Giving Thanks- For Sean Miller et al

[Masterofreality]

In the land of messageboards in a far away time where the darkness ruled over the light, the following was posted by a misguided wanderer through the black wilderness:

"Why does this staff condone this defense-less team effort? No commitment."- quoth Xuberent, January 21, 2007.

Yes. That was an actual post after a Xavier game where XU lost to St. Josephs in an away game. The point of the post was to absolutely skewer Sean Miller about how he and his staff were obviously unable to coach defense. It was the continuation of a theme of skewering by a number of alleged XU "fans" during that era- even after Sean and his staff had proven their mettle by bringing Xavier back to the NCAA's the year before by the 4 wins in 4 days subsequent to Brian Thornton's injury.

Well, Sean Miller is still here and Xuberent? I guess he is still wandering in the dark wilderness, unable to come into the light. He seems to have disappeared from the scene.

After that game, Xavier went on to win 13 of the next 14, win the A-10 regular season crown, achieve an NCAA at large bid and beat BYU in the first round. Last year, Stanley Burrell wins defensive player of the year. Now- winning in Puerto Rico with, yep, defense. I guess that maybe Sean Miller can coach a little defense, huh?

Here's the point of this post. I'm thankful for a lot this Thanksgiving, and one of my main points of thanks is for Sean Miller being the tough minded SOB that he is. Visualizing a path, following that path, having the inner strength to stick to it even when the slings and arrows were being shot at him from some quarters early in his tenure. Then, when success comes, remaining loyal to those who were loyal to him, disregarding his nay sayers, and pledging his committment to Xavier University.

Thank Gawd for Sean, Mike Bobinski and Father Graham. Thank Gawd for Father Hoff and his vision. How fortunate are we to have the quality of these people putting the public face of Xavier University out there? Damn lucky, even though some of the nattering nabobs of negativism can never see past what may have happened in one basketball game.

So, for the Xuberents out there waiting to pounce when this team has a toe stub. Think before you post. You'll probably look like the Thanksgiving turkey's dead carcass soon after.

[nolife]

Haven't posted here in a few years. Visit all the time, mostly for links to stories. You guys are a great resource and I appreciate the service you provide. But....

Am I missing something or has the exchange of opinions here died out to point where all that's left is a small circle of cronies validating one another's eternally positive thoughts?

Are less articulate posters afraid to post an opinion for fear of being skewered with lengthy lectures from the gate-keeping posters who dominate this bland, exclusive, cyber-country club.

"You can buy anything. But you can't buy backbone." Bill Murray from Rushmore.

[Masterofreality]

Am I missing something or has the exchange of opinions here died out to point where all that's left is a small circle of cronies validating one another's eternally positive thoughts?

Are less articulate posters afraid to post an opinion for fear of being skewered with lengthy lectures from the gate-keeping posters who dominate this bland, exclusive, cyber-country club.

No, but have a little basketball knowledge to back up any assertion, not some continual stream of negativity spewn to set someone apart. The poster cited in the original post never had a single positive thing to say about Sean Miller. He's been exposed as the charlatan that he was.

And, I'm sure that the Chicken Little's will return soon, as soon as Xavier loses one.

[muskieman]

Am I missing something or has the exchange of opinions here died out to point where all that's left is a small circle of cronies validating one another's eternally positive thoughts?

Are less articulate posters afraid to post an opinion for fear of being skewered with lengthy lectures from the gate-keeping posters who dominate this bland, exclusive, cyber-country club.

No, but have a little basketball knowledge to back up any assertion, not some continual stream of negativity spewn to set someone apart. The poster cited in the original post never had a single positive thing to say about Sean Miller. He's been exposed as the charlatan that he was.

And, I'm sure that the Chicken Little's will return soon, as soon as Xavier loses one.

mor maybe he has returned!

[Mr. Neutral]

For starters, I was among the more vocal critics of Miller in his first year(s), and coaches before him as well. The Pollyanas take any criticism as treason, which always seemed a little goofy to me, but so be it.

Some of the combatants have moved on, so there's less of the personal animus that we had before. Plus, I think most of us would agree that Miller's grown as a coach, and so there's not much to really harp on right now. He seems to have the program moving forward in every way (scheduling, recruiting, etc.).

Not saying there won't be, but there isn't right now, which is good, certainly.

[Mr. Neutral]

http://www.volnation.com/blog/2008-11-2 ... trap-1126/

More kudos to Miller and the program.

[Masterofreality]

Brandon Lavender?

Oh, well. It is Tennessee.