Duke-Texas

[gym from delhi]

May be the first time in my life that I’ve ever rooted for Duke.

[Kevin Reilly]

Swain has 10 of the first 12 Texas points including two 3 pointers.

[Kevin Reilly]

Traore is at Texas too and has 5 rebounds off the bench. He really would have helped us last year.

[skyhops]

I agree Traore could have put us near the top of the BE last year. Swain looks like he has worked on his shot. Benedict Miller was making excuses again.

[Kevin Reilly]

Traore had 9 rebounds in 18 minutes. I believe if he was healthy were are a sweet 16 team at least last year.
Freemantle could have played forward and would not had to guard big centers. I believe he would have been a 20 point scorer playing guys his own size. Traore is in the tradition of Xavier big men ... big and strong. Swain is getting more confidence in his offense but still a iffy shooter. It's hard not to imagine if we had Claude, Conwell, Swain, Freemantle and Traore last year.

[Anti-Homer]

I agree Traore could have put us near the top of the BE last year. Swain looks like he has worked on his shot. Benedict Miller was making excuses again.

The only reason Swain isn't in the NBA this year is his $2M NIL. He has improved his shot, but it is still very deliberate. However, every other facet of his game is near elite-elite, including his Bball IQ.

I was pretty apathetic about the game, though I wanted Tx to lose, despite holding little animosity towards Miller. Funny, we don't mind it when X poaches players and coaches from other teams. I still don't want Miller to win at TX (yup, I'm petty as well), but wish nothing but tht ebest for Swain.

[skyhops]

Don’t forget Cam Kraft as one that got away and Lazar both were push out by Miller. I’m not sure getting role players from mid majors is poaching. Miller lived next to my sister in law he was gone in Jan of last year and had no remorse even though we got him out of coaching purgatory. Good coach, not a good guy.

[muskieman]

I agree Traore could have put us near the top of the BE last year. Swain looks like he has worked on his shot. Benedict Miller was making excuses again.

The only reason Swain isn't in the NBA this year is his $2M NIL. He has improved his shot, but it is still very deliberate. However, every other facet of his game is near elite-elite, including his Bball IQ.

I was pretty apathetic about the game, though I wanted Tx to lose, despite holding little animosity towards Miller. Funny, we don't mind it when X poaches players and coaches from other teams. I still don't want Miller to win at TX (yup, I'm petty as well), but wish nothing but tht ebest for Swain.

Rationalize Miller and players leaving all you want, AH. I still look at the players as part of the family, and, like you, all families have their black sheep, making what family members perceive as mistakes. Coaches, like players, are given freedom to make changes in schools regardless of how the school has benifited the players who may or may not have played for the school, including a player who has received medical rehab and never taken the court in a game.

The fans don't have to like it, and they are allowed to feel betrayed and even wish Schadenfreude on a coach they loved, not once but twice. X forgave "the coach whose name will not be spoken" by bringing him out of the wilderness of NCAA purgatory, and supported him with everything he wanted. Sure it is all about the money, but we don't have to like what college basketball is becoming. I am happy Swain is getting $2 million, but I hope he realizes that the fans may not be as gracious when he messes up. With the money comes the expectation — and the dissatisfaction— of fans when you disappoint them. I have never been a fan who booed, because I saw the hurt and confusion on Romain Sato's face after some X fans booed the team. Now they are pros getting paid to perform, and all gloves are off, and Texas fans can be a lot crueler than Xavier fans. After all, Texas fired Rodney Terry, who had a better win-loss percentage than Shaka Smart.

[Anti-Homer]

I agree Traore could have put us near the top of the BE last year. Swain looks like he has worked on his shot. Benedict Miller was making excuses again.

The only reason Swain isn't in the NBA this year is his $2M NIL. He has improved his shot, but it is still very deliberate. However, every other facet of his game is near elite-elite, including his Bball IQ.

I was pretty apathetic about the game, though I wanted Tx to lose, despite holding little animosity towards Miller. Funny, we don't mind it when X poaches players and coaches from other teams. I still don't want Miller to win at TX (yup, I'm petty as well), but wish nothing but tht ebest for Swain.

Rationalize Miller and players leaving all you want, AH. I still look at the players as part of the family, and, like you, all families have their black sheep, making what family members perceive as mistakes. Coaches, like players, are given freedom to make changes in schools regardless of how the school has benifited the players who may or may not have played for the school, including a player who has received medical rehab and never taken the court in a game.

The fans don't have to like it, and they are allowed to feel betrayed and even wish Schadenfreude on a coach they loved, not once but twice. X forgave "the coach whose name will not be spoken" by bringing him out of the wilderness of NCAA purgatory, and supported him with everything he wanted. Sure it is all about the money, but we don't have to like what college basketball is becoming. I am happy Swain is getting $2 million, but I hope he realizes that the fans may not be as gracious when he messes up. With the money comes the expectation — and the dissatisfaction— of fans when you disappoint them. I have never been a fan who booed, because I saw the hurt and confusion on Romain Sato's face after some X fans booed the team. Now they are pros getting paid to perform, and all gloves are off, and Texas fans can be a lot crueler than Xavier fans. After all, Texas fired Rodney Terry, who had a better win-loss percentage than Shaka Smart.

I understand why many-most fans deplore Miller, and to a lesser extent, Swain, but with the advent of NIL, basketball is completely transactional. It's hard getting emotionally invested in a one-year transfer, though I was admittedly devastated when Conwell and Swain left.

The guardrails with the House Settlement can't be implemented soon enough.

[muskieman]

I agree about getting emotionally attached to a one-year player, especially one who is using the school as his rehab while getting paid. Just as fans get pissed at coaches, and well they should, for ducking out, the players now getting paid should be treated as pros. Fans boo the Reds for poor play, and the same goes for our pro football and soccer teams, and now we will see it more often in college sports. Good or bad, it will happen. I hope Texas is the Hindenburg of basketball teams this year, but they probably will make the tourney