Orlando Classic (Xavier) Bracket Set

[murphy]

It is obvious that the UD / XU matchup brings some life to this board (note the number of views to this thread, the only other discussion for months with more views is the FS1 thread)
and likewise almost always any UD matchup against most any team, home or away, draws an unusual amount of interest the opposing school and the local media.

[David HD]

These matchups will never happen; Xavier think Dayton is a "little brother" so unless you see a tournament game, it won't happen. If Ohio State has anything to do with it they won't schedule Xavier, Dayton, or Cincinnati because of the "little brother." Dayton won't schedule Wright State for the same reason. Not saying it is right, but it is what it is. As much as I love Ohio State they only Ohio teams they will play are lower level schools, like playing Wright State last season. Same with Xavier scheduling Miami (Ohio). As much as some of these games would be fun to see, it simply won't happen in a regular season, which is sad.

Well, here's the thing. When you get to a certain level, you should embrace the idea of playing little brother because there aren't that many big brothers you can play. You can't fill your entire OOC schedule with national showcase games, and playing the "little brothers" is far better than most games you can get outside of the national showcases.

Most coaches don't do it, but a few do, and I think they do benefit from it. At the very least, they're not any worse off. Bruce Pearl (who certainly has his flaws) has always embraced these kinds of games, because he knows it engages the fans. Xavier may be big brother to Dayton, but they certainly were engaged when the two teams played this last weekend. That might be the understatement of the year. At Tennessee, he played Memphis, Chattanooga, and Middle Tennessee home and home. He actually sought those games out. At Auburn, he signed a long term deal to play UAB home and home. And, his thinking is that it engages the fans early in the year, it's good for the players, and it prepares his team for the intensity of conference play more than playing some other home cupcake. And if they lose, it doesn't mean they're suddenly not the big brother. Chattanooga and Middle Tennessee will be playing Southern Conference and Sun Belt teams and buried in the back of the sports page whether they beat Tennessee or not. Same with other schools around Alabama.

Virginia plays games like this as well, and I think it's helped them more than it's hurt them, even in the years where they lost the games. I mean...does anyone REALLY thing George Washington and VCU are suddenly bigger programs because they managed to beat UVA?? Virginia plays against ranked teams in huge arenas on national television. GW and VCU are playing on CBS Sports Network.

So, Ohio State doesn't need Xavier or Cincinnati. Xavier doesn't need Dayton. Dayton doesn't need Wright State or Miami. But, playing them is far more fun than not, and it while it's not needed, I do think there is something gained from doing it. I wish more teams did do it, because those games are fun to watch, especially before the big conference games get started.

[UD Flyer Fanatic]

The difference is those other teams have not had a history dating from 1940 having played 140 times which describes X and UD. Frankly it's the fun of sports to have a team like X (from my perspective) you love to hate. Out of curiosity has there been any comparable history between any current BE teams? I'd presume there are some long standing series but honestly don't know...

[Westbrook#36]

It is obvious that the UD / XU matchup brings some life to this board (note the number of views to this thread, the only other discussion for months with more views is the FS1 thread)
and likewise almost always any UD matchup against most any team, home or away, draws an unusual amount of interest the opposing school and the local media.

No it mostly likely means that lurking and visiting dayton fans infest this board and view these threads and drive up the count. Also this thread was started in July, over four months ago. But continue to be under the illusion that dayton draws any kind of real interest from anyone outside their fan base, other than posters checking in and seeing dayton fans making fools of themselves.

[DudeAnon]

X will never let Dayton in. Simple.

[XUFan09]

Xavier not wanting to play UD extends beyond the basketball court. The two schools are Catholic institutions in southwestern Ohio with similar identities, recruiting similar student populations in what is becoming a tighter market for private schools. Xavier wants to use the Big East not just as a basketball recruiting tool but also as a general recruiting tool, one that can establish it as more "big-time" than Dayton (I mean in perception, not in reality, as both are good but not great universities). This idea of separation is a major part of the administration's motivation to not have Dayton in the conference but it also probably contributes to why they don't want to play them (or at minimum, don't really care to). In a way, playing Dayton puts the two schools on a similar level of comparison, because so much else about the schools is similar. The analogy to flagship state institutions vs. regional state institutions is off the mark, as one is clearly above the other in the pecking order in that matchup. Two independent private universities who have played sports against each other for the equivalent of the average American life expectancy and who draw students of similar caliber from the same high schools don't appear as separated, even if one holds the edge recently (at least in basketball). Added to that, Mack probably really doesn't like Dayton and doesn't care to have anything to do with them. If the adminstration wanted the game to happen, they would override him, but they either don't want it either or don't feel strongly in favor of it for the reasons listed above.

Now I would still like to play the game. I'm not heartbroken that we don't, and I understand the administration and Mack's motives, but it would be cool to see again.

[Xudash]

It is obvious that the UD / XU matchup brings some life to this board (note the number of views to this thread, the only other discussion for months with more views is the FS1 thread)
and likewise almost always any UD matchup against most any team, home or away, draws an unusual amount of interest the opposing school and the local media.

No it mostly likely means that lurking and visiting dayton fans infest this board and view these threads and drive up the count. Also this thread was started in July, over four months ago. But continue to be under the illusion that dayton draws any kind of real interest from anyone outside their fan base, other than posters checking in and seeing dayton fans making fools of themselves.

This poor UD fool lives in a bubble that is almost beyond believable. I immediately thought of Villanova, Georgetown and the other C7 fans as soon as I read this: "and likewise almost always any UD matchup against most any team, home or away, draws an unusual amount of interest the opposing school and the local media." You guys have deep histories with teams like UCONN, Syracuse, etc. and you otherwise attract solid OOC schedules every year.

I bet you guys would get real cranked up for the PRIVILEGE of playing the Cryers, as compared to playing many of the teams you're accustomed to playing; teams that actually matter on the national scene.

BTW, nice decisive win over another A10 team.

[Fieldhouse Flyer]

Ohio State and Xavier never play. Ohio State and Dayton never play.

These matchups will never happen; Xavier thinks Dayton is a "little brother" so unless you see a tournament game, it won't happen.

If Ohio State has anything to do with it, they won't schedule Xavier, Dayton, or Cincinnati because of the "little brother."

Today’s RPI Rankings

2 – Xavier (7-0)
12 - Dayton (5-1)
39 - Cincinnati (7-0)
273 - Ohio State (2-4)

Not much joy in Columbus this morning.

[RomainSato10]

They wont play as long Mack is the coach. It doesnt really benefit Xavier bc they probably will win the home game and then going away, UD builds it up so big that they play out of their minds and not a good result for Xavier.

Mack and Archie are friends, do not want to play each other

Macks wife got called C & B bombs last time X played there, why would he want to go back? Every fan base has bad eggs but that was reported in the paper, she is in the HoF at UD

Xavier has UC and Butler has rivals, thats 3 games a year

X would rather schedule a team from the SEC or another football conference and try and steal a win on the road rather than go up to UD

[ChelseaFriar]

They wont play as long Mack is the coach. It doesnt really benefit Xavier bc they probably will win the home game and then going away, UD builds it up so big that they play out of their minds and not a good result for Xavier.

Sounds like the PC/URI series.