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My cousin is a die hard UC fan. We typically go back and forth pretty good all year and in the offseason. This year, however, he just keeps telling me that X is going to dismantle the kittens and its a guaranteed win for us.
Now, I think this is just a tactic, but it got me wondering. What, if anything, is everyone else hearing from UC fans this year? Are they looking forward to upsetting a top 15 team on the road, or are they sheepish?
Moved out of the city a year ago, so don't interact with their kind as much as I used to.. But for the most part the people I talk to are looking forward to a good game. I think most realize they might be in trouble and any kind of confidence they would have had might have been erased by the Butler loss at homeQuote:
Originally Posted by XUOHTX
Everyone that I've talked to that follows UC thinks X is going to kill them, and it's not a tactic. I'm actually kind of surprised, because UC is actually pretty good.
Even the biggest SucKS fans hate the Jaundiced Leprechaun and think that CMack will coach rings around him.
The last 2 years were the years that all the Borecat honks thought was their year to wipe the floor with us. We won both games. Now we are strong as Vidalia onions and playing at home. The fact that YTG plays only cuppy cakes early on gives them no confidence either.
I know we won't be flat, but I never underestimate any opponent. Never. Step on their throats, as Byron Larkin likes to say.
UC has quite a bit of talent this year. With that being said, the Butler loss was demoralizing for them and they haven't played to their potential as of late. I also don't believe Cronin has ever won at Cintas so perhaps that weighs on his psyche and trickles down to his team. Unless they come out red-hot (Dee Davis last year :flex:) I don't see how they win this one especially at the 'tas. Go Muskies!
Does UC have fans?
My brother-in-law went there. I'm pretty sure he's unaware of the upcoming game.
No problemo. Dubya's got his back. (maybe some students need to drag some of the signs out of storage)Quote:
Originally Posted by redhawkmuskie
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopo...sh-germany.jpg
I doubt we let them come out red-hot.Quote:
Originally Posted by redhawkmuskie
It would seem that, if we can get up on them early in the first half and retain a nice lead into half-time, YTG will take it from there. He'll go into the locker room and wreck their confidence by playing the "tough" card until he faints. They'll end up losing all confidence, losing the game by 17.
Yeah, I think this is the best UC team in quite awhile. I think X wins at home, but it's not going to be a cakewalk.Quote:
Originally Posted by xubrew
Most UC fans I know are optimistic but know Xavier is the better team.
UC is trying to sneak up on us.
They had 6,000 fans at the game yesterday. For an alumni base as large as UC's that's embarrassing. I wonder what the average UC fan really feels about the program. The Huggins hangover is no longer a valid excuse. They've been winning under Cronin for an extended stretch. I just don't get it.
On to the game. I think many UC fans are downplaying this game as a tactic. If you've been following this game for the last 10-15 years you know anyone can win this game. You better show up and play hard or you'll get steamrolled.
It will be a war...it always is.
I would really love to stomp them into the ground, however I don't see it happening, I think it'll be a close one, they're a talented team that can actually match us on the boards, this comes down to Jalen's foul situations, and just making smart decisions. Who know's what happens when you infuse that type of emotion and energy into a game, however, it's at home, it's going to be loud. I have full faith in X to win this one.
I honestly dont have any reasonably close friends who are UC fans. I dont really even know too many people who support UC basketball or would consider themselves fans. Growing up I knew tons and I was always the odd one out in school when it came to being an XU fan. When I was still working in cincy I had some work acquaintances who I would go back and forth with a little bit but they were more causal UC fans.
Ah, this never gets old. Love it.Quote:
Originally Posted by MADXSTER
I'm surprised how confident we seem as fans. If the history of this series has taught us anything, it's that we throw records out the window and prepare for battle. (See Nov 26, 1996 and Dec 19, 1999, among others.) While I'd love to see a throat-stomping, humiliating, ass-whipping blowout, I'm prepared for a 40 minute war.
FUCK UC. LET'S GO X!
And better we all- and especially the team- be prepared for this.Quote:
Originally Posted by xeus
No matter the outcome of the game all i will hear from UC fans is how many national championships has Xavier Won? Or We are still leading the series
That's exactly where we want them. Living in the past.Quote:
Originally Posted by Xavier_Musketeers
There is exactly ZERO smack talk going on around my neck of the woods. I don't think their fans even care anymore, heck I don't even really know anyone who follows UC basketball closely anymore.
I love this one. 1962 was a LONG time ago. It's the equivalent of MOR reminding us he was once a handsome, athletic young man.Quote:
Originally Posted by Xavier_Musketeers
Don't understand their pride in that regard. National Championships are great but you know who won it the year after? Loyola Chicago. Needless to say, it was an era filled with powerhouses. Not to mention the NCAA and NIT were wrestling for the more prestigious championship. Seems a bit watered down to me.
No UC fans in NW Ohio. However, there are a number of dayton ones. It's been fun.
There is definitely significantly less interest in their program, both locally and nationally. They just aren't feared anymore, and that has a lot to do with Cronin not being a very recognizable coach. Part of his toughness mantra just doesn't translate when you're 5'7" and look like a leprechaun. He wants it to so bad though...it's like a chihuahua barking at you.
I said this years ago. The worst thing that happened to UC was the 2-3 year run under Brian Kelly. It was fool's gold. They came to expect that was going to be their reality, and their fans completely abandoned their basketball program (plus the love affair with Huggins happened right before that). Now, both are stuck in purgatory, with no real chance to elevate their profile as they can't afford top tier programs in both sports until they get into a major conference (and even if that happens, they still have an uphill battle).
Most of my die hard sUCks friends think Xavier is gonna win. I see it as a tactic.
I hate this game every year. They will be jacked after that Butler loss. It will probably come down to the last possession and take years off my life. If X wins at least I might gain some back from laughter and happiness after the game.
Frightened level = 10/10
They will not be getting invited into any major conference. When they decided to renovate Nippert this year everyone thought it was possibly the major conference powers that be telling them they need more capacity/ticket revenue to be considered for a major conference bid. Yet they go on to upgrade the luxury boxes and add minimal seating. Why? That decision seems nonsensical given that most money these days comes from football ala ticket sales. Laughably, it seems like they are digging themselves into a hole or they are just one senseless bunch down in Clifton.
It's the Shootout...the game is great because it's super competitive. Desire and pride can go a long way, that's why inferior teams can pull this game out with heart and passion. It speaks to the true nature of competitiveness and toughness in basketball. That's also which makes it that much sweeter when you beat them, because you know it hurts them even more in that context.
pull yourself together manQuote:
Originally Posted by gladdenguy
Part of me wonders if Mack is kind of hoping for us to struggle a bit tomorrow night.........an opportunity for him to get this team focused for the task at hand.
Given the infamous brawl, I would think the officiating in this game will be tight. Reynolds will especially be given no leeway. Although we risk limited minutes for him, I think a lot of fouls actually favors us. We have more depth in general and we are used to playing small in the case that Farr and Reynolds both get into foul trouble. Bluiett is unstoppable right now and they don't have a viable option to guard him. I trust Mack has a sophisticated game plan which account for numerous variables.
Cronin, at this very second, is devising ways to get Jalen a T. And it will probably work.
I think Jalen will be fine. I want his energy and swagger and I dont mind him getting some good hard fouls but I dont think they will bait him into a T. I have faith in Mack preparing him well.
I honestly believe what you are seeing is the cumulative impact of Mick Cronin as a coach. He has proven to be a reasonably adequate coach in terms of winning games, but I think he is horrible ambassador for a program. He's a terrible match for a fan base that loved Bob Huggins. There really isn't anything likable about a Mick Cronin program.
Combine that with the fact that programs at all levels of sport are needing to continually upgrade their facilities and experience to just retain fans, and that UC plays is the most out of date, hard to park near, crappy facility in the area. It's not hard to see why they aren't competing for the discretionary spending dollars of their former fan base.
There just isn't any compelling reason to be a UC fan.
Having said that, I think this game will be a very competitive game. UC has some real talent this year.
Couldn't agree more. Cronin is just an unlikable human being with the very worst kind of personality and no charm or charisma. Huggins, while a vile and reprehensible specimen, was at least charismatic and was detrimental mostly (albeit not entirely) to himself. Cronin would throw his mother under the bus. Huggins was the Darth Vader to our Luke Skywalker). Cronin is more like evil Jar Jar Binks. I used this analogy for Brew's benefit because i know how much he loves Star Wars.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kahns Krazy
I don't care who you are
That's funny right there
It seems most of you are hearing the same thing I am.
What is weird is we have been the underdog in this game many times and I don't ever remember our fans being timid and "expecting" to lose.
My opinion is this game was so big in the late 80's and 90's and a lot of us were young then and took this very serious, like our world would implode if X lost. Then Huggins got fired and the rivalry just wasn't the same. The new generation of X fans and UC fans never got to appreciate what this game really meant to us.