come on? I give you credit for the hope. I don’t see it. They don’t value possessions, careless, inopportune turnovers, and find bad shots. 15 games in and have zero tolp 100 wins. I don’t think they pull out a crazy run because I have yet to see them really beat a team with a pulse.

Last years dumpster fire had a couple by now.

Just missed ya in undergrad. :)

[GoMuskies]

Skip's first year was my freshman year. My view on Skip: two of the best things to ever happen to Xavier were Skip becoming head coach and Skip leaving for Wake. He definitely moved to program forward, but he wasn't taking it any further. Matta coming in was a huge upgrade.

[Strange Brew]

Old Chinese Proverb...Team that never leads, will not win!

Welp, guess X should just pack in then and call it a year.

[Xville]

But as it sits it's 1 out of the last 2, right?

Sure and if things don’t change, it will be 1 out of 3. Is that acceptable?

I hope it changes, I hope x can win some
Of these close games. Lots of season left, but it’s getting old

[Strange Brew]

Sure and if things don’t change, it will be 1 out of 3. Is that acceptable?

I hope it changes, I hope x can win some
Of these close games. Lots of season left, but it’s getting old

Please provide a solution for a Coach and Staff.

The problem truly is that X has become very soft. It didn’t used to be this way.

Kudos to GO for taking to “X” tonight to correct CBS. That’s up there with the watermelon saga. :)

[waggy]

Injuries. Gtown doesn't win that game without Sorber...

[Xville]

Injuries. Gtown doesn't win that game without Sorber...

Ok. Grown was already down one of their three best players.

Does injuries excuse what Maddox has been outside of a fluke UConn game? Does it excuse what hugley has done?

[Strange Brew]

Injuries. Gtown doesn't win that game without Sorber...

Maybe, or maybe X doesn’t walk into the gym like a bunch of lallygaggers. Thats on the players as some of them are being paid.

[waggy]

Ok. Grown was already down one of their three best players.

Does injuries excuse what Maddox has been outside of a fluke UConn game? Does it excuse what hugley has done?

No.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

One season difference, last year we had some too 100 wins but some buy game losses. This season we are 0-6 vs the top 100 but have won all buy game and really Hall is about as good as a buy game. There is your measure. If all we get this season is not losing bad, Miller must do better next season for his to not be in jeopardy.

He has half the season to go.l, but they aren’t meshing at all. I am just seeing the same old stuff gsme in game out.

[Strange Brew]

One season difference, last year we had some too 100 wins but some buy game losses. This season we are 0-6 vs the top 100 but have won all buy game and really Hall is about as good as a buy game. There is your measure. If all we get this season is not losing bad, Miller must do better next season for his to not be in jeopardy.

He has half the season to go.l, but they aren’t meshing at all. I am just seeing the same old stuff gsme in game out.

And we’ve been in the game for everyone one of those losses.

That’s on the players. Again, I have no problem calling them out now that they’re “paid”.

[nickgyp]

They really miss having a “go to” guy. The team seems leaderless.

Agree that the team lacks a leader. Seems like McKnight would have taken the helm but tonight’s lack of intensity was mind numbing. With Free back, one would have thought there would have been a least a modicum of enthusiasm. Outside Swain’s late heroics, this team was as flat as Xavier team as I have seen in years. I get that sometimes shots do not fall but inexcusable turnovers and sloppy play against a mediocre GU team was difficult to watch. It was almost as if Xavier just showed up without any fire in its belly.

How much of tonight’s loss is on a lack of preparation by the coaches and/or players’ attitudes can be debated. The effort was clearly disappointing. This team has the components to be competitive but it will need more heart.

[Strange Brew]

Agree that the team lacks a leader. Seems like McKnight would have taken the helm but tonight’s lack of intensity was mind numbing. With Free back, one would have thought there would have been a least a modicum of enthusiasm. Outside Swain’s late heroics, this team was as flat as Xavier team as I have seen in years. I get that sometimes shots do not fall but inexcusable turnovers and sloppy play against a mediocre GU team was difficult to watch. It was almost as if Xavier just showed up without any fire in its belly.

How much of tonight’s loss is on a lack of preparation by the coaches and/or players’ attitudes can be debated. The effort was clearly disappointing. This team has the components to be competitive but it will need more heart.

You can opine all you want however it seems the players need to better understand the shoulders on which they’re standing.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

You can opine all you want however it seems the players need to better understand the shoulders on which they’re standing.

Watching the game last night, I did not see the talent differential in our favor that others did. I don't think it exists for us relative to most B.E. teams although Seton Hall was clearly over matched.

I'm aware, as many of us are, of the resumes of the players we brought in this year, but I think that experience was over-rated. And as has been noted in previous threads, our expectations of players who returned from last year haven't been realized. GRAD80's earlier post regarding this team lacking a leader is spot on.

I think we have some decent but not great talent. We needed and expected Miller to mold that talent into a very good team and that hasn't happened. Certainly, injuries got in the way of that, but injuries are not the only reason this team has under-performed. I am beginning to believe the portal is Fools Gold; an impossible path to molding a resilient and consistent team.

It absolutely is unrealistic to expect the players to understand the history of the program and the expectations that come with it. That isn't happening in the portal era. We have players on this team who are playing for their third team in as many years and playing their final year of eligibility. They can be expected to have little connection to the teams all of us on this board remember and celebrate. They came here, based upon the rational Miller gave to all of us, for a final run at a championship. Now that objective is shattered or, at least, close to being shattered, can we expect these guys to pull together in order to fulfill an obligation to a storied program and coach? I don't expect it but, as always, I hope my pessimism is misplaced.

I do not know the path forward for this program. The past years haven't been good ones. I don't believe using the portal is a sustainable model for returning X to its prior glory. We have a coach who many of us consider to be top shelf, so I guess we sit back and see what Miller decides to do. But I don't expect him to figure it out and turn this season around.

[xuphan]

One season difference, last year we had some too 100 wins but some buy game losses. This season we are 0-6 vs the top 100 but have won all buy game and really Hall is about as good as a buy game. There is your measure. If all we get this season is not losing bad, Miller must do better next season for his to not be in jeopardy.

He has half the season to go.l, but they aren’t meshing at all. I am just seeing the same old stuff gsme in game out.

How many more years does Miller have on his contract?

[xukeith]

X came out tentative and looked like they didn't know what to do with Zach playing a bunch in first half.
Free's stat line looks good but when he got the ball in the post, he was deterred by GU's big men.
I am a big McKnight fan and defender but clearly his game was weak and had too many poor decisions.
Maddox and Hugely were what we have frequently seen this year.

My hope is that in 2-4 games X can click and rise their play with Freemantle. Figuring out defenses on the fly doesn't look very good.
Transfers' lack of skill and X's lack of 2-3 year players is negative.
Other than getting used to playing together, I do not see much positivity/hope this season.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I feel like two years someone has been posting about clicking in 2-4 games. You could probably dig up the posts.

I have given up on that. This season is about watching Swain improve and hopefully Conwell. We have zero freshmen and no youth to watch other than swain. Rest are gone but Hugley who sucks.

By the way, Powell looked good on WVU beating Kansas at the Phog a week ago.

[drudy23]

Regardless of what anyone says, Powell was a big loss.

Unfortunately, the roster isn't good enough to just re-tool next year. It's going to be another portal re-load. This program needs to find its identity asap because it can't exist as a rent-a-program.

Perhaps these failures bring even more NIL funds from the big boys, but eventually, those people stop wasting their money.

[XUBison]

Maybe, or maybe X doesn’t walk into the gym like a bunch of lallygaggers. Thats on the players as some of them are being paid.

*Some* of them? Apparently even our walk-ons are clearing $50K this year, unless I’m just a gullible gomer who believes everything posted on this board. Well, at least everything 94grad posts, that is.

[Strange Brew]

*Some* of them? Apparently even our walk-ons are clearing $50K this year, unless I’m just a gullible gomer who believes everything posted on this board. Well, at least everything 94grad posts, that is.

It’s good work if you can get it. :)

No problem with walkers getting paid.

The issue I have is with those on scholly AND getting paid.

My opinion, take it or leave it. You’re a Pro or are not. It’s a decision I made after my Frosh year. College isn’t supposed to be easy.