Banter on the Parkway

It's nearly a full hour of breaking down every game Xavier could possibly play both this weekend and all the way through the region. We get into all the detail we can fit in that time, and talk about why every team terrifies us on this episode of Banter.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! We break down each region and tackle the favorites, players to watch, the best matchups, and which teams you can pick to spring big upsets. We leave no stone un-turned in the first of our two preview specials.

There's less than three hours until tip, and we've got the perfect way to fill half of one of them. We talk about how these teams got here, how to defend Marquette, and the one number that will decide whether or not Xavier walks away with their first ever Big East Tournament Championship.

It's March! This episode we focus on Xavier and the Big East tournament. The Musketeers haven't won a game here since 2019, but are poised to do so this season. We break down the loss of Zach Freemantle, the emergence of Cesare Edwards, and what impact that has on Xavier's chances of a deep run. We'll give our predictions for the tournament, the awards, and a piping hot take about Providence on this episode of Banter.

The Musketeers capped off the month that has tripped them up recently by hammering Seton Hall on the road. That leaves X in a great position entering March and gives us a chance to peak ahead to the conference tournaments. There are big comebacks to discuss, Nate Oats being a coward, Fran McCaffery doing God knows what, and your questions on this episode of Banter.

Xavier is down to six players and has dropped three of four. The Musketeers are fighting fatigue and their own propensity for throwing the ball to the wrong team. We've got three game breakdowns, a discussion of Cesare Edwards, why being good at basketball means you can do crimes, and how Mick Cronin can't wait to tell you Die Hard is his favorite Christmas movie. All that and all your questions on this episode of Banter.

Xavier lost against Butler in large part because of their own efforts, but also due to the stylings of a tragicomic officiating crew. We know 15.2.a, but they evidently don't. You will know it better after this pod. Souley Boum is getting tired and Xavier is struggling over the last seven. We discuss whether either is worth worrying about. There's that, some NSFW hazing at New Mexico St, yet another campus shooting canceling games, and your questions on this episode of Banter.

Losing Zach Freemantle wasn't a good thing, but Xavier grabbed two more wins in his absence. Jerome Hunter stepped up, Colby Jones, just kept being himself, and Souley Boum iced the wins. There's our breakdown of that, players punching fans, a bizarre clash in Iowa, and more Bison Dele chat that you probably bargained for. Throw in your questions and you have this week on Banter.

It wasn't a great end to the week, but Xavier still sits in a really good spot... unless Zach Freemantle is hurt. He may be, which puts the Musketeers February in jeopardy. We break down each power conference to see how strong they are and where that could put X, answer questions about the (lack of) depth, and get into the ridiculous schedules refs choose to work on this episode of Banter.

Xavier had their worst week in quite some time in losing to DePaul before playing badly enough to lose but getting bailed out by it being Georgetown. The Musketeers defense is still a serious problem and the offense can't be electric every time. We tackle all that, a travesty in New Mexico, Brad makes a bold prediction about Georgetown, answer your questions, and finally clear the air on the "nuclear winter" tweet... sort of.

Xavier is on fire right now. We break down two big Q1 wins, talk about Souley Boum and Jack Nunge, and get into where this team is in bracketology and why that's different from last year when we were in close to the same place. There's all that, your questions, the Darius Miles tragedy, cursed arenas, and why we think Pat Kelsey would be the perfect coach with just one little rule change. That's all on this episode of Banter.

Xavier has ripped off a 5-0 start and has one of the best offenses in the nation. The defense and depth, though, are not nearly so good. How do teams that profile like X get on at the pointy end of the season? We'll discuss that, Zach Freemantle, and answer all your questions on this episode of Banter.

Xavier knocked off UConn in a huge Q1 home win. Resume burnished, the Musketeers now sit 21st in the NET, where the Big East is rising rapidly. Georgetown remains a whole landfill fire, College of Charleston is, somehow, ranked, and the Big East is breaking into tiers. We discuss all of that, onanism (?), Jerome Hunter, and yell loudly about Dylan Sinn in this episode of Banter.

Xavier hung on against St. John's to get to 3-0 in the Big East. The all access broadcast was amazing, but most of what Xavier Nation wanted to know after the game is how someone's voice can get that high and how Xavier can avoid the fatigue that seems to be catching them at the end of games. We'll get into that, the emergence of Jerome Hunter, the struggles of the freshman, answer your questions, and implore you to quit taking F'd up shots in this episode of Banter.

Xavier is 2-0 in the Big East, but does that mean what it used to? The Big East is a bit weaker this year, but the Musketeers look primed to make a serious run at contention. That could depend on how far the offense can carry them, because the defense is a real area of concern. We'll get into all of that, the player of the week, whether the World Cup final was the best championship we've seen, and more on this episode of Banter.

The only way to upstage a Shootout win is with news that Xavier's coach has been found not guilty in the IARP investigation. Xavier remains squeaky clean, the best program in town, and in the premier basketball conference in the nation. Souley Boum is the latest Xavier transfer to exceed expectation, we break down the Big East so far, and our outro... could use some work. All that, Chris Beard, Fran McCaffery, and our tribute to Mike Leach by ranking coaching rants on this episode of Banter.

UC has beaten no one, Xavier has almost beaten the best of the best. The Shootout is the best basketball rivalry going, and we've got the details. How has UC been this year? Who should we hate the most? How do you only score 11 in a half against NKU? The answers to that, all your questions, everyone fighting off colds, and more on this episode of Banter.

Xavier went 1-3 over their toughest stretch. Is that good? Bad? Does it matter? Can Xavier fans be excited even if the resume hasn't improved? There's a lot of questions to answer on this episode of Banter.

With the gang all together for the holiday we break down Xavier's 3-1 start, a close but encouraging loss to Indiana, and try to decide if Xavier is better now than they were this time last year.

2-0! Freemantle playing well!! Tandy is playing!!! It's (almost) all coming up roses for Xavier so far. We break down the fast start and look at where the team still has some gaps to fill. Is the front court the main problem, or is it point guard play?

Sean Miller is back, Xavier is back, basketball is back, and we're back! We'll talk coaching change, the best players on the team, how the Big East will shake out, and a plethora of other things as we, finally, finally, get back to talking basketball. It's only three days until tip off, let's go!

Xavier won the NIT in an incredible game over Texas A&M. That whole team, and its coach, won't be back next year as the highly debated transfer wheel has already started to spin. That, the NCAA final, and Gonzaga rumors on this episode of Banter.

Xavier finally ceded to the inevitable and named Sean Miller the head coach. We break down what could happen with his suspension, who he needs to keep on the team, and what his first steps as Xavier coach need to be. After that, we delve into the NIT and that other tournament that is going on. It's a new dawn for Xavier.

In a slightly delayed podcast, we break down all four regions, name the best double digit seeds, and name our Final Four(s) as the best week of the year gets rolling.

The Travis Steele era is over at Xavier. In a shocking move, Xavier has parted ways with their coach between NIT games. Why did it happen now? Who could be next? Why do we all want it to be Sean Miller?

We go in depth on the Big East Tournament and what Xavier needs to do (win some games) there to get off the bubble. Nate Johnson returns, there's a fight Wagner-Bryant, Zach Freemantle is hurting this team, and Georgetown is really bad. That, and the second best week in basketball on this week in Banter.

Both the results and the behavior were disgraceful as Xavier dropped two games they could scarcely afford to lose. The Musketeers were booed off the court at home, and that wasn't even the worst of the crowd behavior. On the court the defense was appalling and the offense wasn't able to keep up. We tackle all that and all your questions on this episode of Banter.

This extra long episode centers around the one the thing Xavier Nation can't stop talking about: metrics. No, we're talking almost just all about the coaching situation, who might be available, and whether Xavier should even consider changing coaches. That, and your questions, in this episode of Banter.

Xavier built on a tough Seton Hall game to knock off UConn at home. Jack Nunge led the way all week with consistently great play. That raises X's tournament chances, but is ESPN conspiring to damage them? Will Georgetown ever make the tournament again? Answers to that, news of a big invite next November, and a lot more on this episode of Banter.

It has been three and a half years. Xavier is 16-6 (6-5) and almost a lock for the NCAA tournament. They also just lost to DePaul in a familiar February slump. Is it the coach? Is the team not developing? Is this just a team in a tough conference? We answer our questions, and yours, in this episode of Banter.

The numbers, and the better players, told the story as Xavier overcame a huge deficit to record a huge win at Creighton. That comeback cured the ills of a loss to Providence and sent X into a stretch of two winnable games. Nate Johnson has rediscovered his shot and Xavier is better off for it. It's all that, your questions, and some untoward giggling on this episode of Banter.

The sky is falling as Xavier loses a road game to a top 25 opponent. Could it be Zach Freemantle? Is it the fact the team makes free throws at a coin toss rate? More importantly, just how hard should we panic? It's that, Chris Mack on the way out at Louisville, conspiracy theories, and your questions on this episode of Banter.

The Big East is fantastic basketball officiated incompetently. We talk about that, how Xavier's offense can improve, decide who, if anyone, can beat Villanova, and Bryan blows minds as he explains why "Crawford's gotta hurry!" isn't even on the podium of great Xavier play by play calls.

There's finally a game to talk about! Xavier heads to a barn in Indiana and wins comfortably behind a great game from Adam Kunkel. We break that down, do the #tenyearchallenge and talk Chris Mack, answer your questions, and find out just how old and out of touch two thirds of us are on this week in Banter.

Xavier didn't play, so we're answering all your questions. First, we delve into Covid pauses and the impact on the season so far, then it's on to questions about Zach Freemantle, Travis Steele, Jack Nunge, Jerome Hunter's shooting and a whole lot more on this episode of Banter.

Xavier entered Christmas with a second half collapse and loss against Villanova. They enter New Year's with games being cancelled for Covid. The more things change, the more they stay the same. We break down that game, look ahead at how Covid is changing the season, and answer your questions (about the coaching) on this episode of Banter.

Xavier is undefeated in the Big East... after one game. The Musketeers handled Marquette despite an off game and are on to Villanova. We discuss those games, the end of non-conference play, and Xavier's ongoing turnover woes. There's all that, your questions, and Christmas memories, both those heartwarming and those featuring the word "crotchal," ahead on this episode of Banter.

Xavier hammered UC in the Shootout and we're willing to spend an hour talking about it. Other then Jack Nunge, who was MVP? Which was the best moment of the game? When did the game turn and the writing hit the wall? All that, your questions, the coaches we like, and the ones we don't, in this episode of Banter.

It's Shootout Week on Banter. We break down Xavier's wins of CMU and Oklahoma St before moving on to the best rivalry in college basketball. It's the 10th anniversary of the The Fight, a great time to remember Lenny Brown, and a look at why UC presents a serious challenge this year. All that, player of the week, and your questions on this episode of Banter.

Xavier picked up a big win Friday after battling the flu and ISU on Wednesday. Nate Johnson scored 30, everyone lost that holiday weight the easy way, and X solidified their early resume. We discuss that, the three point shooting and turnovers, answer your questions, and ponder how the team shakes out with everyone healthy on this episode of Banter.

Xavier got a big win in terms of status by knocking off Ohio State, and a big win in terms of scoreline by beating Norfolk St by 40. We discuss those games, the mystery that is Jerome Hunter, the chance for more good wins at the Preseason NIT, and award our players of the week. All that, your questions, and why gravy counts as a side dish in this episode of Banter.

Xavier has started the season undefeated, by questions abound. Why is the shooting so bad? Can anyone take care of the ball? How bad (or good) is this team actually? Is there a reason for hope? We'll try to answer those, catch up with the rest of the Big East, extoll the virtues of the newcomers, and talk about... Hunky Dory (?) in this episode of Banter.

It's finally here! With a day until tip, we get together to talk about Xavier's strengths and weaknesses, which players excite us the most, and where we see this team ending up. Is it back to the tournament or is this the end of the line for Travis Steele? We talk about all that, the NCAA shafting... everyone, and a lot more on this week's season preview episode.

We're back for the start of new season with coverage of Team Zip Em Up, Xavier's entry in The Basketball Tournament. After we look at the strengths and weaknesses of that roster, it's time to look at the changes Team 100 has on tap as Xavier's preseason workouts are in full gear. All that, some Olympics chat, the return of CJ Anderson and BJ Raymond, and all the Tuuka Kotti coverage you could ask for on this episode of Banter.

March Madness was back with an awesome weekend of games. We discuss the best games, OSU losing, another OSU winning, and the moments we will remember. Xavier made newss too, as three players hit the transfer portal and Nate Johnson announced his return.

Brackets are back and that's great news, even if Xavier isn't in there. We talk turning down the NIT, Kyky leaving, and who might take the Covid year. In non-Xavier news there are great first round games and some bracket gripes to get March (finally) rolling again.

Xavier hasn't been playing well, but we aren't getting bogged down in that. It's time for the Big East Tournament and we break down what X has to do and how they can do it (and maybe a brief peek into their woes). It's March, let's do this.

Xavier grabs a huge win...and then follows it with a damaging loss. We look at how the last two games impacted Xavier's bubble chances, talk about who is playing hard (and who isn't), how Kyky can rescue this team, and answer your questions on this episode of Banter.

Xavier's recent play has landed them on the bubble. We'll discuss bad coaching, bad offense, bad defense, bad bench play, other bad things, and whether Xavier can still save this season on this episode of Banter.

Xavier played terrible defense and shot poorly in two losses, but their effort and coaching weren't up to standards either. We discuss all that, take your questions, and find out why Brad likes Steph Curry on this episode of Banter.

Xavier didn't play, but we are back to discuss coaches throwing fits, a weak Big East, and foul or defend. All that on top of Xavier's tournament chances, why X couldn't get a game, and when we will finally play again.

After 20 days Xavier played a game and then promptly stopped again. We break down that game, the odd substitution patterns, where St. John's and Marquette stack up, the odds of the NCAA tournament happening and, of course, John Madden in this episode of Banter.

Xavier isn't playing, but that doesn't mean no one is. Bryan and Braydan have a look at who in the conference is helping their chances to make the NCAA tournament, and who might be hoping it gets canceled again, as well as take a look at the big games from this weekend.

Xavier moved above .500 in Big East play with a buzzer beater from Colby Jones. We'll discuss that, what Greg Gantt was doing (nothing), KyKy Tandy's shrinking role, Zach Freemantle's turnover issue, the free throw woes, and take your questions on this episode of Banter.

X is back to winning ways behind Dwon Odom and Colby Jones. We'll break down a game with no threes, Xavier's broken offense, and how that plays in the Big East, as well as Creighton's big win and our favorite "big boned" athletes on this episode of Banter.

2020 ends with a solid Xavier team sitting at 8-1. We discuss that, the irrelevance of the media polls, how often coaches and announcers mess up the "quick two" end game scenario, and our favorite stories of a trying year before wrapping up with your questions on this episode of Banter.

Xavier is on fire heading into the last game before Christmas. Just how deep is this team? Are there spots for Kyky and Ben Stanley? That, John Calipari being a wank, Butler losing, and your questions on this episode of Banter.

Covid has taken the shine off Xavier's 7-0 start, but we still talk about a big win over Oklahoma and what would have been the start of Big East play. That, who else has impressed in the BE, and what games UC might actually pretend to care about in today's episode of Banter.

Xavier won the Shootout for the sixth time in eight years. We talk about how Paul Scruggs helped make that happen, Zach Freemantle's defensive struggles, and how the new players fit into the best program in the city in this episode of Banter.

As Xavier readies for the Shootout we talk rebounding problems, the four guard lineup, possible transfer waiver reprieve, and which UC players we loved watching lose. That and your questions on this Shootout week of Banter.

Xavier has three games in the book as, praise Jesus, basketball is back! We discuss each game, talk about who impressed us most (it wasn't the refs), and look at what the team can improve. That, the shooting, Diego Maradona, and Dwon Odom palming the ball in this week's episode of Banter.

After looking at the players last week, it's time to see what lies ahead of them. A stacked Big East, a strange non-con, and one road game highlight the schedule. That, plus a look at Naji Marshall in the draft, in this week's episode of Banter.

In this episode we take our first real look at the season we all hope happens. We'll start with more Covid news but quickly get into an in depth look at Xavier's roster, who the breakout stars could be, and who are poised to be the most important players. That and the answers to your questions on this episode of Banter on the Parkway.

Forgive us a moment of indulgence as we explain how we became Xavier fans via an interview with the man that started us down that path. We'll look back at Xavier's history since 1982, talk about our favorite players and teams, and, because this is 2020, suffer serious microphone issues.

Bryan and Braydan are back with a complete look at what has happened in the Big East since Creighton and St. John's walked off the floor.

It's been a wild year thus far, and we're back to talk the possible cancellation of non-conference play (and the entire season?), Xavier's grad transfers and freshmen, who leads this team if there is a season, and what on earth that season might look like. All that and more on this summer episode of Banter on the Parkway.

Basketball was rolling along until just after noon on March 12th when it, and everything else, changed in a manic four hours. The impact of that was felt worldwide. We discuss all that, as well as the tournament we've come up with to try to stand in the gap.

The two main topics on Twitter are the main topics of the pod. Of course we mean the question everyone is asking: is Coach Steele the right man for the Xavier job? And the question everyone else is asking: will coronavirus just render this season moot anyway? That and more on this week's Banter.

Xavier grabbed another Q1 win, but did so with another bad offensive performance. How far can that offense go in the NCAA tournament? Will there even be an NCAA tournament? That, Jason Carter dunking, recruits who can shoot, and a terrible sports movie this week on Banter.

Bryan and Braydan are back for their weekly look around the Big East. Before that, we'll have a look at where Xavier stands on the bubble with just three games to go.

Xavier handled business against DePaul and moved up the bubble. Was that a repeatable performance? What does it say about X going forward? That, the Big East bubble, what Xavier needs to do to insure they are in the tournament, and which former player could bolster this team's chances all coming up this week.

It's a huge conference weekend as the chances for big wins become ever more important as March waits just over the horizon. As ever, Bryan and Braydan are here to break down all the action.

Xavier looks more and more secure with every road win, but where does the rest of the Big East stand? Could the conference get eight teams into the tournament? We talk that, what Quentin Goodin can still bring to the table, and answer your questions on this week's episode of Banter.

It's mid-February which means all the focus in college basketball is on the bubble. We'll see where Xavier sits there as well as how the Big East weekend sets things up for X against St. John's.

In this episode we go way into the numbers to determine why Xavier is suddenly playing like one of the best teams in the nation. There's that, your questions, superstitions, and bad hair all on this episode of Banter.

The Big East is poised to put a bunch of teams in the tournament as the conference enters a month that sets them up for the NCAA torunament.

Tyrique has driven Xavier to two huge Q1 road wins. We'll talk about how close that moves Xavier to the tournament field, the emergence of KyKy Tandy, and the games Xavier can't afford to lose. All that plus the ideal game snack in this episode of Banter.

It's time to look at the numbers dispassionately to see what Xavier has to do to get in to the tournament. (Make free throws). After I do that, Bry and Braydan come along to update all of us on how the Big East is shaking out.

Xavier's flaws were all on display against Creighton in a loss that dropped them to 2-5. Can they reasonably expect to drag themselves back to the .500 they probably need to be to earn an at large bid to the NCAA tournament?

Bubble talk. It sustains us through February, but it's already time for a sneak peek. We see where Xavier sits right now before Bryan and yet another guest break down Big East play.

Xavier's season hangs on the brink as we talk point guard problems, lineup changes and the Xavier Way, and what we think of the job Travis Steele has done so far. That, your questions, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and giving the Astros the death penalty on this episode of Banter.

Xavier may be off for the weekend and out of the hunt, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of good basketball going on around the conference. Bry and Braydan are back to break it all down on a blustery Saturday morning.

What's the cure to Xavier's ills? Burning it all down. We discuss the three point shooting woes, the defensive breakdowns, the coaching miscues, and how that could all be alleviated if we just didn't have a team. We'll also answer your questions and talk pickup ball in this episode of Banter on the Parkway.

Bryan and Braydan go in depth on everything going on so far in the Big East with a focus, of course, on what Xavier has to do to get back in the race.

Two great bench performances may have shown how to solve Xavier's depth issues, figuring out if this team is any good, and putting together the lineup pieces, plus answering all your questions on this episode of Banter.

Xavier keeps getting thinner, but does that mean anything for their tournament chances? Dah Bishop is gone, how can he be replaced? We answer those questions and look around the Big East in this episode of the Dispatches.

We convene the roundtable to try to pick which seven Xavier players, five starters and a sub each for the bigs and guards, combine to form Xavier's team of the 2010s.

The best and worst from non-conference, who to watch for in the Big East, is Butler for real, and how do you pronounce gif? All of that and more in this week's episode.

Xavier has rebounded since a six game losing streak last season. How have they done it? Joel looks at the improved defense while Brad breaks down how Quentin Goodin's improvement has helped Naji Marshall become more efficient.

Xavier lost to Wake on Saturday and the knives came out. We look at where the Musketeers go from here, whether it's time to panic just yet, and how a lineup change might be what the Musketeers need. That, Christmas food, pastors throwing snowballs, and ruminations on what motivates Jarron Cumberland all on this episode of Banter.

It's an hour of celebration as we break down Xavier's convincing Shootout win, give out the first ever Mick Cronin Memorial Pretend Tough Guy Award, and have a look ahead to Xavier's final three non-conference games. All that and more this week on Banter.

It's a quick special edition before the Crosstown Shootout and we're talking history, who could be a surprise bright spot, and briefly glancing around the rest of the Big East in preparation for the best rivalry in college ball.

With Crosstown week upon us, heads are momentarily turned by a monumental mess in DC. We'll talk about where Patrick Ewing can go from here, look at what UC has done so far, and decide who this game matters more to. That and more on this episode of Banter.

We're live from our parents house to talk about surprising DePaul, whether Xavier's three point shooting or penchant for turnovers is a bigger concern, Jason Carter, and which is the worst Thanksgiving food choice you can make. All that and more today on Banter on the Parkway.

Today we look at a successful trip to Charleston, what we learned about this team, and what the rest of the Big East is up to as we roll into the Thanksgiving break.

Xavier heads to Charleston without a blemish on their record. We talk bad shooting (again), Kyky Tandy coming to the rescue, what this team's ceiling is, and why Christmas music should wait until December.

We have a look around college basketball, see why accepting moving money and driving drunk are basically the same thing, check in on the Big East, and preview the Charleston Classic field on this episode of the dispatches.

Xavier beat Missouri after trying very hard to beat themselves. We talk about picking up a tough win over a good team, Joel explains why offensive efficiency is down across basketball, and we talk about what can be fixed about the shooting woes so far.

The start of the week is the perfect time to see what else is happening in college basketball. This week dispatches come in about the Big East, a Ken Pom defensive marvel, a quick peek at Missouri's lock down defense, and what exactly is going in Memphis. It's quick, it's concise, it's The Dispatches.

It's mostly positive after a comfortable opening win, but what about the three point shooting? That, why we think this is a second weekend team, how Jason Carter fits, and some brief static from a police radio all in a brand new episode.

We get Banter on the Parkway started with a quick preview of who to watch out for in the Big East and which coach should be looking over his shoulder.