A10fan2

I think X can absorb issues with bigs because Philmore will be back in another game. Guards is another story. THIN with only 3 true guards

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Muddy's from 2009

He has since made the same "prediction" this year. CLASSIC

blob

Nice win for X. One of the biggest keys to the season will be whether Semaj Christon can play like a non-freshman. He mostly struggled tonight. I wouldn't have thought X could solidly beat a team like Butler with Semaj struggling. In the future, probably won't be able to beat good opponents without big contributions from Semaj.

The nice thing about X is that every year the seniors step up. We're already seeing that with Robinson, Redford and Taylor all looking way better than last year. Those 3, Martin, Davis and Christon could be a very solid 6. If Stenger and Philmore can give positive contributions, all the better.

xavierhoops

Stenger didn't play well tonight. Not strong enough down low.

VERY impressed by Dee. Small floor general out there... and he's got some handles.

Taylor has some moves down low finally and Redford creating some of his own offense.

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Chris Mack in 3 years at Xavier has had twice the NCAA wins (4) of the entire Dayton coaching staff in the modern era of NCAA basketball (2).

xudash

There are the intangibles, though. Recall the rebound he made on the floor after a missed FTA, which led to a Butler player falling onto him, picking up a foul in the process. The team was juiced by his effort.

Our guys played hard through almost every possession. This is nothing like what we were expecting to start the season. They look more together than last year's squad at this time, because they're playing as a team.

9th in the A10 if this effort keeps up? Sure, believe that all you want Xavier haters.

antboy

Not a Xavier-hater, but I do think X will be lucky to make it through the season without losing players to injury and will find it tougher than today on the road. If fouls or injury happens to a starter, then that thin depth becomes walk-ons playing major minutes against tough competition. I hope that doesn't happen though, hate to see injuries derail a team.

xavierhoops

He hustles and plays hard. And I do remember that play. But how many rebounds got tipped out of his hands or he just got out-muscled from. He had a couple opportunites down low where he just couldn't finish cause he didn't go up strong enough. I'd guess his minutes will decrease as the season goes on.

Very impressed overall though. Much better ball movement, much better defense than anyone expected.

I wonder the buy-out Xavier is going to have to pay Mack when they fire him at the end of this year since he very obviously cannot coach and even more clearly cannot recruit. I bet his deal was sweetened after 2 A-10 championships, 2 Sweet 16's and 3 NCAA's in 3 years.

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Chris Mack in 3 years at Xavier has had twice the NCAA wins (4) of the entire Dayton coaching staff in the modern era of NCAA basketball (2).

stevex

Gotta think WH may want to rethink that 14th place finish. X barring injury may win this league. Brad Stevens laughed at that 9th place prediction by the media, I wonder what he'd say about WH's prediction.

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Zip Em Up!!!!

UMass87

where's Title_BU?

xavierhoops

Did WH really predict Xavier to finish 14th in the A-10?

If that's true, he either can't objectively look at Xavier, or he doesn't know a whole lot about basketball.

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Chris Mack in 3 years at Xavier has had twice the NCAA wins (4) of the entire Dayton coaching staff in the modern era of NCAA basketball (2).

MudFlap

Semaj spent the weekend in a hospital, so didn't think he would be close to full tilt. He had some nice assists tho. I had one of those infections once and not only does it hurt like hell, it totally saps your energy. I was in bed a week. He did good.

bprichard

Or that X just looked terrible on paper. On the court in their first two games, they've looked sharp. I don't think it's going to be an easy season, especially since just one injury could be a real problem, but I'm definitely impressed by the kind of team game that X is playing right now. Damn you guys, going all Chumbawumba on us.

MudFlap

X still has some talent left on this team. If you like the defensive game like I do, show me a better effort, especially against a team that prides themselves on tough D.

xavierhoops

Not sure what you mean by "easy" season (I don't think anyone is predicting another A-10 championship or Sweet 16)... but 14th in the Atlantic 10??? Wow. Our talent isn't that bad. Depth could be an issue... but talent? And evidently coaching.

What did he rank Butler? Cause the 14th place team in WH's mind just beat whatever Butler was by 17 points without Philmore.. top 5?

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Chris Mack in 3 years at Xavier has had twice the NCAA wins (4) of the entire Dayton coaching staff in the modern era of NCAA basketball (2).

Boozehound

Not only without Philmore, but without any scoring contribution from Semaj who is coming off an injury...

Keith Braswell

WH never likes Xavier when he does his preseason rankings.