Nova still on Top?

[xusandy]

Well, I get it -- until you beat the champs, they are the champs. But this time it does look like at least 4 BEASTs have more talent returning than Nova does. So maybe it comes down to whether Nova's recruiting class (clearly the best on paper) meshes and produces. I won't bet against Wright yet, but the rest of us (Pirates, Xmen, Friars, Jays) at least have a bit more reason for optimism this year than in the last few. Gettin' close to time for making our various FEARLESS predictions for the season. At this point, I'll predict only that Nova will NOT win the regular season BE title, just because I see 5 top teams who could win it. The Hoyas, Eagles, Bulldogs, Johnnies, and Blue Demons just don't have enough talent to finish on top, though I think all but the last two have a legit shot at the dance.

[MUBoxer]

When was the last time a team returning the BE POY who is a NPOY candidate was considered to have not enough talent? If you look at it as 5 of our top 7 players are returning from the team that finished second you'd realize we're just fine.

Not so bold prediction: we finish 2nd or 3rd.

[GumbyDamnit!]

Man I'm trying really hard to understand why the X fans are chirping so much... Xuperman, Scosox, XUSandy. All predicting an easy waltz to the title for Team Snickers...I mean Musketeers.

Nova doesn't have the same amount of "talent" as X apparently. I'm curious as to what--other than your own biased opinions--is that is based on? I thought to myself that X has recruited fairly well I guess. Then I looked and noticed that in the last 4 recruiting cycles Nova has brought in 8 (actually 10, but 2 have since moved on) Top 100 players (24/7 Composite) and X brought in 4. And the 2 non-Top 100 players Nova brought in are actually starters for us anyway. Hmmm... recruiting doesn't explain it.

Maybe the confidence stems from past performance? Let's see... According to Kenpom Nova's average ranking over the last 6 years is 8.3; X is 33.0. Hmmmm...that can't be it.

Maybe conference performance will reveal the true story. Let's see... 6 years: Nova = 104-20; X = 73-48. Hmmm...That certainly doesn't explain it.

Oh, maybe head to head might be the reason for the optimism. Well Nova is 12-2 vs. X over the past 6 years. 86% winning %. Ouch...well that can't be it.

Maybe it's the coaching... Let's see Travis has an NIT win vs Toledo at Cintas and JW has 3 FF's, 2 NC's and an even an NIT Championship. Hmmm... well I'll admit that's a close one. But I'm going to give a slight edge to Jay just because he dresses a little better.

I'm struggling here... Oh wait, X has always been a great team come March. Aha! I think that might be it. OK, last 6 tourneys (well, 5 for X ). Nova is 18-4. X is 7-5. Hey, very respectable for X. They've got 3 wins vs single digit teams in the last 6 tourneys. Not bad. Oh wait, Nova has 10...yikes. That's not really close either.

I'm running out of things here...help me out guys...I must be missing something obvious.

So...we're just talking gut feeling here? Or maybe you guys went to one of those Tarot Card readers in Cincy and she was bullish on the XMen? I'm sure in your eyes KyKy is the missing piece but the Nova guys (who were all ranked well ahead of KyKy) will surely struggle to contribute. Q and Naji (did I spell that right?) are going to take big steps forward but Nova has never shown the ability to develop players over the years. So Bey, Samuels, DCR, Swider, Slater and Gilespie all regress?

Nothing wrong with an opinion...everyone's got one. But I'm hoping you can lay some advanced insight on us--that has you convinced of Nova's demise and X's ascension--other than just a "feeling" rooted in your own biased fandom. And quite honestly if you want to talk about overall team talent, I think PC, SHU,G'town, CU and Marq all can make a pretty good argument vs. X.

[scoscox]

Sandy must’ve hit a nerve. These nova guys are so touchy

[gtmoBlue]

...more popcorn please. Has anyone seen the hot dog vendor??

[scoscox]

Rumors of tapes on the interwebs showing Bryan Antoine getting brutally punched on in both the aau and high school season by multiple Xavier recruits. Murmurings of an “injury” to avoid further humiliation. I’d post them but afraid the effect it might have on already fragile nova psyches. Wouldn’t be right

[Novachap]

gumby, stop with the facts... we are being sensitive.

28-6 / 12-2 is the truth, sorry, can't change that. scoscox keeps jabbering, but he's just having fun trolling, it's been pretty disappointing on the court for the self-anointed flagship so he has to go this route. Glad you you are at peace scosox.

To be clear, we are very secure. Not touchy, worried, scared, however you want to position it. The fact of the matter is we have kicked you ass so much its been just about as sure a W on our schedule as virtually any team we have played. Hell, the Big 5 have been tougher games!!!! Even IF you beat us this year, still have miles to go to catch us. 3 NC's bud. Now, i know the "Nova is scared " is coming, or "wait till next year," "we are touchy" "you hit a nerve" "fragile psyches" yada yada... but is that really all you got???? really???

Damn, how long before the games and real hoops conversations start???

[scoscox]

Definitely the kind of posts a secure, not at all worried fan base would be making

[Novachap]

Definitely the kind of posts a secure, not at all worried fan base would be making

and on queue, there it is!

[Novachap]

GTMO... it has livened up the board though, I will give him that!