An experienced observation about this team

[54586264]

I believe this year's team has the best mix, depth, and talent to rate it as the best quality team over the past sixty years of my involvement with XU basketball. I know, we have had some very good teams in the past, but, in each case, their success was generally dependent on the play of several of their starters. This team has such depth at every position that makes them a very promising team to reach that "final 2 %." Obviously to do that, one also needs some luck in the NCAA draw as well as with the play of at least one very good opponent. But, not out of the question. The next two weeks will give us more vital information about this observation. What do you think?

[finalfourorbust]

I believe this year's team has the best mix, depth, and talent to rate it as the best quality team over the past sixty years of my involvement with XU basketball. I know, we have had some very good teams in the past, but, in each case, their success was generally dependent on the play of several of their starters. This team has such depth at every position that makes them a very promising team to reach that "final 2 %." Obviously to do that, one also needs some luck in the NCAA draw as well as with the play of at least one very good opponent. But, not out of the question. The next two weeks will give us more vital information about this observation. What do you think?

I totally agree. This team is the first that I remember that has the depth of personnel to play almost any defensive style that they want and can effectively go big or small on offense depending on the opponent. They have players like Ben Stanley and Ky Ky Tandy on the end of the bench that would have been double figure scorers on some past Xavier teams. They are so deep that they can absorb foul trouble better than any of their opponents. Most teams would have had to bring Colby Jones back into the game sooner than Xavier did last night. They have quality depth and every position and can go small if their bigs get in trouble.

[skyhops]

Nunge has made a huge difference this year. Miles has difficulty guarding without fouling and terrible footwork & post moves, which makes Nunge even more valuable. Freemantle is post defender, so Nunge will have to play well in the BE. Steele has done a nice job so far, but he has been below .500 in the BE and that will have to change to get to the tourney.

[Sonoma Muskie]

These observations confirm my feelings exactly. Now the work is up to the team to fulfill their potential by seizing every opportunity.
Kunkel played so well that I must eat my critical words. Happy to be so chastised when a good player fulfills his promise.
Amy I being a Pollyanna to dream about not just a Final Four appearance, but the Gold Chalice of Xavier’s first NCAA Men’s Championship??!!

Freemont’s 2 technical fouls after a fit of temper however justified, is a cause for concern. Such lack of self control at a future critical point could cost the team dearly. He has to learn that as a team member he does not have that luxury.

[kyzrex]

I am encouraged, but I’m still cautious. We’ve yet to see how the team will play on the road in a BE environment. I think that the BE has shown itself to be much better overall than it was forecasted to be, and X will certainly not have any easy wins once league play begins. But there is potential to be really good. I’d say that’s it greatest asset is it’s depth and adaptability, but consistentcy on the part of some players is still to be proven.

[muskieman]

I think it is great that we have multiple guys that can carry the team. Last year it was what Zach will be this game? This year we have had Paul, Nate, Colby, Zach, and Jack be the dominant player in a game. Last night Colby was out early and many thought the game might be closer but X’s defense held and slowly the offense started to click. The made threes by Jack distorted the UC d and opened the middle for other guys. When free was in the high low passing just exposed the aggressive d of UC. If Xavier can remain healthy and with everyone getting touches the team will do well.

I watched Hunter last night and the little things he does really makes him a very valuable key to the team.

[oldhoopster]

One of the biggest keys was keeping TO's to 9. That's about half their average and could easily have been the difference maker. X can play with anyone if they keep TO's that low. But will drown in the BE if they keep that number in the 17-18 range as they have multiple times this year.

[AirJordan]

These observations confirm my feelings exactly. Now the work is up to the team to fulfill their potential by seizing every opportunity.
Kunkel played so well that I must eat my critical words. Happy to be so chastised when a good player fulfills his promise.
Amy I being a Pollyanna to dream about not just a Final Four appearance, but the Gold Chalice of Xavier’s first NCAA Men’s Championship??!!

Freemont’s 2 technical fouls after a fit of temper however justified, is a cause for concern. Such lack of self control at a future critical point could cost the team dearly. He has to learn that as a team member he does not have that luxury.

Slow it down a little, Hayley Mills. Kyzrex has it correct I think. We have played only one true road game and that came at Oklahoma State with maybe a few thousand fans in the arena. When we go to Nova, UCONN, Seton Hall, Creighton and Providence, among others, we will be tested by talent and a raucous atmosphere. We will not know how good this team is until we complete our B.E. schedule. And, despite our record, the talent on this team and what seems to be substantial improvement in game management by our coach, we have not fared well at season end for the last three years. We will need to overcome that also. Lots of work yet to come.

[tacitus]

We are definitely in good shape and have a lot of talent and potential. It will likely be Steele's best season so far and could be one of Xavier's best-ever. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Our NC strength of record will possibly be our best ever. But you have to understand that, historically, Xavier has not played an elite NC schedule.

To Anti-Homer's credit, there are some teams that play an elite NC schedule every year, be it out of necessity (Gonzaga) or due to the status of the program and the current coach's philosophy (e.g. Villanova). Such programs have a huge advantage during years when they have great teams that can win 25+ regular-season games despite the schedule. These teams get 1 and 2 seeds even if they do not win their conference. This is not our program, at least not now and not in the past.

For us to get a 1 or 2 seed, we will have to be first or second in the Big East this year.

Our best regular seasons so far, in order, were 17-18 (Mack), 15-16 (Mack), 07-08 (Miller), during which we got a 1 seed, a 2 seed, and a 3 seed, respectively. Those teams were stacked with Xavier hall of famers. The two Mack teams were the only ones where we really had a shot at a Final 4 or NC.

On the flip side, in response to Steele's detractors, we are in great position. The Big East is the second-best league this year. There are only two leagues right now where EVERY SINGLE TEAM is above .500 in non-conference play: The Big 12 and the Big East. They are first and we are second in the Conference NET. The Big 10 is first in Conference RPI and we are second. Moreover, we are currently 5-4 against the Big 12 in the "Battle", and we crushed the Big 10 in the Gavitt Games (6-2). The Big East currently has few "bad losses" and several "good wins", with a few more big games to go.

The point is that if we go at least .500 in the Big East, we should be tournament bound, and by that point we will have been battle tested by a very tough conference. At this point, there are no true title contenders in the Big East. But Nova has gone toe-to-toe with two of three of the contenders they have faced so far, and the team that wins the Big East should get at least a 2-seed. Then... we have to always hold in the back of our minds the most exciting, if not the best, post-season Xavier has ever had: "The Run". A battle-tested team with talent that gels at the right time can make a very deep run.

Anyways, my point is that it is way to early to talk about Final Fours or NCs at this stage. Let's focus on competing for a second Big East title first! But, as long as we compete in the Big East, the sky is the limit!

[gym from delhi]

Was Nunge’s game the best ever by an X center? I don’t think Rackley, Fullerton, Piontek, or Stainbrook ever had numbers like Satuday’s