New Coach

[bleedXblue]

I have no desire for Mack to stay. He underachieved most years at X. Great talent but minimal results. Last year's run was 1 of 2 exceptions but the rest were disappointing. He did improve as a coach over the years but is still mediocre at best. Next year will be a struggle most likely because we don't have a complete team. That may turn into a longer rebuild depending on the coach but long-term X is better off with Mack hitting the road.

Coaching against FSU was a disaster. So many mistakes that were obvious to anyone with any ability to analyze the game. Yes it was unfortunate that Marshall was injured and Macura was called for 3 fouls he never committed but going inside had to be explored. Playing Macura for short stretches before the lead went to 0 in both H1 and H2 should have occurred.

I'm excited to move on regardless of who the new coach is. I lean toward grabbing an analyst from another industry. The Cleveland Browns are a great example of this. I'm guessing most of you are confused at this point given their 1 win in the last 2 years but they are set to dominate for years to come because they made wise trades to build draft capital and have a boatload of cash for free agency. Sashi was wrongfully fired and set this team up to be a monster. X should look outside of coaching for their head coach and let him hire experienced assistants to recruit and implement game strategy while the head coach absorbs the data and makes adjustments.

Of course the above is just a dream and likely we will end up with a coach from somewhere in basketball. Should that happen, please let him understand defensive strategy. I can't take another year of clueless defense.

i cant believe i just read all of this. I now consider myself significantly more stupid having done so

[oldhoopster2]

I wouldn’t say X has been knocking at the door of the final four. Yes they had good matchups last year and got to the elite 8 but got rolled by the Zags. That’s one smell of a final four not knocking on the door for years. Madness is not totally wrong. X hasn’t had a good defense for years. They are an offensive team and that’s been good enough in a lot of cases but they can’t stop quicker teams often. IMO they run a very stagnant offense and don’t know how to get their best shooters enough shots against decent defenses. I hope Mack stays for the programs sake but a change might be good also. We are not the elite team that many on here think we are. It was fun to be a one seed but X wasn’t one of the best four teams in the country. They finished off close games at home and on the road and had a great season.

[kyzrex]

The only players from this year’s team that have a shot at the NBA are coming back. The seniors will have opportunities to play in Europe or Asia. Xavier hasn’t put a player solidly in the NBA during the Mack era, solidly like having a multi year career and not just getting a call up once in awhile. Yet somehow, even though the program has moved from the A-10 to the BE, Mack has been able to WIN more games than any other coach in Xavier history. Despite that, some people don’t like how that has happened. It’s not because he has been cheating. It’s not because of having one player who was the greatest ever. And it’s not because of scheduling directional schools and pushovers in the non-con and running up win totals against them. No, it because his teams aren’t known a great defensive teams. Wow! Excuse Me!

But you know who is known as a great “defensive” coach? The guy across town..MC! The same guy who has threads on their board saying...”FIRE MICK C”!

Why not go over there and tell THOSE fans just how lucky they are to have such a great defenisve coach and all of the success that has brought them? I’m sure they will be more than willing to change their minds when you remind them about all of the deep tourney runs that they have had. In addition, make sure to hit up the Virginia boards and remind them of their success too! Don’t forget to send a note down the road and let them know that they shouldn’t go after CM...he can’t coach defense! Knowing that I’m sure that they will change their mind and go after Mick, not Mack, right?

Wow, just wow. Who says you can’t argue with success?

[skyhops]

I think we can argue with the way that Mack handled the Wisconsin game and Fl State. No reason we should be sitting out this final four. Time for this alleged speculation to end and we move on. I think Chris is enjoying this. If you want to stay at your alma mater stay if not move on.

[X-Expert]

Madness I absolutely agree with your issues with the FSU game. I would also agree that Mack's teams have had some inconsistencies in regular season and the tourney. Two of the last three years there have been massive under-achievements. One year, over achieved. Prior to the 2016 season, X were bubble teams in two of those years (one of which they went to S-16). I also realize that two S-16s were likely the result of wins by Lehigh and Ga St over top ranked teams. All that being said, the trajectory of the program is rising. This can be attributable to the seniors and this recruiting class. My concern now is that with all the talk of Mack leaving, recruiting took a hit this year. Likely Mack's worse recruiting class. Thats why this needs to be resolved now as X is still in the hunt for a couple of players that can help them next year. However, they are certainly waiting on the coaching decision.

As for the defensive woes, i completely agree. However, I would say that while Bluitt, Macura, and Kanter are very good offensive players, they are not strong defensively. It really came down to X being better with them in the lineup regardless of the D. Remember, during the year, Mack was substituting Scruggs and Gates for them. In the FSU game, Marshall would absolutely have been in had it not been for his injury. Bottom line is I believe with the aforementioned 3 in the game, X outscores the opponent by a much bigger margin with them rather than them out of the game. Look at the last 4 minutes of first half against FSU, X couldn't score.

For me, I prefer Mack to stay but if he goes, just go now. X was going to be down next year no matter what so now is the time for all involved. I do blame Mack that X only has 1 Sr and 2 Jrs next year so time to lock in some good future recruits. I believe Steele is a strong recruiter and appears to be high on many peoples list. I hope he's the guy.

[skyhops]

Great post X-pert. Mack’s upcoming decision was allegedly leaked to some of the players which could have had something to with recent performance. Mack is responsible for the lack of upcoming depth as well as average recruiting class. We have no real shooters and lack bigs. I would take Miller back in a heartbeat but it will probably be Steele which has worked in the past. I hope Mack enjoys the money and his in laws. So much for loyalty

[X-Expert]

Great post X-pert. Mack’s upcoming decision was allegedly leaked to some of the players which could have had something to with recent performance. Mack is responsible for the lack of upcoming depth as well as average recruiting class. We have no real shooters and lack bigs. I would take Miller back in a heartbeat but it will probably be Steele which has worked in the past. I hope Mack enjoys the money and his in laws. So much for loyalty

Miller would be my first choice but don't see Fr Graham taking him back. The fact that Steele turned down Mid Tenn St and withdrew from Evansville tells me he is either the guy at X or will be getting big money to be top assistant at Louisville. I have heard both rumors as they are running wild

[yellow20xd]

Does anyone really believe Miller going to trade-in his Lexus for a Buick???... His words not mine... Dan

[gundun]

Yellow, Miller might not trade-in his Lexus, the Lexus may be repossessed.

[bmuskies]

The only players from this year’s team that have a shot at the NBA are coming back.

What players would those be? Marshall and Scruggs although think they have a shot. They need to develop their game big time to reach the level of NBA players. This year I think the only player that has a shot at an NBA contract is JP Macura just because of his shooting ability and passing but Bluiett really failed to score when it mattered most in the dance!