Just one thing here: Xavier Basketball

After that big win against Dayton, the tough games continue.  The Muskies play at UMass at 7pm tonight.  UMass was undefeated at home this season until last week.  They lost to LaSalle by 1 point after the referees changed their decision on what was a game-tying UMass buzzer-beater from a 3 point shot to a 2.

The Minutemen's great home record and Muskies recent road struggles equate to the Muskies being a 1 point underdog tonight.  UMass has a scary team.  They lead the A10 in scoring (76.3 pts/game) and rebounding (39.9 rebs/game).  Chaz Williams, their PG who transferred in from Hofstra, is the floor general of their high-scoring offense.  He's scoring 15.5 pts/game and leads the conference with 6.2 assists per game. The Minutemen are averaging an incredible 80 points in home games.

It will take a great effort on the defensive end to slow down the UMass offense.  A balanced Muskies scoring attack has been rare of late but may be the key to beating the Minutemen.  In their last 2 games (both losses), they've allowed 4 different opponents to score double figures in each game.

Go Muskies!
-Josh

We beat Dayton.  The world as we know it is restored.

The win, combined with UMass losing, put the Muskies alone in 3rd place in the A10.  We square off with UMass on the road Tuesday night.  Until yesterday's 1 point loss to LaSalle, UMass was undefeated on their home court.  Should be another tough game.

Go Muskies!!!

I'm anxiously awaiting this game.....as far as earning an at-large bid to the Big Dance goes, I think it's a safe bet that the loser of this game is eliminated from being in that debate.

We all know that Xavier has won exactly ZERO A-10 tournaments since the tourney moved to Atlantic City.  All 3 Philly teams are solid this year and I don't want to have to play any of them in their backyard in that tourney.  So, let's take care of business here.

Came across an interesting statistic.  In Dayton's last 13 games, they've out-rebounded their opponents 12 times and tied they're opponents in rebounds in the other game.  The Muskies, on the other hand, have been very inconsistent on the glass.  Our rebounding margins in the last 10 games: +11, +2, -6, -12, Even, -4, +3, +3, +17, -11.  As you've probably guessed, the -12 and -11 were losses (Dayton and Temple).  We have to keep our focus and play even with Dayton on the glass this time around.  While Dayton's rebounding has been good, they are giving up a pretty high FG% on D, 45.4% over their last 5 games, compared to Xavier's D at 40.4%. Getting Kenny in the scoring column early and playing some up-tempo ball when Kenny's on the bench could become a big factor in delivering a Muskies win.

Let's do this! 

Go Muskies!!! BEAT DAYTON!

It's been over 30 years since Dayton has beaten Xavier in Cincinnati.  I'll be honest, I'm nervous this year.  We've had some glimpses of greatness, but we've had many stretches where we have not looked close to good.  Who's going to step up and score some points to take the pressure off of Tu and Lyons?  How will we defend the screens and ball movement that allowed UD many 3-pointers last time?  We'll find out soon.

Dayton fell apart after beating us a month ago.  After losing 4 straight though, they've now won their last 2.  Other than a nice win at Temple (note - Temple's big man was not back yet), they have not fared well on the road this year, going 2-5 thus far.

We have to play a solid 40 minutes and get back to playing the outstanding defense that we were playing earlier in the season.  Cintas is going to be loud Saturday night, the game sold out months ago.  I can't wait for this one!

GO MUSKIES!!!

For the first time in years, all men's practices are closed this week.  Coming off the loss to Temple and leading up to what is now the most important game of the year, Chris Mack said today that practice will be closed this week.

We need a win badly, and it wouldn't feel better to get it against anyone more than Dayton.

A full preview of Dayton vs. Xavier to come later this week.

Go Muskies!