ESPN: Muskies looking for consistency

[D-West & PO-Z]

Its tough to win on the road no matter what the conference. Ill take an 8 point win every time against a team like GW who is tough to beat at home. Miller said in best in this enquirer article.

"If you just look at the history of Xavier . . . the road for us - and we've had great teams - has always been difficult," Miller said. "We've always lost a number of games. I'm excited about being 1-1 on the road and 3-1 in the conference. And I'm also excited we've got a couple days off before our next game."

[tacitus]

I was going to post something on Espn to the effect that this lady obviously hadn't watched basketball over the weekend: 1) to see all the teams that lost to supposedly lesser talent and 2) to see how well are OOC opponents did, some of which we absolutely crushed. She should not be a sports analyst if she watches only one game per weekend. But after I figured out I had to register, I got lazy. She's probably all up tight about the mid major thing. Probably a Duke grad. Just trying to get us a little bad pub after all the recent news. Seriously, we lost to a top 50 RPI team on the road in conference, came back and won a tough road game a couple days later. That could happen to anyone... and it did this weekend. North Carolina lost to Maryland. What do they have to prove now? I wouldn't be surpriesed if Memphis drops a game in their "conference." Whatever... Never heard of her, and hope to never hear her again.

[LA Muskie]

Seriously, we lost to a top 50 RPI team on the road in conference, came back and won a tough road game a couple days later. That could happen to anyone... and it did this weekend. North Carolina lost to Maryland. What do they have to prove now? I wouldn't be surpriesed if Memphis drops a game in their "conference." Whatever... Never heard of her, and hope to never hear her again.

The difference is that we claim we transcend our "mid-major" A-10 conference (and yes, the conference as a whole is mid-major) and shouldn't be lumped in with them. UNC and UCLA -- each of which had relatively bad conference losses last week -- do not.

[tacitus]

Also, she was clearly taking very humble comments from players and Miller out of context to make it look like we have serious issues, that the team is worried or something. Whatever... let's see what happens on Thursday and against Charlotte... We can obviously play a lot better...

[tacitus]

I thought the whole deal was that the A10, especially this year, is not "Mid Major".

And regardless, numbers are numbers. We lost on the road to decent team with a bad record as did North Carolina. (In fact, while Maryland's record is better, they have a couple more bad losses than Temple.)

We came back and won on the road. We will probably drop another game or two or three on the road in conference. What does this lady expect?

[GoMuskies]

The A-10 traditionally has not been a mid-major. The struggles of the last several years have caused the A-10 to slip towards that classification.

[LA Muskie]

I thought the whole deal was that the A10, especially this year, is not "Mid Major".

And regardless, numbers are numbers. We lost on the road to decent team with a bad record as did North Carolina. (In fact, while Maryland's record is better, they have a couple more bad losses than Temple.)

We came back and won on the road. We will probably drop another game or two or three on the road in conference. What does this lady expect?

First, the A-10 as a conference is as "mid-major" as they come. Seriously, there's just no denying that. 10 games early in one season doesn't change that fact.

Second, the quotes weren't out of context. We are 3-1 in conference, but I can't imagine there's a coach or player on the team who are satisfied with the effort and execution throughout those games. At least I hope so.

Third, she expects us to beat a team like Temple, even on the road. Do you really disagree with her?

Look, I don't want to sound like a naysayer. I am thrilled that we're having a great season. But I just don't see how you can deny her ultimate point: That XU had a tough OOC schedule and had some great accomplishments, but can't rest on those laurels. We consistently need to beat up its A-10 competition (at least the weak ones like SBU, Fordham, Temple, and GW).

[tacitus]

As far as the mid major issue, I wish I could refer you to the previous MM...
But there are still all the articles in the media and even the Joe Lunardi thing on another thread. If you think the A10 is "Mid Major" then that is your deal... I frankly don't. And that is also irrelevant to my point in even using the word. I just think that Miss. Whatshername's article is in response to our (and others') HUGE STATEMENT, that we and the A10 are not Mid Major. I think by placing a huge X on ESPN's college basketball page that links to that article, is essentially saying: perform or shut up.

Im surely not going to argue with you about the A10s Mid Major thing. First of all, it is very clear that the debate is about the A10 as whole, and I was only referencing the debate. Secondly, if we got rid of our over 150 RPI teams, it wouldn't even be a discussion, as to whether we are a "Major" conference or not. If you need numbers, look at the Lunardi thread for starts.

[muskieman]

LA Muskie give me a definition of the term "Mid-Major"

[tacitus]

Also, I read her article slightly differently: as saying we have done nothing up to this point. Granted, if we blow the rest of the season, then we have serious issues come March. But finish as most realists expect (3-4 losses in conference) then we are in good shape. Theoretically, better than in years past, because we have several wins and not many losses against lowly teams. We do better than that, then we should start talking seeding. We cannot drop another game outside of those in contention to win the conference (which is 5 or 6 teams this year), and we need to beat as many of those teams as possible. But no matter what, we will have one of our best seasons in terms of wins ever... not just overall record, but also considering our OOC schedule.