Top 8 of all time!

[MADXSTER]

PG - Lavender
SG - Larkin
SF - Grant
PF - West
C - Hill

Bench
Posey
Sato
??? so many to choose from

MHettel - how can you not have Grant anywhere on your team?

[muskieman]

Millerdad, that is why I could not make a list. Too many excellent players.

[XgonGIVEitTOya]

[quote="WestCoastMuskie"]I have to think that anyone who didn't pick Posey in their starting five isn't old enough to have seen how great he was.

Also, why oh why isn't Brian Grant's number retired? He didn't have a running mate like D. Strong and still put up monster numbers.

West Coast Muskie, don't be so quick to question everyone who left Posey out of the starting 5. I have to think that you may have forgotten how he thrived as a 6th man in college. Some players are naturally better and gain and advantage coming off the bench; he wasn't the first sub because he was the next best player aside the starting five players.

Furthermore, you neglected to put in Xavier's all-time top scorer, Byron Larkin.


My Elite X Squad 8 includes the following, considering that this team actually took the floor, and accounts for both offensive and defensive presence:

Starters:

PG: Drew Lavender (undoubtedly one of the smartest, quickest, creative, and fundamentally-sound players in Xavier history)
SG: Byron Larkin (All-time leading scorer speaks for itself)
SF: Romain Sato (Great shooter with even better ability to defend a wide range of players, defensive awards back that up)
PF: David West (Very strong but agile and athletic big man. Draws double teams offensively, using strength to get to the rim or his awareness to create open shots for teammates. Also had great instinct on defense and a terrific ability to rebound--- averaged double-double)
C: Tyrone Hill (another huge presence down low. Scorer and rebounder, averaged 20 and 12 in his senior year at Xavier while shooting 58% from the field). Also known as a very athletic center for his size.

Bench:

Brian Grant (blue-collar defensive player who was a tremendous force on the boards, also shot over 60% during a season at Xavier).
Darnell Williams (if not for some unfortunate knee injuries he had a chance to be one of the best players in Xavier history. Great shooting touch, ability to attack the basket, intense defense, and in general a play-making type of player.)
James Posey (Very versitile player. Ability to bang down low and shoot the long ball with great consistency. Don't forget his defensive ability, athleticism, speed, and ball handling--- he was a 6'0 point guard until I believe his senior year in high school before growing 8-9 inches--- that wasn't affected by his growth spurt.

[muskienick]

Point Guard: Drew Lavender
Shooting Guard: Byron Larkin
Quick Forward: James Posey
Power Forward: David West
Center: Tyrone Hill

First Guard of the bench: Jamie Gladden
First Forward off the bench: Derrick Strong
First Center off the bench: Bob Pelkington**

With apologies to:
Brian Grant
Anthony Hicks**
Bob Quick**
Romain Sato
Cornelius Freeman**
Hank Stein**
Joe Viviano**
Darnell Williams

** Pre-1987 but I just couldn't leave them off a list of great Muskies of the past.

[xuhuh!]

After reading everyone's list I am suprised that Romain Sato was left off of a lot of peoples list to start. If you look at his points scored and rebound totals he is near the top of both list all time...plus he was our defensive stopper like cage and now burrell was. I was also suprised that jumpin jamal was left off many list too. Jamal was my all time favorite xu player. Not only was he amazinly quick and a great passer but he was a pressure player meaning the more important the game or situation the better he performed....aka michael jordan....i am shocked many others did not realize this

I agree that jumpin' jamal was just electric to me, but my memory of his senior year, he was slightly limited due to knee problems and unable to be in top condition. at that he was still 'the pearl' at X and he was a hidden treasure found by Pete Gillen. one of my favs

[X Factor]

I will agree on most of your picks, here would be my top 8

Starters
PG - Drew Lavender
SG - Bryon Larkin
SF - James Posey
PF - David West
C - Tyrone Hill

Bench
SG - Jamie Gladden
SF - Romain Sato
PG - Lionel Chalmers

I would agree with all of your picks except as much as I like Sato I would replace him with Brian Grant. I don't think Sato is top 8.

Sato not Top 8???

He is 3rd ALL-TIME in scoring and 8th ALL-TIME in rebounding at Xavier! He went to the Elite 8. He started EVERY game of his college career from day one. Sato is a Top 5 ALL-TIME Xavier great.

[coach]

I know this is probably heresy, but most of Larkins points were scored against really lousy competition. That said, I don't know who I'd replace him with, unless maybe Lennie Brown.

[wkrq59]

First, Derek Strong did have a pro career. Not only did he collect a few million from the Orlando Magic when they bought out his contract, he also had time with Philadelphia and I think washington after a couple of sewasons in the CBA.
While a member of the Magic he had to have surgery to repair some relatively minor injury, had a bad reaction to the anesthetic and damn near died. After that he left the league. He is currently driving on one of NASCAR's minor circuits in the West and still happily enconsed in LA.

[wkrq59]

Second, I'd be inclined to put both Justin Cage and Stanley Burrell on my eight for defensive purposes. I'd also have Hill, Grant, West and Byron and Lavender or Jamaal. The PG is too close to call. I got to know Jamaal really well and if you think Chad Johnson could talk smak, you should have heard Jamaal on the court. Many was the opposing player he got peoed so he'd forget his game.

[dabott]

Can What if Sports do a simulation or something??

Here is my team:

1-Lavender (Just a class above anyone we have ever had at this position.)
2-Chalmers (His getting hot at the right time ignited 'the run')
3-Posey (I know he thrived as a 6th man but he was the best player on the floor just about every game he played at Xavier.)
4-B. Grant (From almost his first game as a Freshman all anyone said was NBA)
5-D. West (Best player to ever play for Xavier.)

Bench:
Sato (one of the most hyped players ever before he arrived at Xavier, now one of the most underrated players to ever have played at Xavier.)

L. Brown -He had the heart of a lion and was one of the key players that ushered Xavier into the A-10 era.

D. Strong - In the infamous battle of the big men against Mutumbo and Mourning he was the difference, not "T" time...