To those who don't know, I'm a huge professional boxing fan.
I love the history, the pageantry and the mystique that went along with the big fights we saw in the heavyweight division during the 1990's.
Holyfield was at the epicenter of that and initially made his name in boxing when Mike Tyson was in prison.
He beat Buster Douglas to win the heavyweight title and then earned decisions over both George Foreman and Larry Holmes before losing and then regaining the title from Riddick Bowe.
Holyfield had achievements, but he didn't have the type of respect he craved because he didn't beat Tyson.
That's very similar to where Xavier sits today.
The Musketeers are 24-3 overall and have a terrific team that's made mincemeat out of Michigan, USC, Dayton, Providence and others.
Chris Mack is doing as good of a coaching job as anyone in college basketball and has a squad that many, including myself, believe will have an excellent chance to advance to the Final Four in Houston.
But Xavier still hasn't beaten Villanova.
In fact, in the six meetings the two programs have had since the creation of the new Big East, the Wildcats have beaten the Musketeers by an average of 17.1 points.
The two teams will meet again on Wednesday at the Cintas Center in what feels like the most anticipated Big East regular season game we've seen since realignment.
Win or lose, Xavier is still going to be a trendy pick to do damage in the NCAA Tournament.
But just like Holyfield needed the chance he got against Tyson when he beat him in 1996, the Musketeers need to beat Villanova to take another step forward in terms of enhancing their national perception.
They'll get that opportunity on Wednesday night.............................
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebas...d-be-in-a-feast-or-famine-situation-this-year
I love the history, the pageantry and the mystique that went along with the big fights we saw in the heavyweight division during the 1990's.
Holyfield was at the epicenter of that and initially made his name in boxing when Mike Tyson was in prison.
He beat Buster Douglas to win the heavyweight title and then earned decisions over both George Foreman and Larry Holmes before losing and then regaining the title from Riddick Bowe.
Holyfield had achievements, but he didn't have the type of respect he craved because he didn't beat Tyson.
That's very similar to where Xavier sits today.
The Musketeers are 24-3 overall and have a terrific team that's made mincemeat out of Michigan, USC, Dayton, Providence and others.
Chris Mack is doing as good of a coaching job as anyone in college basketball and has a squad that many, including myself, believe will have an excellent chance to advance to the Final Four in Houston.
But Xavier still hasn't beaten Villanova.
In fact, in the six meetings the two programs have had since the creation of the new Big East, the Wildcats have beaten the Musketeers by an average of 17.1 points.
The two teams will meet again on Wednesday at the Cintas Center in what feels like the most anticipated Big East regular season game we've seen since realignment.
Win or lose, Xavier is still going to be a trendy pick to do damage in the NCAA Tournament.
But just like Holyfield needed the chance he got against Tyson when he beat him in 1996, the Musketeers need to beat Villanova to take another step forward in terms of enhancing their national perception.
They'll get that opportunity on Wednesday night.............................
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebas...d-be-in-a-feast-or-famine-situation-this-year
