GETTING INSIDE
Xavier has won the Atlantic 10 regular-season title each of the last three seasons despite losing its final game before Christmas, falling to Bucknell in 2006, Tennessee in 2007 and Butler in 2008.
The Musketeers aren’t the favorites to win the conference this season as Dayton is the consensus choice to end their reign. However, Xavier apparently isn’t going to give up its crown quietly, as it beat Miami (Ohio), 70-67, in its last pre-Christmas game to improve to 7-4.
Xavier has gotten a big boost from sophomore guard Jordan Crawford, a transfer from Indiana. He leads the team with an 18.5 scoring average and is pulling down five rebounds a game.
Senior forward Jason Love has been a steady inside presence, averaging 10.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.
The Musketeers have plenty of backcourt depth. Freshman Mark Lyons, inserted into the starting lineup for forward Jamel McLane following a 71-56 loss at Kansas State on Dec. 8, is averaging 9.2 points while sophomore Terrell Holloway has averages of 9.6 points and 3.7 assists, and sophomore Brad Redford is scoring 7.3 points a game off the bench.
Sophomore center Kenny Frease is beginning to develop as a second inside scoring option, averaging 6.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in a reserve role.
Xavier, as usual, has played one of the Atlantic 10’s more difficult non-conference schedules, as its losses besides the one to Kansas State have been to Marquette, Baylor and Butler.
The Musketeers finish non-conference play by hosting LSU and visiting Wake Forest before opening conference play Jan. 7 at La Salle.
NOTES, QUOTES
• Xavier set a school record with its 15th consecutive home victory on Dec. 22 when it beat Miami (Ohio), 70-67, at the Cintas Center. The Musketeers are 126-17 in 10 seasons at the Cintas Center for an .881 winning percentage, including a 64-7 record in non-conference games.
• Xavier is 7-0 this season when it scores at least 70 points and 6-2 when it holds an opponent under 70 points.
January At A Glance: Xavier will look to become more consistent in January as conference play begins following some uneven performances early in the season. The Musketeers have a deep backcourt but are trying to establish another presence inside beyond senior forward Jason Love, which could mean more playing time for sophomore center Kenny Frease.
Quote To Note: “I started to look around. I thought I was on Candid Camera.”—Xavier coach Chris Mack, after his team was involved in a clock malfunction in the final seconds for the second straight game before beating Miami (Ohio), 70-67, on Dec. 22. Three days earlier, the Musketeers dropped a controversial 69-68 decision at Butler because of clock problems.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: A rebuilding team has had its ups and downs against a challenging schedule, but seems to be gaining momentum going into conference play. Sophomore guard Jordan Crawford, a dynamic transfer from Indiana, gives Xavier a legitimate chance to win its fourth consecutive Atlantic 10 regular-season title and senior forward Jason Love has grown into a leadership role.
Player Rotation: Usual starters—F Jason Love, G Jordan Crawford, G Terrell Holloway, G Mark Lyons, G Dante Jackson. Key subs—C Kenny Frease, G Brad Redford, F Jamel McLane, F Andrew Taylor.
Game Review:
Xavier 83, Cincinnati 79
Butler 69, Xavier 68
Xavier 70, Miami (Ohio) 67
Game Preview:
Vs. LSU, Tuesday, Dec. 29
At Wake Forest, Sunday, Jan. 3
At La Salle, Thursday, Jan. 7
At George Washington, Sunday, Jan. 10
Vs. Charlotte, Wednesday, Jan. 13
In Foucs: Xavier has played a tough non-conference schedule in gearing up for a run at a fourth straight Atlantic 10 regular-season title. The Musketeers will get one last challenge when it wraps up non-conference play with a trip to Winston-Salem to play Wake Forest (8-2).
Roster Report:
• G Mark Lyons scored a career-high 13 points in a 70-67 victory over Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 22 and shared Rookie of the Week honors in the Atlantic 10. He also had four assists, three rebounds and two steals while making 5-of-7 shots from the field.
• C Kenny Frease had a career-best 11 rebounds against Miami (Ohio). That came after the sophomore scored a season-high 12 points in a 69-68 loss at Butler three days earlier.
• F Jamel McLane is coming off the bench after starting the first nine games of the season. McLane played only three minutes and failed to score against Butler in his first game as a reserve but bounced back to score six points and grab nine rebounds in 21 minutes against Miami (Ohio).
