Temple

[xu_fan]

Wednesday night at Temple at a very tough place to play... I read on their website that they have only lost at home once in A-10 play since like the 03-04 season and that one loss was about two years ago... Not only are they gonna come out swinging cause Xavier is the WANTED team ranked #13 but it is also Temples senior night so you know they are going to be very emotional..

Hopefully our ladies go into the game very prepared and keep their heads on straight with the effort that Temple will give... Our talent is much better than them so if we keep to the basics we'll be fine...

P.S. I have a feeling Amber will appear in the game!!!!

[Masterofreality]

Wednesday night at Temple at a very tough place to play... I read on their website that they have only lost at home once in A-10 play since like the 03-04 season and that one loss was about two years ago... Not only are they gonna come out swinging cause Xavier is the WANTED team ranked #13 but it is also Temples senior night so you know they are going to be very emotional..

Hopefully our ladies go into the game very prepared and keep their heads on straight with the effort that Temple will give... Our talent is much better than them so if we keep to the basics we'll be fine...

P.S. I have a feeling Amber will appear in the game!!!!


I'll be in Philly for both the ladies and men's games.

I have questions that need answers:

Why would Amber play now? Shouldn't they just let her medical redshirt this year? Has she been practicing? Is she in shape?


Thanks

[XU05and07]

I'll be in Philly for both the ladies and men's games.

I have questions that need answers:

Why would Amber play now? Shouldn't they just let her medical redshirt this year? Has she been practicing? Is she in shape?


Thanks


She doesn't want to redshirt...that's what I got from McGuff when he has talked about her

[X-band '01]

I'll be in Philly for both the ladies and men's games.

I have questions that need answers:

Why would Amber play now? Shouldn't they just let her medical redshirt this year? Has she been practicing? Is she in shape?


Thanks

It's a fine line between letting her rest and letting her play; clearly this team has found its chemistry w/o Amber for the balance of the season. She first dressed for the Dayton game at home, so it's conceivable that she could play at this point.

As imposing as Temple has been in the conference since Dawn Staley took over in 2000-01 (although she left last season), they haven't been at the elite level since Candice Dupree played there. If Xavier wins tomorrow night and wins the A-10 Tournament in Charlotte, they have a strong case for a Top 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

But as a heads up MOR, the Cintas Center has the 1st and 2nd rounds of the NCAA Tournament next season. With only Jerri Taylor and Tudy Reed graduating, this team has a good chance of making the tournament and playing at home next season.

[xuflash]

Ultimately, the decision to play or not has to be made between Kevin and Amber. It is good to hear that she will graduate next year, so if she doesn't play this year and redshirts, that could potentially leave us with two years with a great front line.

If she can come back at pretty close to full strength, they could run deep in the NCAA this year. My only concern is what will her coming back this late in the year do to the team's chemistry. That's why Kevin gets the big bucks!

[spongebob]

I would guess she has been practicing since she is now dressing and warming up for games. To what extent, and what shape she is in, dont know. I dont think chemistry would be a big deal.

I heard Calipari of Memphis on ESPN radio today. He was asked about players leaving early. His take is this: If it benefits you and your family, leave. If you want to benefit me and my family, stay.

Amber is on target to graduate next year. If her aspiration is to play professionally, can't blame her for wanting to graduate and do so. That is what she came here for(degree). Selfishly, would of course like her to redshirt and stay on for 2 more but at the same time, have to admire her efforts and respect the decision she makes. I am sure the staff would love to have her back, but at the same time, will be respectful of her aspirations. I would guess the decision is primarily hers and her family's.

As to Temple, I would expect a toughie, as usual. They are obviously not what they were, but other than a head scratching effort v. UMass, have been pretty good as of late and will be even tougher at home. Further, they appear to be fighting for their NCAA tourney hope lives.

[xuflash]

Any Road Game is tough. Given that Temple is down this year, they will be itching to make their mark. Much like the men have a target on their back, so do the women.

St. Louis played them to the wire the other day, as did UD at the dump earlier in the year. Playing on the road plus having the target on them just makes it rough. I know they have the team to win out the next two and go undefeated for the first time in A-10 play...

[cinskyline]

I expect Temple to come out and play like a team in desperation. They have been slowly creeping up in the RPI and they are at #35 right now. Given that no team in the league has beaten us yet, a win over us "could" put them over the top as far as an at-large bid (although the loss to UMass is going to greatly hurt their chances). I expect them to play way over their heads, so X needs to be ready.

And X-Band, you're right when you say they haven't been elite since Dupree. In fact, I think Staley really left the cupboard bare when she left after last season. The talent level there doesn't strike me as being great. They're okay, but not great. Cardoza has done a good job there this season.

It would be nice to pick up another top 50 win.

[xu_fan]

I'm not so sure the chemistry would be affected that bad... I don't think Amber would see huge minutes for the rest of the year but if Ta'Shia or April ever get in foul trouble it would be awesome to have her to back them up... She will be graduating next year and that is why she will not redshirt... So your only other choice is to not play her at all and with the caliber of player that she is I don't see that being an option... I also know that Amber has been practicing for almost 2 weeks now.... Lets hope she just puts solid minutes in and plays like the way she can...

Temple actually has played some close games against some top notch competition... They are very athletic as is Xavier... It should be a really good game!

[xuflash]

According to the Enquirer, she has returned to practice this week. Kevin indicated that he expects her to play this year in the next two to three weeks.

[X-band '01]

X currently down 43-34 with 16:02 in the game (they were down 14 at the half).

[xu_fan]

Down 9 points with about 6:30 to go... I thought this might be a tough game... Just one of those games you know could be bad if we didnt come out with their A game!

[xu_fan]

And we lose 65-74......

The real comments. I have just had an itch that this was coming... On to Fordham!

[xubball93]

Temple always seems to give the X women a tough way to go. Oh well, get the loss out of the way - clear the path to another A10 title and tourney champs. Maybe a Sweet 16?