Pre-season expectations from the pundits

[Anti-Homer]

With the most balanced team in the Steele era, and a veteran laden team, X is poised for a big year. Obviously, losing Freemantle is a blow offensively to the team, but is not as devastating to the team's prospects as it would have to last year's team. This is due to two high quality post-wing transfers who will be an upgrade defensively, and Miles, who Coach says could be one of the best defensive players in the BE.

Even the national pundits are on the bandwagon. Perusing five of the most recent preseason rankings (range from 10-17 thru 11-4) the rankings for X ranges from 21 (Bart Torvik) to 33 (ESPN). Avg ranking was 27. Even though Free's surgery wasn't announced until last week, it was speculated with all sites in their commentary that he would miss a fairly significant length of time, so their prognostication was made with his absence in mind.

It is a glorious time for all us X fans as Cintas is now open to fans, this is Travis' 4th year, and X has at least 10 guys who have shown the ability to contribute at a fairly high level, and be in the top rotation of seven players for many-most teams. These include guys who were the best scorers on their previous or current team at some point in Tandy, Kunkel, and Stanley.

Also, a customary, tame non-conference schedule should help them weather the storm until Free is back. They will be favored in all but two games until conference season. I'm not in favor of it, because of the risk reward of beating non NCAA caliber teams. They don't move the needle if you beat them, but can put a big blemish on your resume if you lose.

On paper, this team will finish in the top three in the conference, and be a tourney team with a 7-9 seed. A glorious time indeed. Tuesday can't come soon enough.

[skyhops]

I believe that in each of his three years Coach Steele's teams have finished lower that their predicted finish (three games under .500 for his career in BE). We do have more depth this year, but the uncertainty in the post is what concerns myself and many close to the program. Steele can us all he wants about Miles dominating in practice and in the Deveroes league, but he is limited offensively and is out of place on D. Nunge and Hunter will be key, however Nunge is often injured and Hunter shoots more threes than he should. The right players shooting threes will also be a key, which really is what has kept the used car salesman out of the tourney. If we shoot 30% from 3's we will back in the NIT. Hope I'm wrong, but I seen this the past three years. Hopefully, we continue to shoot well in practice and pass the heck out of the ball.

[Anti-Homer]

https://www.bannersontheparkway.com/202 ... on-preview

As usual, BOTP nailed it with another great article. However, I did notice a recurring trend. Once again, the article above eerily mirrors my previous take above. Some of their observations:

"This year, the string is out. He has a roster loaded from top to bottom with talent. Dwon Odom, Kyky Tandy, Adam Kunkel, Ben Stanley, and Zach Freemantle wouldn't be a hateful unit to have on the floor for the opening tip; none of them started Xavier's exhibition game. The depth on the team is a testament to Steele's good work, but it has removed any roster-related excuses that could have been made for him."

And this gem:

"He can't seem to find minutes for fan favorite Kyky Tandy but had plenty of them for fan not-favorite Jason Carter. His offenses have wavered between streaky and absent without leave."

For the very few who seem to think I very gently criticize Coach Steele without merit, hopefully the plagiarism, I mean validation provided from Steele supporters vindicates me. Crossing my fingers and toes that it does.

Mman and OSD, is our attorney on retainer finished painting that warehouse? Regrettably, I think we need to send a cease and desist letter to BOTP, or at least have them give me a writer's credit.

[muskieman]

Oh, we must play the fan-favorite now. Who wrote that book?