XU Can get a # 1 seed

[XU2final4]

There is no way XU gets a number 1 seed unless 2 out of these teams: UNC, Duke, Tennessee, UCLA, Memphis, and probably Texas; have a terrible collapse in the final weeks here. Assuming XU runs the table though, they have to be a number 2 and should get a good draw though.

Either way, I don't think anyone in the country will write them off.

[madness31]

A #1 seed is extremely unlikely but Texas and Kansas could each easily lose a couple games before selection Sunday. Duke will likely lose to NC the next time they face one another and probably again in the ACC tourney. UCLA and Stanford could also lose a couple games apiece. If these things all play out and Xavier wins out then there would be an opening. Of course I could see the commitee giving the 1 to a Big East or Big 10 team over XU if Georgetown, Louisville, UCON, Wisconsin, and MSU don't each get at least 1 more loss. Another loss for Tennessee after losing tonight could also drop them a spot. Them beating us gives them an edge but losing 2 late in the year while we win however many in a row gives us the benefit.

If we win out we should end up as a 2 seed which should give us a shot at going deep. A loss puts us back to a 3 and depending on to whom and when a 4. I agree with those that mention it is all about matchups though I would also say that it is more important we play well. This team can beat any of the other top teams if we take care of the ball, play aggressive D and hit the open shots. NC lacks depth so they are vulnerable. Duke lacks size and we know we can play with Tennessee. Had we not been stuck in a funk from the UC and ASU games during the start of that game we would have had a nice lead in the first half and the mistakes down the stretch might not have cost us the game. Memphis can't hit free throws. K State has hung with the best out in their region so there is no reason to think we can't play with any of them. Our free throw shooting could be huge as could Burrell's D and our 3 point shooting. Duncan has consistently hit the big shot and Brown seems to really step up against strong competition. Duncan or Raymond will need to be hot, Burrell, Lavender, and Anderson will need to play consistent and Brown and Love will need to tough on D and on the boards. If these things happen and we keep our turnovers low we will win the championship this season.

The big question is whether confidence rules or if the pressure of expectations allows fear to surface. Senior leadership is great but knowing a loss ends your career can be quite daunting. Once they reach the sweet 16 fear should be less of a concern and confidence should be running high.

[XU2final4]

good post madness...I'm personally feeling really confident (maybe too confident) about our chances come tourney time. We have a really balanced, solid core that not many other teams will have. We proved last year that we can play with anyone come tourney time and I think this year's team is better than last years so hopefully we can be dangerous this year. Plus if we can win out we should get at number 2 seed and will have a ton of momentum going into the tourney.

[millersdad]

Tennessee just lost last night. If they loose another game....which they have a good chance to in their conference tournment...and XU wins out I believe that XU takes Tennessee's spot!

[xubrew]

Tennessee just lost last night. If they loose another game....which they have a good chance to in their conference tournment...and XU wins out I believe that XU takes Tennessee's spot!

we may pass tennessee in the polls, but not in the seedings. the two have different philosophies entirely. for the polls, the most important thing is how recently your last loss was. for the seeding, that's not the case.

vanderbilt has not lost at home all season. tennessee beat them earlier this year, and they're still ahead of them in the standings. it's still obvious that tennessee is the better team. tennessee also has the most impressive road win out of anyone in the nation so far.

most importantly, the committee looks at head to head competition. tennessee beat xavier at xavier without duke crews. if our profiles are at all similiar, the committee will rank them higher.

tennessee's wins are better, and their losses aren't as bad. in the final top 25 of the season xavier might be higher, but we won't get a better seed unless tennessee loses out.

[jamal4xu]

Screw a number one seed. There are too many variables and it's just not likely to happen. Fun to talk about, but in reality just not that probable.

As far as the 2/3 debate, I know we merit a 2. RPI, SOS, AP/ESPN, margin of victory, # of double-figure scorers, etc, etc, etc...the resume is there for a 2 seed. All X can do is go out and win our remaining games and leave the committee with no doubt about our merits.

I think what would be interesting would be for this team to get a 3. Not because of the match ups, or what region we would be in, but because of how pi$$ed off they would be.

I will guarantee you the players and coaching staff feel they are a two seed. If there was any way to channel any additional motivation out of this team for a deep run it would be to disrespect them.

IMHO, a 3 seed does just that.

[Eastside_J]

brew, I am not saying X can get a #1, in fact I think that is a pipe dream and will not happen. What I was saying that there are teams that will probably get a #1 that don't deserve it. I think the way you look at it Duke's talent doesn't derserve them anything better than a 3 or 4 but they will probably get a lower seed.

Like I always say give the #1 to someone else and let us win every game we play in the tourney.

Lemme make sure I understand this, Xavier is more deserving of a one seed than Duke AND Duke is less talented?

In my opinion the 4 teams that are probably #1 seeds are Tennessee, Memphis, North Carolina and then Texas or Georgetown, if Georgetown wins out.

I am really curious to hear which of those 4 (or 5, I guess) teams do you think Xavier would trump as "more deserving" or even "more talented", if you would rather.

seeing how you quoted me I assume you are talking to me but what I can not understand is how you get that I think X will get a #1. I guess you missed the words, "pipe dream and will not happen"
As far as Duke, you bet I think X can defeat Duke on a neutral floor. Duke has not impressed me in any of the games I have seen them play even the ones they won. They are a team that sometimes plays D and sometimes doesn't. They shoot from the three and are not always consistent. YES I think X can beat them.

I do not think Memphis deserves a #1. They have some great players and they played a great game in a loss to Tenn but their weakness at the foul line does not make them a complete team and they play D like your team is sitting at the top of the big least. Memphis reminds me of the LMU teams when they tried to outscore you rather than learn defense.

Nice 'tude fella. Obviously you didn't read my post.

It was very apparent from your previous posts that you don't believe X will get a one seed.

I asked whether you thought X DESERVED a 1 seed more than DUKE. And whether X deserved a one seed more than several other teams that are likely candidates.