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

[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