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

[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