Addressing the haters….

One of the weird things about being a Xavier fan is the apparent fact that we get more love from the national media than the local media.  I listened to Lance McAlister yesterday via the podcast and he could not believe how much backlash there was towards our success.  Which in and of itself is not surprising since Xavier has a decidedly small minority of fans in Cincinnati.  And I don’t expect UC fans to jump on the bandwagon, because I would never root for UC under any circumstances as well.  

It’s the rationale that drives me insane in the haters drive to belittle us.  Since we beat a 13 and a 12 seed that seems to somehow diminish our accomplishment of getting to the Sweet 16.  

I would imagine I speak for all Muskie fans when I say, “Sorry I’m not sorry.  No really, I apologize for our highly successful non-conference results and winning the conference title to EARN a 4 seed.  And I’m sorry Wisconsin didn’t bow down to Florida State after everyone and their brother picked the ‘Noles to get into the Sweet 16.  And I’m REALLY sorry we then had the audacity to beat the Badgers and reach the Sweet 16 for the second straight year.”

Ugh, why do I care so much?  

But ya know what?  This is one of the reasons I love Xavier.  There is something about having a small but very passionate and smart fan base that appeals to me in a very large way.  And X does not recruit players who want the attention.  We recruit players that want to WIN, period.  And that is more than evident from the quotes and demeanor of this and past year’s teams.  This was a quote from Derrick Brown I found off of Lance’s blog.  

“You can’t explain it to the outside world because they’re not in here, they don’t understand, People might think that it’s about stats and yadda yadda yadda, but we all care about each other and we got the job done. We’re going to the Sweet 16, baby!”

That pretty sums it up for this Xavier fan.  I doubt there are too many players around the country that think this way about their program and team.

And to all the haters I say, “Meh.”  

Tomorrow, we shall delve into the world of Pittsburgh basketball and our perception of how to pull off the upset.

Let’s go X!

I am never gonna get tired of this!

(Cincinnati.com)

Jason Love and Dante Jackson are great American heroes!  

Ledgewood will have a complete rundown of our experience at the Crosstown Shootout in a day or two after he sorts out camera issues.  (We have plenty of pics)  

In the meantime, let’s bask in the glory that is being Kings of the Queen City for another year!  

Let’s go X!

Almost time…..

Sean Miller is ready and hates UC just like you and me!

I am about to embark on the two hour drive to Cincinnati and could not be more excited.  This will be the first time I witness Xavier playing at an opposing team’s gym so it might as well be at the Shootout.

This song always does the trick for me…..

 

Let’s Go X!

The Shootout….

Lenny Brown rules!  

I admit it.  I have an inferiority complex when it comes to my Xavier fandom.  And that is what really brings out the hatred in me for UC.  Too much of being treated like a little brother by that school in Clifton.  ”Ah, look at little Xavier over there by Norwood.  They think they are good….” Guess what?  We’re ranked 9th and 10th right now clowntowns!  But I guess it really doesn’t matter because there have been too many instances where records and talent had almost zero impact on the actual game.  For instance, take the last two games in this rivalry.  We barely won by 5 at home in the beautiful Cintas Center last season and were embarrassed by 10 at the Shoe two years ago to a UC team that was still getting use to life without Huggins and had first year coach Mick Cronin at the helm.  And of course I doubt I need to rehash our two victories over the then ranked #1 Bearcats during the 90’s.  Just take a look at Lenny Brown there.  

That shot came a bit before my time as a Xavier fan, but I was introduced rather well to the shootout my freshman year in 2004 when Lionel hit one of those “no……YES!!!!!!!” shots that keep you coming back time and time again to sports.  That is still the best game I’ve ever seen in person.  Great atmosphere, great game, and an even better outcome that propelled the Muskies their first ever elite eight appearance.  

UC sucks…

I recorded UC’s last game against UAB and watched most of it last night.  In a game like the shootout, they have more than enough talent to beat us, especially because it is on their home court.  Hard to take a whole lot out of the game in terms of x’s and o’s because UAB is on the smaller side and stylistically we have very little in common with the Blazers.  Mainly, I just didn’t want to be blind in terms of not having seen UC play one minute this year before I enter 5/3 Arena Saturday night.  Ledgewood and I will be attending the game.  It will be out first trip to Clifton and cannot wait.  As of yesterday, there was still 1,000 tickets left for sale to the game.  To go along with the 6,500 in attendance against UAB last Saturday that’s quite a fan base you all have there in Clifton.  No seriously, way to support the team.  You all are  some awesome fans…..

Alright, I hate UC, you hate UC.  If that can’t bring us together, then I don’t know what will.  These 24 hours are gonna seem like an eternity until game time.  

So until then let’s just take a look at the best picture ever taken…..

Lenny Brown RULES!  

UC Sucks! 

Let’s go X!