Playing the 'What If' game

It has come to a foregone conclusion that Xavier would not be playing in this year’s Elite Eight if they had had not been denied the chance to play in last year’s Sweet Sixteen by a late comeback by Ohio State. That experience has molded this team.
“Our game against Ohio State a year ago gave this team a great perspective of what the NCAA Tournament is about. I think those experiences have helped our team this year,” Miller said.
With that said, there are many other things that had to go right for Xavier to get this far. Here are just a few. Xavier would not be playing in today’s Elite Eight if:
-C.J. Anderson was still a senior at Manhattan College. His low-post power and rebounding prowess is something that Xavier just did not posses before he came on board. 12 points and 10 rebounds vs. WVU were crucial.
- B.J. Raymond never hits the game winning 3 against St. Joe’s on Feb. 10. The shot gave Raymond the confidence to take and make big shots in big spots. Like, say with 30 seconds left in a Sweet Sixteen game.
-Dante Jackson does not emerge into the player that he is on offense, and with timely jump shots.
- Stanley Burrell does not make his commitment to defensive intensity and leadership.
- Josh Duncan does not turn up the intensity in February to a level where he is now almost ungaurdable with his combination of inside-outside play.
- Jason Love does not “make the leap” from a ‘decent big body who can rebound,’ to ‘a legitimate double-double threat.’
-Sean Miller does not turn down Michigan and any other suitor this past offseason. This will be the key once again this offseason as Miller will be flooded with offers. Should he deny them all, Xavier will be in a position to sustain this level of basketball for years to come. If not then Chris Mack will likely take over, and have to try and pick up where Miller left off.