Why did X even bother showing up tonight?

[CarlosTheJackal]

any sophisticated observer of college basketball will note that the reason Xavier lost is that no one could hit outside shots. It happens sometimes. The effort was there, the shots were not. Relax.

exactly. Chicken Little "lack of effort" posters are getting one-note lame. Our guys played hard. So did the other guys. They took away open looks, frustrated us with good D. We did the same. They made shots, we didn't.

[Murph85]

Having missed some of the game, I can't speak to the first 10 minute but a few things stand out.

When you miss as many threes as we did and the other team has someone as hot as Calathes, you rarely win. Add to that Martelli is the coach of the opponent and it is magnified. The Hawk did the right things. Making CJ go to his left limits his ability considerably. They do things like that and it pays off. Brown shooting threes is not part of our game plan. Give credit where it is due.

CJ had 3 rebounds in 26 minutes. This does not cut it.

Duncan has gone cold from three along with Raymond. When we roll, they contribute.

I think we will be fine in the tournament. The team will start fresh. The atmoshphere is different and we have history on our side. Defense and guard play win in March.

I agree with a previous post in that I would not want to play St.Joe if they make it. I can't explain their losses but they for sure have the players and coach to take down some hefty opponents.

[muskieman]

Q, you are a man of great wisdom. Have never met you, but read you for years. Sometimes people on this board remind me of people who, if having an intimate relationship with Cindy Crawford or Sophia Loren(showing my age) would complain that she couldn't cook.Great personal difficulty brings out the best or the worst in a person. I've never taken sports too seriously since my wife went through chemo and radiation in 1990.
Sometimes it gets hard to read this board sensing that some would trade what we have for a UNLV or other sleazy program that wins a championship.

That is why I learned to cook at an early age.

Sure it is hard to read this board and their are people that like the "jump on" and "Kick the dog" mentality because they don't have to think just use emotions. I also think some are just as passionate as the other side but they express it or maybe need to let off steam to cope with being upset.

BTW I woke up this morning and X is still in the dance so life will go on...think about Charlotte, dayton and others including St Joes and Temple, the last two still have work to do before they can party.



I am no Dr Phil but I did sleep in my bed last night.

[bluegrass]

People like Mr N always turn a loss into a reason to tear apart the whole season.You can debate this teams talents against other X teams and that's fine.But this team just completed the most successful regular season in school history against it's best overall schedule.I'm prett happy with that.Yes ultimately this teams legacy will be decided in the NCAA's and I think we all want to make the sweet 16 at least.But I don't understand the glass is half full attitude-or in some cases the glass has always been empty attitude.

[gsweeney]

It might be late but I just want to thank Mr. N for his usual entertaining posts after a loss.

The one upside to an X loss is coming on MM and reading what horrible calamity is awaiting X because they dropped a game.

I hope those posters who attempt to change Mr. N's perspective would back off. It's comforting to know their are still things in life on which I can depend.

[Mr. Neutral]

<<People like Mr N always turn a loss into a reason to tear apart the whole season.>>

Not quite true, but I agree that I have very visceral reactions to games, especially big games. Last night's crappy performance may turn out to mean nothing come next week. It may be the harbinger of things to come. We won't know until they tipoff again next week.

I'd rather predict a loss and have X win than predict a win and have X lose. Always have been that way, and not likely to change now. Others have a different outlook, and that's fine with me.

[bourbonman]

Q, sluggable sock. Genius. What's the next trick you'll pull out of your bag.

[wkrq59]

No trick in my bag...Was the brainchild of my beloved wife of 44 years...Can you imagine that? Someone putting up with me for 44 years?
BTW, she's slowly recovering from that last operation. I surely appreciate all the prayers and good wishes of the MM posters and the Xhoops as well. I'm back in my care-giver role and one good thing came out of my summer and fall-long bout with colon CA. I've lost 111 pounds and can now actually walk and bend over and touch my toes. A lot of other things have come into view since. And I think I beat the crab. Feel pretty good. Gonna have check-up endoscopy Friday. Looking forward to eating well again.

[bourbonman]

Way to go Q, Way to go! Good luck with Mrs Q.