Game Thread: Xavier v Villanova University (2/9/2025)

[paulxu]

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a1f45a0-e1cc-4202-89d7-1b7b5c27f309_1.3c18d8e111cdcd7e8a271effb6000907.jp eg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFFVS.http://villanova.com/images/2006/3/7/mascot-199w.jpg


CINCINNATI --- The Xavier University Musketeers, 14-9 overall and 6-6 in the BIG EAST Conference, visit the Villanova University Wildcats, 13-10 overall and 6-6 in the BIG EAST, this weekend in Philadelphia. The game will tip off at noon on Sunday at Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Xavier's game vs. Villanova is the first of two-straight road games. XU plays at Providence on Wednesday night.

THE MATCHUP

XAVIER UNIVERSITY MUSKETEERS (14-9, 6-6 BIG EAST)
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY WILDCATS (13-10, 6-6 BIG EAST)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, AT 12:00 NOON ET
WELLS FARGO CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PA

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STATS

TV/Stream: FS1 with play-by-play from John Fanta and analysis from Jim Spanarkel.
Xavier Radio: 700 WLW-AM 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 (http://GoXavier.com)

[paulxu]

Super Bowl warmup game. Drink a lot.

[Xville]

X +2.5. Captain obvious but this is about as must win as it gets. X needs the q1 win. Go get it!

[bjf123]

X +3 on DraftKings.


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[Xuperman]

Longino is a real concern. His rim attacking lately is yielding a lot of points PLUS contact. I am hoping to see Swain get most of the time trying to disrupt that. It would be awesome to see Dailyn have a superior stat line regardless!!!

[Xville]

My guess is it’s either conwell or foster on longino, and the other on poplar. Swain is probably on Dixon, free on boyake or vice versa

[drudy23]

Win please.

[Three Point Pete]

Anyone thinking about betting X +125 on the moneyline?

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[Xville]

Anyone thinking about betting X +125 on the moneyline?

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I did. I did also hedge a bit with putting some on an alt line at X +4.5. I figure it should be close on either side, and at worst i get my money back.

[waggy]

Will be hard to win this. Nova had a 3 point lead with less than 2 minutes left at Cintas.

I felt that they would have won the game if Brickus would have simply attacked the rim when he beat his defender, which he was able to do pretty easily on a number of occasions.

[MHettel]

Hoping for a weak crowd today, people prepping for the SB.

Hugley coming out vs. Dixon. Huge opportunity

[Xville]

Hoping for a weak crowd today, people prepping for the SB.

Hugley coming out vs. Dixon. Huge opportunity

Yeah hoping for a sleepy weak crowd. It being at Wells Fargo onstead of their on campus spot should help with that. But we will see

[Xville]

Oh gawd. Breeding today. Ugh

[nickgyp]

Oh gawd. Breeding today. Ugh

And man does not live by breed alone….

[Xville]

Conwell having bad first half’s is getting really old

[nickgyp]

Defense is aggressive so that helps

[Xville]

6 freaking turnovers already. Wake the fuck up

[nickgyp]

Down only one with 7 TOs and nothing from McKnight, Swain or Conwell. Could be a lot worse.

[noteggs]

6 freaking turnovers already. Wake the fuck up

To make things worse, announcers said Nova doesn’t create a lot.

[Three Point Pete]

Conwell having bad first half’s is getting really oldHe's been a second-half guy, so I'm not too worried. We need Swain now!

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[Xville]

Maddox having himself a half. 9 turnovers is unacceptable. Game wouldn’t even be close if they took care of the ball

[nickgyp]

8 turnovers and tied; and hopeful the absent three players show up. Optimistic.

[paulxu]

It's like the old Villanova offense...one center and 4 guards.
Except Freemantle is not a center.

[noteggs]

Just like I thought, Maddox was going to have 13 at the half

[Three Point Pete]

This 1st half has been Nova's style. Now we need to get serious and play X ball!

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[nickgyp]

Maddox having himself a half. 9 turnovers is unacceptable. Game wouldn’t even be close if they took care of the ball

Your math is better than mine; I took business Calculus from Mr. Brueggeman. Either case, too many TO’s. Maddox has been electric and only reason X is in it

[nickgyp]

Just noticed that I am 17,000 posts behind Xville. Not sure I can catch up this game let alone rest of the season

[bjf123]

Anyone thinking about betting X +125 on the moneyline?

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I took Nova on the money line. Y’all can thank me when we win.


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[nickgyp]

Poplar having a great game but X’s defense on Dixon has been good

[paulxu]

Hugely with 1 TO
Hunter with 1 TO and 1 rebound
Both with 0 points

Thankful Maddox is scoring big.

[SkyWalker]

Where is Swain

[Three Point Pete]

Poplar having a great game but X’s defense on Dixon has been goodOops, I think that you just awakened him!

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[paulxu]

And maybe Swain should shoot more often.

[nickgyp]

Where is Swain
Good question

[Xville]

This team with their mental mistakes drives me insane

[bjf123]

Good question

Just threw one away. Stop with the stupid turnovers!


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[MHettel]

One way on the whistles. Fucking annoying.

[Xville]

This game is basically the season, and this is what they do. Turn it around theee last five minutes, for the love

[Xville]

Season over minus the be tournament

[noteggs]

What the heck just happened in the last 6 minutes?

[drudy23]

Sigh…

[bjf123]

What the heck just happened in the last 6 minutes?

It’s deja vu all over again. Dagger. Ballgame.


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[Xville]

30-10 run? Fucking baloney

[ArizonaXUGrad]

This is what happens when the margin to get an at large is razor thin. They take dump in one game and that is that. We are now out of the conversation.

[paulxu]

How depressing. Ugh.

[Xville]

Going to give up more than 50 in a half against fucking nova. Stupid

[xukeith]

Can't be too surprised at the outcome. Disappointed.

Must win out now for a chance at an at large bid.

[bjf123]

Going to give up more than 50 in a half against fucking nova. Stupid

That’s colossally embarrassing. Nova?


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[nickgyp]

Season over minus the be tournament

Disappointing loss but not end of world. Watching game from third week at Rotary House hotel at MD Anderson Hospital as Whack-a-Mole cancer treatments continue. Last year’s lesion on sacrum radiated successfully but new lung lesion appeared. Two weeks of IMRT done. 5 more this week for 15 total but prognosis is good. Lots of people here far worse off than me. Keeps it all in perspective and count the blessings!

[Olsingledigit]

Been this way all year. Cannot close. Better lhave a big year
In the portal, and we are only sixth in the league upon NIL money. no NCAA agon this year. Getting tired of it.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Conwell was invisible. Bummer but damn the post above definitely puts this is a different perspective. Wish you nothing but the best.

[Xavgrad08]

I don't want to be overly negative, but this team has been inconsistent all year. Xavier is 15-10 and that feels about right for how this group has played this year. Today's game feels like the bubble popping. (Hope this team can win the conference tournament).

Nova fans should still be ticked at Kyle Neptune for wasting this type of season from Eric Dixon. The fact that this Nova team has lost to Colombia, St. Joseph and Virginia is embarrassing and what will keep them out of the Tournament. Villanova has tournament type talent.

[OTRMUSKIE]

I wish X was 15-10 but we are unfortunately 14-10 and we are still alive. Have to win out. 21-10 22-11 13-7 in beast will be enough to get in but I don’t see how we can win 8 games in a row but the schedule is def in their favor. One more reg season loss and then they have to win beast.

[Xville]

I wish X was 15-10 but we are unfortunately 14-10 and we are still alive. Have to win out. 21-10 22-11 13-7 in beast will be enough to get in but I don’t see how we can win 8 games in a row but the schedule is def in their favor. One more reg season loss and then they have to win beast.

Not winning that many in a row. I’m convinced with that shitty effort, it will be one step forward two steps back the rest of the way, like alll season

[bleedXblue]

Program is at an inflection point. Do we have the right coach for this NIL era? We mortgaged this year on Hunter and Free and putting pieces around them. Didnt work and Im not all that surprised. One injury (to a mid major player) cant derail your year. Bench talent and depth has been an issue now for the last two years. Recruiting has not been good at all. It's been sub-standard for a guy of Millers pedigree. I want Sean to stay and win, but Im not nearly as confident in that as I was 3 years ago.

[bleedXblue]

Not winning that many in a row. I’m convinced with that shitty effort, it will be one step forward two steps back the rest of the way, like alll season

thats exactly right. Shit effort

[Xavgrad08]

I wish X was 15-10 but we are unfortunately 14-10 and we are still alive. Have to win out. 21-10 22-11 13-7 in beast will be enough to get in but I don’t see how we can win 8 games in a row but the schedule is def in their favor. One more reg season loss and then they have to win beast.

Good call on the record. Schedule definitely gets easier. Will see how it shakes out.

[bleedXblue]

Conwell was invisible. Bummer but damn the post above definitely puts this is a different perspective. Wish you nothing but the best.

B/C he cant create his own shot and its almost one dimensional. Doesnt guard or rebound very well either. I dont think we can pay him at the top of the food chain for what he brings.

[bleedXblue]

Good call on the record. Schedule definitely gets easier. Will see how it shakes out.

this team doesnt bury anyone. Ever. Expect every game to be very close.

[hoopster68]

Disappointing but not unexpected. Team has been this way all year: turnovers, lack of "focus" on defensive end, poor bench talent and players that don't appear to be BE talent. Wonder if the two 4 star recruits for next year are having second, third or fourth thoughts? Is X on the cusp of mediocrity?

[Xville]

Disappointing but not unexpected. Team has been this way all year: turnovers, lack of "focus" on defensive end, poor bench talent and players that don't appear to be BE talent. Wonder if the two 4 star recruits for next year are having second, third or fourth thoughts? Is X on the cusp of mediocrity?

X has been mediocre for 6 of the last 7 years now. Where ya been? Lol

[bleedXblue]

X has been mediocre for 6 of the last 7 years now. Where ya been? Lol

You can certainly draw a line though right? Lose your best coach and highest-rated team ever.....and replace him with a guy who couldn't coach. Some of the results were not unexpected. But the last two years have been a cluster F. Underlined by a lack of recruiting really good talent and developing those players up and into prominent roles.

[nickgyp]

Conwell was invisible. Bummer but damn the post above definitely puts this is a different perspective. Wish you nothing but the best.

Thank you! People down here are wonderful and do amazing things. I am truly blessed!

[Xville]

Hunter has had a lot happen but s16 year was an outlier. He’s been an absolute waste of a scholarship for most of the time he has been here.

Conwell too one dimensional for this level
McKnight regressed
No freshmen to develop
Maddox inconsistent
Foster good role player asked to be a starter
No true center in two years
Free can’t guard a lamp post


Anything I missed? I’m incredibly frustrated.

[JEHARDI]

You can certainly draw a line though right? Lose your best coach and highest-rated team ever.....and replace him with a guy who couldn't coach. Some of the results were not unexpected. But the last two years have been a cluster F. Underlined by a lack of recruiting really good talent and developing those players up and into prominent roles.

Days of developing players are over, if we want to compete at the top of the BE, we are gong to need NIL $’ s comparable to what the top of the league is spending. Unfortunately, that is the reality of the game today. Unless you can compete with the top program’s financially you are gong to have to take some chances.

[drudy23]

Program is at an inflection point. Do we have the right coach for this NIL era? We mortgaged this year on Hunter and Free and putting pieces around them. Didnt work and Im not all that surprised. One injury (to a mid major player) cant derail your year. Bench talent and depth has been an issue now for the last two years. Recruiting has not been good at all. It's been sub-standard for a guy of Millers pedigree. I want Sean to stay and win, but Im not nearly as confident in that as I was 3 years ago.

There is blame for Miller in this. This year has been a disappointment. I would hope he would admit that as well. We should be a tournament team, even with the loss of Traore. I will give him the benefit of the doubt for last year, as he lost 2 bigs.

But I think the program has way deeper issues than the head coach in terms of its strategy to compete in the NIL era. I think a fresh perspective is needed from the AD seat, and a bigger/better vision for the future of the program to draw in higher caliber players capable of competing year in and year out in the Big East. This program does not have the size and strength currently to be in the top tier of the BE, and it's been that way since Mack left.

Things have to change. If nothing changes this off-season, that's a real bad sign.

[drudy23]

Is X on the cusp of mediocrity?

I'll take "I don't pay close attention" for $600 Alex.

[Jumpin_Jamal_Forever]

Program is at an inflection point. Do we have the right coach for this NIL era? We mortgaged this year on Hunter and Free and putting pieces around them. Didnt work and Im not all that surprised. One injury (to a mid major player) cant derail your year. Bench talent and depth has been an issue now for the last two years. Recruiting has not been good at all. It's been sub-standard for a guy of Millers pedigree. I want Sean to stay and win, but Im not nearly as confident in that as I was 3 years ago.

Sums up our situation well. Contrary to an earlier comment, I do not think a coach can use the portal exclusively, year-in and year-out to build a consistent winner. X high school recruiting has been poor and portal transfers haven't been as good as advertised. The program didn't become a mess overnight but must admit that, to date, Miller hasn't been the savior I thought him to be when hired.

[Xville]

Days of developing players are over, if we want to compete at the top of the BE, we are gong to need NIL $’ s comparable to what the top of the league is spending. Unfortunately, that is the reality of the game today. Unless you can compete with the top program’s financially you are gong to have to take some chances.

I’d like to know what Marquette and Creighton are spending compared to x. I’d find it hard to believe they have that much more funds.

With miller, I really have an issue with his strategy in this world. IMO he went way too offensive minded where miller 1.0 was toughness and defense. Effort, toughness has been talked about for two straight years.

I’d like more freshmen recruiting, develop them and spend a lot of the nil there to retain them. I’d also like a switch from offensive minded to defense. Supposedly from what I heard nyk is one of those guys. My hope is x continues to focus on that, and stop with finesse guys that body wise look like they belong in the Mac

[Xavier]

The team that showed up today was the same team we saw for the first 7-8 weeks. It was probably silly to hope we’d not see that team show up at least one more time. If they did win out I’d expect a bid. I don’t anticipate that.

[bleedXblue]

Days of developing players are over, if we want to compete at the top of the BE, we are gong to need NIL $’ s comparable to what the top of the league is spending. Unfortunately, that is the reality of the game today. Unless you can compete with the top program’s financially you are gong to have to take some chances.

Correct- recruit much better between 50-125 guys that fit your system.

Completely disagree that there isn't going to be player development anymore? Of course, spending adequate NIL dollars are going to be critical, but it can't be the only thing we hang our hat on as a program. If it is, then pack the bags and call it a day and drop the program now b/c we (along with about 50 other programs) aren't going to be able to spend what the Top 10 programs are.

Too many guys looking at NIL the same way you do. There has to be a balance and guys have to want to play here, like the system and coaching staff AND need to be compensated competitively.

[JEHARDI]

Correct- recruit much better between 50-125 guys that fit your system.

Completely disagree that there isn't going to be player development anymore? Of course, spending adequate NIL dollars are going to be critical, but it can't be the only thing we hang our hat on as a program. If it is, then pack the bags and call it a day and drop the program now b/c we (along with about 50 other programs) aren't going to be able to spend what the Top 10 programs are.

Too many guys looking at NIL the same way you do. There has to be a balance and guys have to want to play here, like the system and coaching staff AND need to be compensated competitively.

Having a squad with 5- 7 players that can play at the top echelon of the BE is going to take more resources. No way around it, otherwise you are taking flyers on kid”s that still don’t come cheap - if they have potential. It is a money game now.

[bleedXblue]

Having a squad with 5- 7 players that can play at the top echelon of the BE is going to take more resources. No way around it, otherwise you are taking flyers on kid”s that still don’t come cheap - if they have potential. It is a money game now.

Money certainly helps and no one is arguing that. But it isn't the only thing which you seem to be going all in on. We're going to need to be much better talent evaluators that we've been the last 3 years. When you do spend the $$ you have to get the appropriate return more often than not.

[xudash]

Money certainly helps and no one is arguing that. But it isn't the only thing which you seem to be going all in on. We're going to need to be much better talent evaluators that we've been the last 3 years. When you do spend the $$ you have to get the appropriate return more often than not.

I agree with you on all of this.

A possible indicator for the future: let’s see if Swain is in a Xavier uniform next year.

I say he will be. Yes, NIL and money have changed the game, but it is still part of a mix that includes coaching, program, teammates, etc.

[CP05XU08CU13]

IÂ’d like to know what Marquette and Creighton are spending compared to x. IÂ’d find it hard to believe they have that much more funds.

With miller, I really have an issue with his strategy in this world. IMO he went way too offensive minded where miller 1.0 was toughness and defense. Effort, toughness has been talked about for two straight years.

IÂ’d like more freshmen recruiting, develop them and spend a lot of the nil there to retain them. IÂ’d also like a switch from offensive minded to defense. Supposedly from what I heard nyk is one of those guys. My hope is x continues to focus on that, and stop with finesse guys that body wise look like they belong in the Mac

I agree with this assessment. I cannot imagine Marquette and Creighton have deeper pockets than Xavier. UCONN, Villanova and Georgetown have deep pockets. That is not surprising. I cannot imagine St. John’s has a ton of NIL money considering that college athletics have always been an afterthought in the NYC market. Miller and company need to definitely focus on recruiting and developing talent. Need to get creative in this market. Maybe look at the guys that buy into the program and culture, but need some molding as well. Getting in a bidding war for players is not a winning strategy for Xavier moving forward. Cannot build a “team” around a bunch of money hungry players that are not willing to put in the work to get better. Yes, those players may be highly touted, but there are no guarantees they will pan out.

[JEHARDI]

Agree coaching is still vital as is the ability to identify talent. However, Richmond is making close to 7 figures alone, the Johnnie’s have a billionaire bankrolling their program. Have no doubt Miller can coach and knows talent, the question is will he have the resources to bring enough talent to X to compete at the top of the BE year in and out.

[Xville]

Yeah SJU is NYC basketball, it's just been dead for a while. There is a ton of money at that school. I understand X is never going to be able to compete dollars wise with UCONN and St. John's. It is what it is, but I think Creighton and Marquette are along the lines of NIL that X has. Maybe I'm way off, and if I am then what are we doing?

I'd really like to see a different strategy executed moving forward:

1.) Stress defense and toughness and bring those kinds of guys in. BE bodies. Enough offense, finesse guys. It doesn't work in this league. Even the Nova teams that looked like Steph Curry body doubles still had dudes on it with big bodies and tough!

2.) Freshmen recruiting and development. Spend a big amount of your NIL there. Of course there are going to be those that don't work out, I get it. And, this strategy is going to take a while to implement, but X has to start here.

3.) Take a serious look at the staff minus Miller. Are these guys worth the money that they are being paid? I don't know, but something seems off. Why has effort continually been an issue the last two years. Is culture an issue? Is it coaching? What is happening?

[GoMuskies]

3.) Take a serious look at the staff minus Miller. Are these guys worth the money that they are being paid?

I agree. Other than the minus Miller part. That's not to say you get rid of anyone, but what the staff is doing (very much including Miller) isn't working, so they need to figure something else out.

[Final4]

Geez how freakin' bad are we going to be next year? This is depressing.

[bleedXblue]

I agree. Other than the minus Miller part. That's not to say you get rid of anyone, but what the staff is doing (very much including Miller) isn't working, so they need to figure something else out.

Talent evaluation has been horrible. Steele did a pretty good job at that and it actually earned him the HC job. We need a significant upgrade here

[bleedXblue]

Yeah SJU is NYC basketball, it's just been dead for a while. There is a ton of money at that school. I understand X is never going to be able to compete dollars wise with UCONN and St. John's. It is what it is, but I think Creighton and Marquette are along the lines of NIL that X has. Maybe I'm way off, and if I am then what are we doing?

I'd really like to see a different strategy executed moving forward:

1.) Stress defense and toughness and bring those kinds of guys in. BE bodies. Enough offense, finesse guys. It doesn't work in this league. Even the Nova teams that looked like Steph Curry body doubles still had dudes on it with big bodies and tough!

2.) Freshmen recruiting and development. Spend a big amount of your NIL there. Of course there are going to be those that don't work out, I get it. And, this strategy is going to take a while to implement, but X has to start here.

3.) Take a serious look at the staff minus Miller. Are these guys worth the money that they are being paid? I don't know, but something seems off. Why has effort continually been an issue the last two years. Is culture an issue? Is it coaching? What is happening?

Yes- especially #2

[muskieindent]

This season is just so disappointing and I have no real reason to think next year will be any better. College sports suck.The best years of Xavier basketball are behind us sadly. It's to the point where you hope that every few years they can make the tournament.

[JEHARDI]

I agree with this assessment. I cannot imagine Marquette and Creighton have deeper pockets than Xavier. UCONN, Villanova and Georgetown have deep pockets. That is not surprising. I cannot imagine St. John’s has a ton of NIL money considering that college athletics have always been an afterthought in the NYC market. Miller and company need to definitely focus on recruiting and developing talent. Need to get creative in this market. Maybe look at the guys that buy into the program and culture, but need some molding as well. Getting in a bidding war for players is not a winning strategy for Xavier moving forward. Cannot build a “team” around a bunch of money hungry players that are not willing to put in the work to get better. Yes, those players may be highly touted, but there are no guarantees they will pan out.

Marquette and Creighton do have deeper pockets than Xavier starting with their endowments. Marquette's is close to a billion and Creighton's is $745 versus $250 for Xavier. Marquette paid Kolek over $700k in the final year of his NIL deal.

[Xville]

Marquette and Creighton do have deeper pockets than Xavier starting with their endowments. Marquette's is close to a billion and Creighton's is $745 versus $250 for Xavier. Marquette paid Kolek over $700k in the final year of his NIL deal.

I guess by pockets I meant mil. I know x is way far behind on endowment but that means little for paying basketball players. I know conwell was a pretty penny and Maddox had a lot of comp for his services

[Xavier]

As long as everyone is questioning everything, and understandably so, I can’t help but think Maddox has been underutilized a little. I think there’s an argument to be made that he could’ve taken McKnights starting position. Having another player that can drive and be a real threat scoring opens stuff up more. For whatever reason, McKnight scoring threat dropped off considerably.

Having said that- I’ve been a big proponent of going full on heavy defense/rebounding moving forward. I know that was a bigger issue with Maddox early in the season.

[Xville]

As long as everyone is questioning everything, and understandably so, I can’t help but think Maddox has been underutilized a little. I think there’s an argument to be made that he could’ve taken McKnights starting position. Having another player that can drive and be a real threat scoring opens stuff up more. For whatever reason, McKnight scoring threat dropped off considerably.

Having said that- I’ve been a big proponent of going full on heavy defense/rebounding moving forward. I know that was a bigger issue with Maddox early in the season.

I’ll go even further. What would this team look like with Claude at point and Dayvion not here? I like Dayvion as a person, but I’m starting to wonder if miller made a bad choice. Dayvion can’t get by anyone, and we know Claude can, and I wouldn’t mind having someone at 6’5 rather than maybe 5’11, and he was an above avg defender. It’s a thought.

[noteggs]

What bothers the heck of me is after game pressers. We just ran out of gas at the end. I realize our bench has been inconsistent, but who is at fault? Other teams experience this!

[JEHARDI]

I guess by pockets I meant mil. I know x is way far behind on endowment but that means little for paying basketball players. I know conwell was a pretty penny and Maddox had a lot of comp for his services

Yes but it does matter, donor $’s are not infinite and when you have many areas that are in great need of funding (including a medical school)
It puts us at a disadvantage. Xavier has not paid anyone anywhere close to $700k.

[Xville]

What bothers the heck of me is after game pressers. We just ran out of gas at the end. I realize our bench has been inconsistent, but who is at fault? Other teams experience this!

After every loss, it’s been pretty much the exact same explanation. It’s getting to be Steele like