Up Next: Xavier

[Trapped in California]

Looking at Chris Mack's bio on wikipedia, other than his wife being named Christi, the line that jumped out -

In 2017, he earned an honorary degree from Arizona State after beating Arizona in the NCAA tournament.

He beat his former boss Sean Miller in the AZ game. I do not see that citation outside of wikipedia, but if true, that's salty ASU.

[ceaser150]

Watching the Xavier-Marshall game right now, sounds like they've got some injuries, and they're playing like it, with a four point win over said ~150 ranked team at home. Adding to that, the last second win over the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, and they certainly don't look like world beaters.

I also appreciate these Big East announcers talking us up, "On Friday they travel to a hostile environment, a good team in UNI, who will grind you down."

I've also heard a rumor that the Xavier home-and-home was renewed for another two years, has anyone else heard that?

From what I understand, they only dressed 7 scholarship players last night. Their second best player, Macura, is day to day with a concussion.

[MNpanthers]

I think we will be fired up after that last loss. Coming home to a big crowd against a big name team. We always rise to the occasion in these conditions, UNI 73, X 68

[dan_beeding]

Just bought tickets for my wife and I. It will be her first Panther game in the McLeod. She is pregnant, so I got as close as possible to a bathroom with a top row spot and seats 3 & 4. Not many chairbacks left at all for this one.

[BCPanther]

I think we'll be at 5500+, should be 7000, but 5500 is still the best we've had this year...

[EVSPanther]

I think we'll be at 5500+, should be 7000, but 5500 is still the best we've had this year...

sad, but true BC

[06panther10]

Hard to sell out when they are forced to block off a ton of tix for students who never show up anyway, and certainly will not over xmas break.

The students arent coming anymore, its time to sell those seats for $5-10 to the public, who have proven time and time again that they will buy those seats when they are cheap.

Get people in the door.

[BCPanther]

Hard to sell out when they are forced to block off a ton of tix for students who never show up anyway, and certainly will not over xmas break.

The students arent coming anymore, its time to sell those seats for $5-10 to the public, who have proven time and time again that they will buy those seats when they are cheap.

Get people in the door.

But, but, but they PAY for those. Something, something, Student Fees and Panther Pass, something, something.

It's cold, I can't walk across the street.

They don't have WiFi.

The people in the bibs are annoying and even though I don't sit by them, they're there.

Terrible Iowa plays Terrible Colorado at the same time

I wasn't a UNI fan growing up

Maybe if UNI would bring in a name team I would go
--They play Top 10 Xavier and played UNLV three weeks ago
But they don't play Iowa and Iowa State at home

I'd rather go drink
--They sell beer
But I can't take it to my seat and sit on my phone the entire time

People in front of me might stand up and then I can't see.
--So, stand up.
Uh, no.

The Interlude is embarrassing
--Its only embarrassing when not everybody is doing it
Well, I'm not doing it.

Feel free to add any others...

[Neighbor]

Just bought tickets for my wife and I. It will be her first Panther game in the McLeod. She is pregnant, so I got as close as possible to a bathroom with a top row spot and seats 3 & 4. Not many chairbacks left at all for this one.

Handicap seating on the glass rail aren't terrible seats. You could be literally five steps from a ladies rest room.

[dan_beeding]

Handicap seating on the glass rail aren't terrible seats. You could be literally five steps from a ladies rest room.

That's not a bad idea. She's 5 1/2 months so a couple stairs aren't a huge deal yet. If we go in February, I'll keep that option in mind. I'd hate to take seat away from somebody who really could use it.

[unipanthers8907]

But, but, but they PAY for those. Something, something, Student Fees and Panther Pass, something, something.

It's cold, I can't walk across the street.

They don't have WiFi.

The people in the bibs are annoying and even though I don't sit by them, they're there.

Terrible Iowa plays Terrible Colorado at the same time

I wasn't a UNI fan growing up

Maybe if UNI would bring in a name team I would go
--They play Top 10 Xavier and played UNLV three weeks ago
But they don't play Iowa and Iowa State at home

I'd rather go drink
--They sell beer
But I can't take it to my seat and sit on my phone the entire time

People in front of me might stand up and then I can't see.
--So, stand up.
Uh, no.

The Interlude is embarrassing
--Its only embarrassing when not everybody is doing it
Well, I'm not doing it.

Feel free to add any others...

Not sure whether to laugh or cry at how true this is

[WCWIII_XU87]

I hope we get some revenge from last year. I was at the game in Cincy, and their fans were the worst.

Greetings ... Xavier fan here (never posted like this before, but I feel inspired). Saw UNI in Orlando last year and I'm making the trip from the Chicago 'burbs on Friday to Ceder (and I hope I get it right) Falls - the one near Waterloo (right?). First off, nothing but respect for your guys. It's simple, if we're full strength, we win. Anything, anything a tiny bit less and you got a chance. It has taken us 30 years to go from the MCC/Horizon to the A10 and now to the Big East. We are very fortunate that we've made that slow and steady climb and are now where we hope/expect for Sweet 16's or beyond almost every year. You guys have had some success in the MVC and look to compete for that title again this year. Beat Kansas again or similar (as long as it isn't us) for another Sweet 16, keep getting recruits, do things the right way ... no reason you can't have success where you'll scoff at being called a mid-major. It's more complicated as you've got football too. We used to complain that no ranked teams would come to our home arena. I'm glad we are challenging ourselves and coming to visit you. It's our honor and we are not taking this game lightly and we know we are vulnerable if we don't play our best.

With that said, we are very solid and without injuries, we are loaded. Sure Trevon Bluiett is coming up on career scoring of 2000 points. If he scores 25+ on Friday, it might be the quietest a leading scorer does it. A few 3 pointers, a few jumpers, a few layups, and a few free throws. They will all add up. JP Macura will either still be injured or hot or cold. Whatever, he'll be disruptive. He can go off and take 25 points or he'll constantly contribute doing all the little things to retain possessions. For opposing teams, he may be annoying but he is not evil. He'll talk trash and try to get into your player's heads. Our advantage if he does. He's driven to win and we'd hate him too if he were on any team but ours. Our point guard, Q Goodin, is a soph and has been running our offense at a high level. Watch out as he's looking more to score. One of the best dunks I saw all of last year was Q dunking on you guys in Orlando. With the NCAA under his belt after filling in for E Sumner (NBA, Pacers), he is taking off. Kaiser Gates and Naji Marshall fill in with more offense and more importantly (especially Gates) with defense. Marshall is a frosh but has signs of being a special player in his own right. With Tre and JP, Kaiser is less noticed, but he has a great shot from the outside and could be the MVP in any given game. Both were out for some/all of our last game vs Marshall with injuries. Finally, we have a 3 headed monster down low. Three bigs ... all three different. Starting usually is Tyrique Jones, big and powerful. Next is Sean O'Mara - smart smart smart and good footwork. Highly efficient. New to the team is Kareem Kanter ... adding confidence as well as his outside shot along with the eurostep. Three different monsters. That leaves our two developing bench freshman, Elias Hardin. He keeps improving but he is behind the others for now. Point-guard freshman, Paul Scruggs has shown flashes and is also in the process of improving ... actually, he is better than I'm describing. Our defense: Pack line man-to-man D and some options like our becoming famous 1-3-1 where our length will disrupt.

This is an important game for us. We survived ETSU (comeback from down 22) and Marshall (almost threw away a similar 20+ lead) after a nice stretch of winning vs Baylor, Cincy, and Colorado. We thought we had a very good win at Wisconsin. This game could be our best win on the road - something that might give us an up on the NCAA seed line and helping us hopefully for our first Final Four ... but I get ahead of myself.

Look forward to meeting some of you on Friday.

[GonzoCat]

Wow, sounds like you should cruise to the national championship. We won't have faced any players of your caliber since the freshman upcoming NBA lottery pick at UNLV. I don't see how any of our players will be able to stay on the court with yours.

Seems like a lost cause, but I guess we will go ahead and play the game anyway.

[MernerAve]

At Caribou Coffee on University in Waterloo. The topic of conversation among three millennials chilling in front of the fireplace? Panther basketball and how they and their family members are attending the game tomorrow night.

[UNIdad]

Just bought tickets for my wife and I. It will be her first Panther game in the McLeod. She is pregnant, so I got as close as possible to a bathroom with a top row spot and seats 3 & 4.

Good hubby!