Crosstown Shoutout looks at XU '11 targets

[PT71]

Was in Florida last year, and came away with the feeling that Mack had better rein in Crawford or we will be in big trouble. He did, and the season provided some exciting games, and agreed, ones we "should have won." If one were to canvass all coaches it would become quickly evident that ALL programs experience "games they should have won." That's why they keep score...that's why they practice...that's why they make adjustments. Xavier will show up this year, as they do every year...they will practice, make adjustments, and likely lose when they should have won...observing this is part of the fabric of being a "fan." Go Muskies!!

[madness31]

I agree, it was a great year. As Neutral said "it was frustrating at the time". We all realize it is typical for programs to lose some games they should have one and being a Cleveland sports fan I'm use to it, though more recently they just tend to lose games they should lose because they are not good.

The one thing to keep in mind is that while X is learning and developing during the year and especially early in the year is that the other team is also learning and developing. Losing an early game to a veteran team is more understandable than losing to a young team but both are frustrating when it is caused by sloppy play. It is great that X improved and made another run in the tourney and played in what is most likely the best game of the tournament. The early losses definitely don't seem as big a deal now after the final success of the team but when you are cheering for success and the wins are not coming as quickly as hoped it easily leads to frustration/disappointment.

[muskieman]

I agree, it was a great year. As Neutral said "it was frustrating at the time". We all realize it is typical for programs to lose some games they should have one (won)and being a Cleveland sports fan I'm use to it, though more recently they just tend to lose games they should lose because they are not good.

The one thing to keep in mind is that while X is learning and developing during the year and especially early in the year is that the other team is also learning and developing. Losing an early game to a veteran team is more understandable than losing to a young team but both are frustrating when it is caused by sloppy play. It is great that X improved and made another run in the tourney and played in what is most likely the best game of the tournament. The early losses definitely don't seem as big a deal now after the final success of the team but when you are cheering for success and the wins are not coming as quickly as hoped it easily leads to frustration/disappointment.

just like Duke when they lost to Wisconsin and G Tech by 4 each, Maryland by 5 or NC state and Georgetown by double digits,

[Mr. Neutral]

And I'm sure some of their fains were unhappy with those results as well, mm. You seem to think that ONLY Xavier fans are pissed when their team loses. You really need to follow some other teams and see how their fans critique and criticize their team and coach. We're no different, and no worse.

We don't all have the ability to go "oh gosh, another loss, hey, it's still a nice day!".

[muskieman]

And I'm sure some of their fains were unhappy with those results as well, mm. You seem to think that ONLY Xavier fans are pissed when their team loses. You really need to follow some other teams and see how their fans critique and criticize their team and coach. We're no different, and no worse.

We don't all have the ability to go "oh gosh, another loss, hey, it's still a nice day!".

Gary, you act like I don't follow other boards. I have been a member of the ACC board for years and yes there are always a few that are pissed when their team loses even in successful years. I repeat a FEW. Most are smart enough to understand that life doesn't always goes their way. It is the ud type boards where they see success so rarely where they go hyper. And then there is..........

[Shadow]

We don't all have the ability to go "oh gosh, another loss, hey, it's still a nice day!".

You could probably say that the day didn't go all that well but the sun will sill rise on the following day. A loss is a disappointment, not the end of the world.

[Mr. Neutral]

always a few that are pissed when their team loses even in successful years. I repeat a FEW.

I think you've got selective hearing/reading, mm. A few? A few? Find a coach who has winning seasons, but loses bowl games, and you'll find a substantial number of disgruntled fans. Same with a b-ball coach who has winning season, but bows out early in the NCAA every year. Coaches have never been better compensated, or more criticized. They're both part and parcel of today's game.

[Benxman]

Neutral, you are absolutely right about fans being frustrated with coaches that have winning seasons and then go one and out in the NCAA. As much as I loved Skip Prosser, (God rest his soul) he really frustrated me with that aspect of his perennial season. Chris Mack, in his first year as head coach at Xavier, won more NCAA games than Skip did in 7 seasons at X!
I thinik we are in excellent hands with Chris. He had a great first season as head coach and overcame some major obstacles along the way.
This year will be even better.

GO MUSKIES!

[muskieman]

always a few that are pissed when their team loses even in successful years. I repeat a FEW.

I think you've got selective hearing/reading, mm. A few? A few? Find a coach who has winning seasons, but loses bowl games, and you'll find a substantial number of disgruntled fans. Same with a b-ball coach who has winning season, but bows out early in the NCAA every year. Coaches have never been better compensated, or more criticized. They're both part and parcel of today's game.

so you never have been pissed in the last few years because X hasn't bowed out early in a while yet I still hear the pissing and moaning from a FEW.
And yet we were not talking about the NCAA tourney, just losses during a season that should have been wins. Nice employment of the old lawyer adage

[Mr. Neutral]

Face it, mm, unlike some of us, you just never get pissed at how X plays. Mildly disappointed, maybe (and even that might be strong), but never pissed. If X lost 98-4, many fans would be in an uproar, but you'd be mentioning that they seem to be nice kids. A 8-20 season would upset many fans, but you'd see it as 20 missed opportunities, and 20 games which were stolen by the refs.

As I've said before, IF you're never going to get pissed about a poor performance, it's only logically consistent to NOT get excited about a good performance, either. The only consistent reactions a fan can have are either (1) react positively AND negatively to a team's performance, or (2) have the SAME reaction to either a positive or negative performance.