xfactor9600

I'm almost positive that there is some sort of matrix used to distribute Tourney funds. I've seen it on the A-10 boards before. I'll take a look and see if I can find it.

I concur with Pistol's assessment. Xavier lately has not played well away from home. I'm not predicting by any means, but it would not shock me if X lost this one on a neutral floor. After the last month, I've prepared myself for any possibility in March. Teams have shot well against X lately and the team doesn't seem to be as quick to the ball as earlier in the season defensively. PG: Holloway and Jackson have both played better the past couple of games at the point. I'd still give the edge to K. Mitchell. SG. Raymond has been solid. But he's still a streak shooter. Redford is great as a back-up. I don't have quite the crush on him that other Musketeer fans have, but there is no denying his range. SF: CJ Anderson is hurt and has played poorly the last ten games. He is tough as nails though. PF: Derrick Brown has had a quiet junior year based on what was expected of him C: Love will be tough down low. It'll be interesting to see which Frease comes to Atlantic City. Will you get the one that was A-10 Freshman of the week? or the tentative Frease around the hoop. SLU's best chance today is to force tons of turnovers. I'm looking forward to a great injury-free game from both squads.

The A-10 only allows 20 minute ceremonies before a game. If the ceremony is longer it comes after the game or some other time. Supposedly this is to keep some sort of level competition for the visitor as apparently the A-10 doesn't want crowds being whipped into a frenzy with a 45 minutes senior night celebration. I'm not sure this policy is actually effective. Cintas was rockin Thursday night.

Which is why it probably won't be implemented.

Just to be clear, there are many X fans who hate the whole watermelon thing. I can't stand it myself, and know many people who feel the same.

If you guys are interested in the whole watermelon thing... there are many X alum who are tired of it and willing to give it up. I've always personally thought it was the dumbest thing. But whatever. Just wanted to congratulate you guys on the big win against UD. Hopefully X fairs better on March 5 than they did in Dayton.

Dionte Christmas has my vote. Derrick Brown is a great player, but he doesn't yet take over games like many figured he would. Christmas just gets the game of basketball and is fun to watch.

Cool... I get it on Direct TV. Finally I get to see SLU play this season.

Is this game on TV anywhere?

I believe there is also a set amount of guaranteed games each team plays as well. Even if you lose all of your games I believe you still play two.

Because clearly UD arena is much better than Cintas or Chaefitz... I for one don't think X will leave until SLU does and I predict it will likely be to the same conference. The institutions are too much alike.

I thought so as well. Kenny looks awkward down low right now for X. He's still adjusting from the HS to college game. I'm guessing BT is getting more minutes than Frease right now. However, I do think Frease will progress as the season goes and Thompson/Frease and Mitchell/Holloway matchups are going to be big over the next few years.

I think you guys have found yourself a point guard in Mitchell. I'm already looking forward to the Terrell Holloway/ Mitchell matchup next season. It also felt like SLU had a bunch of baskets that just didn't drop.

They're tradition. A get fired up kinda thing. If you do a search you'll find one for almost every game the Musketeers have played over the last few seasons.

Good luck tonight Billikens.

Uh... Musketeermadness was the only site for a very long time. I actually started that site about 1.5 years ago I believe. I know many of the XH posters are former MM posters, and there's a little bit of a cross-over. I'm just excited for a good conference basketball game.

Thanks for the compliments (if you're talking about XH, it's my site). I really wish the A10 would wisen up and make XU-SLU a permanent home and home.

I'd be shocked is Xavier beats SLU by double digits. I'm expecting a close one like always.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=283652154 Talk about hurting the conference cause. Hopefully X plays better against Robert Morris tonight. Hope everyone has a great New year!

X can't hit FT's right now. It's something that's been gaining on them for awhile, and finally caught up to them in the past couple of games.

For some reason I thought the X vs. Toledo game was a scrimmage, or at least that was discussed at some point. It doesn't look that way now the way it's on the schedule.

We've gotten slammed over at XH today with BOTS too SSG

I think you'll find a better turnout for your students now that you've got an on-campus "Palace" (I mean that sincerely, it looks like a great place to watch a game. When I was a student at X, i had to ride a school sponsored bus to the Cincinnati Gardens to watch the games or hitch a ride from a friend who was driving. If X was playing UMASS or someone good, then student attendance was excellent. If not, it was only the real basketball fans. SO fear not, I think your days of Student apathy about coming to games is over. Now if you can just get them to cheer once they're in the place.

A nice pick up for SLU. Seems to fill a need, which is always nice to do, as opposed to stockpiling players at one position. I don't recall if X offered him a scholarship or not. We've only got two (if you think Derrick Brown is going Pro after this year) or one left for 2009.

It seems to me the tactic of "misrepresenting" your players' heights, would only work if everyone was else was reporting their heights accurately.