Two guys that think X is the X-factor for March

[pdxmuskie]

Theoretically this is possible. The problem however is not that the team needs to gel or improve. The team has the talent to win it all but it would be unlikely even if they were well coached and played well throughout the tournament. The talent is more appropriately elite 8 with final 4 upside. Coaching pulls them back at least 1 level and more likely 2.

Hope they prove me wrong.

[muskieman]

I would be satisfied with 20 wins

with 14 wins in the bag and 13-14 games left not counting BE tourney, IT might just happen. But I bet you find something to be pissed about.

[pdxmuskie]

I could not say how many wins would satisfy me. I could be happy with 0 wins if the team generally played smart but simply lost. Missed shots happen and opposing teams might make circus shots on a consistent basis. Those losses are unfortunate but they happen. Might even happen against a bad team.

At the same time, I would not be ok losing to the best team in college basketball if the loss was because the team played stupid or lacked effort. Those are controllable. Yes, players will make mistakes but those mistakes should not be repetitive. Fans should get the impression that the coach is trying to minimize the mistakes.

[muskieman]

I could not say how many wins would satisfy me. I could be happy with 0 wins if the team generally played smart but simply lost. Missed shots happen and opposing teams might make circus shots on a consistent basis. Those losses are unfortunate but they happen. Might even happen against a bad team.

At the same time, I would not be ok losing to the best team in college basketball if the loss was because the team played stupid or lacked effort. Those are controllable. Yes, players will make mistakes but those mistakes should not be repetitive. Fans should get the impression that the coach is trying to minimize the mistakes.

I guess you are not aware that the other teams in this league also have scholarship players. As for stupid and lack of effort that is in the eye of the beholder. This team was down tonight and just like last game did not quit and came out with a win. X shot
poorly in the first half but Depaul shot poorly in the second half, those things happen. I have watched Xavier teams in years past when we have had our great teams and they have lost these trap games against worst teams. This game was all set up to be a trap game and X still won.

[pdxmuskie]

I was not referring to any specific game when I mentioned not being ok with lack of effort or playing stupid. I don't question the effort of this team. They generally get after it on the court. Some lapses of course but the effort is fairly consistent.

I was simply replying to number of wins has nothing to do with being happy with the team. Obviously we all want to win and a lucky win is better than not winning (making the tournament/seeding) but I'd actually be happier with a well played loss than a poorly played win assuming it isn't the difference between making the tournament or creating a meaningful seeding disadvantage.

As for the DePaul game, generally a team doesn't come back and gut out a win unless they are getting after it. They did not play smart and the coach did not put them in the best position to win but everyone did just enough to make it happen. Travis did some things right but other decisions made it more difficult to win. Players definitely made poor decisions but some of that relates back to coaching as many have been issues all season.