Xavier is supposed to make the NCAA tournament. Xavier is supposed to make regular runs to the Sweet 16. This is what the fanbase expects of the program. If you started paying attention anytime within the last 40 years, the program has paid out on this expectation.
Travis Steele is entering his fourth season presiding over the men's basketball program. In his first three seasons, he has coached a grand total of zero NCAA tournament games. While there is a general (albeit not universal) sense that the program is heading in the right direction under Steele, it is the destination, not the journey, that has Xavier fans tuning in.