Are we even allowed to the next round!!!????

[D-West & PO-Z]

Those are two vastly different fights. We don't need to fight for respect, take a look at our seed. We were obviously given respect. And, the ONLY way we will win the perception game is on the floor, and we totally killed it there. I'd prefer Mack take the high road and simply praise the seniors and let our play speak for itself, rather than mocking people who picked against us.

But, like someone else said, if that's what it takes to fire up the locker room and get them to play like that, totally fine with it. Whatever it takes to make performances like that happen again, I can support.

The bolded part is defintely FALSE. Having the respect of the media and talking heads and not them constantly talking down or bad about us is a huge part of the perception.

Look at Gonzaga, they have only been to the Sweet 16 twice in the last 13 years and only to the Elite 8 once ever, 16 years ago. I almost guarantee the general public would not know that they have had that limited success in the tournament. The media hypes Gonzaga hard. Regular season success obviously has something to do with that but they seem to get a pass on dominating their conference while XU got bashed for dominating a weaker league for a time.

Only getting results in the tournament is usually enough if they talking heads on ESPN and other networks, that high school kids are watching, are bashing our conference or team.

[paulxu]

and only to the Elite 8 once ever, 16 years ago.

Perfect example of perception. With the face time they get, the casual fan would think they've been there every other year.

[XUFan09]

Dang, I forgot about Gonzaga! That's an even better example of winning the perception game than the 2008 Xavier team, because the Zags won the perception game despite not winning that many actual games.

[MADXSTER]

Gonzaga, outside of Arizona, is the only basketball team on the west coast. The west coast media has to talk about someone. There really haven't been any consistent teams. Think about it, USC, UCLA, Utah maybe, Oregon maybe, Washington, Washington St, Arizona St, really no basketball power houses.

Miller fell into a great opportunity because no one else out west really recruits or coaches well. So the media talks about Arizona and Gonzaga. Gotta talk about somebody.

[LadyMuskie]

The bolded part is defintely FALSE. Having the respect of the media and talking heads and not them constantly talking down or bad about us is a huge part of the perception.

Look at Gonzaga, they have only been to the Sweet 16 twice in the last 13 years and only to the Elite 8 once ever, 16 years ago. I almost guarantee the general public would not know that they have had that limited success in the tournament. The media hypes Gonzaga hard. Regular season success obviously has something to do with that but they seem to get a pass on dominating their conference while XU got bashed for dominating a weaker league for a time.

Only getting results in the tournament is usually enough if they talking heads on ESPN and other networks, that high school kids are watching, are bashing our conference or team.

Completely agree.

Gonzaga gets an obscene amount of love for the amount of success the program has had. I don't know if it's because they're ranked during the regular season or what, but it's annoying. I do think having a coach stick around helps. It gives the perception that the program is a destination rather than a stepping stone.

[MADXSTER]

Completely agree.

Gonzaga gets an obscene amount of love for the amount of success the program has had. I don't know if it's because they're ranked during the regular season or what, but it's annoying. I do think having a coach stick around helps. It gives the perception that the program is a destination rather than a stepping stone.

That's what I think Xavier needs. A coach who is identified with a winning program. Say what you will but huggins had that with UC. Dean Smith with NC and had the same asst coach for 30 years. Few with the Zags. It's great that Xavier has come through with good coaches but its time to have one stick around long term for the programs sake.

[D-West & PO-Z]

That's what I think Xavier needs. A coach who is identified with a winning program. Say what you will but huggins had that with UC. Dean Smith with NC and had the same asst coach for 30 years. Few with the Zags. It's great that Xavier has come through with good coaches but its time to have one stick around long term for the programs sake.

As long as we dont want to chase them out mid season every year! (sorry, I know, couldnt resist,).......and I am Joking!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Gonzaga, outside of Arizona, is the only basketball team on the west coast. The west coast media has to talk about someone. There really haven't been any consistent teams. Think about it, USC, UCLA, Utah maybe, Oregon maybe, Washington, Washington St, Arizona St, really no basketball power houses.

Miller fell into a great opportunity because no one else out west really recruits or coaches well. So the media talks about Arizona and Gonzaga. Gotta talk about somebody.

Yeah I am not saying anything about whether the media should or shouldn't be talking about them but commenting on how having commented on them all the time and pimping them most people would assume Gonzaga has done a lot more in their basketball history than they actually have.

[MADXSTER]

Yeah I am not saying anything about whether the media should or shouldn't be talking about them but commenting on how having commented on them all the time and pimping them most people would assume Gonzaga has done a lot more in their basketball history than they actually have.

I agree completely. It is borderline ridiculous

[xu82]

The bolded part is defintely FALSE. Having the respect of the media and talking heads and not them constantly talking down or bad about us is a huge part of the perception.

Look at Gonzaga, they have only been to the Sweet 16 twice in the last 13 years and only to the Elite 8 once ever, 16 years ago. I almost guarantee the general public would not know that they have had that limited success in the tournament. The media hypes Gonzaga hard. Regular season success obviously has something to do with that but they seem to get a pass on dominating their conference while XU got bashed for dominating a weaker league for a time.

Only getting results in the tournament is usually enough if they talking heads on ESPN and other networks, that high school kids are watching, are bashing our conference or team.

I admit that this shocked me. I guess I got hoodwinked like the rest of the country by the people telling the tale they want heard. Retaining a coach must be part of the sweet fairytale. What other schools are out there with no hype who have produced more? They are famous for being "pretty OK".