An Interrogatory with: Xavier University
January 14, 2011 Tom Blackburn 
The Carter Curse is on the line Saturday night. The last time the Flyers won in Cincinnati, the country’s economy was in shambles, unemployment was skyrocketing, gas prices were at all-time highs and an inexperienced, unqualified President was leading the nation into further decline. Well, things are a lot different now, and it’s time for UD to get that elusive W down in Porkopolis.
Joining us for some friendly banter is Patrick, one of the writer’s over at the effervescent Xavier site, Musketeer Blogosphere. Patrick discusses his favorite Flyers, his take on this year’s matchup, former Muskie CJ Anderson racist tweets and whether or not this biannual (and often triannual) game is a definitive rivalry. We’ve officially called a truce between the universities, a moratorium on the violence that plaques this heated series. This year, just this once, let not the bodies hit the floor. The world is watching.
* * * * *
TB: After an impressive and thorough thrashing of Rhode Island up in Kingston, followed by a gruesome homicide in Cincinnati against UMass, the Musketeers have seemed to have found their groove. After a somewhat inconsistent non-conference performance, are you confident that Xavier has righted the ship and is once again an A-10 front-runner?
MB: I am cautiously optimistic. After losing to UC in that manner it was hard to fathom two blowouts to begin A-10 play. I don't know if Rhody and UMass are that bad or if the team has really improved that much. I still think Temple are the favorites with Richmond a somewhat close second. Hard to say though. It's definitely imperative that Xavier keep this conference home court winning streak up if they want to challenge for the league this year.
TB: What does X’s dismantling of Rhody and UMass say about the overall strength of the league this year? Rhode Island was poised to make some headway in the conference this season and UMass was thought to be a sleeper by many.
MB: Oof, methinks the league is not real good this year. If we're able to compete for a league title with this year's team, then that's a strong indication of its overall worth. Seems like three bids MAX this year. Sadly, it would not be surprising if only one team makes into the tournament this year. One thing that really irks me are some of the attendance figures. Now I know a lot schools in this conference have glorified high school gyms, but even those can't get filled. Hell, watching the Rhody game this past Sunday it looked to be only half full. It's only an 8,000 seat gym. What the hell else is there to do in Rhode Island on a Sunday? Seems like our schools' fan bases are the only ones that give a shit.
TB: Finish this sentence: If Tu Holloway has an off night, Xavier will _________________.
MB: ...probably lose. Just don't have the horses or shooters this year to make up for it.
Last year, after the big win at home against Xavier, Brian Gregory promised the crowd that if UD won in Cincinnati the following year he would "come to center court and make unspeakable love to this beautiful, voluptuous watermelon."TB: For those of us who have not seen Xavier play this season, briefly discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this year’s Musketeer squad.
MB: Our starting five is definitely decent enough. Can hang with just about anyone in the country. The only problem is we have almost zero depth. Especially when it comes to anything that resembles offensive production. Zero back court depth with Redford out for the year and Jay Canty being out for a month with a stress fracture at the moment, which was a real bummer because he was just starting to find the pace of the college game. At least we can bring in big bodies down low to give Kenny and Jamel a break. Jamel McLean has really been turning it on lately. Been a force down low and can usually just muscle his way to the basket. Our other senior who gets a lot of minutes, the always loved by the opposing fan base, Dante Jackson, is not having such a good year. He's been mostly abysmal from the three point line and even his biggest defenders (that'd be me) are having a hard time justifying his play this year. Actually, three-point shooting in general has been terrible throughout the season. But we have no other options; there are only nine scholarship players available at this point in the season.
In the two games since the Shootout the offense has been noticeably better with much crisper passing. The defense has also been turned up a notch, because there is no other choice. Our size is usually going to be good enough out muscle every A-10 team. So far, that has proven true.
TB: Outside of Big Dog Searcy, there is no one I cheer harder for than Kenneth Frease. The big man seemed like a lost puppy on offense for X during his first two years. He wasn’t really an option in the low-post and seemed relieved when he was subbed out in games. This year, he obviously had to take a more active role to offset the Musketeers depth issues. The Freaser is currently averaging 11.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg and shooting 54% from the floor. He is clearly doing his part offensively.
Now let’s pretend you are sitting across from former X player C.J. Anderson, a committed Frease antagonist. Explain to C.J. how valuable Kenny has been this season. Make sure you tell him it’s okay for a velvety brother like himself to love a goofy white guy like Frease.
MB: First off, if you aren't checking CJ's twitter feed every day, then you really are missing out. The man is a force on twitter. My personal favorite was the simple and to the point tweet of, "if ur dumb, kill urself." Was completely apropos of nothing. I laughed my ass off.
Anyways, CJ is not afraid to speak his mind. Kenny has been very polarizing to Xavier fans since his first game in a Xavier uniform onwards. But as you wrote, he has definitely stepped up his game this season. I would only say to CJ that Kenny is clearly a huge part of this year's team and his size is a great advantage in A-10 play. However, I think CJ knows this. Surely, some it is an act. At least it better be....
***(ed. note: I do follow CJ Anderson and it’s always a treat. I’m not sure I’ve understood a single thing he has ever said.)***
TB: Trade offer – Kenneth Frease for Luke Fabrizius, Josh Parker and a fully paid one-year lease on your choice of any car on the lot at White-Allen Chevrolet (ask for the “UD player” rate, they’ll get your meaning). Sound good?
MB: Only if it's a white Aveo.
TB: Rivalries are all about hate. So go ahead, give us your list of the top five Flyers you have had hated the most.
MB: Not to sound like a dick but part of the charm of rooting against Dayton is the fact that I don't think I've ever hated a UD player. Between Huelsman, Finn, Waleskowski and Binnie I'm not sure which one amused me more. Huelsman was always fascinating for me. He appeared to bring nothing to the table, yet started his entire career. I don't know how you all put up with four years of that.
Brian Gregory seems hate-able, but his crazy substitution patterns and refusal to be a good coach make him great for us Xavier fans. I know this isn't the answer you want, but I honestly don't think I truly have ever hated a Dayton player. It's the fans I hate. And isn't that what really creates and keeps the rivalry going in the end?
TB: Let’s flip it around, spread some love, who are previous/current Flyers you would have like to have seen in a Xavier (Absolutely none is an acceptable answer).
MB: Well, saying none seems like a copout, especially since I did that in the previous question. It's hard not be in awe of Chris Wright's athleticism. Just gottta keep him from shooting the ball though. Certainly wouldn't mind having Chris Johnson on the roster as well. Oh, and obviously the Jacksonville Jet.
TB: One of my favorite all-time Flyers is Charles Little. Full disclosure, Charles and I have an equitable, professional relationship – so my affection is well founded. Here is a tweet he sent out last night during the Duke/Florida State tilt:
The image most Dayton fans hope to see after a victory at Xavier this Saturday night. Thoughts, comments?
MB: While I admire the extreme homer in Mr. Little, it's hard to take that very seriously. Clearly, Duke, Ohio State (ugh), and Kansas are a step above every other team in college basketball this season so far. Is he the CJ of former Dayton players? Should I start following him ASA and P?
TB: Earlier I referred to the X/UD matchup as a “rivalry.” Obviously, the game has all the makings of a rivalry – proximity to each other, similar fan bases, a lengthy history, etc – but is it a rivalry in the truest sense? Is it competitive enough to be considered a genuine rivalry?
MB: Of course it's a rivalry. I really need to attend the @UD Arena game in the near future. I went to the Shootout at UC a couple years ago and loved the venom there. Supposedly, it's even worse for Xavier fans up I-75. I would welcome the vitriol. The fans are what make this game a rivalry. It drives me insane how many Dayton fans infiltrate the Cintas Center every year. I'm sure I'll be equally as pissed off this coming Saturday night.
TB: Let’s nail down a prediction from you. Does the Carter streak continue, or does this UD team finally find a way to win down in Cincinnati?
MB: Well, I say it every year, but surely this streak will come to an end at some point. Law of averages would seem to dictate that and this, seemingly, is the best chance for Dayton to do that in some time. We aren't a deep team and I fully expect UD to attack the basket from the get-go to try and get Xavier into foul trouble. However, shockingly, I'll be picking Xavier to win 64-58.
Reader Comments (25)
Shithouse Rat comment---UDBrian "When UD wins the national championship this year I am going to watch the beds and couches burn!"
I'm almost 100% positive he isn't being sarcastic.
Fuck Xavier
So I was playing NCAA College Basketball 2010 last night on my Xbox, and I was thinking to myself “You know – this game is a little choppy and I would really like a nice college basketball game to play this season. Surely the 2011 version would have gotten out a lot of the bugs…”
So with my astute researching skills (Google), I came to find that not only did the 2011 version of the game not get out the bugs – they didn’t make one! No one made one! There is no 2010-2011 college basketball season version of any college basketball game. All of the major video game manufacturers discontinued college basketball! Is that legal!? Sports video games should be like PBS – no matter how crappy the audience or unpopular the programming, they should still be subsidized by some branch of the government!
My favorite sport has been reduced to simply watching the game. And trust me…no amount of watching will make UD beat Xavier or win a National Championship. Only I can do that (with an Xbox).
@WHAT--blame EA sports for that. They bought up the NCAA license, put out terrible games, then cancelled the series all together. What a shame, since the NCAA 2k series was great.
Fuck EA
@WHAT...it is a damn shame. I don't think there are better games than the NCAA Football games on Playstation 2. For all you hipsters out there, I have never played it on Playstation 3. Those are the best. Well, except for N64 Goldeneye. Nothing touches that game.
Mortal Kombat for Sega Genesis is one of the best games of all time.
Banjo Kazooie
Not sure if this is old news but in London's profile pic it looks like he shaved his dreads! wtf?
Anybody heading down to the game Saturday?
@WHAT Can UD win at Xavier in the game or does the curse exist in the game too? That would be true realism.
I'll be at the uniform rental gym for the game saturday, should be 20 rows back from BG, anything worth yelling?
@ctime
It does exist in the video game bu for some reason if you have your coach argue enough calls,and he gets ejected, UD wins everytime, I shit you not.
@donoher
Goldeneye on N64 is tied with Mercenaries on PS2 for #1. Good call. I think we are showing a little age though.
I've always heard that it is the Curse of Waleskowski that prevents us from winning. It wasn't until his birth that the streak started
@Flyer Frenetic...I broadcast the games over Flyer Radio and after we did the New Mexico game we went back to the locker room to do interviews of the players and noticed a pungent smell of weed and joked that London must be around. Well sure enough when we walk into the locker room there is none other than the Jacksonville Jet and yes his dreads are GONE!!!!...I almost didnt notice him until he talked b/c only he can sound like a 10 year old girl
NES: Super Mario, Mike Tyson, Super Punch Out, Tecmo Super Bowl and Contra and Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles, Zelda. Double Dragon. Blades of Steel.
Sega: Mortal Kombats (my how they fell from grace), X-men, All the EA games (probably the best era for EA sports games), and NBA Jam (Starks/Ewing Combo!), and Streets of Rage.
N64: Agre with Goldeneye. MarioKart as well.
I hear there is new game coming out called FUCK XAVIER... looking forward to it.
@Xgrlz are easy,
no one should, under any condition, consider murdering Waleskowski the Great
Biggest hate:
People who use the phrase "methinks"...
Do people actually say this when they talk or only when they are typing on the intraweb?
I throw up in my mouth every time i read it.
I hate Xavier so much that I'm going to Dana Gardens tonight, find me a Xavier pig and I'm gonna snap one off in her ass.
Fuck them and Dana Garden.
Fuck Xavier.
I don't know if anyone has mentioned
but Fuck Xavier
@Tony....well put. easily the best comment i've read in a while. got a good chuckle out of it
fuck xavier
Fuck Xavier.
Oh, and I vote the watermelon goes into the banner.