To the Xavier fans...

[ArmyVet]

Having had some time to calm down. I really think we pr ably were overrated. We are still very young and our veteran players, while great, are still A 10 caliber talent. Koenig shot right over Myles Davis. And having a freshman PG never was going to work out come tourney time. I expect us to be better prepared next year.

This sort of strikes at something that has bothered me for a long time. XU had maybe the greatest season in program history but when people reflect on it, what they will remember was the loss last night. I think it is unfortunate that we put so much value into the NCAA tournament.

Last year XU got a lucky draw and went to the Sweet 16. Does that make last year better than this year? Historically speaking for a lot of people it will, but an educated fan knows this year may have been a once in a decade or once in a generation team Losing a heart breaker last night shouldn't diminish X's season but for some it will.

[DudeAnon]

Having had some time to calm down. I really think we pr ably were overrated. We are still very young and our veteran players, while great, are still A 10 caliber talent. Koenig shot right over Myles Davis. And having a freshman PG never was going to work out come tourney time. I expect us to be better prepared next year.

This sort of strikes at something that has bothered me for a long time. XU had maybe the greatest season in program history but when people reflect on it, what they will remember was the loss last night. I think it is unfortunate that we put so much value into the NCAA tournament.

Last year XU got a lucky draw and went to the Sweet 16. Does that make last year better than this year? Historically speaking for a lot of people it will, but an educated fan knows this year may have been a once in a decade or once in a generation team Losing a heart breaker last night shouldn't diminish X's season but for some it will.

Unfortunately, the tournament is ultimately what defines a team. It sucks, but that is the nature of our sport. Good news, I think this team is young and will only be better next year. Not too mention Mack is a hell of a recruiter and is bringing in even more talent.

[ChelseaFriar]

X had a great season. Really tough team and I thought so highly of them I had them in the Final Four of my only bracket I entered (a work pool).

And I submitted that bracket using my head, not my heart. I had PC losing to UNC.

[Xudash]

This thread and the posts that are coming with it evidence why we should all value the Big East for what it has become.

Firstly, as a Xavier fan, thank you for all the kind words and thoughts.

I'm not going to get into what did or did not occur or what should have occurred in that game last night. We should have held our lead late and won the game. We didn't. Now we move on to next year.

Before we get there, we now unite behind Villanova. I now want the story to be about Jay taking Nova to Houston. Why not? This tournament, like all its predecessors clearly shows that anything can happen - 60 foot shots for the win, Sparty getting knocked out so early, heroics with only 2 seconds left, then why not Nova advancing deeply - again? Importantly, this isn't about putting all the (conference) pressure on Nova. This is simply about a fan of a fellow conference school pulling for you all the way out of respect and for our conference.

Beyond April, we'll begin to talk about next year, conference non-realignment, how are respective programs will shape up for next season, and God knows what else.

The Big East is in great shape. The "redo" is working very nicely and is getting stronger. I do believe that our aggregate recruiting efforts will improve as the BE continues to legitimize itself and as certain topflight recruits see a greater value in attending strong academic institutions that emphasize basketball as their flagship sport. Rome wasn't built in a day. A rebuild takes longer than a day as well. The Big East is TRENDING NICELY.

Let's continue to enjoy the ride. In the meantime, GO NOVA!!!

[hoops22]

HugeFan, very nice post and I agree completely. Congrats to Xavier on a great season. The tournament is a SOB, and one loss should not take away from what a tremendous season you had.

HugeFan, who is your team by the way?

ChestR, does his writing style not provide a clue or two? Pretty sure I know who "HugeFan" roots for.

To X fans, tremendous year for you guys. You did the conference proud all year.

Yeah, big mystery who HugeFan is. It's incredible just how demented NovaBall is. He now starts threads with a new name, and then responds to them under NovaBall and compliments himself on a "quality thread" The guy is one twisted psychopath.

[hoopstar]

Great year. Tough when your a 2 seed not to advance. Great group of Kids.

[JohnW22]

After sleeping on it the loss still sucks, but at least I'm not questioning why I like basketball when my team can have such a great regular season then have nothing to show for and debating on ever watching a basketball game again Baby steps. Good luck Nova!

[JayPak]

Xavier reminds me of Creighton two years ago. Lots of media attention, domination of many teams, but in the end no hardware to show. No regular season title, tournament title, or anything except a first-round NCAA win and second-round loss to a lower seeded team. Difference is that X has quite a few more contributors returning than Creighton did, so they shouldn't have to face a year in the wilderness the next season as did the Jays.

[gtmoBlue]

Great season Xavier. Keep your heads up as you done Good. The damn tourney is all about seeding and matchups. Can only "watch" the tourney by computer here - either streaming VID or stats play by play (CBS, Fox, Espn). Been following Creighton and keeping one eye on the scores ticker.

I had 3 BE teams in my FF and X was one of them. Great season (28 W's)-excellent team. You guys are family - it hurt when I heard the news. Was really surprised that 3 BE teams bowed out on the same day. But really expected 4 of our teams to make a run (3 to FF). Had expected da Hall to go deep as well. Not surprised, nor disappointed by Butler or Prov - glad they were able to win a game. My expectations are always on the optimistic side.

Only 2 major tourneys (NCAA & it's' stepchild, the NIT) so only 2 teams finish with a winning run.
The other 98 teams are bummed out (67 NCAA / 31 NIT). Good recruiting and off season. Congrats!

Go Villanova and Go Jays.

[HugeFan]

I just watched the replays ft that charge again. Wow. Whata tough, tough way to lose. That was a soft charge, and edmond hit the shot after the kid flopped.


Gtmo, I had 2 big east teams in my final four. I had nova and then I had seton hall beating xavier in the elite 8. Had xavier losing to carolina inn he final four.