LamarCheeks

Let me start by saying I like Archie. I thought he was a good hire. I could be wrong -- I often am -- but when he came aboard, I thought it was a good move. There were two guys I really would've loved to have -- Tony Bennett, Brad Stevens -- and they weren't happening, so given the remaining pool, I thought Archie was among the best options. I'm still in his corner, but last night really concerns me. Those guys just acted as if they didn't want to be there, and oftentimes, I think that's a reflection on the coach. There was no fire in their belly and no sense of urgency. You're playing in the nation's best conference in front of 17,000-plus fans -- how can that not get you fired up to play? And please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying Crean is better than Archie -- no way, no how -- and I'm so old now that I can't necessarily remember nine and 10 years ago, but even when we were gawdawful in FCTC's early years, it seems that at least we played hard. No matter what our problems were last night, I think most everyone can agree: That team did NOT play hard. That's what frustrated the bejabbers out of me. P.S. One of the things we lack most is a consistent outside shooter. Living out in the commonwealth, I see him play (on TV) quite often, but just imagine how good Kyle Guy would look in the cream & crimson. When he crosses the half-court line, he's in range. And he doesn't need much room -- he can shoot off the dribble and off screens. FCTC really blew it there.

Living in the commonwealth, I'm actually looking forward to No. 9 Virginia Tech at No. 4 Virginia tonight. I think Virginia's pretty solid, but I'm skeptical that Tech really is the ninth-best team in the country. My guess: U.Va. by 15. We'll see ...

Funny thing is, early in the season, I though we could sweep the PUs. Now, I'll be surprised if we don't get swept... Toiletmakers 76 IU 63

I would like to see Jake a little more, too -- simply because it seems at this point, he can't be any worse than anybody else -- but I believe he's been limited by an ankle injury. I saw something today indicating he was questionable at best for tonight.

I should've just changed the channel, but didn't. ... And seeing squirrely Tim Miles laughing and joking with Raftery on our floor after the game just pisses me off. We need someone like Larry Bird, during the Celts-Lakers series in the mid-1980s, to step up and say, "We're playing like sissies. We don't have the heart we need to. To see guys out there, runnin' up and down and slapping high-fives... you'd think somebody would want to put a stop to it." ... But I honestly don't think there is any leadership on this team. (Sorry that I remember those old Lakers-Celtics series. I'm 50, so according to some on this board, my old-school thinking is the reason Archie gives so much playing time to McRoberts. ... If you can figure how that sh-- works, you're smarter than I).

Not sure I understand this. Did we go after Chris Mack and he said no, that he wanted more money? I think Archie is getting over $3 million a year. I'm guessing Mack would've taken that to leave Xavier had we asked him to.

First of all, what the eff does being over 50 have to do with Archie playing or not playing anybody? Second of all, I doubt Archie makes his decisions on playing time based on pressure from fans. I'm not exactly sure what he does base PT on, but I doubt it's the fans.

So it's the fault of fans over 50 that McRoberts gets so much playing time?

He's 0 percent tonight.

Jeeze -- this game is over.

Our shooters don't make shots. Big difference.

They have shooters. We don't.

We just can't afford to miss open shots. Not at this point.

Apparently, so he could get posterized.

Wish I had a tape of the Marquette game. I'd love to see what the heck we did that was so good that night that we haven't been able to replicate.

Way, way, way too many empty possessions.

We're 4 for 20 from the floor.

We're awful at handling ball screens at the top of the key. We always have a botched switch and end up with two guys on the ball while the screener gets loose. Then we scramble to find him and by the time we do, it's too late.

Game's 10 minutes old and we're down by 16. ... Pathetic!

After Justin's awful pass, everybody just stood and watch as Nebraska ran their break. If a couple guys show some effort and get back, maybe we get the rebound off the miss. ... Absolutely no effort.

This team has no fire in its belly.

Two possessions. Two lazy passes. Two turnovers. Didn't even get a shot off.

Hey Fox Sports One, we all know that Kyler Murray has declared for the NFL draft - can we drop the BREAKING NEWS scroll!

Back to the norm -- an awful start.

Looks as if Green is starting. Was really hoping Rob was ready to resume control of the point.