So many great games this weekend, and this one I'm really looking forward too. I'm not a huge fan of K-State, but they are on a major roll of late and their 2nd half against BYU really impressed me. I think their athleticism on the interior will give Xavier problems, and I'm not sure Xavier can rely on their guards (outside of Crawford) to match KSU's.

I know there are some X fans on here, and some Big 12 fans, what are your thoughts?

This is one of the toughest games I picked in my bracket. Xavier is a very good team and Crawford will be the best player on the floor. Kansas State is real good too. I picked KSU to advance based on their interior play, but now I don't know if it will be enough. I'll stick with KSU for now until I change my mind.

When I was filling out my bracket, the 2 games I had the hardest time deciding were OSU - Georgetown (which obviously didn't materialize), and this one.

I don't think either is great, but both teams are just solid from top to bottom. In the end I went with Kansas State, but I think this should be a hell of a game.

I don't think that the interior is where Xavier will struggle. Thats not where we did against KSU in the first game this season.

Back in December we had absolutely no idea how to handle their guards. I'm excited to see how we come out.

Both teams are obviously improved. But from a Xavier perspective I think that the biggest addition is Jordan Crawford coming into his own. He played so poorly in the first meeting that he was benched for the next game against Cincinnati. Jamel McLean was dealing with the loss of his father and is now playing excellent basketball. Terrell Holloway has grown so much as a player over the course of the season and if he is on I'd put him up against anyone at point in the entire country.

This game worries me as an X fan, because where we are inconsistent is our guard play. I really feel better about a Syracuse match up than I do a Kansas State matchup against those two wildcat guards.

Xavier has the bodies to stop them, but both Samuels and Kelly have really improved over this year.

On paper, you have to call Samuels/Kelly/Judge vs Love/Frease/McLean pretty much a wash, but in doing that, can you say the same about the guard play?

I guess my original point was that X is going to have to win this game by out-playing those guys on the inside, and not letting them get a lot of second chance opportunities. When KSU wins the interior this year, they seem to overwhelm opponents because their guards are rarely going to get out-matched.

Look at the one game they got blown out in this year. At Kansas. Kelly, Judge, Colon and Samuels combined for only 19 points and KU's guards matched Pullen and Clemente. Game, set, match.

I hope X pulls it off though, I really do. They are a blast to watch.

I have the X-Men in my Elite Eight and I truly believe they will pull it off and play in yet another regional final heavyweight tilt looking to earn that first Final Four in school history. It is a long time coming, too. Tyrone Hill, Brian Grant, Derek Strong, James Posey, David West, Lionel Chalmers. Pete Guillen, Skip Prosser, Thad Matta, Sean Miller.

K-State will be an incredible challenge, as will the winner of Syracuse-Butler (most likely the Orangemen). But on Thursday, I think Xavier has enough magic left to win another huge March contest, something that has become a spring right of passage for the Queen City's most dominate team over the past decade.

As Az said, the key to the game is how the Musketeers force their will in the interior. If they do, I think X wins. As good as Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente are, and I think Clemente is as smooth a scoring guard as there as been in college basketball over the past five years, Jordan Crawford is better than both. His range may be the greatest in this Tournament, and he seems to be a big game performer. I'm excited to see how it all plays out.

Go X!

Azubuike24 wrote: Xavier has the bodies to stop them, but both Samuels and Kelly have really improved over this year.

On paper, you have to call Samuels/Kelly/Judge vs Love/Frease/McLean pretty much a wash, but in doing that, can you say the same about the guard play?

I guess my original point was that X is going to have to win this game by out-playing those guys on the inside, and not letting them get a lot of second chance opportunities. When KSU wins the interior this year, they seem to overwhelm opponents because their guards are rarely going to get out-matched.

Look at the one game they got blown out in this year. At Kansas. Kelly, Judge, Colon and Samuels combined for only 19 points and KU's guards matched Pullen and Clemente. Game, set, match.

I hope X pulls it off though, I really do. They are a blast to watch.

Excellent points. If McLean and Love come to play it will be possible.

My bracket has K-State (beating Pitt), but I can't say I'd be opposed to seeing X win and think it's very possible. K-State is a team that seems to consistently win those "should-win" games, but struggles against the elites. X isn't an elite, but has been looking pretty close in making it this far, IMO. If they're on, I think this is a coin flip.

It's to the point now where nobody can have an off-day. Everyone will have to be clicking to knock off K-State. The advantage that I think Xavier has is the chip on their shoulder after having lost by 15 earlier in the season. Hopefully X can catch K-State looking past to the next game and Xavier can pull the upset.

Side note, sorry I wasn't around during the last game Cinci. I saw your post asking where I was. I was in New York and only got to read the updates from the game yesterday from my cell phone. So I wasn't able to post and do that at the same time.

That last game gave Gus Johnson his Swagger back.

This game is ridiculous so far. It's pretty much just one dude getting the rebound, running down the court, and jacking up a shot. I kinda love it.

Ya...it's crazy right now. Xavier needs to slow this tempo down some and relax.

X is forcing up some terrible shots so far.

bye bye xavier

X getting spanked early.

Need to slow down, get some stops and cut the lead down.

McLean just got raped and there was no call...

Crawford playing like he is a one man team.

Xavier might lose this one by 30.

devil1197 wrote: Crawford playing like he is a one man team.

Put Lebron under the hoop. That will help him get it done lol.

Xavier looks overmatched. If KSU keeps playing like this, they will beat Kentucky for the national championship.

Apparently K-State is gonna win by about 5000.

Crawford is definitely that dude that starts to do waaaaayyyy too much when his team gets down, even if they're down by a bit.

It's early, though. Can't write them off yet. They're just playing right into KState's hands, though.

Come to think of it, with 2 of my Final Four eliminated now, Kansas State is my pick to win it all.

If Xavier gets blown out here, will S&L come in here and say fuckin' committee?

I would say that Kansas State HAS to cool off, shooting-wise.

But, they kind of don't. They've shown that they can stay hot.