Musketeer Madness

Wow I didn't think we would make it. Happy and surprised. Go X.

Sean speaks https://youtu.be/A8VJWXL6LR4

Players speak https://youtu.be/-yi8ZLdHjvI

I decided to change this thread into the game thread. I hope Kevin is alright with this move.


Game Tie 9:10 PM Wednesday Xavier -2.5

Here here. LOL. I still am damn surprised by us getting in . We usually don't catch a break. I watched South Carolina (12-20 ) who lost 17 of their last 19 games beat Texas by 15 points. The Texas freshman Johnson is very good. Texas did have foul trouble that game ( 29 fouls ) so manybe we can do the same thing. The day I watched Texas they looked very beatable.

TV:truTV with Spero Dedes (pbp), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Jon Rothstein (reporter).
Radio: 700 WLW-AM also available on the Varsity Network and on Sirius XM.
National Radio: Westwood One with Nate Gatter (pbp) and King McClure (analyst)

First of all,

To the posters, I apologize for my absence from the board recently. I was one of 12 moderators invited to a meeting in NYC, so I pulled double time as I covered X and the BE Tourney and had to take incessant calls from Bubba Cunningham and Dave Gavitt throughout the week. Also, apologies to the posters on the free version of MM, as you don’t have access to the video diary during my four days at the BE Tourney, as the content is for premium members only.

I actually thought X would get in when there was only one bid stealer. I did think they would be among the last two, but, they were the 2nd safest among the bubble teams, as the last two in were UNC and SD St.

I feel bad for WVA, as they deserved to get in. I think one consideration was their star player being out, and the B12 playing the NET last year with a putrid OOC schedule, boosting their winning percentage, only to be a collective resounding thud in the Tourney. They were exposed as a fraud that they were. I do think Hou and Iowa St have a chance to go far this year.

X got in because the BE has been the standard over the last decade. Coincidentally, it has enjoyed the most successful run, since X joined the league. Winning 4 of the last 8 NCAA Championships, with the fewest teams of the P5s until this year. I also think the eye test helped X, bc they were on Nat’l TV when they crushed a very good Creighton team, and played an Elite 8 quality game at the BE Tourney ag Marquette.

I do hate the draw. I would have preferred SD State or UNC instead, as Texas is a very good team, with wins over multiple top 20 teams. They also have a 7’0, mobile shot-blocking center (though not as good as Kalk), and the most talented offensive player (Tre Johnson) X will have faced this year along with Kam Jones and RJ Luis. He is a 6’6” freshman, projected to be a top 5 NBA selection, and is elite at making difficult and contested shots. He shoots a high percentage from three, and the line as well. He reminds me of a young Jamal Crawford. Thank God X has Swain. You won’t stop him, but hopefully, he won’t go off for 25 or more as he has the capability of doing.

I was surprised that X is favored by 2 (early lines), and believe it’s a testament to the caliber of the top half of the BE, and how X fared against them. Also, the eye test showed they can play with virtually everyone, except for the likes of Fla, Auburn, & Duke.

BTW, congrats to UNLV East for being a top seed in the Crown. They play the mighty Blue Demons. I have put in a call to Sean Miller and told him to send Wes film of the two times X throttled them. I normally wouldn’t want to assist a competitor of a team in the BE, but UC has not made the NCAA Tourney in six years and only has 1 SW 16 win in the last 2+ decades, compared to X’s 7 or 8. I keep losing track. Actually, I do think Wes Miller is a good guy and recruiter. Coaching chops are questionable, however.

Stay tuned. I just received a big box of game film – yes, the SEC still is using VHS tapes - on Texas. Looks like back to back all nighters for me. A big shoutout to Rick Barnes, John Calipari and the other coaches who obliged. I will give my pre-game analysis beforehand, for wagering purposes.

Hmmmm! That time of year again

https://www.on3.com/college/texas-longh ... lacements/

Agree with AH on the draw. Johnson is one of the best guards in the country and I can’t imagine Foster or McKnight guarding him on switches. We need to keep him under 20 if possible. Their mobile pick might have have 5-7 alley oops against the high ball screen. Swain, Conwell, Free, and Hunter will have to play their best. Luckily we shot well earlier at UD in the win against the Cryers.

I like our draw vs Texas. I only saw Texas once but the game I watched ( South Carolina ) Texas looked terrible. They lost by 15 points to South Carolina ( 12-20 ). We don't have anyone who can slow down Johnson so we should double team him and make him pass it. Texas is a lot like us with a lot of transfers. Didn't look like a close team or a team that played very hard. I think their coach could be in trouble. If we can't beat them we don't belong in the tournament. I think Johnson gets 30 but Xavier wins by 7 points. We are better than Texas .

Win and advance... Dan