The Sky is not falling

[PaulHickey]

Always enjoy this board and checking out the less intellectual banter at Xavierhoops. I'm just getting a wee bit tired of "Steele needs to be doing this or else" and other garbage about Q transferring, terrible recruit blah, blah. For one, I fully expected X to come out flat footed and slow against Wake. Exam week leads to fewer practices; plus a UC hangover could be seen from a mile away.

Yes it was an ugly game, and X got saddled by some questionable calls right out of the gate. Big T Jones was not himself and our Frosh have yielded little thus far (except for Free, but he stunk it up the other night). However folks, this team is seven points away from being undefeated. They have two players that have shown Trevon like scorability. Their defense is much further along than it was at this point last season (as evidenced by some full court pressure the other evening).

Like everyone else, I would like to see Q make better decision. I would like to see Xavier shooting improve, I would like to see some smooth offensive sets, I would like to see a lot of things. But, this team has shown grit and determination when needed. Conference play is going to be a slog this year. But isn't that what Xavier signed up for? The days of going 25 - 5 (see Dayton this year) in the A10 are over thank goodness. Some say that we're a bubble team right now, I think Xavier is a pretty seasoned crew. If they tweaked a few things they could be dangerous in March. Travis is in his second year and learning as he goes. Can't fault the lack of effort. So buckle up and hope we stay injury free. It's gonna be a fun year.

Go Xavier!

[Anti-Homer]

Always enjoy this board and checking out the less intellectual banter at Xavierhoops. I'm just getting a wee bit tired of "Steele needs to be doing this or else" and other garbage about Q transferring, terrible recruit blah, blah. For one, I fully expected X to come out flat footed and slow against Wake. Exam week leads to fewer practices; plus a UC hangover could be seen from a mile away.

Yes it was an ugly game, and X got saddled by some questionable calls right out of the gate. Big T Jones was not himself and our Frosh have yielded little thus far (except for Free, but he stunk it up the other night). However folks, this team is seven points away from being undefeated. They have two players that have shown Trevon like scorability. Their defense is much further along than it was at this point last season (as evidenced by some full court pressure the other evening).

Like everyone else, I would like to see Q make better decision. I would like to see Xavier shooting improve, I would like to see some smooth offensive sets, I would like to see a lot of things. But, this team has shown grit and determination when needed. Conference play is going to be a slog this year. But isn't that what Xavier signed up for? The days of going 25 - 5 (see Dayton this year) in the A10 are over thank goodness. Some say that we're a bubble team right now, I think Xavier is a pretty seasoned crew. If they tweaked a few things they could be dangerous in March. Travis is in his second year and learning as he goes. Can't fault the lack of effort. So buckle up and hope we stay injury free. It's gonna be a fun year.

Go Xavier!

For one, I fully expected X to come out flat footed and slow against Wake. Exam week leads to fewer practices; plus a UC hangover could be seen from a mile away.

Great point. It's unfair. No other college teams have to deal with it.

[madness31]

I tend to agree with this post with the exception about being dangerous in March. The team lacks shooting. I wouldn't expect that to change. A few guys may exit a slump or get hot at the right time or just come up big in key moments but round of 32 is where I'd expect X this year.

Sweet 16 should be the goal but with some good breaks and determined defense, you never know.

Losing to Wake is pathetic but it is 1 game. It should be a wake up call to the team that they need to play with toughness and determination if they want to achieve anything. There is a lot to like about the team. About the effort in most games. About the fight at the end of games. Shooting just happens to be a weakness. Keep turnovers low and defensive intensity up and the team will be fine. The bigger concern is becoming next year. Marshall and Scruggs both may be leaving for the NBA. That certainly leaves some big holes to fill. Would be amazing to keep them and add a talented Freshmen class.

[X-Expert]

Always enjoy this board and checking out the less intellectual banter at Xavierhoops. I'm just getting a wee bit tired of "Steele needs to be doing this or else" and other garbage about Q transferring, terrible recruit blah, blah. For one, I fully expected X to come out flat footed and slow against Wake. Exam week leads to fewer practices; plus a UC hangover could be seen from a mile away.

Yes it was an ugly game, and X got saddled by some questionable calls right out of the gate. Big T Jones was not himself and our Frosh have yielded little thus far (except for Free, but he stunk it up the other night). However folks, this team is seven points away from being undefeated. They have two players that have shown Trevon like scorability. Their defense is much further along than it was at this point last season (as evidenced by some full court pressure the other evening).

Like everyone else, I would like to see Q make better decision. I would like to see Xavier shooting improve, I would like to see some smooth offensive sets, I would like to see a lot of things. But, this team has shown grit and determination when needed. Conference play is going to be a slog this year. But isn't that what Xavier signed up for? The days of going 25 - 5 (see Dayton this year) in the A10 are over thank goodness. Some say that we're a bubble team right now, I think Xavier is a pretty seasoned crew. If they tweaked a few things they could be dangerous in March. Travis is in his second year and learning as he goes. Can't fault the lack of effort. So buckle up and hope we stay injury free. It's gonna be a fun year.

Go Xavier!

appreciate your take but kind of tired of the exam talk. Wake had exams the same week. Maybe X's are tougher. As for the some emotional letdown because of UC, that was 7 days ago. I would much rather play against a team on the road where X is considered better and they are missing their best player even with the exams and apparent UC shadow that hangs over this team when X loses. Incidentally, the last time X lost the game after playing UC was the 2012-2013 season that really doesn't seem to be an issue unless its with these particular individuals.