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View Full Version : Frontcourt leads way in opening win over IPFW, 71-43



kyxu
11-14-2008, 09:29 PM
http://www.xavierhoops.com/forums/images/logos/150/xu.gif Frontcourt leads way in opening win over IPFW, 71-43
By Mike Damone

The 2008-09 college basketball season tipped off with much anticipation, and anxiety, for the Musketeer faithful, with five newcomers stepping on the floor for the first time in a Xavier uniform Friday night. A sluggish offensive start in the first few minutes finally gave way to a 23-2 run, which saw five different Musketeers score, and a 71-43 Xavier win over Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (0-1) in the first game of the Muskies’ regular season.
The big question mark heading into the season was how the Musketeers (1-0) would replace their diminutive floor general, Drew Lavender, who graduated last season. Xavier coach Sean Miller has been wrestling between going with the relatively experienced sophomore Danté Jackson, who spent much of last season backing up Lavender and Stanley Burrell, or the freshman Terrell Holloway. The decision was made for Miller when Jackson (5 points, two assists) picked up his second foul just 7:26 into the game.

For better or worse, Holloway (5 points) managed Xavier during its run, though the Mastodons’ futile offense was more the reason than the Xavier pack-line or a dissecting half court offense. But another newcomer, center Kenny Frease, also had a little to do with IPFW’s offensive woes early on. The 7’0 freshman was an imposing presence in the paint, pulling in six boards, two blocks and seven points – including a tip-in at the halftime buzzer – in the first half alone, to give Xavier a 37-14 lead at intermission. Frease would finish with 12 points, three blocks and seven rebounds in his Xavier debut.

The Musketeers never looked back in the second half, allowing the Mastodons to get no closer than 20 the rest of the way. Senior CJ Anderson kicked in a game-high 15 points to go along with nine boards, while sophomore Jamel McLean contributed a double-double in his first ever game for the Musketeers, scoring 10 and pulling down 10 rebounds. Senior BJ Raymond added four points and two rebounds, while junior Jason Love contributed a solid six points and four boards. Junior Derrick Brown, who played sparingly with a sprained ankle, added five points.
The sizable lead, and somewhat anemic IPFW offense, allowed Miller the luxury play his entire bench fairly early. Freshmen Brad Redford and Brian Walsh contributed five points and two points, respectively, as well as sophomore Andrew Taylor getting in the books with a bucket.

But a few glaring weaknesses were evident Friday night that had previously been staples during last year’s 30-win season. Reminiscent of Xavier’s sloppy exhibition win a week ago, the Musketeers were plagued with turnovers, coughing up the ball 16 times, four of which came from Holloway. Xavier did go to the line 34 times to IPFW’s 14, but the Musketeers only connected on 20, giving them 58.8 percent clip. Finally, the departure of Lavender, Duncan and Burrell delivered a blow to the Musketeers’ long-range prowess, which was apparent, as Xavier only made 3-of-12 three-point attempts.

Though much of this can be attributed to the shift in Xavier’s strength, leaning more on a veteran frontcourt as opposed to a fledgling group of backcourt neophytes. The Musketeers did dominate on the glass, 46-31, and were able to score at will down low, which kept them from having to dial up much from long distance. The solid interior play still helped Xavier to establish the tempo early, forcing the Mastodons into early foul trouble, and allowed the Musketeers to run away with the win.

Xavier’s next game will be Monday at home against the Rockets of the University of Toledo, who are coming off an 80-58 loss to the #19 Florida Gators.