With the season opener only 3 days away now, the anticipation for the upcoming Muskies season is greater than ever...or is it? After last season's heartbreaking exit, many naive fans saw Crawford returning along with everybody but Love, as well as the best recruiting class in Xavier history. Crawford has since wisely decided to go pro, and let's just say the top recruit is ineligible. Add to that their only proven big man is out the first month or more of the season, and the team's sparkplug's ACL is in shambles, and it has now become safe to say Xavier Nation is scurrying to pull the fire alarm. In a nightmarish series of events, the 2010-11 Xavier Musketeer Basketball team is essentially in shams. Oh and did I forget to mention a 63-61 loss to D2's finest the Bellermine Knight last weekend? Big ups to former Visi Vike Nick Holmes for puttin the clamp on Freaser burn, but come on gents, that's real shitty. This team will start the year with only 9 scholarship players active, 3 of which who have never played a minute of college basketball, and two others who go by the names Andrew Taylor and Jeff Robinson, respectively. If the preceding thought does not have Xavier Nation scared shitless, then hats off to you for your Holloway-esque sized balls...and your Justin Martin-esque sized brain. Yet despite all of this, I am here to provide Muskie faithful with a glimmer of hope. So without further (Freddy) ado, your 2010-11 Xavier Musketeers.
The Backcourt...
What's this? A bright spot? Believe it or not, there are some. First and foremost, at least some people on this team know how to win. Dante Jackson will look to surpass Jason Love as the winningest player to ever don a Muskie Uniform with 25+ wins this year, and Tu Holloway knows a thing or two about big games. These two players will be absolutely crucial for this team to have any success. With Redford catching the injury bug, and Justin Martin apparently just being a dumbass, it looks like Mark "Cheeks" Lyons will be the other guard Xavier will lean on. I personally can't stand his lack of composure around the cylinder or his broke ass j-work, but it looks as if I'll have to get used to Cheeks dropping 13 or so a game. The vital signs on Jay Canty seem to be decent, so hopefully he can do the #11 some respect and step up but that is to be continued at this point. And how could I talk about the back court without mentioning its bread and butter: one of the Bomber's and westside's finest, Johnny Mazza. Look for the rainmaker to be activated say around February 19, when the always tough Fordham Rams pay the Cintas Center a visit.
The Frontcourt...
Uhhh...ummm...yeah. With Jameezy McLeezy out 3-6 weeks, the PF and center positions are of obvious concern. But Burnside, small forward is also included in the front court. Yeah you're right, I just now realized that...Back to the action, it looks like Kenny Frease and Andrew Taylor will be the starters until further notice. If Frease hasn't had a Jason Love-esque transformation over the off season in his game, feel free to throw the towel in. I'm optimistic, probably more-so stupid, that this will be the case, but it's usually by year 3 Xavier big men really take off. (Unless your Brandon Cole and you get exponentially worse...but that's a different story) On any other Xavier team, I'd say Jeff Robinson and Griffin McKenzie aren't yet ready to contribute, but there doesn't seem to be much of a choice. You know what you're going to get with Taylor in there. Smart play, white boy D'in it up, possibly 2 layups a game, but that's all we're really looking for at this point. Jordan Latham seems to be more raw than....something that's really raw, but between him, Griff, and Robinson, somebody is going to have to grow up real quick. Heck I think Xavier greats such as Charles Bronson and Boubacar Coly would be looking at playing time on this squad. Needless to say I'm slightly concerned. With Jamel back hopefully in time to take a shit of the Slutler Bulldogs, expect a different story, but until then, get ready to break a few remotes and rupture a view blood vessels, Muskie fans.
The Good...
Butler, Temple, Florida, Wake Forest: 4 games that could very well define the season for the Muskies, all played at college basketball's third rowdiest arena, the 'Tas. Look for Xavier to steal at least two of these games. Note I did not feel the need to put Dayton on that list as a win in Cincy for the faggot flyers would be a sign of the Apocalypse. I would say jinx, but I've been pulling that stunt for 29 years now. On another good note, let's see here, oh yeah Xavier plays in the freaking Atlantic 10. The league has gotten much better as of late, but let's not forget who has won this league the 4 years running. We can only hope the trip to Spokane to take down little brother Gonzaga can prepare the Muskies for brutal trips to the likes of St. Bonaventure and St. Joe's. Let's also not forget Xavier historically tends to actually try in the A10 tourney and bring home some hardware when necessary. Bottom line, this program has been doubted too many times to count, and proven haters wrong con frecuencia. (MIB en Español? Probably not) These guys love playing underdog, and we can only hope last Saturday can be a major wake up call that you lose when you play shitty.
The Bad...
A10 or not, the schedule this year for Xavier is arguably harder than Squints around Wendy Peffercorn. No doubt this squad will be road tested with trips the afformentioned Spokane to face the Zags, a trip across town to the always rowdy 5th/3rd Arena (lolz, no homo), along with conference trips to Charlotte, Rhode Island (who last night proved they were a force to be reckoned with)Dayton, Richmond, and SLU. And how could I forget the dreaded trip north to Oxvegas to face the never tough Miami Redhawks. Odds of Patrick Berning being in attendance? I'll give it a zebro. Ok, ok, I'm done. For any other negatives, simply direct your attention to this entire article.
Am I excited for the 2010-11 Muskies? Obvi bro. Although I am likewise concerned, this isn't the first time. I see this squad grinding out a 23-12 record, winning the coveted A10 tourney, and yeah doing stuff like that. In the meantime, I'll shift my focus to what I do have control of, a Visitation Viking CYO title. With KFW at the helm, there's no doubt that when it comes to making bread he's got the keys the bakery. Alright that's about all I got. Stay golden ponyboy, and S'GOOOOO MUSKIES!!!
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