Is Xavier overrated?

[ByronLisKing]

With a Healthy Drew and his cast playing up to par X can play with ANYONE in the country PERIOD. See UT, UC, KSU, IU, VA, Creighton (sp), etc etc. You do not get an RPI ranking of 9 by accident.

SOOOO relax, enjoy the season, and be LOUD and PROUD to be an XU backer.

[XU 87]

The RPI is at 6. But you don't get that by accident either.

[MarcusJ]

Great first post about your "bad vibes" that X is going to lose in the second round. How are your vibes re: the stock market and the Reds this year? Any vibes on the presidential election?

This is far from my first post. I've posted here for years.. maybe this is the first since the reset, but I don't think it is.

The way this team is playing just feels like the D. West team that lost in the second round to Maryland.

EDIT: Just noticed the post count, guess that was my first post since the reset.

[XU 87]

Fair enough. I was thinking you were a UD or UC poster.

I will agree that the West team seemed to have peaked prior to the tourney (near loss to a terrible Duquesne team and a last second win at home over a mediocre GW team come to mind). But I still think this team is playing pretty well. There have been some close wins, but those were primarily against good teams on the road. And this team is still winning without arguably its most important player playing even half the game.

[kzoox]

I think the big things that are different with this team, as opposed to the DWest team is the balance. That was close to a one man team, with complementary players in roles. This team has a fair share of go to guys, and a tougher attitude.

I think that CJ will be a key to the next month. He brings a toughness and attitude that we have not had. I also remember watching that Maryland game and West seemed to get intimidated when one of those 3 MU big guys swatted a few shots early. It took him (and X) a while to play with toughness and abandon. Frankly, I think that loss was similar to the UT loss on 12/22 for the guys who were there for the Run. Taught them how to not be intimidated by the name on front of the jersey.

I also think that Stanley, Drew and Josh want this to be their legacy, and to make a deep run. These guys seem tougher than other teams - not happy to be there.

Just my thoughts. Who knows - looking forward to it though.

[X Factor]

What the heck is all this negativity about? Hello??? The Muskies are 25-4 and 13-1 in conference for crying out loud.

Did Gary put a spell on some of you guys?

Take a look around the country....very good teams are playing close games and even losing.

Oklahoma St also beat Kansas. UNC escaped UVA by TWO points. Texas got beat by Texas Tech.

Relax and enjoy this historic season...the guys aren't finished yet!

[bluegrass]

We have played better when we are the underdog.Hopefully that ends this year as we should be the higher seed for at least the first 2 games.

[Jim Lowery]

ok this is the kinda post that fuels the "MID-MAJOR" label. Our own fans don't believe in the team.

I will go on a limb and say this when we are hitting our shots not only can we beat anyone in the country I am not sure they can stay within 10 points. We have 4 guys that can shoot the three well. A guy that has as much athletic ability as anyone in the country in Brown. And an up and coming big man in Love. Oh yeah and a top 10 point guard. When this team is healthy they are as explosive as anyone in the country hands down. Sure if everyone is off like the Arizona State or Temple game we lose but I really think this is a special team. They have won in every way possible this year pretty, ugly, grimy you name it they have done it.

If you don't believe get off the bus. Sure we could lose in the second round. But I really think this team will make the Final four and possibly win it all. It will take some luck but if Drew is healthy and the team stays focused, I bet No team would want to see us in that sweet 16 game.

You really think Georgetown could beat us? If both teams play their best ball we beat them by 10. Duke I would love to play them. Carolina they are the most overrated team in the most overrated conference. So with that I say HELL WE CAN BEAT THOSE CHUMPS..

ok I am done venting......

[wkrq59]

A wise man once told me: "You never go into any game thinking you're not going to win. If you do, why play the game? If you play not thinking you can win, it's a surety you will lose."
Remember, ratings are just a number of peoples' opinions. Period. Nothing more nothing less. But that's the fun of this time of the year, especially.

[muskieman]

Every year the pundits(those guys that call themselves experts) pick the team that has everything, the team that is destined, the team that is invincible... Like the New England Patriots and then some other team comes along and proves them wrong. That is sports but this team is very balanced and has played some of the best Defense that we have ever seen in the last 20+ years so I don't think they are overrated. I think the coaches are sleeping in their poll putting X at 11.

Today's Xavier team is not like the teams of old. They have scoring from multiple players and play the D better than we have seen any team at X in the past 20 years or so. They have more balance than the West/Chalmer's teams, more togetherness than the Brown/Posey/Lumpkin team, more D and weapons then the T Hil era. They are similar to the Doellman/Cage/Cole teams because of similar players but I hope they have better luck...and yes Virginia sometimes luck makes a champion.