By Paul Casey Gotham

Setting: The Blackburn-McCafferty Trophy is on the line at the Cintas Center as Brian Gregory brings his Dayton Flyers (14-4/ 2-1) south on I 75 for a clash with Chris Mack and his Xavier Musketeers (10-5/ 2-0). The trophy honors former Dayton coach Tom Blackburn (1947-64) and Xavier coach and athletic director, Jim McCafferty (1957-63).

Plot: Position in conference standings is on the line. Along with the Musketeers, the Flyers trail three other unbeaten teams in the conference – Temple, George Washington and Duquesne.

There will be a plenty of energy on campus and plenty more on the court. Dayton will look to take advantage of Xavier’s short bench.  Ten Flyers average 10 or more minutes per game. Because of injuries, the Musketeers have nine scholarship players.

Sub-plot: Both squads enter play coming off a win. Chris Wright scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Flyers defeated the St. Joe’s Hawks 65-59. Tu Holloway led five Muskies in double figures as Xavier trounced UMass 79-50. Dayton has not won on Xavier’s home court since 1981.

Flashback: Holloway scored 22, and Jason Love corralled 10 rebounds as the X-Men advanced to the A10 semi-finals with a 78-73 triumph over the Flyers at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dayton leads the series 82-63. Xavier has taken eight of the last nine meetings.

Xavier has earned 21 NCAA Tournament berths, including last year’s Sweet Sixteen run and Elite Eight showings in 2008 and 2004. Dayton’s resume includes 14 appearances in ‘The Dance.’ Brian Gregory took the Flyers to the tourney in 2009 and in 2004.

Foreshadowing: Sixteen Flyers have gone on to enjoy careers in the NBA, including Jim Paxson Jr. and Johnny Davis.  Seventeen Musketeers have played in the Association, including current stars Derrick Brown, Jordan Crawford, James Posey and David West.

Conflict: Both teams play games in the 60s. Dayton scores 66 while surrendering 62. Xavier scores 69 and gives up 64.  The Muskies hold a slight advantage in field goal percentage (44 percent to Dayton’s 39). Turnovers are a near wash. UD creates as many as they commit. XU has a slight advantage (.8). The Flyers take and make slightly more free throws per game than their adversaries as do the Musketeers.  But the Flyers have an edge on the boards. Their 5.6 rebounding margin ranks in the top 50 nationally.

Dayton’s Chris Wright and Xavier’s Jamel McLean could be the individual match-up of the night. Both average a near double-double (Wright 13.3 ppg/ 9.2, McLean 11.3 / 9.5).

Wright will end Dayton’s drought when he plays in the N.B.A. next year.  Wright can overpower with brute strength. He has developed a mid-range game that makes him difficult to guard. Opponents can not lay off him from 15 feet. Get too close though, and Wright will blow by a defender with one dribble and a dunk.

McLean’s back-to-the basket game has quietly matured. He is patient with the ball in the post allowing the play to develop and finding open teammates. At the same time, he can finish with either hand. When the ball goes in the air, McLean is difficult to keep in check.

Dayton’s freshman point guard, Juwan Staten, and Xavier’s Tu Holloway are primarily responsible for feeding the ball into the post.

Staten hands out more than six assists per game and he possesses a better than 2:1 assist to turnover ratio . For a freshman, he has an uncanny ability to play within himself.

Holloway has the talent to be the best point guard in the country, when he keeps his emotions in check. The Xavier junior could dominate Staten. But he also could lose sight of winning the game and turn the point guard battle into a personal confrontation.

Dante Jackson hit five of eight shots from long range when the Muskies beat Dayton at Cintas last year. Chris Johnson averages two threes a game for the Flyers. Jackson and Johnson could tip the scales in the game. Whoever of these guys gets hot will affect floor spacing and the length of passing lanes to be defended.

Xavier’s Mark Lyons and Kenny Frease have played inconsistently this year. Both are capable of big performances. It is also possible for them to be a liability.

At 7′, Frease is a difficult match-up. Add to that a baby hook he has developed and Frease can get 22 like he did against Wake Forest. The following game he accounted for zero at Gonzaga.

Lyons averages 12 a game. He scored 11 in a loss to Cincinnati and two in a loss to Florida. His assist to turnover rate is one to one, but those numbers do not include shots that Lyons forces.

Paul Williams provides a deep threat for the Flyers. The junior guard hits almost 49 percent from long range.

Dayton’s Josh Parker, Devin Searcy and Josh Benson combine for 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Conflict: After limping through the end of December and an emotional game at Cincinnati, the Musketeers seemed to have found their just in time for conference play. The Flyers will take this game to final minutes, but Xavier’s play-makers will be too much. Staten will put up a struggle, but Xavier’s experienced back court will outlast the freshman. Xavier will come away with with a five-point victory.

AP Photo/Al Behrman

By Paul Casey Gotham

Setting: NCAA tournament contenders collide when Chris Mack brings his Xavier Musketeers (7-2)  to Spokane, Washington for a battle with Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs (6-5).

Plot: Atlantic 10 meets the West Coast Conference with tournament resumes on the line.

Sub-plot: The game is the second of four in thirteen days for the Muskies. Xavier knocked off Wake Forest over the weekend. Xavier hosts Albany on Tuesday and Florida, New Year’s Eve. Gonzaga trimmed Baylor on Saturday. The Zags take on Oklahoma State on the 31st.

Background: The match-up is part of the Jesuit Spotlight project using basketball to promote Jesuit education across the United States. Xavier and Gonzaga are two of 28 Jesuit universities in the country.

Flashback: The schools have split a pair of meetings in the past. Gonzaga defeated Xavier in the first round of the 2006 NCAA tournament 79-75. The schools first met in 1960 with Xavier laying claim to an 87-82 triumph.

Coach Few has led Gonzaga to 11 of its 13 NCAA tournament appearances including Sweet Sixteen showings in ’00, ’01, ’06, and ’09.   Seven different coaches have led the Musketeers to 21 NCAA tournament appearances including Eight Eight showings in ’04 and ’08.

Foreshadowing: Eight Bulldogs have gone on to play in the National Basketball Association including current players Austin Daye and Ronny Turiaf. Seventeen Musketeers have suited up in the National Basketball Association with Derrick Brown, Jordan Crawford, James Posey and David West holding down current roster spots.

Conflict: Gonzaga scores nearly 79 points per game while giving up 70. Xavier fills it up at a rate of 70 per contest but keeps opponents to 68. The Bulldogs finish 48.7 percent from the field and allow a rate of 42.2 percent. The Muskies hit 43.5 percent and give up 40 percent.

Gonzaga’s schedule is ranked 21st in the country. Xavier weighs in at 26th.

What gives?

On the surface, Gonzaga earned a big win over a ranked opponent in Baylor. But the Bears have not played much of a schedule and lacked an edge. Baylor came out and used a two-three zone to defend the Zags. Gonzaga took advantage of the comfortable space afforded on the perimeter for the win.

Gonzaga’s Steven Gray left Saturday’s game with back spasms. The 6’5″ shooting guard averages 15 points per game.  He leads the Zags in three point attempts (70) and makes (29). Gray will be hard pressed to continue his 41 percent rate from behind the arc with Xavier’s Tu Holloway up in his grill. Holloway will not allow Gray any comfort on the perimeter. Gray will be forced to go off the dribble, and Holloway is the quicker of the two. On the other end, Gray will have his hands full trying to limit Holloway. With Duke’s Kyrie Irving out because of injury, Holloway is the best point guard in the country. His performance Saturday might have been a turning point as the junior from Hempstead, New York accumulated more assists than points. He became a point guard’s point guard distributing to his teammates. Holloway scored five of twelve points late in the game as the Wake Forest defense was forced to extend on his teammates.

Elias Harris was hampered by early injury early in  the late. Harris scored 19 in Gonzaga’s loss to Notre Dame. He followed with anther 19-point output against Lewis-Clark State. His best asset is the ability to put the ball on the deck and take his man to the rim.  At 6’7″ he creates mis-matches for opposing forwards that have to defend him on the perimeter. Xavier’s Jamel McLean is more than athletic enough to neutralize Harris on the offensive end.

Baylor let Robert Sacre catch the ball in the post all day. The 7′ center is adept and catching and scoring. He has the tendency to put the ball to floor and cause turnovers. Kenny Frease poses a formidable adversary. For the first time this season, Sacre will find an opponent just as big as he. The difference is the Frease can finish around the rim. Sacre spent most of Saturday’s game in foul trouble. Frease scored a career high 22 points against Wake Forest. The emergence of Frease as a scorer could be the missing link for the X-Men. Frease will need to deny Sacre the ball as much as possible and play straight up when the Gonzaga center gets the ball.

Xavier’s Dante Jackson will match-up with Matthis Monninghoff. Monninghoff has a size advantage but that is it. Jackson is accustomed to playing in the post. Mack will go to his bench when needed, and 6’9″ Jeff Robinson will tilt the advantage back to the Muskies.

Mark Lyons will have the responsibility of defending Gonzaga’s point guard, Demetri Goodson. This might be Xavier’s biggest advantage. Lyons is capable is putting immense pressure on the ball. If he forces Gonzaga to start their offense further from the basket, he will neutralize any advantage Sacre might have in the paint.

Both coaches aren’t afraid to go to their benches. Kelly Olynyk, Sam Dower, and Mangisto Arop give the Zags a boost. Robinson, Andrew Taylor, and Jay Canty provide the Muskies will valuable minutes.

Resolution: Xavier’s having to travel cross-country would usually cause problems, but classes are not in session. The Muskies should be able to adjust to the different time zone. With that, Xavier’s defense will make Gonzaga play at an uncomfortable pace. The Muskies have shown the ability to change speeds easily. They can get out and run full court. At the same time, with the ball in Holloway’s hands, he is making decisions as to when Xavier needs to run half-court. Gonzaga’s injury woes will continue to plague them, and Xavier will get an important victory.

Jamel McLean takes it strong to the cup. AP Photo/Al Behrman

By Paul Casey Gotham

Setting: Batten down the hatches as Jeff Bzdelik brings his Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-4) north to the Cintas Center for a tilt with Chris Mack and his Xavier Musketeers (7-2).

Plot: Atlantic Coast Conference meets Atlantic 10 in the second annual Skip Prosser Classic. The late Prosser coached  both programs.

After starting 2-3, Wake Forest has taken four of five, but Bzdelik crew needs consistency. The Deacs have wins over Iowa, Hampton, and most recently, UNC-Greensboro. Losses to UNC-Wilmington and Stetson are cause for concern.

Fans of the Muskies should not be surprised by the team’s two defeats. Xavier had three losses this time a year ago.

Sub-plot: Wake Forest freshman, Melvin Tabb, was recently re-instated to the lineup after taking time to address academic concerns.  After sitting out a year due to his transfer from Georgetown, Nikita Mescheriakov made his debut two games ago for the Deacs. The red-shirt junior came off the bench and scored seven points with four rebounds.

The Muskies continue to evolve after the graduation of Jason Love and departure of Jordan Crawford.

Xavier has Gonzaga, Florida, and Cincinnati in the near future. Wake tussles with Gonzaga and Richmond in the next two weeks.

Flashback: “Call me” Ishmael Smith scored a career-high 28 points, and Al-Farouq Aminu added 26 with 17 rebounds as the Demon Deacons took a double-overtime thriller a year ago, 96-92 at the Joel Coliseum.  Saturday’s night’s meeting is the third between the inter-conference rivals with each school taking one. The Muskies downed the Deacs in the second round of the 1999 NIT Tournament, 87-76.

Wake Forest has punched 22 tickets to the NCAA tournament including an appearance in the 1962 National Semi-finals and Elite Eight showings in ’39, ’61, ’77, ’84 and ’96. Seven different coaches have led the Musketeers to 21 NCAA tournament appearances including Eight Eight showings in ’04 and ’08.

Foreshadowing: Twenty-seven Deacs have moved on to careers in the National Basketball Association including currently Al-Farouq Aminu, Tim Duncan, Josh Howard, James Johnson, Chris Paul, Darius Songaila and Jeff Teague. Seventeen Musketeers have suited up in the National Basketball Association including current stars Derrick Brown, Jordan Crawford, James Posey and David West.

Conflict: Wake Forest averages 74 ppg while allowing 73.  Freshman, Travis McKie leads a quintet of Deacs in double figures with more than 13 and a half points. Ari Stewart and J.T. Terrell also chip in 13 apiece. Gary Clark adds 11.8 and C.J. Harris gets 10.8.

Clark has hit 20-30 from behind the arc. Stewart and Terrell have hit 17 and 18 from long range.

Xavier is 4-1 when holding opponents under 70. The Muskies score 69.2 and give up 67.1. Last time out, the X-Men showed they can go toe-to-toe in a defensive battle beating national runner-up Butler, 51-49. But the targets were easy to find – Shelvin Mack from the perimeter, stop the dribble of Ronald Nored and take away Matt Howard. Wake has a variety of weapons.

Can Xavier make this a half-court game?

Xavier has struggled against the 2-3 zone. Will Wake go away from man-to-man?

The good news for Xavier fans is that Tu Holloway leads the team with 22.3 ppg. The bad news for Xavier fans is that Tu Holloway leads the team with 22.3 ppg.

The Musketeers have struggled to establish an offensive identity. Besides Love and Crawford, Xavier lost 3pt. specialist Brad Redford for the season with an injured knee. Senior forward, Jamel McLean then broke a bone in his eye socket. McLean is playing with protective goggles but is not 100 percent. Redford’s loss creates spacing problems. His absence is noticed most when the Musketeers lack a player capable of knocking down a 3 in transition.

Holloway is Xavier’s best three-point threat. The junior point guard needs a teammate to open the floor.

Mark Lyons might be the candidate. The red-shirt sophomore, though, has only hit 10-35 from long range.  He is averaging 16.5 over the last four contests. Lyons is also handing out 3.5 apg.

McLean averages 10.4 ppg and 9.9 rpg. The senior is difficult to keep away from the offensive glass leading with 23 offensive boards.

Kenny Frease can provide a spark. The junior recorded a double-double (12p/10r)in the win over Butler. He averages 10.6 ppg and 7.9rpg. He has developed an effective jump hook, but his conditioning (or lack thereof) is a problem late in games.

Dante Jackson gets 7.5ppg and 2.9rpg. The senior is the team’s best all-around defender.

Jeff Robinson has shown flashes of brilliance.

Resolution: Both teams enter play with a rebound margin of just +1. Xavier has established that stat against a tougher schedule. Wake has been hitting from the field at a rate of 46 percent. Xavier will trim that number with a stiff defensive performance. The Deacs will struggle to keep Xavier off the glass in particular McLean. The senior forward has shown a tendency to rise to the occasion. Saturday’s game will be no different. McLean will record his fourth double-double of the season, and the Muskies will win a close one.

By Paul Casey Gotham

Setting: It’s a “White-Out” at the Cintas Center as Brad Stevens and his Butler Bulldogs (4-3, 1-0) renew their rivalry with Chris Mack and his Xavier Musketeers (5-2). Fans will be clad in white tee shirts for the evening.

Plot: Horizon League meets Atlantic 10 in this battle of NCAA contenders. The Bulldogs reached last year’s finals. The Musketeers are one of only two schools to reach the Sweet Sixteen each of the last three seasons.

Sub-plot: Butler is coming off a loss to national champion Duke over the weekend. Xavier lost at Miami of Ohio in their most recent contest. Butler point guard, Ronald Nored, suffered a concussion on November 27th vs. Evansville. The point guard played against the Blue Devils but looked less than 100 percent. Xavier’s Jamel McLean continues to play while recovering from a broken bone in his eye socket.

Flashback: The Muskies rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit but lost a wild one at Hinkle Fieldhouse last year, 69-68. Xavier took a late lead only to come up short when Gordon Hayward hit a chip shot. The final play involved an incorrect stoppage of time and a possible blown over and back call.

Xavier holds a 28-16 edge in the all-time series.

Seven different coaches have led the Musketeers to a total of 21 NCAA tournament appearances including Eight Eight showings in ’04 and ’08. Xavier and Michigan State are the only schools in men’s division one basketball to reach at least the Sweet Sixteen each of the last three seasons.

Butler has made 10 trips to the dance including Sweet Sixteen showings in ’62, ’03, and ’07 to go with last year’s finish in the finals.

Foreshadowing: Seventeen Musketeers have suited up in the National Basketball Association including current stars Derrick Brown, Jordan Crawford, James Posey and David West.

Four Butler Bulldogs have graduated to the National Basketball Association including Gordon Hayward who currently plays with the Utah Jazz.

Conflict: Both squads face the struggles of re-incarnation. Butler needs to redefine themselves after Gordon Hayward. Xavier is struggling with their offensive identity minus Jordan Crawford and Jason Love.

Tu Holloway can create offense for the Musketeers, but it didn’t take long for opposing defense to figure out a scheme. Seton Hall went zone in the second half to turn a double-digit lead into a single-possession game at the Paradise Jam. One night later, Old Dominion played 40 minutes of 2-3 match-up,  and the X-Men ran out of answers.

Holloway’s teammates looked more intent on watching their  point guard play instead of making plays.

Mark Lyons (14.1), Jamel McLean (11.0), and Kenny Frease (10.4) have added to the Musketeers’ output. The trio needs to dictate the flow of the game.

Senior, Dante Jackson adds 7.6 a game.

Jeff Robinson scored 15 off the bench against Iowa, but has been quiet since then.

Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack are scoring 15 apiece for the Bulldogs. Shawn Vanzant adds eight with Zach Hahn and Andrew Smith add seven each.

Howard’s biggest challenge is staying on the floor. The senior forward routinely gets in foul trouble in Butler’s biggest contests.

The Bulldogs have a rebound margin just under five entering play tonight. That mark will be put to the challenge against Xavier’s front line. McLean is just the type of player who causes trouble for Howard. McLean moves quickly around the paint and will force Howard into foul situations.

Butler will not play zone. Rather, the Bulldogs will play man to man inside the three-point arc taking away Holloway’s opportunities for dribble penetration. Lyons and Jackson will need to extend Butler’s defense with shots from behind the arc.

Vanzant showed his ability to slash versus the Blue Devils. Xavier will need to keep the shooting guard out of the paint. If Mack can avoid persistent leg cramps, his inside-outside game will be the focus for Butler’s offense.

Resolution: Jackson will slow Mack enough to make a difference. Xavier’s interior will create too many problems for Howard and Smith.  Xavier has the second-longest home winning streak at 27. That number will increase by one tonight.

AP Photo/Al Behrman

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Atlantic 10 heavyweights collide when Chris Mooney brings his No.23 Richmond Spiders (22-6 / 11-2) to the Cintas Center to face Chris Mack’s Xavier Musketeers (20-7/ 11-2).

Plot: A piece of first place is at stake. The Spiders and Musketeers sit atop the A 10 with the Temple Owls.

Sub-plot: Richmond is undefeated in the month of February and brings an eight-game winning streak into the contest. The Spiders have been ranked back-to-back weeks for the first time since the 1957-58 season. Xavier has won their last four and finishes February with only their second home game of the month.

Xavier is undefeated at home this season.

The A 10 has 18 victories over BCS schools. Nine different teams have posted non-conference triumphs over the BCS conferences. Temple leads the way with four victories. Richmond, Rhode Island, and Xavier each have three.

Flashback: Richmond and Xavier closed the regular season a year ago. Kevin Anderson scored 29, Justin Harper Harper chipped 20 off the bench as the Spiders took an 80-75 decision.

Xavier leads the series 10-3.

Xavier has earned 20 NCAA Tournament berths, including last year’s Sweet Sixteen run and Elite Eight showings in 2008 and 2004. Richmond has been invited to the Dance seven times, including most recently in 2004.

Foreshadowing: Two Spiders have laced them up in the National Basketball Association: Johnny Newman and John Schweitz.  Sixteen Musketeers have played in the Association, including current stars Derrick Brown, James Posey , and David West.

Conflict: In five seasons under Mooney, Richmond has allowed 70 or more points just 37 times. The Spiders rank in top 20 nationally in field goal percentage defense (38.7), scoring defense (60.2), and 3-pt. percentage defense (28.6).  Richmond is also 14th in the nation with a turnover margin of 4.4. The Spiders play a stingy match-up zone that confuses opponents and limits open opportunities.

Xavier averages over 79 points per game. The Muskies have only lost twice this season when hitting the magic mark of 70. One of those defeats came in double overtime at Wake Forest. The Muskies have a rebound margin of +4.7 while the Spiders struggle at -4.6.

Kevin Anderson leads three Spiders in double figures. The junior point guard scores 17.5 while handing out 2.7 assists. Anderson is joined in the back court by senior, David Gonzalvez. The senior scores 13.6 a game and leads the Spiders with 56 threes.

Justin Harper leads the Spiders with 5.8 rebounds. The junior adds 10 points a game.

Ryan Butler and Darrius Garrett combine for 10 points and six and  a half rebounds.

Dan Geriot provides valuable minutes off the bench for the Spiders. The junior scores seven and grabs four boards.

Jordan Crawford leads the Muskies with 20 points. He adds almost five rebounds and three assists. The shooting guard leads the X-Men with 60 from behind the arc and hits 40 percent from long range. Crawford mixes his game well for a deadly combination. He can hit from 20 feet and go off the dribble depending upon the situation.

Terrell Holloway has ignited the Xavier offense all season. The sophomore point guard maintains a 2.2:1 assist to turnover ratio. Holloway finishes 84 percent of his free throws.

Jason Love is nothing short of dominant in the paint. When on, the senior’s jump hook can be indefensible. Love scores 11.8 and grabs 8.4 boards.

Jamel McLean averages eight points and seven rebounds. The junior plays his best against the best. McLean has four double-doubles this season, including performances at Wake Forest and Charlotte. McLean has six double-digit rebounding nights and eight double-digit scoring games.

Dante Jackson rounds out the starting five for Xavier. The junior scores six and grabs three rebounds. Jackson draws the toughest defensive assignment.

Kenny Frease and Mark Lyons log valuable minutes off the bench. Brad Redford has been hobbled of late with a bad hip.

Resolution: Richmond will try to slow down this game. The Spiders want to keep the Musketeers in the 60s. This will only work if Richmond can stymie Xavier in transition. Mooney’s club already struggles on the glass. Can they afford to give up offensive rebounding chances to stop Xavier from getting easy buckets?

Xavier has too many ways to score. The Muskies will win the battle of the boards and in particular on the offensive glass. Love, McLean, and Frease will lead the way as Xavier takes a close one.

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By Paul Gotham

Setting: The Blackburn / McCafferty Trophy is on the line at the University of Dayton Arena  when Chris Mack takes his Xavier Musketeers (16-6 / 8-1) north on I-75 for a tilt with Brian Gregory and his Dayton Flyers (15-6/ 4-3) . The Trophy honors former Dayton coach Tom Blackburn (1947-64) and Xavier coach and athletic director, Jim McCafferty (1957-63).

Plot: There will be a plenty of energy on campus and plenty more on the court. Ten Flyers play 12 minutes or more per game. Eight Musketeers log at least 16 minutes per contest. Coaches Mack and Gregory take pride in their benches.

Sub-plot: Xavier sits atop the A-10 standings with Charlotte and Temple at 7-1 ready to pounce on the next chance. With four conference wins and three losses, Dayton is in the sixth place.

Xavier brings a four-game win streak into Saturday’s match-up. The X-Men are in the middle of three consecutive road games. Dayton beat St. Bonaventure the last time out, but the Flyers have split their last six games.

Flashback: Dante Jackson had a career-high 19 points. Jordan Crawford and Terrell Holloway contributed 15 and 16 a piece as the Muskies beat UD on January 16th, 78-74. Dayton leads the series 81-62. Xavier has taken eight of the last nine meetings.

Xavier has earned 20 NCAA Tournament berths, including last year’s Sweet Sixteen run and Elite Eight showings in 2008 and 2004. Dayton’s resume includes 14 appearances in ‘The Dance.’ Brian Gregory took the Flyers to the tourney last year and in 2004.

Foreshadowing: Sixteen Flyers have gone on to enjoy careers in the NBA, including Jim Paxson Jr. and Johnny Davis.  Sixteen Musketeers have played in the Association, including current stars Derrick Brown, James Posey , and David West.

Conflict: Xavier ranks twentieth in the nation scoring 80 points per game. Dayton holds opponents to 62 points. The Flyers have out-rebounded opponents by 9.9 over the last eight games. Dayton is 13-3 when winning the war on the boards. Xavier’s rebound margin is 3.7.

Xavier’s attack begins with Terrell Holloway. The sophomore point guard has an assist to turnover ratio of 2.4:1 while putting 11 points per game. Holloway hit 85.6 percent from the free throw line.

Jordan Crawford leads the way with 19.5 points. The sophomore transfer adds 4.8 rebounds and hits 41.2 percent from behind the arc.

Inside, Jason Love and Jamel McLean make it happen. Love grabs 8.5 rebounds to go with 11.1 points. The senior’s best weapon is his jump hook. When on, the shot is nearly indefensible.

McLean logged a double-double last time out against UMass. The junior scored 14 and grabbed 11 boards as the X-Men to a 87-79 road win. McLean is a ball-getter. Opponents need to keep track of him at all times when the ball goes in the air.

Dante Jackson hits 43.4 percent from behind the arc. Jackson hit five of eight from long range last time out against the Flyers.

Brad Redford, Mark Lyons, and Kenny Frease log valuable minutes off the bench. The trio contributes 20 points and eight rebounds. Redford is deadly from long range hitting with 45.2 percent accuracy. Lyons has become a defensive stopper on the perimeter, and Frease provides valuable minutes in the paint.

Chris Wright leads the Flyers. The Wooden Award candidate heads a balanced attack with 14 points and seven rebounds. Wright can score from the inside and from the outside. McLean and Jackson will have their hands full trying to slow down the junior.

Chris Johnson is capable of exploding. The sophomore had 26 points and 20 rebounds against Duquesne last month. The 6’6″ forward averages 12 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Rob Lowery and London Warren are Dayton’s two-headed point guard monster. The duo nearly split time (Lowery 18.9 minutes, Warren 20.4) for the Flyers. The pair combine for two steals a game and an assist to turnover ratio of 1.8:1.

Paul Williams and Kurt Huelsman contribute nine points and five rebounds.

The Flyers attack is about depth and balance. Ten players log double digit minutes per game.

Marcus Johnson add eight points and three rebouns off the bench.

Resolution: Urgency reigns in the Flyer locker room. Pre-season polls pegged Dayton for back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournaments. And why not? The Flyers returned all their starters from last year’s club that beat West Virginia in the opening round of ‘The Dance.’ One year ago, the Flyers were 21-2. Dayton’s last four losses have been by a combined eight points. Last year, UD topped Xavier at home 71-58.

Chris Mack will use last year’s loss as motivation. Crawford has become a special player, and the Flyers will struggle to contain him. Earlier in the year, Crawford wasted numerous possession with ill-advised shots. The shooting guard has grown from the experience.

Dayton uses more players, but Xavier brings more talent. The Muskies drop the Flyers in a game decided in the final moments.

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