I don't know about everybody else, but I could get used seeing Xavier make huge threes when they need them the most. With Xavier down by two and only 1.9 seconds left, Dante Jackson banked in a half court shot to lift the Musketeers over Virgina Tech. Obviously this game in the Puerto Rico tournament is not as meaningful as the NCAA tournament, but the shot did bring back memories of B.J. Raymond's three pointer against West Virgina.
Jackson's shot was very clutch. Prior to the half court attempt, Jackson was 0-5 from behind the arc. Good teams make shots when they need them most. Some might say that the shot was entirely luck, and there was a fair amount of luck invovlved. But again good teams create their own luck. Great job by Xavier to get the ball into the open man quickly, and find the opportunity to take an open, decent shot.
Great game. Highly intertaining. This team just keeps giving us great reasons to watch them. These early close games are going to be great practice and learning experiences come the stretch of the season.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Va. Tech Preview
With the 75-71 win over Missouri on Thursday the Xavier Musketeers advance to play Virginia Tech in the Semifinals of the O'Rielly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Season Tipoff. The Hokies return a solid core of players from a squad that barely missed an NCAA berth in March. Here is a look at the Hokies by Doug Bowman of HokieHaven.com:
VT loves to get into the open court, but will also pull back and go into a half court offense. In that half court, they like to work the ball around and get 2 of Vassallo/Delaney and Allen on one side where they can isolate either Allen in the post while giving Vassallo/Delaney the oppurtunity to drive.
A.D. Vassallo is the best player, although Delaney and Allen are definitely not far behind. Seth Greenberg calls them "a poor mans big three" in referring to the Celtics big three. Vassallo is a deadly shooter, but is also very effective driving. Delaney is a smooth shooter, also the best free throw shooter on the team, and one of the leaders. Jeff Allen has dropped a lot of weight and is the go to guy in the post, but can also step out and knock down a 3 ball. He does have a tendency to fail to recognize a double team coming from his backside and will turn right into it.
The Hokies have done a fantastic job of finishing games this year. Last year, these two close games against Gardner Webb and Mt. Saint Mary's would have resulted in heartbreaking losses. This year, they handle the pressure of the final minutes much better.
VT has struggled to keep the intensity up for a full 40 minutes. They had a huge lead against Gardner Webb before having it wittled to 3 and had to struggled with Mt. Saint Mary's before coming back in the closing minutes.
VT loves to get into the open court, but will also pull back and go into a half court offense. In that half court, they like to work the ball around and get 2 of Vassallo/Delaney and Allen on one side where they can isolate either Allen in the post while giving Vassallo/Delaney the oppurtunity to drive.
A.D. Vassallo is the best player, although Delaney and Allen are definitely not far behind. Seth Greenberg calls them "a poor mans big three" in referring to the Celtics big three. Vassallo is a deadly shooter, but is also very effective driving. Delaney is a smooth shooter, also the best free throw shooter on the team, and one of the leaders. Jeff Allen has dropped a lot of weight and is the go to guy in the post, but can also step out and knock down a 3 ball. He does have a tendency to fail to recognize a double team coming from his backside and will turn right into it.
The Hokies have done a fantastic job of finishing games this year. Last year, these two close games against Gardner Webb and Mt. Saint Mary's would have resulted in heartbreaking losses. This year, they handle the pressure of the final minutes much better.
VT has struggled to keep the intensity up for a full 40 minutes. They had a huge lead against Gardner Webb before having it wittled to 3 and had to struggled with Mt. Saint Mary's before coming back in the closing minutes.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Crawford situation still up in the air
With his point guard position in a state of turmoil following an exhibition game against Findlay on Friday that featured 28 turnovers, 10 of which coming from the backcourt, Xavier head coach Sean Miller was hoping for some good news this week in regard to sophomore transfer guard Jordan Crawford.
What Miller has received, however, has not exactly been to his liking: I whole lot of silence.
Miller, along with the Xavier program, is still awaiting word from the NCAA with regards to Crawford’s eligibility.
“We are hopeful that sometime in the next couple of weeks that we can find out either way because I am more concerned about Jordan Crawford than I am about Xavier. If you were him, you would probably want to know if you could play this season,” Miller said on Thursday.
Crawford, a 6’4” guard out of Detroit who spent the past season at Indiana University, decided to transfer to Xavier in August amid the threat of NCAA sanctions being levied against the Hoosier basketball program as a result of recruiting violations by former coach Kelvin Sampson.
Indiana self-imposed a sanction against themselves in October of 2007, forfeiting one scholarship following allegations from the NCAA that Indiana assistant coaches conducted impermissible phone calls to recruits (including current Xavier freshman Kenny Frease) and handed out improper benefits to recruits.
The situation worsened in February of 2008 when the NCAA revealed that Sampson himself had been involved in the violations, and had attempted to deceive the NCAA when questioned about the incident.
Indiana did not take any further action, however, arguing that the monetary loss of having to buy out Sampson’s contract in February, coupled with the hit to the men’s basketball program’s academic progress rate – a score determined by the NCAA to gauge each program’s academic proficiency, and determine if that program should receive any merit or penalty – that the exodus of players from the IU basketball program has caused (the school is withholding two scholarships in 2008-09 in anticipation of APR violations) will be enough penalty for the program.
The Indiana program only retains two players from a season ago and saw six players – Crawford (Xavier), Brandon McGee (Auburn), Armon Bassett (UAB), Eli Holman (Detroit), DeAndre Thomas (Robert Morris) and Jamarcus Ellis (Oklahoma City) – transfer as a result of the allegations.
Each of the four eligibility cases – Thomas and Ellis did not transfer to division one schools, so they receive immediate eligibility – have been filed separately, and Crawford is believed to have the strongest case of the four as a result of his late exit from the program in August, and the bleak outlook of the program at the time of his transfer, that arguably necessitated the transfer.
“Jordan Crawford is that he is very unique in his situation. Anyone who left Indiana University is separate from the next one. We have taken Jordan and his family’s word along with a lot of different facts that allow us to appeal,” Miller said before the season. “We are confident in our appeal.”
The final verdict on Crawford eligibility, however, will likely be closely tied to the severity of the sanctions that the NCAA imposes on the Indiana basketball program.
If IU is barred from NCAA play for three years then Crawford would receive immediate eligibility under the rules stating that a student-athlete will not have to sit out a season if his former school is suspended from postseason play for the duration of his academic career, three years in Crawford’s case.
The ambiguity in the case comes in if the NCAA levies a softer sanction, such as the expected one year ban on postseason play. In such an instance, it becomes a judgment call by NCAA President Myles Brand and his staff based on Crawford’s individual situation.
In Crawford Xavier would gain a player with the ability to play either guard position, help out on the glass, score off of the dribble adeptly and, perhaps most importantly, run an offense. Crawford averaged 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a freshman at Indiana, starting alongside NBA talents Eric Gordon and D.J. White.
Miller has been seeing some of those skills in practice, yet has tried to reign in his talented sophomore as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
“It’s tricky because on one hand Jordan and our team deserves to think about him being a part of things. On the other hand, Jordan and our team deserves to prepare as if he is not a part of things,” Miller said. “He competes everyday in the parts of practice that have nothing to do with the plays that you are running or [game planning]. He competes like any transfer student would, knowing that he can’t play.”
As it currently stands Crawford is not eligible for the 2008-09 season, and will be forced to watch the first few games of the season from the sidelines, including being left behind on Xavier’s trip to Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rico Season Tip-off.
What Miller has received, however, has not exactly been to his liking: I whole lot of silence.
Miller, along with the Xavier program, is still awaiting word from the NCAA with regards to Crawford’s eligibility.
“We are hopeful that sometime in the next couple of weeks that we can find out either way because I am more concerned about Jordan Crawford than I am about Xavier. If you were him, you would probably want to know if you could play this season,” Miller said on Thursday.
Crawford, a 6’4” guard out of Detroit who spent the past season at Indiana University, decided to transfer to Xavier in August amid the threat of NCAA sanctions being levied against the Hoosier basketball program as a result of recruiting violations by former coach Kelvin Sampson.
Indiana self-imposed a sanction against themselves in October of 2007, forfeiting one scholarship following allegations from the NCAA that Indiana assistant coaches conducted impermissible phone calls to recruits (including current Xavier freshman Kenny Frease) and handed out improper benefits to recruits.
The situation worsened in February of 2008 when the NCAA revealed that Sampson himself had been involved in the violations, and had attempted to deceive the NCAA when questioned about the incident.
Indiana did not take any further action, however, arguing that the monetary loss of having to buy out Sampson’s contract in February, coupled with the hit to the men’s basketball program’s academic progress rate – a score determined by the NCAA to gauge each program’s academic proficiency, and determine if that program should receive any merit or penalty – that the exodus of players from the IU basketball program has caused (the school is withholding two scholarships in 2008-09 in anticipation of APR violations) will be enough penalty for the program.
The Indiana program only retains two players from a season ago and saw six players – Crawford (Xavier), Brandon McGee (Auburn), Armon Bassett (UAB), Eli Holman (Detroit), DeAndre Thomas (Robert Morris) and Jamarcus Ellis (Oklahoma City) – transfer as a result of the allegations.
Each of the four eligibility cases – Thomas and Ellis did not transfer to division one schools, so they receive immediate eligibility – have been filed separately, and Crawford is believed to have the strongest case of the four as a result of his late exit from the program in August, and the bleak outlook of the program at the time of his transfer, that arguably necessitated the transfer.
“Jordan Crawford is that he is very unique in his situation. Anyone who left Indiana University is separate from the next one. We have taken Jordan and his family’s word along with a lot of different facts that allow us to appeal,” Miller said before the season. “We are confident in our appeal.”
The final verdict on Crawford eligibility, however, will likely be closely tied to the severity of the sanctions that the NCAA imposes on the Indiana basketball program.
If IU is barred from NCAA play for three years then Crawford would receive immediate eligibility under the rules stating that a student-athlete will not have to sit out a season if his former school is suspended from postseason play for the duration of his academic career, three years in Crawford’s case.
The ambiguity in the case comes in if the NCAA levies a softer sanction, such as the expected one year ban on postseason play. In such an instance, it becomes a judgment call by NCAA President Myles Brand and his staff based on Crawford’s individual situation.
In Crawford Xavier would gain a player with the ability to play either guard position, help out on the glass, score off of the dribble adeptly and, perhaps most importantly, run an offense. Crawford averaged 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a freshman at Indiana, starting alongside NBA talents Eric Gordon and D.J. White.
Miller has been seeing some of those skills in practice, yet has tried to reign in his talented sophomore as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
“It’s tricky because on one hand Jordan and our team deserves to think about him being a part of things. On the other hand, Jordan and our team deserves to prepare as if he is not a part of things,” Miller said. “He competes everyday in the parts of practice that have nothing to do with the plays that you are running or [game planning]. He competes like any transfer student would, knowing that he can’t play.”
As it currently stands Crawford is not eligible for the 2008-09 season, and will be forced to watch the first few games of the season from the sidelines, including being left behind on Xavier’s trip to Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rico Season Tip-off.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Findlay not to be overlooked
The Xavier University men's basketball team begins their 2008-09 campaign on Friday, Nov. 7 at Cintas Center with an exhibition against the Findlay Oilers, a Division II squad from central Ohio.
While the Oilers don't pose the imposing profile of a division one squad, they are the class of Division II, being voted the top team in the country by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
The Oilers, who knocked off Ohio State in an exhibition a year ago, return Division II Preseason All-American Josh Baltic on the wing. Baltic, a 6'5", 230 lb. senior out of Columbus averaged 13.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in being named a first-team All-American in 2007-08.
"They are an extremely well coached team that went to Columbus last year and beat Ohio State," Miller said. "They will have better players at times than some of our early season opponents, including an individual player (Baltic) that can play on any team in the country."
Baltic is not the only Oiler on the preseason All-Conference first team either, as 6'4" senior wing Morgan Lewis returns after averaging 12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 points per game in 07-08.
Baltic and Lewis are joined by 5'9 lightning bolt Marcus Parker, a junior point guard that figures to apply some defensive pressure to Xavier's backcourt.
"To me, they have two wings and a point guard that can play at a lot of division one programs. That is why they are so successful,"
The point guard spot has been the main area of question entering the season at Xavier, and Miller seems to have decided on sophomore Dante Jackson starting and playing about 15 minutes at the point guard spot, with a rotation of freshmen Terrell Holloway and Brad Redford taking up the remaining 25 minutes.
Obviously, Miller has been impressed by Jackson to merit him the minutes at the beginning, and likely the end, of each game.
"He has earned that [role] in his performance in practice, and that is a tribute to Dante," Miller said. "Early on [in the season] Dante Jackson is the most reliable [point guard] because he is so much further ahead defensively."
With Jackson at the point guard spot, Miller sees B.J. Raymond getting significant minutes at the shooting guard spot, opening more time for the likes of Jamel McLean and Kenny Frease off of the bench - two players that Miller included in his group of the most impressive newcomers, along with Terrell Holloway.
The 2008-09 Xavier team still has a lot of issues to be settled, and Friday's matchup with Findlay will likely go a long way in revealing answers to those questions because of some of the aspects that the Oilers bring to the table.
"Being that they are well coached, it is going to be a real good challenge for our defense because they have a system on offense, and if we are not hitting on all cylinders, then they are going to be difficult to defend," Miller said. "Conversely on our offense, it is an opportunity to improve against a solid team."
While the Oilers don't pose the imposing profile of a division one squad, they are the class of Division II, being voted the top team in the country by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
The Oilers, who knocked off Ohio State in an exhibition a year ago, return Division II Preseason All-American Josh Baltic on the wing. Baltic, a 6'5", 230 lb. senior out of Columbus averaged 13.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in being named a first-team All-American in 2007-08.
"They are an extremely well coached team that went to Columbus last year and beat Ohio State," Miller said. "They will have better players at times than some of our early season opponents, including an individual player (Baltic) that can play on any team in the country."
Baltic is not the only Oiler on the preseason All-Conference first team either, as 6'4" senior wing Morgan Lewis returns after averaging 12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 points per game in 07-08.
Baltic and Lewis are joined by 5'9 lightning bolt Marcus Parker, a junior point guard that figures to apply some defensive pressure to Xavier's backcourt.
"To me, they have two wings and a point guard that can play at a lot of division one programs. That is why they are so successful,"
The point guard spot has been the main area of question entering the season at Xavier, and Miller seems to have decided on sophomore Dante Jackson starting and playing about 15 minutes at the point guard spot, with a rotation of freshmen Terrell Holloway and Brad Redford taking up the remaining 25 minutes.
Obviously, Miller has been impressed by Jackson to merit him the minutes at the beginning, and likely the end, of each game.
"He has earned that [role] in his performance in practice, and that is a tribute to Dante," Miller said. "Early on [in the season] Dante Jackson is the most reliable [point guard] because he is so much further ahead defensively."
With Jackson at the point guard spot, Miller sees B.J. Raymond getting significant minutes at the shooting guard spot, opening more time for the likes of Jamel McLean and Kenny Frease off of the bench - two players that Miller included in his group of the most impressive newcomers, along with Terrell Holloway.
The 2008-09 Xavier team still has a lot of issues to be settled, and Friday's matchup with Findlay will likely go a long way in revealing answers to those questions because of some of the aspects that the Oilers bring to the table.
"Being that they are well coached, it is going to be a real good challenge for our defense because they have a system on offense, and if we are not hitting on all cylinders, then they are going to be difficult to defend," Miller said. "Conversely on our offense, it is an opportunity to improve against a solid team."
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Analyzing the A-10 (08-09 Predictions)
The time has come to take a look a how the A-10 looks to shake down in 2008-09. A season ago Xavier ran away from the field at 14-2 in the conference, undefeated at home against A-10 opponents. Temple (11-5) and Massachusetts (10-6) also enjoyed successful years, but after those three teams the league began to get hairy. Eight teams, better than half of the conference, were within a game of .500. As the teams beat up on each other, the A-10's chances of getting multiple teams into the NCAA Tournament began to dwindle, as only Xavier, Saint Joseph's (9-7) and conference tournament champion Temple were able to get an invitation to the big dance. The conference looks to be similarly competitive this season, 12 teams entering the season harbouring legitimate thoughts of competing into March in some fashion. With that said I attempted to sort out the conference, and give my (sure to be wrong) predictions on the 2008-09 season:
1. Xavier - The Musketeers have firmly established their dominance in the Atlantic 10 with last year's 30 win season and Elite Eight berth. The Musketeers lost a lot from that squad, with seniors Drew Lavender, Josh Duncan and Stanley Burrell all moving on the careers in Europe. The loss of Duncan will be softened by the fact that starters Derrick Brown and Jason Love will return for their junior seasons. However, the vacancies that Lavender and Burrell leave will force Xavier to play an inexperienced backcourt, particularly early in the season. Four star point guard Terrell Holloway looks to have the upper hand on the starting point guard spot over fellow freshman Mark Lyons and Brad Redford (although to be fair Lyons is more of a two-guard and Redford is best coming off of screens than with the ball. Also Redford seems the most likely candidate of any on the team to redshirt in 08-09 because of his lack of physical strength to compete at the college level at the moment. He undoubtedly can compete with his jump shot at the moment, but taking an extra year to gain the physical strength and then taking B.J. Raymond's role as the designated sharpshooter in 09-10 would not be a bad option for Redford.) Holloway may not get the starting nod out of the gate, as Sean Miller turned to Dante Jackson at times last season, and likely will keep with the experience against major opponents in the Puerto Rico season Tip-Off. If Jackson is the point guard, then Xavier will likely put a lineup on the floor with more height and rebounding ability than any other team that they run up against. Raymond, the sharpshooting wing who has taken criticism from Miller in the past for his defensive shortcomings, is among the three players in their fourth year of collegiate experience that Miller will look to to lead the Musketeers. C.J. Anderson, who averaged 10.9 ppg and 5.9 rpg a season ago in his first season after transferring from Manhattan, is a 6'6" wing who does most of his work inside of the paint. Derrick Brown, the 6'8" NBA prospect on account of his Youtube worthy athletic ability, looks to be the go-to player for this batch of Musketeers. Brown's improving jumpshot complements his ability to put the ball on the floor and get the basket, where he has always been able to finish. Jason Love, in my opinion the most underrated player in the A-10, rounds out the frontcourt. All reports out of Cintas Center say that Love has made huge strides in his offensive ability, including his free throw shooting. With a solid back to the basket game to complement an always plentiful amount of put backs, Love will undoubtedly be among the conference leaders in free throw attempts. With Love and Brown teaming up in the paint the Musketeers posses a formidable defensive presence in the paint.
The Musketeer bench contains quite a few players with the ability to contribute. In the frontcourt Tulsa transfer Jamel McLean looks to spell Brown or Love with quality defensive minutes. Four star freshman center Kenny Frease will likely see significant minutes, albeit probably not in crunch time, and offers a solid defensive presence to go with a good mid range and post-up game. The backcourt will consist of the freshman trio of Lyons and Redford and three star wing Brian Walsh. The wild-card in the equation is the eligibility of Jordan Crawford. If Crawford is deemed eligible then he likely slides into the starting point guard spot for Xavier, giving the Musketeers impressive depth and scoring ability. With Crawford Xavier is a top-20 team with the chance of sneaking into the top 10 with a solid run like the put on in February of last season. Without Crawford Xavier is a fringe top 25 team, and may find some pitfalls in the A-10 schedule on the road with a young backcourt. Either way Xavier should have the athletes and the quality frontcourt to carry them to the regular season title.
2. Charlotte - The 49ers return 73% of their scoring, 87% of their rebounding and 86% of their assists from a team that lost in the first round of the NIT Tournament last year. The key loss is the Leemire Goldwire, the A-10 leading three point shooter from a year ago, who led the team at 18.6 ppg. Coach Bobby Lutz will rely on returning starter DiJaun Harris at point guard to run the team, along with junior Micheal Gerrity. Junior Ian Anderson, freshman Javarris Barnett, sophomore Charles Dewhurst and freshman Shamarr Bowden will all try to replace some of Goldwire's three point shooting output in the long-range oriented offense that Lutz employs. The frontcourt will be the strength of this batch of 49ers. Seniors Lamont Mack and Charlie Coley will team up with sophomore An'Juan Wilderness to form an athletic, yet undersized group (Mack and Coley come in at 6'7" while Wilderness is 6'6"). Mack displayed the ability to challenge for a spot on the A-10 first team at times late in the 07-08 season, his first after transferring from junior college. Wildnerness was an A-10 All-Rookie selection after averaging 8.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg a year ago. The 49ers have the frontcourt strength and experience to make an NCAA appearance in 2009. Lutz may be on the hot seat if he does not deliver, but I see his team supporting him, and even go as far as to award him my preseason pick as A-10 Coach of the Year.
3. Dayton- Is this finally the year that Brian Gregory gets his talent together and makes an NCAA Tournament appearance? If not it could cost him his job. The Flyers have the talent to repeat last season's 14-1 start, but hope do better than an 8-8 record in the A-10. First team All-Conference selection Brian Roberts is gone, along with his 18.4 ppg. The Flyers relied on him heavily, as evidenced by the fact that only 52 percent of the Flyer scoring output is back (but they do return 68 percent of their rebounding). NBA prospect Chris Wright missed 15 conference games last season, but looks to take the mantel from Roberts as the go-to scorer on this year's squad. He will be joined in the frontcourt by junior Kurt Huelsman, a limited offensive player ont he block who averaged 5.9 ppg and 4.0 rpg. Senior Charles Little was hampered by injuries last year, but the athletic 6'6" forward posted 10.5 ppg and 5.2 rpg as a sophomore. The backcourt will be stung by the loss of Roberts, but has experience in the form of athletic wing Marcus Johnson and junior point London Warren. Gregory will also count on contributions from two newcomers in the backcourt in junior college All-American Rob Lowery at the point and highly touted freshman wing Paul Williams. Dayton may have the most athletically gifted team in the conference, but just as in previous years the issue is translating that into wins when it counts late in February. If the Flyers can get through the conference with 11 or 12 wins to complement a respectable non-conference schedule, I believe they will be on the favorable side of the NCAA bubble.
4. Temple- The Owls made a surprising A-10 Tourney run a season ago to make an NCAA appearance. If they want to get back to the Big Dance this season it will be on the shoulders of Preseason A-10 Player of the Year Dionte Christmas. Christmas averaged 19.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while making 104 three point field goals in his first team All- Conference season last year. Christmas will be complemented in the backcourt by a pair of juniors in Ryan Brooks (8.6 ppg) and Luis Guzman (3.9 ppg), with Guzman likely handling the point guard responsibilities. Brooks will be looked upon to fill the shoes of departed swingman Mark Tyndale, who averaged 15.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game a season ago. The Owls also return a solid frontcourt in 6'9" Lavoy Allen (8.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and 7'0" Sergio Olmos (5.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg). The question for the Owls will lie in whether or not the role players will be able to step up and complement the high scoring totals of Christmas. They appear to have the frontcourt firepower to contend for a Conference championship and will likely be looking a few spots higher than last season's 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
5. Massachusetts- The Minutemen bring in a new coach, a new offensive system, and lose Conference Player of the Year Gary Forbes. Such an equation would usually spell trouble for most squads in the country. While it does not play in UMass' favor, the events are tollerable because of the pressence of the best backcourt tandem in the A-10. 2007-08 A-10 Most Improved Player Ricky Harris returns for his junior season after posting 18.2 ppg from the shooting guard spot a year ago. He will be getting open looks as a result of Conference Player of the Year candinate Chris Lowe. Lowe is a gifted point guard, who averaged 11.8 points and 6.3 assists per game a season ago. The pair will not have to undergo the growing pains of a complex new offense, as new head man Derek Kellogg's dribble-drive-motions system is fairly simple to pick up. The system also excentuates the perimeter and guard play, which plays into the strengths of this Minutemen squad, as they also add 6'3" Wake Forest transfer Anthony Gurley. If the outstanding backcourt is not playing in the NCAA Tournament in March, the reason may lead back to the weak frontcourt. 7'0" Luke Bonner (3.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg), 6'8" Tony Gaffney (3.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and 6'9" freshman Tyrell Lynch are the most attractive options, but the Kellogg offensive system lends itself to a four guard lineup, which UMass fans figure to see regularly. With the deep, talented backcourt the Minutemen figure to be a factor in the A-10. However, they will likely be outrebounded and struggle to defend the paint. As such, they may be left waiting on Selection Sunday once again.
6. Saint Joseph's- Much like Massachusetts, the Hawks return a stellar point guard in Tasheed Carr (10.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 5.8 apg). Instead of complementing their floor leader with a set of solid wings, the Hawks give him the best big man in the conference in Ahmad Nivens. Nivens, a 6'9" NBA prospect, averaged 14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game a year ago. The Hawks will need Nivens to assert himself as the go-to man in the halfcourt set if they wish to contend for a spot among the conference elite, as Nivens represents the only frontcourt depth that the Hawks have to speak of. Forwards Pat Calathes and Rob Ferguson departed after last season, taking 44 percent of the scoring and 42 percent of the team's rebounding with them. Phil Martelli will have a bit of experience on the wings with juniors Darrin Govens (9.8 ppg) and Gerrett Williamson (5.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.6 apg), who will need to go from role players to consistent performers on this squad. The key to St. Joe's success will be the maturation of Nivens' frontcourt mates, sophomore Idris Hilliard (1.2 ppg) and three star freshman Bryant Irwin (6'8" SF) and two star recruit A.J. Rodgers (6'5" SF). If one of the triumvirate of frontcourt players can establish himself as a compliment to Nivens befoe Conference season the Hawks may have the firepower to make an NCAA run like last season. Overall though, I would say that this team looks to have too big of a hole in the frontcourt and too little depth. I would say they will be able to make some noise in the NIT Tournament, however.
7. Richmond- The biggest disapointment of the 2008-09 season for Spiders fans has likely already happened. The news in July that third team All A-10 center Dan Geriot will be out for the season with a torn ACL severly hampers hopes in Richmond. A-10 Rookie of the Year Kevin Anderson (10.7 ppg, 3.0 apg) will look to lead the Spiders in Geriot's absence from the point guard spot. Anderson is only part of a strong backcourt for the Spiders that includes juniors David Gonzalvez (11.7 ppg) and Ryan Butler (5.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.4 apg). While the backcourt will consistent, the frontcourt turns from a strength into a question mark without Geriot. 6'9" sophomore Justin Harper (3.3 ppg) and fellow sophomore, 6'5" Small forward, Kevin Smith (4.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg) offer the most experience, while coach Chris Mooney will look for immediate contributions from 6'10" Australian center Josh Duinker and 6'8" forward Darrius Garrett. The loss of Geriot is exacerbated by the relative weakness of other A-10 frontcourts, and relative backcourt strengths of those same squads. The silver lining in the Geriot injury is that it will likely give the young frontcourt players a chance for significant and meaningful minutes, which will likely pay off in 2009-10, when Richmond appears to be the extremely early favorites in the conference. As for 2008-09, the Spiders just don't have the frontcourt strength to match a strong backcourt, and will likely be back at the College Basketball Invitational or the NIT come March.
8. Saint Louis- Rick Majerus has quickly become the face of the Saint Louis basketball program, but the portly coach boasts a squad with a pair of solid guards to lead this year's batch of Billikens. The senior duo of point man Kevin Lisch (14.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg) and Tommie Liddell (12.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg) are the stabilizing figures for a team in transition to the new Majerus brand of basketball. Sophomore guard Paul Eckerle (3.8 ppg, 1.3 apg)) will likely spell the backcourt duo, but not for long. Senior forward Barry Eberhardt (6.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg) is the only other returning Billiken from a season ago, a loss of 43 percent of the scoring output, 44 percent of the rebounding output and 41 percent of the assists from a season ago.With so many players leaving the program Majerus welcomes in eight freshman to the fold, many of whom will be counted on to play major roles. The most prominent of the bunch is 6'10" Brett Thompson, out of Vienna, Ill. Thompson possess the height and skill to be molded into a classic Majerus big man, perhaps a poor man's Keith Van Horn. I am picking Thompson to take home my Conference Rookie of the Year because he will likely start from day one, and contribute in those minutes. Other three star recruits include 6'9" center Willie Reed, 6'5" wing Kyle Cassity and 5'11" point guard Kwamian Mitchell. To be honest, this team was the hardest for me to slot, because you know at some point that Majerus will have a breakthrough year and make the NCAA Tournament with a squad that may not have the talent. This year's team appears to be a year away, but they have the feeling of possibly being the most dangerous team in the conference. I would put the Billikens down for an NIT berth, and the potential to cause some damage, possibly by winning the A-10 Tournament.
9. George Washington- The Colonials are another dangerous team with postseason aspirations. Senior forward Rob Diggs (13.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg) is one of four returning starters for GW, a team returning 74 percent of their scoring, 86 percent of their rebounding and 70 percent of their assists. Diggs is joined in the frontcourt by senior Wynton Witherspoon (11.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and junior Damian Hollis (9.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg). With the experienced frontcourt the Colonials will likely be able to control the glass against most opponents. The questions for GW come in with the frontcourt. Sophomore Xavier Alexander (4,0 ppg, 3.8 rpg) returns at shooting guard, and Junior Travis King (5.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.4 apg in 2006-07). King suffered a season ending knee injury last August, leaving the Colonials without a point guard for the season. If King is back, and healthy, then GW has as strong of a starting lineup as any team in the conference. The bench for GW is a bit of a question spot. Senior wing Noel Wilmore (6.0 ppg) will likely spell Diggs and Alexander while the frontcourt depth is left to offensive liability sophomore Jabari Edwards (0.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and sophomore center Jospeph Katuka (2.0 ppg). The Colonials were a major letdown last season after consecutive NCAA appearances. Coach Carl Hobbs will likely get his team back into winning ways this season, but they will have to count on avoiding the injury bug and a string of strong performances from Diggs in order to make an NCAA push. Perhaps in invite to the College Basketball Invitational or the NIT would suffice as an improvement over last season's 9-17 finish.
10. La Salle- The Explorers barely missed out on postseason eligibility last season at 15-17, and have to look to improve on that figure this season without three point specialist and First Team All Conference guard Darnell Harris (16.6 ppg, 123 three point field goals, 47.9 percent from three). Harris is the only notable departure, though, as the Explorers return 73 percent of their scoring, 90 percent of their rebounding and 79 percent of their assists. The strength of this group of Explorers will be the frontcourt. Senior Paul Johnson (6.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg), junior Yves Mekongo Mbala (8.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Sophomore Jerrell Williams (9.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) are all returning starters. They will be backed up by 6'9" Mississippi State transfer Vernon Goodridge and 6'6" junior Kimmani Barrett (7.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg). The backcourt has a few less bodies, but perhaps an equavalency of talent. Harris' backcourt mate 6'5" Rodney Green (13.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.4 apg) is back to run the show. Green will be joined by 6'5" fellow junior Ruben Guillandeaux (7.7 ppg, 2.1 apg) and 6'3" sophomore Kyle Griffin (3.5 ppg, 1.4 apg). The Explorers are deep for certain, which will keep them in every game in the A-10. The question is whether they have the experience for that depth to translate into wins in February and early March when everything is on the line. This should be a continued improvement for coach John Giannini, with the outside chance of a repeat of the 2005-06 third place finish. However, I see a postseason berth as a solid estimate for these Explorers, and an extremely bright future for the program in 09-10.
11. Rhode Island- The Rams had a truly roller-coaster season a year ago, starting 19-3, before losing nine of their final 11 games. The ills caused by the late collapse might not be cured this season, as the Rams have to deal with the loss of forward Will Daniels and point guard Parfait Bitee. Rhody still has coach Jim Baron's son Jimmy Barron, a senior who shot 40.6 percent from three and averaged 14.2 points per game a year ago. Baron will be joined in the backcourt by junior Keith Cothran (7.3 ppg), without much depth behind the duo. The frontcourt will feel the loss of Will Daniels, but returns seniors Kahiem Seawright (9.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and Jason Francis (2.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg). 6'6" junior Lamonte Ulmer (7.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg) will likely shift from the bench to the starting lineup, with junior Delroy James (3.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg) providing depth. The Rams will feel the departures of Daniels and Bitee (45 percent of the points, 34 percent of the rebounds, 41 percent of the assists from a year ago). A repeat of last year's NIT berth is probably above expectartions.
12. Duquesne- Dukes coach Ron Everhart had the makings of a solid A-10 contender in place for this season, that was until center Shawn James and guard Kojo Mensah decided to declare for the NBA draft. Neither player got a sniff from any NBA team, and the Dukes were left without 51 percent of their scoring, 39 percent of their rebounding and 39 percent of their assists. Without James and Mensah senior point Aaron Jackson (9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.5 apg), sophomore forward Damian Saunders (6.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and sophomore wing Bill Clark (8.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg) will be looked to as the leaders of this team. Jackson can really get out and defend on the perimeter, and I am choosing him as my defensive player of the year. Senior guard Phillip Fayne (3.5 ppg) adds depth along with three star freshmen wings Melquan Bolding and Rodrigo Peggau. Sophomore David Theis (1.8 ppg) is the only other returning frontcourt option for Everhart to turn to, so a host of freshman will likely also see time. With James and Mensah this team could have made postseason noise. Without them their season will likely be done by early March.
1. Xavier - The Musketeers have firmly established their dominance in the Atlantic 10 with last year's 30 win season and Elite Eight berth. The Musketeers lost a lot from that squad, with seniors Drew Lavender, Josh Duncan and Stanley Burrell all moving on the careers in Europe. The loss of Duncan will be softened by the fact that starters Derrick Brown and Jason Love will return for their junior seasons. However, the vacancies that Lavender and Burrell leave will force Xavier to play an inexperienced backcourt, particularly early in the season. Four star point guard Terrell Holloway looks to have the upper hand on the starting point guard spot over fellow freshman Mark Lyons and Brad Redford (although to be fair Lyons is more of a two-guard and Redford is best coming off of screens than with the ball. Also Redford seems the most likely candidate of any on the team to redshirt in 08-09 because of his lack of physical strength to compete at the college level at the moment. He undoubtedly can compete with his jump shot at the moment, but taking an extra year to gain the physical strength and then taking B.J. Raymond's role as the designated sharpshooter in 09-10 would not be a bad option for Redford.) Holloway may not get the starting nod out of the gate, as Sean Miller turned to Dante Jackson at times last season, and likely will keep with the experience against major opponents in the Puerto Rico season Tip-Off. If Jackson is the point guard, then Xavier will likely put a lineup on the floor with more height and rebounding ability than any other team that they run up against. Raymond, the sharpshooting wing who has taken criticism from Miller in the past for his defensive shortcomings, is among the three players in their fourth year of collegiate experience that Miller will look to to lead the Musketeers. C.J. Anderson, who averaged 10.9 ppg and 5.9 rpg a season ago in his first season after transferring from Manhattan, is a 6'6" wing who does most of his work inside of the paint. Derrick Brown, the 6'8" NBA prospect on account of his Youtube worthy athletic ability, looks to be the go-to player for this batch of Musketeers. Brown's improving jumpshot complements his ability to put the ball on the floor and get the basket, where he has always been able to finish. Jason Love, in my opinion the most underrated player in the A-10, rounds out the frontcourt. All reports out of Cintas Center say that Love has made huge strides in his offensive ability, including his free throw shooting. With a solid back to the basket game to complement an always plentiful amount of put backs, Love will undoubtedly be among the conference leaders in free throw attempts. With Love and Brown teaming up in the paint the Musketeers posses a formidable defensive presence in the paint.
The Musketeer bench contains quite a few players with the ability to contribute. In the frontcourt Tulsa transfer Jamel McLean looks to spell Brown or Love with quality defensive minutes. Four star freshman center Kenny Frease will likely see significant minutes, albeit probably not in crunch time, and offers a solid defensive presence to go with a good mid range and post-up game. The backcourt will consist of the freshman trio of Lyons and Redford and three star wing Brian Walsh. The wild-card in the equation is the eligibility of Jordan Crawford. If Crawford is deemed eligible then he likely slides into the starting point guard spot for Xavier, giving the Musketeers impressive depth and scoring ability. With Crawford Xavier is a top-20 team with the chance of sneaking into the top 10 with a solid run like the put on in February of last season. Without Crawford Xavier is a fringe top 25 team, and may find some pitfalls in the A-10 schedule on the road with a young backcourt. Either way Xavier should have the athletes and the quality frontcourt to carry them to the regular season title.
2. Charlotte - The 49ers return 73% of their scoring, 87% of their rebounding and 86% of their assists from a team that lost in the first round of the NIT Tournament last year. The key loss is the Leemire Goldwire, the A-10 leading three point shooter from a year ago, who led the team at 18.6 ppg. Coach Bobby Lutz will rely on returning starter DiJaun Harris at point guard to run the team, along with junior Micheal Gerrity. Junior Ian Anderson, freshman Javarris Barnett, sophomore Charles Dewhurst and freshman Shamarr Bowden will all try to replace some of Goldwire's three point shooting output in the long-range oriented offense that Lutz employs. The frontcourt will be the strength of this batch of 49ers. Seniors Lamont Mack and Charlie Coley will team up with sophomore An'Juan Wilderness to form an athletic, yet undersized group (Mack and Coley come in at 6'7" while Wilderness is 6'6"). Mack displayed the ability to challenge for a spot on the A-10 first team at times late in the 07-08 season, his first after transferring from junior college. Wildnerness was an A-10 All-Rookie selection after averaging 8.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg a year ago. The 49ers have the frontcourt strength and experience to make an NCAA appearance in 2009. Lutz may be on the hot seat if he does not deliver, but I see his team supporting him, and even go as far as to award him my preseason pick as A-10 Coach of the Year.
3. Dayton- Is this finally the year that Brian Gregory gets his talent together and makes an NCAA Tournament appearance? If not it could cost him his job. The Flyers have the talent to repeat last season's 14-1 start, but hope do better than an 8-8 record in the A-10. First team All-Conference selection Brian Roberts is gone, along with his 18.4 ppg. The Flyers relied on him heavily, as evidenced by the fact that only 52 percent of the Flyer scoring output is back (but they do return 68 percent of their rebounding). NBA prospect Chris Wright missed 15 conference games last season, but looks to take the mantel from Roberts as the go-to scorer on this year's squad. He will be joined in the frontcourt by junior Kurt Huelsman, a limited offensive player ont he block who averaged 5.9 ppg and 4.0 rpg. Senior Charles Little was hampered by injuries last year, but the athletic 6'6" forward posted 10.5 ppg and 5.2 rpg as a sophomore. The backcourt will be stung by the loss of Roberts, but has experience in the form of athletic wing Marcus Johnson and junior point London Warren. Gregory will also count on contributions from two newcomers in the backcourt in junior college All-American Rob Lowery at the point and highly touted freshman wing Paul Williams. Dayton may have the most athletically gifted team in the conference, but just as in previous years the issue is translating that into wins when it counts late in February. If the Flyers can get through the conference with 11 or 12 wins to complement a respectable non-conference schedule, I believe they will be on the favorable side of the NCAA bubble.
4. Temple- The Owls made a surprising A-10 Tourney run a season ago to make an NCAA appearance. If they want to get back to the Big Dance this season it will be on the shoulders of Preseason A-10 Player of the Year Dionte Christmas. Christmas averaged 19.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while making 104 three point field goals in his first team All- Conference season last year. Christmas will be complemented in the backcourt by a pair of juniors in Ryan Brooks (8.6 ppg) and Luis Guzman (3.9 ppg), with Guzman likely handling the point guard responsibilities. Brooks will be looked upon to fill the shoes of departed swingman Mark Tyndale, who averaged 15.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game a season ago. The Owls also return a solid frontcourt in 6'9" Lavoy Allen (8.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and 7'0" Sergio Olmos (5.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg). The question for the Owls will lie in whether or not the role players will be able to step up and complement the high scoring totals of Christmas. They appear to have the frontcourt firepower to contend for a Conference championship and will likely be looking a few spots higher than last season's 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
5. Massachusetts- The Minutemen bring in a new coach, a new offensive system, and lose Conference Player of the Year Gary Forbes. Such an equation would usually spell trouble for most squads in the country. While it does not play in UMass' favor, the events are tollerable because of the pressence of the best backcourt tandem in the A-10. 2007-08 A-10 Most Improved Player Ricky Harris returns for his junior season after posting 18.2 ppg from the shooting guard spot a year ago. He will be getting open looks as a result of Conference Player of the Year candinate Chris Lowe. Lowe is a gifted point guard, who averaged 11.8 points and 6.3 assists per game a season ago. The pair will not have to undergo the growing pains of a complex new offense, as new head man Derek Kellogg's dribble-drive-motions system is fairly simple to pick up. The system also excentuates the perimeter and guard play, which plays into the strengths of this Minutemen squad, as they also add 6'3" Wake Forest transfer Anthony Gurley. If the outstanding backcourt is not playing in the NCAA Tournament in March, the reason may lead back to the weak frontcourt. 7'0" Luke Bonner (3.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg), 6'8" Tony Gaffney (3.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and 6'9" freshman Tyrell Lynch are the most attractive options, but the Kellogg offensive system lends itself to a four guard lineup, which UMass fans figure to see regularly. With the deep, talented backcourt the Minutemen figure to be a factor in the A-10. However, they will likely be outrebounded and struggle to defend the paint. As such, they may be left waiting on Selection Sunday once again.
6. Saint Joseph's- Much like Massachusetts, the Hawks return a stellar point guard in Tasheed Carr (10.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 5.8 apg). Instead of complementing their floor leader with a set of solid wings, the Hawks give him the best big man in the conference in Ahmad Nivens. Nivens, a 6'9" NBA prospect, averaged 14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game a year ago. The Hawks will need Nivens to assert himself as the go-to man in the halfcourt set if they wish to contend for a spot among the conference elite, as Nivens represents the only frontcourt depth that the Hawks have to speak of. Forwards Pat Calathes and Rob Ferguson departed after last season, taking 44 percent of the scoring and 42 percent of the team's rebounding with them. Phil Martelli will have a bit of experience on the wings with juniors Darrin Govens (9.8 ppg) and Gerrett Williamson (5.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.6 apg), who will need to go from role players to consistent performers on this squad. The key to St. Joe's success will be the maturation of Nivens' frontcourt mates, sophomore Idris Hilliard (1.2 ppg) and three star freshman Bryant Irwin (6'8" SF) and two star recruit A.J. Rodgers (6'5" SF). If one of the triumvirate of frontcourt players can establish himself as a compliment to Nivens befoe Conference season the Hawks may have the firepower to make an NCAA run like last season. Overall though, I would say that this team looks to have too big of a hole in the frontcourt and too little depth. I would say they will be able to make some noise in the NIT Tournament, however.
7. Richmond- The biggest disapointment of the 2008-09 season for Spiders fans has likely already happened. The news in July that third team All A-10 center Dan Geriot will be out for the season with a torn ACL severly hampers hopes in Richmond. A-10 Rookie of the Year Kevin Anderson (10.7 ppg, 3.0 apg) will look to lead the Spiders in Geriot's absence from the point guard spot. Anderson is only part of a strong backcourt for the Spiders that includes juniors David Gonzalvez (11.7 ppg) and Ryan Butler (5.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.4 apg). While the backcourt will consistent, the frontcourt turns from a strength into a question mark without Geriot. 6'9" sophomore Justin Harper (3.3 ppg) and fellow sophomore, 6'5" Small forward, Kevin Smith (4.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg) offer the most experience, while coach Chris Mooney will look for immediate contributions from 6'10" Australian center Josh Duinker and 6'8" forward Darrius Garrett. The loss of Geriot is exacerbated by the relative weakness of other A-10 frontcourts, and relative backcourt strengths of those same squads. The silver lining in the Geriot injury is that it will likely give the young frontcourt players a chance for significant and meaningful minutes, which will likely pay off in 2009-10, when Richmond appears to be the extremely early favorites in the conference. As for 2008-09, the Spiders just don't have the frontcourt strength to match a strong backcourt, and will likely be back at the College Basketball Invitational or the NIT come March.
8. Saint Louis- Rick Majerus has quickly become the face of the Saint Louis basketball program, but the portly coach boasts a squad with a pair of solid guards to lead this year's batch of Billikens. The senior duo of point man Kevin Lisch (14.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg) and Tommie Liddell (12.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg) are the stabilizing figures for a team in transition to the new Majerus brand of basketball. Sophomore guard Paul Eckerle (3.8 ppg, 1.3 apg)) will likely spell the backcourt duo, but not for long. Senior forward Barry Eberhardt (6.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg) is the only other returning Billiken from a season ago, a loss of 43 percent of the scoring output, 44 percent of the rebounding output and 41 percent of the assists from a season ago.With so many players leaving the program Majerus welcomes in eight freshman to the fold, many of whom will be counted on to play major roles. The most prominent of the bunch is 6'10" Brett Thompson, out of Vienna, Ill. Thompson possess the height and skill to be molded into a classic Majerus big man, perhaps a poor man's Keith Van Horn. I am picking Thompson to take home my Conference Rookie of the Year because he will likely start from day one, and contribute in those minutes. Other three star recruits include 6'9" center Willie Reed, 6'5" wing Kyle Cassity and 5'11" point guard Kwamian Mitchell. To be honest, this team was the hardest for me to slot, because you know at some point that Majerus will have a breakthrough year and make the NCAA Tournament with a squad that may not have the talent. This year's team appears to be a year away, but they have the feeling of possibly being the most dangerous team in the conference. I would put the Billikens down for an NIT berth, and the potential to cause some damage, possibly by winning the A-10 Tournament.
9. George Washington- The Colonials are another dangerous team with postseason aspirations. Senior forward Rob Diggs (13.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg) is one of four returning starters for GW, a team returning 74 percent of their scoring, 86 percent of their rebounding and 70 percent of their assists. Diggs is joined in the frontcourt by senior Wynton Witherspoon (11.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and junior Damian Hollis (9.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg). With the experienced frontcourt the Colonials will likely be able to control the glass against most opponents. The questions for GW come in with the frontcourt. Sophomore Xavier Alexander (4,0 ppg, 3.8 rpg) returns at shooting guard, and Junior Travis King (5.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.4 apg in 2006-07). King suffered a season ending knee injury last August, leaving the Colonials without a point guard for the season. If King is back, and healthy, then GW has as strong of a starting lineup as any team in the conference. The bench for GW is a bit of a question spot. Senior wing Noel Wilmore (6.0 ppg) will likely spell Diggs and Alexander while the frontcourt depth is left to offensive liability sophomore Jabari Edwards (0.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and sophomore center Jospeph Katuka (2.0 ppg). The Colonials were a major letdown last season after consecutive NCAA appearances. Coach Carl Hobbs will likely get his team back into winning ways this season, but they will have to count on avoiding the injury bug and a string of strong performances from Diggs in order to make an NCAA push. Perhaps in invite to the College Basketball Invitational or the NIT would suffice as an improvement over last season's 9-17 finish.
10. La Salle- The Explorers barely missed out on postseason eligibility last season at 15-17, and have to look to improve on that figure this season without three point specialist and First Team All Conference guard Darnell Harris (16.6 ppg, 123 three point field goals, 47.9 percent from three). Harris is the only notable departure, though, as the Explorers return 73 percent of their scoring, 90 percent of their rebounding and 79 percent of their assists. The strength of this group of Explorers will be the frontcourt. Senior Paul Johnson (6.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg), junior Yves Mekongo Mbala (8.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Sophomore Jerrell Williams (9.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) are all returning starters. They will be backed up by 6'9" Mississippi State transfer Vernon Goodridge and 6'6" junior Kimmani Barrett (7.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg). The backcourt has a few less bodies, but perhaps an equavalency of talent. Harris' backcourt mate 6'5" Rodney Green (13.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.4 apg) is back to run the show. Green will be joined by 6'5" fellow junior Ruben Guillandeaux (7.7 ppg, 2.1 apg) and 6'3" sophomore Kyle Griffin (3.5 ppg, 1.4 apg). The Explorers are deep for certain, which will keep them in every game in the A-10. The question is whether they have the experience for that depth to translate into wins in February and early March when everything is on the line. This should be a continued improvement for coach John Giannini, with the outside chance of a repeat of the 2005-06 third place finish. However, I see a postseason berth as a solid estimate for these Explorers, and an extremely bright future for the program in 09-10.
11. Rhode Island- The Rams had a truly roller-coaster season a year ago, starting 19-3, before losing nine of their final 11 games. The ills caused by the late collapse might not be cured this season, as the Rams have to deal with the loss of forward Will Daniels and point guard Parfait Bitee. Rhody still has coach Jim Baron's son Jimmy Barron, a senior who shot 40.6 percent from three and averaged 14.2 points per game a year ago. Baron will be joined in the backcourt by junior Keith Cothran (7.3 ppg), without much depth behind the duo. The frontcourt will feel the loss of Will Daniels, but returns seniors Kahiem Seawright (9.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and Jason Francis (2.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg). 6'6" junior Lamonte Ulmer (7.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg) will likely shift from the bench to the starting lineup, with junior Delroy James (3.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg) providing depth. The Rams will feel the departures of Daniels and Bitee (45 percent of the points, 34 percent of the rebounds, 41 percent of the assists from a year ago). A repeat of last year's NIT berth is probably above expectartions.
12. Duquesne- Dukes coach Ron Everhart had the makings of a solid A-10 contender in place for this season, that was until center Shawn James and guard Kojo Mensah decided to declare for the NBA draft. Neither player got a sniff from any NBA team, and the Dukes were left without 51 percent of their scoring, 39 percent of their rebounding and 39 percent of their assists. Without James and Mensah senior point Aaron Jackson (9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.5 apg), sophomore forward Damian Saunders (6.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and sophomore wing Bill Clark (8.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg) will be looked to as the leaders of this team. Jackson can really get out and defend on the perimeter, and I am choosing him as my defensive player of the year. Senior guard Phillip Fayne (3.5 ppg) adds depth along with three star freshmen wings Melquan Bolding and Rodrigo Peggau. Sophomore David Theis (1.8 ppg) is the only other returning frontcourt option for Everhart to turn to, so a host of freshman will likely also see time. With James and Mensah this team could have made postseason noise. Without them their season will likely be done by early March.
13. St. Bonaventure- The Bonnies only return three players from a team that went 8-22 a year ago so expectations are reasonably low in Olean. The future of the program may be brighter than the past, with a gaggle of transfers. Point guard Ray Blackburn (Division II Junior College All-American), wing Lewis Leonard (25.2 ppg at San Bernadino Valley Community College), wing Jonathan Hall (MVP of the Division I National Junior College Tournament), wing Chris Matthews (3.7 ppg in 06-07 at Washington State) and forward Maurice Thomas (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg in 06-07 at UTEP). The group joins returning starters wing Tyler Benson (5.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and center D'Lancy Carter (6.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg). When you factor in athletic freshman shooting guard Michael Davenport out of Moeller High in Cincinnati, the talent level has begun to rise for St. Bonaventure. The problem is that there is not much talent on the interior, so the Bonnies will likely get dominated on the boards consistently. Also the players that Mark Schmidt has brought in will need to gel and find playing time amonst themselves rather quickly. I don't really like the equation, but at least the Bonnies are improving their talent level. This just is not the year where they make a push for winning basketball.
14. Fordham- I really don;t understand Fordham basketball. The team is set in one of, if not the best, basketball cities in the world. The can offer recruits an outstanding education, while staying close to home. Yet, they consistently struggle to bring in players, in large part, I suspect, because the players would be downgrading in terms of facilities by playing at Rose Hill Gym. To their credit, the Rams do bring in three three star guards this season in Trey Blue, Alberto Estwick and Jiovanny Fontan. The trio will need to carry a heavy workload on this Rams squad that waved goodbye to 69 percent of their points, 68 percent of their rebounding and 69 percent of their assists. Junior guard Brenton Butler (11.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg) is the lone returning starter. Junior forward Ryan Munson (5.5 ppg) and Senior forward Chris Benthel (3.1 ppg) were really the only other returning Rams to see minutes on last season' 12-17 team. Coach Dereck Whittenburg has his hands tied a bit until the Rams can get into a new gym (yeah, Rose Hill has history, but I mean come on). As such the celler dwelling Rams will likely continue to be so again this season, and further into the future.
To recap, my picks are:
Regular season champion: Xavier
A-10 Player of the Year: Deonta Christmas (Temple)
A-10 Rookie of the Year: Brett Thompson (SLU)
A-10 Coach of the Year: Bobby Lutz (Charlotte)
A-10 Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Jackson (Duquesne)
The A-10 looks to be a deep league again this season, with as many as 10 teams entering the season with postseason hopes. It may end up being another wild year in the A-10.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Updating on Lavender, Duncan and Burrell
I checked up on where the three seniors from the 2007-08 team landed and here's what i found:
-Drew Lavender will be playing the 2008-09 season for Hyeres Toulon Var Basket of the A divison in France. Iowa senior Pierra Pierce is the other American fulfilling the team's two foreign player threshhold.
-Lavender is joined in the French A division by Josh Duncan, who will suit up for Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez. Duncan joins former Oklahoma State standout JamesOn Curry on the Pau roster.
-Stanley Burrell's European venture will take him further west than the Lavender and Duncan. Burrell will be playing in Bosnia in for Bosna Asa Bh Telecom Sarajevo. Burrell is currently the only American listed on the roster.
-Drew Lavender will be playing the 2008-09 season for Hyeres Toulon Var Basket of the A divison in France. Iowa senior Pierra Pierce is the other American fulfilling the team's two foreign player threshhold.
-Lavender is joined in the French A division by Josh Duncan, who will suit up for Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez. Duncan joins former Oklahoma State standout JamesOn Curry on the Pau roster.
-Stanley Burrell's European venture will take him further west than the Lavender and Duncan. Burrell will be playing in Bosnia in for Bosna Asa Bh Telecom Sarajevo. Burrell is currently the only American listed on the roster.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Analyzing the 2008-09 Men's Basketball Schedule
The schedule is out, and on first glance appears to be easier than last year's schedule, the 24th hardest in the country according to RPI rankings. The schedule is notably lighter and significantly lined with home court games in the early part of the season (save the Puerto Rico season Tip-off), presumably Xavier's attempt to protect a young, inexperienced team, with a freshman point guard in Terrell Holloway.
Looking at the out of conference games:
vs. IPFW Friday, Nov. 14- The Mastadons only joined a division one conference, the Summit League, last year after years of independency. They return second leading scorer and rebounder in 6'7" swingman David Carson (11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg), and point guard Ben Botts (10.1 ppg). I don't expect the Mastadons to make much noise in the Sumit League after losing three of thier top five scorers. This should be a good game for the Freshman to get their feet wet, and to give the Cintas crowd a taste of the 2008-09 squad.
vs. Toledo Monday, Nov. 17- The Rockets begin a set of three Mid-American Conference members fromt he state of Ohio that appear on the early part of Xavier's schedule. Toledo returns a senior backcourt triumvirate of 6'5" Tyrone Kent (16.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg), 6'4" Jonathan Amos (12.1 ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.3 apg), and 6'4" Ridley Johnson (8.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.9 apg). However, the Rockets are extremely inexperienced in the frontcourt with no upperclassmen on the roster in the forwards or center spots. The Rockets should supply a stiffer test than IPFW, but since Xavier strength, the frontcourt, matches up with a huge weak spot for the Rockets the Musketeers look to have an upper hand.
Puerto Rico Season Tip-Off Thursday Nov. 20 thru Sunday Nov. 23- see below
vs. Miami (OH.) Saturday, Nov. 29- The Musketeers return home to face another Mid-American team in the RedHawks. This is a game that the Musketeers will undoubetly be looking forward to after last year stunning 59-57 loss at Miami. The RedHawks will be ready, however, as they return 6'5" wing Michael Bramos (16.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 6'0" point guard Kenny Hayes (12.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.8 apg), 6'8" center Tyler Dierkers (6.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.5 apg) and 6'5" guard Eric Pollitz (5.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 apg) - all of whom are seniors. Miami is the most experienced team that the Muskies will have played in the Continental United States, and that experience gave Xavier problems last year when they were a year younger. I expect this to be a close game, with Xavier getting the home court boost that Miami got last year.
vs. Auburn Wednesday Dec. 3- Auburn fulfills the second half of a home and home agreement with Xavier this year after falling 80-57 at home last year. Cincinnati native and 6'3" guard Quantez Robertson (7.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.1 apg) returns, along with injury plauged post Korvotney Barber (13.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg in only 10 games due to injury), 6'5" senior guard Rasheem Barrett (13.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 apg) and 6'1" guard DeWayne Reed (8.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.7 apg). Auburn is, as usual, athletic, and will provide a solid major conference opponent for the resume early.
vs. Ohio Wednesday Dec. 10- The Bobcats are the third MAC team to come into Cintas Center, but are weakendd by a loss of three of their top for scorer from a year ago. They will lean heavily on MAC player of the year candinate Jerome Tillman (6'6" forward 13.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg) along with 6'0" point man Michael Allen (4.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 4.4 apg) lanky 6'6" wing Justin Orr (6.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg). The frontcourt is the Bobcats strength, which matches up with the Musketeers. However Xavier is deeper, namely on the wing where Ohio is going with sophoomore Tony Freeman and two freshman backups.
vs. Cincinnati Saturday Dec. 13- The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout is at UC this year, and comes on the Saturday before finals for Xavier students. The Bearcats look to have a stronger team than a year ago, when they fell 64-59 to Xavier at Cintas Center. The key to the Bearcat offense is 6'1" junior shooting guard Deonta Vaughn. Vaughn, who averaged 17.3 points per game a season ago, will be a strong contender for the Big East Player of the Year in large part because of his three point shooting. Many Xavier players got to know the nature of that jump shot first hand this summer, as Vaughn and many other UC players attended open gyms at Cintas, in which Vaughn had a propensity to put on a three point exhibition. Vaughn will be joined by 6'5" sophomore forward Alvin Mitchell, who looks to step into a more major role after only averaging 2.8 points as a freshman a season ago, and looked to be doing so in a strong showing over the summer in the Deveroes Summer League. 6'6" Rashad Bishop is the second leading returning scorer for the Bearcats behind Vaughn at 5.4 points per game, and will likely start on the wing if Cincinnati goes with a three wing set. The key to the 2008-09 season for the Bearcats will be similar to that of Xavier's season in that they need a large batch of newcomers to play key roles on the team. There will be seven fresh faces on the roster for UC, including five from a recruiting class ranked No. 18 in the country by Rivals.com. Ohio High School Player of the Year Yancy Gates, a 6'8" 250 lb. power forward, leads the way as the 22nd ranked player nationally. The Bearcats also landed a late gem in John Riek, a 7'1" center who had declared for the NBA Draft, and was considered a potential lottery pick before pulling out with injury concerns. Cashmere Wright is another freshman who will factor heavily in the rotation, as he was the 12th rated point guard in the country according to Rivals.com. When you factor in Texas transfer Mike Williams, a big man who has not played since 2005-06 because of transfer rules and an injury, the group of newcomers looks to be stacked. This year's version of the Shootout looks to be one of the better matchup in recent memory.
vs Duke Saturday Dec. 20 at Izod Center in the Meadowlands- A week after the euphoria of the Crosstown, in which finals will be taken, comes the much anticipated CBS national TV matchup with the Blue Devils. All Duke does is return four starters and four key bench players from a No.2 seed in last year's NCAA Tournament. That includes Greg Paulus at the point (11.4 ppg, 3.2 apg), 2008 ACC Rookie of the Year Kyle Singler (6'8" forward, 13.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6'4" wing Gerald Henderson (12.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6'8" post man Lance Thomas (4.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg), 6'5" sharpshooter Jon Scheyer (11.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and 6'2" guard Nolan Smith (5.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg). Add that to the 27th best recruiting class in the country featuring Elliot Williams (No.3 shooting guard according to Rivals.com), Miles Plumbee (No. 29 PF) and Olek Czyz (No.31 PF). Needless to say the Musketeers will have their hands full. A lot of this game will come down to who is shooting the ball well from beyond the arc. If any of Sheyer, Paulus, Henderson and Singler get hot the Blue Devils could distance themselves from Xavier in a hurry. Duke obviously has the advantage on the perimeter, but the Musketeers might hold the upper hand over the Blue Devils in the paint. The Blue Devils figure to come out in a 'four out, one in' set-up on offense, and in that case you will have a defender like Singler or Scheyer guarding Derrick Brown, giving Brown a height and athleticsm advantage. This could be a statement game for Brown on a national stage, and unless Duke puts Thomas or 7'1" Brian Zoubek on him, Brown will have multiple advantages with which to work his greatly expanded offensive game. Aside from Brown Jason Love figures to be able to handle himself against the shorter defender in Thomas or he slower defender in Zoubek. If Xavier can defend the perimeter effectively, then they may be able to exploit a frontcourt advantage in this prime-time matchup.
vs. Butler Tuesday Dec. 23- The Musketeers return home for a matchup with Horizon League power Butler in the first part of a home-and-home series with the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs graduate five of the top six scorers from a second round NCAA squad from a year ago. The lone returning starter is 6'7" sophomore forward Matt Howard (12.3 ppg, 5.5 apg). Junior wing Willie Veasley is the only other returning Bulldog to see significant playing time a season ago, as he averaged 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs always play stellar defense, and will undoubtedly do so against a Xavier team that will have just gotten off of an emotional roller coaster in the previous 10 days. However, the question remains to be answered as to where the scoring and leadership will come from on such a young, inexpereinced team.
vs. Robert Morris Wednesday Dec. 31- For the second straight year the Musketeers will be on the court as the calender turns to a new year. This time they will be playing host to Robert Morris. The Colonials return three starters from a team that lost 87-81 at Syracuse in the first round of the NIT a season ago. 6'3" shooting guard Jeremy Chappell (14.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 apg), 5'11" point Jimmy Langhurst (9.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.8 apg) and 6'1" French import Bateko Francisco (8.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.6 apg) are the returning starters. Although returning three starters the backcourt will still suffer from the loss of point guard Tony Lee, 6.4 assists per game a year ago. Again, Xavier's frontcourt strength should be a key factor in this contest, although the Colonials will try to assert control of the tempo with a senior backcourt.
at Virginia Saturday Jan. 3- In the first true road game of the season the Musketeers face off against another ACC opponent in the Cavaliers. High scoring guard Sean Singletary is gone, but the Cavs still have firepower on the wings in Diane Mamadi (11.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), Jeff Jones (4.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg in 25 starts) and highly touted recruit Sylvan Landsberg out of New York City. 6'8" sophomore post man Mike Scott (5.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg) leads the frontcourt. The loss of Singletary leaves UVA without a definative frontman, which Landsberg certainly could develop into by early January. The frontcourt could be a question area for the Cavs, especially considering the loss of leading rebounder Adrian Joseph.
at LSU Saturday Jan. 24- After five A-10 games the Musketeers round out their out of conference slate with a trip to Baton Rouge. The Tigers welcome in new coach Trent Johnson, who came over from Stanford after the season. Johnson will look to 6'7" swingman Tasmin Mitchell, who missed all but three game due to injury a year ago. Mitchell joins 6'4" guard Marcus Thornton (19.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 6'11" Chris Johnson (11.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg), 6'6" wing Terry Martin (8.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and 6'6" guard Gerrett Temple (6.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.6 apg). The loss of first round pick Anthony Randolph hurts, but the Tigers will still be a stiff road test, and will likely contend for an SEC West title this season. Added with Duke, Cincinnati, and the potential opponents in Puerto Rico give the Musketeers a handfull of potential NCAA Tournament teams on the schedule. As opposed to most times out, the Musketeers don't start the game with a decided advantage in the frontcourt as Mitchell can matchup with Brown effectively and Johnson can nullify Love or Kenny Frease. Added with the tough environment in Baton Rouge, and this looks to be one of the toughest road tests of the season for Xavier.
Xavier's schedule was obviously designed to coddled the younger players until they are ready for the bright lights, and in full swing by conference play. Without a true road game until after the New Year, the strength of scheudle will hurt the Musketeers' RPI and likely will not allow them to grab anything close to a 3 seed like last year in the NCAA Tournament, especially if they drop a few of those games out of conference. All told it is an impressive job by Mike Bobinski, Sean Miller and the Xavier staff of boking a favorable but challenging schedule, that mixes in some great national exposure.
Looking at the out of conference games:
vs. IPFW Friday, Nov. 14- The Mastadons only joined a division one conference, the Summit League, last year after years of independency. They return second leading scorer and rebounder in 6'7" swingman David Carson (11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg), and point guard Ben Botts (10.1 ppg). I don't expect the Mastadons to make much noise in the Sumit League after losing three of thier top five scorers. This should be a good game for the Freshman to get their feet wet, and to give the Cintas crowd a taste of the 2008-09 squad.
vs. Toledo Monday, Nov. 17- The Rockets begin a set of three Mid-American Conference members fromt he state of Ohio that appear on the early part of Xavier's schedule. Toledo returns a senior backcourt triumvirate of 6'5" Tyrone Kent (16.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg), 6'4" Jonathan Amos (12.1 ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.3 apg), and 6'4" Ridley Johnson (8.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 0.9 apg). However, the Rockets are extremely inexperienced in the frontcourt with no upperclassmen on the roster in the forwards or center spots. The Rockets should supply a stiffer test than IPFW, but since Xavier strength, the frontcourt, matches up with a huge weak spot for the Rockets the Musketeers look to have an upper hand.
Puerto Rico Season Tip-Off Thursday Nov. 20 thru Sunday Nov. 23- see below
vs. Miami (OH.) Saturday, Nov. 29- The Musketeers return home to face another Mid-American team in the RedHawks. This is a game that the Musketeers will undoubetly be looking forward to after last year stunning 59-57 loss at Miami. The RedHawks will be ready, however, as they return 6'5" wing Michael Bramos (16.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 6'0" point guard Kenny Hayes (12.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.8 apg), 6'8" center Tyler Dierkers (6.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.5 apg) and 6'5" guard Eric Pollitz (5.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.5 apg) - all of whom are seniors. Miami is the most experienced team that the Muskies will have played in the Continental United States, and that experience gave Xavier problems last year when they were a year younger. I expect this to be a close game, with Xavier getting the home court boost that Miami got last year.
vs. Auburn Wednesday Dec. 3- Auburn fulfills the second half of a home and home agreement with Xavier this year after falling 80-57 at home last year. Cincinnati native and 6'3" guard Quantez Robertson (7.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.1 apg) returns, along with injury plauged post Korvotney Barber (13.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg in only 10 games due to injury), 6'5" senior guard Rasheem Barrett (13.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 apg) and 6'1" guard DeWayne Reed (8.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.7 apg). Auburn is, as usual, athletic, and will provide a solid major conference opponent for the resume early.
vs. Ohio Wednesday Dec. 10- The Bobcats are the third MAC team to come into Cintas Center, but are weakendd by a loss of three of their top for scorer from a year ago. They will lean heavily on MAC player of the year candinate Jerome Tillman (6'6" forward 13.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg) along with 6'0" point man Michael Allen (4.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 4.4 apg) lanky 6'6" wing Justin Orr (6.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg). The frontcourt is the Bobcats strength, which matches up with the Musketeers. However Xavier is deeper, namely on the wing where Ohio is going with sophoomore Tony Freeman and two freshman backups.
vs. Cincinnati Saturday Dec. 13- The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout is at UC this year, and comes on the Saturday before finals for Xavier students. The Bearcats look to have a stronger team than a year ago, when they fell 64-59 to Xavier at Cintas Center. The key to the Bearcat offense is 6'1" junior shooting guard Deonta Vaughn. Vaughn, who averaged 17.3 points per game a season ago, will be a strong contender for the Big East Player of the Year in large part because of his three point shooting. Many Xavier players got to know the nature of that jump shot first hand this summer, as Vaughn and many other UC players attended open gyms at Cintas, in which Vaughn had a propensity to put on a three point exhibition. Vaughn will be joined by 6'5" sophomore forward Alvin Mitchell, who looks to step into a more major role after only averaging 2.8 points as a freshman a season ago, and looked to be doing so in a strong showing over the summer in the Deveroes Summer League. 6'6" Rashad Bishop is the second leading returning scorer for the Bearcats behind Vaughn at 5.4 points per game, and will likely start on the wing if Cincinnati goes with a three wing set. The key to the 2008-09 season for the Bearcats will be similar to that of Xavier's season in that they need a large batch of newcomers to play key roles on the team. There will be seven fresh faces on the roster for UC, including five from a recruiting class ranked No. 18 in the country by Rivals.com. Ohio High School Player of the Year Yancy Gates, a 6'8" 250 lb. power forward, leads the way as the 22nd ranked player nationally. The Bearcats also landed a late gem in John Riek, a 7'1" center who had declared for the NBA Draft, and was considered a potential lottery pick before pulling out with injury concerns. Cashmere Wright is another freshman who will factor heavily in the rotation, as he was the 12th rated point guard in the country according to Rivals.com. When you factor in Texas transfer Mike Williams, a big man who has not played since 2005-06 because of transfer rules and an injury, the group of newcomers looks to be stacked. This year's version of the Shootout looks to be one of the better matchup in recent memory.
vs Duke Saturday Dec. 20 at Izod Center in the Meadowlands- A week after the euphoria of the Crosstown, in which finals will be taken, comes the much anticipated CBS national TV matchup with the Blue Devils. All Duke does is return four starters and four key bench players from a No.2 seed in last year's NCAA Tournament. That includes Greg Paulus at the point (11.4 ppg, 3.2 apg), 2008 ACC Rookie of the Year Kyle Singler (6'8" forward, 13.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6'4" wing Gerald Henderson (12.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6'8" post man Lance Thomas (4.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg), 6'5" sharpshooter Jon Scheyer (11.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and 6'2" guard Nolan Smith (5.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg). Add that to the 27th best recruiting class in the country featuring Elliot Williams (No.3 shooting guard according to Rivals.com), Miles Plumbee (No. 29 PF) and Olek Czyz (No.31 PF). Needless to say the Musketeers will have their hands full. A lot of this game will come down to who is shooting the ball well from beyond the arc. If any of Sheyer, Paulus, Henderson and Singler get hot the Blue Devils could distance themselves from Xavier in a hurry. Duke obviously has the advantage on the perimeter, but the Musketeers might hold the upper hand over the Blue Devils in the paint. The Blue Devils figure to come out in a 'four out, one in' set-up on offense, and in that case you will have a defender like Singler or Scheyer guarding Derrick Brown, giving Brown a height and athleticsm advantage. This could be a statement game for Brown on a national stage, and unless Duke puts Thomas or 7'1" Brian Zoubek on him, Brown will have multiple advantages with which to work his greatly expanded offensive game. Aside from Brown Jason Love figures to be able to handle himself against the shorter defender in Thomas or he slower defender in Zoubek. If Xavier can defend the perimeter effectively, then they may be able to exploit a frontcourt advantage in this prime-time matchup.
vs. Butler Tuesday Dec. 23- The Musketeers return home for a matchup with Horizon League power Butler in the first part of a home-and-home series with the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs graduate five of the top six scorers from a second round NCAA squad from a year ago. The lone returning starter is 6'7" sophomore forward Matt Howard (12.3 ppg, 5.5 apg). Junior wing Willie Veasley is the only other returning Bulldog to see significant playing time a season ago, as he averaged 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs always play stellar defense, and will undoubtedly do so against a Xavier team that will have just gotten off of an emotional roller coaster in the previous 10 days. However, the question remains to be answered as to where the scoring and leadership will come from on such a young, inexpereinced team.
vs. Robert Morris Wednesday Dec. 31- For the second straight year the Musketeers will be on the court as the calender turns to a new year. This time they will be playing host to Robert Morris. The Colonials return three starters from a team that lost 87-81 at Syracuse in the first round of the NIT a season ago. 6'3" shooting guard Jeremy Chappell (14.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 apg), 5'11" point Jimmy Langhurst (9.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.8 apg) and 6'1" French import Bateko Francisco (8.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.6 apg) are the returning starters. Although returning three starters the backcourt will still suffer from the loss of point guard Tony Lee, 6.4 assists per game a year ago. Again, Xavier's frontcourt strength should be a key factor in this contest, although the Colonials will try to assert control of the tempo with a senior backcourt.
at Virginia Saturday Jan. 3- In the first true road game of the season the Musketeers face off against another ACC opponent in the Cavaliers. High scoring guard Sean Singletary is gone, but the Cavs still have firepower on the wings in Diane Mamadi (11.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), Jeff Jones (4.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg in 25 starts) and highly touted recruit Sylvan Landsberg out of New York City. 6'8" sophomore post man Mike Scott (5.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg) leads the frontcourt. The loss of Singletary leaves UVA without a definative frontman, which Landsberg certainly could develop into by early January. The frontcourt could be a question area for the Cavs, especially considering the loss of leading rebounder Adrian Joseph.
at LSU Saturday Jan. 24- After five A-10 games the Musketeers round out their out of conference slate with a trip to Baton Rouge. The Tigers welcome in new coach Trent Johnson, who came over from Stanford after the season. Johnson will look to 6'7" swingman Tasmin Mitchell, who missed all but three game due to injury a year ago. Mitchell joins 6'4" guard Marcus Thornton (19.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 6'11" Chris Johnson (11.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg), 6'6" wing Terry Martin (8.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and 6'6" guard Gerrett Temple (6.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.6 apg). The loss of first round pick Anthony Randolph hurts, but the Tigers will still be a stiff road test, and will likely contend for an SEC West title this season. Added with Duke, Cincinnati, and the potential opponents in Puerto Rico give the Musketeers a handfull of potential NCAA Tournament teams on the schedule. As opposed to most times out, the Musketeers don't start the game with a decided advantage in the frontcourt as Mitchell can matchup with Brown effectively and Johnson can nullify Love or Kenny Frease. Added with the tough environment in Baton Rouge, and this looks to be one of the toughest road tests of the season for Xavier.
Xavier's schedule was obviously designed to coddled the younger players until they are ready for the bright lights, and in full swing by conference play. Without a true road game until after the New Year, the strength of scheudle will hurt the Musketeers' RPI and likely will not allow them to grab anything close to a 3 seed like last year in the NCAA Tournament, especially if they drop a few of those games out of conference. All told it is an impressive job by Mike Bobinski, Sean Miller and the Xavier staff of boking a favorable but challenging schedule, that mixes in some great national exposure.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
O'Rielly Auto Part Puerto Rico Tip-Off field announced
The eight team field for the O'Rielly Auto Part Puerto Rico Tip-Off has been announced, and Xavier looks to get three quality games out of the tournament. Xavier will play Missouri in the first round of the Tournament. Missouri finished 2007-08 at 16-16 (6-10), but will serve as an early test to the Xavier frontcourt. The Tigers are experienced and skilled in the post with returning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year DeMarre Carroll, a senior transfer from Vanderbilt that led the team in rebounding and was third in scoring a season ago, and Leo Lyons, a 6'9" senior big man who averaged 13.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Xavier will then play either the winner or loser of the game between Fairfield and Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech returns three starters in senior wing and leading scorer A.D. Vassallo, sophomore forward and leading rebounder Jeff Allen, and sophomore small forward J.T. Thompson.
The other side of the bracket contains UT-Chattanooga against defending national runner up (but highly depleted) Memphis, as well as USC (still extremely strong with DeVon Jefferson, Taj Gibson, Daniel Hackett and top shooting guard Demar DeRozan) against Seton Hall.
If nothing else Xavier looks to get three quality games from the tournament. Missouri, while losing a significant number of seniors from last season, offers a physical brand of basketball that Xavier likely will not face in their conference, save Ahmad Nivens and St. Joseph's. A win and a second round matchup with Virginia Tech brings another type of challenge, a group of three talented players who can shoot and get to the basket from the wing position. Wing defenders like Derrick Brown, Dante Jackson and possibly Jordan Crawford, if he is eligible, will be counted on to hold the Hokie wings in check. Virginia Tech looks to be a team contending for an NCAA berth and likely will be int eh RPI top 50, so a win over them would greatly boost Xavier's RPI and resume come Tournament time. Aside from the game with Duke at the Meadowlands, a possible championship matchup with either Memphis or USC looks to be the toughest test on the Xavier schedule. Memphis lost a great deal from a team that came a Mario Chalmers miracle away from a championship. But John Calipari knew that, and brings in the fourth best recruiting class in the country led by shooting guard Tyreke Evans. (An Evans vs. DeRozan matchup in the semifinals could be a matchup of the two best freshman in the country, and both would be guarding each other). DeRozan slips right into the vacated spot of O.J. Mayo and with Mayo's supporting cast, namely Jefferson and Gibson in the frontcourt, developing, USC is looking for a top seed in the West bracket of this year's NCAA Tournament.
Xavier's first two games will be on ESPNU, with the third round game on ESPN2.
Xavier will then play either the winner or loser of the game between Fairfield and Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech returns three starters in senior wing and leading scorer A.D. Vassallo, sophomore forward and leading rebounder Jeff Allen, and sophomore small forward J.T. Thompson.
The other side of the bracket contains UT-Chattanooga against defending national runner up (but highly depleted) Memphis, as well as USC (still extremely strong with DeVon Jefferson, Taj Gibson, Daniel Hackett and top shooting guard Demar DeRozan) against Seton Hall.
If nothing else Xavier looks to get three quality games from the tournament. Missouri, while losing a significant number of seniors from last season, offers a physical brand of basketball that Xavier likely will not face in their conference, save Ahmad Nivens and St. Joseph's. A win and a second round matchup with Virginia Tech brings another type of challenge, a group of three talented players who can shoot and get to the basket from the wing position. Wing defenders like Derrick Brown, Dante Jackson and possibly Jordan Crawford, if he is eligible, will be counted on to hold the Hokie wings in check. Virginia Tech looks to be a team contending for an NCAA berth and likely will be int eh RPI top 50, so a win over them would greatly boost Xavier's RPI and resume come Tournament time. Aside from the game with Duke at the Meadowlands, a possible championship matchup with either Memphis or USC looks to be the toughest test on the Xavier schedule. Memphis lost a great deal from a team that came a Mario Chalmers miracle away from a championship. But John Calipari knew that, and brings in the fourth best recruiting class in the country led by shooting guard Tyreke Evans. (An Evans vs. DeRozan matchup in the semifinals could be a matchup of the two best freshman in the country, and both would be guarding each other). DeRozan slips right into the vacated spot of O.J. Mayo and with Mayo's supporting cast, namely Jefferson and Gibson in the frontcourt, developing, USC is looking for a top seed in the West bracket of this year's NCAA Tournament.
Xavier's first two games will be on ESPNU, with the third round game on ESPN2.
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