Paul Daugherty: Over-Under on Eggs-avier mentions

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Over-Under on Eggs-avier mentions

Georgia coach just said his team has "a tremendous amount of respect for Eggs-avier.'' At least he didnt say Eggs-avier of Ohio. Then we'd really have to fry him. Or scramble him.

For once, the Eggmen arent the sweetheart of a subregional. That's reserved for Georgia snd Baylor... Georgia wins one game between Jan. 26 and March 3, then wins 4 in 3 days in the SEC tournament... five years after one Baylor player murdered another -- and former coach Dave Bliss tried to excuse it by labeling the deceased as drug dealer -- the Bears are in the tournament, for the second time in 58 years.

Off-day press conferences at these events are among the most worthless in sports. Two or three players sit high atop a podium, get asked "is there pressure?'' questions and answer in cliched monotones. Coach comes up and either does the same or tries to apply some spin. The best way to find out anything worthwhile is to blow off the PCs and go straight to the locker room. Which I'm doing now. Goin' to talk to the Eggmen... goo goo ga joob.

26 Comments:

at 5:56 PM

BShooner said...

You're right that X definitely isn't the feel-good story anymore. This is especially true since 75% of their home city seems to want them to lose. Most (I'm not saying all) UC fans seem to feel much better when XU fails. The Muskies get much more respect from objective out-of-town basketball fans than they do by the local populous. I can't say I'd be heading up the UC bandwagon if the shoe were on the other foot-but I'd at least want them to win.

at 6:53 PM

Anonymous said...

Anytime you sneak a Beatles lyric in there, it's been a another column well written. You deserve a bonus. As for Georgia... see how they smile like pigs in a sty, see how they snide. Xavier is not crying.

at 7:32 PM

Anonymous said...

Eggs-avier is one of the best mid major programs in the country. Give 'em their due.

at 8:07 PM

Paul Daugherty said...

556, 732 proves your point...sad..and typical.

at 5:48 AM

Anonymous said...

It truly amazes me how much the Cincy populace slights X. A clean, well-run, never faced NCAA sanctions program, yet, still not good enough for this town. Why not? They are, and admit it, all of you, the only proven winner our town has, and has had over the past decade. Oh, but maybe we would fawn over them if they had won 2 national titles back in the Stone age of '61 or '62, or went to a Final Four in '92. This town and it's fans live in the past, and sadly, it's why we'll be dragging out Oscar Robertson and the Big Red Machine for celebrations even at the ripe ole' age of 100. Meanwhile, we will still ignore that wonderful academic institution that promotes Cincinnati in a positive light, and clamor for JUCO thugs to enroll at UC so they can "put Cincinnati back on the map". Is it coincidence that X is located on VICTORY Parkway?

at 7:30 AM

Unknown said...

Paul and 556,

I don't think the feelings about Xavier has much to do with not respecting their basketball tradition. It has more to do with the nature of sports in Cincy.

St Xavier High School is a major opponent for everyone in this city, so they grow up wanting "some" Xavier to be defeated. It's an easy to oppose the name, "Xavier." It's what they opposed all through school. Every high school in the entire city.

At college time, we discover a huge body of folks attending UC. Xavier, on the other hand, is a relatively small school. When taken in terms of the entire mix, it is a number that gets hidden when rolled into those of UC, CinTech, NKU, Clermont, etc.

The name, Xavier, ends up being almost everybody's opponent at some point or other.

Personally, I want X to win. I see them winning today and on Saturday. I don't have them exiting until they face Duke. Xavier's finesse is fickle...will Lavender want to play or won't he? Will Burrell be PO'd or won't he? Will the real X show up or won't it?

Coach Mike Krzyzewski, on the other hand, has made his reputation on building smart, consistent, finesse-style teams. All else being equal -- and no one can deny that Duke is a good team this year -- consistency is a valid reason to give the edge to Duke in that game.

at 8:08 AM

Anonymous said...

I think the problem that many basketball fans have in this city is that, unlike an earlier poster, they are not "proven winners"..they have never won ANYTHING!
Xavier (OH) fans seem to think they are one of the top programs in college basketball, yet, outside of Cincinnati, they do not even have enough prominence for people to say the name of their school correctly.
Absolute joke..

at 8:55 AM

Anonymous said...

8:08 --

If you don't think that Xavier is a "proven winner," what in the world is YOUR definition of "proven winner?" Winning the NCAA? Okay, so UC won it 40+ years ago. Does that make UC a proven winner in the year 2008? The Reds won back-to-back World Series in '75 and '76. Does anybody in the country still think of the Reds as proven winners?

Even if Xavier makes the Final Four this year (or any season, for that matter), there will STILL be people who just don't have the capability of intellectual honesty to give Xavier credit for anything.

- Colerain Tom

at 8:55 AM

Anonymous said...

I am guilty of being a UC fan that now cheers against X every chance I get. When I moved to Cincy and started college in 1995, I cheered for all of the local teams: X, Miami, and UK included. However, over the years, I've seen the hatred that many of those fans had for UC, and it's worn on me. I don't know why UK fans hate UC, they rarely play, and obviously UK has a greater history. The final straw with X for me was in 2000, when Kenyon Martin broke his leg. Upon hitting the local bar to drown some sorrow, and release some stress of finals, there was a large group of X fans laughing about Martin's leg, and the doubt of his future career. Yes, I realize not all X fans are like that, and I'm sure there are equally crass fans on the UC side. One final gripe, you can never find any X fans in this city out at sports bars supporting their team, unless they're playing UD or in a tournament, then they're coming out of the wordwork. Just seems strange to me.

at 8:57 AM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

Just finished watching Sippin Mick and the Saviors lose for the 19th time and 7th in a row. I considered a 13-18 team going to a post-season tournament quite embarrassing for a once proud basketball program. But losing to a middle of the pack Missouri Valley team. WOW! One and Done in the CBI. Now that is the bottom.

Oh Well, real basketball starts today. I intend to be at the bar eating chicken wings, drinking beer and smoking a big cigar and making a few wagers (guess I gotta go to Ky), Ohio's losing a lot of revenue today.

Go X and WVA!

at 9:55 AM

BShooner said...

808 proves my point as well. XU has made it to the NCAA 8 out of the last 10 years (this season excluded)-4 times making it to at least the 2nd round, and one time making it to the Elite 8. I'd hardly call any team that does that a 'complete joke'...especially since they graduate players at an alarming rate. They also have won a national title (even though it was via the NIT).

As a St.X and XU alum-I'd agree with UCfan's points on the general nature of sports in Cincy-I've experienced the general ire towards Xavier many times. In a way, it's similar to the cold shoulder that we as a city give to OSU football. I just find it curious because I'll bet that teams like Gonzaga and Drake get a lot more bandwaggon support.

at 10:39 AM

Anonymous said...

Yes, I recall all those years UC was in the tournament that X fans were cheering on the Bearcats.

Give me a break.

It's a rivalry. Why would UC fans root for XU fans, and why would XU fans root for UC fans? Do you expect Duke fans to root for UNC, and vice versa, once one gets bounced from the tourney? Of course not.

I'm a UC fan. I hope XU loses. I hope Louisville loses. I hope UK loses. I expect the same from their fans when UC is in the tourney.

And while XU is a really good program, they are not a "proven winner" on a high major level. This 3 seed is the highest they've ever had and they were a 14 just 2 years ago. They've been out of the 2nd round 2 times in their history. They've never made a Final 4. A good program, undoubtedly, but not on that level yet.

at 10:41 AM

Anonymous said...

making it to the second round of the tourney 4 out of 8 times makes you a proven winner?
that, my friend, is laughable..
Xavier plays in a terrible conference and claims to have a tradition of winning!
what I find particularly amusing is that when you pin down an X fan and point out that they have won nothing, they always go immediately to graduating players...if you want to claim to have a history of graduating players, then I will not dispute your argument..however, you cannot seriously claim to be proven winners.
I agree with the previous poster...honestly, have any of you met a Xavier fan who is not an alum or a relative of an alum? THEY DO NOT EXIST! Go to a sports bar and my point is proven.

at 2:21 PM

Anonymous said...

Too many local sports fan find it impossible to show respect, class, and fraternity for their opponents. It is called sportsmanship, and it is in dangerously short supply these days, beginning in the youth recreational leagues and continuing through professional sports. It is not enough to root for your own team, but you must also hate your opponent, wish harm and ill-will, a little schadenfreude for the vengeful and spiteful.

Here is an idea ... Show some class. Re-embrace the concept of good sportsmanship. Support all local teams, especially high school teams playing "upstate" and college teams playing on a national stage. Trashing your neighbor's house does not increase the property value of your own.

AJ

at 3:29 PM

BShooner said...

Well said AJ. It's very easy to let things get way too personal-especially in rivalries that are so passionate. Wishing ill will on an opponent is pretty classless (unless that opponent is the Pittsburgh Steelers).

at 3:39 PM

Anonymous said...

Cheviot Sports Authority said...
Just finished watching Sippin Mick and the Saviors lose for the 19th time and 7th in a row. I considered a 13-18 team going to a post-season tournament quite embarrassing for a once proud basketball program. But losing to a middle of the pack Missouri Valley team. WOW! One and Done in the CBI. Now that is the bottom.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUT, CHEVIOT, what if the Bearcats WON the CBI? There would have been dancin on Fountain Suqare.

And, if by chance X.U. won the National Title, there would be an old fashioned ticker-tape parade for both teams.

Then, both teams would board a chartered jet for their visit with President Bush at the White House.

And, and, by winning the C.B.I. the Bearcats would thrust into the AP top 25 final rankings.

at 3:47 PM

Anonymous said...

Paul - As an oldtimer that always followed the Muskies since the 50's what's interesting to me is the role reversal that's occurred over the last 10 or so years.

Growing up it seemed to me that Xavier fans were mostly defensive in their view of UC because obviously UC had a history of success that validated that view. You'd hear a lot of defensive/negative comments from some X fans about the Bearcats.

That all began to change when Stack and Gillen came on board and Xavier improved immensely and became arguably the best or at least on par with UC BB over the last 10 years.

So now you see some, not all that many, Bearcat fans having trouble accepting the new balance of power and are defensive because of X's success.

My view is that it's great to have two very good and nationally prominent BB progams in Cincy.

at 8:18 PM

Anonymous said...

8:57 >> Hey, don't drink too much beer over there in Kentucky, where you have to go to smoke your big cigar. You might not find your way home and we'd have to come get you. Take care.

at 7:41 AM

Anonymous said...

To all the XU haters out there: take the opportunity to back a winning sports program in Cincinnati. It is probably your only chance...seriously. The people questioning Xavier as a proven winner, laughable. Name a more winning Div 1 college BB program within our region in the last decade - you can't. Check your facts beofre you post something unintelligent and uninformed.

at 7:46 AM

Anonymous said...

RE: X.U. & U.C.

We should consider ourselves fortunate to have two excellent basketball programs. I know that U.C. is down for a few years, but in time we will have XU & UC in the tounrnament.

Take a look at CLEVELAND, OHIO. The city is about twice as large as Cincinnati, but here we have two premier divison 1 basketball programs. I wonder what the people of Cleveland thought when UC playes West Virginia in football on a Saturday night on ESPN on the premier game?

Cleveland has Cleveland State and a Jesuit school (John Carrroll) Div.III.

I enjoy both programs and have MANY XAVIER FIRENDS WHO ARE UC FOOTBALL FANS AND ATTEND THE GAMES.

at 8:21 AM

Anonymous said...

7:41, while X has been winning, some of the knock on them is that they have been running up their record on lousy competition in the A-10. And they haven't had much post-season success. For all the knocks by X fans against Huggins, he had more post-season success at UC than X has had in their entire history. Regarding 7:46, almost every X fan I know wants UC to lose every game in every sport, maybe I just need to meet different people though.

at 11:27 AM

Anonymous said...

jt, say what you want about the conference, but XU doesn't control who's in their conference. They did make the jump to the A-10 to address that point. If they had the opportunity to move up to a conference like the BE, don't you think they would jump on it? Plus, with an XU non conference schedule that employs the 'play anyone, anytime' strategy and is one of the best this season, how can you make a statement like that?

I'm not a UC basher, by any stretch. More power to them when they're not playing XU, and kudos to their football program. But the disinformation campaign about XU from UC backers is very dysfunctional, and downright inaccurate. Your post season comment reflects this. XU made it to elite 8 five years ago, UC to the final 4 sixteen years ago. Seems to me it's time for UC fans to turn the page. Especially since the coach you mention hasn't coached at UC in several seasons.

As a UC fan, I really don't expect you to know a lot bout XU, but know the facts before acting like you do. Again, I challenge you to name a more winning D1 program in the region over the last 10 years. That includes any Huggins coached teams.

at 11:38 AM

Anonymous said...

11:27, I realize X can't control their conference. UC used to get this same thing in the Great Midwest, and some in C-USA as well. And while X did make it to the Elite 8 five years ago, isn't that the only time it's ever happened? I could be missing one in the early 90's, but I think that was just a Sweet 16. If I'm not mistaken, they've only made the Sweet Sixteen twice. I'm not saying that makes them a lousy team, shoot, I can't argue that they haven't been on the same level or better than UC since Kenyon Martin left. I'm just saying that they are not world-beaters just yet. And don't confuse this argument for me saying that UC is an elite team either, because there is a lot of work to be done there just to get back to being respectable.

at 12:06 PM

BShooner said...

I can't speak for every X fan...but I think it's great what Kelly and the football Bearcats have been doing. A traditionally smaller program working it's way into the national spotlight...we can identify with that.

at 12:08 PM

Monclova Steve said...

Paul,
Let's face it -- the Enquirer's sports blogs aren't exactly a microcosm of Cincinnati, or even the vast majority of its sports fans.

Although I now reside in the frozen tundra of NW Ohio, I still know many, many people in Cincinnati. NONE of them hate Xavier or UC. All root for BOTH to be successful, as I do.

Maybe I need to check out the sports bar scene more often.

Final thought. When I hear anyone referring to X as "Eggs-avier" I simply draw the conclusion that they are not well-informed. It's a reflection on themselves, not the university.

at 2:32 PM

Anonymous said...

jt, I appreciate the fact you're not a typical 'attacking' UC fan. I do feel you are still a little misguided in your comments, but hey, we all don't agree all the time.

That being said, I never said they were world beaters. Small school, mid major conference, yet big time Div 1 results. Seriously, they are top 10 in country over the last 10 years in winning %. That came out before this season started, when they scheduled one of the toughest, if not THE toughest non conference schedule. There is a reason why their RPI is so high, and a #3 seed was warranted. What more does the team have to do to win respect in their city?

Correct me if I'm wrong, Huggins' teams didn't historically shred the NCAA tourny year in and year out either. They advanced one more game than XU, once. What exactly is the barometer of success in this city? You are still in what I like to call "UC denial". Nothing an XU team can do will be good enough for a UC fan, due to the 'crazy amount of success' the school enjoyed under Huggins.

This is THE classiest sports program in the city right now, and it's sad that people choose not to enjoy it.

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Over-Under on Eggs-avier mentions

26 Comments: