Flyer75

As much as I dislike X, this seems a bit out there....I mean, he (and X) are being punished for a "clerical error" from 3 years ago???? I'm sure it would be easy to prove that he wasn't given a Porsche or 50K, especially at Towson.

bprichard

This seems pretty ridiculous. X should get by Fairleigh Dickinson and Robert Morris without him, but they could really use him against fake non-conference foe Butler. They need every able bodied man available at this point.

Muddy Waters

Men’s Hoops Notes (Shannon Russell, Cincinnati Enquirer - October 29, 2012 - 10:18 PM)

The Musketeers’ basketball season begins Saturday with a 7 PM exhibition against Division II Kentucky State, a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, at Cintas Center. The Thorobreds hail from Frankfort, Ky. and are coming off a 12-14 campaign in 2011-12.

Since Xavier had the closed scrimmage against West Virginia, this will be its only exhibition. Semaj Christon, Dee Davis and Travis Taylor all played well in the scrimmage, so it will be interesting to see them play together at Cintas Center in a non-Musketeer Madness, non-practice setting.

I’m starting to sound like a broken record on this matter, but there still isn’t an NCAA update on Chris Cantino’s status. Cantino (who has an eligibility issue stemming from his junior college) didn’t go to West Virginia and won’t play Saturday unless a positive ruling comes down before then.

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MudFlap

Mack picked up Juco Cantino literally hours after he knew it was losing Dez. In such a scenario, No X fan expected him to show up in terrific basketball shape and pick up the system in a month. I would expect he will see very limited time this year, if he is indeed elgible. Last option before playing a walk-on. Actually, a walk-on with time in the system might even play before him, so don't see this as any kind of issue either way for this year. He sits on the bench or he doesn't.

xu95

While I agree that Xavier isn't going to win anymore games with him than without him, he is a warm body that can be thrown in to rest the starters. I think we really need him this year.

Chalmers0

A few notes from Jon Rothstein stopping in on today's practice:

- "Greetings from the Cintas Center. Here taking in practice at Xavier. Anxious to get a glimpse of the new look Musketeers."

- "Depth and inexperience definitely the two biggest questions for Xavier. Musketeers have pieces though."

- "Xavier freshman James Farr has real potential as a stretch 4 man at 6-9. Needs to guard better. Very skilled lefty PF."

- "Xavier is used to having upperclassmen in its starting back court. This season? A freshman + a sophomore. Semaj Christon + Dee Davis."

- "No low post scorer like Kenny Frease up front for Xavier but good length w Justin Martin, Travis Taylor, and Jeff Robinson."

- "Teams in the Atlantic 10 should not sleep on Xavier. Musketeers still talented despite inexperience. Very capable team."

- "Justin Martin is the X-Factor for Xavier. Musketeers are a different team if he can score 8-10 PPG. Can really stretch defense w range."

- "Towson transfer Isaiah Philmore is a bull. Will regularly guard the opponent's best low post scorer. Has some Brian Cardinal in him"

- "Early prediction on Xavier starting five --- Semaj Christon, Dee Davis, Justin Martin, Travis Taylor, Jeff Robinson"

Obviously nothing too earth shattering or really out there but figured I'd post it for those who didnt see it.

Also according to Shannon, Redford did not travel to WV for the scrimmage due to a minor hamstring injury. Can't really afford to have him missing time due to our lack of backup guards...

Bill Russell

Rothstein's observations remind me of something...

Why in the HELL do modern sports journalists have such disdain for pronouns? It's f'ing unbelievable. They ALL do this sh*t now.

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Flyer75

Any injury to X this year will be hard to overcome with the depth, especially if Cantino is a no go. Not good to have one of those nagging hammy injuries, they seem to never go away.

stevex

Rothstein's article...

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/...s-from-xavier/

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Zip Em Up!!!!

AdamtheFlyer

Interesting observations from Rothstein. Farr being productive would help that team a bunch. But I think things that people typically leave unsaid must be said about this Xavier team. Every injury, even minor bumps, will have an effect. I think foul trouble is going to be a real issue. I also think executing a scouting report and adjusting to opponent's scouting could be a major issue as well. There is a real chance they may be limiting practice by February just to survive the cumulative physical and mental drain that comes with playing a game every 3.5 days over 4 months (especially with that OOC slate and the deep A10).

No question there is real talent. I just wonder if the things that can be questioned (everything else, really) will be too much to overcome.

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Sure, I've been called a xenophobe, but the truth is, I'm not. I honestly just feel that America is the best country and the other countries aren't as good. That used to be called patriotism.

uz2b-len

It's a real test of Mack's coaching skill. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out for him and them.

a10nick

Fixed that for you! A coach can do his best job ever of developing skills, team play, aggressiveness, and great game plans. But if he has a key player go down or a series of tough calls early in the game or second half, there's little a coach can do with as limited a number of available scholarship players as Coach Mack has.

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I just want the team I support to be in a stronger conference. I'd prefer it to be a stronger A-10! To me that would mean every member would have at least 2 trips to the NCAA Tourney and 5 winning seasons during each 10-year cycle. It would also be great for every program to seriously challenge for a league title (either regular season or Tourney) at least once during that same period of time.

MudFlap

Too many "if's" this year. I do believe that JMart will be the key IF he decides to play. He has the talent. Mack needs to build a fire under his butt. Should be entertaining year.

Medford

How can Cantino's status still be "up in the air"? That is ricockulous of the NCAA to both the school and the kid that the season has started and he doesn't know if he's eligible

AdamtheFlyer

I'm guessing it has more to do with the JUCO. The NCAA decision making process is very cut and dry once they get the needed info. It's getting the needed info that can take time.

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Sure, I've been called a xenophobe, but the truth is, I'm not. I honestly just feel that America is the best country and the other countries aren't as good. That used to be called patriotism.