Travis Discussion

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Originally Posted by XUGRAD80

I don’t think it’s “bashing” to point out where a player is lacking in ability. No one is attacking him personally for being a bad person, teammate, or representative of X. They are pointing out deficiencies in his PLAY. They are also questioning the use of him by the coaching staff. He’s a MAC star who lacks the basketball ability to compete successfully against BE caliber frontline players that are bigger and stronger than what he faced in the MAC. That’s not “bashing” or blaming him for Xavier’s problems. The problem is exactly what others have said. Xavier simply is a “donut” team. They have a hole in the middle of the lineup. Neither Carter or Freemantle are the answer to that problem. Nor does Miles appear to be the answer, at least not at this point in his career. Xavier really struggled against teams that have a solid middle presence, and there was/is nobody on the roster that could solve that problem. Xavier did try to recruit players that might have been the answer, but they didn’t land any. Griffin was brought in with the hope that he might be another HankyMcStanky, but that didn’t work out either. I don’t really understand why Steele played Carter so much at times, but I also realize that nobody else on the roster was an obvious answer. My problem here is that Steele didn’t adjust how the team played to take advantage of the skills of the roster. Instead he tried to make the players adjust to his system. From what I saw all year, Carter really tried to do everything he was asked to do. He played really hard. Sometimes that’s just not enough though. He ended to be 2-3 inches taller, 20-30 lbs heavier, and have more strength and quickness....a lot to ask for, but it’s the kind of player(s) X doesn’t have on the roster.

The good news....there will probably be some transfers that just might be the answer available, and Xavier will have some open roster spots/scholarships available.

The not so good news....unless something changes X may not be able to entice any of them to come.

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Yes the bashing is not personal. I won't speak for others but none of my comments are about him as a person. But as a Big East basketball player I am and will be critical

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Originally Posted by drudy23

I also think we've drastically lowered the bar with our non conference schedule. It used to be something to look forward to.

I realize that's a result of the move to the Big East, but it's not been a good preparation for league play.

As I've previously mentioned, Steele likes long, skinny shooters. That's also who is in the recruiting pipeline. He's taken this "new age" player profile and gone all in on it. We need a Tyrique in the worst way, and until we get a couple of those on the roster, I see a similar pattern every year. Look pretty good in the non-conference against inferior competition, and get bullied in conference play.

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Yes we need someone like Tyrique but senior Tyrique and even junior Tyrique wasn’t that as a freshman and sophomore.

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Originally Posted by xavierj

Yes we need someone like Tyrique but senior Tyrique and even junior Tyrique wasn’t that as a freshman and sophomore.

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The skills weren't there, but the body and athleticism were. He may not have scored much, but he could bang. And if you have 2-3 of those type of guys at different age levels, you're set (one developed, one developing).

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Originally Posted by xavierj

The kind of players needed don’t just happen as soon as they step on Campus. Have to develop them and have to have a good strength and conditioning program. Miles can help but needs to be 250, not 200 lbs. same with Kunkel, Colby, and Zach. They all need to get bigger and stronger to be more effective. I look forward to them doing that this off season. Can’t get bullied next year, have to be the bully.

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Miles has been on campus two full season now. We aren't in the A-10 anymore. It cant take guys 2+ seasons to develop and be ready. On top of that, you gotta play them. If you think between now and next October, Kunkel is going to add 15-20 LBS and be a different player, you are kidding yourself.

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Originally Posted by bleedXblue

Miles has been on campus two full season now. We aren't in the A-10 anymore. It cant take guys 2+ seasons to develop and be ready. On top of that, you gotta play them. If you think between now and next October, Kunkel is going to add 15-20 LBS and be a different player, you are kidding yourself.

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Sure you can. Some players need to show up ready. If you got a couple guys that develop that’s fine it’s actually a good mix but you do have to give them that ability and get them some minutes. Even at blue chip programs they’ll have some guys that take a couple years to develop. You’re not gonna have every recruit come in as a freshman and average 20.

You’re right about kunkel though.

There’s nothing else to be said now about Coach Practice on this thread, for me.
He has now officially taken this program to the dumpster for 3 years- This year with “His Guys”. His last game was a 19 point second half and blowing a 15 plus point lead in the second half vs a team that lost its next game by 30. He went 2-6 in his last 8 games. He blew an NCAA bid and visibly misused a roster—AGAIN.

He won’t be fired, but no Xavier fan can be fired up about anything this offseason. The AFO Golf Outing will be a very interesting event this year and it remains to be seen if Steele even shows up. I’ve already heard that there will be no Butler County Steak Fry this summer. Cincinnati, we have a problem.

There is going to be a lot of skepticism next November and no forgiveness. Steele has burned all the goodwill. Gird your loins. Playtime is over.

I have seen and read enough. Steele should be done. If Kelsey pulls off an upset of Nova and we don’t hire him, we deserve being bottom feeders.Steele is just coming off like little man Cronin and that just isn’t what X is about. This is the first time I am embarrassed about our coach. We have lost before but this on a level I just don’t like.

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Originally Posted by ArizonaXUGrad

I have seen and read enough. Steele should be done. If Kelsey pulls off an upset of Nova and we don’t hire him, we deserve being bottom feeders.Steele is just coming off like little man Cronin and that just isn’t what X is about. This is the first time I am embarrassed about our coach. We have lost before but this on a level I just don’t like.

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Oh boy...

Pat Kelsey is going to the sweet 16. At that point Xavier needs to fire up the Buick and have it parked outside his plane.

Jesus.