It all comes down to this

[Mr. Neutral]

Think back to last March, after X's gut-wrenching loss to OSU. We're still part of the tournament for a day or two as people talk about what a great game it was, and then the tourney moves on without us.

Then we go through a long spring/summer dead period, where we endlessly rip each other, discuss baseball, possible coaching changes, recruiting rumors, scheduling, and this summer, we'll have a political field day.

Then college football starts, and we realize that b-ball isn't far behind, and the preseason mags start coming out.

Then practice starts, and we start getting insider tidbits about who looks good, who doesn't, possible starting lineups, etc.

Then the games start and we've got something tangible to discuss EVERY FRIGGIN' DAY for the next 5 months. Sure, we dissect each game, but there's always another one a few days away.

Now, we're coming to the end of the line, no matter what happens in the NCAA tourney. So, let's hope that X keeps playing as long as possible, and this thing that becomes a huge part of our lives is still there for at least a few days/weeks longer.

I wish the season started again in May.

[olsingledigit]

Amen, Gary. Well said. I really don't want an early end this year for many many reasons. I hope the team is loose but still focused and they play Xavier baskeball.

Happy eating, men. Go get em.

[minger]

Well said.
Still have the heartbreak of 2004's 3 point lost to Duke, and still have the heartbreak of last year's OSU final shot which made it to OT...... all inside me. Just cannot wash away.
For me, anything less than a Sweet 16 this year would be another heartbreak. Will have a relief feeling if they make it to Sweet 16. Than will be happy if return to Elite 8. Going futher should finally fulfill my long time X-wish.
Just win one at a time, we will be fine.

[Mr. Neutral]

1st round loss-VERY disappointing. Will overshadow the great year that X had. It will be like '98 but worse, due to our much higher seed this year.

2nd round loss-pretty disappointing, will most likely be called an underachievement.

3rd round loss-Disappointing but not awful. If you make the Sweet 16, you've generally had a good year, but we'll all think X could have gone farther.

4th round loss-Disappointing (aren't they all?), but definitely a good year, and good finale.

Anything after that-gravy.

[bluegrass]

I'll be happy with 2 wins but any loss after that will still be heartbreaking because the prize gets bigger.A loss today would the ultimate downer and put a black mark over a great season.

[muskieman]

Only one team goes home without a loss and boy would I like that to be X but I realize that might not happen. I hope they play well get their chances and have the poise to jump on those chance. Every game will be nerve racking, every play will be nerve racking but I will enjoy seeing the team I love compete. I am afraid to say how many games X wins or how far X will go but I hope that in the end the media guys are saying how impressed they were and how they under estimated the heart of the team. I hope it increases the opportunity for the players to make a positive impact that will carry on for years both inside and outside the Xavier community.

I will expect those that get upset because I believe that they really want what we all want a win in the game and a continuation of the season.

Let the games begin and let the Xavier nation bring home a win against UGA.

[XU Rocks!]

1st round loss-VERY disappointing. Will overshadow the great year that X had. It will be like '98 but worse, due to our much higher seed this year.

2nd round loss-pretty disappointing, will most likely be called an underachievement.

3rd round loss-Disappointing but not awful. If you make the Sweet 16, you've generally had a good year, but we'll all think X could have gone farther.

4th round loss-Disappointing (aren't they all?), but definitely a good year, and good finale.

Anything after that-gravy.

Given everything we've accomplished recently (last year taking OSU to the brink, winning our league in an "up" year for the A-10, great recruiting class coming in, completely stepping up and winning big games in our out-of-conference schedule, etc.), a loss to either Georgia or Purdue/Baylor will shackle us as "mid major" FOREVER. The seedings suggest we should win these games. Of course, we all realize that's only on paper. But if we want to graduate our national respect level to a "major" program, we need to win these first two games. After that, if we were to lose to Duke or UCLA, who are higher seeds and considered perennial powerhouses, we would not overshadow our year. Anyway, that's how I see it: a "make or break" weekend for our program.

[Mr. Neutral]

Agreed. This is certainly a "put up or shut up" weekend. Either we belong with the big boys, or we don't. And you make your bones in the tournament, not in December.

[jaxalum]

I think we can officially call this season a rousing success if we get to the second week. Lest we forget, we've only been past the first weekend TWICE in the modern era. If we get there we most likely will get Duke, which will be a national marquee matchup.

This format makes it such a crapshoot. The best team does not always advance. I love March Madness, and it is by and large the barometer of whether a season is succesful or not. Not exactly fair(a team can go 28-4, win regul./conf. titles, lose in the first or second round to a mediocre team that got hot for one game) but thats how it's percieved. Here we go

[Mr. Neutral]

I'm off to join other Muskie fans at Mother Hubbard's in downtown Chicago. I hope to see some of you there, and together we can bring home a W.