CNATI: Cincinnati OH Sports Journalism

Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist Jim Souhan took shots at Xavier coach Chris Mack and his team in a column written earlier this week. It didn't hold back and proclaimed the Golden Gophers as favorites in this game despite their lower seed.

A concept I touched on Thursday here.  

Here is Souhan's entire column, which takes shots at the Atlantic 10 and Jordan Crawford. But the most biting comment came in regards to Mack:

"Xavier is coached by a rookie who got his job only because his predecessors bail out for bigger paychecks as soon as they can. Chris Mack's salary is probably supplemented by free Skyline chili. Friday, for the first time, he'll be a head coach in an NCAA tournament game."

First off, I wish my salary was supplemented by Skyline Chili (CTR, you reading this?). Second, what an unnecessary shot on a guy who grinded his way through the ranks to get his shot. Of course, most of his column is pretty over the top anyway.

So, after enjoying an 11-point win against the Gophers, Mack was sure to take his opportunity to take his shot back at Souhan.

"Our kids aren't scared to play anybody," Mack said. "We don't always win, but we're not afraid to compete. And Jim Souhan, however you pronounce his name, from the Star-Tribube, thanks for the motivation to tell our kids that we should be fodder against Minnesota. Our kids are used to this stage. We played a lot of NCAA tournaments. We've been very successful. It's my charage and our kids charge to continue to do that."

Mark Lyons hears the people that continue to question the Musketeers and wouldn't deny it drives this team.

"Our whole team has a chip on our shoulder," Lyons said. "A lot of people doubted us all year. When we were 6-5 in the beginning, we stuck together as a team through the struggles and coach Mack kept us together. It feels good."

--- When Jordan Crawford was a freshman at Indiana, he says his best friend there was Armon Bassett.

Bassett as in current star of my Ohio U. Bobcats who has scored 25 or more points in five straight games.

Both transferred when Kelvin Sampson was let go. Both sat out a year. Both returned to the NCAA scene in a big way the last two days.

Watching Bassett drop 32 for Ohio University in an upset of Georgetown set the stage for Crawford to match it on Thursday with his 28 points.

"I was so excited for him I couldn't wait to get out there," Crawford said. "I was just so happy for him. I guess it did inspire me a little bit."