wkrq59
03-17-2009, 01:20 AM
Lately, as I sift through the topics here and on MM, my mind wanders. And as I wander, I wonder:
WHY are we so obsessed and upset with hearing someone, ignorant though he, she or it may be, lump all non-Big 6 Conference schools together under the label, "Mid-Major?"
I don't believe Xavier is any more a mid-major than Memphis or Creighton or Gonzaga. Really, it's just a convenient way for a lazy analyst or a BCS snob to lump and label all the schools and their basketball programs for purposes of discrimination.
We all know those programs mentioned are competitive and significant and when they compete with the Big 6 schools, and win, their "body of work" in the words of NCAA tournament selection committee chairman Mike Slive is a significant factor for their inclusion in the field of 65.
WHY both major Chicago newspapers appear to not hold Xavier in too high regard?
Maybe we're just being too sensitive. Hey, even our own home-town newspaper continues to play high schools and a non-achieving program across town over Xavier's achievements. Oh well, maybe, judging from the size of the editions, their life expectancy may not be much longer than the San Francisco Chronicle.
WHY Lance McCalister almost constantly says he never gets calls from Xavier fans and why most of us get so upset every time he tosses us a back-handed bone while UC, Ohio State and Butler are treated to filet mignon?
Maybe we fail to realize that with UC in the tank and not much hope of climbing out, with the Reds "iffy" as always and the Bengals prospects, like the stock market in a bear mode, he has to find some way to keep listeners and attract new ones. Sometimes I think that if it wouldn't create an even greater negative attitude toward Xavier basketball, we should just ignore him. And never listen. And never react to anything we're told that he said or did. Maybe we don't walk down that road because we want others to be as proud of Xavier as we are, although we know in his case that won't happen.
WHY the NCAA selection committee, in some of the worst economic times in this nation's history, chooses to send our Musketeers thousands of miles away to Boise, Idaho, to play a basketball game against a Portland State team whose fans can join them at the game after a few hours drive ?
Because they can and it's their party and if you don't like it, you can Nancy Reagan it and just say "NO" the next time you're invited. And we all know that teams aren't assigned to play in regions based on the convenience for their fans. Let's see, North Carolina playing in Greensboro, Ohio State and Louisville playing in Dayton, Indiana and Purdue being assigned in past years to the old RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Oh, well, that's life.
WHY the NCAA apparently has a clear case of "Academic Fraud," and "Lack of institutional Control" --the most serious violations of its bylaws possible--against Florida State University and nothing is done about it?
It used to be said that the NCAA got so mad at Kentucky it slapped Cleveland State with two more years of probation. FSU's legendary football coach Bobby Bowden once told me, as he lit one of those big Cuban cigars which were at the time banned in the USA, "Son, at FSU we don't break NCAA rules, but we sure as hell bend 'em as far as they can go." The same school which weathered a group of athletes involved in unauthorized removal of electronic entertainment devices from a store without compensating the owner financially for the merchandise, will probably get just a wrist slap for this too. But remember when the letters FSU meant "Free Stereo Unit?"
WHY some contributors to both of these chat boards appear to have more knowledge of what is wrong with Xavier's players, lineup or Sean's tactics after a loss?
Well, I guess love does make many things possible.
WHY, every time there is a job opening at one of the major schools such as Arizona or Virginia, the automatic worry-caused stomach acid churning on Xavier fans starts over the possibility of Sean Miller being lured away from Muskie-Land?
I guess it's just a case of loving what Sean has accomplished and hating the idea that he might leave. Why he'd want to leave a job he said he'd be at for many years to come is puzzling. Why he'd want to even think about Virginia considering how difficult it is to compete and win in that league and how the last two coaches departed not of their choosing, is beyond me. No it isn't, except Sean has given indications that Xavier is a destination job. In any event, the Rite of Spring at Xavier will likely continue. [/B]
WHY those of us who before the season expected good but not great things to happen are now either predicting dire days ahead in the next two weeks or expressing disappointment in the season?
I guess once you've tasted the heady wine of Elite 8 success there is only one more level to attain. That's the trouble with great expectations. They often yield great disappointment. But, mama, if you stay in the middle of the road won't you likely get run over?:D
WHY are we so obsessed and upset with hearing someone, ignorant though he, she or it may be, lump all non-Big 6 Conference schools together under the label, "Mid-Major?"
I don't believe Xavier is any more a mid-major than Memphis or Creighton or Gonzaga. Really, it's just a convenient way for a lazy analyst or a BCS snob to lump and label all the schools and their basketball programs for purposes of discrimination.
We all know those programs mentioned are competitive and significant and when they compete with the Big 6 schools, and win, their "body of work" in the words of NCAA tournament selection committee chairman Mike Slive is a significant factor for their inclusion in the field of 65.
WHY both major Chicago newspapers appear to not hold Xavier in too high regard?
Maybe we're just being too sensitive. Hey, even our own home-town newspaper continues to play high schools and a non-achieving program across town over Xavier's achievements. Oh well, maybe, judging from the size of the editions, their life expectancy may not be much longer than the San Francisco Chronicle.
WHY Lance McCalister almost constantly says he never gets calls from Xavier fans and why most of us get so upset every time he tosses us a back-handed bone while UC, Ohio State and Butler are treated to filet mignon?
Maybe we fail to realize that with UC in the tank and not much hope of climbing out, with the Reds "iffy" as always and the Bengals prospects, like the stock market in a bear mode, he has to find some way to keep listeners and attract new ones. Sometimes I think that if it wouldn't create an even greater negative attitude toward Xavier basketball, we should just ignore him. And never listen. And never react to anything we're told that he said or did. Maybe we don't walk down that road because we want others to be as proud of Xavier as we are, although we know in his case that won't happen.
WHY the NCAA selection committee, in some of the worst economic times in this nation's history, chooses to send our Musketeers thousands of miles away to Boise, Idaho, to play a basketball game against a Portland State team whose fans can join them at the game after a few hours drive ?
Because they can and it's their party and if you don't like it, you can Nancy Reagan it and just say "NO" the next time you're invited. And we all know that teams aren't assigned to play in regions based on the convenience for their fans. Let's see, North Carolina playing in Greensboro, Ohio State and Louisville playing in Dayton, Indiana and Purdue being assigned in past years to the old RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Oh, well, that's life.
WHY the NCAA apparently has a clear case of "Academic Fraud," and "Lack of institutional Control" --the most serious violations of its bylaws possible--against Florida State University and nothing is done about it?
It used to be said that the NCAA got so mad at Kentucky it slapped Cleveland State with two more years of probation. FSU's legendary football coach Bobby Bowden once told me, as he lit one of those big Cuban cigars which were at the time banned in the USA, "Son, at FSU we don't break NCAA rules, but we sure as hell bend 'em as far as they can go." The same school which weathered a group of athletes involved in unauthorized removal of electronic entertainment devices from a store without compensating the owner financially for the merchandise, will probably get just a wrist slap for this too. But remember when the letters FSU meant "Free Stereo Unit?"
WHY some contributors to both of these chat boards appear to have more knowledge of what is wrong with Xavier's players, lineup or Sean's tactics after a loss?
Well, I guess love does make many things possible.
WHY, every time there is a job opening at one of the major schools such as Arizona or Virginia, the automatic worry-caused stomach acid churning on Xavier fans starts over the possibility of Sean Miller being lured away from Muskie-Land?
I guess it's just a case of loving what Sean has accomplished and hating the idea that he might leave. Why he'd want to leave a job he said he'd be at for many years to come is puzzling. Why he'd want to even think about Virginia considering how difficult it is to compete and win in that league and how the last two coaches departed not of their choosing, is beyond me. No it isn't, except Sean has given indications that Xavier is a destination job. In any event, the Rite of Spring at Xavier will likely continue. [/B]
WHY those of us who before the season expected good but not great things to happen are now either predicting dire days ahead in the next two weeks or expressing disappointment in the season?
I guess once you've tasted the heady wine of Elite 8 success there is only one more level to attain. That's the trouble with great expectations. They often yield great disappointment. But, mama, if you stay in the middle of the road won't you likely get run over?:D