Nova still on Top?

[Xuperman]

but facts are you're thin and unproven compared to several other rosters.

And what exactly has the current X roster "proven?" That they can make the NIT?

Now here is where ignorance comes into play....OR Fat and Sassy Nova fans that are STILL sopping up the gravy w/o a biscuit this year.

Goodin, Jones, Marshall and Scruggs are BIG EAST CHAMPIONS. To answer your question....PROVEN with NO dispute.

X OUT

[Xuperman]

X fans writing checks that their team has to cash... we'll see how that works out for you guys. Seems to me a bit too much hype for a team that didn't even make the dance last year. My guess is, if the order remains the same and the annual X beat down continues, all these X fans will be conspicuously absent.

I won't. (Notice the period).

Here's a novel idea. Everyone stop picking XU BONES CLEAN......X is clearly the conduit that made the NBE successful, especially in March. Why the VITRIOL?

Oh......X out again!

[Xudash]

In response to the comments about Xavier only making the NIT last year, it could be noted that last year involved the introduction of Travis Steele as the new HC, a major loss of talent to graduation, the need to weave in 3 new transferring players into the mix, etc. Xavier was a basket case for most of the season until Travis demonstrated he could pull a squad together and make a run. If you need more proof on Steele, then fine, but we believe we have our guy - - again. Travis is a strong head coach with a solid staff.

So, if Xavier comes out of the gate this season as effectively as they closed out last season, though without making the Dance and losing to Texas prior to making it to MSG, then I like our chances to compete effectively at the top of the Big East - - somewhere at the top of the Big East, along with at least 3 or 4 other teams that deserve to be in that conversation.

As far as Nova is concerned, the last time I looked, Jay Wright still has an office somewhere along Lancaster Pike. Perhaps the perfectly thick nature of the line-up has thinned a little from what Nova fans have been blessed with, but talent is still all over the floor. The question is: "Nova still on Top?". Yes, until proven otherwise. I don't believe my opinion weighs past performance too much. I'm not ignoring roster specifics. I simply believe Jay Wright is a force with which to be reckoned.

I assume this thread was or is meant to be more about good natured pre-season smack. This is going to be a fun and challenging year for us all, given the amount of talent that exists in this conference.

As a final comment, I get that, especially at the national level, it is all about National Championships. F4's are nice, but it's all about NC's. Achieving one of those is about a mix of a number of things, including luck and match-ups along the way. Nova has contributed brilliantly to this conference in that regard. I expect X to get there at some point, but I'm certainly very comfortable and very proud of what Xavier's program has accomplished to-date, both on and off the court. I look forward to not being the program that has the most NCAAT wins without making it to the F4, but the resume and the program as it presently exists is solid. More importantly, it's set up for a strong future.

So, soon off we go, working hard to make a run to the confetti end: regular season championship, BET Trophy, and NCAAT Championship. Then UConn comes on board and it all ticks up another level.

[Hall2012]

And then couldn't even get back to the NCAA tournament.

All that proves is that they were just along for the ride while Bluiett, Macura, and Kanter carried the team.

[scoscox]

[Xuperman]

And then couldn't even get back to the NCAA tournament.

All that proves is that they were just along for the ride while Bluiett, Macura, and Kanter carried the team.

Total BS....the returning X CORE 4 were all key contributors for the 2018 BE CHAMPIONS. Wait and watch Q and Scruggs smother Myles Powell.

[Hall2012]

And then couldn't even get back to the NCAA tournament.

All that proves is that they were just along for the ride while Bluiett, Macura, and Kanter carried the team.

Total BS....the returning X CORE 4 were all key contributors for the 2018 BE CHAMPIONS. Wait and watch Q and Scruggs smother Myles Powell.

Powell was able to take the reigns and guide a team that just lost 3 major contributers back to the NCAA tournament. Exactly the thing the "X Core 4" couldn't do.

[scoscox]

Ehh we lost 5 major contributors and the head coach. Not exactly the same. Quentin has won more ncaa tournament games in three years than the rest of the big east not named Villanova or butler combined in the history of the new league.

[Westbrook#36]

I won't. (Notice the period).

Here's a novel idea. Everyone stop picking XU BONES CLEAN......X is clearly the conduit that made the NBE successful, especially in March. Why the VITRIOL?

Oh......X out again!

What vitriol???? You guys start running your mouths and get all pissy when fire is returned. You'd know it if we had a true hatred or were worked up over X, but we're just killing time before the season, shooting fish in a barrel.

Here's an idea, get over yourselves. X is conduit that made the NBE successful??? .... Hahahahahaha, wait a sec, let me check... yep there are 2 new NC trophies in Nova's case, pretty sure they're the main reason the NBE is considered successful.

X out again... like at BET.

[ChestRockwell85]

I assume your little pep talk is directed at the other 8 teams because here on Victory Pkwy it's not needed. X has an impressive 20 year run in March including the 5 tourney appearances since joining the BEast. A S16 and an E8 in 5 trips certainly qualifies as "making noise". Granted, we have 3 Elite 8's and a host of S16's but have yet to make a Final Four. In fact X has the most Tournament wins nationally in that time period w/o getting there BUT the Big East affiliation is the missing piece in making it happen.[/quote]

PS - I love how you took "Xavier is really in good shape, great recruiting" out of my message so you could talk smack. Well done. Not there yet bud.[/quote]

I left it out because YOU TORCHED any sincerity you may have had with the last sentence of your post.[/quote]

Do I think that the Big East AS A WHOLE needs to pick it up in March? F YES! Tell me I'm wrong. Do you feel that the way the Big East has performed in March AS A WHOLE since the new Big East has formed represents the performance of a true "Power" conference? I don't. You take Villanova out of the equation and it really gets scary. With that being said, Xavier is probably the last team besides Villanova that these thoughts are directed towards.

I have ALWAYS been extremely complimentary of Xavier and started a thread a few months ago complimenting them on their stellar recruiting class. I see Villanova and Xavier starting a rivalry in the new Big East because these are the 2 programs I feel will continue to be the most consistent performers.

Do I think teams like Butler, Providence, Seton Hall, G'Town, Creighton, Marquette, etc. are going to put together stellar years here and there? Absolutely, but as of right now, again, I see Villanova and Xavier as the most CONSISTENT.

To conclude, I understand your enthusiasm, I am excited about Xavier as well because I have enough sense to realize that the Big East needs as many strong teams as possible, but take it down a notch and realize Xavier has never been to a final four and Villanova has cut down the nets twice in the last 3 years, not to mention 1985, and not to mention being to the finals twice before as well as 2 other final fours (one as recent as 2009). If you want to pound your chest, go ahead, you have a lot to be excited about, but if you want to try and show dominance, try another fanbase that might actually be impressed, because it is clear who the most dominant team in this league has been. Not yet there bud.