Rodney XAVIER Dangerfield?!

[Sonoma Muskie]

For those suffering from the “Xavier inferiority complex” or as one pundit said “paranoia,” -( just Because you’re paranoid that doesn’t mean they are not out to get you) smaller lesser known entities, people, institutions, localities etc. tend to receive less recognition than well known ones. It’s human nature.
Being an underdog has many benefits: rationale for “chip on the shoulder” attitude, (Bring it on JP & friends!), surprise, Cinderella status, ambushers lying in wait to feast on overconfident Blue Chippers etc. Even an overlay for those inclined to wager. The Muskies are in the best possible position- until the “knowledgeable journalist” of the authoritative sports media decide to give Xavier some notice because they are desperate for “a new angle .” Then we are in real trouble! Go Muskies! I can already taste X’s first NCAA Championship, Your bipolar, bloviating buffoon.

[XU85]

The reality is that our defensive Ken Pom statistics are not worthy of respect.

However, I submit that our defensive stats will not accurately predict how the X-men perform in the tournament. This team in my opinion is much better defensively than last years' squad and that team performed well defensively when Mack changes defenses in the tournament. I expect Mack to change defenses much more frequently in the NCAA tournament than he did against our Big East brethren.

It's a great day to be a Xavier fan!

[thecoach]

Rodney was perpetually insecure as he was constantly stoned.

[Sonoma Muskie]

Ah ha, the secret to ol’ Rodney’s genius! RIP

[Sonoma Muskie]

The 96 Muskies have the talent & the coaching.just dreaming that they can put it altogether: defense, offense & excellent B.B. judgement( shot selection, clock management, proper application & control of aggression vis-a-vis the refs’ level of physical contact lenience/prohibition for 2 halves each game until the April 4 th Final victory. A tall order, but what is life without hope? GO MUSKIES!

[xu koop scoop]

Rodney here, Watch out for that Egg-Saviour team. They really know how to crack some eggs.

[Sonoma Muskie]

I’m hoping XU cracks a lot of eggs even some very hard-shelled ones & becomes a virtual omelette factory serving up delicious creations culminated with the extra special NCAA Championship mixed grill!

[tojake]

January, 1978 - I’m watching a game on a cold Saturday afternoon at Schmidt. I am across the floor from the teams. Dan Delany is sitting behind the opposing team bench with his posse. All of the sudden, a fight breaks out. Dan is being pummeled by opposing fans who apparently don’t appreciate Dan’s comments to their coach and team. I watch Dan’s youngest son streak across the floor and leap to his aid. Those are my earliest recollections of Xavier basketball and the disrespect shown us over the years. I watched Slick Nick and Steve Spivery in that Fieldhouse. I watched us under Tay as an independent, battling the likes of Notre Dane and UD, struggling to get a W, but witnessing no quit, even back then. I watched Dan and his son that afternoon fighting for a speck of respect. I f you knew Dan, you know their was no quit in that dog. On that day, I watched opposing fans fighting with OUR local bar owner. Eventually, I married that man’s daughter, and I married into a family that lives and dies with XU. I raised three sons who bleed X blue. They suffer through every bitter defeat, and celebrate each victory as if it were their own. We’ve lived through Bob, Pete, Skip, Thad, Sean, and Chris together. From the Fieldhouse, to the Gardens, to The Tas. It’s been a wild ride. And it’s hard for me to think about turning 60 this year, as I watch us prepare for another NCAA run. I expect and want it be be a deep one. There is a part of me that is still that 21 year old punk, sitting in Schmidt Fieldhouse, wondering how much trouble I might get in should I join in the fracas. But time does mellow all. I leave such activities to younger generations. I have come to respect what X has built. I realize that nobody wants to win more than those young men wearing our jerseys. Respect or not, we are fortunate to have watched them play for us, and I am proud of each of them, regardless of how far we advance this year. Dan Delany passed a little over a year ago. He, and this team are in my thoughts today. Respect? It’s in the eye of the beholder. We may never earn it in the eyes of the National Talking Heads. But within our community - it’s there. Well done, Class 96. You’ve made us proud, and we look forward to watching you continue the March.

[muskieman]

January, 1978 - I’m watching a game on a cold Saturday afternoon at Schmidt. I am across the floor from the teams. Dan Delany is sitting behind the opposing team bench with his posse. All of the sudden, a fight breaks out. Dan is being pummeled by opposing fans who apparently don’t appreciate Dan’s comments to their coach and team. I watch Dan’s youngest son streak across the floor and leap to his aid. Those are my earliest recollections of Xavier basketball and the disrespect shown us over the years. I watched Slick Nick and Steve Spivery in that Fieldhouse. I watched us under Tay as an independent, battling the likes of Notre Dane and UD, struggling to get a W, but witnessing no quit, even back then. I watched Dan and his son that afternoon fighting for a speck of respect. I f you knew Dan, you know their was no quit in that dog. On that day, I watched opposing fans fighting with OUR local bar owner. Eventually, I married that man’s daughter, and I married into a family that lives and dies with XU. I raised three sons who bleed X blue. They suffer through every bitter defeat, and celebrate each victory as if it were their own. We’ve lived through Bob, Pete, Skip, Thad, Sean, and Chris together. From the Fieldhouse, to the Gardens, to The Tas. It’s been a wild ride. And it’s hard for me to think about turning 60 this year, as I watch us prepare for another NCAA run. I expect and want it be be a deep one. There is a part of me that is still that 21 year old punk, sitting in Schmidt Fieldhouse, wondering how much trouble I might get in should I join in the fracas. But time does mellow all. I leave such activities to younger generations. I have come to respect what X has built. I realize that nobody wants to win more than those young men wearing our jerseys. Respect or not, we are fortunate to have watched them play for us, and I am proud of each of them, regardless of how far we advance this year. Dan Delany passed a little over a year ago. He, and this team are in my thoughts today. Respect? It’s in the eye of the beholder. We may never earn it in the eyes of the National Talking Heads. But within our community - it’s there. Well done, Class 96. You’ve made us proud, and we look forward to watching you continue the March.

Thanks for the story. I remember that altercation and Dan. I am sure he has a couch with Fr Hoff, Gary Griffin, Paul Olding and his Son, as well as Brian McCormick and others in that great beer hall in the sky. Theology73, I know that is not theologically precise but it is creative license, besides GOD is an X fan