Xavier (6) vs Butler (9)

[XUFan09]

Butler's defense is simply bad, but their offense is excellent. It reminds me of Xavier last year, actually, though Butler's defensive issues might actually be worse. Hopefully they improve on that side of the ball like Xavier did.

[stever20]

Butler is fine. They're the same team that just rolled thru non-conference against Purdue, etc. They have no injuries and Dunham went 3 for 5 from 3 yesterday so he's back. Teams don't go from F4 contender to suckitude, so relax. They remain a deep team that can go deep in the BE and NCAA's.

Two things happened... they lost a tight game against the #12 team, and they lost by double-digits at Xavier like it's happened to every other XU opponent... plus it was only a 5 point margin mid-2nd (57-52 I think).

X and Butler opened with 2 tough games. Then yesterday one of them had to lose.

Added thought:
- Generally, i think I'd try to reduce Tyler Lewis's minutes and let Jones run the point more.
- I'm a huge fan of the sophs Wideman and Martin. Both are legit.
- i like the idea of letting Dunham continue to shoot. "Go home with the guy that brung ya."

Isn't that what we said about them 2 years ago? They were 10-2 OOC, started 0-2 in conference play- losing by 3 in OT to Nova, and by 11 @ X, and never got on track.

Butler like was mentioned had a soft OOC schedule. Purdue right now is the only team they beat that would be a lock for the tourney right now.

[BEhomer]

Isn't that what we said about them 2 years ago? They were 10-2 OOC, started 0-2 in conference play- losing by 3 in OT to Nova, and by 11 @ X, and never got on track.

Butler like was mentioned had a soft OOC schedule. Purdue right now is the only team they beat that would be a lock for the tourney right now.

that wasn't an entirely different team. no wideman/martin/jones. dunham was soph. schrab was just freshman. this butler team does have some pieces. they just ran into two very good teams.

[milksteak]

Our OOC schedule wasn't tremendous by any means, but I think we can confidently say Purdue, Miami FL and Cincinnati will make the tournament.

[stever20]

Our OOC schedule wasn't tremendous by any means, but I think we can confidently say Purdue, Miami FL and Cincinnati will make the tournament.

didn't beat Miami and Cincy definitely not a lock right now. Right now only Purdue that they beat you could say is a lock for the tourney.

[GumbyDamnit!]

Our OOC schedule wasn't tremendous by any means, but I think we can confidently say Purdue, Miami FL and Cincinnati will make the tournament.

Not so fast with Cincy. One decent OOC win vs GWU does not a complete tourney resume' make. Shaky start to their conf season (lost at home to a poor Temple team). Cincy needs to finish in top 3 of the AAC, beat UCONN & SMU at least once, and avoid any more bad losses, to get a bid IMO. Current RPI is 107.

[stever20]

Our OOC schedule wasn't tremendous by any means, but I think we can confidently say Purdue, Miami FL and Cincinnati will make the tournament.

Not so fast with Cincy. One decent OOC win vs GWU does not a complete tourney resume' make. Shaky start to their conf season (lost at home to a poor Temple team). Cincy needs to finish in top 3 of the AAC, beat UCONN & SMU at least once, and avoid any more bad losses, to get a bid IMO. Current RPI is 107.

I don't know that they have to beat SMU at least once. But may need to go 2-1 vs UConn.

[Xudash]

Our OOC schedule wasn't tremendous by any means, but I think we can confidently say Purdue, Miami FL and Cincinnati will make the tournament.

Not so fast with Cincy. One decent OOC win vs GWU does not a complete tourney resume' make. Shaky start to their conf season (lost at home to a poor Temple team). Cincy needs to finish in top 3 of the AAC, beat UCONN & SMU at least once, and avoid any more bad losses, to get a bid IMO. Current RPI is 107.

Little Micky Cronin and his patsy scheduling philosophy (not Butler, obviously) biting UC in the butt again. I hope he stays at UC forever.

[stever20]

Our OOC schedule wasn't tremendous by any means, but I think we can confidently say Purdue, Miami FL and Cincinnati will make the tournament.

Not so fast with Cincy. One decent OOC win vs GWU does not a complete tourney resume' make. Shaky start to their conf season (lost at home to a poor Temple team). Cincy needs to finish in top 3 of the AAC, beat UCONN & SMU at least once, and avoid any more bad losses, to get a bid IMO. Current RPI is 107.

Little Micky Cronin and his patsy scheduling philosophy (not Butler, obviously) biting UC in the butt again. I hope he stays at UC forever.

that's funny- scheduling Nebraska, GW, Butler, Xavier, VCU, and Iowa St- are patsy's. Projected SOS is #138 for OOC. That's not bad.

[GumbyDamnit!]

Our OOC schedule wasn't tremendous by any means, but I think we can confidently say Purdue, Miami FL and Cincinnati will make the tournament.

Not so fast with Cincy. One decent OOC win vs GWU does not a complete tourney resume' make. Shaky start to their conf season (lost at home to a poor Temple team). Cincy needs to finish in top 3 of the AAC, beat UCONN & SMU at least once, and avoid any more bad losses, to get a bid IMO. Current RPI is 107.

I don't know that they have to beat SMU at least once. But may need to go 2-1 vs UConn.

If GWU doesn't dominate the A10, there is a good chance they could fall. If Uconn (RPI 64) doesn't do the same in the AAC, they will not climb high enough. Do you really want to sit before the committee with 0-4 mark against the RPI top 50 and expect a bid?