Xavier (6) vs Villanova (17)

[Xudash]

I respect the hell out of X. Damn glad we got the best BB program in OH into the nBE. Knew it was just a matter of time before both programs started butting heads. We've been proud programs for a long time and I don't think that'll change any time soon. Damn shame to see that kid hit the floor like that today; no one on either team or in either fan base wanted to see that happen.

In terms of the game a few things X had against it today:
1. This is the best team X faced to date. When another team can match or exceed your talent and intensity for the first time in the season sometimes it is a shock. We experienced that with Okl and UVA. It made us better. Today will make you better.
2. We shoot really well at the Pavillion. Familiar site lines, familiar rims. If the game was at the WellsnFargo Ctr Inwould have been concerned. I went into today supremely confident. We don't just win at the Pavillion we usually undress teams there. Bad break in that regard.
3. X needs to figure out how to take away the 3 pt line from Nova. Last year in 3 games we hit 37 3's vs you guys. Seemed like we had 20 today. One game shooting anomaly today?--just sort of. But this is not a new thing in this series. Mack needs to figure that part of the game out at the Cintas.
4. This reminds me of the Wragge game in the sense that Nova was undefeated, got a really good ranking and then were brought right back to reality. I think the same happened today. X is a great team and will learn from it and improve.

Lastly lost in all of this is two Top 5 RPI teams inns serious college basketball heavyweight showdown. 3 years into this marvelous new conference and it felt like old times in the BE when L'ville or Cuse came to town.

Glad Sumner is OK. 'Til our next tilt...

Well done.

[n00b]

I think most of the negative Xavier reaction was a result of the Sumner situation.

When Ed went down, Xavier fans and even the players and coaches clearly cared very little about what was going on in the game. Heck, X fell behind by 20 and Mack never called a timeout. So as the game progress, X was very much just trying to get the game over with. Meanwhile, Villanova continued to play with an edge, wanting to make sure that X knew that this is still Nova's league. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. X has been successful over the years playing with that edge. But when one team is so out of it (for good reason) and the other team is playing with a bunch of swagger (nothing wrong with that) it just comes across poorly.

[Xavier4036]

I agree with everything you just wrote. Nova was fired up and coming at us (which is fine and should be expected) and we were just trying to get the game over with - also fine, after seeing one of your friends/teammates taken out on a stretcher unsure if he'd be able to walk again.

Nova has owned X. There is no doubt about that. My only point was, I wish they could play like this in March or OOC games, rather than just routing BE teams (and X in particular - they seem to have our number).

[X-man]

Hats off to 'Nova for an extraordinarily well-executed game yesterday. Xavier is better than they played yesterday, but would have been hard-pressed to win even at full strength given 'Nova's performance. We look forward to the return match at our house, with Ed Sumner back on the court. He is a difference maker and hopefully, will be the catalyst for breaking 'Nova's string of victories over my Muskies. What a great league we have going this season!

[BEhomer]

I will give a typical 'nova is not as good and xavier is not as bad as the 30 pt blowout yesterday'. can't really take much from the game except W and L. here's hoping the next time they meet we see double OT thriller.

[Xavier4036]

Yea, Sumner in the game wasn't going to change the outcome. Not even close. When Nova shoots 31% from 3 on the season and comes out and shoots 52% against X- you aren't going to win no matter who is on the floor.

[DudeAnon]

I honestly think both sides should be happy enough. Sumner is healthy and Nova showed the nation and themselves that they still can be an elite team.

[NovaBall]

, while I'm sure Nova fan's gloated over it.

on.

Xudash

I'm not sure you find many fans gloating over this win. That's what I can't seem to understand about some of the reaction.

It's a regular season game. You win some, you lose some, but ultimately it's not a huge result either way. Most nova fans want to see us play the best competition possible and would probably have preferred sumner didn't get hurt and we had a very competitive game so as to get a better read in where our teams stands.

[Xudash]

, while I'm sure Nova fan's gloated over it.

on.

Xudash

I'm not sure you find many fans gloating over this win. That's what I can't seem to understand about some of the reaction.

It's a regular season game. You win some, you lose some, but ultimately it's not a huge result either way. Most nova fans want to see us play the best competition possible and would probably have preferred sumner didn't get hurt and we had a very competitive game so as to get a better read in where our teams stands.

I didn't mean it in a negative fashion. The more appropriate term for it is "reveled." I would have reveled in that as a Nova fan.

[mpwalsh8]

, while I'm sure Nova fan's gloated over it.

on.

Xudash

I'm not sure you find many fans gloating over this win. That's what I can't seem to understand about some of the reaction.

It's a regular season game. You win some, you lose some, but ultimately it's not a huge result either way. Most nova fans want to see us play the best competition possible and would probably have preferred sumner didn't get hurt and we had a very competitive game so as to get a better read in where our teams stands.

I didn't mean it in a negative fashion. The more appropriate term for it is "reveled." I would have reveled in that as a Nova fan.

I don't think reveled is the proper word either. Am I happy that VU won? Sure, I am always happy when VU wins. I was happy to see the ball going in the basket from just about everywhere as that hasn't happened much lately except the LaSalle game. But with Sumner out we certainly didn't see Xavier's best game so other than a W, I don't know that we learned much about VU playing against a high caliber opponent. I expected a close game, a single digit with for VU mostly due to playing at home. Nice win? Yes. Satisfying win? No, not really.

I've watched the replay a number of times and I don't think it was a dirty play. Hard foul? Absolutely. Sumner was going in for statement dunk after a steal and Jenkins and Booth wanted to prevent it. Am I looking at the replay through VU tinted blue glasses? Sure but being as objective as I can, I still don't see it as a cheap foul. Had Jenkins not landed on Sumner, which would be hard to plan, he likely would have fallen pretty awkwardly and possibly landed on his back or head. I have not seen anything from the CBB press (Dauster, Goodman, Parish, Katz, Seth G, etc.) on Twitter or on their respective web sites stating it was a dirty play.

I look forward to the rematch with both clubs at full strength and it would not surprise me at all if X wins. What would surprise me is an X player when after a VU player as payback and I doubt very much it will happen.